Chapter 2: A Late Blessing
Patchpelt's black and white fur flashed in the sunlight as he moved through the forest. He looked over his shoulder at Goldenflower and beckoned her to follow him. Intrigued, she leaped and woke to a mouthful of fur.
"Get off me," Lionheart hissed. "Go for a walk or something. You've been so restless."
"Sorry."
"It's like we're apprentices again," he muttered, tucking his nose under his golden tail. "Goldenflower?" he whispered as she rose to her paws.
"Yes?"
"Tell Patchpelt. You'll feel better once there are no secrets." His green eyes opened to slits as he looked upon her with compassion. "Sunstar used to tell us that a clean consciousness leads to an easy rest. And you've got nothing to be ashamed of."
"Thank you, Lionheart." His wisdom was always appreciated. She pressed her forehead against his and breathed in his scent. Her brother was always there for her.
He closed his eyes. "And I'll be able to get some sleep!"
Patchpelt was curled up in his nest, the moonlight filtering through the gaps in the den. Someone will need to patch those, Goldenflower thought. Maybe I can do that once I'm in the nursery.
His flanks rose evenly with every breath. He was lost to peaceful dreams. Goldenflower crept into his nest and curled up next to him, comforted by his familiar presence. Patchpelt woke her at dawn, concern in his amber eyes.
"Goldenflower? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"
She blinked at him, panic welling up in her chest. How was she to tell him? "Patchpelt," she started, finding the words as she spoke them. "I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm expecting kits. Your kits."
Delight sparked in Patchpelt's gaze and he rubbed his cheek against hers. "That's wonderful, Goldenflower. You will be the best mother those kits could ever ask for."
"I thought you should know." Goldenflower looked away, guilt pricking her paws. "I wish StarClan would've given us these kits sooner."
"When we were still mates, you mean?" That was just like Patchpelt, always getting to the heart of the matter. Goldenflower nodded and he continued. "These kits do not mean that we are mates again. We can still care for and love them without an obligation to each other."
She bowed her head at the weight of his words, but she was too proud to say the words that really mattered. Some borders were permanent once they were marked.
"I'm not angry with you." Patchpelt's tail touched her shoulder lightly. "I understand where you're coming from in a way."
"I never deserved you," she murmured.
"No, you didn't," he said, jokingly.
She shrugged. Patchpelt nudged her. "Let's go catch something to eat. Like old times. And then we can get some moss for a nest in the nursery for you."
The purr in her throat died away. That was something a mate did. "Brindleface and I were going to get some moss later."
Patchpelt shrugged. "If that's what you want. Now, I'm hungry!"
Goldenflower followed him out of the den, her pawsteps and heart heavy. Kits were a blessing, but why couldn't she have had them sooner.
