Family Reunion, When family members unwittingly meet

Nel tapped a few fingers over her slightly swollen stomach. She was four and a half months pregnant. The baby stirred and kicked against her fingers. She sighed and stopped, just looking up at the sky. She’d left early in the morning and was laying on a large rock near a cougar’s lair. The morning sun was warm and the kittens were soft and fuzzy.

Lilis was in a different section of the forest. She’d ridden Draven bareback and he’d hated the slow pace. Lilis was still very pregnant, but she knew that she’d give birth in a day or two, for which she was very relieved. She sat on the ground and leaned back against a tree. She was thinking about her baby too. It was a boy, plus. It was healthy, plus two. She couldn’t wait to hold him.

Daae was flipping out. He woke up and his wife was missing. He skidded to a halt at the ledge, panting as he stared down. He couldn't reach the ground without her. He growled and looked for rope.

Verse pried himself from work to be with her. He stood at her side, his hands clasped behind his back. He watched a butterfly, happy to be idle. But as he watched it, his heart and mind soared as he dreamed about his son.

A nice rope ladder was rolled up on the edge of the platform. Nel had made it for days when she didn’t feel like shifting to get out of her house. She did use it occasionally and especially if it was storming. Nel wasn’t really worried about Daae. She knew that when she saw him again he’d probably be upset with her. But she’d been bored. She hadn’t slept well that night and had been up for hours that morning before finally pulling herself out of bed.

Lilis looked up at Verse and poked his leg. “You look like you’re on cloud nine.” She said, her eyebrows twitching as she kept a meaningless frown from her face. “Share the wealth. What’s making you so happy?”

Daae sighed as he saw it. He looked out, she could have at least left a note, or woke him up. If she wanted to ba alone, then, he should let her be. Then again... she could be in trouble. He sighed, having the reather rare feeling of not likeing the man's job.

Verse looked to her and he grinned, "Glad I came, getting out of the office makes me feel great. It's even better that I'm with you." He bent and kissed her cheek.

As it happened, Ardis came back to the tree and landed on a branch that was near Daae’s head. ~ She really is amazing. Anyway, Nel figured you’d be up by now. She’s visiting a cougar and her litter of kittens. She says sorry, but she couldn’t sleep. ~ He said as he ruffled out his feathers before resettling them.

Lilis smiled and sighed. “Now I’m rich.” She said to herself with an elated expression. “I’m happy to be with you too. Sometime we should all try to be out. I know the boys would really like to get to know you better.”

Daae looked up, "Did they try to hurt her? Are they hungry? Did she eat something before she left? Think she'll sleep when she gets back?!"

Verse smiled, "I got to tell ya.... Constintine called me dad the other day... I smiled the rest of the evening."

~ Don’t kill me in an avalanche of questions! ~ Ardis said testily. ~ No, they haven’t tried to hurt. No, I don’t think they’re hungry, yet. I don’t know if she ate anything before she left. You may want to bring her something. I don’t know when she will want to come back. She may take a nap out there. I really don’t know Daae. ~

She chuckled. “I noticed. Ambrose still doesn’t know what to call you. He’s actually practiced calling you ‘dad’ and ‘father’, but when he sees you I think he gets nervous. Connie, on the other hand, hasn’t rehearsed a thing. He doesn’t think much about things like that. So he may start calling you that more often. Kip doesn’t need any prodding though. I think he’s just happy to have a new family.”

He nodded and turned to the kitchen, "Can you do me a favor and aske her what she wants?"

Verse grinned, "I'm happy to help." He sat by her and looked around, "This is a beautiful spot."

~ Fine. I guess I should tell her I’ve also become a Carrier Pigeon. ~ The owl grumbled to himself as he began a silent conversation with Nel. It ended a few minutes later. ~ She says fruit. She doesn’t like meat, if you hadn’t caught on yet. But I think if you bring her some, she’ll eat it. She says she’s ravenously hungry. ~

Lilis leaned against him. “You make it that way.” She murmured as she looked around.

He nodded, "If not, I'll bring nuts, she needs her protein." He headed to make her a sack meal.

Verse purred happily, hugging her and feeling her belly.

~ I’ll wait. She’s kind of tucked away. ~ Ardis said and watched Daae.

She giggled especially for him. “I love your purr.” She said and nuzzled his neck. “Very soon, love, you be holding him. I can’t wait to see your face.”

Daae looked up, "Hm?"

Verse grinned, "I can't wait to see his." He kissed her chin.

~ Nel is some distance away and… pretty high up. ~ He explained.

“I can’t either. It’s been so long since I’ve held a baby.” She said with a bright smile and tenderly caressed his lips.

Daae looked up, then back, "I'm willing."

Verse smiled to her and he slightly parted his lips.

~ Good. Let me know when you’re ready to set out. ~ Ardis said, shuffling.

Lilis let her tongue snake into his mouth, caress his tongue and the sides of his mouth.