Corvus had only been gone for a few days, but even that felt like an eternity when she had such a special secret to tell him. Outwardly there wasn’t much to be seen different about the pale she wolf, but stirring within was her greatest treasure. For so long she had been haunted by the fact that she couldn’t give her husband a family. They’d suffered such a great loss and then nothing for so long. She was getting older now, and her hope had nearly died until now.

Twig tried not to let herself get too excited, so much could happen between now and birth, but she was aware this time. She could take better care, she could see this pregnancy through to the end. She had to. Twig refused to think about the alternative as she toiled around the den, tidying and freshening the space for Corvus’ return. She knew he would be back any time, and she was so eager to see him and tell him what they had to look forward to.

"Autumn Twig Memoire"

Though he'd only been gone for a short while, he missed Twig just as if he'd been gone for months by the time he finally made it back home. Corvus was tired from the journey he'd made, and though he longed for rest even more than that he longed to see his wife again. As tired as his joints were after the trip, he felt suddenly re-energized as he he crossed Avalon's borders and headed to the den he and Twig shared.

Not bothering to alert her to his arrival, assuming it'd be a welcome surprise - she was expecting him soon, surely, but she wouldn't know the exact moment he'd be back home - he made a beeline for their den and was pleased to find she was already there. A smile painted his aging features long before he saw her, though it only grew when he poked his head in and saw her. "Did you miss me?" He asked, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it anyway - he'd tell her a thousand times he missed her if she wanted him to.

Delicate paws toiled almost aimlessly as she tried to occupy herself while she waited for Corvus to return. A few days was as accurate an estimate as she had been given, and every minute seemed to crawl by. Especially when she had such joyful and exciting news to share with him. Part of her wished that they could have done this so long ago, but even now in their twilight years she was grateful that their dream was finally coming true.

There was a little smile that decorated her pale muzzle that would not be wiped away, though she wasn’t quite glowing yet it surely felt like she was. Then all at once that small knowing grin turned into a huge smile as Corvus’ voice reached her fawn tipped ears. "Corvus!” Twig responded in surprise and wasted no time in greeting him at the door, wrapping her thin arms around his neck and burying her features into his fur. "I missed you so much.” She squeezed her eyes shut and she squeezed him in her embrace, silent for a moment as she simply reveled in having him back home.

"How was your trip?” She asked curiously as she reluctantly pulled away from him enough that her violet gaze could meet his verdant green. Suddenly nervous about revealing the secret she had for him.

"Autumn Twig Memoire"

He didn't pay much mind to the fact that Twig had clearly been bustling about the den; even if he'd stopped to really notice he'd assume she was just busying herself before he got back. Instead he focus was solely on her and just how happy she was to see him, which brightened his already quite joyful mood. His eyes were bright as she greeted him, burying her face into his neck. "I missed you so much," he told her in return.

If he noticed she seemed even more chipper than usual, he made no sign of it. Maybe it wasn't such a surprise that she was, given how long it had been since they'd spent even a night apart. "It went well. I learned that Eulogy and her children are in Ashen now, to the west. No word from anyone else though. And Valhalla was as cordial as expected," he added with a grin, glad to look into her eye properly now. "And how was home without me?"

Corvus didn’t take much time to echo her sentiment, just as she missed him he had yearned for her as much. The distance between them wasn’t particularly vast or the time  any kind of real length, but being away from her partner was difficult. Especially when she had such exciting news to give to him once he returned to her. She leaned back and their eyes met as she asked about the trip in general, her stomach fluttering with nerves as their eyes met.

He had found a few of Abaven’s previous members, extended family that otherwise would have been believed lost. She knew the thought would comfort her husband, and made her feel better to know they had settled in a new home. They were no closer to knowing what happened to Theory, but at least he had gotten good news. "I’m glad to hear.” She commented softly before he went on to ask about her time at home.

Home. This was home now, and there was no denial of that fact. Twig grinned, nearly beaming with joy as she answered with the realization. "Mostly uneventful…” She started, not lying about that. Avalon was a peaceful place that she was glad they had found. "I did find something out though.” She hung on the edge of suspense. "Corvus,” she lifted a paw to her still flat belly. "You’re going to be a Dad.”

"Autumn Twig Memoire"

Something seemed a little different in her, but it'd been awhile since they'd been apart so at first he chalked it up to her being excited to see him. He felt similarly, his own chest fluttering with the faintest hint of excitement, but soon after he gave his news and she started to speak he realized there was in fact something going on. Something very good, thankfully, but it wasn't what he expected in the slightest.

He was going to be a dad. He felt his chest swell with joy, then deflate just slightly. Though he was overjoyed he didn't want to get his hopes up too much. "Really?" He said after a moment, a rhetorical question, but he was too stunned to say anything else right away. Hopeful, but within reason. His grin widened as he sighed contentedly, nuzzling tight into her neck. "This is all I've ever wanted," he told her softly. He'd never known he wanted to be a dad until the opportunity was torn away from him, and now he knew again this was exactly what he wanted. This time they'd be more prepared, more aware, and far more careful. At least he hoped as much. "I love you so much, Twig."