We ain't kids no more

"What will the children call me?"
"I think you'll be as much of a mother to them as I will be... I think they should call you mom... or maybe momma Amalia...  Congratulations, beautiful, you're going to be a mother."
"A mother..."

Her paws were sore and her muscles were tired as she crossed over the Fiori border. It was late at night, but she hadn't wanted to stop anywhere for the night on the way back. Her own thoughts drove her forward, her memories haunting her in a way that she knew would just keep her awake if she tried to sleep. If she was going to be awake she might as well make it home so she could sleep with Amalia at her side.

"Ready?"
"Both of you looked like flowers that just bloomed to see the sun... The two of you look beautiful."
"Thank you. For this, for everything... I'm ready. We're ready."

A heavy sigh left her lips as she slowly made her way through the mangroves, stepping over roots and around puddles. Nothing about this trip went as she had expected. Although, in that same light, she hadn't really known what to expect. A new wife. Children. A completely different life. She was happy that she got to reconnect with her brother and that he was doing so, so well, but it didn't do anything for her self doubt.

"What's wrong my love?"
"...Roman was killed. Two bears attacked their den and she died protecting her children... He's decided to disband the pack..."

She slowed to a stop when her and Amalia's den came into view. Her wife. She couldn't believe this was the same woman that she had pulled out of the snow half frozen and starved years ago. No, this wasn't the same woman. She wasn't the same woman she had been then either. They've both changed so much over the years. She had to wonder though, had they really changed or had they just grown out of their childish, naive ways?

"I know I raised an amazing woman... I can only hope that I can say the same for your father."
"Mother!"

She pushed herself forward toward their den, slipping inside tiredly. Normally she wouldn't dare wake up Amalia if she had already gone to sleep, but in the state she was in she couldn't keep herself from it. She honestly didn't know whether Amalia was asleep or not. Either way, she went to her wife like a magnet drawn to metal. She settled onto her stomach and curled her larger form around Amalia's, burying her face into Amalia's scruff without a word.

"Burn Baby Burn"