It's a wonderful life

Playful chatter, teasing, and joyful chases around different scenarios.  It had been like that just about everywhere they had traveled to.  It was a strange existence to be away from the family and pack for such an extended period of time.  While he loved all his family it was wonderful being alone and seeing the world with just Fern.

They enjoyed their meal together.  Rudy could feel Fern watching him, and it just brought that small knowing smile to his face.  It didn’t stop the motley wolf from finishing up his meal, followed by cleaning the blood from a leg, and muzzle, and carefully cleaning up the metal gauntlet that covered his foot.  

Rudy’s ears swiveled at Fern’s words even as he turned to face her, hearing something more serious and concerning in her voice. There had been a point at which Rudy had been uncertain on if he could be a father.  With that in mind, he understood the hesitation of knowing how to manage a role, understood at least that much of Fern’s fears.

“You know,” Rudy mused, “Art and I have no clue who our father is, never had anyone take on a father's role.  We have no idea what it is to be one.” With that statement those bright confident eyes looked at Fern, “Come on,” he nodded back in the direction of the cave they’d stayed in last night.

Rudy wasn’t done talking though, he just saw no point in sitting there while they did so.  “The answer came to me, and I think to him after some time. You don’t need to have a past example, sure it's nice I bet to have learned from another but Fern, that’s not how you really learn what to do.” Rudy’s attention from the path turned to look at Fern.  “I know your heart, and I know how big it is, and how open you are to sharing your kindness to others.  Fern, the most important thing for a child is to know is it's loved, and safe.  We can both love them, and we can both keep them safe.”

Rudy used a paw, pushing some loose hanging limbs and branches a bit higher for Fern to walk through, a rogue grin at getting a chance to offer a bit of unnecessary help.  He continued on with his talking though.  “I’m sure for some point in your youth, regardless of when it was broken, there was a period of naivete, a sense of curiosity of the world, and no thought of dangers.  You knew Meadow would keep you safe.  Why?  Because she loved you.  Sure, as you got older you didn’t like all her opinions but in the beginning, it was just confidence of knowing you were safe.”

Then he had lost her, they had all lost her.  Then so many scars had been put on hearts, and on some bodies, that would never leave.  The pain was part of them now, it had been part of what shaped the family as well as the good parts.
“Our role as parents is simply to protect, to encourage, to restrict, provide for all their needs, and show them our whole hearted love.  There are no set instructions.  So long as we love them, the rest falls into place.  Fern, there is no end to the amount of love you can show.  I can’t imagine anyone making a better mother than you.”

Stepping into the cave, Rudy nudged her chin gently.  “As to never leave you? Fairly certain I already promised you that at our wedding.” Rudy licked Fern’s cheek tenderly.  It was important for Fern to get it fully lodged into her mind that she never needed to fear being alone.  “However, Fern Carpathius, I will never leave you.  There is no threat, no treasure, no fear, no excitement that could ever make me think for even one moment that I would leave you.  Our children will be filled to the brim with love and I know you, as well as I, would give our lives to protect our children.  You will be a wonderful mom Fern.”

Rudy grinned, whispering in her ear, “let me prove it.”

"Rudyard"