Say again?

Rudy’s mind is of course on matters of play and entertainment, completely unaware where Fern’s thoughts are.  It was a wonderful day but he had no idea just how wondrous the day was to Fern or why.  Fern’s dreamy smile and look to the water have the lively Rudy wondering what was going on in her mind, after all, Fern was one to pull tricks as well.  That dreamy smile wasn’t her normal smile, though it was one he enjoyed on her.

When Fern spoke up about their children Rudy’s first thought was just imagining the future when it happened.  It took a second, the relaxed smile slowly fading.  The brows slowly raised up as he inwardly questioned what he was hearing.  Reality struck a moment later, the eyes going wide, staring at his mate, soaking in every inch of her.

The silence lasted for several seconds as the reality washed over.  Puppies?  He’d be a father?  She was going to be a mother?  There would be puppies? “Are you sure?” the voice was tense with built-up excitement he was choking down, needing to hear again those amazing words.  “Are you really… puppies?”  The water had been completely forgotten, everything was forgotten except this one thought.

“Fern!” His mind raced back trying to recall when she started that dreamy smile.  “How long have you known?  Puppies?  I’m gonna be a,” the words faded as a new thought came to mind, “how are you feeling?  Are you alright?”  Maybe they should slow down their trek!  Suddenly the path to home that had seemed to be coming to an end looked horribly far away.  Rudy wanted Fern and his future children safe in the hallows strong walls.  He also wanted to howl at Art and Gwyn and Bo and… well, everyone in the family.  They needed to rush home, at a very slow pace!


"Speech"