promise me you wont grow up

The winter chill heavily set in as the little beans she had just given birth to become old enough to begin their lives in Ashen. The last few weeks had been nothing but heaven on earth. Despite the lack of sleep and exhaustion that came with raising four new lives Venom couldn’t describe herself as anything less than the happiest she had ever been. Her vision remained plagued by darkness, and by now her hope of it becoming restored was waning. She might not ever see her puppies, but she could feel them and more importantly feel the love they shared.

Of course Maverick was stepping into fatherhood much better than he had anticipated. The first month of their lives was easy, they couldn’t go very far and the most important job was keeping their bottomless bellies full. They taught them how to speak, who they were, and told stories of the world outside. The time went by much more swiftly than she remembered from the first go around, but she treasured every precious moment. All too soon they were ready to be released from the confines of their safe and warm home.

One day they could choose their own schedule, but for now the puppies should have been accustom to living a nocturnal lifestyle. Though Venom didn’t know by sight, it was very close to the full moon. They would be illuminated by its cool light as they took their first steps outside. Tonight was the big night, no matter how much their mother would have liked to delay that fact. As she awoke to them curled against her belly, and Maverick holding her and them. The quiet moments before everyone woke up meant the world to her, and as she began to stir it was easy to nuzzle into her mate’s cheek. Nothing could bring her down from the high that came from what he had given her.

"Venom & Maverick"