Happy Birthday, times twelve

She had been hard at work preparing a feast of a breakfast that morning and while she hardly ever liked getting up this early, their children's birthday surprise was more than worth it. She knew that this was only their second year doing this, but she quietly hoped that this was a tradition that would stick. The fact that their oldest was now a whole two years old and their second were a year old... it was so surreal and exciting all at once. She laid out all kinds of foods across the large table where they usually had their family meals–a wide variety of cooked meats, eggs, berries, and roughly shaped biscuits left barely any empty space left across the center of the table. Just as she finished setting the table, she saw Artorias placing the gifts at their second litter's usual places and she smirked a bit at the few of them that were wrapped but were still very obvious in what they were. Solaire's gift was especially humorous since there was very little that could be done to disguise a gift like that, but it was adorable that Artorias had tried to wrap it all the same.

With the decorations, food, and gifts all in place she settled in next to Artorias, returning his grin and kiss with some of her own. She could never really shake the bitter sweet feeling she had at these events, but truly she was just happy that they were able to do this for their kids. She and Art both had their own soured birthday memories growing up so it was important to them both that every one of their pups was celebrated and had a chance to feel as special as they already were. She leaned into Artorias' side as he howled for their children and she waited eagerly for them to arrive, her tail wagging gently behind her.

"Carpathius Family"