The moment we've all been waiting for

Children were lovely... and tiresome. Ikigai wasn't even close to being unhealthy, but she had always been delicate. Bearing three children in such quick succession had taken a lot out of the ink marked woman. She was so very thankful that Deimos had turned out to be a loving and attentive father. His help in the den and wrangling their brood had allowed Iki to heal up more quickly than if she'd been dealing with the trio alone.

While the pups grew, Ikigai had already been working on weaving a set of baskets. They were a bit longer than normal baskets with one flat side and one rounded. Both baskets were connected with a long strap, allowing a basket to be held on either side of the body. Iki and Deimos had discussed taking their children out into the world and a carrying system had seemed like the best way. With the three younglings in the baskets, Iki and Deimos moved outside of the den at a leisurely pace. The new mother glowed, so very proud of the children that she and her love had created.

Having reached the expanse of grass that blew gently in the wind like a green sea, Deimos crouched. Iki gently extracted each child, giving them a kiss atop the head before settling them on the grass beside her. Their father gave them a warning and Ikigai chuckled softly, sliding down onto her belly and leaning against the giant, purple man. "Have fun, my loves," Iki spoke sweetly to her children. She wanted them to be bold and unafraid of the world around them, but she also hoped that they would be obedient as well.

"Ikigai"