Light piercing the dark

Briar nodded with understanding as Art insisted that it was as good as it could be given the unexpected and strange circumstances they were in. Just like any other time that strange, potentially paranormal occurrences surfaced around them it was always hard to tell what was going to happen until it did so the best they could do was just be prepared for the worst. It was comforting to hear that it was all fairly quiet from what he could tell and what their children had been able to find thus far. She just had to hope that it stayed that way. The last thing she wanted was for their new pups to come into the world amid some sort of catastrophe. Briar smiled at the kiss Art left on her cheek, easily comforted by his confidence that they would all be find here behind closed doors. "I know we will, my Blue Boy," she replied as she tipped her cheek up to nuzzle into his.

When he mentioned that he had just the thing to keep them entertained if they did have to be locked in, she gave him a curious look and watched as he went to fetch something from his chest across the room. Her gaze lit up with realization as he turned back toward her holding a sword sheathed in navy leather and she grinned as he placed it at her paws. With Art wrapped around her once more, she dipped her head to pull the sword free, revealing the rippling, intricate, wild nature of the Carpathian steel she had become very familiar with since becoming a part of this family. It was stunningly beautiful–as was all of the pieces Artorias made–and she laid it down next to its sheath so she could admire it in the firelight.

She glanced over at Art as he mentioned how she had caught him working on this when they made the pups she was growing and she grinned slyly at the memory. She had been eagerly waiting to see how the sword came out since then and now that it was in front of her it was even more detailed and thoughtful than she could have ever imagined. "It's beautiful, my mate. Thank you for making this for me." As he nuzzled into her neck, Briar hummed happily with a wide smile, leaning back into him happily while her tail curled over his hip, the long fur trailing along his thigh. "Happy anniversary, Art. I love you more and more every day we're together," she replied back quietly, her paw slipping over to curl around his as her eyes closed contently to enjoy this quiet moment they shared together.

Just as she was opening her eyes to look at her sword again and ask him a question, her words were cut off by a sudden and familiar cramp along her belly. She paused for a moment, waiting to see if it was just a one off as would sometimes happen this late in the pregnancy or if there would be more. Another, this was stronger, followed quickly and she winced, riding the contraction out before glancing at Art with a bit of a chuckle. "Leave it to our pups to interrupt our date night," she said sarcastically, shifting a bit to get to her paws before another contraction could stop her. No sooner than she had begun to move toward the walled off bed of soft furs that they had put together for their pups her water broke, signaling that this was no drill and these mischievous pups were coming now whether they were ready or not.

"Artorias & Briar"