An irrational fear that Song would never again touch him crossed his mind briefly but the notion was quickly cast aside as his little angel moved towards him, tucking herself beneath his chin. Cherokee shuddered hard, the reaction spreading through his entire body. Relief overwhelmed him as he allowed himself to savor Song's touch, a touch he had been deprived of for weeks, one he'd thought he might never had again. Why..why did you leave me my love? And just like that the relief was gone, crushed by the heavy guilt of what he'd done to her and their family. Dark lids would fall over bi-colored eyes, tears continuously streaming down ebony cheeks as he spoke quietly into her ear. It was not my intention to leave you my angel...I was deathly ill and I...I was afraid I would infect you and the children. I could think of nothing except to quarantine myself, so I left the packlands to wait out the illness. It nearly took me quite a few times, but I pushed through it until I was well...
He would pause, a sob rocking his dark frame as he buried his face in Song's neck, breathing in her scent as he tried to calm himself. Forgive me Song for leaving as I did, I should've told you...but I was so scared to pass the illness on to you and our children... Little voices could be heard from where Dhiren stood, ebony and ivory ears swiveling at the sound of them. Cherokee would open his tear soaked eyes, blinking a few times until his vision cleared, seeing two tiny creamy figures standing beside those of his son Dhiren and daughter Canta. Dhiren...Canta...my little ones... He would croon softly, wishing to embrace them all and introduce himself to his newest children, knowing that they would not recognize him. He had only seen them during their birth. They had grown so big since then.
