Again, she knew that the only thing to ease Novel's worries about having children would be time. She would truly be an incredible mother -- she was gentle and kind and loving, and Ara had no doubts that she would treat her children perfectly. Not only would Ara be willing to help with the actual birth, but also in taking care of her children if she needed a break. She was certainly getting plenty of practice with Steel. She couldn't even imagine being in Novel's position though. Despite the fact that she had always been responsible, and had always been partially a caretaker for her parents, it was difficult to think of what she would do if she were to have children of her own. It was scary; it was all she could do to try to comfort Novel repeatedly, burying her nose into her friend's fur as she spoke.
'I should keep them,' she told her, but also voiced her fears that Lel would return for them. It hadn't sounded like an attack motivated by the need for offspring, but what did she know? A soft sigh left her lips. "I wouldn't let him take them," she said, her voice much more confident than she felt. "And neither would anyone in your family. They will be yours and nobody will change that." Since the attack, she knew Song in particular had been especially attentive to outsiders intruding on pack territory, and she knew that her vigilance in protecting her daughter would only strengthen when she actually gave birth. I can help you though, you know," Ara would suggest softly. "I mean, I'll make sure they are always fed and safe. I can spend time with them when you need a break." The woman didn't know what kind of involvement Novel saw her as having, but she knew she wouldn't let her friend struggle alone.
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