It was hard to imagine that soon the two of them would no longer be the only ones in their den, it had been quite some time since their older litter found their own dens. It hadn't taken very long for them to outgrow their little hole in the earth. They grew up so fast. With his children on his mind his chocolate legs would stretch out as he finished his quick nap. Rolling over onto his back the dark wolf slowly found his eyes blinking open into wakefulness. A soft sigh left his dark lips before letting loose a yawn, his form rolling over once more as he got to his paws and exited the den. Frith would shake the dust from his fur as he slipped from the entrance, another yawn leaving his lips as his fur settled back over his back. It was about time for another patrol around the perimeter, his first thought was to see if his wife wished to walk with him. Tipping his head back to call out for her, his lonely song lingering before he took a seat to await her elegant form. ""

If there had been any doubts about her pregnancy they could certainly be banished. The roundness of her tummy was certainly starting to show now as the new children grew. Unfortunately there was still plenty more of that growing to do, maybe that was what had her out and about so early that morning, restless, eager to move around whilst it was still somewhat easy to do so. The most uncomfortable stage was just around the corner and whilst it meant it'd get closer to meeting her new children, at least this morning for some reason she was still dreading it. It had been a quiet walk, a relatively short one too with Frith's call soon ringing out across the lands. She was sure he didn't quite appreciate her early morning trips, she had returned home with breakfast a few days ago, and he wouldn't be the last to point out it should have been the other way around. Maybe it was excitement, able to enjoy this pregnancy a little more without fears that had plagued her first, she simply wasn't willing to spend all her time resting though. "Good morning." Novella greeted her husband cheerfully as she neared him, not stopping though until she was right at his side, nuzzling him affectionately. "I'm not in trouble again am I?" She enquired playfully, a small smile crossing her muzzle as she retreated enough that her mismatched eyes could now focus upon Frith.

Novella's little pudge was starting to become noticeable, he couldn't deny the affection he felt towards them already. It wasn't unusual that he was left to himself in the mornings, though it made him feel bad that he didn't get to bring home breakfast for her. Though he'd heard Novel say in the last pregnancy that movement and exercise were good, at least in the beginning. As long as Novella didn't feel like she was straining herself he wasn't going to restrain her to the den. His form would rise at the sight of her, a blissful smile playing on his features as she neared. Frith would eagerly lean into his wife's form, returning the affection as he chuckled at her words. As she moved back he would reach over to nibble her shoulders playfully before answering. "Good morning to you too," he would rumble before fixing his gaze on her stare, half smile fixed on his dark maw. "Only if you're too tired to go on patrol with me." He'd let her know, eyebrow perking as he quizzed her. ""

Fortunately it seemed that she wasn't in any trouble at all, her mate greeting her in a loving and happy manner, no questions or telling off given. He would of course explain his reason for summoning her back to his side though, not that Novella ever really needed a reason for spending any time with him. "Tired?" She repeated the word, a small grin upon her face. "You're the one that has been in bed sleeping the morning away." She teased him she didn't fault him for that at all. She knew her own energy was going to run out at some point, not just today but as she got bigger, chances were she wouldn't much feel like a patrol or a walk at all for that matter. Today though she definitely didn't mind joining him.

He trusted that Novella knew her limits, and if she were in any way endangering their children he had no doubts that she would cease whatever activity might be causing undue stress. She seemed quite alert and active, which would whisk his worries away. His worries would be pushed even further as she teased him, knowing full well that she would be the one who slept the day way instead of the other way around. Not that he was going to complain about either situation, Novella was going to need her rest the closer to the birth they got. "i might have been, but i think you're just an early riser." He would nod knowingly, teasing her back slightly as he started to lead the way, nuzzling her lovingly as he slipped by her. Hopefully she'd come and walk at his side. "Since you aren't tired lets be on our way." He'd manager a wink as he looked back at her, his pace rather lazy as he wanted to enjoy the walk with her as long as possible. ""

His words were indeed true for the time being anyway. She wasn't on the go-non stop from the moment she woke however, there were certainly moments that she would be calm and rest for a while before continuing with her day. Short naps to revive her energy and refrain from over exerting herself. She certainly wasn't going to push herself though this time around, she understood more that she wasn't going to harm the babies doing the most simple of tasks. They were tougher than she gave them credit for and she was more capable as a mother than she had previously believed. She would nod simply in response and fall into step at Frith's side as he led the way. It was a slow and leisurely pace, but then there was certainly no need to race the borders weren't exactly going anywhere and a few minutes delay to the check wouldn't hurt.

He saw no reason to rush their encounter, to take a little bit more time to linger. The longer they kept themselves on the trail the stronger the borders would be. In the back of his mind though it was because he didn't want Novella to be on the borders of Ludicael. Since she'd informed him of the goings on.. he had a fear for her safety. Now that she also held within her their unborn offspring he felt even more protective. She would indeed take her place at his side, his features turning to give her a quick on-the-go nuzzle before his attentions resumed on the path. "How was your morning?" His deep vocals would ask her quietly as he walked with a shyness of a lovestruck yearling. His care free half smile playing on handsome features as his gaze darted back towards her. ""

Things on the Ludicael front had been very quiet. Novella wasn't sure if she saw it as a blessing or something to worry about to be honest though she tried her hardest not to think of the family trapped within the lands. Reminded herself that with dying parents, sick members and yearlings starting some sort of war with Jupiter was not a clever plan. None of her family would have wanted that either, perhaps it was the very reason they kept quiet, not giving Jupiter any reason to go after the rest of the Destructions. What this sudden sick obsession was with the family though Novella wasn't sure any of them would ever really understand. Frith was on her mind now though of course, enjoying their quiet walk together. Though it had been a pleasant morning so far, it was far nicer to spend time in the company of someone rather than spend it alone. "Quiet." She responded. "I've discovered most people sleep a little longer than I do at the moment." She hadn't seen anyone else within her pack until Frith's call for her that morning.

Novella was always on his mind, her safety, her presence, her beauty. It didn't matter, but she had come to be a giant part of his life and he would have it no other way. Smiling at her softly as she answered him though he could only find himself nodding, and hiding a chuckle that tried to escape at her statement. "Is that a jab at me, ma'am?" He had to ask as the trotted along leisurely. Though he really didn't doubt the fact that there were no other wolves awake. It was likely their children were sleeping in and while he couldn't account for the rest of the pack they could have been too for all he knew. It was a rather delightful practice. "you know sleeping in isn't really bad for you every once in a while," He'd tell her, kind of missing morning snuggles with his wife.

Though she had been in Alacritia for longer than she had lived in Ahlon, Novella couldn't say that many wolves beyond her blood relatives had really had a big affect upon her life. Frith had soon changed that of course, not that she though she would ever come to regret that fact. Though she had only intended her comment in a serious way, certainly not to tease her mate at all, he would still enquire whether she was making fun of him. It'd succeed in bringing a smile to her face, however guilty it may have looked, his response and mistaken belief amused her. "Of course not, sir." She responded, now purposefully poking fun at his choice of words. She was surprised though that he hadn't reverted back to his former traditional 'Miss Novella' she'd lost count of the number of times she'd had to tell him to simply call her Novella. "I know." She responded, a slightly apologetic look cast in his direction, she did miss those moments too but whilst she wasn't denbound she wanted to abuse the time she could wander around the lands freely and easily. She wouldn't try justify her reasons to him however, perhaps he already knew, either way she knew she wasn't really in trouble anyway.

He'd more easily tug a smile from her lips as he asked her bashfully if she had meant to make fun of him. She would of course deny all accusations but he would still hold his doubts as he eyed her warily. She looked much too amused to be telling the truth fully, though he obviously had not a care as his face showed only the same amusement. Though their teasing would not continue as long as it might have as she responded to his statement. Surely she too missed their intimate morning moments. Though he also knew that her ability to travel throughout the territory was temporary, surely in just a few more weeks she would be much less inclined to relinquish her place in the den. There would be lots of snuggle time coming up, with her and their new little ones. "As long as you're aware." He'd chuckle, reaching over once more to nuzzle her as the border came within their sights. ""

To be completely fair, Frith wasn't exactly making it all that easy for her to keep a straight face. She had genuinely been serious by the quiet morning, no jabs at all intended towards her husband though now his playful accusations had certainly succeeded in bringing a lighter element to the simple conversation. They could have continued back and forth in a lighthearted argument about whether or not she was guilty, Frith would abandon it however, as well as choosing not to comment upon the whole ma'am and sir matter either. Any time with her mate was welcomed and appreciated. Their quiet cuddles in the morning ought to be savoured, soon there would be pups demanding her attention instead. She opted though to leave him in peace, not disturb him from his own sleep as she lay there wide awake with a sudden desire to go outside. Maybe one morning she would have to disturb him, drag him back to their cave for the sunrise as he had once done for her. An early morning walk and snuggle as they watched the light reflecting from the crystals, it was a win-win situation. She leant into his touch lightly now, returning his nuzzle with one of her own. "Don't worry, I am." She responded. "It's why I let you continue sleeping. Though early morning walks are rather nice too." She hinted, perhaps one morning he would join her without her needing to disturb him.

His wife would lean easily into his touch, the feeling of her reciprocating her touch bringing him higher and higher as he enjoyed her company. Soon their time would be occupied with caring for these new pups, not that he would ever complain about that. They were precious gifts which he would not squabble, this was another chance to see his children into adulthood, a luxury he had not been given with the last litter. He wouldn't miss her words as she explained how well she knew that sleeping in felt good, but she did have a point. Early morning walks were desirable as well. "You have a point. Wont be too much longer now that we wont be able to do that together." Though there was something very different about this litter. "You know, the children are old enough now that we can have them watch their brothers and sisters when we need some time.." He'd raise his brows suggestively as they continued walking, he wasn't quite sure why he hadn't thought of it before. ""

It was a shame that his illness had taken him from his family, in an ideal world they would not have been plagued by it at all, her parents would still be around and Frith would have been there at her side for every little step with the family. She had filled him in, on his better days brought the children to visit but it simply wasn't the same. Now though all she could be thankful for was that the sickness hadn't stolen him completely from her life. Whatever he had missed out on whilst unwell simply didn't matter, all that mattered was that he was still here. "No, it won't." Novella responded, not only would the later stages of pregnancy begin to hit her but once the children were born she had to be there for them, her milk their one and only source of food until they were ready to start moving to solids. Frith made a very good point though. For those little breaks she got from them to stretch her legs and then later when she could leave them for longer there were certainly babysitters. "I think Varda might quite like that responsibility." Novella agreed, smiling softly at the memory of the day she had told them of their new siblings. They were stunned, but one of the first things her daughter had asked was if she could help to teach them. Already she Novella had faith that she would be a wonderful big sister.