[ P ] Mama, Kiss my fears away

J.F.E
The Rainstorm and…

The pain in her mama’s cry was till haunting Journey. She never wanted to hear her mama sound like that again. And the fear in her Papa’s eyes when they’d all arrived. It haunted Journey in her dreams now. And so she wanted to see her mamma. To tell her how scared she had been, to tell her that she didn’t ever wanna hear her cry like that. To ask her why she had cried out like that. And to just over all fuss over her mamma.

So she carefully made her way to the entrance of the den, there she could hear the mewls and suckling of her little sisters. Taking a breath to push her fears and emotions away, she poked her head in the entranceway.

“Mamma?” She called out softly, just in case mamma was resting inside. She didn’t wanna disturb her if she was. And she didn’t want to have her sisters crying out either. “Are you awake? I wanna talk to you” she called out softly , waiting for an answer.

speech here
@Clover

The River, Are my Brothers

code by claerie

T

he sweet, warm scent of baby's breath and mother's milk surrounded her as she nestled her face in the middle of her pups as they all napped together. It had been a tiring last few days, but she was well into her recovery and the pups were all healthy and thriving. It was all thanks to her best friend, Willow, her always loving husband, and her older children as well. They were her support system throughout this entire endeavor and she could not have done it without a single one of them. Clover's thoughts drifted in and out as she remained vigilant, while also trying to rest in the quiet of the den.

"Mamma?"

The voice immediately stole her from her sleepy haze and she lifted her head slowly, offering a couple licks to the pups that whimpered in defiance as she moved. When she recognized the voice to be her eldest daughter, she brightened up, tail patting the earth softly in a happy wag as she called back softly to her. "I'm awake, Journey. You can come in here, honeybee. You don't have to ask, I'm always glad to have you near me."

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

J.F.E
The Rainstorm and…

Journey wait wasn’t long at all, she felt relief and anxiety at her mother’s voice beckoning her into the little den that homed her three youngest sisters and her mamma. Slowly she climbed inside only pausing just inside the entrance as she looked at her mother lovingly and then sent a skeptical look towards the three tiny body’s nestled against their mother.

Not wanting to keep her mamma waiting she pushed the final way inside and laid down trying to keep space between herself and the babies. She paused again as she tried to find the right words to say.

“Mamma… I need to ask..” she started her gaze soft, “why did you cry out in so much pain?” She looked towards the small bodies next to her.

“They look so tiny… and squishy. Why did they hurt you mamma?”
Her eyes flashed with curiosity.

All were serious inquiries for the young girl. But it was also leading up to her real reason for coming to talk to her mamma. “It really scared me to hear you like that. I didn’t even leave when papa told us to go wait. I stayed close by for you. But now… I can’t stop hearing your pain mamma” she began to tear up as she talked, her voice becoming hoarse as the tears began to rise.

speech here
@Clover

The River, Are my Brothers

code by claerie

C

lover watched with the slightest hint of amusement as Journey cast wary glances at the infants while she entered and settled down. She put some distance in between them and Clover patted the earth closest to the side that wasn't taken up by the soft bundles of colorful fur against her belly. When her eldest daughter began to formulate a question, Clover tilted her head, ears swiveled forward, her undivided attention happily given to Journey.

When the curiosity slipped from the lips of her babe, she blinked a few times, surprised by her question. There was also the fact that she was only just now asking which means she must have had this on her mind for days. It was evident that Journey's curiosity was fueled by an intense concern for her mother's well-being, especially when tears began to form at the corners of her eyes.

“Oh, sweet girl...here, baby, come here..." Clover drew her in close into a gentle embrace if her daughter would allow, trying her best to comfort her. “Well...what I can tell you is that, yes, newborn babies are tiny and squishy...but, Journey, honey, the pain was not their doing. Pups are helpless to their existence in the world and what may happen because of it." That was the most important thing she wanted to emphasize. She wanted her children to understand that their new siblings were not a direct cause of the pain of childbirth. Clover bit her lip, wondering if it was time that she explained what she knew through her experiences...with Journey opening the floor to questioning, perhaps now was as good a time as ever.

Clover inclined her head just enough to place an affectionate kiss to Journey's forehead before running a paw to smooth over her hair while she began to speak again. “I was in a good bit of pain, I have ta admit...having pups is very difficult in that moment. But, even so, having your Aunty Willow there to help me and give me herbs to make the pain less and knowing that your Papa and you and brother and sister were nearby...all of that made me feel stronger. When Mamas and Papas decide that they want pups, it is important for the Mama to know that it is...so very challenging to grow pups inside for so long and then letting them claw their way into the world when they come out to meet the world. There is a great deal of pain...but, there is a thousand times more love felt than you could ever imagine...and for me, that is worth it."

Clover nuzzled into the soft fur of her daughter's cheek and offered a swift lick over her ear. “I am sorry that it scared you, though, love bug...I know it's hard for your Papa to hear too...but, I am alright. More than alright! 'Cause I've got you here with me and your three little sisters!" She beamed brightly, her tail swishing in a gentle wagging motion behind her. “That does bring me to another topic...ehm...if one day you do want to be a mother and even if you don't...I do need to...fill ya in on the birds and the bees and, uhm, how that all works...especially since your Papa had not a clue about it on the first go 'round...ehehehh..." She laughed nervously, knowing that the conversation was going to be an interesting one.

@Journey

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

J.F.E
The Rainstorm and…

Tears welled in her eyes more when her mama’s soft tone beckoned her ever closer. And happily she did just that, stepping closer she allowed clover to embrace her. Which only made her tears fall faster. She hadn’t realized how distant she’d felt from her mama till just then. Feeling her embrace made her secret pains more raw.

Journey looked at her mother skeptically. If they had stayed inside mama then mama wouldn’t have been in such pain. In her mind that meant they were the cause of clover’s pain. Innocent or not, it was still their fault. But she bit her tongue on that and decided it best to not voice her opinion on something she didn’t truly understand.

She closed her eyes as clover pressed a kiss to her head. Basking in the attention and affections of her mama. She listened to clovers voice, her fears still eating away at her. But then mama said something that caught her attention again. If it “weren’t their fault” why did they claw at mama? She huffed but remained silent as clover continued talking. ”if you say so… but from what I heard mama. I don’t think I’ll ever have any of those wriggly little things. I have enough love from you and papa” she said with childish conviction.

She was ever grateful that her mama was doing better and feeling better. But she still couldn’t forget the haunting sounds of her mothers pain. And in some way. She blamed the three little girls nestled into her mama’s side for it. She glanced down at them but quickly returned her gaze to her mama.

She giggled. ”Birds and bees?” she tilted her head in confusion. She knew what birds and bees were. Birds soared through the sky, free and beautiful. They sang lovely songs too. And bees… she preferred staying away from them. ”mama. I know what birds and bees are. Bees are small and they can hurt you. Birds soar up above and sing songs” she said with confidence and pride. She didn’t know what they had to do with the little sisters mama had sleeping beside her.

speech here
@Clover

The River, Are my Brothers

code by claerie