WC: 640
Lilin's lap was a place of comfort, and she did not want to move away. She knew Saul was trying to motivate her, but she was so very tired. Exhausted, Coli struggled to prop herself up on her elbows, grumbling faintly under her breath. She fell silent when she saw it, though, the dark distinctive shape of a pup curled in a still ball. Coli moved quickly to pick it up, accepting the pelt from Saul and trying to clean away the clinging membrane and fluids that obscured her. In her haste, she dropped the fur and used her tongue, letting instinct aid her. There was a faint whine caught in her throat, a soft sound calling her child to life. It stirred, little paws feebly moving in protest against the rough licking.
She was so small. Her daughter, her firstborn. Coli stared in amazement at the damp little thing, holding her gingerly in her cupped hands. There was a swell of emotion in her, a sudden fierce desire to protect her from the world and keep her safe. The uncertainty she had harbored before felt like a lifetime ago. Now she wanted nothing more than to love her little girl. How could she have ever doubted that she wanted this?
A cramping pain in her stomach reminded her that she could not rest yet. Reluctantly she wrapped the brown pup in the rabbit fur, touching noses in a small gesture of affection. The next contraction was strong, coiling fiercely in her belly and causing her to slump back against the bed, weakly offering the pup to Saul in case he needed to check her. The puppy was breathing, even opening her tiny pink mouth to squeak. Coli didn't want to let her go, but she didn't want to accidentally hurt her, either.
The second pup was close on the heels of its sibling. Coli was too tired to cry out this time, her legs trembling from the effort as she pushed. Through closed eyes she could see stars bursting, nearly passing out as she held her breath and forced it. But finally there was release, the second pup sliding out much like the first. Coli gasped for air, wearily moving to her newborn to repeat the process of freeing and cleaning it, rubbing the tiny body with the pelt to warm it up. The scent of blood hung in the air, staining the pale fur of her thighs and the mattress beneath her. She had to ignore it, though, focusing instead on her newborn. This one was bigger than its sister, and as she slowly revealed it, she saw it was covered in fuzzy black fur.
Black. She felt a little shiver, staring with trepidation at the tiny life she held in her hands; it looked like its sire, the black dog that had beaten her, forced himself upon her. She had been afraid they would look like him, grow to act like him. She hesitated, but leaned in close to lick, gently cleaning and stimulating the newborn until it began to move, raising its feeble head and squeaking. It was too late to deny the child she had brought into the world. Then a relieved smile spread across Coli's weary face -- the little one had faint brown markings on her cheeks. She, for it was indeed a female, could grow up to look like her Auntie Lilin.
Hesitantly Coli turned to her sister with the pup hugged against her chest, showing her. She knew Lilin was not overly fond of children, but maybe this little niece would be an exception. There were faint tears gleaming in the new mother's eyes, relief and hope shining from her haggard expression. They were doing all right so far. They were all going to make it. There was only one left.
It's cold and loveless, I won't let you be denied
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart
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