Pure Moonlight (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I know. I think I've known that for a long time, ever since Dad came back and you realized I was growing up." Ruben kissed her cheek. "But you know, before long, I'll be begging you for advice and wondering how you managed being a parent. Luna too, one day."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You'll be a good father, love." Selena said with a laugh as she watched her strapping son suddenly act so insecure about a wee little baby. "Perhaps a little stricter than I ever was, but you'll still be one of the best parents I've ever seen."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Strict only for the sake of not having to track them down in a place like Rhodes. I've had enough of that for one lifetime," Ruben said with a chuckle. Even though it'd been a terrible situation, it was a trait of the Ghis to treat hardship with humor. "But I'm sure you'll spoil them and ruin all my hard work."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Every chance that I can get, love." Selena said with a grin as she leaned in and kissed her son's cheek gently. "Besides, it's my job to keep you from being too serious. I wouldn't be a good Ma if I let you sit around and sulk all day long."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Telma's done plenty of that for both of you," Ruben assured her. "By the way... we brought Jan for a reason. He has some good news for you, and Luna's excited for you to hear it."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena let out a little sigh as he mentioned Jan having good news. She was growing to like Jan, but part of her was still upset that her little girl had found that person that had taken away her heart.

"We can discuss it during dinner." Selena said and soon enough they were all gathered around the table with a small feast of roasted meats and vegetables passed between everyone.

Mako had a small plate with a small selection of everything. Selena kept a watchful eye on the cub as he tried everything and decided what his favorites were. She had to laugh as he wrinkled his nose and folded his ears back at the taste of olives, much like her brother Boar had so many years before.

 

[KieranSoares]

Jan couldn't help laughing at the cub, and Mako seemed rather entertained between the Swedish Wolf and dinner. Ruben was entirely absorbed in looking after Telma, making sure she had her fill, and Kreston was content just to watch over his family that had grown so recently. Three new members in the course of a year.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Jan, Ruben tells me that you have some news to share with all of us." Selena said as Mako settled into eating the food on his plate as all attention turned towards the Swedish wolf that Luna looked at with such love.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Uh... Yeah, I do. And some of it's even a surprise to Luna." Jan smiled to the woman who would be his mate and then back to Selena. "We kept it to ourselves, but I have a piece of land finally, and a plan for a house. Luna came with me to see it laid out. But what she doesn't know yet... Is that a Swedish ship docked in town today with something for me. It was a release letter, and a box of money to replace all that I spent helping get Luna home, straight from the Queen of Sweden. Her letter said she was giving me an honorable discharge and a pardon, as well as reimbursement, plus a final bonus pay for my service. Now I have all the money I need to build the house all at once, and enough to furnish it and save up for emergencies."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena watched as Luna's face lit into a great smile. She was happy that her daughter was getting all that she wanted in life, but she was sad that her baby was leaving home. Glancing down at Mako, she knew that the little boy would most definitely save her life, whether he knew it or not.

"Well, congratulations to the both of you." Selena said with a smile on her lips. "I mean that from the bottom of my heart."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wanted to thank you, Selena," Jan said softly. "You didn't have to give in and give me a chance. I really appreciate it, in more ways than one."

"She has a soft heart underneath all that independence and strength," Kreston commented, half-teasing. "Mako's proof enough of that."

 

[heartofcourage]

Mako glanced up from his plate as his name was mentioned and soon he was pulling on Kreston's fur to ask for more food. Selena had to laugh as she moved to serve the little cub some more from the plentiful offerings.

"I have a feeling that he'll eat us out of house and home as well, Kres." Selena said with a laugh. "Luna and Ruben could eat everything on the table and still ask for more."

"Ruben still does." Telma said with a smile towards her mate. "I'm sure our cub will be much the same way."

 

[KieranSoares]

"At least this time," Kreston added, "we only have one, and the other two only visit once a week for dinner. We might be able to keep up finally." Once Mako was set again, Kreston looked to Telma and Ruben. "And what about you two? How are your plans shaping up?"

"I commissioned a few things from the carpenters that I can't make myself," Ruben answered. "Taqu'un gave us a few things that used to belong to Adane, and Ghell's been helping Telma all he can and giving us advice."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My Da and Ma are very excited." Telma said with a smile as she glanced towards Ruben. "Even Arin is excited. I never thought she would be so happy to be an aunt, but she is. She is working to bring the Irish healers here to look at her leg. She wants to be the best that she can be."

 

[KieranSoares]

"But of course, her attention's also being taken up by a handsome man from town," Ruben added. "She keeps trying to remind herself she's too young and she doesn't have the time, but I've caught her talking to him every time I visit. He's a tough farmhand a few years older than her, a gray wolf. And then Norr's distracted by a girl his age, half-fox and half-wolf."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I never thought Arin would be the type to talk to someone in town." Selena said, amazed that the shy little wolf would take that step. "She's a sweet girl. I hope things work out for her. She deserves happiness."

"She's finally coming out of her shell a little bit." Telma said with a smile. "I think Da has finally breathed a sigh of relief."

 

[KieranSoares]

"But he'll start worrying again soon about this stranger," Kreston assured them. "And the boy will probably get the same talk Ghell gave to Ruben. Still, I'm fairly certain you relaxed your parents on some of their rules for you and your siblings."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Da is still as strict as they come, but he is very compassionate. He knows our lives are much different from his own childhood. I think he knows that he doesn't have much to fear any more and is willing to let us make our own mistakes." Telma murmured as she took Ruben's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I just have to convince this brute of the same."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Never," Ruben insisted, though he gave his mate a smile. "Someone has to keep everyone in line "

"That's the job of fathers, Ruben. You've got some months to go before you're allowed," Kreston teased him

 

[heartofcourage]

"More!" Mako suddenly called out, tugging on Kreston's arm to get his attention and to show that his plate was empty again.

"How about a drink and a cookie instead, little cub." Selena said with a smile as she leaned down and nuzzled against Mako before she stood and went to get him the treat.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston could only laugh, "You can't be that hungry." He scooped Mako up and entertained him while Selena got his treat. By the time Mako had finished, he was content to curl up against Selena and play with his new toys.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena watched over Mako as he played with his new toys, nestled against her side in comfort. She had a smile on her face that nothing could tear away. This little cub was hers and she knew it deep in her heart. He would grow big and strong like his brother and she would have another child that she could be very proud of.

 

[KieranSoares]

After dinner, Luna and Jan were first to leave so Luna could tend to a patient, soon followed by Ruben and Telma when Telma began to grow tired. Kreston tended to any remaining cleanup so Selena could spend all her time with Mako.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think he belongs with us." Selena murmured as she rocked Mako in front of the fire, the little cub sound asleep with his new toys under his arm. "Thank you for giving me this chance, Kres."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It wasn't entirely selfless, love," Kreston reminded her with a soft smile. "But I have to agree. He seems happy as can be so far. And I don't think he's too energetic for us." He came to settle beside her and kissed her lips lightly. "But I'm glad to see you so happy again. This is what we needed."