Knight knew his children by scent, a new scent. He kept them next to him all night, with Mal on the other side of them, hemming the three of them in.
Persephone cuddled up next to her brother, while Roland seemed to put a distance between himself and Caroline. It was as if he already knew…
Caroline cuddled close to Knight, and he pet her and soothed her. Like father, like daughter, Mal had said. Caroline was born the same way as Knight – with more hair than usual and the stub of a tail. She had light hair everywhere, and would probably grow up to be just like him.
“Little Caroline,” he whispered, and Mal stirred.
He opened his eyes languidly, “Did you say something?”
“Callin’ her,” he said.
Mal smiled. “You shouldn’t have favorites.” He reached over and caressed his lover’s arm. “Especially when she’s already dedicated.”
Knight looked down, “Yeah, I know. But she’s gonna be like me.”
“I hope so,” said Mal.
Knight turned over, sat up. He felt sore in his abdominals, but below that, he felt no pain. He didn’t feel the emptiness of his womb, either. He felt below. “Mal…there’s no hole there.”
“No? Does it hurt?”
“My muscles are all sore.”
“That’s to be expected. You did a lot of work yesterday, love.”
“Goin’ t’ the bathroom. Didja hear from Scott yet?”
“No, but he knows how to get here.”
“We’re gonna say here f’r a while, huh?”
Mal nodded. “I have a feeling that this is the best place to be for now.”