the reddish-brown tom's heart thudded in his chest as he nodded. "i will not disappoint you, thrushpelt, thank you," he croaked out, throat dry of the usual honey of his words. oakheart managed a smile, and thrushpelt returned it. the two toms stood in silence. snowfur watched from afar.

even mosskit stops her fidgeting and looks up at oakheart. "so...that means i have two papas?" she asks. thrushpelt nods. she thought for a moment, then shrugged. "mmkay." her small pink mouth stretched into a yawn. "can i sleep now, papas? i'm tired." "of course," they said in unison.