The words I say{tag Arwen}

[Mick Loup Garou]

Everyday had brought us closer to the birth of Stryker's twins. A boy, and a girl, Stryker and Midian had picked out the names already, Taysha and Morgyn, and they seemed rather fitting. As custom, I was getting ready for when Stryker was in labor, it could be tomorrow, or a week away, depending on what those twins wished for, which brought a smile to my lips. My niece and nephew(along with Arya of course), I couldn't wait! Timber was about to have her own daughter, and Xander had stayed with her through the whole thing, never leaving her side. On the full moon, which had been a week ago, Xander had asked me after we spent a few hours tussling and talking, making sure we weren't missing on anything and our skills were not lacking in anything, especially after Zane had attacked. Anyway, Xander had asked if I was going to ever be a father, which made me think deeply. Eying him to make sure it wasn't a trick, I gave him my honest answer.

Yes, one day I would like to be a father, but that was up to Arwen as well, not just me. If wanted young ones, then I'd be thrilled. If not, well, life went on, it wasn't like the world would end. Glancing around, my pale eyes strayed upon Arwen who was standing next to Stryker, her stomach round and full. It would be close now. Midian and Synge were tussling near the tussle area(for lack of a better word). I spotted Arya holding up a plate to Syren, fresh baked bread sitting atop. "Not far off now." Spinning around, I saw Cole who was smiling, our families all together and in peace, it didn't get much better than this. "Yea, its surreal. I never thought we would ever be like this. With Stryker back, it seems like only yesterday she was but a pup, eager to see the world." I remembered that clearly, for her wolf-napping had hit us all with such pain. "Shes back, we are a full family now. Where is Amanda?" Amanda had stayed when Lita took off for a little bit, generally the wayward daughter of Syren and Cole was near Syren herself.

Seemed like the young werewolf had accepted us more, and my mind wondered what had made her so accepting when her eyes first saw us, she was stricken and, torn. "Sleeping. The poor child seems to be a bit under the weather." Ah that made sense. We may be immortal and immune to diseases that could plague humanity, but we still got the common cold and flu once in a while. It just wasn't that deadly as it sped through our immune system. "I'll whip her up some remedies to help." Cole nodded before Syren got his attention, and excusing himself he walked over while I was left to my own mind. Shaking my head softly, I stepped into the hut, grabbing a few herbs including mint and ginger, a sprig of garlic and tea leaves. Along with the herbs, I tracked down the bronzed kettle and filled that up with fresh water before taking it outside, just a few steps away from Nyta's hut in case there was anything missing. Plus Nyta always put in a few of her own special ingredients that made this tea drink more kick ass.

Setting the kettle down, and moving the herbs in a semi circle, Nyta came out holding a cup before handing it to me with a knowing smile. "You are tuned in with everyone aren't you?" I grinned, which earned me a ruffling of my hair. While she moved back into the tent, I began to boil the water in the kettle, adding the tea leaves and ginger, allowing the hot water to soak through and extract all the goodness from it. When the water was just hot enough, I placed the mint in for a better, less ginger flavor(some disliked the ginger taste, and getting the mixture right so the mint would be more tasty took work, but hey, I had time), I felt a shadow looming over me. "Hey Arwen, everything okay?"Glancing about, I had a sudden feeling Stryker was giving birth but that feeling was soon faded when I spotted her eating some of the fresh baked bread Syren(and Arya had helped) make.

[Arwen Loup Garou]

Another afternoon in the Luna, and part of me started to miss my cabin. Maybe soon, Mick and I could go back. Spend a week or so by ourselves there. Of course, we'd have to wait until Stryker and Timber both delivered. I knew that Mick would want to be here for that, even if Grandmother said she'd take care of it. Plus, I couldn't wait to see Stryker's twins. I stood beside her, once in a while my hand would inevitably find it's way to her belly, where I'd wait to feel either Taysha or Morgyn rolling around in there. "Gods, Stryker. I don't know if I could ever do this." I laughed, pulling my hand back once the twins settled down again. We stood watching Midian and Synge tussle, talking with Syren and Arya, who'd just finished baking bread, and generally just hanging out. I turned to Syren for a moment. "I'd like to see Amanda soon, when she's feeling better. Give her my best." I wasn't sure what had happened, but after the two of them left, Amanda returned....changed, in a way. I was curious what Syren had said or done, since Amanda seemed far more trusting of us in general, and stuck closer to her mother. She even looked at Syren differently.

Syren loaded up Stryker with some of the freshly baked bread, which I actually passed up. I was waiting for Cole and Mick to finish talking, but when I next looked, Mick was gone and Cole was coming to join Syren. I saw Mick come back outside, setting a kettle to boil while pinching off various herbs for some tea. I smiled and moved to come up behind him. As much as I wanted to startle him, I wasn't doing anything so foolish near an open flame. I gazed down at him for a moment before he noticed my shadow and spoke to me. He was looking around, probably making sure Stryker wasn't in labor. I leaned over him, draping my arms around his neck and planting little kissed along the back of his neck and his earlobes. "Everything's fine honey."

Moving to sit beside him as he worked on the tea, I poked a stick around in the fire. "How does all this make you feel? All the babies I mean. Stryker, Timber... Does it.... I mean..." I broke off, taking a deep breath. "Does it make you want to have a child?" Honestly, I'd never planned on having children. It never really crossed my mind. But now that I had Mick as my mate, I was actually starting to think that maybe....maybe I could have kids. At least one. I stayed staring at the fire, waiting for his response, shifting my weight. It didn't mean we had to actually have kids, or start right away. Not that we hadn't already had unprotected sex, but really trying was a little different. Of course, if I had ended up pregnant anyway, there was no way I'd give up my baby. It would be mine, and Mick's. A part of both of us. How do you throw that away? How do you deny someone created from love a chance at life? I finally felt brave enough to look at Mick, and seeing his eyes, I sort of fell into them. So much love, our feelings for each other ran so deep and had for years....it almost seemed wrong not to have a baby. I just didn't know how he felt about it. And I wasn't doing it without him.

[Mick Loup Garou]

Letting go of the ingredients, placing them quickly upon the table area so I was able to reach up, grabbing her hand lightly and bringing it up to my lips where I kissed, letting her go with a smile flashing upon my face as I gazed deeply into her eyes. Momentarily forgetting about the boiling water, leaning closer to Arwen as she took a seat near me, I nodded, feeling relieved that everything was good. "I'm glad to hear that babe." And I truly was. I guess everyone had been a little on edge lately, especially after the battle. Devin was quieter than usual, often found around Halo, the new appointed Freki of the clan. Man, that battle still haunted me, if we weren't as quick as what we were, Devin would have lost his life. As it was it took all of us healers to help heal his wounds, especially since he was forbidden to shift. Rolling my shoulders, I pinched a sprig of garlic, gripping the kettle tightly and pouring a few tea spoons of water onto it, allowing the garlic to infuse.

The scent hit me with a slow scent, drifting up and along the breeze before I set the kettle back, blowing on the flames to make sure they didn't die, though Arwen had beat me to it and stoked it up with a stick. Just out of habit. Tilting my head as I stirred the cup with a spoon, I nearly burst out laughing, feeling that dejavu was upon me. "Actually, Xander had already brought up this topic, so it's not like your springing a surprise on me." I began, hoping that my words would help ease Arwen, "and I have been thinking of it myself." Winking, I turned fully to look at her without having to move my head, reaching over to grab her hands, smooth in my own. "It doesn't make me want to have a child Arwen. Stryker, Timber, even if they were not pregnant, it makes no difference." I knew she would be shocked at my words, but I wasn't done yet, and raising up a hand, I wanted to continue before probably getting smacked around the head.

"I've always wanted a child, to become a father. Before Stryker and Timber, I always fantasized about being a dad." At my words a slow grin spread along my lips, tugging upwards as I kept looking at my mate, nothing but love for her was evident. "But it isn't just up to me. If you want to be a mother, then that is great. If you are not ready, I'm not going to push you. We don't have to." I wanted to let her know that I would never push her into anything she didn't want to or if she wasn't ready. That was not who I was, and letting go of her hands, I poured the rest of the mixture into the cup and stirred, the mint scent tickling my nose. "Whatever you think, I'll stand by you. If we do have a child, I will always be by your side." Being truthful was the only thing I could offer the woman of my dreams, my lover and my soul mate, my beautiful mate. "I'll support you in anything you wish my love." My heart nearly burst with such pure love, it was hard to keep it in, and going with the flow, I leaned over and kissed Arwen softly, making sure my leg didn't go too close to the flames.

[Arwen Loup Garou]

Whenever Mick touched me it was like electricity shot through my veins. Not at all painful, but decidedly blissful. I sighed contentedly as his lips brushed against my hand, my blood instantly running hot. No one else had ever had such an effect on me, and I knew I'd always respond to Mick that way. I watched him as he kept a keen eye on the tea brewing, the scent heavenly. I arched an eyebrow when he told me Xander'd already broached the topic with him. "Xander? Really?" I laughed. Timber was a nervous wreck, excited but terrified all at once. Xander was more prideful than ever, and with good right.

He took my hands again, and a delightful shiver coarsed through me. I didn't really expect him to say that all the pups about to come hadn't made him think of having kids. My jaw dropped, but before I could speak, he held up a hand, still my tongue. I snapped my mouth closed, feeling suddenly indignant. Why? I'd never really thought about having kids before. So why did his response shock me? I mean, it wasn't as if he said no.

I sighed with visible relief as he said he wanted a child. I knew then, that I did want children. With Mick. Why else would I have been momentarily disappointed when I thought he was about to say no? My eyes shone with both unshed tears and love for the man whose hands were joined in mine. His grin melted my heart. "Oh, Mick." I raised our hands, nibbling on his fingers. I was nearly purring as he continued. Mick would never press me to do anything I didn't want to. I knew that with all my heart, and it made me adore him all the more. I stopped nibbling on him so he could tend to the tea, and snickered. "You'd better be by my side! I'd hate to have to run you down." I'd do it too. No way was I letting him go now that I'd finally got him all to myself.

His lips were full and soft against mine. I moaned a little, and he just swallowed the sound. My arm wound around his neck, the other reaching over and tugging his leg closer to me, further from the fire. I nuzzled deep into the hollow of his neck, breathing in his scent. "Hmmm. Ready or not, I'd love to have a child with you. You'd be the best father ever. I can't think of anything greater than bringing our own little pup into the world. Part you, part me. A testiment to our love. Forever." I kissed him again, nipping and pulling gently at his bottom lip. "Maybe a little girl?" I grinned as I pulled back, fingers moving in small circles along his spine.