More time passed, and eventually all pregnant members of the familia had given birth, some with a few more complications than others. However, as if Hathor's presence alone was enough to ensure a safe delivery, there weren't any losses, thankfully.
This was Shurry's chance to watch over his family taking a mid day nap, resting comfortably, his newborn pups, sleeping on their mothers' chests. And his older pups sat at the edge of the bed, in their wolf forms acting like the cutest protectors ever, earning a loving head rub from their papa in the process.
Then someone came to the door and was about to knock, but opted not to for fear of accidentally causing problems. So they simply waited for a response.
"Come in, they're all sleeping, but just you and Mother behind you." Shurry spoke in a soft tone.
The door opened, and in walked Meteria. Hathor decided she would remain outside for this private matter. Shurry stood there in all his earned figure, since it was his room, and there was little difference for him, he only wore a pair of long shorts.
"Hmm? Meteria, you don't look well, what's wrong?" He asked, gesturing for her to take a seat on the deceptively comfortable chair… It was designed to make breast feeding far more comfortable.
However, instead of seeing that, she mistook his gesture for an opening. That, or it was her need for emotional support. She could sense what was near after all… She'd been a woman all this time, and surrounded by such fervent and expressive parties. Though all she wanted…
"Huh? Meteria-"
"I just need this." Meteria spoke softly. "I'm sorry Alfia, Alraj… I just need this…" She added, half whimpering, and half enjoying the comfort her little brother gave her. "That little girl Haruhime was right, you're quite the comfortable smell."
"So, she's the one who put you up to this?"
"No, it was Hathor. She told me I needed the embrace of a man to settle the emotions I have."
"You know I could never go any further than a family bath with you, you understand right, big sister?"
"I know, don't worry, I have no intention of going that far-" she said burying her face into his chiseled chest. "This will be enough for me. As much as I want another child, I can't. Not without him."
Shurry warped his arms around Meteria, and held her there, ensuring it was just a brotherly hug, nothing more. And he held an internal battle, one at the end…
"You know of that girl insisting on petting Bell's head?"
"The girl constantly getting in between Bell and Meda's blossoming love? Yes, I know her." She answered, with the clear irritation hung within every word.
"She's a half-spirit. Born from Albert and Aria's union." Shurry explained.
"I had a feeling. She felt like that little spirit you had given my sister and I all those years ago…" She trailed off crying, muffled by Shurry's chest muscles.
"Believe in Alraj. One day, when he is able, he'll return here to make sure you receive all the love you've missed over the years."
"I'll be an old woman by then."
"No, you're still young, you don't look a day over 25. Keep leveling up, and it'll stay that way, such is the benefits of taking a step closer to god hood."
Meteria was left speechless for a moment, and then… "Can we stay like this for a while longer? I've missed it."
"Yes, and… I'm sorry, sorry I wasn't faster back then." He started to shake and held her a little tighter, not too much, just enough that he was less hesitant to hold her.
"I-" Meteria tried to speak, but the words never came out. She realized that despite everything she'd thought, her heart had hidden it, she had held some hidden resentment for Shurry's lack of speed. Once she realized it, she couldn't help but remain speechless.
The embrace went on for more than a few minutes, ending once Ardee woke up. "Oh, Meteria finally came clean with her feelings and needed a hug." She said in a soft whisper, gently pulling herself up to a more upright position, while not waking her sisters, or newborns.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I…"
"No, it's fine, the four of us know you don't have any desire to come to bed with Shurry." Ardee smiled, her newborn slowly woke up, but before it could cry she began feeding it. "Though if it was you, I'm sure there wouldn't be that big of a problem. You'd need to be careful though, his vitality is strong." She added, leaving the hidden implications to Meteria's imagination…
Meteria went bright red for a moment, and then smiled, shaking her head slightly side to side, finishing with her head tilted to the side.
"I will instead remain ever hopeful, and bound to my love, Alraj. I will await his return from Tenkai. In the meantime I'll just indulge myself in an embrace from time to time… I feel better now."
"This reminds me of when we used to fight over who got the best spot to nap on top of him." Ardee's expression was so warm, it was impossible to ignore, and easy to see why Shurry'd been so close. "If Alraj comes back, do you think… Can she come back?"
"Do you mean your mother, Ardee? I don't know."
"No, my mother wouldn't have wanted that. As much as she'd have wanted to see my own children… She'd rather be at peace with my father." She explained, letting a single tear roll, one which was quickly wiped away by a powerful hand. "I meant if Lyca could return, she would love our children so much."
"I can't say for sure, I don't even know if it's possible for anyone but me." Shurry said, barely keeping the pain of that loss at bay. "However, she's done the impossible once before. I'm sure she'll find a way to meet them soon." He leaned down and gave his newborn a soft kiss on the side of their head. "She's probably going crazy seeing them right now. Pushing herself to the limit and beyond." He stood up straight, noticing that his wives had now all woken up, but were faking it for the sake of the loving story. "For now though. We must train, and grow stronger. That dragon isn't going to defeat itself. I may be equal to it now, but it's better to be prepared."
…