The tiger turned his head towards the howls as they started to gain a higher pitch.

"What is it?"

{The patrol is under attack.}

"Do they need your help?" Matthew asks in concern.

{They will be fine. The others have heard as well. I need to look after you.}

"Ivan, if they need your help, then go."

{But—} Ivan looked back at Matthew, clearly uneasy at the thought of leaving right now.

"I'll be fine." Matthew gave him a reassuring smile. "Have Jiro come watch me if it makes you feel better. He can go get you if anything happens." He then makes a gentle shooing motion. "Now, go help the patrol and try not to get too hurt."

Ivan was hesitant, but nods after a moment. "Alright." He agrees reluctantly. "I will be as fast as I can."

Matthew nods and smiles. "Of course."

The tiger then took off running as he let out a bellowing roar to let them know that he was on his way.

)*(

Mogens howled once more and then leaped at the beast, but a giant paw immediately smacked him down. He growled as he tumbled onto the forest floor, pain shooting through his muscles as his bones threatened to give. {Where the hell is Ivan?!}

While Mogens was temporarily stunned, the great white bear was now going after the injured Irunya. The female wolf whimpered in fear; her leg was stuck in the roots of an old tree and preventing her from running, making her easy prey.

Shaking, Mogens scrambled up and went after the beast again. {You keep your claws off my mate!} The Alpha snarled and bit into the back of the animal's neck, hoping to distract it.

Roaring, the bear tried to fling the wolf off, though all it did was help the wolf's fangs tear the fur and open up the flesh. Blood flowed out quickly, obscuring Mogens' sight as it got in his eyes.

{Now!} The Alpha growled between a mouthful of flesh and fur.

The bear chuckled, pinning one down and ripping their side open with his teeth as the poor wolf howled in pain. {You'll have to do better than that. You're nothing but rats.} His voice was old, rough, and sounded like it wasn't used often.

The other wolves did their best to attack, but they were unable to land a hit without risking the same happening to them. Despite that, Natalia managed to get one solid bite on the beast's jugular, while Mogens fell off after a few more moments with a patch of their foe's flesh between his jaws.

Now with only Mogens, Natalia, and two others able to fight left, it was a losing battle; the bear out matched them even together as a group. They needed something to turn the tide in their favor before they lost more than they already had.

{Ha! Is that the best you've got, little rats?} The beast chuckled, making them extremely uneasy.

{Hardly. You think that this is all of us?} Mogens got bold, stalling for time. Where is Ivan? Is he not coming?

{You think that a few more of you will change who is winning?} He scoffs, taking a heavy step forward.

Mogens ears twitched, he could hear someone coming up from behind. Reinforcements? He laughed as he sat down to relax; no, there was clearly only one lumbering through the woods like that. {A few? No. Just one.}

Ivan came leaping through the brush from behind, swiftly attacking with a savage snarl. The two roared and growled, and fur flew as they bit, clawed, and tore each other apart. Red was becoming visible on their white pelts, but neither slowed their attack nor backed off.

Giant paws smacked each other in the face, trying to blind their target with sharp claws. Massive bodies clashed, trying to knock the other off balance. Jaws clamped down, sinking their teeth through tender flesh, pulling and tearing, shoving and bruising, smashing and breaking. It was a battle of titans with the war cry of savages.

With a great blow to Ivan's ribs, the wind was knocked out of him painfully and the tiger had to back off to catch his breath.

{I see you've grown stronger.} The bear chuckled and licked the blood off of his snout. {But you are distracted. So tell me. Where is your mind, if not here? With a female perhaps?}

Ivan remained silent, only continuing to watch the bear's every move. He looks like Jiro, but... A polar bear this far south? What brought him down here?

{No? Hmm... male then?} Ivan's gaze came up to meet his; he clearly had the tiger's attention now. {A male? How odd.} He hummed in thought as he began to circle the tiger. {Is this male your mate?}

{Stop talking!} Ivan started moving again as well, not wanting to give the bear an opening.

{Guessed right, didn't I?} He chuckled. {Now... is this mate of yours unwell?}

{If this is your way of throwing me off, it's not working. I'm still going to make you leave here limping!}

{No? Hm. Healthy then...} The bear continued to talk, ignoring the tiger's threats. {Do tell me when I'm getting close, Ivan. ... Is your mate expecting then?}

Ivan's fur rose in irritation. {How do you know my name?} He growled.

{Your reactions keep giving you away, boy. So, how far along is this dear mate of yours? I would love to meet this special male.} The bear smiled at Ivan with blood stained teeth, leaving him with an impression that was less than cordial.

{Like hell you will!}

{Ah-ah, temper, temper. Is your mate close to nesting, perhaps?} He watched the tiger closely; saw how Ivan's tail dropped ever so slightly, watched the other's eyes grow unfocused at the thought of his mate. Even the tiger's guard seemed to drop for a moment. {Oh, I see. They are nesting. No wonder you're so distracted, Ivan.}

{SHUT IT!} Ivan snarled and lashed out, clawing the side of the bear's face and just barely missing the eye.

{YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT.} The bear snarled back, quickly and savagely attacking the tiger.

Ivan howled in pain as the beast bit into the back of his neck and then swung him around like a ragdoll. The tiger was practically screaming as he felt his fur and muscle being tugged with every swing, his pelt just threatening to be ripped from his spine. The only thing keeping it on was the fact that the beast's jaws were tightly clamped down onto the bones.

After a few more swings, Ivan was sent flying into the brush. Coughing and wheezing, he tried to catch his breath and not drown in his own blood.

{Are you going to show some maturity now, cub?} The bear asked angrily as he stepped through the bushes, standing on his hind legs. {I would really detest needing to wound you further.}

{Why does that matter to you...?}

{I don't want to see my only surviving child die. Not after you've grown up so well and have your own cubs on the way. Despite everything, I am rather proud of you, my son.}

Ivan's eyes went wide in alarm and shock. {What-... What kind of nonsense is this?! That's not-} He coughed and felt pain run up his neck.

{Not possible? Oh it's quite possible.} The beast sat down, shaking its blood soaked fur. {I lost you to those wolves long ago, along with my love. She was left to die as you were taken away!} He growled. {I find it disgusting that they brainwashed you all these years. That you were nothing but a demon to set loose on their enemies! But you grew strong, and far more powerful than that pack of spineless rats!}

Ivan glared at the bear. {I won't fall for something so stupid.}

{Just attack already!} Mogens growled from the sidelines. {He's only trying to throw off your guard. Get rid of him now!} Ivan was already wavering from the fear of what could be possibly happening to Matthew, he didn't need even further distraction from what was most important right now.

{When you had been conceived between your mother and I, she thought it was a miracle.} The bear's voice softened, but was still stern and rough. {Oh how closely she watched everything in hopes of having you survive. There were many times she had thought she had lost you. She already knew she was the last tigress; the last of her kind. But you lived and when her time to nest came, she not only birthed you, but two others. Your siblings, sadly... did not live to be twelve moons. Grieving from our loss, we did everything to make sure you lived.}

{This is nothing but lies!} Ivan snarled, yet he still refrained from attacking again.

{You were twenty moons when you were taken from us. We were moving farther south to raise you. I did not know the world beyond the snow where your mother had come from, but I agreed that it would be a better and safer place for you to grow up; a place with plenty of food for us all. We had passed by two territories of wolves before we were under attack. Your mother ran to keep you out of harms way as I fought to keep them back. I soon found your mother in her last moments of life and you gone. I tried to get you back, but the wolves kept me from you!}

Ivan recalled all the times Mogens' father had complained about how there had been an increase in demon and bear attacks on the village ever since Ivan's adoptive mother had taken him in. That whole time, had it really been his father trying to take him back?

{Do you see the truth now, son? You remember, yes? Your mother and I looking out for you; the times you played in the den.}

Ivan did recall something like that, but this was unbelievable. It wasn't true! It wasn't— it couldn't! Breeding outside one's own race was impossible unless it was with a moonchild.

{You even remember the name that I gave you at birth.}

Just then, Jiro came tumbling out of the bushes, startling poor Irunya. Mogens was already pissed off by what was going on and just snapped at the cub. {You shouldn't be here, return home now!}

The great bear took interest in the new arrival however. {What do we have here? A little white cub? Is he yours Ivan?}

{Jiro!} Ivan exclaims. {What are you doing here? Why aren't you with Matthew?!}

{Mother sent me...} The cub paused, momentarily distracted as his gaze fell on the other bear. He stared for a moment before shaking his head a little to clear it, then turning his gaze back on his father. {Mother sent me to get you right away. Our home is on fire. Other homes are on fire also.} The cub states matter of fact, though the others reacted with shock. There was no scent of smoke in the air or alert from the others.

{Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have left.} Ivan was about to take off running when he turned to face the huge bear. He couldn't just leave one problem for another; his family could die if left to this beast as they were. Thinking fast and using the male's confusion to his advantage, Ivan spoke. {Could you not hurt the pack, father.} The word was hard for him to use. {At least until I have made sure of my mate's safety.}

{You can't be serious Ivan!} Mogens snarled, bearing his teeth as his fur rose. {After all he has just done, you are just going to allow him into the village? As Alpha, I will not stand for this!}

{Mogens!} Irunya nipped angrily at her mate's back leg to get his attention. {Our home is on fire! Our pups could be in danger. We can finish this later! Now, go!}

)*(

It hadn't been that dry lately, had it? It was late in the day; there wasn't much sunlight left and yet Matthew watched as half the homes in the village burned, his own included. It had all happened so fast; one minute he had been dozing off and the next he could smell smoke and hear sickening laughter. He hadn't seen who'd done it as he'd stumbled out of the den, the thick smoke nearly blinding his vision at the time, but he was almost certain they were human.

The wolves were already trying to put out the fire as best they could. It was not yet nightfall, but if nothing was done now, there would be nothing left. Soaked in water, they ran back and forth from the lake, tipping buckets over to stop the fire from spreading to the other dens.

{Matthew!} An elder wolf, his sight nearly gone, but his nose sharp as ever, came running to his side. {Are you hurt?}

"No." Matthew coughed and tried to wave the smoke from his face. "I'm ok. I got out before anything bad happened."

{Then make your way to the Alpha's den. Pups and those unable to help are being sent there as we speak; it is safe there. Now go. I have a few homes left to check to make sure that no one got stuck inside.} He then took off.

Not wasting any time, Matthew made his way to the other side of the village. While it really wasn't that far to walk, it felt like it was right then. He was unsure if the smoke had gotten to him or if it was something else. His body felt even heavier than usual, making his legs shake under him, and his body seemed to throb in pain as he moved.

When he reached Irunya's den, he was out of breath and wanted to sit down. Inside he looked for a place to sit, but upon seeing the other wolves –while there were not many and plenty of room— he suddenly felt sick. His head was spinning and he could hear his blood pounding in his ears. I need somewhere quiet. A headache is not something I need right now.

He made his way into Irunya's room, not caring at the moment, as he knew that she would forgive him if he was sick. With the door closed behind him, Matthew slowly made his way over to the bed of furs to sit; his legs couldn't take much more of this.

"Shit-!" He cursed as a tightening pain shot up his spine, causing him to stumble the rest of the way to the bed. Panting a bit from getting a little freaked out, Matthew tried to find a comfortable way to sit without hurting himself further. "W-what was that...?"

)*(

Seeing the fire for himself as they reached the village sent greater panic through Ivan. Please be ok, I'm coming Matthew.

Jiro followed on his tail as they ran through the village. They did not get far before others were barking at them to get out of the way.

When Ivan saw that their home was half ablaze, his heart sank.

{Mother!} The young cub called out in distress; he was just about to run in when Ivan stopped him. {Let go! Mother is in danger!}

{It's too dangerous for you!} Ivan scolded and then looked around, thinking, trying to keep himself together. This was a wolf pack; there would not be so many pack members tending to the fire if they had not checked to make sure everyone was safe.

Seeing a wolf returning with water, he leaped in front of them. {You. Is everyone safe? Where have the weak been gathered?}

The wolf growled between her teeth, both from being stopped so suddenly and from irritation. {Yes, the Alpha's den! Now move!} She moved around him quickly and continued running towards the fire.

{Come!} Ivan called for Jiro, both then running towards the den.

)*(

Matthew had only been able to settle down for what felt like an hour, but could have possibly been only ten minutes when he heard someone barge in the front door and call out for him loudly. "In here, Ivan!" He calls back, unable to bring himself to get up and go out to him.

It took the tiger a moment to open the door, unable to change yet, as the sun was still close to an hour away from setting. {Matthew! Are you hurt anywhere? Jiro came to me as fast as he could.}

{Mother!} Jiro quickly hopped onto the bed and pressed himself to Matthew's side, nuzzling his face lovingly against the other's legs.

"I'm... okay." Matthew closed his eyes and nuzzled his face into Ivan's neck when the other got close. A startled noise soon came from his lips as he felt wetness on his face. He lifted his head, using his sleeve to wipe off his face and then looking down at it and seeing that the white sleeve was colored red with blood. "You're hurt!" He exclaims softly, a worried look on his face as his eyes darted to Ivan's neck. "You were supposed to be careful." He chastises, his soft voice laced with worry.

{I know... but I was protecting the pack.} Ivan looked upset, how was he to keep his promise to Matthew, but protect him at the same time?

"I know," Matthew sighs softly. "I just worry too much. …Are Irunya, Mogens, and Natalia okay…?"

{They'll be okay. Irunya is stuck, but she's fine.}

"Stuck...?"

Ivan sighed. {Her leg is stuck in some roots from what I saw. I really didn't look; I was too busy fighting with a bear.}

"How did tha- ah!" Matthew yelped as the painful tightening that had caused him to stumble earlier returned with a vengeance. "Fuck-!" He swears, face scrunching up in pain as he pulled back from his family and curled in on himself. His arms wrapped around his belly as he grit his teeth, trying to keep from vocalizing his pain. He was suddenly certain of what the pain was and he felt uneasy at the thought of the pack members in the other room knowing as well. He didn't want them to know.

Ivan's eyes widened with shock and fear, watching as Matthew began to breath heavily to fight off whatever pain had struck him. {Matthew...}

Once the pain had passed, Matthew became aware that Ivan was watching him closely. He glanced up and saw the other's fear and didn't even try to hide his own fear. For the past couple of months he'd been pushing the fear to the back of his mind, choosing rather to dwell on happier things but he couldn't ignore it anymore now that it was happening. He was still just as scared as he'd been in the beginning, if not more so. The fact that this wasn't even the worst of the pain didn't help ease his fear either.

{Everything is going to be fine Matthew.} Ivan reached out and gently placed a paw on Matthew's hand. {I know everything seems scary, but everything is going to be fine. And when this is all over, we will have cubs that we can share our love with. A new family.}

Matthew nodded, knowing he was right. He lightly tugged on Ivan's arm in a silent request for him to move closer, unwilling to move himself for fear of causing more pain.

Ivan took the invitation and curled up with Matthew, while little Jiro was watching them with a mix of confusion and worry, unsure what was happening. {New family?}

{Yes, Jiro. You are going to meet your siblings soon, but you are going to have to wait outside for now.} Ivan answered the cub as Matthew snuggled up to him,

{But why?} He whined.

"Jiro please... Do it for me." Matthew said softly. Reluctantly, the cub nodded and trotted out of the room, doing his best to nudge the door shut behind him.

Five, maybe ten minutes later Matthew flinched, a soft whimper of pain leaving his lips.

{Matthew? The pain is coming back isn't it?}

Matthew nodded.

{How are you holding out?}

"Okay..." He says, one hand rubbing his stomach soothingly. "It hurts, but it's not... unbearable yet."

{That's good. There's still time left. I hope to be in my moon form when the time does come.}

"Yes, that would be more comforting and I'd really like to have your hand to hold." Matthew's words shook a bit and Ivan softly nuzzled his love's cheek in reply.

If he was completely honest, the waiting was making him more scared than the pain that he felt every few moments. It was hard to keep calm when waiting was making him so anxious. He had no sense of time until Ivan's form became human and the man held his hand while placing gentle kisses on his temple.

"Relax and let them come. Don't be scared. I'm here with you."

"Thank you…" He whispers, clinging to Ivan gently, his grip tightening when the pain got worse.

)*(

After about an hour or so, Matthew's water broke. It surprised him quite a bit because he didn't think that happened with tigers, but definitely with humans. Which was a bit of an odd thought, as he hadn't really considered any of them being human to be a possibility. He'd just sort of assumed they'd all be tiger cubs.

Ivan flinched and was a little confused. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." Matthew nodded.

"This is normal for humans?" He couldn't help but be worried.

"Mhmm." He hummed, grateful for the release of some of the pressure.

"Ah, good. I thought that something had gone wrong. It won't be long now, yes?"

"Yeah… unfortunately what just happened means it's gonna hurt a lot more soon."

Ivan kissed his lips softly. "You'll be amazing, just stay calm and relaxed. Let your body tell you what to do."

Matthew kissed back gently. "I'll need your help with staying calm and relaxed." He murmurs with a weak smile.

"Of course." He purred happily.

Matthew laid with Ivan for ten or fifteen more minutes, resting and mentally preparing for the soon to start pain. He gasped suddenly, hands going to his stomach as he curled in on himself. His eyes were shut tightly and a whimpering whine of pain left his lips.

"Easy, easy..." Ivan sat up with him, rubbing the young man's back in a soothing manner. His voice was soft and calm, wearing a small smile for comfort. "The first one will be coming soon, what do you think it will be? Female or male?" He kept talking calmly to help the boy kept his mind off of the pain.

"Female." Matthew's response came almost instantly, his voice soft. He squeezed Ivan's hand while the pain lingered, comforted by having a simple anchor.

"Oh? She will be a strong one then." Ivan smiled.

Matthew smiled a bit as well. "I hope so."

"I know so."

Matthew was about to say something but he flinched suddenly, a pained look on his face, his grip on Ivan's hand tightening.

"Breath and relax." Ivan softly nuzzled him.

Matthew took a few shaky breaths and after a minute he relaxed, loosening his grip on Ivan's hand.

"That was good, but deeper next time. It helps."

"Okay." Matthew nodded and rested his head on Ivan's shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment as Ivan's his other hand gently pet his hair. He was glad Ivan was here to keep him calm or else he probably would've been panicking at the regular pain. Right now the pain had subsided but it'd be back soon enough. "…Ivan…?" He asks softly, his tone uneasy.

"Yes?"

"That not right feeling from a moon ago is still there…." He says quietly, referring to the one Ivan had asked him if he thought one of them might not have survived.

Ivan looked from the boy to his belly and softly rubbed it with a sad smile. "If it is true, don't blame yourself. It happens sometimes with mothers... And I'll take it away before you can see it." Ivan wasn't being heartless, but he was trying to make it easier to part with the offspring that didn't make it.

Matthew nodded in agreement. Although not blaming himself if it were true, was most likely easier said than done. "I'm scared…" He whispers quietly, his grip on Ivan's hand tightening just slightly.

"It's okay." He rubbed the boys belly and kissed his temple. "I'm scared as well." He admitted.

Matthew fell quiet, just letting Ivan soothe him. Moments later he cringed and whimpered at the pain that had increased in intensity.

"Remember, deep breaths Matthew."

Matthew nodded slightly. He gave a soft whine of pain, but managed to take a few deep breaths. "Ow..."

"Do you feel anything moving...?" He asked as he nuzzled Matthew's cheek.

"I-I think so…" He nuzzled back after the pain had subsided. It was a bit hard to tell when he'd been focusing on the pain.

He nodded. "Let me know when."

Matthew nodded. "I will."

)*(

Many long and painful hours later, Matthew was somewhere between exhausted, pleased, and just plain emotional. The first had been the longest and most physically draining on him, being human. She was small, had blonde hair, and amazing light purple eyes. The only other one was a white female cub, which came much easier after the infant.

They were more beautiful than Ivan had imagined. With his love resting against his chest and their baby girls cradled in their mother's arms, Ivan looked over them lovingly.

When Matthew started nursing the two, it was a bit awkward. He'd obviously never done this before and he felt a bit odd about doing it. After an hour or so, Matthew finally called for his nervous and frightened bear cub to join in on the family cuddle. Jiro curled in at his side and while he had many questions, they could wait. Matthew eyelids were starting to droop, and a well-deserved rest was in order.

)*(

When Matthew awoke, he was lying against a mound of furs instead of Ivan, and Irunya sat on the edge of the nest quietly smiling. He looked over at her and smiled slightly, beckoning her closer if she wanted to see the newborns better.

She took the offer and moved closer. Her smile grew sweet when she saw them. "Males or females?"

"Females."

"They're beautiful Matthew. You did a good job." Her smile brightens.

Matthew's smile softened. "Thanks... would you like to hold her?" He asks with a soft smile, nodding to the cub. She had let him hold her pups when they were first born and he figured it was only fair to offer the chance to her as well.

"I would love to." She smiled brightly.

He gently scooped up the cub, waiting until Irunya was ready and then placing the female gently in Irunya's hands.

Irunya cooed softly as she nuzzled the cub. "She's so soft, though much bigger than a pup. But this means she's healthy, yes?"

Matthew smiled happily and nodded. "She is." He says, watching her closely. He trusted her, but couldn't help the faint nervousness he had at not having the cub in his arms.

Irunya nuzzled the cub for a little longer before carefully placing her back in Matthew's arms. "I love her colors, they're just like Ivan... He must be proud."

"He is."

She smiled. "So for your first litter, how do you feel?"

"Um… I think aching but happy sums it up for the most part." He says, smiling back.

She giggled softly. "Well that's good, but I meant would you want to have offspring again?"

"I… don't know." Matthew replies after a period of silence. "Possibly, but I think it's a bit early to be thinking about more right now."

"Ah, so you will, well I'm happy for you and Ivan." She smiled cheerfully.

He smiled back a bit. "Thanks. But speaking of Ivan, where is he?"

Irunya had a sudden rare look of distaste. "Currently dealing with the very same bear from before."

"What!" His smile quickly morphed into a look of worry. "He just got back and he's out fighting again?"

"O-oh, no, no! I'm sorry, I thought Ivan might have told you... but then again, there were more important things going on at the time." Matthew relaxed with the knowledge that Ivan had not left to fight again. "To keep this short. A great bear attacked us and then claimed to be Ivan's father."

He blinked at her before speaking slowly. "... I think you'll have to give me the long version, because I don't understand."

)*(

Outside, Jiro came over and sniffed at the bear from a distance. {Who are you?}

The elder bear looked down, his conversation with Ivan was not over, but it was not urgent to finish now. {...Your grandfather.}

{Grand... father?} Jiro asks with a tilt of his head as he took a few steps closer.

"Jiro's from my mate's world." Ivan says quietly. "He's adopted, not of either blood."

{Oh...?} He looked towards Ivan. {Are you not helping raise the cub Ivan?}

"I am..." Ivan still felt uneasy around him.

{Then I'm still his grandfather. I haven't seen a white cub in many long years.} He said as he patted Jiro's head with a giant paw.

Jiro blinked and moved away from the paw and towards Ivan, confused and a bit unsure about what was going on. {...?}

)*(

When Irunya had finished with the long version, Matthew had a stunned look on his face. He was quiet as all of it sunk in. "Wow, that's... wow." He says, at a loss for words. "Well, that certainly explains some odd differences with Ivan and all the bear fights back with the other pack."

{Mother, I have a grand-father?} Jiro asks as he came running in just before Ivan walked in. He was all cleaned up and bandaged, which brought Matthew some relief that he had taken care of himself.

"This great white bear I take it?" Matthew guessed as Jiro hopped up on the bed.

"Yes, more or less. I believe him, but I'm still unsure of many things. Sorry, I can make sure that he's never alone with him or... or at all if that's what you want."

"No, it's... well, I don't know yet. But if he is going to be around Jiro, I'd prefer it if you were there too."

"I can't say that this will go over well with anyone here." Irunya added in, clearly not trusting this bear at all.

"Yes... but I don't think he'll stay here, so no one will have to worry." Ivan sighed softly.

"Do you want him to stay?" Matthew asks curiously.

"He's still someone I've just met... It will take some time for me to speak more than a few words to him." He said sadly.

Matthew nodded quietly, but after a few moments of silence he sighs softly. "Ah, now I miss my mother. Pity it's not easier to travel between here and there..."

Ivan chuckled and leaned carefully over their young to kiss Matthew. "Don't worry love, maybe we'll see them in time."

Matthew kissed back before pulling back, a light blush dusting his cheek. "Maybe."

"How about you two get some more rest while they're asleep?" Irunya stood up to leave. "I don't mind and it's not like your home is in a proper state to care for cubs."

Ivan nodded in agreement and let himself drop onto the furs next to Matthew with Jiro in between them; sleep sounded good after such an eventful evening.

"Good idea." Matthew agrees with a yawn. After all, who knew how much sleep they'd be getting later with two adorable new additions to care for?

With whispered words of love and wishes of goodnight, their small family fell asleep peacefully, curled together under a blanket of furs.