It seemed quite literally too good to be true, the life they'd found here together. After her world had been turned upside down Tony never expected to be happy like this again, but Thayne had given her everything she could have wanted and then some more. She was delighted to be able to give something back to him finally, namely children.

It had been difficult at first, not being able to hunt like she was used to doing, but she didn't want to risk the pups anymore than Thayne wanted her to, so she stayed near the den with no complaint. She was currently basking in what sunlight the trees offered by the stream running by their den, tail fanning happily behind her and sending dust clouds of snow billowing a bit behind her in sparkles. The stream was partly frozen, but as it constantly flowed, it was still free enough to drink from. That was the only reason she was out in the cold, to have a drink. She would have turned right back around for the den, but just then she felt a sharp cramp in her stomach region, and gave a high pitched yelp of surprise, stumbling a step.

Was it time then?

"Thayne...?" She whimpered, keening as she managed to get turned to head back for the sheltered warmth of the den.

Thayne wasn't far from the den as it was, knowing it was soon. The day the pups would come, whenever that day was. He had hunted for large enough prey for the two of them so he wouldn't have to leave Tony's side any longer than necessary. He wanted to be near when she called for him--

--and he heard her call and sprinted for the den. His shoulder no longer constantly bothered him, but it wouldn't have mattered if he was three-legged at this moment. He wouldn't have stopped for anything, then. When he made it to the den, he hovered like a worried bird, trying to help her as he could but desperately worried he might hinder her in doing so.

" 'm 'ere, love, 'm here," he said in a soothing rush, licking her ear lightly. He hesitated at the den entrance, not wanting to crowd her. "Wha' can I do fer y', Tony? Tell me, I'll do anyt'in' y' need m' t' do. Tell me where y' wan' me, darlin'."

She didn't show it well, but she did relax a bit with him there. She wasn't so nervous, suddenly, and let him fuss as she eased into the familiar comfort of the dark of their home, breathing deep and slow to alleviate some discomfort.

"With me, please," She managed to pant out, leaving room behind her as she settled down otherwise with her back facing one wall. The pain was coming faster and more accute, she knew that this was definitely it then. Her eyes slid shut as another strained whine escaped her throat, she could tell a bit better now, this would be a long birth, a large litter she was sure, she had to brace herself for it. "I think this will take a while." She finally informed last.

Thayne felt a rush of deep affection when his mate told him she wanted him with her. He knew his mother had run his father out viciously -- his father had spoken of it affectionately to tease her -- and other females in the pack, when birthing, would have nothing to do with their mates until sometime after the birthing. He hurried into the den and lay where he could support her as best he could, however he could. Anything he could do to make her more comfortable.

"Long as y're comfortable as I can make y', love, let it take. I'll be 'ere fer th' time... 'less y' run me out," he said with a smile, nuzzling her lightly atop the head. "I'm 'ere fer y', whatever y' need, Tony." Though he had to admit, the sight of Tony in pain, no matter the circumstances of his first litter's birth, didn't make him entirely happy. But he masked it as best he could; she didn't need his discomfort added to hers.

Gradually the pains grew closer, until it seemed there was no pause at all between. The instincts were all there, of course, but she didn't have the heart, she adored and trusted Thayne far too much to even consider putting him out during this. It made her feel all the better to have him close by for the birth of their first children.

He wouldn't get a verbal answer though, unfortunately, as the most painful of the contractions came, and not a moment too soon the birthing process itself began.

It was a struggle, but eventually the first pup was forced into the world, Tony giving a tired shudder as her muscles relaxed, and she only gave that much pause before leaning over to retrieve the pup to clean. A son... black as the blackest night, and small hints of silver. Tony's heart swelled ten fold, and she gave a soft, short whine of joy as she cleared his nose and mouth, cleaning the mucus completely from his beautiful pelt.

Thayne peeked over her shoulder, just to see if everything was all right, not knowing what the sudden relaxation of his mate really meant until he saw the perfect little black-and-silver bundle on the den floor. A... a son. His first child, a son. A perfect little son. Oh, Tony, darlin', our son... he thought joyously. But not wanting to disturb her, he held still but to nuzzle encouragement and quiet but for a soft whine from his throat.

As it turned out there was just enough time to clean him off before the next series of contractions began. This time the birthing came just a little smoother, and a girl followed the boy, her pelt just as dark as her brother's, but with splashes of more red. A second daughter after that, almost identical to her mother. Tony blinked in surprise during that pause, then chuckled softly, though it was strained. A second and then third son followed the two girls, the last boy almost identical to their first daughter, and the other boy almost a perfect mix between the two parents. Tony was exhausted by the time it was all done, and it did take a while as promised. Night had already fallen by then, as she finally relaxed, tensing no more.

She was almost too weak to even whine, but did manage as she urged each pup to find a teet to feed from. "That's... all of them... Oh Thayne, they're perfect..." She breathed, one ear twitching as they began suckling.

Thayne was shocked into stillness by the perfection of his and Tony's pups. So tiny and perfect and beautiful... a sudden possessiveness, not unexpected, washed over him. His pups. His mate. Look at th' colors, th'... stars, they're all s' perfect. "Tony... oh, m' darlin' lovely, m' beautiful lil' star," he whispered, nuzzling her ruff. "Our wee lil' bairns... Y' jus' lay there an' be gentle, love, I'm righ' 'ere. D' y' need anyt'in'? Wan' anyt'in'?" Love overcame him, and a fierce concern for the well-being of his mate and his newborn pups. "Are y' a'ight?"

She couldn't have slept just then if she wanted to, for the giddy sensations didn't diminish one bit from her chest as the two new parents gazed over their young. She turned her head enough to lick whatever of his muzzle she could reach. "I'm just fine, love," She replied softly, though far from hiding the weariness from her tone, she spoke with soft affection as usual. "Everything I could ever want is right here..."

Thayne smiled gently, nuzzling her back. "A'ight, m' darlin'. M' lovely darlin'. Y' jus' rest a lil'. Y' deserve a week's worth." If she said she was fine, he'd believe her, but he was alert for anything she might want. In the meantime, he would be more than content to sit with his mate and his pups as long as necessary.

"We should name them first..." She rumbled softly, though she did noticeably lean against him, her muscles going slowly more lax than even her relaxed state.

"Names... stars, I 'adn't even thought 'bout it," he murmured near her ear. His eyes roamed over the litter and caught on the black and silver male who was currently curled up against his mother's teat, still suckling but mostly half-asleep. The name practically smacked him in the head. "Toby," he said with a soft smile, gesturing with his nose. "Fer 'is ma." He looked at the others, but no names hit him like Toby's had.

Tony couldn't help but smile an impish smile as he named their first son, her tail wagging to and fro, brushing against his hind legs.

"What do you think of Ellie, for the first girl...?"

Thayne smiled with a gentle nod. "Ellie makes 'er," he said gently. "Fer th' second lass... Lindir?" He liked the name and it seemed to fit the little ball of tricolored fluff at her mother's warm stomach.

"Yes, Lindir is perfect for her," She softly replied, "and... Will... no, Liam, for the next...?"

"Liam... Liam is a good name," he replied, pleased with it. It had been in his family once or twice, and he had known others -- vaguely, through his father and his birthpack alpha -- who had carried the name with honor and pride. "Wha' 'bout th' last lad, darlin'? Cannae leave th' lil' lad out o' th' game."

Tony chuckled softly, grooming the last son briefly, then each of the others for warmth from the cold. "... Devon..." She breathed, settled.

Thayne smiled and groomed his mate's head and back, much the way she groomed her new litter. "A perfect five fer us, darlin'. All ours," he murmured to her with a smile and a gentle nuzzle. "Y need t' rest, Tony. Y' earned it. I'll be a pillow, if y' like..." His voice was tinged with amusement, please beyond belief and content in his world.

"Hmm..." The small she-wolf had to say she agreed on quite a few notes, and sleep sounded so wonderful right then. "The cutest pillow I've ever laid eyes on," she teased fondly, nuzzling against him before resting her head on her paws, enoying the grooming along her back and between her ears.

Thayne grinned fondly at his lovely mate and groomed her until she dozed off. He watched the pups for a few moments more, making sure he was propped so he wouldn't disturb any of them, before he dozed off himself, still alert for anything.