Surprises

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke got up early in the morning. In her mind she formed a plan. She wanted to make a surprise dinner for Rockpaw and just have a quiet evening at home, just him and her. Since her mate had been gone way to much the femme found that her desire to spend more and more time with him was sky-rocketing. She just couldn't seem to get enough of him.

Slowly she crawled out of bed, really gentle like so that she wouldn't wake up Rock. She had plenty of things to do today but her foremost thoughts were on the creation of their special dinner and so she headed down to the market, hoping to use her rank to be able to get some food before the vendors opened up to the public. Of course they would just end up giving Brooke what she wanted because she was the commander of the Fort and so their meal would consist of the best of the best.

It took Brooke about an hour. She silently slipped into the bungalow where her husband still laid sleeping. The children and the nanny slept in the next cabin. At times Brooke planned it like this so that she and Rock could spend some quality time together. The kits on the other paw loved the idea of being in a cabin of all their own. To them it was like camping out.

The blond femme put all of the things away and then slipped back onto the bed, failing to crawl under the covers. Lord only knew where that would lead. Softly she kissed her mates forehead and then trailed them down the bridge of his nose until they met with his lips. "Time to wake up sleepy head." Tenderly Brooke smiled upon him. Clearly anyone could see just how much she was still in love with him.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

It was a sleepy Rockpaw that was woken by Brooke's attention. Normally the old soldier could sleep through everything. His big, solid form could drop into a bed and sleep, looking like a big furry log until morning, hardly even moving except for the most essential twitches and nudges. He had learned early on in his life that being able to sleep anywhere and at any time was essential for a sailor's, and a soldier's life. Especially when he had cubs to take care of and needed any kind of rest he could get on top of all the menial work he had to do for his family and the fort combined. So when Brooke crawled out of bed ahead of schedule and began to collect what she needed for tonight's dinner, he hardly even stirred. He knew it was safe and warm in the bungalows of the fort, and didn't need to react with any alarm. He stayed asleep all throughout the morning as Brooke scurried about with her secret preparations.

When she returned, there he was, having not even moved, remaining on the bed with his considerable, muscular weight pressing into the mattress. He looked like a lump, so relaxed and content was he, the only evidence he was even alive being the rise and fall of his broad chest. He was lying on his back, one arm stretched out to the side where he had once held Brooke until she left, the other one draped comfortably over his own chest. When he was asleep with his mate, nothing could disturb him. He looked utterly at peace.

Love could do that to a creature.

When Brooke returned to him and kissed him upon the forehead, his single eye cracked open and the lids slowly revealed the cloudy blue orb inside. He stared up into the angelic face of his mate, instantly smitten all over again. He lay there underneath her, staring in affectionate, glorious peace and quiet. His paws gently reached up and wrapped around her back, pulling her down onto him where she was greeted with a long, slow, loving kiss. His lips dragged over hers as they parted, and he sighed. It was a deep, resonating noise that came up from his chest and entered Brooke's. He buried his face into the crook of her neck and nuzzled her gently, clinging to her like a teddy bear.

"I love you... so, so much..." he muttered in a sleepy, love-induced daze.

"What's on the schedule for today, my lovely?"

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

As usual Brooke was swept away by her mate's affection and tender gaze. He never failed to amaze her. Every time that he looked at her and touched her, even in the slightest way, it gave Brooke butterflies and made her feel like a young teenager again. Indeed he kept her young, as did their children. But what she had planned for this evening was all about them. Brooke needed the 'alone' time with her mate in order to be able to talk to him about a few important things. The thought of having a romantic dinner here with him set her heart on fire.

After Rockpaw pulled her lithesome frame down upom him the female otter laughed but it soon faded while they kissed, returning once she tickled her neck by tucking his snoat into the crooke of her neck. Slightly she cocked her head and giggled some more. "I love you... very ver much also." Ever so gently she again kissed him, taking the opportunity to look deeply into his longing stare.

After a few minutes of silence and some nice bonding Brooke took the time to answer his last question, still remaining perched upon his very broad chest. "Well I was thinking that maybe you could go over and play with the kits for a while and then do a round or so through the Fort to check on things, perhaps your ship as well, while I get some things done around here." Of course Brooke used her charm to convince him. It was important that he wasn't here while she prepared for his surprise dinner and conversation.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Rockpaw groaned aloud in seeming frustration when she actually suggested that he get up out of bed. Her charm worked wonders, but it only made him want to spend more time with her, preferably with them cuddled up in this too-comfortable-for-its-own-good bungalow bed. He wrapped his arms tight around her and rolled so they were laying next to each other, with Brooke bundled up against his chest and his chin resting on top of her head, effectively trapping her against him, playfully not budging against any of her attempts to get free.

"Oh... do I have to go anywhere?" he murmured, breathing in her sweet, pleasing scent with a long, drawn-out breath, brushing the fur on top of her head as he pressed sensually against her body. "You feel so soft... and your aroma is like a flower made to excite the senses," he muttered in a throaty whisper, brushing a paw over her cheek and kissing the bridge of her snout. "The way I hold you is so perfect. Like you were made to fit in my arms. Oh, stay here with me, Brooke... stay here forever and never leave."

His voice had gotten progressively quieter, until it was like a whisper on the wind, almost telepathic in how quiet and yet how clear it was. He smirked as he toyed with one of her ears between his fingers.

"I think that's a clear sign I should get going," he chuckled. "Come on then..." Extremely reluctantly, he pulled away from her, his fingers lingering on her like there was an adhesive holding them together. It was love that held them so tightly bound to one another. "Go on, make me leave. Before I start doing things to you that'll convince you to never come out of here."

He remained propped up on his elbows as he shooed her out of bed, watching her stand radiant over the bed before sliding out himself. Time for a busy day of playing with his cubs.

/=/

And what a day it had been by the time Rockpaw had gotten back to the bungalow. He had arrived back home with a somewhat weary look on his face, having spent all day doing what Brooke had told him to do: spend time with their children, and checking on the various needs of the fort, which were neverending and everpresent. It wore on an otter, sometimes, to have to carry that kind of burden. Rockpaw was an exemplary otter. Made for lifting things. Carrying heavy loads, like his sons on his shoulders, or the certain message he had received today that requested, nay, demanded his presence in a foreign land.

Away from home. Away from Brooke. He needed to know how to break the message to her. But first he had to be with her. Restore himself, and his spirit. Get himself back together. He opened the door and closed it quietly, waiting to hear Brooke bustling around, humming something. He loved to hear her bustle and hum. It gave him a sense of normality and comfort. He headed quietly into the bungalow, which was lit only by candles. It was already evening and the sun was setting.

He had to find her.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Rockpaw did have a way of making her do things that she had planned not too but she also knew that she had so much to do in order to get ready for the perfect evening that she had wanted to surprise him with. But oh how cute he looked! Her heart only wanted her to stay in the bed and snuggle with him for the rest of the day, or at least until they both grew tired of being in bed. But he was male enough to make the first move. He got up and out so that he could go play with his offspring. Brooke smiled and kissed him goodbye and bid him a good day, giving his paw an extra squeeze.

Now for a busy day of cooking and cleaning....

By the time he got back into their bungalow Rockpaw was hit with an array of scents. There were the candles that she had lit every place in the little cottage and then there was the food that she had been preparing all day, not to mention the smell of a clean house.

Yes she heard him enter. She too had bathed and dressed in a rather seductive night gown but she was still bare footpawed and stirring something that was boiling on the stove. Hastily she grabbed a pot holder and shifted the pot to the side so that she could go greet her mate.

Brooke felt like a teenager when she was around Rockpaw. Their love had grown so deep and even she couldn't believe it. Playfully she scooted out of the kitchen and then jumped into his arms unexpectedly as her slender but strong legs wrapped around his waist. For now she failed to notice the expression on his face because she was to busy kissing her lips with her own.

"Welcome home my love. I have a special evening planned for us. First we will start off with a few kisses and then a glass of wine." Her legs only got tighter around him and her kisses more passionate and deep. Indeed she had quite the evening planned for them. She needed to talk to him about some things. Little did they both know but it would certainly be an evening filled with surprises.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Needless to say, Rockpaw was a little overwhelmed by the sudden positive response from Brooke the moment he opened the door. Of course with quick thinking he had snatched Brooke into his arms once she had thrown herself upon him. Almost instantly all thoughts of his prior worries and stressful demands evaporated in the face of Brooke's undying love and devotion. It was like she was making all of his trials and tribulations evaporate, one by one, with every kiss. His broad paws grasped her tightly as his lips mashed into hers, like they were trying to meld their very bodies together. Each brush of her lips lowered his defenses and caused him to become a little more lax, a little more timid and unwilling to break the spirit of the evening. Rational thought wrestled with his youthful passions. He had to tell her eventually... but not now... why not, it's better to get it over with! But her fur is so soft, her voice so alluring... oh, forget it. He was going to enjoy himself a bit, she had been working so hard to prepare all this. He couldn't spoil it.

But he would. He had duties outside of marriage, after all... duties to the fort and those who expected things of him. He couldn't' wrestled with these thoughts now, though, as he was too busy wrestling with his dear wife!

His paws clasped her tightly to him, roaming over her back while still keeping a good grip, squeezing her tail and scraping over her fur through the material of her dress. She had never looked so good. But then, Rockpaw thought that of her every morning. He carried her over to a table and set her down on the edge, still wrapped up in kissing her, over and over, in every area of her face that he could reach. His paws came up and cupped her cheeks, holding her there so he could better admire her beauty.

"No wine could compare to you, my darling," he whispered. "But we can't let any of this go to waste... come on, show me what we've got cooking up. Anything that comes from those delicate, wonderful paws of yours is sure to be scrumptious."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Rockpaw floored her every single time they were together. He was the most perfect male that she had ever met and he was all hers. He was the perfect husband, lover, father and best friend. It was evident that she loved him with all of her heart and even until it was overflowing and dripping into the rest of her body. Indeed he filled her up with love.

Her rump was sat on the table and she smiled up at him, still licking her lips from their delicious kiss, her paws still all over him and her legs wrapped around him and her footpaws linked behind his back. "Okay. We will sample a bit of everything tonight, even each other. That kiss was just a very tiny appetizer my love." She didn't give him another kiss but rather released him so that she could slid from the table, her frame cascading down his until her footpaws hit the floor.

Brooke smiled even more so. She knew what she was doing. She knew that she was driving him insane and also driving herself insane as well. "Let me pour you some wine. This is the finest bottle in the Tavern. We are suppose to let the wine-keep know if we like it or not. If so he will be making more for us for future consumption." Thoughtfully the blond otter poured him a glass and then pawed it to him. She knew that she shouldn't be drinking in her condition but she just couldn't help it. This was a special occasion after all.

Daintily she sipped and then groaned. "Mmmmm... Oh heavens that's good. I can really taste the raspberries in it. Lemme know what you think and then we can put our order in." Deeply she breathed in as she took his paw, pulling him to where he would sit at the table. "You sit my darling. I'll bring the food to you." Yes indeed Brooke spoiled her mate when he was home. She did it for many reasons. First it was her vow to do so and because she loved him. Also she wanted him to know what a good wife he had and also she thought that it might keep him home more often.

Brooke moved about the bungalow as she listened to her mate. They would converse as she worked, making trips to and fro and making the table look simply perfect until she finally sat so that she could gaze over the array of food. There was a bit of everything that Rockpaw could imagine. "I tried to make everything that you like. It's been so long that I've had to cook for you that I was beginning to forget what you like the most." She winked at him, teasing him with that last comment.

The femme began to load up his plate, her plate and then to pour them both some more spirits....

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Ahh, wine. The drink of the rich and sophisticated, and the ardently in love. Rockpaw and Brooke fit at least one of those categories... the one that mattered, anyway. He took a long, heavy gulp from the wine, seeking to use it to calm his nerves and enjoy the taste. He closed his eye and swished it around his mouth, letting the wine cover his mouth. The delectable drink was a great refresher after his long day at work and play.

"Hmm... my hat goes off to the tavern-keep. We'll have to get him to try and find as much of this as he can!" he said with a cheerful little toast to the fine dining that was to come for the evening. When Brooke led him to the table and sat him down, he felt a little chill run down his spine. He felt rather like a cub being sat down for dinner, but he knew that Brooke would want to dote upon him. They so enjoyed their time together. That was one reason that Rockpaw was so hesitant to explain everything, feeling the letter crunch uncomfortably in his pocket. The letter that said his presence was requested in Southsward. They lived in the far south, but it was still a week's journey from the fort, and who knew how long he would have to stay? A week? Two? He didn't want to think about it. He had only just gotten back here a month ago. Hardly any time at all to spend with his family.

"I tried to make everything that you like. It's been so long that I've had to cook for you that I was beginning to forget what you like the most."'

"Hmm? Oh. Yes, thank you," Rockpaw said, clearly distracted by his thoughts. He watched her sashaying about in that lovely dress of hers, trying to distract himself with thoughts of her as she loaded his plate down with delicious food. He was hungry, there was no getting around that... he'd eat at least a plate-full before he had to break the news. He refrained from eating, however, until Brooke would sit down to join him. How he wished he could just forget about the mission, to forget the dinner and everything until there was only them.

He watched Brooke closely as she bent over to pour them some drinks. She was incredible when she was demure like that. Even completely clothed, she knew how to make the atmosphere charged with desire. That was a real winner with Rockpaw. He wouldn't even bother taking the dress off. He had a sudden vision of him suddenly shoving the food away, grabbing Brooke by the arms, laying her out on the table without even taking the dress off, and...

He shook his head out of his daydream.

"It smells wonderful, Brooke. I can't wait to fill my stomach."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke could honestly say that doing anything with Rockpaw, whether it be anything ranging from sitting by a creek, playing with their cubs or something much more intimate, she was happy. Nothing could make her more joyous. He was her savior in the past and in the present. This was why she missed him so when he was away from her and this was likely going to be the topic of conversation, at least for a bit. "Rockpaw I can't tell you how happy and content I've been with you here. I'm glad that there are no prospects of you having to go away any time soon." Brooke smiled at him, her emerald orbs holding an extra special secret that she planned on sharing with him tonight.

Brooke lit into her food. Indeed she was feeling a bit more hungry as of late and the combination of things that she's been eating was a bit off color as well. Not purposefully she changed the subject of his military obligations. "Mmmmm........ I have to say that I am a pretty good cook." The blond femme laughed and then looked up at her mate.

Brooke took another sip of her wine and then could stand it no longer. She was about to go over to her husband and give him the kiss of a lifetime but part of her finally noticed the far away look that came and went on his features. But instead of concentrating on anything negative Brooke decided to ask him how his day went. "How was your time with our kits today? Did you notice that our son has grown an inch? His incite to their offspring was usually right on the money and so Brooke couldn't wait to hear what he had to say.

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[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Rockpaw almost gagged on his food when Brooke mentioned not going away. He had to cover it up as coughing on some too strong wine in order to keep himself from being given away. He looked up at Brooke and smiled pleasantly when she thankfully turned the subject to their children. That was something he would actually enjoy talking about.

"Ahh... yes, yes," he said happily, remembering the time he had spent with his children today. Fun times, they were. They had played tag in the fort grounds, and he had just started teaching Logan how to handle a staff of his own. The young male was showing a greater propensity daily for the handling of weapons, and the displaying of bravery. He would climb trees and shout orders to pretend soldiers as well, attempting to act like he was already grown up. Little Logan was bound for the life of a warrior, that much was certain. Rockpaw knew that he would be a pride to his family and his home.

"Logan is growing more and more every day. He wants to start learning how to use weapons along with reading. Every time I looked at him, he was trying something new, exploring, being bold... he has the look of a wanderer about him. I'm certain he'll make us all proud when he grows up. Just today we started lessons on how to use a staff. I think he went off to go pester the soldiers at the barracks," he said with a chuckle and a wide smile.

"Our daughters are growing up beautifully. They're so befuddling, always finishing each others' sentences and going on about new plants or dresses they've found. I think Shyla is showing interest in herbs and such. Perhaps she'll have a future in healing."

He stirred his food about on his plate, digging in heartily to try and distract himself from the letter that was still in his pocket.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke just about jumped out of her skin when Rockpaw started to cough, completely unaware that it was something that she said. Soon enough though he seemed fine and the worried expression left her face as he began to talk about their kits. Yes indeed she knew just how much he loved them and how proud of them he really wast. Rock's family was his pride and joy and Brooke knew that. "Well what ever the children decide to do they will always have a job waiting for them here at the Fort." She didn't want to think about them growing up and leaving the nest.

The femme reached over and again poured him some wine. Surely he didn't just play with the kits today. "What else did you do today? Did you check on anything around the Fort? I know that there was suppose to be a new shipment coming in this morning. Did you check on that order?" Brooke bit into a pickle and then dug into her shrimp soup. Indeed she was eating rather odd combinations.

After swallowing the food, that bulged her cheeks for a while she lifted the wine glass to her lips and sipped as she eyed him from over the rim. She expected him to answer her and on the other paw she knew that he would. Perhaps he was thinking or still chewing.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

"The fort?" Rockpaw asked blankly, watching her consume a pickle before eating into her soup. She was eating a little strangely... perhaps she was just hungry? But she never seemed so hungry as to just chomp into the first thing she saw. She was always a dainty eater after all. It was rather odd to see her suddenly being indiscriminate with her tastes. Could it have been because...? No, no! Sure, they had been... enjoying themselves several times in the past few weeks, but she had shown no indications of being... it couldn't be. Not yet, not when he had something so important to tell her.

"Oh... the fort. Of course. Yes, I know about the different shipments coming in... there's going to be a refreshment of our armory sometime today. I know the troops will be happy about that. It's hard to get raw materials for... weapons and such down here."

He continued to swirl his spoon around in the soup, trying to figure out what he was going to say or do about the current dilemma. How to break it to her? Gently? Surprise her? Say nothing and just leave in the middle of the night? He continued his mulling over while he ate, waiting until he was nearly finished to continue speaking.

"Ahh... Brooke. I... have something to talk to you about," he said with a gentle smile on his face. She was sure to take this hard. "It's rather important. I didn't want to spring it on you or anything, especially not tonight of all nights... but it's here, and it's... well, it's important."

He reached down into his pocket, nearly stopping himself at the last moment. Just say it was that he loved her! That she was getting grey fur! That he had broken his tail bone, anything! But he went for the letter instead.

"I... got this letter. From abroad. Addressed... specifically to me, it being... a summons."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke ate furiously and with a purpose but suddenly she stopped when she noted that she was getting some odd stares from her mate. Perhaps he noted the way she was eating but then again he did seem to have something on his mind when he came home. Brooke could sense these things about her lover, her husband and her best friend but she did choose to ignore it. She wanted this evening to be so perfect.

"Ahh... Brooke. I... have something to talk to you about," At first she thought that maybe the subject was about the new addition to the bungalow, a hallway that would connect their cabin to their kits, but he then said something else that got her ears to perking and her paw to drop her silverware. "I... got this letter. From abroad. Addressed... specifically to me, it being... a summons." Brooke almost pretended that it wasn't what her mind was thinking it was at first. "A summons? For what? Do the neighboring islands need more donations for that natural disaster that hit last week?" Nonchalantly the femme otter laughed as if donations were no big deal.

Immediately she went back to eating, scooping more food on her plate, again very odd combinations. The femme dug into it like there was no tomorrow. She also seemed a little side tracked but she really didn't think that Rock would notice. He has been tending to more and more responsibilities in regards to the Fort as of late.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

The paw holding the letter slowly dropped back to the table. Rockpaw couldn't figure out if she was being willfully ignorant or she was just completely misinterpreting what he was saying. Perhaps it was a combination of both. The realization that he would have to go away again hadn't yet dawned on the poor thing, and she was just trying to keep herself from thinking it quite yet. Rockpaw knew that she and he both wanted to just keep themselves from thinking about the outside world, to keep themselves cloistered and hidden by the fort's walls, but wasn't that impossible? They loved each other, but there were always things to take care of. In this case negotiations with a rampant Juska tribe in Southsward... not a short journey by any stretch of the imagination. He didn't want to go, but he knew he had to. This was important... doing this helped him keep his family safe.

But when did that turn into missing the best parts of his life?

He left the letter on the table and ran a paw through his headfur, trying to figure out how to best phrase this. The evening had started out so well...

"Brooke, you're not listening. I am being summoned. Summoned... away. To Southsward. They need a representative to show some of the local vermin they aren't fooling around... they believe I am one of the best otters for the job."

He sat back and waited for the real natural disaster to hit from there.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Oh yes she was being willfully ignorant. Didn't she have the right to be? She was, after all, the leader of the grand Fort Emerald Bay and she has been without her mate much to often as of late. Brooke thirsted for Rockpaw. Did he not understand that? Her heart was simply not the same when he wasn't with her and her attention tank was on empty.

But he seemed to be willing to clear things up for her by telling her point blank that 'he' was needed and that 'he' was the only otter for the job. Brooke, on the other paw, had different ideas, different plans. She shook her head as she pushed her plate away, clanging into other dishes along the way. When did life start becoming about 'her' instead of other holts, other forts, other islands or other castles.... and so on?

Usually Brooke wasn't so rude or disrespectful to her mate but she was now pushed to her breaking point. Things were not so easy as they were seasons ago. The Fort needed Rockpaw, she needed Rockpaw, here. "Absolutely not my love. Let someone else go. You are not going. I forbid it. I am the founder and leader of FEB and I have final say. There are other otters that are younger and just as good as you." Oh sure there were younger otters, Brooke knew this, but none better for the job then Rockpaw. The blond otter shouldn't have said it like she did but she was, well, quite frankly, pregnant, hormonal and getting quite hot under the collar.

Brooke didn't wait for him to answer her. Hastily, and as if the conversation was over and her word was final, the femme got up and began to clean up their dinner mess, banging and clanging pots and pans, and plates and silverware. She was clearly upset but still 'trying' to maintain her cool.