Turtleback Lake meant to be

The world still felt like it was spinning, but that sensation was not quite as out of control as it had felt about a week ago. There was so much to process, good and bad. There were a lot of feelings going around, but Jethro resolved to keep trying to look forward and not back. Chan, Auburn, and Flair were here - all of that was good.

He was probably going to be a dad soon, a thought that stirred both worry and excitement as reality set in. There were many questions too - like what would Ryder and Caspian think? All of the adults either knew or seemed to have caught on, and so far it didn’t seem as if anyone was reacting negatively - aside from the obvious.

But still, most of those felt like good problems to have. As he was prone to at times though, the dark one had wandered a little. Back towards the lake, because sooner or later, he knew he’d have to face it. While his more recent memories here were unpleasant, a lot of good had occurred here, too. There were fond memories.

He’d met Reika. They’d all been brought together by Chan and bonded after that. Finley had birthed her son here, he’d been right beside her for that. And then Ryder had taken off on his first adventure.

Jethro trailed the shoreline, allowing those memories to be what replayed in his mind instead of more recent ones. And it was good. It would be good. He was going to believe that.

-aw for hopefully a PF wolf.

(This post was last modified: Mar 21, 2023, 03:43 PM by Jethro.)

It was clear by now by the scent that clung to her that Finley was pregnant, and unlike last year she was happy about how things were. She wasn’t alone, she didn’t feel like she was a charity case, the father would be involved and love the children. Maybe that was why instead of her hormones making her irritable and sad, she instead felt cheerful and extra affectionate to those around her. She was more social than normal, she was smiling more, she felt at home.

The mother was aware how all of this worked, in the coming weeks she would get less comfortable and have more physical symptoms, but for now she looked and felt good. It was because of this need to be social that Finley followed Jethro’s trail back to the lake. For only a moment she worried about his mental state given how he had ran from the place the night they had conceived, but she pushed through it.

Seeing the dark form up ahead the woman barked happily to get his attention. She hurried her paws to catch up, tail waving lazily behind her and a large smile on her face as she came up beside him. If he allowed her, she would reach out to nudge her forehead against her cheek affectionately.

A call signalled to Jet that he was no longer alone at the lakeside. While he had come out here to get away, he’d have welcomed almost any company gladly. For Finley, though, it was more than that.

The moment his ears and mind put two and two together, he was turning about, all previous musings forgotten. Finley approached, and he moved to meet her half way, unconsciously mirroring her smile and reaching out for an embrace as they drew close.

She still looked normal, but the subtle sign, the scent.. that was there. The thought of Jethro and father going together was frightening, exciting, and.. a lot of other things. All of those feelings though, were good.

”Finley,” he rumbled happily in greeting. ”How y’feeling?” That was a question he’d probably be asking a lot in the coming weeks. As from here on, a major portion of his existence would be absolutely devoted to doting upon Finley and doing whatever she’d want or need.

The expecting woman felt a little flutter in her heart when Jethro turned to her with a smile. It wasn’t an expression he wore all that often, but when he did she couldn’t believe how handsome he was. They embraced before separating and Finley fell into step beside the man on the path he had been taking on a stroll around the lake. Glancing at him happily she responded, ”Happy. I’m feeling happy.” What a drastic change from this time last year, and nothing else mattered.

They walked a few more feet in a comfortable silence when a thought entered Finley’s brain and she couldn’t shake it. She almost let out a chuckle but held it in, her voice full of humor, ”You know, I just realized I don’t even know your last name.” Did that make her easy? Maybe, and maybe the wolf she was two years ago would have judged her for that, but that seemed like another life.

Slowly but surely the woman was learning that not everyone else’s opinion mattered, as long as she and her family were happy and healthy. It was still a lesson she was grappling with, but she would get there.

The embrace was warm, and Finley’s company a treasure as they continued to walk. It felt good not to have to hide this, any longer. While Jet would always feel remorse for how Siyet had been hurt, the guilt was fading away. He deserved to feel happy, too. And slowly but surely, with each passing day - especially now, hearing those words - the dark one couldn’t deny his feelings.

It felt like this was right. And it felt good. ”I’m happy, too.” He murmured, allowing himself to forget everything else. To just be in this moment.

Until.. she spoke. About his last name. She sounded amused. He wished he could’ve shared in that sentiment.

It was something that hadn’t even occurred to Jethro until now. Something that was important to most wolves, but that he’d never particularly cared for or understood, until now. He paused in walking, unable to prevent his brow from contorting, nor to keep all of the memories at bay. Even if they weren’t as prominent as they’d once been.

”I don’t have one,” the quiet admittance escaped him. For the first time in a long time, Jet felt something like shame because of it. The rational portion of his mind told him that was unreasonable, that he doubted Finley would judge him for it, but the feeling lingered nonetheless.

Dark tail swished easily behind the Lennox woman as Jethro stated that he was happy too. It was crazy how quickly everything had changed, but brought such a sense of relief that she was no longer harboring a secret crush, or waiting to hear what his decision would be. In fact it was so relieving that it had been a long time since she had even given Siyet a second thought, she hadn’t even remembered the woman for a second since confirming her pregnancy. It had been messy, which Finley was not fond of, but the end result was worth it.

She had apparently struck some kind of a nerve with what she had thought would be a funny comment.

She walked a few steps further before realizing that Jethro had stopped, and she turned to look at him curiously. Finley’s own brow furrowed in response to seeing her lover's conflicted face, unsure of how they had gotten here. She was quite after what he said for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Then she brightened a little and took a step closer, her voice soft, ”Well, you can share mine and the boy’s if you would like.” That seemed fair didn’t it?

Then she added, almost out of embarrassment for the vulnerability - something she was still adjusting to - ”Or, we could come up with a brand new one for you and our children.” He deserved to have a last name, even if it was one they just made up right now.

As he’d mostly expected, Finley didn’t judge him for it, at all. Quite the opposite, in fact - instead, she made one rather generous proposition. Then, an even kinder one. Jet hadn’t ever anticipated he’d be having this conversation with someone again, much less that he’d be open to the idea. If anything, not having a surname was something he’d worn with a badge of honor.

But here they were. After all of this time, things were still changing.

A tiny smile returned to his countenance, and the dark one sauntered forth, closer to his companion again.

”I’d like that. To think of somethin’, with you.” A name that he and perhaps one of their children could have. But created and given to him together with the one who’d be giving him a family. Something that, maybe, would bring them a little closer together.    

If Finley was slightly disappointed he didn’t jump on the opportunity to share a name with her - she was - she didn’t show it. Instead she returned the soft smile, and pressed her side against his as he returned to her. They began their slow stroll around the lake and the woman couldn’t help the way her tail waves loose arcs behind her in happiness. This seemed like everything that was supposed to be, like things were simple for the first time in a year since she had arrived in the Lore.

Now she was a dedicated wolf, diligent and responsible, but she was not creative. Her mind promptly drew a blank when trying to come up with a surname that was fitting for Jethro. Eyebrows furrowed as she thought before suggesting, ”We could do something that starts with a J like your first name, or maybe something related to Paradise Falls or the lake?” That was the best that she could do, that was where her creative outlet ended.

Glancing sideways towards her companion she waited for some kind of reaction. Or maybe he would have an idea that was better than hers, that wouldn’t be hard to do either.

It was exactly that part though, which would be difficult. How exactly did one just think of a name, after going years without one?

Jethro Lennox, the dark one thought, did sound like it would fit. It was something he didn’t think would be very hard to grow accustomed to. But that was Finley’s family name and heritage. Would it be right, or appropriate, for him to take that for himself as well?

What else was there, aside from trying to think of something to do with where they resided? He certainly wasn’t going to be using the surname of his mother and the rest of the family he'd known. They had denied him that and did not deserve that honor. But what about..? His brow furrowed in thought.

”Kane? Does that sound good?” He mused aloud, a thoughtful glance cast toward his partner as they trod along. Jethro Kane didn’t sound bad to him.

”It was my father’s name..” the dark one added. A small tribute to the man that'd been killed before Jet could ever know him.

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2023, 05:57 PM by Jethro.)

Finley ran the presented name over in her mind a time or two before murmuring, ”Jethro Kane,” out loud once or twice to test it. It felt off to have two names for the man, but it did sound good. Simple but strong. Nodding she brightened, ”It’s a good name, it would suit you. Plus, it wouldn’t be hard to teach the children.” Not too complicated or hard to say when they were still learning how to speak in real sentences.

Another little tidbit of information.

Her paws continued to carry her further, leaving behind soft pawprints in the sand. A trail of where they had been, ”Was he a good man, your father?” She had not lost the fact that Jethro had stated he was called Kane, not that he is.