Farley's cheeks turned red. "W-well, yeah, but..."
We were interrupted by a small but loud chipping noise. There was a single pip in the egg. We both leaned in closer, trying to use the pip as a window to see the baby inside. Neither of us knew what it would be for sure, though by the size alone I assumed it would be a fox like me. Finches the size of bowling balls didn't exist, and it wasn't like it could spontaneously transform into a different species of bird.
But the tiny hole didn't reveal anything except a dark, wet color beneath the shell. It was impossible to tell what was inside.
Farley and I exchanged a glance. "It has to be a fox, right?" I asked.
He observed the egg with a thoughtful frown. "That's what I thought too, but if that was the case, why did it come out an egg? Wouldn't it have developed as a live birth instead?"
I shrugged, just as puzzled as him.
The initial pip had me excited that we would see our baby soon, but it took a break after that, going still and silent for a while. I sighed and laid my head on my paws.
"Maybe I should've asked my parents for advice," I said. "They're the only other animal and bird shifters I know who had a baby together. The suspense is killing me."
Farley smirked. "There are certain ways of passing time, you know."
I playfully raised a brow at him. But just when I shifted to human form, a single firm knock sounded at the door.
Farley groaned in exasperation. "Nowwhat? Does everyone in the world know our address? I swear, if that's Mistral again, I'm going to get a restraining order."
I laughed. I tucked in the egg with its blankets and feathers and tagged along to the door.
But it wasn't Mistral standing there this time.
It was Animus.
He looked different than the last time we saw him. The fatigue clinging to him was gone. He stood upright, reminding me just how tall he was even without the added height of his horns, And his arms were clasped neatly behind his back. His black cloak billowed in the breeze, making him look more ethereal than usual. He didn't move except for a small, repetitive gesture he was doing with his clawed fingers.
Animus closed his eyes to inhale a deep breath, then slowly opened them to gaze down at us. "Greetings," he said. "I sense excitement in the air. The egg is due to hatch today, is it not?"
"That's right," Farley said. "That's why you're here, isn't it?"
Animus nodded. "I see you haven't forgotten our deal. That is correct. But don't let my presence distract you. Go and tend to your egg, but when it is hatched, come and see me. I'll be waiting."
"Sure," I said. "Um, by the way, do you want something while you wait? Like a drink or something?"
He looked amused. "That's not necessary, but I appreciate the offer."
I went back to join Farley in the bedroom, then froze in the doorway. I stopped so abruptly that it was a wonder I didn't trip and fall flat on my face.
There was something sitting on the bed surrounded by large pieces of broken eggshell. My mind couldn't comprehend what I was seeing. It was too many things at once. It was a reddish-brown fox cub but also not. From its shoulder blades sprouted two small, flowing black shapes that almost looked like wings.
It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
Farley was sitting on the bed, curled up around the tiny creature. His gaze was warm, exuding tenderness and love. Without speaking, he outstretched his hand to me, urging me to come closer. I didn't need the invitation. I gravitated towards the newborn baby, my head spinning with wonder and awe.
"She's a girl," Farley said, his voice thick with emotion. He was wearing the biggest smile I’d ever seen on his face.
I joined him on the bed as he picked her up gently and pressed her against his chest. Despite the wings, she was a mewling little fox cub for sure. We didn't look like much at that age – just small brown potato-shaped lumps – but she was still beautiful.
"How… What happened?" I asked, dumbfounded. "Okay, you're seeing the wings too, right?"
Farley chuckled. "Yes. You're not imagining things."
"Okay, good."
After we spent a few long moments bonding with our daughter, we remembered we had left Animus standing at the door all by himself. Farley bundled her up in his arms with a thin, cozy blanket and brought her with us. He looked so natural holding a baby. My love for both of them combined into a flurry of feeling that raged like an inferno in my chest.
