Juni came in with a covered basket of flatbreads on one arm and a small, round, brown-furred toddler on her hip. He was clutching a carved wooden duck in both paws and stroking it gently as though it were a living pet. Old Nan followed behind them, leaning on her cane while her tail swept a slow arc across the floorboards.
After them came Noomi, and Samira, and two small whirlwinds who shot past their mothers' skirts and made straight for the rug in front of the hearth.
"Saku! Olver! Gently!" Samira called, but it was already too late.
The two boys skidded to a halt at Jocelynn's knees and stared up at her belly with wide eyes. Saku's flat tail swept back and forth behind him, and his whiskers quivered. Olver's ashen-blonde hair stuck up in every direction, and his hazel eyes were bright with curiosity.
"Is it coming out today?" Olver asked, raising his hand like he wanted to touch Jocelynn's belly, only to stop when he realized he shouldn't.
