Epilogue

I loved Ivy, and I loved the baby growing inside her belly.

I could finally be with her the whole time, unlike when she had Sage.

Like me, Sage loved the baby before it was even born.

Ivy made him a big part of bringing his little brother or sister into the world.

“Can you just poop it out already?” Sage demanded. “I’m tired of waiting.”

“You and me both, twerp,” Ivy said. “If only.”

But I didn’t mind the waiting. After so many years alone, I’d wait as long as it took.

And when the baby was born, I loved her even more. Ivy named her Wren, because I always reminded her of a bird, and we lived in a forest.

Sage loved Wren too, and she loved her big brother.

Sage visited almost every day, and Ivy was happier than ever.

Even when Sage got older, and Ivy was afraid he’d be “too cool” to play with his little sister, he never stayed away. He loved Wren with his whole heart.

Sky and Papa Fox offered to paint all of us together over the years, so Ivy and I would remember how Wren and Sage looked as they grew up. I’d never forget, even without the portraits, but I liked having them anyway.

Humans didn’t have words for a family like ours, but we didn’t need them.

Family
Is
The warmth you feel
Together.