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As I do, I see Lila e fron at her in greeting Hello Is she sleeping?

Yes, Lila signs back Sleeping

Rollan? I spell out his na Lila has her hearing back, but old habits die hard, and we all still sign around her soood when there's a sleepy baby involved, too You need help to get ready?

My son is with his father, Lila signs She looks tired, but she soes to Lola's tiny head and she strokes the baby's hair I'm ready You?

I aether

Where is Esther? she asks hs and opens her tunic, settling her against her breast "SoIs your littlest with your mate?"

I sle, Lola is all blue skin and dark hair, and for a striking moment, she looks just liketo me to see a baby with a cap of black hair at hfussy so Dagesh took her for a walk It puts her to sleep right away"

"How are the girls adjusting to being big sisters?" Her steps slow as she walks, but I don't mind I'm not in a hurry

"Most of the time, they love it They want to treat Esther like a doll, and I have to watch to make sure they're careful with her How does Rollan like his new sister?"

Her expression turns wry "He's a little jealous, but it's getting better He's not as ht Rokan is trying to spend extra time with him while I have the baby"

We chat a little et to the longhouse I can hear talking inside, and even though I'irl, I'ether and talking, of eating good food and sitting around the ca for hours One of the elders will start up a ga, and all the children will be drawn in and kept occupied, so the adults can relax So out body paints, and everyone will go to bedhad a wonderful time

The heavy leather flap that covers the door to the longhouse is pulled back, and Rokan grins at his mate "I have saved you a seat" He nods at me "Your mate is near the fire"

I thank hioodbye to Lila I' a lot in the next while, since we both have very young babies right now Josie does, too, and I o spend tiy She can co ones, as well Many of the women have a second child at this point, but three is a special kind of exhaustion that only a house Drayan has a dru on it Little Kae is at his side, with a child-sized drum, and tries to keep the beat with hi out under the furs in one corner of the lodge, and I'm not entirely surprised to see it's Hassen and Maddie A quick glance shows their son Masan is with his cousin Rollan, both of the with Masan's pet dirtbeak I'm not thrilled to see the bird here, but Maddie has assured me before that it hasn't picked up the habits of the wild ones and Masan is diligent about keeping it clean

I can't pick on the kid for having a bird, though Kate sits with hersnowcat is draped over both their laps, snoozing They chat with Su, her handsin the air, even as she's ensconced in her quieta little tunic that Meganto teach it a trick while Aehako and Cashol look on

By the fire, Kira is helping Stacy, who loves to handle the cooking for the feasts I san are nearby, the latter seated and rubbing her belly while Ke little cakes of so on hot stones—probably hraku-seed treats