Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

"Okay, then." He brought the ring up to her eyes. "Star, will you marry me?"

"Say 'yes,'" Trip murmured, a single eye opened.

Star laughed softly. "I know my line, sweetie. Of course it's a yes."

Trip smiled, burrowing closer to Cross.

The echidna chuckled. "I'm honored." He gently cradled her hand in his, and slipped the ring on her finger.

Trip slipped between them, happy. Extremely happy. Star stroked his head softly. "Go to sleep, sweetie. I love you."

"I love you, too." He smiled, pressing his ear against Cross's chest. The sound of his heart just made him happier. "Love you, Dad..."

"And I love you, son," Cross said. Just the thought alone gave him an elation unlike any other. "Good night."

Smiling, he fell asleep again - this time for good. Star shifted, kissing the echidna softly. "Mm... How about a small ceremony so we can make this official as soon as possible?" she whispered, not wanting to wake the kit up again.

He nodded. "I'll see what we can do, in the morning."

She smiled, purring softly. "Okay." She laid her hand over his, eyes closing. "'Night, love."

"Good night, my love." His own eyes slipped closed, and he was soon off to sleep.

Snuggling close to her son, who, she noted with amusement, was purring in his sleep, she also drifted off.

Cross woke up early, that morning. Even though it was still some time before the serum wore off, he felt completely energized. He smiled at the hedgecat and kit across from him: his new family. He was hoping to make that official, very soon.

Star awoke soon after, smiling softly at the echidna. "Good morning," she murmured.

"'Morning," he said. "How'd you sleep?"

"Just fine," she murmured, purring. "You?"

"Not too bad." He smirked at her. "We've got a big day ahead of us."

She nuzzled him. "Yeah."

*

Aurélie opened a single eye, and turned her gaze on the makeshift crib. Soft yipping was emanating from it, slowly getting louder. Her daughter, it seemed, doubled as an alarm clock. She shoved the wolf. "Mon coeur, your daughter is calling for you..."

"So, let's go see if we can pull this off, huh?"

*

"Five more minutes..." Nova muttered. The next second, he shook himself awake, now aware of his daughter's yipping. He sighed, getting to his feet. "At least she knows what she wants." He walked over to the crib, smiled down at Aurora. "Hey, kiddo."

"Mrow?"

*

Dart looked thoroughly annoyed, but Aurora was thrilled to see her father, the yipping increasing in volume and speed. Aurélie yawned, sitting up after a moment. "Is it possible to 'it the sleep button on a baby?" she murmured.

"Didn't you say you wanted to make this official as soon as possible? Well, maybe we can work something out here."

*

Nova picked up his ecstatic daughter, cradled her in his arms. "You just gotta know how to hit it," he said, licking her fondly on the cheek.

She blinked, shifted Trip to her other side, then rolled onto the echidna, pressing her mouth to his.

*

She cooed, the yipping replaced with delighted licking. Smiling, Aurélie rose and walked over to the crib, laughing when she saw Dart. "Mon fils, you look so insulted." She lifted him and he barked, snuggling.

He accepted the kiss, wrapping his arms around her.

*

Nova chuckled, using a free hand to scratch under the boy's chin. "Aw, don't be like that, little man."

She purred, pressing close as she deepened the kiss.

*

He barked again, tail wagging slightly. Aurélie laughed softly. "She will be the death of 'im."

He smiled against the kiss, slid his tongue over her lips.

*

"Not if I have anything to say about it." He smiled, licking Aurora fondly on the cheek.

She parted them, tongue slipping out to meet his.

*

The girl's tail wagged wildly, her tongue flicking over every part of Nova that she could reach. Aurélie laughed holding Dart up. "We will be the sane ones, non?" In response, he licked her nose.

He lapped her tongue, pulling her closer to him.

*

He laughed, holding Aurora up to his eye level. "But all the fun stuff happens to crazy people, right kiddo?"