Skokey stood on the bridge, staring at the sky. It was an oddly purple color, and the water was thick and black. But it all seemed familiar, as if it had always been that way. Skokey's dull reflection wavered slowly in the black ooze. He paid no mind to it. Something else had caught his attention.

”Skokey!” Fenqua ran to him, a smile spread across her face.

Skokey turned to meet his love, warmth overwhelming his body at her sight. ”Fenqua...”

Fenqua skidded to a stop at the base of the bridge. She slid forward rapidly, and collided with Skokey. The rails on the side seemed to disappear, throwing Skokey into the pitch black water.

”Fenqua!” Skokey screamed at the top of his lungs. ”Fenqua, help!”

He sank lower and lower. His legs paralyzed, unable to bring him back to the surface. Fenqua looked over the edge with an unchanging look of horror. Nothing escaped her throat. Air slowly bubbled to the surface. Everything around him was completely black, but the vision of her was clear.

”Fenqua, please! Fenqua!” He screamed. The last tiny bubbles fell up the water. Fenqua seemed to fade away. Fenqua... I can't leave you all alone...

***

Skokey's head shot up. He was panting, and his heart seemed to almost burst out of his chest. A nightmare... he thought. He shook his head, trying to shake off the horrid memories.

He looked to the east. The sun had already risen. He could sniff the scents of far-off dear that had already awaken. He heard someone trot up to him. A familiar tan stag appeared before him, with a grave look on his face.

“I know, I know... I guess you saw, huh?” Skokey said softly, keeping mind to a sleeping Fenqua.

Vessel nodded.

“I suppose not all nightmares are protected by you. Is that right?”

He nodded again.

“I'm sorry...”

Vessel shrugged and shook his head. He gave attention to Fenqua, which made Skokey smile.

“She's almost ready. I can't wait.”

Vessel, for the first time in a while, smirked. He scribbled in the ground, “The day is near, is it? How long?”

“Soon. Maybe late, maybe early. Either way, I'm getting impatient.”

Vessel let out a silent chuckle, and scribbled, “Patience is a virtue. You're really going to need it afterwards.”

Skokey laughed, “Yeah, I hear ya. But it'll all be worth it, I think.”

Vessel and Skokey stood silent for a long while. The sun slowly rose more and more over the tall birches. Skokey could tell something happened to Vessel. He seemed a lot happier. But Skokey decided to wait until he was willing to tell him. He had an idea anyway.

Vessel scribbled something else before leaving. Skokey didn't have time to read it until he was gone. The stag had vanished into the distance, and Skokey looked down to read what Vessel had written.

“Do not pay any mind to that dream. It is merely your past coming to haunt you. Something about this is making you nervous. Nervous about death. It is not just you, it is everyone. That is normal to anyone in your position. No worries. You and she will do just fine.”

Skokey smiled. “Thanks, Vessel...” He didn't realize that Vessel was already halfway across the forest by now. He turned to come back to the slab, to find Fenqua grazing not too far away.

Skokey trotted over to her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Good morning, Fen. Did you sleep well?”

Fenqua smiled and blushed at the kiss, “Yes I did. I had a very wonderful dream last night.”

“Oh? Care to tell me?” He looked at her expectantly, the same smile stuck on his face.

***

Skokey stood on the bridge. Only a few days had passed, but he knew that today was the day. He stared at the setting sun, the sky turned to dark shades of red and orange. Skokey drew in a deep breath, and let it out with satisfaction. His heart felt like it was burning, and like it would burst out of his chest. A small tear streaked down his left cheek, knowing that she wasn't too far away.

So many days, he thought, so many days... Of crazy mood swings and cravings and sickness. And so many wonderful moments... It all comes together now... I couldn't be more proud...

Frola trotted up to the base of the bridge. “Skokey...” She smiled in a motherly way when he turned to look at her. “Come.”

Skokey's face almost broke in half with a smile. He came over to the one he loved. His heart raced faster than it ever had before, and his stomach turned over. But in a good way. He came to find his mate on the ground, and all his friends surrounding her.

Fenqua lay on her stomach, exhausted. She smiled at the sight of Skokey. He sat down next to her, and they looked down at the two little fawns next to them.

“Twins, Skokey...” She said softly.

More tears ran down his face, causing Fenqua's eyes to water as well. “Twins...” he repeated.

Fraalch and Frola, along with Raku, stood and watched in pure happiness. Frola leaned against Fraalch, and Raku just smiled and sighed. Atiq stood not too far away from them, smiling at his friend's new family.

Darcy and Wyvern stood together, observing the two fawns. Fulu and Zilant stood next to them. Fulu and Darcy were next to each other. They looked at each other, at first, not knowing what to say. But soon, Darcy smiled. And Fulu returned his smile.

Vessel stood the farthest distance, watching everything from afar. A Peacock doe trotted up to him, and rubbed her face against his. Xylia looked at Skokey and Fenqua, and smiled, leaning against Vessel.

Reetno and Kumiko sat near the crowd, watching the two little fawns wake up. Aspen and Magnet stood, leaning on each other. Vipin and GoldenWinged standing next to them, doing the same.

The little family sat in the middle of all this attention. In that moment, nothing mattered. No troubles were brought to mind, no sadness or anger could be found. The only thing that was there, was the love of two deer, and two little twins to prove it. The fawns nabbed at each other's ears for a few minutes before tiring out again.

Skokey nuzzled Fenqua. “I'm so proud...”

“I am too...” Fenqua leaned against him. “I don't want this moment to end...”

Skokey looked up, and saw a figure between some of the others. A vision of Siki. He smiled, and bowed his head. Skokey smiled and bowed his head as well, before seeing his father disappear. He glanced at Fenqua to see if she noticed him, but she seemed to have a vision of her own.

The day finally came to a close. Everyone went back to their homes, and only the family was left where they were. Sleep finally overcame the two parents, and they hoped the fawns would survive the night.

A new chapter in their lives awaited them. A beautiful future was just around the corner.

.::~*~The End~*~::.