be patient, I am getting to the point —
Dempsey was not what you would call a paternal man.
He had his fair share of children running around (what healthy, of-age stallion did not?), but he could not claim that he was particularly invested in their lives. It was one of his many short-comings, this apathy about his progeny—and he did not deny it. Even the children born from his love with Nativity had gone mostly unnoticed by him. He was ashamed to admit there were children whose names he did not know.
So he is surprised by himself that he wants to meet his children with Oksana.
Not because he was in love with her, but rather because he cares—which in and of itself was rare enough for the stallion. They had formed perhaps one of the strangest of friendships he had ever experienced, and he found himself invested in not only her well-being, but that of the children. (Two, he knew. He had picked up on both of their thoughts when standing near her, although he had not told Oksana. Rather he simply enjoyed their mumblings and incoherent thoughts as they formed and then drifted away.)
He is near as she enters birth, keeping watch although he has no reason to think that she is not safe. There are plenty of mares who are now giving birth and no reason to single Oksana out. Still, it eased a rare tension in his heart to ensure that she was safe—and it gave him something to do while he felt helpless. He had never before bothered to be at the birth of one of children; he had no idea how difficult it was.
When the twins are born, and when they have stood and nursed, he approaches the trio, moving first to Oksana so he can bump his nose against hers. “Well done,” he says affectionately before turning his attention to the children. Isle’s ability develops quickly, and he laughs with delight. “A little mind reader!” he exclaims, lowering his head to peer at her before pinching his lips to consider the red boy. “That will certainly come in handy,” his voice is softer now, more thoughtful. “He loves you too, Oksana,” there is no pity as he watches the silent boy, “but he won’t be able to tell you that.” He lifts his head. “He’s mute.”
dempsey