Mates be close for long time. Have child, come show me, said the deer, staring straight into Arthur’s eyes, then it went back into the forest.
Arthur watched him go, overwhelmed by his presence.
“I can’t believe he showed any interest in someone other than me,” said Olivia.
“He said something, didn’t he? What was it?”
“Telling us to live happily together forever.”
“That’s it?”
“He also said that if we have children, to come introduce them to him.”
“Oh. He wants to meet our kids if we have any?”
“Yeah.”
“Urgh, it’s freezing. We should head back.”
“Yeah.”
Their gloved hands entwined. Those gloves were actually a wedding present from the wife of one of Olivia’s regular customers, Joshua. They were knit from high-quality wool, and both Arthur and Olivia treasured them. Olivia’s gloves had a white pattern of snow on a base of dark green, while Arthur’s had the same snow pattern on a base of brown.
They walked in silence for a while, and a shadow about the size of a cat moved through the trees ahead of them. Arthur jerked. The shadow was flying, but there was no sound of wings despite its size.
“It’s a snowy owl,” said Olivia.
“Never seen one in this forest before.”
“They don’t come until it gets very cold. They spend their winters here, coming from somewhere that gets even colder. They like the cold, but I guess winters in the north are just too much.”
“This is where they go to get away from the cold?” Arthur asked, incredulous.
“Seems so.”
“There are all sorts of birds that leave Marlais to get away from the cold here. Surprised to hear there are some birds who think the cold here is just right.”
“It’s interesting, isn’t it? We only notice them because we always live here. It really makes you notice the changing of seasons when you see how the animals who live in the forest also change.”
Soup Forest came into view.
“Oh, yeah,” said Olivia. “Lara told me this morning she’s going to be staying with us for a little longer.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m happy. But I think the parting will be all the more painful the longer she lives here.”
“We might have a baby around the time she leaves.”
“Maybe.”
“I’m happy so long as I have you, Olivia.”
“I’m happy having you, too.”
They arrived back home, thoroughly brushed the snow from their shoes, and went inside.
“I’m freezing,” said Arthur.
“Me too. But you’re always so warm. We’ll warm up quickly.”
“And your feet are always cold. You can just warm them on me.”
“It’s nice to be able to go to bed without a hot water bottle.”
“Glad I can be of service,” he chuckled.
They went upstairs, and Olivia heard Dale, in the dark corner of the kitchen behind them, murmuring, Mates, close. There was also Snow complaining, Door open, make cold, as well as Rob muttering half asleep, Running fun.
The two cats and one large dog slept curled together in the large box Arthur had recently made for them. The two other ones they weren’t using would probably turn into individual beds for them once spring came.
Olivia got into bed and fell asleep while thinking, Maybe I’ll knit Arthur a sweater before winter ends.