"Do you mind if I feel your belly?" Larek asked. "You're still beautiful, Nyx, but it is a different kind of beauty" he added, not wanting to make her think she was fat.

"Aww. I'm glad to hear it. Thanks!" Expressing tender emotions was still something new for Kos, who was raised to be a taciturn, no-nonsense male. Kos broke the hug, but gave her a little pat on the back. "Maybe there's more we can do. I want you to be relaxed. Have you considered breathing exercises?" 

"And I love your food, so it works out, much like how music is my passion. I can play you some in a few minutes, if you like" Veax explained. 

"Keeping the place clean, and reading some letters from my brothers" Orna replied. "Larek and Nyx are laying soon, and Caex will have a hatchling any time now."

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Caex ran over to the egg. "Oh, gods, this is it. We'll know soon enough. Just remember, we've got to let the child hatch himself. Or herself."

"I'm sure you're fine, but I want to be sure. Think of this is doing something for me, just to put my mind at ease" Aura explained. She had been reading sad love stories lately, including one with a pair of dinosaurs in which one of the mates died. It wasn't anything she had to worry about in reality, but it was still on her mind.