Being the mate of Tsukuyomi came with a lot of benefits. For one thing, Tsuku had a lot of influence on Heiya Island, but that wasn't very important to Manami. She was mostly happy that this loving, handsome, virile wolf was her husband. And his converting her made her become a bigger and stronger wolf Animalian than usual was also a big perk. But more than that, she was happy to be starting a family with Tsuko. They had only held back earlier in their marriage because the pandemic was still going strong. But now that it's mostly abated, they felt it was safer to have their pups.
And this was the day where those pups would be coming into the world. As a nurse, Manami was acutely aware of when her babies were most likely to come to term. Though considering the strong Animalian she had become, she was not nearly as hampered as a human woman would be, especially since she was carrying multiple pups. And which she felt her water broke, she rushed to the hospital right away.
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Tsuku rushed to the hospital as soon as he got the news. People had to scramble to get out of his way and it was only the heavier Animalians that made Tsuku go around them. Perhaps Tsuku wasn't the largest and strongest Animalian, but he was certainly considered big among wolves and that was still bigger than humans. When he got to the maternity ward, Tsuku snapped, "Where is she?!"
This received several shush and admonitions of keeping his voice down. A doctor presently walked up to him and said, "Your wife is doing quite fine for delivering her first litter. There's no reason to get this excited over this."
"Oh, sorry," said Tsuku, "I was just nervous."
"I assume this is your first baby as well," said the doctor.
"I was sterilized by radiation when I was young," said Tsuku, "I never even had the option of considering children before I was converted."
"Well, you have nothing to worry about," said the doctor, "We've done this kind of procedure all the time and Manami is hardly a weak woman. Now go sit down and be quiet."
It was a little absurd seeing a big wolf like Tsuku being admonished by a smaller human doctor, but he did as he was told and sat down in the waiting room. He watched as several people walked back and forth, trying to keep his mind off his worries. Then he spotted someone he was a little surprised to see. Nate Bowman was walking by, carrying a plastic bag. "Nate, I didn't expect to see you here," said Tsuku, "Is Shuixing already expecting?"
"Not yet," said Nate, "We're actually working on that. She sent me here to pick up some things that might, uh, enhance our chances."
"I wouldn't think you would need anything like that," said Tsuku politely.
"Well, she wants to be pregnant by our anniversary so we're trying to do everything we can before we miss our opportunity," said Nate. It was a little to be sure what the usual breeding season for water buffalo is, but Shuixing seemed insistent that hers was ending soon.
"Well, as long as that medicine you're using isn't based on traditional Chinese remedies," said Tsuku, "Not that I'm disparaging your wife's culture, but too many species have been driven to near-extinction for medicines that might not even work."
"These are completely pharmaceutical drugs, I assure you," said Nate, "And I assume you're here because of your wife's pups."
"They say it should be soon, but I'm still worried," said Tsuku.
"My dad says that worry is perfectly normal," said Nate, "I'm sure I'll be feeling it later. Good luck with your own pups."
"And good luck with your calves," said Tsuku.
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Some time later, Tsuku was allowed in to see his wife and their new pups. They were two boys and one girls. Of course, Manami only had two breasts so she asked Tsuku to bottle-feed their daughter. "She's so delicate," said Tsuku. His daughter had the same tawny color as his wife while his sons took after his darker fur.
"I'm sure she'll prove she's anything but," said Manami.
"Do you think they'll be as big as us?" asked Tsuku.
"Well, Animalians aren't really known for being petite, at least after they hit puberty," said Manami, "And I'd say it's a good chance they'll be taller than average, but I'm in no rush to find out."