Mila's Loss - The officers 4

Chapter 2 - Retirement

A/N: sorry for the slow update. It's an emotional rollercoaster for me writing this even as it is for you to read it. It was a hard chapter to write. I'm hoping the next one will be quicker.

~~~ Raven meets the kittens

Joselin, Mila's mother, nudged Nacy out of the way. She and Raven sandwiched Mila before wrapping their arms around her and started purring, "Mila, we're here for you. We're going to go down to the Pride and we are going to love you as much as possible. I can't imagine what you are really feeling deep down, but we love you. Now will you show us your kittens? You and Nacy? We want to see our grand kittens."

Three marines and two pilots came over and was carrying them, "Pride Leader, these three are Mila's kittens." They squatted so she could see them, "This is Holcum, Sargent Pride is holding Leo, and Corporal Haskins is holding Raven." He felt his eyes tearing up since Jg. Holcum would never see his kittens.

The two pilots did the same, "This is Danal, and Sargent Meyers is holding Jace." When Nacy reached out he handed her Danal. The pilot was letting tears flow.

"Time to feed a kitten." She opened her suit and started nursing.

Raven had to look at the five crew in awe. She knew they didn't know just how special this made them. Even though they were older now, few she-cats would let many so close to their kittens. The balance of the marines and White Fire Flight came over and sat down around the four. She gave them curious looks.

The Gunny smiled at the kittens, "We've been helping Mila with the kittens and curling up with her at night. We've learned not to let a finger to close to their mouth in their mid-form. For some reason they like to bite." He glanced at Sulong as he was walking in and was glared at.

Raven gave all of them a good look, "Do you know how special this makes you? She-cats tend to be extremely picky with who gets near their kittens until they're at least a year old. Not saying they keep them hidden but usually it's family only who is allowed to hold and babysit them. It says a great deal about how both feel about you." It said a great deal about how Mila felt and how much she'd needed help.

"They are family. They kept me here after the kittens were born. I owe them more than I can ever say." She gave one of the marines a hug before taking Raven and grumbled, "Kittens, always hungry." She leaned against her mom and as she was nursing tears started flowing. She simply couldn't help it. With her mom's there she could lean on her pride leader and let her give her strength.

Nacy had to smile at her flight wing, "Yup, family and we've been invited to everyone's houses to visit." When Kyrill came over and settled down she leaned against him and sighed, "And now it's my turn." She took Danal from the woman who had been holding her and started nursing also.

As they were talking Sulong walked over to Leo, "I see an old fat cat. Good to see you sir." He gave him a good hug before stepping back, "I submitted my retirement papers. They're pending but I've enough time in it shouldn't be a problem."

Leo gave him a light sniff when he was hugged, "You're welcome to come down to the pride as soon as you're allowed." He had a feeling losing Holcum was part of the reason. Sulong had saved Leo's bacon a few times during the wars of unification.

"My terminal leave has already started. I'm going to go down with you and help with Mila and the kittens. I've enjoyed helping with them and talking to Mila. I need some time to recover before I go and visit my family. I'll give them a call in a day or two." Even his voice sounded tired and older than it used to.

Leo gave him a good look before pulling him into another good hug, "Friend, I've told you, you are invited to say for as long as you want. Thank you for taking care of our little girl and helping her. I remember how you are with kittens. What was that saying from that old Disney movie? Ah, crusty on the outside and creamy on the inside." He'd gotten the saying slightly off but he was smiling when he said it.