#katealpha

It was a beautiful day out in the grove. The sky was clear and bright, the sun was shining and warm, and a soft yet cooling breeze swept through the trees. Nearby, a small creek trickled gently, creating a calm, gentle atmosphere. On any other day for Nala, this would have been the perfect place to relax, perhaps with Simba at her side, after an intense yet rousing hunt. Otherwise, even on her own, it would be wonderful to simply enjoy the environment around her, perhaps even enjoy a light midday nap, should the mood strike her.

Of course, there was one not-quite-so-small thing that was somewhat impeding on a day like that.

Pausing mid stride, Nala winced, feeling as her heavy pregnant stomach contracted between her legs. As strong of a lioness she considered herself to be, and as ever willing she was to carry Simba’s cubs, she had to admit, being pregnant wasn’t the most enjoyable experience. Certainly there were highlights, quiet moments between her and her mate late in the night or early in the morning, conversation among the other expectant lionesses, but the past three and a half months have not exactly been her best days. When contraction had started earlier that day, she was of course happier to finally meet her cubs, but she’d be remiss to not say she was also pleased for this pregnancy to be over.

As queen, she decided she would head out ahead of the other lionesses to find the right spot to give birth. She even left Simba behind with the others, though they all seemed fairly understanding and lenient with letting her do so. If there was one perk to being the expecting queen, it was that she often got her way on most matters.

Continuing her waddle through the grove, she could feel her heavy belly sway gently with each step. Moving as she was, it wasn’t as prominent as it could have been, but it still felt weird to be big enough for something like this to happen. It was also apparently a rather visible movement if Simba’s light teasing was any indication. Certainly didn’t help her sway whenever her cubs started moving around, as they were just now, breaking Nala out of focus for a moment. “Easy there, young ones,” she whispered, glancing back at her bump with a soft smile coming to her face. “We’re almost there…just a little bit more…”

Taking a moment to step into the creek, its cool waters feeling wonderful on her achy paws, she looked around, and spied a small alcove just up a hill. Having been prowling for a good while already, she felt a particular draw to the miniature cave up the way. Nodding to herself, she headed up for it, though even with another contraction coming on, she continued nonetheless, huffing and growling lightly through it all.

Upon reaching the alcove, she righted herself before finally flopping to the ground, as if the wave of exhaustion from the day’s work had finally caught up to her in full. At first, she kept her eyes out on the grove, keeping watch for when Simba and the others would show up, so she could call out from her spot. However, it wasn’t long before her attention was caught by her cubs, who once again started making a ruckus in her bump.

Nala smiled, reaching a paw down to gently rub at her bump. She could feel it, deep within herself, that they would be entering the world soon. Soon, she and Simba will be starting their pride anew, the first cubs to be born since he has taken back his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands. Quiet as the world around her was, there was an unparalleled excitement within her, a loud celebration to be released to coincide with the birth of her children.

Her mind wandered to upcoming moments with her new family, from playfully tussling with them in the fields, to leading them on their first hunt as a family. She then thought about the taste of a freshly hunted zebra, and what more, one that she had hunted herself. If there was one thing she truly missed pre-pregnancy, it was being able to be as active as she liked, whether it being actively hunting or attending to her duties as queen. Of course, there will also be the responsibility of looking after her cubs, but at the very least Simba will be able to more tangibly help on that front.

 Not to mention I won’t be this fat anymore, she thought to herself with a small chuckle. Perhaps she was being a bit over critical of herself, but if there was one prevailing feeling throughout her pregnancy, it was that she felt fat and slow. Simba, ever the kind and caring one, was always there to quickly counter that she wasn’t fat, that she was beautiful since she was carrying their cubs, and while she let him say his spiel, and she did like hearing it, part of her still never fully believed it. Besides, even if she did, there was a truth to it: she had gotten considerably fat, even if it was just with cubs. Part of her was very much looking forward to being able to bound through the fields once more, unencumbered by a large swaying stomach.

Her post-birth thoughts were soon interrupted by yet another contraction, one strong enough that she even dug her claws into the soft earth she laid upon. That was closer, she thought after it had passed. Stronger, too. It won’t be long now…I just hope that he’ll get here—

“Nala?”

She perked up, and looked out into the grove. He was still rather far off, and a bit hard to see, but she could easily make out his striking red mane sticking out among the foliage. It felt as if now, all her worries had withered away, and a sense of pure peace and joy had overtaken her. Lifting her head up, she took a breath, and called out to her mate.