Epilogue

John

5 weeks later

“I feel like we need to be doing something,” I state, watching helplessly as Miss Snowflake brings tiny little kittens into the world.

Eve sits on her knees beside me, staring down into the box. “Dr. Boldman says Snowflake will know exactly what to do, and to call her if she seems to be in distress.”

She’s been a nervous wreck all week. We’ve both been waiting anxiously for Miss Snowflake to give birth, and as someone who likes to be organized, Eve’s taken to the internet to watch cat birthing videos. So instead of enjoying a hit TV show at night while we’re winding down and getting ready for bed, we’ve witnessed the miracle of birth via veterinary websites and YouTube in preparation.

Biggie and I have also been staying with her for the last few nights. I told her it was because I wanted to be close by to help, in the event help is required. But really, I just like sleeping beside her at night and waking with her in my arms. It’s the best part of my day.

“Here comes the first one,” Eve whispers softly as Miss Snowflake delivers her first kitten.

She reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze as her cat does its thing to care for her first baby. Biggie arrives back on the scene, leaning over the box and watching. He bends down and nuzzles Snowflake’s head. I almost expect him to jump inside with her, since they’ve practically been inseparable the last month, but he doesn’t. He just sits there and watches, like the proud cat dad he is.

It takes almost three hours before all five kittens are delivered. They all begin to nurse and Miss Snowflake closes her eyes and rests. Since it’s well after midnight, I take Eve into my arms and whisper, “We should get some sleep too.”

“I know,” she says with a sigh, “but I don’t really want to leave them yet.”

“Okay, we can stay just a little longer.”

Together, we sit on the hard floor for the next thirty minutes and watch the beauty of Mother Nature. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.