Together for a Moment

Pacer opened his eyes to the gentle croaking of frogs and the calming whistle of the grasshoppers.

He looked over at his mate, Corazon. She lay next to him, her breathing was still a little labored. Her body pressed against his with each breath of air she took, and fell away from him as she exhaled. She was so beautiful, and so tired.

Pacer then looked down at the bay colt. His son. He had entered the world just 8 hours ago. He was born, he nursed, he played, and now he was sound asleep. A whole day worth of living crammed into eight miniscule hours.

The nightly chorus was suddenly interrupted when a distant gun shot echoed across the valley. Pacer jumped a little inside. They were still following him. The relentless creatures would not stop until he was captured. Pacer knew this.

He looked down again on his precious mate and his beautiful son. His heart skipped a beat. He knew this was the first, last and only night he would spend with his family. Tomorrow, he would send them off and lead the vaqueros away.

The thought of never seeing his son grow up tore at his heart.

But, for the moment, they were together.

And Pacer would have given anything to make the moment last forever.

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Pacer spending one final night with his mate, Corazon, and their newborn son, Coaly Bay.

Blank render by Wild-Dreamer5

Coloring/Characters (C) MW Roach