Chapter 183: Little Ronan
Sunnie smiled at that as Luka turned to stare at her. He slowly raised a hand to cup Sunnie’s cheek with a smile as the two of them looked at each other.
"You’ve worked so hard... you must be tired," Luka said with a warm smile.
Sunnie looked pale and exhausted, but she casually smiled as she shook her head. "I’m okay."
Luka slowly leaned closer to her and pressed his lips against her forehead. He kept his lips there for a while, soothing her with a kiss before staring into her face. "Thanks..."
Sunnie shook her head with a smile.
"You should get some rest. I’ll make sure to take care of the cub in the meantime until you wake up. Okay?" he assured.
But Sunnie smiled as she asked, "Are you sure about that?"
He nodded firmly. "Yes, I will. I’m sure of it. I can handle it."
Sunnie didn’t know how certain that was, but she slowly nodded with a smile as she said, "Okay, then."
And so Sunnie retired to get some rest. She was exhausted after everything and needed some deep sleep, even though she didn’t know how long she would sleep. She slept as the women gently tucked her in, and they left with little Ronan to take care of him while leaving his mother to catch some sleep.
---
As soon as Luka carried Ronan out to meet the others, everyone stared at the little one in awe. He had light brown hair and tiny brown ears as well. He was wrapped in brown furs, which made him look super tiny.
Luka held him carefully as everyone gathered to see him, impressed.
"Wow..." Eris smiled as he stretched out his fingers to poke the little one. "He looks so tiny and adorable... he looks so much like the female."
"Sunnie says he looks like me," Luka insisted defensively.
"Sure, sure, whatever," Eris brushed it off, still admiring the baby.
The baby wasn’t crying. He lay there in Luka’s arms, staring at everyone as though he understood what was happening. Everyone was simply impressed that he didn’t cry too much at all.
"I guess he’s a strong one," Eris nodded.
Azure smiled. "What’s his name?"
"Ronan," Luka said happily with a smile. "Sunnie picked it."
Everyone nodded.
Little Black was too short to stand and see the little one. So he folded his arms and said, "I can’t see the baby. Show me too."
Zukka smiled as he stared down at him. "Let me carry you, then you can see it."
Little Black snapped, "You’re not even that tall either."
Luka went to sit down by a rock, holding the cub firmly. This way, everyone could have a look at the little one. He held Ronan proudly with a smile as they all gathered to take a look.
"So cute..." The chubby chipmunk couldn’t help but admire the adorable little thing. The chipmunks all expressed their adoration for the cub while the cub simply smiled and giggled, staring at everyone around him. He didn’t even understand what was happening yet.
Little Black also leaned closer and stared at the bear cub. He smiled brightly as he ran his fingers over its cheeks. "So precious..."
Maren wasn’t getting the opportunity to see her little brother. The adults had gathered and were blocking her view, so she pushed her way to the front.
Now standing before little Ronan, her eyes lit with excitement as she stared at the little one before her—one smaller than her. At first, she didn’t know what to do.
"Can I touch him, Papa?" she asked, staring up at Luka.
Luka smiled with a nod as Maren stretched out a finger and poked Ronan on the cheek. She smiled at how soft his cheek felt.
Immediately, Ronan let out a soft and bright giggle as he grabbed Maren by the finger. The cub held Maren firmly by the finger while staring brightly at her and giggling. He wasn’t letting go at all.
Maren smiled back at the little one while she turned and stared at Azure. "Papa, he wants to play with me. Can we go and play now?"
Mii had come to the front and also agreed. "Yes. Let’s go and play now."
Azure shook his head, arms folded, as he said, "No, Maren. You can’t play with him now. He’s still little and can’t play. You’ll only hurt him." He insisted.
Maren and Mii pouted as they turned and stared at Ronan. "Too bad," Maren said. "Papa said you can’t come to play because you’re still so small. Maybe grow up a little, and then we can play."
Ronan simply smiled and giggled, his eyes glittering toward Maren as if he understood anything that was being said.
Maren looked up at Luka. "What’s his name?"
"Ronan," Luka smiled back at her.
"Ronan..." Maren stared down at him. "Hello, Ronan. I’m Maren. I’ll be your elder sister from now on. We’ll play together, and I’ll show you all the exciting things around."
The women smiled warmly at the scene while they admired the interaction.
Ronan remained calm and quiet while in Luka’s arms. He didn’t make any noise or even cry. This made everyone believe that he would be a quiet one who wouldn’t bring them any trouble or chaos at all.
This made them feel relieved, at least. Ronan had stayed calm and quiet in Luka’s arms, and Luka willingly carried the little one without complaining at all. He was more than willing to do it, as he had promised Sunnie and because it was his own cub. So he knew he had to carry and protect it.
---
That evening, while they were done preparing dinner, Sunnie woke up.
She felt a calmness settle over her body as she slowly got up from where she lay. She was alone in the room; everyone was already outside preparing to eat that night.
As Sunnie looked around, she heard her system beep open.