AoA: Of Mothers and Sons

The female cuāuhtli was lying down in her nest. She sighed as she turned onto her side.  It had been nine long months since the beginning of her pregnancy. The little one would be coming any day, and so for her own protection and for the protection of the life she currently carried, she was to stay within the nesting site. She knew that it was necessary but it didn't make it any less annoying.
The afternoon seemed to just get hotter and hotter. Even though she didn't have a mate to help her, she still had plenty of relief from the heat. Any pregnant female was entitled to a little bit of special treatment by her tribe members, at least at the tail end of her pregnancy. She was given plenty of water, sweet fruit, and soft cushions of leaves. Sadly, this didn't change how bored she was. No hunting, fishing, or pretty much any of her favorite activities. She couldn't wait for this child to be out of her so she could get back to those things...eventually.
Suddenly she felt a pain in her stomach. She sat up quickly. At first she thought it was just a kick, but then she felt a trickle of water run down her leg. Looks like her wish would regrettably be coming true soon.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Edith Cadmon walked down the halls of her and her husband's manor as she went to bed. She had to stay up waiting for her middle child, Reginald, to return home after he had stayed out far too late. After giving the fifteen year old a good scolding and sending him off to bed with the promise of an early morning, she was finally ready to retire herself. As she passed by the room of her youngest son, she heard the sound of shuffling.
She opened the door to see him quickly moving into a sleeping position and the candle on his nights stand still smoking. Edith raised an eyebrow at him. This wasn't the first time he had pulled this. "Edward," she said, "I know you're still awake, so sit up." The boy didn't move for a second. "Well then, if you really are asleep, then you won't mind waking up at six tomorrow morning," she said with a smirk.
Immediately, the boy shot up saying, "I'm awake! I'm awake!"
"Good," his mother said, "now what exactly were you doing up so late?" Edward sheepishly pulled a book from underneath his bed and held it out for her. Edith walked up to it with her candle to get a good look at her cover.  "Into the Jungles: a Guide to the Exotic Beasts of the World," she read, "Oh Sweetheart! This book again? This is the eighth time you've read this thing!"
"I can't help it," he said, "It's really good!"
"You still haven't touched any of the other books you got for your birthday last month," she said, "What, should I just return the others?"
"I'll get to them! I promise! But these animals are so fascinating! Look!" he said flipping through the pages, "Did you know that you can tell the difference between a leopard and a jaguar based on the shape of their spots? Or that you can tell how healthy a male peafowl is based on how many eyes there are on his tail feathers?"
Edith smiled and sat down next to him. "That is fascinating my dear, but there's a time and a place to pour over your books, and I'm afraid eleven o'clock at night is not that time," she said.
"I know..." he said pouting, "I wasn't trying to stay up so late. I promise! I was just going to read the entry about the Asian elephant again before bed, but I couldn't stop myself. I wish I could see some of these animals for myself..."
"I'm sure you will someday," she said with a chuckle.
"You think so?" he said.
"I don't see why not," she said, "You're a clever boy. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be the greatest animal researcher in the world! Getting up close to them in the wild, meeting all sorts of scientists....there might even be a biography printed about you one day!"
"Yeah..." he said, looking off with a dreamy expression.
"However," she said, getting his attention again,  "Until that day, you'll have to learn to have some self control. Reading books after bedtime might be innocent enough, but you won't get far in life if you can't control your desires."
Edward clutched his book to his chest. "You're not going to take my book away are you?" he asked.
"Heavens no!" she said, causing him to give a look of relief, "I would never discourage reading! In fact, instead of going out for riding practice tomorrow after lunch you can stay inside and work on your studies."
"Muuuum!" he cried indignantly.
"Would you rather I take away the book?" she asked.
"No..." he said with a sigh.
"Alright then," she said before kissing him on the forehead. "Good night, my dear," she said, walking towards the door.
"Good night, mother," he said curling back up in bed. His mother gave a little smile before closing the door and continuing to head back to her room.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
The female gave one last shout before a mewling noise filled the night air.  After many hours it was finally over. The older female who had been helping her, her own mother, picked up the squealing newborn cherub and began washing him in a basket before handing him to her daughter.
“Congratulations, New Bark,” her mother said, “You’re now a mother yourself, and to such a vocal little one! You were not nearly this loud, thankfully.” The two shared a chuckle.
“Thank you, Mother,” she said. The new mother smiled as she held the tiny, squealing body. He shivered in the night air and his tiny eyes were closed tightly. She cooed and rocked him slowly. "There, there. It's alright! Welcome my little one!" she cooed to him, "I know you are upset about leaving your old home but I'm sure you will come to love this one much more." The little boy continued to mewl as he slowly opened his eyes. They were a bright amber in color, shining with tears.
"Oh, don't cry little one," she said as she cradled him,"There is nothing for you to fear right now. You are safe. Safe with those who love you." "But you will need strength. This life is not easy, " she continued. "I know!" she said, "I shall give you a strong name." She whistled twice and gave three clicks. "Courage, that is your name, my tough little one," she said, "I know you will do great things and bear that name proudly. I can tell already that you like it!" The little cherub had stopped his mewling. His eyes were now drooping as he slowly fell asleep. He curled in towards his mother. "I think you have the right idea. Good night my little one," she said before kissing his forehead and curling up herself to go to bed.