Prowl dragged herself to the door and opened it wide, pulling herself through with a groan. "Finally..." she moaned, her eyes turning to focus on her target: that big, beautiful, soft couch in the center. She staggered over and collapsed onto it, sinking into the cushions with a sigh.
The sound of hoofsteps approached and she felt a hoof rubbing her back in slow circles. "Long day, hon?" Maple Leaf asked.
"Chickens," she mumbled into the cushion. "So. Many. Chickens."
Maple chuckled faintly and Prowl felt him run a hoof through her mane, plucking at something. "I kinda guessed," he admitted, tossing aside the loose feather that Prowl's quick after-shift shower had failed to clean off. "Well, at least tomorrow is your weekend."
A pattering of tiny hooves made Prowl look up just in time to see the most beautiful pair of blue eyes in the world locked onto hers. "Mama home!" Skysong babbled, carrying herself over with her hooves and tiny flapping wings.
"Hey, honey," Prowl smiled faintly, turning over to scoop up her daughter. Skysong planted a sloppy kiss on Prowl's forehead, her wings buzzing in joy.
"I'm going to draw up a bath for you," Maple Leaf said, getting up and trotting off to the bathroom. "I'll let you know when it's ready."
Prowl began to play softly with her daughter, tossing her up in the air so she could practice hovering, simple rounds of pattycake, and tossing a small ball around. Skysong threw the ball into the corner, giggling. "Catch, mama!" she gurgled.
Prowl smiled feebly, but her hooves protested as she stood up and retrieved the ball.
"Your bath is ready, madame!" Maple sang, reentering. "Allow me to take care of our daughter."
"Thank you, hon," Prowl moaned as Maple retrieved the ball and began to juggle it while making silly faces at Skysong, rolling his eyes and sticking out his tongue. A giggling Skysong didn't protest in the slightest as Prowl shambled her way over to the bathroom.
The bath was full of water topped with a layer of pink bubbles; the steam that wafted from it smelled of roses and citrus. Clean, fluffy towels were stacked next to the tub and a small record player in the corner was playing her favorite album of violin music. Prowl inhaled the scent deeply with a contented sigh before climbing into the tub, which was just the right temperature. Moaning in satisfaction, she settled down into the tub, allowing the soreness of her muscles to seep through her pores into the warm water.
She lay there in the water for several minutes, allowing her mane and tail to play about in the currents that she created, scrubbing every inch of her body to clean off the dust (and feathers and chicken scat) of her work. When the record finally finished, she climbed out and dried herself off, wrapping a fuzzy towel around herself. She sniffed the cloth: citrus and roses.
"Okay, Maple, what's your game?" she mumbled with a faint smile as she headed for the bedroom. As she passed the nursery, she instinctively glanced inside.
The toys were all packed in the chest in the corner, the changing table was neatly organized, and the night light plugged into the wall, casting a soft blue-white glow over the flowers painted on the wall. Skysong was curled up in her crib, sucking gently on her wing, the sheets tucked around her slowly rising and falling with her breath. Prowl smiled to herself and proceeded to the master bedroom.
As soon as she entered, she paused and stared. The bed was neatly made and rose petals were scattered across the surface, their perfume mixing with the faint smoke of citrus and jade incense in the burners. A bowl of sliced fruit sat on the bedside table next to a chocolate fondue bowl. Sax music crooned out of the other record player in the corner.
Maple Leaf approached with a soft smile and gently lifted the towel from her body. "Allow me, my lady," he purred, gently guiding her over to the bed.
"Okay, what's this about?" Prowl asked, even as she laid down amidst the rose petals, her body betraying her exhaustion.
Maple Leaf dipped an apple slice in the chocolate and held it in front of her lips. "I can't show my beloved wife a good time because I love her?" he asked innocently, kissing her forehead.
Prowl nibbled at the fruit, barely suppressing her moans of delight at the rich chocolate mixing with the sweet tang of the apple. "I guess you can," she admitted. "But what's the occasion? Did something happ—"
She gasped as a thrill of horror rushed through her body, forcing her upright. "Did I forget our anniversary?!" she cried. "Maple, I am so sorry, I—"
Her cries were muffled by Maple placing his lips upon hers in a kiss. Her panic quickly melted away and she closed her eyes, kissing him back, losing herself in the warmth of his embrace and allowing him to gently push her back down onto the bed.
"Honey, it's the Moon of Rain," Maple smiled, booping her. "Our wedding was in the fall."
"Oh," Prowl mumbled, her face reddening. "Maple, I'm sorry. I really did think I forgot it, and I know I forgot the last two years, but—"
"Shh," Maple cooed, placing another chocolate-dipped fruit at her lips. "I know you work hard to provide for us, and I'm proud of you. That's why I did this for you: you deserve some time to relax."
Prowl smiled and kissed Maple again. "Thank you, honey. I love you."
"I love you, too," Maple smiled, nuzzling her. "Now let me pamper you."
Prowl smiled and closed her eyes, opening her mouth as he lifted another treat to her lips.