It was almost easy to say goodbye.
Both of his daughters had come to say hello, and though they weren't well acquainted with each other, they had finally *connected* on some level. Kyuhyun had even made a promise to Ozzie to come and visit her and her mate, Kaldin, at some point. Ozzie, in return, offered to come and help Kyuhyun tidy up her little grove that had fallen into disrepair after a terrible windstorm had ripped through and nearly destroyed it. Kaldin would help, she said. Kyuhyun had accepted, and Sadiki had stayed silent. If he had been needed to help, he reasoned, he would have been asked.
Sadiki had wanted to make the same promise, to visit and to assist. So, so badly did he want to say that he would come and meet the stallion that made his daughter happy he nearly trembled. It was worse when he bid them farewell, leaving so much unspoken that he may as well have not spoken to them at all. Yes, they'd had a wonderful conversation, and yes he'd suddenly become keenly aware that the family might be expanding soon...but it felt empty.
As a result when the goodbyes came, it was almost easy.
When they were gone, he hung his head, closed his eyes. Allowed himself some grief. Life would never be same for him as the lives of his children continued on without him. He just needed to move on, move forwards, himself. And it would be almost easy, even if his heart was heavy.
Almost easy.
Almost.
[260]