Tina stilled, her forehead still resting against Bette’s, eyes fluttering closed as the sound grew more insistent.

“Of course,” she whispered, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Bette let out a soft groan but couldn’t help the quiet laugh that followed. “Her timing is impeccable.”

Tina pressed one last, lingering kiss to Bette’s lips before pulling away, but not without letting her fingers trail across Bette’s skin in a silent promise. “We’re not finished,” she teased, voice still husky with affection and need.

Bette caught her hand before she could slip away entirely, holding it for a beat longer. “Not even close.”

As Tina rose from the bed and turned to walk away, the soft light of dawn caught the contours of her body, illuminating the delicate curve of her back. Her skin glowed faintly, a smooth canvas that seemed to shimmer with each step. The subtle sway of her hips, the quiet strength in the muscles of her shoulders, gave her a graceful, fluid movement, every inch of her carrying the weight of both confidence and quiet vulnerability. Bette’s eyes followed her, taking in the beauty of her silhouette, a vision of serenity and strength, a woman who had left a mark on her soul.

***

The morning at the Foundation had a certain charm to it, like the beginning of a well-loved story. The team of carers, clad in their Foundation green coats, moved in a rhythmic dance, preparing for the babies’ breakfast. The sun had just begun to stretch its fingers across the sky, and the pens were filled with the soft rustle of blankets and excited trumpets.

The youngest elephants, the most delicate and still growing into their sturdy legs, wore blankets in every colour imaginable, bright reds, deep blues, and sunny yellows. These little blankets were carefully wrapped around their tiny frames and secured with ropes, transforming the calves into a patchwork of soft, woollen creatures. It was a sight that brought a smile to anyone who saw it. The blankets fluttered like little flags in the breeze, giving each calf a unique personality. The tiniest ones looked like little parades in motion.

The energy was high this morning, with a slight unruliness in the air. The calves, still quite hungry and eager for their milk, nudged and jostled with one another in their excitement. The older elephants, larger, more confident would nudge their way to the front, their trunks reaching out like eager hands trying to snatch the bottles from the wheelbarrows before the carers could even get close. The younger ones, still learning the art of patience, squealed in protest, their little trunks swaying in the air like windmills caught in a gentle breeze.