Hazel nodded and headed out. She did need more sleep, even though she wanted to stay and adore the little newborn for a while longer.

Seamus, on the other hand, stayed close to Brit.

"Let me know if you need extra hands," he said to her as he watched her and the little ceryneian.

Brit nodded, looking over at him with a little smile. I'll probably only stay for a little while longer. This one's a more experienced mother, but the first few days she won't want us too close. I'll wait until she's a little more comfortable to start getting him used to us. She sat back on her heels to watch the little male laying there, letting his mother lick him clean.

"At least give me an excuse to stay close to you," Seamus complained teasingly, throwing in a mock-pout for fun. He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

Brit grinned and only blushed a little when he kissed her. Like you need an excuse, she teased right back, settling in closer to him.

"I love having excuses to cover my ass," Seamus said cheerfully, putting an arm around her and pulling her close. "Especially when my brother starts nosing about and asking what I'm doing." He grinned.

So tell him to mind his own business. Or turn around and ask him what he's doing with Hazel. No one ever said turnabout wasn't allowed. Brit grinned and stayed there. See, she knew there was a reason she liked him. She just had far too much fun with him.

Seamus snorted.

"You don't have to live with him," he retorted, grinning. "Although Hazel might, soon, if he gets his ass into gear."

Brit grinned and shook her head, relaxing there instead. She could just sit there and relax for a little while longer, she figured, before she had to either start doing things again to stay up all night or go back to bed. She wasn't sure which option she preferred.

Seamus knew which one HE preferred. Pulling her close, he kissed her cheek.

"Come on," he said softly, standing up and pulling her to her feet. "Let's head back inside for a while, get some more sleep. There will be plenty left to do in the morning."

Brit nodded and stifled a yawn, making her way back towards the house. Yeah, more sleep sounded good. Definitely more sleep. She yawned again and detoured towards her rooms.

Seamus walked her to her room, making sure she got there okay.

"Get some sleep," he said softly. "No sneaking back out to keep working, alright?" He grinned teasingly.

Brit smiled sleepily and nodded her agreement. She hesitated for a moment before she tugged on his sleeve to make him stop, and then she leaned up and kissed him gently.

Seamus paused when she tugged his sleeve, curious, and blinked when she kissed him on her own. His surprise was only momentary, though, and he returned the kiss just as gently.

Brit smiled and kissed him again gently before she went inside to go get some sleep. Sleep sounded good now.

Seamus returned the kiss and waited for her door to close before heading back to his own room.

The next morning dawned bright and early, although Hazel ignored the 'early' part and didn't arrive at the ranch until later in the morning.

Brit was up and working again, mostly checking stores and checking on the pregnant animals so she knew everything would be fine when she left. And she was planning on leaving soon.

Hazel had pretty much figured that Brit was planning on going, and was staying out of her way for now. No sense in making it harder for Brit to do what she needed to do, after all. Hazel just didn't have to like it.

Within a few days, Brit had done everything she needed to do and had seen the first few newborns already. So she packed up a bag so she could head out and go visit her relatives. She knocked on the door to Hazel's office quietly.

"Come in," Hazel called from her desk. She was working on the first of the transfers; the first clutch of winged-snake eggs had come in, and it was promised to the rancher from before who wanted to trade for it.

Brit smiled a little at Hazel, setting her bag down outside. I'm ready to go. I'll probably only be gone for a few days, depending on how much time I think I need to spend.

Hazel nodded and set the paperwork down on the desk. She stood up and went over to her friend.

"Don't let them intimidate you," she said. "You know you're always free to come back whenever you want."

Brit nodded. Don't worry, I don't plan on being gone for long. I have too many things to look after here. She grinned briefly, even as her phoenixes landed on her bag, each of them taking a strap and trying to drag it away.

Hazel nodded.

"I have a social event to go to in a few days," she said. "So if you get back and I'm not here..." she trailed off. She wasn't sure Brit would be back that soon, but they could hope.

Brit nodded. I'll keep that in mind. Everything should go smoothly while I'm gone; I don't think there will be any trouble with any of the other births. But feel free to let me know if there is trouble, or if you need me to come back and I'm not back yet.

As tempting as it was to just tell her not to leave, Hazel nodded.

"I'm sure things will run smoothly enough on their own here," she said.