4 months later...

After a blisteringly hot day the sun had finally set, the relief from the hot moistureless air was palpable as the cooling breeze swept over the Pride Lands. The moon under siege by stars seemed to lighten the night bringing forth stars that shone and hung in the blackness. The never ending blackness consumed everything.

Animals are returning to their homes preparing for bed. Lions at  the magnificent Pride Rock are walking one by one inside their large cavern. King Kovu and Queen Kiara are making their way towards the very back of the cavern at their usual sleeping spot. Here, the leaders can watch over the entire pride. Prince Heri and Princess Auni are a little further away from them. The young royal couple rest against the cave's left wall.

Auni has been receiving some pains in the lower stomach. It started in the early afternoon and Amwa had came to visit Pride Rock to see what the problem was. It all appears well and that Auni is just starting out her very first contractions. In other words, the cub will be arriving soon. He or she is ready to come join the rest of the world shortly.

Auni is nervous and scared just like any first time mother would be when it comes to child birth. But no matter what, Heri her fiance will forever be at her side. He has made a strong commitment.

"Lay down and rest, my love. I'd hope you feel better tonight! I wish there is something I can do to help." Said Heri. He looks concerned and lugubrious.

Auni lays down, her left side pressed against the cave's cool wall. She rests her furry chin on top of her two front paws. "Thanks babe, I will be alright." She softly replied.

"My mother wants to look after me during the entire night but I told her that is not necessary. I do not want her up all night tired and all. Her sleep matters just like any one of us. You can do the job Heri! If I need anything and the cub decides to come tonight, then I will have you here to help and comfort me. You are my mate after all..." She says, while shifting her beautiful Chestnut color eyes down at his large paws.

Heri stands in front of her and nod his head in agreement. "Yes, I understand all of that and of course I will be here Auni. But I do not know much about child birth just like you don't know anything. Your mother, my parents, and Amwa should really be the ones to step in for this one. They have more knowledge!"

He rubs his black nose against her cheek. "We are both new to this. My job is to relax you, give you your needs and desires, and to witness my child being born. Your mother desprately wants to be a part of her grand-child's arrival. Let her! We can not do everything on our own Auni. That is why we have PLENTY of help here at Pride Rock."

"You are truly right about that. It would be rude of me to include my mother. She has been a very big help, her and your mother both with my pregnancy. I truly appreciate them and you as well!" Auni smiles, "Can you please walk up there and tell her I said yes, she can sleep with me tonight Heri? Thank you."

Heri returns the same smile and nod his head once more. "Yes I can! I will be right back."

While Heri went to go fetch Auni's mother, Auni's brother Ishara within minutes approached. He hugs his sister with an exciting smile.

"I can not believe that tonight or tomorrow morning my niece or nephew will be making their first entrance to the world!" Ishara says, happily. "I have just received the news from mother. I was gone all day with the Lion Guard as you know..."

Auni giggles at his strong excitement. "Haha yes, I know all about your Lion Guard duties. It is okay! Yes, Amwa predicts that the cub can either come later on tonight or sometime tomorrow morning."

"Well whenever, I will make sure to be there when my niece and nephew comes. I am sure Kion would not mind it at all. This is about family!"

"Yes, indeed! But remember brother your job is also important too. It is okay if you do miss out. You can meet him or her whenever you are free. We will always be right here in this cave."

Ishara does not say anything but smile warmly at his sister. Their mother "Zuri" now arrive with Heri walking close behind her. She greets both of her children with a gentle head bud.

"How are feeling now, Auni?" She asks.

"Still in pain but it comes off and on. One moment it stops, then the next out of no where with a big pow!" Auni shortly explains, while describing her irritable contractions.

"Good!"

"Good?" Auni and Heri both questioned together with confused facial expressions.

Ishara makes a short laugh and so does Zuri added with a small smile.

"Auni honey, this is all normal. You are suppose to be feeling like this. Some contractions are high while others can be very low. You are only in the beginning of labor." Zuri explains.

"As the time comes closer to your little one's arrival, you will know it because the pain will grow much higher. For now, just relax and try to get as much sleep as you can." She smirks, "You will need all of your strength to push trust me! I have had much experience with you and your brother."

"Okay Mom, I will try..." Auni responds.

"Good night to you all! I will check on you first thing tomorrow Auni when I am awake." Ishara promised. "Now, get some rest!"

He hugs his sister once more. Auni smiles warmly.

"Thanks bro, good night! You get some rest yourself too. I know how tiring saving the Pride Lands can be for ya..."

Ishara chuckled. He walks away to his normal sleeping area in front of the cave. It is close to the entrance/exit where he joins the rest of the pride members. Majority of them are already sleeping with loud individual snores.

Auni slides herself away from the cave's wall so her mother can rest there beside her left, while Heri took her right. They stay there to watch after Auni just in case if the baby decides to come quickly tonight rather than tomorrow's expected delivery.

********

Early Dawn...

Dawn sent shimmering rays over the Pride Lands. The sky has softened to a blue and the clouds are blushed like a ripe mango. The air is delicate and cool. The sun is peeking over the mountains, each blade of grass already feeling the soft warming rays and growing stronger for the light they receive.

The animals are now awakened. They begin their normal morning routine. Lions at Pride Rock were already up early before the others animals because, they have heard from Queen Kiara that Auni is very close to giving birth to her and Heri's first child now. The contractions have grown much stronger, which means the baby is ready to make it's first appearance to the world.

The pride members were asked to exit the cavern for privacy purposes except for the royal family of course and Zuri. Auni's brother could not make it because of his Lion Guard duty. A baby hippo was in danger this morning in the Wet Lands and Ishara had to attend with the rest of the team. Auni understood and have already told Ishara last night that he can come meet his little niece or nephew later on in the day.

King Kovu and Prince Heri both had left Pride Rock in a hurry to Amwa's baobob tree to let her know that the baby is now coming. Amwa will bring her materials to help welcome the newest family member like her father Rafiki have done with many generations, including royals. This will be Amwa's second time welcoming a royal. The first time she has welcomed Heri and his brother Makosa.

"That's it Auni, breathe in and out. Your doing amazing sweetie!" Said Zuri smiling proudly at her daughter. In just a few moments, she will be a grandmother.

Auni squeezes her mother's paw tightly as the contractions are becoming worse. She breathes heavily.

"Mom, I can't do this anymore!" Auni speaks, with her eyes welling up with tears. "It hurts so bad! I can not relax anymore, this baby is about to make me go insane."

"Just keep your cool until Amwa shows up, then you can do whatever you want. I don't want you to stress now. It's not good for you or the baby!"

"Alright, I will try to keep calm again..."

Queen Kiara enters the cavern to check on her future daughter in law.

"How is she doing Zuri?" She asks  her best friend.

"She is almost there to the pushing stage! I hope Amwa will make it here in time. If not, then we will have to prepare and do it ourselves Kiara." Zuri answers, confidently.

The Queen nods, "Of course! Welcoming my grandchild would be fun to do."

"Where is Heri? I wish he was here to hold me..." Auni said worried.

"Heri has gone with his father to inform Amwa that you are about to give birth. They should be on their way back by now or somewhere close to home..." Zuri responds. "Again, don't you worry Auni. Everything will be fine!"

"Your mother is right dear. We will be here with you until they show up." Queen Kiara gently spoke. She sat down in front of Auni. "Now, continue to inhale, exhale!"

Auni nod her head and breathe taking the Queen's small advice. She starts to feel better and more relaxed now that she has her mother and the Queen at her side.

"We're back!" A voice yelled.

It was King Kovu. He rush inside the cavern with Heri and Amwa close behind him.

"Heri!" Auni smiles cheerfully. She is happy to see her mate again.

"Oh Auni!" He responds, while running up to nuzzle her sweetly and had kissed her nose. "I am glad to not have missed anything. Now that Amwa is here, you can get started!"

King Kovu and Queen Kiara did not say anything but remain standing in the background close together with proud smiles at their son. Queen Kiara lays her head on King Kovu's dark brown mane with a purr.

"I remember that was us when I was about to give birth to our sons! I was so worried and scared just like how Auni is now. My father had to keep me calm and distracted away from those awful contractions." Said Queen Kiara.

"Yes honey, I remember it all just like it was yesterday..." King Kovu replied, smiling warmly at the memory. "I still can not believe that I had fainted once I had first saw Heri being born. Your mother and Rafiki had laughed!"

Queen Kiara giggled while shaking her head.

"Good morning, Princess Auni!" Awma greets. "I see it is time to welcome your son or daughter. I am here to assist and to make sure that everything goes smoothly."

"Good morning Amwa! Thank you, I truly appreciate your time and consideration in this matter. I pray that everything will work out fine and for an successful birth!" Said Auni.

"It will on my watch, I promise!"

Auni does not say anything else but smile at the pretty mandrill. She trusts Amwa and know that she will do a good job like she has done with Kiara's birth.

********

A couple of hours later...

"Mew, mew, mew!" A tiny voice cries.

"Wow, would you look at that!" King Kovu smiles wide.

"Absolutely gorgeous!" Queen Kiara compliments.

"So precious!" Zuri compliments also.

"What is it?" Heri asks them.

Zuri, King Kovu, and Queen Kiara are circled around Amwa who is holding Heri and Auni's first born in her arms carefully. Amwa turns herself slowly around and steps up cautiously to Heri so he can view his child for the very first time.

"It is a girl!" Amwa beams.

Heri's emerald green eyes had lit up with pure interest and excitement. He sheds a small test and smiles lovingly. "S-She is so beautiful like her mother..."

"Indeed, she is Prince!"

Heri licked the top of Auni's head. "Well done love!"

Amwa placed the tiny cub gently inside of Auni's warm arms. Auni views her daughter now for the first time and examines her beauty. "She is charming I do have so say!"

She licks her daughter clean and purrs. Zuri, Amwa, Queen Kiara, Heri, and King Kovu all watch with admiration.

"What will be her name?" Amwa asks, the new parents.

"Well we did say if it's a girl we would name her Nina..." Auni answers.

"Nina? That's adorable! I like it."

"Yes, Nina is very suitable." King Kovu says, agreeing.

"I picked that one out!" Zuri smiles proudly.

"Good job!" Heri chuckled.

Nina has Heri's color fur with Auni's nose and colorless paws. She has a good weight and built added with a lovely appearance. She will grow up to be a strong, gorgeous Queen indeed.

Auni flenched. "Ouch!"

"Whats wrong dear?" Queen Kiara questioned.

"I think another one is coming, I feel something else."

"Another one?!" Zuri and Heri both asked together in shock.

Amwa looked behind Auni's rear end and nodded with a laugh. "Yes, the future Queen is not done. Another cub is being born right now!"

Queen Kiara beams. "Yay! Nina will have a sibling."

Auni pushes hard and out comes another cub with a loud cry.

"Mew, mew, mew!"

Amwa carefully picks up the cub to identify it's gender. "It's another girl!"

"Wow, interesting!" Said Zuri impressed.

"What will this one be called?" King Kovu asks.

"How about Nadra?" Queen Kiara suggests. "That was one of my choices."

"I like Nadra! It's nice and simple." Said Heri.

"Yeah and pretty!" Auni chimes in.

"Okay, Nadra it is!" Amwa smiled.

She carries the cub over to it's mother and sat her next to her big sister Nina. Auni cradles her two daughters inside of her warm arms. Nadra has Auni's color fur with Heri's colored paws and black shaped nose. Unlike her sister, she is not big but still a nice regular size. She is very pretty.

"Ouch, I think there is one more Amwa coming! I hope it is the last." Said Auni, again flenching.

"Number 3!? Oh boy..." Said Heri now feeling dizzy.

"Son, do not faint like I did. Be strong!" Said King Kovu. Queen Kiara shakes her head with a small laugh.

Amwa checks Auni's rear end one last time. Auni pushes big and of course a third cub comes right on out. Amwa picks it up carefully to identify it's gender like before with the other two cubs.

"Again, another girl!"

"Wow, all girls!" Said Zuri amazed.

"And what will this one's name be?" King Kovu asks.

"Hmmmm, I don't know." Said Auni unsure.

She looks up at Heri for an answer. He shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know either. I never would have thought that we would have all girls, ha ha ha!"

"How about Zarina?" Amwa asks. "It means blossoming in Swahili!"

"Beautiful!" Queen Kiara compliments.

"Yes, indeed very beautiful. I love it a lot! Thanks Amwa, we will name her that." Said Auni smiling.

Amwa sat little Zarina down between Heri's two large front paws since Auni's arms are already full with their other little ones.

"Zarina is awfully small than her other two sisters. Why is that?" Heri asks, noticing her weight.

"It appears that she may have became the runt out of the siblings. But it is alright, Zarina has long enough time to grow up to her sisters size. She is only a newborn!" Amwa explains.

Auni worries. "I surely do hope so! I want them all to grow healthy and strong ."

"And they will honey, give it time." Said Zuri.

"Yes, your mother is right Auni." Queen Kiara agrees with a nod. "They are just infants!"

"Small or not, I will love all of my girls equally!" Said Heri smiling warmly.

"Aaawww, how sweet!" Auni blushed.

The two share a sweet nuzzle. King Kovu starts walking towards the cave's exit.

"Well, I will leave you two alone to rest with your little ones. If you need anything, you know where to find us!" He said.

Auni and Heri both nodded their heads.

"Okay, thanks Dad!" Said Heri.

Before following behind her husband, Queen Kiara gives her son a kiss on the cheek. "I am so proud of you Heri. Welcome to Parenthood! You and Auni both are going to love every moment of it."

Heri hugs her. "Thanks Mom, I will!"

She also gave Auni a hug and then left to follow King Kovu out of the cavern. Now it leaves just Amwa and Zuri.

"I will be back later on or tomorrow to check on you guys and to discuss plans about their royal ceremony." Said Amwa. "Try to get some rest Auni!"

"Thanks for everything Amwa, I will!" Auni smiles.

Auni exits the carven which now only leaves Zuri.

"I am so proud of you Auni. You have done well with these 3 cubs. They all look so healthy and beautiful!" She says, while shedding a tear of joy. "If you need anything or for me to help you baby sit them while you try to get your rest, don't be afraid to ask for me. Okay?"

Auni eyes wells up with special tears as well. "Awwww thanks Mom! I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart."

The two hug tightly. Zuri also gives Heri a hug and congratulates him on now being a father. She exits the cave with now just leaving the two new parents and their 3 cubs inside the cave alone.

"Wow, I can't believe that we are officially parents now!" Said Heri shocked. "It's like reality had just slammed me in the eyes."

Auni slowly nods. She stares down at their two daughters Nina and Nadra. "Yeah, I know right...I am finally a mom! A mom to 3 gorgeous daughters."

Heri gently picks up their smaller daughter Zarina by  the scruff and lays down close next to Auni. He carefully place Zarina down inside of his warm large arms. She quietly sleeps.

He smiles down at her with pure love and happiness. Already he favors her out of the 3 girls.

"You know Heri eventually we will have to make our final decision with King Akono to have one of our daughters paired up with his son. I still feel unsure about it...I want our daughters to feel comfortable with the choice."

"Well then, how about we tell them when they are much older? That way we can explain everything much better so they can have an understanding of why we have decided to go with the choice."

Auni nods, "Yes, that maeks perfect sense! I just hope we are doing the right thing..."

Heri licks her cheek. "Hey it's okay, no matter what our daughters will love us."

"Your right, thanks."

"Now stop worrying and get some rest. You've had a long morning delivering our cubs! You've earned it."

Auni closes her eyes as she prepares for a long resting sleep. Heri does the same as held Zarina protectively inside his arms.

Who knows what the future will hold for this new generation. Are Auni and Heri making the right choice adding a new pride into the Pride Lands and pairing one of their daughters to an outside King's son? Will it cause damage to Pride Rock? Only time will tell...

The circle of life must continue on!

THE END.