*Sarafina's POV*

4 days later...

"Oh Nala, stop chewing on Sarabi's tail!"

I scoop Nala in my mouth putting her back inside my furry arms.

Sarabi chuckled, "Its alright Sarafina, she's just playing. Her gums probably itch. That means teething!"

"Already?! She was just born a few days ago!"

"Cubs grow fast my friend."

I look down at Nala. One paw is in her mouth. Her eyes are still closed. Rafiki said they should open next week. I cannot wait! I'm dying to know if she has either my eyes or Makaio's.

"Saffy, I have some news to tell you."

"Good or bad?"

Sarabi look down at her front paws smiling. "In a few weeks I'm going to be pregnant."

My eyes widen. "Sarabi!"

"What?"

"This is great news!!"

Sarabi put a paw over my mouth. "Ssssh, I don't want the whole pride to know yet!"

I nod. Sarabi remove her paw off my mouth. "I can't believe it, like finally! Nala will have a little playmate."

"Hopefully they'll grow up as close best friends like me and you did Sarafina."

"That's the goal! So what are you hoping to have?"

"For me it doesn't matter what gender. Mufasa wants a son. He wants a King to rule."

I shook my head. "Sounds just like his father."

Sarabi nod. "Yeah, but if it turns out to be a boy, I wouldn't mind. I love all cubs!" Sarabi look down at Nala who's now sleep. "You know Sarafina, maybe Nala could be betrothed."

"Betrothed?"

"Yeah! If Mufasa and I turn out to have a son, Nala can be his future Queen."

I lick the top of Nala's small head. "Hmmm, I'll think about it."

Sarabi smiled. "It'll be cool! Both of our kids ruling the Pride Lands. Ah, I would be so proud."

"That does sound very cool. I'll think about it and let you know tomorrow. Okay?"

"Okay."

Sarabi got up walking out of the den. King Ahadi had found me and Nala a personal den while out on patrol one day. Usually lionesses who give birth and have Cubs will find a den outside of the pride. They won't return until when the Cubs are big and able to walk.

Our den is only twenty minutes away from Pride Rock. Not so far or bad. There's plenty of herds that go pass. I'll be able to hunt soon! My main focus is to breast feed Nala, making sure she gets all of her important nutrients.

She came out pretty small. Rafiki the baboon claim its normal. Most female Cubs are born small. The males are often the biggest he said. Big or small, I'll still love my Nala. Makaio would be so happy if he was able to see her...

The thought of it made me cry. One of my tears drop on Nala. She woke up mewing.

"Mew, mew, mew, mew!"

I lick her head, "I am sorry little one. I just wish your father was here to meet you. He would of been so happy."

Nala with her eyes still shut, reach up her tiny paw and place it on my nose. I smile crying but not with sadness, they are tears full of love and joy.

I won't let any thing happen to you, Nala...
*************
"Mommy, can we go to Pride Rock today?"

"I don't know Nala. It's a nice long walk there."

"But you prooooomise! You said I get to meet the King, Queen, and the rest of the pride."

I chuckle at the young cub. "Okay Nala, after your breakfast we'll go pay a visit."

Nala jump up and down. "Yay!!"

I carry a wilder beast carcass to our den. There we ate until our stomach could no longer take it any more.

Nala fell on her back. "Mommy, I'm full!"

I smile, "That's because you ate too fast, dear. Pride Rock will not run off. It'll still be there!"

"I know, I'm just so excited that my paws and tail are tingling!"

I laugh shaking my head then exit out the den. Nala followed happily behind as I led the way to Pride Rock. This will be her first time meeting Sarabi, Mufasa, and the pride members.
**********
"Sarabi, Mufasa?" I called.

A large, tall, orange, red mane, male lion step out from the cave first. Behind him a beautiful lioness follows. It's the Pride Lands new King and Queen, Mufasa and Sarabi.

It's been a year since they've made their announcement to the whole kingdom. Sadly, King Ahadi passed away. He died from old age. Now he's with beloved Uru again joining her in skies. I'm sure they're very proud of Mufasa and Sarabi. So far they are good ruling.

"Good morning, King and Queen!" I greet.

Mufasa smiled. "Good morning, Sarafina! It's nice to see you away from the den."

Sarabi looked around. "Where's Nala?"

I look over my shoulder. "Nala, come out dear and say hello."

Nala shyly walks out from behind me and sits in front of my two front paws. "H-hi!"

Mufasa chucked. He lower his head down meeting Nala's short level. "Hello Nala, my name is King Mufasa. Last time I saw you, you were just a tiny cub."

"I was?"

"Yes."

Sarabi smiled, "And I'm Queen Sarabi, your mother's best friend since child hood. I'm surprised you don't remember me Nala!"

Nala giggled. She rub her body against Sarabi purring. "I do remember! You baby sat me one time while mommy went away to hunt."

"Yes, that's it! Hahaha, very smart girl you got Sarafina."

I smile.

"Sarabi I'll back later." Said Mufasa.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"To meet Zazu at the watering hole. He said an elephant spot them drinking there. I must check it out!"

"Always a hyena problem. Okay, be safe!"

"I will!"

Mufasa ran down Pride Rock.

"So it's just me, you, and Nala today huh?" I question, sitting
down.

Sarabi sat down too nodding her head. "Yeah. I just wish Mufasa could take a couple of days off from work and stay home with me. It's like every since he became the King, Mufasa hasn't been home much. He'll leave every morning and won't come back till mid night!"

"Well, being King is a tough responsibility Sarabi. He has to make sure the pride is safe and every thing in the kingdom is in order."

Nala looked up. "Mommy, what's a kingdom?"

I chuckle. "A kingdom dear is a huge territory ruled by a King or Queen."

"Oooooh."

Sarabi frowned. "I'm fully pregnant Sarafina and will be due any time soon now. Doesn't Mufasa know that?!"

I put a paw on Sarabi's shoulder. "Calm down, don't stress the baby by your anger. Mufasa loves you and the cub both. He just have very important tasks to get rid of first."

"Your right."

"I promise he won't miss your birth when the day comes."

"Pregnant? Birth?? What are those mommy???" A confused Nala ask.

Sarabi laughed. "So many questions little one!"

I smirk. "When your older I'll tell you."

"Oh mommy, that's a long time from now! Can it be now?"

"Nope. Your too young to know."

Nala cross her furry arms over her chest. "Fine."

Sarabi and I giggle.

"How about you go play with the other cubs Nala behind Pride Rock?" Sarabi suggests.

"Okay!"

Nala smiled happily and ran behind Pride Rock. I shook my head.

"For the life of me I don't know where she gets all of this wild energy from." I said.

Sarabi smiled. "She's a toddler Sarafina, we were both once like that."

"Your right."

We both laugh at the memory.

I smile at Sarabi's large belly. "I can't wait until your cub is born. He or she is going to be asking for a lot of attention, since it's parents is Royal!"

Sarabi shook her head. "Nah, Mufasa and I will make up rules on what not to do."

"Too late for me to do that with Nala. But she's the only child, so I guess it's okay for now."

"Yeah. But she won't be alone when our cub is born. I'll visit you guys den every day!"

"Oh Sarabi, you don't have to travel all the way there. We'll visit here too sometimes. I'll even offer to baby sit!" I say, nuzzling her in a sisterly way.

Sarabi nuzzle back chuckling. "Okay, Saffy."

We continue to talk remembering times when we were Cubs, married, and now parents. I discuss some parenting to advice to give Sarabi that she can use for her own.

Soon a little Prince or Princess will be running around Pride Rock...