Time passes (the end)

James rubbed his arms as he watched the two balls of dusty gold fur sleep, the tiny forms held close to their bodies calling quietly in their sleep. It had been nine months since the two lionesses had arrived in his lounge, and it had been one hell of a ride since. He had been given a full-time job by the zoo, practically living with the two girls as they slowly grew over the last three months of their pregnancy, and had just witnessed the birth of not one, but three of his kittens, each. Now he leant against the wall of their sleeping area, a small bed set out in the corner for the frequent nights he spent in it, watching them sleep as they hugged their new-born cubs.

"Hey," a familiar voice said, "How's the daddy feeling?"

"Shut up, David," James laughed, holding up his arms and showing the bandages that covered the deep scratches in his arms, and the first time he had needed stitches for something the girls did to him.

"Ooh, tough birth?" the man laughed.

"Siena's popped out like Evil Kinevil from a cannon," James chuckled, "Ana's, not so much."

"Nice," the Zoo's owner laughed, "But still, six kits in total, that's gonna wear you down, dude!"

"Don't remind me."