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Dave had returned from the depths with his small stash of sparkly stuff. He had a plan to decorate the area that Jessica had pointed out, the one she was thinking would make a great area to stay.

If Dave actually stopped long enough, he would wonder why, all of a sudden, the comfort and care of a human female was so important to him, but he hadn’t stopped, and he didn’t want to think too deeply into it.

For the first time since he had been hit by the spell that meant he could shift, he felt more comfortable in his own skin.

And by that, he meant human and Kracken.

The interaction with Jessica was a positive step and he, in all honesty, needed the help with the hatchlings.

Life would most certainly be getting little more crazy as each egg hatched, so to have someone with him to help with the madness was a blessing.

As he walked through the cavern, he remembered Jessica mentioned briefly about needing a camp bed. The one Maeve had created for Jessica to lie on was still there, so he collected that and headed to the nursing pools and the area Jessica had pointed out.

Isabeau had been really helpful, too, he always found her easy to talk to and when he asked about Jessica’s request, she had come through, leaving him a bag of things at the cavern.

With the camp bed in place, Dave focused on making it comfortable. Blankets and pillows came out of the bag as well as fairy lights, a bedside lamp, and even a mirror.

Before he knew it, a couple of hours had flown past, and he now stood in a cave bedroom that he hoped would make Jessica happy.

“Dave, are you in here?” Jessica’s voice echoed as she called to him.

Stepping out of the cavern with the nursing pool, he waved to her. She had a large bag on her back as she hurried over to him. She was alone, her dragon familiar not present this time, which he was thankful for.

“Ahh, there you are. Isabeau said you were down here, although she was smirking and I found it a little bit frightening.” She smiled up at him and took her bag off her back. It hit the dirt floor with a thud. “Oh bugger, I really shouldn’t throw this around,” she grumbled and went to pick it up.

Placing his hand on her shoulder Dave stopped her, picking up the bag for her.

“Oh, wow, thank you.” Her smile was wide and, in turn, that made Dave want to smile as well.

Tilting his head slightly, he then moved to walk into the cavern, he wanted to show her what he had done.

Dave loved the sound of Jessica’s voice, even as she chatted away about what was happening in the house upstairs.

She told him that all the familiars had vanished.

Although everyone had guessed they were at the pub, as that’s where they usually went.

As they rounded the pool, he heard her stop.

“Hey, Dave, what’s that?” She pointed to the small cave that now sported a curtained doorway. The gauzy material fluttering in the breeze. Lifting a hand, he waved her in front.

“For you,” he said, focusing on each word just like Maeve had taught him.

“Oh.” Her answer came out as a squeak as she moved past him to the curtain. Gently, she moved it aside to reveal all the work he had done.

“Oh, my goddess,” she breathed out, and he followed her in, placing her large bag on the small bed.

“You like?” he questioned, really wishing he had practiced using his voice more.

“Err yeah, this is amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the room they’ve given me upstairs, but when I’m working I’m so used to camping out that it felt wrong.

This…” She paused and did a spin. Her face lit up with happiness.

“This is unbelievable and cosy and perfect.” She laughed as she moved about the small space, picking up things to look at them before putting them back.

Dave had been very particular on what treasures he wanted to bring back from his hidden hoard.

He hadn’t brought much, but he thought she would like the two pink crystal orbs, and an abalone shell filled with pearls and other gems. He had another item in his pocket, and he wasn’t sure why he had picked it up, but it would stay in his pocket for now.

“Did you do all this for me, Dave?” Jessica asked, and he ducked his head and nodded.

“Yes,” he answered.

“This is fabulous. Thank you so so much.” She bounced with excitement and started to unpack her bag.

Dave stepped out of the cavern to give her a moment, plus he needed a quick breath himself. He was becoming attached, and he knew it.

A cracking sound broke the quiet, making Dave bolt for the cavern where all the eggs were housed.

“Dave?’ he heard Jessica’s voice, but he had to get to the egg before the hatchling broke free completely.

He almost flew over the rocks that littered the cavern floor, drawn only by the sound of the breaking egg.

Finally, he found it, the egg that Jessica had saved the day before was vibrating, cracks covered the surface of the little blue and green egg.

Dave could see the broken pieces move and flex as the hatchling inside fought for freedom.

Dave hummed to the egg as he climbed into the nest, squeezing his large bulk into the small area, careful to not hurt the other eggs.

He heard Jessica’s light footsteps approach, and without asking any question she stood next to the nest, her sleeves already rolled up, her hair tied back away from her face.

“Come on, little one, you can do it,” she cajoled to the egg, urging the hatchling out.

Slowly, each piece of the egg broke away, and each time a hint of the hatching inside was revealed.

Hours passed, and the day eased away into the evening.

Light from multiple sconces filled the cavern until finally the first Kracken hatchling of Kracken’s Hole was born.

It was smaller than he expected, but Dave picked up the wriggling mass of tentacles and climbed out of the nest to head to the nursing pool.

“Oh my, how cute. Is it a he or she, Dave?” Jessica asked.

Dave wasn’t sure, and he wasn’t about to look now, it was hard enough to keep hold of the little one.

Stepping into the pool, ignoring the fact his clothes were getting soaked, he sat in the water and gently lowered the hatchling.

Like a Kracken to water, the moment it submerged it shot off into the deeper area of the pool, twisting and turning, and getting used to being out of the confines of the egg.

Dave couldn’t stop the little smile that graced his lips as he watched, this was the next generation of Krackens. It was no longer just him and his brother.

“That’s a girl,” Jessica called out from the other side of the pool where the hatchling was playing with her, the tentacles reaching out for her as she looked over the little one.

“Small in size in comparison to what I believe is the norm, but great colouring, eyes are bright, and she’s very active.”

Dave watched as Jessica filled in her notebook as she measured and weighed the hatchling, only the sound of more cracking pulled him away. Their night was about to be a busy one, and yet with Jessica by his side, Dave was looking forward to it.