"Todd, it's here! It's here!" Lisa squealed as she burst into the kitchen.

"What's here?" Todd looked around the kitchen for the source of Lisa's excitement.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," Arvetis said, looking up from his omelet. "It arrived last night, while you were in the hall. I set it up for you; I hope you don't mind."

Lisa leaned down and hugged the Wolf where he sat. "It's wonderful!" She stood up, grabbed Todd's paw, and almost pulled him out of the chair. "Come on! Come see!"

Todd stood up, confused, but followed Lisa out of the kitchen and into the narrow corridor. She led him towards her room, almost running.

"Lisa! Slow down! What is it?"

"Come see!"

They quickly arrived at her door, and she opened it, leading him in. He had seen her room before, when they picked out the dress she wore to the feast. It had been very much like his, with a few elements of her own décor, such as a pink afghan on the bed and a pile of plush animals in the corner. Now, though, there was something different.

Lisa's bed was gone. In its place stood a large crib, at least as large as a queen-size mattress. It was pastel pink, with tall bars and a thick layer of sheets and comforters in the bottom. Her plush animals were stacked in one corner of the crib.

"No making fun!" Lisa repeated her mantra.

"I won't! I won't! It's adorable, Lisa." Todd grinned. He was a little worried that she'd think he was being dishonest, but the truth was that it didn't bother him. That was odd, because Lisa's desire to own an adult-size crib had been one of the breaking points of their relationship. It was too absurd, he'd argued. The diapers and the sleepers could be hidden, but what if someone saw the crib? And why couldn't she just sleep in bed like a normal person, anyway?

Now, though, as he saw her laughing and pulling down the side to inspect the bedding, he couldn't remember why he'd said those things. It wasn't just because he was now accustomed to diapers and everything that went with them; he'd only been at Corwin Hall a short time, and the truth was, he was still a little uncomfortable about some of those effects. He was grateful he hadn't had a bowel movement yet, for example. Lisa's joy at this crib eradicated any resentment he might have had towards it, though, and he couldn't understand why he'd been resistant. She was just so happy. He watched her climb in, then followed suit when she patted the cushion next to her. As soon as he sat down, she tackled him, and they both fell backwards into the pile of plush animals.

Lisa rested her head in Todd's lap, looking up at him with shining eyes. "I've missed you, Todd. Did you miss me?"

"Lisa..." Todd was speechless for a moment. He put a paw on her belly and began to rub it in circles. "Lisa, you know what I was like when I showed up here. I haven't written a word since I left you. I'm drunk every day, just so I can forget that night. Lisa, I don't just miss you. You said you don't know what it is anymore, but I do. I love you, Lisa. I never stopped loving you." Todd stopped himself. Had he just said that?

Lisa turned her head in Todd's lap, her eyes half-lidded and the edges of her ears pink. "I love you too, Todd."

They sat like that for a long moment, Todd rubbing Lisa's upturned belly, and Lisa nuzzling Todd's. He was stunned that he'd been able to say that; he'd been fearing her reaction to his feelings since he saw her here. Lisa was also stunned he'd said it, but glad. She had known the whole time.

Eventually, she shifted in Todd's lap, unsnapping the rear of her onesie. "Take off my diaper, Todd."

"Huh? You just put a new one on."

"Todd, you idiot," Lisa said, rolling off Todd's lap and spreading her legs. The uncovered diaper already had a small yellow stain in the crotch. The smell was heavy; her heat was fully in. "I said take off my diaper."

"Oh... oh!" Todd froze for a moment, his fur rising, but not for long. He untaped her diaper, letting the front drop down, and put a paw on her soft thigh. He looked at her eyes, and she gave a permissive nod. His paw moved inwards, cupping her gently. Her whole body quivered, and Todd realized that she had missed him as much as he had missed her. He lowered his head, moving his muzzle toward his favorite place on her body, and he felt like he was coming home.

Later, as they came together, Todd buried so deep in her that he felt her wetness against his pubis, his muzzle wedged tightly between her neck and shoulder, they both felt more one flesh than they ever had before. Todd's mind went blank for one superb moment, empty of anything except Lisa. Not his Lisa anymore, just Lisa, transcendent. He puffed against her neck, twitching his rear forward as his long body rippled with pleasure, finishing inside her. Lisa squirmed and laughed, tickled by the breath on her fur, but didn't speak. With the last of his strength, Todd rolled onto his side, pulling her with him, and they lay together.

"Lisa..."

"If the next thing out of your mouth is anything close to an apology," Lisa said, panting, "I will spank you."

"No, Lisa. Please, let me do this now. I have to ask you something while I still have the guts."

Lisa turned her face up towards Todd's and tilted her head, her large ears flopping. She said nothing, but nodded.

"You know I'm not the richest Ferret right now. I can't afford -"

Lisa put her paw to his muzzle, silencing him with a finger. "I already have one. In the bureau, upper left drawer."

Todd stopped, blushing under his fur that she'd read him so well. He wasn't sure what else he expected, though. He began to lift himself from the cushion, realized he was still in her, and sheepishly withdrew. He slid himself out of the crib, walked over to the bureau, knees trembling from exhaustion and nerves, and opened the drawer.

"Under the sweaters," Lisa said.

Todd lifted the pile of clothing, and saw two small jewelry boxes. He reached into the drawer and opened the black velvet box - Lisa's wedding band, plain white gold, strong and adamant. He regarded it for a moment, then closed the box with a nervous sigh. He opened the other one, pearly white, and saw their old engagement ring. It was thin and wiry, petite and elegant, like Lisa. The diamond was small, but its cut was deep, and it threw off light even in the dark interior of the drawer. He lifted the box and walked back to the crib, his tail tucked under his rear and twitching. He looked at Lisa, leaning against the rear bars, and tried to figure out a physically possible way to get on his knee in front of her. Lisa rolled her eyes and patted the cushion.

Todd slid up onto the crib and sat next to her, and Lisa rested her head on his chest, looking at the ring. Todd wrapped his arm around her and took a deep breath.

"Lisa, will you be my wife again?"

Lisa looked up at his face, and gave him her skeptical expression, eyes glinting behind whiskers. "I don't know," she said.

Todd felt like his chest was caving in. His muzzle gaped, and his vision blurred.

"Where are we ever going to find a chapel around here?" Lisa said after a moment.

"But... but, Lisa, there's -"

Lisa grinned wide, breaking her hard look. "Of course, Todd. Yes, I will."


***


Todd and Lisa walked down the narrow corridor, holding paws. It didn't feel like enough for Todd; he wanted to carry her. He held onto his last remaining ounce of dignity, though, and contented himself with running his thumb over the engagement ring on her finger.

"Will you stop playing with it?" Lisa said, and gave his paw a light smack. Todd grinned, shook his head, and continued. Soon, they were standing in front of a door - Geraden's and Arvetis's quarters. Todd raised his paw to knock, but stopped when he heard voices from inside the room.

"It's a disgrace, Pops." Elyssa.

"It is nothing of the sort, and your attitude is frankly disappointing." Geraden's tone matched his words; he sounded more heavy-hearted than Todd had yet heard him.

"My 'attitude?' Pops, you're the one disappointing your legacy. You want a Predator witness? At Warkyn Warren? What would your parents have thought?"

"Elyssa..." another voice, low and pained.

"I'm sorry, Arvy-pops. You know that's not how I meant it."

"Then how did you mean it?" Arvetis asked. Todd was embarrassed to hear a whimper in his voice. A long pause.

"It isn't Warkyn Warren. Not anymore," Geraden said, unyielding.

"Because of you. And now you're making it worse."

"Elyssa, we will have this conversation later. Alone. Why would you hurt him like this?"

"Geraden, I'm fine," Arvetis said quietly. He didn't sound fine.

"All right, Pops. Later." She paused. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way." Lisa and Todd heard footsteps approaching the door, and backed off a good distance into the hallway. The door opened, and Elyssa emerged.

She pulled back a bit when she saw the couple, but her stony expression didn't change. She closed the door and walked by them. "Lisa," she said as she passed down the hall, and nodded to her. Todd looked at Lisa; her paw was over her mouth as she watched the Rabbit's retreating back.

"Should we wait?" Todd asked. Lisa considered this for a moment as Elyssa disappeared around a corner, then looked up at Todd and shook her head.

"No, I don't think so."

"That sounded really intense, though..."

"Todd, I don't want to wait. Besides, this might cheer them up a little." Lisa walked up to the door. Todd hesitated for a moment, but followed. He put up his paw and knocked.

A heavy sigh from inside the room made Todd wince. "Come in!" Todd opened the door and leaned in. Geraden and Arvetis were sitting on the bed, the Rabbit's arm around the Wolf. Arvetis was wiping the corners of his eyes.

"Lisa, Todd, please come in." Geraden scooted on the bed, making room. His smile seemed genuine.

"I'm sorry if we're interrupting something," Lisa said, walking up to the bed and leading Todd by the paw. She sat down next to Geraden.

"Nothing that didn't need interrupting, dear. What can we do for you?"

"We've got some happy news, sir," Todd said, taking a seat next to Lisa.

Arvetis leaned over, sniffing at the air a little. After a moment, his eyes went wide. "Todd!" he said, sounding incredulous. Sniff, sniff. "Lisa!" Lisa's ears turned bright red. They had showered afterwards, but Wolves did have powerful noses.

"Will you please maintain the slightest air of dignity?" Geraden asked, smiling at the Wolf, then turned back to Lisa. "I could use some happy news."

"Todd and I are engaged!" Lisa blurted out. "Re-engaged, I suppose."

"Really?" Geraden's eyes went wide.

"That's wonderful!" Arvetis said, standing up. "Geraden is officially a Chief Rabbit. He can legally marry you anytime!"

"Hold on, please. Hold on," Geraden said, raising his paws. "That is wonderful news, Lisa, and I am happy for you." He paused. "But please... and don't resent me for this... understand that it's my responsibility to watch out for the well-being of everyone staying at this place."

"I know, sir," Todd interrupted. "And I know what you're about to say. It's all very quick. I've only been here two days, and I wasn't exactly a stellar example of responsibility when I showed up. I realize that. We talked about it, and we're willing to wait as long as you think is necessary. We just wanted to give you as much notice as possible."

Geraden looked pleased at that. He put a paw on Todd's shoulder. "I don't doubt your responsibility, Todd. But I do have to be circumspect. I will marry you two one month from today. Is that agreeable?"

Lisa looked ecstatic. "Only a month? Yes, sir! Thank you, Geraden!" She leaned over and hugged the elderly Rabbit tight. He put an arm around her and returned the embrace. "Oh!" Lisa said, perking her ears up. "Todd had a question too, didn't you, Todd?"

"Lisa! I was going to ask that in private!"

Lisa waved a dismissive paw at him. "I noticed that he has a pretty bad rash. He swears he hasn't been with anyone else," she said with a grin, "so I figure he probably needs some Desitin." Todd covered his face with his paws.

"I'll have some dropped off at your room," Geraden said, laughing. "Don't worry, it's a common ailment here. In the meantime, I think the news calls for another feast! I'll give Elyssa a day to rest, then announce it."


***


So began the eventful month before Todd and Lisa's marriage. That night, Todd surrendered the battle with his pride and soiled himself for the first time. As Lisa changed him, she told him - much to his chagrin - that using the toilet for that was not considered an indiscretion if the resident wasn't comfortable with it, but she didn't mind if her Ferret wanted to let loose sometimes. The rash cream arrived, to his bottom's relief, and the smell of it awoke feelings of security he'd long forgotten. The only thing about that night that he remembered almost as much as his engagement, however, was that it was the night his dreams began.
