WARNING: This story may contain content of an adult nature. If you are easily offended or are under the legal age to view adult content in your area, please exit now. This text is intended for adults only and may include scenes of sexual content or graphic violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Yerba Maté
by IndigoNeko, TaintedThylacine
Chapter 15
Sunday, January 3rd, 2016
Charlotte was just finishing up with brushing out her hair when she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Curious, the canine set her brush down and stepped out of the small private bathroom, walking over to the door and pulling it open. Julia stood with one hand raised, dressed in one of her white bathrobes.
“I’m sorry, Charlotte. I hate to disturb you this early,” the older stoat said, apologetically, “but... Do you happen to have a pregnancy test kit?”
Charlotte’s mouth hung open for a moment, her mind struggling to keep up as it followed the logical conclusions for why her employer would be asking such a question. Then her mouth snapped shut. “Yes, I do. Hold on a moment,” the doberman pinscher said, turning back around and walking over to her bathroom. She returned a moment later with a small white box in paw, and handed it to Julia. “I hope it’s good news.”
“Me too,” Julia said. “Anyway, thanks. I’ll buy you a replacement later today,” the older stoat said, turning tail and hurrying back down the hallway to her bedroom.
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Friday, January 22nd, 2016
Two weeks later, both Julia and Charlotte stepped into the dining room, arms full. Charlotte was carrying a bowl full of chicken caesar salad and Julia had a baking dish of vegetarian lasagna. They set the two large dishes down next to the meatloaf that was already on the table, and Julia took off her oven mitts while Charlotte took a seat.
“So, since we’re all here, I’d share some good news,” Julia said as she set her oven mitts down. The stoat glanced around the table with a wide grin on her muzzle. “I’m pregnant.”
“Congratulations!” Alyssa said, smiling at Julia and clapping happily. A moment later, Charlotte and Chris joined in, offering their own congratulations. Elizabeth sat silently with her mouth open, glancing from her mother to her father, her worries about Lexi all but forgotten.
“Way to go Mr. Terrence. I knew that you could do it,” Chris said with a little snicker at the sight of Elizabeth’s stunned expression. “But I think you broke noodle over here.”
The ferret sitting at the head of the table bowed his head in embarrassment. “I was just as surprised to find out. Well, Elizabeth... in about eight more months you’re going to be an older sister,” Terrence said, smiling at his daughter.
Elizabeth closed her mouth with a snap. A bashful smile spread across her muzzle as her father reached over and patted her shoulder.
Chris turned to peer suspiciously at her mother. “You know mom... Being tired is a symptom of pregnancy. I think-”
“No! Don’t even say it,” Alyssa interrupted, pointing a finger and glaring at her daughter and as the little yapok started opening her muzzle again. “I’m just tired from work. You need to stop reading my medical books. That’s how you end up a hypochondriac.”
“You fuss about me reading the romance books of yours, then you fuss about me reading the medical books. Shouldn’t you be happy that I’m reading?” Chris asked before turning back to Terrence and Julia. “Congrats, you two.”
“Thank you,” Julia said, still grinning as she sat down at the table. “Eat up. But no meatloaf for you, Chris. I don’t want to have to take you to the hospital again.”
“Yeah... I don’t want to have to go back there for a good long time,” the younger yapok said, shaking her head. “Mom? Remember, they’re friends. Try not to mother them too much.”
“Bite me,” Alyssa casually countered, then shook her head. “You know... I just thought about it. We’re going to have to throw you a baby shower and buy stuff for a nursery.”
“And thus it begins... Just give her a good spanking. That’ll stop her,” Chris said, smirking at her mother.
“Oh no! I didn’t think about that,” Julia said, putting her hands to her mouth. “We’re going to have to change that guest room into a nursery. Or move Elizabeth’s room downstairs and put the nursery upstairs... or maybe it would be better if Charlotte-”
“Calm down, Angel. There’s plenty of time to move rooms around,” Terrence said, resting his hand on her shoulder. “We can discuss it later. Right now, we’ve got dinner to eat. Once again, thank you, Charlotte.”
The doberman looked down. No matter how often Terrence said it, it still made her blush slightly. It wasn’t like cooking was difficult; It was actually really easy, and enjoyable. “You’re welcome.”
“Father?” Elizabeth asked, scooping salad onto her plate. “I know Mother said she was hoping to get another cub, but I thought you said you probably wouldn’t be able to.”
“Hmmm... That’s right. When I got tested in early December, the doctor said it’d be a one in a million chance,” Terence replied with a shrug. “Guess we got lucky.”
“You know... Julia, Terrence, what are you two doing after dinner? We should go get lottery tickets,” Alyssa said with smile.
“I don’t think that it works like that,” Chris disagreed, shaking her head at her mom, then turned to the young stoat sitting next to her. “So Liz, do you like the idea of being a big sister?”
“Ummm... Well, Mother’s been saying she wanted another cub for a long time now. I guess I’m happy that she’s happy. I don’t know about being a big sister though. Having a cub is a lot of work...” Elizabeth said, with an uncertain frown. She looked up at her mom and asked, “Am I going to have to change diapers?”
Julia snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. “No, princess. I won’t have you change diapers. Though I may ask you for help from time to time.”
“Don’t worry Liz. I think that you would make a good big sister. You’ve been taking good care of the kitten,” Chris pointed out, smiling. Then she looked at her mother. “You know... As a nurse, you could help out with that kind of thing.”
“Changing diapers?” Alyssa cocked her head a little. “That would be a vacation from some of the things that I have to deal with at work... I’ve seen things that would make a plumber gag.” She paused, looking at the older stoat, and added “But really, I wouldn’t mind helping out with the baby.”
“Oh no,” Julia protested. “Never. I mean, you’re welcome to help if you want to, but I wouldn’t ask you to do anything,” she said, following Elizabeth’s lead and taking a few scoops of caesar salad and putting it on her plate.
“Father?” Elizabeth asked after swallowing a bite. “Does sperm count change? Cause if it does, maybe you should get tested again just to check. I mean.... You’ve mated with Alyssa. Could she get pregnant too?”
The entire table went silent, and Terrence’s mouth hung open, shocked that Elizabeth had said such a thing. Then his eyes darted over to Charlotte, whose paw was stopped halfway between her plate and mouth with a fork full of salad. He gave a nervous laugh. “Well, uh, yes. It could, but... Well fu... fudge,” he said, looking rather sheepish.
“Cry havoc and let slip the stoats of war,” Chris said with a smirk as she looked at her mother.
Alyssa opened her muzzle for a moment before closing it with a little click, sitting there a moment. “Well, that cat is out of the bag. And no, Chris, I’m not pregnant... I think,” she said, blushing and looking down at her plate.
“I think we broke the poor dober-girl again,” Chris said, shaking her head. “Sorry Charlotte.”
“I, uhhh... “ Charlotte looked around the table. “I-think-I-left-the-stove-on,” she blurted out, standing up and darting into the kitchen.
“Elizabeth,” Terrence said quietly, in a voice that radiated authority. “I told you, you’re never to let anyone else know about what happens in the bedroom.”
Elizabeth squeaked, covering her mouth as she realized what she’d done. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to. Honest!”
“Should one of us go talk to her? Make sure we didn’t really upset her?” Alyssa asked, glancing over her shoulder towards the kitchen.
“You know, for some reason I thought that she already knew about it,” Chris said, shrugging. “Maybe I’ve been reading too many romances, though.”
“Charlotte?” Julia called. “We didn’t mean to upset you. You can come back and finish dinner.”
A moment later, the doberman stepped back into the dining room. “I, uhhh... I wasn’t upset, actually. I was just afraid that maybe Terrence was cheating on you or something,” Charlotte said, lingering in the doorway.
“Oh no,” Julia said dismissively. “Actually, I was the one who started it. I had a little too much to drink the day after New Years, when Alyssa came over.”
“Oh,” Charlotte said, still looking slightly sheepish. After a moment she walked in and sat back down at her spot, picking up her fork once again to finish her salad.
“They gave mom absinth... and for once she didn’t ruin the pool table,” Chris snickered, then gave a look of contrition after her mother glared at her. “Sorry, Charlotte. I’ll try to behave.”
“Hey. You exist because of that stuff. You know that right?” Alyssa asked, reaching over and ruffling her daughter’s hair before going back to her meal. “And I paid for that pool table.”
The teenaged canine didn’t say anything, instead calmly taking another bite of salad. She was supremely glad that her fur and hair hid her blushes so well.
“Mom, I’m starting to think that you like telling the story of how you conceived me,” Chris said, shaking her head. “I’m just glad you and Aunt Peggy don’t go out like that anymore.”
“You just wait. You will have a night like that one day,” Alyssa said, nudging her daughter. “I wonder if that bar is still around,” she muttered.
“So Charlotte... How about you? Want to hear the story of that night?” Chris asked.
“I, uhhh... No, I’ll pass on hearing that particular story,” Charlotte said after swallowing. “But, uhhh... Does this mean that the other cat’s out of the bag?” she asked, looking at Julia while pointing from Elizabeth to Terrence and back.
“Yes, Charlotte. Chris and Alyssa know,” Julia confirmed, nodding.
“Does that... I mean, since you adults are a thing, and you kids are a thing, and the Stouffers are a thing... Do you all...?” Charlotte’s question trailed off as she held her hands up in confusion, terribly embarrassed. She knew she shouldn’t have asked, but she couldn’t help it.
“Yes. We do some stuff that could be straight out of a hentai,” Chris said without missing a beat, sipping at her glass of juice before going back to eating.
There was a loud thwack as Alyssa smacked her palm to her forehead. “Lord, child. Never have I heard it so eloquently put,” Alyssa said, sighing at her daughter.
“So you two also...” the doberman asked, pointing from Alyssa to Chris.
Chris giggled and made a lewd hand gesture, then squeaked as her mother nudged her.
“Yes, we do,” Alyssa confirmed, taking a deep breath. “I think it started around her first heat. I came home from work, laid down for a nap... on a wet pillow.” That was followed by the sound of paw smacking a forehead, this time from Chris. “One thing led to another and the rest is history.”
“Using your tail to teach me how to put on a rubber sure didn’t help,” Chris muttered.
Charlotte was silent for a moment, her panties growing damp as she imagined what kind of games the mother and her hermaphrodite daughter played. The doberman shook her head after a moment, then her eyes darted over to Terrence and Julia, then back over to Chris. She knew it was just so wrong to ask, but she had to know.
“So... I guess since you’re all okay with incest and, uhhh, lolicon,” the teenaged canine started, looking around the table. “Have you and Terrence and Julia...?” Charlotte asked the younger yapok.
“Just with Mr. Terrence and Elizabeth. Mom was playing with Ms. Julia and her toys,” Chris said, then paused. “I’m still not sure who is more stretchy, mom or Julia.”
Charlotte wanted to ask more, then paused when she realized that if she sat there even a moment longer she was going to leave wet spots on the chair. “Uh... Excuse me. I’ve got to... use the restroom. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” the teenager said, standing up and quickly turning around, heading for the foyer. The rest of them heard several rapid thumps as the canine went upstairs, despite the fact that there was a restroom at the base of the stairs.
“I think we broke her again,” Chris said, smiling from ear to ear. “I got five dollars that says that she needed to take care of something else... I can feel it in my whiskers.”
“Oh, come on Chris. Not everyone is kinky like that,” Alyssa said, frowning at her daughter, then sniffed in the direction of Charlotte’s seat. “Actually... you’re probably right.”
Terrence just shook his head in amusement, then reached out and cut a slice of meatloaf off to go with his lasagna.
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Friday, January 29th, 2016
“Remember to behave. You know the rules,” Alyssa reminded her daughter, pulling the Jeep to a stop in front of the Stouffer’s house. “Make sure you do your homework and don’t stay up too late.”
“Don’t worry mom, I won’t,” Chris said as she leaned over kissing her mom on the cheek. “Try not to work too hard.”
“I won’t. I’ll pick you up Sunday evening,” Alyssa replied, watching her daughter getting out and heading up the stairs to the house. The yapok sat there for a little longer before putting the car in drive and heading back to their apartment. Something in the back of her mind urged her to stop at the little drug store on the way home.
Pulling into the pharmacy parking lot, she found a spot and parked the jeep, then took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure why she was so worried, but since the dinner last week, the thought of being pregnant kept popping into her mind. This would be the easiest thing to put her mind at ease.
The yapok got out of the car, pressing the lock button on the keyfob before walking into the pharmacy. “Being tired is normal. I mean just look at all of the crap that I do at work, all the studying and stuff I did for the conference,” she muttered to herself as she walked past the cashier. “I haven’t been praying at the porcelain altar. Then again, it hasn’t even been a month.”
Alyssa walked through the store on auto-pilot as she made her way to the aisle with condoms and pregnancy kits. Her eyes went a little wide at the sight of all the different test kits, not sure what one to get. Her nurse training kicked in, reminding her that they all did the same thing and that she was just paying for packing. Grabbing the one that boasted the highest accuracy, she turned and started back to the front, swinging by the drink coolers and snagging an iced coffee.
“Would that be all for you?” the hamster at the register asked after ringing up the test kit and coffee.
“That’s all,” Alyssa replied, digging through her pockets and handing over her credit card.
“Okay. And... I hope it’s good news for you,” the hamster said as she packed the pregnancy test, making the yapok’s eyes go wide and a little panicked.
“Who said it was for me?” Alyssa countered, trying to deflect the question.
“Oh. Well, ummm... Your total is $7.98,” the hamster said, returning the credit card. “Thank you...and have a nice day,” she added, watching the yapok grab the bag and bolt out of the store.
“I can’t believe buying one of these is still weird and embarrassing,” Alyssa muttered as she got back to the jeep and got in, letting out another sigh, then started up the car and backed out of the parking lot. “I can’t be knocked up. Julia said his count is too low,” she said to herself as she drove back to the apartment, reaching over for the frappuccino as she came to a half at the light, blushing as she remembered the things that they’d done that afternoon and all through the night.
After making it back to the apartment, Alyssa tossed the empty coffee bottle in the trash and took out the pregnancy test, looking over the box and reading the instructions as she made her way to the bathroom. Once she was there she just looked at the box before setting it on the counter.
“I don’t know why I’m getting so worked up... I’m not pregnant,” the yapok said, looking at the box that was sitting on the counter before picking it up and looking around the small bathroom. “I don’t need a pregnancy test. I guess I just wasted five bucks,” she told herself, walking over to the small cabinet that was mounted on the wall and setting the box on top of the cabinet. Out of sight, out of mind, and where Chris wouldn’t see it.
Alyssa spent the next hour or two picking up and cleaning the apartment. She and Chris did their best to try and keep the place clean, but there were times that it would still need a clean up, mostly picking up scattered clothes and books. At least she didn’t need to worry about laundry, as Chris had all the clothes that she would need with her for the next few days, having planned on spending Friday night with Liz, Saturday noon at Nadia’s, and the rest of the weekend at her dad’s.
The yapok flopped down on the sofa, unbuttoning her jeans and leaning forward to look at the medical books and journal papers that were scattered on the coffee table. She had spent the last two weeks studying the various topics for this weekend’s conference. As she read the titles, the words started blending into long lines of letters. Blinking, she leaned back on the sofa, wondering if she should get up and make a pot of coffee... except that she’d just had a frappuccino. Maybe if she waited a few more minutes it would kick in. She closed her eyes.
Alyssa’s eyes snapped open as she heard a thump from the apartment next door. She wasn’t sure how long she had sat on the couch, snoozing, but it was already dark and she was still tired. More than enough of a reason for her to get up and drag herself to bed.
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Saturday, January 30th, 2016
Alyssa awoke before her alarm, something that nearly never happened when she had the bed to herself. “Fuck,” the yapok muttered to herself as she lay there, staring up at the ceiling. She had spent the night tossing and turning, nodding off for what felt like only moments at a time. The yapok jerked as her morning alarm went off, hissing at it as she reached over to shut it off.
Rolling over to the side of the bed, swinging her legs off the side of the bed, her elbows coming to rest on her knees as she hid her face in paws. Today was the start of a weekend-long conference to discuss changes in pharmacology, medical technology, hospital regulations, and office policies. It was important, but... right now she was tired. Exhausted, actually, and nervous, like a guitar string wound too tightly and about to snap. Only she didn’t know why.
Then she remembered the pregnancy test kit sitting atop the medicine cabinet. As a strange feeling of queasiness hit her, she realized that she had more important things to deal with than the conference. Reaching out and taking the phone from the cradle by the bed, and opening the little book there, she dialed a number and waited.
“Dr. Albert’s office. This is Albert speaking,” A strong, but oddly caring male voice spoke up.
“Hey, it’s Paige,” Alyssa said, taking a deep breath. “I’m not going to be able to make it to the conference today. I think I’ve caught the flu that’s going around.” Her voice was nearly a whisper, as if to add to the excuse that she was making.
“Well, damn. That makes five of us now. I guess I owe Marty twenty bucks. That’ll teach me to bet against a pathologist,” Albert said with a laugh. “I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick. Don’t worry about it; Just get better.”
“Thank you, I will,” Alyssa said softly. “I’m about to go take something and go back to bed. There’s a copy of all the notes I compiled for the talk on PCSK9 inhibitors in my desk, second drawer, if you need them.”
“Thanks. I’ll go grab them. Go back to bed,” the doctor said warmly. “I hope you get to feeling better soon, and don’t worry about trying to push yourself and show up tomorrow. I will have someone take notes for you.”
“Thank you,” Alyssa said with a relieved sigh. It might not have been a lot, but it was something off of her chest there. “Goodbye,” she said, hanging up the phone.
Putting the phone back on the hook, the yapok flopped back on the bed. “Fuck,” she muttered, continuing to lay in the warm bed for few more moments before getting up and heading to the kitchen to get a pot of coffee going and something to eat.
“God, I hope Chris is wrong,” Alyssa whispered to herself as she started scrambling some eggs. “Then again, it would be nice to have a little one running around. But... I don’t know if I can deal with that again and hold down a job,” she muttered, stirring the yolks in the skillet with a spatula. “Chris would have to give up half of her room. Could she deal with that?”
Once the food was done she sat down at the table, ears folding and turning at the unfamiliar quiet. Even the scrape of the fork on her plate seemed loud. Alyssa caught her mind wondering what it would be like to have a kid again, remembering the chaos of what it was like raising Chris as a single parent. Trying to distract herself, she reached out and flicked the button on the small portable TV sitting on the kitchen table.
After finishing her eggs and watching the morning news, the yapok got up and put her dishes in the sink, telling herself that she would deal with them later. She shut the TV off and headed back to bed for a few hours.
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When Alyssa woke up the second time, she felt rested, though drowsy. She got up and walked to the bathroom, dropped her panties and sat down on the toilet. She let out a sigh as she relieved herself, tilting her head back. That was when she saw it: the corner of the test kit that she had set on top of the cabinet. It was practically teasing her. She huffed and looked down, shaking her head. “Why is this getting me so worked up?” she asked herself.
After cleaning up and washing her hands, she took the box down, looking it over again and shaking her head. Heading back to the bedroom with the box in her paws, she sat down on the bed and reached for the phone again, this time dialing the number to the Stouffer’s house. She waited, listening to the ringing, time feeling as though it slowed to a crawl. She kept looking over the box, reading the instructions, the supposed accuracy, and the speed of the test results.
The phone picked up, surprisingly quickly. “Stouffer residence; Julia speaking.”
“That was fast,” Alyssa said, cocking her eyebrow a bit. “Ummm... Julia, are you free at the moment?”
“I’m not doing anything right now,” Julia replied, sitting down at the desk in her home office. “But I’m glad you called. Terrence just got back the results from his second test... apparently after finding out I was pregnant, he decided to go back to the clinic and get his sperm count tested. It’s at the low end of normal. Apparently he’s got no lasting damage from having had a vasectomy for the past decade. The doctor was pretty shocked. So I guess it wasn’t luck after all that he managed to get me pregnant,” the stoat said.
“I don’t know, that’s still pretty lucky. I mean, having no damage after being snipped for that long? Crazy,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Would you pardon me for a moment, the intern is here,” she said, setting down the phone. The yapok picked up a pillow, pressed her face into it, and let out a string of curses, followed by a sigh. “Sorry about that,” she apologized, picking up the phone. “So... I was wondering if I could slip over there and have a little talk with you.”
“Certainly, dear. You’re always welcome to come over. Though I’ll have to go pick up Chris and Elizabeth from that band practice thing in about two hours,” Julia said.
“That’s fine. I can go pick them up if I’m still over there when they finish,” Alyssa said, getting up and walking over to her dresser. “I’ll be there in like ten-ish? I need to get dressed,” she said, digging through the drawers.
“You can wear your scrubs; No need to change,” Julia said. “Anyway, I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon,” Alyssa replied quietly, hanging up the phone before pulling out a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt, then wiggling into them. As she walked back to the table by the bed she saw the test kit again. Sighing, she picked it up and put it in the oversized bag that she called a purse before heading out to the jeep.
Ten minutes later, Alyssa pulled up to the Stouffer house, reaching out and pressing the button on the intercom system. The front gate opened a second later, without any response from the intercom.
Pulling into the round driveway and parking near the front steps, Alyssa got out and grabbed her bag before walking up to the house. She clicked the button on the keyfob twice, then slowly climbed the steps, stopping at the door before taking a deep breath. Before she could knock, the front door swung in as Julia pulled it open. The stoat was wearing jeans and a turtleneck... probably the most casual clothing Alyssa had ever seen the stoat wear.
“Hello! Come on in,” Julia said, stepping back and gesturing inside. “It’s just you and me, I guess. Charlotte’s at Hikari’s house, Elizabeth and Chris are at Nadia’s house, and Terrence is out shopping.”
“There’s a nude house joke in there somewhere,” Alyssa said with a smirk as she walked inside. “This place has to be a little spooky to be in when you’re all by yourself. So... Den, entertainment room, or somewhere else?”
“Up to you. Or kitchen, if you want coffee. I was in the office when you called.” Julia said, closing the door.
“I’ll pass on the coffee,” She said, mentally adding ‘I’m nervous enough as it is’.
The yapok shrugged. “Wherever. Lead the way.”
Julia did just that, taking a left out of the foyer and heading through the library. Once she reached the door to the office, she pulled them open and motioned Alyssa inside. There were dozens of dresses and other fashion pieces hanging on the walls around the left of the room, where a computer desk sat with a couple of computer chairs. The right side of the room had several sewing machines, mannequins, and a wall covered with rolls of fabric.
“Sorry about the clutter,” Julia said, taking a half-made dress off the back of one of the computer chairs and draping it over a nearby table. “I usually don’t have many people here other than myself and sometimes Elizabeth and Charlotte.”
“Still cleaner than my desk,” Alyssa said, walking up to the offered seat. The yapok set her bag down, then slouched onto it, then glanced around the room. “Some of these dresses are amazing. I wish I had talent like that,” she commented. The voice in the back of her head was telling her that she was stalling.
“Everyone’s good at something,” Julia said, sitting down behind the computer desk. “You just need to find what it is. Hopefully it’s something you like to do. I guess I kind of lucked out; I like designing clothes, and turned out to be pretty good at it. These days I just design the clothing and make proof of concepts, then license the designs to some of the major clothing companies.”
“I’m good at patching people up, if that counts,” Alyssa said with a smile. “I really liked to sing way back in the day, but that was years ago.” The yapok leaned forward, taking a deep breath. “So, I said that I needed to talk. Maybe I just need some reassurance, but... I’m worried about... well... that I got knocked up,” she confessed. It felt like her body was made of lead.
“Did you miss your period?” Julia asked. Then her eyes went wide. “Wait... New Years. You and Terry...” the stoat’s voice trailed off. She put one paw up to her muzzle with a stunned expression.
“No idea. I haven’t had a normal period since I was Chris’ age,” Alyssa said, gently shaking her. “I still think that it’s all in my head, but to hear Chris talk, being exhausted is from more than just studying for the conference that I’m supposed to be at. Then again, it hasn’t been long enough to show any other signs.” The yapok rested her elbows on her knees and hid her face in her paws.
“Have you... You haven’t taken a pregnancy test yet. Have you?” Julia asked quietly.
“I bought one the other day. Does that count?” Alyssa asked, peeking through her paw. “I’ve read the box so many times I’ve nearly memorized it.”
Julia sighed. “Alyssa, you’re obviously stressing out about it. Go take the test. Either you are or you aren’t. If you are... Well, we can discuss what steps to take next after that. I think Charlotte still has a spare kit too. I can go get it if you want. You can use the bathroom that’s next to the stairs.”
“Well, fuck. I guess it’s time,” Alyssa said, reaching down and pulling the little box out of her bag, then standing up. “I... will be back. This is up there with that feeling I had when I was pregnant with Chris,” she added before heading out of the office.
After reaching the bathroom, It took Alyssa a moment to talk herself into dropping her pants and sitting on the toilet. The yapok muttered under her breath as she held the test kit in place, then let out a sigh as she did her business. After finishing, she put the little cap on it. She washed her hands and then started the longest wait in her life, even though it was just a few moments.
Watching the test like a hawk, she waited. The control line taunted her, clear as day. Within a half minute, the second line started to show, slowly reaching the same color as the control. “Madre de Dios,” she whispered. She picked the test up and walked back to the office. “Well, we have an answer,” she said, looking at Julia.
The stoat looked over at the water opossum. “Well?”
“Well, there are two lines,” Alyssa answered, looking down at the test kit that she was holding, then back up to the stoat. She was relieved to find out that she was pregnant, but now she had a lot more to worry about.
Julia’s hand went up to cover her mouth once again. “Oh God. You’re pregnant.”
“Unless the test is wrong; It has a one percent fail rate,” Alyssa said, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.. “I’m gonna be a mom... again. Fuck. What am I going to tell Chris? She’s going to have to share her room, and I’m gonna need a crib,” the yapok said, making a list of the things she would need.
The stoat said nothing. She was in shock. This wasn’t possible. Her husband had extremely low sperm count less than two weeks before new years, and he and Alyssa had only had sex one time. They weren’t even in the same taxonomic order; the only thing they had in common was being mammals. It was utterly impossible!
“Hold on, it’s got to be wrong. I’ll go get the other one,” Julia said, standing up and rushing out of the office to get the spare test kit she’d put in Charlotte’s room.
Before Alyssa could say anything, Julia had left the room. “The one I bought had two in it,” she said, looking at the box that was sitting in her bag and then at the door. “Why can’t I have luck like this when it comes to the lotto?” she muttered, leaning back, resting her head on the back of the chair for a moment before getting up and leaving the office. “Julia?”
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Friday, February 5th, 2016
“So how was work, mom?” Chris asked as she tossed her bag into the back of the car, before getting into the passenger seat.
“Same old, same old. Got another person who came in with a shampoo bottle up their butt,” Alyssa said as she started the car and pulled out of the parking spot, starting the familiar trip over to the Stouffer's home.
“They should start putting handles on the bottom so you can pull them out easier,” the younger yapok said, giggling.
“That would help,” Alyssa muttered. “I swear though... It's such a shitty job. I get so tired of dealing with this crap. Total bullshit.”
Chris’s giggles devolved into laughter. After a few moments of fighting to catch her breath, she wiped the tears of joy from her eyes. “Dios mío, mamá.”
“At least it came out well in the end, though I had to change my scrubs afterwards. Fue asqueroso,” Alyssa continued, “and of course Dr. Albert got away clean once again. He even said he should start offering two-for-one specials on anal object extractions. Seriously though, I’m exhausted. I think I drank a whole pot of coffee today, trying to stay awake.”
Chris smirked and nudged her mother. “I’ve heard that being pregnant makes you tired.”
Alyssa didn’t say anything, glancing over at her daughter before looking back at the road. Another minute passed before she finally broke the silence. “You know... that joke is getting old. Besides, what would you do if I actually was pregnant, huh? How would you feel knowing you knocked up your own mamá?” she asked, as they pulled onto the street were their friends lived.
“Hey, you give me shit about the pillow humping. I have to have something to dangle over you. It’s only fair,” the little yapok said, sticking her tongue out at her mom as the car came to a stop and the old yapok leaned out to press the button on the intercom.
“You will always be my little pillow humper,” Alyssa said, reaching over and ruffling her daughter’s head-fur. “Did you do all your homework?” she asked.
“Yes, mom,” Chris said, rolling her eyes. “I was a good student, did all my homework.”
“Alyssa?” Charlotte asked over the intercom.
“The one and only. With the little pillow humper too,” the yapok replied, snickering at the look that she got from her daughter.
Charlotte laughed and pressed the button to open the front gate. “I'll open the front door. See you in a moment.”
After the gate slid open, Alyssa pulled forward into the half-circle driveway and came to a stop near the front porch. Both yapoks stepped out of the Jeep, with Chris quickly grabbing her bag from the back seat while Alyssa walked around the front of the vehicle. “Hello, you two,” the older yapok said as she walked up the steps to the front door where Elizabeth and Charlotte were waiting.
“Hey!” Chris exclaimed, walking up to the little stoat-hybrid, and quickly giving the smaller cub a hug.
“Hey, Chris,” Elizabeth replied, hugging the yapok right back. “Come on! I just got this new game I want you to try,” she said, taking Chris’s paw and dragging her inside.
“Well, It looks like those two are going to be busy for a while,” Charlotte said. “Did you plan to stay the evening, or just for dinner?”
“Well, I’m not sure,” Alyssa said with a shrug as she walked into the house. “It is the weekend, so both are possible. So how have you been?”
“I’ve been fine, but... Julia’s been acting a little strange,” the teenaged canine said, following the yapok inside and closing the front door behind them. “I think she’s stressed out about being pregnant. Terrence seems to be handling everything fine though. So has Elizabeth, surprisingly. Anyway, Terrence and Julia are in the den, unless you want to help me make chicken tamales and enchiladas with mole sauce.”
“Well, when you’re with child, your hormones get out of whack. It can lead to all kinds of things,” Alyssa extemporized, trying to sound professional as she followed the Stouffer’s maid into the kitchen. “I knew they’d handle the news well. I really think Liz will make for a good big sis. I’d help, but I want to talk with Terry and Julia,” the yapok apologized, excusing herself as she walked through the kitchen to the basement stairs.
“Okay. You three have fun, and try not to make too much of a mess downstairs,” Charlotte said with a smile and a wink.
The yapok’s ears turned pink as she blushed in embarrassment. She opened her muzzle to reply, but paused, unable to think of a reply for a moment. “Umm... We will,” she eventually said, quickly retreating down to the steps that lead down to the den. “Hey guys,” Alyssa said as she walked down the stairs.
“Come on down,” Terrence said, standing behind one of the overstuffed leather chairs that Julia was sitting on. “Julia’s been kinda stressed, so I’m just giving her a shoulder rub.”
Julia looked up with a slightly panicked expression. “Uh... Hi Alyssa.”
“Terry, Julia,” Alyssa greeted the two mustelids as she walked over to one of the sofas and sat down. “So, other than being a little stressed, have you two been okay?” she asked.
“You could say that,” Julia said. “But I’ve been so stressed I was sick earlier today.”
“Well... are you sure that’s stress? Or morning sickness?” Alyssa asked, tilting her head a bit. “Come to think of it, I don’t think that you said how far along you are,” she said, glancing at the stoat, managing to pull some of that training as a nurse and appearing a little professional.
“Well, it was definitely after December 16th. I’m guessing either Christmas or New Years,” Terrence said. “So between five and six weeks?”
“Yeah, it’s probably not morning sickness. That doesn’t start for at least six weeks after conception,” Julia said, going limp as Terrence massaged the muscles in her tense shoulders.
Alyssa sunk into her seat a little. “Well, I’m sorry that you’ve been that stressed,” she apologized, taking a deep breath. “Don’t worry, though. I’m sure that things will get better. I mean, having a kid is a blessing.” The yapok’s voice trailed off as she leaned forward and rested a paw on the stoat’s knee. “I have some herbal remedies that could help.”
“As long as they’re safe,” Terrence said, continuing to massage his wife’s shoulders. “She won’t even touch the bar. That’s probably a good thing though.” The ferret shrugged philosophically.
“Yeah. I wouldn’t blame her there,” Alyssa said, leaning back. “But I was suggesting teas like mint and chamomile. Also, when I was pregnant with Chris, having a pedicure was amazing.” The yapok smiled. “Oh, and massages.”
“That does sound relaxing,” Julia murmured, sounding half asleep with her head hanging loose. “Maybe we should go have a girl’s day out sometime.”
“That would be nice. We’d have to go before w-” Alyssa barely caught herself before she accidentally spilled the beans, correcting herself with “-you get too round.”
Julia barely lifted her eyelids, glaring at Alyssa with jet black eyes, then sighed and relaxed again as Terrence’s skillful paws found yet another tense knot and began massaging it away.
__________________________________________________
Alyssa walked into the dining room with a casserole dish full of enchiladas that Charlotte had cooked for them, setting it down at the table. “Man this all looks good,” the yapok said, glancing around the table. “Smells good too; like my mamá used to make.”
“Oh wow. It smells delicious,” Elizabeth exclaimed as she walked into the dining room.
“That’s one way of putting it,” Chris agreed, following behind the stoat. “I swear that I’m getting fat off of Charlotte’s cooking,” the younger yapok muttered.
“Well, you always were a little pudgy,” Alyssa said with a giggle as she took her seat. “You were like eight pounds when you fell out of me.”
“You could go swimming with me after school,” Elizabeth suggested as she sat at the table, then frowned as she remembered it was too cold. “After we turn the pool heating system back on.”
“I’m not turning the heater back on until spring, Elizabeth,” Terrence reminded his daughter. “The cost to keep it heated during winter is absolutely ludicrous. But I do think that swimming would be good for you, Chris. Assuming you enjoy swimming, that is.”
“I do like to swim,” Chris said as she took one of the seats at the table as well. “Liz was teaching me about form and stuff back when school started, helping me swim faster.”
“You know, that’s a little unfair. We have webbed paws-” Alyssa pointed out.
“Mom,” Chris interrupted. “Liz can out-swim me.”
Elizabeth blushed. “Well, not by that much. You were getting really good at using your tail when we turned the pool off a few months ago.”
Before anyone else could say anything else, Charlotte walked in with a dish full of corn-husk wrapped tamales. “Sorry everyone. They weren’t quite ready when I thought they would be, so I let them steam an extra minute,” the doberman apologized, setting the dish down on the trivet in the center of the table before taking a seat.
“Well, I’m sure that we can find other ways to burn calories,” Chris said with a smirk, looking at the dish that Charlotte set out. “Ohhh, tamales. I haven’t had those in a while.”
“I hope they’re good,” the teenaged canine said. “I haven’t made tamales before. I just followed a video I watched on Food Network.”
“Umm... Before everyone digs in... Alyssa?” Julia asked nervously. “Did you...?”
“Yes,” Alyssa replied, taking a deep breath. “I have no idea how to do this, so I’ll just out and say it. I’m pregnant.”
There was a moment of silence, one that seemed to last for hours, until Chris broke it. “The shit?!” she yelled. “Mom, I was just joking with you; I didn’t know that you were actually pregnant!”
Both Terrence and Charlotte’s jaws hung loose, staring at Alyssa. Terrence was the first to speak after that. “Wait. Was...? Did...? Am I...?” the ferret stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.
“As far as I know, yes,” the older yapok confirmed, blushing.
“Mom, you and Terrence... I-” the younger yapok stuttered, covering her face. “Am I dead this time?” The younger yapok asked softly.
“Is... could Chris be the one who made you pregnant, Ms. Alyssa?” Elizabeth asked quietly, looking almost as stunned as her father.
Alyssa shook her head. “I ran out of birth control around the same time Chris got sick on Christmas. I forgot to pick them up at the pharmacy, cause I kept getting side tracked by everything, from taking care of Chris to the New Years party. It just slipped my mind,” the yapok said, looking at the little stoat and then at her daughter, then back around the table.
“Mom, this is some kind of prank right?” Chris asked frantically. “Right?”
“Nope,” Alyssa replied, resting her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I took the test twice. Don’t worry, I’m sure that this won’t mess anything up,” she said, looking up at the Stouffers.
Terrence swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he looked at Alyssa with wide, black eyes. To someone who didn’t know him, he might have looked startled. To those sitting around the table, he looked very, very frightened.
__________________________________________________
“Okay...” Alyssa said, leaning back in the chair, looking at Julia and Terrence. “I know this is probably going to sound bad, but... Like I told Chris’ father years ago, if you don’t want anything to do with the kid, then that’s okay. I won’t be asking for support or anything like that.”
Terrence held his head in his hands, staring at the ground in front of the couch. “No. Absolutely not. If it’s my kid, then it’s my responsibility to care for it, and help raise it,” he said, still staring at the ground.
Julia didn’t say anything, sitting next to him and rubbing his back while looking over at the water opossum across from them in the dimly lit basement den.
“Well, that’s a weight off my shoulders,” Alyssa admitted, leaning forward. “If you want to be there for it, that’s amazing of you... I just don’t want this to put a strain on you two, or on Liz.”
“It’s not a burden or strain,” Terrence said, finally looking up. “Not in the slightest. It’s just... It’s a shock to the old system. I’m nearly fifty, you know... I’ll be seventy when these kits graduate from college, if I even make it that far.”
“Terry...” Julia whispered as she rubbed his back, trying to calm the ferret down.
“I’m serious about wanting to help though. Only... raising a child in two homes with split custody isn’t good for a cub. I went through that, and I don’t want it to happen to any child of mine,” the ferret said, looking up at Alyssa.
“Terry...” Julia started, only to be interrupted as he continued speaking.
“I’d prefer that one or the other of us keep sole custody, with visiting rights for the other parent,” Terrence explained. “That creates a stable household for the child-”
“Terry-” Julia tried to interrupt, only to be ignored as Terrence continued speaking.
“-one that won’t cause undue emotional stress with being moved from house to house, or having conflicting rules or instructions from different parents that aren’t trying to-”
“Terry!” Julia yelled, finally interrupting the ferret’s rant. “Why don’t we just have Alyssa move in with us? We’ve got a spare bedroom.”
Terrence’s mouth hung open once again as he turned his head to look at his wife, almost as shocked as if she’d grown a second head.
Alyssa spent a moment pondering the idea. “Well, given that you want them to grow up in one house, that might not be such a bad idea,” the yapok said, taking a deep breath. “And I’m sure that would make things a little better for Liz and Chris. Especially for Chris; She would be closer to her dad,” Alyssa said smiling wryly. “That and well... we’d have more helping paws.”
“What...? But... How...?” Terrence started, unable to string more than one thought at a time together for the second time that evening. Having Alyssa move in with them had literally never occurred to him.
“Also, I’m pretty sure that you have noticed a change in Chris. Since she has been here, being around Liz and you two, she has been doing better in school. That curse that slipped out at dinner was the first in over a month and she’s only been in one fight this entire school year,” Alyssa said, smiling with pride for her daughter. “As for me being here... It’s the same distance to work, plus I can help out around the house and help out with bills and the like.”
“We don’t really need that much help around the house, honestly,” Julia said. “That’s why we have Charlotte... Oh, shoot; she’s going to be moving out for college this summer...” The stoat’s voice trailed off and she frowned. “Hmm. Maybe it would be a good idea having one of us be a stay-at-home mom.”
“Well I am a nurse. That’s a pretty good qualification,” Alyssa said with a little snicker. “And I would be perfectly fine with staying around here and being the stay-at-home mom. Or you can. Whichever.”
“Wait. Do I get some kind of say in this?” Terrence asked, feeling a bit left out. “And I honestly think the one to quit their job should probably be the one who would cause the least financial loss by staying at home.”
“I’m more than happy to do whatever would be the best. Working throughout the pregnancy won’t be an issue; I’m behind a desk half the time,” Alyssa said.
“Money may not be tight, but it’s still going to be a concern,” Terrence said. “Especially with raising two more cubs...” Suddenly the ferret frowned. “Oh, no.”
“What?” Julia asked, wondering what the problem was.
“We’re going to need a bigger house.”
__________________________________________________
Friday, February 26th, 2016
“Mom, I don’t know what kind of magic... voodoo... or whatever you did, but you did it,” Chris said from her makeshift bedroll in the living room, looking up at her mother sitting on the sofa.
“I’m just that good,” Alyssa said, smiling as she looked around the living room at all the boxes they’d packed. “God, it’s going to be weird to leave this place.”
“Just a little,” Chris agreed, taking a deep breath. “And I can’t believe that I’m going to be a big sister. It’d be nice having a younger sister... or brother. I just hope it’s not more than one.”
“Don’t even think about that,” Alyssa said, shooting her daughter a look. “Go get some sleep. Terrence and the moving people will be here early to help move boxes,” she said, tossing one of the spare pillows at her daughter. “Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Chris replied, looking at the pillow. “I’ll try not to hump it,” she added, rolling over on the pile of blankets. The apartment they’d spent so many years in was silent as the two yapoks waited for sleep to claim them.
__________________________________________________
Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Chris and Alyssa had barely awoken and were sitting at the dining room table, having a makeshift breakfast of the last bits of fruit and milk that was all they had left in the refrigerator. Both yapoks jumped as the phone rang.
“Hello. Alyssa speaking,” the older yapok said as she picked up the phone, not bothering to look at the caller id.
“Alyssa? It’s Terrence,” the voice on the phone said. “The moving company just called. They said they managed to get started a little earlier than expected. Is it okay if they’re there in fifteen minutes?”
“Oh, wow. A moving company that’s early? That’s a hell of a company,” Alyssa said. “That’s fine; We’re all set here. We have everything boxed and ready to go, other than a few things that we are going to bring over in the jeep. We can start loading that now, I guess.” The yapok watched as her daughter finished the banana she was eating and walked over to the door to put her shoes on.
“Great. I’ll let them know it’s okay. I’ll be coming over as well just in case. I doubt they’ll need much help though; they’ve got the best reputation in the business,” Terrence said. “I’ll be over in a few minutes.”
“Okay. See you soon,” Alyssa replied, hanging up the phone before going to slip on her shoes. “So, are you ready Chris? Getting to move in with your mate,” the yapok teased her daughter while slipped on her shoes and grabbed her keys.
“You know, I feel kinda bad for Charlotte. There are going to be a lot of shaking headboards,” Chris said with a snicker before gathering up her bag and slinging it and her guitar case over her shoulder.
“It’s not going to be anything like that,” Alyssa said, opening the front door, grabbing the box of stuff that they were going to put in the car. It was mostly clothes and other things that they would need right off.
“Forgive me if I don’t believe that, given the past events,” Chris countered as they made their way to the car. “I mean, they gave you absinthe. That’s like Viagra for our people.”
“No. Just me,” Alyssa said, laughing as they reached the Jeep. “I guess I can say that the bottle helped with both my babies,” she added as they loaded the box and bags into the back of the car.
“Mom, where did I come from?” Chris said in a high-pitched voice. “Well, kid... absinthe,” she replied, impersonating her mom’s voice before the two turned and went back to the apartment to get another load of boxes to put in the car.
Five minutes later, Terrence’s blue BMW rolled up. He pulled into one of the empty parking spots, then stepped out of the car. For the first time since either of the water opossums had met him, he was dressed in something resembling casual clothing, wearing a pair of jeans and a green tee-shirt.
“So that’s what you look like in street clothes,” Alyssa said, tilting her head a little at the sight of Terrence so underdressed compared to his normal garb.
“So he does have jeans and not just slacks,” Chris exclaimed.
“Not bad looking in them either. You got here just in time. The yapok-mobile is loaded and good to go,” Alyssa said, smiling.
“Oh, good,” Terrence said as he walked over to them and handed Alyssa a small black plastic rectangle. “Here. That’s the RFID chip for the front gate. Just stick it in the driver’s side door. When you pull up next to the intercom the front gate will open.”
Just then they heard the squeal of drum brakes as a huge moving truck pulled into the apartment complex. Terrence turned and waved at the large white truck. “Looks like they’re earlier than they said they would be.”
“Wow. This is already better than the last time I moved,” Alyssa said, pocketting the black keycard. “I guess we just stand around and watch, give orders, or help?” she asked half-joking as she looked at the truck.
“Pretty much. If someone wants to lift heavy objects for a living, I certainly don’t mind paying them to do so,” Terrence said. “Once everything’s on the truck, they’ll just drive it all over to the house. Once they’re there, just tell them what boxes to put in the guest room or the garage, and we can sort it all later. I’m pretty sure you want to move into Elizabeth’s room, right Chris?”
“I would love that,” Chris said, smiling and nodding. “I don’t take up a lot of space.”
“Well, I will claim the guest bedroom, then,” Alyssa said.
“Okay. We can have these guys move the guest room furniture into the garage until we can decide what to do with it,” Terrence said. “We can just rent a storage unit for it.”
“Wait. I know it’s got a bed already. Is it like the one you and Julia have?” Alyssa asked, smiling ear to ear. “Cause if it is, I will keep that one.”
“Well, it’s a full-sized bed, not a king. But it’s the same brand and style,” the ferret replied, watching as the moving truck pulled up next to them. The rhino sitting on the driver’s side rolled down the window.
“Mr. Stouffer?” the rhino asked. “Any place you want us to park? Or should we just leave it out here in the lot and move it if anyone needs to pull out?”
“Just a little further I think. Try to block as few parking spots as you can,” he said, pointing down the parking lot, then back at Alyssa’s apartment. “Her apartment is that one over there.”
“Yes, sir.” The rhino said, driving further into the parking lot before putting it in park.
“I’d much prefer the one that’s already in the guest room then. I can handle it being a little smaller,” Alyssa said, glancing at her daughter. “As for furniture... a desk and dresser are the only things that I’m going to really need... and a bookcase.”
“The guest room’s got all that, and more. When you get there, look it over and decide what you want them to move down to the garage to make room for your stuff,” Terrence said. “Did you want to stay here and supervise, or head over now? Looks like you’ve got the jeep all packed up already.”
After idling for a few seconds, the truck engine went silent and the rhino stepped out. A couple of seconds later, a hippo and elephant stepped around the other side of the truck.
Terrence raised his eyebrows. “How in the world did all three of you fit inside that truck?” he asked, staring at the three massive men wearing white tee-shirts and jeans.
“Oh, there’s a sleeper in the back of the cab. This is just a converted eighteen-wheeler,” the rhino said as he walked up. All three of them were nearly seven feet tall, and probably weighed over four hundred pounds each.
“Well, I guess Chris has already made that decision,” Alyssa said, watching as her daughter climbed into the jeep. “I need to go check out the guest room, too. We’ll head over and get things started there,” she said, patting him on the shoulder before turning and heading to the driver’s side.
“Oh, wait! Don’t forget the house keys,” Terrence said, jogging over and handing her a pair of shiny silver keys.
“Thanks,” Alyssa said, glancing at the keys before taking a moment to add one to the ring of keys that she already had. “Well, I will see you back at the house,” she said, continuing over to the Jeep.
“Okay. I’ll call you when we’re wrapping up and heading over,” the ferret replied, then turned to the three movers and led them into the apartment.
A few minutes later, Alyssa fished the keycard out of her pocket as she drove up to the wrought iron gate. As she stopped near the intercom, she made a little beeping sound with her muzzle, then smiled to herself as the gate opened. After a moment she pulled in and parked her Jeep behind Charlotte’s cute red Mazda.
“I’ll open the door,” Chris said, holding her paw out, then stepped out of the car after her mom slapped the spare key in her palm. Once she got to the door, she slid the new key into the lock and gave it a turn. She practically purred to herself as the door opened, realizing that she was going to be living under the same roof as her mate. She rushed back to the car to grab her backpack and guitar case before grabbing a box marked with a ‘C’ on it.
Her mother did the same with an ‘A’-marked box before the two headed inside. “You take the lift,” Alyssa said as she started up the steps. “You have farther to go.”
“You sure?” Chris asked, tilting her head a little. “I’m okay with using the stairs. I mean, I am younger.”
“Gee, thanks. Love you too... I’m only in my thirties,” Alyssa muttered as she started up the stairs. Chris made use of the offered lift, which was barely large enough to fit two people... if they weren’t carrying boxes.
Once Chris and her mother had dropped off the boxes in the guest bedroom, they both rode the lift back to the first floor. “I was thinking... we can take turns using the lift,” Chris suggested as they walked back out to the car.
“That works for me,” Alyssa said as they gathered up the next load of boxes. All totalled, it took four trips to empty the Jeep of all the boxes they’d stuffed into it. Both of them were panting heavily and sitting on the bed in the guest room, now Alyssa’s bedroom, when they were done.
Alyssa glanced at her daughter sitting next to her on the bed. “Are we the only ones here?” She asked, looking at the ornate clock sitting on the nightstand.
“Well, I figured they would have heard us,” Chris said, tilting her head. “I will go look for Liz. You look for stoat-mom,” the young yapok said, getting up and heading upstairs to search for her mate while her mom went downstairs to the office.
“Julia? Are you here?” Alyssa called as she tapped on the office door and pushed it open. “You didn’t disappear on us did you?” the yapok asked, poking her head into the room.
“Huh?” Julia asked from one of the sewing machines, looking up with a startled expression. “I’m so sorry; I must have been too focused on my work. I didn’t hear you over the intercom. Did Elizabeth let you in?”
“Na, we broke down the gate,” she joked, then pulled out the card that Terrence gave her. “Actually, I waved this at it and it opened. You didn’t hear us thumping through the house with the boxes?”
“Oh... “ Julia replied, looking relieved. “No, I didn’t. The house is pretty sturdy and we’ve got some good insulation. I can’t even hear the television in the entertainment room from here if the door’s closed, even when Terrence is watching his football games.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I guess I can watch porn with the volume turned up,” Alyssa said with a snicker, walking in and sitting at one of the empty seats. “So, how are ya holding up?”
“Relieved that we’ve gotten everything sorted out. The contractors are going to arrive next week to start expanding the third floor. I can’t believe we managed to get the building plans approved and all the permit stuff done in three weeks. I think Terry must have bribed someone,” she said, shaking her head. “Or several someones.”
“Well, that’s one way to skin a cat,” Alyssa said, leaning back against the chair. “Feeling less stressed I hope? We can’t have you getting too worked up...”
“Much less stressed, thank you,” the stoat said, spinning in place and turning off the sewing machine before turning back around. “The only thing that’s still worrying me is who’ll take care of the little ones once they arrive. We’ll have plenty of room, especially once Charlotte moves out. Oh, did I tell you she’s going to be going to Oregon State, down in Corvallis? She and Hikari are planning on getting an apartment just east of campus.”
“I think one of you two mentioned it... though you didn’t tell me about the apartment, or what she was going to major in,” Alyssa said smiling.
“She’s going to dual-major in Biochemistry and Microbiology. Apparently Pacific BioTek, the place Terry works at, offered her a full-ride scholarship as long as she maintains a 3.75 GPA and is willing to work for them for as many years as it takes her to earn her Master’s or Ph.D.”
“I’m sure that someone as smart as she is will have no trouble at all,” the yapok said, smiling. “I looked at some of the books and research papers for that. It’s a bit out of my league. I’ll stick to stitching people up and things like that.”
“Even Hikari said it was out of his league. Funnily enough, he’s actually going to triple-major in History, Geology, and Anthropology. Apparently he wants to be an archeologist.”
“That would be interesting! Too much traveling for me though. I’m too much of a homebody. Give me something interesting on TV, a comfortable sofa, and some junk food, and I’m good,” Alyssa said, smiling. “So, when you were pregnant with Liz, what kind of cravings did you get?”
“Actually, that’s sort of the reason we have meatloaf so often. I used to hate it, but then I got a cravings for it when I was pregnant, and I grew to like it,” Julia said with a shrug. “Other than that, the usual. Pickles, ice cream, shrimp... oh, and mango. I got cravings for mango.”
“Mango is really good,” Alyssa agreed, leaning forward. “For me, it was olives. I wanted olives with everything.”
“Yuck. No thanks.” Julia shuddered. “The only way I’ll eat olives is in tuna salad. Anyway... I thought you were going to be over at your place with Terry and the moving people?”
“Actually, Terrence said he’d handle it. Just told me to come over here and look over the guest room and decide what furniture to keep in it,” Alyssa said, shrugging. “We dropped some things off and I kinda got side tracked wondering where you were. I should get back to it.”
“Okay, dear,” the stoat said, turning back around and turning the sewing machine back on.
__________________________________________________
“Liz? Are you hiding up here?” Chris called as she walked up to the third floor. “Liiizzy-butt, are you in here?” she asked, knocking at the partly closed door before opening it and peeking in.
Elizabeth was sitting at the computer in her room, giggling at the sight of blocky, multicolored sheep running around in a panic on the screen. When she heard the scrape of the bottom of the door across the thick carpeting, she turned around. “Oh! Hey, Chris. I was just playing Minecraft. I haven’t played it for months.”
“You must have been having fun,” Chris pointed out, walking over and kissing the little stoat-ferret on the nose. “You didn’t hear me and mom bringing boxes in.”
“Sorry. It’s hard to hear stuff in the house if the door’s closed. That’s why we’ve got the intercom thing,” Elizabeth said, pointing over to the panel next to the door. “It’s got buttons for the front gate, kitchen, office, master bedroom, and my room, plus the broadcast button. Dad said he’s going to have to get a new intercom system though, with buttons for each room... for the cubs.”
“That thought is going to take some getting used to,” Chris muttered, taking a deep breath. “I’m going to have a little brother or sister... that’s related to you. It’s weird. We’ll get to be big sisters together.”
“Yeah... I guess it is kind of weird,” Elizabeth said, hitting escape and quitting minecraft. “Wait, aren’t you and your mom supposed to be with the movers?” she asked, curiously.
“Umm... Give me one moment,” Chris said, tilting her head before stepping over to the window that overlooked the front yard and half-circle driveway. “Well, mom’s still here and she knows about the intercom. If she needs me, she can find me,” the yapok said, walking over to the bed and flopping on it.
“What about unpacking? Did you bring any boxes over?” Elizabeth asked, standing up from the computer chair and stretching with her arms in the air before walking over to the bed.
“Well, just like the basics,” the yapok said, rolling over and sitting up. “My guitar, clothes, PC, console, toys, and books.”
“Well, where is it? You’re going to be moving in here with me, right?” the smaller stoat asked.
“They’re in the guest bedroom. I just set them there, then went back for more,” Chris explained, hopping off the canopied bed and leading the way downstairs to the guest bedroom. “Tada,” she said pointing at the pile of boxes labeled with ‘C’s on them.
Both of them picked up a box and rode the lift up to the third floor, carrying the boxes into Elizabeth’s bedroom. After they set the boxes down, the little stoat walked over to the water possum. Standing on her toes, Elizabeth gave Chris a kiss on the cheek, deftly avoiding the multitude of whiskers on the side of the yapok’s muzzle. “Welcome home.”",
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