Cecily’s First Family Christmas
By: Assilsasta Ussasa, Cormenthor,& VerbMyNoun
Note: There are many spoilers in this work. Some details are already written, but some are still planned for future works. If you do not want spoilers, save this story for later. Do not read this story if you do not want spoilers.
Characters in this story are owned by:
Written by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNeosate\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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: Lilliana Fargo, Cecily Silvana Fargo, Hank Heartken, Susan Shelby, Alexis Hawkins
Written by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCormenthor\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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: Daisy Daniels, Paul Daniels, Ralph Daniels, Raquel Daniels, Daniel Bell, Amanda Bell, Jada Kinneson, Samantha Thompson, Debbie Conners
Written by Cormenthor owed by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRisingDragon\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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: Zoe Bell
Used with permission \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVerbMyNoun\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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: Julia Summers-Escher, Darren Escher, Elise Escher, Claire Summers, Laura Summers, Daniel Summers, Ethan Black, Darek Blackfoot, Colin Burke, Steven Archer, Daphne, Sienna, Brett Hurley
(December 24, 2013 - Dark Rider House)
Lilliana, Cecily, and Daisy had gathered for a quiet morning in front of the massive fireplace in the rustically decorated great room. Even after the recent completion of the house renovations, the huge room was a stark contrast, even to the very modern kitchen that was opposite the fireplace. Hank had rebuilt the entire flagstone facade of the fireplace, and laid a new polished oak floor. To the left of the fireplace was a ten by ten room, dominated by a Douglas fir decorated with ornaments and blinking lights. Beneath the tree and around the smaller alcove were what looked like hundreds of gifts, wrapped in brightly colored paper with ribbons and bows.
Cecily, the small kangaroo mouse laid on a large fur rug in front of the fireplace as she marveled at the sight of the tree and many gifts. She rested her head in her paws as she stared at what she had only seen in movies and Christmas cards. She knew that not all of it was for her, in fact she had bought many of the items herself for her family and friends. Everyone had gone out of their way to make this a Christmas to remember. Her heart raced with anticipation of the coming morning. But she was even more anxious to see Daisy’s reaction to her surprise today.
It had only been six months since Lilliana the liger and her band of misfit veterans had rescued her from a life on the streets, and only five since she had found the girl that she had fallen in love with. Those events seemed so long ago, like a distant fading dream, as she watched the light from the rising sun shimmer off the snow blanketed yard. Those old thoughts and memories were driven out by the fun and adventure she looked forward to in the fresh fallen snow.
She rolled over and looked up at the moose as she knelt down by her with two steaming bowls of fruit filled oatmeal. Cecily giggled as her girlfriend laid down with her in their matching flannel pajamas.
Daisy looked at the small mouse with a smile and asked, “Okay sweet cheeks, tell me again why we are out of bed and in these silly pajamas again?”
Cecily dipped her spoon in her bowl and stirred the fruits into the oats, “Because I have a surprise for you and I didn’t want you to sleep through it.”
The moose tilted her head down at her girlfriend, “we both know there wasn’t much sleeping going on trail mix.” She looked down at the steaming bowl in front of her, “So what's this surprise and why do I have to be out of bed for it on a holiday?”
The smaller mouse rested her chin on one paw while she kicked her legs. She tilted her head to look up at Daisy with the spoon in her mouth. She smiled as she pulled it out slowly with an almost sensual expression on her face. She licked her lips before she said, “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now would it?”
“Okay, you got me on that one. But getting me out of bed this early on a holiday, and in pajamas, it better be good sweet cheeks. Otherwise I just might have to see how much I can make you squeak later,” the moose said with a sly grin on her muzzle.
The small mouse looked back down at her bowl as she said, “You might want to do that anyway after you get the surprise. Now eat that before it gets cold.”
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Lilliana watched the two girls as they lay before the roaring fire. She had wrapped herself tight in a quilt to fight off the chill of the morning. She had her feet pulled up on the cushion of the ruff cut log chair. She held a hot cup of chocolate in both paws, the stem poured out over her muzzle as she smiled at all they had accomplished in such a short time.
Only six months ago they had started with nothing more than the vague idea of a young mouse’s dream to help wayward youths. In less than a week they planned to open the doors of the Dark Rider House to those in need. Cecily had come into her life by a strange twist of luck, and the under size, psychologically damaged teen had somehow breathed new life and purpose into her old wayward team of army vets. And her crazy plan of giving everything she could to the small mouse had somehow fallen into place.
The group had spent the past five months renovating the old mansion into what was to be a way station for those in need. The sad turn of luck with Detlev‘s passing had brought everything into clear focus. She looked up at the enormous portrait of the retired army general, painted by the young mouse, that hung above the fireplace as she whispered to herself, “How the hell did you manage to know just what to do even years before you needed to do it?” She sipped at her hot drink as she listened to Susan as she shouted at Hank in the driveway out front.
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Susan stood bundled in several layers of thick winter garments as she watched Hank hand shovel the long driveway to clear the path for their expected visitors. She shouted out to him, “You should have gotten that snow blower! You’d be done by now.”
He stood up and wiped the sweat from his brow as he unbuttoned the heavy coat just a bit father. He leaned on the shovel and looked up the drive at the chinchilla standing on the steps and said, “Why don’t you go out and get one then?”
“I’m not driving in this shit because you’re too stubborn to buy one. You can just…” She trailed off as the thought of his sculpted muscles hidden under those layers of cloth bombarded her mind. She shivered as she mentally undressed him. She gave in to his unintentional maintenance of his physique as she sat down on the steps to watch him work. She had been in and out of the house several times to check on him since he had started his task well before dawn. “At Least take a break and get some of this hot chocolate before it freezes.”
Reluctantly the otter left his chore that he had done nearly every day since it had started snowing. He took pride in his recovery from alcoholism, and his new found zeal for showing off for Susan. He gladly gave up any easy means of a task just for her to spend the time watching him sweat, even in the cold. He enjoyed the sight of her always sitting on the porch or steps as he worked in the yard on her days off. Almost as soon as he sat by her and took the steaming thermos a large passenger van pulled into the driveway. As he took a sip of the hot beverage he said, “I knew I should have started earlier.”
Susan leaned against him for a moment as she replied, “You couldn’t have known when they’d get here. And all that snow fell last night. At least you got the motor court, right?”
He sighed deeply as he stood up, “Yeah, I did get that much. Let me get them pointed in there.” They started to walk toward the approaching vehicle as he pointed to the cleared stone paver drive that led into a small courtyard.
As hank did his part to get the guests into the house without issues, Susan went in to make sure everyone was decent enough for visitors to come in. She was relieved that they all mostly followed the rule of clothing in common areas of the house, But Lilliana’s disdain for clothing in general always worried her. As she entered the keep she breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Lilliana and the girls fully clothed in pajama tops and pants, and it looked as if Alex had yet to venture out into the cold morning. She tried to maintain her air of ‘everything's normal’ as she moved to the motor yard door to welcome their guests.
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As she steered the large van into the equally large driveway Raquel stared at the massive whitestone building wide eyed, “That can’t possibly be the place. No one really lives in anything like that.” She glanced over at Amanda and asked, “Are you sure you entered the address into the GPS right?”
“Yes Raquel, this is the address your friend Lilly gave you isn’t it?”, she said reading the address back to the moose mother.
“That’s the address she sent, but this can’t possibly be the right place. There is no way my daughter could have kept her big muzzle shut about living in that!” As the otter directed her into a post in the smaller courtyard she parked the van, still staring out the side window at the impressive structure as the other occupants of the vehicle finally spoke.
Stirring from her short nap, Zoe blinked at the sight her eyes fell on. “Holy shit! Is this… is this where your sister lives now Ralph? Ralph? HEY, moose face, I’m talking to you, don’t ignore me,” she said as she poked him in the ribs to get his attention, the boy staring dumbfounded at the massive home before his eyes.
“I… I guess so. How did she ever keep THIS a secret for months?”, the younger moose boy asked to anyone that was listening.
“I… I have no idea. She usually can’t keep her mouth shut about anything, let alone something like this,” his slightly younger twin brother said. “Wait a minute, where are we again? What city?”
“Marblecliff New Hampshire, I think… yes that’s it. Why Paul?”, his mother asked from the driver's seat, her eyes still on the huge abode.
“Well, Brad, the guy that Daisy has ‘keeping an eye’ on me, was telling me about this place that her girlfriend’s family was supposed to be starting… what was it called again? Dark Runner…. No, Dark Rider House, that’s it. But everyone thought it was all bull shit, or a pipe dream. I think they were very, very wrong.”
“Mrph, shit,” the red panda girl grunted, “give me a paw here moose face, you too twit,” she said to the moose boys, “it’s a little rough to get up out of this stupid floor, and my back is killing me. Okay if we’re at the right place, then why the heck are we still sitting in this van? One of you two dorks go find out, it’s been a long ride and I need to get out and stretch my legs.”
The otter walked up to the van as they saw a bundled up chinchilla step out of a side door. He tapped on the driver’s window with a smile on his muzzle. “Welcome to the Dark Rider House, I’m Hank. Unless you want to freeze while I finish shoveling the drive, why don’t we get ya’ll in side by the fire.” he said through the window, “We do have one expecting, right?”
“Yes we do, and she needs to stretch out, and if it’s not too much trouble could someone point out the nearest bathroom. I think I’ll need that in about three minutes,” came a voice from the rear of the long passenger van.
Hank pointed behind him as he said, “Through the laundry room first door on the right, most of the other baths are attached to rooms. We’ll get you all settled in pretty quick I think.” He looked over the group, “ya’ll did bring your hiking boots, right?”
They saw the chinchilla slap him in the back of the head, “Stop being an ass and let them out of the van.” She pulled him away from the van by his half buttoned coat. “Fire’s burning in the keep, a lot of the rest of the house is cold right now. But we’ll crank up the heat in a bit. We have three open rooms, so some of you might have to bunk together?”
“That’s fine, we don’t want to put anyone to any trouble, but we do need to get Zoe inside, the last thing I want, or need is a pregnant panda with a cold,” the moose woman said as she opened her door.
“You heard the man, everybody out of the van and inside, and you boy, you tend to your woman,” Daniel Bell said to the older of the moose boys. “You on the other hand,” he said to the younger of them, “you can give me a hand with the bags, hop to it fur face.”
“Yes sir,” the moose boy answered sharply, looking to his brother first. “You sure she’s really alright with… with me being here Ralph? I… I know that after what I did to her…”
His brother cut him off mid-sentence, “yes Paul I’m sure. It was her idea to spring you and bring you along so you could see Daisy. If she starts getting creeped out or anything, just leave the room for a little bit. But I don’t think it will be an issue, just relax and enjoy the visit with our sister okay?”
“Okay, if you say so Ralph, and thanks again,” his younger sibling said as they each went about their duty.
The otter went around to help the Panda and younger moose with their luggage as the chinchilla introduced herself, “I’m Susan, It’s nice to finally put some faces to names.” She looked over at the moose boy and said, “You must be Ralph,” then to the panda girl, “and Zoe.” She waved her paw to the door, “Please follow me and I’ll show you in.” Then began to lead the way.
Susan led the group through the large laundry room with multiple washers and dryers; it reminded Raquel of her first apartment in college. As they walked into the linen hall Susan pointed to a door on the right and said, “Here’s the first bathroom if anyone needs it. You guys can leave your bags here for the time being. I’ll make Hank take them up to the rooms later. I just think it will be better for all of you to have free paws when they see you come in.” She looked at the young moose and panda girl with a smile on her face, “Let’s get you in and to a couch so you can stretch out in front of the fire.”
The group followed Susan from the small back hall into the main house, the ceiling suddenly jumped from the modest eight foot height for the hall to a soaring eleven. Immediately to their left was an open dining room with a light, polished oak floor. The room was filled by two large tables with ten chairs each. The room itself was open to the hallway and foyer with only large wood pillars to signify it inner edges.
“Holy crap,” Ralph said as they passed the dining hall, “this dining room is half the size of our house Zoe, I hope we never need a room this big for our kids.”
Grabbing the moose boy by the muzzle and whipping around to face him the red panda said, “and what makes you think I’m ever going through this shit again,” as she pointed to her mid-section.
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Cecily looked over at Daisy with a wide grin as she heard Susan talking in the distance. As she rolled over on to her back she said, “Merry Christmas hot lips.” As she finished talking the familiar voice of a young moose rang through the house as he shouted about the size of a room.
Daisy rolled onto her belly as she looked to the open hall. A slight yawn splitting her maw as she watched Susan lead the group into the Keep. The chinchilla said, “We have for some strange reason started calling this great room the ‘Keep’, it has the largest of four fireplaces and is the second largest room in the house. All the log furniture was made by Hank, because he needs something to do with his time.”
As Susan led the group into the keep Daisy suddenly realized it was her family. Daisy planted her paws on the hardwood and sprang up from the floor in a single movement. Rushing to greet the group, she wrapped her oldest brother in a tight hug, “oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” she said rapidly lifting the smaller moose off the floor and twirling him around with her. Still holding her brother tightly to her chest the moose girl looked to the panda as she spoke again, “Zoe, sweet cheeks it is so good to see… “ her words cut off as the younger girl turned to face her, Daisy getting her first good look at her brother’s girlfriend since the cruise in July. “Holy shit you got big… I mean,” she began to correct herself before the panda chuckled.
“Oh really? I wouldn’t have known that if you hadn’t told me Daisy. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t heard that at all on the two thousand plus mile drive here. Nope, not a single person at any of the places we stopped, so I could pee a million times, ever said anything like that,” she said sarcastically. “Now if you’re done squeezing the life out of my boyfriend there,” she said as she pointed to the moose in Daisy’s arms, “you can get over here and give me a hug, I could sure use one about now.”
Lilliana looked up from her steaming cup as she said, “Don't worry, you’ll get plenty of affection here,” A broad, toothy grin crossed her muzzle, “Hank, you and the men take the bags upstairs,” She looked at Ralph and added, “And I mean all the men. And tell Alex our guests have arrived.”
“Just a minute, I know you’re our host and all, but I don’t leave her si…” Ralph began before Zoe cut him off.
“Look moose lips,” she started saying, fixing the boy with an icy glare, “I’ve had you tattooed to my ass for five months and too damn many miles. I will be fine for the length of time it takes you to help get the luggage inside and taken care of. Don’t make me have to smack you in front of everyone, because I will if I have to. Now march,” she said pointing towards the otter man waiting in the hallway.
“Yes Zoe honey,” he replied sheepishly as he turned to follow the rest of the men back outside to get their bags from the van.
Looking to the liger the panda girl said, “thank you, he’s been like a damn blanket since we left Colorado, I could barely even go to the bathroom without him.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Lilliana said as the sound of a thud came from down the hall.
Everyone’s attention was pulled to the kitchen as the barely dressed eagle in an untied house coat slid into view and shouted, “Wheae’s Da Baba?”
The chinchilla shook her head as she shouted back, “Clothing Boomer, You need to put on clothes before you come into the common areas.”
“I gots on my clothes,” She said as she jumped over the bar and slid across the wood floor on her knees to the belly of the pregnant panda girl, “It’s a boy or girl?” she asked as she put her head against the girl without asking.
Lilliana stood from her chair and said, “Let the girl sit down Boomer. And close that house coat; we have two young men in the house somewhere.”
“EEEEEEEP!” Zoe screeched as the eagle slid across the floor and right up to her, the woman grabbing her midsection and planting the side of her head against the furry orb. After the momentary shock wore off, and the woman spoke, the panda giggled loudly. “Oooookay, half naked, half crazy, talks funny… this has to be Alex,” she said pointing to the woman rubbing her rounded belly.”
The eagle stood up and tied her house coat as she cleared her throat, In a thick german accent she said, “Ich bin nicht verrückt, und ich kann ganz gut reden, danke.”
Susan shook her head at the eagle again, “English, Boomer, Speak the english.” She looked to the rest and said, please take a seat anywhere. Can I offer anyone a drink?”
Pointing to the log-built padded couch in front of the fireplace Zoe said, “that’s mine, and moose faces when he gets his furry backside in here. And even though it’ll mean a thousand trips to the bathroom, the biggest cup of hot cocoa you have if you please.”
The drink choice was mirrored by the rest of the group as they each found a seat around the large fireplace.
Susan watched as their guests made themselves at home in the warmth of the fire then nodded to Alex before she went to get the drinks. “It’s a good thing I have a fresh pot of Coco, I was expecting the choice. Anybody want marshmallows or whipped cream?”
As the chinchilla walked into the adjoining kitchen Alex looked at Lilliana and smiled, “I’ll go check on da men.”
“You do that, Boomer,” the liger responded as she started to walk over to the panda girl with a grin. “So five months along now?”
“Yes, and at times it feels like it’s been a lot longer than that. I can tell you one thing the… the baby doesn’t care much for long car rides.” she replied.
Lilliana knelt in front of Zoe as she asked, “May I?” with her paw hovering over the young girls midsection.
“Sure… why not, everyone else that gets with in fifty feet of me seems to have to. At least you asked first, which a lot of people don’t bother to do,” the panda replied as she stretched out on the couch, trying to get more comfortable.
The liger put her ear to the girls belly and listened as her paw rubbed over the rounded stretched abdomen. “Come here Squeaky, You have got to feel this” Cecily got up and walked over and slowly put her paw on the panda next to the liger’s as Lilliana said, “I think that’s the foot right there. Or I’m wrong and going to get kicked in the head.”
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Hank lead the men up the back staircase as he gave a half joking tour, “This is the back end of the house, Maps are available in the visitor center and the front gate if you fear getting lost.” As they reached the top of the stairs he pointed down the hall to the right, “That way is the upstairs laundry and through the door, down the catwalk is Susan, and My apartment over the second garage.” He turned to the left as he pointed to the rooms to the right of the hall, “Those are Boomer and Lilly’s rooms, and that at the top of the stairs it Sisy and Daisy.” He led the trio down the hall to the first room on the left, “We’ll drop the bags here until we figure more out,” as he ushered them into the fifteen foot square room. As the three men passed him with their load they heard an ‘unhp’ as the door was shut and locked behind them.
Hank spun on his paws and shouted at the door, “God damnit Boomer!” and jiggled the locked knob. He turned to the others and said, “I think the ladies made plans that don’t include the men.” Then slumped by the door. “I’ll give them about twenty before I climb out the window again.”
Looking down at the otter Ralph crossed his arms over his chest, “I take it the this isn’t the first time they’ve pulled something like this? Never mind, don’t even answer,” he added as she leaned against the wall next to Hank, sliding to the floor as well. “I think I know what their plans might be, and it’s not so much the men as it is me they’re trying to keep out of the way.”
The otter looked around at the others in the room, “Okay, Let me see if I can get this right. You’re Ralph, the overprotective young man that knocked…” He pointed over to the panda, “Daniel there, off his feet, who is the father of the cute panda down there. And you must be the ‘other brother.” He looked over at Paul, “too smart for your own good and a bit of a trouble maker. I’m kinda surprised Arnold didn’t come.”
“Used to be a trouble maker,” the slightly younger moose boy said as the otter paused, “it’s taken a little while, and I’ve still got a ways to go yet. But I’ve learned my lesson about the stupid things I have done to my brother, my family, and others. As far as dad not coming…” he trailed off, falling silent as he looked to the floor.
“Dad made it quite clear that if I insisted on Paul coming, he would rather stay behind alone. He’s not as much of an asshole as he was, but he’s still dealing with some issues of his own. So I let him stay behind, I thought it would be better for Daisy to see both her brothers, and that we’re getting along again. I think that will mean more to her than dad being here,” Ralph said as he looked at his brother. “Dad still isn’t ready to give my brother another chance, to prove that he’s figured out where he went wrong and is trying to make amends for it.”
Hank looked at the floor as the moose boy spoke, then the looked over at him, “Things change, but sometimes it takes your best friend choke slamming you to get it through your thick skull, or a mouse shooting you in the junk and pouring out all your whisky.” then paused for a moment as he snickered at the now amusing memory. “I personally don’t recommend either, but I’m sure he’ll come around.” He looked around the room again and said, “Shit, they could have at least locked us in the theater. Then we’d have movies to watch.”
Looking at the otter oddly Paul asked, “This place has a theater? Are you kidding me?”
Hank looked up at him, “Yeah, right off the food court across from the arcade.”
“Okay, now I know you’re just pulling my leg,” the moose boy said with a smirk on his face.
Hank just smiled back as he went on, “The Sauna and pool are not finished yet, but I’ll get to those in the spring. The gym is set up, overlooking the garden. But the plants are all dried out for the winter so it’s not much to look at right now. I got most of the shop equipment installed, but I’ll still need to pave out a slab for working on the cars down there.”
Sitting down cross legged in front of the otter, Paul looked the man in the face as he said, “so… I heard rumors about this place while I was… detained. Are you people really thinking you’re equipped to deal with the likes of people like me? Do you honestly think that a ‘safe haven’ can really make any difference?”
Hank leaned forward and looked the boy in the eyes, “Honestly, I have no Idea. The entire thing, this place, our plan is all the brainchild of that little; damaged kangaroo mouse that has seemed to always be in the right place, at the right time, with the right people to change lives for the better. I was a dunk reclus when she first met me. Everyone in my life, all my friends had tried to help me out, and a small scared little mouse is the one that opened my eyes to just how bad I had made things from myself. Now tell me honestly, where would you be right now if she had not… stepped into your life when and how she did?”
“Honestly?” Paul asked, resting his muzzle in his palms, “Probably in jail for half a lifetime, or dead. You’re right about her, it took that same mouse to scare the shit out of me and open my eyes to how big of a screw up I was. I’m just glad, and very thankful that she did before I drove my brother and sister out of my life. I don’t think I could do what I’m doing without knowing that they will always be there for me.”
“The Dark Riders are just here to help her do what she wants to. And we will do everything we can to see it through to the end,“ Hank said, “But really this place is more than just a safe haven, We have converted the entire basement into a general Recreation center. We have the game room, gym, theater with games and movies, a small snack bar. Here on the second floor we have two rooms that have basically been converted into dorm rooms for those that need to stay longer than just through the day. We have a non-profit set up to help them legally and a damned good lawyer on hand to do it. Then the place is run by one of the people that knows what it’s like to be in their place. We can’t really do much more than that without a psychiatrist handy, but we have grants and funds for that if it’s needed.”
“Then the stories I heard aren’t as farfetched as I thought. It sounds like you have a good plan, and if the mouse is involved maybe some of the more fortunate ones will have a better chance of avoiding some of the worse things that may find them otherwise.” As he fell silent, Paul lowered his head, his brother leaning over and wrapping an arm around his sibling.
Hank slumped back against the wall as said, “twelve thousand square feet and seven certifiable nuts, bent on saving the youth the world. Welcome to the new Dark Riders.”
“Well saving the youth of the world sounds a little too ambitious to me.” Ralph spoke as he comforted his younger brother, “but if you can make a difference in even one life…”
“Aim high, aim far, and true, or don’t bother firing,” Hank said before he stood up and walked to the window, “So we ready to try and get out of here?”
“May as well, I can pretty much guarantee that by now they’re about to rub the fur off of Zoe’s belly,” Ralph said, unable to stifle a giggle.
Hank opened the one window, and said, “Snow is piled pretty deep right down there. Jump or hope Sisy left her window open?” He paused for a moment, “I’ll jump and be right back once I get the key from Boomer. You guy’s shouldn’t have to hurt yourselves.”
“Thanks, we appreciate that,” Daniel spoke up at last. “Would suck to have to spend Christmas Eve in the emergency room.”
“I’ll be right back,” Hank said as he curled into a ball and fel out the window into the snow below, which seemed to compact a little too much to be naturally windblown into the pile, and not leave enough for any of the others to make the same leap of faith.
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Alex came thundering down the back stairs as she said, “Dey’re in da small room, only one winda and it’s a striaght drop if dey miss Sisy’s room. I giv’em tweny befer ‘ank tried ta get out.”
Susan smiled and said, “Looks like we got a little panda all to ourselves.”
Lilliana looked over at the other two mothers, “Over protective daddy’s out of the way, who wants to tickle mom until the baby kicks?”
“Oh I am so in for that,” Amanda said as she nearly sprang from her seat, “it nearly takes an act of congress to get her away from that boy for more than three minutes. Over protective? You have no idea how bad it really is.”
“Oh God tell me about it,” Zoe himed in, “I wasn’t kidding about him following me into the restroom. He does that shit all the time, it friggin embarrassing.”
Lilliana looked over at Daisy, “Come on Aunt Mouse Bait, you’ll be able able to hold the kid next time you see them.” as she stepped aside to let the other’s get closer to the young panda.
Cecily laid her ear against the womb and listened. “I can hear its heartbeat,” she said with a smile. “this is so cool.”
As Daisy lay a paw on Zoe’s belly she felt something press back against her paw pads, “Oh my God, that’s so…” her voice trailing off as a strange look came across her face. “So ummm, Zoe, you never did say if it’s a boy or a girl. Do you guys even know yet? Or are you waiting for it to be a surprise?”
“Oh we know… but, ummm, I can’t tell you until Ralph is with me. He made me promise not to. He doesn’t want to miss the look on your face at the news,” the panda replied, grinning sheepishly. You’re gonna be so surprised when you do find out.”
Alex piped up, “‘old ‘er down I know ‘ow ta tell. ‘oo ‘as a wedding ring? we tie it to a strin’ and let it swin’ ova ‘er belly, if it swings ‘ead ta toe it’s a boy, arm ta arm , its a girl.”
“I think that only works if it’s the mother’s wedding ring, Boomer,” Susan said as she walked back with a tray full of steaming cups.
“I’ve kept silent so far about this, but we really do have to wait for the daddy to be here before she tells you. I know,” Amanda said as she took a cup from the tray. “The boy has done his job as a man and a father so far, he deserves to be here when his sister is told what they have to say.”
Alex looked to Lilliana, “I’ll ‘old ‘er down and you torcha da infamation outa ‘er.”
Lilliana smiled as she said, “Any other day boomer, but she’s right, let the dad be here for the reveal, we already locked him in a room.” She went to sit back in her chair as she shifted subjects, “How is Arny doing, Ricky? I noticed he didn’t come.”
Alex jumped to her feet, “Dats righ’ I don’ know ‘oo any one is. Le’s do dis right.” She took a deep breath and an let it out slowly. She enunciated each word with fluid practice of talking without her deep rooted accent, “I’m Alex, But everyone in the family calls me Boomer,” She pointed over to the chinchilla, “That’s Fluffy Muffi….” She trailed off as Susan sat the tray on a coffee table and tackled her to the ground.
“God Damn It, Boomer, I am not fluffy muffins, Drop the fuckin’ muffins.” The chinchilla said as the wrestled with the eagle.
As the two rolled on the floor, the eagle laughing, Lilliana went on with the introductions, “The Fluffy one is Susan, And Hank is locked in the room with the guys.” As Alex rolled Susan into a submission T- hold Lilliana snapped her fingers, “That’s’ Ricky, Daisy’s mother, Mandy is the red one over there defending the boy’s right to be here. Dany and the boys are locked in the room with Hank. Telling the Ralph and Paul apart is up to you guys.”
“‘oo wants ta tickle Fluffy Muffens while she ‘elpless?” Alex asked as she spread the chinchilla’s arms away from her sides.
“Oh hell no,” Daisy chimed in, “the last time I did that she nearly beat the shit out of me when she got loose, no thanks. I’d rather spend the time I have with my family, not in the E.R. How about you trail mix?”
“What? trail mix?,” the red panda girl said as she turned to look at the two girls. “What the hell kind of a pet name is trail mix?”
Lilliana sipped at her slowly cooling drink as she said, “You were there when she got it...Hormones do a number to the mind.” She looked down at the two adults on the floor, “Let her up Boomer. I think we might be getting close to letting the guys out.”
As Alex let Susan loose Hank walked around the corner into the kitchen, “The guys will be fine for a few more I’m sure, I want to see this cuteness of a panda first. And next time at least set me up with some drinks or something before you lock us in.” He walked over to Zoe and knelt by the couch. “Hi, I’m Hank, if you missed it. So, Boomer give you a nickname yet?”
Susan reached into the pocket of Alex’s house coat, “I’ll go get the guy’s, Alex needs to get dressed before she gives one of them a nose bleed.”
“Fine, I’ll go ge’ some cloth on.” the eagle huffed as she followed the chinchilla up the backstairs.
Lilliana looked over at Daisy and Cecily, “You two can give the others a tour of the house when they get down here that is if mom over there is up for a few sets of stairs. You can pick out rooms while you’re at it.”
“Sure thing, but I’m not budging until my fat headed brother tells me what they’re having,” Daisy said as she sat in the floor, cross legged to wait, with Cecily quickly taking her spot in the moose’s lap.
------
The sound of the key fumbling in the door was soon followed by it opening to reveal the now unbundled chinchilla, “Sorry about that guys, Alex gets a little carried away sometimes The ladies are all settled in by the fire and we have hot cocoa for everyone. And don’t worry, Mom is still all in one piece.”
Looking to the his brother and Daniel Ralph piped up, “see I told you I was the reason they locked us in here. Alright, point taken I’ll back off some, only question is did she crack and blab the news or do I still get to see my sisters face when she hears?”
“Lilly and Mandy saved her from Alex, so they’re waiting for you,” She said as she turned to walk away, “You guys think you can find your way back to the keep without a GPS, or you want to follow me?”
“We’re right behind you Susan, let’s go boys, before they change their minds and we spend all our time locked up in here,” Daniel said as her grabbed Ralph by the paw, helping the boy get to his hooves. “Besides, even I don’t know what this news he keeps talking about is and for one I’m about to die to find out finally.”
“Good, you have no idea how hard it’s been to keep my muzzle shut until now,” the moose boy confided. “But I wanted to wait until Daisy could hear it firsthand.”
------
As the men followed Susan back down the stairs to the great room they were greeted by the sight of Hank knelt by the young panda with his webbed paw on the warm exposed fur of the panda girls belly, “That has to be just so weird to have something moving around inside you like that.”
Susan piped up, “Stop copping a cheap feel of the teens in the room.”
The otter fell back to the floor as he stammered, “It’s... umm.. well… Shit. Why do you do that to me Sue?”
“What were you copping a feel? are you feeling guilty or something?” She asked him with a smile.
Lilliana sipped her drink again as she said, “Stop picking on the guy, everyone was rubbing on the poor girl, I’m surprised she hasn’t snapped and bit someone’s head off yet. Maybe she likes being rubbed on? Lord knows I do.”
“Well to be honest,” Zoe began, “when the little one isn’t in a bad mood, it does seem to calm… the baby down.” Looking to her boyfriend the panda girl continued. Okay moose lips, everyone is here…” her words were cut off as the eagle ran into the room.
“Oh no ya don’,” Alex said as she slid to a stop on the polished floor wearing a full set of flannel pajamas, “ coun’ as par’da everyone ya know.”
“Calm down, Boomer,” Lilliana said, “It’s not like she forgot about you or anything, it’s just hard to count higher than ten when she can’t see her toes.”
“Funny, yet another one I haven’t heard more than a million times,” the panda said laughing happily. “Okay is everyone here now?”
“If the shoe fits... he has to tie it,” Lilliana said as she glanced around the room, “I think we got them all.”
“Okay stud cake, you have the audience you’ve waited for, everyone that really matters is here. Time to spill the beans, you want to do the honors or should I?” Zoe asked as she looked into his eyes.
“I guess I will, I have been waiting for this and I want to see my sisters face. Has anyone asked if it’s a boy of a girl yet? Wait, what am I saying? Of course they have. So who wants to know? Hmmm?” Ralph said teasingly.
Cecily bounced in Daisy’s lap with her paw high in the air, “Can I guess?”
“Go ahead, Cecily take your best shot.” Ralph replied with a huge grin on his face.
“I am going to guess the answer to if it’s a boy or girl is… Yes… or twins.” she said with a smile that slowly faded, “Am I wrong?”
His eyes bulged for just a moment, then the sudden realization that with her likely inherited hearing she could tell better than anyone else in the room, his smile grew wider. “You’re not wrong, on either count. It’s twins, fraternal twins, one of each.”
The small mouse smiled, “I thought the heartbeat sounded funny.”
“Like it had an echo? Yea that was why we found out to be honest.” the moose boy said as he took his girlfriend’s paw in his. “I was listening to her belly one morning and I heard it too. It worried me that maybe there was something wrong so we went to have it checked and they told us everything was fine. The doctor looked me in the eyes and told me I had better plan another trip to the store to buy another crib, and everything else. I’m kind of surprised no one guessed it before with as big as she’s getting…”
“Watch it moose face, or the ’big girl’ is gonna make you sleep on the couch for a few nights to see if you get it,” the panda retorted. “You try it on this side and see how you like it.”
“I… they…, HOLY SHIT,” Daisy stammered, “I’m gonna be an aunt, twice? Shit, move Sisy, I have got to squeeze this pair till they can’t breathe.”
Cecily rolled out of Daisy’s lap as she let to moose go hug her brother and his girlfriend. She looked up at Daisy as she lifted her brother off the floor again and asked, “Um… do you want to tell them our news?” as she stood next to the moose herm, her tail wrapped around her girlfriend’s leg.
Lilliana looked at the oldest of the moose children, “Yeah, you might want to at least let your mom in on that one.”
Alex dropped into one of the padded log chairs, “Oh, I love dis one,” She looked over at the moose matron and added, “Ya migh’ wanna si’ back down, I don’ tink ‘ank and move fas’ enogh ta catch ya.”
“Yea, so… Ralph, umm, please believe me when I say I’m not trying to piss on your parade here okay? So… Sisy and I have been talking. Well more than just talking,” the moose herm said, garnering her a loud snorted snicker from the youngest of her brothers. “Shut it Paul, or I sick the mouse on you.” Looking Ralph in the eyes she continued, “I’m really not trying to steal your thunder but Sisy and I have been …, well we were close to start with, but we’ve gotten a lot closer. And with you and Zoe, and her being pregnant, we got to talking about us and our future together and…” Daisy swallowed hard, her mouth seeming to suddenly go dry as a desert. Turning to her girlfriend for a brief moment she said, “why the hell is it so hard to just say we’re planning on having a baby too?”
Cecily smiled as she looked up at Daisy, “Because you’re trying too hard. And I think you just did.”
Her eyes going wide the moose girl realized she had in fact just said it aloud. Turning to see the expressions on her family’s faces she prepared herself for the torrent of questions and opinions.
“Daisy, are you out of your flipping mind? I love you sis,” Ralph was the first to speak his mind, “but how the hell do you think she is going to carry, let alone deliver a baby that’s part moose? No offense Cecily but the size difference between you two…. is unavoidable here.”
“I… I can’t… “ the small mouse trailed off as she looked down, only moments before she dropped to her knees. Her tail went limp against the floor and she tried to speak, “I… I can’t… I can’t get pre…” She started sobbing as she struggled with the thoughts. “They… they told me… I… might never…” She put her paw on Daisy's leg, “But… Daisy…” Without finishing even a single full thought she wrapped her arms around her girlfriend’s leg and buried her eyes in the thick fur.
Susan jumped to tackle Alex as the eagle sprang from her seat and shouted, “I’llsnapiminalfhemademysistercry.”
As the two adults hit the floor along with Lilliana pinning the eagle down, “Hold it, Boomer, He didn’t know.” Lilliana looked up at Hank, “get over here and help Susan get her outside and cooled off.” As the two lifted the struggling Eagle by the wings and legs Lilliana looked over at the rest of the room’s occupants, “Sorry about that, she has a little bit of a temper issue. A snow bath should wake her up again. You two go on.” Then followed the others down the hall.
“We realize that Ralph,” Daisy continued now that the room was safe again. “I’m sorry about Alex, I wasn’t thinking or I would have had someone get her out sooner. But Sisy and I have discussed it. And we want to have a baby together. The difference in our sizes isn’t the only issue,” the moose herm said as she scooped the small mouse into her arms and sat on the couch beside her brother. “Because of things that happened to her in the past… Sisy isn’t able to carry a baby to term. Every doctor that we’ve gone to says the same thing. So we have an alternate solution.”
“Just please don’t tell me you two are thinking of that genetic blending crap, it’s way the hell too expensive and according to what I’ve read the odds of there not being some really bad mutations introduced are high,” her oldest brother said.
“He’s right,” Paul said softly, “it’s too risky to chance it, even more so with the differences in species and… and the fact that you’re a herm Daisy.”
Cecily sat up in Daisy’s lap and wiped some of the tears from her eyes, “Daisy… is…” the small mouse continued to sob with each word as she tried to calm herself, “going... to… carry…. our baby.”
“Okay, well that puts my mind more at ease, but it only answers part of the questions,” Raquel said as she looked to the two girls. “Exactly what is it you two have in mind?”
“Well,” Daisy began again to try to explain, “I guess the simplest explanation is that Sisy can… is able to produce eggs, and conceive, but the rest just isn’t going to happen. So what has been proposed, and what we’ve decided we’re going to do is her eggs, my sperm and have the embryo implanted in me and I’ll carry our baby.”
An odd, snorting laughter came from the couch, the red panda girl sputtering after a few moments.
Looking down at his girlfriend Ralph asked quizzically, “exactly what the heck is so funny about this to you?”
“Oh come on, don’t tell me no one else in the room thinks it funny that what she’s talking about doing makes Daisy a daddymommy?”
Starting to giggle himself Paul chimed in, “ and in the same way it kind of makes Cecily a mommydaddy.”
“Oh good lord, leave it to the kids to think of stuff like that,” Raquel said, attempting to hide a broad grin on her face.
“Well, the thing is Raquel, they have a point. The kid will have two mommies, and a daddy, and not a damn clue what the hell to think about anything,” Daniel said. “But if Ralph and Zoe can make things work out, why the hell can’t this pair too? I’m sure you’ve both talked it over with the doctors and understand what the risks of failure are right?”
Cecily turned around and sat in Daisy’s lap as she pulled her moose’s arms around her. She looked like she had regained her composure as she said, “The odds of complications with in vitro fertilization are far less than the known complications we will have if I even try to carry. And it is our only option unless. Daisy wants to be both the mom and dad. Or we get a sperm donor. But then it won’t really be our baby.”
“Well, as long as you guys know what you're up against. I know it‘s going to sound odd, and hypocritical as hell, coming from me,” Ralph said, pausing for a brief moment, “are you both sure this is what you want and when you want it?”
Cecily stopped for a moment, looked Ralph in the eyes from her position in Daisy’s lap. “We have thought and talked about this, we’ve researched and studied. We’ve spend more time than most trying to figure out how to make this work for us. We are planning and enacting, not reacting. We have a supporting home full of loving supportive people. We aren’t running and we aren't rushed in this decision.” The moose boy was shocked by the difference in the kangaroo mouse’s demeanor as she spoke, “We are stepping forward in our lives as we make decisions and consider the consequences, not being pushed by the choices we have already made.”
“Jeez, no need to go on the offensive Cecily, it was an honest question,” the moose boy said in reply, “I wasn’t trying to sound all know it all or anything. Hell I’m still trying to figure it all out.”
Cecily pulled her feet up into daisy’s lap with her and wrapped her tail around them, “I… I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not and you shouldn’t be Sisy,” Daisy said as she looked at her brother, the young father to be sitting beside his girlfriend rubbing her belly subconsciously. “But you both should be thankful that you have someone that loves you enough to put up with you,” she added smiling at her brother as she squeezed the mouse tightly to her chest. “She is right though Ralph, we are acting not reacting. But she doesn’t really know everything about the situation between you and Zoe either.” Laying her muzzle on top of the mouse’s head she said, “like the fact that you two have nearly the same size issue that we do.” she admitted, blushing brightly.
Cecily cuddled into the thick flannel shirt of her lover as she said, “I… I am sorry. I… I didn’t think about that,” She thought about all the times that their condom broke because of the fit between the couple before they just gave up on using them.
“It’s okay Cecily, I was out of line. I guess I let too many things bother me since we found out we’re having twins. I mean, I’m still as happy as I can be about it, but it seems like a bigger load than I ever expected,” the moose boy replied.
“Than you expected? What the hell am I down here? Chopped liver or something?” the panda girl said a little indignant. “Now why the hell did I have to go and mention food? Okay we’ve been here what, an hour? Okay,” she said grabbing onto her boyfriend’s shoulder to help pull herself upright again. “New record, now which way is that bathroom again?”
Lilliana walked back into the great room and said, “There is one just down the hall that way,” As she pointed back the way they came from, “If you’re feeling adventurous There is one in every bedroom on the second floor, One by the front stairs off the foyer by the library across from the Living room, More like a waiting room now that the first floor master was converted to the office space. The one in the basement is a little confusing on how to get there unless you’ve been there.” She sat back in the chair she had been using, “That’s the ten bathrooms in the main house.” She paused for a moment before she added, “I forgot about the one at the bottom of the back stairs in the basement. That’s nine full baths and two half baths in the main house.”
“Okay let me ask that again, where is the closest bathroom to where I am standing right now,” she said as she wobbled to her footpaws.
“Back of the main hall by the garage entrance back the way Susan led you in,” the small mouse said quietly.
As the panda trotted off to the bathroom a thick German accent shouted, “Was zum Teufel ist los mit euch allen. Ich werde euch alle noch kriegen, ich weiß wo ihr schlaft.” from the far entrance to the house.
Lilliana smiled as she said, “Don’t mind Boomer, she’s just a little cold. I’ve been telling her she may want to wear more this time of year. I’d think she’d know better living in Chicago for most of her life.”
Giggling softly Ralph said, “unless my German is rustier than I think it is… I think I may want to sleep with one eye open tonight. Although you don’t look to concerned about her… statement. Is she always so colorful when she gets upset?””
Lilliana smiled as Hank and Susan came back into the room. “You ever hear an eagle cluck like a chicken?”
“I think we tormented her enough for now,” Hank said as he started to strip off the layers by the fireplace, down to a pair of overalls and not much more from the looks of it.
Looking the otter over as he removed the insulating layers of clothing Paul looked sideways at the liger as he said, “more than once since we got here I’ve heard someone saying something about clothes being required in the common areas, should I be concerned about getting more of an eyeful than I want around here or…” his voice trailed off, unsure of how to end his thought.
Susan said, “Alex is the one you have to worry about outside the second floor. I don’t think she has a modest bone in her body. Because each room has its own full bathroom, I think you’ll be fine, Lilly has been doing fine.”
“Just, well don’t linger around in the hall upstairs and you should be okay little brother,” Daisy said as she grinned at her siblings, “but consider yourselves warned. One of the common beliefs around this house is one of Lilliana’s. It’s exactly why there is the clothing required in the common areas rule of the house as well. So when you wake up either stay in the room until you think it’s safe or get down the stairs quick. Otherwise I’m fairly sure you will get more of an eyeful than you want.” Turning to Paul she added, “and you… behave yourself, from what Brad has been telling me you’re doing great since Jada finally got some guts and told you how she feels about you. Don’t mess that up by being stupid because she’s not here okay?”
“Deal Daisy,” the younger boy said, “I just wish I had listened to you months ago and told her how I felt. It may have saved all of us a lot of trouble.”
“If I’ve learned anything in the last several months Paul,” his sister said as she held her girlfriend in her arms, “it’s that the more you look back, the more likely you are to fall on your face. Keep looking ahead of you, not behind you. You’ve come a long way in five months little brother, and from the sound of it you’re heading for an even better place now.”
Alex walked into the room mumbling in german, “Ich sollte ihn im Schnee vergraben, ich habe nichts falsch gemacht, er hat Cecily zum weinen gebracht. Ich werde mich reinschleichen wenn ihr alle schlaft und dann säge ich ihm die Hörner ab. Damit werde ich es ihm zeigen.” She stopped talking and looked at the expression on the moose boy’s face, “‘ee knows gahman , don’t ‘ee?” then switched to mumbling in what sounded like some middle-eastern language.
“I take it that she was the translator of the unit,” Ralph said as he watched the eagle closely. “I am really very sorry Alex; it wasn’t my intention to upset Cecily. I just… I’m a little protective of my sister is all.”
Alex Just glared at the older moose boy as she sat in front of the fire and shivered even in her full change of denim jeans and tight fitting sweater.
“She’ll get over it before it gets that far,” Lilliana said as she picked up her now cold cup of cocoa. “Boomer has a short fuze when it comes to Sisy. But she cools off fast when she sees everything is ok. Besides, she doesn’t want another snow bath.”
Cecily smiled as Zoe returned from the bathroom, “ummm... Do we want to take that guided tour?”
“Yes please,” the moose boys said in unison as they eyed the shivering eagle.
“Okay no idea what I missed, don’t care either,” Zoe said as she looked around the room. “But the tour of the house sounds like a good idea. Just don’t expect me to get up those stairs too quickly and we’ll be fine. I do have one question about this clothes in the common area thing though. Other than being covered and decent anything else that’s a rule on that topic?”
Lilliana said, “Common areas include anything below the second floor. General rule of thumb is be dressed enough to not give the guys a nosebleed. Might need to get more specific when we have residents. We observe it more for guests than for us. Considering we have more than one guy in the house right now,” She looked over at Alex, “Everyone should at least cover up when they venture off the second floor.”
“Okay, I can live with that easy enough, now how about that tour and point me to the room we’ll be sleeping in. The person that designs ‘maternity wear’ has got to be some skinny ass beanpole of a man that has no idea what the hell this stuff feels like after a few hours in a car.” As Zoe started trying to get up off the cushioned log couch Ralph jumped to his hooves to help her. “If I don’t get out of these pants soon I think my legs are going to fall off.”
Alex smiled over at the panda girl and said, “Go a’ead and’ take it off. ya still go’ da shir’ on. an’ ya covahed up da naughty bits.”
Susan shook her head, “Boomer, there are two teenage boys in the room.”
“An’ I tink one a dem looks at ‘er all da time wit’ less on den dat,” Alex said with a smile, “An’ da oder one wan’s a peek anyway.”
As Cecily stood as she ignored Alex and started talking,” This is the ‘keep’ or more commonly the keeping room, family room, or great room. It is the warmest room in the house during the day since it is off the kitchen and has the fire lit most of the time. You can see the kitchen, Breakfast area and sitting rooms,” She pointed to each of the open adjoining areas, finishing with the smaller side room dominated by the ten foot Christmas tree, “ do we want to start at the top and work out way down?”
“that may be best on the mama to be,” Raquel said as she walked over to the rest of the group, “climbing the stairs is a bit rough on her and only going up them once for a while will be easier on her I think.”
The small mouse’s tail wrapped around Daisy’s leg as she started to walk toward the back stairs, “Okay then, stay close, the place is supposed to be haunted.” As they reached the top of the stairs she pointed to her left, “That’s our room, it was the second master bedroom, it’s kind of roomy but its homey too.” She stopped in the hall and looked at the group. Down that way is the access to the three car garage and Hank and Susan’s, as well as the linen closet, and laundry room, that room there Is Lilly’s.” She started down the hall; to the right is Alex’s room that one used to be Detlev’s. I think the guys left all your bags in there if you want to change. Someone will sleep in there.”
Leaning over to whisper in Ralph’s ear Zoe said, “grb my little green bag real quick moose face, I have some pajamas in it and I’ll change as soon as I can.”
Ralph ducked into the smaller room and returned in a few moments with a small green backpack slung over his shoulder, rejoining the group as they continued the tour.
The small mouse stopped on what could only be described as a catwalk that overlooked the foyer and another large room. “At the end of the hall are the dorms, The are set up with three single beds each.” Then she led them around the foyer balcony to the stairs. “To your right is the dining room. It is currently set for twenty people, we do have four more chairs, but we want to give everyone some elbow room if we can.” When they reached the bottom she continued, “in front of you is the living room with access to the solarium, veranda and what is now the office. Down to your left is the library.” As she led them around to the basement stairs she added, you can see the doors to the tea room off the dining room over there.”
“Wow this place is huge,” Paul said as they continued the tour, “wait, tea room? Why a tea room?”
“it is a common feature of most large European house it is actually the smallest room in the house, it has four small chairs and a tea table. It’s a nice quiet place to read or just get away.” Cecily said.
“You said the two rooms upstairs, the dorms had three single beds each, that’s not much sleeping space for what you’re planning on doing is it?” Daniel asked as he scratched his head.
Daisy said, “the rooms are set for comfort but can easily fit six singles if we need to.”
“Okay so some level of personal space and a little privacy, but still a closeness taht may be beneficial to those in the rooms.” Raquel chimed in, “a much better idea than the usual military barracks set up in most teen residence shelters.”
“We want the place to be more home like and create a family style atmosphere,” Cecily said, “I’ve lived in some of those places, and if I can help it, this will never be like that. Any other questions before we continue into the rec’ center?”
“Only one,” the panda girl chimed in, “can you wait right here for about five minutes while I make another trip to the bathroom?”
“It is right around the corner in the library,” the small mouse said as she pointed the way.
“Thank you,” Zoe replied as she headed off in the direction that Cecily had pointed in. “Come on moose face, you can get my pants off while I’m in there so I can change,” she added grabbing her boyfriend by the paw, nearly dragging him along behind her.
The moose and panda couple returned a few minutes later, Zoe now in a pair of stretchy flannel pajama pants and matching, though too large for her top. “Oh God that’s so much better, okay now we’re ready to go. Thanks for waiting Cecily, sorry if I’m a little crabby.”
“It’s no problem, really,” the small mouse said, “the tour is for your benefit. Don’t want you guys to get lost.” She began to lead them through what looked like a closet door to a set of stairs the led further down. “ The basement has been fully converted into a recreation center,” As they reached the landing she pointed to her right down a long hall, that way is the gym, theater and snack bar, I'll show you those in a minute.” then she continued into a large open room with a basketball hoop at one end. The walls were covered this thick padded plastic mats, ”this is the ‘play room’. That door over there is a bedroom we converted into a study area, it has it’s own bathroom. The door on the far side is a wood shop. That’s here Hank makes most of the furniture that you’ve seen in the house.” On wall was a clear glass wall that looked into the snack bar, “Through this door is the snack bar and arcade, “As she led them through the door into the snack bar, the arcade was on open area to the far side with several arcade and pinball games all flashing and ready to use. “We are going to run the snack bar on the honor system as long as we can.”
She then she led them through a door that opened back into the hall they first saw, a set of double doors stood before them and the mouse pushed her way past, “This is the Theater, it comfortably seats about thirty, but fire code limits it to twenty.”
“Holy shit, Hank wasn’t kidding when he said theater.” the youngest moose boy said, his eyes wide as they walked into the large open room.
“Well, it looks like a lot of thought, and maybe more than one of someone’s wishes went into setting this place up.” Amanda said turning to her daughter, “now why do I get the feeling I’ll be hearing about someone wanting to come spend some time with her sister I… with moose faces sister come summer break?”
“Hold up a second there Mandy,” Daisy said from the back of the group where she stood by the door and her girlfriend. “I caught that little slip better than you think, her sister what?”
“Well, umm…”, her brother Ralph hedged as he looked from the moose herm to the small mouse at her side. As he looked to each of the adults around him each gave a slight nod as if confirming an unasked question before he continued. “the thing is… Zoe and I have decided that our babies should have my last name, officially not just on a piece of paper.”
Cecily crossed her arms and looked at the teen age moose boy in his young panda wife, “And we’re too young for what?” a smirk on her muzzle as the slip up actually made her want to congratulate them. She looked up at her dumbstruck girlfriend and smiled widely.
“Are. You. Shitting. Me?” Daisy said, a pause following each word as her mind reeled with the news. “Tell me you were not fool enough to actually marry that fat headed brother of mine Zoe, I gave you way too much credit for being smart if you did.”
“Thanks a heap sis,” the moose boy retorted, “I love your ass too.”
A huge smile breaking across the moose herms muzzle she grabbed the panda girl in a warm embrace as she said, “for better or worse girl, welcome to the Daniels family, I just hope you don’t regret it.”
Pointing to her belly as Daisy released her and stepped back a pace, her other paw began to rub in small circles over the sizable bulge as she said, “Take that up with them, they’re the ones that talked me into it.”
Cecily smiled and said, “The family just keeps getting bigger.” She looked around the group and continued, “The tour is almost over if we want to continue, or we can just leave you two here to make out in the back of the theater.”
“Don’t tempt him like that… wait don’t temp ME like that. Messing around is what got me like this but damn if I can get enough of him now,” the panda girl said as she winked at the small mouse.
“Oh dear God,” Paul chimed in, “waaay too much information thank you. Please save me from these pervs Cecily and continue the tour before they start sucking face again.”
“I’m sorry you couldn’t bring your girlfriend,” the small mouse said as she led them back into the hall, “she pointed to her left, Down there is the gym, it’s not really big or anything, a treadmill, lifecycle, free weights and a bench. It looks out into the lower garden. Hank and I are going to fix the garden up in the spring. There’s also a sauna, but it is not fully working yet. I think that and the pool are spring projects.” As stopped at a small landing and looked at the group, “That brings us back to the back stairs which lead up to the keep and garages.”
------
“Welcome to the Dark Rider House, Sanctuary for wayward and troubled youths.” the little mouse smiled as she led them back up to the great room and warm fire.
Looking to the liger sitting in the same chair she had been in when they left the room Daniel said, “heck of a place you have here, I just hope that the kids you try to help appreciate what all it took to get it to what it is now.”
The whole group looked over at the guests as the returned. Lilliana said, “I’m just following the boss’s instructions.”
“She may be the boss, but we both know who the enforcer is around here,” Amanda said as she took a seat on the couch. “That much comes across after about five seconds.”
Hank looked up and said, “I figure we’ll put the Bells in the guest room, Miss. Daniels and Paul in one dorm and the couple in the other. We can push some of the gets together for them if you want.”
Cecily looked over at him and said, “That sounds like a plan, we can set it all up later,”. as she walked into the room and laid down on the fur rug in front of the fireplace again. “Oh, if you want you can put any presents you brought around the tree, We’re going to have a big party tomorrow.”
Looking at his daughter Daniel said, “I’ll be taking the moose face off your hands for a little bit, come on boys out to the van and we’ll bring them in, move out.”
It took several trips to the van to unload the small mountain of gifts the families had brought with them to exchange with each other and the members of the Dark Rider House. As they were brought in Daisy helped to unpack them from the large plastic bags and arrange them around the tree, sneaking looks at every tag that came close enough for her to see. Once that was done the group gathered together around the fireplace again as Daisy asked, “I see that not only did my father opt out of seeing me he decided to do the same with gifts.”
“Don’t judge him too harshly just yet Daisy. If anything I would think that you had come to learn a little more patience and understanding being with Cecily and her family.”
Alex looked over at the Moose woman and said, “Speakin’ of Pstinace an’ Undastandin’, it’s you an’ Mandy’s turn to fix lunch.”
Cecily chimed in, “Everyone in the house chips in, and I didn’t think it would be fair to have you clean.”
“I did warn you before you all agreed to come, even though someone had told me you wouldn’t be coming until next summer,” the moose girl said as she looked at the liger sternly.
Lilliana shrugged, “It’s not like I paid for a rental van, gas a, food and lodging to get them out here or anything. They may have just got a wild hair up their ass or something. And it wasn’t my idea anyway.”
“Sisy, I’m gonna squeeze you till you squeak for this,” Daisy said as she scooped her girlfriend up off the rug, hugging her tightly to her chest. “Thanks sweet cheeks, second best Christmas present ever.”
Cecily squeaked as the moose herm hugged her tightly, “Maybe next year we can go out there,” she said as she pushed away from her girlfriend to look her in the eyes, “I already had everything I wanted The your family is the only thing I couldn’t find at the mall. So… that’s what I spent my Christmas budget on.”
“Well now I have everything I wanted, my family, and my girlfriend, no, my mate. That’s what you are my little mousey my mate, the only one I want to be with and raise a family with is you Sisy.”
The small mouse hugged the moose as she said, “That hasn’t been a question for a long time for me. You are part of my family, a big part.” Cecily pulled away from the moose as she looked at the other youths, “Who wants go up to our room and be kids while the grown-ups do whatever they want?”
“Well considering my current condition where the hell does that leave me exactly?” Zoe asked tilting her head to the side as she looked at her husband.
“Umm, where ever you want to do dear, it’s up to you honey,” he replied cautiously.
“Count me in, I could use some fun,” Paul chimed in. “What?” he said as he noticed the sideways stare his brother gave him. “Damn Ralph would you get your mind out of your wife’s panties for an hour Jesus, that’s not what I was talking about!”
The eagle spoke up with as big of a smile as her beak would allow, “Anyone yunga den me is one a da kids.”
Hank leaned back on the hearth as she sat on the floor, “I’m going to ignore that, Boomer.”
Cecily said, “Tomorrow there should be five more around our age when everyone gets here. I think Elise wants to do a CoD tournament in the theater, but that’s not really a fair match for any of us. But for now anyone without College or service time on their resume counts as one of us.”
“Okay, one more time up the stairs. At least here it’s not like climbing a damn mountain, help me up moose face,” Zoe said as ralph sprang to his hooves, helping his wife from her seat.
“Come on Paul, it may take both of you to push the blimp up the stairs this time,” the panda said as she walked over to Daisy and Cecily. Looking up slightly at the girl in her sister-in-laws arms she said, “thanks for having all of us out Cecily, it really is good to see Daisy as happy as she is right now.”
“Lets go boys, unless you would rather hang out down here and listen to the adults ramble on for hours,” Daisy said as she turned towards the stairs.
“Right behind you sis,” both of them answered as the brothers and panda followed her out of the room.
------
As the group of teens followed the small kangaroo mouse into the room at the top of the stairs they were astonished by the size of the room. Compared to the bedrooms they had seen this one was large, larger than even the dining room, yet still smaller than the keep. The queen sized bed seemed small in the massive space. Against one wall there was what looked like a miniature two story house facade. Near it was one desk and a small seating area with a TV just inside the entrance to the room.
“Holy shit!,” Zoe nearly shouted as they entered the room. “This is a bedroom? Hell it’s almost as big as the first floor of our house Ralph,” the red panda girl said as she waddled into the room.
“Umm, so other than when you really have to do either of you even leave this room?” Paul asked as he looked over to his sister and Cecily.
Cecily looked over at him as she said, “We just finished the renovations in most of the house. A lot of our time was taken helping with that when we were done with homework. And movies look and sound better in the theater than on the TV in here, even though Lilliana hooked it up to the media servers,” the small mouse walked over and climbed into one chair, “really most of what we’ve done in here is homework and… sleep.”
“Yea sleep, sure thing … sleeps,” Zoe said as she crossed her arms above her rounded belly, staring at the two girl sternly. “These dumbass boys might buy that, sleep my furry ass. I know we don’t know each other very well Cecily, and I do appreciate you trying to be nice about it and all, but don’t sugar coat it or outright feed me a line of shit. I do have eyes and this belly doesn’t make me stupid. Anyone that watches you two for more than thirty seconds can tell how much you love each other. You and moose faces sister have the hots for each other, hell even Paul can see that.”
“Zoe, why the hell do you always pick on me like that?” the younger of the twin boys asked as he sat in a chair. “It really does get old after about five minutes.”
“Because even if I can tolerate your ass I still have an ax to grind with you shrimp dick. Don’t like it kiss my furry… wait, never mind, you probably would and get a boner from it.” Walking over to her brother-in-law Zoe grabbed him by the antlers, holding him still while she planted a playful smooch on his cheek. “Besides Paul, the last time I gave you a break it scared the living shit out of you. You wouldn’t get with in twenty feet of me for over a month.”
Trying hard to stifle his giggling, not quite succeeding, Ralph looked at his brothers wide eyed expression as he said, “Paul, she’s been looking for an opportunity to give you a load of crap for the last 2 months. Ever since we last saw you at the group home she has been plotting and planning a way to make you squirm. Looks like she found one, welcome to why I do my best to not piss this girl off.”
“The room used to be bigger,” Cecily said as she pointed over to the facade, “That used to be the sitting room until Hank made it into the ‘doll house’ for me. And I don’t think the balcony counts as part of the room, does it?”
“Balcony?” Ralph said as he looked across the room, “you have a balcony? Wait, why does it not surprise me that in a house like this you have a balcony?”
Cecily pointed to a glass door in the far wall, “Balcony is out there. Not much, it only looks over the motor court I think it’s ten by seven seating space, but it’s covered with snow right now.” She pointed to the other end of the room, and added, Bathroom is through the French doors by the closet, if you need it Zoe.”
\t“Oh thank God, I’ll be right back,” the panda said as she headed towards the doors Cecily had pointed to. “If I’m not back in ten minutes, wait another ten before you call the rescue squad.”
She had barely walked through the doors when she turned back t the group and said, “Ralph...Honey…. just go and see if they can move me a bed in here. There’s plenty of room and I won’t have to walk so far a hundred times a night.”
“It’s not that big, is it?” the small mouse asked as she started to walk over, “Maybe we’re just getting used to the size of things.”
Before he could stop himself Paul responded, “that’s what she said,” before he clamped a paw around his muzzle. Looking over to his sister, he quickly added, “I didn’t mean it that way, honest I didn’t sis. Please don’t throw me out a window,” as the lighter colored fur on his neck turned a bright shade of red.
Cecily stopped in her tracks as the younger moose boy spoke, “Don’t worry the pavers should break your fall and its only twelve or so feet from here.” Then continued to the bathroom, “I forgot to mention the toilet is in the water closet by the bathtub.”
Ralph followed behind their hostess, shaking his head at his wife’s seeming over exaggeration of the bathroom. As he walked through the doors he stopped in his tracks. “Oh my God, this isn’t a bathroom it’s a damn paradise.” Turning to the small mouse he grinned as he said, “you know you just cost me a ton of money right? Now she’s gonna want a bathroom like this for after the babies are born. So she can escape into it and leave me with the kids.”
“The doll house would be better for that, your antlers would keep you out,” she said as she smiled at him.
Looking over at Zoe, a stern look on her face, he shook his head as he pointed and answered, “no, that look right there is all it takes to keep me out.”
She looked up at the moose boy and asked, “You want to see my doll house? Hank made it as a big joke over a weekend we went camping.”
“Sure, well what I can see of it from the door I guess since these,” he said grabbing his antlers, “will keep me out.”
Cecily walked over to an through the small half height door into a small room filled with miniature furniture that made the small mouse look as if she was six feet tall. She sat in one of the chairs at the far side and pointed at a miniature staircase, “He put a whole office space on the second floor. You can see it through the windows. He thought we’d get a big laugh out of it, but everyone loved the idea and then he had to make all the furniture to go with it.”
“Oh wow, this is really cool. Hey Zoe you should see this, it would make a great playhouse for the kids until they’re about eight or ten...what the hell am I saying?” The moose boy slapped a paw over his mouth, but it was too late as the panda girl joined him gazing into the small windows of the odd structure.
“You’re right it would. Now you know what I want to get for their first Christmas don’t you stud muffin?” As she smiled at the small mouse she added, “thanks Cecily, I was wondering what I was going to get that would be special enough for the kids that they could get more than a few weeks enjoyment out of, now I know.”
“My own little getaway in a house soon to be filled with its own chaos,” Cecily said as she started to leave the room, “being the administrator of this place isn’t going to be easy and I might need to run and hide some till I get the hang of it all. At least I have Daisy and Ethan to run interference at school.”
\t“Yea, once he and I saw eye to eye on things,” the moose herm said as she looked to her girlfriend, “it didn’t take long though, once I found out where he was coming from and what his intentions were.” Walking over and wrapping her arms around the small mouse she added, “besides you always have me to run interference for you Sisy, even here, and most things will still have to get by Lilliana, or even more important by Alex.”
“You and Lilly over reacted. Ethan was trying to help when Kris tin… It was all a big misunderstanding, really.”
“I know that, now. I’m just glad there is someone other than me looking out for you Sisy, as much as I want to be, I just can’t always be right there with you. It irritates the hell out of me, but there isn’t a lot I can do about it,” Daisy said as she fidgeted with her paws. “But Ethan proved I can trust him, if he hadn’t I would have broken him in half.”
“You’ll get to meet Ethan and Claire tomorrow, I think they are going to bring Sienna with them,” Cecily said as she climbed up on the bed. The whole Summers family is coming and the Eschers. I don't know if Steven or Colin will be coming or not, but Steven is the only one I need to see sometime before the New Year.”
“Okay so are we just going to gab all night or what?” Zoe asked as she sat down on the couch across from the bed.
Cecily asked, “What do you want to do? We have the TV hooked to the media server, so we have all the movies and channels. Threes a few games in the closet,” She looked over at the younger moose boy, “Or we can play spin the bottle,” as she winked at him.
Shaking his head slowly Paul replied, “you’re just trying to get me killed aren’t you Cecily? Ralph or Daisy would pound me into the ground, and if Jada found out about it she’d…” the boy said shuddering, “I don’t even want to think about what she’d do to me.”
“Oh come on little brother,” Daisy chimed in with a broad grin on her muzzle, “don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little cheetah girl? She wouldn’t hurt you…. much.”
“Are you crazy Daisy? Have you ever been clawed by a feline… look who I’m asking, of course you have. Those claws are sharp and they hurt like hell. No way am I doing anything that will piss her off. Just leave me out of anything like that,” the youngest of the moose siblings said, waving his paws in front of himself.
“So I guess that leaves you out of the fun games too, like,” Zoe said as she grinned mischievously at the boy, “maybe a game of strip twister, or bobbing for boobies?”
“Get a paw on your woman big brother, or I’m spending this visit locked in the van… ALONE,” Paul said as he scooted away from Zoe.
Cecily smiled as she said, “We could get her on a video call and play truth or dare, i think strip poker would be hard… um difficult over a video call.”
“Truth or dare huh?” Ralph said as he looked over at his brother, “now that’s something I think Jada would go for.” Looking over at his wife and winking he said, “I wouldn’t mind seeing her nude, standing on her head either.”
His eyes wide and his teeth clenched Paul replied, “I thought we had an agreement big brother. I behave and you keep your trashy mind out of my girlfriends panties.”
Cecily said, “Nude is not trashy. Nude is natural. I think someone's mind is in the gutter over there. Or are all boys like that? Besides its only fair if we all get to see everyone nude, Paul’s the only one who has had that opportunity. I've seen Paul and Daisy, Zoe has seen Paul and Ralph, Daisy has seen Paul, Ralph and me and the other girl has seen Paul… or has she?”
Laughing heartily Zoe piped up, “NO, Jada has not seen moose face junior nude, not even without a shirt on. It’s in the rules where he’s been at since the cruise. She can visit, but only in the day room under constant supervision. But she has told me that she would love to see him nude, though she would rather be that way with him.”
Cecily looked at the boy with a big toothy grin, “Anyone have her Skype?” she asked as she pulled a small keyboard from under a pillow. The 40” TV flashed to life with a computer desktop on the screen.
“I do, Ralph sent it to me the same day he told me that Paul and Jada had finally started talking to each other, here,” Daisy said as she pulled a slip of paper from her pocket and handed it to her girlfriend. “I was planning on giving her a call tonight anyway to wish her a merry Christmas.”
Cecily took the paper and started typing the intro message into the contact request box, [Hi, I have a nude moose that said he wants to say merry Christmas to a hot chick and I told him to stop hitting on me.] Viewable to all in the room before she hit send.
“Oh My God, tell me you did not just send that to her,” Paul shrieked, “she’ll kill me if she thinks I’m bothering some girl again. That was part of the deal with her, which I had to behave no matter what the temptation was.”
“You better hope she answers then,” the small mouse said with a smile.
As the screen changed and the face of a very cute Cheetah came into view Daisy smiled behind her brother’s head, knowing what was coming from the girls muzzle before she spoke a word.
“So I take it you sprang the truth or dare idea on him and he balked right? Or did you guys hit him with spin the bottle first like we were talking about the other day?”, the girl asked as she grinned into her camera. “Relax Paul, you’ve just been had, or as close to being had by me as you can get right now.”
“Thanks for answering Jada, I didn’t know they were even coming. But I would guess my lovely girlfriend had more than one surprise up her sleeve,” the moose herm said as she smiled at the small mouse.
“That was Alex’s Idea, I wasn’t sure if Paul was coming or not,” Cecily said as she looked over at the screen, ‘So what kind of Christmas present you got for the poor tortured boy? He’s in a house full of women that all dislike cloths. He’s lucky Hank got him out of the room before Alex got down stairs, considering it sounded like she jumped.”
“Well… the one present I want most from my sexy moose is the one thing I can’t have, not just yet anyway,” the cheetah girl said pouting adorably.
“So… um… did we really want to play truth or dare? Only rule is not touching… unless anyone has objections to that,” Cecily said as she winked at the monitor.
“Hmm, I wonder… okay girls I guess it would depend on how you feel about it really because I would do just about anything to see the moose out of those clothes. I just wish I could be there to strip them off him myself,” Jada confessed as she smiled from the large screen.
Cecily smiled at the cheetah on the screen, “You’re not missing much, you should see his sister.”
“Oh I know all about Daisy, unless Debbie is a stone cold liar. But I really don’t think I could handle something… that size. It’s not like I have any frame of reference or anything, but I don’t think I could get anything that big inside me,” the cheetah replied with a deep blush in her cheeks.
Cecily rolled over on the bed, “Think of it like trying to fit a soda can inside a stretchy hotdog bun. It’s a tight fit and not a lot of bread around the edges but it can be done.”
“Oh… umm… oh I guess you’re right. But Paul is the only guy I’ve ever really been interested in. I don’t care if he’s not hung like a… moose, as long as he cares about me I’ll still be happy.” Smiling broadly from the screen she locked her gaze on the younger moose boy. “So what’s it gonna take to get you naked for me studly?”
“Well, if all else fails,” Zoe began, holding back a snicker, “we could always hold him down and rip his clothes off. He’s kind of outnumbered here.”
“No thank you,” Cecily said with a smile, “I did that once already. Not really on my ‘want to go again’ list.”
“Cecily is there, umm” Ralph spoke up from his seat beside his wife. “Is there anywhere he could maybe go and make it a private call between them. I really have no wish to see my brother nude… ever again.”
“But if we don’t get him nude, how are we going to get you nude, I want to compare,” the small mouse said as she winked at Daisy, “But, really we could dump the call to one of the other rooms. I just wouldn’t recommend Alex’s room… its kinda…. not a good place for stuff like that.”
“Well I’ve seen Paul naked, and then some,” she said with a scowl on her face. “It’s number one on my ‘not to do ever again list’, but since you want to compare my husband’s junk to your girlfriends junk I’ll make you a deal Cecily.” As a sly smile spread across the pandas face she said, “get mini me out of the room and Ralph will strip for you, I know where he’s sleeping tonight, and there’s no way Daisy is about to let him lay a paw on you. So you can look all you want just keep the… everything, to yourself.”
“Are you out of your damn mind Zoe Daniels? +You actually think I’m gonna take my clothes off in front of my sisters girlfriend because you tell me to?” the moose boy said indignantly.
“No Ralph, but I think you are if you ever plan on doing more than look at me naked ever again big boy. You think I’m bluffing just try me studly.” Turning her attention back to the small mouse she said, “that’s the deal take it or leave it, he’ll do as he’s told, he likes making mama happy to much to not do it.”
While the moose and panda talked Cecily was busy talking at the keyboard. When they had finished she looked up, “What? Never mind,” she tapped a key and the picture of the cheetah disappeared off the screen, “I sent it to Lilliana’s room and let her know you’ll be in there… talking. its across the hall, if the room is white, you’re in the wrong room.”
As she finished talking a buzzing sound came from a small intercom box, [You girls… kids need anything? We have cookies and a fresh batch of cocoa.] Cecily taped on the keyboard and the picture of the otter cam up on the screen, “Sure, Wiggles, but Paul will be going to the other room for a little while.” [Okay I’ll bring some up in a moment.] then the screen went back to the computer desktop. “Jada is kind of cute. Why is she settling for Paul?”
“She’s had a crush on him since third grade,” Daisy began to explain, “but neither of them would take the first step. Ralph and I took every opportunity we could to push them together in any kind of situation that might lead to some thing to help them along but they always froze up.”
“I have no idea why she finds my brother so interesting,” Ralph said before he was cut off in his thoughts.
“Because the Daniels boys are hot you big fat head,” Zoe said as she grabbed him in her arms and pulled him into a deep kiss. A moment later when she released her husband she continued, “I just got lucky and got the stud of the pair.”
“I umm should get across the hall I think,” Paul said as he blushed a bright red and headed for the door.
“Hey look at it this way,” Zoe called after him as he opened the bedroom door, “you don’t have to worry about knocking her up like your brother did me.”
Turning quickly as he stopped in the doorway Paul turned to look the panda girl in the eyes. “You have no idea how badly I wish I had even a tenth of what Ralph has Zoe. He the lucky one, he got a girl that gave him more than he ever could wish for. I only hope that someday I can be even half as happy and lucky as he is.” Turning again her left the room, closing the door behind him.
Cecily looked over at the couple and said, “I was just kidding about comparing, but I would like to get some…. photos of the two of you. It’s not often I get to see a really beautiful panda in your… condition. I think it’s beautiful and the two of you are just great together now that I see it in a better setting than on the cruise.”
“Umm, Daisy? Is your girlfriend some kind of freak like Rupin Val Tazidor, that crazy ass artist guy in town?” the moose boy asked with an odd look on his face. “I mean she loves you so she’s at least a little crazy, but is she wanting to take pictures of Zoe and I…. like THAT?”
“I would ask to sketch,” the small mouse said shyly, “But I didn’t think she would be able to sit still long enough. But… I guess if you were in a bubble bath we could kinda… fake it...”
“Daisy, get her away from me,” the moose boy said as he rolled over the arm of the couch and went to stand behind it.
“Ralph… you idiot, of course she not talking about pictures of you and Zoe making babies. Shit boy have you never seen… okay I think maybe you haven’t seen the kind of pictures she’s talking about,” Daisy said as it dawned on her that Ralph was not the more artistic of her brothers. “She talking about pictures of you two nude, yes, but not while you're having sex for Gods sake. Neither of us wants to see THAT. Umm Sisy hit that site we were looking at and show him what you’re talking about before he freaks out any worse please.”
Cecily tapped at the keyboard in her paws as she brought up the photography site and navigated to the maternity section. “I was talking about… um… art shots like these,” she said as pictures of nude pregnant couples came up on the screen with them holding each other in different non sexual poses. “I don’t know what you were thinking.” She looked over at the moose boy, “I can show you some I got of use if you want to see. I don't know if you saw the sketch I did of Daisy that I started… um… it’s hanging in the dollhouse.”
“No, that’s fine Cecily, and I’m sorry for overreacting. It’s just that Daniel…” he began before Zoe gave him a stern look. “Mom and Dad Bell,” he began again as he blushed slightly, “they set up an appointment for photos like those,” the boy said pointing to the screen, “with that artist guy in Winter Creek. But Rupin had other… different things in mind once the shoot started.”
Cecily perked up as she said, “You know what would look great? A shot in front of the fireplace in the keep.” then she laid back down on the bed, “but then again I don’t want to drag you up and down the stairs all day…. We can see about that one some time when we’re already down there.” She looked over at the couple, If you don’t want to do something like that it’s ok. I just thought... Daisy said Zoe was a bit of an exabitionist, and I would really like to add some photos like that to my collection.”
“Well exhibitionist or not sweet cheeks,” Zoe said as she turned to face her man, “you are taking those clothes off stud. If she’s talking about pictures like I wanted in the first place you’re in. So where do you want us Cecily?”
She smiled as she jumped off the bed and ran into the dollhouse to get her equipment, “It really doesn’t matter, just be comfortable. I want them to be realistic, not forced. Do whatever you normally do…” She leaned out a window and added, “Without clothes that is. You do hang around the house without cloths right?” then disappeared back into the small structure. “I can do some oils of the photos later.”
After Ralph helped the panda to her footpaws she readily stripped off her clothing, seeming to greatly prefer being nude to being clothed, Ralph however had to be prodded nearly every inch of the way to get his clothes removed. Once that was accomplished Zoe had him sit on the couch, herself seated across his lap leaning against his chest as he rubbed her belly with one paw. After a few minutes the moose boy began to relax somewhat and seemed less nervous and self-conscious about his lack of clothing.
As the couple relaxed and became almost oblivious to the other two in the room rapid sounds of ‘KADAK’ streamed through the space. “Perfect, the small mouse said as she took a few more snapshots, You can’t force a good pose with stuff like that, they just don’t look natural.” as each photo was taken the small mouse seemed to become more focused on what she was doing, She stopped for a moment and looked at the two, “Is there anything that would make you more comfortable? Music or anything?”
Almost as soon as Cecily finished asking the question the door to the room opened and the otter walked in with a big tray then froze, “Um… am I interrupting?”
Without looking away from the camera Cecily said, “No, you’re not in the shot.”
“Okay, I’ll just leave this on the coffee table and…” He thought for a moment, “You think the parents would like a remote feed of the session or are you about done?”
Almost as if in a completely different place Cecily said, “We’re just starting really. They can look in if Ralph and Zoe don’t mind.”
“It’s fine with me, my parents have seen me like this most of my life, up to you hot lips,” Zoe said as she kissed her husband softly on the lips.
“Sure why not, I’m kind of busy thinking about how much I love this panda in my arms, and the babies she’s carrying to really give a damn. Do as you will Cecily, just nothing X rated okay, I do want to be able to show these to our kids before they hit the age of thirty.”
Hank left the room and pulled the door closed behind him. Within a few moments the adults in the great room popped up on the screen followed by Lilliana asking, “Can we get requests? I’m sure grandma and grandpa have a few they would like to see.”
Susan piped in, “I’m not sure if this is bending or breaking the clothing in common area rule.”
Alex retorted, “Chutup Fluffy, dis is fer the paren’s. ‘sides, ain’t no one ‘ere yet.”
Her eyes going slightly wide Raquel stared at the screen for a moment in shock, pointing to the screen as she asked, “how… how did you ever talk Ralph into this one? After the episode with Rupin… I thought getting him to ever take any pictures other than fully dressed was impossible.”
As the mouse continued to take pictures she said, “I asked and Zoe made him. I didn’t think he was going to at first. He got all freaked out… I don't think the bubble bath idea helped any either.” She lowered the camera from her face, “how about some spooning in the bed? A few different angles… If… if that’s okay.”
Zoe turned her head to look the moose boy in the eyes, “I won’t make you do any more if you don’t want to Ralph. From here on I’ll leave it up to you because you were a good sport about it after all. So what do ya say you sexy beast, wanna spoon on the bed with your wife… with an audience?”
Ralph swallowed hard, a blush coming to his face as he looked to the screen, seeing the faces of every adult in the house looking back at him. Turning to look his sister in the eyes he asked quietly, “So umm, have they seen you nude yet Daisy?”
“Yea, they have Ralph, in this house it’s a little hard not to be seen if you’re undressed right now. But you know I never really cared about all that in the first place. No one here will be shocked by your equipment little brother. But you may get a comment or two,” the moose girl said as she cut her eyes to the screen. “If you don’t want to the don’t, but don’t let a little shyness stop you from showing Zoe how much you love her either.”
Hesitating for a moment, he looked into the golden eyes of his wife as he said, “if it’s what you want Zoe then yes, I told you I would do anything for you, that’s exactly what I meant then and I still do now. Come on sweet cakes, come spoon with me so I can rub your belly like we do at home.”
As the couple moved to the bed a french accent caught Ralph’s ear as it said, “Vous pensez que je peux lui Borów pour la nuit? Je tiens à frotter son ventre, si vous voyez ce que je veux dire.”
Looking at the screen, his eyes a bit wider Ralph responded, “"Eh bien Alex, le prendre avec le panda. Soyez averti si maintenant elle est très possessif de son homme, et de l'équipements.”
Alex tried her best to make eye contact with the camera as she said, “Elle peut se joindre po J'ai toujours aimé un bon sandwich à la fureur de aigle.”
Susan nearly shouted, “No hitting on the boy in french, Boomer.”
“I thought that sounded vaguely familiar,” Raquel said as she eyed the eagle.
“Yea I have no idea what she said,” Amanda chimed in, “but HE does,” she said as she pointed to the screen. “I’ve had to get on his ass for mouthing off at me in french more times than I can count.”
Alex looked around the room, “What? I was just talking about a belly rub.” as she winked at the camera.
“Stop it, Boomer, you’re interrupting the session. I’ll have to block the feed,” the small mouse said as she urged the two over to the bed. “now you two get comfortable, If you want I can turn off the intercom camera. I would still like to get those bubble bath photos also, and there is no intercom in there.”
Giggling softly Ralph replied, “no it’s okay Cecily. If anything I think maybe Alex’s comment may have helped. I guess I shouldn’t be so nervous around your family, they’re about as crazy as mine and Zoe’s.”
“Okay I’m not exactly sure what Alex said, but I’m fairly certain it involved making a sandwich and a furry beagle?” Daisy said as a look of confusion came to her face. “No that can’t be… Alex, shit really? God Ralph ignore her she’s almost as big of a slut as Debbie is.” Turning to the screen to stare at the eagle she continued, “And leave my brother and his wife out of your fantasies, that’s just...ewwwwww.”
Alex stood up from her seat and walked toward the kitchen as she said, “I’ll jus’ go make dem turkey samiches now.”
“Can we get back to the photo shoot?” Cecily asked, “You all can talk dirty in foreign languages at dinner or something.”
“Yes, sorry Cecily,” Ralph apologized as he nudged Zoe, “come on hot lips, let’s go cuddle for a bit.” Rising from the couch she turned and faced the moose boy, “okay but no more talking about me behind my back, even if it is to my face… kind of.” The young couple walked over and lay on the bed, Ralph behind her as Zoe faced Cecily. Draping his arm over her side he slowly rubbed her belly with is paw, the mother of his babies smiling softly and pressing herself against him.
Cecily started taking pictures as the two lovers as they once again lost themselves in each other. She snapped shots from several angles before she turned to Daisy and said, “Mind helping me get a high shot, hot legs?” As Daisy picked up the small mouse and set her on a shoulder, Cecily nudged the moose the get her to move to several different spots as she took picture. After several minutes she said, “I think that should do it for now. I’m surprised she lasted this long without running for the bathroom… or do we need to change the sheets?”
“No, the sheets are fine,” Zoe said a little dreamily. “I don’t know why, but when he rubs my belly like that they seem to settle down and they get off my bladder. Kind of like they move to his paw to be closer to their daddy.”
Cecily started fiddling with her camera as she said, “You can get dressed if you want. I know Ralph is a little uncomfortable, not that he has anything to be nervous or embarrassed about.” She looked down at the two from Daisy’s shoulder, “We can look at them later and see if you want prints of any of them. You know, Paul has been gone a while, I wonder what he’s up to… or down to.”
------
As Paul entered the room his attention was instantly drawn to the 40” television on the wall, the image of his girlfriend giving him reason to smile broadly.
“Hi Jada,” he said a she closed the door behind him.
“Hey hot stuff,” the cheetah girl replied with a huge grin on her face. “So my sexy moose, are we alone now or what?”, she asked as he came closer to the camera and into her view.
“Yes, we’re alone now. We can talk or whatever you want to do Jada,” the moose boy replied.
“What I want is what you can give me for a Christmas present, since I can’t be with you to get it in person this will have to do. I want, more than anything, to see my sexy moose boyfriend in his bare fur,” she said giggling. “I guess what I’m asking is if you want to do a ‘you show me your’s and I’ll show you mine’ with me hot stuff, you game?”
“S sure Jada, I I’ll do that for you. I w want to see you n n nude too,” Paul replied, his going wider as he saw a message pop up at the top of the screen. [Condoms in the top left hand drawer. If you make a mess clean it up. Fresh linens in the hall closet.]
“Umm, Jada are you… you planning on doing anything other than, ummm getting naked while I watch?” he asked as a bright blush seemed to flow from his cheeks down his neck and chest.
“Ohh, my sexy moose wants a show does he? Okay, but only if I get one in return…”
------
“Oh, umm okay, I guess,” Ralph said lost in the moment and warmth of his wife against him. “S sorry it’s just that… well we lay like this a lot at home. I guess it just feels so good to be close to her and feel the babies, I just kind of forget everything else for a while,” the moose boy admitted shyly. “Guess that sounds kind of goofy huh?”
Cecily climbed down from Daisy’s shoulder, “No it doesn’t. I kinda know what you mean. I won’t force you to move or get dressed, but it will be a little odd when Daisy and I climb in bed with you tonight. Not that I mind… Zoe did feel warm and soft when we got to rub her belly.”
Paul walked into the room, his clothes rumpled and his shirt hanging out of his pants on one side, just as Cecily made the comment about rubbing his sister-in-laws belly. His eyes shot open wide as plates as his gaze fell on the nude couple on the bed, his brothers paw gently caressing the rounded belly of his wife.
“Oh for the love of God, can’t you two go anywhere without taking your clothes off anymore? Give a guy a break will you?” the moose boy complained.
Looking over to her brother-in-law Zoe remarked, “from the looks of you we’re not the only ones that got out of their clothes Paul. Have fun ‘talking’ with Jada did ya?”
Cecily glanced over at the younger moose brother and snickered, “You’re supposed to wait till Christmas morning to unwrap your presents. And you’re welcome.” She then disappeared into the dollhouse with her camera.
“Ummm… what’s she doing now?”, Paul said as he turned to his sister with an odd expression on his face.
“I honestly don’t know,” the moose herm said with a blank expression. “Exactly what part of ‘personal hideaway’ didn’t you get little brother? That dollhouse is her space, not even I invade it out of respect for her, so she can have some privacy.”
A few moments later the kangaroo mouse emerged from her personal sanctuary with empty paws. the moose and panda lovers still holding each other on the bed, the younger brother seated in a chair, his eyes avoided those of his sister-in-law as he sipped at the now cold cocoa drink. She looked over at her girlfriend and smiled as she sat and marveled at the seeming peacefulness that had returned to her family after the drama that threatened to shatter her family only a few months ago.
As the small mouse returned to the main part of the bedroom Paul looked at her, blushing brightly again as he said, “thank you Cecily, for the Skype call with Jada, it… it meant a lot to both of us to get to see each other without a counselor taking notes about everything we say. That’s the first time I’ve gotten a chance to tell her much I really care for her.”
“Yea, I think you did more than just tell her didn’t you?” Zoe said as Ralph continued to slowly rub her belly.
“Ease up on him Zoe,” Daisy said, “things where he’s at are no picnic. While you and Ralph can do as you please he can’t even go to the bathroom without being watched. Whether by eyes or video someone has him in sight twenty-four hours a day.”
Paul’s head snapped around to look at his sister, “how… how did you know that? You've never even been there Daisy?”
Smiling softly at her youngest brother the moose girl replied, “just like everyone else aren’t you little brother? Just because Brad is big and looks like a dumb jock doesn’t mean he is one. When I told him to keep an eye on you he took it very seriously. As soon as he found out you were in Tennyson Center he checked it out thoroughly and e-mailed me what he found out. I may be across the country Paul, but that hasn’t stopped me from keeping an eye on things to make sure you’re safe. It’s not just me either,” Daisy said as she stood up, walking towards the bathroom she stopped a moment and brushed Cecily’s hair with her paw as she added, this one here stayed on my ass to make sure I knew what was happening to my brother.”
Looking over at Cecily Paul stammered, “y you di did? W why?”
“You’re family,” the small mouse said softly, “and it’s important to take care of family.” She walked over and sat in a chair near the moose boy, “And… and you might not have needed to go to a place… like that… if… if I didn’t do what I did… to you.” She paused for a moment as she fidgeted with her tail, “It was as much for me as it was for her. I needed to know you were okay.”
“Oh, you… you shouldn’t blame yourself though. If anything I think you may have kept me from doing something even worse Cecily. I’ve learned a lot about myself these past few months, I wasn’t a very good person, and a pretty bad brother even before that.. I was planning on getting even with Ralph because ‘he’ got me into trouble. It was ‘me’ that was the problem, I see that now, but then… if you hadn’t done what you did, I would have gone through with what I was planning, to get back at him and Zoe. I don’t think anyone could have ever forgiven me for it, I’m just glad I don’t ever have to find out. In a way,” the youngest of the Daniels siblings said as he looked over to his brother and sister-in-law, “in a lot of ways, I have you to thank for giving me back the family I almost threw away.”
“I I’m glad your doing better,” she said and she slowly looked around the room, “And I am happy to see most of your family is doing better.” She fell silent for a moment as she shyly looked over at him, “Paul, I… I know you say don’t blame myself for what happened, but… I did do that… and… even if you are doing better… I still have that haunt me. It… It scares me that I… the look in your eyes. I’ll never forget the way you looked at me.” She looked down at her paws and tail as she finished, “I have to live with that… Knowing that I Did the same thing I said I wouldn’t… wish on anyone.”
“I don’t know anything about your past Cecily, but from my own experience, and from the truly horrific things I’ve heard in group sessions… it’s not really your fault that you did that to me, not completely. You saw what I saw when I looked at Zoe, a chance to get even. In your case it was at the people that had done things to you and treated you badly for a long time. In mine… it was at myself. I just didn’t realize that it wasn’t Ralph I was trying to get even with, but me. I wanted my brother to hurt me as much as I hurt him, so I went after the one thing he loved more than me. It was stupid and childish, but to me it made sense.” Hanging his head as he fiddled with his paws he added, “I don’t hold it against you Cecily; your demon just came out in a different way than mine did.”
Cecily giggled a little as the moose finished his little speech, “Someone else has spent a little too much time listening to shrinks. It sounded like you were reciting a case study.” She looked over at the now bashful moose as she tried to lighten the mood.
“Maybe, but it’s more that what the other kids have said that makes sense. It kind of helps to know I’m not the only one that’s screwed up. If listening to the shrinks will get me to where I can be with the girl that likes me, even if I am messed up… I can do that I think.” Looking up at the mouse girl he smiled at her, “you may just be the right person to help kids like us. At least you don’t just jump to a conclusion and slap a label on someone. You’ve been in a bad way and a bad place yourself, the ‘experts’... don’t have a clue what they’re talking about.”
After a few quiet moments of staring at each other the moose boy’s smile broadened considerably, his shoulders shaking as he began to laugh heartily. “So… what next? Thanks to you this is going to be a great Christmas. I got to actually see my girlfriend, and she is even hotter than I thought. You managed to get my brother nude without him turning into a stop light….”
“And give my brother another shot at seeing my wife nude.” Ralph chimed in from behind the panda lying on the bed with him.
“No offense brother, but you can keep her, I’ll take Jada any day,” Paul replied making a bad imitation of a feline purr.
“Right now stud, you’re points ahead for getting the twins to settle down,” Zoe said as she turned to look her husband in the eyes, “do yourself a favor and keep your muzzle shut before you mess it up. Besides,” she said as she wiggled her butt against him, “I don’t think you want me getting up to get dressed just yet do you sexy?”
“N no, just… just stay right there sweet lips, for a little while longer anyway,” Ralph answered as he blushed a bright red.
Cecily smiled as the moose and panda couple spoke, “You look like you might be getting a little… stiff… you sure you don't need to stretch out a bit?” Cecily looked around the room and spoke a bit more softly as she watched the French doors to the bathroom. “I bet I can make Daisy run back to the bathroom five minutes after she sits down.”
Looking first to his brother then back to Cecily Paul asked, “What’s in it for you if you can, and for us if you can’t?”
“Well, I’ll just have fun either way,” She said with a smile, “If I don’t I’ll show you guys our… photo collection, unless you have something different in mind.”
“Nope, was just wondering is all,” Paul said as he sat back in his seat waiting for his sister to return.
When Daisy returned to the room she paused as everyone looked at her. She looked down at her hooves and pajama pants as she tried to figure out what they were all looking at. Confused and a little leery of the faint smile on her girlfriend’s muzzle she slowly walked over and sat on the unoccupied couch. The silence in the room made her a little uneasy as she looked over the teens that stared at her like she was some sort of celebrity.
Cecily finally slid out of the chair she was in and walked over to take her spot in the moose herm’s lap. She wiggled her rump a little as she pulled the moose’s arms around her. “So cozy and warm,” she said as she looked up at Daisy, “Why are you so quiet. You act like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Why are you all staring at me? Do I have something hanging out of my nose or what?” Daisy asked as she glanced from face to face around the room. “You guys are trying to creep me out right? She put you all up to something didn’t she?”
“You’re just paranoid because your brothers are here,” the small mouse said as she turned around to face her lover, “It’s been almost half a year since they’ve seen you, of course they’re going to stare. And… I always stare at you, you’re just noticing because they are too.”
“I guess, if you say so Sisy,” Daisy said, an uneasy tone in her voice. “But I still think you’re up to something little mouse, so I’m gonna keep an eye on you.”
The small mouse crawled up the moose’s lap nearly pressing their chests together as she looked into Daisy’s emerald green eyes “I’ll keep an eye on you too,” she said softly, barely loud enough for anyone but them to hear. “You know how much I love the taste of your lips? It’s been like… hours since I kissed you.” She leaned in and pressed her muzzle to Daisy’s. her small paws pressed and rubbed into the flannel shirt that covered the thick soft fur of her lover. Her fingers casually brushed over Daisy’s nipples as she pushed their lips together and closed her eyes. She pulled away from the kiss and licked her lips as she whispered, “You taste like peppermint and chocolate.” and her hips rolled over daisy’s lap.
Closing her eyes as her girlfriend teased her openly in front of her siblings, Daisy stifled a low moan, holding her breath for a few moments before her eyes shot open. Looking the small mouse in the eyes she quietly said, “you little minx, you bet them you could get me back in the bathroom quick didn’t you?” as her member began to stir to life in her pajama pants. “This could backfire on you you know, both of my brothers have seen me nude before little mousey. Mini stud over there,” she said nodding slightly sideways towards Paul, even had me before you did remember girlfriend?”
She pressed her pelvis against the stiffening rod near her nether as she moved up to whisper directly into her ear with heavy, intentional breathes she said, “And I know a few things that they’ve never seen.” The hot blasts of air sent shivers down the moose’s spine as they rolled across the sensitive skin of her inner ear, and the tip of her tail waved into view over the small mouse’s shoulder. “I can drive you over the edge without taking off a scrap of cloth.” She moved back to look into the big green eyes, “Besides, I never said you had to go alone.”
“Two things trail mix, two things,” the moose herm whispered back to her as she wrapped her arms around the mouse tighter. “You are going to regret this, and you are taking off those clothes.” Nearly bolting from the couch, her lover pressed tightly to her chest Daisy hastily said, “do whatever you want for a little bit, just clean up the mess if you make one. We'll be in the bathroom for a while, do not knock unless you want to get moose slapped… hard.”
Cecily smiled over Daisy’s shoulder at the slightly shocked trio, “One minute, thirty-seven seconds.” only moments before the bathroom door closed behind them.
The twin moose boys looked at each other the same comment in both of their minds, Zoe the first of them to speak it, “what the fuck? She barely even touched Daisy, damn that girl’s got a hair trigger.”
------
Once the door closed behind the couple Cecily Pulled the moose in for a passionate kiss, her small tongue pushed its way into her lover’s mouth. Her paws eagerly working at the buttons of of her lovers flannel pajama shirt She pulled away from the kiss as she gasped for air and huffed, “I don’t know which of use was holding back more with them in the room.”
“Neither do I sweet cheeks, you getting Ralph and Zoe naked like that didn’t help any you evil little mouse you. It’s kind of odd though that they did look quite a bit like us in that same pose when you did out pictures,” Daisy said as she wrestled with her lovers pajama pants, holding her lover with one arm as her free paw pulled and tugged at the flannel material. “Having them here is a wonderful present though Sisy, and I thank you very much for doing it. But right now I’m gonna ravage my lover and make you squeak loud enough they can hear you in there sexy.”
Cecily pushed Daisy’s shirt off her shoulders as she wiggled her hips to help her lover with her pants. She looked Daisy in the eyes as she whispered, “St… music…“ as her paws pressed into the thick soft fur of Daisy’s chest, she pressed their muzzles together in another passionate kiss, and her tail whipped wildly behind her.
After several long moments Daisy broke their kiss, leaning her head back and giggling softly, “we should be ashamed of ourselves Sisy. We just left my brothers sitting the other room and ran off into the bathroom to make love. Left poor Paul sitting there with Ralph and Zoe naked as the day they were born in our bed together.”
Cecily locked her brown eyes on Daisy as her fingers pressed and teased at her lover’s nipples. She spoke softly, “I’m sure he had a little fun with Jada, but you can invite him in if you want. But I'm not interested in your bother no matter how cute he is.” She moved a paw down to the waist of Daisy’s pajama pants and freed the growing shaft from its cloth prison, her thumb brushed over the stiffening skin.
“Good, because I’m not the sharing type any more, I belong to Cecily Fargo, and she belongs to me. I said we should be ashamed of ourselves, I didn’t say I was and I don’t think you are either.” Pausing for a few moments Daisy clutched the mouse tightly to her chest as she laughed out loud. “P… Paul better be glad I love him, because the thought I just had, oh God he’d never be right again.”
Cecily giggled as several images passed through her mind., “The question is would be want to be in the middle like that?”
“Well, we could always ask…, but like i said, I don’t share when it comes to you sweet cheeks.” Pressing their muzzles together again Daisy kissed the mouse deeply, their tongues dancing in each other’s mouths as the minutes passed slowly. Finally pulling away from her girlfriends soft, warm, inviting lips she locked gazes with the small mouse. “So sexy girl, tub, shower, or floor, your turn to pick.”
She moaned softly as her paw stroked the length of moose’s ridged cock, “such a hard choice. Pressed against the wall in a hot shower, In my lovers lap and arms in a soothing bath or rolling around on the cold floor, with a hot and sexy moose.” She leaned away from Daisy’s chest, her weight supported by pressing her hips into the steely rod as she pulled her shirt off over her head. “I think I want a nice shower so I can see all of your sexy body.”
“Then a shower it is trail mix,” she replied as stepping out of the pajama pants pooled around her hooves. As she was about to step into the shower a sudden thought hit the moose herm. “Umm Sisy? I’m… damn it, I’m gonna stick my head out for a minute to say something to Zoe. It just hit me that when she hears the water running she’ll probably need to use the bathroom again and I think it might be a good idea to warn her.”
Cecily’s eyes went wide as she thought about the young pregnant panda, “Daisy… I I didn't even think about that. I I’m sorry.” She hugged tightly to her lover, ‘I.. I just wanted to be with you. Watching them made me think about us.”
“It’s okay sweet cheeks; I want to be with you too, I just don’t want her to be overly shocked. It’s not like she hasn’t seen the goods, wait, that sounded wrong. Okay Ralph is as hung as I am that’s what I meant by that. But umm… “she trailed off, an odd look coming over her face as she seemed to have a thought running through her head. “Shit,” Daisy said softly under her breath, “why did you have to make that comparison. They do remind me of us Sisy. Zoe is, or was more of an exhibitionist than me. If she could get moose face to go for it…” she trailed off again as her eyes drifted to the large garden tub before she continued. If she could talk Ralph into it, she’d have his furry ass in that tub going at it even with us in the shower doing the same thing.”
Cecily smiled weakly as she said, “I.. I’ll get the shower warmed up.” She wiggled out of the moose’s arms and trotted to the shower.
As Cecily trotted towards the shower, Daisy opened the door partially and stuck her head out the opening. Not seeing the younger couple on their bed she walked out of the bathroom to see her younger brother just as he was about to leave the room. “Shit, I hope we didn’t scare all of you off Paul,” she said apologetically.
“No, it’s okay si…” he began, cutting himself off a moment blushing brightly at his sisters nude form. “Its okay, Ralph and Zoe decided they wanted to be alone so they could… do stuff together. They headed down to their room a couple of minutes ago. I thought I’d go hang out with the adults and keep myself out of trouble. We uhh, we’re really glad to get to see you Daisy, but we don’t want to intrude on you and Cecily either. Go on; go take care of your girlfriend. We’ll see you later.” As he ended his comment he turned and walked from the room quietly closing the door behind him.
Turning back to the bathroom she closed the door as she entered walking to the shower to find Cecily leaning against the far wall, warm water cascading over the soft fur of her girlfriend as she stood a few moments simply taking in the sight of the girl she loved.
The small mouse stood in the warm waterfall, she looked over her shoulder at the moose herm that she loved and longed to always be close to. She turned and walked over to her lover, her wet fur matted to her skin, the feminine curves of her naturally proportioned, undersized body emphasized by the flattened fuzz than normally softened her shape. She looked up at Daisy as she put her small, waterlogged paws on the Moose herm’s thighs. “Is… is everything Okay, Daisy?”
“Yes, everything is fine sweet lips. I guess laying there together nude got my brother and his wife’s motors running, Paul said they headed down to their room to be alone, he’s heading down to hang out with the adults. I was just looking at you and thinking about things. You intended to surprise me for Christmas and it turned out an even bigger surprise than you could have imagined. Ralph, married and the daddy to be of twins. Paul is doing pretty well from the looks of him. Mom looks as happy as I can ever remember seeing her. Now if dad would just get over himself and his mistakes… then everything would be great again. But watching you a minute ago… I know without a doubt that I did the right thing coming with you and Lilly. By staying with the girl I fell in love with and that wanted me, and needed me more than she would admit for a while.” Wrapping her arms around the small mouse as she picked her up and held her tightly against her chest in a warm, loving embrace she sighed heavily. “Sisy, I love you, and I know that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, with you.” Kissing her girlfriend passionately the moose herm stepped into the shower, turning her back to the falling water. Smiling broadly as she pulled away from her lovers lips she asked, “so… pressed up against the wall in the shower huh?”
She pulled herself tight into the moose as she felt the water slowly soak through the thick fur of her lover, “I don’t care as long as I’m pressed against you.” She nuzzled into her lover’s breasts and let her small tongue flick out and test the stiff points perched on the furry orbs of her girlfriend’s chest. She roamed Daisy’s back with her small paws and one swept over her firm round ass and tickled at the base of her lover’s tail.
“Oh you will be,” the moose herm said, leaning forward to press the mouse’s back against the tiled shower wall. “You know what playing with my tail does to me, you evil little mouse. I bet you remember what that got you last time too, don’t you?” she asked as she gazed down into the deep brown pools of her lover’s eyes. Pressing her lips to Sisy’s, keeping the small mouse from answering her question she rocked her hips back, dragging her steely shaft from between their bodies to press the tip firmly against her lover’s warm, wet entrance.
Cecily pushed her lips needfully back into her lover’s as she wrapped her legs around the moose herm’s mid-section, and spread her nether lips wide against the rock hard shaft the prodded at her entrance. Slowly she rolled her pelvis against the sensitive tip of her lover’s member as she worked her arousal fluids into the already damp skin. Her tail flipped wild and free as she tossed drops of water back up at them form below. Her small paws kneaded and massaged her firm orbs the held her against the wall and little rivulets of warm water rolled down the spaces of her back. the small mouse moaned softly into her lover’s kiss as she reveled in the combination of affection and lust they shared.
Breaking the kiss, panting heavily with her need for her lover Daisy whispered, “tell me when to stop sexy, because I’m just gonna keep pushing until you do.” As she gave her warning she began to roll her hips forward, slowly pressing the thick, rock hard shaft into her lover’s tight silky tunnel, moaning softly as her velvety walls caressed the sensitive flesh as she slid deeper and deeper into her lover's body.
The small mouse rolled her head back and she let out a moan as she felt the engorged member slowly stretched her cunny to its limits. she worked her hips to help ease the invader into her tight nether. Her paws moved to rub along her distended abdomen as she felt the her lover gently push up into her.
------
“It was fucking hilarious the first time a student asked me if I was really a sniper,” Lilliana said as the adults filled the idle time with small talk, “The thing is, some kid started it as a rumor with no idea it was true.”
“Oh my God, I can just imagine the looks on their faces when you told them you really were a sniper,” Amanda said between fits of giggling, “How many did you have to let have a bathroom pass after you told them?”
“Not one, I think they were all suddenly too scared to ask.” the liger replied, “But, I haven't had any discipline problems or complaints since. Maybe I should have started off with that fact, but I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I told them I was in the service, and couldn’t talk about some of the stuff. They thought I was joking obviously.”
As Lilliana finished her comment Paul came back into the keep alone, skurfing his paws on the hardwood floor looking slightly forlorn, his paws in his pockets.
“What’s the matter son?” Raquel asked, a hint of concern in her voice at the boys look.
“Nothing, I just thought maybe I should come back down and give the couples some space. They’re all upstairs fooling around and doing stuff I can’t be a part of.”
Alex looked up at the boy from her place, sprawled out on the floor in front of the fire, “Soun’s like somon needs somon ta ‘ang out wit’. didja see da arcade? ‘ank jus’ fixed some a da games down dere. Ya wana see if dey work?” she asked as she rolled over to stand up, “I go’ da keys so it don’ cos’ niotin’”
The otter looked at her from his position, pinned to the chair by the chinchilla in his lap, “They’re set to not cost anything to start with, Boomer, just hit the start button and they should play fine.”
Lilliana looked over at the otter, “Did you fix the Twilight Zone Pinball yet?”
Hank grunted as he tried to turn and answer, “Still waiting on some parts for that one. But I still think we need to get some more modern games in house. These teens aren't going to be as interested in those forty year old classics down there.”
“They’re not that old, Thirty at the most,” Lilliana said, “and that was when games were good, now they’re just caned trash recycled from last year’s mind numbing repetitive hit. I haven’t seen an original idea in a decade.”
Susan elbowed Hank as she moved only moments before she said, “Skylanders.”
“Okay, one original Idea and look what happened this year, four more new games based on the same concept,” Lilliana said as she crossed her arms, “Activision is still the only ones innovating on their concept, the rest are just copying.”
“I guess so, I really haven’t played many video games to be honest, of any kind. But with everyone else… occupied,” he said glancing at the ceiling for a moment, “sure, why not. It’s not like I have a lot else to do, and it might be fun to do something new. Besides, maybe I’ll like that sort of thing and won’t be such an outcast with the other kids in Tennyson.”
“Dat’s da sperit,” Alex said as she put her claws on his shoulders and started to push him toward the back stairs, “Now, I like pinball, like Lilly, It’s knina like ‘aving’ sex wit’ out all the sloppyness and nudity.” she pause for a second before she added, “And it’s missin’ the ‘appy endin’ if ya know wha’ I mean.”
Lilliana looked over at Raquel with a smile, “Looks like one of my kids found a playmate. She’s been dying for someone to hang out with for the past week. Her boyfriend is really busy this time of year.”
The eagle shouted from the basement stairs, “‘ee ain’t my boyfrein’, we jus’ workin’ tageda to get all da community stuff done... fer da ‘ouse.”
Lilliana leaned over and said quietly, “they’ve been working on it at least three times a week for the last five months. And always on his tab at some fancy restaurant.”
“That must be some pile of paperwork,” Raquel said snickering softly. “Though five months? I guess they have to do everything in triplicate.”
“Just as long as they don’t forget to rubber...stamp every transaction,” Amanda chimed in, “wouldn’t want any surprises to pop up later.”
Susan looked over at the other two women, “I’m actually a little surprised, but I don’t think they’ve taken things that far. Steven is a nice guy and I think the fact that he hasn’t tried to get in her pants is a bit confusing for, Boomer.”
“Confusing her?” Hank added, “It’s driving her batty. They poor girl has no clue what to do. She’s good at hiding it though.”
“Wait a minute,” Daniel said as he looked over at the otter, “you’re talking about her...the eagle right? The woman that looks like a walking, talking, advertisement for girls gone wild? She’s got herself a guy that has her confused?” Sitting back in the chair shaking his head he added, “and you’ve met the guy? You know for sure he exists right?”
Susan stifled a snicker, “Yeah he’s real, I don’t think even Boomer could make up someone that gets herthis flustered. And she’s scared to make a move herself. I mean really, Alex is a very good looking, professional Lawyer, but who would think that the Mayor would go for a girl like her? I think she is more worried about the political aspects than anything.”
Susan’s comment caught the panda male off guard as he took a drink of his cocoa, choking and sputtering on the lukewarm liquid to keep from spiting it across the room, “ THE MAYOR?” he nearly screamed, “you have got to be shitting me...her… and the mayor of Marblecliff?”
Lilliana sipped at her cocoa, “And what’s wrong with that? A good looking, successful man is interested in a good looking successful woman. They are both taking things slower than anyone else in this house. Seams kind of reasonable to me.”
Susan snickered again, “This from the woman that was ‘not interested’ in the driver’s ed teacher.”
“Yeah, he acted like a dick the first time I met him,” Lilliana said defensively.
“The first time you met him you tried to rip his head off for telling Sisy they weren’t equipped to do drivers training for people with her ‘disability.’”
“Oh shit, that reminds me. Did Derek call? He said he was putting in some extra time at the shop to get it finished for tomorrow,” Lilliana sat up quickly as the unspoken thought entered her mind.
Hank began to shuffle around under the Chinchilla, “Let me up, Sue, I’ll run over there and check on things, “I need to get some more stuff for tomorrows dinner anyway. I think we are up to twenty-five confirmations.”
Susan stood up off of him as she said, “I’ll go with you, I want to see this thing before it gets here.”
“Turn off the tracker,” the liger mentioned as the couple moved to leave the room, “we don’t want to give any clues to that one.”
As Hank and Susan left the keep Raquel looked over to Lilliana as she asked, “you mean to tell me that my daughter had no trouble getting a friend to come up with the adapters for Cecily to drive her car, but a fancy prep school couldn’t make the same considerations for one of their own students?”
“Not in the budget and only one student was in need,’ Lilliana said, “And the county driver’s education system can provide for such needs with proper notification… BLAH BLAH BLAH. Fuck that, I had them let her use Daisy’s car. They gave me some bull shit about mine not being street legal or some crap. But, she’s not going to have to worry about that kind of stuff much longer.” The liger sat back with a broad smile on her face.
------
Alex pushed the young moose down the stairs into the basement. the entire time she talked, “I ‘ear ya doin’ betta, go’a girfrien’ and all. Ya know dat makes ya siser ‘appy. So, ya smar’ righ’? Wha’ ya do fer fun when ya not bein’ all brainy an’ stuff? I neva did good in school. no’ til i go’ out a da army and wen’ back to do da law stuff. I’m pertty good at dat. Dey say I ‘acve a passion fer it er somtin’. I ain’t no good at dese game neder, so we can bot’ look like fools. Ya don’ talk much do ya?”
“No, not really,” the moose boy replied, “it’s not highly encouraged where I’m at these days. Some of the kids play video games in the day room when they can. I just read, and umm… think about my girlfriend a lot.”
“Go t’rough a lota lochon den,” She said with a smile.
“A lot of what?” the moose boy asked confused by her accent.
“Oh my god, dey don’ keep ya stoked up on lochon,” Alex said with a look of mocked shock, “Ya mus’ rub yaself raw a lo’. Anaway, ‘ere da games. we ain’t go’ a lo’ but dey were all donated by somone. So ‘ank fixed dem up and go’ dem playable.” She gave him a bit of a shove toward the wall lined with arcade boxes and pinball machines as she asked, “Ya wan’ somtin’ to drink? We gots jus’ about anytin’ some a it’s da store bran’ doe. Dat’s wha’ we ge’ wen Lilly does the chopin’.”
“I… I’m sorry miss Alex, I don’t want to sound rude or anything but I, I can’t understand most of what you’re saying,” Paul said as he turned towards the eagle, his head bowed as he fiddle with his paws.
Alex looked up from the fridge she had leaned into, “YA ‘aven a ‘ard time undastanin’me? Whyn’ ya sa so in da firs’ place?” She stood up straight and took a deep breath, She looked over at the young moose, “I’m not really used to trying to talk right in the house, They've all gotten used to me by now. Did you want something to drink?” She paused for a moment, “Ou souhaitez-vous français de mieux?” she said with a slightly seductive tone in her french accent.
“I, ummm no I think we better stick to English,” Paul said as he shivered slightly. “J Jada and I do that and I, ummm. No we better stick to English please. A c coke would b be fine or any c cola y you have.”
She reached back into the fridge as tossed a canned softdrink, “‘eads-up ‘ot stuff,” she said as she slipped back into her normal accent. “If ya don’ wanna play da games dere are somtin’ like nine ‘undred movies on da serva in da t’eater.”
“Actually, that sounds more like something I can get into miss Alex, I don’t get to watch many movies, the other kids usually have the one television in the day room tied up with their games,” Paul said as he relaxed somewhat.
“We’ll need some pizza and snacks fer dat,” She sat as she looked over the selection of small candy boxes, “Red ’ots, gobstopas, an emnems. Dat chould do it.” She turned to him with a small stack of snack boxes, “‘ere, ya take deses an’ i’ll nuck a pizza er two.” She turned back to the fridge and pulled out two microwavable personal pizzas and started to prep them to be cooked. “We’re gonna need somon to man dis snack bar sometime.”
“Alright,” he replied taking the stack of boxes in his paws as he waited for the eagle to microwave the pizzas, “so how is this server set up that you have the movies on?” he asked trying to make small talk to get a better feel for her northern accent.
“I don’ dat stuff,” She said, “Lilliana’s da ‘puter geneius ‘round ‘ere. She and dat Elise girl set it all up.” She pulled the piping hot pizzas out and said, “k den, le’s see wha’s on da big screen.”
The two walked across the hall into the theater she steered the young moose boy toward the center of the room before she sat things down in a classic Theater style chair. “I gotta get da controller from da closet.” then walked to a small door at the far end of the room and returned with a wireless keyboard similar to the one used by Cecily back up in the room, “ere ya go, i’s got da netflix an’ o’lo , den derds da ripped movies on da drive. Just don’ pick some crappy romance chick lick er notin’.” she said as she handed him the device and sat down with her feet up on the row of chairs in front of them. “ya sure ya girl would be ok wit’ ya bein’ alon in a t’eater with someone else?” She asked with a smile as she popped an m&m in her beak.
As Paul flipped through the listing of the movies they had stored on their private server an even sadder expression come to his face at the mention of his girlfriend. “Probably not, but there’s nothing either of us can do about any of this mess right now. I still have almost a year to go in the place mom put me before I can go before a judge again and try to get out. Until then I’ll take what visits I can get as long as my girlfriend will put up with it.”
Alex looked over at the moose boy for a moment as she looked through the selection of things to watch. “Ya know ha’? I lamos’ ended up in a place like dat a few times. Bu’ I didn’ ‘ave da people dat cared abou’ me like ya do.” She looked back up at the screen, “Sure I didn’ do da tin’s you did dere at da end, bu’ I did some pretty bad tin’s in my time. Jour lucky ya got a mouda dat cares abou’ ya. Da only family I gots is da one i got ‘ere.” She threw a wing around him and pulled him a little closer, “An’ from wha’ I ‘ear, jur perty much my broda, so if ya need anytin’ all ya gotta do is aks.”
Finding that they had Pacific Rim on the server he punched the icon as he said, “I appreciate the offer miss Alex, but I don’t think anyone could get me before a judge in less tha a year to plead my case that I’ve completed their program and am trying to make amends for what I did to my sister-in-law. I thought that her personally asking for this release to come see my sister would have made a difference, but it didn’t.” As he finished speaking the opening credits of the movie began, the moose boy sitting back in his seat quietly.
“Bomma,” she said as the music started, “Call me Booma. An chut up da movie startin’.”
------
As the day rolled on to early afternoon many of the adults had dosed in the great room by the fire, the teens cuddled each other in their beds and the young moose and eagle watched movies on the large theater screen. The tranquility was interrupted by an almost ear splitting buzz followed by a voice. “Pizza tonight, starting the preparations for tomorrow. Someone needs to be clothed enough to answer the door… Daisy.” The liger’s voice rang from the intercom boxes in each room. “It should be here shortly. We’ll take it in the keep and make it a story night while we cook. For all new residents, Dinner is not optional… Ralph, Zoe.”
As the family reconvened in the keep all but Paul now wearing more comfortable clothing such as house coats, pajama sets, and night gowns. As Lilliana looked around the group she said, “Looks like Paul drew the short straw, you get to answer the door.” As she finished the sound of a classic doorbell rang through the house. “Money is on the bench by the door; tell him to keep the change.”
Shaking his head as he walked through the entry hall Paul stopped at the wooden bench picking up the bills laying there before answering the door.
“Gotta delivery for Dark Rider House, total is eighty six sixty two,” the ermine said with his back to the moose boy.
“Here you are,” Paul said, “I‘m supposed to tell you to keep the change,” he added as the older boy turned around slowly, his eyes closed as he held out the boxes.
Giggling softly Paul said, “Its okay man, I’ve got clothes on.”
Cracking one eye to a slit as he looked towards the voice he gave a short sigh of relief, both eyes opened as he handed the boxes to Paul and tool the cash. “Thank God,” the boy said simply as he turned and left without another word. Closing the door with a hoof as he turned and walked back into the keep Paul asked, “ok so who’s the last one that paid the pizza guy?”
“Daisy ordered us pizza the last day of school, everyone else was out for the night,” Cecily said with a little grin on her muzzle, “It doesn’t matter, Erics the only one that will deliver here anymore. the rest of the time we have to go pick it up. That’s why we have the ‘clothing in common areas’ rule. But… um… we were in the middle of something when he got here.”
“Pizza to the breakfast table,” Lilliana ordered as the four] teammates entered the kitchen area and began to prep the food for the next day’s feast, “Okay. Here’s how story night works,” She began, “Everyone is gone to tell a story, it doesn’t matter what kind, or if it’s even true. The one rule is that they have to start out properly.”
Alex chimed in, “Dere are three kines a stories. Faritale star’ ahi’ ‘Once upon a time’. Lies and general untrut’es start wit’ ‘wha had happen was’. And da true story start with ‘No shit dere I was…”
Susan started off, “No Shit there I was… On my usual patrol of the dorms over on campus when I heard Some shouting coming from one of the rooms. I ran to see what was going on and when I got to the door it was locked. I knocked and called in to see if they needed help, but everything was suddenly quiet, a little too quiet if you know what I mean….”
Alex cut the chinchilla off, “Ya done tol’ da one ‘bout da sick fuck in da gimp suit in da girl’s dorm. I wanna ‘ear somtin’ new. ‘sides ya started off wrong and ya know it. Dar’s a ‘wha had happen was’ story.” She looked over at their guests, “‘ow about one a ya go firs’.”
“Okay,” Daniel said as he tapped a finger to his lips a moment in thought. A moment later he looked over at his daughter and son-in-law and grinned broadly, Amanda catching his grin and mirroring it said, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“He wouldn’t dare what mom?” Zoe asked as she looked at her parents.
“No shit there I was,” Daniel began, “waiting in my home on base for my daughters latest boyfriend wanna be to show up when a knock comes at the door, sounded like the damn marines were out there about to break it down. I answer it to find this moose boy standing there. Got a look in his eyes like he’s facing a firing squad. So I play the hard nose dad, get him inside with as few words as needed. Get him in the dining room in a chair I moved so I could keep an eye on him and called the girl down. Now you gotta understand, Zoe was raised mostly by her mother while I was deployed.” His story was briefly interrupted as Amanda spoke up in her own defense, “who was, and is a nudist and an exhibitionist, yea, yea you have too much fun telling that part. Now get on with it.”
“So anyway,” Daniel continued giving his wife a sly grin, “got the boy in sight and the girl comes down the stairs. First time meeting the boy and she’s in a pair of daisy dukes that are little more than crotch floss and a tank top cut off just below her bust. I asked her about the outfit and she tells me, and I quote, ‘We both know he’s lucky I don’t go into that dining room butt naked.’, which was completely true. We’ve always had an agreement in our house she can go as nude as she wants, inside the house. So she walks in and the boy nearly has a heart attack, pops wood in less than ten seconds but manages to keep himself under control and not say or do anything stupid. That’s was the day I met Ralph, and the day I lost my little girl to the young man she married.”
“God dad, will you ever get tired of embarrassing us like that?”Zoe asked as the red fur of her face darkened even more.
“Probably not,” he replied simply. “So who’s next?”
The evening continued in the joly exchange of stories, Every now and again even finding amusement in some of the older tale of Paul’s torment of his brother and the few retaliations that had taken place. The evening dragged on as some tales of rarely brought up war stories were traded as the vets shared the amusing antics of their comrades and fellow servicemen. After hours of the back and forth exchange and the slow elimination of the pizza. Soon the numbers began to dwindle as they slowly filtered off to the rooms. Soon the group was down to only Alex, Cecily and Daisy. The moose herm had fallen asleep on one of the couches in front of the slowly dying fire. Cecily sat in Alex’s lap as the watched the glowing embers.
The eagle wrapped her wings around the small mouse as she said, “Ya know what I do evay year? I wai’ fer Santa to come.”
Cecily looked up at the Eagle who had proclaimed herself the mouse’s sister. “Boomer, You know I am old enough to know there is no such thing as Santa, right?”
“Dat don’ mean ya can’ sit up wit’ me an’ wait fer ‘im, does it?”
Cecily smiled, her first Christmas with what she felt was a real family, and the first time anyone ever wanted to sit up with her and wait for Santa. Such a foolish thing to do, but she snuggled into the warm feathers and watched the fireplace as reality slowly faded into dreams.
(December 25, 2013 - Dark Rider House)
Cecily snuggled into the warm thick fur underneath the pile of heavy quilts; she was barely awake but wanted to just drift back to the bliss of sleep on the warm embrace of her lover. Slowly the night before and realization of what today would bring eased into her mind. Sometime after she had fallen asleep in Alex’s wings, Daisy must have brought her up to bed. Slowly she moved the slumbering moose herm’s arms as she tried to free herself from the the tight grasp of her girlfriend.
Finally free of her loveable, warm comfortable, safe trappings she slipped out from under the heavy pile of coverings. She shivered as the cold air of the winter morning hit her short fur. She scurried over to the massive walk in closet and shuffled through the low hanging garments for something worthy of Christmas morning. She wasn’t sure what time it was, the sun had yet to even touch the edge of the sky, She slipped on the little red teddy that Alex had gotten her as a surprise, and the matching red and white stockings and panties. She giggled at the effort the eagle went through to put together the little outfit. As she tied the little holly berry bows to her ears.
As she reentered the room she froze with the sound of her girlfriend stirring in the bed. Quietly she walked the rest of the way across the room and into the frigid hall, eager to let her lover sleep a few more hours. She shivered slightly as her bare paws walked down the cold hardwood stairs, into the keep. As she entered the warming room she noted that Hank had done his usual early morning ritual of starting a fire in the fireplace. She looked around at the vacant cavernous room. Nothing had changed from the night before, the cookies and milk her family nearly forced her to leave for Santa were still on the coffee table by the fire. her claws clicked across the floor as she trotted over and sat on the table by the plat of cookies and the warm fire. She happily nibbled on the sweet treats as she thought about how much had happened in just the past few months. She had a family, friends and now her first real Christmas party was coming up. She dangled her paws off the table and let them swing as she basked in the light of the fire. She was certain it would be hours before anyone else would be awake. It wasn’t often that she got time to herself, and she treasured that as much as she loved the people in her life. The sound of the crackling fire was broken by the sound of hooves walking down the hall. She gasped as she looked over her shoulder to see who was coming; the sound was lighter than Daisy and a little frightening in the large house, alone.
-------
Paul woke with a start, expecting to hear the harsh rasping of knuckles against the metal door of his room at any moment. As he glanced around the room it seemed very strange, too big, too dark, and no blinking red lights in the corners where the walls and ceiling met. As he nearly sprang from the bed he suddenly remembered that he wasn’t in his room at the ‘youth housing facility’ as they liked to refer to it. He was with his family in a house in another state. Released, al be it temporarily, from the place he had been calling ‘home’ the last several months. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he shakily sat up his mind pieced together the reality of where he was. He was free, for now at least, no bars on the windows, no attendants waking him up at ungodly hours… just a normal life for a few days. He swung his legs out of the soft, comfortable bed, his hooves clicked against the hardwood floor, startling him into stony stillness. For several long moments. As he looked around the dimly lit room it occurred to him that it must be very early in the morning from the lack of light coming through the drawn curtains on the windows, Suddenly the thought struck him that there was no one watching his every move, keeping track of him constantly, he was for now truly free, a moment later he decided this would be a good opportunity to explore the huge mansion that his sister’s girlfriend referred to as a house. Slipping from the room as quietly as he could he went downstairs, deciding to indulge in something he hadn’t had in months, a late night snack, assuming he could find the kitchen in the darkened house. As he reached the bottom of the stairs he noticed light coming from the enormous room the homes residents referred to as the keep. He walked slowly down the hallway towards the glowing light, passing the kitchen nearly unseen as the golden colored light drew him towards it. Even after the time he had spent with his family and the young kangaroo mouse girl that his older sister had fallen for he was little prepared for the sight before him as he walked to the entryway of the cavernous room. Perched on the large coffee table sat the small mouse girl in what he would modestly call a sleep outfit meant for his sister and no one else, nibbling on a cookie as she jerked her head around to look at him. Blushing brightly, his mouth opening and closing without a sound coming from him he froze.
Cecily froze as she saw the moose boy in the hall looking at her. The look on his face in the lowlight of the fire told her it was the younger of the twins. Her heart began to race as he looked at her frozen in his own shock and confusion. The swallowed hard as it dawned on her she still had the advantage. Her eyes darted to the open kitchen and the doors that led into the hall then back to the large opening around the moose himself. But she needed to stop, she didn’t need to run. She closed her mouth and blinked as she collected herself. She thought through the exercises they had taught her to deal with her panic attacks when she was away from her medication. She started to run through the scene in her mind as she tried to look at it from his perspective. HE had been locked away for months, partly because of what she had done to him. She suddenly realized he might me just as frightened of her as she was of him. As calmly as she could she reached her paw toward his position across the room with a cookie and said softly, “Want one?”
Closing his mouth, swallowing hard several times trying to bring even a tiny bit of moisture back to his suddenly bone dry mouth as he stared at Cecily he saw her hold out her paw with a cookie in it as she asked him if he wanted one. Clearing his throat as he tried to speak he replied, “I… I’m s sorry, I…. I din’t know a anyone w was awake. I I’ll j just g g go back t to b..” he said, trying to force himself to back out of the room with little success of making his shaky legs do more than hold him up.
She watched him as he struggled with every word and action. sudden horror entered her mind as she thought about how much of his current state might be her fault. She hadn’t thought about the boy getting up early, or even being seen by anyone in the house before she escaped back into her room. She licked her lips as she mouth went dry at the idea of being in the same position. “Paul… it it’s okay, You’re not doing anything wrong.” She shifted to some of the lines her family and girlfriend used with her in similar situations. “This… place is safe, you can go anywhere you want, and… it’s okay. I… I shouldn’t be down here like this. It’s… it’s my fault that I didn’t think anyone would be up either.” She got up off the table and went to the couch that Daisy had fallen asleep on the night before to snag the small throw and rap it over her in an attempt to ease the younger moose’s anxiety.
“Oh,” Paul said, finally finding it less difficult to speak as the mouse covered herself with the snagged throw. “I I know it’s s s safe here, I I thought you were going to yell me for being here b because I t thought y you were p probably s scared of me. I w wouldn’t blame y you if y you were.”
The small mouse bounced up into one of the chairs as she forced out a weak giggle, ”You’re the last thing I have to worry about, Paul. All I have to do is scream and four combat trained vets will storm the room and tear you into small pieces.” She looked over at him with a weak smile and added, “But I don’t think I’ll do that. Not to my… brother.”
Paul relaxed slightly as she spoke to him, something in her voice just seemed to be so calming, her words assuaging his fears somewhat. When she called him her brother his eyes went wide as plates as he stammered, “b brother? Umm, h how do you f figure that C Cecily? Di did y you an and Daisy g g get m ma married o or something?”
Cecily giggled as she thought about how what she just said sounded, even now finding it hard to believe that the older of the two had married the mother of his children at such a young age. “No silly,” she said with a smile, “You’re Daisy’s brother; she’s part of my family, so you are too. You and Ralph are the closest thing I will ever have to real brothers.” She paused for a moment, “But, I guess that’s a lot to ask after what I…” She trailed off as she looked down at the cookie in her paw.
“N no, it’s n not, really Cecily. W what you d did to m me isn’t t the problem. T that’s n not what got me where I e ended up. W what I d did to Zoe is w what got me in s so much trouble.” Walking slowly, his eyes never leaving the small mouse as he edged further into the room to sit in one of the chairs across from her he continued. “God, I I’m going to say this w without all the s stuttering, but I don’t k know if I c can. Cecily since it’s j just you and I,” the moose boy said slowly, trying as hard as he could not to let his nervousness take control and make him stutter like a drunkard. “I I have to admit something t to you. I haven’t t told anyone else, except my counselor about i it, but what you were doing t to me… I I liked it. All of it, t that’s what really s scared me, that I liked all of it. It w wasn’t you that scared me it was me that scared me.”
Cecily's eyes shot open as she looked at the nervous moose boy across from her. He had experienced the same realization and fear she had that day. Lilliana’s words came crashing in as she repeated them out loud, “That wasn’t you, that was the dark side of you that is in all of us. It is the part of us that we, ourselves, fear more than anything the world can throw at us.” She took a breath as she tried to continue, “That part of us only gets darker and more frightening the more we are hurt. I know it all scares you, the thought of what you can do. But you have to remember one thing. You are not that darker person. It is part of you, but you are more than that, and you can’t let it take control of you. Like I did that night.”
The stunned expression on the young moose’s face told far more than his words could have. She understood how he felt that night, how the things that had happened had terrified him, woke him from his sleep many nights over the last five months. “That… that’s pretty similar to what the first counselor said to me when I told him about what happened and that I liked it. The m main reason I’m still where I am… is because, I know I shouldn’t let it control me,, and I… I try to not let it. But it does sometimes and I want to let it. I want to feel that excited, scared half to death way I did that day,” the moose boy admitted as he hung his head, falling silent for a long while.
Cautiously Cecily got out of her chair and walked over to the moose boy, “Paul… I… I know what it’s like… and…” She paused as she put one paw in his leg, “its ok… you… you might like stuff like that. But… it’s when you hurt other people that it’s wrong.” She tried to meet his eyes as she tried to console him. “You… you have a girl that wants to be with you, and you want to be with her.” She paused as she looked for a reaction from him, some sign of what she said was having any effect. She worried that she might just be making things worse by being close to him, but she didn’t want to just leave him to deal with his thoughts alone.
“I I do, I don’t know why she does though. Not after what I did to Zoe, and Ralph. I hurt him as much as I did her. He trusted me and I let him down. Why would anyone want to even be near me after that?” the moose boy said as he looked up at her, nearly in tears. “Dad… dad was right, they should just lock me up and leave me there. Everyone would be better off if they did.”
Cecily looked into his green eyes as she said, “Daisy wouldn’t be. And… neither would Ralph. You’re their brother and no matter how bad you get, no matter how angry you make them, they will still love you and need you. You… you’re going to be an uncle… and they need their uncle too. You… you’re trying. You see what's wrong and you’re trying to fix it.” She paused as she looked at him, her tone suddenly changed, “You’re stupid. People love you and you’re questioning why. That’s just stupid. I know just how stupid you’re being about it too.” She thought about the many time she harbored the same doubts about her life and new family, about the Moose that had proven that she loved her. “Get over yourself. Your mother, your brother, and all your sisters love you and there is nothing you can do to stop it. And if Jada suddenly doesn’t love you because you are who you are and have done what you have to do to be with her and your family, she doesn’t deserve to be with you.” She shoved the cookie in her paw up at the teen and said, “Now do you want a damned cookie or not?” as the throw fell away from her shoulders.
As the small mouse’s voice changed, her words more blunt and direct Paul backed away slightly, the sudden change startling him for a few brief moments. Her words cut to his core, forcing him to think about how his feelings and the fear of the things he had felt that night had made him nearly a slave to them. As she reminded him of the people in his family and his short life that had supported him, even after his miss deeds had caught up with him. Though he listened to her every word he was lost in his own thoughts when the sudden movement of her paw as she thrust the cookie in it up at him snapped him back to the moment just as the throw fell from her shoulders to pool around her footpaws. “Umm… yes, please,” he said as he forced himself to look the mouse in the eyes. “Yes I do want a cookie.” he said as he reached out and took it from her paw, “thank you.” Bringing the sweet treat to his lips to take a bite he lowered his head to stare into his lap.
Cecily stepped back from the moose as she picked up the throw and wrapped it around herself again. “Paul, Are… are you happy where you are? Do… do you think you’re ready to be back with your family?” she asked as she climbed up on the couch. “I haven’t really had a family for long, and I can’t imagine being locked away from them like that.”
“No, I’m not happy where I’m at. It’s boring, well for a guy like me that’s not a gamer it is anyway. Almost none of the other kids there understand that I feel like I should be there because of what I did to Zoe. Most of the other boys tell me I’m nuts and it was a stud move, they’re bigger idiots than I ever was. I do want to be back with my family… but what have I got to go back to? Daisy is here with you, and that’s right where she wants to be. Ralph has Zoe and they have their own loves now, and the twins on the way. All I really have left is mom, dad can’t stand the sight of me anymore,” the moose boy said sadly. “It really doesn’t matter what I want, it’s just better for me to stay where I am for a while… I guess.”
Cecily fidgeted with her tail as she kicked her legs off the hedge of the couch and asked, “Would… would you want to came stay here? With.. with us?” She sat for only a moment before she went on, “I.. I know it’s weird, but… that’s what we are going to do here, help people. We already have a psychiatrist that is going to help us out with those kinds of needs; he’s helped me a lot. And… Its won’t be like those other homes….” She trailed off for a moment, “Never mind, it was stupid to ask.”
Staring at the small mouse wide eyed he fought to keep from jumping at the strange offer, forcing himself to think things through carefully before he answered. “It… it would be nice to see Daisy again,” he began to piece together his response to her question. “But, but then I would hardly ever get to see Ralph and Zoe, or the babies. And… what about Jada? She’s stood beside me even though she barely gets to see me.” The moose boy put his muzzle between his paws, resting his elbows on his knees as he thought things through even more, speaking as each point was considered thoroughly. “I wouldn’t get to see the rest of my family any more than I do now, probably even less. There would be no way to see my girlfriend until probably summer vacation. It would be months before I could see my niece and nephew…” he stopped suddenly, looking up at the small mouse as a smirk came to his lips.
Cecily smiled at him as she said, “I thought there wasn’t any reason to get out. Sounds like you just found a few really good ones.”
“And it seems to me that for someone who gave me crap about sounding like a shrink, you’ve been doing more than listening to one yourself. You are right though, I do have some pretty good reasons to get out of that place. My mother, my brother and his family, and a pretty girl that for whatever reason still cares about me even knowing I did what I did to my sister-in-law,” the moose boy said as he seemed to relax for the first time since they began to talk.
Cecily looked out the window on the far wall as the distant sun started to give color to the edge of the morning sky. “I better get back up to bed before Daisy notices I’m gone.” She looked over at the moose boy, “There are snacks galore in the kitchen, we made enough for like a hundred people over the last few days. Just don’t be surprised when people start showing up.” She hopped off the couch and grabbed a few more of the Santa cookies before she ran off into the hall.
------
Alex rolled out of her bed as the light started to shine into the windows. It was now dawn and the guests would start arriving soon. She needed to be ready, be sure that Sisy didn’t get out the front door before Derek got there with the gift. Out of her compulsive need she striped all the linens off her bed and dressed it in a new set of fluffy white cotton, before she went to her closet to find something respectable to wear. She wanted something different, something special, just in case he did show up. She shuffled through the racks of hangers as she came to the one dress she had never found a reason to wear. the red velvet knee length dress was purchased as a set for the ‘family’ Christmas portrait. Each of the ladies of the house had one and they never saw the light of day after the picture was taken. She pulled it out as she remembered his comment about the lovely ladies in the photo when she gave him the card. She slipped it on as the white fuzzy collar blended in with her neck and face. She brushed the dress down as she walked into the hall.
She hoped over the banister and fell gently to the floor below as she heard the liger yell at her from above, “Use the damned stairs Boomer. Someone’s going to get more of a show than you think doing that.”
She looked up at Lilliana as she replied, “Aint noboda ‘ere yet.”
Lilliana looked at her sternly as she walked around to the stairs, “There are two teen boys, two nudists, A man and another woman that may not want to be looking at your feathered ass unexpectedly. And you’ll have to cut that shit out in a week anyway. You can go ahead and do that if there’s an emergency, But it’s too much of a risk when we get more people in the house.”
As the two adults conversed loudly in the hall others woke with the breaking dawn. and look out into the hall at the commotion. The panda couple leaned out into the hall to find what ever had transpired had moved to a different section of the house as they saw the young couple down the hall make the same curious move, before they all retreated back into their rooms.
Lilliana walked up to Alex as they entered the kitchen together, “For all you know someone could be walking down here and you fall on top of them.” the liger said as she draped an arm over the eagle’s shoulders
“Okey, ya made ya point. No jumpin’ off da balcony,” Alex sighed as she looked into the open space of the keep. “Is’ dat one Paul er da oder one?” she asked as she caught site of the moose.
“I’ll go with Paul, because I don’t see a panda.”
The eagle wave her wing at the young moose as she said, “Morning lil Brada. ya ge’ brefes’ yet?”
Waving back to the eagle Paul replied, “only if a cookie counts as breakfast,” grinning from ear to ear he added, “and good morning to you too big sister.”
Alex put her wings on her hips and said, “Okay, ‘oo are ya an’ wha’ did ya do wit’ da depress boy I watched movie wit’?”
“Quit pestering the boy,” Lilliana said as she she checked the turkeys in the ovens, “It’s Christmas, And he is here with a bunch of nutjobs and his family to celebrate. Let him be cheery if he wants.
------
Cecily slowly crawled back into the bed with Daisy as she tried to snuggle back into the warm arms of her lover. The moment almost worked until the shout came from beyond the closed door waking the slumbering moose. She looked up ad the groggy emerald eyes as she pulled the thick furred paw over her and pressed it against the slick lacy teddy she wore. “SHH! It’s too early to get up.”
“What’s all the yelling about?” the moose asked sleepily, pulling the small mouse tightly against her chest, her paw wrapping around the girls waist.
Cecily giggled as the sleepy moose cuddled her like a plush toy, “Boomer being Boomer, I think she jumped over the rail again and Lilly caught her this time.”
“Mmm, that’s nice, she replied as she sniffed the air, “mmm chocolate chips…, she muttered, a moment before her paw bunched and relaxed several times on the mouse’s belly before her green eyes sprang open, why do you smell like cookies and…” she paused a moment as she looked down at her lover grinning broadly as she finished the thought differently than she intended, “and where did this sexy little elf come from?”
The small mouse smiled up at Daisy as she held up a cookie, “Santa forgot these. You want a snack?” She asked as she licked her lips.
Pulling her paw up, turning the small mouse over to face her she looked into her lovers brown eyes as she said, “depends on what you call a snack, one cookie is barely a nibble. If it’s going to be very long before breakfast… I may need a little more to hold me over sweet cheeks.”
Lowering her muzzle she kissed her girlfriend softly as she murred into her warm lips. “Now that’s not even a nibble but I think you’re tastier than that cookie anyway.”
The small kangaroo mouse giggled again and said, “Sorry hot stuff, we can’t unwrap the presents yet. That’s cheating.” She reached over and pushed the moose girl to roll on her back before she straddled her girlfriends hips. She wiggled her hips as she said, If you’re wake you might as well … um… get up?”
Grabbing her girlfriend around the waist Daisy lifted her a few inches as her hooves kicked at the thick blankets between them setting the mouse back down as they fell to the floor at the foot of the bed. As she rolled her hips up into her lovers groin, pressing her thick, partially engorged shaft firmly against the mouse’s nether she said, “what makes you think I’m not up already sweet cheeks?”
Cecily struggled free of her lover’s grasp as she slipped down the moose’s body and between her legs and sat up on her knees. She looked up at her and said, “What make you think I want that kind of mess on my new teddy?” as she stretched her arms to the ceiling and poked her modest chest out teasingly.
“I don’t,” Daisy said as she quickly threw her leg over the mouse, sitting up in the bed she grabbed her in her arms rolling her onto her back on the bed as she bent down and planted a soft kiss on each of her girlfriend’s modest breasts through the almost sheer fabric. “But it was a sure way to get you off me so I could get my furry ass out of bed sweet cheeks.” Leaning back as her paws lightly pinched Cecily’s stiffening buds through the teddy she added, “Besides, you said I couldn’t unwrap any presents yet, and that’s the best part.”
She to two fooled around playfully the sound of the door chime rang through the intercom. Cecily’s eyes shot open with excitement as the squirmed her way free and ran into her hideaway to look out at the front door. She squeaked as she said, “Derek and Sam are here.” As she ran back to lean out the small door, “Did you know Sam was coming?”
“Sam?” the moose asked with an odd expression on her face, a moment later breaking into a huge grin as she said, “Samantha? She’s here? Oh my God then she did make it after all,” the moose herm said as she bounded from the bed grabbing the thick, plush house coat from the back of the chair near the door. “Come on sweet cheeks, play time is over let’s roll.”
“um… Daisy,” Cecily said softly, “We’re expecting a lot more people, you might want to put on more than that before we go out there.” She ran from the small house to the closet as she said, “I bet I can beat you down there.”
“Not today Sisy, Lilly is already yelling at people for crazy shit, just get dressed and get downstairs, I’ll be down in a few minutes sweet cheeks. Now get a move on miss hostess, before I change my mind about obeying the rule about opening presents,” she said grinning broadly at her lover, “ I mean it get gone,” she added as she walked over to the closet to find a more appropriate outfit for the day.
“Okay, if I have to,” the small mouse said as she pulled the red velvet Christmas dress over the teddy and stockings, before she slowly walked toward the door.
“I know what you’re thinking squeaks, don’t do it. I’m not gonna be the one that Lilliana is screaming at for an hour this time, I’ll be down in a few minutes and you can just hold your horses till I get there, now scoot trail mix.” Daisy watched the small mouse in the mirror of their dresser as she took her Christmas dress from the closet, shaking her head as she held it up to herself and looked it over once again, “still say putting me in this was someone’s idea of a joke.”
------
“Go get the door small fry,” Lilliana said as the echo of the ring faded, “Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone in Marblecliff bites.” She looked over at Alex, “Go ahead and let the rest of the house know guests have started to arrive. Don’t want half nude pandas running around now that I have an eagle clothed for once.”
“Yes ma’am Lilly,” Paul said as he trotted from the keep towards the front door, in much higher spirits than he had been in months. Spotting his sisters friend as soon as it opened.
“SAMANTHA! I don’t believe it, you’re in Marblecliff too? Daisy will be so happy to see you,” he nearly screamed as he hugged the beautiful Saluki girl tightly around the waist. As the moose and canine embraced Derek, Samantha’s boyfriend, came walking up the stairs with a very pretty, brown haired hamster girl in his arms. As the pair drew closer Paul saw the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever laid eyes on in his life. To the Samoyed boys credit he took great care to not jostle the smaller girl as he ascended the steep stairs, making sure that the lovely green party dress she wore stayed in place to protect her modesty as the moose boy’s eyes fell upon her.
Looking up at the Saluki girl oddly he asked, “who’s that girl in your boyfriends arms?”
“Uh, which one are you again?” Derek asked when he overheard the moose boys question.
“P Paul, Paul Daniels Mr. Blackfoot,” the boy replied nervously.
“Well Paul, this is my good friend Daphne, We’ve known each other since we were cubs. I wanted to bring her here to show her this place,” Derek replied as he introduced the two young furs to each other. “Now if you would be so kind as to got down and get her chair, I would appreciate it.” he added as he leaned his head in the direction the pair had come from down the stairs.
“Oh, uhh, sure thing. I’ll be right back,” Paul said as he nearly ran down the stairs to retrieve the hamsters folded wheelchair at the bottom of the stairs. As quickly as he could he carried it back up to the landing at the top of the entry stairs, helping Samantha to unfold it and prepare it for the smaller hamster girl. “There, I think. Is… is that right?” he asked the taller Samoyed as his eyes wandered to the pretty girl he held again.
Cecily shouted down from the balcony above the foyer, “Derek!” Swiftly she ran down the stairs before she stopped and brushed her red velvet dress down as soon as the sight of the young hamster girl caught her eye. She walked up at a forced normal pace as she tried to introduce herself to the new guests, “Hello, I’m Sis… Cecily. Welcome to the Dark Rider House. Please come in, we have a warm fire burning in the keep.”
A shout from came from the kitchen as Lilliana yelled, “If that’s Derek, Hank is out back… frying some turkeys… if you want to help.”
Cecily looked at the small group as she said, “Come on, let’s get out of the cold doorway.”
As Derek put the small hamster in her wheelchair she introduced her, “Cecily, this my friend Daphne. I thought I would bring her by and show her this place now that the renovations are finished.”
“Derek, you said this place was big,” Samantha said, her gaze traveling from one end of the large stone front facade to the other, “I hope you don’t always understate things so much. Otherwise I’ll never know what to expect.” After a moment’s pause the Saluki looked down at the kangaroo mouse as she said, “Lord where are my manners, hello, I’m Samantha Thompson, Derek’s girlfriend,” as she extended a paw to the younger girl.
The small mouse took ahold of her paw slightly and replied, “I know, I have some pictures from the cruise. You looked beautiful in that bridesmaid dress, and the bathing suit… Daisy should be down soon, I just woke her up before you guys came.”
Blushing brightly at the mention of the skimpy bathing suit she had worn for her new boyfriend Samantha timidly replied, “oh, t thank you. I didn’t know anyone got any pictures of me in that…”
As Derek stepped behind Daphne's wheelchair she jerked it forward from him, “I’m not helpless Derek, I can get around without being pushed.” She smiled up at him. before she leaned toward the small mouse, and reached out with her paw, “Hi Cecily, thank you for letting me come, this place is amazing.”
Cecily grabbed the hamster girls paw with a wide grin, “You haven’t seen anything yet, Daphne. Wait till the others get here. We just finished the Rec. Center in the basement.” Then turned as she started into the house, “Please come in, it’s a lot warmer this way.”
As the trio followed the moose boy and their hostess into the house, Daphne maneuvered her chair slowly and deliberately as to avoid leaving scuff marks on the polished floor. Cecily turned and said to her, don’t worry about the floor, that’s polyurethane finished. It took Hank three weeks to get it to where he likes it, or was that shiny enough that Alex would stop polishing it. The finish is resistant to scratches, oil, gas and most solvents. You can’t hurt it much; everything comes off it with hot water and steam.”
As Cecily was explaining Hanks treatment of the floors the sound of thundering hooves suddenly filled the large open space. As the small group looked around for it source Daisy suddenly ran down the stairs nearly tackling Samantha as she grabbed the Saluki in a tight embrace, nearly screaming as she greeted her friend. “Oh my God…. I didn’t know you were gonna be here girlfriend.”
Prying herself loose enough to breath and speak Samantha said, “that was the whole Idea Daisy, usually is when you want to surprise someone,” hugging the moose herm tightly when she finished.
“It’s good to see you again Samantha,” Daisy whispered in her friends ear, tears forming in her eyes as she spoke.
“You too Daisy, it’s not quite the same without you at Prairie Flats.”, the Saluki replied.
As the two girls held each other they felt a warm set of wing wrap around them both. They turned their heads to see an eagle pulling them both into a hug as Alex said, “Wha’? I can’t ge’ in to da ‘uggins?”
Giggling happily both girls wrapped an arm around the eagle, pulling her into the tight embrace of friends separated for a time that have been rejoined. “Sure you can Alex, I’ll gladly hug both my sisters,” Daisy said as she pulled both women to her tightly.
Alex leaned into the small tightly bound group and whispered, “It’s warma by da fire if ya wanta make out.” She winked at Daisy as she added, “it’ll drive da boy crazy.”
“Sorry Alex, only one I make out with these days is Derek, he’s the jealous type you know,” the Saluki girl said giggling as the small group broke up.
“You and I both know Alex, Sisy would rip my fur out and make a house coat out of it if I did anything like that,” Daisy said as she squeezed the eagle again, “I’d much rather keep it right where it is.”
“Where’s my Sous-Chef?” Lilliana shouted from the kitchen, “I’m not going to make all this shit by myself.”
The eagle rolled her eyes as she walked back to the kitchen, “Da slave dria calls.”
The small hamster giggled at the eagles antics as she shuffled back into the kitchen her hunched over with her head hung low. “She’s silly.”
Cecily smiled at the little hamster, put more at easy by the bubbly, happy personality, “Boomer is like the big sister of the house. She’s a lot of fun most of the time.” As she lead the group further into the house she looked back at Paul and said, “You should get the rest of your family up, and the Bells.”
“Good idea, I’ll go make sure they’re up,” the moose boy said as he turned towards the stairs.
Cecily led the group into the vast open space of the great room and adjoining kitchen and breakfast area. Daphne gasped as she said, “This room is larger than my house.” her eyes wandered the cavernous expanse, the ceiling was supported by large exposed 6x6 wood beams. “How many people live here?”
“Right now only six,” replied Cecily, “But we are opening up As the home for Wayward youths at the beginning of the year. We are hoping to host and help up to twelve more teens as the plans are right now.”
“My God, this place must have cost a fortune, “Samantha exclaimed as they entered the great hall.
From the open kitchen Lilliana blurted out, “Public records show that the place was purchased by us for eight hundred and last appraised for one point five. We have an appointment for appraisal after the first for insurance.” She looked around the room at the shocked faces, “What? It’s all public record due to the NPO, you can look it up yourselves.”
Alex looked up from choking something, “Dere ain’t no need ta jus’ blurt it out like dat. It migh’ soun’ like bgragin’.”
The liger went back to stirring her the pot in front of her, “Whatever, they were all thinking millions so, it makes no difference in the end. With The renovations and NPO designations the value of this property and the ones around it will likely drop.” She looked over at Derek, you need to go out and talk to Hank about the thing.”
Derek’s eye went as wide as dinner plates as she replied, “Sure thing miss. Fargo. I’ll be right back.” he said as he swiftly kissed Samantha on the cheek and ran back into the hall.
“Okay, Introductions,” Lilliana said, “I don’t want to have to call everyone ‘Hey You’ all day. I’m Lilly and I’m going to slap Derek when he gets sick for forgetting that. The feather brain is Alex.” Apparently you already Know Mouse Bait and and met Squeaker. The rest of the moose panda procession should be on their way down soon. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess the tall cute one is Samantha, and the fuzzy, bubbly one is Daphne.”
Alex looked over her shoulder, “Samant’a and Daphne? Dat ain’t gonna work. I’ma go wit’ snugly and speedy.”
Daphne giggled at the silly nicknames the eagle came up with on the spot, “Some of the kids call me wheels.” As she got comfortable in front of the fire, the small hamster twisted her body to reach into the bag on the back of her chair and pulled out a Ziploc bag of thread, beads and half made bracelets and happily busied herself with her small craft project.
“Snugly?” Samantha repeated as she turned to look at Daisy, the moose herm simply shrugging and shaking her head slowly. “Should I even ask how she came up with that?” the Saluki asked the small mouse who was standing between them and the kitchen.
“Give it up, snugly,” came from the hall as a bundled up Chinchilla walked into the room, “It’s a losing battle to figure it out or get it changed. Just go with it.”
Alex nearly shouted over the chinchilla, “Dat’s Fluffy Muffins. Fluffy, meet Snugly and speedy.”
“Shut it, Boomer, before I shut it for you,” the chinchilla replied, “I’m Susan, It’s nice to finally meet another one of the pictures Sisy brought home to us.” as she reached her paw out to the saluki girl.
“Samantha and it’s nice to meet you as well Susan,” she replied, shaking paws with the chinchilla woman. “So I take it the nicknames is just her thing that?”
“She likes them, they stick a little,” Susan said as she striped off her thick coat, “You’re lucky Lilliana has cut back on it. She doesn't stick with a single name, she just rotates through whatever pops into her head.”
A sudden knowing look came over the Saluki girls face as she turned for a moment to look at her friend and the small mouse the moose girl adored. “Well, now that finally explains why she calls daisy Mouse Bait,” Samantha said giggling.
Overhearing her friends comment Daisy’s ears perked up, “really? It took you this long to figure that one out?”
“Took who this long to figure wha…. Samantha?”, Ralph’s eyes went wide as he saw his sisters friend standing in the keep as he entered, the panda girl at his side. “How? When?”, the boy stammered, not completing a single thought.
“So busy with your woman and coming up with the next big thing that you don’t even notice when someone leaves town Ralph? I’ve been here since the start of the holiday break.” Turning to face her friend again she added, “And you have no Idea how hard it was not to come over here before now. But I knew I would end up letting it slip that your family were coming.” Turning back to the younger moose, “I’ve been happily spending my time with Derek’s family and watching him work on… a few projects he has going. Spending time with his family and,” the Saluki paused, glancing around to make sure her boyfriend hadn’t snuck back inside before she continued, “planning a little get away for new year’s.”
Samantha turned to look at the older of the moose boys as a look of recollection came across her face. “Ralph, before I forget, I did run into Mark and Ariel before I flew out though, he said to tell you to take as long as you want for Christmas. Seems the guys at the; lab decided to close up shop until after the first of the year, make a long holiday for all of you.” Samantha turned to Zoe as she said, “looks like the mother to be is doing okay so far.”
“Other than the usual pregnant woman stuff, million trips to the bathroom a day, my legs hurt, my back hurts, yada, yada, yada, but yea I’m doing okay Samantha.” Looking over to her husband the panda asked,”WHAT? I know she’s as tired of hearing me complain as you are moose face, so zip it and go find me something to nibble on, your children are hungry and kicking the crap out of me again.”
“Yah, fuzzbucket,” Lilliana said from her spot at the stove, “Make yourself useful and get those trays of snacks in there to those young ladies.” as she pointed to the large round table in the breakfast area. “And here I thought you were a proper gentleman.”
As he walked over to the large round table, taking a tray in each paw he mumbled, “Do I look like a damn waiter to you?”
Cecily bounced a bit as she turned to him, “I think Hank as a good suit you could wear if you want to.”
Glancing up at the small mouse Ralph blushed at being heard, shaking his head as he said, “no, that won’t be necessary.” Walking over to the new arrivals he hoisted the tray a little higher as he asked, “care for a snack to tide you over ladies?”
Lilliana looked at the seated teens and said, “Anyone old enough to wield a kitchen knife, we have ten pounds of potatoes that need peeled. Squeaker, you man the door until we have everyone here.”
With a quick salute Cecily returned a, “roger,” before she snagged a paw full of cookies and bounce off to the door as the sound of the chime rang through the house as if on cue.
“Come on Samantha,” Daisy said as she rose from her seat, “that’s our cue to get our asses in the kitchen and lend a paw.
With a knife in paw Lilliana pointed to Zoe, “The fat one can have a seat; she’s doing all the cooking she needs to. I don’t want to be responsible for a hospital visit today. If the rest of you hurt yourselves we have a combat medic and a nurse on staff today.”
“And that’s our cue to join the other ladies in the kitchen,” Raquel said as she looked over to Amanda.
“Pffft, like you gotta tell me that? I know a mess sergeant barking orders when I hear one,” the red panda woman replied as she rose from her seat. “On the other hand,” she added as she turned to her son-in-law, “that leaves you with maternity duty my boy, but I guess you’re used to that by now aren’t you?” With a grin she turned and followed the other women into the kitchen, leaving the men to await their respective assignments.
“Okay guys, you have the fun part, go play with grease and fire in the snow, Hank’s got five turkeys to fry, were, cookin’ for our men in blue that will no doubt show up shortly after we get cars in the drive,” Lilliana smiled as she passed, “the way to the patio is through the living room out the solarium and down the steps.”
As she finished and Daniel stood to leave Cecily led an older chinchilla and red squirrel into the room. “Darren and Julia Escher… “She paused as she looked around, “Looks like everyone is getting busy.”
Darren zipped his coat back up as he said, “I guess I’ll lead the way to the back then, I don’t want to get in the middle of the hen club,” as he kissed the squirrel on the cheek as she gave him her attempt at the evil-eye. He reached his paw out to the Panda man, “Darren Escher, Please to meet you.”
Alex looked up from her cutting board and started to point to the ladies in the room, “Reds, Mandy, Ricky, Snugly, fluffy, speedy, mouse bait and longshot.”
“Okay, Boomer, Let’s try that again,” Susan said as she started, We have the young Miss. Julia Summers-escher, Raquel Daniels, Daisy, Samantha, Daphne, Amanda Bell, Lilly, Boomer and I’m Susan. I think that has it covered.”
Lilliana looked over at the chinchilla and eagle and asked, “You two going to do that each time someone walks in?” then looked over at Julia, “Where’s the rest of the brood?”
Julia smiled back at the scene that had slowly become common place with their visits to the house, “Elise is coming with Mom and Ethan, and Claire went to try and pry Shy out of her place for dinner.” She moved into the kitchen with the other ladies as she looked for a place to fit in and help, “Dad’s expecting a call from Councilman Zaritzky a few hours; you think we’ll have some plates done by then?”
Alex scraped the lettuce and tomatoes into a large bowl, “We chould ‘ave engh fer dem soon. just waitin’ on tha ‘tato.”
------
As Darren led Daniel out of the house they saw Hank standing by five turkey fryers with a hot thermos in his paw. He looked over at the two and asked, “Kicked out of the house into the cold?” Derek stood with his paws hovering over one of the fryers. Hank went on to say, “We have Cecily’s gift on Derek’s trailer. You two mind helping him get it off and into the motor court?”
Darren looked at the simple scene and asked, “You sure you can handle staring at all these fryers all by yourself. It looks like hard man’s work.” he laughed as he finished his comment.
“Come on Darren, you know as well as I do, Lilly sent you out her to spare the women folk from having to push that damned thing into the drive,” Hank said with a smile, “She has squeaky on the door right? She can't see the trailer from that angle.”
The chinchilla looked at the panda, “Well, looks like we get to push a classic remodel off a trailer, you think you’re up to showing this cub how it’s done?” as he pointed down to Derek.
“Yep, it beats being trapped in that kitchen full of clucking hens,” the panda said chuckling. “Any of you ever say I said that, I will not only deny it until the day I die, but I will find you and send my squad out on a ‘training run’ to come pay a visit,” he added winking at the otter at his jest., “assuming of course that we all survive the wrath of the liger at being called a clucking hen.”
Hank chuckled at the thought as she said, “Well, Derek, you ready to show us them handy work?”
“Yes, sir Mr. Heartken,” the young samoyed said as he turned to the other men, “It’s just at the opening of the motor court.” as he led the way to the back pass between the garages. The large Ford F650 had been backed into the drive with the tarp covered car on a trailer. As the men gathered around the concealed present, Derek untied the tarp to reveal a baby blue vintage Chevy Nomad wagon as he started to ramble on about the work he had done to restore and customize the vehicle to the small mouse. ”This poor heap was one of the most ambitious restoration projects I’ve taken on. The thing was a waste. It needed all new quarter panels the engine that was in it had seized up and needed to do a complete rebuild so we scraped it and put in a 350 Ramjet bored out to a 383. We didn’t add a lot of bolt-on for power; we set it up to be a street machine with some get-up-and-go but nothing that’s going to set any records at the track.” He hopped up on the trailer and opened the driver side door, “We put in an Air Ride seat on the driver’s side, with a full seven inch vertical adjustment range, the pedal extensions are a semi-permanent fixture as well as the shifter angle to better fit Sisy’s size. We maintained a full retro look and feel to the interior and exterior with the classic chrome and baby blue paint, but updated the suspension and steering as well as adding ABS brakes, auto locking seatbelts and a few other small safety features that were not available in the original.” As he sat in the driver’s seat he leaned over to the center dash, “The classic radio face hides a fully digital tuner and access to a CD changer in the rear. This thing is a work of retro custom art if I do say so myself.”
“And I bet Sisy will fall over dead when she sees it,” Ethan said as he walked around the car with his cane in his paw.
Derek sat up and looked down at the raccoon, “It’s good to see you not leaning on that thing as much.”
“Therapist says I should be completely rid of it soon if I keep up the pace,” Ethan said as the struggled to climb up on the trailer with the others.
“You need help their son?” Darren asked as he reached down his paw and helped pull the raccoon up on his good leg.
“Thank you Mr. Escher,” the teen said as he steadied himself against the car on the narrow ramp, “You guys need any help getting this thing off here?”
Derek got out of the car and said, “the only thing I’ll let you help with is stepping on the brakes once we get it rolling, so have a seat.”
------
Cecily answered the door to find the two red squirrels and younger chinchilla form the Summers-escher clan waiting at the door. Claire carried as thickly bundled baby in her arms as Cecily waved them in and asked, “Where’s Ethan and Shy?”
“Ethan went over to… he’ll be right in,” Claire stopped herself from giving away the well planned secret. “Shy is being mopy again so we brought Sienna.”
“Oh, let's get her into the house,” Cecily squeaked as she waved the trio in. She looked over at Elise, “Hank finished the Theater and the consoles are hooked up in there. did you bring it?”
“Sure did, Call of Duty: Ghosts,” the small chinchilla said with a smile.
Laura shook her head as she pulled her coat off in the foyer, “You kids and your games. Where is everyone?”
Cecily looked up at her and said, “They are all in the kitchen and the guys are all out back with the turkey fryers.”
As the group walked into the great room Lilliana looked over at them and said, “So that completes the confirmed guest list. How are you ladies doing?”
“Good morning Miss, Fargo, We’re doing fine, and yourself?” Claire answered as she took the small raccoon/sugar glider cub closer to the warm fireplace.
“Miss Summers,” Lilliana looked at the young red squirrel sternly, “What have I told you about being in this house?”
“Yes, Miss Lilly,” Claire replied, “It’s a habit.”
Laura looked over at the diligently working group of ladies in the kitchen, “You’ll have to forgive her Lilly, I raised my children to show the proper respect to their elders, even if told to do otherwise,” The older squirrel said with a smile, “And that looks like a lot of food for the people we have here.”
“Is dat Sienna ya gots dere, lill red?” Alex asked as she turned to walk into the keep.
“Yes. Miss Hawkins, Ethan and I picked her up just a little while ago,” Claire responded as she started to unwrap the bundled cub.
The eagle walked over and sat next to the young squirrel, “Cen I ‘old ‘er? Che’s so cute and cuddly.”
Lilliana stopped and looked around the room as she finally took note of what Alex was wearing, “Oh My Fucking God. For a bunch of ladies that said they would never put that dress on again you all seem to have jumped right into it. I guess I need to go change.”
Cecily looked at the five resident Dark Riders, and noted for the first time all but Lilliana were wearing the red velvet and white fur Christmas dress they had gotten for the ‘family Christmas card. Alex and Susan looked at each other than to Daisy and Cecily and started to laugh at the strange unplanned family matching outfit.
Daisy put her paws on her hips as she looked down at her small mouse girlfriend and said, “I thought you said we had to wear this today.” the Kangaroo mouse only smiled and shrugged as she walked to the larger open section of the adjoined rooms
As the commotion settled down Laura moved into the kitchen to pick up some of the slack left by Alex and Lilliana as they moved out.
Elise followed Cecily into the keep as the small mouse began to introduce her to the other teens closer to the young chinchilla’s ego, “This is Daisy’s brother Paul and his older twin and his wife, Zoe.”
Elise’s eye popped wide as dinner plates as Cecily introduce the young married couple. “W... wife? You’re married?” the young Chinchilla asked as she took note of the closeness in their age. The sight of the panda’s large rounded belly dominated her mind as she watched the boy’s paw, “Are… Are you pregnant?”
Julia shot her step-daughter a glance as she said, “Elise, It rude to ask things like that.”
“I’m sorry,” Elise said softly as she was reprimanded one of the few times that her stepmother ever had.
Zoe giggled, “It’s Okay Miss Escher, We get that all the time. Yes, we’re married, and we are deeply in love with each other,” the young Panda tried to explain as if she was several years older than she was, “And I am pregnant with his babies.”
The young chinchilla glanced over at her Aunt Claire was the slightly older red squirrel as she cuddled the small baby raccoon sugar glider hybrid, then back to the panda couple. She thought about Claire and her boyfriend Ethan. The young panda couple could have only been a little more than a year older than her. She could see that the young couple cared about each other as much as Ethan and Claire, but to be married so young…
Cecily put a paw on the chinchilla girl’s shoulder, which brought her out of the odd thought of the young married couple, and asked, “You want to feel, she’s having twins, and they kick hard when they move. I think they’re in there fighting,” the small mouse finished with a little smile.
Zoe looked over at the mouse a little irate, “Thanks for asking me first, but it’s okay. They’re not moving much right now, I think Ralph rubbed them to sleep again.”
As Elise gently placed a paw on the cloth covered orb of the panda, Cecily broke in again, “Oh and this is Daphne, Derek’s friend,” As they walked over to the hamster she asked, “What are you making?”
“Friendship bracelets,” The chubby hamster said cheerfully as she held up the selection of intricately tangled threads and beads, “You want one?”
Encouraged by the hamster girl’s cheery demeanor, Cecily bounced over to the wheelchair. A little amazed at the craft the girl held in her paw the mouse asked,” Ca… can you show me how to make one?”
Daphne smiled back as she returned a, “Sure.” and pulled out what she needed to start a new bracelet.
------
The quartet returned to the back patio to find Hank had the friers turned off with the cooked feral birds hung over the pots to allow the hot oil to drain from them. Derek said loudly, “Everything is set got The surprise Mr. Heartken,” as he came around the corner.
“Just in time,” the otter replied, “now everyone grab a turkey and let’s see if the rest of the meal is ready.”
“Yes sir, Mr. Heartken,” the boys chanted in unison as they reached down to take up a turkey by the hanger before the otter stopped them.
“Not so fast, those things are still hot as hell,” Hank said as he pointed to the serving trays stacked on the patio table, “Slip on of those under them, It’ll save your paws and keep from dripping hot grease all over the floor. Just take them in and put them on the tables in the dining room.” The boys nodded their acknowledgement to the otter and did as they were told.
The two adults followed suit, the group took the cooling fried birds into the house. As they entered the otter shouted, “We’re done with the fried fowls. How are you Ladies coming?”
“The hen club is just in here pecking away at it,” Julia said as she leaned out the door to look in at the men in the dining room, “We’ll be ready by the time those cool enough to eat.”
Darren flinched as his young red squirrel wife mentioned the ‘hen club’ knowing that he was going to pay dearly for the joke later. In a mild hope to redeem himself the chinchilla asked, “Do you ladies need any help in there?”
As Julia tuned back into the kitchen, “No, dear, wouldn't want you to have to put up with the clicking here,” she responded, a little playful tone in her voice.
Hank looked at Darren and said, “Really?” Darren just returned a weak smile and shrug.
Daniel smirked and said, “You’re just lucky that you’re not with a marine. I learned a long time ago to not be in earshot for wisecracks like that.”
The two teens just snickered as they walked from the kitchen and great room in search of their girlfriends. Derek entered the kitchen area to find the women still busy at work fixing items for the coming meal. He weaved his way through the activity to make his way to the young saluki girl. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind as he rested his muzzle on her shoulder and asked, “Enjoying yourself, Hot stuff?”
She tapped a dollop of whipped cream form the Waldorf salad on his nose as she said, “As much fun as a hen can have clucking around the kitchen.” She smiled as she leaned her head against his.
Ethan walked over to the chair by the hearth were Claire sat. He leaned against the chair as he watched Alex pace the length of the room as she rocked Sienna in her wings and sang an unintelligible nursery rhyme to the cub. He shook his head as he thought about how the eagle seemed to manage to get her wings on the cub each time they brought her to the house.
As everyone became more comfortable with the wide range of friends, acquaintances and total strangers, Lilliana returned wearing the same red and white velvet dress the six ladies of the house had on. She looked around the room and smiled at the cheerful scene. She leaned against a pillar as she marveled at the sight. If they had told her six months ago she would be a hostess of a large Christmas party made up of guests from across the nation, she would have said they were crazy. She listened as the normally annoying Christmas music poured from the concealed speakers in the ceiling and walls and watched as each person, regardless of age voluntarily moved in and out of the kitchen as they worked on the meal preparations. She smiled as the two younger girls Paul and Cecily gathered at the tree and pointed at the different gifts and boxes underneath and made wild guesses at what might be in them. She laughed halfheartedly to herself as she thought about how the scene looked like one of those hokey Christmas specials on TV.
The conversations had started to drown out the sound of the seasonal melodies as she heard a knock at the door. As she walked toward the foyer she questioned herself on who would think of knocking at a house this size, they were just lucky she heard them. When she opened the door she smiled at the mouflon that stood before her. “And what took you so long, Colin?”
“I had to find somewhere to park the bus,” he said as he pointed over his shoulder, “the driveway is full and I’m sure Roman is going to call and complain that I had to park it in the street.”
Lilliana snorted as the sight of the short yellow bus parked in front of the house, “We’ll deal with that when we have to. I think Boomer’s been plotting something for a week now.” She grabbed him by the paw and pulled him into the house and closed the door behind him. The liger wrapped her arms around Colin’s neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss.
While the two were locked in their moment, alone in the large entry hall, the mouflons paws roamed across the velvet surface of the dress she wore. Her paws moved to cup and squeeze his firm rump. Just as his paw gripped and slowly started to lift her dress up, the doorbell rang, which made them both jump in surprise. Lilliana licked her lips as she mentioned, “There are more than twenty people in the next room, and a few of them are my students. We might want to wait on that, sex pot.”
She let him go as she said, “Everyone is in the keep. Go ahead and see if they’re ready to start making plates for the cops when they start showing up.” She brushed down the back of her dress as she answered the door again.
------
\tAs Colin Burke entered the great room he was greeted by the small kangaroo mouse leaping from Daisy’s lap as she nearly shouted, “Colin!” she paused for a moment before she asked , “where is the Colonel?
\t
The mouflon crouched down to eye level with the short teen mouse. “He wanted me to drop him off at the VFW for their dinner, Squeaky. Besides, He didn’t want to ride over here in the bus.”
“Bus?” she asked, “you were able to get one?”
“I told you I would, didn’t I?” he said with a smile, “Sure it’s not new and needs a lot of work to get it back up to par.”
From his spot next to Samantha, Derek asked, “Am I going to need to ask dad about another Pro Bono job for you guys, Mr. Burke? You guys are going to kill me with all this unpaid labor.”
Cecily looked over at Derek, “What pro bono work?”
Derek swallowed as he thought he just gave away the young teen’s Christmas surprise, “Oh… It’s nothing; We’ve just been doing a lot of charity jobs over at Blackfoot Customs.”
Apparently buying the boy’s quickly conjured line, Cecily looked back at the mouflon as she began to introduce him to the moose and panda families. “Colin, this is Ralph, and Paul, Daisy’s brothers and Zoe, Ralphs wife.”
Colin raised an eyebrow at the odd introduction of the teen as wife to one of the young males. He held his comment as he had grown used to odd surprises when he was around the patchwork family. “It’s a pleasure to meet you young lady, and gentlemen.”
As Cecily pointed to the kitchen she continued, “And we also have Miss. Raquel Daniels, Daisy’s mother and the Bells, Amanda and Daniel, Zoe’s parents.”
The Mouflon stood and turned to the older panda and extended his paw, “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir, and Ladies. I’m Colin Burke.”
“Pleasure to meet you sir and your timing is either very good, or very bad. I think the ladies are about ready in the kitchen and from what I’m hearing that means the men are about to get put to work,” the red panda male said.
The mouflon gave the panda a firm shake and said, “So they didn’t set the yard on fire with the fried turkeys. That’s good to know.”
“Nope, no fires.” Looking to the mouflon Daniel added, “just a huge heap of good food from the looks of the kitchen. Hope you brought your appetite, think you may need it today.”
“Meh,” Colin shrugged, “Half of it will end up being sent home with either the cops or Derek and Ethan. Lilliana won’t let that raccoon leave without a plate for his cousins and Aunt. I wonder if they were expecting the fire call this time?” he asked as he looked up at the ceiling.
“Out of curiosity, Colin was it?, how do you fit into this menagerie?” the red panda male asked, trying to figure out how the seemingly only single male of the group could be connected to the odd grouping of furs assembled.
“Well now,” he said with a smile, “Does anyone really fit in here? Or is it more that everyone fits in here in their own way? I got roped into the family by a seductive liger.” He looked at Daniel as he added, “once she get those claws in you… MMmmmm.”
A sudden look of understanding came across the panda’s face as he nodded, “I can just imagine.”
------
It had been a nice and quiet day at the Marblecliff Police department, as Lt. Daniel Summers sat at his desk finishing up reports from earlier in the week. Every once in a while he glanced at the phone on his desk as he dreaded the call he knew was coming. Every Holiday dinner and party since the arrival of the strange group that called themselves a family had brought at least one call from their unhappy neighbors. he shook his head as he thought about the Councilman's reaction to the group that bought the abandoned mansion across the street from his house.
At first Councilmen Zaritzky only complained about the construction noises continuing on the weekend asking that they have the work crew stop until the following work day. The man was only more angered when he found out that what he thought were no more than a simple construction crew were actually his new neighbors. Then weeks later when the Mayor endorsed the new “Youth Home” that the group was planning for the oversized residence he had gone into overdrive to get the plans stopped.
Daniel smiled as he thought about the almost childish antics the group had been accused of, anything from toilet papering the councilman's house to sugar in his gas tank. As with most juvenile pranks they could not find enough evidence for him to press charges. And the young attorney Alexis Hawkins started to make a name for herself among the local judiciary as she got many of the minor claims tossed out of court.
He looked up as the dispatcher leaned into the room, “Captain Summers,” the young husky girl called out, “It’s the Dark Rider House, do you want to take it?”
“No, not this time Stacy, just rotate the guys out on patrol through with the calls,” he said as he looked back down at the small stack of forms, “I’m sure this won’t be the last one today.” He looked up again and shouted as she left the squad room, “Tell one of them to bring you a plate, I hear they have some turducken and fried turkeys, and if I know that bunch they won’t let them leave without feeding them. And let me know if it’s something more than just the councilmen complaining about his new neighbors.” He shook his head and smiled as he thought about his entire family currently at the house to the overabundant feast.
------
As Lilliana opened the door she found the young patrol officer they had been waiting for. The bobcat couldn’t have been more than twenty-two, but this was not his first visit to the house in the past five months since they moved in. “Good afternoon officer, How can I help you?” she asked with a smile.
The bobcat sighed as he replied, “Good afternoon Miss. Fargo. I’m here to look into a call on a public disturbance associated with this address.”
“Well, I hate for you to waste a trip out here,” She told him with a smile, “Is there anything we might be able to do to ‘fix’ the issue?”
“Well, ma’am, the complaint was about blocking traffic with the bus,” the officer said, “Apparently one of your neighbors is planning on having a dinner party and was worried about his guest’s safety.”
“We’ll take care of that right away officer,” she stepped aside and added, “please come in and let us make a few plates for the boys and girls down at the station.”
“I can’t accept that ma’am,” he said sternly, “That could be considered a bribe.”
“Well, then you’ll have to eat it before you leave then,” she waved her paw into the house as she spoke.
“You’re not going to let me leave are you?’
“Have we ever?” she asked, “They have some plates ready in the kitchen. Just take a few and save us a trip down to the station.”
As the officer walked past her into the house she caught sight of the Kestrel as he walked up the drive with a few neatly wrapped packages in his wings. She shouted out to him, “Good afternoon Mr. Mayor, You want me to get Alex for you?”
“No thank you Lilly,” he said as he walked up to the house, “and it’s just Steve today.”
“Well then, Merry Christmas, Steven, and come on in,” She tossed an arm over his shoulders as he walked through the door, “You might want to take into account we do have a fair amount of your constituents here for dinner.”
He smiled as she said, “Good, it’s always a treat to meet the people in a more casual setting. That’s why I like coming here.”
“I thought it was for our resident legal representation,” She returned as she shook him a bit, “So what you got there… Steve?”
“Just a few gifts for you girls,” he said with a smile as they walked toward the great room, “Who could come here on Christmas empty handed?”
As they walked into the gathering before the fireplace Lilliana said, “For our out of town visitors, I would like to introduce the Mayor of our fair city, Mr. Steven Archer.” The room fell silent as the liger introduced the new guest.
Subconsciously Alex handed the small cub baby back to Ethan as she brushed down her dress and hoped that he had not noticed her yet. Quietly she took a seat in one of the many folding chairs that had been pulled out for seating the guests.
Steven stopped, stunned for a moment at the number of furs gathered in the large room. “Okay, I was expecting a few people,” he said with a smile, “I don’t think I bought enough gifts.”
Cecily sprang over to the slightly stunned bird. “That’s okay, Mr. Archer,” she said as she reached up for the packages, “We’re not doing gifts until after the dinner is over. I’ll just put those under the tree for later if you want.”
“Thank you, Young Mis. Fargo,” He said with a smile as she handed her the small stack of boxes, then turned to find a seat,
As the small mouse passed Ralph looked at her and said, “the mayor came to your Christmas party? How the heck did you guys manage that?”
“Yea,” chimed in Zoe and Paul nearly simultaneously, “that should be a good story to tell the kids back home,” the panda girl continued.
Cecily stopped and looked at the two. Before she could get a word out Lilliana said loudly, “Hey, Boomer, Shouldn’t you get your boyfriend a drink or something?”
Alex stood up swiftly and nearly shouted, “‘ee ain’t my boyfrien’,” Before she walked into the kitchen and asked, “Would ya like somtin’ ta drink, Steve?”
“One of those warm cups of hot cocoa would be nice, Miss. Boomer,” the kestrel said as he took a seat at the bar closer to where she was.
As things settled down a bit Cecily continued, “She thrust a knife in his chest at city hall, and he took her to lunch. It’s been downhill from there.”
“She did what?” the moose and panda couple asked nearly in unison.
“She forgot she had a knife when she was going into city hall,” the little mouse said, “When they stopped her for it, she handed it off to Mr. Archer before she knew who he was.”
Steven turned on the barstool as Alex sat the steaming mug by his wing. “Oh, I almost forgot, Miss. Cecily. I have something for you and the Dark Rider house,” As he reached into his breast pocket, “A small personal donation to the cause.” He pulled out an envelope, “I didn’t intend for it to be this public, but things are what they are.”
After she placed the neatly wrapped packages under the tree, Cecily tried to walk back over to the man, and accepted the envelope. She gasped as she looked inside at the small slip of paper, “Are… Are you sure you want to give us this?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a smile, “I feel that what you all are trying to do for our community is a greatly needed service that will help better our future.”
“Th.. Thank you sir,” She stuttered as she closed the envelope, “I’ll put this in the safe for now. Alex can take it in when the banks open again.” She turned from the bird and sprang out of the room swiftly and disappeared into the hall.
As the mouse vanished out of sight, Susan walked up to the bar, “Dinner is served,” She said into the somewhat silent room, “We only have twenty seats in the dining room, but the younger ones can get their plates and bring them into the breakfast table. But first a benediction for our meal. With our varied selections of religions, we will observe a moment of silence so that we can each give our thanks in our own way.”
After several long moments Lilliana broke the silence by shouting, “Rub-a-dub-dub thanks for the Grub, Let’s eat.” As she finished the other members of the disbanded military unit each tried their best to stifle their snickers and laughs. She continued, “Here’s how we can split it, fourteen and down get the breakfast table, fifteen to twenty at table two, and all us old fucks at the main table.”
------
As the group moved into the extensive dining room they were greeted by the pictures sight of two long tables of chairs filled with food. The sight brought to mind the portraits of the ‘Last Supper’ or the pictures of the ‘First Thanksgiving’ often seen in school books.
As the couples started to take seats at the tables, each having been set with ten chairs, the first table of adults ran out of chairs as Alex and Steven entered the room. Laura swiftly stood up from her chair and said, “Please Mr. Mayor, Take my seat, I’ll move to the other table.”
“No, ma’am,” the kestrel said as he pushed the chair back under her, “I will not take a seat from a beautiful woman. Besides, It will be good to have an informal meal with our communities next generation of leaders.”
“Well, at least maybe this year I get a decent turkey that isn’t dry as the friggin Afghan desert,” Amanda said as she looked around the table. “Sorry that sounded like a complaint, this is the first year in...hell if I remember how long my ass hasn’t been in a foxhole, a humvee, or hanging over the side of a landing craft somewhere for the holidays.”
Lilliana looked over at the Panda woman and noted, “this meal was cooked mostly by combat vets, I wouldn’t expect much from it.”
“Maybe it was, but it ain't a friggin MRE,” the marine replied, “it has to have more flavor then this table.”
Julia blushed as she said, “It’s a hundred times better than the first meal I cooked when Mayor Archer came to our place for dinner.”
Darren smiled as he added, “The night still turned out nicely… after he bought pizza and a few rounds of Uno and beer.”
Hank stood up from the table, “Speaking of which, Does anyone want an adult beverage her at the big table?”
“Dear God yes, what have you got?” Daniel said as he glanced at his wife, the woman nodding her agreement.
Hank replied with, “a wide selection of wines for this event, and your average selection of cold beer.” He glanced at Susan for a moment, “We don’t keep anything hard in the house.”
“Beer will be fine, anything cold that doesn’t taste like panther piss will do,” the panda woman said as she continued to eat her meal.
“Two if you please,” Daniel added, “domestic is fine and ignore her, she gets like this when she’s hungry.”
Hank took the requests from everyone at the table and entered into the kitchen to retrieve the drinks. A few moments later he returned with two arm loads of beer bottles. As he walked around the table with the drinks A loud sound erupted in the front of the house.
-----
Laughing as he sat down Paul looked to his brother and said, “Back home it’s not a big deal, but I just have to ask Ralph, how’s it feel to be the only married man at the kiddy table?”
“Strange, very strange to be honest,” the older of the twin boys replied, a slight giggle in his voice.
“You think that’s a strange feeling, try being the only one at the ‘kiddy table’ that’s five months pregnant,” Zoe chimed in, “it’s kind of an oxymoron if you ask me. Okay, before the sideways looks, averted gazes and outright stares even get started,” the young red panda continued, “anyone got any questions? Let’s get the OMG should I say anything or not bullshit out of the way now so we can have a nice meal and all act like we’re more than strangers passing on the street.”
Elise raise her paw more out of habit than anything as she asked, “Why’d you get married, aren't you a bit young for that?”
“You got this one moose lips? Or should I?” Zoe asked her husband grinning at him.
“By all means, you just love laying this one out there, go for it sweet cheeks,” Ralph said.
“Well to not bore you to death I’ll give you the short version… Elise right?”, she paused as the chinchilla nodded, “aren’t we kind of young? Yes we are, but it’s legal and binding in Colorado. The reasons are a long list, but the short list is this. I wanted our baby to carry his name,” she said pointing to the moose boy beside her. “Secondly, for his insurance to cover the hospital it was kind of a have to case. But I would have, and did say yes when he asked because I love him.” Grinning broadly she winked at the girl as she added, “and it has it’s other advantages. You should see the way people fall over themselves when we go to a nice restaurant and they find out we’re married. It’s a riot to watch people fall off their chairs as they watch us walk by trying to figure it out.”
Daphne looked between the two brothers that sat to either side of the panda and asked, “you two are twins, right?” she looked at the panda and added, “How do you tell them apart?”
Blushing brightly Paul said softly, “Oh God, she had to ask Zoe about that didn’t she?”
Giggling madly the panda girl looked first to Ralph, who was also blushing, though not nearly as bad as his brother and shaking his head slowly, then to the younger sibling before she answered. “Well, just sitting here like we are now it can be really hard to tell them apart. But I’ve learned a few tricks, little things about them that are different that you don’t normally think to look for. But to be completely sure which is which, you have to get them naked.” Pausing for a moment to see if anyone choked she continued, “the one I married has a birthmark on his… junk and the other one doesn’t.”
The small hamster blushed deeply as she thought about the trick the panda mentioned. Elise on the other hand burst out a wide eyed rapid fire question, “you’ve seen them both naked?”
“That…. ummm was my fault,” Paul chimed in, “I, did something stupid and messed up. It took a while but they both forgave me for it and we get along okay now.”
Curiosity drove the young chinchilla on, “What did you do?” she asked as she locked her gaze on the younger brother.
“He let her believe he was with me and committed an indiscretion with my girlfriend that got his ass kicked all over the room,” Ralph replied.
“I was going to word it a little less… graphically Ralph,” his younger brother said, “but yes, I took unfair advantage of her and did something stupid.”
“Indiscretion? You call him screwing me in the butt an indiscretion?” Zoe said incredulously. “Jesus, what you and I did in the car in front of the sex shop while mom and dad were shopping was an indiscretion Ralph. What he did has another name entirely.”
Wide eyed the two younger girls looked at Paul, their mouths wordlessly agape.
Seeing the looks on the two girls faces Paul hung his head for a moment before he spoke to his brother and his young wife, “this is exactly why I didn’t think it was a good idea for me to come with you all to see Daisy. I… I’ll just leave you all to your meal and go to my room now. For what it’s worth, it was nice meeting both of you,” he said to the two younger girls as he rose from his seat. Nodding silently to his brother he walked from the breakfast area and up the stairs.
Elise looked at the married couple as she apologized, “I… I’m sorry, I didn’t know…”
After what seemed like a long awkward silence at the table all the younger kids were caught off guard by a sound from the front of the house. the two younger preteens hoped from their seats to find out what happened.
------
“So Samantha, how’s everything back in the land of Nod?”, Daisy asked as she looked across the table to her friend.
“Same as always, quiet, peaceful, serene, lots of snow, cozy fire, hot hunk to cuddle up with,” the Saluki answered. “How you getting along in the big city moose face?”
As the city’s mayor moved to sit with the teens, Alex followed suit by taking a seat across the table. Steven looked at her and said, “Now you deny me the pleasure of pulling out your seat.” he looked across the table at the teens, “ I recognize a few of you as students at the prep school, am I right?”
Alex chimed in, “Da only one dat’s from ouda states da cute puppy girl ova dere.”
“Samantha Thompson, a pleasure to meet you Mr. Mayor,” the Saluki said offering her paw to the older kestrel.
Steven stood as he hok her paw and said, “Please let’s not be so formal. I believe that one of the aims of this house is to be a place of equality. If your manners force you to be formal with your elders, please just call me Mr. Archer for today.”
Cecily looked up from her plate and said, “He comes here a lot to see Alex, when he’s not taking her out on a date.”
“Dey ain’t dates,” she eagle busted out as the mouse finished, “Dere mos’ly fun’ raisas and luncheons and stuff. ‘’ee only takes me so dat I cen meet da political figur ‘ere, an’ ‘ee can’t really go alone, ya know.”
“The lovely, Miss. Hawkins does have a little bit of a point,” the kestrel said as he smiled and winked at Cecily, “It is expected that I be accompnied to these events, and they do give Miss, Hawkins a good opportunity to mingle and answer questions about this place and the plans. Besides, what man in their right mind wouldn’t want a beautiful woman with them at a fancy event?” He glanced between the two boys’s seated by their girlfriends, “Am I wrong guys?” Derek and Ethan each nodded in agreement as they reflexively looked to the girls they were with.
“Good answer Derek, but I would have to say they sure sound like dates to me Miss Hawkins,” Samantha quipped, “and either way you certainly had a very handsome escort.”
“Dey ain’t dates,” She said insistently.
“Neither are the getaways to the fancy restaurants,” Cecily said as she kept her eyes on her plate with a small grin.
“Well,” the kestrel replied, “She is great company. can’t say I’ve found many others like her.” He smiled as he looked into her golden eyes.
“You hear a lot about you and your companion Miss Hawkins on the morning talk shows after big events,” Derek said as he looked over at the mayor, “They talk like there is a lot more going on between you two, If you don’t mind me saying, sir.”
“No, son,” he replied, “I don’t mind. “The news outlets do often jump to some conclusions with limited evidence at the time. And the morning talk shows are some of the worst offenders.”
“Dat’s it,” Alex said as she stood up from the table, “I ain’t gonna sit ‘ere and be talked abou’.” She grabbed several more slices of turkey and chicken and marched out of the dining room and up the stairs.”
Steven looked down at his plate and said, “So we bid good night to Miss. Boomer Hawkins,” a solemn tone in his voice.
A short uneasy silence was broken by the sound of chimes the samoyed boy glanced at his phone and stood up from the table, “Could you please excuse me for a moment.” The remaining furs looked at each other oddly as he left. Only to return a short time later out of breathe with a small box with a big bow on it. He leaned down close to Samantha and held the gift box in front of her as he said, “Merry Christmas, Silky."
Slightly confused and a little afraid the saluki girl took the box from his paw and pulled the bow loose. As she slipped the top off the box she found a small key fob with several buttons on it. She looked up at him with an even more confused look as she started to ask him. He stopped her and said, “just press and hold the green button.”
She pressed the button and held it in place, several seconds of silence passed at the table as all eyes were on her. A moment later a sound roared to life outside the dining room window. With the noise nearly everyone ran to have a look at the commotion outside. In the drive was a Chevrolet El Camino, its two-tone paint job silver and Samantha’s favorite shade of purple.
Her eyes going wide at the sight of the custom piece of Detroit legend in the drive she turned to look into her boyfriend’s eyes, a single tear forming in hers as she grabbed him in a tight hug. “I don’t know how you pulled this off frosty, but it’s beautiful.” Pulling him tightly to her chest she whispered into his ear, “and your ass will be in the bed of my car with me when the weather warms up some sexy, count on it.”
“God Damn it, Derek,” Lilliana yelled, “you couldn’t have saved that shit for later? Now you have to take Sisy out and show her while we go drool on that one for a few.”
“I wanted to do it before it got too dark, Miss Fargo,” Derek called back. “Sorry!”
Cecily looked over at the liger then back to Derek as she asked, “Show me what?”
“Come on, Sweetie,” the hybrid Samoyed/wolf boy said. “It’s a gift from all of us. And you,” he added, looking at his still-awestruck girlfriend, “get out there and check out the inside. Maybe take it for a spin around the block.”
Alex fell from the second floor and landed hard on her feet in the middle of the foyer as she yelled, “‘oo blow up da fun’ yard?”
While she walked to the door and pulled her coat off the hooks in the hall, Lilliana looked over at her, “Dog bone had to let his girl remote start a monster in the driveway. Now you have a choice, Boomer, sweet ride in the front or check out his work for Sisy in the back.”
The eagle looked at her confused, “‘oo’s cah’s in da frun’?”
“Mine, Oh My God mine… Derek I could just,” Samantha said as she grabbed him again in a tight embrace, planting quick soft kisses on his lips in quick succession.
------
Derek led the small mouse and her girlfriend through the house to the motor court. As the trio stepped out into the cold Cecily gasped at the sight of the baby blue Nomad with the huge red bow set on top. Stunned at the sight of what she was told went to the scrap yard, she speechlessly walked forward. as her paw touched the cold, polished steel she finally found her voice, “It… it’s beautiful… but I…”
“They had me fix it up just for you,” Derek said as he put his paw on her shoulder and led her around to the driver’s side, “I was hoping to have it done for your birthday but a few things delayed it. I had to wait on some of the parts and a few other projects came up that slowed me down on this one.” As he opened the door the seat was adjusted into a higher position, “Everything was build and positioned around your measurements. Hop in, I need to see if anything needs adjusted.” As Cecily climbed up into the driver seat he pointed out the adjustments for the seat once she had it into position he pulled a multi tool out of the small pouch on his belt, to make some minor adjustments to the pedal extensions and shifter position.
Cecily sat in the custom retro classic with the young samoyed/wolf hybrid at her feet as he diligently worked. She listened as he told her to step down on each pedal as he changed their positions. She looked down at him and asked, “Derek, how much did this all co…”
“I’m not going to tell you that, Cecily,” he cut her off before she could finish, “It’s a gift to you from everyone. You’ll just have to be happy with it.”
Cecily looked over at the her girlfriend as the moose sat down in the passenger seat and marveled at the craftsmanship, the transformation of the rusted out hulk into the classic looking beauty was more than she expected. She watched the moose herm look through the car, she had known about the gift, but could not bring herself to sneak away from Cecily just to see the progress of the project.
Derek sat up as he finished his work and looked at the mouse, “So why don’t you take it out for a test drive,” he said as he handed her the keys.
She took the keys in her paw and looked over at Daisy, “Did.. did you know about this?”
“N.. No,” Daisy made a poor attempt to lie and she knew it, “Okay, I knew but they made me promise not to tell. You know how hard it is to keep a secret like this, sweet cheeks?”
The small mouse jumped across the car into the moose’s lap and pulled her into a hug, “Thank you,” Cecily said as she pressed their muzzles together in a passionate kiss.
Daisy pulled her lover in tight against her as she pushed into the kiss, forcing her tongue into the small mouse’s muzzle. As they held their passionate kiss Derek stood and said, “Okay… um… I’m going to go check on Samantha.” as he turned and walked away.
Cecily pulled away from the kiss and smiled at her girlfriend as she asked, do you want to go for a ride now, or wait till we can get away for a bit longer?” she winked as she finished the question.
Looking into the small mouse’s eyes Daisy said, “I think we should go now, and make it a short one sweet cheeks, you are the hostess of this shindig and we all have guests to entertain, and I can always cuddle up with my girlfriend and take care of her any way she wants.”
With a smile on her muzzle she said, I’ll be right back, “I have to get my backpack,” as she leaped out of the car and shot into the house like a lightning bolt and returned only a few moments later. “Key, license, ready?” she blurted out as she cranked the old wagon to life. The roar of the engine sent shivers down her spine. She held the clutch in as she felt her way through the gears a few times before she put it into first. Her eyes moved over the instrument panel and let the clutch out. the engine roared in anger and power as the coupled pulled out of the driveway.
------
Alex grabbed her coat and followed the liger and saluki girl out the door to the El Camino in the front of the house. Lilliana looked back at the puppy girl, “If what I know of Derek is right, he poured more time and effort into this beast then he’ll let on. You’re a lucky girl, Cuddles.”
Giggling happily Samantha cut her eyes at the liger as she replied, “in more ways than you know Lilly, in more ways than you know.”
As they reached the front door, hank took note of the young hamster in the wheelchair, “Hey there cutie, you want to come out and look with us?”
Daphne looked up at him and smiled, as she said, “Yes, please.”
As he lifted her out of the chair he commented, “You know, I think I might have to put those ramps in sooner than spring. A little angel like you should be able to move around this place freely.” He smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
As the group gathered around to admire the restored piece of American history Lilliana looked it over and said, “Now this is a beauty. I might need to get that kid to take a look at the Camaro again,” She smiled as she ran her paw over the smooth polish, “Glass... That boy put some love into this one.”
Samantha sat in the driver seat with a broad grin on her face as she looked over instrument panel. She marveled as she wondered just how much work Derek had put into this ‘gift’. It was more than she could ask for, too much for him to give her she thought. A short time later the samoyed-wolf hybrid boy leaned into the door and smiled as she said, “Merry Christmas, Silky.”
“D.. Derek, you.. you shouldn’t have. This is too much, I can’t accept this,” Samantha said, her paws sat trembling slightly on the steering wheel, “I.. I love it, but…”
Her boyfriend cut her off before she could say another word. “This cost me almost nothing, Sweet cakes. I got the car from an estate auction.” He pulled some photos out of his pocket and handed them to her. “The original owner passed a few months back, but the car had been sitting in his yard for years.” Samantha shuffled through the pictures of the rusted out hulk that had been converted into a planter. “No one would bid on it, so they said I could have it if I could get it off the lot, it was less expensive for them to give it away than have it towed.”
“But all the parts…” The saluki girl began to protest.
“Mostly leftovers from other projects and salvage from upgrades. I hardly spent anything on it other than the paint,” He offered with a smile.
From outside the car the couple heard the Liger begin to shout as if a sergeant giving order to troops, “Let’s move back into the House, Give these two some time to take the beat out for a run.” They both glanced up as Lilliana began to herd the group away from the car and back into the house.
Derek took the cue and went around to get in the passenger seat. As he pulled the door shut he watched the Nomad pull out of the driveway and into the street. He smiled over at his lover and said, “Silky, let take this thing for a ride.”
She smiled as she shifted the El Camino into gear and pulled out of the roundabout and followed the other masterful work of his paws. As they all pulled to a stop she looked over at him and said, “This is so wonderful Derek, I can’t believe you went to all this trouble for me. With as much work as you put into this…. you deserve a special treat my sweet little puppy. And I think I know just the thing to reward you with.”
------
As the group entered the house Elise turned around as said, “Hey, you think we can try out my new game down on the big screen?” as she glanced at the stern look on her father’s face she added, “Please?”
Lilliana looked over and smiled at the young chinchilla, “You know you don’t really have to ask here, right?” she looked over at Hank who was still holding the young hamster, “Why don’t you take them down and get them set up.”
With one paw free he saluted and replied, “Roger.” before he started down the stairs, “Can someone grab speedy’ s chair for her?”
“I’ll get it Hank, we’ll be right behind you,” Ralph said as he quickly folded the wheel chair, “come on sweet lips, and it’s game time.”
“Just easy on the stairs moose face, I have enough trouble as it is, don’t need to be tryin to pick your big ass up too,” the red panda girl said as she swatted him on the butt.
As the group started toward the basement Alex stopped and looked around, “Wheae’s da lil brada? ain’t ‘ee gonna come play da games?” she looked to the young moose boy as he picked up the girls wheelchair.
The conversation at dinner kind of went in the dumper, Paul ended up getting all whineyass and took off upstairs to hide out in the room. I Guess my wife outing him for what he did to two strangers hit him harder than I thought”, the older of the moose boys said. “He really didn’t deserve it, but Elise asked what had did that was stupid… and Zoe just blurted it out.”
“Up in da room?” She said a look of shock on her face, “We cen’t ‘ave dat now, cen we?” She ran up the stairs and yelled down the hall, “Wheae ya at, Brada?” as she slid to a stop in front of the room he was staying in. “Come outa der, we’a still ‘aven fun down dere.”
“No… it’s better if I just stay out of sight so I don’t scare anyone else.” Paul curled up into a ball on the bed as he added, “Just… leave me alone.”
“I ‘op ya dressed in dere,” Alex said as she opened the door, “Ya tink I’ma leave ya in ‘ere ya gotts a noder tink comin’, barada.” Alex stood in the door as she looked across the room at the young moose, “Dis is a family even’ and ya part a da family. Ya ass beda get in gear, boy.”
“Why? So I can scare someone else because I’m … a freak?”, the boy said, turning away from the eagles gaze, “no one really wants me around anyway.”
‘I don’ careif dey want ya, or if ya scare dem. I didn’ se not one freakin’ out down derre.” She said as she walked into the room. “‘side, if all ya gonna do is ‘ide ya ain’t neva gonna get beda. What did day say?’ She asked as she sat on the bed by Paul and put her wing over his shoulder.
“They… they didn’t say anything, they didn’t have to. The look in their eyes was more than enough. I fucked up, I know I fucked up and I’ve done everything I can to try to fix it. But it doesn’t matter, it never will, girls will always be scared of me now...all except one.”
“So dey looked at ya funny, what did ya do? Did ya tell dem about da chit you been trough fer da las’ five mont’s?”
Turning to face the eagle he replied, “the chat didn’t get that far, as soon as Zoe told them what I did to her… the shock and fear in their eyes was more than enough to tell me to get gone,” the moose boy said, his voice cracking more than once.
She looked scowled at him for a moment, “So dey choped of ya balles back at da ‘ome? dey take ya man card er somtin?” she puched him a way for a movet, “Ya let dem ‘ear only one part a da story, of crouse dey gonna look at ya like ya some kinna feak. Ya gotts ta defen jourself. Grow a pair, man up. Ya doin’ da right tin’ and ya started it by jour choice, didn’ ya? Dat’s what i ‘erd anyway. ya chould be proud a dat.”
“You… you think it’s really going to make any difference to either of those girls that were at the table? It’s not like I was accused of something I didn’t do. I did it, the reasons were stupid, but I wanted to do it and I did, can you still sit there and honestly tell me it doesn’t make me a freak?”
Alex scoffed at the boy, “Evaones a freak in some way, An’ ya know wh’ ya did was wrong, ‘ell you knew it when ya did it. Wha’ makes ya didiffen’, now more dan den, ya tryin’ to do da righ’ tin’. an’ if ya don’ tell people, dey ain’t gonna know an’ dey jus’ gonna go wit’ wha’ dey ‘ear.” she looked at the young moose boy as she added, “Ya wanna know somtin’? Dere are ting’s dat I like dat people tink is freaky.”
Eyeing the eagle suspiciously for a moment Paul let out a short soft chuckle before saying, “so where on that list would you put ass raping your brother’s girlfriend?”
“Well, Dat’s some wheae on dere, Let me know when ya add’avin’ jour brada’s grilfren’ ass rape jou,” she said with a little smile, “even den its no’ as feeaky as soma da people I’ve known.” She tossed her wing over his shoulder and pulled him against her again. ‘Bu’ all dat don’ matta if ya jus’ ‘ide in a room and be scerd of wha’ ya might do. Ya ain’t neva gonna ‘ave fren’s ya gonna eventyaly puch dat girl ya got away. am’ ya gonna ‘end up livin’ alone as da creepy ol’ moose down da stree’.”
Sighing heavily he looked into the eagles eyes as he said, “you’re just not going to go away are you Alex? No matter what I say, you’re going to sit here and counter any excuse I can give until I give in and go down there right?”
“Nope, I’ma sit ‘ere wit’ ya,” She said as she looked at him, “ya wan’ me ta carry ay outa ‘ere?”
“No, you win I’ll go.” Paul hauled himself from the bed running his fingers through his hair to straighten it up a little. Turning he looked back at the eagle, “thanks Alex, I guess you’re right, if I don’t stand up for me… no one else will.”
“Dat’s da sperit,” She said with a smile, “An’ i didn’ even ‘ave ta take my top off.”
Stopping in the doorway the young moose boy turned to look the eagle in the eye again, the comment on his lips as she grinned at him slyly. He wanted to say ‘you wouldn’t’, deciding to keep quiet instead, more than half certain that she would.
She smiled at the look on the mooses face as she stopped in the doorway and looked at her. “ya wanna see em, don’ ya? Too bad, ya missed ou’ on it dis time.” Then she tossed her wing around him and started to walk him down the hall.
------
Ralph sat the chair down at the foot of the stairs as Elise led the way to the theater room. As Hank sat the small hamster in her chair the chinchilla girl announced, “Cubs vs. old fogeys.”
The groups of adults shrugged as Lilliana began ,” Four on four, I got Hank Amanda and Daniel.” then started to lead them into the room, “We need two practice runs to figure out how this time works, Can we at least have that Mini Muffins?”
The small chinchilla spun on her paws and scowled at the liger, “You can have as much practice as you want, we’ll still stomp you into mud.” She looked over the selection of team mates and began to select, “I’ll take... panda puss, and moose breath and Claire.” from there she rushed into the large and started the set-up of the two gaming consoles. Once it was all set she handed out the controller's to everyone and started up the game.
For several minutes the adults talked over strategy as they tested the controls and different weapons available to them. meanwhile the team of teens and listened a to the young chinchilla coach them in where she thought they needed to do and when, she often showed them examples with the different weapon choices and locations in the arena. After some time w3ell aware that they would lose to this team of cubs lead by a seasoned gaming champion, Lilliana finally said, “We’re as ready as we’re going to me, Let’s get this show on the road.”
------
As Alex and Paul entered the theater they saw a group of four adults with game controllers in their paws as an obvious team versus four teens Lead by the young chinchilla gir as she stood on the chair nearly shouting orders at the other kids as the game played on the eight way split screen.
“No you poser, to your left,“ Elise said as the group of spectators watched and laughed, “We’d be done by now if I wasn’t keeping you all alive.” She jerked to the left, and looked at Ralph, run straight forward and do a kamikaze with your frag, you’re going to die anyway if you stay where you are.”
The four Adults, each with military backgrounds struggled with maintaining their position on the game in the capture the flag challenge. Lilliana looked over at Amanda and said, “I don’t care if he is your daughter’s husband, snipe him or I will. And if I do it you’re going to die too.”
Within moments of the young moose directing his character into the open field of the game the words Victory and Fail rolled up the many screens. Elise jumped out of the chair and Pointed at the older team, “I just rocked you with a team of NOOBs.”
Lilliana smiled at the young girl, “That may be so, Mini Muffins, But you have to remember one thing. We lived it, and this is just a game.”
“Good match kids and she’s right Elise,” Daniel chimed in, “not to mention putting a gun in my paws was about as useful as handing a bat to a blind man and putting him at home plate.”
“Yea, good thing you can hit a target well enough to qualify or you would be useless hot shot”, Amanda chided him as she flopped onto a nearby couch. “It’s whole different ball game on the ground then it is in that cushy egg beater you fly.” Looking over at the winning team of teens she added, “just don’t get cocky rug rats, being ranked in that shit doesn’t mean shit in real life. You’re all cool and shit standing in this room, but every one of you would probably shit your pants the first time a bullet whizzed by your head outta nowhere.”
The two groups handed the controllers off to the next bunch as some of the adults left the room to return to the upper levels of the house. Paul looked across the room, some people had already left or didn’t come down to the games, to his surprise the young hamster girl was sitting in the back of the room just diligently, and happily working on her little craft bracelets. She looked up at him and smiled as he and Alex entered the room. Alex patted the boy on the shoulder, “see it’ don’ look like ya scared ‘er too much.”
Walking timidly towards the young hamster girl Paul glanced up at her as he asked, “not into the game’s huh?”
Shyly she said, “no, not really. You?” as she looked back down at the threads and beads in her paws.
“No, not really something that interests me, most of them are so unrealistic… and there’s so many better ways to spend my time then cooped up in front of television,” the moose boy replied. “M mind if I sit down?”
“No,go ahead.”Daphne said with another cheery smile, “So… Um…” She paused for a moment as if not sure what to say before she continued, “W what do you do for fun?”
“Either watch whatever stupidity the other kids have on the tv or read… so I mostly read, not much else to do where I’m usually at,” Paul answered.
She looked at him curiously as she asked, “Where you’re usually at? What, do you have to stay somewhere until your parents get home or something?” She paused again, “I know how that is, I have to spend a lot of time at the care facility when Mom and dad aren't home. There’s not a lot to do there, and it get boring super-fast.”
“I… I don’t live with my parents right now. I’m in a, well kind of a care facility I guess you could call it. No, that’s not what it is at all,” the moose boy corrected himself, “Right now, and for a while yet, I’m at the Tennyson Center, some call it a glorified jail, but it’s not. It’s a lock down facility for kids like me that have done stupid things that are wrong and illegal and want to get help before they do anything else stupid.”
The look of shock returned to the hamster girl’s eyes as she swallowed. her paws shook a little as she asked, “So... um… what… what kinds of things do they do there?”
“I see a psychologist twice a week for two hours a session, counselors three times a week, do my school work of course, group sessions every day. Basically… talk myself to death about what I did to my family, and to Zoe, and why, and how I can make amends for it.” As he described his typical routine at the ‘treatment facility’ Paul seemed to relax a little, not seeming so uptight and skittish about talking to the young hamster girl.
“Daphne...I, I want to apologies for what happened at diner. I probably should have said more after what Zoe said…. I don’t know.” Pausing for a moment he looked up at her, “I guess the look in your and Elise’s eyes scared me as much as I scared you.”
She looked down at her paws as she said, “I… I don’t think I was really scared. It’s… you just didn’t seem like the kind of person that would do something like that. it’s hard to believe,” She looked up at him as she continued, “but then your brother is married so… I’ve never even had a boyfriend so I really don’t know about that kind of thing.”
Giggling despite himself Paul looked at her as he said, “then I guess it would shock you again to find out my brother’s wife it his first and only girlfriend.” Shaking his head he continued, “and again if I told you she was suggested to both of us as someone we might find interesting by a girl back home in middle school that calls herself a match maker.”
“Really?” she asked a bit surprised, “Do… do you have a girlfriend?”
“Kind of, there’s a girl back home, we’ve kind of liked each other for a long time but neither of us would say anything about it. She only told me after I got myself into trouble. I guess she’s kind of a girlfriend. She comes to see me when she can, but we can’t really do anything but sit and talk. Even that is supervised and watched, and videotaped. I… I don’t really even know why she bothers,” the moose boy said, fiddling with his paws in his lap.
“She… she must like you a lot,” Daphne said softly, “I have friends and stuff, but Derek is really the only guy that spends time with me. He… he’s really my best friend. I… I don’t think I’ll ever have a real boyfriend or anything; guys don’t seem to like me that way. They go for all the pretty girls.”
“That only proves they’re stupid, and it’s their loss. Don’t… don’t ever let anyone make you think you’re not pretty Daphne, because you are. And a very nice person too, and any boy that can’t see that is a bigger idiot than I am… well was.”
The small hamster girl blushed deep enough to see through her fur even in the darkened room as she said, “You you’re just saying that to be nice.”
As she spoke the room erupted into loud cheers as some other victory took place on the giant screen. When they died down the older red squirrel poked her head into the room, and said, “Come on Ethan, Sienna is asleep and we’re all about to leave. “
‘On my way, Mis. Summers.” The teen raccoon handed his controller off to Derek as he and saluki girl pitted themselves against Daisy and Cecily on the game. Ethan scooped up the sleeping chinchilla girl as he passed her; the excitement of the day had worn her out.
Daphne smiled weakly, as she said, “it looks like Derek and Samantha are going to be a little while longer.”
“Looks that way, and I… I meant what I said Daphne. Whether or not you see it, you are a pretty girl, and the boys are just nuts if they can’t see that. Don’t you give up either, if a screw up like me can have hope then you should too.” Blushing brightly he added, “if… if things were different, I… I’d be glad to be the boyfriend of a pretty, sweet, intelligent girl like you.”
“You.. you’re sweet,” She said as fidgeted with the beads and threads in her paws. She looked up at the slightly older moose boy and asked, “Do… do you want a friendship bracelet?” She paused for a moment, then added, “I can give you one for your girlfriend too.”
“That, that would be very nice thank you,” he said smiling at the girl for the first time since they started talking. “I have no idea if they’ll let me give one to Jada, but I can try, if not maybe I can mail it to her instead.”
“You can send mail?” Daphne asked a sound of surprise in her voice, “We… we could be pen pals or… is that stupid?” she looked down shyly.
“No, it’s not stupid. I.. I’d like that actually, not very many people write me, mainly because any mail I get has to be checked and read before I see it. I guess that kind of creeps people out that someone else will read it before I can,” the moose boy said blushing again. “I didn’t know about that and Jada, the girl back home wrote me a letter that was a little… wild I guess and they kept it. She was embarrassed about it for weeks.”
The hamster girl blushed again as she said, “i… I wouldn’t write anything like that. It’... it’s not like you’re my boyfriend or anything. I’d just write about stuff, like school and stuff.”
As the two conversed Derek stood up and turned to face them, “Daphne, You about ready to go? It’s starting to get late.”
Looking around quickly, Paul found a pen and a scrap of paper on a table nearby, jotting down his name and the address of the Tennyson Center, handing it to the small hamster girl as he said, “I’d really like it if you would write to me Daphne, and I’ll write back as much as they’ll let me. It’s been really nice meeting you, and don’t let stupid boys mess up a very sweet, very pretty girl that deserves better than them,” hesitating for a long moment as he considered what he was about to do Paul’s paws shook. Quickly, before he could talk himself out of it he planted a quick, soft kiss on the hamster’s cheek as he added, “none of them are good enough for a girl like you.”
Daphne blushed and looked away as he handed her the slip of paper. “I.. I’ll write when I can… and… um… Thank you, Paul,” she said as she looked back at him with that same cheery smile she had most of the evening.
Derek walked over as said, “Come on speedy,” smiling at the nickname the eagle had given his friend as he lifted the hamster from her chair. He looked over at Paul, “can you get that for me, the truck is just out front now.” then he looked down at the girl in his arms and asked, “Or do you want to ride with Samantha?”
As he started to walk out of the room with her in his arms and Samantha close behind the small hamster said, “It’ll be fun to ride with Samantha,” the same bubbly enthusiasm in her voice as when she first came in.
“Right behind you,” Paul replied, quickly folding the hamster’s wheel chair so he could carry it out to the car.
------
As Lilliana handed the game controller of the next group of players, she walked over to Elise and took her by the shoulder, you know something, Mini Muffins? you are really good with those games. That take a lot of skill and practice.”
Elise smiled up at the liger as she soaked in the praise, similar to that she got from her Aunt Susy. “Thank you Miss. Lilly, I have to stay in top form for the competitions.”
“And from what I’ve seen you know just how good you are. But one thing you might want to remember, No matter how good you are, there is always someone better.”
The young chinchilla looked down as she listened to Lilliana’s soft voice. “Yea I know, “she said softly.
“But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about,” The liger started to lead the girl out of the theater, “I see something promising in your future if you keep up on those skills. ”As she ushered the young chinchilla to the snack bar as asked, “You want anything to drink”
“A mountain Dew would be nice.” Elise said as she watched the liger open the drink cooler. ”Um… what did you want to talk about?”
“I know you want to do something Like Susan, something for the army or other service,” Lilliana said as she sat down at one of the several small tables, “Have you ever considered drone piloting?”
“That’s… Um… Interesting, But I wanted to…” The young girl was cut short as the liger started to talk.
“You’re really good with your hand eye coordination. And flying those drones is like a common flight simulator game. I know those aren’t really your cup of tea, but good drone pilots are hard to come by and often take years of training to get really good t it.” Lilliana looked at the shocked and confused look on the girls face as she backtracked, “But it’s only a thought. I'm sure you would be excellent at anything you go for if you show the same dedication that you do for those games of yours.”
Elise sat for a moment and thought about what the liger had said. when she looked up to say something she found that she was alone in the snack bar. She sipped her drink for a moment before she returned to the theater to watch as the games continued.
------
As Paul walked back into the house from helping Derek load the wheelchair into the El Camino he was drawn to the keep by laughter. As he entered he bound that the group had dwindled to His family, His brother’s in-laws and the group that had somehow pulled them all together for the holidays. The only additions to the group were the kestrel that had been introduced as the mayor of the city and the mouflon.
On one love seat sat the mayor and Alex, his wing stretched across the back of the couch over her shoulders as she neither leaned toward or away from him. Lilliana dominated one full couch as she laid across it with her head against Collins chest. Hank and Susan sat at the bar while Cecily sat in Daisy’s lap in one chair while Ralph sat on the floor by the chair his wife Zoe occupied, covered in a blanket. The Bells sat in another loveseat snuggled together in the warmth of the fire and a thin throw. His mother sat in one of the chairs from the breakfast area and the group sat and talked about Christmases past.
As the young moose boy walked into the room Lilliana spoke, “And the prodigal moose returns. Having a good time yet, or are you ready to go back?”
“Go back? Go back where?” the moose boy asked, a little confused by the ligers question.
“Hot damn,” She said with a smile, “The boys having such a good time he forgot he doesn’t live here. You know you’ll have to go back home some time. Back to the safe and controlled little slice of the world you’ve been in. away from all these crazy women.”
“‘oo ya callin’ crazy?” Alex shouted as she tossed a throw pillow at the liger only to miss and hit Colin in the face.
The mouflon pulled the pillow down and said, “Watch it, Boomer, you’re taking out innocent bystanders.”
Paul looked at the liger a moment before his gaze shifted to his sister and her mouse girlfriend a wistful look coming over his face as he watched the pair. He realized they reminded him of his brother and wife. Before his brain could catch up to his mouth the words were out there for everyone in the room to hear. “I wish I didn’t have to go back to that hell hole. Books, pills and talk, they call that helping people…”
The room fell silent at the young moose’s words. Lilliana sat up from her relaxed position and asked, “What are you trying to say? It looks like whatever they’ve been doing has done you some good. Or do you think its just the fact that you aren’t given the time to really think about it?”
As Lilliana dropped the question out there, Cecily just looked at him, eyes wide with shock at his quick un filtered comment. She looked up at her lover, with deep concern in her eyes unsure of how to approach the boy’s outburst.
Suddenly very self-conscious about the comment that had slipped from his muzzle Paul closed his eye, forcing himself now to continue. “One...one of the counselors has done me some good. We’re not allowed to know their last names, but we call him turk. He listens… not like a shrink but really listens. I guess… just letting me talk out what I did, to Ralph, and Zoe, without being all judgmental and jumping on my case… it helps me think through why I did so many stupid things.” Looking over to his brother he said, “I know you’re sick of hearing me say I’m sorry Ralph, but I am. I was an asshole. But I got away with it once… and you got blamed for what I did. It just, it made the next time easier, and the next, and the next. Then Zoe came along, I hated her because she was taking away my brother, my patsy. I wanted to get even with both of you. I don’t know really why it went the way it did. I should have spoken up when she came to the room and thought I was you but I didn’t. I’m glad you two didn’t break up over my shit. Now… you’re gonna be a daddy soon, and I nearly messed that up. Why?” he asked looking to the young moose and panda couple with tears forming in his eyes, “Why don’t you two hate me? How can you stand to even look at me after what I did?”
Because your my brother Paul, hell I can’t even answer that. Yea, I beat the cap out of you when I walked in and saw…. what I did. But you are still my twin brother, and it took a while for me to see it but I was mad as hell. I didn’t hate you, just what you had done,” Ralph tried to explain his feelings to his sibling not feeling as if he did a very good job of it.
“Paul, it took a little while for me to get over it too.” Zoe chimed in. “You got caught up in something that you shouldn’t have. Even if you did intend to get even, would you have hurt me?” the red panda girl asked as she struggled to sit up a little better in the chair. “OKay I’ve thought about it,” the girl said defensively as she looked to her parents and the moose boy’s mother. “Okay leave it to the big mouth preggo panda girl again. you wanted to get back at Ralph because he had a girlfriend, me. Looking back on it now… it’s partly my fault too. You’re ‘master plan’ was to sabotage his rubber stash so he couldn’t have sex with me. That was pretty much it. Until I showed up, thought you were him, which you should have set me straight on but didn’t. Anyway, I showed up and nearly jumped your bones in the doorway. Yea I thought it was moose face here,” she said ruffling the older brother’s hair. I didn’t make much effort to make sure it was him, I knew about the birthmark on his sheath and didn’t bother to look.”
As Paul listened to his brother and sister-in-law he also saw a strange exchanged of glances and nods between the members of Cecily’s odd ‘family’. He also notices the confused look in his sister’s eye when she saw the same events as everything unfolded.
Cecily shifted in Daisy’s lap as she interrupted the exchange between the younger teens, “Pa.. Paul, remember what I asked you this morning… when you walked in on me with the cookies?” Daisy looked down at her lover even more confused at her question. “You’ve been asked twice now. This is your last chance before you will have to ask us.” She looked the young moose in the eyes as the rest of the room fell silent bewildered by the small mouse’s interjection.
“Sisy…” Daisy asked from behind her girlfriend, “What the fuck is going on here? What do you mean he’s been asked twice? Asked what?”
Lilliana leaned back against Colin as she resumed her relaxation, “He knows what she’s talking about. And he has to answer, without anyone prodding him in either direction.” She looked at Paul as she added, “We’ll respect you either way fuzzbucket, and it’s all up to you. Like I asked your sister five months ago. What do you want? There are three options here and you know what they are.”
Colin looked down at Lilliana and said, “I’m kind of curious about this also. You guys seem to do a lot more planning than you let on.”
“Shut it Sparky,” she replied, “Let the boy think. He was old enough to get him where he is now; he’s old enough to make the next mistake.”
Paul sat stone still, barely breathing as he considered the options that were before him. He could stay where he was, at Tennyson Center and finish the program, another 18 months of the same thing he was doing now. He could try to petition the courts to review his case and maybe, if he were very lucky go home to his mother’s care and supervision for a time before being ruled as a free fur again. Or, he could ask for the help of this odd little group of vets that seemed to care more about what happened to him then the very people the state had put in charge of his care. He sighed, the moments passing as sand in the wind as he considered what the liger had asked, ‘What did HE want’?
“I want…” the moose boy began, halting as he considered his choice carefully. “I want out of that place. They’ve done all they can, and now it’s just sedatives to keep me under control and easy to deal with. I want a life, a real life. I want...someday; I want to have what my brother and sister have. Someone that can love me for me, no matter what stupid things I may have done in the past.” Looking to his family members one by one, his gaze falling on his hermaphrodite sister he said, “I want to be free, but I know I can’t do it on my own. Not yet, I need help and I need people that can, and will guide me and slap me upside the head if I try to go down the wrong road.” Closing his eyes as he forced himself to say the words, “I want to go home.”
Lilliana sat up straight and locked her golden orange eyes on his, her face blank and emotionless as she said, “Where you are is so bad, you would rather go home to your father who doesn’t even have the fortitude to look in your general direction? A place where the only support you will have is your mother, and whatever friends are still willing to be seen with you?”
“What I am, where I am is nothing but a number on a list of other drug induced zombies that get them money from the state so they can make more just like me. My mother has been the only real support I’ve had since day one. Her and a crazy ass cheetah girl that for God only knows what reason still talks to me, and wants to be a part of my life.
As far as my father… he and I have to come to terms with each other one way or the other at some point. It can either be now, or in eighteen months when they are forced to shove me out of that hell hole to make room for another fucked up head case. It’s going to have to happen, I’d rather get it over with, and do it while my mind is clear and I can deal with whatever the, sorry mom, horses ass throws at me. My sister did what she had to do to be happy, My brother had to remove himself from our home to protect his unborn child and his wife. If I have to leave that house too so be it. But this shit I’m being forced to do is not really helping me one damn bit and it has to end.”
Lilliana leaned back with a smile as she glanced over at her daughter then back to the young moose. “So be it,” she said firmly, “Alex, you have one month after the start of the year to get that boy home.”
The eagle nearly flow from her seat as she wrapped her wings around the young moose and crushed him into her chest, “We’a gonna brin’ my brada ‘ome.” She cried out as she started to spin around in small circles.
“WHAT THE FUCK? How the hell do you… You know what I had to go through just to get him out for the holiday?”, Raquel said questioningly. “How the hell do you think you can get him out permanently?”
As the older moose spoke Alex dropped the defenseless, dizzy, and disoriented boy to the floor. She looked at Raquel and her barely understandable accent vanished as she spoke, “I will need a few things from you, Miss. Daniels. First I will need a confirmed weekly appointment with a psychologist that is not connected to your husband in any way. Second, I will need a list of support groups that he can and will become involved in on a minimum of once a week. Finally I will need all the records and case files you can get for me.”
Raquel looked at the eagle, stunned by the clear, concise directives she gave her. She thought for a moment, before she asked, “How much is this going to cost me? We’ve already blown a lot of money on a lawyer because of all this.”
“Ya don’ gotta pay fer notin’,” Alex said as she suddenly switched back to her playful cheery mood, “I’ma do it fer my Brada ‘ere.” as she dropped to the floor with the confuzed moose boy. She rolled her head to look at him then asked, “‘oo’s da cheetah girl? Ya gots any pictuas?”
Lilliana looked over at the boys mother with a smile as she said, “Congratulation Ricky, you just got a crazy lawyer that refuses to fail at anything.” She look up at the ceiling for a moment before she added, “I’m not sure how to top that one. Looks like this is going to be one hell of a Christmas.”
As Lilly mentioned the holiday Alex sat up on the floor like a shot, “We still gotta open da presents. “ Her head snapped around as she said, “come on sisters, le’s see wha’s unda da tree.” then crawled over the the large douglas fir and stated to stack boxes like a young child.
Cecily jumped out of Daisy’s lap as she shouted, “Don’t shake them you might break something,” as she ran over to the tree. She scurried under the tree, pushing boxes out of their way as she hunted for something specific. As she emerged from the small burrow in the presents she walked over to where Paul laid, still uncertain of what he may have gotten himself into. “Here, I got this for you,” She said as she handed him a small box wrapped in brightly colored paper, “It might not do you much good got long, But I got it when I heard you could have books, but I’m not sure if they’ll let you keep it. so it might have been a waist all together.”
Paul sat up, surprised to be the first one to be handed a gift. He reached up slowly as she said, “Th… thank you, Cecily.” She smiled at him then turned back to the tree. As she cautiously opened the package he found a small unlabeled white box, when he opened it what he saw caught him by surprise, surrounded by crumpled white paper was a small low end nook ebook reader.
The small mouse having ran back to the tree Paul looked over to his sister, his eyes a little misty as he said, “Daisy, you… you have the sweetest girlfriend in the whole world.”
From the distance he heard the small mouse speak again, “Oh, I had to open it so I could put some books on it. I didn’t think you would have the internet or anything.” Only a moment later she said, “Boomer, stop shaking the boxes. Here this one is for you from Mr. Archer.”
Alex sat by the tree as she looked as the simple wrapped package, suddenly still and quiet. She gently peeled the tape off the wrapping as slowly revealed the black leather attaché case, the same style she had once commented on in passing at a lunch with the older kestrel. She muttered, “th… th .. thank you, Steven.” as she continued to just stare at the unpresuming professional style gift.
Slowly Cecily worked her way around the tree giving out the presents by the name on the tag, Her cheery smile as she handed out each gift made the receiver smile in return. Soon she bounced up to Ralph and Zoe with a bundle of flat, square objects bundled together with a ribbon, “I got these for you at the music shop, Daisy said you two like stuff like this.”
The couple looks at the odd present as they began to unwrap one package from the bundle each. As the revealed the pristine covers of two Beatles vinyl records she added from the distance again, “I have to order the reproductions, but I think I got them all.”
“Oh My God” Ralph squeaked, I can’t believe she even found these. They’re… thank you Cecily. I…” the moose boy said a bit choked up at the rare and meaningful gift.
“Now the rug rats can hear what a real record sounds like moose face,” his panda wife said as she read the songs listed on the reverse side of the album covers. “Not just the songs, but the songs the way they were meant to be heard.”
Lilliana smiled at the couple, “That’s my music nut; she spent almost a full month hunting those things down and getting the guy at the shop to order them for her.”
The procession went on for what seemed like an hour as the mouse handed out the gifts to everyone in the room, yet seeming to have received none herself, before she sat in the middle of the room a big smile on her muzzle, her tail flipped side to side as she watched all the happy faces with their gifts. with only a few boxes left under the tree.
Paul looked at the strangely happy mouse as she asked, “Didn’t you get anything?”
She turned to him as she said, “They’re still under the tree, but I got everything I wanted. The rest is just bonus, So I’ll just open it all later.”
Cecily looked across the room at the one thing she had always wanted, her family, She had her loving protective mother, and now a surprisingly affectionate and supportive father, even if he was only there part time. She had the crazy bickering sisters and her loving guardian of a girlfriend. And now she wanted more than anything to give that, caring, supportive, loving family to others. In only a few more days she would open the doors to her dream, with the help of those who had finally found her and showed her love she was going to show that same compassion to every fur within her reach.
------
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