Henbane, cup two
Fri. Dec 11th 2015
“Why?”  The deer asked with a little yawn, glancing out the window of the van as they pulled into the long term parking lot of the air port.

“You know how I hate traffic.”  Shanoa said with a little yawn of her own.  “It’s better to do this kinda thing in the morning, less traffic and things seem a little more peaceful.”

“Well the ride here did seem a little more peaceful, and someone slept the whole way here.”  Anna said as she looked to the back seat, smiling at the little bat that was snoozing on the back seat.

“Yeah, you might want to go ahead and reach back there and start waking her up.”  Shanoa said as they pulled up in front of a building.  “Do you want to carry her, and I get most of the bags?”  She asked as she cut the car’s engine and opened the door, being greeted by the wolf male.

“Curio….sweetie….we’re here.”  The deer said, reaching back and nudging the bat, smiling a little at the sight of her sitting up and yawning, winged paws coming up to rub her eyes.  Anna slipped out of the passenger's side door before opening the back car door.  “Come on sleepy.”  She said reaching in, helping the snoozy bat, scooping her up and holding her.

“Awwww.”  Shanoa said as she peeked around the side of the car, “go ahead, the cart is going to take us to the main building.”  She said as she went about opening the back of the car and with the help of the wolf worker they got the bags out and started loading them onto the cart.  “Remember what I said about this car.”  She said handing the worker, smiling a little at the fact that the poor man looked a little scared to take the keys.

“Shanoa sweetie.”  Anna said, looking to her wife as she took the seat next to her.  “What did you tell him?”  She asked, letting out a little squeak as the cart started moving, the bat in her arms wiggling a little but not much more.

“Nothing….I just told him to take care of the car and all.”  She said poking her tongue out a little.  “I mean...I’m not that mean.”  She said leaning in and kissing Anna on the cheek before kissing Curio.

“So…..just how long of a flight is this? And you think Squeaky here will handle it ok?”  The deer asked looking down to their daughter.

“I’m pretty sure that she can handle it, and it’s only about five hours.”  Shanoa said another little yawn.  “Odds are, she will sleep through part of it...that and I brought motion sickness pills from work for all of us.”  She said patting the bag in her lap.

“You know, after the stories that I heard of you being in the indoor skydiving thing, and your reaction, I’m a little surprised that you’re getting onto a plane.”  Anna said with a little giggle.

“Well there is something a little different from flying and jumping out of one of these things….I don't plan on jumping out of this one.”  She said shaking her head a little.

“Don’t worry momma,” a little voice pipped up, causing them to look down to the bat in the deer’s lap.  “If you get to scared I will give you a hug like when you saved me that time.”

“See…..I knew that you have a big soft center hidden in there.”  Anna said with a little giggle as the cart came to a stop.

“Just don’t tell anyone, I have a reputation.”  Shanoa said as she got out of the cart and headed around to be back where the bags were.

“Big ol softy.”  Anna said as her and Curio walked around to the back with her, starting to get their bags.  Between the two adults and the help of the driver, they got the bags in and up to the check in counter in one trip.

“Last name is Kiyomizu.”  Shanoa said as she stood at the counter, digging through her bag and pulling out the tickets.

“Ok.”  The worker said looking at the computer a moment before looking up to the catwolf.  “You have been putting in some miles this year.”  he said smiling.

“Went back home for a wedding and now the family is going on vacation.”  She said as she and Anna started putting the bags onto the scale.

“May I ask, where you the one that got married?”  The worker asked as he keyed in some info and started putting the tags on the bags.

“Na, I’ve been married.”  She said handing Anna the tickets, going back to digging through her bag, pulling out a debit card.  “Sister’s daughter got hitched and we ended up having a nice traditional wedding.”  She said handing the card to the worker as he finished up things on his end.

“Ahhh, well everything is in order here, I hope that you all have a nice flight, and thank you for flying with us.”  He said as the catwolf put the card back in her wallet, the group heading for the the check point.

“Ok.  This isn’t as bad as it looks.”  She said looking to the line that was forming.  “I will go in first and let them know about Curio and help her.”  Shanoa said as they took their place in the line.

“Hey, I’d like to think that I’m getting the hang of sign language.”  Anna said poking her tongue out, her hands resting on Curio’s shoulders.

“You are….but there is still a lot to learn.”  Shanoa said as the line started moving.  It looked like the line would take some time to get through, but things were moving fast this morning, and soon it was Shanoa’s turn.  “Here you go.”  She said handing the worker her ID and ticket.  “And my daughter is going to need a little help, she is deaf and mute.”  She said as she was handed the ticket and ID back, the little bat stepping up.  “Let her see your ticket and ID, sweetie.”  Shanoa said, watching and smiling as her little girl did.

Smiling as she stepped up to the scanner, getting a few of the containers and starting to put her things in them.  “Ok sweetie.”  Shanoa said smiling as she knelt down to Curio’s level.  “You’re going to need to put your tablet in the basket with the other things, but don’t worry, we will help.”  She said as she help her daughter with her coat and the other things before stepping up and into the scanner, once she was done, she stepped out the other side.  Smiling as she signed to the bat, the worker helping and showing the little bat what to do.

Rushing over to her totes with her mother, starting to put her shoes and belt back on before getting her coat, bag and tablet, before typing something.  “That was a little weird….I don’t really like being without my voice.”  She said looking up to Shanoa.

“I know sweetie, but that part's done, and it’s all easy from here.”  She said slipping her coat on before grabbing her carry on bag.

“That’s a little weird.”  Anna said as she stepped out of the scanner and up to the others, starting to get her shoes and things on.  “Not too bad...but...weird.”  She said looking down to her daughter.  “We’re proud of you.”  She said scooping her up, the three starting to make their way to the gate.

“You get used to it pretty quick….then again I have been flying a lot.”  Shanoa said as they got to the gate.  “You two go get us a seat, I’m going to go get something to drink.”  She said walking past the gate, to one of the little stores that lined the massive hallway.

“So, how do you feel about flying?”  Anna asked as they sat down in one of the empty seats, the bat climbing into her lap.

“I’m a little scared, but with you and momma, I can do it.”  Her tablet spoke the words that she spoke up.  “I’m also really excited to see the mountains and stuff.”

“Oh lord, you take after your mom, your going to fall in love with traveling.”  Anna said smiling down to her daughter.

“I don’t know if going home for a week or so, and then the occasional conference and stuff for work would count for traveling.”  Shanoa said walking up to the group, three bottles of water in her paws, handing one to Anna and one to Curio.

“I still want to see where momma is from.”  Curio typed into her tablet.  “I bet that it’s really nice.”

“We will have to see about both of you coming with me.”  She said as she dug through her bag, pulling out a small pill bottle.  “We got to see just how you two handle flying first…..something a little short.”  She said shaking out one of the small tablets before popping it into her muzzle, swallowing it down with the water.

“Mom?  What is this?”  Curio asked, looking up to the deer and hybrid.

“It’s a special medicine that will help make sure that we don’t get sick or anything on the plane.”  Shanoa said giving one tablet to Curio and Anna.  “You know Anna, sweetie…..I still think that you’re up to something.”

“Me?  Na, I’m innocent and all that, I’m here to meet the extended family.”  She said smiling, “though I do have somethings to take care of while we are there.”

“You know.”  Shanoa started to say something, only to be cut off by the sound of the announcer letting them know that the boarding at their gate was starting.  “I have all flight to figure out what you have planned.”  Shanoa said getting up and grabbing her bag.  “Come on.”  She said reaching down to take the little bats paw, the three heading for the gate.

---------------

It was a little after ten thirty when the plane touched down, surprisingly the three had slept through it.  Shanoa was the first one that started waking up, lifting the cover on the window and smiling at the sight of being back on the ground.

“Anna…..Curio.”  Shanoa said looking to the two, smiling at the sight of the little bat snuggled up to her tail.  “We’re here.”  She said nudging the two.

“Mmmh that wasn’t to bad.”  Anna said rubbing her eyes, letting out a little squeak as the plane came to a stop.

“I think I like flying.”  Curio typed into the tablet, sleepily looking up to her mothers.

“Well then, I guess that I will just have to book two more seats on the flight when I go back home next year.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

After the pilot finished his announcement the other people started getting up and grabbing their bags from the overhead.  It took them a few moments before they could get up and started heading down the aisle to the front, the three saving a little time, not having to get their bags out of the over head.

“Wow this place is big.”  Anna said, looking around the new airport.

“You think this is big, you should see the ones in Japan.”  She said as the group made their way to the baggage claim.

“Show off.”  Anna said poking her tongue out a little, the three standing at the carousel, watching the random bags that were starting to slide out.

“I don’t know, you’re still one to talk.”  Shanoa said smiling, reaching out and snatching one of her bags, Anna doing the same as one of her’s came by.

“Like I said on the plane, I’m just here to be a good wife and meet the family and all that.”  She said, grabbing one of Curio’s bags this time.

“And I know better than that.”  Shanoa said shaking her head.  “I can tell when people are up to something.”  She said poking her tongue out a little before grabbing the last of the bags, reaching into her pocket and pulling her phone out.  “Well the rental is here.”

“I think you’re both silly.”  Curio said, smiling up to the deer and hybrid.

“Well that would mean that you’re extra silly.”  Shanoa said as they picked up the bags and headed out to the exit, the two following the catwolf.  “Wow…..it looks like our car.”  She said pointing to the guy standing in front of a car, holding a sign with her last name on it.

“Yeah….”  Anna said walking up to the back of the van, the worker opening it and helping them load the bags into it.

“I was half joking when I told them that I wanted one that looked like our car.”  Shanoa said as she reached into her pocket and handed the worker a little tip before heading around to the driver’s side.  “Once we get to the apartment, I will give Chou and them a ring.”  She said as she started driving, having to take it slow to get out of the busy airport.

“Ok, so I see why you like to do all the traveling so early.”  Anna said helping Shanoa pull out and onto the road.

“Yeah….only the crazies are out at times like this.”  Shanoa said as they finally got to the turnoff onto the highway, before turning and heading into the city, Anna punching in the location on the GPS.  It wasn’t a long drive, thankfully the traffic thinned out a little once they got on the road.

“I think that’s it up there.”  Anna said pointing to the large house like apartment.

“Yup.”  Shanoa said as she pulled into the parking lot, trying to find one as close to the apartment.  “At least it’s not on the second floor.”  She said as she killed the engine, everyone getting out and heading to the back of the car to get bags.

“Do you have the key on you?”  Anna asked as they all grabbed a bag or two before closing the trunk and heading to their home for the next month or so.

“No, I have to go get it.”  She said, the three stopping at the door, Shanoa setting her bags down before slipping off to get the key.  Moments later she returned, pulling the key from her pocket and opening the door for them.  “Welcome to casa-da-us.”  Shanoa said grabbing some off the bags and stepping in, setting them down by the door.

“Me and Curio will handle most of the unpacking.”  Anna said as she took off her jacket, hanging it on the rack by the door.

“I will call Chou and the long muzzles.”  Shanoa said as she slipped off her coat, adding it to the rack before slipping off to the master bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed before picking up the phone and dialing a number.

“Hello?”  The voice on the other end picked up. 

“Hey.”  Shanoa said snickering.  “I just wanted to tell you that we made it here.  We just got to the apartment.”

“And you and Anna haven’t pounced one another or something?”  Chou said with a little snicker.

“You know….we’re not as free as you….Some of us have a kid.”  Shanoa said snickering a little.

“Well I told you that I would babysit her for a night or two.”  The raccoon dog woman said warmly.

“Given that I think that Anna is up to something, that might just happen.”  Shanoa said laying back on the bed as Anna walked into the room with the bags.  “You spoke her up….let me get off of here and call the long muzzles….let them know that I made it.”

“Alright.  I look forward to see you all….love you.”  Chou said happily.

“Love you too sis.”  Shanoa said before pressing the call end button, looking to Anna, making a silly face before dialing the number for the long muzzles.

Answering the phone on the fourth ring Tabitha said, “Hello?” questioningly.

“Yes, hello.  Would this be Mrs. Tabitha?”  Shanoa asked.  “I just wanted to call and warn you about the raise of birth control failures…..and to let you know that we all made it safely.”  She snickered a little.

“Shanoa? I thought you were coming later this month?” the equine mother responded 

“Yeah, I thought we were to, but Love Nubs was the one that made all the travel plans and all that...so...I think that she’s planning something.”  The catwolf glanced over to the  deer that was putting clothes away.  “Has she said anything to you?”

“Not even a whisper,” the palomino woman answered. “Glad you all made it safe and sound though. You never did really fill me in on the reason for this visit though.”

“We did…..you were just drunk.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

“You were drunk too.”  Anna chimed in.

“We were drunk, and we all got to talking about family, and then we kinda ended up deciding to come visit so that Anna and Curio could meet the family.”  Shanoa said smiling as she sat up. 

“I was thinking a family dinner of sorts.”  Anna said said leaning in close enough that she could be heard.  “That or could just get you to steal Shanoa, or have Chou do it….I have phone calls to make.”

“See….She is planning something.”

“Kind of sounds like it to me also,” Tabitha replied leaning back in the chair she sat in. “Well, if we can pry the lovebirds and Chou of the mountain I think the family dinner would be the best idea. Any preferences or things to avoid for your bunch?”

“Well none of us have any food allergies….so that won’t be a problem.”  Shanoa said looking to her wife.  “So I guess I can go up to the mountain and drag them three down….see as someone wants me out of the house.”  She said looking at the deer.  “I could swing up there, snatch the family and bring them down to you, let Anna do her thing and then come get her.  Sound like a plan to you?”

“Actually, it’ll be better to have them meet us here. Unless you're driving a tank it’s not very likely you’d make it to that cabin this time of year, not with how much snow has fallen up there already.” Tabitha answered. “Besides, they shouldn’t be very far behind you by the time you get up to Winter Creek.”

“I keep trying to get someone to let me buy a bigger car….but no….something about the motorcycle being hazardous enough.”  Shanoa said smiling and poking her tongue out.  “Well…..would it be better for me to just motor around the city….maybe pick up some wine or something, give Anna time to make her calls and plan her puffy tail evil?”  She asked.

“That sounds good, I’ll call the rest of the bunch and get them heading down here so we can make dinner plans. You and your bunch head this way when you all are ready,” Tabitha said with a bit of a giggle.

“All right.  I will see you soon.”  Shanoa said, hanging up the phone before looking to her wife.  “I knew that you had something planned…...cheater….I mean if you wanted to find someone for a three way or something, you could have just asked.”  She said with a little snicker.

“Oh it’s nothing like that you smart ass.”  Anna said leaning in and kissing her lover on the lips.  “I wanted to surprise you with something ok...stop being paranoid and just go with it.”

“Ok….I will let you work out your secret plans, me and Curio will go to the store and kill some time….and bring snacks.”  She said returning the kiss.  “Love you.”  She said getting up and stretching a little.  “See you soon.”

Anna sat there on the edge of the bed, waiting to hear the door to the apartment closing, even then she gave it another few moments before reaching into her bag and pulling out a little notebook and opening it to a page full of numbers and notes before dialing the one on the top of the list and waiting.

“Good morning and thank you for calling BioGen, this is Shiley, how can I direct your inquiry?” a middle aged female voice asked.

“I’m calling to confirm an appointment for Kiyomizu.”  Anna said, smiling as she flipped through the little book to the page that had some space on it, grabbing a pen from the table.

“One moment,” the voice replied as the sound of someone typing on a keyboard began. After a few short moments  the woman spoke again. “Yes here we are, that would be the day after tomorrow at eight am at Swedish Medical Center. The surgeon and his team have already checked in and everything will be ready. There is also a notification that Ms. Kiyomizu should not eat or drink anything after midnight tomorrow. Is there anything else you need miss?”

“Would their be any restrictions on things that she can do, should do, shouldn’t do?  That kind of thing or will all of that be covered when we meet with the surgeons?”  The deer asked, scribbling down the time and location.

“That will be covered by the surgical team, several things will depend on how well the procedure goes, “ the woman replied. “Though I would imagine there will be some lifting restrictions as well as a period of bed rest afterward.

“Well then, that covers all that I need to know.”  She said happily.  “I thank you, and I look forward to meeting the surgeons.”  She said, the ear not pressed to the phone swiveled and wiggled as she heard the door opening.  “Bye, bye.”  She said before hanging up the phone and closing the book.

“Honey, we’re home.”  Shanoa said as she sat several bags down on the table in the kitchen.

“You know it’s like you have some kind of sixth sense or something, I just got off the phone.”  Anna said walking into the room with them.  “Everything is all set up.”

“Well does that mean that you’re going to finally tell me just what the butts you have planned?”  Shanoa asked, reaching into one of the bags, pulling out a bottle of the best wine that the store had.

“Nope….all that comes later.”  Anna said smiling, reaching down to ruffle Curio’s hair and ears a little.  “I promise that I will tell you and everything...just later.”

“You’re going to do it in front of a group of people to make sure I behave aren't you?”  Shanoa asked shaking her head a little.

“Oh, like I think that would keep you from defecating masonry.”  Anna said smiling and taking her wife’s hand.  “Now, let’s go, we have plans.” 

“Love you too.”  she said putting the wine in the little gift bag that she’d picked up.  “Come on squeaker.”  Shanoa said following her wife out of the house, the three of them making for the car, after locking up the house.  “You know….I give you points for being this secretive.”  Shanoa said getting into the driver’s side.

“And I’m still going to be secretive….till the time comes.”  She said poking her tongue out.  Shanoa just let out a little sigh as she started the van, and started heading off to the long muzzle’s

It was only an hour or so trip to their extended family’s house, but the fact that Shanoa was bugging Anna about the secret the whole time didn’t seem to make things go any faster, though Curio found it amusing.  “Mom, just give it up…..she’s not going to tell you...you’re just going to have to wait.”  The little bat typed out.

“I know….she’s worse than a cub the day before Christmas.”  Anna said, smiling as the car pulled up to the house.

“Well like I said, I’m like twelve at heart or something.”  The catwolf said putting the van in park and cutting the engine.  “What’s that saying….something about growing old is mandatory, but growing up is a choice.”

“Well that is true….but I’m sure that you can wait another hour or three.”  Anna said as she got out of the car, opening Curio’s door, watching the bat hop out and head to the other side of the car with Shanoa.

“I could explode or something in the next five minutes.”  The catwolf said, reaching in and grabbing the bottle of wine before they made their way to the house, knocking at the door.  “Open up before we start singing carols.”

“Oh God, anything but that,” Shannon said as she opened the door wide. “I’ve heard about all of Jingle Bells I can stand for one year.”

“Well I was going to break out with Silent Night.”  Shanoa said smiling as she stepped in, Anna and Curio in toe.  “Let me guess….from about Thanksgiving to New Years, the local stations play all holidays, all the time?”

“Oh come on, you can’t have a ba hum bug up your butt already.”  Anna said smiling, a paw coming to rest on Curio’s shoulder.  “I’m Anna, and this is Curio.”  She said motioning to the little blossom bat.

“The radio, the stores, hell even the local school choirs get into the whole caroling thing. There’s no way to escape it except stay home and shut off the radio and television,” the equine girl said shaking her head as she ushered their guests inside. “I’m Shannon and it’s a pleasure to meet you Anna and you too Curio,” she added pointing to a nearby coat rack on the wall. “Drop your coats and all there then join the rest of the family down the hall in the…”

“Family room,” an older male said as he walked across the hallway at the far end. “Come on in and get comfy, Zeus and Hana drove down to bake shop to pick up some things for his mother. They should be back in a few minutes.”

“Works for me.”  Shanoa said, slipping out of her coat, hanging it on the rack before turning to Shannon, and handing her the wine.  “Tag.”  She said walking off to the family room, Anna and Curio following her.

“Don’t mind her.”  Anna said as she added her and Curio’s coats to the rack before heading down the hall to the family room, stopping at the male horse.  “Its nice to meet you.  I’m Anna and this is Curio.”  She said holding her paw out to the male.

“Alexander, and welcome to our home,” the male horse said taking the doe’s paw and giving it a warm shake. Kneeling down to the small bat’s eye level he added, “It’s nice to meet you also Curio, Shanoa understated it when she said her daughter was cute. You a lovely young lady,” with a friendly smile on his muzzle.

Blushing a little as she looked down to her tablet and typed away.  “Thank you Mr Alexander, it’s really nice to meet you and your family.”

“Silly bat.”  Anna said smiling down to her.  “He’s part of our family.  His son married your mom’s sister’s daughter….so he’s like your uncle.”

“We have a really big family don’t we?”  The tablet spoke up, Curio looking from the long muzzle to the deer.  “Are we going to get to meet them all?”

“Yes sweetie.”  Anna said smiling, “shall we?”  She asked, offering the bat her paw, the three of them heading back to the family room, Anna sitting next to her wife, Curio snuggling into Shanoa’s lap.

“Well you got the two biggest goobers out of the way,” Tabitha said grinning at her husband and her daughter. “I’m Tabitha, Zeus and Hana aren’t here at the moment and Brian is…”

“Right here.”  Chou said smiling as she came down the steps, the aforementioned horse boy in her arms.  “You know, one of these days, I’m just going to steal him from you.”  She said getting to the bottom.

“Leave it to you to be the kidnapper in the family.”  Shanoa said with a little flick of her wrist.  “Everyone that’s here….This is Love Nubs….err...Anna.”  She said motioning to the deer that was on the sofa next to her.  “And the little squeaker is Curio.”

“You must be Shanoa’s sister….the normal one.”  Anna said with a little snicker, nodding to the raccoon dog woman. 

“It’s nice to meet you Ms. Chou.”  Curio’s tablet spoke up.  “And….ummmmm you wouldn’t really kid nap him would you?  Or me.”  She said wiggling a little.

“No sweetie….she wouldn’t do anything like that….that was just me being silly.”  Shanoa said kissing the battling on the ear.  “Though...she’d spoil you rotten if she baby sat you.”

“She’s my niece….spoiling her is my job.”  Chou said making her way to one of the free seats, flopping into it with the little pony in her lap.

“I guess the only one we’re  missing is the oldest boy Randy,” Tabitha said as the group heard the front door open then close again. A moment passed before another of the palomino family joined the group in the family room, a merret entering right behind him. 

“Nope, not missing me, no way am I missing meeting the fur that has the guts or the crazy it takes to put up with her,” the equine boy said nodding towards the catwolf.

“You know….it’s a good thing that I got a ring on her finger….you all might have scared her off other wise.”  Shanoa said shaking her head a little.

“I don’t know….with the way that Shanoa acts, I can only wonder about that...and how you two met.”  May said smiling.

“Mom’s not that crazy…..or I might be used to it.”  Curio said smiling up to her mother, poking her tongue out at the catwolf.  “I’m Curio.”

“And I’m Anna...as for how we met….that is a little story.”  Anna said smiling, blush tinting her ears.  “We met in a bar a while back.”

“Oh come on...that’s just half of it.”  Shanoa said shaking her head a little.  “We met in a bar, and she just feel for my charming good looks and personality.”

“You know….I think it was more, that some drunk furball pulled me across the counter, planted one on me...and well things went from there.”  Anna said smiling, leaning over to plant a kiss on her lover.

“Interesting.” Randy piped up, a huge grin on his muzzle. “Makes how we met seem a little boring doesn’t it May. Then again, we’ve had a lot more fun since we got home and didn’t have to  worry about the crazy lady in the cabin above yours.”

“Yeah….you two made real good use of that private balcony…..It was so hard to get drunk with you two below.”  Shanoa said shaking her head a little.

“Hey….we weren't that loud.”  May said poking her tongue out.  “Well … There was that one time...I swear the whole end of the ship heard.”

“Poor Shanoa, stuck on that ship without me….”  Anna said nudging her wife.  

“Yes….That didn’t help.”  Shanoa said reaching over and booping the deer’s nose.  “Sooo...do we want to keep waiting for the love birds or do we want to open the wine?”

“No worries,” Randy said taking May by the paw and going to one of the free chairs in the room. “Just be glad you don’t have to hear her now, She makes a bit more noise these days,” he finished before he nipped at the merret’s neck playfully.

“Behave Randy.”  May said wiggling a little, letting out a squeak as she felt her lover nipping at her neck.

“You know….They make these neat little things called ball gags….but then again….duct tape works for everything.”  Shanoa said poking her tongue out.  “You know Tabby….I’m surprised that there isn’t more little ones running around this house…”

“I still kinda worry about Hana and Zeus….I know that she’s on birth control...but still.”  Chou said shaking her head.  “I’m not old enough to be a grandma yet.”

“Oh god….You know, it’s winter….I wonder how many people think that’s she knocked up cause of all of the fluff.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

“That’s the curse of the fluff.”  Chou said shaking her head a little.  “Thank god for good fur catchers in the drains.”

“Knowing horse face,” Randy began shaking his head slowly, “he’ll probably come up with some kind of geek gadget to take care of the fur in the drains thing.”

“If they come up with something, I’m sure that Shanoa can help with that, I mean look at that tail of her’s.”  Anna said motioning to that fluffy thing that was attached to the catwolf.

“I wouldn’t complain…….or better yet, something that is good for de knotting this thing.”  Shanoa said wiggling her tail before booping Anna with it.  “Poor Chou growing up…...anytime that she had a boyfriend around winter…..’Oh god, you're showing, when's it due.’  Things like that.”

“It’s going to take a while to get used to my brother being married, let alone if Hana get’s pregnant. And I’m not sure that mom could take it if that happens too soon.”

“Well if she gets a little to uptight, I’m sure that I can get some of the good drugs from the hospital and send them to her.”  Shanoa paused a moment and looked to the mother horse.  “Anyone here handed a tranq gun?....I mean just incase.”  She said laughing a little.

“Yeah Shanoa, if you want to try and tranq her, you can have that…..I think that you might meet your match with her.”  Chou said shaking her head a little.

“Hey, If I can take down an elk on drugs I’m sure that I can handle a long muzzle…..I think.”  Shanoa said shaking her head a little.

“Oh all of you kiss my ass,” Tabitha replied with a huff. “I am not nearly old enough to be a grandmother yet.” Crossing her arms over her chest the palomino woman added, “besides we’re not even totally sure they are compatible enough to make cubs are we?”

“I might hate to pop that bubble…...but it’s totally possible that they can make a cub.”  Shanoa said shrugging a little.  “I mean, like I said on the ship, most anything has the ability to make a cub….but if it works, if it goes to term…..it’s all different things.”  She said leaning back a little.  “And from the looking I have done…..it would be possible that she could have a cub by Zeus, but given his size and all, it would hopefully only be one….if she ended up with twins or something, then things could get a little hairy.”  Shanoa said nodding a bit.  “And to answer the possible next question…..they are both genetically sound, no real flags for anything bad genetic wise.”

“Then that pair had better behave themselves and be carefull. I’m seriously not ready for grand babies running around yet,” the mother horse replied looking to her older son. “That goes for you two also, though I know I won’t have much to worry about there for a while yet.”

“Well…..as long as the two remember to take the birth control….then they will be good.”  Shanoa said leaning in a little.  “Speaking of them two…..where are they, I’m ready to open that wine…..The faster that I get Anna drunk, the faster she will tell me the evil plans that she has.”

“Yeah….I don’t think that it would work like that…..I mean….I’m a trained bartender….I’m good at drinking, that and what if I don’t have something planed?  What if this is all just us coming to visit the family?”  The doe said smiling and poking her tongue out a little.

“Sweetie…..I love you more than a great many things….but that’s bull shit.”  Shanoa said rolling her eyes.  “I have worked with kids….I can tell when someone is hiding something or something like that.”  The catwolf said shaking her head.

“Sorry we’re a little late,” Zeus called out as the sounds of his hooves clopping down the stairs was heard.

“I blame Zeus for it.”  Hana said as her husband walked into the room, her right behind him.  “Auntie Shanoa.”  She said rushing up to her, hugging her and looking to the bat that was sitting between her and the deer.  “This must be your daughter…..Hey there cutie…..I’m Hana.”  She said smiling to her before turning to the deer and nodding to her.

“I’m Curio.”  The little bat said smiling up to the raccoon dog.  “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hello sweetie.  It’s nice to meet some more normal family on Shanoa’s side….I’m Anna.”  The doe said shaking Hana’s hand.

“This is my husband Zeus.”  She said motioning to the horse that was standing with her.

“Damn boy….you did a good job knocking her up.”  Shanoa said nodding to the stallion.

“She is not knocked up,” the palomino boy replied rolling his eyes. “We’re watching that really closely, already pushing my luck on a few things as it is.”

“Just got to make sure, I mean I am a doctor or something like that.”  Shanoa said poking her tongue out.  “And I’m family….so you know that I really have to pick on you more.”

“Don’t mind her….you know that she is a little on the special side….ok a lot on the special side.”  Anna said nudging her wife.  “Also, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Anna, and this is Curio.”  She said motioning to the little bat that was sitting next to her, typing something out on her tablet.

“Its nice to meet you Mr. Zeus.”  Curio said nodding to the pony.  “Are you really going to knock up my cousin?”

“Maybe, in time. But not any time in the near future,” the horse boy answered. “Besides, Hana and I have plenty of time for a family and we did just get married. Need some time to get used to the whole living together thing first.”

“Ok…..well. It looks like we have everyone here.”  Anna said smiling and looking around the room.  “Someone want to help me go get the wine and enough glasses for the ones that are old enough.”  She snickered.

“I’ll take whiskey.”  Shanoa said, opening her muzzle to say something else only to get cut off by Anna.

“No…..I don’t need you getting that tipsy…..not yet at least.”  Anna said getting up and heading to the kitchen.

“Love you to.”  Shanoa said shaking her head.  “I know that you're up to something…..someone go with her make sure she doesn’t put anything in my wine.”  

“I’ve got this,” Alexander responded as he rose to his hooves. “Don’t worry Shanoa, no one’s getting too tipsy tonight, or anything else for that matter,” the palomino patriarch finished following the deer into the kitchen. “I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be married to Shanoa,” the father horse said opening one of the cabinets and starting to gather several wine glasses.

“It’s not that bad.”  Anna said going over to the freezer and pulling the wine bottle out.  “I mean….it was a wild first meeting, but I think that’s what drew me to her….I mean there isn’t too many cute girls that are brave enough to grab you and pull you across the bar and plant one on you.”  She shivered a little, “and not to mention the things that she whispered to me…”  She paused a moment before turning to Alexander.  “She’s pretty tame…..you just gotta get used to her….that and know what buttons of her’s to press.”  She said offering to take a few glasses too.

“She is….  Quite unique,” the equine man said as the pair walked from the kitchen to rejoin the rest of the group. “So I guess with the whole family here, we should propose a toast hmmm?”

“Get that done, cause I have a feeling that a catwolf is going to hit the floor.”  Anna said smiling and poking her tongue out at her mate.

“I knew that you were planning something.”  Shanoa said narrowing her eyes a little at her mate as the doe walked around filling glasses with wine.  “You got me in front of all of the family to make sure that I don’t like flip or something.”  

“Oh come on….you act like I’m going to kick you out or something.”  Anna said smiling and standing in front of the group.  “Well I guess I will get this started.”  Anna said taking a deep breath, turning to her mate.  “I know that I want to make a toast to friends…..family….and catwolves that pull you across the bar.”  She said poking her tongue out.  “To growing families and strengthening bonds.”  She said holding up her glass, “anything from anyone else?”

“To new family members and those yet to come,” Alexander added as he held up his glass.

“To loving one's children, and the love of one's children,” Tabitha piped up, her own glass raising into the air.

“To new loves, new lovers, and new opportunities,” Randy chimed in.

“To the divine, to whom I own all for the wonderful family I was blessed with. And the loving girl that agreed to be my wife,” Zeus said hugging Hana tightly to his side.

“To the best moms in the world, and the one that saved me from the bad guys.”  Curio’s tablet spoke up.

“To twists of fate and throwing a match for love.”  May spoke up smiling and holding up her glass.

“And to the best wife in the world…..one that even though she is sneaky as can be, I still love her….and wouldn’t trade her for anything.”  Shanoa said wrapping her arm around her mate and their kid between them.

“I think that my husband said it better than I could.”  Hana said holding up her glass, “cheers.”

“Ok.”  Shanoa said taking a sip of her wine, smiling to her wife.  “So…..just what is this big secret that you’ve been hiding from me.” 

“Ok, I have been keeping a little secret from you….”  The deer said smiling and turning to her wife, taking her hand.  “I have been kind of looking into this for sometime, and well when I called you from Japan, and found out that we would be coming here….I got to looking into something more.”  She said taking a deep breath, a paw sliding down to her wife’s belly, resting there.  “You know how you can’t have kids….and want to find out what it’s like to have a baby?  Well there is a company around here that is working on something to fix that, and well I pulled some strings and got you into the program….you go day after tomorrow for the operation.”  She said smiling to her wife, who wore a look of shock on her face.

As if knowing what her sister was about to say, Chou covered Brain’s ears, shaking her head a little.  “You’ve got to be shitting me?”  Shanoa said cocking her eyebrow, “you got me into some wild ass, experimental surgery.”  She said looking wide eyed at her mate.  “I mean…..Fuck.”  Shanoa said shaking her head a little as she leaned in close to her mate.  “You are a horribly devious….crazy thing….but god damn I love you.”  She said grabbing the doe and pulling her into a kiss, lingering a little longer than she should have with all the people in the room.

“Well she took that a little better than I thought that she would.”  Anna said blushing a little as she pulled back from the kiss.  “I mean I thought that she would have hit the floor or something..”

“Ooooh trust me…..there will be payback….and a lot of it.”  Shanoa said looking to the doe, smiling.  “And I don’t mean just playing with your horns or the bell harness…..this is going to top all of that.”

“Oh god…..auntie Shanoa as a mom…..that’s kinda scary.”  Hana said cocking her eyebrow at her aunt.

“Well….Anna will be there, so I think that things should be pretty good….and Curio will be there to make sure that Shanoa behaves.”  Chou said shaking her head a little as she moved her hands from the smaller horse that was sitting in her lap.

“I think Miss Anna would make a really pretty mommy,” the smaller equine chirped up as the raccoon dog pulled her paws from his ears. “Miss Shanoa’s not that crazy… is she?”

“I’m not crazy at all.”  The catwolf said looking over to the little horse, smiling a little.  “I just go about things a little differently….I mean I worked as a pediatrician for a little before moving to working the ER…  So I know about kids.” 

“Knowing about them and raising them is going to be a lot different…  I hope that you’re ready for a lot of sleepless nights, lots of worrying, and things that can gag the roto rooter man.”  Chou spoke up shaking her head a little.  “I think that you would make a good mom…  You just need to…  Get all of the wild out of your system first.”

“Well…  I work the ER, so I’m used to the sleepless nights….and you know some of the stories that I have told you about the things that I have seen in there…  I got all of that under control.”  Shanoa paused taking a breath, “as for the worrying part….already there with this one.”  She said squeezing the bat that was in her lap.

“And…  You know…  Shanoa has be calming down a little…  She hasn’t given me a near heart attack since you all got home.”  Anna said glancing over to her wife.

“You know...Tabby…”  Chou said turning and looking to the mother horse.  “You know with Shanoa going to be a mom….  What was that, that happened at that shrine.”

“Something about it not being possible or something if I remember correctly,” the mother horse said giggling slightly.

“Well….when I said that, I was talking about naturally you know…”  Shanoa paused a moment.  “I didn’t think that my wife would pull something like this….so I think that this is a little different…  And it’s not like the fates are going to step in now and bless me with a litter of ten or something.”  She said shaking her head a little, “if that happened I would be standing at a regester fat as can be buy lottery tickets.”  She said poking her tongue out.

“You know…  I’m sure saying things like that counts as tempting fate.”  Chou said as she glanced over to the catwolf and then back to Tabitha.  “Soooo how many do you think that she’s going to end up with?  Two? Four?”  The raccoon dog teased.

“I’m not going to be the one that’s tempting fate,” Tabby said shaking her head and leaning back into her chair. “That pair there,” she added nodding towards her son and his wife, “can tempt it if they want, but I’m keeping my muzzle shut.”

“Just because we don’t use condoms doesn’t mean we’re not using protection, you know that right mom?” Zeus spoke up from behind his wife.

“You don’t have to worry about that…  I make sure to take my birthcontrol, it’s like the first thing that I do when I get up.”  Hana said smiling to the mother, “then again it is a mother’s job to worry about her family.”  The younger raccoon dog said as she nuzzled back against her husband.

“And you do remember, all that stuff that I said on the boat about there being a chance she could get knocked up cause a difference in species...that was all for the prank.”  Shanoa said leaning in a little, “I also made sure to look and check out the brand that she’s on…  It’s like the best out there, so you shouldn’t have to worry there momma long muzzle.”

“Oh Anna, just going to warn you now...Shanoa gets whiney when she gets sick, so you’re going to have to deal with that while she’s pregnant…  Then again she might take after me and everything go smooth.”  Chou spoke up.

“Long as the kids don’t come out with horns, I will be ok.”  Shanoa said with a little shrug.  “So I guess that we should turn this into a party or something, cause I’m sure after tomorrow I’m going to be stuck in a bed.”

“Well we eventually want cubs, just not right off the bat,” Zeus said cuddling the raccoon dog girl tighter as she get settled. “We want to wait a little while and get used to living together first before start a family.”

“When that backfires on you I’m going to laugh my ass off,” Shannon quipped as she rose to her hooves and headed for the hallway. “Then I’m going to spoil the hell out of your cub or cubs and send them home to you and Hana.”

“I don’t know, you might end up with a kid before them.”  Shanoa teased, “though, no matter what…  Any cubs that come from this family are going to be spoiled rotten…  I know that I’m going to spoil my grandkids...and my soon to be kid...and the kid that I have now.”

“See…  She might try to hide it, but Shanoa has a big soft spot.”  Anna said as she reached over and nudged her wife.

“I blame the wine.”  She said shaking her head a little, “and you know that you’re going to spoil them too.”

“Shanoa...I know how you are when you get drunk, and soft isn’t it.” 

“Annnnnyway….Someone say something about food or something.”  Shanoa said changing the subject.

“Well dinner is about three hours away yet, but we do have quite a selection of cookies, cakes, and pies in the kitchen. Plenty of whipped topping and ice cream as well,” Tabitha replied rising to her hooves as her youngest bounded towards her.

“That reminds me, once we get back home, I think that we are going to have to start stocking up on junk food for you.”  Anna said looking over to her wife, smiling.  “Any cravings that I should know about?”

“I don’t know… I think that you would have to ask the mothers.”  Shanoa said glancing from the horse to her sister.

“Knowing Shanoa, it's going to be something spicy, or something sweet….just no sushi.”  Chou said with a little snicker as she watched the littlest horse getting up and rushing to his mother.

“Anna….would you be a deer and get us some snacks.”  Shanoa asked, smiling, “I would, but I have a bat.”  She said squeezing her daughter.

“And she’s already starting the take care of me thing.”  Anna said as she got up, heading off to the kitchen.

“I like chocolate cake,” the younger equine siad as he bolted for the kitchen, his hooves clip-clopping on the hardwood floors.

“Chocolate cake is pretty good.”  Chou said as she got up to go give Anna a hand with getting the snacks.  “I think that I’m going to go with some cookies.”

“So Zeus, how are you handling being married to such a fluffy little thing?  You haven’t ended up with a hair ball or anything yet….or gone through a million lint rollers.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.

“A few things have been a little bit of a challenge,” the palomino boy piped up. “Fluffy is one way to put it for sure. But so far we’ve not had any real problems with her fur. Now come spring when she starts shedding… that might be a whole different story. Planning to have new drain strainers installed before then.”

“You're going to need them, and you're going to need a lot of lint rollers or duct tape.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker.  “The good duct tape is about the best way to get fur off of anything….that’s why we kept several rolls of it at home back in the day.”

“You know, you’re one to talk about shedding.”  Anna said as she came back into the room with a pair of plates, handing one to Curio, a slice of chocolate cake for her, and some cookies for her and Shanoa to share.  “I mean...When we were on vacation….you clogged the tub up how many times?”

“It’s not my fault that they had shitty fur catchers.”  Shanoa said turning back to the horse.  “So I hear that you like to make things…  Ever think about making a good fur catcher or something?”

“In fact I do have a few designs on the drawing board. What better way to test them out than with this fluffy little sweetie?” he replied sweeping his wife up into his arms as he stood up. “Heading to the kitchen honey, you riding along or waiting here?”

“I think that I will follow along, I could use something sweet…  And I don’t mean you silly.”  She said with a little snicker as she put her arms around her husband.

“Well when you get it made, I wouldn’t mind helping test one out.”  Shanoa said as she glanced at her own fluffy tail.  “I’m sure that Anna would be happy too.”

“Not having to drag you back in to unclog the tub or to do it myself, that would be an amazing gift.”  The deer said with a little snicker.

Sun. Dec 13th 2015
Bright and Early 
Prairie Flats General

“Who turned on the sun?”  Shanoa muttered as she let out a yawn, the car coming to park in one of the free spaces.

“The same person that turns it on everyday.”  Anna said shaking her head a little, “I told you that you should have gone to bed and stop reading crap on WebMD.”  The doe said as she cut the engine and started getting out, Shanoa doing the same.

“I can’t help it….  I had to make sure that nothing bad could happen.”  The catwolf said as she pulled her jacket tighter around herself, half regretting wearing the baggy clothes that she had picked out.

“Nothing bad’s going to happen.”  Anna said as she walked up to her mate, resting her paw on her shoulder, “lots of good things are going to happen.”  She said pulling her wife into a hug before the two made their way into the building and up to the front desk.

“Hello?”  Anna asked as she looked around the large waiting room.

“Hello, and good morning ladies,” an older weasel woman said as she waddled out of a doorway in the wall behind the front counter. “Just stepped into the back to get some fresh coffee going,” she added as she leaned against the polished wood countertop. “What can I do for you ladies this morning?”

“I would kill for some of that coffee.”  Shanoa said licking her lips, “but I can’t have any cause my wife signed me up for an operation.”

“We’re here for an appointment for Kiyomizu.”  Anna said rolling her eyes a little at her wife.  “Don’t mind her, she’s sleep deprived….or crazy.”

“Oh yes Miss Kiyomizu, they’re expecting you up in pre op prep. The elevators are down the hall that way,” the older female said pointing to their left. Third floor, take a right out of the elevator then the second left and ask for Tracy at the nurses station.”

“Thank you.”  Shanoa said with a little nod as the two turned and started for the elevators.  “You know….I’m still going to get you back for this.”  The catwolf said shaking her head a little.

“You say that like I’m afraid of you.”  Anna said with a little snicker as she pressed the button to call the elevator.

“Oh I don’t want you to be afraid of me, you’d run then.”  She said with a little giggle as the elevator door opened, the two stepping in and pressing the button for the third floor.  “You know this place is pretty nice….but I’m going to take you out on the best date that I can come up with….something to rival the night that we met.”

“Ok, that’s kinda scary.”  Anna said with a little snicker as they got off the elevator and started heading to the mentioned nurses station.  “Ummm Hello?”  Anna asked, looking around.  “We’re looking for Tracy….we have an appointment.”

“Thought you might have chickened out on us,” a Mohave ground squirrel woman said as she emerged from what looked like a closet behind the nurses station counter. “I’ll let the surgical team know you’re here. In the meantime,” she continued hoisting the bundle under her arm and depositing it on the counter, “you can use the room behind you and get disrobed and put this on.”

“Works for me...and me...get scared….never.”  Shanoa said taking the bundle as she turned and headed for the aforementioned room, Anna right behind her.

“That coming from the person that spent the biggest part of the night reading WebMD….you know that’s how you give yourself symptoms.”  Anna said as she sat down, watching her wife setting the bundle on the bed before she started stripping out of her clothing.

“I know...the placebo effect is a strong thing for some people.”  She said, tossing her shirt over at Anna before wiggling out of her sweatpants and tossing them to the deer.  “And it wasn’t so much a thing I did out of being nervous, more out of curiosity, I mean I am a doctor, I like keeping up with the medical tech as it grows.”  She said slipping into the gown and tying it behind her before sitting on the bed, tail coming to rest in her lap.  “God it’s weird being on this side of things.”  She said looking around the room.

“Well it’s good that you're not worried, I will just handle that part for us.”  Anna said poking her tongue out a bit.  “And Shanoa...be nice, you're a patient, not a doctor right now.”  She said snickering a bit as she watched Shanoa rolling her eyes a little.

A quiet rapping on the door interrupted the pair, it slowly opening as a voice was heard. “Okay Miss… okay, I suck at these oriental names so how about we go with your first name?” a male wolverine said, the stark white lab coat wrapped around him billowing as he strode into the room.

“Shanoa.”  The catwolf said getting up and holding her paw out to the doctor, “it’s nice to meet you.”  She said taking a second to look over the doctor, to the point that Anna thought that she might judging the male as a doctor already, or about to say something she shouldn’t.  “I take it that you will be the one that’s handling the scalpel?  Or just a nurse?”  She snickered a little.

“Anesthesiologist actually, the surgeon will be in once I bug out. Just need to double check your weight so I can double check the calculations for the juice machine,” he replied with a slight grin. “Your patient file lists you as a doc so you know even a five pound fib can throw things off.”

“Oh I know.”  She said with a little snicker.  “As much as I might fib about it to Anna and others, the hospital knows the truth.”  She said, walking over to the scales that sat against the wall.  “Then again, thanks to this gift from my wife...I’m going to end up putting on a lot more weight I’m sure.”  She said stepping over to the scales and stood on it, letting the anesthesiologist do his thing.

“You know, that just means that there will be more of you to snuggle….and just think of all the belly rubs that you’ll get….dogs like them right?”  The deer teased a little, snickering as she did.

“I’m sure that I’m not going to have any fur on my belly between you and Curio….not to mention all the people at work that’s going to defecate masonry when they find out.”  Shanoa said looking over to her wife.

Tapping the smaller weight along the beam of the scale the technician said, “okay that confirms what I need to know. Doc Chandler should be in shortly to answer what questions you may still have and all that jazz. He’s one of the best that I’ve ever worked with, paws like stone tablets let me tell ya.”

“Well that helps take a little off of my mind.”  Shanoa said nodding to the wolverine before heading back to the bed and taking a seat and looking over to Anna.  “I take it that you're going to or already talked to Curio about this?”

“I did, and I think that she’s super excited to have a little brother or sister.”  The deer said smiling.  “I think that she’s going to make a good big sister.”

“Oh god, that reminds me that I need to call my boss and let them know what the hell is going own.”  Shanoa said with a little snicker before going back to looking around the room.  “I sure how this guy shows up soon….I don’t care to be in this room….and I want coffee.”

“You can go without it for a little while longer, it’s not going to kill you.”  Anna said rolling her eyes.

“I’m an ER doctor, that stuff is like….ambrosia to us….well at least to me.”  She said with a little shrug, “it could be worse, I have co workers that throwback energy drinks like I do coffee.”

“Hello” a middle aged honey badger said as he tentatively pushed the door to the room open, his eyes locked on an open file folder in his right paw. “I’m looking for a miss Shanoa Kawasaki… I think.”

“Oh god, that’s the best one that I heard.”  Anna said giggling from her seat in the corner, causing Shanoa to shake her head a little.

“Hello, you must be Doctor Chandler?”  Shanoa said nodding to the man.  “And the last name is Kiyomizu.”  She said taking the time to pronounce it, “but Shanoa is fine to.”  She said offering her paw to the other doctor.  “And don’t feel too bad it took that one forever to get the name right.”  She said motioning to the giggling deer.

“Ahhh, okay then Shanoa it is. Yes I’m doctor Chandler, the hateful old fart that’s going to be playing cat's cradle with your insides today. So, I’m certain that unless your mate there,” he said nodding towards the still giggling deer, “kept you completely in the dark on this you probably spent at least one night scouring the internet. So let’s make this a short story, any questions or concerns on your part?”

“Well she did keep me in the dark, right up to the point that she sprang it on me, a hell of a christmas gift.”  Shanoa said glancing back to the deer.  “But I went and looked up stuff on WebMD, and well from what I gathered, it’s just like a transplant, pop in the parts, let me heal up and onto the next thing.”  She said snickering a little.  “And trust me, some of the things that I have seen surgeons do….that’s not to far off, just put everything in the right order...You’re not to old to forget that are you?”

“Shanoa behave,” Anna spoke up, before looking to the doctor.  “No I know that she is going to be on bed rest, is there any kinds of food that she shouldn’t have?  And how long should I keep her strapped to the bed?

“For her own good four or five days, other than that… well that’s more information than I want to be totally honest,” the older badger said with a bit of a grin on his muzzle. You’ll need to take it easy for longer,” he added looking over the top of his glasses at the catwolf. “As for the gaining weight, let’s get you fixed up and healed before we look too far ahead just to be on the safe side.”

“That all works for me….and she didn’t even get to the part about the bell harness.”  Shanoa said with a snicker, watching her mate blushing.  “Well I know what I need to, Anna?”

“I can handle taking care of her, do I need to make a follow up or would that be something that the hospitals back home could do?”  The doe asked looking to the doctor.

“Oh...speaking of hospitals….I’m going to need to know when I can go back to work, and I think that I might need a doctor’s note.”  Shanoa said smiling a little.

“Postoperative care once she is cleared to travel home can be done locally by her usual physician,” the doctor responded looking to the doe. “As for work, you’ve got yourself at least a six week vacation, and your paperwork will be ready by the time you are released Shanoa.”

“That works for me.”  The catwolf said smiling a little, “I’m pretty sure that they can handle the ER without me for a little.”  She said getting up and going over to the doe.  “Thank you.”  she said softly as she wrapped her arms around the doe and held her tight, Anna returning the hug.

“Just make sure that you take care of her in there.”  Anna said looking to the doctor as they broke the hug and Shanoa got onto the bed.

“Don’t worry, it takes a lot to put this cat down...I have like nine lives.”  She said with a snicker.

“And you used how many pulling dumb stunts?”  Anna said shaking her head a little.

“Not that many….and sweetie, don’t worry...I will be fine, and I will be out of here in no time.”  She said reaching out and holding onto her wife’s paw.  “We’re together no matter what….I love you.”  

“I love you too.”  Anna said before kissing her wife on the lips.

“Ok, doc….I’m as ready as I will ever get.”  Shanoa said slouching back in the bed.

“Alright then, I’m off to get scrubbed in. The nurses will be in momentarily to finish up your pre op prep and then an OR Tech will arrive to bring you down to us. When they’re ready you mate will be taken to your recovery room so she will know where you’ll be once we are finished. IN the meantime relax, you're in good paws and this will be finished before you know it.”