Zeus whistled to himself softly as he basked in the warmth of the fur dryer. Of all the things running through his mind with the looming dinner with his family his mother’s reaction to the news he and Hana were about to spring on the older equine woman was the most uncertain. As he had predicted when he returned to the family home on Monday afternoon to pick up his mail and additional clothing his father had cornered the horse boy and grilled him endlessly about his weekend in the mountains with his pretty girlfriend. Luck having been with the boy. the house being empty except himself and his father, had been a good thing as the older male was unable to contain himself when his eldest son informed him he was getting married. After a short, and at most half hearted attempt to dissuade the boy his father couldn’t hold a straight face and smiled broadly as he congratulated his son on making such a bold move. Stepping from the dryer booth and grabbing a towel his father’s final comments ran through his mind again. The older palomino had, amongst other things, assured the boy that his mother would be accompanying them on the trip to Hana’s native land for the ceremony despite any objections she may have.

Thinking about how smoothly things had come together for the pair he grinned broadly. The school had agreed to allowing them both to complete their school assignments online and rescheduling any tests they would need to take until after their return. With his soon to be mother-in-law’s help getting the paperwork needed for the marriage license had been completed by Monday evening and he had been assured that everything for that would be ready when they arrived .As far as the young stallion could tell everything was falling into place as if it were destined for the young lovers to be wed.

As he walked into the bedroom drying his hair he heard the soft, sweet voice of the little puppy girl that had so easily stolen his heart and completed his dreams.

“So hot lips.  You ready for a little mother’s wrath?”  She said with a little snicker.  “Then again, you know she might take to the idea.  A good month away, not having to work or anything like that.”

“It can’t be any worse than the time Steven, my youngest brother, got into trouble for running through his school naked screaming the zombies are coming at the top of his lungs,” the equine boy said snickering loudly. “Honestly… I’m more worried about her fainting and hitting the floor when we tell her we’re getting married so soon. I mean to be fair, she hasn’t even met my pretty girlfriend yet, and we’re about to drop a bomb in her lap and haul her off to another country in a few days.”

“Why do I have a feeling that you dared him to do that?”  Hana said shaking her head a little bit.  “And I don’t think she will pull an opossum on us.”

“I did not… though I may have said something about being naked being a good defense against zombies….” Zeus replied with a little giggle. “It’s not really my fault if the fool thought I was being serious.” Going to the dresser and getting a clean pair of boxers he looked in the mirror at his lover and said, “so did mama Chou say when she would be finished with getting your stuff from the apartment and all that? I would have went and helped her get it packed up and moved if she would have let me.”

“She said that she would have everything ready for us by tomorrow….so I’m thinking that she is there getting everything loaded up and then maybe keep it in the car for us……I don’t know with that one.”  Hana said shaking her head a little.

“Yea, I can see that. Your mom is pretty cool, but she is a little… strange,” the horse boy said turning to look his girlfriend in the eyes as he walked towards her. As he drew close enough he leaned down and kissed her on the lips, slowly pressing her backwards onto the bed. Breaking the kiss a few moments later he gazed into her blue eyes and said, “it’s a good thing we need to be on time tonight… otherwise the temptation to pin you to the mattress and make love to you all night long would be totally irresistible. Then again… we’ll have the rest of the night when we get back home.”.

“Well…..we could go for a quicky…..but with us….that wouldn’t work.”  She said smiling as she sat up, watching her lover going back to getting dressed, smoothing out the simple, cream colored dress that she had on.  It wasn’t anything fancy, just a silken dress with lace around the shoulders.

“Okay… a few things I might need to warn you about with my family,” Zeus said as he buttoned and zipped the black slacks he had pulled on. “For the most part I think they will all be on their best behavior. Though my older sister Shannon and my brother Shaun may try to embarrass you with questions about how we have sex with the size difference thing and all. Jack… well if he thinks he can get away with it he’ll try to get us both talking about the weirdest shit he can think of. That won’t be too bad but watch him a little, he’ll start out with normal stuff and try to lead it into the gutter. I swear he’s the biggest perv I’ve ever known. I honestly believe he literally gets off on hearing about other peoples sex lives.” As he buttoned the long sleeve, stark white shirt he added, “That’s probably going to be the most important stuff… other than Brian, the youngest of the clan bugging you half to death for hugs. He’s such a cuddle bug it’s almost annoying, almost like he has some kind of separation anxiety or something.”

“I think that I can handle that.”  Hana said smiling as she got up and walked over to her mate, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a squeeze.  “Don’t worry, we got this.”  She said with a little giggle.  “And as for the gutter, I can keep it out of there….I have had a little practice with the whole appearing to be perfectly clean and all…..and I’m sure that Brian just wants to be close to his big brother.”

Wrapping his arms around the puppy girl, returning the hug he said, “maybe…  I am going to miss the little twerp a little to be honest. But he’s in good paws with the rest of the family around him and all. Of all of my siblings though he’s the one that mom and dad will have to watch out for the most. He’s adorably cute and I think he’s going to be a real heartbreaker when he gets a little older. He’s in that seven year old girls are icky phase now, but when he figures out girls are nice… there will be some fathers that better be ready for some serious shit.”

“Big brother might just have to make sure that he knows what he’s doing and all that…..then again, your dad has a good head on his shoulders too.”  Hana said stepping back and looking at the mirror.  “You know, we make a good couple.” 

“You think so?” the horse boy said reaching down to the bed and getting the dark blue tie and black sport coat laying on the end. Quickly wrapping the tie around his neck and tying a windsor knot then slipping in the sport coat he took his lover’s paw in his, turning them towards the large mirror on the dresser and said, “hmmm, I think you’re right sexy,” as he looked them over in the reflection. “Damn girl… you’re kind of hot in a dress, and you know… it actually makes you look just a little older than you are dressed like that with your hair done up and all.” Turning her towards himself as he took her in his arms again he added, “my sexy lady is just full of surprises. I think once she gets over the shock mom will love you.”

“Nothing like a little surprise.”  Hana said smiling and leaning up a little.  “Oh, and I might not be wearing undies.”  She said with a little giggle.  “Now come hotness…..we have a dinner to get to.”

“You are an evil temptress Hana,” Zeus said shaking his head a little. “I can understand with the fluff and all as a reason here at the house. But going to meet my family commando, you’re crazy girl… and I love you for it,” he said swatting her playfully on the rump as she walked away from him towards the door. “I’ll meet you downstairs in a minute sexy legs, just need to make a pit stop first.”

“Just remember sweetie. If you shake it more than three times, you're playing with it.”  Hana said with a little giggle as she walked down the steps, heading to the front door and waiting for her lover there.

Zeus joined his lover at the front door a few moments later grinning at her as he came down the stairs. “I still say you’re an evil little puppy girl Hana,” he said as he walked up to her, leaning down to kiss her softly. “Whether you are or aren’t wearing undies now I can’t get the thought out of my head of you standing here right now with only that pretty dress on… damn I’m going to have a hell of a time not walking around with a boner now.”

“That might have been the point.”  She said with a little snicker.  “It’s so fun to watch you wiggle and squirm.”  She said smiling and turning to him, slowly lifting the edge of her dress, she lifted the fabric just high enough that he might have caught a glimpse of something naughty before putting it back down.  “Shall we go, my love?”  She asked, holding out her hand.

“Yes,” the equine said taking her paw and reaching for the door. “Otherwise we are going to be rather late and I’ll have to deal with my mother in a bad mood/ We’re going to give her enough reasons to get weird as it is sexy butt. Let’s go and see if I can keep from giving my mother a heart attack,” he said as they walked out the door of the cabin.

“Well, here we are sweet lips,” Zeus said as he pulled into the driveway of his families home. The large, suburban house differing very little from the other houses in the neighborhood. It was easy to tell the subdivision had been a planned community when it was built.  The slight differences in paint colors being nearly all that kept the houses from being identical to one another. “From the looks of it,” he said nodding to the collection of vehicles parked on the concrete drive, “I’d say everyone is excited to met my girlfriend, I don’t think I’ve seen everyone at home at the same time like this in nearly two years. Either that or dad threatened the others to make sure they would all be here to see if mom freaks out or not when we news bomb her.”

“Oh.”  Hana said softly.  “This looks like it’s going to be interesting.”  She said taking a deep breath as she got out of the truck and walked around to the side of the car, taking her lover’s arm and starting to walk up to the house.  “Anything that I should know about Momma Zeus?”

“Well, she’s usually pretty normal as far as mothers go. A little opinionated about her kids being the best at everything, a little overprotective at times, and brags about everything we do. She really is a nice woman so don’t let her get to you right off the bat with  hard looks or anything like that. Don’t get cocky with her and be nice like you always are and you’ll do fine sweetie. Since dad knows what’s going on tonight I’m pretty sure he’ll be running interference for us and try to keep things from getting too far off track.” Stopping at the front door for a moment, his lover’s paw in his he twirled the puppy girl once, “okay, you look good, dress looks nice and not bunched up in the back or anything… just, try not to flash anyone and we’ll be okay.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, the dress isn’t that short.”  Hana said with a little snicker.  “Ok…..good girl mode is a go.”  She said leaning in close to her lover.  “Ok, I’m ready when you are.”

“Okay… here we go,” the horse boy said rapping soundly on the door before opening it and announcing “we’re here mom,” as they walked inside stopping and closing the door behind them. As he turned around he saw his siblings filing out of the family room at the end of the hallway, his father bringing up the rear of the group. A moment later his mother, a tall, slender woman with deep, rich brown fur and even deeper brown hair walked from the room across the hallway. As the pair walked towards the assembled group the youngest member of the family, Zeus’ seven year old brother Brian rushed at them, his arms thrown out wide as he looked at the puppy girl

As he drew near to the couple the younger horse boy said, “hi, I’m Brian… 
huggiesssssss….” as he wrapped his arms around the somewhat taller girl and hugged her tightly. A moment later he leaned back a little and said, “oooo your soft,” before turning to his family. Looking towards his father he said, “I thought Zeus’ girlfriend was a puppy?”

Smiling and carefully kneeling down to the young one’s height.  “I am a puppy.”  She said with a little snicker.  “I’m a fluffy puppy from a place way across the ocean…...we just look like raccoons.”

“She’s a raccoon dog doofus,” an older male said from behind the younger sibling. “Racoons are fatter and not nearly as cute.”

“Thanks for the back pawed explanation Randy,” Zeus said rolling his eyes. “And for the record she’s mine, spoken for, and you have no chance captain smooth.”

“Bite me big brother,” the slightly younger equine responded.

“Welcome to our home Miss Hana,” the patriarch said as he walked to the front of the group. “Let’s get the introductions out of the way shall we?” Reaching out and laying a paw on one of his childrens shoulder he said, “This is Zeus’ older sister Shannon, next to her is Shaun the next oldest.” Pointing to the next in line at the front of the group he continued, “then we have Randy the big mouth, Jamie the quiet one and Brian the hug bug.” He walked behind the group and wrapped an arm around the older female as he said,”and this is my mate, and Zeus’ mother Tabitha.” Smiling as he looked back to his oldest son he added, “and there you have the crazy bunch that your boyfriend calls a family.” Smiling broadly he said, “okay oat biscuit, it’s your turn.”

“Mom, Dad, everyone, this is my girlfriend Hana Jin,” the oldest of the Chamberlain siblings said as he helped the puppy girl back to her foot paws. “All of you be nice, you in particular Randy. It’s bad enough having to meet you fruitcakes, no need to make this weird or awkward on top of it.”

“It’s nice to meet you all.”  Hana said smiling and nodding to the group.  “Zeus has told me a lot about you all…”  She said happily.

“And you still agreed to dinner with this bunch?” Shannon said with a little giggle. “Okay, she’s already points ahead in my book.”

“Yes… you will all behave yourselves tonight,” the older female said with a serious look on her face. “We have a guest in the house and anyone that steps too far over any lines will find themselves looking at the walls of their room for a month. You all have manners, common sense and decorum, I expect you to act accordingly.”

“Yes ma’am,” the rest of the group said nearly in unison.

“Come on Hana,” Shannon said waving one arm, “let’s go in the family room and get the inquisition over with, mom said it’ll be an hour or so before dinner is ready.”

“Sounds like fun to me.”  The little raccoon dog said as she and her lover followed the family back into the family room.  Hana sitting on the loveseat with her mate, snickering a little as she watched the family all sitting down on the sofa across from them.

“Soooooooooooo…” Randy began, a sly smile on his muzzle as he spoke. “Mom has put the brakes on some of the things I want to ask,” he said glancing over to his mother, the grin never faltering a bit, “so I’ll have to go with the tamer stuff. Zeus hasn’t told the rest of us much at all about you, okay other than dad he has told us nearly nothing about you. What made you decide to hook up with my dork of a brother?”

“Randy…” the mother palomino said tersely, “you know I despise that term and what it implies.” Looking to the girl seated beside her oldest son she said, “though poorly worded, I would also like to know why you and my son are together. No offense intended dear, but a canine and an equine isn’t that common of a pairing.”

“Well…..we did have an interesting meeting.”  Hana said smiling softly.  “There is just something sweet about him...he has a nobility and a sense of honor that you don’t see too often, and for me…..honor is something that is important…...that and he is really cute.”

“For a horse face,” Jamie said with a little snicker. “Are you sure you’re talking about the same Zeus I know?” the slightly older female asked tilting her head to the side a little. “I mean I know my brother, and until he met you he was an arrogant horses ass with the attitude of a buzz saw.”

“That’s how we met….well part of it.”  The little puppy said with a giggle.  “Mom and I were getting the tour of the school and well we ran into him in the gym and one thing led to another, and well we made a little bet….and I won.”  She said smiling, trying not to embarrass her mate too much.

“A little bet…” Shaun said snorting a little. “The idiot said he’d pin you to the wall and take you didn’t he?”

“Shaun…” their mother said raising an eyebrow at the younger palomino boy.

“I’m not being mean mom… he says shi… stuff like that all the time at school. That’s why most girls won’t have anything to do with him, because of that big muzzle of his.”

“Well yeah…..that was the bet…..that he would pin me….”  Hana said smiling and looking up to her mate.  “Needless to say, I wasn’t the one that was pinned to the mat….”

:”Wait a minute,” the equine matriarch said looking to her eldest son. “You weren’t here because you lost a bet? WHat were the particulars of this bet? What earthly thing could have possibly been agreed upon that would drag you out of your home?”

Sighing heavily, not sure of why his brother had decided to focus on this in particular he shook his head a little. “Okay the short of it was that the loser had to be the winners… well… the loser had to do what the winner told them to do.”

“So you were her slave then?” the equine woman asked giving her son an odd look.

“Kind of yes…” the horse boy said blushing hard and looking to the floor.

“Ummmm, so big brother got his butt whooped by a little puppy girl…”Jamie said snickering. “I would have loved to see that for myself.”

“What on earth made you act like such an…. ass?” his mother asked scowling at the boy.

“I…, God…” Zeus said pausing for a moment before he could answer. “I saw her.. I mean you can all see how pretty she is. She’s smaller than I am and I thought it would be fun to mess with her a little. It’s not like I was going to force her to have sex with me or anything.”

“I should hope not,” the matriarch said leaning back and folding her arms across her chest. “For one thing that would have been statutory rape, and I would not protect you from something like that when it was your own foolish arrogance that got you into such a mess.”

“I spoke with Mrs. Jin, Hana’s mother and the gym teacher after Zeus lost this bet,” the older male chimed in. “For Mrs. Jin it was a matter of honor to her daughter. The agreement was that Zeus would be her… I believe the term you used was Samurai if I remember correctly Hana?”

“It is.”  Hana said nodding to the older horse.  “He was going to be my Samurai, meaning that he was going to be there if I need anything, to protect me and all that.”

“Okay, that makes sense,” Shannon added, turning to look at their mother. 
Remember I did that history paper on the Samurai what… two years ago for school?” The older sister waited for a moment, her mother finally nodding in response. “Right, so anyway… the Samurai were the ones responsible for serving and protecting the emperor and his family. It was actually considered a great honor to be chosen for that. If I remember right, there would be hundreds, even thousands of warriors flock to the palace to fill even a few open places among the ranks of the Samurai. If that was part of the bet and Zeus hadn’t taken it seriously or refused to meet the obligation he had agreed to it would have been considered a great dishonor to himself, and his family.”

“Yes, and something like that would not bode well at all.”  She said shaking her head.  “Turning down a position like that, many of the villagers back then would have jumped all over them…..if the Dynamo didn’t.”

Looking to the smaller girl thoughtfully for a moment the mother horse said, “so by keeping the agreed upon terms of your wager and serving as your Samurai he did the right thing, instead of the stupid thing for once.” Laying one paw on her cheek she added, “this surprises me. As much as I love my son, he is not known for doing the right thing very often.”

“Often?” Shannon said wide eyed. “Mom, my fool of a brother is known as a jerk that messes with other furs because he gets some kind of weird kick out of it. Sitting here and hearing he did something right is like…. being hit by a bus.”

“No kidding,” Shaun chimed in. “Honestly, I figured he was just going along with it to try to get in her…. well to get what he was after in the first place.”

“I think the more important question,” the father horse chimed in, “is if that is the only reason you two are together now. Because he is in service to you as your Samurai. Or is there more to your relationship than that Hana?”

“There is more to the relationship than just that.  It, at first started out as just that, but over time, I became acquainted with the real side of Zeus and that’s what I fell for.  Not the show that he had been putting on in school to try and….well show off.”

Zeus lay his head back over the loveseat for a moment before looking at his family again. “Okay yes, I’ve been showing off, being an ass, and a jerk, and a few other things that mom would wash my mouth out for saying. I was stupid and thought that because I’m a horse I had to be big and bad and tough. Hana set me straight on that okay? Yes it was embarrassing as all heck to get pinned by a little puppy girl in front of that many furs. In the time we’ve been together I’ve learned it’s okay to just be myself and not care what others think I should be. With Hana I don’t have to show off or be tough or… stuff like that. She gave me a chance even after I was a jerk… and I fell for her like a rock.”

“So things are serious between the two of you son?” his father asked nodding to the younger equine.

“Yes dad, very serious, I know mom will probably say I don’t know what I’m talking about because of my age… but I love her.” Wrapping his arms around his lover he pulled her in close and nuzzled her neck a little. “I know people probably think I’m nuts… you all probably do too. But I love this puppy girl and nothing is ever going to change that.”

The mother horse closed her eyes for a moment in thought before she asked, “you’re certain that this isn’t, and please pardon the pun, a case of puppy love? Just a passing fling because she saw through the bad boy act and saw the real boy that I’ve always known was inside you screaming to get out?”

Pulling Hana to his chest a little tighter he replied, “yes mom, I’m sure it’s nothing like that at all. This isn’t a case of raging hormones or lust or just trying to get laid,” the equine boy said, quickly clamping a paw over his muzzle, waiting for the inevitable tirade from his mother.

With a stone mask of an expression on her face his mother said, “I’m certain you could have chosen better wording for that comment, but the point is taken as you intended it.” Turning to her oldest child she added, “Shannon dear, go and check on dinner for me please,” before turning back to look her son in the eyes as the oldest of her children got up and started out of the room.

“Alright, given that I believe your sincerity in how you feel about each other I only have a few questions that I do want answers to. However this is not something that I feel your younger brother should be exposed to just yet.” Looking down to the youngest of her children as he sat in the floor only partially paying attention to the conversation she said, Brian honey, please go to your room while the adults talk more.”

Looking up at his mother the youngest member of the family was about to protest until he saw the serious look on her face. “Yes ma’am,” he replied dejectedly before he got up and left the room, the sound of his hooves on the stairs following in the silent room a moment later.

As his older sister returned, telling their mother that everything was fine in the kitchen, the older female sat back in the sofa and stared at her son intently.

“I want complete truth and honesty out of the both of you in the answers to the questions I am about to ask you. I also want silence from the rest of you and no comments of any kind, is that understood?” The group collectively nodded their understanding, the older male nodding as well despite the odd little grin that was spreading across his muzzle.

“Alright then. first off, have the two of you been… intimate with each other, and if so what is Hana’s mothers stance on that?” she asked point blank to the two teens across from
 her.

Swallowing hard and clearing his throat nervously Zeus spoke first. “Yes ma’am we have. We were safe about it and used protection as well. As far as what her mother’s stance is…” he said trailing off and nudging the puppy girl a little, “it may be better if you hear that from Hana.”

“My mom is fine with us having relations, under the rules that we are safe, use protection every time, no matter what, no ifs ands or butts.”  Hana said nodding and speaking calmly to the mother horse.  “Trust me….she’s not ready for grandkids yet….nor are Zeus and I ready for kids yet.”

“And there are no issues with the… differences in your relative sizes or anything? My son hasn’t hurt you in any way has he?” the mother equine asked looking from the puppy girl to her son sternly.

“No ma’am.”  Hana said with a little giggle.  “He is quite the gentle lover…..and well we made sure to take it slow and everything….cause mom kinda warned him that if he hurt me in any way that she would handle him.”  Hana said looking up to her lover.

“She would not be the only one to handle him,” the boys mother said with a stoney blank expression. “I will tell you both right now that I am not exactly pleased to hear that the two of you are engaging in sexual activity at your age…. which brings me to my next question. xactly how old are you Hana, I do not think for one moment that you and my son are in the same grade.”

“I’m…..I’m Twelve.”  Hana said not really looking the mother in the eyes.  “But…..it’s not like I just turned twelve…..I’m about to be thirteen, come the thirteenth of next month.”  she said finally catching eyes with the mother.

“Oh dear God,” the older female said as her paws went to her face covering her eyes for a few moments. As she pulled them away, locking gazes with her son she said, “are you out of your ever loving mind? You do realize that in Colorado the law would  look at your age difference and put you in jail for statutory rape correct?”

“Not quite,” Alexander said as he sat up in the chair he sat in. “First off our son turned seventeen two days after they met. Which, if I am correct was the day after they first engaged in sexual activity with each other.”

“But… they’re five years apart in age now Alexander,” the boys mother began to protest.

“Wait, there is more dear,” the older male replied calmly. “Secondly, their dalliance was with the full knowledge of and consent by a parent for each of them. Hana’s mother and I were fully aware that there was a possibility that they might… experiment with each other once they got to know each other a little better. To be honest dear, though the boy does not know this yet, it was her mother that insisted that they use condoms and provided them in advance to be given to the boy just in case we were correct in our assumptions.” Leaning back in the chair and folding his paws in his lap he continued after a brief pause to let what he had said already sink in a little. “Honestly dear, our son is a young man, and to think that he would not partake of the pleasures of the body of a willing, consenting young lady who was as hot for him as he was for her would be foolish don’t  you think?”

“But their ages…” the mare began to protest again.

“Were officially only four years apart in age at the time of first penetration and copulation. Legally they were with in the age limits then, as far as their continued exploration of the sexual side of their relationship… I am assuming you are still having sex with each other,” he asked as he looked to the teen couple, the pair simply nodding their assent to the question. “Then the fact that the age gap widens for a few weeks out of the year is at most a bit of a gray area and it would depend greatly on the mindset of any judge the case was brought before. The facts that they each had consent from at least one of their parents, were already sexually active with each other and consider themselves to be in a stable, committed relationship would come into play. I’m not saying he couldn’t end up in very deep trouble over this, he most assuredly could. But the first thing that would have to happen is that either myself or Mrs. Jin would have to file a report of rape.”

Turning to the young couple he asked, “exactly which one of you initiated the first encounter between you?”

Blushing a little as she spoke up, looking the mother in the eyes.  “That would have been me…..”  Hana said softly.

“As I suspected,” the older male horse said as his grin grew wider. “It would seem that our son was enticed into the young ladies bed… not the other way around. Do you intend to have her arrested and jailed because our son fell for a younger woman and couldn’t keep it in his pants?”

“Of course not,” the mother horse asid staring harshly at her husband. “My only concern is if others…”

“If others what? Report them? What if they do?” Alexander asked leaning back in his sat with a satisfied smirk on his lips. “that won’t be any kind of an issue, I do believe that shortly it will no longer be an issue in your mind as well…” he said trailing off and glancing to the ten couple. “Isn’t that right lovebirds?”

Glaring at her husband for a moment first, tabitha turned to the young couple opposite her. “As if you haven’t already dropped a grenade into the room there’s more?”

“Ummmm… well, yes there is but…” Zeus started, hesitating on whether to tell her now or wait. “How… how would you feel about a little vacation mom?” the equine boy asked trying to find a way to drop the other news on his mother as gently as possible.

“A what?” his mother asked frowning as she stared the younger equine down. “What on earth does that have to do with any of this?”

“Well… we ummmm, we’re kind of planning a little trip,” Zeus said glancing from his mother to his father and siblings, his eyes not resting on any of them for more that a moment. 

“A trip… I assume you mean during the holiday break,” his mother said scowling at the younger horse.

“Not exactly…” he replied trailing off as his mother seemed to become more agitated.

Rising to his hooves the older male spoke as he walked over and sat beside his mate. “Son, I think it’s time to rip the bandaid off. Your best bet is to just say what you need to and be done with it.” Patting his wife’s paw gently Alexander added, “just try to keep an open mind dear, it’s not nearly as bad as you may think… really.”

Zeus drew in several deep breaths, steeling himself for what was coming next. “Mom… we… Hana and I would like for you, dad, and the rest of the family to accompany us on a trip… to Japan… at the end of next week.”

WHAT?” the female equine screamed as her eyes bugged out. “Why on God’s earth would you even consider such a thing…”

Standing up, drawing his lover with him and wrapping her in his arms the palomino interrupted his mother’s words as he said, “we’re getting married.”

“YOU’RE DOING WHAT?” the horse matron screeched at her son. “HAVE YOU COMPLETELY LOST YOUR FUCKING MIND?”

“Ma’am.”  Hana spoke up.  “You don’t have to worry…...everything is paid for and handled…”

Glaring at the younger girl Tabitha said, “that is not the point. You are far too young for my son to be dating, let alone anything else.” Rubbing her temples with her paws she added, “just how in the name of God do you think you’re possibly going to get married?”

“Ma’am, I might be young in the body, but I assure you that I’m am mature enough to know the ramifications of this.”  She said pausing and taking a breath.  “And my mom is handling and helping with that.”

“Then tell me why the sudden rush to get mar….Oh dear GOD, she’s already pregnant isn’t she?” the woman asked, her fur seeming to go pale as the color drained from her a little.

“No ma’am.”  Hana said shaking her head.  “I’m not with child, it’s nothing like that…...the rush is more of my mother’s idea, it has to do with the time of the year that we will be in Japan, it’s when a lot of the festivals take place.”

Dropping her head into her paws the older female whimpered out, “where did I go wrong? How did I possibly raise a good boy into a pedophile…”

“Stop it Tabitha,” the older male said sternly. You did nothing wrong and our son is not a pedophile because his girlfriend is a bit younger than you would like.”

“She’s just a child Alexander…” she began to protest looking to her mate.

“Wait a minute…” Shannon chimed in, the rest of the family seemingly still stunned silent by the developments of the evening. “Dad is how much older than you are again? Nearly seven years?”

“That’s different… I was seventeen when we met and started dating…” her mother replied.

“And living in Alabama if I remember right,” Randy spoke up, an odd smirk on his lips. “According to the state laws back then… he was guilty of statutory rape of a minor and should have been put in jail for it.”

“I...I… how can this be even remotely legal anywhere? If the authorities catch wind of the fact that they have been having sex…” Tabitha said, her face still in her paws as she spoke.

“Aren’t you the one that keeps telling all of us that you can’t choose who you fall in love with mother?” Shannon said scowling at her mother. “Jesus Christ, I didn’t get this much shit from you when I brought Jennifer home and announced I was a lesbian.”

“Neither did I before the surgeries,” Randy said shaking his head as he watched his mother’s reaction. “Hell mom, I was expecting a ton of crap when I came out and wanted to be the gender I am instead of how I was born.”
 
“I thought that my family was diverse.”  Hana said cocking her eyebrow a little.  “You know Ms. Tabitha…...I think Zeus and I will fit right into his little clan.”

Looking up to her husband the mare said, “I… I don’t know if I can support this Alexander. He is too young to be making this big of a step, and she… she is just a child. How can you possibly not be as upset about this as I am?”

“Because I realise a few things that I think you are not,” the older stallion said rubbing his mates back slowly. “Honey, in a matter of just a few weeks our oldest son has changed by a great deal. His attitude in general, even more so his attitude towards females is far different than it was. His behavior is changed, his outlook on life is changed, so many things about him are now what you and I have wished for so many nights when we discuss our children and their futures. Two of our children came to us, and we accepted them as they are and did all we could to help them to be the happy, well rounded furs they are becoming. Is it really all that different with Zeus just because he has fallen in love with a younger female?” 

“But she’s not even a teen yet,” the woman said again, “why is that not a concern to you?”

“Because if I had met and fallen for you at his age you would have been ten years old Tabby, I can’t sit here and honestly say that it would have made any difference to me then. At the time that I agreed to their being together I was unaware that she was so young myself… and it does cause me a bit of concern dear. But if they are happy, truely in love with each other, how can I possibly stand in the way of that?”

“We are dad,” the equine boy chimed in at last. “I love Hana, and she’s more than willing to be a part of my life. Not just now but the life I have planned for the future. She and her mother have been to the cabin, she has seen what she’s in for being my mate and is willing to be a part of that.”

“Yes.”  Hana said smiling as she looked up to her lover.  “I know that the life that he and I are going to have as mates isn’t going to be an easy one, that it’s going to be full of work and trials…...but still.  I love him and I want nothing more than to be a part of his life.”  The little puppy said turning and facing the mother.  “So…...may we, knowing that we love one another and want nothing but the best for the other, have your blessing?”

“You are both completely certain this is what you want? You understand that this is a lifelong commitment to each other and something that I take very seriously? You understand that IF I agree to let you do this and things go badly between you later on there could be very dire consequences for both of you?” the mother equine asked looking at the young couple in disbelief. “Can you both sit there, look me straight in the eyes and swear to me that you are sure of this?”

“Yes ma’am I can,” Zeus said flatly. “As crazy as it must sound… I don’t have a single doubt in my mind or my heart that I want to be Hana’s mate, and for her to be mine.” Turning briefly and kissing his lover softly on the lips he added, “I know she’s the other half of me, the part that has been missing. The part that completes me and makes me whole. I want to be a better man for her… and in time for our children.”

“It’s just like he said.  He is the other half of me.  Just being around him makes me feel like the happiest woman in the world.”  She said pausing for a moment, looking the mother in the eyes.  “I wouldn’t dare dream of not being with him….and you have done an amazing job raising such an honorable man.”

“You’ve always done whatever it took to make sure we were happy mom,”Randy said looking at his mother seriously. “Let’s face it… compared to what you’ve been through with Shannon and I, this is a drop in the bucket. I think he’s nuts myself, but give him credit for at least finding a cute girl that makes him happy. He could have done a lot worse for sure with the ass he’s been. Yea she’s a little young, but she’s not a hooker or drug dealer or anything like that.”

Turning and looking at her son oddly Tabitha said, “of all the… that’s what you come up with trying to help convince me on this?”

Looking to his mother a little sheepishly the horse boy replied, “yea… it kind of sounded better in my head.”

“Ummm… mom…” Jamie said quietly as she looked at her brother and the puppy girl beside him. “I usually think Zeus is an idiot… but this time I think he really is serious. I mean.. they look like they really love each other, and for once he hasn’t backed down an inch about what he wants. Dad already said he agrees with it and is going to let them do this, so he doesn’t even need your consent. But he… it seems like you being okay with it is important to him so…. can he? I mean, will you give them your blessing and let him be happy with his little puppy girl?”

“I…” the matriarch began, sighing and shaking her head a little. “I guess I have to, after all I have always said the most important thing to me is that my children are happy.” She paused for several long, silent moments, her gaze shifting from one of the teens to the other several times before she continued. “Alright… you have my blessing for you and Hana to be wed,” she finally said looking to her son. “I still think you are both foolish, but I expect you both to prove me wrong. I only ask that you wait until she is older before you even consider making me a grandmother.” As she rose from the sofa she added, “and I swear to God, if you ever hurt that pretty girl.. I will hurt you in ways you can not even imagine.”

“Come on Shawn,” Shannon said as she got up from hr seat, “let’s go get the table set for dinner. Jamie, got tell Brian it’s safe to come back down now… I think,” she added as she glanced to her mother, the older female simply nodding a little. “Randy… don’t be a dick for once. This is all about Zeus and Hana, don’t muck it up with stupid.”

“Yea, yea, yea,” the younger equine said getting to his hooves and heading out of the room. Stopping briefly at the doorway he half turned, looked at the young couple still cuddled together on the loveseat and in a slightly quieter tone said, “hmmmph, ya know if they have a boy… it could be the first generation of equines with a knot.”

“Well it looks like that’s out of the way.”  Hana said with a happy sigh.  “Come on I’m hungry…..and I get to break the way we’re getting there to her.”  Hana said smiling up to the horse.

“Probably better you than me,” Zeus said softly as he got up and offered his paw to his lover. “I think she already has enough of a reason to slap my pelt off as it is.”

After breaking the news of their impending nuptials to his family Zeus was surprised at how well the family dinner was going. They ate mostly in silence at first, but as a little time passed the group had fallen into their usual light chat and playful banter between siblings. As the table went a little quiet again the youngest found an opportunity to try to get more information out of his favorite brother about what was going on.

“So, ummm Zeus and Hana are getting married? Does that mean she’s gonna steal him away and I’ll never see him again or something?” the smaller horse boy asked looking over to the puppy girl and cocking his head to the side.

“Not really sweetie.”  Hana said smiling softly.  “He might not be around as much, but I will make sure that he comes and visits his cute little brother.”  

‘Ohhh… okay I can handle that…” He said trailing off a moment before a huge grin spread across his muzzle  “Oh yea, I call dibs on his room.”

“Damn it,” Jamie said shaking her head slowly, I forgot all about that.”

“Tough, I called it and now it’s mine…” turning to his older brother Randy he added, “nyaaaa, now I don’t have to watch you get all prissy and weird in the mornings.”

“Button it squirt, or I’ll hang you out the window…” the older boy said grinning at his younger sibling.

“Once we get back and I get the rest of my stuff out of it, it’s all yours short stack,” Zeus said snickering at his youngest brother.

“Yea… I don’t think anyone asked about the trip thing,”Randy said leaning back in his chair and folding his arms over his chest. “All you said was a trip to Japan, and that we were going soon. So I guess were flying over and won’t be gone long right?”

“Not in a million years,” Tabitha said sternly. “You will have to make this trip without me. I am not getting on any damn plane. Just make sure someone takes a bunch of pictures or I will slap the lot of you “

“Why don’t you want to get on a plane?”  Hana asked, cocking her head to the side a little looking over to the mother.

Setting her fork down beside her plate the older female leaned back and looked at the puppy girl, taking a moment before she began to speak. “When I was seven… my family sent me to visit my grandmother on my mothers side in California from our home in Vermont. I had made the trip alone before, one of the flight attendants making sure I was delivered to her safely when we landed. The flight went as it always had, nothing special happening or anything. Until we were about to land… then something went wrong with the plane. We crashed just short of the runway and the plane caught fire. One of the flight attendants got me out quickly and I wasn’t hurt very badly.. but ever since the I just can’t even get close to the airport, let alone make myself get onto an airplane.”

“Well you know…..it’s a good thing that we won’t be taking a plane then.”  Hana said as if it was nothing, glancing over to her mate, smiling a little.  “Do you get sea sick?”

“No… at least I don’t think so. I think the biggest ship I’ve ever been on was the ferry back home when I was a child. Why?” the mother horse asked looking at the puppy girl strangely.

“Cause we are going by boat.”  Hana said smiling up to her.  “If anyone does get sea sick, the dramamine is on me.”

“By boat… from here to Japan…” Alexander said as his paw and the forkful of food slowly descended to the table. “That’s quite a long trip Ms. Hana.. Just exactly how long are you two planning for this little trip to be? I’m not sure if I can take the rest of the children out of school for an extended time easily.”

“Online classes and all…..that and mom will be there to help teach too.”  Hana said smiling, “and as for how long…...a month or so.”

*Sputter, cough, cough gasp* 

The rest of the family turned to look at the source of the sounds, Randy slapping the table lightly as he tried to catch his breath. After a few moments to collect himself he croaked out. “A month of vacation from school” I can so do the whole homework online thing and still have a lot of free time.”

“Yup.”  Hana said smiling.  “And we leave at the end of the week, everything is paid and all”

“The end of the week?” Tabitha said wide eyed. “Your mother seems to have assumed quite a lot Hana. I could have just as easily refused to allow this to happen.”

“Which would have been pointless and a complete waste of time dear,” Alexander said staring at the young couple as he spoke. “That is not a lot of time to arrange things on our end Hana, though I think we can pull it off in time.”

“I know I can,” Shannon said leaning back and smiling. “I don’t even care if Peter doesn’t like it when I tell him I need the time off for my younger brother’s wedding. He can fire me for all I care, I’ll find another job when we get back, I’ve been thinking of changing jobs anyway. The music store is boring as heck and I’m getting a bit old to put up with stupid teeny bopper girls giggling like idiots anyway.”

“A month off from school… totally worth it for a trip like this,” Jamie said smiling happily.

Looking up at the puppy girl next to him Brian asked, “Ummm… do I have to wear one of those dress things I’ve seen in the movies Hana?”

“Well for the wedding you would.”  Hana said smiling.  “And it’s called a kimono, and I just bet that you would look so handsome in one.”  

“Then I assume you are planning a traditional native wedding Hana?” the older woman asked as she went back to eating her dinner. “I may have to look that up before we leave unless you can give us a short version of what to expect.”

“Well, it’s a mix of the traditional and western.”  Hana said smiling.  “We will be dressing tradition, and going through most of the traditional rights, but it is going to be at a more modern shrin.  The kimonos and everything will be provided.”

“I would say that the house will seem odd without Zeus around as much, but I assume since you’re taking this step that you both are already moved into the cabin. Should I also assume that the mother-in-law residence is in use now ?”

“Yes ma’am,” Zeus responded between bites. “I knew you would never move in there so it only made sense to offer it to my soon to be mother-in-law. Honestly she seems to really like being in the middle of nowhere up there and left alone.”

“Yes, she loves the peace and quiet…...oh and sweetie…..I think that she wants you to help her with building an altar.”  Hana said smiling.  “So…..I hope you lot don’t mind the drive from here to North Carolina…..”

“Road trip… heck yea,” Randy said smiling broadly. “This trip just keeps getting better all the time. “So many hours to veg out and listen to my Ipod.”

“Not this time,” his father spoke up with a little giggle. “This time you get to help your sister drive. You and Shannon, Shaun and Jamie and mom and I will take our car. We’ll swap out on who gets Brian so he doesn’t get so bored along the way. I would imagine you’ll be taking your car for the three of you Zeus?”

“Oh yea, that way none of the vehicles is crowded and it’ll be an easier trip on all of us. I’ll email you the route and stops I’ve got set up so you can make your reservations. I figure we’ll drive about eight or nine hours a day and stop over so no one gets tired out. According to the itinerary mama Chou showed me for the trip we have plenty of time so why push ourselves when we don’t have to?”

“Good point, and with plenty of rest stops along the way your mother can have some time to relax and get more comfortable with everything. So it sounds like you two and Hana’s mother have everything well in paw, we’re just going along for a vacation and a wedding,” the older male said smiling at his son mischievously. “Maybe you should send me your room assignments also, so I can make sure to be far enough away that I can get some sleep,” he said snickering as his son rolled his eyes.

“Oh see…...now I think that you're going to end up on the same floor as us…...right next door….”  Hana said with a little snicker.  “Good news, they make good ear plugs back home.”

“Sometimes I don’t know what I would do with you people if I weren't related to you,” Tabitha said smiling a little. “I still have concerns over the age thing Zeus, and I won’t try to hide that fact. But your young lady does seem to fit into this bunch rather nicely.” Looking the puppy girl in the eyes she said, “I guess congratulations are in order, and welcome to the family Hana. We’re a little crazy, but I think you’ll like us once you get to know us a little better.” Setting back in her chair, her dinner finished she added, “I am looking forward to meeting your mother though, she sounds like an interesting woman.”

“Well I’m sure that you will love her, she is a little…..strange too.”  Hana said smiling.  “I’m sure I can get a lunch or some tea time set up for you two.”  Hana said pausing for a moment.  “Oh….how does everyone here like tea?....and rice?”

“Mweh, they’re okay I guess,” Randy said shrugging, the rest og\f the siblings nodding in agreement.

“She’s not talking about american iced tea or sweet tea,” their father chimed in. “She speaks of hot tea, it’s a common and traditional beverage in Japan. As far as the rice goes.. you are all in for a few surprises of the things that can be done with a simple ingredient. Japanese cuisine is rife with dishes that contain rice. I’m certain that if need be we can get you all more western food, but I would like for you all to at least try to enjoy the local fare. I think you’ll find a few things that you like.” 

“Yes…...it’s a rule that you try sushi at least once.”  Hana said smiling and snickering a little.  “And with or without wasabi…..it’s up to you….and Ms. Tabitha, do you like sweets?”

“Do canines like knots?” Shannon said snickering. “Put a cake or pie in front of our mother and you’re lucky if you get to lick the pan.”

“Oh it’s not that bad,” her mother protested only half heartedly. “Yes Hana, I do. Is there something in particular I should try?”

“Dark chocolate cheesecake white tea……”  Hana said smiling and snickering a little.

“That sounds delightful… I’ll have to be sure to remember that,” the mother horse said smiling at her soon to be daughter-in law.  “Well, if er\everyone is finished, why don’t we return to the family room while Shaun and Randy take care of their chore for the evening,” she said rising and walking around to the young couple across from her. Holding out a paw to the young puppy girl she said, “come Hana, I think since I’m getting a little more used to the idea of me and my son being mates… maybe we should have a little girl to girl chat.”

“Oh….ok.”  Hana said, suddenly just a little nervous.  Lead the way.”  She said smiling as she got up and started following the mother back to the family room.  “What kind of girl to girl chat?”

“Well, since you’re going to be my daughter-in-law soon, I would like to know more about you and your family. We’ll go and take over the far end of the room so we can speak privately and the rest of this bunch can busy themselves and leave us to chat. I would like to know more about the young lady that managed to rope and brand my son so easily.” 

As their mother and the younger girl left the room Randy leaned across the table, smiling broadly at his younger brother. “So studly… tell me something,” the older equine boy said, their father slowing his steps as he walked towards the doorway.  “You and pup cakes… have any trouble getting it in her or what?”

“First off Randy… you’re a dick,” Zeus said frowning at his sibling. “But thanks for at least not embarrassing her with a question like that. Secondly, none ya damn business perv. What she and I do behind closed doors is not something I will not discuss with you or anyone else.”

As his middle son left the room, walking past him the older male turned and looking at Randy said, “a true gentleman does not kiss and tell, or anything else and tell boy. You could learn a thing or two about that, might save your muzzle from getting slapped off.”

“Well…..I used Taidō to pin him…..and well there was a bet in place and I won…..so he became my samurai…..and as we were together I started seeing more of the man that was hidden in him….and it started coming out more and more…...Like I said you raised a fine man.”

“So he did in fact try to use a bet to have his way with you…” the mother horse said shaking her head slowly. “I raised him better than that Hana, I am glad though that you were able to see past that and see the young man he can be. Between you and I… I have to admit that the change in him is quite striking.This is the first time I have seen him so sure of himself and confident in his decisions. I think you are good for him,” Tabitha said sitting across the small seating area from the raccoon dog girl.” After a short, silent pause the older female leaned in closer before speaking again. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way Hana, but as his mother… and considering your species and all… “ she said trailing off, choosing her words carefully. “I feel confidant that you were both virgins your first time together and I wonder… did he treat you as a gentleman should?”

Giggling a little bit at the mother Hana spoke up.  “No, the bet on his end was that I would go out on a date with him.”  She said smiling a little.  “And yes…..he treated me well that first time…..well he has every time that we have….but he made sure not to move or do anything unless I was well and ready for him to do so…..he is a gentle giant.”

“All things considered, with the differences in your sizes and all have you or your mother given any thought to birth control other than condoms? I have no doubt you’re both being safe but under the circumstances there are other dangers with that form of contraception,’” Tabitha said reaching out and patting the dog girls knee in a motherly fashion.

Smiling and nodding.  “We have already thought about that.  I went yesterday….started on them today…..so we will be good in a day or two for sure.”  Hana said smiling and snickering a little.  “My mom had the same thought that you had….that and it was brought up in the sex ed class.”

“Good,” the mother horse said leaning back in her seat again. “I’m glad to hear that your mother is so involved in the relationship between you and my son. Beyond my concerns about your age and all that Hana, you are too young to be a mother yet. The two of you should also have time for just the two of you also. So that you can be certain you both want children and all that. I love my children, and I wouldn’t trade being a mother for anything. But a couple as young as you two need to get settled and get to know each other far more than you do now before that becomes a concern.

“That’s something that you don’t have to worry about for a good long time.”  Hana said smiling and snickering a little bit.  “I do want to be a mom some day, but that day is not for some time, Zeus and I both have a lot left to do before we get started on the family……..I want them to have the best house to come into when we do have a family…..”