Chapter 42

Closing Time

Bruno stood by the front door, to ensure no surprises, while Kel and Lupé were wiping down tables. Mike and I had just finished counting down the till. I ran the tape and satchel up to Max.

"So, Rick, A good night?" Max asked with a smile on his muzzle.

"Are you _kidding?_The tape tallies $25,860. And that's _after_the count down. So, I'd have to say yeah, a good night." I grinned at the Badger, handing him the evening's receipts.

"Excellent--definitely what I'd call a good night, then. So, what do you think of the new girl Lupé?"

"I think she's working out _quite_well actually." I said. "I suppose Mike has given you the 4-1-1?"

"Eh, on Cassandra?" I nodded with a grin. "Yup, she's been sprung, and is home_convalescing?_" Max asked warily.

"Hardly...couldn't you tell by the way he was _walking_when he got here?" I just shook my head.

"Ah, to be young and in love." Max chuckled. "Any idea when the Doc will release her for work?"

"Not yet, we'll probably hear something by Thursday--you _do_know she's under construction?" I asked my boss.

"Yes, Mike mentioned that. Well, I guess _they_didn't waste any time, eh? By the way, will you all be there on Monday?"

"Oh yeah, Kel's maid of honor, Gwen's matron of honor and I'm his best fur. And I hear you are walking Cassy down the aisle." I grinned at the old badger.

"Don't you _know_it! With no daughters of my own, this is something I thought I'd have to wait on until my boys got hitched--which isn't looking like it'll happen anytime soon." Max sighed.

"How's Kath taking the news?" I asked, my paw on the door.

"Kath? She just blubbered the way femmes do with these things, i_nsisted_on providing the bride's bouquet and buttoner..._females!"_he sighed.

"Okay Max, then I'll see you Monday then, round noon-ish?" Max nodded as he waved me a good evening. Returning to the bar, I found Mike, Kel and Lupé sitting at one of the tables having a lively discussion.

"Okay, looks like we are done for the week!" I gladly announced. "So Kel, you about ready to mosey on down the road?" She nodded somewhat tuckered.

"Oh_yeah_, it's been a _hell_of a night."

"Mike, see you tomorrow, or later on today--being Sunday morning and all.."

"Oh you know it, my friend."

"Lupé, you going to be okay getting home?" I asked the lovely tan mouse.

"Oh yhes," She nodded. "Me amigo, Bruno ees taking me home, I Be safe." She beamed at the large ursine bouncer, who just gave her a thumbs-up.

"All part of 'da service." he said, grinning at the table of furs. Lupé giggled, blushing at all the attention. Bidding the others a good night, Kel and I headed out for the car.

"Thanks for the help Rick, I don't know how I'd have made it through tonight without this..." Kel fished in her bra for the stone disk as she buckled herself in.

"Kel," I grinned. "Hey, don't worry about it, I'm just glad it helped. Tell you what, just _keep_it, okay?" I said just watching Kel with her paw down her top. "How's the fishing in there?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Huh?" Kel asked, not comprehending. I wagged my eyebrows grinning at her.

"Rick!"_she blushed, "Oh _nevermind, what can I say--it's been a hell of a night," she said, removing her paw from her halter-top and drooping her muzzle, chuckling. "Let's just go home."

"M-yes, Madam," I said in my best British chauffeur's voice as I exited the parking lot heading for home.

"Hi Hon, we're home!" Kel and I called out together.

"Hel-lo, in the kit-chen." Gwen called back. "Hey loves, how was work?"

Kel crumpled into a chair. "Exhausting," the vixen sighed.

"It was _packed_tonight, a thrash-metal B-O-T-B." I agreed, as Gwen moved to massage Kel's shoulders, "My god, Kel..." The vixen nodded. "All right you, out of those clothes and into the hot tub." she ordered.

"Yes Ma'am..." Kel sighed as I went to prep the facilities.

Ten minutes later, we were all relaxing in the soothing waters. "Now I know why I got this thing in the first place." I sighed, letting go of the evening's tensions.

"You mean it's not just to make wench soup?" Kel giggled. I glanced over at the reclining Vixen, and winked.

"Well, that too." I grinned at the girls, who just nodded in agreement. As Gwen was working on Kel's poor overstressed muscles, she opened her eyes in shock, reaching under her right breast and retrieving the three inch wide hematite disk She ended up grinning sheepishly.

"_There_you are! I was _wondering_where that got to!" Kel giggled.

As the stresses and tensions of the raucous evening oozed out of her under Gwen's masterful touch, they were replaced by warm relaxation. By the time Gwen was finished with her, the girl was trilling softly, eyes glazed. After a light meal we retired to the master bedroom, and slept the sleep of contented lovers. Kel slept surrounded by the companionship she craved so much, beyond love and friendship.

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