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Thanksgiving

November 1994

Warren Becker's ears swiveled at the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. The elderly coyote rose to his feet and called out, “Anna! I think they're here!"

“Answer the door, will you? I'm busy with the ham," came the reply from the kitchen.

Warren opened the front door. He couldn't see the visitors approaching, but he could hear the clicking of toeclaws from multiple pairs of canine feet coming up the sidewalk. He recognized the voice that hailed him.

“Hey, Dad! How you doing?"

“Terry, there you are." Warren spread his arms to embrace the first of his sons. His nose quickly alerted him to the presence of a female wolf. “And Olivia! It's so nice to see you again." Warren accepted a kiss on his cheek from his daughter-in-law. “Marina," he called out next, “come give your grandpa a hug." The old coyote detected the scent of a feline among the pack of relatives and turned his head in that direction. Warren released his granddaughter and held out his arms invitingly. “And this must be Beth. I'm glad to see that you could come along. Come over here, I don't bite and I haven't chased a cat in years."

The young ocelot timidly accepted the canine's welcome, then followed her girlfriend into the house. She nudged Marina and whispered, “I never realized how tall your grandpa is."

At that moment, Anna appeared in the living room to repeat the ritual of welcoming her family back home.

After a quick hello and kiss for his mother, Terry returned to the door where his father remained standing. “Hey, Dad, can you give me a hand with the suitcases?"

“That's why I'm here," said the elder coyote. “Lead on." As the two males stepped outside, Warren asked, “Where's your brother? I only heard one car."

“He should be here any minute," Terry replied, “David had to get an infant seat to go with their rental car. They didn't know how long that was going to take, so Tracy told us to go on ahead." Terry popped open the Bonneville's trunk. “Here, I'll let you take my pack and Beth's case."

Warren hefted his son's knapsack. “You still travel light," he observed.

“Just like a Becker," Terry laughed as he handed over the small travel bag that Beth brought along. The younger coyote let out a grunt as he hoisted the suitcase belonging to his spouse. Terry set the bag on the driveway at their feet. “You can tell Olivia wasn't born into our family and…" Terry reached into the trunk and grunted once more as he pulled out the final case, “Marina takes after her mom."

“I can take one of those," Warren informed his son as he slung the knapsack over his shoulder. “My eyes aren't worth a damn, but I'm as strong as ever." He bent down and gave his daughter-in-law's case an experimental lift. “Woof! On second thought, I'll let you carry that. It's better if you balance out your load in both hands. I'll get the door."

Terry chuckled and followed his sire back to the house.

*

“Turn left here," said Tracy, “then make the third right and the house is at the end of the cul-de-sac."

“Left. Third right. Got it," said David. The dog negotiated the first of the turns then glanced over at the coyote in the passenger seat. “I'm sure glad you're here to navigate."

Tracy barked out a laugh. “How is it that you are able to navigate in the sky with no landmarks, but can't manage it on the road?"

“Daddy!" Jessica protested from the seat behind her father.

“It's okay Jess," said David, “your dad is only telling the truth. My sense of direction on land doesn't compare with his."

“Well, I grew up in a car," said Tracy. “It's in my blood. How's the little one doing back there? Still asleep?"

Jessica glanced over at the 10-month-old pup strapped in beside her. “He woke up a minute ago, but Grandma is keeping him entertained."

Lucy, sitting in the minivan's third row, made a face at her grandpup and said, “Your Grandma is just the funniest in the world, isn't she, Roy?"

“He doesn't know half of it yet," opined Tracy. He pointed through the windshield toward their destination. “There it is. The yellow house."

*

Tracy patiently waited as his mother greeted the rest of the family in turn before finally stepping up to claim a hug of his own.

“There you are!" exclaimed Anna as she gathered her son into a warm embrace. “I hope you didn't think I was ignoring you."

“Nah," said Tracy. “It's like I always tell Terry: You saved the best for last."

“I heard that, Little Brother," called Terry over the din of conversation.

“It was true 47 years ago," laughed Tracy, “and it's still true today. Admit it."

“Never," said Terry, who turned back to his chat with David but kept one ear pointed at his mother and sibling.

“So, Mom," said Tracy, “I'm going to start carrying in suitcases. Where is everybody sleeping?"

“I've got Marina and Beth on the sofa sleeper downstairs," Anna replied. “Terry and Olivia are in the guest room. David, Jessica, and the baby will get the big bedroom. Are you and Lucy okay with an air mattress on the sewing room floor?"

“I'm sure Lucy won't mind." Tracy pulled up a mental floor plan of his parents' house. He tilted his head to the side and asked, “So where are you and Dad going to sleep? The living room?"

“Your father put the old tent out in the back yard."

“Really?"

“Really." Anna smiled from ear to ear. “Just like old times. You should have seen how happy it made him to set that up."

Tracy chuckled at the thought, “I bet." Then an old memory surfaced. “Just watch out for wild bear attacks," he said with a grin.

*

With the arrival of the contingent from Chicago, Anna and Warren's modest ranch style house was nearly filled to capacity with coyotes, wolves, and German Shepherds. They hadn't all assembled together since Jessica and David were married a little more than two years before. Naturally, everybody wanted to fuss over the baby.

Prior to this trip, Beth had met only Marina's parents. The young ocelot was feeling a little overwhelmed by this large pack of canines. All of them had an advantage: they knew each other and were busy getting reacquainted. There was a lot of paw shaking, back slapping, laughing, and reminiscing. Beth retreated to an out-of-the-way corner of the living room. In time, she slipped out onto the back patio. The weather in Flagstaff was chilly, but at least it was quiet out here.

“There you are," said Marina as she stepped out through the sliding glass door. “I was looking for you."

Beth smiled, “I just needed a little air."

“Smelling too doggy in there?" Marina asked.

“You know that's not it," said the feline. “I happen to like the way you smell."

“You like the way I smell when I'm hot for you," smiled the coywolf. “But I know it's a little thick in there."

Beth giggled. “I thought it was just your grandma's cooking."

“Speaking of which, they're getting ready to sit down for dinner," said Marina. She held out a hand. “Come on, I saved you a seat between me and Jessica."

Beth took her girlfriend's paw. “Great," she said, “I like your cousin."

The girls returned to the house and entered the dining room in time to hear the G-Shep from Wales say, “Ham? I thought only turkeys were permitted on Thanksgiving Day in America."

“He's putting you on, Grandma," Jessica interjected. “Dai has lived here long enough to know that there's no such rule."

“Well, David," said Anna, “I usually make a turkey but with so many people to feed, I thought the ham would give us a lot more meat."

“And you know it's all about the meat." Warren nudged his wife as she took the seat beside him.

“You be good now, Warren!" Anna admonished her husband. Then she leaned over to whisper in his ear, “And yes, it's all about the meat!" With that, Anna reached under the tablecloth and playfully squeezed his crotch, making the Becker patriarch jump in his seat.

Even with the dining room table extended to its full length and supplemented with a folding card table at one end, the ten adults were packed elbow-to-elbow. There was much good-natured jostling and laughing as dishes were passed around. When the food was all served, Warren grew serious enough to offer a brief blessing.

During the meal, little Roy occupied a high chair just behind and between Jessica and Beth. The pup seemed to take a special shine to the lone cat in the room. Beth was delighted to help tend to the toddler while the boy made a thorough mess of the ham, mashed potatoes and steamed carrots placed in front of him. Beth found it easy to talk with Jessica who was only three years her elder. The ocelot was deeply interested in Jessica's tales of growing up in a house with only her mother and grandfather. Beth herself was the fifth in a sizable family that included six cubs.

“It's too bad your grandpa Williams couldn't come too," Beth told her new friend, “I hope I can meet him one day."

“You and Marina will just have to come to Chicago sometime," said Jessica. “Our place isn't very big, but Dai and I would love to have you visit." At that, the pup babbled out a long string of incomprehensible syllables, punctuated by a squeal of laughter. “And it looks like Roy agrees."

“Who's taking care of your grandpa while your mom is here?" asked Beth.

“One of the neighbors will be looking in on him. Bernard has been living next door since I was a little girl. He's a good friend and never gets tired of listening to Grandpa's stories." Jessica laughed, “That is probably the most important qualification for the job."

“Bernard sounds like a saint," Beth deadpanned.

“A Sheepdog, actually," Jessica laughed.

*

After the meal, the table was cleared and dishes were washed. Pie was served to those who had enough room and coffee was brewed for those who wanted some. The clan moved once again into the spacious living room where Anna coerced Warren into lighting a fire in the fireplace.

Roy tottered around, holding onto Beth's finger and occasionally bumping into the legs of the grownups with squeals of laughter. At last he grew tired and Beth took a seat on the floor in her familiar corner so the pup could climb into her lap and amuse himself by playing with the feline's tail.

*

It was starting to get late. The desserts were all consumed and the plates they were served on had been washed. Conversation began to wane and more than a few of the well-fed family members started to yawn.

Anna stood and asked for everybody's attention. “Before we head off to bed," she began, “I want all of you to know how much this means to Warren and me. We are both so very thankful that you are here to spend this holiday with us. We've known some of you all your lives." Anna was standing next to Tracy and reached over to ruffle her son's head fur.

“Hey, what about me?" Terry protested.

“One moment!" said David, who walked swiftly across the room on his long legs and briskly rubbed Terry's head to a chorus of laughs.

“You were saying, Anna?" prompted Warren.

“Yes," continued Anna, “as I was saying, some of you are 'relative' newcomers to the family." This time there were groans from the audience. “But we love you just the same. Now then, our family has a bedtime tradition that goes all the way back to when the twins were little…"

“Yes!" exclaimed Tracy, pumping a fist into the air.

“You're on the bottom, Little Brother," said Terry. Lucy burst out laughing and suddenly Terry realized why. Terry quickly backpedaled, “That's not what I meant!" he stated with obvious embarrassment. There was more laughter.

Anna loudly cleared her throat. “A-hem! Now, we haven't done this in a long time, but I think most of you will know what I mean when I say…" She paused to let the anticipation build before giving the command: “Dogpile!"

Immediately, Warren and his sons threw themselves onto the floor calling, “Dogpile! Dogpile!" Lucy flung herself atop the males and was quickly joined by Jessica, squealing and giggling, “Dogpile! Dogpile!" Olivia was next, followed by David. Marina and finally Anna joined the mass of canine bodies sprawled in front of the fireplace.

Beth, stared open-mouthed at the spectacle playing out in front of her. Roy crawled out of the feline's lap, tottered over to the mound of furry bodies and plopped himself down on the top, shrieking with childish delight.

Terry squirmed out from the bottom of the pile and approached Beth with mischief in his eyes.

“Oh, no, no, no!" protested the cat.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes!" insisted the coyote. He picked up his daughter's girlfriend and gently deposited her in the middle of the sea of canines where she was quickly assimilated into the pack.

Giggles and cries of, “Dogpile! Dogpile!" were soon replaced by yawns and snuggles as the combined warmth of eleven furry bodies worked its magic. Eventually, good-night kisses and wishes were exchanged and everybody made their way to their assigned sleeping quarters.

*

Olivia shut off the bedside lamp and slipped under the covers to join her husband. “That was very sweet, the way you brought Beth over to join the dogpile," she said. “I know you don't exactly approve of her and Marina."

Terry gathered his beautiful wolf into his arms. Her pale yellow eyes reflected the dim moonlight shining through the bedroom window. “Yeah, well, I was thinking about something Dad said to me when I first learned that Tracy was gay. Being here with them reminded me of that."

“What did he say?"

The coyote sighed at the memory. “He said something about hoping that Tracy and me would give him grandpups. Then he admitted that wanting grandpups was just him being selfish. He told me that what parents really want is for their pups to be happy and healthy."

“Uh-huh. So is that what you want?"

“Yeah, I know that I can't change what Marina is any more than I could ever change Tracy. You're right, I have had a hard time accepting it," Terry confessed. “And Dad was right too. What I want deep down is for our daughter to be happy. Beth does that for her. So I guess that is something to be thankful for today."

Olivia smiled at her husband. “Do you want to know what I'm thankful for?" she asked. Olivia didn't wait for an answer. She rolled Terry onto his back and straddled his hips. Neither of them were wearing pajamas and the wolfess rubbed the warmth of her vulva along the length of her coyote's sheath. “I'm thankful for the sweetest and sexiest male in the world."

*

Marina and Beth lay on their sides facing each other as they reviewed the events of the day. The thin mattress of the fold-out sofa bed sagged uncomfortably beneath them, even worse than the mattresses of their college dormitory. Beth looked over Marina's shoulder, staring at the morphing globs of fluid in the ancient lava lamp that provided a soft glow to the family room.

“You know, your grandpa really amazes me," said the ocelot.

“How so?"

Beth elaborated, “I mean, it's just everything he does. If I didn't know he was blind, it would be hard to tell. Like how he greeted us all at the door and knew who was there and where we were all standing."

Marina smiled. “Well, I think he still has a tiny bit of peripheral vision. But having a canine sense of smell helps a lot too. Hey, what did you think of the dogpile?"

“That was kind of cool," Beth admitted. “Intimidating at first. My family doesn't do anything like that. Your grandma said it started when your dad was little. Do you know the story behind that?"

“It actually goes all the way back to when my dad and Uncle Tracy were born. They…" The coywolf paused, her ears twitching.

“They what?"

“Shhh. Listen."

Beth strained to hear. There it was: a rhythmic, creaking sound coming through the ceiling right over their heads. “Oh, my God!" she gasped with realization. “Whose room is above us?"

Marina lowered her voice. “Well, we know it can't be Uncle Tracy and Aunt Lucy. Grandma and Grandpa are outside in the tent. Is it David and Jessie?"

Beth tried to recall the arrangement of the rooms in this unfamiliar house. “No, I don't think so. Oh, my GOD!"

Marina had come to the same conclusion. “My mom and dad! Beth, this is too weird!"

Both girls stopped talking and stared up at the ceiling. For several minutes there was only the sound of bedsprings transmitted through the hardwood floor of the room above them.

Beth cleared her throat and said, “You know, I'm starting to think this is kind of hot."

Marina looked her companion in the eyes. “Are you serious?" she asked.

“It's so naughty, them doing it with the whole family in the house." The feline giggled and slipped a paw inside her girlfriend's pajama top, searching out a nipple with her fingers. “Come on, Marina, let's be naughty too…"

*

Lying in the large master bed between his mother and father, ten-month-old Llewelyn Roy let out a tiny, satisfied sigh and smacked his lips.

“Your son is asleep," Jessica announced. She stroked the soft puppy fur between the little boy's ears.

“Did he save any for me?" David asked with a waggle of his eyebrows. The larger male didn't wait for a reply. He leaned across the sleeping form of his son and applied the tip of his tongue to one of his wife's exposed breasts.

“Oh, you!" Jessie's protest was short-lived, turning into a soft moan, “Oh, mmmm…" She placed a hand on the back of David's head. “At least you don't bite me when you do that." She felt a paw stroke the inside of her thigh. “Dai!"

“What?" asked her handsome male with exaggerated innocence.

“He's right here in the bed with us."

“You just said he was asleep," David reminded his pretty wife.

“What if he wakes up?"

“You know how soundly he sleeps right after he's nursed. And if he did wake up, he's too young to understand. He'd just think we were cuddling."

“Yes, but… Oh!" Jessie gasped as David's fingertips brushed lightly over the fine, soft fur of her mons.

“Oh?"

Jessie surrendered. “Oh, Mr. Connelley! Come here!"

*

Lucy sighed happily and snuggled back against Tracy's chest, feeling the warmth of the male coyote's body as she contentedly spooned with her best friend. “I don't remember the last time I ate so much," she said. “Your mom is a wonderful cook."

“You should see what she can whip up in a dutch oven over coals from a campfire," said Tracy. “That's where she really shines."

“I hope they're warm enough out in the tent," said Lucy. With a claw, the German Shepherd drew lines in the fur of the forearm Tracy had draped over her body. “By the way, I was in the kitchen getting a drink of water when your dad went out the back door."

“Yeah, so?"

“He was carrying two shot glasses and a bottle of Jack Daniel's."

Tracy chuckled. “Oh, my Dog! Those two! I don't think you'll have to worry about them being warm enough."

Lucy shook her head in wonder. “Do you really think?…"

“My mom and dad? Absolutely!"

*

The female sat on the floor of the tent between her husband's long legs. Her own legs were hooked around his waist. Both coyotes were nude.

Warren offered another drink to his beautiful wife. The amount of liquor remaining in the bottle was significantly less than it was when he brought it out to the tent. “One more refill, m'Lady?"

“Oh, m'Lord," Anna breathed as she set her glass to the side. She reached between their bodies to gently stroke her husband's maleness. The tip of his penis began to emerge from its sheath. “There's only one thing I beg thee to fill me with now."

Warren gave his wife a silly, half-drunken grin. His tail wagged, lightly tickling her footpaws as he leaned forward to plant a kiss on his wife's nose.

“What are you thinking about?" Anna inquired.

“I was just thinking that forty-odd years and here we are, still using a tent to get away from the children."

“I hoped this was what you had in mind when you suggested the tent," Anna said.

Warren smiled lovingly at his wife. “Forty-odd years and you're still as beautiful as ever."

“Forty-odd years and you're as blind as a bat," Anna said teasingly.

“I don't need eyes to see what my heart knows is true."

Anna lay back on the bedroll. With her legs still around Warren's hips, she pulled her husband down on top of her. “Forty years and you still know how to sweet-talk me… Oh, Dog!" she gasped as his hot member smoothly entered her body. “Oh, Warren! You feel so good inside me…"

“I love you so much, Anna… Oh, Dog!" gasped the male as the familiar warmth of his mate enveloped him.

“I love you too," sighed Anna.

——————————

Thanksgiving (part 2)

November 1994

Olivia opened her eyes and rubbed the grit from them. A soft snore from the other side of the bed informed her that Terry was still sound asleep. The wolf carefully rolled out of bed and slipped on the pajamas she hadn't bothered with the night before. She padded quietly from the bedroom, leaving her coyote behind. Olivia stepped into the bathroom across the hall to relieve herself and wash the smell of last night's sex from her fur.

Refreshed, the wolfess padded down the hall to the kitchen. She was scooping grounds into the coffee maker when her in-laws stepped through the back door, into the house. “Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad," she called to them.

“Good morning, Olivia," said Anna, “I see you found the coffee."

“I remembered from our last visit," said the younger female.

“Is anybody else awake?" asked Anna.

“We three are the only ones so far," said Olivia.

“In that case, I'm going to go use the guest bathroom," said Anna. “I don't want to disturb David and Jessica." She stepped out of the room.

Warren stepped up beside his daughter-in-law to retrieve a mug from the cabinet. Olivia's keen sense of smell told her that she and Terry hadn't been the only ones getting intimate the previous night. “Can I fix you something for breakfast, Dad?" Olivia offered.

“Would you mind scrambling me a couple of eggs?" Warren asked.

“Not at all," said Olivia. She opened the refrigerator where she located a carton of eggs and the butter dish. “There's still plenty of ham left over," she observed. “Can I fry you up a slice or two?"

Warren put an arm around the younger female and gave her a fatherly hug. “That sounds terrific," he said. “I sure hit the jackpot when Terry found you."

Olivia felt her ears grow warm. “Awww," she said. “How about Lucy?"

“I've got the two best daughters-in-law in the whole world," the coyote asserted.

“I agree," said Anna, stepping back into the room. “Warren, the bathroom is available."

“I better get it while I can," said Warren.

Anna gave her husband's butt a squeeze as he passed her. “You say that to me every night," she laughed.

“I don't hear you complaining about it," Warren chuckled.

As Warren left the kitchen, Jessica entered. The German Shepherd was carrying ten-month-old Roy. “Good morning, Grandma," she said. “Good morning, Olivia."

“Good morning, Jess," said Anna who was settling herself in a seat at the kitchen table. “Help yourself to some coffee."

“Good morning," the wolf said to her niece. “Would you care for some breakfast?"

“No thanks," Jessica replied as she located a mug in the kitchen cabinet. “I'm still stuffed from dinner last night."

“How about the little one?" Olivia inquired. “Does he like scrambled eggs?"

“He does, but he just finished nursing. That should hold him for a while yet." Jessica finished stirring milk and sugar into her coffee. “I'm going to take Roy out to the living room and get him out of your way."

“Is David awake yet?" Anna inquired.

“He's in the shower," Jessica called over her shoulder. “He won't be long." The German Shepherd found a spot on the sofa. Roy promptly climbed off her lap to greet Marina and Beth who appeared at the top of the stairs leading down to the family room where the young girls spent the night. The pup tottered over to hug Beth's knees and to grab at the feline's tail as she swished it playfully from side-to-side.

“Good morning," said Jessica.

Marina took a seat on the couch beside Jessica. She stretched and yawned widely. “Good morning, Jess."

The G-Shep's sensitive canine nose caught the unmistakeable aroma of pussy on her cousin's breath. “I can tell that the two of you had a good night," she said in a low voice so the relatives in the adjacent room wouldn't hear. “You probably ought to think about brushing your teeth before your dad catches that scent."

Beth was near enough to hear Jessica's remark. With a horrified expression, she clapped a paw over her muzzle. “Oh, my God!" she exclaimed as she pried the toddler from her legs and ran back down the stairs with Marina close behind.

Roy let out a yap of disappointment at the sudden disappearance of his feline playmate. “Don't worry, Sweetie" Jessica told her son, “Beth will be right back to play with you."

David, his fur still slightly damp after his shower, passed through the living room. He greeted the crowd in the kitchen with a cheerful, “Bore da, everyone."

“Da! Da!" echoed Roy, who had followed after his sire.

David reached down for the small pup. “Bore da, fy nghenau bach*," he said with a wide smile as he lifted his offspring high over his head. (*Good morning, my little rascal)

Roy laughed, “Da! Da!"

Warren returned to the kitchen and took his usual seat at the table across from Anna.

“You're just in time, Dad," Olivia announced as she slid a plate in front of her father-in-law. “Ham and eggs are ready. Can I make some for you, David?"

“No thank you," replied the Welsh dog, “I'll just have a cup of tea if there is any."

“Tea bags are in that small canister on the counter," Anna gestured, “and you'll find a pot in the cabinet underneath."

David blew a loud raspberry into his son's belly evoking a squeal of laughter from the pup. “Was that you tooting at me?" he asked with exaggerated dismay. The young father put the little boy down, opened the indicated cabinet, and looked around. “Sorry," he said, “but I can't seem to find the kettle."

“Oh, there's no kettle," Anna responded. “When I said pot, I meant literally a cooking pot, not a teapot."

David let out a dramatic groan. “Aaargh! How can one make good tea without a proper kettle?"

Olivia shook her head. She reached around the German Shepherd and extracted a small pot from the cabinet. “You are aware that water does boil in one of these?" she said with amusement.

David huffed and picked up his son once again. “Alright, Roy," he told the child, “we are going to have a lesson this morning on the wrong way to make tea."

Back in the living room, Marina and Beth reappeared, carrying their toothbrushes. Marina looked down the hallway to find that the door of the bathroom was closed. She turned to Beth and said, “It looks like somebody is in there."

“Dai and I are all finished in the master bath," Jessica said, “go ahead and use that one."

“Good idea," said Marina. “Come on, Beth." She grabbed her girlfriend's paw and led the way down the hall toward the master bedroom.

At that moment, the bathroom door opened and Terry stepped into the hall. “Good morning, girls," he said to the youngsters as they squeezed past him.

Marina covered her muzzle with a paw and mumbled, “Good morning, Dad."

Terry turned to watch the coywolf and ocelot disappear into the bedroom. “Don't I get a good morning hug?" he called after them. With a sigh, he passed through the living room where he puzzled over a strange look from Jessica. Terry stepped into the kitchen where he found David nuzzling and hugging his ten-month-old son. “Get all those hugs while you can, David" he advised the young father, “because they are a rare commodity when your kids get older."

“Mmm-hmm," Warren agreed over a sip from his mug. “What goes around, comes around. How many hugs did I get when you were Marina's age?"

“Be nice, Warren," Anna admonished her husband. “Do you want some coffee, Terry?"

Terry lifted an eyebrow. “Did Dad make it?"

“Hey, are you suggesting there's something wrong with my coffee?" Warren demanded.

Tracy, who had just arrived in the kitchen, stepped up behind his twin brother. “Nothing," he interjected, “if you don't mind something that tastes like it was strained through an old sock."

“I only did that once," Warren said in his defense, “to teach you boys a lesson about improvising. Anna, help me out here."

“I'm staying out of this," said the Becker matriarch, “and for the record, Terry, it was your wife who made the coffee."

“Ah, my partner and my savior," said Terry with relief as he reached out to hug his beautiful spouse.

The water on the stove began boiling, so David set Roy down while he prepared his tea. The little boy tottered off into the living room where he found his mother and grandmother sitting together on the couch. “Mam-mam!" Roy cried joyfully as he climbed onto Lucy's lap. He quickly climbed off again when Beth padded back into the room. With a squeal, he began chasing the feline's tail around once more.

Marina returned to her previous seat on the couch next to Jessica with Lucy on the far end. With an exaggerated “huhhh" she puffed a breath into her cousin's face. “All better now?" Marina asked.

Jessica nodded. “Much better."

Lucy gave her daughter a quizzical look, but Jessie just shrugged her shoulders and offered no further explanation.

With a tiny German Shepherd clinging tightly to her tail, Beth joined the growing crowd in the kitchen.

“Are you a coffee-drinker, Beth?" asked Olivia. She held up the nearly depleted coffee pot. “There's enough for one more mug."

“Not really," said the cat, “I'd just like a glass of milk, please."

“Help yourself," said Anna. “Glasses are in the cabinet to the left of the sink." The female coyote rose to her feet. “You can sit here, David," she offered. “I'm going to go out to the living room."

“There's tea, Beth," David informed the young ocelot as he took Anna's place at the table with the Becker men.

“No thanks," said Beth. She found a carton of milk in the refrigerator and filled a tall glass.

Olivia set large plates of ham and scrambled eggs in front of the twins, then picked up a smaller plate for herself. “If you want any eggs, Beth, you are on your own," said the wolf. “I'm all done cooking for the day."

“I have all I need right here," said Beth, holding up her glass of moo juice. “Let's go out to the living room."

“Males in here, females out there," David observed as the wolf and ocelot left the boys behind. “Natural order has been restored!" he said with a grin.

From his seat, Terry could look out into the living room. He caught his twin's attention and gave Tracy a naughty wink. “Hey, I see Lucy is still wearing her pajamas," he said in a low voice. “She looks pretty good in those."

Tracy was unfazed. “She looks darned good out of them too," he said matter-of-factly.

Terry's jaw dropped. “But you're gay!"

“That doesn't mean I don't find her beautiful," Tracy informed his brother. He swallowed a mouthful of scrambled eggs, then continued with a grin, “And after living with Lucy for three years, I've had plenty of opportunities to look."

Terry folded his arms across his chest and huffed. “What a waste," he declared. “You could be doing a lot more than just looking."

David leaned forward between the two brothers, his ears low. “Uh, you do realize that you're talking about my mother-in-law, right?"

Warren let out a chuckle at the young German Shepherd's discomfort. “David, you've got to be ready for anything when these two get together."

David leaned back in his seat once again and sipped at his tea. “Clearly," he said.