Chapter 33

In One's Time And Season

Gwen lay in bed thinking of the evening's events and what Kel had seen. Turning to face me, she noticed that I seemed lost in thought myself.

"Cuddle Coon?" she said softly.

"Mmm? Yes, Snuggle Buns?" I smiled in reply.

"Um, How do you feel about kits?" Gwen hedged.

"Kits? Hummm. Well, Kacy says they are wonderful with the right sauce." I grinned as Gwen swatted at me. "No, seriously,"

I tried again. "I _love_kits. Why, want some?" I noticed the very pensive look on my beloveds face.

"I've always known I'd have Kits some day...it's said we females have Kits in our own time and season, and I _think_I may be coming into mine." Gwen said with a smile. I was quiet for a few moments, giving this some serious thought.

"Well my love, if that blessing comes our way, then we shall face it as we face everything in this life--together." I took her paw and kissed it, smiling at her.

"You're going to be such a _great_mom."

"So the idea of being a father doesn't frighten you?" Gwen asked.

"Nope. I always figured that if I were ever going to father kits, it would be with someone I truly loved. Now, if you want to put it off for a while, we can alter our lovemaking a bit..." I offered. Gwen shook her head.

"No, this feels too right, as if we are on the right track in our lives...it's just the lines of probability are aligning in such a way that us having kits will be a very real possibility, and soon." Gwen paused, looking at me. "One thing about being able to read the lines of probability is, that it gives you a chance to change things. But, as with any choice, there are always... Consequences." Gwen sighed. "I don't want you to feel like you're being pushed into something you _may_not be ready for...it's just--I want you to be aware of what may come to pass in the near future." I was giving her my undivided attention, curious about what she was saying. "Would...would you be, all right with that?" she asked.

My face was unreadable as I weighed my options--in my mind there was no other choice.

"How do _you_feel about this, love? I don't want to put _any_pressure on _you_to have kits right away. But I feel that, if and when that comes to pass, then we can celebrate our good fortune." I beamed at my beloved, feeling _very_good about this. Gwen mirrored my joy, placing her paws over her womb.

"I declare this night to you my beloved, that we shall have children, and they shall arrive in their own time and season." I placed my paws between hers. "I fully agree and support you my love, and any children that we shall have shall be joyously welcomed and raised with love."

Our lovemaking that night took on a sacred, timeless aspect, as the full moon flooded the bedroom. Unseen by the lovers, a green tailed shooting star streaked across the sky above.

Kel stared into the turquoise blue eyes of the raccoon who sat across the table from her. They had shared an embrace earlier, and with her senses fully awakened, she saw far more. She could now read KC, and what she read, she did _not_like--for beneath the warm smile and quick wit, Kacy Coona was a_very_lonely fur. All she had in her life was her work, and the occasional fling with the big ursine bouncer Bruno. And that was her only source of intimate contact. Kel could now _see_how much she craved physical intimacy, not unlike the way a beautiful rose craves sunlight, slowly dying without it.

KC's voice brought her out of her reverie.

"Kelso? What is it hon--you _feeling_all right?" The vixen radiated compassion as a sweet smile dusted her muzzle. She reached out and covered Kacy's paw with her own.

"I'm_fine_KC. It's just--I never realized just how much you have _sacrificed_in your life, to get where you are..." Surprised by the vixen's_wonderfully_soft touch, KC sighed.

"Oh, um...y_eah_...I_have_sacrificed a lot, and I've had to fight _hard_to get where I am today. I haven't really thought about it much; I mean I just don't have time in my life for any kind of _normal_relationships. So I just pour myself into my work..." KC shrugged, making a sour face at her cup.

"At's it, I've had enough. I'm switching to wine, Want some?" KC asked, pulling a bottle from the cooler. Kel nodded, taking their cups and rinsing them out. Looking back at KC, Kel felt her need calling out. Perhaps it was a side effect of the Oath, 'Nurture Life and Ease Pain,' but she was feeling drawn to ease Kacy's loneliness.

"Thank you Kelso." KC said, filling the coffee cups with wine. "So, how are you holding up, kiddo?" she asked, taking a solid hit of wine.

"I feel... different--the oath has allowed me to see_so much. I think my skills are leaning toward healing...I am sensing the need to ease suffering." Kel _looked_at KC, and a small smile crept across her muzzle. "That hug we shared was... _nice."

"Yes, yes it was." KC smiled. "I felt like I was dry as a bone, and your embracing me was like the waters of life pouring into me..." Kel nodded in agreement.

"I feel that you are a _very_lonely fur, my friend--and I am being drawn to you, to ease your pain. That is, if you will permit me too?"

When Kacy remained silent, Kel was quick to put her at ease. "Please, KC. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, it's just--I _want_to help."

Kacy finally responded. A sweet smile blossomed across her muzzle, not unlike a glorious sunrise. She extended her paw to Kel, who took it eagerly.

"I--I'd_like_that--that wonderful embrace we shared really_touched me...it showed me that there is more to life than the triad of '_Work-Eat-Sleep.' I really, really _need_what you have to offer, Kel. But I just..." Kel squeezed her paw, nodding wordlessly. They picked up their cups and walked to KC's room. She was closing the door when Kacy mentioned offhandedly.

"Oh, it may be irrelevant...But I_brought some _toys..."

#