Jonathan, now finding himself in the middle of running an impromptu shuttle service, dropped Evan and Spencer off at the Lawson's house before taking Maggie on to Elle's because while her car was probably safe, the hospital parking lot was about to be crawling with Federal agents.
Evan used the key hidden in what remained of his SEALs uniform to let them in the backdoor, before punching in the code to tell their security system know that their entry and presence was authorized.
"I don't know about you Spencer, but I'm hungry," announced her father, as he started searching the fridge for food.
"They fed us dinner during our security protection, but I wouldn't recommend touching anything mom has in there for tomorrow."
"Roger. Paws off the Thanksgiving treats," acknowledged Evan.
Soon Evan started eating (as is) the remaining roast beef from Tuesday night's dinner. Being a full blood werewolf, he held it in one paw while biting off hunks to enjoy.
Father and daughter started talking. Evan gave her a (sanitized) after action report of what went down, concluding in the fact that unless Jeremy Bower, Junior ever decided to go diving off the deep end without any water in the pool again, they had nothing more to worry about from the Bower family.
"GOOD!" was Spencer's quick reply, as she started to lick her lips, for watching her father eat was starting to make her hungry again.
"Here," said Evan, handing her what was left of the roast beef, which Spencer started greedily consuming. "There's still a steak in there from Monday, but that's mine young lady."
"No problem," agreed his daughter, before telling him what all went down while they were in the Teachers' Lounge.
"Your temporary blackout was Bower's doing, but I'm glad everyone's safe and sound."
Then father and daughter grew silent for a bit, before Evan finally said, "So... candles and soft music huh? That Eric's really something. When your mom and I were first dating, a dinner in a fancy restaurant for two with that stuff cost me almost a hundred bucks. Gonna have to remember that computer tablet trick."
"Dad..." began Spencer, actually feeling herself blush under her facial fur.
"You two are really starting to get serious here, aren't you?"
Spencer didn't hesitate to reply. "As serious as the Allies on D-Day."
Her father simply nodded. Then he said, "I'll admit, his entry into your life caught me completely by surprise."
"Me too. As far as ambushes go though, this was the most pleasant one I've ever experienced."
"Good," replied her father, reaching up to ruffle his daughter's head fur. "Then guess what? You're in love."
"I already kind of figured it out on my own, but thanks for confirming the intelligence report," replied Spencer.
Then Evan leaned back in the kitchen chair and said, "Unfortunately, there is still one... hindrance in your logistics young lady."
"I know. Eric still being a normal and me a natural hybrid were. We've talked it over, and while his brother Nate's offered to help him become a werewolf if necessary, and Eric's parents have offered to get him membership in the Skulk, but I'm not sure Eric wants either of those. I also know that, despite how he feels about me, he doesn't want to take the risk of becoming either a bi or outright gay werecat like mom."
"That would put a damper on your future relations," conceded her father. "But you're still taking..."
"Mom still has all my meds in her purse right now, but yes, sir," answered Spencer, knowing her father was referring to her were birth control pills.
Then Spencer grew silent for a moment, trying to decide whether or not she should say anything. We ARE bonding, and Mom's not here, so this might be my best chance, she realized. "If we can keep this just between us, Eric thinks he might have an idea, but hasn't worked out the logistics yet, let alone whether or not he wants to implement his plan if he does."
"Oh?" asked her father, leaning forward again to listen closely to his daughter.
"Eric's been studying all the known were species in the Moon Lake Town Handbook," began Spencer. "Based upon that information, his theory is that a werepanther would be the most physically compatible to a hybrid were wolf/cat like myself. But even if Eric decides that is the were he wants to be..."
"Neither of you know a were-panthress who would be willing to... initiate Eric into were society," realized Evan.
"Yes, sir. But my feelings for Eric and genuine and growing," confessed Spencer. "I wouldn't want him to turn out bi or gay, but otherwise, what kind of were Eric becomes doesn't matter to me, as long as it's still Eric underneath all that fur or whatever."
"And Eric's thoughts on this?"
"Unless a better idea comes along or fate takes the decision out of our hands, Eric still thinks the panther is the best possible future for us."
"Well, I don't know how valid the logic of his strategy is, but there's certainly no denying Eric loves you," agreed Evan.
"I also found out tonight that besides Doctor Who, Eric also likes to play chess, but his most frequent opponent has been his computer tablet."
"Interesting," replied Evan, as a smile crossed his muzzle. "It'd be nice to have someone else to compete against on the marbled battlefield," he said, referring to the chessboard in his study. "I'm tired of beating you."
"HEY! I won our last game, remember?" Spencer protested.
"I still think you cheated somehow. How often does one win by pinning the enemy King with your Bishops?"
"You're just still upset because I caught you off guard. I can beat you even without any Bishops!" boasted Spencer.
"Something I would love to find out, but right now I've got to get cleaned up, change clothes and forms, and then go back to face the Feds. Sometime this weekend for sure. Deal?" asked her father.
"If Eric can be included," wondered his daughter.
"Definitely," promised Evan. "Can you clean up here?"
"Sure. I'm getting the hang of being a temporary southpaw," said Spencer, waving the arm not in a sling.
But as Evan went upstairs to the shower in the master bedroom, it was not thoughts of his after action report(s) or even dealing with the Feds that crossed his mind. A werepanthress to create a werepanther. Hmmm....