Peter and Karen were quiet as they walked into his family's backyard. Despite some of the issues related to what Leon's brothers had offered for her with regard to seeing that Jenny is protected that had her wondering on how their own relationship was developing, Karen found it to be very well maintained lawn that would provide plenty of shade. In one corner near the house was one apple tree and in the opposite corner was another. Both of the trees were fairly tall and would provide some shade through the day, not to mention apples, though it was clear that the fruit had been picked. The backyard had a tall wooden fence that went around it and had a gate in the center of the back portion of the fence. That made some sense, the fence protected the apple trees from deer and the gate let the Talbots go out and be werelions in the woods behind their home.
"It's a nice lawn," Karen commented weakly, "bet you had fun out here as a kid."
"At times, yeah," Peter nodded, "Mom's actually enjoyed it more... getting the trees for apple pie and so on... but that's not why we're out here."
Karen nodded at that and Peter gave a knowing sigh. He felt seriously about Karen, that much was easily known to him. In a way, there was something between them that he'd never noticed with anyone else he'd been with either romantically or sexually. A good part of him was interested given Karen's statement that she was eager to be HIS lioness. Was she truly that ready? Did she feel the same way about him as he felt about her? Another part of him though also scolded himself in even entertaining the suggestion his uncles had made. Yes, they were well placed to have the formal ceremony, but at the same time that wasn't an explicit requirement. He could easily welcome Karen when the moment was right and present Karen as a werelioness to his father. That made him want to make sure that when the moment came it was for the right moment.
"And... you're keen on being a werelion?" Peter asked.
"I'm keen on being yours," Karen blushed and looked down for a moment, "I can't explain it... there's just something about you... or something about Moon Lake... that makes me feel at ease and at peace. I feel safe around you. I feel glad just to be near you."
"I feel the same whenever I'm with you," Peter smiled back to her.
"Do you..." Karen began, her voice seeming to hint at it being a question.
"I think I would like to spend the rest of my life with you," Peter admitted, a blush forming in his own cheeks, "for many ways."
"And I feel the same," Karen moved to hug him, leaning her head against his chest.
They hugged quietly for a few moments before they paused to look into each other's eyes. As they did so, it felt quite obvious that both of them had fallen in love. Peter had accepted all of Karen's "quirks" and Karen felt in control of them. Karen had accepted Peter's position in werelion society but wasn't drawn to it the way some others were. They smiled and while there was plenty more to discuss, the two found themselves in a firm embrace and Karen wrapping her arms around him as they kissed.
"I love you, Peter Talbot," Karen said to him.
"And I you," Peter responded as they pulled apart, feeling a great warmth in his heart as they spoke. They paused for a moment of silence before Peter then asked, "regarding..."
"I am eager to be your lioness," Karen answered, "and if the right moment comes up... I'll GLADLY shed my humanity to be yours..."
"But you wouldn't go through with it to jump through hoops?" Peter asked.
"It's like I said to your dad," Karen spoke, "I want our first time together... my transformation... to be a beautiful and loving moment. Not forced because I want Jenny kept safe. That is a favor. If your dad and your Uncles feel things will be fine, I'm not going to throw a fit or anything like that."
"I see," Peter said, paused for a few moments to look down and then looked back to her, "a part of me feels the same way."
Karen nodded and then chuckled, "though I suppose there's a part that would be very eager on doing it now."
Peter looked down, blushing and unable to say anything. Karen only laughed at that.
"Don't be too embarrassed," Karen answered, "from what you've said to me... what Jenny's said to me about how she's found out about her libido after becoming a werefox... it's perfectly natural to want to have sex. Shoot, it's pretty natural for normal human males to want to have sex as well. And if the "right" moment or mood comes up... I'd be more than willing... even if it's today, tomorrow, or next week. It simply has to be the right moment."
Peter managed a chuckle, "well... I'll be sure to play my cards right. Show you that I love you and the sort of many you will always love."
Karen smiled and the two hugged again, not noticing that Emily, Cecelia, Maggie, and Heather were all watching from around a corner of the house.