Eric, Spencer and Frieda arrive home from school just as Martha was putting the rack of lamb into the oven. As all three teens inhaled the deep aroma of a richly seasoned lamb and the various sides; William see the three as he comes out of the kitchen.
“Home already,” William asks; “thought you three were having a take with Frieda’s uncle.”
“We did,” Eric stating; “it was a short talk. But it does concern council business.”
“Does it now,” William looking serious; “about what?”
Eric hands his father the scroll he received in school from Rachael Gaudet; “Frieda and I have to be present for the elder council tomorrow.” Eric watches his father read the scroll; “it has to do with Julie’s statue 1A charges.”
“So you heard what happened this morning,” William was putting the scroll down; “regarding Julie’s arraignment.”
“You mean Julie getting off on a technicality,” Spencer speaking up; “the whole school found out quickly during lunch time. In fact it was the gossip of the day. Even the teacher’s had a hell of a time killing the topic.”
“Frieda and I wouldn’t of known,” Eric speaking up; “the principal gave us excused absences and had us stay in the library for the rest of the day.”
“Does principal Andrews know of you having this scroll,” William handing it back to Eric?
“Of course,” Frieda cutting in; “he was present when the wer-otter rep handed each of us one.”
“I didn’t get one,” Spencer pouting; “but I guess it’s because I never witnessed Julie’s attempt to turn Eric into a wer-mer.”
“And it’s a good thing she never succeeded,” Eric removing his clothes and shifting into his white furred were-panther fursona; “none of you wouldn’t be able to see this wonderful specimen I have become.”
William laughs as he sees his youngest son’s tail twitch and sway as he smiles at both Frieda and Spencer.
“None of what I can clearly see you three wanting to do,” William chuckling until after supper; “I’m sure you have some homework to do.”
“Not really,” Eric grins; “Frieda and I were able to get what little we had done while in the library.”
“And I wasn’t kidding when the teacher’s couldn’t control their classes today,” Spencer also shifting into her hybrid fursona after quickly removing her clothes; “all the students in my classes wanted to talk about was Julie and her getting off on what was an open and shut case.”
“She won’t be dodging the council’s judgement,” Frieda also shifts into her were-panthress fursona; “plus while she may have gotten off on her assault charges, she is still looking at witness intimidation and being expelled from school.”
“Then go watch t.v. you three,” William getting up; “supper won’t be ready for a few more hours.”
Watching the three young were’s walk to the living room; William heads back to the kitchen to see his wife in all her were-vixen glory.
“Heard every word did you?” William hugging his wife as she continues making supper.
“Well these ears aren’t just for show,” Martha twitching her fox like ears for emphasis; “so Eric and Frieda have to be at the council building tomorrow. Do you know for how long?”
“Well you do remember what Benton said when we were at the courthouse,” William answering; “they speak before the council as to what happened. Only we will not be present to give any moral support.” William sensing Martha’s apprehension just hug his wife more deeply; “if it will help, I’ll call Tachibana later and ask her what Eric and Frieda are to expect.”
“Thank you,” Martha smiling; “now let me go so I can finish making supper.”
“Nate called a little while ago,” William letting go; “he will be visiting Jean Talbot’s family. But he will be back later this evening.”
“We’ll make sure to save some lamb for Nate then,” Martha smiling; “because with those three in the living room, I doubt there will be any leftovers anymore.”
William laughs; “it’s a good thing we bought those cases of sports drinks then.”
“Even better that you put them in the basement,” Martha chuckles; “if Eric, Spencer and Frieda are going to have fun after supper, they’ll be making a bee line to the basement.”
“And we’ll have our own private fun upstairs,” William grinning.
“Not tonight love,” Martha answering; “I have lesson to plan for tomorrow and I need to get to them after diner.”
“We can still cuddle,” William sitting at the table and playfully tickling Martha’s tail.
“Yes we can,” Martha answers; “and stop what you’re doing and help me peel the potatoes.”