It was an otherwise typical Saturday morning in the Twist household.
Ben Twist had been up for who knew how long, ate a quick breakfast, and was already off somewhere once again with his boyfriend Alex Ramsey.
Meanwhile, after sleeping in on a lazy Saturday morning, Samantha Twist was now leaning on one elbow, staring happily at the sleeping form next to her.
From the day we first laid eyes on each other, I knew you were the one, she thought, smiling down at her wife Frances. Despite all the ups and downs. Your family, our jobs, the outside world, and whatever else might happen; I love you darling, Samantha purred, leaning against her mate.
After her brother-in-law Samson Carter left, the married lesbian werecats spent the night in bed.
Some of it was expressing love as only they could, but a lot of the time was actually just laying in each other's furry arms talking.
Samantha consoled her wife over Frances' troubles with her estranged parents, while the professional therapist returned the favor by pointing out how capable Samantha would be as Mayor of Moon Lake, even if it only wound up being until the fall election next year.
Now, Samantha curled up against Frances once more, wanting nothing except extra time holding her loved one, but alas, that was not meant to be this day as her cellphone rang.
Pouncing upon it in hopes of stopping the phone from disturbing her tranquility before it woke Frances, Samantha raced to the bathroom with it and said, "Hello?" hastily closing the bathroom door behind her.
"Samantha? It's Martin Stovall. I hope I didn't wake you," said the voice on the other end.
"No. What's up?" she asked, seeing that the bathroom clock said it was already after 9 that morning.
"I just wanted to give you the heads up on a few things. First, this should come as no surprise, but I will soon be resigning as Mayor of Moon Lake," announced Martin.
"Between Julie and taking over for Andrew Curtis as the were-mer representative on the Elders' Council, I can't say I'm surprised," admitted Samantha. "I've already had one attempt to be taken advantage of, but so far everyone only suspects you might be resigning because of Julie."
"Let me guess. Arnold Stewart Stevenson," replied Martin.
"Yep. The jackass," commented Samantha. "Thankfully, I recorded the conversation, but the Were Alert was issued before I could take him down myself. The Elders have a copy of the evidence, but Tachibana said he could keep until they take care of more pressing business."
"Julie has brought nothing but shame to our family, but even if it was just one or the other as the catalyst, I would have resigned anyway," confessed Martin. "Can you come over tomorrow and we'll go over everything you'll need to know to fully take over from me."
"Sure, but why the rush?" wondered Samantha.
"Curtis is trying to make arrangements for Melissa and I to visit Julie. Once that and my briefing with you are over, I plan to announce my resignation from office. Then Melissa and I are going on an extended vacation to rest, relax, destress, and renew our bonds together."
"Really? Well, congratulations. I wish the two of you well."
"Thanks. We're planning to swim out to the Hawaiian coast and just veg out, as the younger generation says," Martin told her.
"I think it's chill now, but I get the point."
"Listen Samantha. I appreciate both your friendship and everything you've done for Moon Lake. I know you have your reservations about sitting in my office outside of vacations and business trips, but I really think you'd make a great mayor. What I'm saying is that I hope you'll run for the nomination, let alone the office next year. You'll have my full support on the matter," promised Martin.
"Thanks. That means a lot coming from you, but I'm just not crazy about some of the political red tape I've seen you have to wade through over the years to get anything positive accomplished," explained Samantha. "Besides, I don't want to put Frances or Ben under any unnecessary pressure or undue risk."
"In regards to that last part, Julie's problems arose from my lack of parenting skills, so you have nothing to worry about there. If I had been a better father and husband..."
Then Martin's voice trailed off.
"I understand."
"As for that first part, I've been fighting to improve the system for years, and I hope you're willing to pick up where I leave off and continue. At least for the rest of my current term if not longer."
"Well, I have till next Spring to make a formal decision one way or the other about running," pointed out Samantha.
"Well, depending upon when we're able to take off, Melissa and I will be back sometime after the first of the year. Curtis isn't planning to announce his retirement until after all the Council's business with Benton Knight is concluded, which will probably be sometime at the end of January at the earliest. After that..."
"Like Frances always tells me. One day at a time."
"Okay. When I hear from Curtis about visiting Julie, I'll call you back about setting up a time for our meeting. If not Sunday, Monday at the office for sure. And Samantha?"
"Yes Martin?"
"Thank you and Frances for all you've done on our behalf, both professionally and personally," added Martin Stovall.
"No problem sir. You two take care of yourselves," said Samantha, before the call ended.
With that, Samantha turned to open the bathroom door and was surprised to see her wife standing there.
"I heard. Both sides," said Frances, twitching her feline ears. "Are you all right?"
"As well as I can be. Nothing we weren't expecting to hear. Just the suddenness has caught me by surprise, is all," admitted Samantha. "I thought there'd be more time."
"Just as well," said Frances, while embracing her wife. "Like I said last night and Martin agrees. We both think you'd make a great mayor."
"Maybe," replied Samantha, while hugging Frances in return. "But even if I do decide to run for formal election next year or whenever, this is not how I wanted the job."
"I know honey," said Frances, as the ladies held each other close. "One day at a time darling. One day at a time."