The Wesleys, meanwhile were settling into their own quiet evening. For Thomas and Julia there was a slight bit of surprise at meeting Travis, but so far he had been very respectful and the fact that he was still only a single doser had assured them that Sarah hadn't broken their rules regarding sex. Their only concern in that department was with Malice.
"And you haven't found someone that that you've got hidden away, have you?" Julia asked to Malice as she, Sarah, Malice, and Travis headed for the dining room and Thomas took his and Julia's bags back to their bedroom.
"I'm sure! Why don't you believe me?" Malice protested.
"I believe you wouldn't outright lie to me," Julia answered, "but I wouldn't put it past you to try to find a technicality."
Malice gave a pout at that comment.
"And I can understand," Julia answered, "Being like this... it comes with all sorts of of desires and urges, and I know that you and Sarah have them just as firmly as I do... but I want you both to be able to grow up and be successful. I want you to be able to able to stand on your feet and be happy when you have a mate and puppies of your own... Not rushing into things and finding yourself saddled with extra responsibilities before your ready."
Sarah and Travis watched as Julia engaged in fairly typical "mom behavior." Sarah knew that Julia loved both her and Malice and despite being Julia's equal, as all members of the Wesley family were double dosers, they knew that to Julia, Sarah and Malice would always be their "little girls." Sarah also knew that Malice enjoyed that love and protection as well, even if she felt that it slowed down her quest for her own future mate.
"Malice hasn't gotten anyone hidden away, mom," Sarah spoke up as she and Travis followed Julia into the dining room.
"Well... that's good," Julia commented and continued on.
Sarah, Travis, and Malice followed along before they came into the dining room. In there, Julia placed a large paper bag that she'd been carrying down. Sarah could smell cooked meet with some spices coming from the bag, and if she wasn't trying to show her parents that Travis was a good future mate for her and that their rules had been followed, her tail would be wagging non stop at the prospect of the food in the bag. The three of them moved to take seats, with Malice on one side, Sarah next to her, and then Travis on the other side of Sarah.
"You have a rather big table," Travis commented off hand and then looked to Julia, "Do you have a lot of friends over?"
"Thomas and I have hosted some dinner parties from time to time and on the odd occasion, Sarah's had friends over to spend the night in the past," Julia spoke as she began pulling out Styrofoam boxes out from the bag and began to place them in the center of the table, "so, we've had plenty of guests from time to time... But don't worry, we're not uppity."
"Uppity?" Travis asked, looking to Sarah.
"Acting like we're rich," Sarah explained.
Travis then nodded as Thomas arrived from his and Julia's bedroom. He approached Julia, gave her the closest thing an uplifted Husky could give to a kiss to Julia's cheek. Julia smiled and returned her husband's kiss.
"We'll need plates, forks, knives, and napkins, dear," Julia said to Thomas.
Thomas nodded, and moved on. The remaining four could hear the clinking of metal forks and knives as well as the ceramic of plates. Thomas asked if anyone wanted anything to drink, and the answer came back for water, which Thomas did retrieve. They eventually all sat down to dinner.
"So... Travis... your folks..." Thomas began slowly.
"They were originally the mascot for the Lyre Fire Department," Travis answered, "but after they were uplifted, they've also been assigned to two of the fire teams. When I grow up, I'll probably be assigned to a third fire team."
"You don't feel that's stereotyping?" Julia wondered.
"I suppose it does seem obvious with Dalmatians serving in the fire department," Travis shrugged, "but it isn't a bad job and we get to help keep safe. That's not bad."
"Sort of like the police," Malice commented.
"Sorta... except firefighters work more for fire safety rather than fighting crime," Travis nodded, "but my parents do get along well with the uplifted wolves and the uplifted police dogs."
"All for cooperation, I suppose," Julia commented as she cut into her meat with a knife and fork, "that sounds awfully noble."
"Which is good," Thomas spoke, "and we thank you, Travis, for coming to meet us before trying anything with our daughter."
Travis gulped before feeling Sarah take his hand in her own and give it a gentle squeeze. He eventually got his confidence back and said to his girlfriend's parents with the best tone of voice that he could manage.
"I just wanted to do things right, sir," Travis spoke, "both by you and by my own family."
"Oh?" Julia wondered. "Do they not like our Sarah?!"
"No, they like Sarah," Travis shrunk back nervously, "but they want to make sure that all sides remain respectful and can get along... since if Sarah and I become mates... how would humans put it..."
"We'd all be family," Sarah offered.
"Thanks," Travis smiled, "that we'd all be a family. It wouldn't do well to have our family's not getting along."
"I see," Julia commented, "I take it your parents would like to meet Thomas and I?"
Travis slowly nodded, "Yes. Until that happens, they do not want Sarah giving me my second dose at all..."
"We'd probably prefer she wait on that until after you're older," Thomas commented, "but you've been respectful and have followed our rules and your parents' rules. Talk to your parents and see if they have a night off next week and ask them if they'd like to come over for dinner. We can all get to know each other and go from there."
Travis and Sarah both wagged their tails at that.