Three young children look on scared as their mother roars and growls at their father as he tries to dull the headache he is dealing, with coffee and aspirin. Ester’s constant snarling as he futilely tries to ride out the storm by hiding in the bathroom.
“Rick,” Ester roaring; “don’t think for one second you are going to escape me by hiding in the washroom. I will smash the door down if necessary!”
“Can’t you let me suffer in silence,” Rick moaning; “how many times must I apologize before you leave me be?”
“I’m never going to leave you alone,” Ester snarls; “the sooner you get that through your head the better. Now suck it up and get out here for breakfast!”
The were-tigress gives off a low rumble of disapproval before heading back to the kitchen. Her children who all heard their mother look on afraid as they sense she could snap at them for something. Ester’s tail twitching and flailing in such a way that she was clearly mad; her ears on the top of her head pinned down and her lips in a permanent snarl.
After what happened last night; Ester had every right to be mad. Her husband getting drunk during the day while helping Lance and Benton get a nursery ready. Her sister in law Lila pregnant with her first cub; Ester knew Lila rushed through the whole affair of having Lance getting her pregnant, but the were-tigress could tell Lila was thrilled with the life growing in her belly. Turning around to see her own cubs at the table looking at her with a mixture of fear and awe; Ester’s mood softens as her motherly instincts kick in with a desire to comfort the three.
Cindy her oldest at seven years age, and her twin boys Jasper and Yogi; each at six years. Ester can’t be upset with them for they were completely innocent in the whole affair that happened last night. Being baby sat by Spencer, Frieda and Eric at the Knight Estate while she, Amanda and Lila decided to head out for a girls night out. A chance to have some fun while refusing to help their respective husband’s decisions to get drunk; it wasn’t until they were in Seattle when danger happened. Hearing an alarm go off on Amanda’s phone, and finding out that there was a break in going on at the Knight Estate. Knowing her children were there Ester was mad that her children could be in danger.
It wasn’t until getting back to Moon Lake, that they find the estate swarming with police. Seeing her cubs safe, Ester couldn’t help but be relived as she naturally smothered them as a worried mother tends to do. Finding out they saw Eric kill an intruder while protecting the cubs, Ester was worried her children could have been traumatized with the whole ordeal. Yet that was currently not her concern at the moment. Making sure they had finish their breakfast of cereal, however was.
“Hurry up and finish your breakfast you three,” Ester speaking in a calming tone; “your aunt Lila is expecting you shortly.”
“Are you going to beat up dad,” Yogi looking at his mom.
“Are you going to cut his tail off,” Jasper adding.
“What,” Ester looking shocked; “no! Where did you hear such things?”
Jasper and Yogi look at Cindy who just silently snorts at the two for blabbing.
“Should have figured you’d fill your brother’s head with such nonsense,” Ester looking at her daughter; “you’re supposed to be the mature one. Thank goodness you’ll be heading back to school in a few day,” Ester sighing; “your father and I will be relieved when Tuesday comes. Now finish up and get ready, your father will be dropping you three off.”
“Not before I have more coffee,” a haggard looking were-tiger stumbling in the kitchen and looking like shit.
“The only thing you are getting,” Ester looking at her husband; “is a splitting headache from my voice. Now get off your ass, defur and get dressed. I’ll be following you as I drive the Prius back as well.”
Rick groans as he slowly gets up and shuffles back to the bedroom. Ester watches as Cindy, Jasper and Yogi quickly run off leaving her to clean up the mess at the kitchen table.
********
Lila looks as she watches her younger brother slowly trudge out of his pickup truck; cradling her belly as she absently rubs it. The pregnant were-tigress smiles as she watches her niece and nephews jump out of the truck and race towards her.
“Oh you three scamps,” Lila smiling; “how is your father fairing from last night?”
“Mom says he looks like a stool sample,” Cindy remarks.
“It’s not far from the truth,” Rick groaning as he approaches; wearing sunglasses to keep his throbbing headache from getting worse. “Feel like one two,” Rick hugging his sister; “Ester’s shrill voice isn’t helping much.”
Don’t expect sympathy from me brother,” Lila looking unamused; “you chose to get drunk and now you must suffer.”
“Ester should be pulling up soon in your husband’s half car,” Rick sighing as he tries to find a place to sit down.”
“Half car,” Lila looking at her brother; “what did you do to Lance’s car?”
“Nothing,” Rick answers; “it’s just looks like half a car.”
“It’s a Prius,” Lila watching her brother sitting down; “it’s meant to be small.”
“Clown car small,” Jasper asking.
“Clown are not going to be jumping out of your uncle’s car,” Lila shaking her head.
“Well,” Rick speaking; “once you have the baby growing in your gut, you are going to need a bigger vehicle.”
“Lance and I already know that,” Lila looking at her brother; “I’ve caught Lance looking at min-vans and suv’s of late, so he knows the importance of getting a bigger vehicle.”
“Well,” Rick getting up and wincing as the throbbing in his head gets worse; “Ester is here with your husband’s car. Where is Lance by the way?”
“At the gazette,” Lila responding as she watches her sister in law pull into the drive way; “he needed to take care of some articles for tomorrow’s paper.”