As Benton Knight left the gas station to drive into what many considered the heart of Moon Lake, his daughter Frieda shifted in her seat and said, "Dad, can I tell you something in the strictest confidence?"
Benton's first thought was Oh no! She's pregnant!, but kept his cool as he replied, "Sure honey. What is it?"
"I know you and our relationship have both improved since you discovered you are bi-polar and started getting treated for the disease, and as far as I know you're doing great on that."
"I sure am," he replied confidently. "I'm taking my meds every day, seeing Doctor Twist regularly, and following her advice whenever possible," which was actually a surprise to both of them, considering his past thoughts concerning the lesbian werecat.
"I know, and you should be commended for all of that, but sometimes I still worry about you," admitted Frieda.
"You do? Why?" asked Benton.
"Well, you hardly ever relax, even when you should. Despite the fact that the Elders' Council has lifted their travel restrictions on you, you and mom haven't gone on a vacation yet this year."
"Right now really isn't a good time," pointed out Benton.
"That I'll agree with, but still. You know the adage about all work and no play, right?" asked Frieda.
Knowing that this was an important moment, Benton Knight pulled his expensive Lamborghini Veneno over to the closest curb before saying, "You don't have to worry honey. I'm as healthy as can be and this werepanther still has a couple of centuries left in him."
"My point is that I want you to enjoy those centuries dad," said Frieda, looking directly at him. "Besides maybe investing in a more casual wardrobe for when you're not working, although right now I'm not sure when that is," which got Frieda a funny look from her father. "Maybe you need a hobby too."
"Like what?" asked Benton in return.
"Don't know. Been thinking about it, but haven't come up with anything to suggest yet," admitted Frieda. "Yet you do realize that while I may kid you, a lot, it's because I care."
"I know you do, and I also think our relationship has greatly improved over the last months."
"Once you and mom got over your hangups concerning me, Spencer, and Eric," Frieda reminded him.
"Well, in our defense, what the three of you have is very... unique," he pointed out.
"True. Now that mom explained the concept of a were-wedding to us, I know what I've been feeling in my heart is more than just the traditional physical or emotional love for my mates. In a sense, I truly am both Mrs. Frieda Anderson AND Mrs. Frieda Lawson. I just wish it could be more than a positive feeling between the three of us."
"You mean like an actual, legal marriage?" asked Benton, looking at Frieda and wishing he could do more than just talk about this. "Granted, it's not always for the better, but the world's always in a constant state of change. Maybe someday..." her father said hopefully.
"Yeah. Then again, do I really need a slip of paper to prove how much I love Spencer and Eric?" asked Frieda rhetorically.
The Knights were silent for a time. Then Benton made sure traffic was clear before pulling away from the curb and resuming their journey.