Some people may wonder what Dinotopians did during this time of year. The answer was simply the same as everyone else: keeping warm and shopping for Christmas presents. The former had a little bit more priority. While dinosaurs might have been cold-blooded like modern reptiles, the cold still didn't feel good on their skin. As such, they frequented the Brumation House and the hot springs as often as the endothermic species.
Heather and Tyra were having a nice soak in one of the hot springs. By this point, Heather had long since become accustomed to Animalia's lax standards of modesty. More importantly, she has become accustomed to Tyra's lax standards of modesty. She was even able to talk about sex with Tyra, to a certain degree.
"I'm just sayin' the occasional change of pace is good for keepin' a relationship alive," said Tyra, "I know you and Jeremy are a good match, but it wouldn't hurt to mix things up now and then."
"And you think a wife-swap between us and you and Rex is a good example?" asked Heather dryly.
"Rex can be long-winded at times, probably as much as Jeremy. But, boy, does he know how to please a woman," said Tyra.
"Jeremy pleases me just fine," said Heather.
"I'm sure you had to teach him a lot," said Tyra.
Heather couldn't really argue with that. After all, Jeremy had been a virgin before he converted. "There are a few problems with your proposal," said Heather.
"And those are?" asked Tyra.
"First off, I'm sure wife-swaps count as adultery," said Heather.
"It's only cheating if there's no permission given," said Tyra, "You'd be surprised how many couples have done it in Animalia."
"Name one," said Heather flatly.
"Clara and Robert," said Tyra promptly.
"As if," said Heather dismissively.
"They were pretty close before Rick and Martha came around and I would be very surprised if they weren't open to the idea," said Tyra.
"Where did you hear that?" asked Heather.
"Oh, just hints you pick up," said Tyra, "Nobody says it, but everyone knows."
"I'm not going to put stock in hearsay that isn't even being said," said Heather, "And anyways, you have to be husband and wife for a wife-swap and you and Rex aren't married."
"That might soon change," said Tyra.
Heather gave her grandmother a surprised look. "What makes you say that?" she asked.
"Rex finally finishing mapping and analyzing the Syntixisaurus rex genome," said Tyra.
"He did?" asked Heather, "What did he find?"
"Well, we're a mix of different theropods, that's for sure. But we have more genes from more species than some," said Tyra.
"And how much of it was Tyrannosaurus rex?" asked Heather.
Rounding up, 42%," said Tyra.
"Only 42?" asked Heather.
"It's still a higher percent than the other species," said Tyra, "But what it means is that in terms of being related to a T. rex, we're about as distant as a wolf and a bulldog?"
Heather lifted an eyeridge. "A bulldog?" she asked.
"His analogy. Probably referring to how bulldogs don't look closely like wolves, but are still closely related enough," said Tyra, "It's enough so we'd not be breaking the Edicts."
"But are you really ready for marriage?" asked Heather, not expecting her wild youthened grandmother was wanting to settle down.
"I've had a long time to mourn your grandfather and your parents," said Tyra, "Workin' at the Meat Market has been more fun than anything, but I'm gonna do it for the rest of my life. And Rex is a lot smarter than most guys and more thoughtful. I can think of worse husband material."
"Well, when do you think he's going to propose?" asked Heather, "Or are you going to take the initiative."
"The bride proposin'?" asked Tyra, "Oh, Heather, even in this age, it just ain't done. But if I have to, I suppose I better get to it so we can have our weddin' before breedin' season. We're gonna be pregnant buddies."
"Tyra, I don't intend to have eggs with Jeremy this season," said Heather.
"Right, and I'm a Benedictine nun," said Tyra sarcastically.
==========
Only a few years ago, Jeremy only had to Christmas shopping for just Polly. But not he had a much bigger family and several more friends. And just because he was a genetics genius didn't mean he knew what to get everyone. Fortunately, Rex was helping him out with the Christmas shopping. It was a good thing that merchandise now came in Dinotopian sizes.
Jeremy looked at his still-unfinished list and said, "This was so much easier when I just had to buy some 'Frozen' paraphernalia."
"It's not like you're trying to find the cure for cancer," said Rex, "Just don't overthink it."
"It's just...overwhelming," said Jeremy.
"Better get used to it," said Rex, "Especially since you're going to have your own kids."
Jeremy didn't really blush, but he didn't comment on it. Last year, he and Heather were holding back because they weren't married yet and Heather was still on probation. But with breeding season only a few months away, Jeremy was going to have to give that some serious thought. Were he and Heather ready yet?
"Actually, I need to ask you for some advise with something you've experienced," said Rex.
"Oh?" asked Jeremy. The paleontologist probably had a lot of questions about how Dinotopian genes worked. While he had mapped out the Syntixisaurus rex genome, there were probably other questions pertaining to it.
"When do you know it's the right time to pop the question?" asked Rex.
"Wait, what?" asked Jeremy, not expecting that.
"Well, at that Christmas party as the Brumation House, you proposed to Heather, you made it look so easy. Just a plastic dinosaur egg and a ring. But how did you know that was the right moment for it?" asked Rex.
"Well, I had to plan ahead for it. I know some people do it in private, but I wanted people to see," said Jeremy, "I think it's more about knowing when you've got the opportunity. Are you asking because you're preparing for a particular someone?"
"Well, Tyra and I are genetically-compatible and I know even though she's a wild girl, she's still capable of being a sweet wife and mother. Heather's living proof of that," said Rex.
"She is at that," said Jeremy, "And you want to know when would be the best time to ask?"
"Someplace and sometime she'd appreciate it most," said Rex.
"I might suggest that party they'll have on the Winter Solstice. The one with the big bonfire and all that," said Jeremy, "If there's one thing I know about Tyra, she loves a party."
"I think I could make that work," said Rex.
"Does this mean I'll have to call you Grandpa?" asked Jeremy.
"Absolutely not," said Rex flatly.
"Oh, thank goodness," said Jeremy.