Eager to get the day underway, Eric Anderson rushed out of his family house with a hasty "Bye".
He was wearing his school backpack while one hand grasped his overnight bag for his weekend with his fiancee Julie Stovall.
At what would be a miraculous pace if he was within the water instead of on dry land, the were-merman in his human form raced around the corner to head for the Stovall residence as fast as his legs could carry him, not seeing the pickup truck parked at the other end of the intersection, its driver observing him intently.
Eric's probably on his way to Julie's, she realized, failing to notice the extra bag he was carrying. I'll just wait here until they're on their way back and offer them a ride to school, and then try to tempt them with some special after school activities.
What is it about him though? Spencer Lawson asked herself once again. Ever since I first saw him, there's been something about Eric that's drawn me to him like ants to a picnic. But to have him I also have to have her, which I certainly won't mind, thought the hybrid werewolf-cat-panthress*. Yet while both of them have accepted me as a friend, neither him or Julie seem to notice anyone but each other romantically, let alone sexually. I know I kind of have Morgan right now, and I certainly don't want to break them up. I'm just interested in having fun with both of them, either individually or in tandem.
Blissfully unaware of Spencer's feelings or intentions, Eric arrived on the Stovalls' front porch and anxiously rang the doorbell. Julie herself answered it a moment later.
"Hi honey," Eric said with a smile, before giving her a brief peek on the cheek. "Thought I'd drop off my stuff for our weekend before walking you to school, if that's okay with you and your folks," he added, indicating the tote bag in his hand.
"Sure. Come on in a moment. I still have to get my stuff," she replied, her eyes sparkling even more now that her beloved was there."
As Julie ran back upstairs to her room, Martin and Melissa Stovall both said hello to their daughter's betrothed as they entered the living room from the kitchen.
"Hey Eric. Just put that anywhere," said Julie's mom. "I'll make sure it gets to the cabana before you two get home from school for the day."
"Thanks Mrs. Stovall," replied Eric.
"That's Melissa when we're alone, remember? We're family," she politely reminded him.
"Thanks Melissa."
"So Eric, are your parents going to the Town Council meeting tonight?" asked Martin Stovall, the Mayor of Moon Lake, as he stopped in front of a mirror to tie his tie.
"I know they're thinking about it, but I can't say for sure. I'll be here with my lady tonight though. Are you and Melissa going?" asked their daughter's fiancee.
"I will be for sure," replied the Mayor. "Not sure about my wife," he added, looking at her.
"If you think it's wise for me to do so," said Melissa. "After all, it's been a busy week for me since our wild Halloween weekend and finding out I'm pregnant now**. I'd thought I'd stay home and rest. Maybe soak in the bedroom whirlpool tub and go to bed early."
"Fine with me dear. What do you and my daughter have planned for this weekend Eric?" Martin asked him.
"Other than being with my true love, I really don't know," admitted Eric.
"Actually dad, I thought Eric and I would just spend the weekend together as any other couple would. You know, just hang out. Take care of things around the house when needed. That sort of thing," answered Julie, as she came back down the stairs with her book bag.
"Okay kids. You take care and I'll see you this afternoon when you get home from school," promised Melissa Stovall, as she watched Julie and Eric leave, holding hands and smiling at each other the whole time as they walked out.
"Light day at Stovall Systems?" Martin asked Melissa, as he prepared to leave.
"Yeah. Paperwork mostly." Then his wife paused before asking, "About tonight..."
"It's not really anything that hasn't been discussed before," he replied, trying to reassure her.
"I know, but with the way the world is getting. Not only is technology improving by leaps and bounds practically every day, but man's inhumanity to his fellow man seems to be increasing. Or at least, it's definitely getting more media coverage over the years," observed Melissa. "I worry about them," she said, indicating Eric and Julie, "let alone," as she looked down at her stomach, that was still far from showing any physical indication of expecting yet.
"I know what you mean dear," replied her husband, while putting reassuring arms around her. "I not only worry about our family and extended pod, counting Eric and our future in-laws, but for me there's also the rest of Moon Lake, let alone the were community at large to be concerned about."
"Maybe you need a relaxing soak in our bathroom's whirlpool tub yourself when you get home tonight," said Melissa, leaning against him.
"Does that include you darling?"
"Always," she replied, before they kissed.
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*Spencer's father is a pure blood werewolf, while her mother is a werecat-werepanthress mix, making their only daughter unique amongst weres. But because of her hybrid nature, Spencer (named after her father's best friend) also has three times the libido of a normal were which, while she can control her urges, Spencer does enjoy on a regular basis.
**Covered over a lot of past episodes that you can find in the archives.—tmw.