As Tad Decker awaited the school bus with his friends, his mom Jen drove her fiance Claire Jacobs back to Moon Lake College, where her car was left after being rushed to the hospital emergency room yesterday.*
"You've been strangely silent this morning," Jen observed. "Werecat got your tongue?" she asked, a sly reference to their species when displaying their fursonas.
"Lot on my mind," admitted Claire. "Some of it you're already aware of, like our impending marriage."
"Hope you're not having second thoughts about that," replied Jen cautiously. She had not expected to find love again so soon after the death of her husband/Tad's father, but since being asked to usher the former human into were society since Claire wanted to be a feline so much, something "clicked" between them in the process and the two rapidly became romantic, let alone much more.
"Hell no!" Claire didn't hesitate to answer. "If anything, I wish the knot was already officially tied, as they say, for the only reason I don't already call myself Claire Decker is the lack of a marriage certificate between the two of us yet."
Jen just smiled. She hadn't really thought about giving up the Decker name in favor of becoming Mrs. Jacobs, but realized she would have if it meant keeping Claire in her life.
"No, I'm wondering what I'm contributing to our relationship, let alone our future," admitted Claire.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, before we met, other than a longing to be a cat, I had no real plan in life. Just living from one day to the next, at times barely making ends meet. After all, janitorial may be an honest profession, but it certainly isn't a lucrative one."
"Okay," said Jen, wondering where Claire was headed with the conversation.
"And yesterday didn't help matters. You already lost one mate in your life. While I wasn't in any real life threatening danger, I saw the way you looked at me when you first arrived at the emergency room. I don't want to put you through that kind of a situation ever again."
"I appreciate the thought and concern, but regardless of when we take our vows, the ceremony does say for better or for worse, etc. etc."
"But I want everything between us to be the better, not the worse," said Claire, turning in her seat to look at Jen.
"It will be honey. Yet every relationship, let alone life, has its ups and downs."
"True, but I'm realizing now that I need to better myself. Not only for just you and us, but myself as well. I don't want to be a Custodial Engineer the rest of my life. No matter how fancy a title you use, I want to be something more than a janitor. Something both me and you can be proud of."
"I'm already proud of you honey," Jen told her. "It was very brave of you to risk being with me to become a werecat, knowing that doing so you would turn at least bi, if not become a full fledged lesbian in the process. Becoming a were is a big step for any normal to take. You should be proud of not only hanging on to your dream, but making it come true as well."
"I am. While there were other feline possibilities I might have gone with, there was just something about being a cat that always attracted me to the species. Gaining your love, let alone everything we've had since was just an added bonus," purred Claire, looking at Jen affectionately.
"And when you come home tonight, I plan for the two of us to make up for you not being able to do anything last night other than rest and recover," purred Jen in return, despite the fact both women were still in their human forms.
"I am seriously looking forward to that, my love," said Claire, as Jen drove on to Moon Lake College property.
Claire directed Jen to where she left her car in the Employee parking lot.
Idling the Decker family car next to it, Claire got out, then walked around to the driver's side as Jen rolled down her window.
"I'm serious about wanting to better myself," said Claire, leaning in to address her fiance.
"I know you are honey," replied Jen, looking intently at her. "But the important thing here is that you already have both my love and heart. Besides, Tad likes you too so whatever happens, you're already an important part of our family."
"You have no idea how much those words mean to me," said Claire, as a slight tear started to form in the corner of her eye.
"I can take a good guess," said Jen, before the two of them shared a long and passionate kiss.
When their lips finally parted, Jen said, "Now you have a good day at work, and I'll be looking forward to having you in my furry arms tonight."
"And vice versa," purred Claire, giving Jen once last peck on the cheek before reluctantly walking away.
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*Being an unfortunate side casualty of a riot over the impending were reveal at the college yesterday.—tmw.