Deep within the forest, a smile crossed the lioness' muzzle. She knew her prey was near.
It was learning, staying upwind from her now, but other acute senses had gotten her this close.
Any moment...
It didn't take keen ears to hear the twig snap.
Without a moment's hesitation she sprang at the noise and was greeted with the sweet sound of success.
"Mommy! You caught me!" cried the child, as she hugged him close to her furry body.
"Oh you little rascal you. You managed to elude me for almost a full minute this time. I'm so proud of you," she said happily.
"Where's Daddy and—"
"Right here," his father said, carrying their daughter in his furry arms and appearing before his wife and son before the boy could finish the question.
"They're learning," the lioness said proudly, moving closer to physically embrace the rest of her family.
"That they are," agreed the father, while playfully running a paw through his daughter's long hair. "They may not have their first transformations until sometime after they turn 14, but they'll be great werelions," he said, noting both children were fully dressed while the parents were proudly displaying their fursonas.
"Just like you," his wife said, leaning in to kiss her mate.
"And you," the werelion added as their muzzles met.
Karen Yuletide slowly awoke from the wonderful dream she was having.
Then reality came crashing back into existence.
She had fallen asleep once more within a chair of the Intensive Care Unit's Waiting Room at San Diego General, and her body was now starting to express its discomfort from being cooped up in the uncomfortable fixture all night.
The only solace she took from the moment is being next to her fiance Peter Talbot, the werelion "prince" of Moon Lake, a fact that sadly she couldn't share with anyone.
Not even her mother, which was the reason why they were in California instead of Washington in the first place.
"You're awake," Peter said.
"Now," she replied. "These chairs..."
"I know," was his only comment, before getting up and slowly stretching.
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked, starting to stand too.
"I'll sleep later. I felt it my duty to watch over you in unfamiliar surroundings," he answered.
Karen was touched, although considering they had been in San Diego since the wee hours of Saturday morning upon being informed about her mother's accident...
"Where's Joanne?" Karen wondered, referring to her mother's fiance.
"She's only been gone about a minute or so. Nature called," Peter said. "If I can ask, you had a smile on your face just before you awoke. What—"
"Us, and our future together," answered Karen, giving him a kiss before her fiance could finish the question.
Their lips were still locked together, their arms around each other standing in the middle of the waiting room, when the door opened.
"OOPS!" said Joanne, seeing the couple.
They broke the kiss and turned to look at her as Joanne said, "I didn't mean to interrupt, but Monica's awake, alert, and asking for you Karen."
Karen smiled at that and followed Joanne out of the waiting room with Peter tailing her.
"I've certainly missed a lot," Monica Yuletide said, after being formally introduced to Peter.
Her voice was a bit strained, given everything she had been through, but there was no denying the strength in her spirit upon hearing that her only daughter was now engaged.
"I kind of have too," Karen replied, indicating Joanne Howard.
"Yes..." Monica began. "I, WE were planning to tell you when you came down for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks," she said. "But then..." and her voice trailed off, for it was hard not to notice the woman's exterior was a good 90% casts. Both arms, both legs, and her upper body.
"I was going to bring Peter with me to Thanksgiving and tell you basically the same thing," Karen said with a smile.
"How long have you been here?" wondered Monica, a mother's concern starting to creep into her voice.
"The hospital contacted me Friday evening. We landed in San Diego about..."
"One Saturday morning," Peter added, finishing Karen's sentence for her before she could ask.
"What about school?" Monica wanted to know.
"We've only missed yesterday and today, so far," Karen said. "Peter and I can certainly make up any classwork once we get back, but the big question at the moment is when do we return to Moon Lake? I certainly don't want to leave you in a lurch."
"True," agreed her mother, barely able to nod her head because of the neck brace she was wearing. "But I'm gonna be here how long?"
"At least the rest of November, if not a good part of December as well," said Doctor Moria Alexander, walking into the room. "I'm not going to sugarcoat this for you though Monica," she added, calling her patient by her first name to establish a rapport more quickly. "I've never lied to a patient before and I'm not about to start now. You were in a very serious accident and are lucky to be alive, so cherish all the moments from this second forward. You're looking at some time next year before the last of the casts come off. And even with rehab, I can't make any promises about how much mobility you might regain."
"But my job. Our wedding," Monica began, doing her best to look at Joanne.
"It's okay baby. I'm here," Joanne said, grabbing Monica's right hand the best she could despite the cast. "The wedding vows do say for better or worse. We're just getting the worse out of the way now so we can have the better the rest of our lives."
"Is it any wonder how much I love you?" Monica asked, unable to stop the tears from forming.
"I know darling. I know," said Joanne, kissing her fiance's hand.
All Karen could just do was smile and lean against Peter, who put a comforting arm around the woman he loved even as his mind contemplated possible scenarios for the future.
TO BE CONTINUED...