This year, the weather was milder. While it was still cold, not much snow has fallen. But so the kids are not deprived of a white Christmas, some artificial snow was blown around town. Much of it came from the same source of the Great Snow War, which was now its traditional ceasefire during Christmas.
And while it was chilly outside, there was plenty of warmth inside. A good deal of warmness was coming from Animalia’s hospital. It was around this time that Annie’s pups decided they were ready to be born and they were rushed to the delivery room. Coincidentally, Rox’s pups also decided to come into the world. Rox was a bit more of a concern because it was clear she was going to have a larger litter than Annie’s twins. They weren’t quite sure how much since Great Dane puppies can be surprisingly small when they’re born though they put on weight quickly.
And while some pregnancies are coming to an end, some were just being announced. And it was a surprise for plenty of people receiving the news.
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Abby Brown has been expecting this for quite some time, years in fact. She was only anticipating it soon because she noticed that her mother has been eating a lot more recently. Abby wasn't certain if there was any noticeable bulge, but she had a very good hunch.
Sure enough, come Christmas morn, once presents were unwrapped, her parents announced one more surprise. "Abby, Samson, we have some wonderful news to share with you," said Josephine. She held Martin's hand and placed her other on her belly. "Abby, in the next year, you're going to have a little brother or sister."
"Oh, Mom, that's so great," said Abby, delighted, but not very surprised, "I only have one question: why now? I mean, you guys have been Animalians for years. Sarah and Malice's parents didn't waste much time in having Bash and Bell. I haven't really heard much of what Simon's mom has been up to with her new husband, but I would have assumed..."
"I suspect it might be a similar reason for us," said Martin, "Abby, you're one and a half years from finish college. And right after you finish, I assume you and Samson are going to get married as soon as possible."
"And not just you and Samson," said Josephine, "All of your friends, most of your classmates, heck pretty much an entire generation has been waiting for this."
Abby nodded. It seemed so long ago that she stumbled across an uplifted Samson before she became double-dosed herself. She and Samson have been mates ever since. Frankly, actually marrying seems like a minor formality. But her parents were adamant that she had to finish both high school and college before they marry. And the same applied to many young lovers who found their bond-mate during or shortly after the Outbreak. There were other people who found their bond-mates later, like Jessica and Sophie. But it was safe to say there were more people ready to marry in this generation than there have been in decades.
"So, again, why have your own foal now?" asked Samson.
"Well, a little bit of it might be empty nest syndrome, but I also want Abby's little brother or sister to be there at her wedding," said Josephine.
"Empty nest? I'm not going anywhere soon," said Abby before pausing and thinking, "I suppose it's less likely that you'll be handing over the farm to me and going into retirement."
"We're not hurting for money, but we're not old horses yet," said Martin.
"So what are me and Samson going to do?" asked Abby, "We can't keep living here forever."
"You're never unwelcome here," said Josephine earnestly.
"I know, but eventually, Samson and I will want our own family and a place of our own," said Abby, "I think it might get too crowded if we kept living here." There would also be a bit of an awkwardness if Abby's own children would only be a few years younger than their eventual uncle or aunt. The youth-restoring/maturity-advancing effects of the Animalian virus made family arrangements rather strange.
"Abby, if you and Samson need a farm of your own, I'd be more than happy to help you find one," said Martin, "Of course, farmland is pretty much all claimed in this area. You may have to look further from here."
"Like in another state?" asked Samson.
"That's a possibility," admitted Martin.
"Wherever it is, it won't be too far away from us coming back here," said Abby, "Maybe not on a weekly basis, but often enough."
"Oh, Abby, you're growing up so fast," said Josephine, her eyes getting teary.
"Mom, I've been grown up for over seven years now," said Abby.
"Yes, but your mental maturity is finally catching up with your body," said Martin.
"I haven't been that immature," said Abby.
"I can certainly attest to that," said Samson, rubbing his mate's shoulders.