Fennec Manor was a lot more lively these days. Not just because it was the official hub for Animalia Ambassadoria, but Joanne's kits have plenty of energy. Fortunately, Animalian motor skills develop at around the same speed as humans, so they weren't constantly underfoot. But Joanne would have liked to have a few more children around. Namely from Nicole. While Joanne had her own kits, she would like to see some grandchildren someday. Though that would be a little awkward for Philip as they would be his half-siblings. It did make Joanne wonder how they'll eventually explain to the kits how they were related to each other.
But until Nicole gets pregnant, Joanne had been encouraging her employees to bring their own children over. She really wanted her manor to feel more like a family house. Sometimes it felt a little quiet when Animalia Ambassadoria weren't here, especially with Miles away at college. And Joanne wanted her kits socialized enough as they developed. Though there was one child that Joanne somewhat dreaded having over. And this was one of the days she was here.
"She's getting so big," said Joanne in a doting tone, looking down at the little mule filly who thankfully was sucking on a pacifier. She looked a lot like her father, Reggie, having inherited his sandy coat, though her ears, mane, a streak going down her back, and her tail were all black.
"Yeah, I appreciate you letting me bring her here," said Reggie, "Especially after last time." Animalian babies are just as prone to tantrums and crying fits as human babies, particularly when they're separated from their mothers for too long. And Betty had quite the meltdown the last time, which was bad enough without the deafening bray of a mule. Poor Donovan and Ramona were terrified of the awful noise and it was harsh on Joanne's large fennec ears as well.
"Well, it's hard to teach babies manners," said Joanne, "Actually, toddlers take quite a long to learn manners as well. Though I'm sure you and Nelly are going to make her indoor voice a priority."
"I'll certainly try, but Betty might be rather stubborn," said Reggie, "She takes after her mother a lot."
"I should hope that you would have some influence over her," said Joanne.
Reggie shrugged and said, "It was hard enough making her wait until after we were married. When Meryl got pregnant first-"
"I was actually referring to your daughter," said Joanne, meaningfully.
"Oh, yeah, I'll try but it's not going to be easy. Betty's been willful since her first breath," said Reggie.
==========
Meryl and Olly were quick to arrive when they heard that Nelly was in labor. Of course, Nelly practically nagged her brother to come stay at her place during her last week. Meryl was rather annoyed at having to close her shop during this. "She better not take her time about this," grumbled Meryl.
"Meryl, you personally know how long it takes to give birth," said Olly pointedly.
“Ok, maybe so, but I went through it with poise and dignity,” said Meryl. Reggie glanced at Olly who was standing behind Meryl. Olly just shook his head flatly.
Just then, they all heard a loud piercing bray that made them all cover their ears. “Sounds like we came just in time,” said Olly.
“Was I that loud when I was having Myron?” asked Meryl.
“Pretty much,” said Olly.
“Yeah, she’s been having more contractions,” said Reggie, “Hopefully it won’t be much longer.”
“Poor thing,” said Meryl.
Eventually, the three of them were allowed into the delivery room. A rather tired Nelly was holding her newborn foal. “Ha…I had…a daughter…before you…” panted Nelly to Merly, “In your…face…”
Meryl rolled her eyes and said, “Fine, you win. You outdid me fair and square.”
Nelly’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, and she said, “You don’t…sound upset…”
“Over ‘losing’ to you in something meaningless? No. Not to say your daughter isn’t precious, but does it matter who had one first?” asked Meryl, “I don’t know where this silly competition thing came from in the first place.”
“Olly found you before I found Reggie,” muttered Nelly.
Olly and Reggie just shrugged at each other. “Nelly, it was never a race to begin with,” said Olly, “It’s not like we’re part racehorse. And while I’m glad to have a niece, I don’t want you pushing your health just you feel like you have to keep up with me.”
“We have a daughter now. That should be more than enough,” said Reggie.
Nelly sighed and said, “Ok, that’s enough. I should focus on regaining my strength.”
“And losing that pregnancy weight,” said Meryl in a lighthearted tone.
“I bet I can do it faster than you did,” said Nelly, though she didn’t sound as adamantly driven as she usually did.
Olly just threw up his hands in frustration. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you two,” he said.
“I guess we’ll just have to live with them being rivals,” sighed Reggie.