In perfect honesty, not knowing what to do was something Puss never liked the thought of. Yet, here he was, standing out in the sunlight wanting to know the impossible because he knew this day would come eventually. But, it feels weird to know it all by now. Being a father was not always going to be easy, but he didn't know it would feel weird to now know of this.

He took one good look at himself in the water and sighed heavily. He was not father material, and everyone could see it within him that he would have zero clue about raising a child. It didn't matter how big the litter would be, he didn't have a clue on a father because he had no one to teach him about it. He'd look around and see many fathers, or men that acted like them. He'd be the worse father when he thought about it.

His hat made his head sweat as he removed it and splashed water on his face. Maybe the cold fresh water could make him see it would not be a bad thing in the world to have tiny little kittens running around in the town, being the pride and joy of them. Acting all high and mighty like their daddy, not to mention how they'd always find their way out of trouble… He smirked, yes, he liked the idea of being a father already.

However, he had left because she was not having the best time with the news. He had caught word of her seeking out her friends, and a part of him knew she wouldn't always be happy with the thought of being a mother but they were old enough! They could do it if they tried. They had done so much together and being parents wouldn't change a thing, but when he saw her speaking with some of the Orphans, he couldn't help but feel like it was his fault she's was trying to get a grip on the thought of being a mother.

"You ain't going to speak with her?"

He nearly jumped out of his boots at the sound of the mayor's voice. Puss's green eyes flashed towards him and for once, there was no fear in his eyes. Only worry for the newly made parents. "Why should I? She will only push me away." He said, dropping his shoulders. "I think it's better if she does not speak to me for awhile."

"She's trying to get a grip of it like you are," The mayor countered. "If anything, this is a path for both of you. Is it not?"

Puss shrugged. "I guess so."

"I thought the great Puss In Boots is not afraid of anything?" The mayor asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Or is he afraid of being a father?"

"I am not afraid!" Puss hissed out, his fur bristling. "I am just unsure about it all. What if they do not like me?" His voice changed with each word and the mayor scoffed loudly. "What?"

The mayor looked at him. "You are liked, your kids will like you no matter what happens. Each kid likes you as does everyone else…" He shot a look towards Señora Zapata. "Well, maybe expect for Zapata."

"She does not like any outsiders." Puss shrugged, quite used to Zapata's ways and how she'd treat him. "I wouldn't expect her any other way."

Temeroso smiled weakly. "See? You will not be disliked from your kids."

"I am great with kids, huh?" Puss puffed out his chest, Temeroso gave another smile and nodded, knowing very well that the kids of the town loved Puss greatly and no one dared to say otherwise. "I just hope she can handle it."

"She can. Trust me on that," Temeroso told him. "What could she not handle anyways?"

Puss gave him a look. "58 to 67 days of dealing with growing kits?"

"Ah… that is one thing."

"Si. It is." Puss nodded, " I supposed I should go and talk to her about it…" His green eyes slide over to Dulcinea. "Though, it won't be fun speaking to her about the growing kits."

"You need to some time." Temeroso said.

"Si, I know."

Knowing it was now or never, Puss made his way over to his mate and stood there quietly before Pajuna noticed him and patted Dulcinea's shoulder before making her way into the bar. His paws felt heavy as he tapped her shoulder and nearly tensed when a glare was shot his way.

Okay, so she was still pissed at him for knocking her up… good to know about how she felt about it all still. But could she blame him? Yeah, so they spoke about kits, but he knew they didn't expect having them this early. Yet, it was a good time to start at least trying to get somewhere in this.

Yeah, he would have a hell of a time helping her out.

Dulcinea gave him a look before sighing, allowing him to speak about whatever he needed too. Puss tried to explain how he didn't exactly know what to think about it either, but it was a good chance they'd forget about it when they would meet the kits, so why should they always fight about it now? Besides, they'd be good parents if they tried hard enough.

In all sense, probably not the best thing to say to a pregnant cat.

Puss stood quietly when she looked him over before sighing. Nodding off and he smiled gently before kissing her forehead, nuzzling her softly before taking her hand. He took notice of Toby walking towards them and he smiled softly at the strong orphan.

"Did you two make up?" Toby asked, and Puss shot him a confused look. "Señora Zapata told us you two were fighting about something. So, did you two make up?"

"Si, we did," Puss nodded. "I need to have a word with her about telling you kids things."

"What were you two even fighting about?" Toby asked, Viana and the others coming up behind him. Eager to know. "Everyone else seems to know."

Puss waved his paw around. "It's more… of a grown-up thing."

"Is it now?" Dulcinea asked, her voice still icy.

"Si, it is." Puss nodded. "We will tell you kids later."

Running off with a slight cheer, Puss sighed heavily when he noticed Dulcinea shot him another look. Well, this would take getting used too for the next few days or… however long their kits took to grow. He'd have to get used to her being moody now because of the kits.

But he knew it would be worth it in the end.

"What did I do now?" He asked her, his voice almost in a whiny tone. It was more playful. "Did I upset you?"

"No…" Dulcinea sighed, shaking her head. "I just… need to get used to this. It's going to be different until they're born."

"And we have plenty of help!" He threw his paws up. "I am sure everything will be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

In the next few days, he wasn't sure how it happened but now, Dulcinea was avoiding him and when she did pay attention to him, she'd give him a look before nuzzling into him. He'd loved it when that happen, but he knew one wrong move, and he'd be sleeping outside in the coldness instead of being in the warmth like she was. She had total power over where he slept now.

The kids eventually found out about the kits. Each had their own sort of reaction to the news. Toby was overjoyed and quickly began asking if they thought of any names, Viana was just happy to know they'd be parents, Kid Pickles didn't really have a clue on what to say, and of course, Esme was too happy to think of anything else besides the new kits.

And then there was Artephius.

The old wizard was trying to make new things for the kits, calling them the newest generation, and he'd couldn't wait to meet the 'four' and Dulcinea nearly had a heart attack at the thought of four kits at once. Puss had to catch her from falling, and hissed at the old man. Mumbling to never mention four at once, and Artephius nodded.

By the time of the fourth week, everyone could see how this was making him nervous. He knew the length of a cat pregnancy. In human terms, it could be known as nine weeks against nine months. Dulcinea hadn't spent too much time doing things she'd normally do, like going with Puss outside of town, and she'd always be around Pajuna.

Normally, he'd be looking at her once he got back and always said hello before going down on his knees and nuzzling the bump she had. Mumbling to his unborn kits, and then going to nuzzle her. Everything he'd want in his family, and Dulcinea would rolled her eyes and went along with it.

"How are you feeling?" Puss asked, as he got back from being out of the town, having to deal with thieves before. "Any sort of movement or discomfort?"

"No," Dulcinea rolled her eyes. "Nothing at all. Everything is fine, Puss. You're worrying over nothing."

"I think not!" Puss shook his head, crossing his arms. "We do not know what these kits will act like! Maybe in the night, they'll get all in the move, and decide to make you comfortable."

"They already do that," Dulcinea growled. "I'm used to that, and I don't need you telling me that part again."

Pajuna blinked, "How many times did you tell her that?"

"Once."

"Four times a week."

The couple shared a look with Pajuna shook her head, and frowned deeply, "You, sir Puss In Boots, are one hell of a worry." Puss gave her a look before shrugging, and Dulcinea frowned. "Now, just humor him."

"Fine," Dulcinea sighed, crossing her arms, "But once these kits are born, they're all his's in the morning."

"You get them in the evening?" Puss asked. "Or in the afternoon?"

"Puss? Just shut up." Dulcinea hissed, and Puss nodded.

On the eighth week, Puss was more protective of Dulcinea than from the other weeks. He'd always be around her, and growled at anyone who dared to touch her or to try to harm them. While, everyone understood perfectly why he was protective of her, they did feel like Dulcinea should have a little freedom. When Pajuna was with her, Puss gave her a look but allowed it.

Pajuna gave him another look before shrugging, going back to speaking with Dulcinea before getting her some water and Puss was right on the water and gave it a look, before Dulcinea hit his arm and he sighed before handing her the water. Yeah, from what she was seeing, Puss was overly protective of his mate.

"You need to give her some space," Pajuna said while cleaning the counter, Dulcinea was resting peacefully in their bed. "You can't be over her all the time now, Puss. She'll want space when kitting."

"Si, I know," Puss sighed. "But I want her safe."

"It shows you are a good mate," Pajuna smiled softly, placing her hoof on Puss's shoulder. "But you need to know when to back off."

"But…" He trailed off when he realized this would get him nowhere when it would come with being a father. "She is resting peacefully, and we don't even know how many kits are there."

"I think cats usually have up to five or six kits a litter," Pajuna said. "But, there is a chance it'll be a small litter."

"Dulcinea will be happy with a small litter, but I am not so sure about me. I feel like a bigger litter will be good enough for me," Puss admitted. "I just want to make sure everything will be fine with her."

Pujana gave him a look. "Everything will be." She grabbed a glass and filled it with milk, passing it to him. "Do you know when they're due?"

"No." He shook his head. "She will not let me know anything."

"Hmm… she just doesn't want you freaking out." Puss nearly jumped at the sound of Temeroso's voice. His green eyes landed on the mayor walking into the bar with Señora Zapata. "It is common within couples."

"How do you know that?" Puss questioned him.

"A lucky guess."

Señora Zapata sighed, "She told me everything is fine. If you knew, she'd claw at us."

"Do not messy with the lady." Puss purred. "Now… can I offer you two a drink? It is on me."

"Si, I would like that," Temeroso nodded, and then he looked at Señora Zapata, "What about you, Zapata?"

"One." Zapata pointed at the ginger cat.

"Ah, but of course!"

Finally, on the ninth week, Puss was out helping Toby and the other children when Señora Zapata came moving over to him and whispered something in his ear, and he shot away. Running away towards the room he shared with Dulcinea, and the kids gave a confused look before it was explained to them.

The couple would need alone time while the kitting was happening, and Puss couldn't even think twice before he saw Artephius helping. He blinked twice before asking him if he knew what he was doing, to which the old wizard nodded and he was surprised when he realized how it was working until he saw the Duchess there as well, helping away.

At least they had the Duchess there to help them out.

It took about four hours, it seemed, maybe even less or more, when it was over and Puss was the one who was holding one of the kits and his eyes looked his first born kit over. Dulcinea was holding the other two while Artephius and the Duchess walked out of the room.

The first born was an orange striped tabby, the little paws were white as while as the underbelly. The nose was a bright pink shade of color, and Puss wondered if his or her's eyes were green or blue. His eyes then moved over to the next kit, and he smiled brightly while purring away.

The second kit was a white kit like his mate, expect he could see some color of ginger along the paws, even some by the nose and Puss purred loudly and licked his mate's ear before realizing how much the second kit looked like it's mother. The nose of the kit was still pink like it's littermate.

Then came… the last kit.

Puss's heart nearly stopped when he realized what the kit looked like, and he heard Dulcinea suck in a breath at the kit's look. The kit's fur was totally black with some white hair on the chest. But it barely stood out from the deep black fur. The nose was even black like it's fur but it was noticeable.

"Our… our youngest…" Puss trailed off, trying to keep his green eyes away from the kit. "Is… a black cat."

"How…?" Dulcinea asked. "How is he a black cat?"

"I do not know."

"... We could at least name him and his littermates," Dulcinea mumbled under her breath. "Name our daughter."

"Sofía," Puss purred. "What about this little one?" He tipped the orange tabby to allow his mother to see him.

"Hmm… I think Antonio fits him," Dulcinea said with a smile. "And… our youngest?"

"Miguel." Puss declared. "He shall not be treated different."

Dulcinea sucked in a breath, "Puss, what will the others say? You saw how they acted when you were cursed to be a black cat! They'll treat Miguel like he's a bad guy…"

"I will make sure nothing happens."

"Promise?"

"Of course…"