-1Storm Hawks
What Are You Thankful For?
By Jeremy "The Foxx" McLaughlin
(First of all it should be known that this story takes place between chapters 10 and 11 of While My Heartstrings Gently Weep. Just so you have an idea of what's going on in this time line. Since it's a side story a lot of the stuff in the story is cannon, but will not openly be discussed in While My Heartstrings Gently Weep. Being as I made this story up on the spot in one day ^.^ Enjoy and feel free to comment.)
Chapter 1
"Guess Whose All Coming To Dinner?"
Along the frozen tundra the wind whipped around. The snow lightly fell adding to the blanket of snow that already lay on the land. A house etched free from the ice and erected tall against the blue morning sky. Inside the house was the festive trappings that accompanied this favorite time of the year. The house was almost completely void of life save for one dedicated Blizzarian with a task on her mind.
There was an inviting smell coming from the kitchen. Lara pressed her hip against the counter as she leaned to support her weight. Slowly a gleam passed over her face as the blade skinned the Tilow Tater. Sweat was beading up all over her body thanks to the heat from the Stone oven. She looked tired having been up since the early hours of the morning working on feast. Her long fuchsia hair and even longer ears were pulled back into a ponytail so they wouldn't get in the way. Her soft tongue passed lightly over her lips to moisten them. This dinner would be special, the first family dinner in a long time.
As the last strip of skin fell away from the soft pink meat of the Tater she slipped it into the bowl of cold water next to her. Quickly without missing a beat she snagged another Tater from the pile and went to work on it. The heat of the oven keeping it almost unbearably hot, even in her shorts and tank top. Another Tater gone as quickly as the first. Her fingers closing around another one before a breath could be taken. Her lime green eyes snatching back and forth over the large pile of Taters. Her resolve was strong, everything had to be perfect and no matter what she wasn't going to let anything get her down today.
There was a knock at the door that drew her attention away from her skinning. Instead of stopping she quickly peeled the rest of the Tater in her hand and dropped it into the water. Lara's strong legs moved her easily from the kitchen into the front hall of her new and larger home, all the while her mind digesting the one thought that occupied it now. Who was at the door? There was another knock pushing Lara to move a little faster as she rubbed her hands on her apron more feverishly.
The daylight poured in as she pulled the door open. A cool breeze pushed its way into her home like an invited guest. It felt good against her body, almost freezing the sweat on her fur instantly. Nothing, but smiles awaited her. Suzy-Lu slowly stepped into her mother's warm embrace. They looked as if mirror images had met in the realm of the flesh. The only things that separated them was Lara-Lu's beauty mark on her right cheek and the flecks of gray in her hair. The small hall was filled with giggles before they were broken by the clear of someone's throat. Lara's eyes shifted to find Billy Rex leaning against the door frame.
"Oh my goodness, William!" Lara slipped away from Suzy's embrace to offer a welcoming hug to Billy, who eagerly hugged back.
"Oh Mrs. Lu please dun call me dat. Only my mother calls me dat, and its usually when I've done sumthin wrong. Ya know I hate it." Billy's ears lay back under his red stocking cap as his strong arms gripped Lara's back.
"And I'm sorry hun, it just feels like firever since I seen ya." Caressing along his cheek.
"Its okay Mrs. Lu I'm not tryin' ta bust yer chops or anything'." Billy pushed his cheek into her hand, it was something that she'd done to him since he was a child and he'd always liked it.
"Now Billy, ya know yer not 'pose ta call me Mrs. Lu anymore." Lara offered a scolding glance.
"Oh ya! Yer not Mrs. Lu anymore. Duh!" Billy lightly rapped himself on the forehead with the palm of his hand.
Suzy pursed her lips as she unzipped her parka slipping it from her shoulders into her waiting hands. "How is dat going by de way?"
It appears as if she were wearing a tank top, but in truth the tight teal rubber body suit did little to cool her down against the heat in the house. Even after taking off her Parka she didn't feel any cooler. She hung her parka up on the wall to the right of the door. Quickly she pulled her fingerless gloves off tucking them into the pockets of her parka before turning her attention back to her mother and Billy.
Lara stepped away lightly continuing to pet Billy's cheek as he let out a soft murr. "I di'nt think ya would show dis year, ta be honest. I noticed Bobby and Davey aren't with ya either."
"Well dere's a long story behind dat. His mum and dad are on Terra Neon for a Rex family reunion, eh?" Suzy sniffed the air, already able to smell the Turkey shipped in from Terra Gale.
"As fir Bobby and Davey, dey were invited to dinner by Chloe and Emily." Billy added as he playfully poked Lara in the side.
"I wouldn't say dey were invited as much as threatened with de pain of death if dey didn't show." Suzy chimed in as she rolled her eyes before slapping Billy's forearm. "Stop flirtin' wit' my mother!"
"I can't help it…she's hawt. If ya only knew de thoughts I was havin', oh buddy." Billy chuckled softly as he leaned into Suzy.
"William behave, or yer gettin' a spankin'." Lara giggled as she rubbed her blushing cheeks.
"See yer mom knows where my mind's headin'" Billy rubbed his hands together playfully.
"Ya know, if I didn't need ya as my wing man, I would stuff and mount ya." Suzy offered a playful growl.
"Alright, ya both are on de right track now bring it ta-gither and ya got it ,Boaw-chicka-moaw-moaw." Billy finished his thought with a childish smile.
"Oh dear! What's gotten into ya William?" Lara covered her face trying to stifle the blush.
"Soory, it just been sucha long time since I've been here. Dis was always my home away from home, and I missed bein' here ya know. I'll be good." Billy said softly as he slipped a kiss onto Lara's cheek.
"Dat makes me feel good ta hear ya say dat. Yer always welcome in my home…" Lara could feel the lime green eyes of Suzy digging into her back.
"Okay mom stop tryin' ta dodge de question. How are thin' goin'?" Suzy moved in closer her eyes tracing over her mother's face stopping on a single leather strap wrapped tightly on her left bicep.
"…Ting's are greater than they've been ina long while, hon." Lara blushed lightly as she clapped excitedly.
Suzy smiled brightly and cocked her head. "Ya asked him di'nt ya?"
Lara simply nodded before Suzy let out an ear shattering howl, launching forward wrapping her arms around her mother's neck excitedly. "I'm so happy fir ya mom."
Billy raised an eyebrow as he pulled his stocking cap off shoving it into his parka pocket before tending to his fingerless gloves. "What are ya girls talkin' about?"
"Ya remember when I told ya my mom was thinkin' 'bout takin' another mate. Well she did." Suzy ran her fingers down her mother's arms letting them fall to her mother's coarse finger pads.
"Whoa…dat does deserve a holler. Too bad I missed my chance to git in on dat action." Billy rested a hand on Lara's shoulder.
"Dat's not de half of it." Lara whispered softly looking into Billy's yellow eyes.
"Whut do ya mean?" Suzy smiled softly anticipating the next words to slip from her mother's lips.
Lara said nothing she wore the cheeks of a blushing bride, her fingers curled lightly around Suzy's. Suzy's calloused finger pads felt like silk compared to her mother's. A lot of battles and a lot of living went into Lara's hands. Everyone was surprised at the submissive role she'd taken after the union with Jamis-Lu. But now the fire had returned to her eyes and it was easily felt through Lara's entire being. It radiated and even Suzy could feel its presents. Suzy looked down at their hands entwined as she watched them being pressed tightly against Lara's belly. The smile on her face increased ten fold.
"No way!" Suzy asked her voice chocked into a whisper by her surprise.
"Ya!" Lara giggled softly adding a slow nod.
"Whut now?" Billy unzipped his parka before pulling it off leaving him bare-chested in the heat of the house. "Man, I need ta take a class on female communications or sumthin so I'm not always left in de dust when it comes to two fems talkin'."
Suzy pulled her hand away from her mother's long enough to slap Billy hard in the shoulder giving him a mock frustrated smile. "Ya noob, she's pregnant!"
Billy curled up against the slap trying to defend himself. "Ow, stopit! Soory I di'nt know. Congrats Lara, I can't believe thin's are going so good fir ya. And may I add ya look great. I couldn't even tell ya were carryin' a lil one."
"Stop flirting with my mother!" Suzy growled softly as she glared at Billy.
"That's so nice of ya ta say darlin'. Now ya two I have serious work ta be doin'!" Lara moved her empty hand to find Billy's pulling both of them into the kitchen so they could continue cooking the feast.
Billy just let out a simple groan and said nothing in response to being called 'William'. "Ya ma'am."
"So whut did, Jamie say?" Suzy looked into her mother's eyes.
Lara said nothing as they followed behind her quietly. Billy held tightly to Lara's hand feeling her course fingers. A flood of memories coming back to him. There had been a million times he'd held her hands. With everything she'd done for Terra Blizzaris and the community, it wasn't till now that he really appreciated the calluses on her hand. It even brought a smile to his face.
They passed through the large archway on their way into the kitchen. Lara released their hands going back to her spot at the counter preparing to start peeling the Taters once again. But before she could start on the task at hand, Billy moved into position his fingers flying easily over the Tater until no skin remained, letting it fall into the bowl of water with a splash before grabbing another to give it the same treatment.
"Thank ya so much fir helpin' me, darlin'." Lara lightly kissed Billy on the cheek. "Wow! Look at ya go. Yer really good at dat?"
Billy simply leaned into the kiss. "Dere's a reason fir dat, ya should ask yer daughter about it."
"Ya know if ya did whut I told ya instead of whut ya wanted ya wouldn'ta had ta peel all dem taters." Suzy smiles warmly as she leaned against the wall next to the stone oven.
"Ya haven't changed in all dese years." Lara giggled softly as she moved over to a box carved entirely of ice fishing around inside of it for something.
"Mom, whut did Jamie say when ya told him 'bout the union and de baby, eh?" Suzy asked once again as she breathed in the spicy scent of the bird cooking in the oven.
Lara whispered softly. "Would either of ya like a drink?"
Suzy's face shifted to a grimace as she realized her mother was dodging the questions. "Ya haven't told him yet, have ya?"
Lara stood up slowly pausing for a long moment before shaking her head. "I was afraid of how he'd react."
"Mom, he's stronger than ya give him credit fir. Not telling' him will only upset him more." Suzy whispered softly as she walked across the kitchen to present herself in front of her mother.
"I know he is. But it was all so sudden ya know. Shortly after ya took him ta see dem Storm Hawks. Dat when yer father ditch me and left. Rai-Vahn's always been here fir me…fir us. It was only fittin' dat he take his place beside me, where he belongs." Lara hugged her body against a shiver that lingered in her spine. "Ya know he was my first, right?"
Billy felt a blush push his way to his cheeks. To hear the female that had such a huge hand in raising him talk about a bedroom subject was shocking and almost unheard of. Jokes were permitted about the subject, but serious discussions were saved for only the closest of family members. The blush was shared by Suzy, who was equally beside herself with embarrassment. However Lara's eyes never left Suzy's, there was a haunting sincerity behind them.
"I ne'er knew dere was another before dad." Suzy blushed and looked down at the floor a little stunned.
"It was before I was united with yer father. It just kinda happened. Rai and yer father were de best of friend, an' I loved dem both." There was a fond look in her eyes as she sighed softly.
"Well whut made ya chose Mr. Lu?" Billy asked, the only time he'd ever shone manners in his life was when he spoke to or about the Lus.
"In a way, I pitied Jamis because of his painful upbringing and because of…well his condition." Lara looked up to catch a glimpse of Billy's eyes glancing at her from over his shoulder.
"Whut condition?" Suzy asked, her ears perking at the sound of someone knocking at the door.
Lara looked at the door and then back into Suzy's eyes. "Listen, today is not de day fir this 'kay. I wanna have a family git tagither. Dis is de first time since Jamie was born we can have a family meal, please?"
Another light knock fell on the door as Suzy open her mouth to speak, but then stopped herself and nodded. Lara lightly rubbed her cheek before moving off to answer the door. Suzy's lime green eyes moved up to find Billy's. His yellow eyes were always soft and caring when he glanced at her, it made her feel good that he would always have that look to share with her.
"Jamie, is gonna be pissed if he finds out from sumone other than mom." Suzy whispered softly.
"Yer right about dat one, I'm keepin' my mouth shut on de subject." Billy agreed as he finished the last Tater.
"I think dats fir the best, hon." Suzy pursed her lips tightly as she shook her head.