Dilemma

By Leanna

It was the beginning of late spring on New Thundera; the days became longer as the last tendrils of cold had fallen away to warmer weather, and plant life emerging from their long winter slumber. Life seemed to take on a whole new energy; a lot of the shops were now able to set out there wears out on the sidewalks in front of their stores, people took their time walking and browsing instead of hurrying to get in out of the cold.

Despite the happy atmosphere down in the hanger of cat's lair, the echo of crying could be heard, as the sound got louder and closer, Panthro's ears perked up, he knew what that sound meant, a very unhappy Lethea. He set down the parts he had been cleaning and washed his hands. Grabbing a towel he looked up and seen Leanna come in with a wailing 2 year old Lethea on her hip and a toy in the other hand.

"Uh oh, what's wrong?" the panther asked holding out his arms and taking the upset child.

"She broke it," Leanna said holding up the broken toy, "she wanted to go with Lilia and Kale and she got mad when they said no and threw it. Kind of reminds me of someone, not mentioning any names of course" the lioness smirked looking straight at the panther.

The panther just chuckled, "aww what's the matter boo?" he asked looking at his youngest daughter. The child looked at him and sniffled, her soft chubby cheeks red from crying pointed to the toy, she had broken the handle.

The panther gave her a sympathised look, "Da fix it ok?" Panthro took her over to this work bench and set her down and grabbed his tools and took the handle off and fixed it along with the stuck wheel. "There good as new" he smiled. Lethea squealed happily wanting to get down to play. Panthro set both the child and the toy down on the floor.

"That should keep her happy for about twenty minutes," Panthro smiled.

"Thank Jaga," Leanna said blowing a puff of air from her lips and running her hand through her hair."Nice to see you smile for once" she commented.

"And what is that suppose to mean?" he asked as a scowl came on his face.

"That, you've been in a mood all week" Leanna said.

"It's nothing," Panthro said and glanced at his daughter to make sure she wasn't getting into something she wasn't suppose to.

"I think I know what's wrong, but I'm not going to say because I don't want my head bit off".

Panthro snorted and walked off, "I don't know what you're talking about Lea"

"Oh Really?, then why is it every time someone mentions birthday, I can see you cringe and you walk away just like your doing now," She said following.

Panthro stopped and turned around and faced his wife, "yeah, so, I'm allowed"

"I promised you we wouldn't make a big deal of your birthday like you wanted, but still I think we still should do something, why don't we take the kids and go to the beach house for the weekend?" She suggested placing a hand on his arm, "the kids would enjoy it and you get a break from work? What do you say hmm?"

"Well the place could use some airing out, we haven't been here since last summer, and I suppose there will be a bit of repairs needed around the house, just minor things mind you" the panther said with a genuine smile .

Leanna just chuckled and shook her head, "it's a vacation, not a new work project. You can take Kale fishing on the dock"

"Fishing? I haven't done that since I was a boy"

"Well I think it's the prefect chance for some father and son bonding" Leanna said wrapping her arm around his thick bicep. "I think poor Kale feels a bit left out being surrounded by all these females, the other day Lilia was trying to braid his hair"

Panthro burst out laughing, "Is that why he came running down here like his butt was on fire"

"Yep, poor boy was trying to get away from his sister's"

"I know that feeling all to well, I had three of them," Panthro chuckled.

"So do you want to go to the beach house? The lioness asked

Panthro gave her a look, "how fast can you pack?"

Two hours later Leanna had everything packed and ready to take down to the transport car. This was something they needed to do as a family, she hoped it would get the panther out of the mood he had been in for the past few weeks, she tried talking to him, but that was like talking to a brick wall. If she didn't know any better she would think he was somehow showing signs he was depressed. Even his work was starting to show signs that something was on his mind, instead of finishing things, he would get it half done then leave and go out to visit his friend Thane, then not come back until late at night long after she had fallen asleep.

This had been going on for a few weeks; she really didn't think turning 50 was that big a deal. It's not like his life was over, he still had his family and friends, that hadn't changed. He still had plenty to do around the lair, that hadn't changed. She still loved him and that would never change. So she was perplexed as to what was wrong. Looking at herself in the mirror, she scanned her body from head to toe, she hadn't changed much over the past 10 years, she had the start of fine lines at the corners of her eyes, and a few strands of grey hair that started to show at her temples. And she had gained a few extra pounds but that was from bearing three children and five extra pounds shouldn't mean that much. Panthro had always told her she was way to thin and that he like women with a bit of meat on there bones. So that wasn't it? Or was it? She was now 41 and couldn't expect to stay young and pretty forever.

"What you doing?" Panthro asked coming into the room, Leanna hadn't heard him come in, she spun around quickly.

"Oh nothing, ready to go?" she asked grabbing two of the packed bags.

"Yeah, where are the kids?"

"Oh they took their stuff down already, they should be getting in the car now" Leanna said as he mate picked up the other two bags.

"Ok, I told Lion-O where we would be in case we're needed," Panthro said shutting off the bedroom light and headed out into the hall.

The family got into the transport car and headed to the beach house, Panthro remained quiet the whole trip, he only spoke once when he asked if they needed to stop anywhere to get food, Leanna said she would go to the local market and pick up what they would need once they got to the house and unpacked. Panthro told her he would take care of the kids so she could go alone and shop in peace.

Within the hour they reached the beach front home, pulling up into the carport, the family got out, as Panthro opened the trunk to retrieve their luggage his comms unit beeped, "good gravy, you've been gone a little over an hour and they're pestering you already," Leanna said taking the now sleeping Lethea out of her car seat.

Panthro frowned and took the comms out of his pocket and looked at the small display window on his comms," It's nothing," he scowled and put it back in his pocket.

Leanna just shrugged and picked up a bag with her free hand, "I'll go lay Lethea down and help you open the house up"

Panthro stopped and unlocked the front door, "no, you can go get our supplies, me and the kids can handle things here" he said and went inside.

Inside the home, drop clothes covered all the furniture; outside shutters that covered the windows were closed. The twins ran ahead with their bags to their rooms, while panthro set down the bags he had in his hand and went out side to open the shutters so the sunlight could get in. Leanna took Lethea and laid her down for her nap before she went shopping. Once down the lioness went back to the transport car, "want anything special?" she asked her mate who was opening the outside shutters.

"Bring a few of those big thick steaks back," he said as he fastened one of the shutters back against the wood.

"You got it," the lioness smiled and hopped into the transport car and left.

After finishing securing the shutters the panther went down into the basement and activated the solar panels on the roof that served as the power source for the house's electrical system, now they had power and running water. The large bay windows allowed the warmth of the sun in the day time and transition panels on the inside of the glass could be activated to cool the house when it got too hot. Panthro went back upstairs and had the twins take off the drop covers and take them out on the deck to be folded and put away until they would be used again. After they got done their chose he allowed them to finally go down onto the beach.

Taking the baby monitor the panther went out and sat on one of the deck chairs, he set the monitor on the table beside him so he could keep and eye on the older cubs and an ear open for Lethea in case she woke up. He took his comms unit out of his pocket, seeing that Thane called he called his friend back.

Thane was standing at the space port when his comms beeped, "sorry to call you," he said," but I thought you should know that I'm at the space port and guess who just arrived?"

Panthro let out a sigh, "Katra"

"Yes, "Thane answered, "and she didn't come alone, she brought the boy with her"

"Thane do not tell her where I am" Panthro frowned.

"What do you want me to do besides that?" thane asked.

"Just handle it thane, keep her busy, hell demand she go home, I can't deal with her right now, I'm with my family" Panthro said then heard Lea return, "gotta go, Lea's back, I'll call you later" with that he ended the call.