Lillian and Hector have met up later in the day; Hector's mood hasn't improved at all.

"Lillian; Kenneth has gone too far; after blatantly refusing to break off his engagement, he sneered at me and then called me Hector before walking away," Hector snarled.

Lillian chuckled.

"You think that's funny?" Hector demanded.

"Of course I do; then again, you deserve it for the way you treat him; just like how you treated Serafina when she came out as a lesbian five years ago," Lillian retorted.

"I'm his father and he should refer to me like that; calling me by my given name really crosses the line," Hector replied.

The female longneck just shrugged.

"Well, you've crossed the line more often than he ever did," Lillian sneered.

"I'm the father; so-"

"So, that gives you every right to act like an obnoxious jerk to everyone?" Lillian shot back.

Hector gasped at that; his own wife was standing up to him? Back when he was a youngster, if his own mother ever stood up to his father, she'd get lectured about how to respect her mate and that females should honor their mates and just do the child rearing and bearing.

"You are becoming more like your father all the time; the obnoxious jerk trait didn't get passed onto Kenneth, Serafina and Ivy; and I'm thankful for that," Lillian said, feeling proud of her son and daughters.

And with that, Hector snarled and walked away with his tail in between his hind legs.

Meanwhile, Kenneth was being confronted by his father's father. The greying cobalt longneck's icy blue eyes glared into his crimson ones; it was almost as though the young male had done something wrong. However, his father's mother, the white longneck beside him seemed to be more understanding.

"I don't understand why you couldn't find a girl your own age; or a bit younger," Oscar stated.

Kenneth resisted the urge to roll his eyes; since despite Oscar being in his 70's, one swing of his tail to the ribs or the groin could cause some pain.

"You really know how to get on my nerves, don't you?" Kenneth sneered.

Oscar lowered his neck and backed up, preparing to charge at the adult.

"Oscar-"

"Quiet Saffron!" Oscar hissed.

"Hmph! That's not very nice; talking like that to a lady, you, sir are not the gentleman you make yourself out to be," Kenneth commented while sticking up for his grandmother.

Saffron smiled at the young male while Oscar snarled and walked away.

"Jeez, what a grouch," Kenneth whispered to Saffron.

Saffron giggled.

"Yeah; I don't know what I ever saw in him; by the way, thanks for sticking up for me; that took a lot of guts," Saffron replied.

"No problem; you didn't deserve for Grandfather to yell at you like that," Kenneth claimed.

Saffron smiled and nuzzled the young male.

Meanwhile, Connie and Ignatius were having a talk with Miriam; unbeknownst to them, Serafina and Ivy were overhearing what they were saying.

"Father, you're being unreasonable," Miriam said.

"No I'm not; it's you who won't cooperate," Ignatius retorted.

"Iggy-poo-"

The black longneck's face blushed at his nickname; Serafina and Ivy had heard the nickname from over at a watering hole. Serafina had been drinking at the time and squirted water out her nostrils and rolled over onto her back; as did Ivy; even Miriam was trying hard not to laugh.

"Constance! I thought I told you never-"

A swing from Connie's tail slapped Ignatius on the snout.

"I told you NEVER call me Constance; only my parents had the right to since...well, they raised me," Connie stated.

This was one question that plagued Miriam's mind for years. She had heard her mother's name numerous times growing up; but, didn't know if Connie was her whole name or not. Now she knew that it was a nickname and that Constance was her proper name. Her father is the exact opposite; much like his future son-in-law, he prefers to be called by his proper name; not the short form; and especially if the short form has been hyphenated with the word poo at the end. He would never hear the end of it if Hector found out about it.

A little while later, Serafina and Ivy found Kenneth relaxing underneath a large tree.

"How are you doing these days?" Serafina asked.

"Eh; not only Father and Ignatius are being a pain in the neck, Grandfather is also on my case about my decision to stay with Miriam despite our age difference," Kenneth said.

Serafina lowered her head; so did Ivy.

"At least you have someone; I'm still single," Serafina stated.

"Me too," Ivy replied.

"Not to worry, girls; I'm sure you'll find mates of your own," Kenneth assured them.

Both girls smiled and gave the male a kiss on each cheek.

"Hey! A simple smile and thank you would have sufficed," Kenneth protested.

The girls giggled and left the area.

"Sisters..." Kenneth grumbled to himself.

He had no idea why a four year age gap was such a big deal to his father, grandfather, Ignatius and Miles. However, he would continue to live his life the way he wanted no matter what.