Chapter Two

Coming Of Age

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Do you care if I don't know what to say

Will you sleep tonight, will you think of me

Will I shake this off pretend its all okay

That there someone out there who feels just like me

There is

"There Is" - Boxcar Racer

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It was a single tree, well into its years. It stood alone around a grassy knoll overlooking a pond. On the other side was a waterfall that both Tod and Vixey found all too familiar. Neither of them minded the sight though, to them it was a place of hope. Tod arrived at his abode and took a quick whiff of the area, making sure no unwanted intruders were there. The vulpine scurried into a small hole in the bottom of the tree and placed his catch down.

Deeper in the tree was another fox, looking almost exactly the same as Tod, only a bit slimmer. Vixey opened her eyes from a quick slumber and stretched out her limbs. She could sense that her mate was back.

"Tod?" She said, followed moments later by him coming around the corner, nuzzling her while smiling.

"I got lunch." He responded back. "It's out front, you want me to get it, or do you want to get them your-"

"I'm not incapacitated yet Tod." She let out a giggle. "I can handle myself." She got up and walked calmly toward the scent of fish. The vixen took two and let Tod have the rest. He insisted that she needed to keep up her strength, but Vixey would not budge. He didn't like to argue so he let it go. As they gnawed on their food, they both were thinking the same thing.

I can't believe I'm going to be a parent…

Their mutual feeling wasn't a secret. Ever since the two "did it", they would talk about the future of their pups. It was an exciting time for them, even though she was in her early stages, Vixey seemed practically ready to give birth at any given time. Her confidence was surprisingly stunning.

Despite being very verbal about their looming parenthood, neither of them had told anyone else about it. It would eventually become impossible to keep it from everyone with Vixey's ever-changing appearance. They both truly wanted the news to be told sooner than later so they could get longer lasting support from their friends.

"Tod, you know that just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean that you have to watch over me every five seconds." Vixey noted while continuing to eat her fish. "I think you should take the rest of the day off." Tod shook his head for a moment and looked back at the exit.

"But I like keeping you company, and I don't want anything to happen to you." He nuzzled her again, this time with a little more force, he could see she wasn't phased. "Ah, okay then. If it makes you happy." He licked her face and finished eating. Before heading back out, he did another sweep of the area to make sure nobody could harm his precious flower. He went back inside and gave Vixey one more nuzzle for the road. "I'll be back tonight, take it easy Vixey." He whispered.

"Don't worry about me, enjoy yourself. I've become tired lately anyway so I won't be going anywhere." She let out a quick yawn before curling herself up in the corner of the den. Tod thought she looked so cute in that position, he compared it to a ball of fur.

He went outside and saw that the sky had now become totally clear. The sun was shining brightly, high above the horizon. Tod began to confidently walk over toward the water and got himself a quick drink. His reflection had shown that he had grown even more since he had met Vixey. It was a great feeling to see how much he had matured over a year, and that he had found someone to share his happiness until their dying day. The courtship between the two was rocky at first, but became a very smooth one within days. He never felt this way, not even when he played with Copper. It was true, down to Earth love.

"Wait until the gang hears about this!" He said excitedly to his reflection, followed by him sprinting out into the woods.