Chapter Two –
"Henry," Gabi sighed walking through the park holding his paw tightly. "We're going to two different universities. Do you think a long distance relationship will work out?"
He looked out across the park as they walked not wanting to talk about it. Their relationship had stayed strong all though high school and had even flourished under secrecy. Gabi's parents and brother had just thought that he was just another friend of hers. They also thought she was a late bloomer when it came to dating. He smirked, boy were they wrong. Little over three weeks ago they had announced they have been accepted into different universities and in a moment of silence, it was clear that an unspoken tension filled the air. He believed that they could still see each other on holidays and whenever they were free, they could also text each other whenever they wanted. However, Gabi was skeptical. It wasn't that she didn't love him anymore, it was more that she was worried their lives would pull them in different directions.
He stopped felling a slight tug on his arm when Gabi continued to walk. She looked back at him. The late summer sun was filtering through the leaves to make a dapple look on her beautiful Gazelle face. Oh how he loved her and wanted to make her happy. "Honestly…" he sighed running his free paw through his thick brown mane. "I think we can if we try, but I won't lie. I'm worried. I love you Gabi and I don't want anything to happen to us."
Her face melted and her eyes softened. She pulled him to a secluded area where nobody was and hugged him tightly. "I feel the same way; I think it's natural to have those thoughts. Ya know?" she broke away to run a hand through his mane. "I think every college age couple has these problems when it comes to choosing a university," her hand came to a stop at the side of his mane where it was a little lighter. In their senior year he had dyed it green, red, and orange in support for speciesexual animals. "Do you think we could go visit Lillianna's resting place?"
His face fell remembering his old friend's sister who had taken him in when he had come out to their parents. Little over two years ago she had been diagnosed with cancer on a routine doctor's visit. She had fought and gone into remission for nearly a year, but it had come back. She had fought again, but the cancer was much more violent and it took her strength. For months she declined and got sicker until the cancer took her life. They all had been there when she passed and Henry remembered clutching Gabi and Lillianna's little daughter to him. "Yes we can visit her," he said wrapping an arm around her.
"Maybe we can stop by the store and get her some flowers," she grinned.
He rolled his eyes knowing why she said that. "Just don't overdo it. Lillianna had an obsession with plants, but we don't need to bog down her resting with them."
"I'll be the judge of that," she pulled him down to kiss him before setting out towards the car.
Parking in a parking spot just inside the cemetery Henry took his keys out of the ignition and walked over to open the door for Gabi. Smiling up at him, she took his paw and got out. Walking to the back door she opened it and pulled out three flower pots with various types of hardy plants in them. "Remind me again why we got flowers in pots instead of a bouquet of flowers?" Henry asked taking two of the pots.
"Because," she said nestling the last pot in the nook of her arm and reached her hand in Henry's pants pocket to get his keys out. Locking the car she pulled on the handle to make sure it was locked before putting the keys back into his pocket. "These will last longer," she said checking on the pot to make sure it was snug in the crook of her arm. "While a bouquet of flowers is very pretty, they will eventually wilt and die. Thus making the grave look bad. Now a potted plant like these will last awhile. I chose hardy ones that could sit by the graves and flourish without anyone having to care for them."
Henry just smiled and shook his head. Walking down the sunny path towards Lillianna's grave, Gabi looked around and rubbed herself on his shoulder. He jumped nearly dropping one of the flower pots. Giving her a disapproving look she just grinned and walked ahead of him. Rolling his eyes, he watched her walk around the bend. Before he could stop himself he found his eyes drifting down towards her behind where her little tail stuck out of a hole made into the blue jean shorts she wore. Blushing he felt a tingling in his groin. Getting aroused in a cemetery, better get it under control or she will never let me live this down, he thought getting control of himself again.
"Here we are," he heard her say. They arrived at her grave to find a Mountain Lion standing at the grave with a light brown ram who had a tiny little Mountain Lion cub nestled in a sling. They both looked up at them and smiled. "Long time no see," the mountain lion said walking over to them. Seeing the pots in their arms he grinned wider. "I see Gabi remembered her favorite plants."
"Why do you assume it was Gabi that remembered?" Henry scoffed faking that he was hurt.
"You never cared. You were either trying to rebuff Lilly's jabs or staring at Gabi's butt," he laughed. "It was always Gabi that talked about plants with her."
"Who's this little cutie, Emmett?" Gabi softly said walking towards the light brown ram with the sling around him. The ram smiled and pulled the sling down a little so she could see the tiny cub's face. Surprisingly she looked more like the ram than she did his partner.
"This is Lilliana, with just one n. She was carried by one of Lukas's mountain lioness friends, well after I convinced him he'd be a great dad," the tiny cub yawned. Gabi covered her mouth when the cub's yawn turned into a soft bleating. She opened her eyes and looked at her with two brilliant blue eyes like her ram father's. "Yeah she may look like a Mountain lion, but she has some traits from me. We placed a bet on if she'd like eating bugs and fish more or eating fruits and veggies like me."
"You make it sound like we're gambling on her," Lukas turned around and gave him a look. "Baby girl can be or do anything she wants…within reason." He walked up to him and pulled the tiny cub out of the sling. Lilliana gave him one look and squirmed for her other father. "She always does this when I don't have a bottle in my paw."
"He's food giver and I'm the comfortable pillow," he laughed putting her back into her sling. Soon enough she was fast asleep in the sling. "See?" he laughed. "So what brings you guys here?"
Gabi took the pots from Henry and arranged them around the headstone. "We wanted to see her one last time before we set off to university. I'm going to Zootopia University for Psychology and cultural studies."
"I'm going to Felidae University in Quessant for Engineering," he said wrapping an arm around Gabi.
Lukas and Emmett looked at each other. "You aren't going to the same university?" Emmett asked slowly.
Gabi sighed. This would be the third time she had explain it to someone, first had been Kaia and then the second had been Alex. She was beginning to get tired of explaining it to everyone. She rubbed the small of Henry's back. He looked down at her noticing the sign that she was irritated. "We originally wanted to go to Zootopia University together. So we could have a college experience together, but when out applications came back it showed that we had been accepted into different universities."
"So the what does this mean for the power couple?" Emmett asked concerned. Lilliana squirmed in her sling and began to fuss. He bounced a little bit in attempts to calm her. "You can't break up my favorite ship."
Gabi chuckled, it was hard to stay mad at Emmett. "We're going to stay together and talk to each other over text, calls, and video calls. Plus, whenever we have a break or when we are free we're going to use that time to meet up," she smiled hugging Henry.
"And rock the boat?" Lukas said which caused Emmett to elbow him. They both blushed. "Well don't act like you haven't before."
"You don't have to have intercourse to show that you love someone," Henry said. "Not all of us have cubs right out of high school."
"For your information we didn't have Lilly right out of high school. It took us awhile to find the perfect surrogate for her. Then it took a while to get all the paper work in order, get appointments, and to finally get her egg fertilized. Not to mention the nine months we had to wait for Lilly," Lukas said indignantly.
"There's nothing wrong with that," Henry said smiling when the little cub woke up and gave him a gummy smile. "Lilly's a beautiful little girl, but having cubs so soon isn't for everyone."
Lukas softened a little bit. "I feel like if Lillianna was here she'd slap both of us right now."
"Be careful what you say, I wouldn't put it above her to rise from the dead," that made everyone smile.
Hitching Lilliana up a little more Emmett smiled wider remembering a memory. "Remember when she got all of us that Halloween? She was hiding behind a couch waiting for us to come into the room. When she did jump out she made us all jump and even made you fall backwards on your butt. Only later did we find out that you had bruised your tail."
They all laughed remembering the energetic and the Mountain Lion that had been so full of life. She had been positive and full of life up until her last day. After that the world had seemed to dim a little bit around them for two weeks following her death. That had only changed when her daughter had come into the room to put her paws on her hips and sass them just like her mother would have done. Mourning didn't last long for her family after she was gone. Whenever she was brought up animals would laugh remembering times that Lillianna had made them laugh or brought them out of their shell with her energetic nature. Everyone who had known her knew that was the way she would have wanted it.
Henry wrapped his arms around Gabi and laid his head on top of hers. "You guys want to go get some dinner?"
"Sure, I was wanting to try that new burrito place near the mall," Lukas said as he took Lilliana. Gabi broke away from Henry to set the flower pots around the grave. "Oh nearly forgot," he said taking something out of his pocket. Emmett walked over and took the rocks out of his hand. He sat three on the grave and then held out two.
"We try to place rocks on her grave whenever we come. It shows that someone has been here. That and she did it whenever she went to visit her husband's parents grave. There are still some rocks on their grave that she's put there," Emmett said.
"Not to mention she carried in that gigantic creek rock there too, still can't see how she got it past the gate," he said as they took the rocks.
Together they sat their rocks side by side in the center of the gravestone. After a moment of silence and a long gurgle from Lilliana they walked back to where their cars were parked.
"You did not!" Alex howled with laughter. "Lukas was the one to do that," she said slapping Lukas on the back at the restaurant table. They had come into the Benzo's Burrito's to find Alex arm wrestling a large Jaguar. After getting their food they had combined their tables to join Alex and the large Jaguar. She introduced him as Lorenzo Henderson, her gym buddy and sparring partner. Gabi already knew who he was. She had met him two years ago when Alex took him on to help him get better at boxing and to hone her skills against someone who was bigger than her. Lorenzo, or commonly referred to as Lore, was kind and loving to everyone he met. More so to Alex who was blind to his massive crush on her.
At the moment they were sitting at their make shift booth arguing over who had pulled a prank on Henry during senior year. "I swear I wasn't, that was Benny who rigged it up for you. When you were going that I was in the library up to my neck in text books studying for a final. Not all of us had the free time to act like an idiot like you did."
Henry grinned. "Oh shots fired," he held up his paws to deflect a chip that was chucked in his direction. "Nice try Raei. You may be a good boxer, but you aren't a good pitcher," he howled with laughter as she threw a spoonful of refried beans in his face. Gabi rolled her eyes and gently wiped the beans off his face with a napkin.
"I'm not a good boxer, I'm an excellent boxer. I make women want to be me and men want to date me," she gloated. She gave him a toothy grin. "You might be a big cat, Keri, but you can't touch this."
"Oh is that a challenge?" He retorted. "Want to test that gloating of yours or do you want to fess up and say you aren't?" He shot out of the booth when Alex came after him.
"Take it outside!" Gabi and the manager shouted. He looked at her a grinned. "Nice scolding there, my mum would be proud."
"I swear it's like I'm watching two cubs," she said coming back to clean their table up. Emmett got up to help her clean up the table. Lukas was sitting in the booth holding a passed out Lilliana.
"Are they always like this?" Emmett asked.
Gabi gave him a look that answered his question. "You would not believe. Last week I had to force Henry and Alex off the treadmill with the help of Lorenzo."
"She's…" he trailed off looking out the window to see Alex put Henry in a choke hold and yank him to the ground. His cheeks heated up. "She's a feisty one," all three of them turned to look at one another. "What?"
"Why don't you ask her out?" Lukas said.
"It's Alex," he said. "Asking her out is probably going to tame her, I like her fire," they all gave him looks again. "What is it this time?"
"Alex's own mother has a hard time 'taming' her when she was younger," she said dropping the trash in the trash can. "So I highly doubt you'll tame her anytime soon. Hey!" she shouted seeing Alex pick Henry up to prepare to throw him down on the ground. Marching outside she yanked them apart. "Do not hurt my…" she trailed off seeing Alex make a 'cut it off' motion with her hand. Turning around her blood ran cold when she saw her parents walk up to the restaurant. Her mother saw her and waved. "Shit," she muttered. "Alex go inside and make sure they know to keep quiet. I'll tell them he's taking me home."
Alex nodded and went back inside. Stepping up on the side walk her mother came up and hugged them. "Well don't you look handsome, Henry. Why doesn't a good looking Lion like you have a lioness on his arm?"
Maybe because he's been dating me for six years, she thought crossing her arms over her chest.
Henry desperately wanted to wrap his arms around Gabi's waist and whisk her away from this awkward situation. "I'd rather focus on school right now and passing my classes."
Her mother smiled. "More men should be like you. Hopefully our Gabi can find a nice man just like you when she goes off to college. Now we're going to get some food. Gabriella, Jack is at home right now and we'll be home in a few hours. Your father forgot to do some errands this morning."
"Alright, I'm going to go help Henry pack the things he's going to take to college," she said biting the inside of her lip out of nervousness.
"Okay, be home before midnight," her mother said wrapping a hand around her father.
"Because you'll turn into a pumpkin if you don't," her father said laughing when her mother elbowed him. "Hey that was a good one."
"Herald, no it wasn't. Neither was your pun about donut holes and celery sticks this morning," her mother rolled her eyes at him walking away. "Ah! Don't you even mention the one you did when I was on the toilet either," she said as they walked into the restaurant.
Gabi watched them go into the restaurant and wave to Alex and the gang. Her mother told her father what she wanted and went over to where Lukas was sitting with a wide awake and cooing Lilliana. Picking her up her mother held her over her head and made faces as the little cub giggled. Gabi smirked with the little cub grabbed her mother's horns and yanked them forward. Emmett got up smiling and pried his daughter's hands from her horns.
"I think you should tell them," Henry said. Gabi turned around and looked at him. They began to walk to the car. It was a cool night out and there was a small breeze. It blew her brown curls into her face and he instinctually brushed them back. "You saw how your mom acted when she picked up Lilliana. She had absolutely no reservations about Emmett and Lukas."
"You know my parents are fine with gay marriage. Two of Jack's roommates are gay and bisexual. She loves them to death, but I just can't bring myself to tell them," she said speaking of her older brother. Jack Gibbins was three years older than her, but was still in college working towards becoming a doctor for children. "The only thing she isn't fine with is the fact that Jack hasn't married his girlfriend he's been dating for five years."
Henry smirked holding the car door open for her. After she was in he closed the door and walked around to get in himself. Starting the car, he looked over towards her. "You know I love you, but you can't keep this a secret forever. Eventually…if it's what you want…I want to have a life with you. Possibly have a little Lilliana of our own."
Her heart jumped into her throat. The idea of marrying Henry had been a dream of hers ever since she first got a crush on him. She had imagined what their cubs would look like. Fluffy little lion cubs with her eyes and his sweetness. Oh how she dreamt of having a little pride of her own. Looking over at him she reached out and rubbed his arm. She felt his skin heat up at his touch. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it realizing he knew what she would say. They sat there in the car for a couple more minutes until he finally sighed and began to drive out of the parking lot. "What would you think our cubs would look like?" she grabbed the seat when he swerved onto the side of the road. Several drivers behind him cussed and sped off. Rubbing a paw threw his mane he cooled himself off and got back onto the road. "I think they would look like you when you were a cub. Small, fluffy, with fat rolls. I'd hope at least one of them has my eyes," she sighed rubbing her stomach. "I got to admit carrying your cub would be amazing."
He could feel the blood rush to his crotch. Biting his lip, he turned on the exit heading towards his house. Pulling onto his street he parked and sat in the car for a minute pleading for his arousal to go down before she noticed. His heart stopped when he heard Gabi gasp and cover her mouth. His skin erupted in a fierce blush. "I-I couldn't help it. You talking about carrying my-my cub, t-t-turned me on. I'm sorry," Henry looked away from her too embarrassed to see her face.
In the past he had gotten aroused around her, but he usually hid it well enough she couldn't see it fully. Now she could. It was pitching a pretty impressive tent in his pants. She could just barely see it through the darkness of the car. She gulped and reached over to grab his paw. He took a sharp intake of breath. "It's okay," she said softly. "You know what they say about a big cat having big feet."
He stiffened feeling it hardening a bit. "Gabi," his voice was husky as he threaded his fingers through hers. "Don't talk. I'm too tempted right now."
She bit her lip and pressed the lock button. "Let me help," she gulped pulling her hand away to brush his hip. She covered her mouth with her other hand when his hips twitched ever so slightly upward. Her hand shook as she reached over and grabbed it. Henry threw his head back and moaned softly. Rubbing him she had to bite her lip to keep herself from doing anything more. This went on for a few more minutes until she began to feel moisture there. "Henry…"
"Please get into the trunk and get my shorts," he said. He shakily sighed as he felt his cock twitch as it squirted out more before withdrawing. Gabi came back and handed him his shorts. "Can…can you turn around?"
"Why?" she said getting back in the car and locking the door.
He looked away feeling ridiculous. "I…I don't want you to see my sheathe," he rubbed his neck.
Gabi's smile warmed him. "You're a dork. I just gave you a hand job and you're embarrassed about me seeing you're sheathe," he looked away, but she leaned over to pull his head back to kiss him. "But you are my dork."
He smiled. Lord I love that woman, he thought. She turned her head and he quickly pulled on his shorts. Getting out of the car he walked kind of wobbly towards his front door. Getting out he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and kissed her firmly. "Don't you think we could continue this in my bed?" he whispered seductively. He laughed when she elbowed him. "A guy can wish to seduce a woman such as you."
"Well I wouldn't be here if your seducing didn't work, if you'd call that seducing," she walked ahead of him and winked. The front door opened to reveal a middle aged lioness in pajama pants and an old t-shirt that once belonged to her husband. "Flower!" Gabi squealed when an old black skunk came waddling up to her. He sat down at the front door and squealed at her to pick him up. Bending down she scooped him up and ran her hand through his fur. He stretched out and rubbed his head contentedly on her arm.
Then another smaller skunk came barreling down the hallway and flew out of the door. "Thumper!" Henry yelled dropping his stuff to run after the small hyperactive skunk.
"He's been pinned up all day. I had to go into the city with Bert to file some paperwork on one of our rental houses. The previous tenants left the place a wreck," his mother laughed when Thumper bounded over a garden mound and around a corner causing Henry to stumble. "Needless to say it took most of the day and after that he wanted to stop for dinner before we came home. Flower can stay out of his crate, he doesn't do anything. Too old and doesn't care do. Thumper on the other paw will tear anything and everything he can get his tiny little paws on. So he's got to be crated when we're not home."
"Watch out!" she shouted, but was too late. Henry wrapped his paws around Thumper and then promptly catapulted over a rock that he failed to see. Groaning he rolled on the ground keeping a tight hold on the little skunk. Gabi and his mother covered their mouths trying to bite back laughter. "We should go see if he's okay."
"Yeah," his mother said going into the house to grab a jacket before walking across the lawn to her son. Henry lifted up his arm and she took a squirming Thumper. The little skunk took one look at her and promptly stopped squirming, knowing he was in trouble when he got inside. "Now I think someone has earned a time out in his crate."
Gabi bent over him and grinned. "You lose more and more of your man card every day."
"Oh you love me, now help me up," he said holding a paw out for her to help lift him up. Getting up he wrapped an arm around her and led her into the house.