Dilemma 2

By Leanna

Panthro got up and went to help Leanna unload the transport car, but the twins had already heard their mother return and raced ahead to help, hoping she had brought back something yummy. By the time he had nearly the back door, it flew open with Kale carrying one bag and his sister behind him carrying another.

"You two must be part cheetah," the panther teased as he moved out of their way.

"I think they smelled food," Leanna said coming through the door with both arms full.

"It is getting close to dinner," panthro said as his stomach rumbled, he took the bags from her arms and followed the twins into the kitchen and set the bags down on the counter top.

"How about you go and get the grill ready and I'll get things ready here?" Leanna said and turned back towards the door.

"Did you buy out the whole store woman?" Panthro questioned as his wife went back to the car.

"Almost," she smiled and took two fishing rods out of the back, "for you and Kale"

"These are fantastic, but we'll need bait and hooks" Panthro said taking them from her hands.

"Ah, don't worry, I have everything you'll need" the lioness winked taking out a tackle box and a small bucket of worms; "night crawlers are suppose to be the best".

"Oh cool mom, what's that?" Kale asked coming up behind his parents.

"We son are going fishing for dinner" Panthro winked and passed the bucket of worms to the boy.

A mischievous grin crossed the pantheon's face and he ran back into the house, a few seconds later the two adults heard a blood curdling scream. Dropping the fishing poles and tackle bock the adults ran inside.

"MOM!" Lila screamed as she ran around the light blue sofa in the living room. Kale was chasing her around the house holding up one of the large night crawlers. Kale was laughing and threatening to toss the worm on the frighten girl. Lila bolted over the back of the sofa like a deer and hid behind her mother, "that's enough kale," panthro said trying not to laugh. The panther picked up the small bucket of worms and made the boy put it back.

"Sisters are so gullible," Kale smirked and started to walk away, only to get a pillow to the back of the head a few seconds later. He turned around as Lila stuck out her tongue at him.

"Brat!" kale mocked and picket up the pillow.

"Oh no you don't, think that's enough for today, " Panthro said taking the pillow from Kale's hand and tossing it back on the sofa, "come on, let's go down to the dock, "he said grabbing the fishing gear.

After they left for the dock, Lila followed her mother out to the kitchen to help put things away, "Boys are so yucky and stupid," she huffed.

Leanna looked at her daughter and smiled, "just keep thinking that for the next ten years honey"

The nine year old just gave her an odd look, "I'll think that forever" she stated.

"for your father's sake I sure hope so," Leanna chuckled then heard Leatha wake up, "can you finish putting things away while I go get your sister?" the young girl nodded, "thank you sweetie," Leanna smiled and went to get their youngest daughter.

An hour later Leanna took two glasses of ice cold lemonade down to the dock, father and son sat side by side, feet dangling over the edge of the dock, their feet just under the water "how's my two handsome fishermen doing?" she asked as she passed them each a glass of the cold beverage.

"Not so much as a nibble," Panthro said taking a sip and setting the glass down beside him. "Looks like steak tonight for dinner after all"

"Oh really," the lioness said and look at her son and winked, she crouched behind Kale and touched his hand that held the pole, "maybe, you're just using the wrong type of bait, "she said with a slight smile and closed her eyes for a moment. A few seconds later Kale felt something tug on his line, "Dad!" He shouted gleefully, "I got one!"

"Boy, don't let it go," Panthro said as equally excited. He threw his fishing rod down beside him and instructed Kale, "ok, now ease back a bit and slowly reel it in" Kale did as his father told him, and within minutes had a rather large white fish ready to be pulled out of the water, Panthro got the net and fished it out.

Kale smiled proudly, "can we get a picture of it?" he asked

Leanna stood, "sure can sweetie, let me go get the camera"

Panthro put his hand on her arm," nice going babe," he smiled, "he's never going to forget this"

The lioness looked at her mate and smiled shyly," what ever do you mean, I had nothing to do with it" she winked. Panthro chuckled and kissed her and let go of her arm. Leanna went back to the house and got the camera and took pictures of a very proud Kale with his catch.

Later that evening after all three kids were in bed sleeping the two adults finally had some time to themselves. Panthro was outside sitting on the deck, quietly sipping a bottle of thunderian beer. Listening to the waves as they came up on to the beach, the slight warm breeze that blew brought the smell of the salt water to his nose.

"Penny for your thoughts" Leanna said setting down another bottle of beer down on the table beside him.

"Hmm, oh.. Nothing, just enjoying the quiet" he said setting down the empty bottle and picking up the full one his wife had brought out.

Leanna crossed her arms over her chest, "I've been with you long enough to know when something is on your mind"

"Let's not ruin the quiet time we have with idle chat, "he said reaching out and taking her hand and pulling her down onto his lap.

Leanna pulled back, "you're drunk" she said with a frown.

"Not yet, "panthro said and downed the bottle he had in his free hand, "I've only had seven of these".

"Ok, what's wrong?" Leanna asked, "Is it me? Did I do something wrong?"

Panthro just looked at her and blinked, "what?. No, no, you've done nothing, you're wonderful, the kids are wonderful, everything is wonderful"

"Ok, no more beer for you," the lioness said, "you're not making any sense".

Panthro looked at her, "Lea, I screwed up" he said seriously.

She looked at him, "what do you mean?"

"You I know how much I love you and our children?" Panthro said running his hand over his head, "I swear I wouldn't do anything to jeopardise that"

"Pan? What on Thundera are you talking about?" Leanna asked totally confused.

"I'm sorry Lea, "panthro said with a sighed, "I didn't know"

The lioness capture his face between her hands, making him look her in the eye "Pan, please.. What is it?"

The look in his eyes was one she would never forget, "Lea, I have another son"

It took her a moment to process what he just said, "what?' she replied quietly.

"I didn't know it until a few months ago, "he said trying to explain.

Before she would react she had to know something, "how old is he?"

"He's seven"

The lioness quickly did the math in her head, "wait, seven," she said and quickly pulled herself off the panther's lap, "you cheated on me!"

"What?. No, no, Lea, wait a second, hear me out" he said as he stood.

"You have thirty seconds, "the lioness barked.

"first of all I would never ever cheat on you, I'm not that stupid to ruin what I have, no, it's not like that, I met Katra the year I thought you and Kale were killed in that car crash, it was a very dark time for me Lea, it was over tens months after the accident, I was still mourning you and kale"

"Wait, "Leanna said holding up her hand and stopping him, "exactly how long you've known about this?"

"I found out six months ago"

"Six months!" Leanna shouted, "you've know for six months and you didn't bother to tell me!"

"Well I wasn't sure he was mine," panthro shrugged

"And now you are?" she asked.

"I had a DNA test done to be sure" he answered.

"But still you hid this from me, is that why you started going out at night?"

"Thane was helping me"

Leanna turned and started to go back inside the house, Panthro grabbed her arm, "Lea, wait"

"Get your hands off me!" she snarled and pulled away.

"Baby, don't be like that" Panthro said and reached for her again.

"Touch me and I will break your hand," she warned with a look that would freeze water solid in a second.