Disclaimer: I don't own CATS!

Tugger knocked on the door of Munkustrap's den, hoping his brother would take it easy on him.
When Munkus opened the door, he was surprised to see his brother and said, "I assumed you would have left town by now, so you're facing up to this?"

Tugger just nodded and Munkus got out of his way to allow him inside and then closed the door behind him.

There was silence between them until Tugger said, "look Munk, I didn't come over for your scolding, I came here because I need some brotherly advice. Will you help a tom out?"

Munkustrap nodded and then showed him into the living room and they sat down. Both tom's avoided eye contact, until Tugger asked, in what he hoped was an off handed way, "so where's Demeter and the kits?"

"Oh, Demeter brought them down to the water hole to spend some mother, daughter time with them."

"Wow, you must have your paws full with two teens in the house Munk."

"Well, it can be difficult because Jemima and Electra aren't ready for everything they want to try, like for instance, they wanted to go to Rumpus Cat's party, which, after hearing about the spiked punch, I'm glad we didn't allow. The thing is, they are also so open with us and mature. It's a really difficult balance with teenagers."

"Yeah, I remember when I was their age, I was already into CAT FANCY magazine," he said, with a grin on his face.

Munkustrap rolled his eyes and said, "so, what was it you wanted to ask?"

"Um... well, for starters, how do I interact with them? Am I supposed to act like their friend? I mean, since you know everything about parenting."

"Look, I'm no perfect parent," said Munk earnestly, "I over react and tend to be over protective of my girls. The first time Jemima came home with Tumblebrutus, I chased him away and left a few good claw marks on him. I tend to over discipline, When Electra pulled a harmless prank on me once, I banned her from leaving the den for a month... That's the way I always handled everything, Tugger, I'm still learning."

Tugger saw how frustrated Munkus was because of the mistakes he had made, and finally Munkustrap continued, "don't act like their friend, act like their daddy. And daddies protect and love and listen to their kits, play with them, teach them right from wrong, instill good values in them." He covered his face with his paws, and then looked up at Tugger and said, "I just wish I could do it all over again, because I loved being a daddy so much. I truly wish I could do it all over again. Now they are young queens."

Tugger was quiet, he still could not picture himself as a daddy.

"I... I don't think I can be a daddy, I don't feel like one..."

Munkustrap grinned at Tugger and couldn't help but chuckle, Tugger looked at him confused, until Munk explained, half laughing as he said it,"Tugger, when I found out Demeter was pregnant, I was scared shitless! I...I didn't know anything about kittens, Jenny had to teach me how to hold a kitten and everything!"

"But when did you start to feel like a dad?" asked Tugger.

"Once we were able to feel the kittens moving inside her, I suppose I started to feel proud about it... knowing I was supposed to be a dad didn't all come at once, it was gradual. When Jemima and Electra were born, and I could hold them and listen to their mewing and look into their faces, it had fully sunk in that they were mine."

"You make it sound so warm and fuzzy," was all Tugger could say. He still felt trapped by it all. The old ball and chain.

"It's a blessing, and it's rewarding, trust me Tugger. I remember for a while, I didn't even want kittens, but they happened, and I can tell looking back now, that I am glad to be a parent."

Tugger had expected to hear this kind of mush from his brother, and he wanted to believe him, but also felt as though his brother were trying to force his lame ideals on him. His idea of the perfect family, like Beaver Cleaver, only with cats.

Munkustrap went on and Tugger just smiled and nodded and didn't hear a word he was saying, the same way he would with a queen. After it seemed that Munkustrap was done lecturing him, he said,"well, thanks for the advice bro, but I gotta run," as he got up and headed for the door.

Munkustrap got up and said hurriedly, "but there are so many things you need to know, like what values you need to instill in your future kits."

Tugger turned and said "I'll figure that out eventually," and with that he was out the door