My Note: OK, let's get this story rolling! Next chapter is ago! Read and Review please!

Marlene smiled nervously as she snapped out of her trance. "Hey guys! What's up?" Arnina smiled back at her daughter, "Oh, nothing, sweetheart. Your father's just concerned about your weight. You seem to be gaining, dear."

Marlene stopped dead in her tracks. Her heat beat fast. Oh crap... She thought, as she slowly turned toward her mom and dad.

Marlene looked down at herself, pretending to be surprised by this comment. "Really?" Arnina nodded and pointed at Marlene's floor-length mirror. Marlene went to it and checked herself out.

I'm glowing..Great. And... She stopped at her belly. Crap.. Marlene turned around with a smile. "Oh, it's nothing, mom. Skipper just makes me so happy that I glow!"

Now Arnina is suspicious. "We didn't say anything about you glowing, sweetie. Is there something you'd like to tell us?" Marlene put her arms behind her back, like a child who had just been caught with their hands in the jar.

"No, no! I'm fine. Nothing at all needs to be said. Nope! Nothing." Marlene smiled nervously and started walking back outside. "Um, I'm just gonna get some..fresh air.."

Alaster placed a paw on her shoulder and turned her around. "Not until you tell us what's going on. Spill it, little lady!" Marlene twiddled her thumbs.

She laughed nervously. "Well, you know, it's actually a funny story. You guys are gonna love this, it's so gre-"

Alaster cut her off. "-Marlene! The truth. Now." He had his arms crossed over his chest and looked at her with patience.

Marlene gulped and said nothing. Alaster got closer and started making guesses. "Did that penguin boy...touch you?" Oh, Marlene did not like that comment.

"Dad! How dare you! Skipper, would never-" "Insult you?" "Wha-" "Hurt you?" "Dad, I-" "Rape you?" Marlene yelled loudly. "DAD!"

Alaster was taken aback by her yell. Marlene glared at him angrily. "Dad, I can't believe you think that Skipper would do all those things! He's a wonderful guy and supports me no matter what!" Alaster listened in silence.

Marlene continued, "Skipper is everything I've ever wanted, and he's all I really need! And if you can't see the great person he is, then that's your loss. But, I'm not losing anything!"

Marlene stopped to look at her dad and sighed. "I'm sorry, Dad. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that, but you shouldn't make such harsh accusations against Skipper." Marlene held herself in comfort.

Alaster sighed as well and walked over to his daughter. "Marlene, I'm sorry. I don't know him that well and I guess I let my over-protectiveness for you get in the way. I just wanted to know what was going on with my daughter. Forgive me?" Alaster opened his arms. Marlene accepted his embrace and held him tight.

"It's OK, Daddy. I understand." Arnina nearly cried at the sight before her. It was so beautiful, what with her husband and daughter having such a moment.

Alaster pulled back. "Now, little Marlie, tell me what's going on." Marlene was still nervous about that. Marlene quickly stepped away. "Um, actually, Dad. There's really nothing going on. Skipper's great and everything's fine."

Alaster was not convinced by this. "Marlene, we've been through this. I know there's something wrong. Just tell me. How bad could it be?"

Marlene looked around nervously, trying to come up with something to say other than 'I'm pregnant'. Suddenly, it hit her.

Marlene sighed, "Fine. You got me. It's Julien. He keeps making fun of me and teasing me, and it made me so upset that I started eating more and...now look at me." Marlene faked a sad face.

Alaster's fire has just been ignited. "Don't worry, my little one. Daddy will make sure he doesn't do that anymore." Alaster ran outside.

Marlene sighed in relief. "Whew...That was-" She stopped, remembering her mom was still in the room. "-Close." She muttered quietly.

Arnina smirked. "OK, Marlene. Your dad's gone, now you can tell me the truth." Marlene knew she wouldn't be able to fool her mom, but at least it was her mom. She would be much more understanding.

Arnina sat on Marlene's bed and patted the spot next to her. Marlene took a deep breath and sat next to her mom.

Arnina smiled encouragingly. "Now, what's bothering you, dear?" Marlene smiled nervously, "Mom. I know this is sudden and...strange..but if you just let me explain-"

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Marlene stared at her in shock. And although Marlene was terrified, her mom was secretly rejoicing.

Marlene blinked and stuttered, "Mom, how-how did you know? Who told you?" Arnina rolled her eyes. "You did, just now. And besides, I told you. I'm your mother, and I know everything. I mean, you being bigger, glowing, being nervous, sickness, not telling your dad... it wasn't very hard to put the pieces together, dearie."

Marlene was confused. "Well, why didn't you tell dad?" Arnina laughed. "The same reason you didn't. He would've flipped his lid and gone after that charming fellow you love and probably would've killed him."

Marlene blushed. "I..I don't know if I'd say...'love'." Arnina rolled her eyes. "Right, right, you just 'like' him."

Marlene nudged her mom playfully and Arnina laughed. "It's OK, Marlie, your secret is safe with me. Both of them." Marlene smiled.

Arnina looked at her curiously. "But, I don't understand. How did you come about getting pregnant?" Marlene sighed. "Well, when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much-" Marlene recited the exact words from the 'talk' her parents gave her.

"Not that, Marlene. There's no way you and that penguin could have a baby. Is there?" Marlene shook her head. "I don't think so...But that would be such a wonderful thing..." Marlene said dreamily.

Arnina rolled her eyes with a smile, "Anyways..." Marlene looked over, "Oh, yeah, well, it's kind of a long story."

The two looked at the entrance of her cave as they heard screams of pain from Julien. Arnina smiled. "Go ahead, we've got time."

[After 15 Minutes...]

Arnina had a dumbfounded expression. "Wow..." "I know right? It's a lot to take in." Arnina blinked twice. "Wow...Well, this is either better than you actually mating or...ti's incredibly worse. I'm sure your father will be the judge of that. But, it's OK, Marlene. I'll back you up, and make sure that your father doesn't kill anyone."

Marlene smiled and hugged her mom. "Thanks for understanding and not wanting to kill me!" Arnina smiled and returned the embrace. "Oh, you're welcome, baby girl. But.."She pulled back and looked at Marlene. "..You know we're going to have to tell your father sooner or later."

Marlene grimaced. "Yeah, I know. Not really looking forward to that." Arnina laughed and said, "Neither is Skipper, I'm sure."

Marlene jumped up. "Skipper! I better go tell him that I told you! Thanks, mom!" She ran out of the cave as quickly as she could.

Arnina did a little dance. "I'm gonna have grandchildren..I'm gonna have grandchildren..I'm gonna-" Suddenly, Alaster came in.

Alaster stared at his wide in confusion. "What did you say?"

My Note: Oh no...Darn it, Arnina! You just had to dance didn't you? What will she say? What's gonna happen? Review, please!