- Are you sure you're ready for a child? -Diane is incredulous.
She says it in the plural, but she's looking accusingly at the snake.
- Hey. -He looks back at her. I have the right to choose. -
- Children with lesser abilities have the same value as everyone else. -He claims.
- Of course, I never said otherwise. -He defends himself. I'm just saying that if they charge us seventy dollars to adopt, at least we can choose the child. -
Wolf steps in between them before things escalate any further.
- It seems we are not those heroes who adopt, just another one of the many breathing ones who can have children. -He declares to soothe the two.
Shark clears his throat.
- It is better to have an honest conversation and not one for show. -He informs the vulpine, "After all, a baby's life depends on it. -
- I just can't believe the adoption agency stopped taking her calls. -The mayor takes a deep breath, trying to relax.
She's sure they weren't approved in demonstrating the moral fitness to offer a child a suitable and stable family.
- We came to discuss the best option. -We already know that traditional adoption is out of the question. -Try to lighten the mood.
- Too bad we won't get our money back. -The reptile mumbles.
Diane's hair stands on end.
- And what did the surrogates say?! -Wolf exclaims before the vulpine speaks.
- I'm sorry Wolf. -Webs says, checking his computer. 100 surrogates have rejected the offer. -
- I guess they are human. -He sighs exhausted.
Many humans are still afraid of the genetic combination that can arise, although science established years ago that there is no problem, the fear remains.
- And aren't there any anthropomorphs out there? -He doesn't want to give up hope.
- I'm sorry. -You look at him sadly. In this field they would starve to death because of the low demand. -
The words Small Community falls short for them, even if they were to find an Anthropomorph in this vocation, they might not want to do it for the same fear of not being of the same species.
- What about becoming a foster home? -Piranha suggests. It's like breaking the foster system, they let the kids come through and pick their favorite. -
The one with glasses looks at him in horror.
- Impossible. -Snake rejects. I'm sure he'll want to keep them all afterwards. -
It was hard to make it clear to the wolf that he doesn't want twelve children, so he's not going to push his luck.
They are silent as they run out of options.
- What if we look outside the adoption agency? -
- Piranha! -they all shout at her.
- I mean look for a mother or a family who wants to give their child up for adoption! -
- The process of placing for adoption is easier than adopting. -There is no barrier that prevents them from giving it to the government. -
- And how do you expect us to find a mother willing to give her child to strangers? -Asks the tarantula as if she were a fool.
- There are all kinds of people on the Internet. -The fish defends itself.
- It is a very intimate and vulnerable decision. -The shark speaks up: Most people prefer to do it behind closed doors. -Discard the idea immediately.
They notice that the wolf and the snake look sadly at the wood on the table.
- But the world is too big, maybe leaving a notice on the internet. . . -He tries to correct himself.
- Thanks guys. -Wolf interrupts with a smile. Let's think about it. -
His friends understand the signal and say goodbye with words of encouragement to leave them alone.
- And what do you say? -Wolf asks, taking him by the tail to guide him to sit on the sofa.
- It was my fault that the agency stopped contacting us. -He accepts without being able to look him in the face.
- You were honest to say that you are not prepared for special situations. -
- I'm not, but I can be. -He scrunches up the bridge of his nose. I naturally prefer to avoid difficulties even if it makes me sound horrible. -
- You know what would really make you a horrible person? Lying and hurting a baby's chance at a good life. -
Stroke his tail.
- Surely the agency has to deal with situations like this, as long as they don't tell us we're not acts for adoption, we're still in the game. -
- If an accident happens to you or our son, I won't run away. -He promises, afraid that his words will be misinterpreted.
- I know. -She smiles at him. -He pinches her cheek. You just can't feel that affection for our son until you get to know him, until that happens you just treat him like a stranger. -
- That last one makes me sound really bad. -He turns away from the pinch.
- There are parents who can't love their children until they are born and see them grow up, that doesn't make you a bad parent. -
Kitty jumps on the couch for petting.
- Hehe. -Cradles him in her arms to spoil him. Believe me, when you meet him, you're going to want to moon him. -
- That's fine. -His confidence makes him smile. But if it hypothetically happens that the agency doesn't think so. . . . -He looks down.
- We'll keep looking for other options. -He makes it clear that he won't blame him. It's just a difficult start, remember that it may take some time until they give us our son. -
They both lean in closer.
- We will be the best parents in the world. -
- That's the way it's going to be. -
They both smile as the kitten purrs.
They leave the agency with downcast faces after a meeting with their social worker.
- How can it be so hard to adopt? -
asks the snake buckling his seat belt.
- Statistics show that half of all women have unplanned pregnancies. -
- Yes, but most decide to keep them. -Start the car. Babies aren't like guns, they won't give it to us that easy. -
They are silent for a moment on the road trip.
- Do you think it has anything to do with us being a wolf and a snake? -
- I prefer to be positive and think they haven't found the right baby. -
- Surely that right baby must be like "us. -He hints annoyed.
- As long as they give it to us, I don't care what species it is. -He grins from ear to ear.
- Babies are in high demand in this business, maybe... . -
- We made it clear that it would be a single child in exchange for it being a baby. -He interrupts without taking off his smile. It's either the twelve kids or you get over your fear of diapers. -
The snake gives up grumbling.
- I'll buy you an ice cream. -He consoles him.
.
His friends greet him excitedly when he gets home.
- Is it a celebratory ice cream? -asks Webs excitedly.
The wolf smiles apologetically.
- Don't worry. -The shark smiles at them, "I'm sure they'll get it next time. -
Snake starts ringing and shaking.
Wolf raises his hand and the snake spits out a red rotary phone.
- Hello? -He answers. Yes, really? No, no! We're only a block away. -He's lying. I'll turn around, tell him to wait. -Hang up. Come on, Snake! -
He runs to the car throwing the ice cream and the phone in the air.
- What's going on?! -He follows him but stops for a moment to eat the phone and the ice cream that fell right into his mouth.
- A girl, she saw our picture on the agency's website just now, and she wants to meet us. -He slides down the hood and gets in to start the engine.
- And what are you waiting for? -Jumping into the passenger seat. Start it! -
They speed off leaving their four friends in the driveway of their house.
Piranha winkles at the shark to get him to bend down.
He whispers in its ear.
- I'm sure next time you'll get him your free pizzas. -He says rolling his eyes.
Two pizza carts pull up in front of the house to give away pizzas to the whole neighborhood.
The one in green shouts happily and runs to get his pizza leaving his friends with their mouths agape.
Webs and Diane stare at Shark.
- ... I'll be a multimillionaire next time for sure! -He shouts with his arms outstretched to the sky.
They wait.
Nothing happens.
- Damn it! -He exclaims in frustration. I wasted my last wish on that sucker! -
The pacifier is happily eating pizza.
.
The car slams on the brakes.
- Oh, man! Do you think the girl saw that? -I don't want the first impression to be seeing a madman behind the wheel. -
- Were you planning to lie to her? -He asks sarcastically, taking off his seat belt.
They jump out of the car and run to the entrance.
They stop.
They take a breath, straighten their clothes and enter quietly with their heads held high.
- Glad you could make it. -They are greeted by their manager in the process, who was very insistent on meeting them, he is their fan. -He guides them to his office.
The husband and wife exchange excited glances.
- Amber. -Greetings, opening the door. Meet Mr. Wolf and Mr. Snake. -
- I can't believe it's you. A seventeen-year-old girl greets them beaming. When I saw your pictures I didn't think it was really you. -She repeats without realizing it.
- Do you know our work? -The wolf smiles and greets her with a friendly handshake.
- How could you not know it? -They defeated Marmalade, they traveled through time, they fought zombies and aliens. ... -I can't believe they came! They must have a lot of adoption options. -
- I'll leave them alone. -The social worker flees the room.
- That nice gentleman spoke very highly of you. -The reptile replies.
- May I have your autograph?! -The girl looks like she is about to jump.
The couple smiles at her.
.
.
- Talk to Amber, I inform that she will keep looking for other options. -
- What! -They both scream into the phone.
- What happened? -Snake asks.
- Was it too soon? -Wolf asks. Did she feel pressured? I admit it was too fast for her to choose us as soon as she met us. -
- Pressured her? -Yesterday that girl looked like she was going into labor right then and there to give us her baby. -
- Calm down. -It's not her fault, there are many reasons why she could have changed her mind. -
- And why did she do it? -asks the canine in a weak voice.
- I don't know, and even if I did, I can't reveal that information. -He apologizes.
- . . . Okay, thank you. -He hangs up, forgetting to say goodbye.
The snake looks at him worried.
- I'm fine, well no, as best I can be in this situation. -
He lowers his ears along with his gaze.
- This is much better than what they show on TV; meeting the baby, getting attached and giving the baby back because the mother changed her mind at the last minute. -
The snake slithers under her arm and wraps her entire torso in a hug.
- You're going to call her, aren't you? -Her head rests on his shoulder with cheek against cheek.
The wolf nods and dials her number.
They hear the first ring.
The second.
The third. . . .
- Hello. -They hear a muffled voice after the sixth ring...
- Hello, Amber. -I know this might be awkward, but I just want to know why. -
- I'm sorry. -I know you're going to be amazing parents, but... When I got home and told my parents, they made me realize that their lifestyle is very dangerous. -
The husband and wife are surprised, they really didn't expect that answer.
- Basically every month one of the criminals you put away escapes to commit more crimes or take revenge. ... What will happen if he decides to attack the baby? -
- I won't allow it. -They answer at the same time.
- . . . I believe them. -There is a moment of silence. They will think it is absurd that a woman who is willing to give her baby to strangers should care so much. . . . But I want her to go to a safe home, one where her parents can at least live for a long time. -
- . . . Thank you for responding. -Wolf closes his eyes. And it's not absurd, you're a good person and I'm sure when you're ready you'll be a very good mother. -
- Thank you! -He looks like he's going to cry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I know they'll find another baby. -
She apologizes several more times before they can hang up.
- Are you feeling better? -
- No.
- Do you want to stay in each other's arms? -
- Yes, I do. -
.
.
Scroll down to continue viewing profiles of prospective parents.
Get hit in the head with a newspaper.
- Stop torturing yourself. -The reptile takes away his cell phone. Dinner is ready. -
- Makes perfect sense. -He answers, getting out of bed. Our lifestyle is too risky. -
He follows him down the hall.
- Look at all those parenting options, with jobs that won't kill them or with lunatics chasing them for revenge. -
- So you're saying firemen, policemen and soldiers shouldn't have kids? -
- You know what I'm saying. -
They sit in the dining room.
- We all die from the moment we are born, some faster than others, but we will all die at some point. -
- Maybe that's why we've been waiting for a year. -He puts a spoonful of stew in his mouth.
- They are hypocrites. -
- Hey!
- It's true! It's funny to see how they discriminate, I'd like to see their response when poor people want to adopt. -
- They're children's lives, they have to be choosy. -
- And that means that poor people shouldn't have children? -
- Of course they should have children! The only people who support that idea are the cynics who prefer to go for the easy way out instead of solving the wealth disparity in this country. -
Another scoop.
- Don't blame the adoption people, they do what they can. -
- Then stop blaming yourself, you do what you can. -
- . . . It's just. . . . I can't believe we missed that. -
- People would rather not think about dying, or their family being kidnapped. -
The wolf plays with his food.
- If something happens to us, our friends will fight each other for custody. -And we could talk to a lawyer about an inheritance or a trust. -
- ...do you think we should leave him? -
- I could do that. -
- Really?! -His eyes widen in surprise.
- The advantage of getting to my age is that I've already experienced a lot of things. -
He keeps thinking about all the crazy things he's experienced.
- Much more than the average person, now I'm just waiting for my retirement. -
- Do you want to be a housewife? -
- Heavens no! I'm not that old yet. -He looks at him angrily. I'm not going to quit my job, just the missions. -
- And... Would you really do it? I don't want to force you. -
- . . . You've noticed. -Put the spoon down. I've gotten slower and I get tired faster. -
The wolf purses his lips without being able to object.
- Time is unforgiving, I'd like to have one last mission, go out on my terms, and be remembered in my prime. -
- And what are your terms? -
.
.
- This is Tiffany Fluffit with you. -
Greetings from the show's host.
- Breaking news, Mr. Snake has fallen into a coma after saving his team; The original Good Guys, in one of his last missions, and we don't know if he will be back to his old ways. -
His live audience gasps in concern.
- If you want to know what happened. . . -
Diane turns off the TV.
- It was a success. -She smiles, turning to look at the patient in ''Coma''.
The snake is lying on the hospital gurney eating a French fry.
His three friends are crying beside him.
- What's wrong with them? -It looks like it's under a storm.
- It's like the end of an era. -Piranha cries.
- It won't be the same without you. -Sobs the tarantula.
- Why now? -asks Shark, crying.
- They talk as if I were going to die. -He frowns. "Enough! -
- But you could have waited one more year. -Or two, four, ten more years. -
- Better now, if Marmalade escapes from jail for the thirtieth time, and comes after me, thinking I'm an easy prey. -Smile. He'll be surprised that I can still kick his ass. -
That makes his friends laugh.
- Is everything all right? -asks the vulpine when she sees the wolf out of the way.
- Yes. -She smiles at him.
- So? -
- I knew we couldn't do this forever. -He looks at the picture of his friends. And now that Snake's retired. . . . -
Watch as they laugh in between comments and jokes.
- Transitions are always hard. -Smiles the redhead. But they left a very good legacy. -
The Good Guys, from just a bunch of crazy philanthropists to an organization of heroes protecting the world.
With teams and honorary members located in different parts of the planet, in charge of protecting their respective areas.
I'm sure they will be very sad to see the founding members slowly leaving the helm.
- Yes. -Wolf smiles from ear to ear. With them out there, I don't have to worry. -His voice contains confidence and pride.
- Diego Velazquez, known as the Painter of Painters, named after Edouard Manet, a painter known for influencing the beginnings of Impressionism.
He had an obsession with detail that turned his portraits into vivid images of them.
Some even call it an optical illusion for being able to imitate life, it is impressive to think that he did it with the few resources he could get at the time.
Normally painters only made art for the rich, but Velázquez painted kings, as well as buffoons.
There was a rule that every artist had to make the person he painted beautiful, and Velázquez did the opposite and painted slaves as if they were aristocratic.
This would have been a death sentence, but thanks to Philip IV, a great lover of the arts . . . -
He begins to tremble and to ring.
His students, who were distracted, finally pay attention to him.
- Allow me a moment. -He slips out of the classroom.
He spits and answers.
- Good news! -A mother is going to give birth in a few hours, if you're there the baby will be hers. -
- Now! But I'm in the middle of a class. -
- These things can't be controlled, if they don't go, someone else will adopt the child. -
- But he doesn't know us. . . . -He's panicking.
- The other social workers are already informing their clients about the case, I already talked to Mr. Wolf and he said they will be there. -
- But he's also at work. -
He panics when he hears the engine roar.
He turns to look out the hall window.
The familiar black car moves like crazy and brakes just below where he was standing with the tires screeching from the sharp turn.
- Snake! -He gets out of the car without shutting off the engine. -He's still wearing his racing uniform.
- You ran away from work!? -He shouts from the window.
- Mike will understand! Come down, we have to go get our son! -
- I can't go out like this! -Unlike the wolf, he can be replaced.
- What a teacher! -Your students are looking at you from the doorway.
- I need the permission of... -
- We pay your tuition and your salary, we are your bosses, and these bosses tell you to go! -The others support him.
- . . .all right. -He gives up with a smile. We'll find a day to make up the class, and please tell the principal what happened. -
The young people scream in horror as they see him jump out of the third floor window.
Her husband catches him with a bright-toothed smile.
- Take advantage and go to the museum! -He shouts to the young people before he gets into the car. There is an exhibition of Velázquez! -
The car speeds off with the excited shouts of the university students.
- Wolf, slow down! -He shouts, putting on his seat belt, "We already have too many tickets! -
- I saw two cars going to the same hospital! -
- Are you sure?! -
A car is passing them.
- It's another one! -I instantly step on the accelerator all the way down.
They are hit by a huge car.
They lose control temporarily falling into a dizzy spin and slowing down, falling behind the two cars.
- Damn it! -They came separately. -
- How do you know that? -asks the snake.
- Look at him! It chases him but doesn't try to overtake him, it stays behind to eliminate the competition, this way they have a better chance of winning. -
He adjusts the gear and suddenly turns the steering wheel in the opposite direction, with the tires skidding leaving a mark on the ground.
- Where are we going? -It's the opposite direction from the hospital.
- We took too long, we were overtaken, it is obvious that they are veterans in the baby races; which means that we will be attacked mercilessly as we are the new ones, and they beat us in numbers. -
For being at such a huge disadvantage the wolf looked thrilled as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel with a smile.
This was a testament to his street racer mental quality.
- On the road straight to the hospital; the roads don't have much space, giving the advantage to those who arrived first, but it's a road full of traffic lights. -
The first corner appears at a very tight U-turn.
Anyone else would have slowed down to avoid crashing.
But Mr. Wolf drove faster.
Left foot on the brake and right foot on the accelerator.
To hold back the best lap time he must maintain speed, it means braking less and maintaining speed through the turns.
Normally he would brake hard and then turn sharply to make the corner.
But then he wouldn't be the big star and winner of every professional race he's ever participated in.
He takes a much wider line through the corner, pressing lightly on the brakes and maintaining a higher speed throughout the corner.
He should thank his trainer.
- The longest road will be the most crowded, it will be a battle with the other parents, and although I'm very tempted to participate I'm not going to waste time when I can be with my son. -
They head to a place they both know very well.
The tunnel in the wall takes them through the underground corridors of the city.
- It brings back memories. -
The snake comments, looking at the dark place where once was the path to his old lair.
- Your former underground racing partners would curse you if they found out how you cheated. -
- In those races there are no laws. -He replied offended.
That's how he found these passages in the first place.
- But yes, they started cursing me for always winning. -
That profession eventually stopped being profitable; too much hostility in the workplace, so he went into thievery.
The cold breeze is refreshing down here.
Feeling like they could win, they start to relax a little.
- . . .I never thought that in one of my careers I would win a son. -
They enjoy the ride.
- It will be the best prize I've ever won in my life. -
The snake smiles at her, feeling the tension leave her body.
The warm sunlight of California.
The great battle against the weather continues to join the traffic.
It's hard to have a clean race with a lot of cars circling the road.
You hear the roar of the engine and the screech of the tires.
You don't want to lose by getting stuck behind a slow driver.
He kept going faster and faster overtaking cars with people freaking out at the sight of him.
Years of practice have made him an excellent overtaker.
But the cars of people who just wanted to get from point A to point B were not much of a challenge.
It only took him a few laps to get into the open spaces or using the curves to make tighter turns, and accelerate before the other driver realized what was happening.
The race ended without fanfare when they reached the hospital parking lot.
They wrestled with the seatbelt before they could enter the building.
- Here we are! -They shout when they see their caseworker.
- Well done! -He celebrates. Pay me! -He says to his colleagues at the adoption agency.
The guys complain but pay the bet, and call their clients to tell them the sad news.
- What about the baby? -Snake asks.
- They arrived on time. -Smile. He's waiting for them. -He leads the way.
They both take each other's hand/tail and follow him.
The attendant knocks on the door before opening it.
- Susie, this is Mr. Snake and Mr. Wolf. -
The two come in to say hello.
- Hello," smiles the woman on the gurney wearily, "Have they been on TV? I've seen them somewhere. -She jokes.
The couple laughs as the attendant leaves to give her privacy.
- Nice to meet you, Susie. -Wolf smiles at her. I guess that princess is my prize. -
He looks at the little girl in the woman's arms.
- Yeah. -She looks dejected.
With effort he hands the little girl to her.
The wolf with burning eyes holds her carefully, remaining silent, marveling at the red and wrinkled face of the most beautiful baby he has ever seen.
Snake in front of that scene, and with tears pressing his eyes, felt the luckiest man in the world.
This is proof that miracles do exist.
- Hold her. -Wolf offered, remembering that her husband was waiting for him.
The snake wrapped the girl in her rings cautiously and patiently so as not to hurt her.
For a long time he thought the best hope was to get away from it all, and he didn't even dare to think in the direction of having a family.
His eyes softened when he looked at her, he already loves his daughter.
After the world gambled with his life, he gave her the most precious compensation.
He let himself be carried away by his emotion, he held her head and a tender kiss was placed on the forehead wrinkled like that of an old man.
Wolf's heart was filled with endless anticipation at the sight of his family.
Thinking of how the little girl would slowly grow up, learning to walk, talk and call them daddies, and of how she would grow into a beautiful, strong woman.
The little girl suddenly shook her fists a little and yawned with her tiny lips.
The parents look at her with fascination, feeling their hearts were melting.
- I'm glad she's going to good parents. -She interrupts without malice, finding it hard to look at the scene.
- Thank you, Sussie. -This is the best thing that ever happened to us. -
- I. . . . I can imagine. -He tears up. Sorry. -He lowers his head so I don't see it.
- Is something wrong? -The wolf looks at her with concern.
- It's nothing. -He tries to calm down. It's just that things have been difficult. -
- Of course, this is very difficult. -Snake supports her with a forced smile. But you're a strong woman and you'll get through it. -
She takes her husband's arm, feeling a bad feeling.
- We ran away from work, so unfortunately we can't stay and chat. -
She tries to pull the wolf towards the door but can barely move him a few inches.
- Everyone will be fine, Susie. -He comforts her, ignoring the snake.
- I didn't want to hurt her moment, but if the outlook was different; maybe I could be a good mother. -
- What are you talking about? It's obvious that you would be. -
- Wolf. -Snake mumbles.
- I can't take care of him because of my full-time job, and I can't buy what he needs. -She wipes her tears. I don't have anyone and I can barely take care of myself. -
- No one is a super hero, we all need help, that's why there are pages where they give away baby stuff. -
- There is such a thing as free stuff! -She looks at him with surprise.
- Second hand. -He explains, and also the state. . . -The grip on his arm becomes so strong that it starts to hurt.
He turns, the snake looks at him in fear, holding his daughter as if trying to protect her.
Wolf looks at him hesitantly with a twinge of pain in his chest.
- And also what? -She asks desperately, as if she is about to come out of a nightmare.
Her heart fills with uncertainty.
Snake shakes his head.
.
They leave the hospital with empty arms.
They walk to the parking lot, get into the car, put on their seat belts, but it won't start the engine.
They stand there in grim silence.
- If you want to yell at me, you can. -Says the wolf gathering his courage to look at his husband's face.
Snake's unnatural calm was like a thorn in Wolf's chest.
- . . . You did the right thing. -She replies without rolling her eyes at him.
Wolf bangs his head against the steering wheel.
Police sirens are heard.
.
.
They arrive at his house after paying the fine.
Snake is the first to get out and enter his house without waiting for the canine that followed him on his heels.
- Snake. -He begs.
He stops just in time before the door to his shared room hit his nose.
The sound of locking it was audible.
He stands forlornly contemplating the wooden barrier.
He reaches up to knock with misty eyes, he can't leave things like this.
He hears muffled sobs.
He freezes, as his expression contorts into a mask of regret.
His fists were already so tightly clenched that his claws dug into the flesh of his palm.
He deserves to sleep on the couch.
He has a guest room, but if he sees that he's sleeping comfortably, the longer he'll stay angry .
He wakes up with a knock on the window.
- What are you doing? -Snake asks angrily on the other side of the glass.
She woke up this morning to find her husband asleep in the car.
- We haven't spoken to each other for a month. -That's her answer.
He couldn't rest easy anyway unless they talked.
- Get in the house. -He orders.
Obediently obeys and follows him into the Living Room.
One of them looked down, while the other looked up.
After agonizing days of Snake deciding it wasn't worth wasting his eyes on him, he finally met their gaze directly.
The two just blinked for a few minutes in silence.
Wolf continued to wait, because it was not the scene he had imagined.
He thought of screams in which he released all the repressed anger that gestated inside him as it had happened many times before.
And for that not to happen, it was terrifying, why Snake just looks at him expectantly, like he's waiting for something.
He swallows.
- I couldn't do it. -He looks at him with sorrow. I couldn't live knowing that I took the child from a woman who really wanted to be a mother. -
- Good for me. -Her tone is cynical. My husband seeks the welfare of strangers over me. -
- No, he doesn't. -
- You took my daughter from me! -I growl craning my neck to stand above the wolf.
She looked up to observe her husband's slightly pale face and puffy eyes.
The canine felt his heart pierced.
- You always do this! You go over my head and make decisions without consulting me first. -
- Yes, I do. -But it happened so fast that I thought you would eventually agree to. . . . -
- I would never have agreed, I would take my daughter. -
Wolf looks at him in shock, he can't believe he carved such cruel words.
- I don't know what kind of world you live in. -He doesn't like that look. Adoption lives on the misfortune of others, like the news or lawyers. -
He speaks crudely.
- Those who adopt get happiness from the sadness of others, if you are going to solve all the problems of every mother you meet, then. . . . We should reconsider having children. -
He seemed to have lost energy with his words.
She turned around and started to slide away from Wolf.
- No! -His hand catches the tip of the scaly tail.
Snake doesn't sympathize and in a jerky motion pulls his hand away as if it had burned him.
- You're right, I'm so sorry. -Afraid of upsetting him, he avoids his urge to hug him. Sorry for helping Susie. -
Snake's uneasiness intensifies, he looks away without wanting to see him.
- But I am sorry for what I did to you. -He closes his eyes tightly, "I know I can't break up. . . I know I can't separate the family from the person. -
After a long moment, Wolf finally regained some calm, and opened his golden eyes.
- So. . . . I leave it up to you, to receive our son. -Make a difficult decision.
- Are you serious? -She looks at him with surprise.
- Yes, I'll wait outside. -
She closes the distance between them but not so much that they touch.
- I don't want to see who the mother, father, grandparents, whoever, I don't want to know. -
Both of their lips are pressed tightly together and their complexion is pale.
It is clear that they were currently tense and fighting an internal struggle .
- . . . I'll think about it. -He doesn't want to make a decision now. And he uses the guest room. -
.
.
Wolf lay down on the bed without changing his clothes.
He had rushed here from work.
After a long day of training in which he had failed to get a passing grade, he was told to take a break tomorrow and get his head together before the race in Montreal.
He gets under the covers, admits he hadn't been resting well for some time.
He squints in a somber glow in his blank stare.
Just as he was about to close his eyes and sleep, he heard the creak of the door.
The canine sat up knowing who it was.
- Can we talk? -Snake asked, turning on the light.
The feelings of unhappiness and indignation from before dissipated so he could talk calmly.
- Yes, yes. -He nods his head.
He walked straight over to the bed and took a seat at a respectable distance.
- This adoption thing has gotten too complicated. What if we go back to surrogacy? -
- But no girl wants to... -
- What about Diane? -
- . . . do you want to ask her? -
- I'm pretty sure you and she already talked about it. -
- What?! That's. . . . -He gets nervous.
- You two aren't so different. -His voice is apathetic. I'm sure you'd rather discard him for "My good. -
- We just... We didn't want to put you in an awkward position. -
- When was it? -
- After Webs offered to have our baby. -
Genetically can anthropomorphs have children with other anthropomorphs of different species, or humans, but biology makes it difficult for them.
Depending on the gestating reproductive organ, it will not be able to accommodate fetuses of a VERY different species, so complications can arise in both development and delivery and even cause the death of the mother or babies.
This is why the body can reject fertilization if it feels it is a danger to the mother.
It is a natural way for the body to protect itself.
There is an ancient record documenting a human who had her vaginal canal ruptured by giving birth to an anthropomorphic hedgehog, leading to her demise.
In these modern times, it can be solved with a cesarean section.
But in this case:
Seven kilos of tissue expansion in a finger-sized abdomen.
It would definitely kill Webs in the process of gestation.
They would need to go through a long process of trial and error, and be willing to terminate the pregnancy if it was a threat to their friend's life.
The only way to continue it safely for both of them would be for their child to grow into the Webs species; a spider.
But do not rule out the possibility of a larger size and complicating the pregnancy.
As the possibility of dying trapped in a very small belly or a tear in childbirth.
If this is the case, it could be solved with a cesarean section but the risk of the first days are too high.
For the safety and health of her friend, they politely declined the proposal.
- She contacted me privately. -
- I would have liked them to talk to me. -She looks at him wearily.
- Because of. . . The difficult history that I indirectly caused between the three of us, it was concluded that you would not agree. -He scratches his neck in embarrassment.
- Sincerely. . . -Sighs. I am not fascinated by the idea of Diane being the creator of the greatest miracle of our lives. -
- She's just a friend. -She tries to reassure him.
Snake's face tells him that doesn't comfort him.
- I can't believe you'd rather talk about our personal stuff with Diane without involving me, it makes me feel like I'm the third wheel. -
- We didn't want to cause drama. -He explains, lowering his ears.
Snake's lips quiver.
- Why do I always have to be the bad guy of the two of us? -He complains with anger in his stomach. Ever since we decided to have a child, I've felt like a heartless, inconsiderate person. -
- That's not true, you have your feet. . . . Stomach on earth and you live in the present... -
- Now I'm supposed to take away your chance to receive our child? This is for both of us. -Claim. So bad I'm so bad that... -
- I'm the problem! -He exclaims, bringing his hands to his chest in a slap.
The snake stares at him.
- The more I love you, the more I fear losing and disappointing you. -
He confesses looking him in the eyes.
- I want to solve it by myself because I don't want to. . . Make you feel bad. -He covers his face with his palms- But I end up making it worse. -
He uncovers his face to see it.
- Actually, I admire your confidence a lot. -
- Me?! -He points to himself in disbelief.
- Snake, if the roles were reversed in the attraction with Diane. . . . I would have taken it personally and gone crazy with jealousy.
If something like that happened I don't think I would have had the maturity that you have.
Sometimes I feel like I'm just an immature old man stuck in his twenties when I'm with you. -
- Wolf. -You are the way you are, and you can't always be the good guy, and that's not a bad thing. -
- . . . I don't want Diane to have our baby. -He holds that tail in his claws. I turned down the offer because I felt it was inappropriate. -
- It's all right. -
- It's okay? -
- It's fine. -He confirms with a smile. We're a team in this. -
- . . . I'm sorry. -Tears press against her eyes.
- You have to be communicative with me. -You are no longer that wolf with low confidence who gets offended because a stranger on TV thinks negatively of you. -
The canine nods.
- We are going to have a child and I want us to have a united front. -
He nods again, but more forcefully.
- And I'm still mad at you. -
- It's logical, I'd be more than angry. -He keeps his ears down. But what are we going to do about the adoption? -
- . . . You did a very good thing for that girl. -He averts his eyes. I don't want to feel like I'm punishing you for that. -
- I really can't bear to see a mother unwilling to give up her child. -
- And I don't want my son taken away from me a second time. -
They stand in silence pondering what to do.
- Hey... . . -Snake has an idea. What if we take an egg from Webs and put it in Diane? -
It's the ROPA Method (receiving eggs or oocytes from the couple) is a method exclusively for female couples, as it allows both of them to actively participate in the process of getting their baby.
- . . . I hadn't thought of that. -He's blown away by the idea.
- Does it still make you feel inappropriate? -
- I can only think that we're going to ask them to have a baby between them. -
The treatment works through in vitro fertilization, in which one of the women provides the eggs and the other woman will carry out the pregnancy.
- Is that a no? -
They stare at each other.
- . . . We could ask them. -He answers as he sorts out his thoughts.
It will be an interesting conversation.
.
That night they didn't sleep together, but the talk relaxed their minds.
END
Thank you for reading.
You read 6645 words.
21/09/2022
I hope you like it.
.
Fun fact:
I honestly don't know what reproduction is like in a spider, but if fish can have arms and legs in that world, then I'm of the opinion that spiders can have eggs or both methods of production.