Once they reached the back yard, Callie was almost tackled by a very pregnant Felina. "How the heck do you look so good, after giving birth to three kittens., Callie?" She asked.
"Just look at my grandmother, she's ancient and she looks like she's in her thirties, not over five hundred years old," Callie answered.
"I heard that, Callie!" Callista said.
Callie turned around to see her grandmother, almost wrapped around Ulysses' large frame. However, both of their faces showed how deeply in love they were with each other. "I know you did, grandma!" She turned her head back to Felina, then asked, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm completely bloated all the time, can barely stand up, without help, and, I'm constantly running to the bathroom! I can't wait until this one is born, then I can get my life back," she said.
"You honestly think you are going to get your old life back, once the kitten is born? Think again. You, my dearest friend, will have a very young kitten, who is going to need its parents for everything! However, in return, Alex is going to love you, and Jake, forever," Callie said.
As the two she-cats, bantered back and forth, about the joyousness of being a parent, Gwendlyn, Sarah, and Evelyn, who were riding on the back of Inferno, spotted Chance, pushing a stroller, containing the girls. The three girls were wearing black leggings, with a blue t-shirts, matching perfectly. Sarah patted Inferno's snout, then said, "Please land Inferno."
Inferno let out a growl, then brought them in for a landing. He landed perfectly, a few feet in front of Chance, and as he walked the very short distance separating them. He then folded his large wings tightly to his body.
Evelyn was the first to get off of Inferno's back, followed by Gwendlyn, and finally Sarah. She ran to Inferno's face, and gave him a kiss on his cheek, before she said, "Thank you, I love you, Inferno."
Inferno smiled back at Sarah and let a puff of smoke emanate between his teeth.
Sarah patted his snout, before turning around to join her friends, who were fawning over the babies.
Evelyn turned away from the stroller long enough to see Sarah joining them. "Did you know Inferno was going to get so big?" She asked.
Sarah stopped next to her friend, looked back at the large dragon standing behind her, then said, "I knew he was going to be big. But I didn't think he would get that big, so fast."
Evelyn turned to look back at Inferno, then asked, "As wonderful as a friend and companion he is, he's still a dragon, and quite a large one at that. What are you going to do? He can't live with you, much longer."
"There is no way, he's leaving my family!" Sarah stated. "I love him too much to send him away. Would you ever think of sending Spencer, or Tara away?"
"No way! That winged-fur ball is my knight, and one of my best friends! I can't and won't live without him, by my side!"
Sarah laid her right paw on Evelyn's right shoulder, then said, "That is the exact same way I feel about Inferno. He may be bigger than life, but he is my friend. I could ever send him away."
"I know you two are completely in love with your guardians. But let's not lose focus as to why we are here," Gwendlyn said, as she tickled little Kate's chin and heard her giggle in return.
They both turned their attention back to the stroller, looking at the three little girls. "They are completely adorable, Chance," Sarah said."
"Thank you, Sarah. Would you three like to hold them?" He asked.
"Could we?" Gwendlyn asked, her tail's thrashing giving her excitement away.
Chance smiled back at her, then answered, "Sure you can. Just be gentle with them, they are only a few days old. So make sure you support their heads properly."
The three girls, gently lifted the babies from the stroller, holding them in their arms, and supporting their heads.
Tina and Katerina watched as their daughter, gently picked up one of the kittens from the stroller. Then Katerina gave Tina a light tap with her left elbow, as she said, "Gwendlyn is going to be an amazing big sister, da?"
Tina leaned against Katerina, and as she said, "That she is, my love." Her tail coiled around Katerina's. "Shall we go and get our big brother and sister?"
Katerina turned her head to the right, and found Mark sitting on a bench with Lisa in his lap. Both of their paws were on her large stomach, with Raphael sitting right next to them. Katerina smiled at the two, then turned back to her own fiancée, then said, "Let them be, my dove. It won't be long now, before Lisa gives birth to their kitten. Then, we will see how well out dear brother handles fatherhood."
"Kat, Mark handles fatherhood very well. Sure, he's paying lots of attention to Lisa, now. But when he's alone with Raphael, he's completely devoted to him. Any kitten would be very lucky to have Mark as a father," Tina said.
Lisa rested her head on Mark's left shoulder, then said, "I think our sisters are talking about us, dear."
Mark held his wife tighter, then said, "They are probably telling each other, how much we love each other, and what great parents we are."
"That we are," Lisa said before she closed her eyes, feeling the warmth radiating from her husband's body. "I'm nervous about having this kitten, Mark. My mother had a very hard time, giving birth to me. What if I have the same problems delivering our kitten?" She lifted her head from his shoulder, peered into his eyes, then said, "If something goes wrong with the delivery, I want the kitten to live."
"What are you saying, Lisa?" Mark asked, completely confused as to the turn of the conversation.
"If it comes down to a choice between my life, and the kitten's, I want you to let me go," Lisa answered.
Mark held her tighter, gently placing his head on her right shoulder, then said, "Don't ever talk like that, Lisa. You are going to give birth to an amazing kitten, and be perfectly fine."
Lisa pushed him off of her, then said, "You don't know that, Mark. I want you to promise me, that no matter what happens, our kitten's life is more important than mine."
"You know I can't do that, Lisa! We are a family! You, me, Raphael, and the kitten are family! We don't give up on family, period!" He grasped her paws in his as he said, "I will not give up on you, or our kitten!"
Hearing his parents, arguing, upset Raphael. He knew, his parents loved each other like no other and to hear them arguing, made him start to cry.
Callista, Ulysses, Felina, Callie, and Jake heard Mark literally roar at Lisa. They all went over to where Mark and Lisa were arguing, then Callista asked, "This is supposed to be a joyous occasion! Why are you two bickering, worse than a pair of teenagers?"
"He won't respect my point of view, Callista!" Lisa answered. "I want him to promise me, that our kitten's life is more valuable than mine is!"
"And I'm telling her, I'm not going to let her do that! She is my life, Callista. If anyone here is going to give up their lives for the sake of another, its going to be me! Not her!" Mark roared again.
Callie picked up Raphael and cuddled him to her chest in attempt to get him to calm down. "You both a being Pigheaded!" she said. "We are all family here! Do you honestly think, anyone of us, would let any harm come to Lisa, or your kitten!? When I was giving birth, I felt a pair of paws, touching me, reassuring me that I could bring life to three beautiful girls. I don't know if they belonged to my grandmother, or my great-grandmother, but I promise you, Lisa, my family will be with you while you give birth to your kitten, one way or another."
"You can't make that promise, Callie!" Lisa said. "Callista and you are sorceresses, but you both can't change the will of the gods! If they want me to come home, I have no choice but to obey their wishes!"
That was when, a lightning bolt hit the ground in front of them. And when the flash dissipated, Bast was standing right in front of them, not looking too happy at all.
"Mother! What are.." Callista started to asked, bu was instantly silenced by Bast, who narrowed her gaze and looked directly at Lisa. "Lisa, you have way too much to do with your life, for me, or anyone else in the heavens to take you! Both you, and your adoring husband, need to raise your family properly, to become the strong and compassionate cats they are meant to be. You both already know Raphael was gifted to you to nurture and teach to be one of World's protectors of those who can't, or won't protect themselves." She went over to Lisa, placed both of her paws in Lisa's shoulders, then said, "Lisa, you are going to give birth to three, healthy kittens. Each one is going to make a very, large impact on the world they live in. and you can't give birth, to those little miracle makers, if your dead! As my great-granddaughter stated, her family, namely me will be watching over you, and your kitten! This conversation, is over!" She quickly disappeared, just as quickly as she appeared.
Lisa turned head head to her husband, visibly shaken as to what had just occurred. She asked, "Did Callista's mother just tell me, she would be watching over me as I give birth? What's so special about our family, Mark that Bast, herself has a vested interest in our family?"
Mark embraced his wife, then said, "I don't know, Lisa. I really don't know, and that scares me." He lifted his head from Lisa's right shoulder, turned it to the right to face Callista, then asked, "Callista, why would your mother, care anything about my family? We are a pair of ordinary cats, we don't have any special abilities, like you and Callie, or even Michael and his family. So, what makes my family so special, to warrant the interest of your family, namely your mother?"
Callista took Raphael from Callie and ran the fingers of her right hand through his hair. She answered, "The only thing I can think of, Mark is you and Lisa opened up your hearts to Callie and her family, without question, fully knowing, what she is, and who I am. I'm not sure who Raphael's parents are. However, if they wanted you, and Lisa to raise Raphael, they couldn't have picked a better pair, to be his parents."
Raphael felt good, being in Callista's arms, that he let out a yawn, and fell asleep.
Callista felt him stirring, then heard the gentle snoring coming from the kitten. She smiled at the little one in her arms, then said, "I think he needs a nap." She faced her granddaughter, then asked, "Can he use one of the girls' room?"
"I don't see anything wrong with it, Callista. Actually, I was going to bring the girls upstairs for a nap. Chance, will you help me get our daughters laid down?" She asked.
"Of course, Callie," Chance answered, taking two of his daughters from Evelyn and Sarah. He realized his paws were full, and couldn't pick up his other daughter. He turned his head to Mark, then asked, "Think you can handle a little girl, without turning into a pile a mush?"
Mark kissed Lisa, then stood up and went over to Chance. "I'm not sure. Your daughter's are completely adorable, Chance. I'm going to have a very hard time, not turning into a pile a mush, once I have one in my arms." He took the last remaining girl from Gwendlyn, peered into her eyes, and almost immediately fell in love with her. "She's so small, and so warm, what is the name of this one?"
Chance looked over at the daughter, Mark was holding, then answered, "I think, that one is Mary, or Kate. They are identical, so I'm not really sure."
"He's holding Mary, Chance. You had better figure out a way to tell your daughter's apart!" Callie inserted.
"Mary, huh.." Mark said as he brought her up to his face.
Little Mary opened her eyes and saw Mark's friendly face, smiling back at her. She reached up with her tiny paws, wanting to touch his face, cooing back at him.
"You want to touch me, little one?" he asked. "Alright, here we go." He brought her closer to his face, letting the very small paws, touch the fur on his cheeks.
Mary ran her tiny finger through the dense fur on Mark's cheeks, feeling the coarse hairs, tickling her fingers. Then a giggle emanated from her smiling mouth.
Mark felt very warm and content. He silently hoped, this is how he would feel when he held his own child, for the first time. "Chance, its going to be real difficult to put her down. I sort of envy you. You get to hold a beautiful baby girl in your arms, anytime you want."
"Mark, you have a very handsome boy you can hold in your arms," Chance said as he started up the back stairs of the house, holding two of is daughters.
Mark looked. Back to Callista, who was still cradling Raphael in her arms. He knew how lucky he and Lisa were, to have Raphael in their lives. He went over to Callista, then asked, "Can I have my son back?"
Callista really didn't want to give Raphael back. She loved holding a young kitten in her arms and secretly couldn't wait to dote on her great-grandkittens all she wanted. "You already have a kitten in your arms, Mark. Can't you indulge a very old she-cat, and let me lay your son down for his nap?" She asked with her tail, ever so slowly swaying behind her.
Mark had to mentally slap himself to stop ogling his, and Lisa's friend. However, Callista was still drop-dead gorgeous and seeing her holding his son, even made her more attractive. So. He decided to let her have her time with his son, and have a little bit of fun himself. He made sure Mary was safely in his left arm, then swooped up Callista in his right.
"What do you think you are doing Mark?" Callista asked, surprised that she was so easily swept off of her feet and into his arm.
"Bringing Mary, and my son in for their nap, Callista," he answered, walking towards the house.
"And your holding me, why?" Callista asked, wrapping her left arm around his neck, for support.
"You didn't want to give me my son back, so this was the only solution I could come up with that allows you to hang onto Raphael, and I get to lay him down for a nap,"
Callista blushed as her fingers felt the dense muscles in his shoulders, which Ulysses saw, as clear as day. He asked, "Are you planning on giving me back my wife, Mark? Or do I have to demonstrate why I've been the Commander for so long?"
Mark stopped, mid-stride, turned his body to the left to face Ulysses, then answered, "Ulysses, you can have your wife back, as soon as we get the kittens down for their nap. I promise." He turned back around and continued walking towards the stairs. And as he started climbing the stairs, he said, "You know, its not often I get to have two, very beautiful she-cats in my arms, I could get to like this, rather quickly."
Lisa heard her husband and decided that a retribution was in order. As swiftly as she could, she walked up to her husband, and when she was close enough, she reached out with her right paw, and grabbed ahold of her husband's butt, before passing him and darting into the house.
Mark jumped and his tail and its fur shot out straight. He listened to his wife giggle as she slipped from his view. "I'll get you, Lisa, when you least expect it," he said with a smirk. Then continued into the house and up the stairs to the kitten's rooms.
He found Chance, laying Callista and Kate down in the large crib, then grinning down at the little miracles. "I must be the luckiest tom on the planet. Not only do I three beautiful kittens, I get to marry their mother."
Mark entered the room, still holding Callista in his right arm and holding Mary in his left. "You are, my friend. Even before you and I met, I thought you and Callie should be together," he said.
Without lifting his head, Chance said, "Thank you, Mark. If I wasn't the stupid jock back in school, we could have been married already. I was such a jerk back then, pushing her aside, to be with the type of she-cat I was supposed to be dating, instead of her." He lifted his body from the crib, walked over to Mark, and took Mary from him, then said, "I think of all the wasted time, we could have been together, being happily married, like you and Lisa, instead of getting married now."
"Things occur for a reason, Chance," Callista said before she turned her head to face Mark. "Can you put me down?" She asked.
"Do I have to?" He answered, showing a grin, that almost always made the she-cats swoon.
She reached up with her right paw and stroked the fur on his right cheek. But right before she answered him, she heard a very deep purr leave his chest. "Did you just purr, for me?" Callista asked.
Mark realized he did purr for Callista and was embarrassed by it. "I'm so sorry, Callista," he said as he put her down. "I guess I can still be swayed, by a gorgeous she-cat. Please, don't tell Lisa."
"I promise, I won't tell Lisa, Mark. In exchange, you have to teach Ulysses how to purr like you did. It felt so titillating," Callista said, leaving Mark dumbfounded. She turned around, walked to the crib, and gently put Raphael down, next to Callista.
Chance followed her lead, and put Mary down to the left of Raphael.
Raphael opened his eyes for a brief minute and looked at the two babies sleeping next to him. However, his gaze was held by Callista. He heard someone say to him, 'Raphael, this tiny form in front of you will eventually become your wife. Always be there for her, be by her side, and protect her, above all else.' He blinked a few times, letting the words sink in. Then brought her into his arms, shielding her from the rest of the world.
Little Callista felt very warm, and very comfortable being held by Raphael, that she instinctively coiled her tail around his.
As adorable as the elder Callista thought the scene was, she recalled what her mother, accidentally told her. 'My mother has to be wrong. They are going to grow up as brothers and sisters. Raphael can't marry my great-granddaughter,' she thought. Another moment went by and little Callista snuggled into Raphael's body. 'They do look good together though.' She turned around grabbed the two toms by their arms, and pulled them out of the room to let the kittens sleep, without their fathers, gawking at them.
End of Chapter