"That's great to hear, Auler." Randa smacked his son on the shoulders.

At least someone was unquestionably thrilled about this. Altezza was happy that she was expecting a child. However, in the meantime, there was the ear issue.

The actual earlobe was a tube of skin, muscle, and fat around a very soft and flexible column of cartridge. The ears could bend in any way possible, but Altezza's were so small there was little they could do. At least, that was how it was for the moment.

The ear's apparent volume was inflated by the coat of soft, fine, fluffy fur. As Altezza felt hers, it was amazing how soft the fur was. It was also pleasant to rub her ears between her fingers both from feeling the fur and having her ears rubbed.

"I thought you knew how it worked," Elena said.

"I know Doggle women's ears grow when they're pregnant," Altezza replied, "but I'm Human. At least, I was Human."

"I guess I should've told you when a Human woman is carrying a Doggle's children, she's bio-formed," Elena explained. "You've been altered so you will have the ears to care for them."

Altezza should have read that fine print. It would not have scared her from marrying Auler and having children with him. However, it would have prepared her for this and saved her from the shock.

Though, another thought occurred to Altezza. "Your ears were long for a decade after the sextuplets were born."

"That's because it was my third pregnancy and there were so many," Elena said. "The rule of thumb is your ears as long for as many years one plus the number of pregnancies have had plus the number of kids born."

"So my years will be pool noodles for at least three years," Altezza commented. "Will they return to normal after that?"

"They'll shrank back to the normal length of a Doggle's but being like a Doggle's will be permanent," Elena answered.

Altezza held her ear out. This was going to permanent?

"Don't worry, Altezza," Elena said. "They'll grow on you."

They did grow on Altezza, but not in the way Elena meant. They just kept growing. They were double the length the next day. After a week, they were longer than the 200mm ruler Altezza had been using to measure them.

Altezza and Auler together one meeting and Altezza went through the math. "My ears have been growing about three centimeters a day. Assuming it's a typical forty week pregnancy." She calculated in her head: 3 * 7 * 40 = 840! "My ears will be almost eight and half meters long!" she cried.

She burst into tears at the thought of her ears dragging seven meters behind her. Auler pulled her into and embrace, holding her to comfort her.

"They won't be eight and a half meters long," Auler said in his gentle, comforting tone. "They're growing so fast now because they need to make up for starting with nothing. After a couple weeks, they'll slow down to a normal growth rate. They shouldn't be more than three quarters of a meter long given your height."

He picked up a box. "I got you a gift."

Altezza took the box and opened it. It was a long, light blue ribbon. He picked it up and held it between her hands. "What's this?"

"It's a ribbon to tie your ears up at night," Auler explained. "They're long enough now. Danielle and I will teach you how to properly care for them."

Altezza was overcome. She buried her face into his chest and cried. Part of it was being so scared for what was happening to her, but also relief she had Auler there for her.

Altezza's ears continued to grow at pace for a few more days. Once they were 30 centimeters long, the growth slowed. And, as Auler said, their growth slowed to what Altezza figured was a centimeter a week from there.

She learned how to wash and care for her ears, the shampoos and conditioners being different from what she used for her hair. She also had new brushes and combs meant for the fine fur. Properly cared for, they seemed even softer and fluffier. She was still not completely happy with it, but she was learning to live with them.