Chapter Three: Is this just fantasy?

As Demeter walked away from her sister, she felt something gnaw in her insides. Something just wasn't right. Don't ask how she knew it, she just did. Munkustrap bounded over to greet her, twirling her around in his arms and prattling off some useless information that Demeter just couldn't' be bothered listening to.

"Are you listening to me?" The silver tabby asked.

"Huh?" Demeter replied.

"You're not listening." Munkustrap pouted.

"Sorry, there are other things on my mind. I better go and check on Bomba."

"You just came from her."

"I know."

Kissing him absently on the cheek, she turned tail and padded back to the car, dodging the scampering kittens. She paused, relief spreading over her to see Bombalurina still where she was supposed to be. All of a sudden a small white ball bundled into her, knocking her over. Feeling dizzy, Demeter sat up to find a small white kitten in her lap smiling broadly.

"Hi!" The kit said brightly.

"Hi?" Demeter replied.

"I'm Victoria."

"That's nice." Demeter patted the kit on her head, lifting her and placing her on the floor. Demeter pulled herself together, dusting the dirt off her fur.

More kittens appeared, gazing at Demeter with big, innocent eyes. A patchy young tom padded boldly up to her and smacked her on her backside. Demeter gasped but the tom-kit laughed and ran off shouting.

"Tag, you're it!"

The other kittens scarpered giggling madly. Demeter rolled her eyes and waited for the same tom to run past her, grabbing his tail and pulling him back. She gave him a smack on his backside with a grin and placed him back on the ground.

"Now you're it."

He laughed ecstatically and ran off after one of the other tom-kits. Shaking her head, Demeter turned to look at Bombalurina and see her opinion, which no doubt would be that of contempt for having ever associated with kittens. Demeter's face fell as she saw Bombalurina double over in pain and throw up over the side of the car, before, seemingly in slow motion, tumble downwards to the ground, almost on top of the unsuspecting Victoria who shrieked and ran off.

Demeter sprang towards her sister, panic stricken. Bombalurina had fallen in a strange position, one leg in the air. Munkustrap and Alonzo appeared at her side, Admetus, Tugger and Mungojerrie hovering in the background, trying to see what happened. Demeter glanced up at her mate, who wordlessly moved to extricate the red queen from her position.

"Be careful!" Demeter hissed at him.

"I know." He grunted.

"No really! Be really careful!"

"Deme I know!"

"Munk!" She pulled his ear towards her so that the others couldn't hear. "She's pregnant."

Munkustrap stared at Demeter incredulously, saying nothing he turned back to Alonzo, nodded to him and with the utmost care the two toms lifted her out into Admetus' waiting arms. Alonzo and Munkustrap exchanged worried glances.

"Take her to Jelly's den." Munk instructed Admetus.

"Is she okay?" Tugger asked.

"I don't know." Munk brushed his younger brother off, pulling Demeter along after Admetus.

The kittens grouped together behind Jennyanydots, whispering amongst themselves.

"What happened?" The bold patchy tom, Pouncival asked.

"Never you mind!" Jenny said briskly as she ushered them towards Alonzo, before rushing after the others.

Jellylorum, who had been having an early morning nap, seeing as how the youngest kitten Etcetera had been up all night crying, woke with a start to find four Jellicles in her den.

"Fancy knocking?" She asked brightly, before noticing what Admetus was holding. "Oh my! Put her down on the bed!"

Admetus gently placed the scarlet queen on Jelly's bed and stepped back. "I should go."

"Thank you!" Demeter gushed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Munk wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders as her body racked with sobs.

Jenny bustled in, pushing through Demeter and Munkustrap and kneeling with Jelly beside the bed.

"What happened?" Jelly asked, stroking Bombalurina's head.

"I don't know!" Demeter wailed. "She was there on the car and she fell and the baby…" She trailed off clapping a paw to her mouth.

"What baby dear?" Jenny asked confused.

Demeter shook her head, refusing to say anything.

"She's pregnant!" Jelly exclaimed. "What?"

Demeter's eyes widened as she nodded slowly, looking down at her feet. "She told me not to say anything."

"You didn't really tell us." Munkustrap consoled, but Demeter just shook her head and sighed, slumping against Munk's bulk.

"Is the baby going to be alright?" Jenny asked Jelly, biting her lip.

"I think so, it shouldn't be too bad, she hasn't hurt herself." Jelly sighed and turned to Demeter. "Why didn't she tell me?"

Demeter shrugged. "She hasn't told the father yet, she doesn't want anyone to know."

Munk grumbled something incoherent but chose to remain silent when Jenny glared at him deploringly.

"Who's the father?" Jelly demanded.

Again Demeter shrugged. "She hasn't told anyone."

Jelly sighed grumpily and grabbed a bowl of water. Dipping a cloth into it she placed it on Bombalurina's forehead, letting the water drip down her face. "I think she just hasn't been eating enough."

Bombalurina's features flickered as water congregated in her mouth. She opened her eyes wearily, glancing around.

"What happened?" She asked, attempting to sit up but deciding it was better she lie down as the spinning in her head got worse.

"Drink some water." Jelly said briskly.

Demeter rushed to her sister's side. "How are you feeling? Are you okay? What happened?"

"I guess I just feel a bit sick that's all. No need to worry."

"You need to start eating for two Bomba." Jenny said soothingly.

"You told them!" Bombalurina exclaimed.

"Well I had to! Otherwise something bad could have happened. And it's not like they won't find out sooner or later." Demeter defended.

"It's perfectly valid that she told us. Were you going to deal with this yourself?" Jelly asked.

"Maybe." Bombalurina looked away from her aunt.

"I don't think you would have been able to handle it."

"I can handle things perfectly fine without you auntie." Bombalurina spat.

"I see. And what is the best cure for morning sickness then? What are you going to do in birth? How are you going to raise a kitten?" Jelly demanded.

Bombalurina said nothing.

"There you go." Jelly said triumphantly.

"Oh go easy on her. She's had an ordeal." Jenny reprimanded.

Jelly glared at Jenny with contempt and crossed her arms. She glanced at her niece, in her disheveled state and sighed. She couldn't turn her back on family.

"Bombalurina?" Jelly prompted.

"Mm?"

"Who's the father?"


CLIFFHANGER!!!