Etcetera and Admetus finally decided to tell Pouncival before Etcetera's due date. About a month before Etcetera was expected to have the kitten, Admetus invited Pouncival over for dinner. Etcetera had to think of a way to hide her pregnancy so Pouncival wouldn't find out right away. The only problem was that Etcetera's stomach gave it away. Finally after long thought, Etcetera came up with the idea of sitting at the table so that her stomach was hidden. For the rest of the morning Etcetera and Admetus were busy cleaning the den for Pouncival's visit. After Pouncival's visit they were going to re arrange the room so they can set up some things for the kitten. They recently went out and got a few things. Etcetera had gotten a couple of blankets from some friends. While Admetus got a basket for the kitten to sleep in. Admetus set the basket on the floor and looked up to Etcetera. She looked back down to Admetus.
"What's wrong?" Etcetera asked.
Admetus ran his fingers through his hair. "We never really thought of a name for the kitten." He said.
"Oh." Etcetera said looking away. She never did really think of names for the kitten. She was too stressed out and nervous to think about names. "Well, Did you have any names in mind?" Etcetera asked Admetus.
Admetus sighed and drumbed his fingers on the basket. "Well, I had one name in mind. But it depends."
Etcetera cocked her head. "Depends on what?" She asked.
Admetus hesitated a bit. "Well, It's a bit personal and it's a girl's name." He said.
"Personal? How so?" Asked Etcetera. Admetus was silent for a minute. Etcetera felt somewhat uncomfortable about the sudden silence. "IF you don't want to tell me you don't have to, I under-" Etcetera said before being interuppeted by Admetus.
"I Was going to name my sister this, If she had survived." Admetus said.
"Oh." Etcetera said quietly. "What is it?"
Admetus smiled. "Ino."
Etcetera smiled back. "Sounds nice."
Admetus nodded. "Did you have a name in mind for a boy?"
Etcetera shook her head. "No I haven't thought of any names for the kitten. If it's a boy I want to name it after someone important to me."
"Like Who?" Asked Admetus.
"Well, I was thinking maybe if it's a boy we could name it after you, or after Pounce." Said Etcetera.
"I see." Admetus said. "Etcetera?"
"Yes?" She answered.
"What if your brother see's all the stuff for the kitten?" Admetus asked.
"If he does notice it he wont ask right away." Etcetera said.
Admetus nodded again. "Can you come help me cook?" He asked.
"Of course." Etcetera said lifting her hand so Admetus could pull her up.
They spent hours in the kitchen, setting the table, cooking the food, Talking about how they were going to tell the new to Pouncival. Etcetera was nervous. She didn't know how her brother was going to react to the news. She hoped he wouldn't react the same way their mother did. Etcetera bit her lip as she thought and sat another plate on the table. In about an hour they were finished with all the cooking and decorating. Etcetera sat down at the table just in case Pouncival just allowed himself in instead of knocking. Which Etcetera highly doubted since Pouncival was usually polite to people he was not used to. Etcetera sat at the table playing with the edge of a napkin. She tried her best to think positive, hoping Pouncival would be more than happy to be an uncle. Even if Pouncival wasn't happy with the news they still had Plato for an uncle. But Etcetera at least wanted someone in her family to be happy that she was expecting. Admetus sat down at the table and laid his hand on the hand that Etcetera used to play with the napkin.
"I'm sure he'll be happy to know." Admetus said trying to reassure Etcetera.
Etcetera sighed. "I just hope so." She said.
Admetus looked down. They kept quiet for a second until they heard someone knock on the door. Admetus looked up at Etcetera.
"You ready?" Admetus asked Etcetera.
Etcetera took a deep breath. "Yes." She said quietly.
"Are you sure? I can just tell Pouncival that you're not feeling good, or that we're busy." Admetus said.
Etcetera shook her head. "No, I want him to know before the kitten is born." She said.
"Alright." Admetus said getting up and kissing her on the head. He left the room to answer the door for Pouncival. Etcetera couldn't believe what she was about to do. Her older brother always jokingly told her that if she got pregnant young he would hunt her down. But now she was. And she felt ashamed of not taking her brothers advice. Etcetera could hear Admetus and Pouncival talking in the room. Why were they taking so long. She heard her brother laugh. Hearing his laughter gave her a bit of confidence. Maybe her brother would be happy with the news. Maybe he would be grateful to become an uncle. She only want the best for her kitten. A couple of minutes later Admetus and Pouncival came into the kitchen. Pouncival had a huge smile spread across his face.
"Hey Cettie!" He beamed.
Etcetera smiled at her brother. "Hi Pounce." She replied.
Pouncival extended out his arms. His smile grew bigger. "Wheres my hug?"
Etcetera's smile disappeared. How can she hide her stomach from Pounce if he wants a hug. If she denied him he would know something was wrong. Etcetera decided that is where she would tell her brother the truth. Etcetera scooted back the chair so she could get up. Slowly she rose up from the chair exposing her stomach.. Pouncival's arms dropped as he stared at his sister. Not taking his eyes of her stomach. Suddenly he charged at her. Etcetera gasped as Pouncvial hugged her tightly.
"Oh Cettie! Why did you wait so long to tell me! I cant wait to be an uncle!" Pouncival beamed.
Etcetera was shocked. "So you're not disappointed with me?" Etcetera asked hesitantly.
Pouncival pulled away to look at her. "disappointed? Etcetera your my sister. I love you to death.! I would rather you have a kitten with Admetus than that no good Tugger!" Pouncival exclaimed.
Etcetera smiled and pulled her brother in for another hug. She felt so much relief after her brother had said that. Etcetera looked over at Admetus who was now smiling. She quietly laughed and buried her face into Pouncival's shoulder. They all sat down and ate dinner. Etcetera wanted to know how Pouncival was doing. But all Pounce wanted to talk about was the kitten. How long was Etcetera? Was it tom or a queen? Have they thought of names? When is the due date? Who are the god parents. Then finally Pouncival asked the dreaded question.
"So what did mom think?" Pouncival asked.
Admetus and Etcetera looked at each other. Etcetera hung her head low and told her brother what happened the other day. Pouncival got up out of his chair and placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.
"She will accept it eventually. Just wait. She will understand." Pouncival said trying to reassure his sister.
Etcetera smiled. She wanted to think that what Pouncival said would come true. But she didn't want to get her hopes up. Hours later They finished dinner and Pouncival started to leave.
"Tell me when the kitten comes! I want to be the first to see it!" Pouncival said as he was about to leave.
Etcetera smiled. "Alright." She agreed.
Pouncival winked at her and left. Etcetera sighed and flopped down on the bed.
"Tired?" Asked Admetus.
"Exhausted." Replied Etcetera.
Admetus chuckled. "But you haven't done much today." He stated.
Etcetera rolled her eyes at him. "When your carrying a kitten days like these seem unbearable." She said.
Admetus crawled onto the bed with her and pulled her onto his chest. She layed her head on his chest and found his heartbeat again. She smiled. Listening to her mates heartbeat relaxed her.
"Admetus?" Etcetera asked.
"Yes Love?" Admetus replied.
Etcetera smiled when he called her that. "Would you mind if I went to Electra's den tomorrow?" She asked.
Admetus kissed Etcetera gently on her head. "Of course you can." He replied gently.
Etcetera smiled and closed her eyes.
Kind Of A Short Chapter. I Wanted to add more conversation to Pouncival's visit. But I really had no idea what to write. So this is the best I could come up with. :S There will be more conversation in the next chapter.