Epilogue

Panthro stared out the hangar window as the first snowflakes of the season trickled down from the heavens. He fidgeted with the small box in his pocket, hoping that his plans were going to work out.

"Cat got your tongue?" Ben-Gali teased as he approached the panther.

"Huh?" Panthro turned around.

"I've been talking to you for the last ten minutes and you have no idea what I just said do you," the tiger frowned.

"Sorry. I've been distracted," his friend admitted.

"Lord Panthro your assistance is required in the kitchen. Lord Panthro to the kitchen," an announcement over the Lair was made by Punthar.

"Snarf break the dishwasher again?" Li-en chuckled, knowing full well it had nothing to do with it.

"Probably put the wrong soap in again," Cavan smirked.

"I told him to better label those bottles," Ben-Gali joined in on the joke.

"You guys," Panthro shook his head and headed out of the room and down toward the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Lion-O was enjoying a break in the paperwork action with Leo who was now four and interested in what his daddy did all day. The lion figured the cub had no idea what it meant to be King yet but he'd have time to teach him. He heard the announcement and gave a chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Leo asked.

"You are," Lion-O teased knowing that he couldn't really tell him what was going on. They'd finally had a moment of peace and the lion didn't want to jinx it by saying what was going on out loud. Panthro had come to him for permission, back before the business with Mars, since Lea's father was not available to ask and the lion had agreed. He knew that the panther certainly did not need to ask but he was touched that he respected the long time Thunderian tradition.

Now that the temporary housing for all of their Martian guests had been finished just in time and the food supply was set for the winter, they could move on the special event. Panthro was worried about the special dessert but the processed food plants continued to churn out the usual goodies like cakes and snacks but they were also making rations should it need to go that far. As a bonus, the message about the Martian troubles had spread across the galaxy and food was being delivered from other planets along with able bodies for construction of the new biospheres. Right now things looked to be ahead of schedule and the lion could not be more pleased.

"What are you guys trying to pull?" Lea asked Cheetara and Pumyra who had dragged her down to the kitchen where supposedly Panthro was in need of her assistance. According to Cheetara the dishwasher was indeed broken again but much worse than originally thought.

"Nothing. Panthro needs your help," Pumyra insisted.

"While I'm wearing my new dress? I just need five minutes to change," Lea protested. The girls had taken the afternoon off to relax and to secretly get the lioness ready.

"Sure. You just tell him what to do. You're good at that," Cheetara chuckled. Lea couldn't help but laugh at that as the private dining room doors opened and the cheetah and the puma practically threw her in there.

"Have fun," they said and then the lioness could hear the door lock after it closed. She was about to yell at them through the door when she heard a voice behind her.

"You look stunning," turning around she found that it was Panthro and he was most certainly not dressed for fixing a dishwasher. He had on a suit that she'd only seen him wear once before when they had the formal dinner for all the Martian dignitaries a few months back.

"Thank you," she actually blushed, something that the lioness rarely did. Her blue dress was down to her knees and had spaghetti straps. The girls convinced her to put it on claiming that she might be able to wear it to another dignitary function.

"Shall we?" He offered her his arm and she took it. He led her to a nearby table which had obviously been setup for a private dinner for two.

"Wine?" The panther asked.

"No thank you," she told him. He immediately grew concerned but did not say anything as Snarf brought out the first course with the help of Pali who was looking dapper in a suit as well.

"My Chef in training has assisted me this evening," Snarf winked at him.

"Well thank you very much. This is all very overwhelming," Lea admitted. The two Cats enjoyed their food and each other's company before Panthro nervously cleared his throat.

"Lea, I have something…"

"Pan, I…"

"You first," she conceded.

"What is it? I can tell something is wrong," he said.

"Nothing's wrong I just… I have something to say and I don't know how to say it," she admitted.

"Well I have something to say too so why don't we just say it together and then maybe we won't be so nervous?" He asked. She nodded seeing as she had no better idea herself.

"Will you marry me?"

"I'm pregnant," the words tumbled out and they both stared at each other.

"You want to…"

"You're…" before Lea knew what was happening, Panthro had his arms around her and scooped her out of her chair. His lips found hers and she readily replied to his actions.

"That is fantastic!" The panther was all smiles when they parted, forgetting his own question.

"It is?" Lea sounded unsure as he set her down.

"Of course it is. You have to know how much I love you Lea. This doesn't change any of that. You'll make a great mom," he was still smiling and pulled her into a hug.

"I will?" Now she knew the panther was off his gourd.

"Of course you will. I've seen you with Sahara and Leo. You are most definitely their favorite aunt," Panthro chuckled as he pulled back.

"I'm their only aunt," she pointed out.

"Play that game all you want but we both know it isn't true," he said. The lioness was about to retort when Snarf and Pali brought out the dessert. They were surprised to see their dinner guests out of their chairs but the brought over the slices of chocolate cake. On top of one of them was something that was most definitely not edible. Her eyes went wide at the diamond that sat on top. It was a tasteful size and fit into a gold band that twisted its way around some silver and up to the stone.

"Lea, would you…" he didn't get to finish.

"Yes," she said. Again they were out of their seats, finding each other's lips. Snarf and Pali looked on from the kitchen door which they opened a crack. The Mutant was all smiles and Snarf used his tail to wipe his eyes before he went to call Lion-O.

THE END