"Just hear me out!"
The blue furred feline let out a tired sigh as she set her coffee mug down, and glanced over to the female bat seated across from her at the quaint coffee shop. Every time her friend, Rouge, spoke that phrase Mei was more than aware that the coming input from the bat wouldn't likely be met with open arms. The cat woman then opened her mouth to speak only to find herself being quickly cut off, as the two had done this "not so needed advice" game before.
"Mei, please!" Rouge pleaded as she reached out and took the cats hands in her own, as the coffee shop started to become a bit busier at the closely incoming lunch hour.
"Fine." Mei gave in as she squeezed Rouges hands back for a second before the two pulled back to holding onto their warm drinks once again. The female cat glanced around at the old hardwood plank walls where various railroad relics hung, as the whole building was built back when the city finally became bustling back at the height of the railroad expansion to the west. She usually wasn't a fan of such a rustic environment, but had falling in love with the small coffee shop the first time Shadow had drug her here to meet Rouge. The two women quickly became friends, despite Shadow's disapproval, as they were both strong females that easily were able to take charge.
"I think Amy and I have came across a solution to that issues you opened up to us about last month." Rouge's smiled with a hint of worry, as she obviously knew she was touching on a subject that was very sensitive.
"We all had more than a bit too much to drink." Mei now barked far harsher than she intended to. The blue cat then cleared her throat and gave Rouge and apologizing look, as she knew full well, she'd just come off as a bitch. "It's not a real problem. I was just panicking after reading all those articles about life regrets. Just worked up over nothing!" She now stressed the last sentence as she focused on her coffee mug and started drinking from it again.
"But what if you could have a baby, your own baby, and then another couple raise it? Yet still let you keep in touch as a close aunt?" Rouge smiled proudly now letting out a smile chuckle. "Even drop in for play dates in person when you have the time, but nothing forced!"
Mei blinked at her friend in shock before finally readjusting herself in her seat so she could lean in closer to the other woman as it was quickly becoming harder to hear in the shop, they were now seated in. "Are you really trying to sell me on one of Amy's surrogate couples?"
"I wouldn't be bringing it up if it wasn't a good fit." The bat pressed lightly as she bent over and opened her large purse that was on the floor, and then pulling out a folder, to place it unopened on the table. "Just take a look. The legal papers are flawless, and gives you rights to be part of the Childs life as you see fit, but insures they are both the legal parents with full control, but can't keep you out of the child life."
Mei looked down at the folder as if it was tempting her into the great void. She knew she wanted to look at this so-called perfect couple, but also knew it might be too tempting and pull her into a living hell, which was why she wanted to stay childless in the first place. At least there wouldn't be an ex-lover involved. "Why would a couple want to have the true mother on the side as an aunt?" Mei asked as she pulled the folder closer to her but still refused to open it.
"Because they are a gay couple." Rouge replied with ease as if finally finding the conversation going all down hill from now. "Still, you'll find all the information about the two men in the folder. Amy isn't one to part with her work files easy, but we both agreed helping you out with these two was worth it. She was so excited I had to talk her out of coming and talking you up on it too. We both know how overbearing she can be when she's excited, so thank you for keeping it just between us."
"Thank you?" Mei let out in a harsh laugh while nodding her head in disagreement while now opening the folding and immediately becoming impressed with the first males state sheet. Even if he was in his mid 40's he was still attractive, and massively successful despite his rich, yet far less rich, upbringing.
Right before Mei went to turn the page Rouge set a signal page of a spread sheet before her. "I know you're doing very well for yourself, but if being a mom on the side when you feel like it doesn't sell you, I think these payments over time, and what they are in full might help jump start your decision."
"Why me, and not you?" Mei asked now extremely annoyed, as she now couldn't help but feel sold out as some womb, that could stay around... maybe... likely not.
"I'm married. So far Shadow and I haven't been able to make a child, but maybe as some point Amy can help up with that. In the meantime, maybe she can help you still keep on being a girl boss, but still not have to worry about being alone in your old age." Rouge's smile was sad as she knew what she was trying to sell Mei was perfect, but it was more perfect than what she could even get in her own life.
"Fine." Mei said as she closed the file without looking at the rest of it, as she was overloaded with emotion. "Let Amy know I'll talk to them."
"Great!" Rouge cried out loudly, while ignoring the many glances it caused in the coffee shop, even though Mei was fully aware. "Amy is going to be so happy, and so will you!" The bat continued to smile before stuffing the file back in her large purse and bringing up the jewel exhibited, they were going to see together in the next hour.
"She's late again!" Proton grumbled as his soon to be husband gripped his hand tighter as they sat next to one another at the large table they were the lone prospects at.
"I know why yer worried about her, baby, but she being doing a good job overall." Randy grinned happily even while he took in Proton's frown.
"I hate her." The older male squirrel stated for likely the three dozenth time.
"But she gets us!" Randy followed up quickly. "I mean da girls she's brough us so far are so close!" Randy breathed out a bit exhausted and also, scared that his soon to be husband would give up on them paying a woman to have a baby for them to raise together. "She isn't gonna be having our baby." Randy then let out with a stern laugh that he now regretted as he could just feel Proton pull away from him, and not just physically.
"I'm so sorry I'm a little late!" Amy laughed off, as she always did, while barging into the room an then sitting across from the male couple. "But I think you're going to be really happy with the woman I've found for you!" She now somewhat squealed causing both men to pull back a bit seemingly uncomfortable.
"I doubt that." Proton said sternly before Randy grabbed his hand and then leaned over the table in an attempt to be the couples' vocal point as Proton had been in a bad mood the last month.
"We'd love ta see!" Randy smiled as his partner continued to frown, but gave his approve to his younger lover by gripping onto his hands for a short moment.
Both men seem thrilled with the females file until the point Amy pulled out the last bit of info that was her photo and physical traits. Randy dropped his jaw in shock, nearly drooling, as Proton stood up and pushed himself away from the table.
"The first thing I told you was squirrels only!" Proton yelled as now making his way to the door as his younger male lover stood up and tried to hold him back.
"She might not be a squirrel, but she is still amazing!" Randy called out right before Proton closed the meeting room door on his soon to be husband's face. "Proton?" He whispered with his snot to the door knowing full well the man he loved didn't give a shit about his opinion on this matter.
