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Sorry I haven't posted in a few days....I'm attending my very first con! It's taking some getting used to, as I am, for the most part, a 'closeted' fur. Made my first tennative steps into furdom today. Going back tomorrow....wish me luck!

Ray and Tina are out on the hammock. It is cold now, but they have the fur blanket, and, alas, they are fully clothed. Tina wears a white turtleneck sweater, and a long red wool skirt, slit up the side; Ray has changed into grey sweats....Also, they are not laying down but sit facing the city, legs over the side. They do this not just to enjoy the view of the city, but because they are talking. Now, there is talk, and then there is TALK. This is the later. They realise there are a number of important things that have to be resolved as soon as possible....They have been there for some time, the noise of the city below serving as a backdrop....Ray has his arm around his beloved, she rests her head on his chest.

"Hon?" Tina began....

"Uh huh......"

"I want to tell you something....something I've decided"

Tina has Ray's attention;

"Okay...."

"I believe that our children should....have a faith. Something to believe in."

Ray turns toward Tina, wondering what comes next

"I want something we share as a family. I've done some reading....Ray, I've decided to convert to Judaism."

Ray had no idea that this was coming.

"What made you decide?' Ray asks.

"Well, Even though I went to Catholic school, I never was a religious person. your faith is much more important to your family, than to mine."

"But are you sure? This is how you want to raise the children?" Ray inquires, carefully.

"Look, you raise kids a certain way, then they decide. In the end, they decide who or what they are. I want this to be something we share, as a family."

Ray looks to Tina with love in his eyes. He is just beginning to know the depth of her love for him. He hugs her, as she snuggles into his warm chest.

"You know, my parents are Orthodox; they may not accept your conversion" he observes, ever the realist.

"They may not accept that their son is marrying a dog, either" Tina counters."Does that change anything?"

"No, it doesn't" Ray agrees. "It's too bad that there's nothing I can do to make myself more acceptable to your folks." He responded, with a touch of sadness in his voice.

"You just be you. That's good enough for me. It BETTER be good enough for them." She growled But, Ray? what are we going to do? I know we should tell them, but I think we should be married. I want to do it before the babies come, before I look like a small barn"

"We need to tell them." Ray agrees "But how?"

"What if we invite them to dinner? she suggests "both parents. A public place, so they can't behave TOO badly"

"Hmm. makes sense. Robertos? Where we had our first date?"

"Hope it doesn't erase the happy memories" Ray wonders aloud......

Both Ray and Tina invited their parents to meet the other. Neither mention that the other parents would be there, too, N.or, for that matter was anything about pregnancy, or crossing species lines mentioned. Both figured that that would come up soon enough. A few days later, the time has come for the fateful dinner meeting. The Goldsteins arrived first, and were shown to the table. the Russels came soon after, and they too, took their place at the table. Ray's Dad wore an expensive suit, and a fine overcoat. Mrs Goldstein wore couture, and a full length mink. The Russels were attired in an entirely more modest way. Tina's Mom wore a new department store dress; her Dad, a black suit, neat, but older. The two couples sat, looking at each other, acknowleging the presense of the other, but wondering if some mistake has been made. Finally, the happy, but nervous couple enter...They each greet their parents, then introduce the other. Once everyone is seated, Tina takes Ray's hand, and speaks...

"Mom, Dad? Dr and Mrs Goldstein? Ray and I are getting married......and, we're pregnant! She exclaimed joyfully.

THUMP!

In the blink of an eye, Mrs Goldstein passes out, hitting the floor with a loud noise. The Dr rushes to his wife's side, with Mr Russel coming over to see if he can help. Quickly, Mrs G begins to stir....

"Dear, you OK?"

Collecting herself, she answers:

"I'm....not entirely sure." She then gets back to her chair, amid much attention.

"Well, uh...this calls for a drink...I'l go get them. Mr Russel, can you give me a hand?

Taking the cue, Tina's father follows Dr Goldstein to the bar. The two mothers stay at the table, glaring at one another, while Ray and Tina attempt conversation. At the bar, Mr Russel speaks:

"I hope that your wife will be all right. "

"Thanks; this sort of thing is not altogether unknown"

That much was true;Mrs Goldstein was able to overreact to almost anything. While waiting for their drinks, the two Dads engaged in some limited, but civil conversation. They took the drinks back to the table. Almost as soon as they were seated, the two mothers lean over to whisper to their spouses....

"She's a DOG!" Mrs Goldstein hissed

"He's a HUMAN!" Mrs Russel growled

Attempting to make the best of the situation, Tina's Dad tried to restart conversation..

"So, you're having a baby...."

"Babies" corrected Ray.

Mrs Goldstein again falls to the floor.

This time, she took a somewhat more solid hit, and was out a little longer. In time, she began to come around, and retook her seat.

"Are you going to be OK, Mom?" Ray solicited

"I don't know" she replied "Am I in for any more surprises?"

Dinner seemed to go on forever. Ray and Tina kept it together. The Doctor at least attempted politeness. Tina's Dad had spent a lifetime trying to get along, and was doing his best to engage the Doctor. You see, species and religion were not all that seperated the families. The Russels were lower middle class, struggled hard for it, and were mistrustful of those more successful. The Goldsteins, on the other hand, were wealthy, and saw that wealth as a sign of moral superiority. Still, the two Dads did their best. which was more that could be said of the mothers. Mrs Goldstein glared, Mrs Russel ignored. After what seemed like an eternity, the check came. the Doctor went to get it, and Mr Russel fought him for it, though he was ill prepared to pay it. Finally, Ray settled it, by declaring that he was the host, and that he would be paying.

As they walked out, Tina sought out the Doctor. she paused outside the door, and took his hand....facing him, Tina spoke from her heart.

"Doctor Goldstein, I never thought I would be looking at marraige to a human. Your son is the kindest, most wonderful person I have ever met. Knowing him has changed my life in so many ways. And I know that the reason he is who and what he is because of you. I'm coming to you, in the hope that you will be happy for us. That means a lot to me, because I know how much it means to Ray. I hope that you can find it in your heart to make a place for me in your son's life."

By the time she finished speaking, there were the beginnings of tears in Tina's pretty eyes. The Doctor did not speak, but he looked at her with kindness. It did not hurt that, in dressing for their dinner, Tina had done so in a way that was much as an Orthodox Jewish wife would dress, with a long black skirt, and her hair worn in a simple bun.

Ray, similarly, sought out Mr Russel....

"Sir, I love your daughter.From the first moment, Tina had my heart. I never met anyone remotely like her. She changed my life. I can think of no greater honor than that she would want to spend her life with me, and have our children. But I want us to be a family, and that includes her parents. From what I've seen, you spent your life seing to it that Tina has a wonderful and happy life. I'd like to take that job over...if you'll let me."

Mr Russel looked Ray in the eye:and then he spoke:

"Ray, thank you for tonight. Let me work on Tina's Mom. In the meantime, you just keep looking after her...."

The two men shook hands, then departed. By then, the car had been brought around. Ray helped Tina with the door....

"Well?"

"No blows were landed" Tina observed

"What did you say to my Dad?"

"I told him how much you mean to me, and asked him if he could be happy for us..."

"And ?"

"Well, he didn't say no...." Tina replied "What did you say to mine?"

"Uh, I told him that he did a wonderful job looking after you this far, and with his consent, I'd like to take that job over"

"Sexist. Sweet, but sexist."

"Forgive me?"

Tina took Ray's arm and hugged it

"Of course. You did good. I guess we'll just have to see where they are with this."

When they got back to the apartment, Ray and Tina walked out on the terrace. They moved the hammock out of the way, and Ray kissed Tina, sweetly, but with great feeling. Tina felt the moment, and returned his affection. They kissed in that way for a long time, until....

"Hmmm, what's that?" Ray asked

"Those are my nipples" Tina replied

"What brought that about?" he continued...

"Being very, very cold. Which is also why I have to pee."

Tina gave him another quich kiss, then bolted for the bathroom.They got undressed for bed, and settled in under the big, fluffy covers. Before they drifted off to sleep, they spoke.....

"I guess we better get serious about shopping for a new place...." Ray stated with certainty

"Why do you say that, Hon?" Tina pursued.

"I just get the sense that if I went home now, it could prove....difficult."

Tina understood. She leaned over and caressed Ray's face.

"We can stay here till we find something" she offered

'Thanks, and we will, but I know you'll want to be settled before the babies come. I want that for you."

Tina kissed Ray

"We'll deal with that tomorrow. Tonight I just want to fall asleep in your arms."

Which is exactly what she did.

Meanwhile, across town, there were other conversation taking place......

The Russels entered the cab that the valet had called for them. As they settled in for the ride home, Mr Russel spoke:

"Well, weren't you a little ray of sunshine tonight....." He then waited for the response that he knew would come.

"My daughter is destroying her life, and you're HAPPY?! She glared, anger in her eyes....

"He seems a fine young man" He offered

"He's HUMAN, and that will mean nothing but trouble for her." she countered.

"Need I remind you that WE are part human, and that humanity is why we're not chained to someone's back porch."

"How can you defend them? You know what they did to us....to me!

"There is good and bad everywhere. things WERE bad for a long time, but many humans fought for us, We now have our rights as equals...."

"But we AREN'T equal....you see how they look at us. It will never change...." Tina's Mom announced with finality

"He's a nice man, and more importantly, he loves our daughter. And, by marrying one of us, he will face many of the same things we do....and by marrying him, Tina, and our Grandchildren....have a chance at a better life. "

Mr Russel had a point. By marrying a hybrid, it was certain that Ray would learn more than he cared to about the discrimination that the new citizens still faced.

"NOBODY understands our plight.....except us!" She groused.

"They'll need our help.....AND our love, and understanding"

Mr Russel could see that his wife had decided the discussion was over. The rest of the trip was in silence.

Things were't much cheerier across town, in the Goldstein's Mercedes.....

"Another spectacle you've created" the Doctor observed, looking straight ahead, as he drove.

"How can you just sit there!" she fumed "He's impregnated a DOG! How can I show my face anywhere now, knowing people are thinking 'There's Doctor Goldstein's wife....her son's a dog f*cker!'" You could almost see the smoke curl from her ears......

"That's what it comes down to, isn't it? It's about you...it's ALWAYS about you in the final analysis...."

the Doctor paused, then continued...

"Ray took a different path....but he's happy, and responsible. They seem to really be in love. And she came to me and asked for our blessing...." He said, with sympathy clearly evident in his voice

"He's dead to me. Send the announcements. I'm sitting shiva. I no longer have a son...."

And the conversation in the Goldstein car came to an abrupt end as well, as the Mercedes headed down the long driveway.......

Come Monday morning, Tina was first into the breakroom at work, when KC arrived....

"Hey, Hon" KC chirped "Watcha reading?"

"Oh, hey, KC. real estate section. Looking for a new place" she said, matter of factly.

"Guess you'll need someplace for that nursery....and a place with better schools."

"Yes, but that's almost secondary. We had....we invited our parents, to give them the news...."

"And...were they excited?" KC inquired

"Uh, yeah, kinda." Tina continued "Just not exactly like we might have hoped."

"Oh, Hon, what happened?"

"Our Dads were pretty good"

"And your Moms?" KC probed.......

"My Mom never spoke all night."

"And Ray's?" KC asked, cautiously.....

"Passed out. Twice. Went down like a ton of bricks.

KC's face fell.

"Poor sweety! It's hard enough being a new Mom without crap like that!"

KC went over and gave Tina a warm hug, just as Colleen and Lydia walk in

"What's going on?" Lydia asked, seeing the hug.

"Tina and Ray told their parents about, well you know. It didn't go so well...

"My poor Dear! Colleen cooed

The girls gave Tina a group hug.

"It will be OK, Tina. Your family here will look after you." Lydia chimed in "Hey, let's all go to lunch, shall we? My treat." This was a big deal. Lydia was ALWAYS broke.

"You guys are the best!" Tina said,touched by the warmth of her friend's concern.