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Eggs, duly whisked. Milk, the perfect amount splashed in on instinct. A swift pour into the hot skillet, and all that's left is a dash of the seasonings and the prepared vegetable mixture. Gloves still secure...? Yes, perfect. Now, carefully keep an eye on the eggs, checking for-

"Has anyone ever told you that you look absolutely adorable when you get that focused expression on your face while cooking, angel?"

"A-Ahh! Clover?!" A hand on my shoulder is all it takes to startle me like this, it seems. Sneaky kitty...

"Eaaasy there, big gal. But yeah, it's just precious seeing you like this."

"I-I... hehee...!" Okay, so maybe old habits have a way of bubbling to the surface, even if I've got more help than ever before around the house. It's been like that since we finished moving in, three months ago. Took us a few weeks after Penn vacated the place to make sure we had everything moved in and settled, especially with Clover's hardware, but having this huge place to share with Clover, Kylie, and even Jill on some of her more extended visits has been like a dream come true.

"Hah! Bonnie, do you even know why I came over here?"

"Umm... not really? Is something wrong?"

"Well, that little chef's trance you put yourself into apparently blocks out sound pretty well. Our final guest's here, or so says the doorbell, and I think you'd prefer to be the one to greet him, yeah? Leave this to me. I'm not too shabby in the kitchen myself, especially after so long under the same roof as you. Ky'll be more than happy with this when I'm done!"

"Oh, fair enough! I'll go let him in, just be careful, okay~?"

"Cross my heart, angel. Now get going!" As she takes up the spatula to attend to Kylie's omelette, I make sure to glance into the oven as I go by. Hmm... salmon's turning out well. Plenty of time left to play the perfect host for our guest, too, so with a satisfied grin, I bound out of the kitchen and into the entryway, setting my hand on the knob. Shouldn't keep him waiting a moment longer!

"There you are, Penn! You're just in time, dinner's almost done! ...and would that be the dessert you mentioned?" Hm. He's carrying a rectangular box with him. Not sure what's in it, it seems rather plain.

"Indeed it is, and I think you'll all enjoy it. That aside, here I was worried I'd miss the main event! Seems I had nothing to fear. Everyone's doing alright?"

"Oh yes, it's just business as usual for us here, and Jill's over to visit again. Hehee, it's gotten clear she wouldn't miss a dinner invite for the world! But enough about that, come in, come in! It's not quite autumn yet, Penn, you must be roasting out there!"

"...I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a tad uncomfortable on the way over, yes. Lead the way, then." Ushering our guest in, it's like a trip down memory lane. It's almost funny to think we used to share these halls, this kitchen, this dining room table. But in having him take his seat, with Kylie and Jill in the seats further along his side of the table, it's easy to see things have changed. For the better, I'd say, but I do find myself wondering if this feels strange to him, being a visitor where he used to live. No need to occupy myself with that any longer, though; after all, Penn will find himself plenty occupied with the rest of us now that he's settled in.

"Ahh, ya finally made it, big guy? Hope we didn't keep ya from somethin' important, know what I'm saying~?"

"K-Kylie! Really, dear...? I'm sure he'd rather focus on what he came for, maybe even what he brought with him!" Hehee, those two are just adorable nowadays! It feels like Jill's gotten a bit more bold in how she refers to Kylie, more affectionate even. They're still technically not together, BUT... it certainly seems like it in all but name. I wonder if she's been doing some thinking on the matter.

"Oh, it's no trouble, Jill, but you're right. I ought to get this thing laid out, I'm rather tired of carrying it all this way..."

"Really? Isn't it a bit s-small for that...?"

"In any other circumstance, you'd be correct. But this thing... I've yet to feel something as dense as it is, let's say that much." As he finally opens the side of the box and pulls it out, I'm met with the image of numerous fruit candies embedded in a brownish, sugary loaf. Is that...?

"...a fruitcake, Penn?"

"A deluxe fruitcake, even. Thought it'd be appropriate for the occasion, with you all gathered here."

"'Scuse me? You, uh... tryin' to make a statement, or...?"

"Hm...? Ahh, right, context. Context is key. It's something of an in-joke I was made privy to, one between Deanna's niece and her girlfriend. I figured, well... do I need to explain, considering your arrangement?" Ah. Seems those two have a rather on-the-nose jab between them. About as subtle as a brick... though a fruitcake may make a nice substitute for a brick, honestly. At least it can boast a flavor far more appealing than hardened clay.

"Oooh, right, Louise! How's she doing, by the way? It's been a while, you know?"

"She left for home just a few weeks ago, now that things have settled down. Good timing, too, since her next semester is coming up at the start of September. I'm sure she'd like some time in her own bed before she has to make the trip back."

"A-Ah... that's a relief. When she mentioned all that happened, I-I was... worried, to say the least. If she's okay, that's... perfect. I couldn't ask for more." We were all right there with you in worry, Jill, I'm sure of it. You're something special in that regard, though, and that little spark served Kylie wonderfully at her lowest point, from what she's told me. I'm sure Louise and that spunky raccoon she's dating appreciated it, as well. What we'd all do without you, I can't say for sure.

"Oh, and no, I'm not missing anything pressing, Kylie. Deanna wouldn't like to be here anyway, and she's made herself busy looking for a bigger place for us. Things have been going on long enough, it seems the timely thing to do. It'll take a fair while of searching, regardless, so getting a head start is just fine in my book."

"...ah. She's, erm... still not fond of how things got to this point, is she?"

"I'm afraid not, Bonnie. ...I did present this to her as a chance to get to know you, with the caveat she could leave at any time if she couldn't stand it, but she's... hm, how to put it...? Let's just say that for a while now, she's felt scattered. Lost, even. She's figured some things out in recent times, things she's shared with me, and that's helped her stability immensely. However, every part of her is still united in some level of enmity on this matter. Not much I can do but let it settle, I suppose."

"Oh... I'll admit, I was looking forward to meeting her at some point, but if that's how it's going, I... I guess it's for the best. Though, what if we-" Whatever my suggestion was, it's cut off and thrown from my mind by the oven timer. Seems everything's ready for dinner at this point. Glancing over to the kitchen, Clover's already plated the omelette and is donning the oven mitts, fully equipped to get the salmon out at the perfect temperature. I'll need to pitch in as well, so...

"Excuse me a moment. Dinner will be ready soon, and I'm sure you're all looking forward to it!" Much to Kylie's enthusiasm, I make my way back into the kitchen and get the remaining stack of plates all in a row just as Clover arrives with the pan of fish. It's no matter to get out of her way and let her plate the salmon filets; it simply buys me time to get the salad out of the fridge. A simple garden salad with a vinaigrette, along with a sprinkling of blue cheese. My little firecracker's been all for the salads of my own making, especially compared to her usual fare from the café. Though, it moreso matters to me that she's happy, catching up on all she's missed for a decade. Just imagine, all the meals, all the cuddling, all the... other things, hehee...

A light portion of salad makes it to everyone's plate, along with a bigger helping for Kylie. The leftovers are set aside for a work lunch or three in the coming days, which she'll no doubt be looking forward to. Everything set, Clover and I work to get everyone's plates to where they're eagerly awaiting the meal. Seems Penn's noticed the odd plate out, though.

"Hm? Not much for fish, I take it?"

"...dude, didja skip Biology or somethin'? It's less that I'm not much for fish and more that I'm not much for violent stomachaches! I'm not made for meat, ya numbskull!"

"And eggs are somehow better...?" Seems the bun's been stopped in her tracks with her ears shooting up, unprepared for the line of questioning. Heheeee, go on, admit iiiiiit~

"Well, uh... n-no, not much, but it's mostly fine in small portions. I can save the rest for leftovers and focus on the salad. ...a-and her cooking's too good to pass up, dammit. It's worth feelin' funky."

"Hmmmmhmhm... what can I say? I'm flattered, Kylie! ...but really, go easy on it. We don't want a repeat of last week." Oh, my little bunny... for as much as tending to those aches at your bedside was lovely in its own way, I'd rather you didn't have to go through that again. And I get the feeling you won't, considering the way those ears have pressed themselves behind your head with a blush, along with proceeding to take the first stab at your salad. That's a good girl~

"Anyways, as you can probably tell, Penn, I maaay have splurged a bit and got some salmon at the market for the rest of us. Just couldn't resist it, not in the slightest! So go ahead, dig in!"

It's not long before dinner's in full swing. Idle chatter, everyone catching up on the lives of Jill, Penn, and our group in this humble abode. The salmon's far from being left out in the matter, though, as each taste further reassures me of how everyone's palettes will be singing the praises of the mild fish with a dash of lemon and spices. I'd wonder if Kylie's having a good time, but I'm more than confident in how I prepare eggs nowadays, even with someone else putting the finishing touches on it. It's just- it feels so AMAZING to have giddy confidence be the norm for my cooking, especially after losing a fair bit of passion for the matter back when Penn and I were still in a wreck of a situation. ...hm. Situations, huh? That reminds me... a certain other canine has a matter I wanted to check on~

"Oh, and Jill, I'd been meaning to ask..."

"Hm? W-What is it, Bonnie?"

"Are you planning a change soon, perhaps? Don't think I haven't noticed the way you fawn all over Kylie nowadays, even more than your usual affections. It's adorable, I must say! Still, the question stands. Sooooo...?" Oooh, let's see, she's... fidgeting with her utensils, blushing a bit, harder to maintain eye contact... and her taaaaail is wagging~

"I-I, um... I s-suppose so, yes. I asked Kylie if she wanted to, well, make it official. Oh, s-sorry if I should've checked with you first, but-!"

"You're more than fine, Jill, believe me!"

"See, ya shinin' star? Told you there was nothin' to worry about."

"...oh thank goodness. So, I wanted to, erm... surprise you two, at this next dinner. Break the news, as it were, b-because I also... I was also considering moving in, if that's okay? I have no idea how it'd work yet, but... I think I'm ready. I want to be near my dear bun, and you two as well, as much as possible. No matter what it takes."

"...huh. Well then, Ky. Can't say I'm opposed to Little Miss Ravenous over here joining in, but I gotta wonder, why the sudden turnaround? Last I checked, she wasn't all that enthused, even with how close you two were." Clover always did have a... unique way with words, shall we say. One of the many things that have charmed me about her...

"Ehhhh, Clover, I'm not exactly fit to give all those details. I only got 'em recently, even. I'm sure she'll let it slip of her own accord in time, but for now? Just rest easy knowing she's had time to process it all. ...especially since I'LL never rest easy again, sharing a bed with her, hah!"

"Oh, K-Kylie, hehee... well, yes. What she said. I've had time to talk with some close confidants. Charlotte, her new girlfriend, and- ...oh. Huh. I never actually got the last one's name. A shame she's not one to frequent the pub, Charlotte helped her too. I'm sure the both of us would love to see her again, see how she's doing."

"Excuse me, Jill? Charlotte's... her what now??"

"She hadn't mentioned it? Hmm. Regardless, it's true, Bonnie. She's become close with a rather sapphic ferret, one who's... well, she understood my issue, to put it lightly. Even got in a few talks with her regarding our art! She's got a much different medium as her preference, but... oooooh, it's just beautiful, her handiwork! I'll have to surprise you with a trip there some time, it's just a short ways across the city, by my apartment. ...soon to be my former apartment, I guess. Gosh, I-I... I can hardly believe I'm saying that, after all this."

"...seems I ought to lend Charlotte an ear more often. I've been so distracted, planning for the future, and your move will be no different. It's all so amazing, Jill, everything... everything's coming together!" In the midst of my celebration, I notice Penn's ears shoot up and his posture go stiff at the mention of the future. Is he hoping to share plans of his and Deanna's, or...?

"Ah, Bonnie, I meant to ask. Stop me if this is a bit much right now, of course, but... I know there's one future in particular you've had your eye on, yes?"

"Hm...? I can guess, Penn, but you might as well come out and say it. I promise you, you're welcome to ask."

"A relief and a half, truly. I'll not mince words, then. Were you planning on becoming a mother at some point? I know it's less accessible in your new situation, but there's options, surely." ...a-ah. Heheeee, oh Penn, you don't know the half of it! Oh gosh, is- is my tail wagging already? Guess that's an answer on its own, but he ought to know for certain.

"I... well, Clover and I, we- we've got plans, at least. We're thinking of giving it a few years, both to enjoy our new living arrangement for a while and to give her and Kylie some time to get things sorted with their therapists. Hardly simple matters they're working through, and it's best they have it managed before introducing something as stressful as a new pup or kitten."

"You've little idea how comforting it is to hear you've got a plan to achieve that for yourself, Bonnie. I'll admit, the part I was looking forward to most was seeing your contentment at finally holding your child in your arms, and now? I'll still get a fair bit of that feeling, once you're ready. Oh, and as for your partners, have things been alright in therapy thus far? I hadn't asked before." Perhaps to be expected, Clover's sheepishly put her free hand behind her head while Kylie just sort of leans back in her chair, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Well, big guy, it's... helping. Still sneaks up on me sometimes, but I'm getting myself under control, if slowly. Ky's another matter, but-"

"I can handle this, Clover, yeesh... so yeah. It's been fine, I guess. Who knows how they found someone for that ten-car pileup of baggage, but the lady's been chipping at it. I'd... rather not give my own matters out, though. Way too much for the dinner table, and just... ehh..."

"And I'd not ask that of you. I'm just glad to hear it's been helping. I'm sure you'll both be much better off by the time you're all planning things out with Bonnie. ...oh, come to think of it, you mentioned a pup OR a kitten, yes? Did you have your method in mind already? A donor you know, perhaps?" I glance over to Clover, witnessing a wide smirk draw itself across her face as she wraps an arm around me, all while Penn's about to sip from his water. Now, this? This'll certainly be something...

"Ya know, I'd prefer to be addressed with a less clinical term than 'donor,' but yes. Yes we do~"

"Hm- HGKK?!" Ohhh, that's done it. I'm just lucky the water mostly stayed in the glass before he proceeded to cough his lungs out choking. Clover's lost it laughing, Kylie's just rolling her eyes with her chin in her palm, and Jill's... doing her best. Not sure how much she can help with this, but it's nice to see her concerned for him. Might've even done something, since he seems to be winding down a bit as she pats his back from her seat. Who knows how this'll go once he collects himself?

"W-Wait, I just- YOU'RE the donor?! How does that even-"

"Much as I'm enjoying the look on your face, big guy, I'll not keep you in suspense. Born with different equipment, transitioned later, and I've got live swimmers in cold storage. They'll work perfectly fine, and the little one will be all ours, if you're one to care about the biological standpoint. Nothing wrong with other methods, but hey, so long as the option's there... might as well, ya know?"

"...that answers the question, I'll admit, but I- well then. Can't say I saw that one coming. I'll... not press further, lest I make an ass of myself. I wish you two luck with it."

"Oh, a proper heat and a batch from cold storage means we'll hardly need luck when we try, Penn! But thank you, really. I-I... I'm looking forward to it so much, just- Bonnie, loving girlfriend to several and mother to a little bundle of joy... I could get so used to it, ooooooh!" Hardly appropriate to mention, but this'll also save a fair bit on birth control for me. The odds of Clover actually getting me pregnant like this are... well, they're not zero, but may as well be. She can have her fill of me even during my heat week, and I can cut costs while dodging some unpleasant side effects. Sounds like a winning deal to me!

"Heh, well then, while we're on the subject... whose last name would they get? You've got full control over that, so it's up to you two."

"Ooooh, gettin' right to the good stuff, eh Penn? And here I was, just takin' bets on whether their kid'd be a pup or a kitten!"

"Now, hun, no need to get them all worked up when it'll still be a few years. ...it'll be a pup, by the way."

"Oh, you- you KNOW my money's on a fluffy little kitten! I mean, just imagine! A tiny Clover prowlin' around, big explorer, maybe learning the hard way what her claws can do while Bone winds up taking up sewing just to keep up with the torn curtains! Just... mwah, precious li'l bean!" Oh, goodness... getting a little wrapped up in things, firecracker~? You'd think it was your own kit you were getting all enamored with, before it's even conceived!

"Alright, alright, charmer, we get it. Anyways, the last name, huh...? I'll admit, I hadn't thought about it. Considering our situation, I hadn't really thought about getting married, so we'd both have our original last names. So... hm."

"Oh, Clover, maybe we could... use both? Either both in a row, or hyphenated. I'm not sure, but it's an option we can take."

"Ahhh, yeah. Come to think of it, with my own last name being damn short, it probably hyphenates well. Can't get much shorter than Vale. So that'd be Everett-Vale, I guess? ...oh, no wait, isn't Everett Penn's last name? You planning to get your own back once the legal garbage is over and done with?"

"I am, yes. It'd be a bit odd to keep it with this new situation, don't you think? Hehee..."

"Then spill it, big gal! What sort of lovely name have you been hiding away all this time~?"

"Ohhhhoho, I think you'll like it plenty, Clover!" Well, Kylie, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but... huh. It's strange. I hadn't thought of my maiden name in a long time. Now, though, it'll be among the potential last names my child will be given. My child... oooooh, just- just thinking about that so directly is so... so... euphoric~

"Then I think you'll be happy to know... my maiden name is Sterling, Clover. Bonnie Sterling."

"Oooh, rolls off the tongue nicely, don't you think? And that works out to... Sterling-Vale, eh? Even better! Hah, that kid'll have no trouble at all with kids giving 'em shit over their name, not with us on the job!"

"Mmmm, don't count them out, Clover. I-I mean, they managed to tease me for mine, and... honestly, I don't remember how. How do you even make fun of a last name as basic as North...?"

"...eh, fair. Still, though... I think this'll work swimmingly! Look forward to it, angel, 'cause after Ky and I are through therapy? There'll be a very different kind of bun in your oven, I'll say that much~"

"Oh, C-Clover...!" Goodness, it seems nothing can keep my kitty down... or from being an utter tease as she rests a hand over my belly under the table. Oh my... if she's like this now, then- then when I'm actually pregnant, what exactly will she... hehee, gosh, I can hardly wait!

And you know what? That's just it, isn't it? All of us, in our own situations, are speeding towards our futures, clear as day. Penn's new girlfriend, maybe even wife once the separation period makes us officially split. Jill's new move, and even becoming an official partner to Kylie. Perhaps Clover too, if the two feel something from being so close all the time! Then Kylie and Clover's therapy, getting the woes that've been eating at them to take a backseat for once. And as for me... a warm home, surrounded by my loving girls, and even later? Nothing will stop me from having Clover's child. Maybe even more than one, should supplies last~

Our futures, bound together... I'll be keeping a close eye on Penn's as well, that's for sure. But as for this household? All of us will face them side by side, as a family. It's time for a new everyday reality...

...for Jill North...

...Kylie Grenier...

...Clover Vale...

...and Bonnie. Bonnie Sterling!

* *

Local, local... ah, there we go. Local housing. The next step in the long-term plan. Hm... this one's pricing is just- who are they selling this one for?? Bah, clearly I need to make use of the price filter if I'm going to avoid the damn house flippers.

Oooh, what about that one, though? In our range, and the neighborhood seems nice... it'd have to be double-checked, of course, but I could see the pups having a lovely childhood, hehee...!

Well yeah, it seems nice. If the kids are a focus, though, maybe another bedroom or two would be better. Also something closer to the bus routes. I don't think we'd want 'em walking all that way, who knows if the neighborhood STAYS nice over distance? ...yeesh, the things I suddenly find myself considering. What a world, eh?

It's a fair critique, I'll admit. Just gonna bookmark it for later, then. Who knows how long this'll take, how many houses that'll need to be sifted through... every vaguely possible option needs to be kept in consideration, both for the pups' sake and Penn's.

Ah, yeah. He and his little friend, their rapport somehow surviving that complete trainwreck of a situation. Seriously, how the hell did they pull that off?! I mean, I'm not gonna ASK, but... hmph. Who knows what those two still see in each other?

Oh, come now, even if it's kind of aggravating that he keeps going back, if he was actually interested in her for anything but a sustained friendship, he would've invited her back to the house when he had the chance all that time ago. I'd like to think he's made his choice clear during those nights at his apartment, too... we'll be just fine!

...admittedly, yeah. He just- heh, "enjoys his meal," shall we say~? Makes it feel new every time, no matter if it's going through the motions or whipping out a surprise. Couldn't ask for anything more when getting plowed into the sheets!

Hehee, that IS fun and all, but... ooooh, can the house-hunting get back on track? The sooner that's sorted, the sooner the best part of all that bedroom fun can get started! ...hee, just imagine, being able to get that taken care of before the separation period concludes! Signing the papers with him, all with a growing belly, t-that'd be just... oh gosh, Louise and Phyllis would be SO shocked, and it'd be worth every second!

As pleasant as that sounds, thoughts like that should be kept in check. The house has to come first before dreams like that can come to fruition, and there's still work to fret over. I'd like to think that's nearly instinct at this point, though. For as bumbling as those idiots can be, they're at least slightly predictable, and Penn can reap the benefits whenever they do exactly what they're baited into...

Heh, so long as Penn's got his best deviling cap on, at least. Seems he's getting more focused on his new relationship being in the same office, compared to his actual work. It's yet to affect his output, but... oughta keep an eye on it, make sure he doesn't get so distracted that he lowers the blinds in his office, locks the door, and... makes a different kind of move, eh~?

Haaah, no, nono, bad idea, we need both accounts to be as padded as possible if we're planning on pups while still paying off the house! Putting our jobs at risk, that's... no, that'd be the absolute worst idea! ...the little ones deserve a good life. They deserve every effort to make sure they never know the worries of an adult until they grow up. Food on the table, a warm home, and two doting parents. That's what they should have.

And they'll get it, too. To the world at large, they'll see a power couple, Penn and Deanna Everett, working their hardest to support their plans for upcoming kids. Even if they don't have to know ALL the finer details, like what we've discovered in the past few months... well, we still know. We can still take comfort in that. All by the side of that erudite hunk of a canine...

Damn right. No matter how it plays out, that stud'll be here all the while. He's wrapped around this little finger... or the other way around, considering the smitten feelings that were playing long and loud back when he first drew out a confession. Things'll be great, down any path we tread together.

Yes... yes, I think so. A peaceful life in harmony, in any circumstance!

It's settled, then... to brighter pastures, leaving the past behind us. That much, at least, will be our greatest comfort.