Open Season Chapter 46:All In The Family
#46 of Open Season
BONUS 3 CHAPTER UPLOAD
Kel and Gwen take care of the minor detales to get her settled into her new home
Chapter 46
All In The Family
By the time I got back to the house after dropping off the newlyweds at the airport, Gwen had Kel all settled into her room. A quick change of address at the post office, and the DMV, a couple of phone calls to close her old utility accounts at the apartment, and she was set.
As she began looking around her_new room, she noted that it was _perfect. She even had her work clothes set out for tonight, and it was only just a bit past three. She heard a gentle knock at the open door as Gwen inquired. "So, how are you settling into your new digs?" Kel's bright eyes and open muzzle smile said more than mere words could convey.
"OhmyGodGwen!" Kel hugged her, smooching her cheek and chuckling over her unbelievable good fortune.
"Well then, let me be the first to say, welcome __home_ love_."
Kel sighed, "Oh, you have no idea how long I've wanted to hear someone say that to me, thank you. I--I just can't quite believe it's real,_that this is all a wonderful dream, and I'm going to wake up, _alone_back in that _rat-hole..."
"Believe it." Gwen replied, giving the vixen's shoulders a squeeze "You're_home_, now. Oh, speaking of home, sounds like Rick's back!"
"Hel-low. Honey, I'm home!" I called out as I entered the door, seeing Gwen and Kel standing side by side, paw in paw near the kitchen--grinning at me.
"Welcome home!" They said in unison. I grinned back; this was a nice surprise.
"You_asked_her?" Gwen nodded.
"And she said yes?" Kel wagged her head excitedly.
"_Won-der-ful!_Well then, welcome _HOME_indeed!"
"Group hug!" Kel crowed as she and Gwen tackled me in a welcoming home embrace.
Later, we were sitting down to a nice light supper of grilled smoked salmon and fresh garden salad before work Kel looked at both of us thoughtfully.
"I never told anyone this, but I kinda figured I'd be alone my whole life, ya know?"
She paused, as a shadow crossed her face. "All of my blood relations are dead...and, well...thank you Both."
"Kel, you and I are more than friends, we've been..." I started.
"Rick, you've been digging me outta the ground every time I'd crash and burn on a bad relationship and get me on my feet again--I've told you things I've _never_confided in anyone about, and you never tried to take advantage of me when I was in a vulnerable position--and _let_me tell you, there were times I _really_wished you would."
I nodded.
"I know Kel, but you know that's not the kinda guy I am. I mean, you are my friend--hell, you're more like family...and when Gwen suggested to me that you join us, well..." I smiled sweetly at my lady love, taking her paw in mine. "Oh! That reminds me..." I reached into my pocket and fished out a red silk brocade bag and handed it to Kel.
"For you..." Kel's jaw was agape; she looked to Gwen who just nodded with a smile. Opening it, Kel found what at first she took for a string of black pearls. Once she spilled them into her paw, their nature was revealed. The dark silvery beads were heavy, and led to the sense of calm flooding over her.
"Hematite?" Kel asked as she held the eighteen-inch strand of individually knotted pea-sized beads. I nodded.
"Sixty-four, twelve-millimeter hematite beads, I had Loo Fang down in the International District make it up for you. It should help immensely on show nights. I tell you Kel, that old Chinese sorcerer really knows his craft. His specialty is amulets and talismans. He augmented its natural grounding properties with what he called an "Energy Sink" charm. He informed me it would kick in automatically if you encounter more energy than the beads can naturally handle. I've_known_him for years. I _trust_his work." She could here the respect in my voice.
"Oh wow, _thanks_Rick, but--"
"We take care of our own, Amanda." Gwen said softly, her eyes taking on that eerie glow.
"...And, speaking of our own..." I removed a small black velvet box from the pocket of my chauffeur's jacket that hung from the back of my chair and set it on the table.
"I have something for both of you," I said, opening the box and revealing a matching set of three entwined gold and silver bands, each set with a blue star sapphire in the center. "...Our new family rings." Then I placed a ring on the middle finger of the girls' right paws, slipping the last on my own.
"May these rings symbolize our commitment to each other in our new life together." I said solemnly, kissing both of the girls in turn. Kel stared at the band on her finger; the phrase
'A Second Chance At Life' echoed in her mind, and for the first_time in her _life, Kelso Amanda Vixxen knew_what it meant to be _loved.
# # #