Tabia blinked, then blinked again, absolutely stunned speechless as her mind wrapped around what the strange female had just said. She shook her head, “ No...no I can't be. I eat those foul smelling herbs to keep me from...I mean....not that....” the Entertainer swallowed, her voice coming out very small, “ I mean...I am?”
She didn't dare look at Ny. What if he didn't want cubs? What if this was a deal breaker for him? What if he would find her repulsive and ugly when she got fat with four swollen ankles? Biting her lip, she hung her head, Gods above...but she couldn't be...could she?
Rhea smiled, “I’ll leave you so you can talk.” Rhea smiled and slowly left, stopping at the entrance of the den. She looked back for a moment, “Having cubs is the most beautiful and crazy act that a couple in love can commit and I hear it’s like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” She smiled and left almost as quickly as she arrived.
Ny was shocked, how did this happen… Well that was a stupid question he knew how it happened. At least now they knew what was wrong… Nyeusi was lost, he never imagined himself with cubs as bad as he was… Well it’s not that he hadn’t hoped for them one day but… he was at a loss of words. Looking at Tabia, he found himself smiling. Maybe he was ready, but was she? He saw her face, her body spoke for itself as he looked down at her, “Tabia, my love, you are the most beautiful and precious thing in my life and I love you.” He poked her cheek with his nose giving her a few gentle and sweet licks.
Tabia nodded, still a little shocked, finding that tears were stinging her eyes, and soon where spilling down her cheeks, “ But...but do you want them? Do you want them with me?” She suddenly wasn't sure about anything, like the world had just dropped out from under her paws and there wasn't a way to stop from falling. She began to sob, but she wasn't sure if she was crying because she was terrified or full of joy...maybe it was both?
Nyeusi licked her tears, “Don’t cry; Of course I want them with you. I can think of no one else I would want them with.” He put his paw over hers. Somehow seeing her cry made him feel like this was all his fault… Well it partly was… He felt his heart stop for a moment. Was she ready. His ruby red eyes stared at the purple cheetah he had come to love. “ But are you ready for? Do you want a family with me?” He was terrified of her answer. If she said no he wouldn’t know what to do.
Her answer came in the form of her throwing herself into his paws, sobbing and laughing all at once. Somehow she manged to lick his cheek between the tears, “ I was ready the moment you said you loved me, but Ny...what about the Queen? Will she let us? Tabia suddenly went cold, now it wasn't just she and Ny in danger, but their unborn cubs as well. Clinging to him, the world wise and savvy Entertainer let her walls fall and for a moment was just his mate, her golden eyes frightened for the future.
Ny thought, Nyoka wasn’t as mean as the pride would think. Ny knew her in the past, “Tabia, Nyoka is at times cruel and mean, but she is not heartless. She would never take cubs from a mother without good reason.” He licked Tabia all over her face, licking her tears as they fell and giving her reassurance. “You worry too much darling.” He smiled and nuzzled against her neck. Nyoka was only jealous of Tabia, it was because of the history they shared but now both of them had families.
Tabia nodded, letting him reassure her, though she wasn't half as trusting as he was. Nuzzling into him she laid her head on his shoulder, her paw resting against his ruff, “ Ny...are you..are you happy we are going to have cubs even if we can't be officially mated in the eyes of the Pride?” She was certain the answer he gave wouldn't bother her, that he'd love her no matter what, but some small part of her still wanted the fairy tale any young female wanted, though she knew that if she had that life, the den with the white picket thicket, she'd probably end up eating her young...it was ok to dream...wasn't it?
Nyeusi smiled, “Tabia, I think we pretty much are mated in the pride.” He could help but chuckle some. Everyone knew, it wasn’t as big a secret anymore. “But yes I am okay with “not officially” being mated with our not so secret secret love affair.” He couldn’t help but laugh. She was so wonderful, she lifted his spirits without even knowing. She was the reason he would wake up now. “Tabia without you I am a turtle without a shell.” He smiled and looked into her golden eyes and pressed his nose against hers a great grin across his maw.
She laughed, the sound still slightly hysterical, but it was a good hysterical as she began to cry all over again. Lifting her paws up, she wrapped them around his neck, nuzzling into his fur, “ I know, but I can't cause I am an Entertainer, and I've always worried about that with you even though you've said its fine. Its a little hang up I have, but you love me anyway.” She licked his cheek, warring between wanting to cry and giggle. Giving him a chagrined smile, she went with a mix of the two, “ Damn hormones...making me such a mess.”
Nyeusi laughed, “I will always love you Tabia.” The smile across his face wouldn’t go away he was filled with absolute happiness. He nuzzled against her neck smothering her in licks but he didn’t care he was just so happy; he wanted to cry himself. He looked down at her. “And your not a mess, you’re a mother.” He smiled. “And soon were going to be a family.” He said laying a paw on her belly. “Together forever.”
