Page 74 of Right Next Door
“I am… sorry?” He started cautiously. “I thought humans were supposed to be close to their family.”
“Most people are. I lost the parent lottery, I guess. But what about you? Do you like your parents?”
“My dam is a pleasant enough female, I suppose. I met her a few years after I left the kit center. She seemed pleased with my progress in life. We exchange messages every so often, but I wouldn’t really call us close.”
“Okay. What about your dad?”
“As far as I know, Davard is happy with his position in life.”
“What?” Her head jerked up.
“Yes. I’ve insisted that he doesn’t need to play dual roles as my assistant and steward of my lands, but he assures me that he’s happy and wants to do both. So, I would assume that he’s content, and I feel safe that it’s a fair assumption.”
“That is not what I-ugh. Davard is yourdad?!”
“He is my sire, yes.”
“And you never thought to tell me that!”
“I fail to see how it’s relevant.”
“Because he’s your dad!” She repeated, like that should explain it all. It did not. “That practically makes him my father-in-law!”
“I don’t really understand,” he frowned. “He had nothing to do with siring you.”
Misty smacked her hand over her face. “Cultural differences… cultural differences… Yourdad, the guy who helped make you, works as your assistant?”
“Yes?” He blinked at her, confused. “If you are worried I’ve given him favorable treatment as a result of our blood relation, I can assure you that he really is the best qualified for his jobs.”
“Definitely wasn’t a thought of mine,” she mumbled, dropping her hand. “I knew you two looked alike. Why did you say you didn't when we first met?”
“We’re only vaguely similar. I don’t think anyone is likely to conflate the two of us. Ow.” He frowned at her as she moved back her hand after tweaking his ear.
“You two looksoalike,” she countered. “If it weren’t for the eye color, you could be brothers. Or, I guess, father and son. That’s important information to have, by the way.”
“I can’t imagine why.”
She gave him a look. “Question: What were you planning to do if we ever had kids?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, clearly you don’t have a father-son type relationship with your own father. So, let’s say you get me pregnant – what’s your plan from there? And get that look off your face. This is serious hypothetical time, not sexy breeding talk time. We can get to that later.”
She teased him with the thought of getting her pregnant, then tells him not to focus on that. She was testing his willpower while greatly overestimating how strong it was.
“I really don’t understand the question,” he finally said, trying to force himself back onto the conversation at hand. “If you werepregnant… I guess we’d have to adjust your diet? The youngling would need closer monitoring than typical kits. I suppose we could contact Vigo and his mate. I’m sure their younglings would be happy to have playmates like themselves.”
Misty was chuckling. “No. I mean, yes, that all sounds right. But I mean withus. While I am pregnant. What are you going to do while I’m pregnant?”
Tsok frowned. Trying to understand the question, and not sure he actually did. “I don’t know what you’re asking me.”
She sighed, her expression falling. “Okay.”
“But-” He sat up quickly, holding her close on his lap. “I do want to learn. I don’t want to disappoint you. I’m sorry. I’ve given you the wrong answer again. I truly don’t know what you mean. But know that no matter what happens, I shall be here for you. No matter what you need. No matter what you want. I’ll give you everything I have to make you happy. I might need your guidance in these matters but know that I will do my best for you, always.”
She smiled, pushing back his fur from his face. “That will do for now.”
He got the feeling that he still didn’t give her the answer she wanted, but she put her arms around him and sank into his embrace again. He had to give up on it as he laid back down, holding onto her. Almost afraid she might slip away again.
