THE FAMILY IN RUTWELL FOREST

By Kthanid

With input from SerenaKtty

Chapter 6: The Parental Factor

“What about Grammy an’ Grampy Mink?” Timothy asked. “What happened when you went to tell them?”

“You all promised to go to sleep,” Serena said.

“When the story was finished.” several of the kits whined.

Serena sighed and looked at Monica. Monica smiled and continued the Narrative.

__________________________________________

After Binky had left with Harley on her mission of enlightening the denizens of the forest, Martin, Monica and Serena had spent their time cuddling on the sofa. Monica and Serena were both overjoyed that Martin had asked them to become a family. For his part, Martin was relieved that he had worked up the nerve to ask them, even if Binky had ‘helped’ him. He was also happy that they had both accepted. The prospect of confronting his parents with this rather unorthodox arrangement, however, was not appealing at all. His parents were very traditional. When he’d been caught mating for the first time, his parents had hit the roof. He’d been unable to sit down afterwards for several days. They’d told him that such activity was only for married furs. With friends like Randy Rabbit and Olivia Otter, however, such activity before marriage was unavoidable. Then, of course he had moved to Rutwell Forest. He had never really been sure why he’d chosen Rutwell to live in but he did know that he liked the place. Martin’s musings were interrupted when Serena posed a troubling question.

“So when are we going to tell your parents, Martin?”

“I...I guess I should s-s-soon,” Martin said, swallowing hard and sweating nervously. “As soon as possible, I guess...A day...or two? Maybe a week?”

Serena and Monica exchanged a look and a knowing smile. Serena kissed Martin’s cheek. Monica licked behind his ear.

“Well, I’ll stick by you when you do,” Serena said as she caressed his chest lightly.

“We both will, Martin,” Monica said. “You should know that. Whenever you’re ready.”

Martin’s grin turned silly as his ladyfurs cuddled and kissed him and each other. His fears seemed to melt a little.

“H-how about t-today?” he asked suddenly.

“If you want to,” Serena purred and she and Monica continued to kiss and caress the increasingly happy mink.

Martin kissed Monica and Serena then slowly extracted himself from the females and got to his feet.

“Then let’s g-go,” He said. “B-b-before I lose m-my n-nerve.”

The trio headed off for the Southern edge of Rutwell Forest, Serena on one arm and Monica on the other. The two ladyfurs snuggled up to Martin as they walked. They chatted lightly about little things, keeping Martin distracted from dwelling on talking to his parents.

While Monica had met Mr. and Mrs. Mink several times, Serena had met Martin’s parents on only two occasions. They had seemed nice enough, though she had got the impression that Martin’s father had a roving eye, and that Martin’s mother was not so repressed as Martin made her out to be. They had both seemed anxious to see their youngest son married and had kept hinting, the way parents do, about grandkits.

The Trio reached the edge of the forest in short order and continued down the road to the small, nearby residential community of Goodwell. At the edge of the small community, Martin’s confidence began to wane. As they reached the walk up to the small cottage that Martin’s parents called home, Martin was sweating nervously once more. They walked slowly up to the door. Martin’s heart thudded in his chest and he trembled slightly.

“Take a deep breath and let it out slowly, love,” Serena encouraged Martin. “Remember, they don’t control you anymore.”

“That’s right, Martin,” Monica coaxed. “You’re here for yourself and Serena and me.”

Serena turned Martin to face her and kissed him deeply and passionately. When she had finished, she turned him to Monica who also gave Martin a deep, passionate kiss. Martin took a deep breath, swallowed hard and reached out to knock on the door. The knock was a weak, pathetic effort, barely audible.

“Looks like no one’s home,” Martin announce with a weak smile.

“Now Martin,” Serena scolded him lightly as she reached out and knocked louder.

From inside the trio heard the sound of muffled footsteps approaching the door. Martin trembled a little. Monica held his arm tightly, both to steady him and to keep him from running. Serena rubbed his back in an effort to calm him. The door opened and Mrs. Mink stood there, a pleasantly surprised look on her face.

Mrs. Mink was white furred with blonde hair and tail fur. She wore a simple blue dress. She was a handsome mink with a mature sort of beauty.

“Martin!” she exclaimed. “Serena...And Monica too! What a pleasant surprise to see you all. Please, come in.”

“How are you today, Mrs. Mink?” Serena asked.

“I’m just lovely, thank you,” Mrs. Mink said. Then turning to Martin with a lightly scolding tone, “Martin, dear, don’t make the ladies stand on the porch.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Martin, who seemed rooted to his spot, said quickly.

Mrs. Mink escorted the trio into the living room where Mr. Mink was reclining in his easy chair. It was clear that Martin took after his mother. Mr. Mink’s fur was a light brown with darker hair. He wore a button down shirt and slacks. When the group entered he set the recliner upright and set aside his paper. He smiled warmly at the ladies.

“Hello Mr. Mink,” Serena said as the older Mink rose from his chair. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see all of you as well,” Mr. Mink grinned. “Please sit down.”

“Thank you, sir,” Monica said.

The trio sat down on the couch, Martin between Monica and Serena.

“Can I get anyone anything?” Mrs. Mink asked.

The trio politely declined Mrs. Minks offer and Mrs. Mink sat down in her plush, padded chair.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” Mr. Mink asked pleasantly.

Monica prodded Martin. Martin looked at her with a pleading look on his face then he looked to Serena who looked back expectantly.

“Oh, ummm...Well, I...I...How have you been, sir?” Martin stammered, looking anywhere but at his parents. “And you t-t-too, Mom? umm...and Chris and Sylvia?”

“You’re babbling, dear,” Mrs. Mink told her son in a matter of fact tone.

Serena threw Monica a worried look behind Martin’s back.

“Oh, yeah...Heheh...Ummm...W-we have some n-news,” Martin managed to say. “I hope...I th-think you’ll like it.”

“Well don’t keep us in suspense, son.” Martin’s father said. “Spit it out.”

Serena sat up straight and placed her hand over Martin’s to reassure him.

“Well, I...I mean we...I mean...”

Monica reached behind Martin and pinched the base of his tail.

“I’M GOING TO GET MARRIED!” Martin blurted out.

Serena looked to Martin and then to Monica who wore a smug little grin on her bill.

“That’s wonderful, Martin!” Mr. Mink said, smiling broadly. “And which lucky ladyfur are you going to marry?”

“Well,” Martin said looking at the floor. “Ummm, Monica and....”

“I’m so happy for you, Monica,” Mrs. Mink beamed, interrupting her son. “My martin is quite a catch. And I’m so sorry for you Serena. I know Martin really liked you, but he has known Monica a lot longer.”

Serena smiled knowingly, waiting for the joyful outbursts to subside. Monica blushed and grinned shyly.

“Congratulations, son,” Mr. Mink said. “I knew you’d settle down eventually.”

“And you were saying, Martin?” Serena encouraged the trembling mink.

“I...I’m also going to marry Serena.”

Serena smiled proudly, Martin was almost cringing, waiting for the roof to fall in on him. Monica waited expectantly for Martin’s parents’ reaction. Mr. Mink looked surprised, but continued to smile. Mrs. Mink’s smile, however, faded and she looked sternly at her son.

“Martin, dear,” she said evenly. “You can’t marry both of them. It’s just not done in polite society. It’s wrong. You’ll just have to choose one or the other.”

“B-but I asked them b-both...And th-they accepted...” Martin started to defend the odd arrangement but the strength of his voice faded with each word.

“Martin,” Mrs. Mink said firmly. “You will choose one mate. Is that clear?”

Martin looked thoroughly miserable but did not protest. Serena cast a worried look at Monica who looked equally worried.

“Why should he have to choose?” Serene asked. “If he loves us as much as we love him...As much as Monica and I love each other.”

“I’m sure my son loves you both,” Mrs. Mink said. “The poor dear always has had a little problem making choices. But he...As much as Monica and YOU love each other? You mean...but you’re both... As in LOVE love?”

Serena stood up slowly.

“Yes, that’s right,” Serena said. “We love him and we love each other. “Is that a crime?”

Monica stood up slowly.

“Serena and Martin are more dear to me than anything,” Monica said. “I want to spend the rest of my life with them.”

Martin managed to get to his feet but his legs felt as though they were made of jelly.

“We...We’re practically a family, Mom,” He said softly. “Please understand.”

“I understand, son,” Mr. Mink said.

Serena, Monica and Martin looked over to Martin’s father, all three smiling gratefully. Mrs. Mink’s look was more incredulous.

“I knew Martin couldn’t drop a catch like Monica any more than he could drop a catch like Serena,” Mr. Mink said. “That both his lady loves love him and love each other as well is as perfect a relationship as any three furs could hope for.”

Serena and Monica smiled and nodded.

“Some furs are happy with one,” Serena said. “Others can be just as happy with two.”

“But you can’t mean you actually support this?” Mrs. Mink asked Mr. Mink.

“Of course I support it,” Mr. Mink smiled. “And you would too if you thought about it. You’ve wanted gradnkits for a long time now. Sylvia and Christopher are too busy with their careers to even think about kits. Monica and Serena are both young and healthy females. Imagine how many grankits they and our son will give us?”

Martin blushed and wavered, looking as if he were going to faint. Monica took his arm to hold him up, though she, too, wore a blush on her bill. Serena blushed and giggled. Mrs. Mink became quiet and thoughtful. Mr. Mink got up and hugged his son so tightly that Martin’s eyes bulged out.

“You have my blessing, son.”

He turned to Monica and hugged her tightly.

“I hope Martin and Serena will make you very happy,” he said.

He then turned to Serena and hugged her tightly.

“Take care of my son,” he said warmly. “And I know he and Monica will take care of you.”

Lastly he turned to his wife.

“Do they have your blessing as well, dear?”

Martin, Monica and Serena all looked expectantly at Martin’s mother.

“Well...I imagine I could get used to the idea,” Mrs. Mink said thoughtfully. “All right, in the interest of my son’s happiness, you have my blessing too.”

The assembled furs broke into a huge group hug with Monica and Mrs. Mink breaking down in happy tears. Mr. Mink left the room long enough to retrieve a bottle of Champaign and some glasses.

“To the happy coup...I mean Trio,” He said.

They sipped at the Champaign, except for Martin who gulped his down in a single swallow. Serena remembered that Martin was not what one would call a seasoned imbiber of spirits. The last time he had downed a glass of Champaign, it had gone straight to his head.

“Don’t drink it too fast, love,” she said. “Remember what happened last time?”

“No,” Martin said trying to stare at his nose, which seemed to be wiggling of its own volition. “What happened...And how come my nose is all tingly?”

“So, have you three set a date for the big event yet?” Mr. Mink asked.

“He only asked us today,” Serena said.

“I want my parents to come up for the wedding,” Monica said. “They live in Australia.”

Serena’s smile dimmed a little as she thought about her own parents. They had passed away before she had come to Rutwell Forest. She thought about how happy and proud, if a little shocked, they would be to learn that their little girl was going to be married. Monica saw Serena’s reaction and realized what was the matter.

“I’m so sorry, Serena,” she said quietly.

“It’s okay, Monica,” Serena said as the brief twinge of sadness passed.

“C’n I have a ‘nuther glass of sour pop?” Martin asked having just downed a second glass.

“I think you’ve had enough, dear,” Mrs. Mink said in a motherly tone.

“Awwwww,” Martin whined.

“Maybe you ladies should take Martin home,” Mr. Mink suggested.

“I think we should, too.” Serena agreed.

She remembered the one time she’d seen Martin under the influence. His parents had come over for dinner and left them a bottle of wine. Martin’s inhibitions had melted away under the influence of the three glasses he had gulped down. He had become aggressively amorous but had passed out almost immediately after they had made love. She didn’t think it would do to have Martin repeat the performance for his parents.

“Forgive me, Serena...Monica,” Mrs. Mink said. “I’ve been ungracious.”

“Of course,” Serena said with a warm smile.

Mr. Mink escorted the trio to the door.

“You three look good together,” he said with a bright smile. “Take care of my son...And I look forward to bouncing my grandkits on my knee.”

He winked at the three of them. Serena smile back at him and Monica blushed. Martin looked back and forth between Monica and Serena as the Champaign washed through his brain.

Serena and Monica guided Martin up the road toward Rutwell Forest.

“We gonna make kits?” Martin blurted out.

Monica was a little shocked at the bluntness of the question. Serena giggled.

“Well, your parents have given us their blessings,” Serena said.

“Kittens...” Martin giggled, looking at Serena. Then looking at Monica, “...And pups....”

“After the wedding, Martin,” Monica said.

“Why not start now?” Serena purred playfully.

“Oh I couldn’t,” Monica said quickly. “I...I just wouldn’t feel right if I got...p-pregnant before the wedding.”

“Make kits with Serena and Monica,” Martin slurred.

“Still,” Monica smiled shyly at Serena. “I guess we could...Practice.”

Serena grinned back at Monica.

“We should get Martin home first,” Serena suggested. “If he’s still awake we can get in a little practice.”

The two ladyfurs decided that Martin’s home was the closest place to go to. They were almost holding Martin up by the time they reached his small cottage. The lugged him into the living room and wrestled him onto the couch where he promptly began to snore obnoxiously.

“I’ve never seen him like this,” Monica said, looking at Martin with a concerned expression.

“I have,” Serena said. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. He’s Just a severe lightweight.”

“Lightweight?” Monica asked.

“It means he gets drunk easily,” Serena explained

Serena took Monica’s hand and led her out into the kitchen. Monica put on some water for tea. Serena came up behind her and put her arms around her waist and laid her head between Monica’s shoulder blades.

“We have a lot of planning to do,” Serena said.

“Mmmmhmmm, Monica agreed, snuggling back against Serena. “Where we’re all going to live, details for the wedding, the reception....”

“Amanda might have to make us a bigger house,” Serena said, kissing the back of Monica’s neck. “And a bigger bed.”

“Definitely a bigger bed,” Monica said as she turned to face Serena.

Serena giggled and kissed Monica on the lips.

“Who gets the middle?”

“We can always switch off,” Monica giggled shyly. “Even a couple times during the night.”

“True,” Serena agreed.

Monica kissed Serena on the nose.

“You won’t mind having Shelby and Sheila living with us? I know they can be something of a handful, but....”

“Of course not. After all, they’re going to be part of the family, aren’t they?”

Monica nodded and put her arms around Serena’s waist.

“They seem to like you,” Monica said. “They’ll be so happy for us. I just know they will.”

Monica kissed Serena tenderly. Serena returned the kiss. They snuggled up against each other.

“Are...Are we going to make little ones with Martin?” Monica asked softly.

“Someday,” Serena smiled brightly.

“Little ones,” Monica mused out loud as she rubbed her belly against Serena’s belly. “I’d like that.”

“Me too,” Serena said.

“Then mate with the big lug, already!” squeaked Serena’s little faerie friend. “Sheesh!”

Serena and Monica were both surprised by the sudden arrival of the faerie mouse.

“Sh-shouldn’t we wait until after the wedding?” Serena asked.

“Yes! Absolutely we should wait,” Monica answered for the faerie.

“Priorities,” The faerie mouse grumbled. “It’s always priorities with you big-furs.

“Well what kind of relationship do you have with Bartholomew?” Serena asked

“Bartholomew,” The faerie said dreamily. “We mate all the time...But faeries don’t reproduce like that. It’s pure pleasure for us.”

“Then how do you reproduce?” Serena asked.

The faerie flew up to hover in front of Serena’s nose.

“Well,” the faerie said. “We sorta bond with a big-fur and when they get preggers, so do we.”

“H-how does that work?” Serena asked.

“Look at your hand,” the faerie said.

Serena looked at her hand as did Monica. The faerie gestured and a white glow appeared around Serena’s hand. In the white glow there were streaks of red and green.

“The white is your natural aura,” the faerie explained. “The red is because you and Monica were starting off a little sex play. The green...That’s me.”

“You?” Serena gasped.

“Yup,” the faerie chirped. “From the day I met you in Misty Wood. I could sense a strong maternal streak in you. So I chose you to get me pregnant.”

“H-how do I do that?” Serena asked. “I mean... We’re both girls!”

Monica could only stand there with her mouth hanging open.

“What happens to you, happens to me,” the faerie said. “Why do you think I’m always trying to get you laid.”

“Don’t you have male faeries?” Serena asked.

“We have drones. Their job is to help raise the young faeries and to...ahem...pleasure us females.

Serena smiled, Monica was still trying to wrap her mind around the concept. The faerie kissed Serena on the cheek.

“I’m expecting you to get me full up with lots of spritlings.”

“You have as many as the one you’re bonded with?” Serena asked.

“Yup. But I guess I can wait for this wedding thing.”

Serena smiled, the returned her attention back to Monica, kissing the confused platypus and regaining her attention.

“Well we should get to planning it then.”

We’ll need to talk to Amanda about a house, and Prez about the ceremony,” Monica suggested between kisses.

“And we’ll need invitations...Maybe Donna has some.”

“I’ve heard that Cleo is a midwife,” Monica blurted out, her bill reddening.

“Really?”

“Well...She’s some sort of doctor,” Monica amended. “She took care of Sheila once when she had pneumonia. OH! And we have to tell the twins the good news. You know, we could have Amanda build extensions to one of our homes rather than build a whole new house.”

Serena’s reply was cut short by a knock on the door. Serena went out to the door and opened it. Prez blew into the room. He seized Serena’s hand, and kissed it.

“Congratulations, dear girl!” he blustered. “I just heard the wonderful news and would like to volunteer my services and the town hall for your upcoming wedding.”

“Uhhh...Thank you,” Serena managed to say before Prez rushed over to Monica and kissed her hand.

“And congratulations to you as well, my dear.”

Prez noticed Martin on the couch. He rushed over and shook the inebriated Mink’s limp hand.

“And Martin, you lucky pup!” Prez grinned before letting martin’s hand flop down to the floor. “Have you set a date yet?” he asked Monica and Serena. “And will you need my services to perform the ceremony?”

“We haven’t really had much time to think about it yet,” Serena said.

Well, when you’ve decided you can reach me at the town hall,” Prez said as he handed Serena his card. “Oh yes and by the way, Donna has a wonderful catering service.”

“Thank you,” Serena said, feeling a little flustered at the rapid fire delivery of information from the exuberant Eagle. “We’ll look into it.”

“Well, hate to run but I have much to arrange,” Prez said as he rushed to the door. “Congratulations all!”

“How did he find out so soon?” Monica asked after Prez had left.

“I’d guess Binky is the culprit, Serena said with a wry smile. “She always did have a big mouth… especially where Gossip is concerned.”

“Oh dear,” Monica said. “I hope she didn’t tell anyone else.”

There came a knock on the door. Serena and Monica looked at each other and sighed, resigned to the fact that their joyous secret was out.

“You want to get it?” Serena asked.

Monica went to the door and opened it. She was promptly grabbed and yanked outside with a startled ‘eeep!. Serena rushed over to find Ursula wrapping a huge bear hug around Monica.

“Oh Monica!” The big She-bear gushed like a little girl. “I’m ever so happy for you. Oh! And Serena too!”

Serena barely saw the grizzly’s big paw snap out and grab her, adding her to the hug. Serena felt a bit like a peanut just prior to becoming peanut-butter. Monica’s bill was beginning to turn as blue as her fur.

“I’ve always wanted to go to a wedding!” Ursula continued, oblivious to the discomfort of the two smaller furs.

“Th-thank you...Ursula...” Serena managed gasp. “Uhhh...A-air?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Ursula said, setting Monica and Serena down. “I got carried away. I’m just so excited!”

“Don’t...Don’t worry about it,” Serena gasped. Monica dropped to her hands and knees trying to catch her breath.

“So when is...”

“We’ don’t know yet,” Serena said, anticipating Ursula’s question. “Monica and I were just sitting down to start making plans.”

“Oh...” Ursula said. “W-will you tell me when it will be when you decide?”

“Of course we will,” Serena said.

“Oh thank you!” Ursula gushed as she scooped up Serena and hugged her again, though a little more gently. “A wedding! Please congratulate Martin for me.”

You’re welcome,” Serena said as Ursula set her back down. “And I’ll convey your message to Martin.”

Ursula skipped off into the forest, humming happily to herself.

“B-Binky gets around,” Monica gasped.

Serena and Monica went back inside. They had begun discussing the whens, wheres and hows of their wedding plans for only a few minutes when yet another knock came at the door.

“My turn, I guess,” Serena sighed.

She opened the door and Sylvester slithered past her into the living room, a scowl on his face.

“Miss Serena,” The snake hissed. “I am here to try and convince you, Miss Monica and this misguided mink to abandon these highly immoral plans for a three way marriage! It isn’t decent and it provides a terrible moral example to the rest of the social deviants who populate these woods! I had thought that you, the nice morally upstanding kitty that you WERE, would have one of the last furs to accept such a lascivious proposal! And YOU, Miss Monica! I would never have even suspected you of being involved in something like this. For Shame!”

Monica hung her head in shame. Serena, however, felt her blood beginning to boil.

“Sylvester!” She snapped, her tail twitching angrily. “This is our day and our choice! I won’t have you ruin it for us! We three are perfectly happy and in love with each other. Why shouldn’t we get married?!”

“Miss Kitty,” Sylvester said, his tone that of an adult speaking down at a child. “Being apparently the only righteous, moral and upstanding citizen left in this community, it is my duty to try and keep those of lesser moral stature on the straight and narrow path. Marriage is a moral union between one male and one female who pledge themselves to each other exclusively and forever.”

“Maybe in the old fashioned way,” Serena said. “I thought you were a decent person, Sly. But I’m about to change that thought. If you even dare try to stop us, I’ll make your life a living Hell!”

“What?” Sylvester hissed, surprised that his ‘reasoned’ argument had not convinced Serena of his point of view. “But it isn’t moral to...”

“NO!” Monica shouted at the serpent as she leapt up from the couch and grabbed Sylvester by the neck and tail. “I won’t let you ruin this for us!”

She dragged the snake to the door and drop kicked him out of the clearing.

“And stay out!” She shouted after him.

Serena’s eyes were wide in surprise as she watched Monica’s highly unusual display of anger.

“Wow!” Serena exclaimed. Monica...You’re the girl!”

“I...I...Did I just throw him out?” Monica asked as she got her temper under control.

“Yes you did!” Serena said. “Way to go! I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Oh dear...M-me either,” Monica said as she went back inside and closed the door. “I just want so much for us to be happy with each other and he was trying to... to ruin everything. Why did Binky have to tell him?”

“He would have found out eventually,” Serena said. “Word gets around fast here in Rutwell.”

The tea kettle’s whistle interrupted the conversation as Monica quickly went into the kitchen and fixed Serena and herself a cup of tea. As she came back into the room there came a crash from one of the two front windows of the cottage. Serena and Monica looked to find shattered glass and a rock lying on the living room floor.

Continued.