[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

"And I'm glad we didn't have to dig one out," Delano said, grinning, "imagine what would have happened if we had picked a den without such an addition. I doubt we would have thought to add something like that. And that would mean that you wouldn't have it either."

Umeme in the meantime had placed her head on Muroki's mane, and as they discussed the inner dens, she got an idea. "You know, I just realized... we can't really expect our cub or cubs to stay out of trouble, but now we have the perfect place to keep in for when they finally get out of line. I would think that they will hate being stuck in there, if how I felt being placed in a den for an entire day felt like when I was younger. Right, Lina?"

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki nodded at his brother, knowing that he was right. But it didn't bother him too much. He smiled warmly at Umeme when she rested her head in his mane, gently licking her forehead. "That'll be one way to get them to behave." He knew just how energetic cubs could be and how much they loved to run around. If being placed inside a den limited their freedom, then being placed inside a small den inside another den was probably far worse.

Lina chuckled. As much as she hated that sort of punishment, she was actually fond of the memories now that she was older. "It wasn't all that pleasant." she agreed, remembering how she and her sister would try to change their parents's mind all day long but without any success. "But it did do the trick eventually, did it not?"

[DGFone]

Umeme laughed. "Yeah, I think it did do the trick. Of course, now we can run around all we want, well you can at least, but we don't get in trouble anymore. But Muroki, at first, we will have to keep them in line." She eyed him playfully, but remembering how he would joke that he would help the cubs cause mischief. "If I catch you helping them get into trouble, you will be going into the hole with the." She then grinned more evilly. "But for longer."

Her tone caused Delano to shudder. "Glad I am not married to her," he muttered to Lina, "because you wouldn't do that to me, would you?"

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki chuckled. Of course he was joking when he said he would help the cubs gets into trouble. Sure, he'd play with them and all of that, but he would also make sure to draw the line when it was necessary. "If you say so." He knew something like that would never happen, so he didn't mind joking about it at all. "Maybe you could keep me company once they're off the hook." he made sure to not say that too loudly before dropping the joking tone. "Don't worry, we'll keep them in line."

Lina was honestly a little bewildered at how Muroki never minded her sister's... antics... "I don't think so." she admtted, looking at him with a smile. "I mean, you will behave, will you?" she asked jokngly, giggling and licking his cheek. The fact that he indirectly brought the subject up again made her blush a little beneath her fur once more. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

[DGFone]

Delano rubbed his head on Lina's. "Yeah, I'll behave," he reassured you, "but what if I don't?" It wasn't like he was planning to cause trouble, and truth be told, he was still quite nervous about having cubs with Lina. He was really hoping that Umeme's and Muroki's cubs will allow him to gain the confidence that he will need to take the next step with Lina. Because if not... it would cause a lot of problems for both of them.

Umeme in the meantime, was glad that Muroki knew better than to try and anger her. "Good. You better help me keep them in line." Although again, she lifted a paw in warning. "Because if not, I'm warning you."

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina smiled and purred in content as Delano rubbed his head on hers. "Delano... You'll be fine, really." she said reassuringly, pulling away so that she could look into his eyes. "You'll make a wonderful father. I wouldn't have married you if I didn't know you've got in you..." She gently licked his cheek, giggling. "So stop worrying, okay?"

Muroki chuckled, playfully grabbing her paw with his own. "Don't worry." he said with a flirtatious grin. "We'll be perfectly alright." Still grinning, he leaned over and licked the top of her head. "So have you thought of possible names yet?" he asked as he brought her paw over and held it close to his chest, still smiling at her. "I mean, I know there's still time, but I was just wondering..."

[DGFone]

Delano tried to smile back at Lina, but he couldn't hide all of his worries. "I try to, I really try not to worry about it Lina..." He let out a sigh. "It's just that... I dunno. I don't feel ready. Whenever I think about it, I get a little nervous, and... and even a little scared." He doubted he could explain to Lina exactly how he felt, but there was a reason why he didn't really like talking about it with her. As many times that she told him that he would make a wonderful father, he could never get himself to believe it.

Umeme glanced at Muroki. "No I have not," she retorted, "is that a big sin? We have plenty of time still, and I don't even know how many I am carrying. Nor which gender. Besides, have you thought of any names?" She very much doubted that he had, but even if Muroki did think of a few names, it wasn't exactly the end of the world that she didn't.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina's ears dropped against her head. Even though Delano's occassional mentioning of the subject of them starting a family together had made her somewhat relieved, now she was actually more worried as a result of listening to what he was saying. "Delano, it's okay if you're scared..." she said, hoping he'd listen to her. "I mean, I've never had cubs before... I don't know anything about it either and I'm a little worried about it too..." She then smiled softly. "But that's how it is for everyone. We're obviously a little reluctant because we haven't done this before..." Still smiling, she placed one of her paws on his. "But I want to take the next step with you, Delano... I really do..."

Muroki could immediately tell that Umeme was getting agitated. True, he didn't know why, but he also knew that knowing wouldn't make any difference. "Of course it's not a sin, dear." he said quietly and with an apologetic smile. The truth was that he actually has been thinking of names, but he had a feeling that telling her that would just annoy her even more. He began to slowly and gently lick the area of her scruff and neck, remembering that she liked it. "I was just curious, that's all..." The male continued his display of affection, becoming a little relaxed when he heard his mate begin to purr. "Take your time..."

Spoiler: show

Alert, alert! Abort mission! Abort!"
Lol.

[DGFone]

Delano looked down at Lina's paw that was on his. "Thanks Lina," he replied quietly, "but... I really don't know. I guess I will have to wait longer... I'm sorry." He reached out and hugged Lina, wanting to calm er down before he hurt her feelings too much. He knew that what he was saying was not what Lina was hoping for, but at the same time, he really did not want to lie to her.

Umeme purred from Muroki's licking. "Okay, okay, you got your point across." She was planning on thinking of names later on, and of course, discuss them with Muroki. In many ways, she was quite looking forward to having the cubs, and knowing that it would only be a matter of time made her excited.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina allowed herself to sink into her mate's embrace, looking down at the ground. How come he was still just as hesitant about this as he had been when she'd brought it up for the first time? Maybe those few times where he'd brought up the subject himself were just in order to calm her down and he wasn't even coming close to being ready? She wouldn't like to end up with a pregnancy only she wanted. But just how much time did Delano need? Haven't they been together long enough? What if he never came around?

~~~

Muroki smiled, continuing to lick his mate even though she'd already calmed down. She was enjoying it, after all, and so was he. In a way, he wished they wouldn't have to wait so long for the cubs to be born. Heck, he'd barely been able to wait even before they were conceived. "I wish we didn't have to wait for so long..." he said at some point, gently ushering Umeme to lie down next to him. "I can hardly wait."