A vision of the future

You end up calling in sick to work. With everything going on, you doubt you’ll need to go back, at least for a while. Sam runs to the store and gets a test for Emi, and sure enough, it comes back positive. The cat girl comes out of the bathroom nervously, showing you the positive results.

She looks at you, clearly worried about your reaction. “I know it’s sudden, and unexpected, but…what do you think, love?”

You start your answer by pulling her into a tender hug, holding the slim, shivering cat girl tightly. It reminds you of the night you found her, scared and alone, on the side of the road. So much has happened since then that it seems like a lifetime ago. You look into her mismatched eyes, eyes full of love even as she worries about your response, and you know there’s only one answer you can give.

“Emi, I love you with all my heart. My life has changed, for the better in every way since you fell into my lap. The thought of having a child with you fills me with joy, and I know that they will be as loved as you are.”

Emi sobs happily, hugging you tightly. Sam and Lili join the hug, smiles on their faces. You never imagined that this would be the kind of family you would have, but sometimes that’s how things go. And you couldn’t be happier.

A little bit later, the four of you are in the couch together, discussing the future. More specifically, baby stuff. Emi is incredibly excited now, and Lili has joined in, feeding off the energy. Sam is more subdued, staying close to you as the Hybrids giggle and chatter. You get the sense that Sam is thinking a lot about Emi’s pregnancy, and you wonder how long before she starts thinking about the same for herself.

However, as the discussion continues, it’s interrupted by yet another knock on the door. Curious as to who it could be, you open up to see someone in a courier uniform. You have to sign for the letter, and they thank you and hurry off. You open the message, and see it’s a request for you and the girls to come to the Albright mansion to complete the paperwork. The time is set for later this evening, and apparently it’s going to be a whole event.