They do

The preparations are almost the same as the last time. The catgirls are far easier to manage since so many recently had a chance to sit with your guests. There's also more interest in taking food to the small army encamped outside - after all there's some good gossip from some lucky catgirls who managed to find an interested man out there. The two people you have little chance to deal with are Lessia and Emira. Your princess is determined to both get Emira a suitable dress for dinner and hear every detail about this attempt to marry her off without her permission.

The dinner itself is quite stressful, though you must pretend otherwise. You spend your time concentrating on appearing as if all of lady Emira's news is new to you. You have to be careful to say nothing untrue and you have to avoid thinking about anything that the high inquisitor might pick up. Thankfully Sandra had the idea to deliberately include some catgirls who weren't really ready for fine dining. Their faux pas and oblivious questions are a great way to distract people from you and your thoughts.

After dinner you retire to the master bedroom, finally able to relax. You've only just flopped onto the bed when you feel a warm, naked body snuggle up against you. "Hello John," purrs Doe. "We've all missed you."

You scratch her head between her ears and say "I've missed all of you too. But you were really fast - seems like someone is feeling alone all of a sudden."

"It's funny, isn't it? I can't feel them yet, but I can't really be alone for about nine months."

Helena snuggles up to your other side and says "Yeah, but you always want to keep them close to their father." Then, after a long pause she asks "Speaking of which, I feel like I'm ready. Do you think... Is it time yet?"

You give her a kiss and a hug and tell her that no, single child or not her body isn't ready for more just yet. She sighs, like a young girl who's just been told a famous traveling bard won't be coming to her town this year.

Renee grabs Helena from behind and tickles her. "It's just a matter of time. Doe had to wait over a month. It's been just ten days for you."

"Wagh! I know, I know. It's just... I really want to." She gives you such a pleading look that you're tempted to accelerate things. But you don't need the headaches that will surely bring.

Meanwhile, on your other side, another of your wives has snuggled up behind Doe. Bethany rubs her nose against the back of Doe's neck, slips her arm around her side and starts running her fingers over Doe's belly.

"Hello Bethany," says Doe without even opening her eyes.

"How did you know?"

"Mmmm, there's a certain wife of mine who seems to love petting my belly right now."

Bethany looks a little worried and starts to pull her hand away. Lightning fast, Doe grabs it and presses Bethany's hand back to her stomach. She grins a toothy grin and says "I didn't say stop. It's actually really nice."

"You're doing so much for me."

"Nah, I know you'd do the same. I'm looking forward to meeting your babies too."

"Awww."

Then you see Lessia, also naked, sneak up behind the distracted Bethany. She snuggles up to her just like Bethany snuggled up to Doe and she too slips her hand into place, gently running her fingers through the soft fur of Bethany's belly. "Is this the right thing to do?" she asks.

"Oh, it does feel nice," Bethany mumbles, her toes curling.

"I most certainly need to thank you for caring for my baby."

"How could I not?"

You have to laugh. "If all women got along like this..."

Lessia sighs. "If human women did then we would almost need to create fewer men, like catfolk."

You surprise them by rolling Helena over you, putting the white furred kitten in Doe's arms. "I'm sorry, I've got a few things to take care of. With so many guests, etc, etc. I'll be back later, but for now could you take care of my wife? She's feeling rather left out right now." You give Helena a few ear scratches, which distracts her long enough for both Doe and Bethany to get their hands on her.

Alice, who was just approaching, smirks and says "Yes, master John, we'll take good care of your wife." It was Alice who started referring to your other wives as "your wife" or sometimes "my wife" a little while ago. Something that could have raised hackles, but not the way Alice did it. It caught on, and now when one of your wives wants to single another out for some attention they often refer to them that way.

Helena squirms a bit, play fighting. "Oh, I'm okay. Really, we should take care of Bethany."

Alice sits on top of Helena's legs and playfully asks, "You're okay? You don't need anything?" but as she does she rests her hand on Helena's pussy. After an encouraging kiss from Bethany Helena gives up and rolls into a good position to receive the attention of at least three of your wives.

A little while later, in the lab...

You finally retrieve the letter marked "For later" and crack the seal. Sandra, who's been waiting impatiently for this moment all day, is peering over your shoulder.

Allow me to cut to the chase. I have been observing our guests and I have chosen Sir Galren as the most useful for my purposes. A young, idealistic knight of the church is the kind of husband that others cannot question. When I return home after over a year alone there will be many rumors about my activities. I am aware that there are a few catgirls who have shown interest in him and I assure you this is not a concern, rather it is a benefit. Though it has been little more than a week since we met I must admit that I am... intrigued by your marriage arrangements.

If you could encourage your most devilish catgirl to get in touch with me then I would be most grateful. I mean, of course, whichever Bast worshiping catgirl you have selected to act as Sir Galren's Sandra. As well, should it be possible, some capacity for us to communicate over long distances would be extremely useful.

"I'm your most devilish catgirl?" asks Sandra as she hugs you from behind.

"Despite some stiff competition" you tell her.

"I like it. You know, Laura is my star pupil but when it comes to who's the more devilish I think she and lady Emira are going to have to fight it out."

"Yes, but competition like that will only sharpen their wits. I would feel sorry for Sir Galren, but it looks like he's going to have a harem of lovely catgirls and an understanding human wife to take care of him. Such a lucky man doesn't deserve too much sympathy."

"Do you think he has a good selection?"

"What do you mean?"

"If we want to make sure Sir Galren and his future wives are happy they need the right balance, just like a certain mage and like a certain priest of Bast I know."

"Ah. Well lets see - Certainly he has your role covered."

"Yes, Laura and Emira together fill the role I would say Alice and I take in our family. Nancy and Casmira are nice and shy. I think you could say they match well with Helena and Bethany." Sandra rubs her whiskers against your neck and continues. " Flora is the mothering type. She was even before she pushed out the two little darlings you filled her with. So I'd say she will take up Renee's role."

You pull Sandra into your lap and say "Of all of them I would say Vania is closest to Doe".

"Yes. Or at least Flora and Vania together are a fit for Doe and Renee. I mean we're never going to get a perfect match. Especially not for Doe, she's just... special. For all of us." She grins. "Except maybe for Laura and I, we are really quite the devilish girls."

"You really like that description, don't you?" you give her a little tail stroke and Sandra grins.

"Oh, and of course Yvonne, Nelayne, Andrea and Mercy have all worked out together. They're practically the leaders of a 'tough, protective tomboy' club."

"It's a club that's sure to grow with all the mercenaries I've been transforming."

"Such a shame you only stuffed two little babes into her tummy."

After a long pause Sandra says "Wait, I don't think it can work out."

"Huh? We just decided he has a great set of catgirls that should all work well together."

"Yeah, but Laura and Mercy have white fur, Vania has grey, Casmira and Nancy have black fur and Flora's got cream colored fur. How's he going to make it without a redhead?"

You just laugh, kiss her and say, "Well he can't have everything". Based on the kiss she gives you that appears to have been the right answer.