New Beginnings
© 2021 by Walter Reimer


Thumbnail art by  Ahro



The process of getting married was actually very simple, taking up maybe fifteen minutes at a branch office of Faraway’s Public Records Department. One verified their identity, attested to the fact that they were not intoxicated or coerced in any fashion, and then signed the document. The party afterward was a low-key one, but nevertheless very happy with the five parents congratulating Fuji and Meredith, and the Komodo monitor and the golden palomino mare looking happy, but thoughtful.

“What are you thinking about, Sunflower?” Javid asked his daughter. The iron-gray stallion had a drink in his paw.

Meredith brushed an errant lock of her mane out of the way, making a mental note to get a trim. “Just thinking, Father.” He flicked his ears at her, and she said, “Children.”

“Ah.” He smiled. He eased her over to a small sofa and sat beside her. “And what are you thinking?”

She gave him a mock sour look. “I expected this from Thea and Marie, Father.”

“They delegate.” Father and daughter started laughing. “So.”

“Well, Fuji and I expect that I should conceive in another few weeks, when the last of the contraceptives are gone from both of us,” Meredith said. “I want to bear his children,” she added with a happy smile.

“What’s your Plan B?”

“Huh?”

“Meredith, I know you.”

“Oh, fine. There’s always artsem,” and she gave him an appraising look.

“We’ve discussed this, Merry.” Javid had heard that she was thinking of using his sperm, and despite the fact that there was no threat of genetic abnormalities, he had put his hoof firmly down on the subject.

She grinned and poked her father in his ribs. “I know, I know. If we can’t have children of our own, we’ll adopt.”

“Oh?”

“Well, we figure that there have to young furs out there who have lost their parents in this,” the younger mare said, her ears going back. “So if I can’t have children with Fuji, we can still do something.”

Transferring his drink to another paw, Javid pulled his daughter into a hug and kissed the white blaze between her eyes. “There’s my lovely daughter, and I’m proud of you and Fuji.” He paused to take a sip of his drink. “What about your new job?”

Meredith grinned. “The company’s bought the office, and they’re taking of the lease for quarters, so we don’t have that – hey, Fuji,” and father and daughter looked up as the monitor walked over to them. “Where have you been?”

Fuji rolled his eyes. “Mother and Father thought I should let my brothers and sisters know that I got married.”

“Ah,” and Meredith nodded. “Personalized messages?” He nodded. Fuji had nine brothers and sisters. “That reminds me. I have to let Varan know, and then . . . “

“Yes?”

“You and I,” the mare said to her new husband, “we have to tell Jax and the crew.”

“Absolutely. They’ll be very happy to hear it.”

Meredith beckoned to him to lean over, and she and Fuji kissed as Javid eased off the couch to let the newlyweds have their space.

The stallion took a seat between his co-wives, and Thea glanced at her birth daughter before asking, “Is she okay?”

Javid nodded. “I think they’ll do just fine.”