Lana closed her eyes and took a deep breath, not wanting to think of the implications. Borden never left the ship. As long as the kids have been there, Borden was always with them.
"How long have I been out and how are the kids doing?"
"You've been out most of the day. It's almost bedtime now. The kids are happy to be back. Deal said most of them feel like this is more home than the ship."
Fiza added in, "we talked to all the teachers. They are back on their schedule and we added in sewing, cooking, weapons, martial arts, and Qi."
Lana smiled, "that sounds perfect."
Lana turned to Griddlebone, "You are welcome to live here with us or we can build you a nice cave or something in a safer location for you. You are also free to come and go as you wish to visit us."
Griddlebone gave Lana a deep bow and rubbed her head against Caser. He wrapped his tentacles around her in a hug. Lana gave the couple a bright smile.
Lana got off the bed and went into the nursery. The babies were both still awake and smiled when their mother walked in. She looked to the left to see Dawn was there.
"You're awake! How are you? Are you okay?" Dawn said, sounding anxious.
Lana smiled, "I'm okay. Have the babies been good?"
Dawn smiled, "we have played all day and they have slept really well for their naps. No fussing at nap time, either. They kept looking at the door, though. I was wondering if they knew there was something going on."
Lana nodded, "why don't you go get some rest. I have the next shift," she smiled and winked.
She picked up both kids and left the room with Dawn come out after her. Dawn was quite shocked to see a second cat with tentacles in the room but seeing how everyone else was acting normal, including Caser, she adjusted her attitude and smiled at the newcomer.
Lana introduced her to Dawn and the kids. She set the kids on the floor who then put their hands out toward Griddlebone.
Griddlebone sniffed the air tentatively. She took a few steps toward them and sniffed each one. Lana and the others stood by smiling, trusting that Caser wouldn't bring someone dangerous near the kids.
The kids, meanwhile, reached out and pet her face when she came in for a sniff and Griddlebone started to purr. Lana giggled as she could tell they had a new member of the family. Griddlebone simple lay where she was and let the kids pet her, twist her ear, pull on her tentacles, and put her ear in their mouths like babies do.
Lana kneeled down beside her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Welcome to the family!" Looking between the two, "you are welcome to claim a room upstairs to share or if you'd like, that circular area in the center we can put in cushions for you guys. Whichever you prefer."
She heard Caser's voice in her head, cushions would be perfect! Could we have a set in here as well?
Lana chuckled. "I think we need to go shopping!"
In the Travelers' Center, she went looking for a notification first, before doing her shopping. There still wasn't one and she sighed unhappily. In the cushion section, she found a flood of options but she needed something big enough for her feline friends. She found two that would work in her bedroom but she wanted something really nice for the space upstairs. In the furniture section she found something that resembled a round couch but felt like a bed. It had an elevated portion around the outside that resembled the back of a couch but was big enough to use as a bed.
She added that to the cart. She looked at the two happy cats and wanted to get them something special. Since she was obviously pregnant, she decided to do something else. She didn't want to give her any of the beast crystals the faction and family had since they were earmarked for other things. She added ten advanced tier crystals to the cart and checked out.
She retrieved her packages and giggled when she turned around to see Owen sitting on Griddlebone, held by tentacles and Olivia on Caser's back held the same way. Dobin and Shalt carried her boxes refusing to allow her to do any lifting after being injured. She sighed at being babied but tried to remind herself it was good to be loved.
Back at home, she unpacked the things that went downstairs, the two cushions for her room. They decompressed fairly quickly and the couple tried them out by walking on them. They enjoyed the cushiness. They also didn't want to lay down because it meant putting the kids down.
Lana giggled as she watched them. "Let's head upstairs, shall we?" her face brightened with a smile. Shalt carried the bigger box while Dobin now only needed to carry a smaller box.
In the center of the room, Shalt helped her with the big package. With the packaging off, it decompressed into a huge cushion. Everyone needed to back away and it grew bigger and bigger. Shalt and Dobin had to move it a bit to keep it centered in the area. Eventually it was done growing and the area was comfortably filled. This could be a family reading area or simply a place for two large maccavities to cuddle together.
They sniffed the bed/couch and looked at each other. Lana insisted they set the kids down and they climbed up once the kids were on the floor. They both lay down and purred, closing their eyes. Griddlebone got up really quick and used her tentacles to lift each child on to the cushion with them. The kids squealed and tried to get up on their knees in a crawling position.
Lana laughed, "got it. So if the kids go missing, they are up here. I have to admit, that does look comfy…" She pressed down in the cushion and it was so soft. She climbed in and leaned against the back of the cushion. "Wow. This is great!"
Lana looked to Dobin, getting ready to invite him to sit when she realized there was one more thing she purchased. "May I have that last box, please?"
Dobin handed it over and she opened it.
"Griddlebone, I bought you something. Since you're expecting, I thought you might like these."
Lana covered her hand with a leaf and placed the crystals on the bed then picked up the children. "We'll be downstairs. You two enjoy some time together." She smiled at them and turned to go downstairs. Shalt and Dobin followed right behind her.
Caser, is she for real? Did she really just give me these?
Caser rubbed his head against hers to show his affection, of course she did. Eat. I'll watch over you and protect you.
Gridlebone smelled the crystals then lay down in front of them and started eating, one by one. Soon she was evolving. Griddlebone was now a king-tier as well.
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