Feli took a deep breath through her nose, stretched and yawned. Opening her eyes slowly she watched the sun crawl just over the horizon and touch the bed with her first rays of light.
She smiled softly, it really was a good idea to set up the sleeping area in the corner where the sun came up, and now that they were done moving she felt like they could fully enjoy their new home. She heard Mami stir first, then Avia started to wake up followed by Guy who woke up from all the movement against and on top of him. She chuckled at the way he must feel under all the weight of his harem, but he never had any complaint about it. He even once said he wouldn't have it any other way anymore.
Guy smiled at her and she realised she had been staring at him. She chuckled and gave him a big kiss.
'And good morning to you too.' Guy said after she pulled back.
'Me too!' said Cani and kissed him long.
He chuckled after she pulled back. 'I love waking up like this.' he said and kissed Ara, Avia and Mami before they all snuggled up close again and watched the sunrise. 'I think I never want to leave this bed again.'
'Even if we all left?' asked Ara, grinning deviously.
'Hmm..' said Guy. 'Since I can't be without you for long, I don't have much of a choice.'
'Thought so.' Ara said.
Guy nodded. 'I'll just have to tie you up or cuff you to the bed.'
It didn't take long for the girls to pummel the laughing Guy into submission by pillow.
As punishment Guy had to thoroughly wash each girl's fur in the wide bath, although they knew he didn't mind at all. The day was warm and they took advantage of it to eat breakfast on the private roof and dry in the sun while sitting on the grass.
'Are you going to write today again?' asked Avia of Guy while she gave him a fresh piece of bread with jam.
'Yes.' he said and caressed her wing as he took the bread. 'I want to finish the short thriller and send it to the guys at Midnight Meeting for publication on their grid before we visit the capital in a few days. What are you all going to do in the meantime?'
'I'm telling the kids at the kindergarten popular stories from my country.' said Avia. 'And then we're going to make drawings based on those.' She smiled softly. 'Mrs. Ghazo thought of that when I asked if I could tell her those stories. She asked me to be a model for the kids to draw.'
'Nice.' said Ara, taking another slice of juicy beef. 'I'm still busy weaving the nets for the local vegetable gardens to protect their fruit from birds, should be ready before we leave.'
Cani turned to lay on her back with her head on Guy's lap. 'I'm going to read the book I found recently about a famous and fierce feline warrior and a human military medic who each survived a crash of their ships during battle around a strange planet.' she said and smiled when Guy stroked her cheek. 'She tries to kill him and gets wounded, but he helps and treats her instead and a romance builds up over time while they try to survive together. And that's just the beginning.'
'Sounds like a popular book.' Guy said. 'Maybe I'll read it too after you're done.' He looked at Feli and Mami. 'Your plans?'
'I'm going to the stores today.' said Feli and stretched to chase away the last sleep out of her body, smiling softly at the sight of Guy appreciating her curves. 'Buy a few things to put on the shelves in my corner. And there's a little family business dad asked me to look at.'
'I'll be catching up on a little history after my shift at the park today.' said Mami, picking a few berries. 'Grandma sent me some books on the family which I'd better read before we visit there.'
Guy nodded. 'You should tell us what we need to know too.' he said. 'Before we do something silly.'
Mami grinned. 'Oh, I'm sure that'll still happen.' she said. 'Especially with a certain someone who quickly thinks things are cute.'
'Hey.' said Cani and grinned. 'It's your fault. You keep Mouse in her own chair and I've seen you hug her often when you sit behind your own desk. Anyone finds that cute.'
Mami pouted and looked away. 'You're just seeing things. I'm only taking care of her because Guy neglected her for so long.'
Guy chuckled. 'I'm just glad she found such a good friend.' he said and poked Cani's nose. 'So no teasing.'
Cani playfully bit at his finger. 'It's true though.' she said and chuckled.
Avia and Guy were cleaning up the kitchen when Feli kissed him before she went out. 'See you later, darling.' she said.
'Later, pussycat.' he said. 'Hope you'll find what you look for.'
She nodded. 'I think I will, had a look at the store during the festival.' she said and gave Avia a wave. 'See you later, Avia.'
Avia gave her a nod while she dried a plate. 'Later, Feli.'
Feli took the stairs down, watching the backs of the other buildings through the vertical windows. At the ground floor she greeted two men working at one of the offices while she went out the front door. She chuckled as she wondered if the people working here thought they'd suddenly started working near a zoo.
The store she wanted to visit was around the corner of the street and she had a look at the window full of toys before she stepped inside. The section that had caught her attention during the festival was the corner full of plush animals and dolls. There were all sorts and sizes, from hand sized white and grey kittens to a big purple and blue dragon.
Feli grinned a little at the sight, unable to keep her glee and swishing tail completely in check. She wanted to hug each and every one of them.
'Oh, hey, welcome.' said a voice behind her and she turned to see a familiar young woman.
'Ah.' Feli said. 'Aren't you..?'
The woman smiled. 'The one with the little girl who wanted to pet you at the park.' she chuckled. 'Yes, I'm afraid so.' she held out her hand. 'I'm Aada. My daughter is Sade.'
Feli shook her hand. 'She was cute.' she chuckled. 'She's at school now?'
Aada looked a little sad. 'No, she's upstairs.' she said and straightened a blonde doll in short jeans dress. 'She's going to have a minor operation to her stomach in a few days. Nothing serious, but she's nervous about it. And about spending some time in the hospital.'
'Oh.' said Feli. 'Sorry to hear that.'
Aada gave her a smile. 'She'll be fine.' she said. 'She has a big collection of plush toys that comfort her and I'm thinking of making a new one for her.'
'You made these too?' asked Feli, noticing none of the plushes and dolls had labels on them.
'Yes.' Aada said, stroking a giraffe's neck. 'I learned to make these when I was little from my grandmother, and later when I met my husband Lev, who just started this store, I made it my profession.'
Feli picked up one of the kittens. 'They're very good.' she said. 'I'm looking to get a few plushes for my own little corner of the apartment but it's so hard to choose.'
Aada chuckled. 'I know what you mean.' she said. 'Which is why it's hard to think of what plush to make for Sade since she can't choose either. When she saw all of you during the festival she kept talking about you and how she liked all of you. If she could she would have taken all of you home. She has drawn many pictures of you all.'
Feli smiled and stroked the kitten's nose. 'I can imagine.' she said. 'Guy says we're all plu-.' She paused, then looked at Aada. 'I have an idea.'
***
'What is it?' Mami asked Guy when she saw him frowning a little at the round clock hanging above the double door of the small hallway.
'I had expected Feli to be back by now.' he said.