19 Walter Of Water (1/2)

Roar and Zenith with their newborn daughter, Zulu, Roar's boys: Howl and Talon, along with Wildcat leave together to visit Talia for the full moon. Except when Wildcat reaches the edge of Richy's territory, he stops.

”What's wrong,” Zenith asks Wildcat with the baby at her breasts.

”Y'all go on without me,” directs Wildcat. ”Give Talia and Cougar my love. ”I'll catch y'all on the way home.”

”You should come give them your love yourself,” Zenith tells Wildcat firmly.

Wildcat shakes his head, ”I can't, not yet.”

Zenith has something else to say, but Roar touches her arm and tells Wildcat, ”We'll see you in three days.”

Wildcat nods, ”Tell everyone I said hey.”

Roar and Zenith continue the rest of the way with their children, but without Wildcat. In Richy's back yard, they're just sitting down to dinner at the picnic tables as they arrive. The area is quite busy because of Water Tribe hanging out in Richy's territory.

Talia's face tells Roar that she was expecting Wildcat to be with them. But her Uncle Bob is visiting for the weekend, so she won't say anything. At least not in front of her Uncle Bob she won't. She has no idea how to explain to him she has three mates. But he's focused on Otter, and Talia's grateful for that.

Late in the evening after Uncle Bob and Otter have retired to his guest room for the night, Richy asks Roar, ”Where's Wildcat? Talia thinks he's shunning her.”

”He's not shunning her,” responds Roar, ”He'ld never do that. He's just kind of shunning himself. He got to the edge of your territory and just stopped. What was I supposed to do? Toss him over my shoulder and drag him kicking and screaming?”

”If Cougar wasn't at work, he'ld probably do just that,” answers Richy.

Roar smiles, ”Yeah, Cougar has his own unique way of dealing with things. He used to drive my father crazy. So how is he dealing with this?”

”He's just worried about his dad,” shares Richy. ”But he's handling it better than me. I'm the selfish one. He just rolls with the punches. It about killed me to tell Talia there was no reason to deny Wildcat… But as much as I'ld like to have her to myself, when she came home upset because Wildcat's avoiding her, I thought the same thing I thought when y'all arrived without Wildcat, I wished Cougar was home from work. He'ld know what to say to her.”

”So there are some advantages to sharing a mate with another man,” says Roar thoughtfully, ”Like having help dealing with her emotional crises.”

Richy nods and the two men stand there in silence for a short time before retiring for the night. The weekend itself is mostly uneventful. Richy decides he wants to use Talia's estate for the wedding. If the weather is good, they can do it outside in the courtyard with the fountain as a backdrop. If the weather is uncooperative, they can have the wedding inside in the ballroom.

Richy, Talia, Roar, Uncle Bob and Otter drive over to the estate. Richy sends digital pictures and text messages to Cougar. Uncle Bob and Roar are very helpful. Talia is quiet and withdrawn. Otter being the only other female with them stays close to Talia.

Talia points out some portraits on the wall and shares with Otter, ”These are my parents… my maternal grandparents…” etc. Otter listens closely to Talia. Knowing one's family history is important among free people and Talia's family now. Plus, she's agreed to have a baby with Bob.

Otter's excited. Her first two children were unplanned. And she never had a man asks her to have his baby before. Part of her hopes she gets pregnant right away while part of her wants it to take a while to happen. Either way, she needs to know Bob's history to share with their future child together.

Richy sets the day for the wedding for two days after the next new moon. Talia will come home from work in Megalopolis, but instead of going off to visit family and friends within her tribe they're going to come to the estate along with the rest of the tribe who wish her to wish her well and want to be present for the wedding. Free people do like to have an excuse to party.

Yet Talia's not a happy, giddy, excited bride to be. The situation with Wildcat is weighing heavily on her heart. When they're out of earshot of the men, Otter tells her, ”It'll be fine. He will come to you.”

”How angry must he be with me,” Talia asks Otter even though she's not expecting an answer from Otter.

”I don't think he's angry with you,” responds Otter positive of that. ”The day Richy proposed and you were so happy at first. Then Wildcat said it was 'stupid' and unnecessary, crushing your heart with his words. But you didn't hear what was said after you went inside. You didn't smell how remorseful he was. It wasn't his intention to hurt your feelings and steal your joy. He was so angry with himself for speaking so thoughtlessly. But you can't unsay things that came out wrong, that you really didn't mean. It cannot be erased.

Your men love you so much. Richy is showing the world he loves you with this wedding. Cougar has chastised his own father out of love for you, stopped him from taking you against your will even though it was his right. Wildcat nearly took you against your will. He's not the type of man to do something like that. Maybe he's staying away because he's angry with himself.”

”Perhaps,” says Talia thoughtfully, ”Maybe I should go to him.”

Otter shrugs, ”I don't know. He seems to be seeking time for himself. I just know he loves you and will come to you eventually. So when he comes to you, will you be able to accept him.”

”Yes,” Talia answers with a nod. ”Now, how do I tell my uncle I have three mates.”

Otter shrugs, ”Just spit it out.”

Talia half smiles, ”That sounds simple enough.”

Otter smiles knowingly as she responds, ”But it never is.”

Roar has agreed that he and the tribe will come and start preparing the estate for the wedding. And he knows Amazonia and her tribe will come give them a hand too.

The new moon comes and Talia goes to work in Megalopolis. She still hasn't told her Uncle Bob she has three mates and Wildcat is still avoiding her. Fjord still hasn't returned to his tribe, but no one is missing him. Talia arrives at the estate from work in Megalopolis to find it very busy. Richy and Cougar seem to know exactly what they're doing. Better them than me thinks Talia. She wouldn't know where to start in order to plan a wedding. Getting married wasn't something she thought she would ever do. After all, she's a free woman and getting married isn't something free folks do. They settle down with a mate. But Richy has always expected to get married, and if Richy wants the domestic ceremony, Talia doesn't have a problem with it. It doesn't change the fact that she has three mates. She's not unhappy, but she's not excited either.

Amazonia stops Talia concerned and says to her, ”I thought brides to be were supposed to be happy.”

”Where's your father,” demands Talia, ”Where's my mate Wildcat?”

Amazonia sighs as she answers, ”He's around.”

”You mean he's still avoiding me,” Talia tells Amazonia unhappily. ”He's not going to be here. He's not going to attend my wedding.”

”It's not you Talia,” assures Amazonia. ”He adores you as he always has. His struggle is with himself.”

”I keep thinking I need to go into the forest and track him, go to him,” shares Talia.

”He needs time,” Amazonia shrugs then assures Talia, ”He will come to you.”

Wildcat's not far away. He's found a tree with an excellent vantage point. He's got a good view of all the goings on at the estate. When the solar cars start arriving with the domesticated guests, he knows the ceremony's about to begin. The weather is good, so it's being done outside. Very few blossoms remain on the trees, but enough to add to the beauty of the day. He catches a whiff of catered food and there's plenty or wild vittles too. There are plenty of free folks present from his and Amazonia's tribes. He catches sight of a woman he doesn't know, and guesses correctly she's the desert woman, Hyena. Her hair's quite short and her skin is nearly as dark as her hair. Roar said she's put on some weight, but she still looks too thin to Wildcat.

Wildcat has always preferred full figured curvy women. Talia has nice curves. He tries to push thoughts of Talia's body to the back of his mind. Then he hears music. It's the wedding march. Everyone's in place and Talia is walking down the aisle to Richy. Wildcat has never seen Talia look more beautiful. She looks like a queen to him. He thinks of Cleopatra. Cougar liked to share his studies with his father and Wildcat had loved the information about ancient Egypt. Talia looks like an ancient Egyptian queen to Wildcat, from her wedding robes to her jewelry, make-up and hair. And Wildcat knows Richy well enough to know that every jewel and metal on Talia is real precious and pure, pure platinum and gold, real rubies and diamonds.

Wildcat knows Talia hates shoes. But for her wedding she has donned a lovely pair of wedged heeled slippers that have added about 10 to 13 centimeters to her height. He's glad no one has asked him his opinions on these things and that he hasn't had a chance to give his opinion because Talia is already beautiful and doesn't need make-up nor adornments of any kind and he would have said so. But she's absolutely stunning, and he will never forget seeing her this way.

Richy takes Talia's hand as she steps in front of him and the music stops. The music was loud but the voices are not and Wildcat can't hear what's being said and he wants to hear what's being said. The event is being recorded, so he won't get to hear what was said until he watches the recording. When Richy kisses Talia and everyone cheers, Wildcat knows the ceremony is complete. He watches Richy hush the crowd, but he can't hear what Richy is telling them.

”Ladies and gentleman,” Richy addressing the attendees, ”before we all go eat, drink and be merry. We have an announcement. Our first announcement as husband and wife… We're pregnant!”

The crowd cheers even more loudly this time and Wildcat wonders just what the hell Richy said. But he continues to watch as people come up and congratulate the newly married couple. Then people head for the food and there's more music which means dancing. Wildcat loves to dance and he would love to dance with Talia. But he knows the second he gets near her, his instincts will kick into high gear and they'll be doing the horizontal mambo.

After the last person has congratulated them, Talia and Richy start to head for the food and music. Talia pauses and Wildcat could swear she's looking dead at him. He can see a deep sadness in her beautiful dark brown eyes. Richy says something to her. Talia replies. Then Richy and Cougar look off into the direction of Talia's stare. Cougar says something to Talia. She turns to him and responds, Cougar says something else then leans over and kisses her. Then the three of them continue forward together with Richy holding Talia's hand and Cougar with an arm draped across her shoulders. Something about seeing the three of them together like that makes Wildcat feel better.

Talia would love to run away from this situation. The wedding and reception are much bigger and fancier than she's comfortable with. But it's still not half as bad as one of those big fancy useless balls. There's plenty of good food and good people. Free and domesticated seem to be interacting well. Lance Drumpt doesn't seem happy though. Talia can't believe Richy invited him and he came. But she's happy to see the Drumpt patriarch, Walter, as well as her godfather, Judge Cyril Suzuki. Everyone's mixing well with children running about playing and laughing.

Uncle Bob sits next to Cougar and greets him in a serious tone, ”Cougar…”

”Yes sir Uncle Bob,” responds Cougar wondering what the serious tone is about.

Uncle Bob informs him, ”Your divorce is final. I have the papers in my car.” Then he smiles, ”Don't let me forget to give them to you before you leave.”

Cougar hops up from his chair excited, ”It's final! My divorce is final!” He picks Uncle Bob up in an excited bear hug shouting enthusiastically. He releases Uncle Bob and snatches Talia up into his arms and kisses her. Then he grabs Richy and kisses his cheek. The three of them stand there together in a group hug swaying for a few moments as Cougar calms down.

Cougar's eyes are wet with tears as he retakes his seat pulling Talia onto his lap. Richy sits next to them and puts his arm around Cougar as Talia puts an arm around the back of Cougar's neck. Cougar holds tightly to Talia with his head resting under her chin as her thumb caresses his cheek.

”Are you alright,” Uncle Bob asks Cougar sitting down by them.

”Wonderful,” answers Cougar as he holds Talia.

Uncle Bob informs Cougar, ”You'll be notified when Sheila goes into labor. Once the baby is born the usual hospital care will take place. You'll be able to come and visit your new born as you please. Then you'll get to take your new son or daughter home with you. If you haven't picked out names yet, you should.”

Cougar nods his understanding. ”What about Sheila's visitation? Will I have to take the baby to the jail so she can get her visit?”

”No,” answers Uncle Bob, ”She doesn't have any visitation. Her parental rights have been terminated. I think that's what's best for you and the baby.” He leaves out that Sheila will be sterilized.

Otter sits on Bob's lap and says, ”It sounds a bit harsh, terminating her parental rights.”

Bob pats Otter's knee, ”You weren't present when she was brandishing an ax at Cougar. She even threatened to terminate the pregnancy. If Cougar chooses to have contact with her and let her see the baby, he may do so. But I've set it up so he doesn't have to.”

”Thank you Uncle Bob,” says Cougar gratefully.

”Glad to do it for you,” responds Uncle Bob honestly.

”Is everything alright,” asks Walter Drumpt stepping over to them.

”My divorce is final,” shares Cougar.

”Ah,” says Walter nodding his understanding. Then he finds himself staring at a free woman as she sets a ewer of ice water on the table. There's something familiar about her.

Richy tells the woman appreciatively, ”Thank you Aunt Seal.”

The light of recognition goes off in Walter's head and he calls to the woman, ”Seal?”

Seal turns toward the domesticated man. He's Richy's height and build. He's a mature distinguished man. You can see his gray hair was once a vibrant red. His green eyes hold intelligence and sadness. Green eyes, very familiar green eyes.

Walter Drumpts steps up in front of Seal. His are welling up with tear. ”My sassy little Seal, it's Poppa.”

Seal's face contorts, first with surprised confusion and then with anger. She balls her hands into fists at her sides. She knows this man. He's not her biological father, but he was the only father she ever really knew. He's the man that abandoned her mother while she was pregnant with Richy's mother.

Walter reaches out to touch Seal but sees her anger so he doesn't. He asks her, ”Please, where's your mother? Where's my mate Ibis?”

Richy never knew his maternal grandmother. She died several years before he was born. But he knows her name was Ibis. He knows nothing of his maternal grandfather except his mother never knew her father. Richy assumed the man was dead.

”Has she taken a new mate,” Walter asks Seal.

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”No,” Seal answers angrily, ”She's dead. She never took another mate.”

”When did she die,” asks Walter distraught, ”Was it a peaceful death?”

”No,” answers Seal with tears streaking her face. ”It was slow and painful. She died the second she saw you on her cousin Tam's TV with your fancy new supermodel wife and realized you weren't coming back. You broke more than her heart. You destroyed her spirit. She waited until Swan was woman to throw herself from the cliffs.”

”Swan,” questions Walter.

”Yes, Swan,” Seal giving his chest a thump with the side of her fist. It's not an attempt to hurt him, just a show of her anger. ”My baby sister, your daughter, Swan, who never knew you.”

Richy can hardly believe what he's hearing. If he's understanding the conversation, then Walter Drumpt was his mother's father. And that would make Walter Drumpt, the patriarch of the Drumpts, his maternal grandfather.

”Is she here,” Walter asks Seal looking around. ”Is my daughter here?”

”No,” answers Seal giving his chest another angry thump. ”She's dead! Swan's dead! You missed everything. Swan's birth, her first steps, her first word, everything.” She gives him another angry thump.

Walter hugs Seal and apologizes sincerely, ”I'm sorry. Poppa's sorry.”

”Why Poppa? Why,” asks Seal through her tears. ”What was so wonderful about that woman that made you leave us?”

”Nothing,” answers Walter as tears track his own face. ”I never loved her. My father and grandfather picked her for me. They said it was time I behaved like a Drumpt. They said if I stepped back into Wild Mountain Territory again that there would be a hunting accident and then there would no longer be a reason for me to go back again. And they weren't the kind of men to bluff. I couldn't put you all in danger like that… Poppa did what he had to so you, Momma and the baby would be safe… I had to keep you, Ibis and Swan along with the rest of the tribe safe from what my father and grandfather would have done if I didn't cooperate… Poppa didn't want to stay away. All I could do was pray you were safe and happy and knew that no matter what I love you…

So what do I have left now little Seal? What does your poppa have left now my daughter?”

”I don't know what miracle brought you here today Poppa,” Seal tells the only father she ever knew. ”But you watched your grandson get married today. And I have two children, and they each have two children… That's my daughter, Otter, right there…”

Otter gives a little wave from Bob's lap.

”My son Bass is around here somewhere,” Seal shrugs. ”But Poppa, this young man right here is Swan's son, Richard. But we call him Mist.”

”This fine young sheriff is my grandson,” asks Walter looking at Richy in awe.

”Richy,” Cougar slaps his knee good humoredly, ”you're a Drumpt.”

”The hell I am,” responds Richy. ”My father's name is John Henry Griffin. I'm a Griffin. No offense meant to you sir. I like you very much. That's why I invited you. But I really don't know you. You're a stranger to me.”

”No Mist,” his aunt Seal tells him, ”This is your grandfather. He's family. He's tribe.”

”Stop it. That's enough,” interrupts Lance. ”Grandfather, enough is enough. It's time to go.”

”I'm not going anywhere,” responds Walter pulling away from Lance. ”This is your aunt, Seal, and your cousins, Otter and Richard.”

”Don't says that,” Lance tells his grandfather. ”There's nothing that proves we're related to any of these people. And there are people here, important people. You don't want them thinking we have wild blood.”

”I don't care what they think,” declares Walter removing his tuxedo jacket, his tie, his dress shirt and finally his t-shirt. Then he points to the tattoo at the base of his back and asks Lance, ”Do you know what that is?”

Lance hadn't known his grandfather had any tattoos as he answers, ”A tattoo. So?”

Richy clarifies for Lance, ”It's a tribal tattoo.”

”Well God bless me,” says Cougar with a smile.

The Water Tribe tattoo at the base of Walter's back means he was adopted by the Water Tribe, just as Reynold Devonshire had been adopted by the Animalistic Tribe. Walter Drumpt hadn't been a casual visitor to the Water Tribe. Nor had his relationship with Ibis been casual. He had been adopted by the tribe and accepted as her mate. Walter Drumpt is a member of the Water Tribe.

”Whatever,” responds Lance not knowing what a tribe tattoo is and not caring, ”Put your shirt back on. People are staring.”

”You need to learn respect for your elders,” Roar tells Lance. ”He's welcome to go shirtless if he likes.”

”Listen here giganticus. I don't know who you are and I don't give a damn,” Lance being impudent and disrespectful to the huge wild man because he thinks he's safe at Devonshire Estate, ”Mind your own damn business.”

”I am Roar, Chief of the Free People of the Animalistic Tribe. I am Talia's elder brother. And you are in my territory. And everything that happens in my territory is my business. And since the chief of the Water Tribe is absent, in his stead, I cannot allow you to disrespect an elder of the Water Tribe. I would be considered a rude host if I didn't look after the wellbeing of visitors from other tribes.”

Lance looks Roar up and down, ”So you're Roar. I'm Lance Drumpt. Talia and I used to be an item.”

Roar looks at Talia and she tells him, ”He's the one that asked me to marry him.”

”Well I'm glad you didn't,” shares Roar. ”He's an insolent little pup. We've had a beautiful wedding and an unplanned family reunion. And all he can do is worry about what domestics will think when they learn he has free relatives.”

”There's no reason for me to claim them as my relatives,” responds Lance.

”So what if Talia had married you,” Roar asks Lance, ”we're you going to deny me as your brother-in-law? Would you try to keep Talia away from us, her family and tribe?”

”I'm smarter than he thinks I am,” Talia tells Roar. ”I would never marry a man that thought of my family as 'filthy wild animals.'”

”I am an excellent catch,” insists Lance. ”I'm a Drumpt. That means something. You missed out.”

Talia shakes her head, ”I'm not missing anything. You are selfish, arrogant and a terrible liar…”

”You're nothing,” Lance tells Talia angrily. ”I don't know what I ever saw in you. Knocked up before you walked down the aisle. You're nothing but a slutty whore.”

Richy suddenly has Lance by the throat lifting him onto his toes. ”How dare you disrespect my mate. She came to me a virgin you impotent pig. You never had her and it's just eating you up.” He gives Lance a shove.

Lance manages not to fall on his ass. He straightens up and states, ”I'm not impotent.”

”Richy,” Cougar calls smiling amused, ”it's a premature ejaculation problem. He creams his jeans.”

There are some stifled giggles that Lance ignores, ”Grandfather, are you coming with me?”

Walter Drumpt crosses his arms as he answers, ”Hell no. I've sacrificed too much for the Drumpt name. It's just a name, no better than any other name. And I'll sacrifice no more for it. You can try to tell yourself your special because of your name and what's associated with it. But what makes anyone special is who they are, what kind of person they are, do they have a good heart, do they serve their fellow man? That's what counts.”

”Whatever,” responds Lance turning and walking away. He mutters to himself, ”Crazy old man.”

Walter Drumpt sits next to Richy and reintroduces himself. ”My name is Walter Baron Drumpt. And many years ago when I was a young man like yourself, I fell in love with the most gorgeously beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on… Ibis… I met her when I came by way of Bayberry Falls to go rock climbing with a friend who had wild cousins. Ibis was one of his cousins.

It was love at first sight for me. She had a baby girl who was toddling but not talking yet… Seal, she was absolutely the cutest baby girl ever. She had me wrapped around her tiny little finger from day one…

I worked four ten hour days a week so I could have three day weekends to spend with my Ibis and Seal. And I went to them every weekend. I didn't care what was happening in the tamed world. I did my duty to the Drumpt name four days a week. The rest of the week belonged to Ibis.

When Seal was about three and a half, I was adopted by the tribe and received my tribal tattoo. Seal was five when Ibis and I finally became pregnant. I was so excited. I had been adopted by the tribe. I had a beautiful mate who adored me. We already had one beautiful little girl, our sassy little Seal. And we were going to be blessed with another baby. Seal was going to get herself a little brother or sister.

Except I didn't want to us to just be a part-time family anymore. I wanted Ibis and Seal with me full-time. I wanted us to be a family full time…

My father had been aware that I was going off every weekend to see a wild woman, or rather he thought women. When I told him I wanted to bring Ibis and Seal home, make her my wife, give her and Seal our last name, he blew a gasket… The next thing I knew, my father and grandfather were telling me how it was going to be. I would immediately marry that supermodel that had been hanging around and was interested in me. If I didn't comply, then there would be a hunting accident. And if I dared to bring my wild family home, another kind of accident would be arranged.

I did what I felt I had to, to protect my mate and our children and to protect our tribe. I married that super bitch and I never saw my gorgeously beautiful Ibis again.”

”I'm so sorry Walter,” says Talia sincerely as she holds one of Richy's hands and one of Cougar's, ”That's awful.”

Walter digs out his wallet. He admits, ”I don't miss my father and grandfather. I'm glad they're dead and gone. But every day, I miss my Ibis. This is her and Seal before Seal could talk so she was about a year old; and this is all three of us together, and this one is well almost the four of us obviously… We were so happy… This is your Uncle Martin and his most recent wife. He's Lance's father. And this is your Uncle Milton and his recently seeking a divorce wife… I don't bother to learn their wives names.” He flips back to a picture of Ibis holding Seal. ”Seal, I think you were about four in this picture.”

”How long have grandfather and grey-father been dead,” Seal ask Walter.

”Not long enough,” answers Walter wiping a tear away. ”My grandfather about fourty years and my father about twenty-five… By the time I found myself the patriarch of the Drumpt Empire, so many years had passed I doubted that Ibis was pining for me. She was so beautiful… I just figured she'd found a new mate and I was long forgotten.”

”She couldn't forget you,” shares Seal. ”Men were interested in her, but all she wanted was you. She finally couldn't continue on without you.”

”I don't know how I've managed without her... After the divorce, my father asked me if I would remarry. My answer was a firm no. If I couldn't have the woman I loved at my side, then there would be no woman at my side… When my father was on his death bed, he apologized to me, said my grandfather insisted until his death that I would get over her, that one day I would thank them, that one day I would understand. He hadn't meant to ruin my life. He had meant to keep me from ruining it. Financially, I may be the richest man in the world. But I'm also the unhappiest man in the world. All of it means nothing without my Ibis… I guess some place deep inside me, I clung to the hope I might be able to return to her one day.”

Uncle Bob shares with Walter, ”I always respected that you never treated marriage like it was a disposable commodity. Marriage isn't something you try on like a pair of shoes and if it doesn't fit just right trade it for a different one or asks for a refund.”

Otter picks up Shell whose little face is wearing plenty of wedding cake and tells her, ”Look Shell… There's your grey-pa.”

”I have a grey-pa,” asks Shell.

”Yeah,” Otter tells Shell, ”that's him.”

Shell slides off her mother and Bob's laps and walks over to Walter. She says, ”He doesn't smell like us.”

”This is my poppa,” Seal informs Shell, ”that makes him your grey-pa.”

Shell lifts her arms up to Walter who picks her up and sits her on his lap. Her little hands carefully inspect his mature face. She finally smiles at him and says, ”Hi Grey-pa, I'm Shell.”

Walter smiles a genuine smile of happiness, ”Hello Little Shell, I'm very happy to meet you.”

Shell informs him,” Grey-pa, you kind of smell like Uncle Mist.”

”Well isn't that something,” responds Walter smiling happily at Shell.

Walter request of Richy, ”Tell me about your mother. Tell me of my daughter, Swan, Mist so I may know her.”

Richy nods yes, and a couple of hours later, they're still sitting there talking. The sun is beginning to set. Most of the domesticated guests have already left. It's a two hour drive to Megalopolis and an hour drive to Bayberry Falls from the estate, and most wanted to be home by dark. Shell is dozing with her head on Walter's shoulder. He's gotten to meet all the children. Their little group now has quite a few people sitting around talking with them. Mostly free folks crowded around eager to hear the long lost elder speak. Even Lance is sitting in a chair against a wall; apart, but within earshot. They'll put the remaining guests up here at the estate for the night.

”I really admired Reynold,” Walter shares with Bob, ”and I was perhaps a little jealous as well. He just showed up with Panther and dared anyone to try and tell him he couldn't have her… My life has been so empty without my Ibis… I'm tired of tamed life and domesticated expectations.”

”Well just stay and spend some time with us Poppa,” invites Seal. ”Get away from all of that for a while. Get to know your grandson and your great grandchildren.”

Walter nods his agreement, ”Yes, it feels good to be here with all of you, to be with my people and just be myself.”

Suddenly Otter screams as Margie pulls her from Bob's lap by her hair. They hadn't heard her coming because of the music. And with all the different people and food, they hadn't caught her scent as she approached. Richy wasn't expecting Margie to make the trip over after she got off from work. After all, she had technically missed the wedding and reception. But she had done a quick change before she left the office and had driven over straight after work looking forward to seeing Bob.

Now they were pulling the angry determined Margie off the shocked and frighten Otter. Amazonia and Zenith restrain Margie and Otter clings to Bob who's relieved she's not been harmed.

”What the hell Bob,” demands Margie, ”What the hell?”

”Mommy! Mommy!” Shell crying, ”Don't hurt my mommy!”

”She's not hurt,” Walter assures as he hands Shell to Seal because she'll know how to comfort her better than him.

”Let me go,” demands Margie. ”I'm gonna rip all that pretty black hair out by the roots.”

Bob sighs and tells Margie, ”No, you won't Margie. You're not going to harm a hair on Otter's head.”

Tears start to spill from Margie's eyes, ”I don't understand. I thought we had something special started between us.”

Talia puts up her hand and motions for all the important parties to follow her as she says, ”Let's step inside.” Amazonia and Zenith escort Margie.

Talia leads them into the big house into a lounge room of comfortable furniture. Amazonia and Zenith still have Margie by her arms. Richy and Cougar won't be far from Talia if they don't have to and they flank her. Bob enters with Otter by his side holding her hand. Walter shuts the doors behind them. He doesn't know if he can be of assistance, but he wants to be near his grandson and new granddaughter-in-law. Besides, a woman like Margie will respect a mature authority figure like himself.

Talia motions to a chair at a small round table. ”Have a seat here Margie.” Amazonia and Zenith lead Margie to the chair, but Margie doesn't want to sit down.

”It's okay,” Talia tells Amazonia and Zenith, ”Let her go.”

Margie lunges for Otter and Bob, but Talia intercepts and Margie finds herself holding her throat and gasping for air. Talia guides her to the chair and this time she sits.

”Thank you Margie,” says Talia glad she sat down and she didn't have to hurt her. ”I know you're aware you're in wild territory; technically, Animalistic Tribe territory. But this estate and the property immediately surrounding it are my domain. Here, I am chief. And you have frighten the children and scared the domesticated guests that haven't left for home yet. I really don't appreciate that. I like people to feel safe when they're here.”

Talia steps out of the way so her Uncle Bob can sit down across from Margie. Otter steps to his back. Bob reaches out his hand to Margie. And after a moment of hesitation, Margie gives him one of her hands.