FA+
Shop
680
Views
Views
11
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Story / General Furry Art
Species Dog (Other)
Size 618 x 800
File Size 201.6 kB
Report this content
More from Walt46
Listed in Folders
In the Family Way
© 2013 by Walter D. Reimer
(Characters courtesy of
Major Matt Mason and 
EOCostello
The story of the duCleds relationship and marriage can be found on the Spontoon Island website, in the following stories:
Inocenta Until Proven Guilty
Valentine's Dazed
The I Do's of March
Art by
TheTiedTigress
______________________________________________
Part 4.
Toni:
Aw, man . . .
Les looks a bit unner da weather at th’ thought o’ Inocenta meetin’ with his cousin Maddy. I met ‘er, ‘course. She ain’t too bad a gal.
Met a gal like her while workin’ th’ burley-Q circuit with Rosie. Nice enough but ya don’t turn yer back onner, know whaddamean?
“C’mon in,” I sez, “an’ we’ll get yez settled in. Les, we got yer room cleaned up fer ya.”
“Thanks, Toni,” he said, and we steps outta th’ fo-yer an’ inta th’ main hall. The carpets there’re real deep velvet – like up ta yer ankles deep, an’ in winter Pete tells me ya can get a nasty static 'lectric shock.
Inocenta keeps moving her head around, gawkin’ at th’ scenery. Lots to see, of course – th’ duCledses got scads of Old Money.
An’ before yez ask, NO, I didn’t marry Pete duCleds fer his money. I was real comfortable livin’ an’ workin’ at th’ Lotus with my nest egg. Had some fun there, too.
Rosie wrote me ‘bout th’ fun when these two got hitched. I’d pay ta see that vixen glazed all over, myself.
I stick two fingers in my muzzle and give a whistle. “Hey, Herne!”
***
Les:
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen him with my own eyes.
I didn’t think Herne was still alive, although in hindsight I know Uncle Pete would have told me if he’d passed away.
Herne’s the family butler, the head butler, in fact. A whitetail buck clearly from another age, when excellent manners were the highest accomplishment anyone could aim at. He helped raise me when I was a pup and put up with no end of pranks from me and my cousins.
How he managed to resist killing all of us is still beyond me.
Architect, I always thought as a boy that Herne stood twelve feet tall and was immortal. He’s nearer my height now and getting quite gray about his headfur and muzzle.
I looked at him, and tried valiantly to put Reggie Buckhorn out of my mind. The comparison was superficial, since both were whitetails, but the thought of Herne getting stewed and starting a riot was – disturbing.
He walked up to me and gave a small but precise bow. “Master Leslie, it is good to see you again.”
I smiled and stuck out a paw. “Hello, Herne. It’s great to see you again.”
He pursed his lips and gave my paw an appraising look before taking it. “I apologize for the delay in shaking paws with you, Sir. I was just looking for any sign of the joy buzzer.”
I blushed red straight to the tips of my ears.
Inocenta applauded the fireworks display, and smiled very prettily as Herne took her paw and bowed over it. “Senora duCleds,” he said, “I am honored to meet you. My name is Herne.”
“Inocenta very happy to meet Herne. She think you are the very fine buck.”
He smiled graciously. “Madam is too kind.”
My wife stamped a pretty hoof. “Inocenta no Madam! Inocenta wife of her darling Leslie-puppy!”
I blushed again.
Herne looked a bit nonplussed, but only for a barest instant before smiling graciously again.
Toni hid her muzzle behind a paw and turned away so we wouldn’t see her laughing, and Uncle Pete just smiled.
***
Pierre:
I felt at this point I had to say something.
Otherwise Toni might hurt herself laughing.
I slipped my arm around her waist and she snuggled close as I said, “I’ve engaged a couple of people to help you and Inocenta out, Leslie. A valet for you and a maid for your wife.”
Les’ ears went down. “Uncle Pete, I don’t need – “
“Yes, you do,” and I pointed a finger at him. “You’re getting married, and it’s a Society wedding. You know what that means.”
He looked grumpy as he hugged Inocenta. “Yeah, I do.”
The look on his face reminded me of Paul for a moment. Les was a lot like his father at his age. Paul always hated having servants in the house, too, even though Father insisted on maintaining appearances.
But hugging Inocenta looked like a simply wonderful idea, so I hugged Toni, who enthusiastically reciprocated.
We all turned at a low, growling “Hmmph” launched from a spot behind us.
***
Toni:
I wuz lookin’ forward ta this like I look forward ta havin’ my teeth yanked out.
Widdout no knockout gas, neither.
There in the doorway’s this dame who looks a lot like Pete, almost enough like him ta pass for him if she wore drag.
Might even be improvin’ her looks if she did.
“Hi, Cathy!” I sez, and she gives me a look. I didn’t spring no claws, as I was still huggin’ Pete. But that look – I swear she’d turn fresh cream to cheese with a mug like that.
“Antoinette,” she sez, all snooty-like.
Ya think I’m gonna hug HER, when I got this guy in my arms?
I’d sooner hug a rat (although there was that one cute little chorus girl in New Haven City once...).
“Catherine, how good to see you,” Pete sez, and smiles at his sister. She’s his oldest, but not older’n him, if ya take my meanin’. “Where are Dick and Tom?”
“They’re getting the car unloaded,” she said. “I see the servants are just as lax as they were the last time I was here,” and Herne an’ Barry, they gets the hint and they go outside.
“Just in time fer dinner, too,” I sez, eyein’ the clock. Trust this crew to always be on time fer supper.
***
Les:
Oh, Architect . . .
Aunt Catherine.
With her two sons in tow.
I have to say something, I know. I very well can’t snub her, as she’s family.
“Hello, Aunt Catherine.”
She smiles at me like she’s just scored a point. “Leslie, how nice of you to make it to your own wedding! And ahead of time as well. Is this your charming . . . bride?” she asked. I could see she was trying not to bare her teeth at Inocenta.
I matched her smile. “Yes, Aunt Catherine. This is my wife, Inocenta, the daughter of Don Carlos de Ciervos y Comamenta. Inocenta, this is my Aunt Catherine Maxwell-duCleds.” I could see her muzzle twitch at the mention of her married name.
No one ever spoke about Uncle George. To her muzzle.
Inocenta let go of me and walked up to my aunt. “Inocenta is so pleased to meet the aunt of her darling Leslie-puppy!” and before she could stop her my wife was hugging her tightly after bussing her on both cheeks.
When they broke the embrace I thought Aunt Catherine was going to fly into a rage, and I started glancing around.
No, there were no wastepaper baskets within reaching range. Nor any loose shoes.
Aunt Catherine forced a smile, a truly ghastly expression. Her tail was absolutely still and drooping slightly. I hadn’t seen her looking that angry since the time I dipped the tip of her tail in my watercolors as a pup.
She said (through gritted teeth), “How simply wonderful to meet you, my dear. I hope my nephew didn’t take you away from your . . . herd . . . too abruptly.”
There was a pregnant pause.
Pregnant?
It whelped and reared two litters of pups before Inocenta broke the moment.
I tensed, getting ready to leap for cover.
The fireplace looked safe enough.
My wife smiled back, the picture of innocence. “No, Tia Caterina. Mami and Papi will be here for the wedding, but Inocenta happy to be here with her darling Leslie-puppy and his family.”
“’Leslie-puppy.’” My aunt favored me with a glance. “I see,” and I could feel the temperature drop ten degrees. She turned away as a commotion heralded the entrance of my two cousins.
Richard and Thomas are twins, yes, but fraternal, not identical; born at the same time, but don’t resemble each other.
They do have one other similarity, though.
They’re both dumb as a box of rocks. In fact, that might not be fair to rocks. Or even the box.
***
Inocenta:
Tia Caterina fortunate she catch Inocenta in good mood.
Otherwise there would be the throwing of the shoes. Ole!
But Inocenta must be on good behavior, because she is meeting with the family of her loving Leslie-puppy. Tia Caterina turn to see her sons come in, and Inocenta look them over.
Inocenta . . . is not impressed.
Both are the doggies, like my darling Leslie-puppy, but a bit thinner. One has curly brown headfur and the other has straight blonde. Inocenta try the hard not to laugh as the boys try to come in through door at the same time.
Much shoving, like a good clown show at the teatro.
“Richard!” Tia Caterina say. “Stop that foolery this instant and come here!”
Richard the one with the brown headfur; he whine like the puppy and he say, “But, Ma . . . he started it!”
Thomas say back, “I did not! You started it!”
I see the Leslie-puppy give the roll of the eyes, and Inocenta try not to laugh again.
The brown one come up to Inocenta and says, “Hi. I’m Richard. You’ve got to be Inocenta.”
The blonde one is right behind. “I’m Tom. How’d Cousin Les catch you anyway? Offer you a salt lick?”
Inocenta raise the brow.
Did you know deer hooves are the very sharp and hard?
Tomas, he hop around yelping, holding a shin as Ricardo he look the scared and hide behind his madre. Inocenta decide she make point, so she go stand beside her Leslie-puppy.
Tomas start to limp and he yelp as his madre hit him about the ears.
Leslie-puppy look rather odd; he say that he suggest we all go up to rooms and get ready for the dinner.
Inocenta agree.
She have the appetite now.
NEXT
FIRST
PREVIOUS
© 2013 by Walter D. Reimer
(Characters courtesy of
Major Matt Mason and 
EOCostelloThe story of the duCleds relationship and marriage can be found on the Spontoon Island website, in the following stories:
Inocenta Until Proven Guilty
Valentine's Dazed
The I Do's of March
Art by
TheTiedTigress______________________________________________
Part 4.
Toni:
Aw, man . . .
Les looks a bit unner da weather at th’ thought o’ Inocenta meetin’ with his cousin Maddy. I met ‘er, ‘course. She ain’t too bad a gal.
Met a gal like her while workin’ th’ burley-Q circuit with Rosie. Nice enough but ya don’t turn yer back onner, know whaddamean?
“C’mon in,” I sez, “an’ we’ll get yez settled in. Les, we got yer room cleaned up fer ya.”
“Thanks, Toni,” he said, and we steps outta th’ fo-yer an’ inta th’ main hall. The carpets there’re real deep velvet – like up ta yer ankles deep, an’ in winter Pete tells me ya can get a nasty static 'lectric shock.
Inocenta keeps moving her head around, gawkin’ at th’ scenery. Lots to see, of course – th’ duCledses got scads of Old Money.
An’ before yez ask, NO, I didn’t marry Pete duCleds fer his money. I was real comfortable livin’ an’ workin’ at th’ Lotus with my nest egg. Had some fun there, too.
Rosie wrote me ‘bout th’ fun when these two got hitched. I’d pay ta see that vixen glazed all over, myself.
I stick two fingers in my muzzle and give a whistle. “Hey, Herne!”
***
Les:
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen him with my own eyes.
I didn’t think Herne was still alive, although in hindsight I know Uncle Pete would have told me if he’d passed away.
Herne’s the family butler, the head butler, in fact. A whitetail buck clearly from another age, when excellent manners were the highest accomplishment anyone could aim at. He helped raise me when I was a pup and put up with no end of pranks from me and my cousins.
How he managed to resist killing all of us is still beyond me.
Architect, I always thought as a boy that Herne stood twelve feet tall and was immortal. He’s nearer my height now and getting quite gray about his headfur and muzzle.
I looked at him, and tried valiantly to put Reggie Buckhorn out of my mind. The comparison was superficial, since both were whitetails, but the thought of Herne getting stewed and starting a riot was – disturbing.
He walked up to me and gave a small but precise bow. “Master Leslie, it is good to see you again.”
I smiled and stuck out a paw. “Hello, Herne. It’s great to see you again.”
He pursed his lips and gave my paw an appraising look before taking it. “I apologize for the delay in shaking paws with you, Sir. I was just looking for any sign of the joy buzzer.”
I blushed red straight to the tips of my ears.
Inocenta applauded the fireworks display, and smiled very prettily as Herne took her paw and bowed over it. “Senora duCleds,” he said, “I am honored to meet you. My name is Herne.”
“Inocenta very happy to meet Herne. She think you are the very fine buck.”
He smiled graciously. “Madam is too kind.”
My wife stamped a pretty hoof. “Inocenta no Madam! Inocenta wife of her darling Leslie-puppy!”
I blushed again.
Herne looked a bit nonplussed, but only for a barest instant before smiling graciously again.
Toni hid her muzzle behind a paw and turned away so we wouldn’t see her laughing, and Uncle Pete just smiled.
***
Pierre:
I felt at this point I had to say something.
Otherwise Toni might hurt herself laughing.
I slipped my arm around her waist and she snuggled close as I said, “I’ve engaged a couple of people to help you and Inocenta out, Leslie. A valet for you and a maid for your wife.”
Les’ ears went down. “Uncle Pete, I don’t need – “
“Yes, you do,” and I pointed a finger at him. “You’re getting married, and it’s a Society wedding. You know what that means.”
He looked grumpy as he hugged Inocenta. “Yeah, I do.”
The look on his face reminded me of Paul for a moment. Les was a lot like his father at his age. Paul always hated having servants in the house, too, even though Father insisted on maintaining appearances.
But hugging Inocenta looked like a simply wonderful idea, so I hugged Toni, who enthusiastically reciprocated.
We all turned at a low, growling “Hmmph” launched from a spot behind us.
***
Toni:
I wuz lookin’ forward ta this like I look forward ta havin’ my teeth yanked out.
Widdout no knockout gas, neither.
There in the doorway’s this dame who looks a lot like Pete, almost enough like him ta pass for him if she wore drag.
Might even be improvin’ her looks if she did.
“Hi, Cathy!” I sez, and she gives me a look. I didn’t spring no claws, as I was still huggin’ Pete. But that look – I swear she’d turn fresh cream to cheese with a mug like that.
“Antoinette,” she sez, all snooty-like.
Ya think I’m gonna hug HER, when I got this guy in my arms?
I’d sooner hug a rat (although there was that one cute little chorus girl in New Haven City once...).
“Catherine, how good to see you,” Pete sez, and smiles at his sister. She’s his oldest, but not older’n him, if ya take my meanin’. “Where are Dick and Tom?”
“They’re getting the car unloaded,” she said. “I see the servants are just as lax as they were the last time I was here,” and Herne an’ Barry, they gets the hint and they go outside.
“Just in time fer dinner, too,” I sez, eyein’ the clock. Trust this crew to always be on time fer supper.
***
Les:
Oh, Architect . . .
Aunt Catherine.
With her two sons in tow.
I have to say something, I know. I very well can’t snub her, as she’s family.
“Hello, Aunt Catherine.”
She smiles at me like she’s just scored a point. “Leslie, how nice of you to make it to your own wedding! And ahead of time as well. Is this your charming . . . bride?” she asked. I could see she was trying not to bare her teeth at Inocenta.
I matched her smile. “Yes, Aunt Catherine. This is my wife, Inocenta, the daughter of Don Carlos de Ciervos y Comamenta. Inocenta, this is my Aunt Catherine Maxwell-duCleds.” I could see her muzzle twitch at the mention of her married name.
No one ever spoke about Uncle George. To her muzzle.
Inocenta let go of me and walked up to my aunt. “Inocenta is so pleased to meet the aunt of her darling Leslie-puppy!” and before she could stop her my wife was hugging her tightly after bussing her on both cheeks.
When they broke the embrace I thought Aunt Catherine was going to fly into a rage, and I started glancing around.
No, there were no wastepaper baskets within reaching range. Nor any loose shoes.
Aunt Catherine forced a smile, a truly ghastly expression. Her tail was absolutely still and drooping slightly. I hadn’t seen her looking that angry since the time I dipped the tip of her tail in my watercolors as a pup.
She said (through gritted teeth), “How simply wonderful to meet you, my dear. I hope my nephew didn’t take you away from your . . . herd . . . too abruptly.”
There was a pregnant pause.
Pregnant?
It whelped and reared two litters of pups before Inocenta broke the moment.
I tensed, getting ready to leap for cover.
The fireplace looked safe enough.
My wife smiled back, the picture of innocence. “No, Tia Caterina. Mami and Papi will be here for the wedding, but Inocenta happy to be here with her darling Leslie-puppy and his family.”
“’Leslie-puppy.’” My aunt favored me with a glance. “I see,” and I could feel the temperature drop ten degrees. She turned away as a commotion heralded the entrance of my two cousins.
Richard and Thomas are twins, yes, but fraternal, not identical; born at the same time, but don’t resemble each other.
They do have one other similarity, though.
They’re both dumb as a box of rocks. In fact, that might not be fair to rocks. Or even the box.
***
Inocenta:
Tia Caterina fortunate she catch Inocenta in good mood.
Otherwise there would be the throwing of the shoes. Ole!
But Inocenta must be on good behavior, because she is meeting with the family of her loving Leslie-puppy. Tia Caterina turn to see her sons come in, and Inocenta look them over.
Inocenta . . . is not impressed.
Both are the doggies, like my darling Leslie-puppy, but a bit thinner. One has curly brown headfur and the other has straight blonde. Inocenta try the hard not to laugh as the boys try to come in through door at the same time.
Much shoving, like a good clown show at the teatro.
“Richard!” Tia Caterina say. “Stop that foolery this instant and come here!”
Richard the one with the brown headfur; he whine like the puppy and he say, “But, Ma . . . he started it!”
Thomas say back, “I did not! You started it!”
I see the Leslie-puppy give the roll of the eyes, and Inocenta try not to laugh again.
The brown one come up to Inocenta and says, “Hi. I’m Richard. You’ve got to be Inocenta.”
The blonde one is right behind. “I’m Tom. How’d Cousin Les catch you anyway? Offer you a salt lick?”
Inocenta raise the brow.
Did you know deer hooves are the very sharp and hard?
Tomas, he hop around yelping, holding a shin as Ricardo he look the scared and hide behind his madre. Inocenta decide she make point, so she go stand beside her Leslie-puppy.
Tomas start to limp and he yelp as his madre hit him about the ears.
Leslie-puppy look rather odd; he say that he suggest we all go up to rooms and get ready for the dinner.
Inocenta agree.
She have the appetite now.
NEXT
FIRST
PREVIOUS
Category Story / General Furry Art
Species Dog (Other)
Size 618 x 800px
File Size 201.6 kB
Comments