Walker and Taylor
Walker knocked on Taylor's door softly, and waited until Taylor opened it.
"Oh, hey Dad."
"Good afternoon Taylor. Could I speak with you for a moment?"
"Sure."
He opened the door for his father and went to sit at his desk. Walker closed the door behind him and made his way over to the fuzzles.
"Taylor... have you noticed a change in Meena?"
Taylor looked up from his journal.
"Not since I got back... I asked you if she was sick, remember? She hasn't even bothered to move from the bed. And I think she needs the exersize."
Walker just shook his head slowly, scratching Flavian's head.
"No she doesn't Taylor. And she's not sick. She's pregnant."
Taylor froze as his father just continued petting Flavian.
"Pre-pregnant? Meena?"
Walker cocked his head, and glanced at her.
"We found out soon after you and Avery were kidnapped. She's been carrying for almost two months..."
"So they're due?"
"Not yet. But within the next few weeks. I'd say next week onward."
Taylor hesitated, tapping his pen on the desk as he stared at Flavian. The fuzzle chuckled.
"So... baby fuzzles. Do you know how many?"
"Maybe five or six."
Taylor took in a shaky breath. He was never going to sleep again.
"Ok..."
Walker took his hand away from Flavian as he jumped into the small bed with Meena and nuzzled her. Taylor watched his father as he moved away and went to sit on the bed.
"I have to go through the possibilities with you..." he began.
"I'll look after them," Taylor insisted.
"Not about that Taylor. Have you heard of black and white fuzzles?"
Taylor looked confused.
"Fuzzles only come in colours, don't they?"
Walker shook his head slowly.
"Ok, then no."
Walker sighed.
"I know we don't really believe in such things as 'good' and 'evil' opposites," he began, "but there is such a thing in fuzzles. And it's completely random."
Taylor frowned a little.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm trying to say that, there is every possibility that Meena could give birth to either a black or white fuzzle. The white ones aren't so bad... they'll defend and care for their siblings - and you if you choose to keep it. Unfortunately, the black ones are just the opposite."
He hesitated as Taylor listened attentively.
"We don't like to publicize the existence of black fuzzles, because we know it can scare small children. Not only that, but it is definately rare to find one. Black fuzzles are extremely dangerous once they hit a certain age. They are almost trained killers, with size to their advantage. And, being black, they can often hide in women's clothing."
"So you're saying I have to watch out for a killer fuzzle?"
"To put it plainly, yes," Walker said.
Taylor chuckled.
"You can laugh now Taylor, and I don't blame you," Walker smiled, "but just hope it doesn't happen. We've had aliens - and humans - die at the hands of these creatures many times before."
He stood from the bed.
"My best guess is that the cubs are due in the first few days of May, and you won't have anything to worry about."
He smiled and nodded at Taylor, before leaving the room.
Taylor hesitated, then made his way over to the two fuzzles cuddling each other.
"Hey there," he grinned in their language, "how come you didn't tell me you're gonna be a daddy, Flav'?"
Flavian bounced.
"Baby fuzzles!"
"Yeah I know," Taylor chuckled, going over in his mind what his father just said.