Unwanted Entrapment

Part Five

Life couldn’t get any better for Lion-O. He married the woman of his dreams, she was having his baby and to top it all off, she love him. It didn’t happen in that order but Lion-O didn’t care. He was happy.

‘And she held back because she thought she wasn’t perfect for me? Silly woman.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘No matter what. She’ll always be perfect to me. I wonder why she thought that.’

Lion-O rolled out of bed and head for the bathroom. ‘Perhaps my dating so many woman made her think that way. I was dating a lot of woman. Cheetara probably thought I was picky and searching for the perfect woman.’ Lion-O turn on the sink and splash water on his face. He looked himself in the mirror determined. “It’s time I told her the truth.”

Cheetara awakened alone in bed. “Lion-O?” she called out. When no one answer, she lied back in bed. She wasn’t worried, he’ll come back. He was probably in the bathroom or maybe cooking her breakfast.

Cheetara hugged her pillow happily. Thinking about last night, she had nothing to worry about at all. It was foolish to worry over such a tiny detail; something that she doubt Lion-O wouldn’t figure out. As long as she kept quiet, Lion-O wouldn’t be upset with her. He loved her and loved the child she was carrying. Cheetara stifled a giggled. He certainly showed her he loved her last night. Twice!

The more they were together the more they were more comfortable with each other. Times were changing as they were starting to act like a married couple.

Just then Lion-O stepped out of the bathroom. Catching Cheetara’s blush he said, “You should blush after what you did last night?” He laughed. “Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who wanted some loving last night.”

“I’m more comfortable expressing myself with the man I love,” Cheetara said, moving over so Lion-O could sit beside her.

“I see,” Lion-O grinned and kissed her. “I have a confession to make.”

“Oh?” Cheetara ran her fingers over Lion-O’s muscular left arm. “What would that be?”

“There was a reason why I dated so many woman. I know some think I was sowing my oats and being a playboy but that wasn’t the case at all. I was looking for someone to share my life with and I was comparing them to you. I wanted my future wife to be you. I didn’t think you felt the same so I wanted someone close to you. I couldn’t find her. I was stuck on you and wanted you all along.” He pulled her into a hug. “I know it was selfish of me to date those women with you on my mind, subconsciously hurting them and letting them think there was a chance with me if they met the criteria. I hope you can forgive me for that.”

How blind was she all these years to not notice Lion-O’s feelings for her; how deeply he genuinely cares for her. Perhaps her own doubt blinded her. It was too good to be true to think he felt that way. Not anymore she decided.

“Of course I forgive you.” Cheetara hugged him back. “Love makes you do the strangest things.” She smiled slyly at him. “You’re not getting away that easy,” she said caressing his chest. “We have a long time to be together.”

“You got that right,” Lion-O growled kissing her neck.

Cheetara closed her eyes enjoying Lion-O’s affections. As far as she was concern nothing was going to stop this.

****

Tygra sat at the head controls in the Control Room, puzzled. Earlier that day, he had lunch with Leela, discussing new designs in the city Leela was currently residing in. Tygra felt uncomfortable having lunch with Leela at first. She was dumped by the Lord of the ThunderCats and despite that had to keep working with them business wise. Why that moron chose to date women he worked with or knew through someone he worked with was beyond Tygra. The thought of it was stupid and clearly asking for trouble.

Despite that, Tygra found Leela pretty, charming, an intelligent Thunderian and for the life of him Tygra couldn’t figure out why Lion-O broke things off with her. She would’ve made a fine Lady of the ThunderCats. She was Lion-O’s last date before he got involved with Cheetara.

That still bugged him. What brought them together? The ThunderCats knew Cheetara’s nearly five months thanks to Pumyra’s assumption. The exact weeks weren’t disclosed to the ThunderCats only to Lion-O and Cheetara, which also didn’t set right with Tygra. Why would they want to hide the exacts of Cheetara’s pregnancy from the ThunderCats? They were family and trusted each other with their lives.

Still, with the knowledge Cheetara being nearly five months, gave Tygra a good guess with conception. Lion-O and Cheetara both said they got involve after Lion-O’s last date which was with Leela and that was a little over five months now. Though the ThunderCats never knew how far along Cheetara was when Lion-O made the announcement, her first doctor appointment wasn’t until a month later which left Tygra thinking Cheetara was four or five weeks along when the announcement was made.

Tygra scanned back the dates of that time on the large monitor, looking for anything that would grab his attention. What event could’ve happened that triggered them to be together. No, the Mutants and Lunatacs invasion wasn’t it. Reviving the deceased sorceress Char was it although Cheetara did use her telekinetic powers to help Lion-O defeat her. Lion-O kept close to her during that event. He was starting to see nothing obvious until….Bingo! Why hadn’t he realized it before? If his calculations were right and they usually were, Cheetara became pregnant around the time she and Lion-O were stuck on Mount Kenney.

Tygra’s first thought were of Lion-O and Cheetara mating in the mountain but that was ridiculous. Who in their right mind would mate in a cave? Perhaps, in the freezing temperatures, where they thought they would die, they confessed long suppressed feelings for each other. That was possible but mating in the cave was absurd. They probably waited until after they got out to do the deed. Cheetara was off her feet for three days thanks to the minor sprain and after that came the Mutants and Lunatacs invasion and Char. How would they find time to sleep together during all that?

After the incident on Mount Kenney, Panthro wanted to investigate and find the persons responsible for the prank that caused Lion-O and Cheetara to be trapped in Mount Kenney overnight, but Cheetara argued against it saying no harm was done. Lion-O wasn’t pleased with the notion, seeing how Cheetara had a sprain ankle due to the incident. Still, Panthro and Lion-O respected Cheetara’s wishes and didn’t investigate.

Come to think of it, that sounds suspicious. Why wouldn’t Cheetara want to investigate? She and Lion-O could’ve died. She was hurt. Tygra vowed to question Cheetara about that later.

Though he was repulse by the idea of Lion-O and Cheetara mating in the cave, he had to leave that as an open possibility. As a scientist, he have to consider things from all angles no matter what. If Lion-O and Cheetara mated in the cave, it’s possible Cheetara became pregnant. Pumyra only examined Cheetara’s ankle. She even commented to Tygra that Cheetara had a very minor sprain. She could walk well on her own with a minor limp but knowing Lion-O, he probably insisted Cheetara stay off her feet. Tygra didn’t think much about it then but now he was. He did notice Lion-O seeing Cheetara alone after he returned from Mount Kenney instead of with everyone else.

Tygra’s mind wondered back to the cave. Somehow, it was becoming more significant to Lion-O and Cheetara’s coming together. How could no one see that trap? They went through something similar with the Lunatacs. Tygra chose not to dwell much on the situation for it reminded Tygra of his obsession with the keystone. Cheetara was on duty when the distress called came in. Tygra decided to look it up and listen to it for himself.

That was strange Tygra thought as he looked through the files on the computer. He couldn’t find the incident in the files. When Lion-O and Cheetara went missing, Panthro and Bengali mentioned Cheetara called them at the new Tower of Omens telling them of her mission. Panthro offered to go with her since he was ten miles away from the lair but she said she would do this on her own. She couldn’t wait for Panthro but she waited for Lion-O? Then again Lion-O probably met Cheetara as he returned from the Elder meeting. Now thinking about it, Cheetara was the only one on monitor duty. Lynx-O and Pumyra as well as the twins were in the lair but Cheetara didn’t tell them where she was going.

This was looking awfully suspicious. Was it possible Cheetara set this up? And if so, why would she do it?

*****

Cheetara sat in bed one evening thumbing through a baby magazine. She looked up as Lion-O entered carrying a tray of two glasses filled with ice and apple juice. Even though she was six months now, Lion-O still kept to his word and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with her, and she ate tiny meals in between as promised. Whatever free time Lion-O had, he spent it with her, talking about the baby, talking about his day as Lord of the Thundera, talking about the baby again.

The more time Cheetara spent with Lion-O, the more she learned and loved about him. He had a funny sense of humor. He often drew in his spare time, sometimes of her, sometimes of the ThunderCats and their enemies. She remember looking through his art pad, viewing a drawing of Snarf in bandages, a drawing of Snarf riding Ma-Mutt like a horse. He even drew one of Tygra holding a fruit from Silky in one hand and the keystone in the other, trying to decide which one would give him the better high.

Despite that, Lion-O was more thoughtful than she had considered, more mature for his age, especially with the way he was handling fatherhood. He was so happy at the doctor visits, especially when they got their first picture of their child. It was as tiny as a peanut and too early to determine the sex of the child, but Lion-O proudly showed the tiny dot to all the ThunderCats as his child.

Cheetara always knew she was attracted to him but finding herself in love with him was scary in the beginning. Though Lion-O never knew she tricked him into getting her pregnant, a tiny part of her feared he would and his feelings for her will end abruptly. Cheetara was determined to not let that happen.

Lion-O handed Cheetara her glass and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Cheetara finished her juice in three big gulps. “Cribs.”

Lion-O handed Cheetara his glass. Cheetara and the baby needed it more than him. “See anything you like?”

He’s so sweet, Cheetara thought. Always caring and giving to her. Her love for him rose even higher at his caring heart. “Yes, I do. There’s so many to choose from.”

Lion-O sat beside her and placed a hand over Cheetara’s growing stomach. “Looking at them makes it all seem real, doesn’t it?”

Cheetara put her hand over Lion-O’s, staring into his eyes. “Yes, it does.”

Lion-O smelled her hair. “You smell good.” He pushed some hair back and kissed her neck.

Cheetara pulled away coyly. “I was thinking of using my old room as the baby’s room. It is closest to your bedroom.”

“Our bedroom,” Lion-O corrected her, slowly tracing a finger up and down her arm. “You didn’t know this but I designed Cat’s Lair so your room was closest to mine. Even though I couldn’t be with you, I wanted to see you first thing in the morning.” He pushed a strap down and nibbled her shoulder.

“Why don’t we decorate the nursery together?” Cheetara suggested, smoothly moving out of Lion-O’s grasp. What was with Lion-O? He can’t possible be in the mood with her like this. She was six months along and her stomach was growing more and more by the day.

“Agreed,” Lion-O say taking the book out of her hands and tossing it aside. He turned her to, amusement in his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“Do I have to explain that to you?” Lion-O asked slyly, looking ready to pounce her.

“I’ve always been a bit slow,” Cheetara remarked back. “Still, not tonight. This baby’s been acting up and I have a doctor appointment in the morning.”

Lion-O’s thoughts shifted to the appointment. “We get to find out the sex of the baby tomorrow, don’t we?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, but I don’t see how we can’t do anything.” He moved to kiss her but Cheetara diverted it so his lips landed on her left cheek.

“I don’t have my hourglass figure anymore,” Cheetara admitted softly.

“I told you I don’t care about that.”

“But I do. I feel self-conscious when you see me. I feel like I’m gaining more and more weight by the day. I feel so fat now.”

“You’re beautiful to me.”

“You’d think I’m beautiful if I was wearing a garbage bag.”

“No, I’d think you were stupid.” He dodged a playful smack from Cheetara. “But I’ll still love you.”

“I’ll forgive you for that but no hanky panky tonight. Besides, it’s not comfortable mating while you have a giant basketball in your stomach.” Lion-O open his mouth to speak but she cut him off, “Even if I am on top.”

“You’re no fun,” Lion-O groused. “Fine. I’ll hold back for the sake of the baby.”

Cheetara smiled victorious. “Someone has to stop you.”

****

The perks of being married to the Lord of the ThunderCats Cheetara thought as she sat on the exam table. Any other pregnant woman would drive to the doctor’s office for her appointment but being the Lady of Thundera, the doctor would drive to her.

“You’re still gaining weight at a faster than normal rate, Cheetara,” Dr. Gorma announced as he finished her six month exam.

“I know,” Cheetara admitted. She felt embarrassed each month at a weigh in, knowing she was going to be heavier than the previous month.

“And the measurements of your abdomen are exceeding the normal length of an average woman in your term.”

“I feel like a blimp,” Cheetara groaned.

Dr. Gorma grinned. “You’re a very beautiful woman and I’m sure your husband would agree.”

“You got that right,” Lion-O said giving Cheetara a quick kiss on the cheek. Cheetara’s cheeks warmed. It still took some getting used to of Lion-O being so openly affectionate in front of others.

Dr. Gorma closed his chart and stared at the couple. “I would like to give Cheetara an ultrasound test. I would get some X rays of what’s going inside your uterus. It will be no harm to you or the baby of course.” He grinned. “And we’ll get another photo of the baby.”

Twenty minutes later, Cheetara finished her last cup of water and laid on the exam table. After hooking Cheetara to the sonogram, Dr. Gorma’s nurse rubbed mineral oil on Cheetara’s abdomen while Dr. Gorma worked at the controls of the sonogram.

“Ready?” Dr. Gorma said, adjusting the knobs on the television screen.

“We’re ready,” Lion-O said excited. A transmitter was run across Cheetara’s abdomen. Lion-O and Cheetara looked at the television screen with interest but puzzled. They could only make out a lot of black and white blurs.

“Is that it?” Cheetara asked.

“Yep. Nice healthy heartbeat,” Dr. Gorma murmured approvingly. Cheetara could see the white blur moving slowly. She couldn’t understand what she was seeing but she knew that was her child. Her eyes misted. She felt Lion-O squeezed her hand and kiss her temple.

“What is it?” Lion-O asked excitedly.

“There’s a leg, an arm, and….” he stopped smiling. He looked to the rulers of Thundera. “It’s a boy.”

“Yes!” Lion-O exclaimed and Cheetara couldn’t help but roll her eyes. All she wanted was for the child to be healthy. Lion-O wanted that too, but he also wanted a boy.

“Wait a sec. There’s something else going on here,” Dr. Gorma said peering at the screen more closely.

“What is it?” Cheetara asked worried about the child.

Dr. Gorma looked to his nurse who smiled approvingly and then to the couple. “It’s a girl.”

“We’re having a daughter?” Lion-O sounded happy but disappointed it wasn’t a boy.

Dr. Gorma looked at Lion-O and seeing the expression on the young Lord’s face, laughed. “I think you’re misunderstanding this, my Lord. You’re having a boy and girl. It’s twins.”

“Twins!” Lion-O and Cheetara exclaimed.

“Yes, and they are developing normally.”

“That would explained my weight gain,” Cheetara realized.

“On the contrary, now you will have to start eating more,” Dr. Gorma said.

Cheetara was about to groan at the thought but Lion-O spoke for both of them. “I’ll make sure she does that.”

****

“You do realize now that we’re gonna have to get two of everything,” Cheetara said once they left the exam room.

Lion-O had an arm wrapped securely around her waist, never looking so proud. He was going to be a father of twins! “Twice the diapers, the sleepers, cribs, strollers--” Lion-O groaned. “That’s still unassembled. I’ll get on it as soon as possible.”

“You said that three weeks ago,” Cheetara reminded him.

“Right,” Lion-O said. “Well, I mean it this time.”

“You sure you don’t want Panthro to do it? He’s good at mechanics.”

“I’m the father of our twins. I’m gonna do it,” he said stubbornly.

Male pride, Cheetara thought wryly. Not always a good thing but sweet still.

Lion-O saw Snarf in the hall and ordered him to bring their dinner to their room. Snarf agreed and Lion-O escorted Cheetara to their room. Once settled in bed, Cheetara complained, “Lion-O, I can sit at the table. I don’t have to eat in bed.”

“I know but I want to eat dinner alone with you.” Lion-O stroke her face softly before his grew wicked. Cheetara knew that look all too well. “Think we can fool around before Snarf gets here?”

“Lion-O, I thought we agreed to no hanky panky and Snarf will be back at any moment.”

“Yeah, but there’s nothing wrong with a little foreplay,” Lion-O said eagerly. “Snarf’s so slow. He’ll get so distracted and it’ll take an hour before he remembers.” He moved in to kiss her when there was a knock at the door.

“Looks like Snarf isn’t so slow,” Cheetara commented. “Come in,” she said and Tygra entered.

Cheetara inwardly groan, wondering what he wanted now. He hasn’t said anything to her about her marriage to Lion-O lately but she still got bad vibes when around him. Lion-O on the other hand smiled pleased to see a fellow ThunderCat. He was as usual clueless to the tension Cheetara felt in Tygra’s presence.

“What’s up, Tygra?”

“Nothing. I saw Dr. Gorma and his assistant leave and wanted to know how the appointment went. That is the future of Thundera in there.”

Lion-O rubbed Cheetara’s stomach. “That and more. Don’t say this to anyone yet because we want it to be a surprise, but we’re having twins! A boy and girl!”

“Twins!” Tygra laughed happily. “Well congratulations to you both! This is happy news indeed.” He looked to Cheetara. “How do you feel, Cheetara?”

“Hungry and fat.”

“Oh, don’t feel that way,” Tygra said gently. “You’re very pretty now. You’re glowing.”

“See, even Tygra sees it,” Lion-O said. “Don’t think you look bad now that you are pregnant.”

“I shouldn’t but I can’t help it,” Cheetara said and looked at Tygra, wishing he was gone. “Is that all you came for?”

“Isn’t checking on friends and their baby a good reason to come here?” Tygra said and Cheetara gasped. She placed her hand on her stomach, feeling the twins move around. “Can I feel?” (I know someone in Texas screaming NO!)

Cheetara opened her mouth to say no but Lion-O spoke for her. “Sure.”

Tygra stepped forward and placed his hand on Cheetara’s abdomen feeling the babies move. One gave a sharp kick under Tygra’s hand and Cheetara winced in pain. “Wow! What a strong kicker you got there. The kids’ definitely got your strength, Lion-O.”

“You got that right!” He grinned proudly never minding the pain Cheetara was feeling.

“The babies never kicked this hard before,” Cheetara grimaced and wishing Tygra would take his hand off her stomach, but he wouldn’t. Now he had both hands on her feeling the babies move around and kicking under his hand.

“Wow. The babies are following my touch.” Tygra grinned. “They feel the presence of their uncle.”

“Yeah, well, Mommy wants the uncle to stop.” She pushed his hands off her rudely. Lion-O and Tygra looked at her expectantly. “Their kicks were hurting.”

“Sorry,” Tygra apologized but he was smiling. “Guess I have that kind of affect on people.”

“That they want to kick you?” Cheetara smiled cruelly with that remark.

“No, they like being around me. A baby’s kick shows they are alive and eager to make their presence known,” Tygra explained smoothly. “Lion-O, I need to talk to you about my new designs but it can wait. I’ll leave you to alone.”

Once Tygra left the room, he smiled as he gathered all the evidence he needed. Just from Cheetara’s reaction to him, he knew she knew he was still on to her. Lion-O was as innocent and jovial as ever to see his presence and didn’t notice the curt exchange between Cheetara and Tygra. This meant Cheetara never told Lion-O about the conversation they had, which meant she was hiding something and not Lion-O.

Cheetara setup the incidents on Mount Kenney and once he confront her, he’ll find the truth of why she did it, and then he’ll decide what to do with this piece of evidence.