The Curse of Time (On Hiatus)

Chapter 5 - Lodge

Parker's POV

It's February, about a week before my birthday, and Mom has not been the best to hang around. It's hard to not get him riled up because of his hormones, but we also can't avoid spending time with him as it also makes him upset. We're all very much in a lose-lose situation, and Dad is at the major brunt of it all. It seems that he really can't do anything right, other than get the food that Mom's craving.

My phone begins to ring, and I see that it's Taylor calling me. "Hey, Tay! What up?" I hear him groan slightly because of my nickname for him. "I wanted to know if you wanted to do something today. Since I'm going to be out of town for Valentine's Day and your birthday." I sigh, "That's too bad that your not going to be here for my birthday at least, but sure we can do something today. What do you have in mind?" "That's going to be a secret. I'll be over at 3'o'clock. Love you." "I love you too, and I'll see you at three."

I hang up the phone, and head downstairs to get myself a snack. I grab a large bag of chips, and sit down on one of the chairs in the living room. I notice Natalie eyeing my chips, and tilt the bag towards her to grab some. A loud thud is sounded from upstairs, and we both look at each other. We both shrug in response, as neither of us have a clue what it was.

The thud is sounded again, and I see that neither of us are willing to check it out. "Fine. I'll go and see what's going on." I get off the couch, and head upstairs to check out the noise. I see Reagan, Lowell, and Christopher at their doors chatting about. "Hey, Parker. Do you know what that noise was?" I shake my head no at them, walk off to where I believe the noise was.

Another thud is sounded, and I follow it to our parent's room. I knock on the door, "Is everything all right?" I hear some rustling on the other end, and some growling? I slowly open the door, "I'm coming in." I open the door fully, and the sight is a complete mess. Drawers one the floor, clothes thrown about, and the smell of burning wood and ash is strong.

I walk towards the bed, but immediately stop when growling starts up. I look around, and see a white tiger, in the corner of the room, in a dome of clothes. I slowly step closer, "Mom? What ar-" He growls again towards me, and steps out of the dome slightly. I put my hands up in means of no harm, but I don't think it's working.

I quickly bolt out the door, slam it shut, and Mom bashes against it growling. I'm panting, and look up to see the others looking at me with worried looks. "Anyone else want to...try, and talk to Mom? Cause I had...no luck in it." They all exchange wide eyed looks, "Lowell! Why don't you try?" Reagan volunteers him, but we quickly see him try to hide back in his room.

Christopher grabs hold of him before he gets away, and we hear him sigh in defeat. "Fine... I'll go in, and you all better not desecrate my grave!" He heads into the room, and we hear a bit of growling as the door closes. The growling stops, and a thud is heard in the room. "Guys? I think we're good..." We all kinda looked shocked that he somehow wasn't dead, but all move towards the door.

Reagan slowly opens it, and we all look inside the room. We see both figurines in the dome of clothes, and hear a slight purring noise. Lowell slowly beckons us in the room, and I quietly close the door behind us. I walk up to Christopher when the purring suddenly stops, and I see that Mom is looking around at all of us. He turns towards some of the clothes, picks up a few in his mouth, and heads to the bathroom.

He comes out of the bathroom back to normal, and give him a look of 'what the fuck happened.' He chuckles, "I've been lodging, or really it's when instincts have me getting ready for the cubs." I try to talk about when he attacked me, but he stops me before I can say anything. "Parker, you came into an area that I'm protective of, so a bit of your own fault."

Lowell speaks up, "But, what about when were cuddling up to me when I came in." We look towards our Mom, "Ask your father about that because I don't remember everything when this happens. I get into a head space of just focusing on my lodge." He heads for the door, "Lunch will be ready in 20 minutes."

20 Minutes Later

Mom, Dad, Reagan, Lowell, Christopher, and I are all eating some spaghetti and meatballs that Mom had made. Honestly, I doubt I could live without his cooking. "So...Dad..." He looks up towards me, "We were wondering if you could explain your encounters with Mom's lodging... We kinda got caught up with him earlier."

We all hear him chuckle quite loudly, "Well I can't say much. This is only the second pregnancy that I've been through with your mother." Utensils hit their plates at the end of sentence, and there is a lot of tension in the air. Christopher breaks the ice first, "What do you mean? What about when Mom was pregnant the other two times?"

Both of our parents visibly pale. Reagan gets up, and walks towards them. "Why did you both shut up, and get paler? What are you trying to hide?" Dad tries to speak, but Mom is quick to stop him. He gives Dad a look of defeat and reassurance, "Let's have a family meeting then shall we? Hehe..."