The Cat Family

7 years later

If I had to describe my life right now, I would say it's a beautiful symphony of chaos, love and happiness. I remember being frightened of cats, and I couldn't even look at a picture of one without becoming nervous. My job has given me a better understanding and appreciation for these animals. I've discovered that cats, just like humans, have distinct personalities, fears, and ways of expressing affection, too. And today, I can state with certainty that I am no longer terrified. It's probably time to bid farewell to Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Genghis Khan. After 14 years, I no longer need to attend Ailurophobes Anonymous anymore.

It was now a beautiful Sunday morning, and I was looking forward to our picnic with The Four Leaf Clovers. I couldn't wait to get to the park and spend time with my family and friends while making new memories together! I had previously packed the car with everything we would need before we left: a basket full of sandwiches, fruits, and snacks, a cooler full of drinks and ice, and a large blanket.

"Are you excited?" I asked.

"Of course I am! It's been a while since we had a Four Leaf Clovers reunion like this. I think it will be good for us to unwind and have some fun together." Yuki responded enthusiastically.

I nodded and glanced at the rearview mirror. I noticed our twin toddlers, Akihito and Yuriko, strapped into their car seats. They were both asleep, their mouths slightly open and their cheeks flushed. They looked adorable in their matching outfits: Akihito wore a blue shirt and jeans, and Yuriko wore a pink dress with pink ribbons.

I'd noticed an interesting relationship between my human family and the cat families I treated over my time as a veterinarian. And I would often share my discoveries with Yuki, who found them just as interesting. The mother cat, for example, reminded me a lot of Yuki, with her protective instincts. Yuki, like the mother cat, was ferociously protective of our twins. She would go to any length to ensure their safety and happiness, much to a mother cat hissing at any potential threat to her kittens.

On the other side, the kittens reminded me of Akihito and Yuriko. Our kids, like the kittens, were often curious and energetic, constantly eager to explore their surroundings. The kittens would follow their mother around, learning and copying her, just as Akihito and Yuriko did, absorbing Yuki's kindness and love for animals.

I returned my attention on the road and continued driving, savoring the landscape along the way: the green fields, the vibrant flowers, the blue sky, everything was beautiful. As I saw glances of our twins, their innocent laughing resonated in the car, my heart overflowed with joy. I looked at the GPS and saw that we were approximately an hour away from the park.

When we arrived, we got out of the car and took in the fresh air and enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the wind blowing through the trees. The surroundings were beautiful green and lush with large trees and roads leading to a variety of tourist attractions. The park was full of other families who had come to enjoy the wonderful day alongside us. While we waited for our friends, we set up the picnic basket and blanket and started unpacking our food and drinks.

"Look! It's aunt Rika and uncle Hikaru! Come, let's say hello!" Yuki said to the twins when she saw the remaining two members of The Four Leaf Clovers arrive.

The boy, a little more adventurous, toddled over to Hikaru first, reaching out to touch his outstretched hand. Hikaru gently clasped the tiny hand, his face breaking into a wide smile. The girl, seeing her brother's boldness, followed suit and walked over to Rika, who greeted her with an affectionate hug.

"What's the deal with your strange outfit, Rika?" I burst out laughing. She was dressed casually, with huge sunglasses and a dark wide-brimmed hat.

"Shhh! This is my disguise! I don't want the paparazzi to know who I am. I just want a normal day out, free of cameras and questioning." she explained, wrapping a scarf around her face.

"Like I said before we drove here. You're not that well-known yet." Hikaru chuckled.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. I wrote three bestsellers before turning 30 ! Are my 5 million followers not enough for you?" Rika fixed her gaze on him. Because of her disguise, I couldn't figure out her facial expressions, but she didn't seem furious.

"You know I don't care how many followers you have. Even if you had 5, I would still love you the same! Besides most paparazzi photos are staged anyway. Now stop being childish for once and take this off!" he replied, kissing her on the cheek before removing her hat and scarf.

"I just wanted to be prepared, that's all" Rika then pouted and crossed her arms. We all laughed, and Rika rolled her eyes. She then took something from her purse and began speaking with a spark in her eyes:

"Remember when I said I was working on a new clothing line?" "Well, I wanted you two to be the first to see this," she exclaimed eagerly. Rika then took out a little, brightly colored baby romper and showed it to us.

"We wanted your "professional" opinion because the two of you are parents with a lot of experience," she giggled.

"It's so adorable! I love it!" Yuki exclaimed as she examined the outfit. "The fabric is incredibly soft, and the striped pattern is adorable! I like it as well!" I said. Rika was smiling, clearly pleased with our remarks.

"I'm so happy you like it! What do you think about the back? Is it too plain or...?" Rika asked with a grin on her face. We checked the back of the baby romper, and there was a small text at the bottom.

A new Baby Clover is coming soon!

"No way! No way!" Yuki let out a delighted squeal. She then proceeded to hug Rika while crying.

"This is the best news ever! Congrats, you two! It was about time!" I smiled and patted Hikaru on the back.

"Oh, shut up! You have no idea how difficult it was to keep this a secret!" Hikaru burst out laughing.

"I hope you'll have twins, so we can have an entire new generation of Four Leaf Clovers!" I said this while hugging Rika.

"I hope so too!" she replied, her eyes filled with love as she watched Akihito and Yuriko play.

The announcement of Rika's pregnancy added a new element of excitement to our picnic. The rest of the evening was spent debating baby names and parenting tips. My two worlds had now merged into one, and our friends were no longer just friends; they were now family members. And our children now had two more role models to look up to, learn from, and admire.

My family, like a cat family, is now a lovely mix of love, care, and respect for one another. While cats are independent creatures capable of caring for themselves, they also recognize the value of family. They stick together, protect each other, and maintain an admirable friendship. After all, we're not so different from them; we all want love, safety, and a sense of belonging. And in the end, isn't that what family is all about?