Dorian: Well, the obvious place where the boy's still stalin' is his incessant need to do chores and work on Zach and Vanna's behalf...but I think that's somethin' that the poor boy's gonna be stuck with fer a while.
Zach: To be fair...it's kinda a hard line to walk fer me and Vanna...I mean, y'all don't want to not give yer teenaged pups a chore or two to instill responsibility and structure into 'em...
Vanna: Though I'd say Marcus has had more than enough responsibility instilled into him for a lifetime...in the cruelest possible ways...
Zach: But y'all want him to be able to look after himself when he grows up...to take care of his own pups and pack...Still...if I ask him ta' clean his room, 'er wash the dishes, er' take out the trash...I'm real scared he's gonna fall right back into overdrive, and I'm gonna catch him redo'in wallpaper fer the whole house, 'er Winterizin' the sidin'....*Shakes head*
Ada: Wells, disregauwdin' Marcus' incessant need to please his folks, and possible chronik OCD, I tink da kid has made a lotta progress...
Trenton: Yeah, he really seems like he's grown real comfortable with everyone...
Audrey: More than comfortable! That boy fit right into our pack like he'd always been a part of it. It's like it was meant to be!
Vanna: It's such a relief to see him really start to open up and just...thrive. Whether he's playing in his band with his friends or just watching him interact with his cousins...it just... makes my heart swell with joy...
Zach: Even watchin' er' playin' sports with him, despite the risk o' bodily harm...I mean...it's worth the trip to the ER just to see that boy smile.
Vernon: Me and Dawn know how that feels, we feel the same sorta joy and pride lookin' over our pups.
Audrey:*Laughs* Now y'all know how it felt raisin' y'all...there wasn't a day that went by where me and yer Pa's heart wasn't burstin' with love just watchin' you boys thrive...and now I'm burstin' with pride all over again seeing y'all rear pups of yer own...
Zach and Vernon: Thanks Ma.
Audrey: That said, I think y'all were worried fer nothin', all four of y'all took to bein' parents like a fish to water. And I know in my heart y'all can handle whatever trouble y'all come across along the way.
Zach: Well...I wouldn't say me and my Kitten don't still have our worries and misgivin's and all...but I don't think I'm too alone in sayin' I think we've grown a bit more confident in terms o' raisin' Marcus.
Vanna: It's true...of course, a lot of our initial fears evaporated rather quickly as soon as we got to know Marcus.
Zach: Yeah, I think our fears quickly shifted from 'are we ready fer this?' to ' How can we do our very best by this boy?'
Vanna: And at this point...despite my Goofball sometimes taking his...parental paranoia too far, I feel like we've adapted to something...well...something comfortable. Something that works. And I really believe that we are doing our very best.
Zach: I take offense to that...
Yuri: This from the fella who was seriously talking to me about usin' a tracker anklet on the boy.
Zach: You were supposed to keep yer trap shut about that!
Yuri: Honestly, I'm surprised Vernon weren't the one to tap me about that first, mostly cause Lily's the one always pullin' Hoovdini's on him and Dawn.
Wade: That's because he asked me about sneaking one out of the station fer him.
Dawn: Puppy!
Vernon: *Ears splay against his head* Wade, I was merely considerin' that! And you promised you'd keep that muzzle o' yers shut over it...
Dawn: A tracking device!? She's our Daughter, not Princess Calibre!
Vernon: I-I mean we'd only use it fer when she's bein' pupsat! Or when we take 'er to the park!
Dawn: *Shakes head* I'm disappointed in you...at least we could have talked about this in private before you decided to go to Wade...I-I'm not necessarily against keeping tabs on Lily with something....a bit less intrusive than a leash....but a tracking anklet?
Vernon: Well, I thought it was better than a chip implant...I mean, that's literally what ya use on pets...er' Ully...
Yuri: Ha!
Zach: Oh Mam', looks like yer in the doghouse now there Vern...
Vanna: Well, that would make two of you then...because don't think I'm not upset with you for considering tracking our kitten without consulting me...
Zach: *Ears splay against his head* I-I just wanted to make sure the boy was safe!
Vanna: *Holds up a paw* We will discuss this when we get home.
Yuri: *Laughs* Better make room in that doghouse fer one more Hunter...to answer that follow-up question you have. Yes, Ully tried to take samples just today...and after I tuned him up over it, Ma put him to work cleanin' the whole ranch...without any help.
Audrey: *Shakes her head* Speakin' of, I best go check on yer brother...if I go leavin' him alone fer too long he might make a bigger mess outta them chores then before he cleaned 'em...
