Shane and Betty Simba took a veritable house party to Mombasa.   It consisted of her sons by Sam Simba (Joshua and Jason), Staci and Sean Simba, Arlon Lyon and his best friend, Tigger Tigeres.  Also along for the long weekend was Delilah Dik Dik, Staci’s best friend and niece of Dodi.  It took two SUV’s to haul the happy, chattering youngsters.   Ashley and Leah Lyon were having a holiday party at their beach place and all were invited.  Roy Lee Simba was to be in residence with Janice Jaguar and his two children by Chloe, Lee and Troy Simba.  Stella Simba was staying with her parent’s at Roy Lee’s home.  She had come with her beau, Daniel Lyon.  The tone was set for a gala and very festive time. 

            Chloe Cougar Simba was sitting before a roaring fire in her parent’s home embraced by the craggy peaks of the Rocky Mountains in Montana.  Her actor friends were close to the fire.  Being leopards, they were not accustomed to the winters in that hemisphere.  Chloe held a mug of mulled wine, smoked a cigarette and observed, closely, the best friend of her brother, Carson Cougar.    His name was Charles and he was a full cougar.  Chloe was taken with his muscular body.  Charles stood talking with Carson who had just arrived the night before dragging his daughter, Linda with him.  Monica Margay Cougar, who was pregnant, hovered by the fire. 

“I want you guys to take me skiing,” purred Chloe, catching Carson and Charles by surprise.  

Chloe had never been one for snow sports.  She looked like her leopard mother and didn’t really take to northern climes.  This was different.  Charles was turning Chloe on.  She and her husband, Roy Lee, had become so distant that their marriage was merely to keep the home fires burning for their cubs.  She had their two youngest cubs with her in the care of two nannies.  Carson and Charles consented to take her with them.  The time was set for tomorrow morning early. 

            Steven Simba, despite his painful leg, continued in the thrice weekly aerobics class headed by Cameron Caracal.  Cameron cast a cynical eye at her wannabe suitor.  She had to admit that he was very handsome.  She tried to stifle her amusement at his pained expression while doing the standing routines for the class.  He hopped gingerly when told and kicked when possible.  One evening when the class had ended and all had left but Steven and Cameron, she came to his mat where he was massaging his leg. 

“I suppose I have to give you kudos for keeping up the pace in here with that bum leg,” she purred. 

“I appreciate that show of kindness on your part, Cameron.”

“Does it still hurt badly?”

“Only when I walk, lie down and generally stand around.”

“I’m going to the steam room with you and see if with the heat and a massage I will can work it out,” she said.  “Follow me.”

There were six steam rooms in RUNNERS.  Two were for females, two for males and two for the mix when desired.  They went to one for both genders. 

“Go in the dressing room and take off your clothes.  You can wrap this Turkish towel around you,” she instructed.

He did as he was told, wrapping the very large and fluffy towel around his slim waist.  He entered the steam room which was empty and sat on the stone bench.  Cameron opened the door and joined him.  She wore a very sexy bikini that showed her ample bosom and flat tummy. 

“Show me the leg,” she instructed.

He stuck out his leg. 

“Lie down.”

He did.  She took his injured leg and began to massage very gently working around the calf muscle.  Her generous bosoms moved with her efforts.  Her body was over his with her firm stomach  very close.  He got an erection and sat up quickly. 

“Why did you sit up?  I was just getting the muscles relaxed in your leg.”

“Quite frankly, Cameron, I have a hard on.”

She sat against the stone wall and giggled.  Her laughter was soft and appealing. 

“Doesn’t take much, does it?” she continued chuckling. 

“I wouldn’t say that.  There are two marvelous bosoms, a very seductive stomach and a marvelous ass.  What more could a guy ask for?”

A fresh burst of steam erupted from the valve and filled the area with a dense vaporous fog.  He felt Cameron remove his towel and grasp his penis. 

“Do you know what you just did?” he yelped. 

“Took hold of a very nice boner,” she laughed.

He could barely see her.  When she came closer he saw she had removed her bathing suit.  She got on top of him and they made love amid the dense and sensual fog that enveloped them.  Steven thought he might have died and gone to heaven.  He had indulged in sex with her sister, Carey, on many occasions but Cameron was different.  They made love until the vapors finally evaporated and threatened to expose their activity to any who might pass by.  Cameron put on her suit and Steven wrapped the towel around him.

“Can I see you again, Cameron?”

“No.  This was a one time thing.  Hope it helped your leg.”

She left him sitting on the stone bench in utter bewilderment.  She left the steam room and disappeared somewhere in the vastness of RUNNERS. 

Cameron and Steven in the steam room.....

            Micah Mbube’s mother, Martha, was becoming great friends with the Lyon pride lionesses.  She shared Doris Lyon’s joy of cooking and was in awe of the state-of-the-art kitchen that graced the main bungalow in the compound.  She spent a great deal of time with Doris and Elsa Lyon watching Caroline Cheetah’s kitchen show on WMM-TV.  Martha soon forgot her homesickness for Kruger Park and settled happily into the Mara. 

            Caroline Cheetah, with her new raise, decided to sell her cottage in the bush and rent Lucy Cougar Simba’s apartment in Lyon Towers which had been vacated by Micah Mbube after his marriage.  The fan mail was poring in for her cooking show.  She decided to write a cook book in addition to her show.  Irving Impala had sold windows to Caroline’s culinary series to many television stations.  Irving had always been a very fair employer.  He raised Caroline’s salary accordingly.  She happily moved into her new apartment paying particular attention to the nursery which would hold Shane’s son.  Her balcony overlooked a stunning view of the Ngong Hills in the distance.  She purchased a computer and set to writing her book.  On her next prenatal visit a sonogram revealed a cub that was growing healthily. She bought another layette at the baby boutique in the Lewis Lyon Mall.  Caroline was quite contented these days.  Glenda Gorilla was filled with envy at her good fortune and ratings for her television show. Glenda had been fired by Irving Impala and replaced as entertainment anchor by Celia Chimpo.  She now worked full time for the sleazy leopard that published the Animal Enquirer.   When ever Caroline would drop by with an article she had written, Glenda would glare at the cheetah who returned it with a decided smirk. 

            A steep and snow filled path lurked before Chloe Cougar Simba who was clothed in the most fashionable ski outfit and accompanied by her brother, Carson, and his friend Charles.  She was set for her first downhill run.  She poised just before she pushed off.  Then she gave the necessary shove to her skis.  They barreled down the slope at break neck speed.  Carson and Charles, expert skiers, sped after her.  Chloe hit a bump but managed to stay on with splayed legs.   She pulled her skis back together and felt she was going strong until the next big hill through her for a loop.  She slid down the rest of the slope on her ass.  Charles and Carson wheeled expertly and stopped.  Charles helped Chloe to her feet.  She screeched in pain.  It was her ankle.  Carson phoned for help.  It came in the form of two skiers towing a sled.  They put Chloe on the sled and carried her slowly and painstakingly up the steep slope.  Since Charles’ chalet was the closer abode, they took her there.  The paramedic gave her a pain shot and pronounced the ankle merely sprained.  It was decided that the bleary Chloe would stay the night with Charles.  The verdict suited Chloe to a tee.  She drifted into a delicious sleep planning the delights she would share with Charles upon waking.

Charles Mountain Lion, best friend friend of Carson Cougar, on the ski slopes in Montana...

            Happenings of all sorts attended the Cougars at their luxurious Montana home.  The next big event was the premature labor pains of Lucy Cougar Simba.  Fortunately Dr. Sylly Cougar Lyon and her family had just arrived before it happened.  Bernard and Sylly drove the snowy roads to the veterinary clinic that had been called ahead.  The human vet was a friend of Sylly’s.  He did an ultrasound and decided the cubs were mature.  Bernard, Sylvia and Sylly spent the night and stayed by Lucy’s side as she labored through the night.  As the sun peeped over the ice that topped the main mountain peak, Lucy gave birth to twin cubs - a boy and a girl.  They were active and healthy and the doctor told the family to take Lucy and her babies to their home with them.  Lucy was thrilled with her two new infants and waxed sentimental over their father and her divorce proceedings.  Since Roy Lee was not there, Alexander wasn’t informed of the birth of his children.  Chloe missed the excitement accompanying the birth of her niece and nephew.  She was still with Charles Mountain Lion. 

            Caitlin Cougar Simba placed a call to Montana to speak with her parents and tell them that both she and Sloane would be there as soon as possible.  Carl Cougar told Caitlin of the birth of Lucy and Alexander Simba’s twins.  Caitlin relayed the news to their uncle and her husband, Sloane.  He drove out to the bush home now shared by Alexander and Sidney Simba.  He found his two brothers hung over and tired after a heavy weekend of partying.  Alexander was stretched out on the couch watching a soccer game on television. 

“You’re the father of twins, Alex,” reported Sloane. “Lucy gave birth to them in Montana.”

Alexander snapped to attention.  “Are they okay?”

“Yeah fine.  It’s a boy and girl.  Caitlin talked to her parents.  That’s where I got the news.”

“I need to call Lucy,” said the weary Alexander. 

            Alexander stayed on the line waiting for whoever answered to get Lucy to the phone.  Finally she answered.”

“Lucy, Sloane tells me the cubs were born.”

“Yes, Alex, they are beautiful and very healthy.  I haven’t named them yet.  I was waiting for your input.”

“Can I see them, Lucy?” he asked with a catch in his voice. 

“The family jet will be in the Mara to bring Caitlin and Sloane here.  Why don’t you come too?  Mom and Dad have a huge compound.  There’s room for everyone.”

“I’d love that, Lucy.  I will be at the airport then.”

“There’s a key under the door mat in the back at our house.   Why don’t you go home, Alex?”

“I’ll do that, Lucy.  I love you.”

“Love you too, Alex.”

            Bernard Cougar placed an overseas call to the State House in the Masai Mara.  I gave the phone to Ralph Lyon.

“Ralph, why don’t you and Millie join us in Montana?” asked Bernard. 

“Berns, if there is one thing I hate more than water, it’s snow.”

“Buy a good jacket, Ralph, you’ll never feel the cold,” inveigled Bernard. 

“My dear, dear friend, I’ve built a place on the water so we can enjoy each other’s company but snow I will not do.  See you when you and Syl return,” laughed Ralph. 

“I thought I would try anyway.  Merry Christmas to you and Millie.”

            Lachlan and I didn’t realize that Bertram Baboon had actually been seeing Harold the lion from Tsavo until we saw them dancing merrily at Montecore’s Disco.  They joined us for a drink. 

“I’m glad you’re seeing Harold.  He’s sort of lonely,” whispered Lachlan who was seated immediately next to Bertram. 

“I’m finding you lions rather charming, I must admit,” laughed Bertram.

“The teeth don’t look as long now?” asked Lachlan with a gleam in his eye. 

“Actually they don’t seem out of the ordinary any more,” giggled Bertram. 

            Between the homes of Roy Lee Simba, Ashley and Leah Lyon and Betty and Shane Simba, there was much jollity.  The youngsters happily engaged in the usual water sports joined by Ashley, Leah and Shane.  They were joined by Luke Leoparde whose houseguests were his children and girlfriend, Jane the lioness.  There were parties at the Lyon’s and Roy Lee’s house where he and Janice were having a wonderful and very relaxing time in each other’s company.  Arlon took Shane’s boat and sailed with Tigger Tigeres, Delilah Dik Dik, Lee Simba and Staci Simba to Lamu Island where they spent the day having fun in the quaint port.  Since Staci had a crush on Tigger and Lee was enamored of Arlon Lyon, much flirting of a harmless sort was going about. 

            Steven Simba pressed on the doorbell of Cameron Caracal’s condo in the Salt Lick group.  She answered, wearing shorts, a sexy top, eyeglasses and a legal pad in her paw.  She looked exasperated. 

“You again?” she hissed. 

“Am I making myself a pest?”

“Are you ever, come on in.  I need your help on a brief I’m writing.  Since it has nothing to do with any client of Simba Brothers it won’t be a breach of ethics.”

He followed her into her living room which was attractively furnished and down a hall with a large and tempting bedroom to the left.  He assumed it to be hers.  They ended up in a small room which held a desk, two chairs and a very fine computer.  They sat in the chairs while she pulled up the brief she was writing.  They sat for an hour while Steven made helpful suggestions to Cameron.  Being both attorneys they could easily morph into that mode and forget that they had a sexual attraction to each other.   When the last idea had been proffered Cameron, she turned off the computer and offered Steven a drink in her living room.  They sat drinking in her attractive chairs.  She had kept on her glasses and Steven noticed how attractively they were on her pert face. 

“How about having dinner with me?” he asked, lighting a cigarette. 

“I’ve never been to Croc’s Bar & Grill.”

“We’ll go there then.”

“I have to dress.”

“I’ll pick you up in an hour.  I have to do the same.”

            Chloe Cougar Simba was groaning and moaning, but not with the pain of her twisted ankle. She and Charles had been in bed non-stop.  Sylvia had placed frantic calls to Charles’ chalet advising her daughter that the two leopard actors she had brought as guests were bored and cold. 

“Tell them to play with the cubs, Mom,” said Chloe in her usual uncaring and impractical manner. 

“Chloe, they don’t want to play with your cubs.  They are grown males,” snapped Sylvia. 

“Then they can play with each other.  I’m in too much pain to come home.  Charles is doing therapy,” cooed Chloe blowing an air kiss to the naked cougar male. 

“Chloe, you’re impossible,” snarled Sylvia. 

It was finally decided to send the two leopards back to the Mara on the family jet which could wait on the tarmac for the next load of guests.