Caleb leapt up the front staircase, balancing a casserole dish of sweet potatoes and marshmallows in one paw, as he gave the door's gaudy brass knocker a few staccato raps with the other.  Peering in through the frosted glass, he could just make out a figure against the foyer's chandelier light.  A portly, cordial coyote greeted him as the door opened, the old fellow's gray eyes searching the fox's face before a flicker of recollection widened them a bit, and his frosted-furred muzzle widened in a smile.  
	
      "Caleb, my boy!  So good to see you could make it for Thanksgiving!"  The old canine eagerly gave the fiery-golden-furred vulpine a warm handshake and a fatherly hug before his nose caught notice of the sweet potatoes.  "I come bearing gifts!"  Caleb grinned, offering the warm dish to Sandra's father.  The coyote's eyes marveled and sparkled appreciatively.  "Hey... as long as you bring such delicious food, you're welcome to celebrate with us anytime you desire!  Come, lad,” The coyote gestured eagerly. “Sandra's been anxious to see you after such a long time; she was quite insistent that you be able to join our family and enjoy all the food and drink we've got here.  And I mean anything you wish."
	
      "Thank you, sir."  Caleb smiled kindly, walking down the hallway, glancing at a fine painting of the signs of the Zodiac represented by ancient Egyptian glyphs.   This house always did seem to perfectly suit Sandra, with such gracious surroundings, yet there was an exciting, alluringly exotic side that was so enticing and unrestrained.  Entering the dining room, he set the potatoes amongst many other savory dishes, doing all he could to prevent thick ropes of drool from dangling from his jaw.  The fox actually shivered when he thought about how good the feast would be.  
	
      He was warmly greeted by nearly every member of Sandra's extended family, for he loved and respected them all, and they in turn had grown to see him as part of the family, like another son.  Making his way into the living room, which was directly connected to the dining room, he paused to admire its oak furnishings, fine paintings from all around the world, blue velvet curtains drawn back from the bay windows, and Sandra herself resting comfortably on a loveseat, warming her paws in front of the hearth.  Her ash, butter and cream-colored fur glowed silkily and glossy as her eyes caught his, the emerald green of her irises flecked with tiny lights of gold that shined radiantly.  
	
      "Caleb!"  She exclaimed, loping across the room to slam her arms around the vulpine in a tight embrace.  Tears glistened in her eyes as their muzzles met, her tongue eagerly forcing his jaws open, caressing his mouth passionately.  Caleb felt his heart begin to throb in his ears, and his golden eyes widened in surprise.  "I take it you're quite happy to see me, Sandra?"  He mumbled as best he could, while she kept her arms tight around his chest.  Her plump curves were as voluptuous as always, kept attractively modest and soft thanks to her bushy winter coat.  
	
      "When I heard what had happened to you with the crew of the Venix, I feared the worst!"  She said as her lovely eyes searched his body up and down, giving him a surprised look, as if she'd expected to see him confined to a wheelchair, or missing an ear.  But as her paws fondly rubbed his fat belly and plump, curved sides, she broke into a joyous laugh that banished the anxiety from her face.  "I should have known you'd be just fine, what with such a firm head on your shoulders, and that tough, tenacious side you keep locked under that mild-mannered grin!"  She said as she playfully cuffed his shoulder, pleasantly surprised seeing him so sleek and handsomely fat.  
	
      "My, you've grow rather well-fed, you fox!"  She grinned, biting her lip as though it were some deeply hidden desire she wished to keep sacred just between the two of us.  Her paws eagerly gave his belly a fond rub as they embraced once more, his head resting on her shoulder, swaying hypnotically in the deep waves of her perfume as she heaved a sigh of pure satisfaction and relief.  Giving her cheek ruff an affectionate little lick, Caleb lovingly placed an arm around her soft waist, and led her to the buffet table, where the other relatives had started to file in.  
	
      While they waited, Sandra's aunt turned to look at Caleb, and smiled jovially.  "Joining us for dinner?  There's certainly more than enough to go around!"  Sandra smiled her eyes lustrous with love.  "Oh, you couldn't begin to stop him, Aunt Marsha."  She laughed, giving his chubby paunch a deep, pillowy poke that made him blush fiercely, and a silly, shy grin cracked the sides of his muzzle.  "He wouldn't dare miss tucking into that turkey and mashed potatoes."  "Well, don't you be shy about going back for thirds or fourths if you'd like."  Marsha hinted, gesturing with her muzzle to the others around the table.  "Really... so many of them won't touch anything beyond seconds, you know, trying to watch their weight and what not."  
	
      Her voice carried an ever-so-sarcastic tone that hinted at what she thought of such folly.  The noticeably chubby, matronly coyote grinned back at Caleb as she gave a gentle snort and a shake of her head.  "I tell you, can't make much sense out of it anyhow- what good's a wonderful meal like this if you're not ready to enjoy it like there's no tomorrow?"  She asked, nudging his round sides, her plump face warm and soft.  Caleb laughed; his belly bouncing as he did so, nodding in total agreement.  
	
	
	  


	"Well, I must thank you very much for a most excellent meal."  Caleb purred, reclining back in his chair, looking as sleek and replete as a well-fed lion as he raised the glass of champagne that he'd been nursing throughout the dinner in a toast.  Most of the other guests had retired to the family room to watch the evening's game, or had already taken off to visit other relatives and friends, but Sandra's parents were rather thankful at least someone was continuing to enjoy the feast they had prepared.  
	
      Sandra stared out beyond the bay windows towards the trees, now silhouetted black against the dusk sky, which deepened from lavender to a dark bluish-gray.  "Say, Caleb, dessert won't be ready for another half hour at least.  You should really look at this full moon with me; it’s so gorgeous.”
	
      They gazed out into the milky glow of moonlit snow together, the glittering shell of the full moon setting the falling snow into glowing rainbow shards of crystal.  Falling as soft as milkweed, to dance and gyrate in the air, and settle upon the ground as they stared up at the silver-blue wash of the night sky, taking in the cool beauty around them in peace.
	
      For fifteen minutes they stared at the edge of a far-off snow-blanketed field.  It was a scene so spectacular; no artist could hope to capture such brilliance.  Neither Caleb nor Sandra said a word, but simply held each other, frozen as if in a trance, as if the slightest word might be enough to disturb something so wonderful and delicate-looking.  
	
      Sandra moved her paw tenderly under his knit sweater, which was pulled adorably tight by his full belly, and felt a surprised thrill to find how incredibly tightly his dress shirt fit him.  So tightly, in fact, she realized with a mischievous grin, she could actually feel ovals of vixen-soft belly fur swelling through the gaps between the shirt buttons.  She licked her lips with contentment as he felt how each button actually dented into the pillowy surface of his soft, chubby, plump belly.  What she would give to see just one of those buttons burst...  she mused as she gently fingered the growing gaps between the seams, hitting a ticklish spot.
	
      As if by reflex, Caleb laughed, and pulled away from her, seeing that she had noticed his bursting shirt.  Shyly pulling his sweater down over the lower curve of his belly, the fur on the back of his neck rose in a blush.  "Unfortunately, I got back from the Venix on such a short notice, I... I didn't really have time to go out and hunt for a new shirt.  The one I used for concerts was all that fit me...” he glanced over to Sandra who was just barely restraining laughter behind a wide grin.  "Well, it sort of fits me."  He admitted, chuckling as he gave his well-formed paunch a fond pat.  But it's actually quite nice, you know."  He smiled as he wrapped her up in a cuddle.  "Sort of an additional layering for those cold, frosty winter mornings."  
	
      "Oh, Sandra, Caleb, there you two are!"  The coyote's father exclaimed as he placed a paw on each of their shoulders.  Dessert's ready and waiting for the two of you in the lounge, anytime you both want it.  Sandra and Caleb both nodded eagerly.  "And Caleb,” Sandra’s father spoke, "The wife and I are going to visit some friends of ours for the night.  Might we bring them the rest of your fabulous sweet potatoes?"  "Oh, by all means, sir."  Caleb nodded, smiling.  
	"Thank you very kindly, lad.  And as most of our guests have gone, please promise me you'll tuck away as much of that dessert as possible?  I can't think for the life of me where to store it, as so few of my relatives even touched it!  Such a shame, I tell you!  Well, at least you've got a nice, proper, canine appetite, Caleb.  Glad to see it!"  
	
      "I can't thank you enough for such a splendid evening, it was all wonderfully relaxing, and I'm just honored to have spent it here with you all."  The plump, old coyote gave Caleb a warm smile.  It was the look a proud father might give a son whom he realizes is no longer a cub but matured into a man.  "If you'd really like to relax, down in the basement, I've got some ales from Scotland that are quite good at padding the old waistline up- help yourself to a few- they're sure to put some more fur on your chest at the very least.”  "No, I couldn't..."  "Go on; my treat, honestly.  After an adventure like you just went through, you deserve it."  the coyote said, placing a heavy paw on the fox's shoulder, and giving it a firm, cordial pat.  
	

	Sandra and Caleb soon found themselves enjoying the desserts to no end, feasting as if tomorrow would never come.  The fox's belly was quickly starting to feel rather tight and uncomfortable, so he ventured downstairs and brought up a few cans of the flavorful Scottish ale, and began quenching his thirst.  Before long, the fat fox started to pant happily, feeling somewhat tipsy and dreamy, vastly enjoying the warmth that seemed to radiate from his very marrow to soothe and relax every ache in his body and belly.    
	
      When Sandra had eaten her fill of apple and pumpkin pie, she stood behind Caleb, who was snuggled most cozily in an overstuffed armchair next to the fireplace.  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave his muzzle a teasing little stroke.  Turning towards her, Caleb saw that wild, sly look in her eyes.  "Uh oh... what're you up to now, honey?"  Sandra feigned surprise, and acted almost playfully hurt by his suspicion.  "Why, whatever are you talking about, butterball?"  she giggled, tickling his belly again, marveling at how it now pulled the front of his shirt out from his pants, the plump exposed expanse growing with every bite.  It was so close now... she had to convince him to do it, somehow.  
	
      "Oh, it's nothing, sweetie."  she cooed, her finger lazily tracing the outline of an oval of fur that pudged through the space between two shirt buttons, adoring the rotund swell of his belly.  The shirt itself was so incredibly tight on him now; she was amazed it continued to hold against his belly and sides.  My, they just ballooned outwards now, like on a cheetah or a lion that has managed to bolt down as much of a kill as it can possibly stomach, and waddles away to sleep it off, belly swaying and bulking almost pregnantly.  
	
      "It's just that... you don't know how long I've waited to see you this well-fed, this... snuggly.  And to see you burst the front of that shirt open, would make my Thanksgiving.  I've always wanted to see you this soft and cozy-looking, and besides, what would I tell my parents when they come home, and they see there's still more leftovers they have to throw out!  Oh, what was I thinking when I told them that you had the appetite of three strong lions, and could tuck away a feast like this with your eyes closed!  Some hopes of that!  How disappointed they'll be, to see that all their hard work has gone unappreciated!"  
	
      Gulping down his fourth glass of ale, Caleb smiled drowsily.  "What's left?"  he asked boldly, "I'd quite enjoy seeing my belly bust out of my shirt on its own, too."  The fox called out, rather huskily, squeezing his belly where his sweater has started to ride up a bit on it.  Feeling rather warm, he pulled the knit garment off, tossing it onto the loveseat.  Sandra left the room, and returned with the remainder of the chocolate cheesecake.  It smelled so rich and delicious; the coyote couldn’t resist treating herself to a nice, thick, economy-sized piece, before offering the remaining eighth of the cake to the nearly overstuffed Caleb.  
	
      "This is it- all that's left."  she said eagerly, as if he were on the verge of some superhuman feat or goal.  Finish this off, and you will be my parents' new best friend.  Just imagine- you'll be welcome to dine with them anytime you wish- just give them a call, and they'll make sure you never starve for the rest of your life.  I know they'd agree to it once they see how much you love their cooking- my mother’s in particular."  
	"You're on."  Caleb grunted as he shifted his bulk in the comfy lounge chair to a more upright position.  The coyote drew her lower lip between her teeth, her emerald green eyes glowing with delight as she watched him daintily devour each rich mouthful.  Come on, you know you want to!  I can feel it!  Caleb silently thought to his bulging belly, hoping he could accomplish such a feat.  He stared at the last rich morsel, feeling unbelievably gorged, but managed to work it into his mouth, with his eyes squeezed shut, chugging down the last of the wonderful ale, forcing the morsel down until peristalsis took care of the rest.  
	
      The fox gave a huge stretch and a sleepy yawn, reaching out with both his arms, puffing his chest and belly outwards.  He didn't even feel the shirt button give- it was more like something he suddenly became aware of- the fact that his shirt didn't feel quite as tight around his belly anymore.  Suddenly, as he sat forward, and his belly compressed itself, two more buttons snapped free, permitting the full glory of his proud belly to plump out to magnificent effect.  
	
      Sandra gave a yelp of pure joy and delight as she clasped her paws together, then snuggled deep into the pillowy softness of the fox's spherically fat and taut belly.  "You are a god!  My big, sweet foxie, with warmth of body to match your warmth of heart!  It's about time you looked as pleasant and warm on the outside as you are on the inside."  She smiled, stroking my belly almost possessively.  So this was how she'd always seen me, he thought with an almost amused and delighted grin.  Sleek, peacefully fat and well-fed, endearingly plump and replete, full as autumn, thick and soft as butter, luxuriously comfortable, even-tempered, intelligently handsome.  The fox laughed with joy at how good he felt, belly jiggling roundly as he rubbed and stroked his stuffed belly, as soft, generous and plump as heart could wish!
	
      As midnight came, Sandra and Caleb lay cuddled on a cozy nest of blankets in front of the warm fire.  The fox rested in a strikingly feline pose, arms and legs folded beneath him, resting most delightfully on the pillowy soft bulge of his belly and sides.  So round and sleekly fat they were, he thought to himself with an amused grin, that he quite resembled a furry, four-legged Thanksgiving turkey.  

      It felt delightful.  There was no other way to really describe just how good he felt right then.  Letting the warm comfort swell around him, he closed his eyes in pleasure as Sandra lay her head on his belly like it was a warm pillow, her eyes meeting his.   The coyote laid her lips on the fox’s muzzle in a kiss whose piercing sweetness and warm desire carried with it the fond memory of a night Caleb would never forget.