Just Another Day In Paradise
"Mommy, Rex is not moving."
The old hamster, Rex, hears the familiar sweet little voice of the child he loves so much and tries to open his eyes, but fails. He can feel both his breathing and heartbeat starting to slow. He has been living a very happy life for a long, long time, but now all of a sudden he's so tired and exhausted...and maybe it's time for him to finally say goodbye...Rex tries to move his pink little paw, but finds out he can't move a muscle. He tries to concentrate, but the world around him stubbornly remains a dark and fading blur. Stephanie, who's going to look after Stephanie when he is gone? Vaguely and forlornly Rex thinks. And Carlos, what about little Carlos? Who's going to make funny faces and do twirling happy dances to stop him from crying? Who's going to laugh and run like crazy in the hamster ball while playing hide-and-seek with the precious little boy? And Ranger, who's going to wake up in the middle of the night and press against the wall of the brand new huge 4-story hamster palace to say Hi to Ranger when he's finally home after a long day of work?
Rex hears a soft sob from Stephanie, and his tiny heart sinks and skips a beat. He knows this day will finally come, but he never ever expected it to be this particular day. Stephanie's birthday. Silently he blows a sigh. How he wishes Ranger is here. He loves Stephanie dearly but he's more than sure she has no idea how to explain to little Carlos about life and death. And is it really okay for Stephanie to cry in front of her child and show him her weakness and fear? Carlos looks so much like Ranger. He will one day grow up and become a tall dark handsome and brave man just like his father. But is Carlos old enough to understand the concept of death and loss? Is he old enough to deal with life's sorrow and pain?
The door of the 7th floor penthouse apartment silently opens and Ranger comes in. He's home early. He knows something is wrong instinctively before he sees his wife's teary eyes. "Babe?"
The concern and love in his deep gentle sexy voice make Stephanie want to smile and cry at the same time. She picks up little Carlos and starts walking toward the man she loves with all her heart and all her life. She wraps her arms around Ranger and rests her head on his shoulder as he takes their son from her. "It's...it's Rex..." She whispers, no longer able to hold back the hot burning tears.
Ranger gathers his wife into him and places a kiss on his son's cheek. He, just like his best friend and second-in-command, is actually a cat person. But he's really fond of his wife's chubby hamster. He always like pets with an attitude, and that little badass attack hamster who once bit Morelli like a vampire has already become a part of his life and a member of his family. Without a word Ranger sits his wife and child on the couch and goes to check on Rex. He doesn't like funerals. He has witnessed too many deaths and the sorrow they caused over the years, but he will take the chance and help his son to understand this inevitable and necessary lesson of life. He opens the door of the hamster cage, reaches in a hand toward the unmoving hamster, raises a brow at the still half-full food plate, and starts gently rubbing Rex's belly with one long strong finger.
30 seconds later, Rex's eyes suddenly shoot open. He blinks a couple times and lets out a loud burp, and then sits up looking puzzled and confused but yes, very much alive.
"Babe," Like owner, like pet. Ranger thinks to himself and turns to give his weeping wife—who has a tendency to pass out after eating too many snacks—a full on 10000 Watt smile. "stop giving Rex so many Tastykakes at one meal. That stuff will finally kill him someday."