Author's Note: So, I decided to finally watch Father Figures. My problem with this is that I'm an Owen Wilson fan, but I don't really like Ed Helms (I liked him in The Hangover). However, much to my surprise, I liked it. It wasn't just raunchy humor and cursing, but it felt like there was a real family element.
Where am I going with this? Well, I felt similarities in Father Figures and this story I've had in my mind for a while. If you've ever watched OTH, you'll know that Heather's Mother, and Ozzie's wife, was never really seen or specified. This is the main point of this story. Ozzie breaks news to a teenaged Heather about how her mother is still alive, despite what she was told when she was a baby.
Now, enough of me babbling. Let's get to the story!
(PS, this will be an AU from my other OTH fanfics)
Mother Figures
Chapter 1: Motherless
Flashback to Heather Birth
Ozzie had been pacing, hoping his wife, Laila, was ok. She had gone into labor upon a stroll through the park. She was taken to a few possum's who had training in doctoring.
Doctor: Mr. Ozzie?
Ozzie had stopped pacing, as the doctor motioned for Ozzie to come in.
Much to Ozzie's relief, Laila was OK. She was cradling a beautiful baby girl.
Ozzie: She's beautiful. What are we naming her?
Laila: Ya know…I kind of landed on Heather…
Ozzie: That's a beautiful name…
Heather- Age 3
Heather: Where are you going, mommy?
Laila gasped, as she noticed that her 3 year old daughter had noticed her leaving their home.
Laila: Oh! Uh…I have to…Get some food! We don't wanna starve…Do we?
Heather: (Shaking her head) Uh-uh…
Laila: I'll be right back!
Laila left the home. Later that night, Heather had went up to her dad, who was crying.
Heather: Daddy?
Ozzie looked over at his daughter…He couldn't tell her what happened. He had to…and he hated doing this…lie to her.
Ozzie: Heather? Honey. I need to tell you something…
Cut to Present day- Heather Age 16
Heather had been walking through the woods with her overprotective dad, Ozzie.
Heather had a burning question. She doesn't remember anything that happened in the first three years of her life, outside of her dad telling her that her mother died.
Heather: Dad?
Ozzie: Yes dear?
Heather: RJ always tells me that he grew up alone…Did you feel alone when mom died.
Ozzie had felt this…pain in his chest.
Ozzie: Heather. That pain of being alone…It is something I will never feel as long as your around. You are my family.
Heather: Got it.
Ozzie knew something Heather didn't. But he had no strength to tell her.
Nighttime, present day
RJ: Alright, everyone! Today is a very special day! Today is Ozzie's 50th birthday!
Now normally, Ozzie doesn't like Birthday parties. But come on…50 years of being alive.
Heather: Happy birthday, dad.
Heather handed him a present, as he opened it. He found something in the small box that almost made the old possum cry.
It was a family picture. Ozzie. Heather…Laila.
Ozzie: Heather…This is both a great present…and something I shouldn't see…
Heather: Oh…I-I'm sorr-
Ozzie: It's not your fault, Heather…You know…You ARE 16…I feel like it's time I told you the truth…
Ozzie led Heather to a more desert place.
Heather: What is this about, dad?
Ozzie: …You're mother…is not dead.
Heather looked at Ozzie in shock.
Heather: Wh-What do you mean?
Ozzie: Heather…Your mother didn't die. She left.
Heather slowly backed away. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Heather: You told me…You told me that she died…
Ozzie: Heather…I told you that because I didn't want to lose YOU too…
Heather: Thirteen…Years…I lived grieving for my mother, a woman I BARELY know!
Heather began to storm off.
Ozzie: Heather, please!
But it was too late, for Heather was long gone.
Heather went to hang out with the only other two family members who understood her: Stella, a skunk with an attitude, and Penny, a porcupine mother of three.
Stella: I know it can be hard. We knew before you did.
Heather: It's not fair! He made me live in grief for thirteen years!
Penny: Well, he wanted to protect you…
Heather: That is ALL he does! I'm not a baby anymore…
Heather then got this amazing idea.
Heather: Hey…What if I went to look for her?!
Stella & Penny looked at each other, and then back at Heather.
Stella: That is a BAD idea!
Penny: That won't work!
Heather: You guys understand me…You'll come with, right?
Penny and Stella looked at each other, and then contemplated.
Penny: I'm sure Lou can look after the kids.
Stella: Tiger should be fine.
Heather: Is that a yes?
Stella: Let's go!
Heather began to lead the group of three, but then remembered one thing.
Heather: Almost forgot something…
She ran by the log and grabbed a very special necklace: A locket with her and her dad.
Heather: I'm going to wear this no matter what. Dad's the one who's looked after me, helped me grow…I kind of feel bad for leaving him but…I need to find mom.
With that, when everyone else was asleep, Heather, Penny & Stella left the hedge, and began on a journey to find Laila.
Ozzie looked everywhere for Heather, but to no avail.
Ozzie: Heather?! HEATHER! Where are you?!
The sounds somehow did not wake the rest of the family up. Ozzie had snuck around everyone, and checked where Heather usually slept. Her locket…was not there.
Ozzie: …No…She didn't…VERNE!
Ozzie then went to wake up the box turtle, to tell him of the tragic news.
Stella: Girl, are you even trying to use that GPS?
Penny: We've been walking forever!
Heather: I'm looking…(Into the GPS) Sandusky, Ohio.
GPS: Sandusky is…140 miles from your destination…by drive.
The three groaned, as they realized it would be a LONG walk.
The three were walking through a really sketchy part of a forest. Stella looked around.
Stella: Let me tell ya, Heather. I don't like this one bit…
Heather: It's a bit intimidating but…It'll work.
The three walked for a few more miles, before a chilling deep tough masculine voice stopped them.
?: Look what we got here, boys…
To Be Continued…