It was a warm afternoon in Franklin, Tennessee as the red Barrington family van parked outside of the Barrington residence. Inside was the now eighteen and a half-year old Beary Barrington stepped out of the van slinging his back pack over his shoulder containing his High School textbooks and homework. Beary was now in his Senior Year of High School, and as a result had changed a little since he was eleven. He was noticeably taller, his fur a little thicker as a result of incoming adulthood, his eyes still had the warm green glow in them and he wore a pair of worn jeans and a thin hoodie that avoided his fur coat turning into a makeshift sauna. As he got out of the van and made his way up to the house, he noticed the tan convertible also parked in the driveway.

"Henry's here," Beary said in his mature voice with a pleasant tone at the thought of seeing his god-father again. Beary neared the door and opened it hearing his adoptive mothers voice emanating from the room to the right of the large staircase that the first hall when Beary walked into the door. As Beary walked over into the kitchen he saw the grey the bear Henry Taylor sitting across from his mother with a bear sized mug of coffee in his paws. His fur has greyed completely, and the mustache on his muzzle was now purely white and longer. Wearing his typical green vest, Henry turned to look at Beary. His brown eyes kept their familiar glint as they scanned Beary as he smiled warmly at Beary, "hey kiddo" Henry said happily.

"How's it going Henry?" Beary said warmly sitting next to the elder bear.

Ever since Beary and Henry had went on what Dex had nicknamed their "road trip" Beary had grown rather close to the elderly bear as the years went on. Who acted as another father to the now nearly full grown bear cub that had arrived at Country Bear Hall nearly seven years ago. And it was when Beary had reached the age of thirteen that Mr. and Mrs. Barrington agreed with Beary and he asked the elder bear to be his official godfather, which he happily accepted, and Henry's wife Martha his godmother who also agreed. And since then Beary had Henry as both his manager, his godfather and his mentor. Beary could still remember Tennessee crying when it was announced to the other members of the band.

"I take it you're still coming to practice tomorrow?" Henry asked before taking a sip of coffee.

"Of course," Beary said, "I take it Ted is still pretty irate about last week?"

"Yeah," Henry said chuckling, "he doesn't seem to get that you're trying to get into college." Henry said chuckling.

Henry knew that Beary had been working extremely hard to get into college during his high school years, after being in the band and being around Henry growing up through his adolescence, Beary decided that he would look at a career in Musical Therapy, where he could help people cope with their problems via music and to do that he needed a degree in music and in therapy and as a result his schedule has been restricted even though he still made time to practice and play in shows and tours with the band. It was at that point that his adoptive mother, Tonya stepped into the conversation holding an envelope and looking slightly nervous, and a look at the logo and the latin saying on the envelope described it right away. It was the University of Nashville, and it seemed like they were now responding to his application. Beary's ears folded back slightly at seeing the envelope, and despite both his adoptive and godparent's assurances, Beary began instantly feeling nervous.

Henry kept quiet while Tonya handed Beary the envelope and watched his godson closely, "here sweetie" she said softly and slightly shaking. Remaining quiet, Beary slowly opened the envelope, dreading what was inside as Henry put a reassuring paw on his shoulder and Tonya put her hand on his other shoulder. He pulled out the letter concealed in the envelope.

Dear Mr. Barrington

After reviewing your credentials with your High School

And reviewing your SAT scores, we are pleased to announce

your acceptance to the University of Nashville, enclosed with

this letter is the appropriate forms for you and your

parent/guardian to fill out regarding financial aid, course registration and housing.

Congratulations, Admissions

Beary read the letter out loud and suddenly was set upon by Tonya, who in a fit of happy tears hugged and kissed her adoptive son, Henry simply patted Beary on the back. "Congratulations son," Henry said getting up from his seat and stretching causing his back to audibly crack.

"Well, I better get going," Henry said.

"Ok Henry, I'll see you on Friday?" Beary said, now with much more enthusiasm and relaxation in his voice than Henry had heard from his godson in quite some time.

"Probably sooner," Henry said grabbing his cane from the table, "once I tell the boys the good news, they're gonna want to do something. Not to mention Martha's gonna want to make a big dinner for it." Henry said chuckling. As Henry made his way toward the door, Beary accompanied his godfather, making small talk along the way. "See you around Tonya." Henry called out behind him.

"See you Henry." Tonya cried back from the kitchen, still with tears of happiness in her eyes as she began to call her husband Richard about the news.

Once out on the porch of the Barrington home, Beary gently helped Henry go down the steps onto the sidewalk. "Sometimes I really can't tell if your mother is upset or happy." Henry said as they made their way to his car.

"You can usually tell," Beary said light-heartedly, "I have trouble sometimes too, so don't feel bad." They both reached Henry's car and stopped in front of it.

It was then that Henry looked right into Beary's eyes, "I'm proud of you Beary, I really am." Henry said sincerely.

Beary looked into Henry's brown eyes, "thank you Henry, for everything." Beary said to his mentor before they hugged each other, even though Henry felt proud and happy beyond belief for Beary he still felt a pang deep down as they both separated.

"Just be ready to be harassed by the boys very soon." Henry said lightly opening the door and sitting down in the drivers seat, "We'll have a nice get together to celebrate, and you should probably bring a huge pack of klenxes for Tennessee."

"You don't have to do that Henry." Beary said humbly, not wanting Henry to go through any trouble at his expense.

"I know, but I want to, and I don't think Martha is going to give either of us much of a choice, she loves cooking as much as your mother." Henry chuckled starting the car Beary laughed quietly too.

"See you on Friday kiddo." Henry said from the window of his car.

"See you then Henry." Beary said waving Henry goodbye as he carefully backed out and drove away from the driveway. Beary watched Henry drive down the street before turning around and going back inside