Muffy is in big trouble as is DW.
it all comes out in the next two chatpers, this one and the next.
The post has been sent, with a little extra gift for Francine from the tibbles in a pretty box with a bow. DW sent the package that very weekend.
It wont be long before the gift makes its way to the PO box address in Star City.
At the Crosswires:
"You have got ALOT of explaining to do young lady" Edward Crosswire glared at his daughter.
She cowered in her bedroom. "It wasn't my fault" she cried."That creepy pervert Lance felt her up, not me"
Catherine stepped in with her arms folded and a disgusted stare. "I would rip your hair out if you weren't related to me you little..."
Chip held his wife's hand. "Catherine sweetheart" he said quietly. "Deep breaths"
He stepped beside his father and gave his little sister the same disappointed stare.
"You are appalling" he growled. "Not only did you stir up the pot of hatred thats reaching boiling point" "you set out to personally harm my wifes little sister"..." Your supposed to be her friend " he snarled.
"I cannot even look at you, let alone stand in the same room as you." He growled and stormed out.
"Please Daddy, Chip" Muffy begged. "Catherine" she called out. "I only did it to make Francine see sense, aren't we all supposed to be same species?"
Catherine was to upset and angry to listen.
"My Mom wont give me my own sisters cell number" Catherine cried in anger.
Chip consoled her while she knelt on the floor in the hall.
"Its too dangerous, can you believe that?"
Chip tried to stop her tears but he was unable to.
"How did Muffy get the address anyway?" She asked.
"Well Kate was keeping it from everyone" Chip replied.
Catherine sighed. "Im going to ask those two Read girls a few questions"...
Muffy had been grounded for a month, had her Ipad and laptop taken from her but had hidden her Iphone and told DW what was happening.
"Holy crud what?" DW text back. "Dont worry, I sent the gift box to Sue Ellen" "The Tibbles added something too."
"Great, but did you also send Francine my card?"
"Yes I did" "Do you think it will bring her back?" DW asked
"Im not sure but I will find a way to get to her away from those senseless morons shes with."
"Including my brother" DW responded.
"Well I guess that was going to happen between them DW, but its not too late to track them down." "I cant stay a prisoner in my own ho!e for a month, We need to look like the good guys, the ones on their side."
"Well Kate blubbered her way out of the whole thing when it was HER fault."
"OMG how rude."
"I know" "Then I get a warning from Mom and Dad to tell noone about Mr and Mrs equality's address".." Oops"...
"DW you're a scream, doll xxxx" "Everyone hates me now especially Catherine and thats real upsetting because I thought she was like us"...
"So shes full on inter species now?" DW text.
"No, shes just getting all upset and grevious over her sister." "I mean hello..I'm trying to help."
The texting between the two devious young women continued until there was a knock on the door.
Jenna, who was babysitting while the Reads were away answered the door.
"Hello?" She looked up at Catherine standing there, hair tied up with her face made up but a very unhappy look upon her face.
"Is Dora Winifred in by any chance?" She asked.
Jenna gulped. She knew the situation. She knew who Catherine Frensky Crosswire was and what she possibly wanted...
It was all about to hit the fan...
Meanwhile, on the road to New Portland.
Laverne and Oliver were riding with the Reads while Neil Lungdren was with Ferns Mother
The Armstrong's were heading early to meet up with their daughter in the capital of New Portland. The drive was long and arduous. Tensions were running high while Laverne cried with her husband in the back seat of the car.
"We'll see them soon honey." Oliver smiled. Jane was not able to offer comfort either, she was a mess too but most happy to hear from Arthur via letters. Laverne had been true to her word and kept Francines cell number between her and Oliver. Only Jane and David knew and after the fiasco with Muffy which had left the Frensky and Crosswire family furious, they were going to be extremely protective.
They were yet to find out what DW had done with Muffys help..
For the time being, the four hour journey over winding roads and long stretches that seemed to go on forever, the families would reach New Portland and be reunited with their runaways, even if it was breif.
Francine held Arthurs hand outside the motels the parents were booked into.
In the centre of Star City they waited. "We're almost here sweetheart, oye the roads up here are terrible." "I cannot wait to see you my girl." Laverne had text.
"Look what Mom sent" Francine sighed with a smile.
Arthur laughed. "They care about you, let's just hope they dont get angry" he blushed. "Ive taken you as my wife, you're the youngest"
Francine rolled her eyes. "Arthur for the hundredth time" "they're NOT pissed at you okay?" "Get it through that skull of yours will ya?" She spat.
He just looked at her and shook his head. "Oh great, is this how its gonna be from now on?" He chuckled. "Furious Francine?"
"Dont tempt me" she nudged his arm. They kissed and he played with her hair.
"You're such a goof ball." She teased.
"It takes on to know one" He replied.
She laughed and they held each other in for a kiss.
George and Sue ellen were holding hands as they headed down the city streets together with their parents who had just arrived.
"Im so glad you're here" George wrapped his arms around his Father.
"Me too son, its been awhile." Neil replied smiling.
"How is Fern?" Mrs Armstrong asked.
"Shes really good" Sue Ellen replied. Her Mom had her hand around Sue ellens shoulder.
"Her Mother would move out here herself" Neil Joked.
"Like mother, like daughter" Mr Armstrong laughed.
"Well anyway, we had better meet up with Francine and Arthur" George suggested.
"Oh yes the two newlyweds" Neil sighed. "You two dont plan on..."
The couple shook their heads defiantly. "Oh no not for a long while yet" Sue Ellen said.
George kissed his girlfriend on the cheek. "One day?"
The Armstrongs nodded. "We could not think of a better husband for our daughter to spend her life with."
"Even if he does take her up to New Portland at sixteen" Neil joked.
"Seventeen" Sue ellen huffed. "Besides it was my choice, the boys followed us"
"The girls huh?" Neil smiled. "They can be quite persuasive"
"They just know what they want that's all" George warmly replied.
When they met up with Francine and Arthur, Fern and her Mother were already there.
The Frenskys and Read family pulled up in the motel carpark and Laverne clambered out as fast as she could.
"My baby, sweet heart" She wept, giving her the tightest hug.
"Ah Mom, I can't breath" Francine gasped.
"Oh" She patted her daughter on the head. "You're so pretty, isn't she pretty?" "Prettier than before"
Oliver sighed. "Hows my beautiful girl?" He asked, giving her a large hug.
"Really good Dad, really good." She replied, nuzzling into his warm jersey.
Arthur gave both his parents warm hugs and Jane planted a kiss on his cheek.
"We have missed you" "Thank you for keeping in touch."
"We miss you too." He said. Arthur then looked at Francine and they both looked at their parents with red faces.
"Oh for goodness sake come here." Laverne said, holding out her arms to Arthur. "Hi Mrs Frensky"
"Its Mom now" Laverne reminded him. Oliver held out his hand and they shook hands happily.
"Its nice to have a decent young man like you in our Franala's life"
Arthur smiled warmly and felt relieved. "Thank you sir, its a pleasure."
"Whats with the Sir business?" He questioned. "Its Dad"
"Same goes for us Francine sweet heart." Jane said. "We're your parents now too."
Jane embraced Francine with a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Welcome to the family." David gave her a hug which Francine reciprocated. "Thank you, Mom" she replied.
They smiled. Arthur and Francine showed each of their parents their wedding pictures, they were few but very sweet.
Sue ellen received a big hug from her father. "I love you Daddy" She wept.
"So lets eat already, Im starving" Francine said, holding her husband's hand.
He laughed. "You're always hungry"
"Thats because Im so busy running around with the kids, teaching them how to kick and score goal's" "plus the studying and classess we have at our community" she added.
Laverne wrapped her arms around her daughter. "You are always such a busy girl"
"Shes been teaching me how to improve my swing in baseball" Sue ellen said, clutching onto George. "While my sweetheart commentates" making him blush.
"Its certianly a relief to hear you are doing well girls" The Armstrong and Frensky family agreed. Then Fern showed up with her Mom.
"Uh Im going to spend some alone time with my daughter" Miss Walters said. "We will see you back at the motel later"
"Okay" Jane said. "Take care now."
As they drove to one of the buffet restaurants over looking the Star city skyline, the parents realised that this was exactly where their off spring needed to be.
The rioting was growing in other states as more kids and inter species families were being targeted and change was desperately needed. The quiet ones stood by while evil was again setting to triumph.
Francine was explaining all of this to everyone. As they ate and discussed their plans, hopes and dreams it was as though the teenagers eyes lit up and Oliver saw the spark in his daughter and her Husband. George explained his desire to entertain and use it to bring change through song and stories for kids based on equality. Sue Ellen mentioned her options and was seriously considering Diplomacy as her Father had.
"Well if you need help or have any questions" Mr Armstrong looked at all four teenagers, "please drop me a line."
"Thanks" Francine replied. She was eating as much as she could and was laughing with her parents and new family members. The moment would be ingranded within her heart and she would never forget that evening.
Once everyone had ate their choice of food and spoke up of things not so grand, including Muffys revolting behaviour, the group headed outside for a walk down the streets that were lit up. Many mixed families were walking with interspecies children. They passed bars and the cinema where couples freely held hands.
"I didn't know cities and towns like this existed" Laverne said in slight disbelief.
"It must be expensive right?" She asked.
Francine looked at Sue Ellen. "Well thats why we are living at the place in Harrington" The cat replied.
"We cannot say where exactly or who is there but we DO want to see you" Arthur said.
"I wish you would trust us honey" Oliver said rather upset Francine held her Fathers hand. "I do trust you Dad" "but...Catherine and Chip" "It was so easy for Kate to be tricked." She felt tears rise up when she imagined what DW must have done, breaking the trust Arthur had in his little sister.
This only served to aggravate George and Sue Ellen, for now their whereabouts was known. New Portland could be all over Miss Crosswires Facebook page right now. They were all informed of Muffys punishment and priveledges taken away for the month.
"I really thought we would stay friends" Francine sobbed. Her Mother held her close.
Sue Ellens parents stood next to Neil and held their childrens hands. The lights looked dazzling over the ocean that seperated the town from the harbour where they stood, taking in the salty air.
"I love you so much" Sue ellen wept into her Fathers arms while Francine held her Mother close.
"I do too sweet heart and I wish we could stay" "I know its better for you here, I see that now." Her Father replied.
"One things for sure" Jane said, gazing up at the stars. "You two wont be havimg any children just yet."
Francine shook her head. Arthur just bit his lip. "Nope, not until..."
"You're atleast 24" David put in, making everyone laugh.
He wrapped his arms around Jane and whispered something into her ear. She nodded and he took Arthur aside to speak to him.
"Arthur I know we may have been a little hasty and rather abrasive about this whole thing" he held his hand out and handed him an envelope. "We want you and your wife to be happy" "please take this"
Arthur gasped at the notes inside. "Dad" , "we couldn't possibly"
"Think of the money as a wedding present Arthur and please keep in touch." Srthur gave his dad a large hug
Oliver and Laverne handed Francine a box with a plain gold ring inside.
"This was your grandfather's" Oliver smiled. "We'd like you to give it to Arthur...we mean your Husband"
Francine felt misty eyed. "Mom, Dad this is so special" "its a family heirloom"
Laverne smiled. "Arthurs part of this family, family is he not?" "And your sister has a diamond ring thats heavier than the titanic" "honestly you've seen the size of that rock haven't you?"
Francine laughed a little and graciously accepted the gift. "Arthur will love it", " Hes very good to me"
Oliver agreed. "Yes we know, he must be pretty tolerant too" he sighed.
Francine crinkled her nose. "Whats that supposed to mean?"
Oliver looked at Laverne. "Well lets just say, you have your Buby and your Mothers temperament"
Laverne slapped him gently? "Oh is that so?" "Well Catherine must have inherited her attitude from your side of the family." She retorted.
Francine laughed and her parents hugged her tight.
"Well sweetie we will see you tomorrow before we go." They said. "We can spend the morning together before the journey back."
Arthur approached Francine and gave her parents a warm hug. "Come back anytime" he said.
"If only you could visit us" The Frenskys sighed. "Sadly theres too much going on right now"
"We know" Arthurs heart sank when he spoke.
"We will be back one day" Francine assured her parents. The night grew darker and cooler. "With a house, a family and a new life"
They wept and hugged under the stars while Sue Ellen made the same promise to her family. Neil told George to look after his girlfriend and future wife.
"Girls like her dont come along very often." He said with a smile.
Sue ellen blushed and gave Mr Lungdren a warm hug. "Thank you" "You're George is very special to me, hes a great guy"
"One in a million Id say" Mrs Armstrong smiled, giving the moose a hug. He felt happy beyond measure of Sue Ellen's familys approval of him.
"The other two over there..." Neil glanced at Arthur and Francine talking with their families. "Id say they're the other two in the millions of human animals in this world"
They all agreed. "Its rare to find such a brave set of friends and couples" Sue Ellens Mother said proudly.
"We support you all and Fern off course" "A dreamer if ever there was one but a strong willed young woman"
"Oh yeah definitely." Sue Ellen replied. "She takes after her Mother"
Neil wholeheartedly agreed. "She sure does"
"Well you had all better get going" The parents said, hugging and wiping tears from their faces.
Naturally the Mothers fussed over them.
"Do you have enough winter clothing?" "Do you need money for some decent food?" "Are there showers at this place?" "Is it warm" and so on...
"Yes Mom" "we are all warm, and there are showers, seriously" Francine sighed.
"Well sorry for taking an interest in my daughter and my new son in laws well being"
Jane agreed and gave Francine a hug. "You are okay after what happened with that boy?" "Aren't you?"
Francine nodded. "I am now, thanks to your son." she replied.
This made Jane so proud. "Sweet heart that is so good to hear" she planted a kiss on her head. "Anytime you want to talk just text me or David please"
"I will." She smiled. "Thankyou for welcoming me in to your family" Francine sweetly replied.
"We're glad to have you, and your parents" David grinned looking at Laverne fussing over Arthur.
"Now if theres anything you need honey, anything atall"..." Give us a call, Francine has our number" "and whats hers is yours" she smiled wrapping him in her grasp
"Laverne darling let the poor boy go." Oliver laughed. "Dont worry, she did the same with Chip." He told Arthur warmly.
"It's fine really, its nice to be welcomed into your family", " Ill take good care of your daughter" he informed them.
"We know you will honey" Laverne sniffled. "My two baby girls are married, this is a dream but also so hard..."
Arthur then took Lavernes hand and swore he would look after their daughter and stay with her until the day he died.
It was true, Arthur did take care of Francine and the day would come when he would step up to the podium and speak with her...
On the car journey home, Jane was informed of DWs behaviour and a plan had been put in place to ensure she stay away from the family including her own right now...
Arthur received the ring thst evening and lay curled up in bed beside his wife. "Thst must have meant alot to your parents".." Im honoured " he kissed her gently.
She stroked his arm. "It does and you mean alot toto them...and to me"
"Well the money should help us along too" Arthur said. He wrapped himself around her and cradled her neck with his hands.
"You mean the world to me Francine"..." One day Ill get you that ring and a wedding as promised. "
She hushed him and told him it didn't matter. "Aside from a ring off course, a flashy wedding doesn't capture my interest" "the dreams we have inside of us do.."
Francine clutched his back as he straddled her. "We want our children to one day grow up and say that their parwnts started something"...
Arthur pressed his lips against his wife's..
"They will." He panted heavily.
A few days later as life settled within the commune again. Sue Ellen received her parcel at Star City post office, the box was white with a gold lace ribbon and there was an apology note attached. "Dear Sue Ellen, Im so sorry, we hope you accept this apology gift from us xx Muffy and DW
Francine read her card which was filled with fake 'sorrys' and " it wasnt my faults" in it From Muffy.
"We're like sisters, please come home" "Its not the same anymore"..." I dont care uf you're married to Arthur and have monkeyvark kids" "just drop the morons and come back to Elwood"
Francine grunted and tore the card up. "Ack the nerve of her" she spat. Sue ellen sat in the central park with Francine while Arthur and George met up with Fern downtown.
"A real apology huh?" She sighed.
Francine rolled her eyes. "Pfft if you call putting up with me as a monkeyvark a friend who hangs out with 'morons' an apology"..."then yeah." She scoffed
Sue ellen sighed and opened the box, hoping it wasn't anything too immature or flashy. It was much worse. A couple of peanuts fell out first, meant for Francine with a note that said "Monkeys marry monkeys" Love from DW xxx
"Geez how original" Francine groaned. "Rude and immature" she stood up and tossed the peanuts and card into the bin nearby.
"Ahhhh" Sue ellen screamed. She threw the box on the grass. Three dead mice fell out. They were crawling in maggots and underneath was a grotty note that read "Whats a kitty cats favourite thing to chase?" "MEOW" Love Muffy xxx
TBC...