Chapter 9: Her strong spud, his sweet potato.

The Andersons ended up getting home later than expected. But, it was nothing to worry Bonnie's toys. Now that the Potato Heads were back to normal after being human, nothing seemed impossible to them. And after Mrs. Potato Head had nearly lost her life, the Potato Heads had kept close together exclusively. Sure, they always have, but more than usual lately. After his wife almost died, Mr. Potato Head would never let his guard down again. And it was clear Mrs. Potato Head wouldn't either, after having risked her life for his.

After a much needed weekend of playtime with their loving owner, Monday had come and it was time for Bonnie to get back to daycare.

"Come on, Bonnie. We're gonna be late!" Mrs. Anderson called from down the hall. The little girl grabbed her back pack.

"Bye, toys!" She said, before running out the door for school. The toys came to life once the house was empty.

"Is it weird I'm not liking being in the house, alone?" Hamm said, as he walked side by side with Slinky across the room. The slinky dog gave the piggy bank an odd look as they strolled along the carpet.

"Why's that, pork belly?" Slinky asked.

"Well call it nostalgia, but last time we were left alone two spuds were turned human."

"Ha, ha." a dead panned voice said, approaching the two. They turned to find Mr. Potato Head coming up to them. One of his ears was missing. If that didn't grab their attention, they were surprised he was alone after not wanting to leave his wife's side when she nearly died.

"I think yer missing an ear, Potato Head." Slinky commented, pointing at his empty part hole.

"Ya, did you lose your mind when you turned back?" Hamm joked, with Slinky snickering in response. Mr. Potato Head rolled his eyes. Guess everything was back to normal.

"That's your lamest one, yet." Mr. Potato Head shot back.

"Where'd your ear go?" Hamm asked, truthfully this time.

"Those peas took it, again." Mr. Potato Head spat. "Who else would?"

"Now that yer a toy after being human, they're gonna be twice as troublesome." Slinky said.

Mr. Potato Head groaned. "Don't remind me. It's my own ear, and I can't even get it back!"

"Sorry, spudster. Who else could?" Hamm said.

"That would be me." Mrs. Potato Head said, approaching. The trio looked towards her and saw that she walked over with her husband's ear in hand. The peas no where in sight trying to take a grab for it. Mrs. Potato Head gave her husband his ear.

"How do you do that?" Mr. Potato Head said, putting his ear back on.

"Patience." Mrs. Potato Head said.

"Something you lack." Hamm directed towards Mr. Potato Head. The male spud shook his head, before taking his wife's hand affectionately.

"Thank you." He said, rubbing his thumb on her palm. The male spud pulled her in for a kiss, before remembering it wasn't just the two of them.

"Whoa, whoa, save it for the toy box, will ya?" Hamm said, turning his head away in disgust. Mr. Potato Head gave an annoyed look, while his wife masked her giggling.

"Could you fellas give us a second?" Mrs. Potato Head said through a smile.

"Sure, Mrs. P." Slinky said solemnly.

"Will do, ma'am." Hamm agreed. The two walked away with no questions asked. Mr. Potato Head turned back to look at his wife with a flabbergasted look.

"Okay, seriously, how do you do that?" The spud asked.

His wife gave a smirk. "I already said, and I think Hamm kind of closed it."

Mr. Potato Head scoffed. "Yeah, he'll joke any chance he gets."

Mrs. Potato Head gave her husband a smile, filling him with warmth. After what had happened no more than two days ago, Mr. Potato Head thought he would never see that smile ever again. He remembered how drained of life his wife looked when she laid practically dead in his arms the other day. Never again would he never let anything so dreadful happen.

"I know I've said this a lot," the male spud began, "but I'm so glad you're okay."

He had said it a lot, but Mrs. Potato Head wasn't tired of it. At least not yet. She herself was still in shock after having brushed death.

"Me too." She uttered, still sort of shook by the situation. Mr. Potato Head squeezed her hands that were in his, when he noticed she wasn't at ease.

"What is it? Are you still upset about-"

"No." Mrs. Potato Head said, seriousness in her voice. She thought about the fight they had before she was hurt. "No, after everything that's happened I realized I know myself better than I realize."

Mr. Potato Head gave a slight smile, but could still sense her tension. "But, there's still something wrong."

Mrs. Potato Head shrugged. "I just don't ever want Bonnie going to that park after that. The thought of it alone is terrifying."

"Maybe this will put your mind at ease." Someone said, coming up near them. The two spuds turned and saw the rest of Bonnie's toys approaching, Woody in the lead dragging a newspaper behind him. The cowboy put it down, and the Potato Heads as well as the rest of the toys surrounded it.

The two men that had stabbed Mrs. Potato Head whilst her and her husband were human were seen arrested on the cover. The report read that they had been caught with the bloody knife. The Potato Heads exchanged a look.

"Bonnie's parents read it this morning." Woody explained. He looked at Mrs. Potato Head sincerely. "They've been brought to justice."

Mrs. Potato Head looked up at Woody, giving a smile in return. "Thank you, sheriff."

Woody nodded before giving a tip of his hat. "We stick together, which means we'll do anything to make sure we're all doing fine."

Bonnie's toys all hung together before dispersing once again. After nearly losing Mrs. Potato Head, they wanted to give the Potato Heads as much privacy as they needed. Knowing Mr. Potato Head, he liked handling his own personal situations. Being the most protective of his wife, it was clear he needed it.

"What about you?" Mrs. Potato Head asked, as her and her husband strolled around the room.

Mr. Potato Head arched an eyebrow. "What about me?" He linked his arm to her's.

"Sweetheart I know this is shaking you." Mrs. Potato Head said. "I'm not the only one that has a reason to be scared, and that's okay."

Mr. Potato Head knew his wife could see right through him. She read him like a book. "I just don't think I could ever go anywhere, again."

"Well, we are toys. I don't think that's much of a problem." Mrs. Potato Head pointed out.

"Ya, but with all the mishaps this group goes through." Mr. Potato Head said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we went through another daycare mishap when Bonnie goes off to college. Who knows, maybe Woody will get kidnapped by some crazy collector, again."

"Not that I want that to happen, but maybe I'd be more of a help." Mrs. Potato Head said, thinking about Woody's kidnap from all those years ago.

Her husband nodded. "I'm sorry I didn't let you come, then." He admitted. "We just got married, and I guess I was just really protective of my newly wed."

Though Mrs. Potato Head always wanted to help her family, she understood why her husband didn't want her to join the rescue for Woody all those years ago. They had just been married then, and he didn't want to risk losing her after he had been alone before they met. She was a little angry at first, until she remembered that maybe her duty was to take care of the tykes of the room while a big amount of authority was gone. After all, at the time she was still one of the only ones with such strong maternal instincts. That is, before the Potato Heads both became parents.

"I know." She said. "But, if there was ever something like that again, don't think I won't come this time."

"I've gotten to known you better than anyone over the years." Mr. Potato Head said. "Trust me, I won't." He watched as his wife smiled again, and held her closer. He looked across the room, and saw his three alien boys.

"Besides." He said, looking at his sons. "We did get something great of that mishap."

Mrs. Potato Head smiled in the direction of her boys, too. She could tell her husband wanted to go see them. But, he hesitated with a hint of worried tension stretched over his eyes.

"What's the matter?" She asked her husband.

Mr. Potato Head scratched the back of his head. "I just...um..." he squeezed her hand a little tighter.

Mrs. Potato Head gave him a sincere look. "Darling, I'm fine." She assured him. "If you wanna go see the boys, I'm okay. I'm not in any danger."

"I know you aren't." Mr. Potato Head said. "That's the thing, I don't know why I'm..."

His wife could tell he was scared. He just hated to admit it. "That's okay, you'll figure it out."

Mr. Potato Head didn't brake his gaze in the direction of his three alien boys. "I've just missed them, so much."

Mrs. Potato Head practically wanted to squeeze her husband, hearing him say that made her so happy. Him caring so deeply for their sons meant so much to her. But, he was clearly conflicted after what had happen to her. He clearly needed a helpful push.

"Go." She said, unlinking arms with him. "I've got plans with Dolly, anyway. Now we have a reason to separate for a bit."

Without any other words, Mr. Potato Head walked over to his sons. Mrs. Potato Head watched adoringly as he took care of them. As much as the boys always looked at Mrs. Potato Head with this sparkle in their eyes, they've always had a special way of looking at her husband. Yep, he was for sure their father.

Mrs. Potato Head proceeded to go find Dolly, leaving her husband some alone time with their kids. She didn't have to look too far when the rag doll came racing up to her, startling her a bit.

"You're in a rush." Mrs. Potato Head commented, looking at the energetic doll. Her friend gave a smile.

"I'm just happy." Dolly admitted. "This room needs you, who else can control those crazy boys?"

"You mean my aliens? Well, they're easy once you-"

"No. Not those little ones," Dolly clarified. "I'm talking about your husband and the galavanting freaks." The female spud arched her eyebrows out of surprise. She thought Dolly had referred to the kids, but she was wrong.

Mrs. Potato Head looked towards her husband, and then at some of the other male toys such as Hamm, Slinky, and maybe Rex if he was anywhere to be seen. They were part of the original group, and probably Mrs. Potato Head's closest male friends since they were so close to her husband to begin with. Despite loving her girlfriends, she had such an enormous soft spot for those goofy, yet loving trio of guys. They were the ones there when the Potato Heads had gotten married. Not many female toys were part of the group when they had gotten married years ago, besides Bo Peep. Mrs. Potato Head remembered how her and Mr. Potato Head had decided to make Hamm, Slinky, and even Rex groomsmen not just for the groom, but for the bride as well. And she couldn't ask for a better group of boys as her...well, male brides maids. They comforted Mr. Potato Head when he got wedding jitters, and they even helped Mrs. Potato Head when she got them too. They were almost like older brothers to her in a way. Hamm and Slinky that is, whereas Rex was more of a younger brother. They were the ones who rooted for their relationship the most, not always up front, but because they loved them both. And they loved how she cared for their grumpy Mr. Potato Head who they had known long before.

Mrs. Potato Head smiled as she watched Hamm and Slinky laugh and talk whilst playing a game of checkers. Yep, those were not just her husband's groomsmen, they were her's too. And even if there had been more girls at that time, she was certain that they were far better than any maid of honour she could've imagined having.

"I sure do." Mrs. Potato Head responded to Dolly, still smiling.

"You sure do what?" Rex asked, approaching. Mrs. Potato Head looked at the green dinosaur, and continued smiling.

"What? Is there something in my teeth?" The t-rex asked nervously, poking his green finger in his giant dinosaur choppers. Mrs. Potato Head smiled amusingly at her jittery friend.

"No, I'm just relieved, honey." Mrs. Potato Head said through a chuckle. She looked towards her husband across the room. "I think we both are."

"Oh, yeah." Rex said, nodding. "You told him you didn't actually want a divorce, right?"

Mrs. Potato Head shot her gaze back to the dinosaur, in a state of shock. Her mouth gaped at the dinosaurs words. Seeing her shock expression dawned upon Rex that she had no idea that her husband was in fear that she might've wanted a divorce. He couldn't take his words back.

"What?" Dolly said, also have not heard of this scenario. Rex whipped his head between the two ladies, not knowing what to say.

"When on earth was this discussed?" Mrs. Potato Head said. Divorce. The word gave her shivers as a happily married woman. She certainly did not hear this subject come up before.

"W-well, you guys were fighting. A-and then, well...he just though-because you were so mad! And he was scared, but Woody told him no-" Rex fumbled, trying to explain everything.

Mrs. Potato Head knew she wouldn't be able to get a direct answer from Rex without him fumbling on every sentence. She turned and walked towards her husband across the room. Dolly and Rex exchanged a look.

"It's not my fault!" Rex defended. Dolly slapped her forehead.

Mrs. Potato Head walked towards her husband, who was still with their three alien boys. He smiled, and continued to happily when he looked up at his wife approaching.

"Here comes mommy." Mr. Potato Head said, playfully. His wife didn't have much expression on her face, which caused her husband confusion. "Sweetie?"

"Boys, why don't you go see what Totoro is up to?" Mrs. Potato Head prompted to get the kids to go somewhere else so she could talked to her husband alone. "I need to talk to dad, okay?"

"Okaaaay." The aliens said in unison, sort of out of glumness as they were just having a good time with their dad. The aliens walked, so their parents were left alone again.

"What's up?" Mr. Potato Head said, suspecting nothing.

"You thought I wanted a divorce?" She said. Mr. Potato Head practically turned white. his mouth piece almost falling off in shock.

"How did you-" He was about to ask, when he realized the obvious. Rex stood not too far behind Mrs. Potato Head, looking at them nervously, hoping he hadn't caused anything bad. Mr. Potato Head clenched his fists in utter anger.

"Rex!" He spat through gritted teeth. The dinosaur immediately fled.

"It's not my fault!" Rex said again, running away in fear. Mr. Potato Head would've chased after him, but had something more important to deal with.

"Honey, let me explain." He said, before she could say anything. "After we had that really bad fight...a-and you said you need some time to think and something else before Trixie interrupted, it-it just put me into panic. Especially after you said we have 'things to consider' after we did the second step. I-I know it's crazy for me to think, but I was just so scared...and making stupid assumptions when I didn't even know what it is you wanted. B-but, Woody, Buzz, Hamm, and even Slinky convinced me it was crazy, and I-I swear on my life I didn't think that's what you wanted afterwards. I swear."

Mr. Potato Head had babbled it all really fast, but Mrs. Potato Head still heard every word of it. She didn't respond and just continued to stare at him with a blank expression.

"Say something, please dear." Her husband begged. "It was so stupid to think, please don't be mad."

Mrs. Potato Head finally broke her blank expression, and gave the most sincere look, filling her husband with somewhat of a relief. He wasn't sure why she looked that way, though. He hoped he hadn't hurt her feelings.

"Mad? Oh, darling." Mrs. Potato Head said, her eyes glistening with sadness. "No, no I feel terrible. I was being so distant and the fact that I had been angry and distant enough to make you think I would such an awful thing-no...never, I promise."

Mr. Potato Head walked up to her taking her hands. "I'm so sorry, I never should've thought you'd leave me."

"No, I'm sorry." Mrs. Potato Head said. She planted a big firm kiss on his cheek, his nerves all washing away with only love for her. He smiled goofily feeling her soft lips on his face. He put his arms around her to pull her in so he could kiss her.

"Hey, guys!" Woody called. "Look outside!"

Before their lips could touch, the married couple was separated by the crowd of Bonnie's toys running towards the window where Woody was. Mr. Potato Head's wife's hands slipped from his and he sighed out of annoyance. It was always before they kissed.

The toys gathered on the window sill.

"What is it, Woody?" Jessie asked, slipping her arm around Bullseye.

"Look at the coloured leaves." Woody said looking out the window. The toys awed the beautiful fall colours.

"Looks like fall is finally here, guys!" Buzz said, happily.

Mr. Potato Head arched an eyebrow and put his hands on his hips. "Seriously, that's what you called us for?"

"Come on, Potato Head. Get into the fall spirit!" Slinky said, wagging his tail while looking out the window.

"We happened to be busy." Mr. Potato Head spoke for him and his wife. "Right, honey?"

The spud turned around, looking for his wife to agree with him. But, she wasn't on the window sill. It didn't matter though, because none of the toys listened to Mr. Potato Head and just ignored is grumpiness as usual.

Mr. Potato Head peered over the edge of window sill on the floor of Bonnie's room. Mrs. Potato Head looked up at her husband with her hands on her hips, giving him a playful smirk. Mr. Potato Head smiled in return and jumped down to see her.

"You're not looking outside." Mr. Potato Head observed.

Mrs. Potato Head continued to smile. "There will be plenty of fall days. Right now, there's only one thing I want."

Mr. Potato Head gave the biggest grin than he had in a long time, allowing Mrs. Potato Head to feel filled with utter joy. Mr. Potato Head didn't wait another second before grabbing his wife by her hand and pressed his lips against her's. She kissed back, both of them feeling like they could walk on air. His moustache tickled her a bit, but she didn't care. It's something she's ended up loving. Mrs. Potato Head sighed happily into the kiss, as her husband squeezed her shoulders lovingly that he held her by.

They parted from the kiss, and Mr. Potato Head's eyes didn't break from her's. Mrs. Potato Head swore they sparkled like diamonds when he looked at her.

"I love you so much." She said, resting her hands on his shoulders. Her husband's eyes glistened when she said those words, reminding her of the first time they had met all those years ago. He was her strong spud, and she was his sweet potato.

"I love you, too." Mr. Potato Head said, prompting to pull her in for another kiss.

"Now!" Jessie yelled. The spuds stopped in confusion, and looked up.

"Ah!" They both screamed as all the toys jumped down and piled on top of them, laughing like children. They bouldered them into a playful hug, all falling on the ground. The toys all laughed harder than they thought they could all week. Mrs. Potato Head laughed from her friends' crazy antics. She looked towards Mr. Potato Head. Though the spud had tried his absolute hardest to act annoyed, he couldn't help but crack a smile too. Though he would never admit, he's missed their friends crazy ways. Their family's crazy ways.

The married couple smiled at each other, while still holding hands amongst the crazy pile of laughing toys.

The end. :)