Many months have gone by and Vivian was ready to lay her eggs; two healthy eggs were now in the nest. She is wondering about the genders of her future children will be.
"Can you believe it, Blaze? We're gonna be parents," Vivian stated.
Blaze smiled.
"Yeah," Blaze answered.
Soon enough, Dana showed up and saw the eggs in the nest.
"Just think, Dad; you'll soon be a grandfather," Blaze responded.
Dana nodded and nuzzled his son and daughter-in-law.
"I can't wait until I meet these little ones," Dana commented.
"We can't wait either, Dana," Vivian replied.
Meanwhile at Maya and Zack's nest, Tyson and Jethro were snacking on tree stars. They sure have gotten bigger since they hatched.
"Look at you two; the more you eat, the bigger you'll get," Maya commented.
Just then, Zack walked over to where Maya and his sons were relaxing.
"Hey you two; look how much you've grown; then again, hatchlings grow at a faster rate and slow down once they reach a certain age," Zack stated.
Maya just chuckled.
"They have no idea what you're talking about," Maya said.
Zack chuckled.
"Yeah, well; they'll learn," Zack claimed.
Soon enough, they heard a distressed roar coming from the Thundering Falls. Zack stayed behind to watch the children while Maya wandered over to where the commotion was. Once she got there, she saw the body of her great-great grandmother Connie on the ground. The old longneck was lying down on her left side and was breathing heavily. Grandma Longneck and her brothers surrounded their mother and hoped they could figure out how to save her.
"Is there anything we can do?" Grandma asked.
"She's very old, sis; I don't think there's anything we can do now," Angus claimed.
"What kinda Healer are you then, Angus?" Kiefer sneered.
"Can it with the bellyaching, Kiefer," Topsy sneered.
"Stay outta this, horn-face," Kiefer retorted.
"Don't call me that," Topsy snarled.
Kiefer snarled.
Topsy was getting annoyed at Kiefer for being insensitive. Soon enough, Connie began to speak.
"I will be going to a better place where I can reunite with the family I lost ages ago; just so you know; I will miss this herd very much...goodbye," Connie whispered the last part and died a moment later.
Grandpa looked down at his dead mother-in-law and then over at his wife and brothers-in-law.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Grandpa told them.
Grandma nodded sadly towards her mate.
"Thank you; she will be missed," Grandma whispered.
They all nodded and started to prepare for Connie's funeral.
After a few days, Connie was placed in a hole where all the past herd members were laid to rest. Soon enough, they began the service. Grandma was still in shock since her mother had suddenly collapsed. Her heart felt like it was breaking in half; she still wondered if there might have been a slim chance that Connie could have survived. However, Angus had told her that Connie was dying of old age; her heart had given out; luckily for the herd, Connie went out with one last positive thing to say to them.
"Let us all remember Connie as the oldest and wisest longneck who ever lived; not how she died; and that I'm certain she has already met up with the long-deceased herd members of the Great Valley," Mr. Thicknose said.
Grandma smiled over at Mr. Thicknose; who is once again the oldest herd member in the Great Valley. Soon enough, the funeral was over and Connie's body was covered up in dirt and a bunch of blue flowers were piled onto the grave. As if on cue, the wind began to blow; it's almost as if Connie was saying goodbye one last time.
"We'll never forget you, Mother," Grandma whispered while looking up at the sky.
With Connie dead, it will take a while before Grandma could talk about her without getting teary eyed. Topsy could relate to her; since like her, he was also close to his own mother. He wandered over to her and rubbed her side with his head. Grandma lowered her head to her friend and smiled weakly.
"Don't worry; we'll help get you through this; just like you guys did for me whenever I lost a loved one," Topsy told her.
Grandma nodded and took one last glance at the grave before walking back to her nest to grieve. Grandpa was about to follow her; but, Topsy stopped him.
"Uh; maybe it would be a good idea if you give her some alone time," Topsy claimed.
Grandpa sighed.
"You're probably right; but, I still can't stand around and let grief consume her; she's the first and only longneck who's ever fallen in love with me; and she will more than likely be the only mate I'll ever have; if she dies, I'm not wishing to remarry since I'm too old," Grandpa explained.
"I understand; if you give her a couple of days, I'm sure she'll come around," Topsy assured him.
Grandpa smiled down at his best friend before he wandered off for some alone time. Topsy couldn't help but worry about his two best friends; they were there for him when he was down and depressed; and he felt like he had to return the favor. Soon enough, the herd went back to their respective nests.