Over the Hedge: Soul Mates Part 3

by starwars4life

The final part of my RJxHeather trilogy, and I've saved the best for last! RJ and Heather begin their lives as mates and juggle that with more heists and other surprises that you'll just have to read to find out!

11. Reunion, Conflict, Resolution

Chapter 11: Reunion, Conflict, Resolution

Note: Well, I have finally graduated from Birmingham-Southern College and can finally update for the first time in a long time. So here we go! (And if you review, please let it be about the story and not about my graduation; the latter is what PMs are for ;) )

As soon as the words left the male grey-furred raccoon's mouth, the whole family gasped.

Grey-furred female raccoon (Walks up and hugs RJ): "It is you! Junior! It's really you!"

RJ (Lightly pushes the two raccoons off of him and backs up): "Whoa, whoa, whoooooaaaa. You're my…parents…?"

Male raccoon: "Yes, son we are…"

Grey-furred female raccoon: "I'm your mother, Sarah. And this is your father Rogan."

Rogan: "And your name stands for Rogan Jr. You're named after me."

Sarah: "Oh, and this is your little sister, Rebecca."

RJ looks over at Rebecca whose eyes are the color of ocean-green and teal-blue combined. She has the appearance of a teenage raccoon, has dark brown fur, a white ventral side like her parents, and two short red ribbons tied around her ears.

Rebecca (Shyly waves her fingers at RJ): "Hi Junior, it's nice to finally meet you."

RJ: "Just hold on a minute. Why should I believe that you're my mom and dad? Any raccoons could have said that. Let me see some proof. For starters, how old am I?"

Rogan and Sarah in unison: "30 years old."

RJ: "Lucky guess…When was I born and where?"

Rogan: "March 2nd, 1984."

Sarah: "In Montana."

RJ: "You either know more about me than I thought, or you're just very lucky. But I'm still not convinced."

Lou: "Yeah, how about you show us some hard evidence, eh?"

Surprisingly, the two older raccoons grin as they look at one another. Sarah faces to address the group as her mate fondles around with something on his neck.

Sarah: "I thought no one would ever ask."

Rogan: "Didn't expect this to turn into a police interrogation, but you want proof, how about a photo ID as the humans call it?"

The grey raccoon pulls out a photograph snuggly encased in a lanyard attached to his neck that no one had noticed until now. It shows three raccoons: two adults with dark brown fur and a kit the mother is cradling in her arms. All three are smiling at the camera while the background indicates that they are in a tree during the morning.

Rogan: "We took this when you were one year old Junior, after celebrating your first birthday."

Sarah: "A kind blue jay offered to take a picture of all three of us that morning."

Rebecca: "There's also a picture of us three if you can pull that one out too, mom and dad…"

Rogan: "Not now Becca, we're trying to convince your older brother that we're his parents."

Hammy (Zooms up and grabs the lanyard to look closer at the photo): "Wow! RJ was sooooo cute when he was a wittle kit! Look at those blue eyes that match his mommy's!"

Spike: "Not to mention the mask of his dad."

Rachael: "And his tail has the same color and number of rings that his mom has as well!"

Throughout the three animals' observations, Rogan pulls Sarah closer and lightly kisses her and places a paw on her shoulder and rubs it as the two are proud that even strangers can see that RJ shares the exact same features the two older raccoons noticed the night he was born. Surely their son would believe them now, right?

RJ: "Look kids…"

Hammy (Agitated): "Hey!"

RJ: "Oh, and Hammy, for all we know, that's their first kit they had before their daughter. That doesn't automatically mean it's me. I refuse to believe them and their lies, and don't you fall for their trap too.

Sarah: "How can you not believe we're your parents? I mean look at us. Look at the similarities."

Rogan: "The stripe, son, look at me."

Rogan turns around to show his stripe—an exact duplicate of RJ's sans the coloration which for Rogan has become grey with age.

Sarah (While patting Rebecca's back): "Yours too dear."

Rebecca shrugs and turns around—but doesn't stop turning her body. She keeps twirling gracefully.

Sarah: "Not the ballet twirl, Becca."

Rebecca (Disappointed): "Fine."

When Rebecca turns around the forest family can see her dark brown stripe that goes from her forehead down to her tail.

Sarah: "You see, son?"

Rogan: "Not only that, but our voices sound exactly alike Junior."

RJ: "I say you're faking it."

Verne: "RJ…he does sound just like you."

RJ (Sharply sighs in frustration): "You always gotta but-in and kill the buzz, don't ya Verne?!"

Rogan: "Son, you need to get a grip."

RJ: "And stop calling me that! I don't believe you."

Rogan (Sighs): "Well, since we're all here, I believe it's time for you to return something that belongs to me."

RJ: "Like what?"

Rogan (Crosses his arms): "My blue and black golf bag with 30 pouches, a shoulder strap, and designed for a human toddler which is the size of a fully grown raccoon."

RJ's eyes widen, and he wonders how some random raccoon would know about his golf bag because out of all the different golf bags on the planet, this raccoon was able to get the exact details of RJ's bag very easily. Too easy in fact; there was no straining effort to remember, or lie.

As RJ gets closer to the raccoon who claims to be his father, he speaks in a serious tone.

RJ: "If you are who you say you are, then you'd know all the items that were in my bag the day my parents left me. Name them."

The whole family leans in to eagerly and carefully listen what the male raccoon has to say, knowing like RJ that if he passes this next test, then he really is RJ's father.

Rogan: "I've never forgotten that. There was a wedge golf club with a yellow shaft and black grip, golf balls, golf tees, a green cigarette lighter, a pocket knife, scissors, Swiss-army knife, and a plastic spork along with a metal fork and spoon."

Sarah: "And we also left you food in ziploc bags too: some berries, pecans, walnuts, acorns, and five small fish."

RJ has been listening closely than he has ever before as the two raccoons gave their answers. He also has to dig deep into his own memory from 28 years ago. He closes his eyes and takes time to think things over and match them up mentally in his brain after the female raccoon was finished. The family is tense from the anticipation, dying to hear the answer that would come from RJ's mouth.

RJ opens his eyes, looks at the two grey raccoons, and then says: "That…...is...correct."

The hedgies gasp. They are as astounded as RJ undoubtedly is. They focus their attention back on RJ as he slowly, step-by-step, gets closer to ther older raccoons.

RJ (Shocked, but happy tone): "You…Both of you…Y-you're really" (Tears start to fall from his eyes) "…...You truly are m-my parents…..." (Loudly and happily) "YOU'RE MY PARENTS!"

RJ gets up to his mom and dad with blinding speed and wraps an arm around the two of them. Rogan and Sarah do the same to their son as they have fulfilled the promise they made to him 28 long years ago.

Sarah: "We've missed you every single second of our lives, Junior." (Kisses her son)

Rogan: "We've looked for you high and low, not knowing if you were even alive or dead. Our hope was all that spurred us on!"

RJ: How could I have been so blind and stubborn when you two showed up and said you were my parents?"

Rogan: "No, it's perfectly understandable."

Sarah: "But now that we have you back we were hoping you could come with us and be our son again."

The hedgies' eyes widen at the sound of what Sarah had just said. Surely they couldn't be serious about taking RJ away…...right?

RJ: "I can't do that, mom and dad. I have my whole family to take care of. In fact, if you want me to be with you again, then you three should live here with us. I mean, you don't really have a home do you?"

Rebecca: "No. We've been searching for you constantly."

Sarah: "We've had temporary dwellings at best, and we abandoned those after every night."

RJ: "Well then, you don't have to worry about running around any longer: You can stay here, with my new family. We have everything you need and then some. How about you meet the rest of the gang?"

As the family introduces themselves, RJ can't help but grin as he sees his parents' and sister's happy reactions after shaking paws with Verne, Velma, Hammy, Ozzie, Lou, Penny, their three sons, Annette and her three daughters, Simon's family, and Luby's family. Next up is Stella and Tiger; RJ wants to introduce Heather and their kids last, knowing that it will be the biggest and best surprise of all for his parents and little sister.

Stella: "I'm Stella. And this fine feline is my mate…"

Tiger: Prince Tigerius Mammhooht Shabbaz, or Tiger for short. And we must thank you so much for returning our daughter to us: Princess De'Ausha."

De'Ausha (Walks up the Rogan, Sarah and Rebecca and hugs as many of them as she can): "Again, I wouldn't have found my way home had it not been for you three. I am forever grateful."

The three new raccoons' eyes widen after the realization that a skunk and cat were mates, their faces show restless surprise.

Rebecca: "So, a skunk and a cat are mates?"

Stella: "Yeah, we have this motto: You don't have to be the same species to fall in love. As long as we love and bring happiness to each other, then there's nothin' wrong with that."

Despite her explanation, the three raccoons don't seem to like the idea of a cat and skunk being mates, but before they could voice their opinions, RJ cuts them off.

RJ: "And last but not least, this is my beloved mate, Heather."

Sarah: "You're…mate…?"

RJ: "Yeah."

Heather (Walks up to and waves at RJ's three family members): "Hello, it's nice to meet you three. Oh! All of you close your eyes, I've got a surprise I know you're gonna like!"

The three new raccoons shrug—hiding their disbelief at their son's choice of a mate—and cover their eyes with their paws…waiting for Heather to speak.

Heather: "Okay…you can look now."

The three raccoons are taken completely by surprise at the site of two small creatures that look like a cross between a raccoon and possum.

Heather: "Rogan and Sarah, these are your grandchildren, and your niece and nephew Rebecca."

RJ (Smiles and pats his children on the back to motivate them): "Go on: tell your new grandma and grandpa your names!"

Bernard: "I'm Bernard."

Mary: "And I'm Mary, named after my other grandmother from mommy's side of the family."

Rebecca: "What are you two…? What's your species called?"

RJ (Proudly and standing tall as if he's getting a Nobel Prize): "I came up with it myself: they're opossaccoons."

Rogan: "That's…...ummmm…interesting…"

RJ: "What's wrong, dad?"

Rogan: "Junior, why would you become mates with a female that's not your own species?"

RJ (Gets close to Heather and the two hold each other's paws affectionately): "Because I love her, dad."

Heather: "And I love RJ. And remember what Stella and Tiger said: You don't have to be the same species to fall in love…"

RJ: "Love goes beyond factors of limitation such as species and age. As long as the two of us love each other for who we are on the inside and it makes us happy, isn't that more than enough of a reason for me to marry her?"

Sarah: "Look Junior, we're glad that you found happiness…but you have to admit that your marriage…well you know…violates many laws of nature."

RJ: "Whaaat—?"

Rogan: "And with all due respect son, that motto is about the most ridiculous things I have ever heard, and it certainly doesn't cover up the fact that what you and that skunk and cat did is just plain…unnatural."

Stella (Puts her paws on her hips): "I'm sorry, what did you just say?!"

Rogan: "I'm sorry to drag the blame on you two as well, but you did plant the idea that interspecies mates were alright in my son's head."

RJ: "What are you talking about? Heather and I were in love long before Stella and Tiger came up with that motto…We just never got the courage to tell each other until after they invented it."

Sarah: "So you actually chose to become an opossum's mate on your own?"

RJ (In a cross tone): "Yeah, I did. Got a problem with that, mom?"

Sarah: "Yes son, we do."

Rogan: "Junior, maintaining the laws of nature is important for us animals. Humans have all sorts of different laws and customs they need to abide to, but not us, not animals. All we have to do is follow the laws of nature. Nature only intended for those of the same species to fall in love, it should be as easy as listening to our instincts. And becoming mates with your own species is as important as the relationship between predators and prey."

Sarah: "And having raccoon kits is much better because the babies will be pure and flawless."

Heather (Scoffs): "Are you saying my children are impure and that there's something wrong with them just because they're half possum and half raccoon? I can tell you for a fact that they have the best of both species, and none of the worst."

Rogan (To Ozzie): "You're her father, why didn't you try to uphold the laws of nature and have your daughter marry another possum?"

Ozzie: "Because my daughter was in love with RJ, and him alone. I fully support all her decisions in regards to her love life."

Luby: "We all do."

Rogan: "Good gosh Junior, you need to get away from these people and be re-educated on how things work in the world."

RJ (Starts off sarcastically, then become ridiculing): "Well, thanks for being around to tell me how to live my life, NOW. You only missed out on, hmmm, how long?...Oh yeah: 28 years!"

Sarah: "We know that Junior, and we will forever regret it. But—"

RJ (Sternly): "NO. Listen to me now. If you're not willing to support my decisions in life that I've made, then you shouldn't be a part of it. So you either accept and respect my marriage and kids or you don't stay here with my family. In fact, I think these people," (Does a hand motion to point out all the hedgies standing around him) "are my true family."

Rogan: "You don't really mean that."

RJ: "Yes I do. For 20 years, I was all on my own and had to learn the facts of life the hard way or by watching humans, and when I found this family of close friends, they helped me learn the true gateway to the good life and how one should behave in the company of family. They've been here to help me get through hard times, given me affection and comfort when I needed it the most, taught me how to raise children, and to be more cautious for the family's safety. I'd say that makes them my true family." (Insultingly) "You three were never there to teach me any of that, these people were. Besides, you have a daughter, she should be part of your true family since you undoubtedly spent more time with her than you did with me."

Rebecca (Puts her hands on her hips): "You can't say that without even knowing me—"

Rogan: "Becca, you're not helping.

Rachael: "Why do you call her 'Becca?' "

Happy that the topic has changed to something not as confrontational, Rebecca gladly explains…unaware that the direction they are about to head will be even worse.

Rebecca: "When I was just a baby I had a very hard time saying 'Rebecca,' so my parents just called me Becca for short."

Verne (To RJ's parents): "When did you have her?"

Sarah: "14 years ago. You see, the very day when we could finally begin our search for our son after years of constant anxiety and fear, my mate and I were just so…so…overcome with many emotions all at once." (Becoming increasingly embarrassed after every word) "Including…well let's say…'physical attraction.' "

Rogan (Also embarrassed): "One thing led to another and…" (Sighs) "Nine months later, Rebecca was born. It was completely unexpected, of course. Neither of us thought Sarah would become pregnant again. It was an accident."

Sarah: "But a blessed one," (Walks over and puts he paw on her daughter's head affectionately) "because we couldn't be any happier with another kit to take care of."

RJ (Cold and bitter): "Oh wow. That's nice. I'm glad you two," (Points at his parents) "were happy to raise your little 'accident' " (Points and glares hatefully at Rebecca) "and give her a much better life than you gave me, your intended child!" (Walks up to Rebecca and speaks in a soft, yet venomous tone) "I'll go ahead and say it: I hate you. You're a living, breathing, walking, talking reminder that my parents always loved you more than me. That they gave you what I never had. Talk about a slap in the face!"

Rebecca (Voice quivering): "B-b-but. I-I-I-I…"

RJ (Grabs her mouth with one of his paws to shut it): "I'm not finished yet!" (Lets her mouth go) "You got a life filled with love, shelter, and family. Too bad for me, eh? And how lucky for you?"

RJ turns to glare at Rogan who, like Sarah, is too shocked and grief-stricken to defend his own daughter.

RJ: "I curse the day you and mom made this" (Points at Rebecca) "…thing." (Turns to face Rebecca again) "As far as I'm concerned," (Speaking hatefully behind clenched teeth, and increases the intensity of his voice after each word) "you're. Not. My. Sister. You're a stranger. You're just a…CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK that only looks like me!"

Rebecca gasps briefly. Then, her facial expression slowly shows something that could not be described in any way except in two words: true heartbreak. She whimpers three times, then explodes into tears as she buries her head in her paws and runs into the hedge and into the suburbs, her cries audible for two house blocks away.

Verne (Angry): "RJ!"

Sarah runs up to her son and stuns everyone by slapping him so hard that he falls to the ground.

Sarah (Furious): "YOU HURT HER FEELINGS! How dare you blame her for something she never did to you!"

Rogan (Also furious): "More than that, you spoke to her in the tone of voice I had never heard so…EVIL before since the wolf Shark-Bite Silver Fang talked to me right before nearly killing me on a golf course!

"You wanna WHY your mother and I abandoned you? Because we LOVED you! I stole a ring from Shark-Bite Silver Fang a few hours before you were born to give to your mother to add to her beauty and as a memento of how much I loved her. A crow snatched it right before we could give it back to him! Ever since that moment, he, and then his sadistic Wrong-Way Wolf Pack in-laws had hunted the two of us! Your mother and I loved you with all our hearts and raised you with as much love and care as we possibly could, but have you ever tried doing that while murderous and relentless wolves chase after you every night and day?!"

RJ remains silent, too flabbergasted to respond.

Rogan: "I TAKE THAT AS A 'NO'! Before we left you, we kept you hidden in the golf bag as the wolves chased us. They never knew where you were and by leaving you behind, so they would keep chasing us and not you, you could have a chance of survival. We led the wolves as far away from you as possible to protect you out of our love for you! And we promised to come and find you once we lost the wolves, but you gotta cut us some slack for taking so long to find you because we had to travel from the Pacific Coast while searching every forest in the country you could be in.

"Leaving you was the most difficult and heartbreaking decision you mom and I ever made. Not a day went by when we wished we could have been with you and raised you like a real child should! Every second since we abandoned you, the two of us regretted it and hated ourselves for it! But deep down, we knew it was for the right reason. We left you BECAUSE WE LOVED YOU, Junior!

"But you talking to your sister like that—in the same hate-filled way that the wolf who made us leave you did—makes me wonder if we should have abandoned you all along, knowing what you'll become like: our worst enemy! We left you behind to save you from the wolves, and you turn out just like them: Driven by nothing but hatred and revenge?!

"I won't try to sugar coat it. What we did to you was inexcusable and unforgivable. But what you said to your sister was WORSE. If you want to vent out your anger, do it on the two who are responsible for it." (Pauses for a few seconds and then holds his arms out wide) "Go on, me and your mother are ready to take any form of verbal abuse you can throw at us…We wouldn't mind a little physical abuse either, the two of us deserve it. But NOT your little sister! Until you apologize to us and to her, I'll never accept you as my son, not with your hatred running your life. So what's it gonna be…'RJ'?!"

The whole family has listened to Rogan's monologue carefully. His words were as filled with resolve as they were unexpected. Everyone's eyes look to RJ who is still on the ground. He felt like each word his father had said to him was a dagger in the heart, no, the ego. He thought he buried that ego and selfish desire to make others feel as bad as he did after leaving Luby, but even he was stunned that it was still around. He actually scared himself after reflecting on the things he said to Rebecca. He thinks hard before speaking again.

RJ (Sounds fed up): "Is that it? That's your reason for abandoning me for 28 years?"

Rogan (In defeat, knowing his son will always hate him and never embrace him as a true father for the choice he had made so long ago): "…Yes…"

RJ: "Works for me."

Catching everyone by surprise, RJ jumps up to his father and hugs him tight, he even kisses him while tears of joy fall from his eyes.

Rogan: "Wha? Junior…I-I don't understand?"

RJ (Tightens his hug and speaks in a soothing tone): "All I ever wanted was to know why. You've answered the questioned that's plagued me—and haunted me—for 28 years. Not only that, but you abandoned me for the most important and best reason of all…The one thing I always thought you and mom lacked: You did it because you loved me. I'm sorry for letting my welled-up anger get the better of me."

Rogan (Wraps his arms around RJ and begins to cry too): "I love you too, son…Without end."

RJ: "And I'm so sorry for yelling at Rebecca and getting mad at you and mom…That wasn't right."

Sarah: "You're correct about the first part, but you have every right to be mad at your father and me."

RJ (Walks up and hugs Sarah): "Not anymore. Now that I have a reason why, there's no point in me to be mad at you two…In fact, it's a good thing you left me."

Sarah: "How can you possibly say that?"

Unfortunately RJ was too emotional to answer, but luckily Verne was there.

Verne (To RJ's parents): "Because your decision helped this whole family. Had it not been for RJ, all of us would have starved to death on the spring eight years ago had he not arrived."

Lou: "He taught us how to raid food from humans so we'd never go hungry again."

Stella: "Saved us from being killed by the Verminator."

Penny: "And also from a homicidal bear."

Ozzie: "All within a week. His impact on our lives has been nothing but positive ever since."

Simon: "He also was willing to help out my family when we needed food, despite our frightening appearance."

RJ has calmed down by now and responds, "I wouldn't have met Heather either, or had two children…even if you two don't approve."

Sarah: "Well…you said you loved her, right?"

RJ: "Yes. With all my heart."

Rogan: "And you love your two children?"

RJ: "With every microcell in my body."

Rogan and Sarah look at each other in the eyes…They seem to be great at communicating their feelings to each other without speaking, and now their eyes tell them that it was time for them to change their outlook on mate hood, especially for their long-lost son.

Sarah: "Then, I think the two of us need to accept your choice with all our hearts and cells too."

Heather: "Wha'dya two mean?"

Sarah: "We mean that we're going to embrace your marriage to our son" (Looks at Stella and Tiger), "your marriage, and our new grandchildren like we should: as family."

Bernard: "Yay! Me and my sister have new grandparents!"

Mary: "We're gonna have so much fun and do so many things!"

Rogan: "Please forgive us for being so old-fashioned that we didn't respect the choices you've made, son."

RJ: " No mom and dad, forgive me for being so angry with you two that I actually used your decision to leave me as a weapon against you…" (Scoffs) "Good golly, I don't know what came over me...I guess it was all the years of anger I had in me from the awful experience of growing up by myself had resurfaced." (While hugging Sarah) "But all needed was the sense slapped into me…literally. Thanks mom."

Sarah: "I, uhhh, wouldn't really say…" (Thinks for a brief moment after seeing her son's eyes meet hers) "Oh, alright. You're welcome son."

Velma: "Before we all get settled, there's one more matter we need to take care of."

Rick: "Rebecca."

RJ: " You're absolutely right. I've got to talk to her and say I'm sorry…But I don't think she'll wanna see me after all I said to her. I feel terrible…And what's worse is that she'll be in no mood to speak with me…And I really want to embrace her as my little sister. Badly…"

Rogan (With his mate beside him): "Don't worry son, we'll go for her. She'll listen to us."

Verne: "Take as long as you need with her."

Sarah: "Will do."

And with that, the two raccoons head into the suburbs.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rebecca has been crying nonstop from the moment she found a spot by a backyard pond. The things her older brother said had really gotten to her…Well, as he said it, he didn't see her as a sister at all, so she figures she should return the favor and not treat him as a brother, albeit not with rage but with her normal, calm demeanor. She figures she will take out her emotions like she always does: by doing gymnastics. She is very talented at that and used it to outwit even the most formidable of predators, small and large.

Rebecca (Thinking): "But it'll take A LOT of gymnastics to get over what my ex-brother said to me…How could he be so cruel?! We seriously just met and he hates me simply because I'm his sister!…"(Woeful) "He hates me."

She's brought out of her moping by a paw on her shoulder. She looks up and sees her mother on one side and her father on the other.

Sarah (In a comforting tone): "Rebecca…We have a perfect idea of what you're going through. But wounds heal. And the ones made by Junior are ready to heal now."

Rebecca: "What are you saying?"

Rogan (Sits down beside his daughter's left): "Junior has calmed down by now and has told us how sorry he is."

Rebecca (Bitter): "I swear my ex-brother is totally bipolar. He's just calm for now, but he'll hate me again…"

Sarah (Sits down beside Rebecca's right and puts a paw on her shoulder): "You're anger is understandable, but don't let it turn you into what he was once before, but never will be again."

Rogan: "The reason he did it was because he never got to experience everything you did when you were growing up: He had no parents, no shelter, no bedtime stories, no goodnight kisses, no life of security…Nothing…except bitterness."

Rebecca (Vexed): "I see you're defending him and what he said to me!"

Rogan: "No, pumpkin. I'm simply explaining why he was angry with you, not justifying it. But right now, he feels awful."

Sarah: "And you're the only one who can make him feel better now, because you're the one that he sadly took his welled-up anger out on. And before you blame him, you need to blame us. It was our fault for leaving him in the first place…So first and foremost, we apologize for leaving your brother, and especially for being too stunned to defend you when you needed it. We just…" (Puts her paw to her forehead in aggravation).

Rogan: "…We couldn't believe how similar he sounded like him."

Rebecca: "That wolf pack leader?"

Rogan: "Yes. Up until the very end, Shark-Bite Silver Fang never changed. Everything he said and did was for the sole purpose of selfish revenge. It was the end of him and his mate and his whole in-law pack. He led them all to their deaths. And he kept us from our son for too long. We could never be there for Junior when he really needed us…But we're not gonna make the same mistake twice. So you best help your big brother feel better because we're living here from now on."

Rebecca (Face brightens and speaks with a sense of hope and happiness that she hasn't had in her whole life): "You mean, no more traveling? No more not having any friends or relatives? A permanent place to stay for the rest of our lives?!"

Sarah (Kisses her daughter's cheek): "Yes, sweetie. We'll stay here and finally live a normal life for the first time since before Junior and you were born."

Rogan (Looks her daughter in the eyes seriously): "But in order for us to be in that life, you must forgive your big brother, then treat him like your older sibling, and accept his choices of a mate and children despite everything we raised you to believe. All of us need to become accustomed that love has nothing to do with being mates with the same species. If Junior loves his opossum mate and vice versa, then we should still love him and her as family."

Sarah: "And make sure you do so willingly, not because we're asking you to or because you feel like you have no say in this, but because it's your choice. Whether you want to stay with your brother's family or not, we'll follow whatever decision you have for us."

Rebecca takes 15 seconds to think and consider the path (more like chance) in front of her and the alternative path if she chooses not to forgive and reconcile. When she's done, she grins and says: "Alright. I'll forgive my big brother. I've always wanted to be loved by him, and if a simple "I forgive you" is all that's needed, then I'm gonna do it!"

Sarah: "Excellent choice, Becca. We'll be more than happy to follow you for a change. Now let's not keep your big brother and new family and friends waiting a moment longer!"

Rebecca and her parents get up and start walking back to the hedge, all three smiling. Everything was going to be okay…

Ca-chunk! Boom!

The sounds were still passing through the three raccoons' ears and before they knew it, Rebecca was trapped in a net. Rogan and Sarah look over to where the sound had originated from and saw a black-haired woman wearing an orange jumpsuit and holding some type of gun, there was also a rope that led from the barrel of the gun to the net. By the time the older raccoons figured out what the purpose of the rope was, the woman had pressed a button to retract the net right to her feet like a construction tape measurer would do.

Gladys (Playfully yet deadly): "Well, well, well, looks like following the squeals of a crying raccoon was a wise move after all! I'll verminate you," (Taps Rebecca with her pointer finger) "right when I reach my truck." (Looking at Rogan and Sarah) "I'll get you two next time! Byyyyeeee!"

Rebecca (Terrified): "MOOOOOM! DAAAAAAD! HEEEELLLLP! HELP ME! I DON'T WANNA DIE!"

Rebecca's parents shout out their daughter's name in horror and tell her to hold on while they get the rest of the animals to come save her.

Fortunately the other animals were already on their way ever since they heard the net gun, and meet Rogan and Sarah as soon as the latter step into the other side.

RJ: "What happened?"

Rogan: "Some woman with a net gun captured Rebecca!"

Verne: "Oh no!"

Rick: "We have to save her!"

RJ: "We'll follow you, mom and dad. Which way?!"

Sarah: "This way!"

All the animals charge through the hedge and go where Rebecca had been sitting. No sooner did they get there when, suddenly, they hear a click followed by a human hand-sized ball landing in the front of their group.

Man's voice from afar: "Bomb's away!"

The hedgies look in dread at the sight of Dwayne LaFontant standing on two metal legs in the doorway of a tall and wide wooden-post backyard fence, with the help of Gladys holding him up since he doesn't have his cane in either of his hands.

But their horror turns into terror when Dwayne shuts the door so that he's out of view, and they notice the ball extends countless needles that make it look like a sea urchin. The ball then springs up (propelled by some internal mechanism) and launches the needles in all directions.

Everyone is hit by the needles which turn out to be tranquilizer darts whose effects kick in instantly.

When it's over Dwayne opens the door that protected him from the tranqs and gazes blissfully at the unconscious group of animals in front of him.

Dwayne: "We've got 'em Gladys…We've got the whole gang of 'em! Including the kids!"

Gladys: "Now it's time to verminate some animals that have been a thorn in our sides for so many years…And verminate them in the most painful way possible."

Dwayne: "But not until we get back to Verm-Tech where all the proper equipment for the job is being stored. Now go get the cages from the truck, I'll count them to make double sure they're all here."

Gladys hands Dwayne his cane that is propped up beside the fence left to the doorway before walking to the street where the truck is parked. He walks over and sniffs the air while looking down at the animals. He then makes a discovery…

Dwayne: "Ah! I see I'm missing ONE raccoon…The raccoon."

He gets out a tranquilizing pistol and surveys the yard, but finds no trace of RJ. Even so, that doesn't sober up his mood, so the man speaks confidently, and invitingly, loud and clear so as to project his voice beyond the towering hedge.

Dwayne: "I see you're still out there! You're harder to catch and kill than a cockroach on steroids. Well, I have your friends and family now and will be verminating them as soon as we arrive back at Verm-Tech. You wanna save 'em, then come there and get 'em! I'll be waiting!"

Dwayne laughs sinisterly as he walks out of Gladys's way in order to keep guard while she rounds up the animals into cages. She finishes her job and, wanting to capitalize on Dwayne's statements, can't help but say loudly, "Time to make stuffed trophies of these vermin! Let that be a warning to all animals that mess with me, Dwayne, and Verm-Tech! Ta-ta!"

The two humans then leave with their prizes.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Neither Dwayne nor Gladys knew how RJ survived the attack.

As soon as the ball jumped in the air, RJ dove behind a bird bath and righted himself up against it. It was pure chance that the stone bird bath stand was slightly wider than RJ and the top functioned as an umbrella-shield, which were the only two reasons he didn't end up getting hit by the tranqs. Well, he was actually hit, but only in the fluff of his tail, not in a place where the tranquilizer would enter his system.

He hated doing it—because it reminded him of what he did to his hedge family the first week he met them—but in order for him to be able to help them, he fled right when the needle shower was over and got to the other side of the hedge just in the nick of time before Dwayne opened the fence door.

He could only listen to the gloating Dwayne and Gladys as they espoused their triumph. But RJ isn't afraid of them. No. He is angry. But his anger gives way to another emotion, one far more important: Resolution.

RJ (Speaking his thoughts out loud): "I haven't spent the past eight years with my family, become Heather's mate, had twin children, and then be reunited with my biological parents and sister after 28 years just to lose all of them to the likes of those two evil humans! You want me to come to Verm-Tech, I WILL come! This. Means. War!"

RJ wastes no time in making sure his golf bag has everything he needs in it before heading out. He knows where Verm-Tech is, and heads in that direction as soon as the sound of the Verm-Tech truck's tires squeal as it leaves the suburbs.

RJ: "Hang on everyone. I'm coming to save you no matter what it takes…Even if I have to give my life in the process, I will save you all. I promise!"

He then runs as fast as he can toward the direction that will lead him to Verm-Tech.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

For those of you who don't like cliff hanger endings, (Sarcastic) Boo Hoo!
What part of "each chapter will be better than the last" do you not understand? And one of the best ways to keep readers on the edge of their seats is to make each chapter end with a cliff hanger ending!

But all personal feelings aside, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and am looking forward to updating the next chapter whenever I find the time and am in the mood. I'm currently searching for a job in teaching high school (particularly 11th grade) history since the summer is the hiring season for teachers, and competition for positions in history is fierce, so that will take priority over fics. I am also tutoring a homeschool student 3 days a week and will be looking for grad school options as well, so it could be a while before the next update. But until then, tootles!

(And again, if you have any comments on my new path in life that I just stated, please PM me and review about the story, please! And isn't it funny how a guy such as myself is still writing stories about animals from a family-comedy movie rated PG?! Ha, I love my life!)