"Get the band back together?" Fred asked.
Vivian and Henry had just given him the full story of what was going on at Country Bear Hall and Beary's idea to get the band back together to save the place. So far, Fred seemed unsure of the idea, remembering all of the drama and trouble backstage.
"You can do it!" Beary said trying to encourage him. "You're Fred Bedderhead! The amazing, world-famous Fred Bedderhead! THE Fred Bedderhead!"
Vivian couldn't help but chuckle. Just because a person was famous in the past, doesn't guarantee immediate success. Fred still seemed doubtful as he turned toward Beary.
"Yeah, but uh…" Fred didn't know what to say, not knowing who Beary was. "Who is this guy?"
"Oh, that's Beary", Henry answered. "And he's right!"
"But, how are you going to get people to come to the show, Hen?"
Vivian looked away nervous as she bit down on her claws. That was a good question. None of them discussed what they were going to do about promotion. How were people going to know about the show?
"Why don't you call Rip Holland, Hen?" Beary suggested.
"Rip Holland?" Henry and Vivian asked surprised.
Beary nodded with a smile, not seeing anything wrong with the idea.
"The guy who stole the band from me?" Henry scoffed. "Call Rip… yeah…"
"Beary, Rip is not a guy we like to associate with", Vivian explained. "Rip let us down as a band. He cannot be trusted."
"That's not stopping Henry", he pointed.
Sure enough, he was standing at the payphone, making a call. Vivian shook her head and walked back to the bus.
"So, how did this come about?" Fred asked, gently rubbing her belly.
"Ted's the father", she smiled, putting her hand over his. "You're going to be an uncle, Fred."
She laughed as she watched him give a wide smile. He wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug.
"So, you and Ted got back together?" he asked.
"Oh, Fred… I'm afraid not. Ted doesn't know anything about the baby."
His ears flattened as he looked at her sad. He had hoped there would've been some kind of reconciliation between the two of them. He loved Vivian as a sister and wanted her to be part of their family. Ted was just too stubborn to look past what happened and embrace any kind of happiness. Fred sighed as he rubbed her belly gently.
"When is the baby going to arrive?" he asked.
"Should be about a few weeks' time", Vivian answered. "Since we're getting the band back together, I hope Ted takes the news well."
To be honest, she hadn't given any thought to how Ted would react. They parted on bad terms. What if he denied the child the way he denied their relationship? Would he do the right thing and take responsibility and be a father for the child?
"Alright!" Henry said as he and Beary walked to the bus. "Let's roll!"
"What happened?" Vivian asked.
"Rip said he can promote the show", he said. "He's got it all take care of! Let's go!"
Vivian looked at him almost concerned. How in the world was that possible? Rip Holland couldn't manage the band, how could he manage promotion in just a few days? Everyone got onto the bus, allowing Roadie to start up the engine and drive out of the garage.
"You know, Fred, you were the only one who ever wrote us", Henry said. "Do you know where any of the other boys are?"
"Zeb never gave up the honey", Fred sighed. "Hangs out in a bar in Nuttville."
Henry and Vivian looked at each other worried. They had hoped Zeb would've been able to kick the habit and clean himself up.
"Do you think he'll be able to recognize us?" she asked.
"I hope so…"