Family
"You really loved Fifi didn't you?" Lady asked as she and Tramp sat on the porch gazing out at the snow.
"Yeh I did she was the only one of my past girls I ever really cared about. After she was taken from me, I never though I would find love like that again. Until I met you Pidge you I love more then anyone else, more then I loved Fifi."
"I know that Tramp and I love you to, if she had not been taken would you have stayed with her?"
"Yes she was great, but it's been a year since she was taken in September. I love you Pidge, Fifi is my past you are my future. For a long time after I did wonder what happened, she was Cosma's and Tara's friend as well."
"I am sure she is happy wherever she is" Lady said gazing up at the stars.
Far away in the managers office of The Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway a standard poodle also gazed at the stars. Since arriving with her owner's a year ago Fifi had been spending her nights at the theatre.
"Mom are you ok?"
Looking round Fifi saw a tall grey dog with floppy ears standing in the doorway, a green scarf around her neck.
"I am fine Idina I was just thinking."
"What about?" Idina replied sitting down next to her mother.
"My old home, your Father and my old life."
"Again he's been on your mind a lot recently."
"It's with all of us going here in August with Flora on the Shakespeare tour. I want to go to be with Flora, but I am scared that we will meet your Father."
"But what would be so bad with that? Tramp is our Father after all."
"I know that but it has been a year since then, he may well be with another girl."
"But he wouldn't turn me or Romeo away would he? If we met you told him about me and Romeo."
"Not he wouldn't Tramp isn't like that at all, that's why I fell in love with him, You look just like your father accept for you muzzle, that is like mine" Fifi replied smiling at her daughter.
"I know Romeo has that, I would live to meet him one day" Indina replied.
Yes it was the same Fifi and the same Tramp. After Fifi was reunited with her human owner Flora in Cambridge she was taken to their home on New York where they owned the Winter Garden Theatre. Flora's Father Walter was the manager and Flora was an actress. Unknown to Fifi and not discovered to six weeks later was the fact that she had been pregnant when she left Tramp. This came as a shock to her and her humans but all were overjoyed at the news. Happy as she was it hurt Fifi that Tramp would never know he was a father but she was glad that new life had been created out of their love.
A few days later Tramp and Lady sat on the window seat watching as Jim Dear, Darling and Junior decorated the house for Christmas. Then to his surprise Tramp saw Tamora run through the gate and bark.
"Now who would that be?" Darling asked looking up.
Before she could get up Tramp jumped off the sofa and followed by Lady, both running through the back door.
"Tramp thank goodness, you have to come quickly, please."
"Wow Tam slow down, what is going on?"
"Tramp its Mom she's weak, she got ill last week, it's the same illness as last year."
"What do you mean? She's dying isn't she?"
"We think so she's so weak, she asked me to come and get you, Tramp please we need you."
"Tam its going to be alright I'm coming. Lady I have to go she's my mother."
"Go Tramp she is your Mother you love her, if it was my mother I would do the same. I have Jim and Darling to take care of me. I'll see you soon, go" Lady replied as Tramp and Tam ran off.
Running through the streets Tam told Tramp more about Colette's illness and how things were going with the family. Reaching the station the pair ran to Colette and Orfeo's carriage where they saw Colette laying under a pile of blankets. Next to her sat Orfeo, Cosma and Valentine all looked up when the pair entered.
"Mom it's me Tramp."
"Tramp I am so glad you came I was worried you would not make it" Colette replied weakly.
"You're my Mom I had to come; I would be a poor son if I didn't."
"You have a home with Lady now."
"That is no excuse though. I'm going to be a father soon."
"That is wonderful you will be a fantastic father, it is a pity I will not be able to see them born."
"Mom of course you will see them, this is just an illness" Valentine said.
"I wish I could believe you Val. I am dying my darlings I can feel it now."
"No Lette hold on you can get through this just as you have the others. You get ill every year it will pass in a few days" Orfeo said.
"No I am dying. I love you all so much, I am glad I was thrown out onto the streets. If I had not I would never have met you Orfeo, I love you so much. Tramp Cosma you both were the greatest gift I was ever given, I had only been on the streets a year when you were born. If you ever see Vina tell her I love her. Tamora Valentine I love you both so much, having you has brought me so much joy. Together all six of us has been wonderful you have made me so happy. Because of you I lived a very happy life."
Looking up at her family Colette closed her eyes and with that she died as her family watched. Orfeo through this head back as a loud howl full of pain erupted from his throat.
"Colette my love I will miss you" Orfeo said.
"I will name my first born daughter Colette in our mother memory."
"That would be a fitting tribute Tramp. I will take care of you all now."
"You take care of yourself Dad I have Rohan can take care me" Cosma said smiling.
"You do Cosma he is a wonderful dog" Orfeo replied.
"I don't need you take of me Dad I am a wild dog, I take of myself" Valentine replied.
"It's alright to be scared Val I can give you all a helping paw" Tramp said looking at his family.
"How can you Tramp? You ran off with that prissy little house pet, you're not here every day. You've became tame brother soon you will forget us all. You have thrown down your crown."
"I may live with Lady but I will never forget my family Val, we are brothers no matter what."
"Yeh, like I'm going to fall that one. Your time has passed brother you gave it all up to be with Lady."
"I am still one of you, I may live in a house but you are still my family"
"Valentine please calm down, Tramp is still our brother he loves us all. I know you are upset but that is no excuse to talk to him like that" Cosma said glaring at her brother.
"Oh spare me the lecture. He has turned his back on all of us; he's given up all he had here. Tramp you were practically king of all street dogs, and you gave it all up for a house pet. All I ever wanted was to be like you, I always looked up to you. Once you promised me you would always be there for me no matter what."
"I still am nothings changed you are still my younger brother."
"No you turned your back on me when you chose a house life; you betrayed me and all we have. Well fine I've learned my lesson" with that Valentine ran off as the rest stared after him.
"He needs time let him grieve then he will come back to us" Cosma said.
"She's right he needs time to come to his senses" Tramp said.
"I hope you are right" Orfeo said.
"We should have a funeral for Mom, we can our respects and we can invite our friends" said Tam gazing at the floor.
"That is a great idea Tam."
"Are you sure Val will come back to us?" Tam asked.
"Course he will Tam" Tramp replied.
"I wish I could believe you, he's been odd since his girlfriends left him, and his friends don't seem that nice" Tam replied.
Before Tramp could reply Tara appeared in the doorway, her eyes full of tears.
"I just saw Valentine I am so sorry, Colette was like a mother to me."
"I know Tara I am glad you have come" Orfeo said.
"I had to, tell me what is going on with Valentine he seemed way off to me."
"He thinks I've betrayed him by staying with Lady" Tramp replied.
"That boy is heading for major trouble."
"Tara would you do a favour and take a message to Lady for me, I am needed here."
"For you T anything, you sure she will even talk me?"
"She will Tara she's alright, she fell for a street dog like me."
"Well alright T, see you in a while".
Reaching Snob Hill a while later Tara found Lady sitting on the porch talking to Jock and Trusty.
"Lady" looking round the pair saw Tara standing there.
"Oh good evening Tara, Tramp is not here."
"I know sugar I've just come from him, actin as messenger" Tara replied sitting down.
"Excuse me I was sat there" Jock said.
"So? I've a message to give."
"You could have asked me" Jock replied.
"Oh please house pet spare me the lecture on manners."
"Tara what is it Tramp asked you to tell me?"
"His mother Colette has died he's stayin with his family for a few days. His Dads getting on and his younger brother Valentine is heading towards trouble."
"Oh that is terrible I am sorry for his loss. Would you mind telling Tramp he can stay as long as he has to?"
"Course I will. Could be a week or so Valentine's been getting into some dodgy stuff."
"He sounds like he needs a good talking to, Tramp should not have to do it, which is his Fathers responsibility" Jock said.
"Listen hose pet keep you're stuck up nose out form where it doesn't belong. You know nothin about Valentine. The dogs he is getting in with have a bad past."
"Why you, of all the" Jock said in shock.
"Save it for some dog who cares I am a street girl. Lady I'll see you later, don't worry Tramp is my brother practically. By the way you have caused one hell of a stir on the streets, you tamed the king of all street dogs, be seeing you" Tara called leaving as Jock and Trusty stared after her.
"She was the most impolite" Jock said.
"There will be a fuss if we have been seen" Trusty said.
"She is not that bad, a little rough maybe. Tramp has told be a lot about her, I like her."
A few days later Colette's funeral was held with both humans and dogs attending, all watching as Bernie gently put Colette's body into a grave. Watching Valentines eyes filled with tears. After the funeral the family sat alone when a red husky arrived.
"This is Rohan" Cosma said kissing him.
"It's a pleasure to see you again Tramp, I am sorry" he said.
"It was her time, I am glad you are here" Tramp replied.
"Rohan I am glad you have come" Orfeo said looking at the station dogs.
"I have ruled as Leader of the Station Dogs for six years now, I became Leader when I was three . I ruled for four of those with Colette my true love. Now I am old and she is gone. I step down as leader, after much discussion with our community elders I here by make my daughter Cosma and her mate Rohan leader of the station dogs."
As the other dogs congratulated the pair Tramp saw Valentine talking to a grey husky and Busters half Alsatian nephew Pirate.
"So we meet again Tramp, last time you attacked me" the husky said.
"You were chasing a defenceless girl; I didn't know what you and your friends were going to do."
"Well she was on my patch without permission, and that pair are not my friends. They just happened to be there."
"I was surprised when Cahir told me what you did Tramp, mind you it's not surprising really. You saved her from Cahir then go on to fall in love with her" Valentine said.
"Yeh the great Tramp falling for a house pet" Pirate said smirking.
"You boys will understand one day. You three just be careful out here, I've heard some things of Tam and Tara."
"All about how I am gaining respect from other street dogs, and that I am friends with the sons of murders" Valentine said.
"Both of them. Now I have no problem with your friends, sons should not be blamed for their father's actions. But remember the Jailhouse Fighters still exist; they are weak but no defeated. They know who you are Valentine, they will not let you live Cahir, and you know what they do to traitors."
"I do trust me I saw what they did when I was there. Trust me I would rather die then go back there. But their leader is old, weak and hurt, he will not last much longer" Cahir replied.
"He's right Tramp, the Jailhouse Fighters are a shadow or their former selves. The Alliance saw to that, even then their power was on the wane. We are the young ones now; we will end their reign, and make the jail our own." Valentine said looking at his brother in the eyes.
"Take care Tramp, when the pups are born send Tamora to find me. Look after that girl of yours, as much I as think you are a fool to fall for her I am glad I have someone. Be seeing you some time brother," with that Valentine, Cahir and Pirate left.
Leaving the station later that night Tramp had barely gone reached The Railway Pub when he heard Tamora calling him.
"Tramp wait, I was wondering if I could come and meet Lady."
"Course you can, be nice for you both to get on" Tramp replied as they walked through the deserted streets.
Reaching Snob Hill they saw Lady watching from the window. Running out to meet them Lady smiled as she saw them reach the back door.
"Tramp I am so glad you are home, I was starting to get a little worried."
"I am glad to be home Pidge I was worrying about you."
"Oh this is Tamora I take it?"
"Yes this is my little sister, Tam meet Lady the girl who tamed me."
"Nice that we can meet properly at last, Tramp has told me so much about you" Tamora replied.
"Well I am just glad to finally meet you; Tramp has told me lots about you."
"What have you said T?"
"Relax Tam I've just been telling her about my past."
"How far has he told you?"
"Up to the point where Fifi got captured" Lady replied as they entered the house.
"Right well that's no so bad. Anyway when are the pups due?"
"Around Christmas week, I am getting a little nervous now."
"I bet, I just can't believe my brother is going to be a father."
"Neither can I Tam. Lady if it is alright with you, I would like to name one of our pups Colette. I promised Dad that I would."
"I think that is a lovely idea, a fitting tribute to your Mother."
"I can see why you chose to stay here Tramp, you found love. This isn't the life for me though, no freedom."
"I understand that Tam, although the streets are not going to be the safest place now."
"Has something happened?" Lady asked.
"Yes and no. I won't get into details as Tramp will tell you later on. There is going to be a war on the streets."
"Listen its late and we all need to sleep, these things are best left to daylight" Tramp said.
"Tamora you have to stay here tonight" Lady said.
Curling up next to Lady and Tramp that night Tam looked round the house with curiosity before falling to sleep.
The following day Tramp and Lady sat together on the sofa as Tramp resumed his story.