Chapter 20
"Ten Years Overdue"
The testimony of Walt and L.B. had given the House of Un-American Activities Committee enough evidence to turn Herbert Sorrell and many others over to the authorities not only charging them with causing disturbances to the peace, but also with attempted murder for the crimes that they committed against Danny and Sawyer. But, while Sorrell pleaded guilty to these crimes and served out a life sentence for his actions, Danny was still meaning to do something with Sawyer that he should have done a long time ago.
So, one night, dressing in their repaired clothes from the Lil Ark Angel premiere, Danny took Sawyer out to their favorite nightspot for dinner and dancing and then drove off to a park near the Disney Studios for an evening stroll. Sawyer and Danny walked several times at night before, but this night it seemed was to be very much different than normal, because Danny had to do something with Sawyer that was 10 years overdue. After a short walk, Danny and Sawyer sat down at a bench and took in the cool night air that blew through them.
"You know, Sawyer," said Danny. "I can't believe how far we have come since we first met that day at Farley Wink's animal agency. It seems like only yesterday we met and then proved ourselves what we could do."
"I have to agree with you, Danny," replied Sawyer. "We've been through so many challenges ranging from Darla Dimple to the strike and the war."
"Yet, it seems like fate has thrown so many challenges at us and we have shown fate that whatever it throws at us, we always seem to come out on top," added Danny.
He then looked at the engagement ring he was keeping in his pocket and was waiting for the moment when the time was right.
"In fact, Sawyer," said Danny nervously. "There has been something I should have done when we had our breakthrough at the Lil' Ark Angel premiere."
Realizing what her boyfriend was about to do, Sawyer took in an enormous gasp when Danny got down on one knee and pulled out a small box from his suit jacket.
"Sawyer Cat," he said. "Ever since we first met, I have always admired your tenacity, your beauty and your determination. Will you marry me?"
Tears began to form in Sawyer's eyes upon hearing those words. She realized at that moment that she was going to spend the rest of her life with the cat of her dreams. Her parents and older brother had always wanted her to find a man to settle down with and when Danny first arrived in Hollywood nearly ten years ago, it seemed like fate had chosen her to be with him when Danny entered Hollywood for the first time.
"Yes, Daniel Cat," she cried. "Of course, I will marry you." So, the two cats kissed and embraced one another as from a nearby tree, Sam, Mickey and Pudge looked on.
"Boy, I just love it when two lovebirds come together, ha-ha," said Mickey, dressed in his Sorcerer's Apprentice outfit from Fantasia. "It's too bad that Minnie was not here to see this.
"I guess my little sister finally found the man, uh, cat, of her dreams," chuckled Sam. "After everything that has happened, I would say that they finally got what they always wanted."
"They survived a strike and nearly being killed," said Pudge. "But I think that all came through in the end don't you think so?"
"I do," said Sam. "Mom and dad are sure going to like this."
As Mickey continued to look on, he could not help but wonder about Sam's future and what his plans were now that everything was all said and done. For someone who had been so supportive of Danny and Sawyer, Mickey knew that Sam had an education to complete in England.
"What are you going to do now, Sam?" asked Mickey. "I think that Oxford is calling you back, ha-ha."
"Well, I am first going to try and help Sawyer plan her wedding," replied Sam. "Then, I am going to go back and finish what I started. It's like I have always said, I want to be there for Sawyer and this is just another step in Sawyer's life that I want to be a part of."
"Good for you, Sam," replied Pudge. "Sawyer's lucky to have a brother like you."
Sam chuckled and rubbed the top of Pudge's head in response to what he said. But, Mickey looked up at the night sky and knew that he had to do what he had to do before the night would be waning fast. The last time he did this was for the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and this would only be the second time he would do so.
"Now, if you guys don't mind, ha-ha," said Mickey. "I have to do something for them while it is still dark."
So, Mickey raised his arms and conjured up a spell that blasted out fireworks from his hands and caught the attention of Danny and Sawyer as they sat on the park bench.
"The true definition of magic, ha-ha," he chuckled as the fireworks continued to explode in the skies above Danny and Sawyer.
"I love you, Sawyer," sighed Danny.
"I love you, Danny," sighed Sawyer.
So, the two cats kissed each other passionately and finally got the proper ending that they never had at the Lil Ark Angel premiere and kissed each other for as long as possible. The past few years had been a stressful one for Danny and Sawyer and their friends with the war and the labor strikes in Hollywood, but they got through it and were now ready to move to the next step in their lives.
There was going to be some bumps in the road, but Danny and Sawyer knew from this moment on, that they and their friends were going to face those bumps in life. But most importantly, Danny and Sawyer finally got what they always wanted for a very long time and that was nothing more than a loving family.