Book 2: Breaking the Ice Chapter 21
"Buck, I lo…..oh, I can't do this." Jenna whimpered.
"Can't do wot', Jen?" Buck asked.
"I don't know. I don't know anymore." She murmured. After a long silence between them, she sighed. "I think we should go and catch girls' scent then go back home."
Buck couldn't help but be worried about Jenna. She's been quiet and upset. He wondered if he did something that made her upset. If that was the case, he would do anything to make it better. He watched as Jenna walked out of the cave and went to find the twins. Slowly, he got up from the stone and followed her from behind.
Rosalina smiled as Ben was talking to his new acquaintances, the herd. Rosalina had already told the herd why she was up here and let the herd ask questions and talk to the both of them. She snapped back to reality and stood quietly in front of the herd.
"So, you are the girls' father? Huh, I thought that Rosalina said that you were dead." Ellie told the male weasel.
"That's what Tim got the girls and Clarissa to believe. What really happened was that I was looking for food and Tim came out of nowhere and started beating me with his fists and any fallen branches he could find. I fell in a coma for so long that I presume that he told everyone, including my wife before the girls were born, that I was dead." Ben explained to the herd.
"You were attacked?" Diego asked him.
"Yes. And, gosh, he looked really pissed too." Ben answered. (A/N: Again with the swearing. Sorry. I don't know why I keep doing that, even though I don't like to. So, again, sorry. I really am.)
"Watch the language, dad. There's a little one here that doesn't need to hear that kind of stuff." Rosalina warned, pointing at Peaches, who giggled at Ben.
"You said an ugly word." She giggled childishly.
"Yes, he did, Peaches. And, I don't want you, young lady, to ever say something like that." Manny told her firmly. Peaches wrapped her trunk around his and reassured him, "Don't worry, daddy, I won't."
"That's my girl. Now, go play." He smiled down at his daughter.
Ben pressed his ears against his head. That was something that he wanted to experience all his life, but he ran away from that opportunity a long time ago.
He snapped back into reality and muttered sadly to Rosalina, "Rose, sweetie, I have to go. Petunia's probably wondering where I'm at."
"Wait a minute. Is Petunia the name of that beaver I saw earlier?" Rosalina asked.
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"I think she may be a stalker." She shuddered.
"Why do you say that?"
"She knows every detail about my life. It's disturbing." Rosalina answered, shuddering again.
"I'll make sure that she doesn't bother you anymore. I promise." Ben reassured her before walking away from the playground.
Rosalina turned her head from him to the herd. Suddenly, something tapped her shoulder. She slowly craned her neck to see who or what touched her shoulder. To her horror, she saw her twin sister, Roxanne behind her. Rosalina screamed and hid behind Diego and Sid.
"Sis, hear me out." Roxanne pleaded to her.
"Why? Do you have any other harsh words that you would like to tell me?" Rosalina asked bitterly.
"No. I came here to apologize." She admitted. Rosalina glared at her, waiting for her sister to apologize or pick another fight.
"Sis, I'm really sorry. I had forgotten how Tim used to hit you all the time and with me slapping you, which must've brought you back to those days. I'm so sorry for not thinking about that before I strike. So, do you forgive me?" Roxanne sighed sadly.
Rosalina stared into her sister's eyes and saw no fault in them. Finally, she answered with a smile, "Yes, I forgive you. Sisters?"
"Sisters." Roxanne giggled as she walked over to Rosalina and gave her twin sister a hug.
"Aww." Sid, Peaches, and Ellie sighed as they watched the two she-weasels hug.
"Hey, you two, how about you stay here with us until Buck and Jenna find you. It probably won't be a long stay, though." Manny insisted. Rosalina and Roxanne pulled away from their hug and nodded.
"I guess, in the meantime, we can play with Peaches and Sid for a while." Rosalina smiled at the sloth and baby mammoth, who smiled back. Breaking the silence, Peaches squealed happily in her toddler accent, "Let's play tag. Uncle Sid's it." Rosalina and Roxanne scurried away from Sid as he started to chase them.
Manny and Ellie smiled as their daughter and the she-weasels ran different directions, trying not to get tagged by Sid. Crash and Eddie had other plans. They whispered their plan that would prevent Sid from tagging any of the females. Smirking, they jumped off of Ellie's tusks and went to where Sid was.
To their relief, Sid was distracted. They watched as Rosalina ran up a tree, along with Roxanne. "Hey! That's cheating! Luckily, I'm a tree sloth." Sid reminded himself out loud. Before he could climb up the tree to tag them, Crash and Eddie popped up out of nowhere and started pelting him with tiny pebbles.
Roxanne started laughing her tail off while Rosalina just covered her mouth with her paws, watching as Sid recoiled from the tree, yelping in pain. "Crash, Eddie, stop it! We do not hurt family members!" Peaches and Rosalina heard Ellie snap at the possums.
"Oh, come on, Ellie, we were just havin' fun." Crash whined.
"Tell Uncle Sid you're sorry." Peaches commanded, walking towards her mother and father.
"Okay, our little niece, we'll apologize." Eddie promised lowly. The possums sighed, "We're sorry, Sid."
"Okay, I forgive you." Sid smiled.
Rosalina smiled at this then leapt off the tree, landing in front of Manny's face, which caused the bull mammoth to scream. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I was trying to jump onto your back." Rosalina explained before climbing off his face and onto his back, like she said. Manny glared angrily until Ellie reminded him, "She didn't mean to, Manny."
"I know. I just don't like when that happens to me. Remember when we first met Buck? He did the same to me, and it still gets to me." He sighed.
Ellie just gave him a pat on the shoulder with her trunk before wrapping her trunk around Peaches and lifting her off the ground.
Ever since Buck and Jenna walked through the valley, they had not said anything to each other and it was killing the both of them. Jenna really wanted to chat with Buck, but she felt really depressed and didn't feel like talking to anyone right now. This was making Buck feel even more worried for his friend. Wot's bothering 'er? He asked himself every ten seconds. Buck turned his head to see Jenna's head down with tears rolling down her cheeks.
That's it! I'm going ta' find out wot's wrong with Jen. I can't stand seein' 'er like this. Buck told himself boldly. He was determined to make Jenna feel better.
Jenna slowly turned her head to see Buck staring at her. Like she did before, she made a move to wipe away her tears. But, to her surprise, Buck caught her wrist, making sure to keep his grip gentle, but firm. "Don't pretend that nothin's wrong, lass. It's okay ta' cry. Just let it out." He told her softly. It didn't take long before Jenna collapsed into his arms and started sobbing.
"Jenna, please tell me wot's wrong. I'm getting worried about you." Buck whispered while holding her in his arms.
"I wish I could tell you, but I'm just too scared." Jenna gasped through sobs.
Many aardvarks, beavers, and hedge hogs stopped what they were doing and stared at the two weasels. "Ay! Wot' are ya' lookin' at? Go on, nothin' ta' see here." Buck shooed them away. Shrugging, the mammals went back to what they were doing previously. "Come on, Jen, let's find a mo' quiet place so you can tell me wot's the matta'." He muttered to her.
They walked into a small den and sat down. Jenna kept her gaze plastered to the sun setting sky. Buck wrapped his arms around her comfortingly then asked, "Jenna, wot's goin' on? Is something botherin' you?"
"Buck, just don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Jenna tried to persuade him again, but she knew that he wasn't buying it.
She sighed sadly before muttering, "Buck, I'm in love with you."
"Wot'?" Buck asked, not hearing her.
"I said that I'm in love with you." She muttered a little louder so he could hear her. Jenna started sobbing again with her face turned away from him, not wanting to see the look on his face.
Buck's blue eye widened, shocked by what he had just heard. She's…in….love…with….me? Why didn't she tell me when I asked her wot' was wrong in the first place? He thought. He shook his head and kept his arms wrapped around her, consoling her. "Jen, is that why you are cryin'?" Buck asked her as she continued to cry.
"My emotions for you got to me. I was scared that you wouldn't feel the same way. I understand that you're still trying to cope after your wife's death and I know that you don't want to replace her. It's okay if you don't feel the same way. I don't know what you would see in me anyways. I'm too fragile and too much of a wuss when it comes to fights." Jenna whimpered, still not turning her head to face him.
Buck exhaled through his nose. He knew that, now, it was the right time to tell her how he felt for her. Jenna finally turned her head, revealing her tear-stained face. Buck sighed and lifted his left paw to Jenna's face, caressing her cheek. Jenna started to blush and averted her gaze bashfully, smiling as she did so.
"There's that smile." Buck said, giving her a smile of his own, which made Jenna smile wider. He chuckled softly before removing his paw from Jenna's cheek and pulling her into a hug. Jenna hugged him back then pulled away slowly, holding Buck's paws in hers.
After staring at Jenna for half a minute, Buck sighed, "Jen, there's something I want ta' tell you." This is it. He thought excitedly, but nervously as well. He made sure Jenna gave him his undivided attention before he could start, which she did.
Buck felt really nervous, but he knew that now was the time to tell her. Finally, he took a deep breath then asked her, "Do you rememba' that day I told you about my wife's death?" Jenna nodded. Then, he asked her, "Do you rememba' when you told me that I wasn't the only one that talked ta' nonlivin' things?" She nodded again.
Fo' gosh sakes, Buckminsta', tell her! His conscience told him impatiently. Buck sighed, "That made me feel like I had somebody that understood me. Lass, I've been tryin' ta' move on, and, Jen, you helped me so much. I've seen the way the girls have looked up ta' you. You're like a motha' ta' them. They always tell me how beautiful, sweet, and compassionate you are. And, they're right about you. I could tell, because I'm always around you, and I see almost everything you do ta' make the girls feel betta' or smile. Yes, I know you and Roxanne have started off wrong, but you two eventually became good friends, am I right?"
Buck waited for an answer. "Mmhm." Jenna nodded.
"Well, enough about the girls. Here wot' I was going ta' tell you." He started, "Jen, wot' I see in you is just…you. You're just compassionate, lovable, shy, brave, and…beautiful. Yes, it's going' ta' hurt me ta' replace ma' wife, but I know that she wants me ta' be happy. I am willing ta' do this fo' her. Jenna, the only female I'll eva' want ta' be with would be you."
Jenna's eyes started to glaze with happy tears. "Buck." She whispered softly. She realized that they were about to kiss and she got a little frightened. Her frightened face didn't go unnoticed by Buck.
"Don't be afraid." Buck reassured her. She looked at him with a small smile.
He chuckled a bit before pressing his lips to hers. Jenna's eyes widened, but closed and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. They yelped as they fell down, sideways. They started laughing, but made sure that either of them wouldn't break the kiss as they did so.
Meanwhile, in the herd's cave, everyone was asleep, except Rosalina, who was pacing back and forth, Roxanne, and Ellie. Ellie watched her from her resting spot, which was across from Manny and Peaches curled up against her side, asleep.
"Rosalina, sweetie, why don't you get some rest? It's getting late and I know that Buck and Jenna had not arrived yet and you're worried about them, but at least rest for a while until they come. If they do, I promise to wake you up." Ellie insisted.
"Oh, Ellie, I'm sorry. I'm just really worried about them. You right. I need to calm down and rest until they get here." Rosalina walked over to her and lay down beside Peaches. The she-mammoth sighed quietly before wrapping her trunk around her daughter and Rosalina, keeping them warm, and fell asleep.
Roxanne smiled at the three before walking over to Diego and settling down next to him. The saber-tooth cat opened his eyes and looked down to see Roxanne curled up against him, asleep. He felt a smile forming on his face as he stared at the sleeping she-weasel next to him. To tell the truth, he didn't have the heart to wake her up. Diego snapped out of his thoughts and fell asleep.
Buck and Jenna had already pulled away from their kiss and were now walking towards the herd's cave to pick up Rosalina and Roxanne, even though it was already nightfall. Jenna looked over at Buck and smiled shyly at him. He smiled back wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"The girls are going ta' have a little surprise when we get them." He said to her.
"I agree with you on that one." Jenna sighed sadly.
"Lass?"
"Buck, I've been alone for twelve years and I felt like no one would hold me and tell me that everything would be okay, or care for me, ugh, or even keep me company. But, that all changed when I met you and the girls. I want to thank you for being there for me when I needed you to hold me or tell me everything will be all right. Thank you so much."
Buck kissed her slowly on the cheek before whispering to her, "Jenna, you'll neva' be alone again. No' anymo'. Ma' girls and I will always be there fo' you, especially the herd."
"Thanks." She sighed, resting her head on Buck's shoulder. He smiled down at her and kept on walking alongside her.
After walking for miles, they had finally made it to the herd's cave. "Jen, we're here." Buck told Jenna, who was distracted by her thoughts. She jumped then asked, "What?"
"We're here, lass." He told her again.
"Oh, sorry. I kind of zoned out." Jenna averted her gaze in embarrassment. Buck chuckled then walked into the cave with one of Jenna's paws in his.
Ellie heard clicking sounds in the cave and slowly opened her emerald eyes to see Buck and Jenna walking towards her. She carefully got up from her sleeping spot, hoping Peaches wouldn't wake up. To her relief, her daughter was still sleeping peacefully with Rosalina by her side, sleeping as well. "Rosalina was worried about you two. Did something happen?" The she-mammoth asked them quietly, making sure not to wake anyone.
Buck smiled down at Jenna then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She blushed a bit before smiling back. Ellie took the hint and beamed, "You two are together? That's amazing! I'm pretty sure your girls are going to be extremely excited once they find out."
"Aye, lass. That's wot I told Jen befo' we go' here." Buck gently squeezed Jenna's shoulders together with his arm in an affectionate gesture. She smiled at him and entwined her tail around his.
Ellie smiled at the pair before lightly nudging Rosalina with her trunk. Falling out of her oblivion of sleep, Rosalina woke up, groaning softly and adjusting her eyesight as she did so.
She looked up at the she-mammoth, confused. Ellie saw this and whispered, "Buck and Jenna are here, sweetie." The young she-weasel turned her head, and, sure enough, she saw Buck and Jenna standing right in front of her. Being careful not to wake Peaches, Rosalina got up and tiredly walked towards them.
"What took you two so long? I was worried sick." She asked in a whisper. Buck pulled Rosalina into a gentle hug before answering her question. "And, two certain weasels will be pairin' up. I'm no' gonna say who. "He finished, smirking at his foster daughter.
It took a while for Rosalina to understand what he meant. After she finally caught on and asked, "Oh, my gosh, you two are together now? Roxanne, get up!"
The blue-cladded she-weasel ran up to where Diego and Roxanne were and started shaking her sister's shoulder. Disappointed to have lost her oblivion of sleep, Roxanne woke up. She whispered sharply, "What?"
"Buck and Jenna are together now!" Rosalina answered with excitement in her tone.
"How do you know? They're not here." Roxanne muttered, getting up slowly from her sleeping spot.
"Yeah, they are. Come on." Carelessly, Rosalina dragged her tired sister by her arm and walked over to Buck and Jenna.
"Ay, lass. Did you have a nice sleep?" Buck asked Roxanne, who still seemed like she was sleepwalking. He chuckled then lifted her off the ground.
"How about you rest a little longa', lass." Buck insisted, adjusting his arms to support Roxanne's weight.
"Will do." She muttered before nuzzling into his chest and falling asleep immediately. Yes, more sleep. Thank you, Buck. She smiled at the thought then yawned quietly.
"We're sorry that we barged in like this." Jenna whispered to Ellie, grabbing Buck's knife from his paw so he could hold Roxanne without worrying about dropping his knife or Roxanne on the ground.
"No, sweetie, it's fine." She whispered back.
"Hey, Ellie, give the others a hug in the morning and tell them that the hugs were sent from me to them." Rosalina beamed as she walked towards the entrance of the cave where Buck and Jenna waited for her with Roxanne in Buck's arms.
The three weasels waved goodbye to Ellie as she waved back with her trunk. As they got closer to the cave after walking for miles, Rosalina bit her lip before whispering, "Buck, I met my real father today." Buck froze in his tracks. "Wot'?" He asked in a whisper, confused and slightly upset.