"Private Tux. "

The polite clapping followed the HeadMaster's voice and said teen, nervously fount himself making his way on stage. From the corner of his eye he could Uncle Nigel smiling proudly but no matter how much he looked he could not find his Mother.

Disappointed but not all that surprised, Private shook the HeadMaster's hand and turned to give the crowd a salute, as was tradition. Mid-salute he froze as he noticed something he hadn't before: a woman in a brilliant crimson dress and trench-coat stood, mostly hidden by shadows, by herself in the very back of the room.

Private couldn't stop the large smile from coming to his face as his blue eyes shined. He knew that face, he had seen it most of his life after all.

It seems Mother made it after all.


Red shifted uncomfortably in her dress as she watched Private smile brightly. Part of her wanted to laugh at the sheer irony of a Sova graduating from the Penguin Academy but another part of her was filled with pure parental pride. Seeing Private again was well worth wearing the monstrosity that woman called a dress and the icing of the cake was that no Penguin even recognized her as they all- minus Nigel and Rockgut- thought the Red Squirrel was a man.

"Mom!"

Red couldn't help but laugh as she was tackled by Private, who was still smiling that hundred watt smile of his. She didn't really care if anyone was staring, with strength that surprised several watching Red lifted her son up and hugged him tightly. God she had missed him.