Book 2: Breaking the Ice Chapter 35
The weasels were almost to the herd's cave when Buck turned his head to stare at the sleeping kit in Jenna's arms. "After that saber attack, she must have gotten pretty tired." Jenna whispered to him. She must have noticed that I was staring at her. Buck thought, but then ignored his thought.
"Buck," Jenna looked from the sleeping Celine to Buck. He met her gaze, giving her his attention and waiting for what she was going to ask or say. The she-weasel sighed then continued, "Do you want to take Celine in? I mean, I know you already have two foster daughters, but maybe, if you agree to take Celine in, we can tell her about our adventures. If you say no, I understand."
Buck's eye widened. That question wasn't expected from Jenna. "I'll give you time to think." She muttered. He stood in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. Buck placed his paws on her shoulders, but made his grip gentle; Jenna's left arm was injured.
"I'm scared." He admitted, looking down at the ground, embarrassed.
Jenna moved Celine to her uncovered arm and lifted Buck's chin with her left paw to get him to look at her. "What are you scared of?" She asked finally, her eyes showing her concern for him. After hesitating a bit, Buck answered, "I'm scared that I'll lose another daughter."
Rosalina's ears flattened against her head, her cerulean eyes filling up with tears. "You almost lost Roxanne because of me." She whispered. Buck and Jenna turned their heads to see a guilty Rosalina behind them.
They both sighed sadly before Buck reminded her, "Rosy, fo' the last time, Roxanne's death was no' your fault, lass." Rosalina turned her head away from their direction, dropped Buck's knife on the snow-covered ground, and walked away from them.
"Where are you going?" Jenna called after her. Rosalina answered without turning her head,
"You two do not need me. I'm the reason why we're always in danger, I'm the reason why Roxanne is probably going suicidal and why my mom is dead, I'm especially the reason why Jenna got hurt! You deserve a better daughter than me. I'm nothing more than an accident."
Buck couldn't take it anymore. He ran towards her and forcefully turned her to where she was facing him. Rosalina looked at him with shock and sadness as he hugged her. She tried to jerk away from his grip, but he held on to her. He looked down at her and planted a fatherly kiss on the top of her head.
Teary-eyed, he whispered to her, "Rosy, I do need you. You are the best thing that's eva' happened ta me. First of all, you didn't cause danga' ta approach. It just comes. Second, you didn't cause your motha ta' die. Your motha' was in Tim's grasp. Your were a little kit back then. There was nothin' you could do ta stop 'im. Lastly, you didn't cause Jen ta' get hurt. The sabers were trying ta' attack her, Rosy. But, she fought them back and she won. She may have gotten hurt, but she's all right now."
"And you are no accident. Tim didn't know what he was talking about when he said that to you. He was clearly blind and didn't know how sweet, caring, loving, talented, and strong you are. No matter what anybody says, you'll always be Buck's girl. The other thing is, we beg you not to kill yourself because of Roxanne's death. Like Buck said before, that wasn't your fault. It just happened." Jenna added, wrapping her free arm around Buck's shoulders.
Rosalina randomly began half laughing and half crying softly. Buck smiled at the sound of her laughing, along with Jenna. Rosalina looked up at them and giggled, "All right. You two win. I'm sorry I have not been myself since my twin's death. It's just that…we were such close sisters. We always looked out for each other, took care of each other, and did everything together. Not only was Roxanne my sister, she was my friend, my protector, and my comforter. It killed me when I saw her kill herself right in front of me. Now, I feel like the world around me turned grey. Last night, I heard Peaches crying for my sister in her sleep. It tore me up! I didn't want to tell you this, but I decided to go anorexic. *sighs* Also, I start to feel tired most of the time, I'm not wanting to eat, I can't think straight, and…."
The three of them stopped in their tracks and looked down at Celine as she started to make quiet cooing sounds. Her green eyes fluttered open and she let out a small yawn. "Did you have a nice nap?" Rosalina asked the kit sweetly before taking her out of Jenna's arms and giving Buck's knife to her.
"We'll talk about it more when we get home." She whispered to them. Honestly, she didn't want to keep telling them about her problems, but she knew that they were worried about her and that they wanted to find out how to help her and make her feel better. Sighing through her nose, she continued to walk, but in a medium pace.
Jenna looked at Buck, seeing worry in his eye. She sighed, "What are we going to do with Rosalina? Bless her heart; she's been going through so much. I wish I knew what we could do to cheer her up and make her that happy, sweet, and energetic girl she was when I first met her."
"I know. It kills me ta see 'er so unhappy."
"We should think up a plan that might bring Rosalina to smiling again." Jenna paused for a minute to think. Buck stared at her, waiting for her suggestion. After a few minutes of thinking, Jenna gave up and muttered, "I got nothing. What about you?"
Buck thought for a moment. "Well, she's been dying ta learn how ta swing on a vine. And until I find a weapon fo' her ta use, I could teach her how ta fight with it." He heard Jenna sigh quietly.
"This is silly." She said. "What I think we should do in the meantime is that we give her our love and support. When she starts feeling a lot better, you can do what you suggested. I'll take Celine to meet Momma and her kids while you two have your father-daughter moment then we'll meet up again and do whatever else is planned."
She looked over at Buck, smiling as he nodded in agreement. "You're right." He returned the smile. They almost forgot that Rosalina was walking ahead of them and quickly rushed after her to catch up.
"You will love Roxanne, Celine. She's a big softy when it comes to little girls. Trust me, I think that my twin sister will love you." Rosalina looked from the kit to the sky. She smiled, "But, I know that she can see you and how happy I am to have you with us –me, Buck, Jenna, and soon, the herd and my real dad once you meet them."
Her smile grew when she heard Celine laugh happily and began to nuzzle her. "I'm glad you're in a good mood. I've been so depressed ever since my sister died. I don't expect you to understand because you're a baby. Don't take that seriously though. You'll understand better when you get a little older. Anyway, with you being in the best of moods, you are kind of lightening my afternoon and making me feel a little happy."
Rosalina was shocked that Celine was actually listening to her. She realized this by looking at the way she looked at her while she was talking about how she was feeling. "Rosy." She said with a comforting smile. Rosalina looked at her, shocked.
She grinned then whispered, "Your first word." She was so….touched. Her name was Celine's first word. She felt….a little happier than she was the past few days this week when she heard Celine say her childhood nickname. Now, she just needs to learn my full name, but this will do for now. Rosalina thought happily.
Then, Celine started to laugh when Buck and Jenna appeared on either side of Rosalina. Rosalina turned her head left and right to see them. "Buck, Jenna, she learned her first word!" Jenna looked at the green-eyed kit, amazed by the news, as was Buck.
"Wot was her first word, lass?" Buck asked. Really, he was shocked that he was interested in finding out what Celine had said.
"Rosy." Celine said again, but with a little giggle. Jenna gasped softly before covering her mouth with her paws.
"Aw, Celine! You're such a smart girl!" She praised the kit in a baby tone. Buck just smiled sweetly at the little girl. Celine noticed and returned the smile.
When they reached the herd's cave, they were welcomed with soft gasps and smiles. Rosalina caught their gazes. That's when she, Buck, and Jenna realized that they noticed Celine. "Everyone, this is Celine. Jenna and I found her this morning behind a bush when we were trying to find somebody's kids to baby-sit. But, we ran into trouble once we got out from behind it. We were attacked by sabers. Celine and I didn't get hurt, but…."
She showed Jenna's leaf bandaged arm. Everybody, except Manny, gasped. "Does it hurt?" Ellie asked Jenna.
"It did, but Buck found me in time and helped me fight those sabers off. I almost lost all the blood in my arm; Buck worked quickly to stop the bleeding. So, now I'm all right, and so are Rosalina and Celine. Nothing to worry about." She reassured them with a broad smile.
Sid walked over to the injured she-weasel. He said truthfully, "I'm glad you're all right." The sloth got down to her level and let her hug him. Buck smiled at the two before walking over to Manny, Ellie, and Diego.
Rosalina walked over to Peaches and smiled sweetly. "Peaches, I would like you to meet Celine. Celine, I would like you to meet Peaches, Manny and Ellie's daughter." She set the kit down to let her get a closer look at her new acquaintance. She watched nervously as they stared at each other. To her relief, they started laughing and playing together.
Peaches lifted Celine onto her back and ran with the little she-weasel holding on to her. Rosalina laughed softly at the scene then looked over at Diego and Buck, who were talking about whatever.
Jenna sighed as she watched everyone talking to somebody except her until Ben told her to meet him outside the cave.
Jenna's POV
I watched as everybody was talking to one another, leaving me the only one with nobody to talk to. That is until Ben called for me from outside the cave. First, I made sure nobody was paying attention. To my relief, they were still talking. I quietly walked out of the cave with Ben watching my every move as if I were the prey of a hawk. Once I was outside, he pressed his lips to mine.
Scared, I harshly pushed him away and snapped, "What the huckleberries are you thinking?" Ben gave me a sick smirk then sighed.
"Buck pranked me this morning while you and Rosalina were out. I swore that I was going to get revenge. He did apologize, but sorry wasn't good enough for me."
I placed a paw on my hip and asked, "So, you decided to put me in the middle of this?"
He didn't answer, but pulled me into another kiss. I screamed into his mouth and tried to push him away from me again. Unfortunately, his grip on me was tight. Buck, help me! I thought as I tried to fight my way out of his grasp.
As soon as I finally did, I slapped him hard across the face. Part of me wanted to regret what I had done, but the other part of me said that he deserved it now haul your butt back in that cave.
When he wasn't looking, I quickly ran back inside the cave, wanting to get away from Ben ASAP. Whatever that means. Before I made it inside, Ben grabbed my uncovered arm and pulled me back. "No! Mmph!" Once again, Ben's lips were on mine.
I began to squirm in his arms, dying to get away. Little did I know that Buck heard my cry and ran out to see what was going on.
My baby blue eyes filled up with tears when I saw Buck's shocked and angry face. I gave him the look that said, 'please help me'. He nodded before marching over to Ben and giving him a hard punch in the face. My eyes widened in shock.
I could have sworn that I heard loud crack after the impact. When Ben let me go, I screamed as I fell to the ground. Luckily, Buck caught me and held me protectively and tightly.
We watched Ben place a paw on his face where Buck had punched him. I could see anger in his hazel eyes and blood dripping from his nose when he raised his head.
"Wot were you trying ta do ta Jen?" Buck asked Ben angrily with a growl. I turned my head to see the herd watching the dispute from the cave. Gosh, Buck, why did you have to prank Ben? I thought irritably with my cheeks burning from the heat of embarrassment.
"Dad," I heard Rosalina and Roxanne say with worry in their voices. "What is going on?" They asked him slowly. Ben just stared at her, not saying a word. Then, he stared at the rest of us, shook his head, and left.
End of POV
Buck looked down at Jenna and said, "If he eva' comes near you again, I will kill 'im." Jenna held one of his paws and squeezed it gently.
"Hey, it's all right. He was trying to get back at you after you pranked him. I don't know why he chose to put me in the middle of it, but he did. Anyway, what did you do that made Ben so mad?"
She stared at him for a while before Buck pointed at Crash and Eddie and accused, "It was their idea!" Jenna chuckled at his immature answer, but then got serious.
"Okay. What did you three do that made Ben so mad?"
That's when Crash burst into laughter. "You should have been there, Jenna. His face was priceless! Okay, so, Buck came over to the playground to see us and he told us his plan. What happened was Buck woke up Ben and when Ben reached the exit of the cave, Eddie and I pulled the vine that wrapped around his foot. Then, to make it even more hilarious, we set up a bowl of mashed berries that was set to tip over as soon as we the vine snare trapped him with the vine. Oh, it was pure gold!"
Jenna's eyes widened. She really wanted to laugh, even though she knew it was a horrible prank. Crash and Eddie followed the rest of the herd members back into the cave, leaving Buck, Jenna, and Rosalina outside.
When they were distracted again, Jenna and Rosalina gave Buck 'the look'. Confused, he shrugged. "Wot?"
"You. Pranked. My. Biological. Dad. Is that funny to you?" Rosalina growled through her gritted teeth. Buck sighed. He should have known that Rosalina was going to react like this. I hope she doesn't round-house kick me. He thought.
"I thought it was hilarious!" Roxanne chuckled, but stopped when Rosalina gave her a death glare.
"I can't believe this! The least you could do was to get to know him!" Jenna turned her head to
Rosalina and said, "Rosalina, sweetie, get Celine and tell the herd bye. I need to talk to Buck privately." The teenager nodded and did as she was told.
Once she was gone, the baby blue-eyed she-weasel turned back to Buck and asked, "What is wrong with you? All I wanted you to do was to befriend Ben, but no! You just prank him and showed disrespect." She crossed her arms and gave him an angry glare.
"Lass, I was just having some fun with him."
"Oh! So, you're saying that pranking somebody innocent is hilarious?"
"I apologized!"
"Sometimes, sorry isn't good enough!" Jenna then turned her back on him, but still stood where she was. Buck wrapped his arms around her, entwining his tail with hers. He placed his chin on her shoulder. "Hey, I won't do it again."
"Promise?" Jenna asked skeptically, not believing him until she looked down at him to see that he meant it.
"I promise." Buck replied truthfully.
The face he made right then and there made all the tension from Jenna's shoulders go away. She couldn't stay mad at him forever. Aw, what the heck. She thought in defeat as she turned to face him. Jenna pulled him into a brief kiss then pulled away to caress his uncovered cheek.
"I love you. Sorry I snapped at you." She whispered, stroking his cheek with her thumb. Buck hugged her close and whispered back, "I love you, too. I'm sorry I made you mad."
"Apology accepted." She giggled softly. There was a silence between the two until Jenna sighed.
"Well, I guess we should say goodbye to the herd." Buck nodded in agreement and followed her into the cave, where Rosalina and Celine were hugging Sid and Peaches, the last two they went over to say bye.
"We'll miss you so much." Rosalina said as she and Roxanne hugged Sid.
"Miss you." Celine said to Peaches as she and the baby mammoth hugged. Jenna smiled at the view, as did Buck.
"I wish you could stay a little longer." Ellie said to the weasels once they were done saying their goodbyes and they were now standing near the exit. Buck wrapped an arm around Jenna's shoulders; Jenna rested her head on his shoulder.
"Me, too, but there's a lot places I need ta show ta Jen back in our paradise, and I need to teach her self-defense." Jenna's cheeks were tinted a blood-red color when he said this, causing Buck to chuckle. With that, they left, leaving the herd to watch them walk away.
Buck's POV
As we walked, I couldn't help but look at Rosalina, who seemed to still be mad at me. She had her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. I couldn't blame her. I guess I should apologize ta her as well.
"Rosy." I called. She didn't turn her head, but she replied, "What?"
"I'm sorry fo' pranking your fatha'. I promised Jen that I wouldn't do that again."
"Thank you. Apology accepted." Rosalina turned her head. I was happy to see her smiling a bit. I guess she felt the same way. She hugged me, giving me a little squeeze in the middle of it. I saw Jenna and Roxanne smile at us as we hugged. I smiled back.
Once we pulled away, I wrapped an arm around Jenna's shoulders. She gave me a small smile, but it was not one of her truly happy smiles. It was one of her upset, depressed smiles.
Worried, I asked, "Jen, are you all right?" Jenna sighed sadly before averting her gaze. "Jen, love, please tell me wot's wrong." I begged almost desperately.
I watched as Jenna picked up Celine and began to rock her back and forth slowly. Then, she sighed again. Finally, she whispered, "I'm sorry."
"Fo' wot?" I asked, obviously confused. She looked down to see Celine's worried face.
Jenna sighed in defeat and answered, "I betrayed you. Ben was forcing himself on to me, and I didn't have enough strength to stop him. He was kissing me forcefully and I was hardly strong enough to push him away."
I rubbed her shoulders comfortingly, staring at her sympathetically as I did. "Lass, don't apologize. It wasn't your fault. You didn't know he was going ta' do that ta' you."
"I know, but I still feel awful." Jenna then received a hug from Celine, only cheering her up just a little. "Thank you, sweetheart. I needed that." The little kit giggled and started nuzzling Jenna.
She's such a sweet girl. I thought when I saw this. I quickly got back to the topic after a brief silence. "Don't feel that way, lass. If he lays a claw on you again, I'll go to extreme measures." I promised. I was happy to see Jenna smile brightly at me. Well, at least she's feeling a little better.
"Don't you always go to the extreme?" Jenna quizzed teasingly, causing me to chuckle. I felt so much better that Jenna was feeling better after that incident. And I'm pretty sure Jenna is, too.
I smiled softly with a blush when Jenna kissed me on the cheek. "Aw!" I heard Celine sigh, her forest green eyes shimmering with happiness.
"Thank you for cheering me up, Buck." Jenna thanked me gratefully. I squeezed her shoulders affectionately.
As soon as we got to the hole that took us back to Dinotopia, which is what Rosalina calls our paradise, Jenna looked down at her necklace and whispered, "Even though I couldn't take all my memories of you, mom and dad, I'll always have this necklace to remember you by. I hope you are happy for whom I am and happy that I found somebody who cares so much about me just by looking in his eye. I will always love you mom and dad. May you watch over us, day and night."
I kissed her head once she finished and complimented, "That was beautiful."
"Thanks." She replied with her usual shy blush. "Mommy." We looked down to see Celine nuzzling Jenna again before repeating, "Mommy."
Jenna smiled down at her then to me. "Do you want to take her in?" She asked me, her eyes filled with tears.
"Oh, please, Buck! We promise to help Jenna take care of her!" Rosalina and Roxanne begged desperately. Well, I always wanted a kid. Why not?
With an approving smile, I nodded. I watched as Jenna, Roxanne, and Rosalina hugged Celine gently. Eventually, I joined their hug and took Celine into my arms. We pulled away so that the little lass wouldn't suffocate. She must have noticed my eye patch because she reached up to touch it. When she pulled her paw away, I saw sympathy in her eyes.
I smiled reassuringly at her and said, "It doesn't hurt anymore, lass. I'll tell you the story about my patch when we get home." That's when I felt her arms wrap around my neck and her head rest against my chest. I turned to Roxanne, Jenna, and Rosalina and said, "Let's go home."
They both smiled at me then walked beside either side of me. I turned my head to see Jenna stand still. She was looking at the sky before she said, "I love you mom and dad." I nodded as she looked back at me and nodded, signaling me that she was ready to leave now.
I could tell it was going to be hard for Jenna, but I knew that she would be all right. Once she gets around in our paradise, she'll feel happy and free. We crawled into the hole and returned to paradise and Jenna's new home.
End of POV