Chapter 18:- A goodbye to new friends

Tramp, Scamp and Collette followed Rita along the streets of New York, the sun high in the sky, it was mid day buy the time the group turned round the corner leading down the street to the Foxworth mansion; the group stopped. "I think you can make it from here," Rita said. "Aren't you coming with us?" Collette asked, confused. "Sorry kid, but I don't want to impose on a family moment." She looked at Tramp, "you sure you don't want to come? I'm sure it'll be no problem, Lady will want to thank you-"
"Sorry handsome, but I try to avoid meeting the partner, never ends well," Rita winked. "But don't worry, I'll swing round tomorrow to see how you're all doing. Promise." Tramp and Rita shared a smile as they pressed together in a hug, bidding farewell to each other. "I never could have done it without you, thank you," Tramp said. "Oh, I have no doubt about that," Rita teased, "but if anyone had a chance, it'd be you. See ya later, street dog." Rita bent down to nuzzle the kids, "look after each other, wont you," she whispered to them. "Don't worry, we've got each others backs," Scamp declared with pride. Rita smiled as she left them, strutting down the street humming some tune.
"Right kids, this is it," Tramp exhaled, "lets get back to our family." They made their way down to the house and headed round the back. They walked up to the doggy door and stopped, Scamp and Collette looked at each other, then Collette stepped through, followed by Scamp and Tramp. They were in the kitchen, but it was empty, talking could be heard from the other room, familiar voices. They could hear footsteps, someone approaching the kitchen. It was the butler, humming to himself as he carried a silver tray with cups on it. When he walked into the kitchen and saw the group of dogs there, he let out a yelp of surprise, the tray and cups flying into the air before crashing down loudly.
"Winston! Everything alright," Mr Foxworth called from the other room, dashing into the kitchen. His eyes fell upon Tramp and the children and his jaw dropped. "Oh my. Everyone, come have a look at this!" There was a rumble from all areas of the house as people converged to the kitchen. Vanessa and Miss Foxworth came in first with Jim Jr, a moment after that Jim and Jenny squeezed in, the large kitchen was beginning to look rather small. They all stood still in shock at the three scruffy, dirt covered dogs wagging their tails and looking at them with love in there eyes. "Scamp, Collette, Tramp?" Jim asked, Tramp woofed in response. "I don't believe it!" Jim cried as he rushed forward to scoop the pups up in his arms. Everyone in the room brightened up immediately as he hugged the pups, before putting them back down. Vanessa held Jim Jr's hand as they walked over to the puppies, Jim Jr giggling and smiling as he pet the pups, his mum fought back tears of happiness. Jenny had run to Tamp and joined Jim in stroking the dog. "Good boy! Good boy! You did it old pal!" Jim cheered as he ruffled Tramps scruffy fur, who barked happy in response.
"Here, come with me boy, you to puppies," Jim said, as he walked out the kitchen, Tramp and the kids close behind. Jim lead them to a door, "someone's been missing you," he pushed the door open gently. The group of dogs moved inside, it was a big reading room, with books on shelves and comfy chairs, and there was a fireplace on the opposite side of the wall. sitting in front of the fire was a silhouette of a small shape, a dog curled up into a ball. "Mum?" Collette asked. Her ears pricked up instantly, her body shifted round to face them. "Collette?" a shaky voice echoed, "Is it really you?"
"Yes mum," Collette whispered.
"And Scamp?"
"Yes."
Lady ran right towards them, barking with joy, before bundling into them, so they were all piled on the floor. "Oh! My children, my children!" She licked them both, her tail wagging uncontrollably. From behind the chairs four more figures appeared, Tramp recognised his other two little girls immediately as they rushed forward to greet their siblings. Oliver and Georgette stayed back, realising this was a family moment. As all the fuss and attention was on the kids, Tramp just awkwardly stood there. "Don't think I forgot about you there, my love," Lady smiled, walking over to him and hugging him tightly, eyes still watery. "I knew you'd bring them back safe," she whispered to him. "It wasn't just me, I had some help from a couple of friends," Tramp whispered back.
Scamp and Collette were being bombarded with questions from their siblings. "Where did you go?"
"What did you do?"
"Did you almost die?"
"Alight, alright, we'll answer all your question later," Tramp raised his voice over the babbling. The door opened and everyone came in, celebrating and wanting to give the dogs attention. Wilson came through the crowd with a tray filled with bowls of pedigree dog food. "Uh! My food," Georgette huffed. Oliver looked at her, "well, I suppose it's alright now, given the circumstances. But I don't want them to get used to it," she mumbled. Oliver couldn't help but smile at her. While everyone was eating, Tramp backed away to see Oliver. "I'm glad you found them," Oliver said warmly. "Yeah, but I couldn't have done it without you." Oliver laughed, "you mean the greatest street dog in New Old England Town."
"I wasn't the only street dog that did this," Tramp said back, "met some old friends of yours. Including a very colourful character, a scruffy Terrier." Oliver looked at Tramp with a glint in his eyes, "you don't mean..." he gasped. Tramp said nothing, but nodded his head.

It had been two days since the showdown with Roxett, and Dodger had been patched up, again. Nancy's owners had gone of to school and work, and Dodger had been cooped up inside a house for too long, and was antsy to get out. So, against Nancy's judgment, he insisted he was going to the Foxworth mansion to see Tramp and his family. A compromise was made when Nancy agreed to go with him. By chance Rita was on her way to visit them when they started to leave, so she came along as well. Walking (Dodger limping) down the street, Dodgers heart started beating faster, his breaths more rapid. Rita noticed his behaviour, "Dodger, its ok," she soothed him. Dodger stopped at the beginning of the street to the Foxworth's. "I can't do this," he said through gritted teeth, as his body began to shake. "Hey, hey," Nancy cooed, "We'll be right here with you, right Rita."
"Right," She nodded her head, before saying, "common, the kids will want to see you. And Oliver." Dodger stopped shaking, "Oliver?" he looked at her, lips twitching into a slight smile. "I haven't seen the kid in ages," he said uncertainly, "what makes you think he'll want to see me?" Rita winked at him, "trust me, he'll want to see you." Dodger looked from Rita to Nancy, both being so kind and patient with him. He was comforted by the fact they were both there with him, supporting him. It almost felt like the old days, with Fagin's gang; but this was different, in the gang they were all friends and he was the leader. But here, this felt more fulfilling, "is this what family felt like?" Dodger thought to himself.
"Ok. I'm ready," Dodger nodded. The three of them walked down towards the Foxworth's mansion. As they approached the front, they could hear noises round the back, barking and talking. They made their way to the back garden, stopping at the gate. There they all were, Tramp, Scamp and Collette, with what they assumed was his wife and other two daughters. The humans were there as well, grownups and kids, Dodger recognised a couple, like Winston the butler, Georgette the pampered poodle and Jennie, the girl he once helped save from Sykes. Curled up on Jennies lap was a orange cat. Dodger felt a warmness spreading through him. He barked a couple of times to grab everyone's attention.
They all paused and looked up, the humans with confusion and the dogs with joy. "Hey guys!" Tramp called out, running over to them, followed by the rest of the family, the pups bounding along. Georgette stayed put, huffing at the attention that was taken away from her. "Dodger, Rita, Nancy! You came back!" Collette yelped excitedly, running round their legs. "We knew you would," Scamp chimed in, running up to Dodger. "I'm so glad you've come," Tramp said. "We wouldn't have let you go without saying goodbye," Rita winked at Tramp, then saw Lady next to him. "And you must be Lady." Lady nodded, "I am, Rita, isn't it? There is no way I can repay you for what you've done."
"Don't mention it, sister. And let me tell you it's great to see the girl that tamed such a wild street dog, you're very impressive." Lady blushed under her fur, "Oh-well-thank you," she stammered unexpectedly at such a compliment.
Annette and Danielle stared up at Nancy, "Hello there," she said in a soft tone. "Did you help save our sister and brother?" Annette asked. "Yes, I did, me and my friends." Awe filled their eyes as Danielle said "Thank you," softly and hugging her.
Meanwhile, the humans were all standing at the other end of the garden, confused. "Who are those strays?" Jim questioned. "I'm not sure, but they seem to know our little pack," David summarised. "I know some of them. That's Dodger, and that one's Rita," Jennie pointed at them individually. "How do you know them, darling?" Jennies mum asked. "They helped Oliver rescue me that time." While Jennie was talking Oliver got off her lap and slowly walked towards the rabble of dogs. He made his way through the crowed to stand in front of Dodger.
"Hey ya kid. How ya been?" Dodger asked meekly, afraid of the answer. "Dodger," Oliver paused, "I'm so glad to see you!" He jumped on the dog, he rolled over onto the side that didn't hurt. "Its good to see you to kid. You've grown up a bit since the last time I saw you." Oliver tapped him playfully, "then perhaps you should have seen me more. I didn't know what happened to you." Dodger looked guiltily at his friend. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that, but I've got one hell of a story to tell ya."
"Do you want to come play with us?" Collette asked excitedly to the trio. "Oh, yeah, common!" the other kids chimed in. They looked at each other, unsure. "Will your people be alright with that?" Nancy asked. "Oh, I should think so. They all love dogs, please come, its the least we can do to thank you," Lady insisted. "Alright then, lead the way," Rita nodded. With that they all retreated into the back garden to laugh, play and talk while the sun shone down on them, warming their body's as they lay on the grass.

The End