*Alright, the epilogue you've been waiting for. The longest epilogue I have ever written! Thank you all for being so patient, sorry it took so long!*
"Alright, lower that side a little." Woody said to Jack. They were hanging Dia De Los Muertos banners over the bed posts. Bonnie and her parents were at her grandmother's for the weekend. "There! That's perfect!" Jack jumped down and looked around the room. Banners were hung, colorful flowers were placed around the room, and marigold petals scattered the floor.
"All be darn, Sheriff. Jack said proudly. This place looks frightfully delightful."
"It sure does, honey. Nice job boys." Angelica said.
"Mom, why are we celebrating this holiday again? What is it called again?" Zach asked.
"It's called Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the dead. It's a celebration to honor loved ones who have passed on."
"That's right. Normally people would gather together with food and drinks to place on an altar for family. Jack said. There would also be pictures of family members."
"It is also said on the day of the dead that loved ones cross a bridge to come be with their families once more. Woody said. So maybe we'll see our loved ones tonight."
"Poppa, Poppa! Look!" Woody turned and saw his grandkids with freshly painted makeup on their faces that resembled skulls. Tori had red flowers in her hair to match her red dress, and Nick had on black suit that matched with a rose on the lapel.
"Wow, you both look amazing!" Woody said, setting his cane down and kneeling beside them. "Did Mom do that for you?"
"Yes, mama did do it and it turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself." Rosetta said, coming over with Owen. Both of them had on the same painted face as their kids.
"Rose insisted we all be matching for the party." He said, and then leaned in close to Woody. "We've become one of those families." Rosetta smacked him in the arm. "Hey, I'm joking babe." Woody chuckled.
"Mama said that we might get to see our parents tonight. Is she right, Poppa Woody?" Nick asked.
"Yes, Nicky. Your parents will be here, along with our friends, Pricklepants, and Dolly, and..."
"And Bebe? We will get to meet her, right Poppa?" Rosetta looked at her father. Woody sighed deeply.
"Yes. Yes you will." The room got quiet as Woody used the cane to get to his feet. Owen cleared his throat.
"Hey kids, why don't we get a few more things set up for the party, huh?" He said, leading them away. Jack, Angelica, and Zach went out the window to round up Joey and Izzie's toys. Rosetta went over to Woody.
"She'll be here, daddy. She said, taking his arm. Mom will be here, and she will get to meet her grandchildren." He smiled at her and they walked over, setting up last minute decorations. Later that night, the party was in full swing as mariachi music filled the room. Jessie and Buzz danced the salsa while Woody played his guitar. Everyone laughed and danced when they heard two voices.
"Well isn't this quite the shindig!" One voice said.
"Yes, quite the party, dear friends." The other voice said. Everyone turned and saw the spirits of Pricklepants and Dolly gliding over.
"Prickles!" Buttercup cried.
"Dolly!" Trixie shouted.
"Hello everyone! Dolly said. It's so good to see you all again."
"We are so sorry about what happened to you, Doll. I, I should've..."
"Don't even go there Butters, what happened to us wasn't your fault. Our time was cut short, but we are okay on the other side. We actually shacked up with your girl, Sheriff."
"Oh yes. She's got a nice farm house in the middle of a sunflower field. It's wonderful." Pricklepants said, making Woody smile. "She'll be here later, cowboy." They joined in on the party, dancing, singing and reuniting with their friends and family. They met Tori and Nick and instantly adored them. The party continued on. Nick and Tori were dancing when Nick spotted two people coming towards them.
"Tori, look." He gasped, turning her. She looked and gasped.
"Mommy! Daddy!" She ran towards a woman wearing a long sleeve floral shirt and jeans. Standing beside her was a man wearing a green shirt and khakis. The woman kneeled down and hugged Tori.
"Victoria! Oh, my darling. How I've missed you, sweetpea." She said.
"Daddy!" Nick yelled. The man scooped him up in a hug.
"Nicky, my little man, look at you!" The man said. Rosetta and Owen walked over, along with Jessie, Buzz, and Woody. The woman looked up, kissed Tori's cheek and stood up. She tossed her strawberry blonde hair out of her eyes and walked towards the group.
"Hello. You must be Rosetta and Owen. She said. I'm Chelsea, and that's my husband, Michael. We're..."
"Tori and Nick's parents, yes of course. Welcome. Rosetta said. We are so glad you could be here today. Nick and Tori are thrilled."
"It's wonderful to see them again. I do wish we had more time with them, especially Tori. The wind swept her away from us."
"We were able to spend our last moments with Nick, but unable to say goodbye to Tori. Michael said, wrapping an arm around his wife. We felt like we were betraying her in a way."
"You guys could never betray me. Tori said. I'm glad I get to see you both now, that's all that matters to me." Michael picked her up.
"That's my big brave girl." He said, kissing her cheek. He turned to Rosetta and Owen. "After we had passed, we watched over Nick and Tori, making sure they were safe. We were so happy when Nick had found you, Rosetta. You and Owen kept him safe until you found Tori. We are forever grateful for the two of you."
"Yes. We can't thank you both enough for taking care of them and taking them in. Chelsea said. We couldn't have asked for two loving, responsible adult toys to raise our children."
"Thank you, Chelsea. That means so much." Rosetta said. They continued talking and Woody watched from the side.
"Oh Bo, I wish you could see this." He said, sighing.
"Oh I see it, honey, and what a sight it is." He turned and saw his beautiful wife dressed in a red off the shoulder shirt and a flowing black ruffle skirt. On her head was a circle of red flowers. Woody was speechless, his mouth hanging open. Bo smiled and placed a finger under his chin, pushing his mouth closed. "Hola, mi guapo esposo." Woody chuckled and cleared his throat.
"Hola, mi bella esposa." Bo's eyes widened.
"Muy Buena! I see Buzz has been teaching you." She then fell into his arms, embracing him. He pulled her close, holding her tight. He touched her hair, which to his surprise was real. She felt him touching it and smiled. "I know what you must be thinking. Turns out in heaven, I can change certain things. I wanted real, flowing hair like our daughters. Do you like it?"
"I love it. You look amazing, darling. I miss you so much." Woody said.
"I miss you too. I think about you everyday on the porch swing in the front of the house. I picture you, and Rosetta, and everyone there with me. Pricklepants and Dolly are there with me. There is enough room for all of us to stay there together, when the time comes."
"That will be amazing, Bo. Until then, I'm glad you're here tonight. We all are."
"Mom? Mommy!" Rosetta shouted. They turned and saw their daughter running towards them, along with Jessie, Slinky, the rest of their family and two little kids.
"Rose! Bo said, taking her daughter in her arms. Oh my darling, how I've missed you."
"Bo!" Jessie and Slinky cried, hugging her.
"Jessie! Oh, I'm happy to see all of you! I've missed you all so much!"
"You got here just in time, mom. Rosetta said. There are two little kids who want to meet you." Bo looked at her daughter until she saw her leading two little kids forward. "Mom, I'd like you to meet your grandkids, Nickolas and Victoria." Bo looked at the kids, and then back at Rosetta.
"You, you found your kids? I, I have grandkids? Oh Rosetta!" She hugged her. "Oh my goodness, they are beautiful, honey. I'm so proud of you." She turned to the kids. "Hello, Nick, Tori, I'm your grandma, Bo."
"Hi Bo. Can we call you Bebe?" Nick asked.
"We picked it out for you. Tori said. We thought it went perfect for Bo-Bo. Is that okay?" Bo held back a sob and nodded.
"Yes. I like that name alot. Of course you can call me that." She hugged both of them, and then they took to the dance floor. They danced, laughed, and sang. During a slow song, Woody and Bo danced together on top of the dresser. Bo looked down at Rosetta dancing with Nick. "She did it, Woody. She found her kids."
"Just as we knew she would." Woody said.
"So why the name Bebe for me? There has to be some other reasoning behind it." Woody chuckled.
"It is latin for 'she who brings happiness'. It is a good fit if you ask me."
"Oh, and why's that?"
"You've brought happiness to so many people, Bo. Molly, Andy, our friends, our family, Rosetta, and myself. You radiate happiness, Bo, no matter who you come in contact with." Bo smiled wide.
"I am a pretty happy person, most of the time." He held her and caressed her cheek.
"You always made me happy. I became a better man, a better leader and a great father because of you. That amount of happiness is a memory that will forever live on in my heart, as well as everyone in this room." She looked down at her friends and family a second time and sighed.
"It will be hard not having everyone with me, but I know in my heart that they will be okay. I worry most about Jessie, Buzz, Rose, and you. Tonight is the only time I'll get to hug them and you. After that I can only watch. That's going to be so hard for me to do."
"That's why we have tonight, my love. This one time to spend together, hold each other, and enjoy being with our loved ones. And I know that no matter what, even when I can't see you, I'll know you're with me. I'll always know." She smiled, placed a hand on the back of his neck, and pulled him towards her, locking her lips onto his. He placed one hand on her back, holding her close, and the other hand on her cheek. The kiss was intense, electrifying, and over too soon, for she pulled back, eyes shining.
"Te amo, Woody. Forever." She said softly. He leaned forward and kissed her head.
"Te amo mass, Bo Peep. Forever and always." They kissed again and held each other. A strum of a guitar made them look up. Nicky had a small guitar in his hand, a gift from Owen, and began playing a familiar tune
Say that I'm crazy or call me a fool
but last night it seemed that I dreamed about you
When I opened my mouth
what came out was a song
and you knew every word
and we all sang along
Everyone gathered around listening to the boy sing about love living on forever. Chelsea and Michel stood with Owen and Rosetta. Tori stood between her mother and adoptive mom. Jessie and Buzz held each other, Dolly, PricklePants, Buttercup, and Trixie stood in a group, and Slinky, Rex, Hamm, and the Potato Head family stood together. Bo and Woody came down and joined Buzz and Jessie. One family standing together, united as one. They cheered as Nicky finished off the song.
Ay, mi familia, oiga, mi gente, canten a coro
Let it be known
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
*Alright guys, that is the end! Again, sorry it took so long, and I appreciate ya'll being so patient. I don't know if I'm going to write another Pride family story after this, but I have other ideas brewing. Till next time, stay safe, stay well, and Happy Thanksgiving!*
