Chapter 38: How I'm Feeling Part 1: Rad
Rad woke up in the early morning, as soon the sun entered through his room and hit his face. He sit up and stretched, while yawning, before taking and looking at his phone. When he noticed the date, he realized what day it was and wasn't up for the day ahead of him. In fact, he dreaded for that day ever since he came to learn the worst news he could possibly have months ago. "Happy birthday Em," Rad said in a whisper as he gets out of bed. Rad went to the bathroom and washed his face and brushed his teeth before heading to the kitchen to make his breakfast. Rad ate his breakfast, chewing his cereals in a way that seemed like he was being forced to do so. It was then that his phone buzzed. Rad went to get and noticed he had just receives a text from Frisky. Rad looked at his phone and read the text from his girlfriend.
Frisky
Good morning babe.
Rad
……
Rad
Good morning to you babe ;)
Frisky
……
Frisky
Hey I'll be a little late for dinner tonight but I'll be there.
Rad
…….
Rad
Don't worry about it Frisk I'll be fine waiting for you.
Frisky
…….
Frisky
Okay, I love you and I'll see you later
Rad
……
Rad
I love you too and I'll see you later :)
Rad put his phone down and continued eating his breakfast. Thoughts raced in his mind thinking about Emily since today was her birthday. He pondered what she would have thought about Frisky. She never got to meet her. In fact, Rad didn't got the time to tell her he had found new love at last. He would have to, but with her cancer, Rad simply didn't get the courage to do it. But then his thought went suddenly to the one person that should be have a much harder time than him at that day. "I wonder how Thomas is holding up?" Rad thought to himself. Rad hesitated to pick up his phone to check on his nephew because he too wasn't sure how he was holding up. "Hold it together, Rad," Rad said to himself, still hesitating to call his nephew. But his hesitation took the best of him. "Agh!" Rad said as he picked up his phone and called Stripe instead.
"Hey there, little bro, are you busy?" Rad asked his youngest brother. "No, not really, why do you ask, brother?" Stripe. "Do you want to meet for lunch later, mate?" Rad asked nervously. "Sure, that sounds good, but I have to confess I am surprised by the invitation, you don't normally ask me for anything… or Bandit for that matter, normally you expect to be invited, is everything alright?" Stripe asked confused. "Oh come on mate, can I just treat my favorite baby brother to lunch?" Rad said nervously. "But I'm not your favorite," Stripe said, still confused about what his brother was trying to do. "Just please meet me for lunch," Rad said, more seriously. "Okay, mate, there's no need to be so serious about it, just text me the place," Stripe said. Rad let out a sigh of relief. "Alright, mate, I'll see you then," Rad said before hanging up the phone. Despite feeling a little guilty for practically force Stripe to come lunch with him, he couldn't be happier that lunch would happen. Rad had texted his brother where to meet him at before doing his morning workout.
It was now noon with Rad sitting alone at the restaurant waiting for his youngest brother. Stripe then walked into the restaurant and then spotted his older brother. "Hey Brother," Stripe said as he sat down. "Hey mate," Rad said looking nervous. "Are you okay, mate? You look awful, are you sure you want to eat?" Stripe asked. "Yeah, I just…. need someone to talk to, that's all," Rad said, forcing a smile. But Stripe knew Rad very well. When Rad, a dog that always tried to be as happy as he could be, forced a smile like, that meant something was really going on and he was trying to hide it. "Okay, what's on your mind, mate?" Stripe asked. "I… um… have you talked to Bandit or Thomas today?" Rad asked nervously. "No, why?" Stripe asked. Rad looked down as he shook his leg. "You haven't checked on Thomas today? After what today is?" Rad asked, still acting nervous. "What's today?" Stripe asked confused. "It's Emily's birthday Stripe! And you're telling me you haven't talked to Bandit or Thomas at all today?!" Rad snapped at his youngest brother.
That overreacting attitude of Rad caught Stripe by surprised, but he was able to keep it cool. "Calm down mate, and no I haven't spoken to them, have you? You seem like you need to speak to them first," Stripe said trying to get his older brother to calm down. Rad sighed looking down away from his brother. "No, I'm too afraid to call them or reach out to them especially Thomas," Rad said now looking back at Stripe. "I mean, if I'm like this, can you imagine how Thomas may be feeling? Or Bandit?" Rad asked. "Rad mate, you should call them," Stripe said, trying to reassure his brother. "I can't," Rad said looking down. "Why not mate?" Stripe asked. "I… I don't know how Thomas is feeling on his mother's first birthday without him," Rad explained. "And Bandit… he dedicated a good part of his life to Emily, he put aside his own dream job for her… he was with her when I wasn't…" he added.
"What about you? It seems like you're taking it harder right now," Stripe said. "I am not!" Rad said getting defensive. "Mate, as far as I know, this is the first time you've really been talking about Emily since she died and now you're too nervous to call your nephew on her birthday, what are you really feeling mate?" Stripe asked, being straight forward. Remembering how Thomas acted out and got suspended from school, Rad let out a sigh before answering. "When I was talking to Thomas when he was grounded he really opened me up about her death," Rad confessed. "Have you kept this bottled up mate?" Stripe asked. "I think I have…" Rad answered. He felt Stripe putting a hand on his shoulder. "Call him," the younger Heeler simply said. "What?" Rad asked confused. "Call Thomas or better yet go to Bandit's house," Stripe said with a smile. "I don't know mate I…" Rad started to say. "Go! You need him right now," Stripe said knowing this was the right thing to do. Rad smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll go," Rad said standing up and heading to his truck.
After some time, Rad arrived to his brother's, with him parking in the same wild way he usually does. After he got out of the car, he headed towards the entrance, taking a deep breath before knocking at the door. A moment passed and it opened, with Bandit being the one to do it. "Rad, what a great surprise! It's quite unusual you coming by without warning. Shouldn't you be working?" Bandit asked. "I took the day off, because… Well, you know, because of today," Rad said. "Today?" Bandit asked, confused, realizing then what he meant. "Oh, right…" he said, in his awkward way. "I came to see how you and Thomas are doing, I can only imagine how hard it's being this day," Rad said. "Yeah, we did had a rocky start, that I can tell you…" Bandit replied. "Hey, can I come in? I want to see my nephew," Rad said. "Of course, he is at the living room," Bandit replied, letting his brother come in. The two of them went to the living room and Rad become quite surprised with what he found.
Chilli was sitting on the couch reading, all while Thomas was playing with Bluey and Bingo, with the two subduing their big brother and tickling him non-stop. "Please, have mercy of me!" he said, playfully while laughing. "You will learn to not tickle innocent pups, tickle monster," Bluey said. "Yeah, take these tickles," Bingo said. Rad couldn't believe in what he was seeing. He thought that Thomas would be all depressed because of that day being his mother's birthday, but… he was having fun with no worries at all… almost like that day was like any other. "But… what is happening here?" Rad asked. "It would appear the tickle monster had returned and tried to get some victims, but this time he found his match," Bandit told. It was then that Thomas noticed Rad. "Hey, uncle Rad," Thomas greeted. "Uncle Rad!" the girls shouted, happily, stopping tickling their brother. "Rad, what a nice surprise, and just in time, we're about to go lunch, if you haven't got any," Chilli said.
But it seemed like Rad hadn't listen that, because he was more focused on Thomas. "I can't believe this… Thomas, have you forgotten what day is this?" he asked. "Uncle Rad…" Thomas started. "How can you be here laughing and playing when knowing it's her birthday?" Rad asked. Bingo turned to her mother. "Mommy, why is uncle Rad upset?" she asked, a little nervous. Chilli could notice that as well and thought the best was to take the girls from the room. "Hey, girls, why don't we go upstairs to prepare everything for lunch?" she asked. Despite they wanted to stay, Bluey and Bingo ended up following their mother upstairs. "Uncle Rad… I know what today is, but…" Thomas started. "But what? Have you decided to forget all about it and just play around? You are her son after all!" Rad shouted. "Rad, stop, you're taking it too far, he's just a kid," Bandit said, trying to touch his older brother's shoulder. But before he could do that, Rad punched him on the face. "Dad!" Thomas exclaimed, going to his father.
"And you, Bandit… how could you do this? How could you let him forget all about her?" Rad asked, with tears on his side. "Rad…" Bandit said, looking at him while massaging the place where Rad punched him. "No… just… don't…" Rad said, with the tears no descending his face and retreating, running then towards the exit. "Rad!" Bandit called, while he and Thomas followed him. But when they arrived to the door, they saw Rad already entering his truck and then drive away. "Dad, are you okay?" Thomas asked to his father, concerned. "I'm okay, son, believe me, it's not the first time I took a punch from your uncle," Bandit replied. "But what gave to uncle Rad?" Thomas asked. "I think he's passing a bad moment… because it's your mother's birthday," Bandit replied. "Just like she was my first love, your mother was also your uncle's" he added. "We need to talk to him, we can't let him be like that, who knows what he might do," Thomas said. "I agree… I'll tell mum we'll have to skip lunch and then we'll talk to your uncle," Bandit said. "Do you think he went home?" Thomas asked. "No… but don't worry, I know perfectly well where he went," Bandit replied
Meanwhile With Rad….
Rad entered the family cabin with his eyes burning from crying. Rad sat in the living room where he and Emily once expressed their love for each other. Flashbacks raced through Rad's mind as he sat there thinking of Emily, remembering that moment that changed their lives forever. He couldn't help but remember her smile after their first time together, and how they hugged and kissed each other… and her laugh was still echoing in his head. All that caused Rad to break down again, holding himself while crying. Rad's heart was broken and it has been for some time and this would be the first time in over sixteen years he expressed that pain. "I'm sorry Emily I'm so sorry," Rad said while crying before picking himself up and heading out to the dock, where he just sat down, watching the lake.
Back with Bandit and Thomas…
Father and son were on their way to the family cabin, place which, according to Bandit was very special to both Rad and Emily. While Bandit was driving, Thomas couldn't help but to notice the bruise on his father's muzzle. A bad feeling started to in his stomach, caused by all that present situation, caused Thomas to not stop to worry about what would happen between his father and uncle. "Dad?" Thomas asked, looking at his father. "Yes mate?" Bandit asked, while driving. "Are you and uncle Rad going to be okay after this?" Thomas asked worried about his uncle and Fathers relationship. "Mate, you never turn your back on family no matter what, your uncle and I will be fine," Bandit explained. "Are you sure? It's just…" Thomas started, still uncertain. "We'll be fine, trust me, we've already passed through much worse," Bandit reassured him. Thomas nodded in response but still had his mind on his father's safety.
Once they arrived at the cabin, Bandit and Thomas spotted Rad sitting by the water on the dock. "Come on, mate," Bandit said unbuckling himself and getting ready to go to his brother. "Dad, wait," Thomas said keeping his dad in the car. "What's wrong son?" Bandit asked. "Dad, he's hurting more than I can imagine and he thought I forgot my mom's own birthday, he should know I wouldn't forget… I just don't understand why he would think that," Thomas said looking down. "Mate, like i said before, your mom was his first real love too… they could have had a future together, if it wasn't for… well, you know, we have to make him realize that's it okay to let go of her," Bandit explained with a warm smile. Thomas looked out to Rad, noticing how his sadness, in a way, reflected his own soon after he lost his mother, a moment that haunted him for months… and is still haunting. However, with the help from his father, stepmother, sisters and all his family, he was able to heal his wounded heart… and this time, it was time for him to do the same for his uncle Rad. Thomas looked back to his father. "Okay," he said as he and Bandit got out of the car.
Rad was staring out to the water when he heard someone walking up to him. "Uncle Rad?" Thomas said softly. Rad turned around and saw his nephew and brother. "Thømas? Bandit? What are you doing here?" Rad asked confused as Bandit and Thomas sat down next to him. "Uncle Rad, you're hurting and we want to be here for you," Thomas resting his head on his uncles shoulder. "Rad, tell us what your feeling mate," Bandit said, also resting his head on his brothers other shoulder. "I… um… I…." Rad tried to piece the words together but couldn't. Thomas then went to hug his uncle tightly. "It's okay to miss her, uncle Rad, I miss her so much too… but I don't want you to destroy yourself over her death, just like I once tried to do, I won't let you," Thomas said, tearing up. "She wouldn't want this, mate, not to anyone, but especially you" Bandit said hugging his brother as well. Feeling both his brother and his nephew hugging him tightly, made Rad to feel their love and care for him, something that made more tears to come to him. "Thank you, guys," he said, while the tears started to come down his face.
"I'm sorry… for hitting you, Bandit, we promised a long time ago that we wouldn't fight over her, but it would appear that I keep breaking that promise… over and over again, even when… she is gone" Rad said holding his brother and his nephew close to him. "She always had a special love for you, Rad," Bandit said, still holding onto his brother. "But, you gave her what I couldn't," Rad said looking at his younger brother. Thomas and Bandit then let go of Rad and look at him. "It doesn't matter mate, you were her first… well, everything, and she never stopped loving you," Bandit said with a smile. "Really?" Rad asked. "Of course, when we're still together, there was nothing she regretted the most than not having you in our lives, that you couldn't be in Thomas' life just like Stripe did… and honestly, I felt the same," Bandit told. "You did?" Rad asked. "Of course, you're my big brother, after all," Bandit told. "I… always thought my presence in your life with Emily would always… cause some strain between you two… and us, that's why… I kept my distance," Rad told.
There was a pause and then Rad chuckled. "It's funny, maybe, if I have stayed around, I would have tried my luck again with her after the divorce, but then again, I wouldn't have fallen in love with Frisky, she… gets me, similar to what you and Emily had, Bandit, we really have something special, it was not as intense as with Emily, but… it feels so much better… and right" Rad told. "I can't stop but wonder… what she would have thought of her," he added. "She would have loved Frisky," Thomas told him. That made Rad look at his nephew. "How do you know that?" Rad asked. "Because, if she can accept my stepmom and love her for my dad, even trust her to be a second mother to me, then she would want you to be happy and find love as well," Thomas said with a smile. Rad and Bandit were both surprised by this. Rad then smiled hearing that coming from his nephew. "And I love her for you," Thomas said hugging Rad again. "Thanks mate," Rad said hugging his nephew tightly. Bandit smiled at his son and brother hugging. "Just talk to me when your down, uncle Rad, I love you," Thomas whispered into his uncles ear. "I love you too mate," Rad said with a smile.
After a moment, uncle and nephew ended the hug. "You know, uncle Rad, despite everything, it's not like we're going to ignore the fact today is mom's birthday," Thomas said. "Thomas is right, we would have a special dinner to celebrate, we would even have Emily's favorite cake," Bandit said. "Wait, rockmelon cake? I thought you two hate rock melon," Rad told to his brother and nephew. "Oh, we do" Bandit said. "Honestly, I don't know how mom liked that," Thomas commented. "Yeah, it can hardly be called a melon," Bandit said. They shared a laugh. "But, for her, we can take it," Bandit said. "If you want, you can come have dinner with us," Thomas said. "I would love to…" Rad said, remembering then his date with Frisky. "But… I have things already planned with Frisky, besides, there's something that I've wanted to do, but… I've been hesitating for too long," Rad said, after realizing how much he loved Frisky and how much she made him happy.
Later at dinner…
Rad was having dinner with Frisky at his place. He had decided not to tell her about what have happened that afternoon to not worry her too much and to not make her feel insecure regarding his feelings for her. "Wow, Rad, this was delicious! You've outdone yourself" Frisky said. "Well… I wanted to make this dinner as special as possible," Rad replied. "Really? What's the occasion?" Frisky asked. "Well, babe, the thing is…" Rad said, while scratching the back of his head, while going to grab something he had hidden behind his back. "Frisky, before I met you, I thought that I would never find true love again after Emily, I was a total wreck, but then you appeared in my life and… everything changed for me, you made me a better dog and, despite my heart is still hurt, you have always been there to help me overcome my inner ghosts, for that, I can only be more certain that you are a gift from the heavens," Rad told. "Oh, Rad… that's so sweet of you," Frisky said, moved by her boyfriend's words. "But it took today for me to realize… how much I love you… and how I want you in my life… at full time," Rad continued.
At that moment, he got up, only to come knee before Frisky, holding a velvet box. Realizing what was happening, Frisky took her hands to her mouth, as she gasped in expectation. Rad opened the box, revealing a ring with a small but beautiful jewel on it. "Frisky, would you make me the luckiest dog in world and marry me?" he asked. "Rad… I… don't know what to say," Frisky said, completely caught by surprise. "I hope it's 'yes', otherwise I just ended up making a fool of myself," Rad commented. That caused Frisky to drop a chuckle. "Yes… yes, I'll marry you, you little sillyhead, yes, yes, YES!" Frisky shouted, with a great happiness, while throwing herself at Rad, causing the two of them to fall on the floor. She gave Rad a big kiss on the lips and then the two shared a laugh. Rad then proceeded to put the ring on Frisky. "I promise I'll make you very happy, Frisky," he replied. "I know you will, Rad, and I can't wait for us this next chapter of our life," Frisky told. "Neither can I, babe," Rad said, hugging his fiancée. "Hey, what do you say that we skip desert and go to the best part?" Rad asked. "That sounds lovely," Frisky replied. And so the two of them got up and headed to Rad's room.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: I'm glad we get to see Rad Happy he's been going through a lot and it's nice to see this side of things. I told Rakoon1 that I'm glad we got to show this side of Rad because we haven't seen it yet and now here we are! So tell me what you think and we'll see you in the next chapter!