In our last short, Thomas had lost both of his parents and lived with his uncle and aunt. Thomas feared he would be too much to handle for his uncle and aunt but with the turn of events Thomas became like their own son in a way and that's all Stripe and Trixie wanted was to make their nephew feel right at home. But here we get to see a new event of what if Chilli had died during childbirth of Bingo. What will Bandit do now being a single dad with a newborn and a two year old? Let's see how those events play out shall we?
What The Heart Wants
Bandit sat in the waiting room with tears in his eyes after hearing his wife had passed away from childbirth. "Mr. Heeler, is there someone we can call for you?" The nurse asked. Bandit looked up at the nurse with his eyes red. "I actually have someone to call," Bandit said, still shaken up. The nurse nodded before leaving. Bandit then picked up his phone and called the one person who told him to call if he ever needed anything. "Emily?" Bandit said on the phone.
"Hey Bandit, how's it going? How's Chilli? Did everything go smoothly during the delivery?" Emily asked while washing the vegetables. "Em… she didn't make it," Bandit said softly while crying. "The baby?" Emily asked worriedly. "Chilli," Bandit said, still crying. "Oh Bandit, I'm so sorry," Emily said, turning off the water from the sink. "What am I going to do Em? I-I can't do this on my own," Bandit said. "Um… I have some time off and I can always work remotely," Emily said, biting her lip. "And Thomas?" Bandit asked nervously. "We'll just have to work on that," Emily said. "Okay, I'll give you a call later," Bandit said, wiping his tears away. "Okay," Emily said before hanging up the phone.
Emily then went up stairs to her son's room and knocked on the door. "Honey we need to talk;" Emily said as she walked into her son's room. Thomas had his headphones on and was drawing, not noticing his mother at his door. "Son," Emily said, taking off her son's headphones. "Yeah mom?" Thomas asked with a smile, looking at his mother. "We need to talk about your dad," Emily said, crossing her arms. Thomas then lost his smile and looked down at his page that he was watching.
"Forget about it mom, I'm not calling him," Thomas said as he started to continue to draw. "Honey, your dad just lost your stepmom," Emily explained. "W-what?" Thomas asked, looking up at Emily. "She died giving birth to your sister," Emily further explained. Thomas' ears dropped down now feeling guilty for not calling his father. "What is he going to do?" Thomas asked, looking at Emily again. "We are going down to Australia to help out for a bit," Emily said, sitting down on her son's bed. Thomas then looked away for a moment and then looked back at his mom.
"Is it going to hurt? Seeing dad again?" Thomas asked. Emily then sighed before answering. "Well honey, what me and your father had it's not there anymore and I'm just helping as a friend," Emily explained. "Oh," Thomas replied. "But he's still your father and he needs you now more than ever," Emily said, placing her hand on her son's hand. Thomas nodded as he hugged his mother. Without letting her know, Thomas stated to tear up about losing Chilli. Emily could feel her son was upset about losing his step mother and could feel him crying. "It's okay honey, I'm going to miss her too," Emily said, now crying as well.
(The next day)
Emily and Thomas got off the plane and headed over to Bandit's house. "You know sweetie, this was your dad's childhood home," Emily said as she parked the car. "It was?" Thomas asked, looking at the house. "Yeah, and I stayed here when I was about sixteen years old doing a foreign exchange student program," Emily said unbuckling her seat belt. "You really did that mom?" Thomas asked as he unbuckled as well. "Yep, your old mom loved to travel much like I do now," Emily explained as she and Thømas walked up to the house. Emily then rang the door and waited for her ex husband to answer the door. Bandit answered the door and looked at his ex wife and his son. "Hey Em…" Bandit said in a low tone. Bandit's eyes were bloodshot red and puffy from crying so much. "Hey…" Emily said softly. "Hey mate!" Bandit said, trying to bring up his mood. "Hey dad," Thomas said as he walked forward and hugged his dad tightly.
Bandit started to tear up as he hugged his son tightly. Thomas felt his father was starting to cry as he too started to cry. This was the first time in a long time that Thomas had been in his fathers arms and didn't want to let him go. "I missed you dad," Thomas said, letting his tears flow. "I miss you too mate and I love you so much, you don't know how much it means to me that you're here with me," Bandit said hugging his son. "Come on Bandit, let's see this beautiful little girl you have," Emily said with a soft smile. Bandit looked at Emily and nodded as he moved to the side and let Emily and Thomas inside his house.
Bluey was on the floor playing with some toys until she noticed her brother and Emily. "Mate, could you watch your sister for a moment?" Bandit asked, placing his hands on Thomas's shoulders. "Sure thing dad," Thomas said happily as he went over to his sister's spot and started to play with her. Bandit smiled before taking Emily to see his newborn daughter. Bandit and Emily walked into the nursery and saw little Bingo sleeping in her crib. "Oh Bandit she's beautiful," Emily said with a smile. "She looks just like her mother," Bandit said, looking at his daughter.
"How are you holding up?" Emily asked, looking at Bandit. "I really haven't slept much or eaten or even had a shower yet," Bandit explained. "Yeah I can tell, go on, take a shower and I'll get dinner started," Emily said. "W-what?" Bandit asked, confused looking at Emily. "Thomas and I have things covered, you just take your time," Emily said, placing her hand on Bandit's shoulder. "O-oh okay," Bandit said softly as he went to the bathroom. Emily took a deep breath and looked at little Bingo and smiled. Emily made sure Bingo was warm enough and then went to the kitchen.
Bandit had taken a long shower and then joined his family in the dining room. "There's daddy," Emily said while holding Bluey. "Daddy!" Bluey said, wagging her tail and handing out her arms. Bandit smiled as he took Bluey from Emily. "Hey mate," Bandit said as he kissed Bluey on her head. "Dinner is almost ready, I'll go shopping later for you," Emily said as she went to check on dinner. "Em, you really didn't need to do all of this," Bandit said while holding Bluey. "Yeah but… I'm here to help," Emily said with a smile. Bandit smiled back at Emily now feeling grateful for her. "Where's Thomas?" Bandit asked. "Oh I sent him to check on Bingo," Emily said, now setting the table. "Oh," Bandit said while bouncing Bluey up and down. "Here let me get her some food and you should go check on our son," Emily said, taking Bluey from Bandit.
Bandit then went to the nursery and found Thomas watching over his new baby sister. "Hey mate," Bandit said softly. "Hey dad," Thomas said looking at his dad and then back at his new baby sister. "She's beautiful, isn't she mate?" Bandit asked as placed his arm around his son's shoulder. "Yeah," Thomas said in a sad tone. "What's wrong son?" Bandit asked, looking down at his son. "It's just… Bluey and Bingo will grow up without a mom and I can't imagine myself growing up without you or mom," Thomas said still in a sad tone. "Hey mate, it's going to be okay with you as their brother, they will have a good life," Bandit said, trying to be strong. "But what about you dad? You lost a wife, someone you really loved and now…" Thomas now with tears. "Shhh mate," Bandit said, hugging his son.
Thomas let his tears go as they fell on his dads fur. Bandit hugged his son tightly as he too started to tear up about losing his wife. Bingo started to wake and cry. "Well, mate it's time to feed your sister," Bandit said, wiping his tears away and his son's tears away. "Okay," Thomas said as he looked at Bingo. "Your mum made dinner," Bandit said as he picked up Bingo. "Oh okay," Thomas said as he made his way to the dining room. Bandit then took Bingo with him to the dining room with a bottle. Now in the dining room Bandit was feeding Bingo while Thomas and Bluey were eating Emily's Lasagna. "Bandit you should eat, I can handle Bingo for you," Emily offered. "Are you sure Em? You've done so much," Bandit said looking at Emily. "I don't mind Bandit, please eat," Emily said softly. Bandit smiled softly and then nodded.
Emily then took Bingo and started feeding her.
Bandit then started eating. Bandit smiled as he ate, remembering Emily's food was something he missed. Bandit then looked at Emily and smiled at her seeing her with Bingo and how good she was at being a mother even though Bingo wasn't hers she was still good at it. "What?" Emily asked, looking at Bandit with a smile. "N-nothing," Bandit said blushing. "Dad, can Bluey and I play outside?" Thomas asked. Bandit and Emily turned and looked at their son. "Sure mate, just finish up your food and place your plate in the sink," Bandit said with a smile. Thomas nodded as he and his sister finished their food and placed their plates in the sink and then went outside. Bandit finished his food and then helped clean up the kitchen.
Emily placed Bingo down after feeding her and then helped Bandit in the kitchen. "Hey," Emily said walking into the kitchen. "Hey," Bandit said, looking at Emily. "Need some help?" Emily asked. "Nah, you've been a rockstar helping me out," Bandit washing the dishes. "Okay," Emily said standing by the sink next to Bandit. Emily then looked out the window seeing Thomas play with Bluey made her smile. "It's great seeing them get along," Emily said, still watching them play. "Yeah, it's all I ever wanted them to do," Bandit said finishing up with the dishes. "Are you okay Bandit?" Emily asked. "I… I'm trying the best I can Em," Bandit said looking at Emily. "Hey… I know you are and you're a good dad, you always will be ," Emily said softly. Bandit smiled softly "thanks Em, you always made me feel like I always matter even when our son was mad at me," Bandit said looking into Emily's eyes. "Because you do matter Bandit Heeler, you will always matter;" Emily said, placing her hand on Bandit's shoulder. Bandit blushed a bit as he looked out the window and watched his son play with his sister.
Later that night Bandit put Thomas to bed and laid him down. "Fun fact mate this was your mum's room when she was staying with me while she was in the student exchange program," Bandit explained. "Really?" Thomas asked, looking up at his dad. "It sure was mate, and well I was setting up this room for you for when you would visit me," Bandit said sitting on Thomas's bed. "Dad?" Thømas asked in a sad tone. "Yes mate," Bandit asked, looking at his son. "Are you okay?" Thomas asked, turning on his side. "I'll be okay mate, having you here makes me better," Bandit said with a smile. "And mom?" Thomas asked.
Bandit was taken back by this question. Although he just lost his wife it was surely nice to have Emily's support for him. "Yeah mate her too," Bandit said, kissing his son on the head. Bandit then left his son's room and went to the front room where Emily was sitting up a bed on the couch. "Em you can take my bed if you want," Bandit said. "It's okay bandit you need to sleep," Emily said looking at Bandit. "Are you sure Em?" Bandit asked as he stepped forward to Emily. "Yeah, I'm sure," Emily said with a smile. Bandit nodded in response. "Okay if you need anything just let me know," Bandit said. Emily nodded as she sat down on the couch.
Later that night Bandit was sleeping in his bed tossing and turning while whimpering in his sleep. "Dad," Thomas said, waking up his dad. Bandit then woke up and looked at his son. "Yes mate?" Bandit asked tiredly. "You were having a nightmare," Thomas said looking at his father. "Oh, did I wake you up mate?" Bandit asked. "No, but I also had a nightmare," Thomas said looking down. "Do you want me to get your mum?" Bandit asked, sitting up. "No, can I sleep with you dad?" Thomas asked, looking up at his dad. Bandit smiled softly, "sure mate," Bandit said as he moved over and let his son lay with him. "Are you warm enough mate?" Bandit asked. "Yeah," Thomas replied as he cuddled close to his fathers fur. "Good night dad," Thomas said, closing his eyes. "Good night mate," Bandit said softly, closing his eyes.
The next morning Emily woke up and started making breakfast and then went to check on the girls. Bluey was playing on the floor with some toys while bingo was still sleeping in her crib. "Hey Bluey, are you hungry?" Emily asked, kneeling down to her level. "Yes," Bluey said with a smile. "Okay sweetie let's go get some breakfast. Emily said, picking up Bluey. Emily took Bluey to the kitchen and gave her some breakfast. "Let's see if your daddy and brother are up," Emily said before taking a drink of coffee. Emily then went to check on her son's room and found him not there. Emily then checked Bandit's room and found Thomas and Bandit sleeping together. Emily smiled at that, Emily knew that this was something she's always wanted for Bandit.
Seeing him being the best father that he could be was something that made her happy. Emily then let be and made a decision that she couldn't pass up since it made her son whole again. Emily then got on the phone. "Hello Parker? I'm going to be expanding my art gallery to Brisbane Australia," Emily said on the phone.
(One year later)
Emily was doing some painting in the Garage while Bandit was playing in the backyard with his kids. Emily then decided to take a short break and went into the house. Emily went to the kitchen and saw Bandit trying to teach Bingo how to walk. Emily smiled as she washed her hands and then went outside. "How's the walking going?" Emily asked, walking up to Bandit. "She tries and then gives up," Bandit said looking down. "Aww she'll get it, remember it took a while for Thomas to talk," Emily said with a smile. "That's true," Bandit said, still trying for Bingo to walk. Bingo stood up and looked over at Emily Bingo giggles and then started walking over to Emily. "Hello sweetie," Emily said, getting ready to catch Bingo. Bingo giggled and went into Emily's arms. "You did so good!" Emily said, picking up Bingo and hugging her. Bandit chuckled as he stood up and went over to Emily. "Good job mate," Bandit said with a smile. Emily smiled as she looked at Bandit.
Bandit then looked at Emily and smiled. "I-I should get dinner started," Emily said as she walked away to go back into the house. Bandit watched Emily as she walked into the house. He's heart skipped a beat while looking at her. Bandit sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Dad?" Thomas said, looking at his father. "Yes mate!" Bandit said with a smile. "You have that look again," Thomas said with a smirk. "What look?" Bandit asked nervously. "That look when you look at mom," Thomas said with a smile. "No I don't," Bandit said blushing. "Daddy's blushing!" Bluey pointed out. "No I'm not!" Bandit said blushing harder. "Come on dad! Make a move!" Thomas said, wagging his tail. "What?!" Bandit said with his heart beating fast. "Yeah! Make a move!" Bluey added. "I-I I can't!" Bandit said, looking down. "Why not?" Thomas asked, confused. "Because we're just friends, your mum and I mate," Bandit explained.
"But dad, you look at her like you used to when you were married," Thomas pointed out. Bandit knew his son wasn't wrong and in fact his heart telling him he still had feelings for Emily's and those feelings were coming back on their own. Although he loved Chilli very much, he didn't want to ruin the friendship he had with Emily. "I'm sorry mate, but I can't," Bandit said looking down with a sad face. Thomas looked down and teared up. Thomas then went inside the house. "Mate, wait," Bandit said, watching his son run into the house. "Daddy you like her!" Bluey spoke up before going with her brother. Bandit sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
Thomas walked into the house and was about to pass his mother until she stopped him. "What's wrong son?" Emily asked while making dinner. "It's nothing," Thomas said looking down as Bluey walked in behind her brother. "You too huh?" Emily said, looking at Bluey. "Daddy likes you!" Bluey spoke up. Thomas was shocked to hear his sister say that out loud. "Wh-what?" Emily asked. "She means your cooking!" Thomas spoke up for his sister. "Oh! Yeah your daddy used to always like my cooking," Emily said blushing. "I-I want you to be my mummy!" Bluey shouted. "Bluey!" Thomas shouted in shock. Emily was surprised by this response. Knowing Bluey had probably missed her mother and had seen Emily doing the motherly role for the past year. "Oh honey…" Emily started as she kneeled down to Bluey's level. "Please marry my daddy, he loves you!" Bluey said, now hiding behind her brother. "Sweetie and your dad and I-" Emily started to say.
"It's not happening blue," Thømas said as he took Bluey by her hand and went to the playroom. Emily sighed and stood up. Emily then went to continue dinner as Bandit walked into the house. "Em?" Bandit asked, looking at Emily. "Bluey asked me to be her mother," Emily said while cutting some carrots. "What?" Bandit asked softly. "I think the kids think something else of us," Emily said, not looking at Bandit. "Is it a bad idea?" Bandit asked, looking at Emily. Emily's ears perked up as she stopped what she was doing and looked at Bandit. "What?" Emily asked. "Is it a bad idea for there to be us again?" Bandit asked nervously. "I-I I don't know," Emily said looking down. "Your great with Bluey and Bingo and they need a mother and Thomas, he's much happier since you stayed here to make things work," Bandit said softly, getting closer to Emily.
Emily's heart started to beat fast as she looked up at Bandit who was now face to face with her. "Bandit," Emily said softly. "Em, we can do this," Bandit said, looking into Emily's eyes. Flashbacks raced into Emily's mind as she thought about all the good times with Bandit. The first time they went on a date when they were teenagers to the first time Bandit proposed to her, to when they said I do and then when Emily told Bandit she was pregnant with Thomas. Emily smiled as she then kissed Bandit. Bandit then kissed Emily back and held her close to him. Emily teared up as all these emotions came out of how much she missed this with her ex husband. Bandit then pulled away and bushes the side of Emily's muzzle and smiles at her. "I think we should go tell the kids about this," Bandit said. Emily chuckled with a nod as she hugged Bandit tightly.
Thomas and Bluey were in the playroom drawing and coloring until they heard their parents come into the room. "Kids, can we speak to you?" Emily asked, coming into the room with Bandit behind her. "Sure," Thomas said in a low tone. Emily and Bandit then sat down on the floor with the kids. "We talked about it," Bandit said cuddling Emily. "You did!" Thomas said with excitement while wagging his tail. Emily smiled and nodded. Thomas then jumped at both of his parents and hugged them. Emily and Bandit both laughed and hugged their son back. Emily then looked at Bluey who was wagging her tail as well looking at her and her father. "Will you let me be your mommy?" Emily asked. "Yes please!" Bluey said, hugging Emily. Emily hugged Bluey tightly and kissed her on her head. "Thank you so much sweetie," Emily whispered. "Your welcome mummy," Bluey whispered back.
Emily looked at Bandit and smiled at him knowing this was the right thing to do and the right feeling, she never felt so happy about being with Bandit again. "When's the wedding! Can I be the flower girl?" Bluey asked, wagging her tail. Bandit and Emily both laughed. "We have plenty of time to discuss that sweetheart," Emily said softly. Suddenly the family then heard Bingo crying. "But it's time to feed your sister and get ready for dinner," Emily said with a smile as she stood up. "Come on mates, let's help your mum," Bandit said while also standing up. Later that night after the kids were asleep. Bandit and Emily went to Bandit's room and laid down together. "Hey," Emily whispered softly to Bandit.
"Hey," Bandit replied softly. "This feels familiar," Emily said with a smile. Bandit smiled as he got closer to Emily. "Yeah, it does," Banfit said, now cuddling Emily. "Do you think she would have approved this? Emily asked, now cuddling to Bandit's chest. "Chilli would have thanked you for taking care of our daughters," Bandit explained. "She always has said if there was anyone after her that I should be happy with them and as long as they're happy with my kids then she's happy," Bandit added. Emily turned and looked at Bandit and looked into his eyes. "All I wanted after us was for you to be happy with someone you love," Emily said, placing her hand on Bandit's muzzle. "And look where we are now Em, back together in a safe place for our children," Bandit said softly. "I love you Bandit Heeler," Emily said, kissing Bandit softly. "I love you too Em," Bandit said, kissing Emily back.
The End.
Sometimes a love so strong it doesn't go away and in fact love grows back if you give it a chance. Bandit may have lost his wife in childbirth but he regained his relationship with his ex wife. Emily also found new love in her ex husband who she thought she wouldn't ever again. So in thought what was lost was never forgotten and things turned out alright for the Heeler family.