Chapter 43: Double Training
Thomas was in the kitchen eating his breakfast with his sisters. "Come on kids, finish up or we'll be late," Bandit said while getting his backpack ready. Thomas quickly finished his bowl of cereal and took it to the sink before getting his things ready. "Don't forget mate you have that training with Rex after school," Bandit said while passing his son's room. Thomas sighed at the thought of that. He didn't know how Rex would act around him especially since he broke his son's nose just a few weeks ago. Thomas then grabbed his backpack and was about to meet his dad and sisters out in the car. Thomas then stopped himself and looked at the pictures on the wall. Thomas noticed there weren't many pictures of him on the wall and only pictures of mainly his sisters and the family. Thomas never really took the time to stop and look at the wall until now. Thomas felt a little bit left out and the only picture of him that was visible was when they had a birthday party for his dad.
Chilli noticed her stepson was staring at the wall of pictures, looking a little sad. "Is something the matter sweetie?" Chilli asked. Thomas, who then broke out of his thoughts, turned and looked at Chilli and forced a smile. "It's nothing mom I'll see you later," Thomas said as he rushed out of the house and went to the car. Chilli then walked over to the wall of pictures and noticed what her stepson was looking at. She noticed she really didn't have pictures of Thomas out and about like she had for Bluey and Bingo. "I think I have a little project to do," Chilli said to herself as she went up to the attic. Bandit pulls up to the high school and lets Thomas off. "You don't have to be nervous around Rex son, he really is a good dog," Bandit said as Thomas got his stuff together and opened the car door. "Are you sure about that dad? I did break his son's nose not too long ago," Thomas said, now getting out of the car. "You'll be fine mate," Bandit said with a smile. "Okay," Thomas said, not too sure about how the day would go. "I love you mate," Bandit said still with a smile. "I love you too dad," Thomas said as he left the car and went into his school.
Bandit then went to work and parked his car in the parking lot. He gathered his things and went into the museum. Bandit went to his office and started doing his work and reports. While only being a few hours into his work, he received a phone call from Chilli. "Hey babe!" Bandit said as he sat back in his seat. "Hey Bandit do you know if we have any more pictures of Thomas stored anywhere?" Chilli asked while looking through some more boxes. "There should be some in the attic, why do you ask?" Bandit asked. "Well I noticed our son was looking at our wall of pictures and well… we don't have much of our son on them," Chilli said, still looking though some more boxes. "Oh…" Bandit said feeling guilty for not having his son on their wall of pictures. "I know Emily has tons of pictures but they're in storage in Los Angeles," Bandit explained. "Maybe if we have them shipped here it would mean a lot to our son," Chilli said as she stood up. "Yeah, I'll see what I can do," Bandit said with hope. "Yeah, I love you Bandit I'll talk to you later," Chilli said as she got down from the attic. "I love you too babe I'll see you later," Bandit said as he hung up the phone. Bandit then sat back in his seat and then looked at a photo he had there: it was him and Thomas (when he was young) with the space needle as a background, and started to remember when Emily took that picture when they went to Seattle, Washington, for a weekend.
(Flashback)
"Say cheese," Emily said, taking a picture of her son and husband by the space needle. "Cheese!" Thomas said while sitting on his dad's shoulders. "Good picture guys," Emily said while looking at the photo. Bandit then puts Thomas down and let's him run over to his mother. "Can I see mommy?" Thomas asked as he stood next to his mother. Emily smiled as she showed her son the picture. "It's a good picture mom," Thomas said with a smile. Emily chuckled at that as she put her camera away. "I'm glad you think so, I took photography in collage with your dad," Emily said as Bandit came to Emily's side and cuddled close to her. "Can I take a class like that too mom?" Thomas asked as he circled his parents. "I don't see why not," Emily said with a smile. "Is college where you met dad?" Thomas asked while walking in between his parents. "Oh no, I met your dad way before that," Emily said with a smile while looking at Bandit. Bandit smiled at his wife before going in for a kiss. "Dad?" Thomas asked, looking at his father. "Yes mate?" Bandit asked, looking down at his son. "Did you'll always know mom was the one for you?" Thomas asked, looking up at his dad. Emily chuckled, "I think our six year old is very curious about us," Emily said while holding hands with her husband. Bandit smiled softly, getting lost in Emily's eyes. "Always… even since I laid eyes on her mate," Bandit said with a smile. Emily chuckled even though she knew their Great history since they were teenagers.
"I love you Bandit Heeler," Emily said softly before kissing her husband. "Guys! I just asked if you always knew if you were right for each other you don't have to make it gross!" Thomas said trying to push his parents apart. "Just wait till you gets older mate and meet someone," Bandit said as he picked up his son and placed him on his shoulders. "Well I know I won't be as gross as you two," Thomas said with a laugh. "How about another picture," Emily said getting her camera ready. "Okay!" Thomas said getting ready for the picture to be taken. Bandit then pulled a move only Bandit would pull. Bandit then grabbed his son off of his shoulders and pretended to eat him like a watermelon. "My watermelon!" Bandit said with a laugh. "Dad!" Thomas shouted with laughter. Emily smiled at this and took the picture.
(End of Flashback)
Thomas was in his Science class getting ready to dissect a frog. Thomas looked over to his right and noticed Zach was taking pictures of his frog. Thomas really started to feel nervous about training with Zach's dad that he was losing his focus on his school work. "Thomas?" Sam asked, looking at his friend. "Huh?" Thomas asked looking at Sam. "You okay? You seem off," Sam said while working on the frog. "Eh, today is my first day training with Zach's dad," Thomas answered. "Oh really? You must be nervous," Sam said while continuing on the frog. "Yeah," Thomas said as he started to do his part with the frog. "Do you want me and my dad to be there for moral support?" Sam asked, looking at Thomas. "It's not a bad idea… but my dad will be there," Thomas said while writing down stuff in their report. "Hey Sam?" Thomas asked, looking at his friend. "Yeah?" Sam asked, looking at Thomas. "Your mom got married again right?" Thomas asked. "Yeah… you knew that a long time ago though," Sam said confused. "Does your mom keep pictures up of you and your stepbrothers?" Thomas asked. "Of course, why wouldn't she? Why do you ask?" Sam asked, confused by his friends behavior. "It's nothing really," Thomas answered while continuing his work.
"Is something wrong at home? You can always talk to me," Sam said, putting down his pencil. "I haven't really noticed or taken the time to notice but there's not many pictures of me at my dad's house it's mostly pictures of Bluey and Bingo and my dad and stepmom," Thomas explained. "But none of you?" Sam asked. "Well my mom sent my dad pictures like from school and stuff, but it feels like I'm left out," Thomas said while resting his head on the table. "Does you dad keep pictures in his office or something?" Sam asked. "Yeah, I'm sure he does," Thomas said lifting up his head. "Then you don't have to worry about, it would be alarming if he didn't, don't forget that it hasn't been even a year ever since you came to live here, and, having in count how things have been for you on this past year, of course you and your family haven't given that much thought about family photos," Sam commented. Hearing that caused Thomas to make a slight smile. "Yeah, I guess you're right…" he said. "But, if that bothers you that much, why don't you tell your family? Maybe you can take that chance to take a family photo," Sam suggested. "Yeah, I think I'll do just that, thanks, Sam," Thomas told. "Hey, that's what friends are for," Sam replied. Now feeling much better, Thomas went to focus on the job he had in hands.
Despite knowing she shouldn't search through her husband's stuff, Chilli's determination to find any photo of Thomas she could use to put on a wall to make him feel much more at home and less of an outsider was stronger. She knew Bandit wouldn't keep any photos or other mementos of Thomas in the attic. He would keep them nearby. It was then that, at a well-hidden part of the study she found a box that contained the words 'THOMAS MY SON'. Smiling, Chilli took the box and brought it to the family room. Opening the box, she found somethings she suspected as being some baby stuff of Thomas that Bandit had kept, like a teddy or a rattle, and a bunch of photos and letters. She took the photos and started watching them. Chilli couldn't help but smile while watching them. Most of the photos there had just Thomas with Bandit, but there were some where there was just Thomas. It was then that Chilli found one that contained Thomas with Bandit and herself, while pregnant with Bluey. She smiled at that because it represented the happy times before Bandit and Thomas' fallout. Chilli knew that photo would really, along with some others there, be perfect to make her son feel less left out.
With the time of the touch football training coming to a close, Bandit had already left the museum and was parking at Thomas' school's parking lot. When he got out of the car and closed it, he heard a familiar voice. "Well, look who he is: the one and only Bandit Heeler" the voice said. Bandit turned around and saw him, Rex Shepherd, coming on his way. "Rex? Is that you? It has been so long!" Bandit exclaimed, while going for a hug to his old friend. "I know! The last time I saw you, you were still that scrawny little pup that was able to face the school's greatest bully to save his little brother," Rex commented. "Well, I'm not scrawny anymore," Bandit replied, causing Rex to chuckle. "You sure are not, you know, I bet you were the one to led the team to victory back in the day, after I was gone," he said. "Well, I can't deny such claim, but you can't forget Rad also was a great captain," Bandit told. "Yeah, sure, whatever…" Rex said.
"You know, I still can't believe it took our kids to fight each other for us to meet again," Bandit commented, as he and Rex headed to the entrance of the school. "Yeah… it's hard to believe history is repeating yet again," Rex said. "I just hope we get our kids to get along or at least so they can tolerate each other at best, actually this idea of yours is not that bad," Bandit told. "I just based myself on something I learned from my coach in college, so, any tips to deal with your kid?" Rex asked. "Well, Thomas is… quite a character, he has experienced so much for his age, but he is a good kid, you don't have to worry about him," Bandit replied. "So basically he's like you, good to know," Rex said. "What about your kid?" Bandit asked. "Well, I think you have a clear image, having in count we're here," Rex replied. "So basically I'm dealing with a young Rex 2.0," Bandit said. "Who may be even more difficult than the original one, but I know you can handle him," Rex said, while giving a tap on Bandit's shoulder. "I hope you're right," he replied, as they got inside the school.
As they walked through the school and headed outside to the field, they sat at the bleachers as they watched the team train with their coach. "Put your back into it Cooper!" Coach wolf shouted. "Riley! Run faster!" Coach added. "Seems like nothing has changed," Rex whispered to Bandit. "Yeah, I guess not," Bandit whispered back. Zach and Thomas were also on the field going head to head with each other. Bandit and Rex paid close attention to their kids while they played their hardest. Just as it seemed to be a normal practice, Zach then made Thomas trip and fall to the ground. "Shepherd! What was that!" Wolf shouted to Zach. Bandit and Rex looked at each other and then looked back to the practice. "Sorry coach," Zach said with a smirk. "Help Heeler up!" Wolf ordered. Zach growled to himself as he turned and looked at Thomas and then swallowed his pride and helped him up. "This is going to be a long training session," Bandit spoke up. "Yeah, you're telling me," Rex added. After the main training session with the team it was time for the double training session to begin with Thomas and Zach.
Before it was time for their training session, Coach Wolf walked over to Bandit and Rex and talked to them on how to Properly train their kids. "Alright, don't go easy on them and no special treatment, they are switched so it won't be easy if you both don't like how one or the other treats each other's kid," Coach Wolf explained. "We understand, it'll be like the old days," Bandit explained. "Yeah,' Rex added. "Watch it Heeler!" Zach shouted just a few feet away from the adults. "You watch it!" Thomas shouted back. "They're all yours," Coach Wolf said with a smile as he walked away. "Are you ready for this mate?" Bandit asked Rex. "Yeah I'm ready," Rex replied. While the boys were bickering over each other. The two fathers then stood in front of them and cleared their throat. The boys then stopped fighting and looked at their dads. "Four laps around the track," Bandit said with confidence while crossing his arms. "What?! We just did that two hours ago!" Both dogs groaned. "Now!" Rex shouted. Both Thomas and Zach sighed and went for their run. "This shouldn't be too hard," Bandit said with a smile.
About an hour into their training session Thømas and Zach were worked to the bone. While doing some push up Thomas and Zach were sweating and breathing hard. "Can we stop now?" Zach asked weakly. "Sorry mate, we still have another hour to go," Bandit said while sitting in the shade. "Heeler… your dads a jerk," Zach said weakly. "Shut up," Thomas replied weakly. "No talking!" Rex shouted. Another twenty minutes went by and the boys fell to the ground now exhausted. "Looks like we broke them," Rex said with a smile. "I guess we did," Bandit said also with a smile. "Alright boys, let's have a chat," Rex said as he and Bandit walked down from the bleachers to their son's. "Zach you go with Bandit and Thomas you come with me," Rex said as he walked over to a shady spot under a tree. Bandit went the opposite direction to another shady spot. Both boys sighed and went to where they were supposed to go.
Thomas sat down in the shade with Rex and just looked at him. "So tell me… why did you break my son's nose?" Rex asked while relaxing in the shade. This took Thomas off guard as he didn't know how to answer this. "I… well… he…" Thomas stuttered at his answer. "It's okay son… I just want to know your side of the story," Rex said with a smile. Thomas then took a deep breath and then explained his side of the story of why he broke Zach's nose. Meanwhile Bandit and Zach sat at the Opposite side of the field in another shady spot. "So mate, why do you hate my son?" Bandit asked. Zach was a little bit surprised by how Mr. Heeler was straight forward with the question. "I don't know," Zach answered, looking down from Bandit. "Come on mate, there has to be a reason, otherwise you wouldn't have done what you've done," Bandit explained. "I'm jealous of him," Zach answered. Bandit was surprised by this. "Jealous of him? How come?" Bandit asked. "Because he has you for a dad," Zach answered.
Bandit was taken back by this. "What's wrong with your dad mate?" Bandit asked. "Ever since Gruber was born my dad has been treating me differently and Thomas having a dad like you, the legendary Bandit Heeler, just makes me angry," Zach explained. "How does he treat you differently?" Bandit asked, now feeling bad for Zach. "He spends more time with Gruber than me, sometimes I think he likes my brother more than me," Zach explained, not looking at Bandit. "Mate I've known your dad for a long time and I'm sure he loves both of you the same," Bandit said softly. "Do you love all your kids the same?" Zach asked, now looking at Bandit. "Of course I do, they're my whole world," Bandit said with a smile. "That's not how Thomas's sees it," Zach said. "What do you mean by that mate?" Bandit asked, a little surprised. "I overheard him talking with his friend Sam about not having pictures up at your house," Zach answered. Bandit felt guilty hearing that as he knew he failed to make his son felt welcomed in his house.
"He said that?" Bandit asked rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, why is that? You don't love him or something?" Zach asked. "No! Of course I love my son! I wouldn't ever make him feel like I don't love him! Although he felt like that since I missed his birthday one year and his uncle on his mum's side didn't make it easy for me," Bandit explained. Zach was surprised by this. "So he doesn't have everything?" Zach asked looking at Bandit. "What? He's never had everything he's always wanted… well… I guess he did until I divorced his mum… and then she passed away… and…." Bandit said softly now realizing the life and struggles his son has faced. Bandit was now realizing his own pain that he hasn't really been forced to come out until now. "I'm sorry," Zach spoke up. "What?" Bandit said, now looking at Zach. "I'm sorry for what I said to Thomas about him wishing he would stay sick like his mum," Zach explained. Bandit smiled softly and Accepted his apology.
"And that's the real reason I broke his nose," Thomas explained. "I see," Rex answered, now sitting up. "I know Zach can be a handful but he is a good kid and I'm not giving him an excuse for what he said about your mum, she didn't deserve that," Rex explained. Thomas looked down from Rex now thinking of his mom. "She really was a good dog," Rex spoke up. This made Thomas look up at Rex. "Did you meet her?" Thomas asked. Rex chuckled as hh rubbed the back of his neck. "I did and I was a little jealous of your uncle Rad for having her and then I was jealous because she had your dad as well," Rex confessed. Thomas chuckled at that. "Well mate it looks like our time is up," Rex said as he stood up. Thomas also stood up and then the two of them went to meet up with Bandit and Zach. Once the four of them met up in the middle of the field, Thomas and Zach just stared at each other. Zach then handed out his hand and then Thomas took his and they shook hands. The group then parted ways and headed home.
"How was your talk with Rex mate?" Bandit asked while driving home. "It was good, so he was jealous of you and mom?" Thomas asked, looking at his dad. "Oh, he told you that huh?" Bandit asked. "Yeah, I guess a lot of dogs were jealous of her weren't they?" Thomas asked still looking at his dad. "Well mate, she was someone special," Bandit explained as they turned into their driveway. Thomas was about to get out of the car until he was stopped by his dad. "Mate?" Bandit asked, looking at his son. "Yeah dad?" Thomas asked, looking at his dad again. "I'm sorry for not making you feel welcomed in your own home," Bandit said with a sad look on his face. "What do you mean dad? Of course I feel welcomed here," Thomas said, a little confused by what his father was saying. "It's not that mate, I have tons of pictures of you that I didn't put up because I never thought you would live with me," Bandit said, ashamed of himself. "Dad…" Thomas said, placing his hand on his fathers knee. "I'm so sorry son," Bandit said softly with a sad look on his face. "I don't blame you dad, not in the least bit," Thomas said with a warm smile. "I just don't want you to think I failed you as a father," Bandit said, ready to tear up. "Dad… you never failed me as a father, your best dad I could ever ask for," Thomas said with a soft smile. "You really mean that mate?" Bandit said, looking at his son. "Of course dad and I never want to give up what we have ever," Thomas said, now Hugging his dad. Bandit held his son tightly and then kissed the top of his head as he lightly cried but not too much just to show his son he wasn't sad. "Thank you son," Bandit said with a soft smile while continuing to hold his son.
"Do you think Thomas will like it?" Bluey asked her mother. "I think he will," Chilli said as she puts up the last picture. "Will daddy like it too?" Bingo asked. "Of course he will sweetheart," Chilli said while making sure the picture was even. "We're home!" Bandit said while coming through the door with Thomas. "Thomas! Look what mum did for you!" Bluey cheered while going to her brother. Thomas then looked at what Bluey was talking about and was completely surprised by it. Thomas found pictures of him when he was younger and pictures of him and his dad together. There was also the picture of him, Bandit and Chilli together at a park in California when she was about five months pregnant with Bluey. "I hope you don't mind that I put these up," Chilli said while standing behind her son. Thomas turned and looked at Chilli and smiled at her. "No, these are perfect, I can't believe you still have these," Thomas said with a smile. "Of course we did, I promised you a long time ago I would always keep our memories together in a safe place," Chilli said, placing her hand on Thomas's shoulder. "Where's Bluey in this picture?" Bingo asked, pointing at the one where Chilli was pregnant. "She was in your mum's tummy," Bandit explained as he picked her up and let her look closer at the picture. "I remember that day like it was yesterday," Thomas spoke up while looking at that picture
(Flashback)
Bandit and Chilli were sitting down at a picnic table getting lunch ready. "It's too bad Emily had an art show to attend to," Chilli said as she started to make the sandwiches. "Yeah, but she said she didn't want Thomas to be alone with a babysitter," Bandit explained while helping his wife with the sandwiches. "And he gets to spend time with his dad," Chilli added. "And his stepmom," Bandit commented. Chilli chuckled at that. "Yeah… where is our son?" Chilli asked. Bandit then looked at the playground and saw his son on the swing. "He's on the swing, I'll go get him," Bandit said as he stood up from the picnic table and went to the swings. "Hey mate! Are you ready to eat!" Bandit asked while walking up the swings. "Yeah!" Thomas said as he jumped off the swing. "Nice jump mate!" Bandit said as Thomas ran up to his father and hugged him. "Thanks dad, I've been practicing jumping off," Thomas said with a smile while looking up at his dad. "Come on mate let's get some food," Bandit said while walking back to the picnic table with Thomas by his side.
The father and son got back to the table with Thomas sitting next to Chilli and Bandit sitting across from his wife and son. They started eating their lunch until Chilli suddenly stopped as she felt a kick in stomach. "Oh!" Chilli suddenly said and then smiled. "What's wrong babe? Is it Bluey again?" Bandit asked. "It is and she's really Feisty today," Chilli explained. "Does it hurt? When she kicks you?" Thomas asked looking at Chilli. Bandit and Chilli were both a little surprised by Thomas's Curiosity. "Sometimes, but not that often," Chilli explained. "Oh," Thomas said while going back to his sandwich. "Do you want to feel your sister kicking?" Chilli asked, looking at her young stepson. Thomas was surprised by his stepmom's question. Thomas then looked at his dad with a confused look. "Can I dad?" Thomas asked, still looking at his father. Bandit chuckled with a smile. "Of course mate, just let Chilli help you," Bandit said softly. Thomas nodded as he let Chilli Guide his small hand on her stomach.
While Chilli helped her son's hand on her stomach, she placed his hand in the exact spot where Bluey liked to be and then there was a sudden kick from Bluey in the place where Thomas's hand was. Thomas jerked his hand back not knowing what he just felt. "Don't worry you not going to hurt her," Chilli said as she took Thomas's hand and placed it back on the same spot. Thomas started to feel comfortable as Bluey started to kick more. "Wow, she really has a liking for her older brother.," Chilli said with a smile. "Is that a bad thing? Did I do something wrong?" Thomas asked, confused. "No mate, your sister is very excited to feel you is all and you should be honored, she's normally not that excited for just anyone, not even your own dad," Bandit explained with a smile. "Oh," Thomas said with a smile. "I can't wait to meet you little sister," Thomas said while softly rubbing the area on Chilli's stomach. "Now that tickles," Chilli said with a laugh. The three of them then started laughing before continuing their picnic
(End of Flashback)
Bandit walked into his son's room and noticed his drawing. "I still can't get over you getting your mum's talent with art," Bandit said with a smile. "Yeah… I wasn't good at first and then mom showed me how to really draw and make art," Thomas said with a smile. "So what are you drawing?" Bandit asked, looking down at his son's paper. "It's a drawing of London. I was drawing it for my mom's birthday next week," Thomas said while taking a break from his art. "She'll love it mate," Bandit said, rubbing the top of his son's head. "Just don't forget Big Ben, she loves that clock tower," Bandit said with a smile. "Oh I forget dad I promise," Thomas said while getting back to his drawing. "Okay mate, just don't stay up too late," Bandit said before leaving his son's room. "I won't dad, good night," Thomas while keeping his eyes on the paper. "Good night son," Bandit said as he shut the door to his son's room.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: hey guys! Sorry for the little wait but we're back with a brand new chapter for you! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and it is one of the longer ones and I hope that's okay with you and as we move forward the next chapter is already in the works and it takes place during Chilli's Birthday and along with that the chapter dives a little deeper into Chilli's previous fiancé before Bandit as we found about him in the short "first date" and we'll get to know more about him and how he affected Chilli during her birthday when she was with him. Alright guys I'll see you soon with a new chapter as soon as possible!