Chapter 19: An Unexpected Reunion
That night, Dawson removed Basil's inverness and tended Basil's wounds by using a wet wash rag to remove blood from scars. When finished, the doctor bandaged them up.
"Dawson, is Basil alright?" Clover asked, worried about her boyfriend.
"Yes, my dear," Dawson replied, "I just bandaged him."
"I'm alright, Clover," Basil told her.
Andrew's, Olivia's, and Eve's faces fixated with concern for the injured detective. Dawson paused to see the long faces and could tell just what they were thinking. "Basil's doing alright so far," the doctor assured them, "He cared about your safety more than his own."
"And that's called true friendship," Eve stated.
"Indeed."
Eve sighed. "I miss my family ever since the fire Ratigan started at my home."
"Oh, I remember that story," replied Dawson, "I pray that your family is safe."
"Me, too."
"You'll see them again," Olivia told Eve, being optimistic as she could.
"Or they'll see you again," Andrew suggested, "They just might be looking for you. Speaking of your family, I miss Flappy; he's like a brother to me."
"Me, too, Andrew," Olivia agreed, "He was a good friend."
"Three children is enough," Hiram declared, "But Flappy is like another son to me."
"I see what you mean," said Eve.
Dawson brought Basil upstairs to bed because Basil was exhausted ever since the battle from Big Ben.
The rest of them headed to bed, as well. Eve, Clover, Andrew, and Olivia slept in a room together as if they were having a sleepover, like they used to.
…
At midnight, Clover, Olivia, and Andrew woke up to see a ghost of their mother, Bridget Flaversham, making them gasp. "Shh...It's alright, children," Bridget assured them, "It's me, your mother."
"How did you get here?" Andrew asked.
"I came to see you," Bridget replied, "You children have been very brave for the past two days because you worked together to save your father and helped save London."
"What can I say? Siblings unite," Clover said.
"Eve was also there for us," Olivia stated.
Bridget nodded. "Yes, and she was brave enough to protect you all. Because of Eve, London is safe."
Eve woke up to listen to the conversion. "Yep, and Basil couldn't have done it without teamwork, so I helped."
"You were willing to make sacrifices for those you love," Bridget told her.
Suddenly, Hiram stepped in the room. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Shh...Hiram, it's okay," Bridget assured him, "It's just me, Bridget."
"Oh, Bridget, how I miss you," Hiram said.
"I miss you and the children, too," replied Bridget, "But I've watched them grow up wonderfully and thanks to you."
"Oh, how did I end up with children who work together and are brave, smart, and selfless?" Hiram blushed as he said this.
"Well, you're just lucky, I guess," was Clover's reply.
Basil, Dawson, and Mrs. Judson stepped into the room to see what the commotion was.
"So, are you Clover's, Andrew's, and Olivia's mother?" Basil asked the ghost.
"I am and you must be Basil of Baker Street?"
Taken aback by Bridget's question, he answered, "Yes, I am. How did you guess all this?"
"I heard the children came to see you."
"Oh, your deduction is correct, Miss-"
"Flaversham!" Bridget and the others reminded him how to pronounce "Flaversham", since he liked to butcher it on purpose to get a rise out of Olivia, Andrew, and Clover.
"Right," Basil said guiltily, "But since Ratigan's gone, London is now safe." Then he recalled his unsavory insult about their mother when he first encountered Clover, Andrew, and Olivia after their father's abduction. "Oh, and Bridget?"
"Yes?"
"Oh, and I apologize for saying nasty things about you when I first met your children after their father was kidnapped. I jumped to conclusions, not knowing you. I deserve whatever punishment you give me for calling you immature when I don't know you well. I was the one being immature and self-absorbed for saying it. I won't try to upset children, let alone your children anymore."
Bridget took Basil's apology in consideration. "Well, I accept your apology, but I just want to make this perfectly clear: Remember in the future not to be cruel to others, including children or you'll regret it."
"Yes, Mrs. Flaversham," Basil said respectfully.
"And be good to my daughter, Clover," Bridget added.
"I will."
"Good."
"I have feelings for her, anyway."
"I do, too, but I just need time," Clover said, "Especially since Eve's kind has been cast out of society."
"But she proved to me that Eve never hurt her and that not all bats and other non-mice were evil," Basil said, "I'm going to change the law, so that non-mice and mice can live in peace."
"Very good," Bridget said.
Minutes went by and Bridget had to leave. They bade her goodbye for now and returned to their beds.
…
After breakfast, Basil decided to change the law to bats and other non-mice can live among mice and thanks to Clover and Eve proved that not all non-mice are bad. Eve did nothing but good deeds, although she worked for Ratigan.
Basil cleared his throat. "Eve?"
Eve went over to the detective.
"Ah, you're here. How would you like to be in the papers with Dawson, Clover, and me?" Basil asked.
"I'd be honored, Basil," Eve replied.
…
In Queen Mousetoria's fortress, Basil, Dawson, Eve, and the Flavershams came to greet the queen.
Clover had a rose-pink dress with light pink opera gloves. Eve sported in an aqua green dress. Olivia wore a lilac purple dress. Basil, Dawson, Hiram, and Andrew were dressed in tuxedos.
"Your Majesty," Basil began.
"Yes, Basil?" the queen asked.
"I would like to change the law about non-mice being cast out of mouse society," Basil requested and wrapped an arm around Eve, "Because this young lady, Eve, has helped us save London from Ratigan. She and Clover told me that not all bats and other non-mice are evil."
The queen considered this.
"Your Majesty, what are you going to do with me?" Eve asked her.
"Eve's my friend," Clover told her, "And she has feelings like we do. Thus, she has a good family."
Queen Mousetoria sighed. "Alright. Since Eve has proven that she's a hero as well as her family, I hereby decree that bats, rats, and other non-mice should live among mice as long as they deem good to mice."
"Yes!" Clover and Eve cheered as they danced, holding hands.
"Yippee!" Andrew and Olivia cheered.
Seeing the photographers, Hiram Flaversham scooted Andrew and Olivia, so that their sister and friend could be on the front page of the newspaper with Basil and Dawson.
"Kneel before the queen and smile," one photographer said.
Basil, Dawson, Clover, and Eve did as they were told. The camera flashed and the picture was taken.
…
That night, the queen provided a feast for her guests. Eve sat next to Clover and the Flavershams. Basil and Dawson sat next to each other and Hiram.
After the feast, the queen's guests danced in the grand hall. The only one who hasn't danced was Eve. She was sad because she had no one to dance with. She couldn't dance with Fidget because as far as she knew, he was dead and two, she broke up with him for trying to throw the Flaversham siblings overboard.
Dawson went over to comfort Eve. "Eve, what's the matter?" he asked her.
"I-I have no one to dance with," Eve replied, feeling blue.
Olivia, Andrew, and Hiram stopped dancing and joined Dawson and Eve.
"Oh, Eve," Olivia said, "We're sorry you don't have a dance partner." Then, she and Andrew sat next to Eve.
Just then, Eve heard a familiar group call to her. "Eve?" they cried.
"Can it be?" she said as her ears perked up and turned to see who it was.
"Eve!"
"Mom? Dad? Flappy?"
"It's us, Evie!" Flappy replied.
"Flappy! Mom! Dad!" Eve shouted and went over to her family to hug them.
"Eve, we missed you," Flappy said.
"I missed you, too, buddy," Eve answered, hugging her little bat brother.
Clover, Andrew, Olivia, Hiram, Basil, and Dawson were touched by the bat family's reunion.
"See, Eve?" Clover asked, remembering the day she told Eve that her family would find her, "What did I tell you? Your family found you and you're back together."
"Where have you been?" Eve's mother asked.
"It's a long story, but I thought I fell in love with the bat who saved me from the fire that divided me from you," Eve replied.
"Who is this bat you fell in love with?" her father inquired.
"Fidget, but he worked for Ratigan and he promised that we'll be out of his clutches together," Eve said, "However, I did it myself since Fidget seemed on board with kidnapping the queen and throwing my friends overboard." She gestured towards the Flaversham siblings.
Her family gasped at her story.
"These are my friends: Andrew, Clover, Olivia, and their father, Hiram Flaversham. Also, Basil of Baker Street and Dr. Dawson."
"Pleased to meet you, Flaversham," Eve's father said, shaking Hiram Flaversham, "And your beautiful children."
Hiram chuckled. "I adopted Andrew a few years ago."
"Pleasure to meet you, Basil and Dawson," Eve's mother said to the detective and the doctor.
"Pleasure to meet you, too, Miss," Dawson said.
"So, you, your husband, and son must be Eve's family that Eve and her friends have been talking about?" Basil asked.
"Yes, sir."
"I broke up with Fidget because I started to think he never cared about me and betrayed me before he was thrown into the Thames River by Ratigan," Eve sighed. "Fidget was not who I thought he was. I thought he was misunderstood and troubled."
"We're very sorry to hear that, Eve," said her mother.
"Your ex-boyfriend seems like bad news," her father mused, "But you're here now and that's all that matters."
"No offense, Eve, but your ex-boyfriend's a jerk," Flappy said.
"He is and he's dead to me."
"We have a lot of catching up to do," Eve's mother informed her.
"That can help with your breakup," Eve's father said, "And you can visit your friends whenever you want."
"Can I go with you?" Flappy asked his older sister.
"Of course, you can, cutie!" Eve replied, tousling his hair, making him giggle.
Flappy went over to socialize with the Flaversham siblings. "Hi, guys!" he said.
"Aww," Clover, Olivia, and Andrew fawned.
"He remembers you," Eve told them.
Then Flappy hopped over to Hiram, Basil, and Dawson. "Hello, guys!" he greeted.
"Flappy," the three men said in unison.
"Flappy's like another son to me," Hiram said.
"That's what you told us last night," Basil reminded him, "But I see what you mean because Andrew and Flappy are like brothers."
"Andrew never had a brother," Hiram said.
"But at least, he has a brother figure," Dawson informed him.
Hiram nodded, knowing it was best not to argue at this point. After all, he had enough children.
"Pst, Basil," Clover hissed to get her boyfriend's attention.
"Yes, Clover?" Basil asked.
"Let's go outside for fresh air," Clover answered and the two mice went outside.
"So, what is it that you want to tell me, Clover?"
"I was hoping Fidget doesn't try to attack us to avenge Ratigan," Clover said worriedly, "I'm afraid he'll do it like my ex-boyfriend did."
"Don't worry, darling, I'm sure he can't hurt us now," Basil assured her, "Look around you, it's a beautiful night. You, Eve, and your siblings saved the empire."
"Perhaps you're right, Basil."
Basil sang her a comforting song.
No more talk of darkness.
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you;
My words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom.
Let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you.
Clover decided to sing along with him, making sure she was feeling loved.
Say you love me every waking moment.
Turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you now and always.
Promise me that all you say is true;
That's all I ask of you.
Basil:
Let me be your shelter.
Let me be your light.
You're safe, no one will find you;
Your fears are far behind you.
Clover:
All I want is freedom,
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me.
Basil:
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Let me lead you from your solitude.
Say you need me with you, here beside you.
Anywhere you go, let me go, too.
Clover, that's all I ask of you.
Clover:
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Say the word and I will follow you.
Then the two love mice found the courage to sing together.
Share each day with me
Each night, each morning.
Even so, Clover still wanted Basil's reassurance.
Say you love me!
Basil continued telling her the truth that he'll be beside her.
You know I do.
The two sang together once more.
Love me-that's all I ask of you!
Basil and Clover kissed. Then, Basil swept her off her feet and carried her bridal style.
Anywhere you go, let me go, too.
Love me-that's all I ask of you.
Basil set Clover back on her feet and the two went back inside.
"Ah, my oldest daughter's growing up," Hiram sighed.