Munkustrap smiled to himself as he stretched out on top of an old oven. Another winter was finally over and life was returning to normal. Demeter was at her best; she hadn't had a nightmare in months and he had never been prouder. It was their anniversary today and there was nothing more that he wanted to do than curl up with his beautiful queen and avoid any interruptions.
"You were supposed to pick him up an hour ago!" Demeter hissed as she charged toward her mate, pulling Tristram behind her. Her emerald eyes flashed as she yanked the startled silver tom up out of his sprawled out position. She looked furious! Munkustrap gulped. "You promised Bomba and Tugger that you'd look after him for the day! You know that they needed a break!"
"Oh Bast, Dem- I'm sorry, I forgot!"
"You forgot? Excuse me?" Demeter's fur began to stand up. "You know that I haven't slept well for the last few nights! Let me guess, you think that just because you're the all powerful Jellicle Leader that everyone else has to do everything for you! I'm so sick of always having to clean up after your messes!" the golden queen turned and stalked off angrily, leaving the tabby with the young kitten who was watching him with curious eyes.
This wasn't good. Demeter never acted this way! It had been an honest mistake! Did she actually believe that he didn't want to do things for her? Of course he did, he loved her!
"Looks like someone's in the dog house, eh uncle Munku?" Tristram smirked up at him.
Munkustrap startled. This kit was spending way too much time with Tugger.
"Demeter? Whoa, what happened to you?" Tugger asked as the younger queen sprinted past, nearly shoving into him. Concerned, Bombalurina grabbed her sister's arm just as she made a dash to get away. "Dem, what's the matter? What happened to you?"
Seeing tears in her eyes, Bombalurina hesitantly put her arms around Demeter and hugged her, the contact making the upset queen immediately still and calm. Bombalurina hadn't made a move to touch her since she had returned to the tribe, and Demeter welcomed the contact. She felt protected in the way she had when she was a kitten. Sighing defeated, she wiped her eyes. "Oh Bomba, he's at it again! He thinks that just because he's the leader of the tribe that he doesn't have to do anything! I understand that he's got responsibilities, but he could help out every once and a while! I just don't know what to do anymore!"
Bombalurina glanced at Tugger who shrugged his shoulders, unsure of how to respond. Munkustrap and Demeter hadn't been getting along very well lately, and it was clearly upsetting the golden queen more than anyone knew. Bombalurina wasn't sure how to approach the topic, or what the right thing was to say in this situation. This was Demeter and Munkustrap they were talking about, after all. They rarely got into fights; they were usually the ones the help couples get out of them. Sensing that there was something deeper going on inside of her sister then she was letting on, Bombalurina pulled her closer.
"Demeter," Bombalurina lifted her sisters face to hers," what's really bothering you? I've known you long enough to know that it's far more than Munkustrap forgetting to pick up Tristram."
Demeter looked into her sister's eyes, desperate for her to understand what she wasn't saying. Realizing that she would have to explain, she gulped and stood up. "I-I have to go."
Demeter quickly dashed away and Bombalurina glanced at Tugger, who looked back, obviously worried.
"Munkustrap never said anything to me about having problems with Demeter," Tugger stated, baffled. "I think it's about time we paid my brother a visit."
"Straps, you home?" Tugger called as Bombalurina followed him into his brother's den.
"Hey mom, dad," Tristram greeted, Munkustrap following closely behind.
"Hey kit, how about you go out and play with Rumpleteazer? I just heard that she found a whole new bag of loot! Maybe she's got something in it for you?" Tugger said as he led his kitten out of the den.
Munkustrap looked at the leaving cats, confused. Wasn't he supposed to kittensit Tristram for the day? And why were Bombalurina and Tugger together? They never went anywhere alone!
"Munkustrap, I'm only going to ask this once," Bombalurina folded her arms, cornering the tom against a wall. "What in Heavysides name did you do to my sister?"
He just stared at her, confused. "I- I don't know!"
"O Straps, you're in hot water and you don't even know it," Tugger said as he walked back into the den. "We found her crying, you had to have done something! It's no secret that you don't have my charm when it comes to queens, but this is ridiculous!"
Bombalurina swatted Tugger's side, not amused with his last comment. Did he always have to make everything into a joke?
"I-I honestly don't know what happened," Munkustrap began. "I thought that everything was fine between us, but then she just lost her temper!" He was stunned. Demeter had been crying? Over him?
"Munkustrap, you know that Demeter is a complicated queen at times and can be easily offended, but she loves you," Bombalurina began, "and I'm sure that if you just talk to her about it, everything will be fine. She's my sister, Munku, I don't like to see her unhappy. Which is why you need to fix this."
Munkustrap felt a lump rise in his throat. Could his relationship with Demeter really be in danger? How could he have not noticed that his mate was in so much pain? Had he really been that absorbed into his work that he didn't notice that his family was in jeopardy? Munkustrap watched as Bombalurina and Tugger headed out of the den. After a while of decided what he should do, he got up to go find his mate but stopped when he spotted her at the den entrance. "Demeter, I…"
"Hi," she awkwardly made her way past him into the den. He knew that he needed to find out what was really bothering her.
"Dem, about earlier… I never meant to make you feel like you do everything for me … I've just been so caught up in things since dad died… I would never want you to think that I put my work ahead of our relationship, " Munkustrap made his way over to his mate and sat down. "I love you, and I promise to make you see how much I cherish you everyday. Bast Dem, you do so much for the tribe that I-"
She cut him off. "I guess that I just felt like I've been taking the backseat in your life," Demeter tried to finish her sentence. She needed to be honest with him. " It's not your fault, not really. I mean, I know that you've got a whole tribe to attend to… I know that I'm being ridiculous."
Munkustrap urged her to go on, unsure of where this conversation was headed. What was she so afraid of? Clearly this was about more than his leadership skills. There was something very personal bothering her. "Munku, it's just that- look, I know that I'm not the most ideal mate. I'm not fit to be mated to the leader of this tribe… I can't provide the things that you need…things that any normal queen should be able to give you-"
So that's what this whole thing was about! Munkustrap frowned. Demeter hadn't been able to conceive despite their best efforts, and it was clearly beginning to take its toll on her. He was devastated. "Dem, you know that I never picked you to be my mate because you would give me kittens."
Demeter glanced up, desperately trying to make him understand. "But you shouldn't have to deal with this! You're the leader! You need an heir!"
Munkustrap pressed his lips against hers. "I love you. Do you understand me? I love you. Don't you even start to think that way! You're all that I've ever wanted!"
Demeter slumped against him, tears mingling between their coats. "I'm so ashamed."
"Shh," Munkustrap held her to him, gently. "I love you, Demeter. There's nothing that you can do to change that."
Sitting up straight, Demeter watched curiously as Munkustrap walked around the den, searching for something. She watched him smile as he found what he was looking for and returned to sit beside her. "I got you something for our anniversary."
He held up a shimmering golden bracelet that Bustopher had gotten him for the occasion. It had originally belonged to a human girl, but with a little bit of tweaking it made the perfect cat collar. Demeter gasped in astonishment. It was beautiful!
"Oh Munku, you remembered!" Demeter threw her arms around the tom. She didn't know how she had been fortunate enough to end up with such a mate. She was beyond blessed. Munkustrap held her to him and smiled, pleased to see his mate smile again. "I love you Dem. I'm going to stick by you through thick and thin. You're invaluable to me, please don't ever forget that."
Demeter purred as she looked into her mate's eyes. "I love you too, Munkustrap, and I won't forget everything that you've done for me. You're more than I could ever deserve."
He responded by silencing her with a kiss.
"Mom, what were you talking to uncle Munkustrap about?" Tristram asked as he walked in between Bombalurina and Tugger. Not expecting the question, Bombalurina stuttered as she tried to come up with a response. Tugger, sensing her distress, answered their son's question. "They were deciding what dances they were going to do at the ball this year. Your mother was worried that your uncle would pick the wrong ones."
Bombalurina flashed him a grateful smile. The last thing she needed was for her kitten to think that something was wrong between his family members.
"Ello Bomba, Tugga, Tistram," Mungojerrie stepped into the clearing."Takin' a late night stroll, I see?"
"Well it's past this ones bed time, so no, we're just walking him home," Bombalurina said as she peered down at Tristram, who pouted in response.
"Well I can put 'im ta bed if ya need me to," Mungojerrie offered. He had heard about what was happening between Demeter and Munkustrap, and figured that the leader's queen would need her sister right about now.
"Could you? Thanks so much, Mungo! I just need to run back to Demeter's for a sec to check on something," Bombalurina said gratefully. She needed to make sure her sister was okay; seeing her in that state had unnerved her.
"I should probably go and check on things too," Tugger added. "So you, little tom, be good for old Jerrie here and go to sleep without making a fuss, okay?"
"Who ya callin old?" Mungojerrie responded, nudging Tuggers' shoulder.
"Night love," Bombalurina said as she kissed her son on his head and watched as he walked away with the cat burglar. Sighing, she turned to Tugger."I really hope Dem and Munkustrap have patched things up. I don't like seeing her like that."
Tugger nodded as they made their way back toward their sibling's den. Despite the last couple months, Bombalurina still didn't feel completely comfortable around Tugger. She often struggled to make appropriate conversations with him when they were with other cats, but lately since they had been finding themselves alone together a lot more, the task was even more complicated. Christmas had only made her feel even more awkward around him.
"What the-" Tugger's eyes bulged as they neared the den entrance, spying Munkustrap and Demeter on top of each other. "Well it looks like everything is back to normal with them."
Shocked, they quickly turned around and headed back out into the warm night. Bombalurina was about to make a snarky comment but a muffled noise caused her to stop and the two cats looked around themselves suspiciously. Spying something behind her, Tugger clasped a hand over her mouth and dragged her into a shadowed corner, pointing to where the sound was coming from.
"Well would you look at those two," Tugger said slyly as Bombalurina smiled cheekily. "I always thought that those two liked each other."
Bombalurina tried to control her giggles as Pouncival and Etcetera walked past them, nuzzling, lost in their own little world.
"Well it looks like love is in the air tonight," Tugger joked as a silence fell between the two of them. Bombalurina looked down at her feet awkwardly. This was difficult. Everyone in the tribe seemed to be paired off. Everyone except her.
Tugger coughed, attempting to break the silence between them. He hated how awkward things had become; he used to be able to tell Bombalurina everything! How could he have possibly managed to let them get to this point? Ever since Bombalurina and Tristram had come back into to the junkyard, his life had been completely turned upside down. He found himself loving the little tom more than anything in the world. Tugger had this peaceful feeling of contentment whenever he was with Tristram, and he almost felt whole. He had never imagined that he would feel this way towards a kitten or fatherhood, but he did. But there was also something that kept nagging at him, something that wouldn't let him be completely happy. It plagued him every night when he was about to fall asleep and startled him in the morning whenever he woke up.
Bombalurina.
He hadn't expected it to be so hard without her around when she had first left, and he definitely wasn't expecting to find out how difficult it would be for him once she was back home again. He had realized over the last few years what it was that he wanted in life, and now it was staring him in the face, refusing to go away. "Um Bomba, can I ask you something?"
"You just did."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know, I was just teasing. Go on."
Tugger sat down, struggling to find the right words. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if we-you, didn't get pregnant that night?"
"Tugger…" Bombalurina was clearly caught of guard. "I can't talk about this… Not after all that's happened-"
"Just listen for a second," Tugger caught her arm as she got up to leave. "I've thought about it a lot. In fact, it's tormented me every night ever since you left. At first I thought that it had ruined my life; that you had deliberately ruined my life…but when you and Tristram came back I realized that it didn't ruin my life at all, it completed it… I can't imagine what my life would be like without him in it. I never meant to drive you out, I wasn't thinking clearly! I-"
"Tristram loves you too- he adores you!" Bombalurina cut him off. "I um, can't imagine what I would have done if you weren't here to raise him as well." She just couldn't go where Tugger wanted to take the conversation. Not yet. She wasn't ready.
Tugger sat and stared at the ground for a minute, unsure of what to do, feeling put out. "Hey, you want to go for a walk down by the lake, for old times sake?" He hoped that she would agree. He didn't want to end the evening on a bad note.
"Sure."
The cool night air brushed through Bombalurina's fur, giving her a light pleasurable feeling. She inhaled it and sighed in content. Tugger kept taking quick glances at her but turned his head as soon as she looked back at him.
"I had forgotten how beautiful it was down here," she commented, wistfully looking out across the open water. It reflected the starlit sky.
"The stars are gorgeous tonight," Tugger was pleased. He had made her happy and actually managed to do something right for a change. "So do you- uh, remember this place?" He asked awkwardly.
"Sort of…" She was clearly confused.
"It's where we had our fist date."
"Oh." Well she remembered now all right! "I can't believe how many stars are out tonight! It's almost like the Heavyside is opening up."
She stared up in amazement as Tugger lay down. She felt free!
"Lie down, I want to show you something," Tugger moved over, making room for her. Eyeing him cautiously, she hastily obeyed and lay down beside him. Even the grass seemed different tonight- it was so soft! Everything was so peaceful, yet she couldn't relax completely. There was something wrong about this situation that she just couldn't put her paw on.
"Look over there," Tugger said as he pointed to the Northern star. "Remember when we were kittens and my mother and father used to tell us stories about how when you need someone the most the stars will always guide you to them?"
"Yes," actually, she was rather surprised that he still remembered that.
"I think I know what they meant now," Tugger turned onto his side and locked eyes with her. His eyes seemed to hold her in a trance. She was just about to respond when a voice interrupted.
"Tugger, Bombalurina! I'm so glad that I finally found you two. Tristram's sick and we can't get him to sleep. He's been screaming for the last two hours," Mistoffelees stopped to catch his breath, as the two cats immediately rose from their position and raced toward their den.
Bombalurina found Victoria nursing the young kitten in her lap. Noticing her, Victoria stroked his head reassuringly. "Shh, it's okay. Your mother's here."
The white cat handed Tristram to Bombalurina and headed out the door to where Mistoffelees was. He was explaining to Tugger what exactly had happened.
"Shhh, it's okay love, I'm here. It's okay," Bombalurina calmly soothed as Tristram whimpered and snuggled further into her. Bombalurina nuzzled him and started to sing something that she had heard years ago. As the notes softly flowed out of her mouth, they seemed to fill the night air.
Tugger listened attentively from the front of the den. She was actually very good. He remembered his own mother singing that song to him when he was young. As he walked inside the den he joined the queen in her song and sat down beside her. Bombalurina was startled at how gentle his voice was. It blended well with hers and she found herself pleased that it did. At least there was something that they could still manage to do together.
Tristram was out like a light and lay sleeping peacefully between both parents in a matter of minutes. Bombalurina cast a smile at Tugger and silently mouthed, "Thank you,'' to him. He smiled back and they both curled up around their son, too exhausted to move from their current positions.
The next morning, Tugger woke up to find Bombalurina and Tristram pressed lightly into his side. He felt something wonderful swell up inside of his chest, and wondered how he had gotten to be so lucky. Trying not to wake them, he gently got up and headed out of the den entrance to get food for his small family.
Demeter froze. She sat there in shock as Jellylorum patted her paw. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Are you sure? I mean… How can you know for sure?" She asked the old queen. Queens were supposed to know right away when something like this happened! It was instinctual! How could she not have known?
Her aunt grinned at her. "I know these things, and there's no denying it. Now you wander on home and get some rest, missy."
Demeter bounded ecstatically down the path, spying Bombalurina with a group of cats. Enthusiastically, she ran up and gripped the red queen around her waist. "Bombalurina, you'll never believe it! Oh, I had thought that it was hopeless!" Demeter couldn't stop grinning.
"Whoa- hold on there girl. You'll fall over if you don't calm down!" Bombalurina warned as the golden cat jumped up and down gleefully. "Dem, calm down! What's gotten into you all of a sudden? What's going on?"
Demeter screeched happily as she clasped her hands together. "I'm pregnant!"
Munkustrap's eyes widened. "You're- you're-" he stammered.
"Expecting!"
The tabby wrapped his arms around his mate and picked her up, spinning her around. "Bast Dem, that's great! That's wonderful! I'm going to be a father!"
As the news spread, cats began to gather around the happy couple and congratulated them tenderheartedly.
Bombalurina slunk away unnoticed from the crowed. As happy as she was for her sister-and she was happy for her- she felt a bit threatened. Of course Demeter would get what she always wanted. She always got what she wanted! Not that she didn't deserve it, of course. Demeter already had a loving mate and a devoted family… now she was going to have the perfect little kitten to top it all off and everyone in the junkyard was going to be absolutely ecstatic for her. Bombalurina sighed. It was so different from how she was treated when everyone found out that she was pregnant. Demeter had everything she could possibly want now, and it left Bombalurina with one lingering question:
Where was her own life meant to go from here?
