Midsummer Crises

by starwars4life

Many changes have happened in the lives of the hedgies in the span of 5 years: marriages, parenthood, and a new sense of identity. However, not all changes are good and have given rise to conflicts among many hedgies, which impact the whole family. What sort of life challenges face the hedgies now, and will the love of family and friendship be enough to solve the dilemmas?

14. Confessions and Revelations

Chapter 14: Confessions and Revelations

The next day is a typical summer one: sunny and hot. But that doesn't stop Mary and Bernard from playing one of their favorite games. They are in a tree facing each other with their arms crossed and eyes locked onto their sibling. Seeing that Bernard's face is starting to show discomfort, Mary says, "Y'know, you could always back out..."

Bernard: "Not a chance. I inherited more of daddy's raccoon genes than you, and raccoons are stronger than possums."

Mary loathes it when her brother says that, because it's always true. "Except for this game," she says smugly in her head. She then decides to steal and alter her brother's favorite line when she crosses her arm and says in a snarky tone, "Well, I inherited more of mommy's possum genes than you, so there's no way you'll beat me at this game. I always win at this game."

Bernard: "Then your flawless winning streak is coming to an end, big sissy."

Mary: "Oh yeah?"

Bernard: "Yeah!"

Ike and Emma are walking by and Ike asks the opossacoon twins, "How long dis time?"

Mary and Bernard tilt their heads up as far as they can to look at the upside down Ike and say in unison, "Seven minutes."

Ike: "Dat's'a new wecord for you's, Bernard!"

Emma: "Ike, did you learn to speak like that from Uncle Kale?"

Ike: " 'Course I did!"

Emma sighs while shaking her head side-to-side and muses, "Note to self: cut down on bad influences before they become permanent." She then says aloud, "Well that's because he's a wolf and grew up in a pack. You're a porcupine, and you will speak properly."

Ike (disappointed): "Yes mommy…" (Back to his upbeat self) "Can we stay to see who win?"

Emma: "Why not? And thanks for knocking off that silly wolf-talk."

The mother and son sit down Indian style and gaze up into the trees—for it is not they who are upside down, but rather, the twins who are; hanging from a tree branch three feet above the ground using their prehensile tails, seeing who can hang on for the longest. Their game serves both as fun and as a way to build their tail strength.

Confident that he will win this time, Bernard voices this by proudly stating, "I used my tail to fight back against the gopher bully yesterday. It's stronger since the last time we played our game."

Mary: "And I've been using my tail to do gymnastics with Aunt Becca. At first my tail was stronger than yours, now it's unbeatable. Let's take it to the next level."

Mary looks like she is doing reverse chin-ups as she lowers and raises herself by her tail. Bernard starts doing the same and not only does he keep up with Mary's "tail-ups", he starts to outpace her. Mary's eyes widen in surprise and she wonders in dread could this really be the day that Bernard beats her? "Not now, not ever!" she says defiantly in her mind, and does more tail-ups until she outpaces her brother. The two start panting as they're getting a real workout now.

Ike raises his arms to cheer, "Go Bernard! Go Mary!", his toddler voice pronouncing their names as "Bernaw-ward" and "Mare-wee."

Emma is equally invested and says, "It's a win-win for us."

The cheering gives each opossacoon a boost of confidence and they go faster with their tail-ups, panting harder and working up a sweat. It no longer becomes a game of strength, but a test to see if whether Bernard's new confidence or Mary's inherited genes will give each the leg up he or she needs to win. Ten seconds later, and Bernard's tail unwraps from the tree branch, unable to hold on anymore due to the exhaustion and exertion, and he lands on a bed of leaves and pine straw. Mary stops after doing three more tail ups, but keeps hanging on. A big toothless smile stretches across her mouth, and she adds some nonverbal gloat by nodding her head and crossing her arms in victory.

Bernard: "You win fair and square." (Rolls his eyes in annoyance) "...again."

Mary: "Face it, Bernard: in 'Hanging Possum,' I always win. But you did better than you ever have before."

Bernard: "If I hadn't pushed myself to outdo you in the tail-ups..."

Mary giggles and says, "You fell right into my trap."

Bernard, Ike, and Emily respectively go, "Huh? Huh-huh?"

Mary: "We're twins, we share the same mind. I know how you think. All I had to do was get you to go faster than me and you'd get tired faster."

Since this is not the first time Mary has used such an underhanded and manipulative trick, Bernard yells in frustration, "Agh! How do you always do that!?"

Mary: "You inherited more of daddy's raccoon genes, but I inherited more of daddy's raccoon brain."

Emma: "I sure am glad I only had one kid instead of twins. But I won't have one kid for much longer."

Ike: "What you mean, mommy?"

Emma: "A few months from now, you're going to have a little brother or sister!"

Ike gasps—along with Mary and Bernard—but then the three-year-old goes "I'm gonna be a big bwother! Epic-wy awesome!"

Bernard: "A new cousin! I can't wait!"

Mary: "Way to go, Aunt Emma!"

Emma: "They say it's easier to have another child not too long after your first one, and Spike and I want Ike to learn social skills like sharing and not being the center of attention."

Even though his little mind doesn't fully comprehend everything he just heard, the young one doesn't like the sound of what his mother said. Ike looks confused and asks in a puzzled tone, "What's that mean, mommy?"

Emma: "It means you're going to learn all sorts of fun and interesting things while having a great time being the best big brother there ever was."

Ike: "Sounds fun!"

Emma: "It will be."

Mary: "And another reason I beat Bernard is because Aunt Becca's gymnastic lessons have helped too. Check this out!"

Still gripping the tree branch with her tail, Mary starts to swing. What happens next would normally be impossible for all but the most skilled opossum to pull off, but because Mary has a fur-covered raccoon ringtail that gives her looseness without sacrificing the possum tail strength, she starts to do loops from where she is hanging. The onlookers are amazed and stare with their mouths and eyes wide open, but Mary saved the best for last. Judging her speed to be just right, she has her tail completely let go to launch herself in the air, does a front flip, and lands on the ground in a gymnastics finishing pose.

The three viewers are too stunned to do anything at first, but that all changes when Ike excited exclaims, "That was totally, epic-wy, wicked!"

The toddler's remark gets Emma and Bernard to clap and cheer along with him.

Emma: "That was amazing, Mary!"

Bernard: "You really are the best with your tail!"

Mary: "Thanks everyone. I did get dizzy the first few times I practiced with Aunt Becca, but practice makes perfect."

Bernard: "Speaking of make perfect, would you be interested in coming along with me to hang out with Richie?"

Mary: "Something tells me it'll be more about Patricia."

Bernard: "Yeah...I gave her up without really fighting to win her back twice. But that was before I had that life-changing revelation yesterday. I'm five times better now than I was back then. If I can't win her back a third time, then I'll know that I need to find another girlfriend."

Emma: "But that won't happen, Bernard. You've got this. Go and win your true love back, and don't let anyone get in your way."

Bernard: "Thanks Aunt Emma. And even though I'm confident that I can make it there and back on my own and defend myself from predators, it's better to be safe than sorry, so I'm gonna see who can take me over to Patricia's home right now."

Mary: "Mommy and daddy can't because he's taking her to see Grandpa Ozzie's grave. And Plushie is taking me to the playground zone to be with my friends."

Emma: "I would take you if I could, Bernard, but Spike and I have plans for today."

Bernard: "Maybe Aunt Becca can, but there's only one way to find out."

The four return to the main living area and ask for Rebecca, only to be informed by the others that she has already gone to see Garrett. Bernard explains to them what he intends to do today, and asks who can take him to Patricia. But it seems unlikely with Rogan needing to be by Sarah's side as she recovers, Bucky and Emily taking care of their twins, Annette helping keep an eye on Ike while Spike and Emma get some alone time for the first time in a while, the bats sleeping, Tiger and Stella taking De'Ausha to see Ladarius, Rick and Luby helping Quillo and Rachel tidy up the hedgies' home with chores along with Roger and Ty, Hammy and Scarlet doing things with Sam and Aaron, Verne and Velma staying at the log to lead the family while RJ is gone, Lou and Penny spending some quality time together at their downtime spot, and Kale on his patrols.

Velma: "Can't Patricia wait until tomorrow, Bernard?"

Bernard: "No, I've gotta do it today. Every day she spends with Zack, she'll start loving him more than me. Yesterday was one of the best days of my life, and I'm in the mood to keep that hot streak going. I need to fix this one last thing to have closure. I need closure."

Clara has been pigging out on meat in the cooler, but shuts the lid after hearing Bernard and comes forward on the off-road skateboard that Roger and Ty had found for her yesterday after the family's battle.

Clara: "I know what it's like ta live a life without closure. It bites harder dan my bite force, which means it bites hard. So if it's closure you's want, it's closure you'll get. I'll escort you's. I got nothin' betta to do today, 'cept talk with Kale whenever he gets back."

Bernard: "Why...thank you Clara."

Clara sees and hears the uncertain-surprise on Bernard's face and in his words. She sighs and says, "Yeah, none of ya's are used ta me being nice. Gotta admit, it feels almost alien ta me, too. But if it'll get me on betta terms with Kale—oh yeah, and all'uv you's—den what're we's waitin' for?"

Bernard: "Gotta grab my bag and then I'll be good to go."

As he runs off to get his golf bag, Clara nods and looks up to the see the others giving her looks and nods of appreciation.

Verne: "If you want to stay and live here, just let us know. We'll be more than happy to—"

Clara: "Easy scale-face, we're not dare yet."

Verne: "After the talk we had with you yesterday, I don't see why not."

Clara: "I got some personal issues ta take care of. Some soul-searchin' too, and like I said before, more stuff ta talk to Kale about. Maybe after dat I'll consider ya's offer, but not a moment before."

Verne: "The choice is yours."

Bernard returns with his golf bag around him and says, "Ready Clara?"

Clara: "Always. Let's go."

As the canine and opossacoon leave, the rest go about doing the things they need to do today. But everyone has a good feeling of how events will turn out by the end of this day.

---

Once the duo are out of earshot, Clara comments, "Ta tell ya da truth, I'm surprised ya's famlily trusts me ta be alone with you's."

Bernard: "You proved your loyalty yesterday when you helped us win the fight, and told us about the problems you're going through."

Clara: "What if I was jus' lyin'?"

Bernard: "First off, you weren't. Folks don't normally lie when they talk about what's been tearing them up emotionally."

Clara: "I'm not your average folk, kid."

Bernard: "I'm well aware of that. If you were lying, you deserve an Oscar, but you're not much of an actor. You have two modes: rage and torment. And secondly, if you did try something funny, I can either outrun you since you're speed is restricted by the skateboard, or I can climb into a nearby tree unlike you, and I have my golf bag weapons."

Clara: "That last thing wouldn't save you's from me, but the first two sure would. Smart kid."

Bernard: "You're bored aren't you?"

Clara: "Wha?"

Bernard: "You're so used to thinking negative things that you're passing the time by talking about what might happen if you tried to turn on us despite everything you did and said yesterday."

Clara huffs through her nose in appreciation and says, "You're a really smart kid." Now that Bernard has ruined her fun trying to play mind games with him, she then changes the topic by asking, "So why're ya so heck-bent on gettin' back with dis girlfriend of yours? If she rejected you's so quickly and got with another boy two days later, what makes you teenk she'll wanna be with you's now?"

Bernard: "Because I know she still loves me for who I am. When Zack picked on me, she came to my defense by saying how kind, smart, responsible, and selfless I was. She even told him he better not tease me if he wanted to stay with her. And after all I've been through since then, I can now stand up to Zack with words, or physically if I need to."

Clara: "I have a betta way. I can eat dat no-good boyfriend of hers at his home and make it look like an accident. She'll be heartbroken and willin' ta get back with the first boyfriend who comes ta console her, which'll be you's. By the time ya's ready to reveal her da truth, you's two'll be long married and used to bein' with each oth'a dat she'll still be wit you's."

Bernard: "Lord no! How could you say something like that? That would never work!"

Clara: "Counter argument: dat's how my parents became lovers and stayed married aft'a my dad told my mom what really happened ta her ex. Not only was she not angry, she thanked him for gettin' rid'uv da loser she was in love with before him."

Bernard: "One, that's murder. If she found out I let you do that, she'll still divorce me—and she should. And two, that won't do any good because the only reason she doesn't want to be with me is because I'm sterile and can't give her kits."

Clara thinking: "Breeding 101: nev'a have hybrid kids 'cuz they'll look like freaks and're a buncha mules incapable of producing kids demselves." (Out loud) "What're you's gonna do if dis Patricia says no again?"

Bernard sighs and says in a defeated tone, "Then I'll need to find another girlfriend who will want to marry me despite being a sterile hybrid."

Clara (sarcastically): "Good luck with dat."

Bernard: "Yeah...It won't be easy," (more positive tone) "but it won't be impossible, either."

Clara: "Since you's don't want me ta get ridda Zack, I can back you's up by intimidatin' him or Patricia. Dat'll make her dump him and accept you."

Bernard: "Could you please stop making suggestions? I need to do this on my own, because any outside help would make it look like I can't take care of things by myself, which'll make me look weak...like a was when I met Zack. This time I'm gonna be strong and take things like the kind, mature, selfless, and smart kid I am, no matter what happens."

Clara: "Sure, you get ta have all the fun—and misery if it comes to dat. 'Cuz not all closure is good. I'm livin' proof of dat cruel truth...But den again, Kale made me realize dat the best way to get back at my pack is ta prove dem wrong. I'll nev'a feel truly satisfied 'cuz they'll nev'a know how wrong dey were about me, but at least I'll be happy and free from dare hold on me."

Bernard: "Same here. I'm prepared for every outcome. This is the last loose end in my life that I need to tie. And thanks again for coming along with me to do this."

Clara: "My pleasure. I got to know you betta and—Wait, did we just bond?"

Bernard (while smiling): "Heh-heh, sure did."

Clara shivers while letting out an, "Uh, huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh" as fast as a machine gun. She stops shivering when she says "It feels so weird. Weirder dan that warm feelin' I got after da tickle torture ya's family subjected me to yesterday, 'cuz it's wit you's personally instead all of ya's family superficially." Wanting to get away from these strange feelings that make her feel so uncomfortable, Clara does some quick thinking and finds a new direction for their conversation to go, one that she is more at home with. "Just so ya know, wolves don't tie loose ends, we sever them. Slice n' dice 'em up till they're nothin' but a pool of blood and tears."

Bernard: "Yeah, Kale told us that once. It's literal and a metaphor."

Clara: "You still afraid of wolves?"

Bernard: "In general, yes. All creatures other than top predators do. But I'm not afraid of Kale."

Clara: "And me?"

Bernard: "Yeah, you scare me, but not for your appearance or personality, not ever since I've gotten to know you better. I am afraid of your strength and resilience. It's amazing and horrifying at the same time."

Clara: "Ha-ha, dat's what I like ta hear..."

Bernard: "Mommy and daddy said that others will call me 'freak' for the rest of my life, but I've learned to not let what they say get me down and to have them judge me by my actions instead of my appearance. I was just too shocked and heartbroken to see Patricia with another boy to remember that at the time, but I won't make that mistake twice. But with your strength, I betcha you were never bullied."

Clara: "I...actually was."

Bernard: "How?"

Clara: "Other animals called me 'freak' too because of how unnatural my strength was. Dey said I belonged inna circus as the 'Big Bad Bimbo Wolf with Super Strength.' "

Bernard can't believe his ears and takes a breath to say something to empathize with the canine, only for Clara unintentionally cut him off by saying, "But I made dose who called me that pay hard. Dey only had the chance ta make fun of me once, den after that they didn't make fun of me anymore, if you get my drift."

Bernard: "Yeah I do."

Clara feels unsatisfied that Bernard didn't sound more afraid just now, but she quickly remembers that the opossacoon has been around Kale for five years so Bernard obviously has heard about (and seen) Kale's own dastardly deeds.

Clara: "If you had my strength, would you have used it against ya's own bullies?"

Bernard: "I don't think I would. My parents taught me that violence isn't the answer, unless it's a last resort out of self-defense."

Clara: "Humph, lame."

Bernard: "Not only that, but I would honestly be afraid of my own strength if I was as strong as you."

Clara looks at Bernard in confusion, prompting him to elaborate.

Bernard: "The knowledge that I could severely hurt or kill someone else without breaking a sweat...it's scary. It would be too tempting for me to misuse that strength for bad things, and I prefer to be liked and loved by others, not feared."

Clara: "I believe the upsides outweigh the downsides."

Suddenly, Clara stares into oblivion upon realizing how Bernard's words are an allegory for what led to her own downfall. She had just said the opposite of what reality has proven to her: that her super strength's downsides far outweighed the upsides. It was because of her strength that she developed her superiority complex; which made her an outcast among other wolves; which led to her being so anti-social; which made her parents give up on her; which led her to do what she did to get the mark of shame; which made her live a life of being alone, hated, and unloved; which led to her being bested by Kale; which then led to her abused by the shock collar, and the humiliation of being the servant of the hedgies. The only time she had ever used her strength for good was when she came to their aid yesterday.

She always thought it was her gifted intelligence that led to her downfall, which she could easily blame on her parents since they did things to make her smarter. But now it's clear to her that her strength was the main culprit. Furthermore, her intelligence was also something she was born with. So whatever the case—her strength or intelligence—it was nature not nurture that ruined her life. Her nature. She already admitted this to Kale, but only now does it feel more profound than ever.

Clara is brought back to her senses when Bernard asks, "Um, Clara? You okay?"

Clara: "Y-yeah. Just had a, uh, silly thought—that I don't wanna share."

Bernard: "No worries. Let's just keep heading to Patricia's."

Clara: "Lead da way."

While doing that, Bernard figures out that his words had something to do with Clara's lapse into her own little world, just like how RJ's had done the same with Kale five years prior. The opossacoon has bonded with Clara in a similar way that RJ bonded with Kale back then; the difference being that it was how both Bernard and Clara had been called freak versus RJ and Kale growing up unloved and without their parents for most of their lives.

Bernard muses in pride, "I really am more like daddy than I originally thought."

The two still have a ways to go, but make the rest of the journey in relative silence.

---

In his "room" Garrett is looking at a photo of Lizzy and himself on their wedding day. He and Lizzy are both standing, with her on the left-hand side and him on the right-hand side. His left paw is gripping Lizzy's antecubital fossa (the spot where the upper and forearm meet in the middle, on the opposite side of the elbow) and he is kissing her on the cheek with his eyes closed. Lizzy is looking at him with her peripheral vision and has a big toothless smile on her face. Garrett sighs as many memories of the love he shared with her come back, making him feel melancholy. Though, it is not so much about the loss he feels for her, but for the loss he will begin to feel for what he is about to do. His memory replays the events that led him to where he is now.

When he had gotten back home from bathing Rebecca the day before yesterday, Garrett had told his family what he and his current girlfriend had spoken about. Their minds had been blown just as much as his had, and they also vowed to apologize to Kale whenever the wolf came by, which happened yesterday. Although it was in the opposite direction of Kale's intended path, Rebecca had made Kale promise to stop by Garrett's home during the canine's patrols, and what followed made the detour worth every second. Garrett and his family did far more than apologize for all the hate and rudeness they have been harboring for Kale ever since Lizzy's death. Garrett takes time to reminisce exactly what had been said before they did more for Kale.

Garrett: "It was like Rebecca said, you made the ultimate sacrifice and have been busting your butt so hard to make all prey animals' lives safer—all from the guilt you had from killing prey animals like Lizzy."

Glen: "And not once did we ever thank you for that. Because we were blinded by our rage."

Houston: "We can't imagine how hard and tiring it must be for you to patrol these vast woods all by yourself."

Lyra: "Or how frustrating it is when you're unable to save everyone because of how much ground you need to cover."

Jared: "The day you came here searching for Clara, you were genuinely concerned about our safety...And we said some of the most horrible and ugly things to you, driven by our hate and lust for vengeance."

Amy: "The insults we said that day only made things worse for you."

Garrett: "Because of all that, you're not a monster, we were the monsters."

Glen: "We wanted revenge, and because we couldn't go toe-to-toe with you, we just stayed in the trees and trash talked you like a bunch of cowardly kids."

Houston: "Even if we could kill you for what you did to my little brother and our in-laws, it won't bring any of them back."

Garrett: "And as I told Rebecca yesterday, Lizzy wouldn't want me or us to avenge her."

Lyra: "Nothing comes out of revenge...except more hate."

Amy: "Besides, revenge is for little children because they don't know any better. As fully grown adults, we should be above that."

Jared: "If you can forgive us for what we've done, it would mean the world to us. If not, then don't worry about it."

Garrett: "We don't deserve your forgiveness. But we promise to never judge you for who you were or what you did back then. We will only judge you for who you are now."

Glen: "And right now you are a fully reformed ex-predator who puts the protection of animals that real predators kill above your own life. And you will never stop protecting them, or give up on us, even when others have given up on or blamed you."

Garrett: "It wasn't your fault what happened to Lizzy, it was your former pack. And you were never like them because you never wanted to be like them."

Amy: "So even in the past, you weren't as bad was we used to believe."

Jared: "And we will make it up to you, whether you accept our apology or not."

Glen: "As leader of this family I speak for all of us when I say we offer our services to you as your paisanos. We'll keep this portion of the forest safe from predators as best as we can so that you don't have to worry about doing everything yourself."

Amy: "So wha'dya say, Kale? Or should we called you, 'Boss?' "

Each raccoon had spoken in voices full of honesty, guilt, and embarrassment, all of which confirmed to Kale that they were telling him the truth. The wolf didn't even need to use his nose as a lie detector. Still, Kale could decide to not accept their apology as punishment for what they had said to him that day, for there was no excuse for their behavior then.

The long silence Kale is giving the raccoons makes them nervous, but Kale takes all the time he needs to consider his options. Kale ponders, "Punishment isn't da same as revenge, and people often learn their place and change dare ways after receivin' a punishment. Just like I did after gettin' the mark of shame, and when my pack deserted me after my failed coming-of-age hunt before den. Besides, what's da point if they's already sold their freedom to me, and will help me with my job no matter what?"

Kale knows it's the right thing to do, and makes his decision official when he says, "Apology accepted."

The raccoons breathe a sigh of relief and Glen says, "Thank heavens."

Kale: "A real wolf would not've accepted ya's apology. But I lived like a real wolf once, and it brought me nothin' but pain and hardships, so I'm nev'a turnin' back ta livin' dat kinda life anymore. Startin' by saying that you's won't be my paisanos, 'cuz that's what wolves use. Instead, you'll be my allies. My partners. My friends."

Lyra: "Thank you! You won't regret this!"

Jared: "We promise never to let you down."

Kale: "Even if you's do, I won't hold it against ya's, 'cuz I know what dat kinda pain feels like."

Houston: "F-forgive me, but I actually thought you would not accept our apology."

Garrett: "I knew he would, because that's what the kind of guy Rebecca accepted into her family would do."

Houston: "Then I'll never doubt you again, Kale."

Kale: "Dare's only one ting you's might want to consider."

Amy: "What's that?"

Kale: "If you's think it'll help, sever all ties to ya's wolf-hatin' pasts. From now on, we're gonna treat each other like a blank slate. A new beginning emerging from the loss and grief of the past that we must all bury, before it end up buryin' us."

Garrett's family in unison: "We promise, Kale."

Back in the present, Garrett is about to fulfill that promise with his actions and not just his words. It will pain him, but he must tear his wedding day picture up so he can forget about Lizzy and finally free himself of the anger he feels toward Kale. It is the only physical remainder of that past full of grief and loss that will otherwise destroy him. Garrett grips the picture hard and muses, "If Kale had to do it when he got the mark of shame, then I have to do it too."

Just before he rips it to shreds, there is a knock on the side of the outside of his room that is immediately followed with Rebecca's voice saying, "Hey Garrett, can we talk?"

Garrett turns around while hiding the picture of Lizzy behind his back and says, "Come on in."

Rebecca enters and says, "Yesterday afternoon my family—"

She stops when she notices Garrett is hiding something from her behind his back. What arouses her suspicion even more is when Garrett attempts to avoid it by telling her, "Your family what?"

Rebecca: "What've you got behind you?"

Garrett: "Nothing."

Rebecca says "Garrett...?" while giving him a look and speaking in a tone that indicates he should accept the jig is up.

Garrett holds up his empty left paw and says, "See? Nothing here." (Puts his left paw behind his back and raises his empty right paw) "And nothing here."

Rebecca: "Both paws at the same time."

Garrett is already near a wall so he presses his back against it and then holds up both paws which are empty. "Like I said, there's nothing in either paw."

Rebecca already knows the object that he's been concealing is on his back, being held up by the wall. However, she decides to use a different tactic since being assertive hasn't worked out. She now speaks in a soft and understanding voice when she says, "You never have to hide anything from me, just like I will never hide anything from you again. The core to every relationship is trust. If you trusted me after I admitted I think I'm gay, then I promise you can trust me to still want to be around you after seeing whatever it is you're hiding behind your back."

Garrett breathes a sigh of relief, reaches behind his back and shows Rebecca the picture of he and Lizzy. He then says, "I was afraid you'd feel jealous and accuse me of loving Lizzy more than you if you saw me with this."

Rebecca: "Oh Garrett, of course I wouldn't. I would be okay with you looking at that picture even if we marry because I know how much you loved Lizzy."

Feeling much better (not to mention a little embarrassed that he would think Rebecca would have a problem) and knowing he can truly talk to Rebecca about anything, Garrett decides to reveal what he was really doing with the picture.

Garrett: "And I wasn't looking at it because I miss her. I was about to tear it up."

Rebecca: "Why on earth would you do that?"

Garrett: "My family and I had a great talk with Kale yesterday where we said how sorry we were, he forgave us, and we offered to help him defend this portion of the forest as reparation for all the hate we held for him these past five years."

Rebecca: "Wow, that is great and I'm so proud of you."

Garrett: "Thanks. But he also said it might be a good idea to get rid of all the things that were a part of my past for hating him. This picture..." (Holds it up again) "I looked at it almost every day and used it to fuel my hatred of him. I tried to validate it by telling myself that I hated Kale so much because I loved Lizzy so much, but that wasn't the real reason. I need to destroy it to ensure I'll never hate Kale again."

Once again he grips the picture tightly and is about to tear it, when Rebecca runs up to his and grabs his right arm and says, "No Garrett! You need to hold onto this picture!"

Garrett: "Why?"

Rebecca: "It's the only physical memory of Lizzy you have left. When you grow old and your memory starts to fail you, you'll still remember what Lizzy looks like and the magic of that day by looking at that picture. Lizzy was a large part of who you are, and of what makes you the guy I'm in love with. You already promised to never hate Kale again, and to help him out with his job. That's more than enough to make up for your opinions toward him for the past five years."

Garrett loosens his grip on the photo, lets it fall to the ground, and then wraps his arms around Rebecca and kisses her. To his surprise, she is the one who starts groping him and using her tongue, but he doesn't even announce his surprise and just lets her do whatever she wants. Only when they are done does he ask her a question.

Garrett: "What was that all about, Becca?"

Rebecca: "Life is so short and can end so quickly that it's important to get the most out of life every single second you're still alive."

Garrett: "Rebecca...? What's gotten into you?"

Rebecca: "Yesterday my family had a nasty fight with the families of animals that had a grudge against us. Kale was busy on his patrols and we would've lost if it hadn't been for Clara. I would've died because my injury prevented me from using my gymnastics to fight off our enemies."

Garrett (shocked): "What?! How could anyone hate you and your family so much that they'd want to kill you all?"

Rebecca: "When parents lose their children and siblings lose their brothers or sisters, hatred and lies can turn even good animals into vengeful ones."

Rebecca takes a seat, as does Garrett, and she tells him about what happened with Plushie and the former-Extremes, as well as what made the families that composed Tabitha's bully gang want to kill the hedgies.

When she's finished Garrett stares wide-eyed and stammers out, "W-whoa...That is...That is pretty messed up."

Rebecca: "Yeah, the Bone-Chompers' occupation of this forest didn't just ruin your life, and lies about loss can be even more damaging. But you never turned violent, even when you and your family craved revenge. Not all animals are as level-headed as y'all."

Garrett: "And I thought me and my family were bad..."

Rebecca: "Anyhoo, the fight yesterday made me realize just how short life can be. If I had died, there would be no one to carry on the legacy of my side of the family. Until Clara saved us, I almost did die, I was certain that I was about to die. But only one thing kept me from giving up and accepting my death; one thing made me fight through the pummeling and feeling of certain doom; one thing made me want to survive and live no matter what happened."

Garrett: "Your family? The love you have for them? The need to ensure your blood relatives' family lived on to the next generation?"

Rebecca: "No...You."

Garrett is speechless and looks at her in confusion, but also in a way that lets her know she has his full attention.

Rebecca: "I thought of you, I thought of our love. I thought of all the things we've been through in the past, up to that dire moment when I was sure I was going to die. You are the only reason I didn't die yesterday. I love you Garrett."

She ignores the pain her injuries cause as she practically throws herself on top of Garrett, pinning him to the ground whereby she vigorously kisses, hugs, and grope his body like the time she did when she brought him out of his brain-deadness. Except now it's not for therapy, it's for pure passion and love. Now it is Garrett who feels uncomfortable with Rebecca's extremely physical actions. He lightly pushes her away from him, causing her to look at him in question. She is about to ask why he stopped, but he beats her when he asks, "You really love me?"

Rebecca: "I wanna spend the rest of my life with you."

Garrett: "So you know that you're not gay anymore?"

Rebecca: "I...still like female pheromones, like smelling ladies' deodorant sticks, and feel 'urges' when I see or think about women gymnasts. But I love you even more. I love your pheromones, your touch, your body, your personality, and how much you have changed infinitely more than any gay feelings or actions I've done in the past."

Garrett: "But if you still think or question that you're gay..."

Rebecca: "It doesn't matter what I think or question. Perhaps I'm just supposed to be here...with you by my side forever. I'm supposed to be with you as your mate. You are the only male raccoon I have ever loved, and I would be foolish to throw that away. I just hope you'll accept the risks of my 'special' feelings from time to time, but I promise to try my hardest to eradicate them for you. Because like you and my parents said, I need to love you one hundred percent, and I will do that. You're just gonna have to help me get rid of my gay feelings and emotions for good, and we both know the best way to do that."

Garrett smiles and is about to cry in happiness, but before he does he grabs Rebecca and pulls her back down to him and kisses her while stroking her head. It's not as passionate as he usually does and he provides her an answer when he parts his lips with hers and says, "You'll change for me, I'll change for you. I'll wait as long as you like for us to start being more intimate."

Rebecca puts her fingers to his lips to silence him and tells him, "Garrett...Shut up and never change. You've already done more than enough of that for me. I'm changing for you. I'm going to be more expressive of our love and more passionate with you from now on because that's another reason why I love you, and that may be the only way to get rid of my gay feelings once and for all."

After she removes her finger from his lips, Garrett says, "Well...in that case..." In a swift motion he grabs Rebecca by the shoulders, pushes her up so that she is standing, and he is on one knee. He takes her left paw into both of his own, looks her in the eyes and says, "Rebecca, will you marry me?"

Rebecca: "Yes, Garrett! Yes, yes, yes! I not only want to marry you, I wanna have your kits!"

Garrett: "Thanks Rebecca! I promise to be the best mate there ever is!"

Rebecca: "No, you're already the best fiancé in the whole world. I promise you that I'll be your best fiancé and mate!"

Rebecca lies on her back and Garrett doesn't hesitate to get on top of her whereby the two fiancés have another kissing session. When they part this time they stare into each other's eyes and are about to hug, when the sound of clapping and cheering makes them turn, where they see Garrett's family making the celebratory noises.

Glen: "Way to go son! You have me and your mother's blessing to marry Rebecca!"

Amy: "We'll start wedding plans soon, because we don't want you to wait too long to be married to your true love!"

Garrett: "How long were y'all standing there?"

Jared: "Right after we heard Rebecca accept your proposal."

Houston: "And before you accuse us of eavesdropping on ya, little brother, let me point out that you two were making quite a lot of noise and releasing lots of pheromones."

Lyra: "You both were disturbing our peace first, but for the best reason imaginable!"

Garrett and Rebecca chuckle then look at each other again. Rebecca asks, "When do you want to get married?"

Garrett: "Do you agree with my mom that it should be soon?"

Rebecca: "Absolutely."

Garrett: "How about by the end of the week?"

Rebecca thanks Mother Nature yet again that she is an animal because the best thing about animal weddings is that little to no preparation time or expenses are needed. But Rebecca still needs to talk things over with Garrett's new in-laws, so she says, "I'll check with my family when I get back home and let you know."

Garrett's other relatives clear the way so none of them are blocking the entrance/exit into Garrett's room. Glen says, "Then get on over there and tell 'em the good news!"

Rebecca leaves with a smile on her face and hurries on home, eager to tell the others her announcement. And on a personal level, she is eager that her crisis been resolved in the best possible way.

---

Clara asks "How much further?"

Bernard answers, "Patricia's home is just down this hill," as he points to the front. "Normally I'd take the forest path that leads us to the flat dirt path behind the shooting house. We had to take an alternate route with less twists and turns and hills to go up. But you can stop and wait here for me to return. She and her family don't know you're on my side, and explaining how that happened will distract her and me from doing what I came to do. And...if she thinks I came all the way here without an escort it'll prove how much more courageous I've become."

Clara gives a lopsided smile and nods in sick amusement when she replies, "Lyin' ta make ya'self look good...Now you're startin' ta think like'a wolf. I like it!"

Bernard shrugs and says, "I guess the short time we've spent together has made you rub off on me as much as I've rubbed off on you."

Clara: "Don't push ya's luck. Just go to her already. I'll wait here."

Bernard nods and then heads down the hill. He can already hear the voices and smell the scents of those inside the shooting house. Eric, Elaina, Richie, and Patricia are all there, along with the scent of another male raccoon.

Bernard thinking: "It's Zack because I was too distraught to identify what his scent was back when I met him."

The opossacoon has reached the bottom of the hill by now, and is facing the left side of the shooting house, so he walks around in order to be on the back side where the door is. The shooting house isn't on the ground but rather ten feet above it, propped up by wooden legs and braces. Riche's and Patricia's great-grandfather had chosen to remove the wooden stairs leading to the door in order to prevent the easy incursion of predators, but the current residents have created a porch that wraps around all four sides of the shooting house. Bernard climbs up the wooden legs and gets on the porch. He then knocks on the door which causes the voices inside to immediately stop.

Bernard puts their fear at ease by saying, "Don't worry, it's Bernard. I've come to talk to Patricia about something."

Eric's voice: "I'm sure she'd be happy to—"

Patricia's voice: "Today's not a good day, Bernard. We're all very busy sprucing up our home's interior."

Being the good friend he is, Richie knows what Bernard must be doing here and is more than willing to do all he can to help out his opossacoon friend. So Richie sets the record straight by saying, "No we're not, Bernard you can come in."

Patricia's voice: "Darn it, Richie! You couldn't just play along."

Elaina's voice: "If he didn't tell the truth, me or your father would have."

Unknown voice: "Who's Bernard?"

Eric's voice: "Lemme introduce you to him."

Some movement from the inside is followed by the sound of locks being undone. Then the door slowly swings outward to reveal the raccoon family. Bernard's eyes are quickly drawn to the owner of the unknown voice who turns out not to be Zack at all, but a completely different boy raccoon.

Before Bernard can ask the obvious question Eric says, "Welcome in, Bernard. This is Peter, Peter this is Bernard. He's an opossacoon—half raccoon and half possum—since his father is a raccoon and his mother is a possum."

Bernard: "Nice to meet you Peter. Are you one of Richie's friends?"

Peter: "No, I'm Patricia's boyfriend."

Richie: "Patricia's new boyfriend."

Patricia: "Richie!"

Bernard asks Patricia, "Whatever happened to Zack?"

Not wanting Bernard to stay around or try to win her back, Patricia says in a rushed but end-of-discussion tone, "Things didn't work out with him. He just wasn't for me. But Peter is a lot better."

Her hopes of convincing Bernard to leave are dashed when Peter, who is curious about the opossacoon, asks, "How do you know Patricia, Bernard?"

Bernard: "I was her first boyfriend."

Richie whispers, "And best."

Patricia glares at her smirking big brother, but turns her head back to Bernard and tells him, "We're about to go for a walk. You'll have to come by another time."

Peter asks "We are?", but Patricia takes his paw and pulls him forward with her. Peter tries to change her mind by saying "But I wanna get to know Bernard, he looks like a cool kid. I've never seen a hybrid animal before, especially one that's half possum and half raccoon."

Not only does Peter's words and reluctance to leave confirm to Bernard that Patricia is purposely trying to avoid him, but they also let the opossacoon know that Peter is a much nicer guy than Zack. That makes Bernard feel glad that he can potentially form a friendship with someone who doesn't judge him by his appearance. But it also makes Bernard worried because it'll be harder to convince Patricia to leave such a nice guy.

Bernard: "I can come along on your walk with you."

Now at the open door of the shooting house Peter looks at Bernard and says, "Sure—"

Patricia (looks at Peter): "I said "we" as in Peter and I," (looks at Bernard) "not you."

Peter: "Oh come on, Patricia, he's your ex-boyfriend. He obviously isn't here to take you from me."

Patricia: "That's exactly what he plans on doing. You don't know him well enough, but I do." (Looks at Bernard) "Bernard, my mind hasn't changed. I can't marry a boy who won't give me kits. You need to move on."

Bernard: "You can't tell me to do that if you haven't moved on either."

Patricia pauses, amazed that Bernard's wits have enabled him to interpret her words, tone, and actions to find the true meaning hidden beneath her defenses. However, for reasons she doesn't want to say while Peter and her family are around, she continues to try and shut out Bernard. And knowing him as much as he knows her, she uses one of his fears against him.

Patricia: "Peter, how about we climb into some high trees. The view of the greenfield and surrounding forest is breathtaking."

Peter: "Um, sure."

Showing that she is more intent on putting distance between herself and Bernard, Patricia jumps off the porch instead of climbing down the wooden legs and braces. She doesn't even wait for Peter before she starts climbing a tall tree, but he follows soon after.

Inside the shooting house, Richie sighs and says, "I'm sorry, Bernard. I tried. I know you still love her, and I want you two to be together."

Elaina: "So do I."

Eric: "Me too."

Bernard nods his head and speaks with sincere gratitude when he replies, "Thanks, really." (Full of confidence) "But I can handle this myself. Tall trees aren't enough to keep me from telling her what I came to tell her."

Richie: "But aren't you afraid of heights?"

Bernard: "I've been re-Bernardinated."

Before they can ask what he means, he sets down his golf bag, jumps to the ground and starts to climb up the tree where Patricia and Peter are. Once he is higher than the shooting house, Bernard slows down as the knowledge that he'll die if he falls from this height sinks in his mind. He gulps, but musters up his courage and determination to keep climbing. He repeats in his mind, "Just keep looking up. I'm not afraid. Keep looking up. I'm not afraid. Focus on getting to Patricia, nothing else. I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid!"

When some wind causes him to grip as hard as he can to avoid being blown off balance, Bernard stops and considers climbing back down. But after looking up and seeing the look of amazement on Patricia's face, Bernard finds more courage to keep climbing, only now he has to pep talk himself out loud since doing so in his mind won't cut it anymore.

Bernard: "Just keep looking up, not down. I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid. One step at a time. I'm not afraid. I'm nearly there. Just a little bit more. I'm not afraid. I can do this. I am doing this. I'm not afraid."

Bernard then reaches the top where Patricia is still staring wide-eyed at him. She is so impressed that it's impossible for her not to say, "Bernard...Y-you actually climbed all the way up here?"

Peter: "He's part raccoon and part possum, Pat. This isn't that big of a deal."

Patricia: "It is for him."

Peter looks at Bernard in question and asks, "Huh?"

Bernard: "I. Am. Very. Uncomfortable. With heights."

Peter: "For real?"

Bernard: "Long story short, I had a childhood accident. But I faced my fear and came up here, for you Patricia."

Peter: "Hey, I know what you're doing. You really are trying to get her back as your girlfriend. Well you can forget it! She's with me now."

Bernard: "Peter, I like you, but you need to leave us for now. This is between me and Patricia."

Peter: "You can't tell me what to do, half-breed freak!"

Needing to stand up for Bernard, Patricia says, "Peter, don't call—"

Bernard: "—Don't call me half-breed or freak! Not because it's just plain rude, but because others have been calling me that for so long that I'm disappointed in your lack of creativity! Come up with some new insults already, you pure-bred, garbage-wallowing, rabies face! So you better give Patricia and me some alone time, before I make your mask become darker from the bruises that'll follow this!" (Holds up his fist) "And because I'm a hybrid, I have the strength of a raccoon and possum combined, which some unfortunate bullies discovered yesterday. And let's just say the beating and humiliation they received for underestimating me means they won't be bothering me ever again. Stay up in this tree if you want to be added to that list."

Patricia is astounded at Bernard's courage and forcefulness. Peter on the other hand is so scared, and his ego has been so hurt by the speciest insult, that he stammers out in a voice full of submissiveness, "I-I-I'm s-s-sorry. I'll just, um, l-leave you t-two b-be..."

He climbs down in record time, leaving Bernard and Patricia alone. Patricia makes the first move by saying, "What happened to make you so brave and direct?"

Bernard: "Daddy's been training me, and I'm sick of all the loathing and self-doubt that I've been through lately."

Patricia (rhetorically but sincere): "And let me guess, me breaking up with you was part of that?"

Bernard: "Yes. But I don't fault you for that, I should have been stronger for you the day I met Zack. And if it's not too much to ask, why did you really break up with him?"

Patricia: "He bullied others, liked doing dangerous things for fun, and never wanted to do the things I wanted to do, just wanted me to do what he wanted. He was two-faced; he pretended to be nice and understanding when he was really mean and selfish."

Bernard: "And how are things with Peter?"

Patricia: "He's much better. He isn't selfish and is interested in doing things I like doing too."

Bernard: "And when he insulted me?"

Patricia: "So he apparently has a short temper, like many kids I know. And you are trying to win me back, so it was only natural that he reacted the way he did."

Bernard: "Fair enough. But do you love him?"

Patricia: "What?"

Bernard: "Do. You. Love. Him?"

Patricia: "I don't have to answer that."

Bernard: "It's the only way I'll leave you alone."

Patricia sighs in acceptance that she has no other choice, while also silently commending Bernard's new firmness. She honestly responds, "I don't love him yet. But I only met him last week, and life isn't a fairy tale where it's true love at first sight, or after the first meeting. It took me years to fall in love with you. We started out as buddies, then friends, and then lovers."

Bernard (rhetorically): "And just because I'm no longer your boyfriend, means that you have to treat me like an enemy?"

Patricia: "What're you talking about?"

Bernard: "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Pat. You told me to leave as soon as you heard my voice outside your home, lied to make me go away, and tried to go for a walk when I didn't leave just when Peter wanted to know more about me. Most of all, you used my greatest phobia as a weapon against me by climbing up into this tree. And until he insulted me, Peter and I were getting along great. Why are you trying so hard to avoid me?"

Patricia sighs while looking down, then looks back at Bernard and says, "Because every time I see you I think of all the great times we've had and how strongly I felt for you before we broke up. I don't want to hurt you."

Almost all of Bernard's emotional turmoil goes away upon hearing Patricia's words, as it lets him know that he did mean something to her after all, unlike what he thought after seeing her with Zack that fateful day. But just as quick as that realization happens, it raises another inconsistency that Bernard has to know. So he asks, "How can you say you think of all the great times we had together, and get with another boyfriend two days after we broke up? That's what hurt me more than finding out that I was sterile."

For the first time since their "personal" conversation began, Patricia is thankful that Bernard's observation and question has provided the perfect opportunity for her to finally get something off her chest that has been causing her unbelievable guilt that never went away even after finding two new boyfriends. But to prevent Peter from overhearing anything, she beckons Bernard to come close to her and whispers to him as softly as she can.

Patricia: "I wanted to tell you that very day, but I couldn't because Zack was around, and then you ran off. The reason is that I couldn't stop thinking about our breakup, so I needed a new boyfriend to take my mind off how much it hurt to break up with you. And if Zack heard me say that to you, he would have left me right then and there, and the pain would come back a hundred times worse. If Peter heard this, I'm afraid he'd break up with me."

Bernard: "So you are also hurting, because you still have feelings for me. And because deep down, you know that I will truly love you, unlike Zack, and possibly Peter."

Patricia: "You don't have the right to say that about Peter. He's everything Zack wasn't, and I really do like him."

Bernard: "Then why do you fear he'll break up with you if he hears you tell me your reason for getting with him in the first place? If he rejects you just for that, he obviously isn't a very sweet and understanding guy. He's jealous and will stay with you only if you love him on his terms, rather than him loving you on your terms as well. You know me, you know the kind of boy I am. If I was Zack or Peter, I wouldn't dump you for telling me why you broke up with your first boyfriend. No one will ever love you like I do. I will always love you for who you are, and will never force you to something against your will."

Patricia: "Isn't that why you came here in the first place? To make me drop my current boyfriend and become your girlfriend again?"

Bernard's eyes widen as he realizes that Patricia is fully right. Worst of all, given the last thing that just came out of his mouth, he is a hypocrite by his own words instead of hers. Because any denial would make him look worse, Bernard is compelled to tell the truth—and fortunately for him it is the full truth. He thinks of his own family. He thinks of their love. He thinks of why they are still together despite all the hardships they have faced during their entire lives, and why they will still be together years from now.

Bernard: "Well...yeah. A-at first. But...now that you got me talking about how I'm different than Zack, I've changed my mind. So I'm not here to take you away from Peter anymore, because that would be the most selfish thing I have ever done. Only you can decide whether or not you want to be with him instead of me." Bernard pauses as he gathers up his courage and resilience that have both improved since the start of the midsummer and uses them to say something monumental. "If you decide to marry him because he can give you kits, and make you feel the joys of motherhood, of raising your own family, so be it. If it turns out that I will be the only unmarried animal in my family, and have to find a way to experience the joys of life without a lover, then so be it too.

"But consider this: is it better to marry someone who can give you kits but who will never truly love you, or someone who cannot give you kits but will love you forever? You need something else to live for besides marrying someone just because he can give you kits. You deserve more. You deserve to live a life full of joy and happiness for yourself. You deserve someone who will love you for you, someone who will always be there for you when you need him the most. Someone who will stay loyal to you and still love you no matter what life tragedies happen, even if a tragedy is your fault. I don't know if that someone is me, it may really be Peter after all, or someone completely different...Just know that I will never forget you and all the times we spent together, as a source of happiness, not sadness. I will let you walk the path you choose—"

Before he can continue, Patricia wraps her arms around him and says "—And I'll do the same. Thank you Bernard! Thank you for everything! You really are the most understanding boy I will ever meet! Everything you said is true!"

Bernard returns the hug, completely oblivious to the fact that his two hind feet are the only things keeping him from falling to certain death. But even if he dies in the next five seconds, he will die the happiest boy on the planet because he got Patricia to love him again—

Patricia: "I-I want to give you my love, but my mind still hasn't changed."

Bernard: "What?"

Patricia: "I hate saying this to you a second time, but...I still want to marry someone whom I can start my own family. I want to be a mother, I want to hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet running around my home. I want to worry about my kits' safety. I want to watch my kits grow tall and see them play with friends. I want to see my kits find their own boyfriends and girlfriends. I want my kits to get married and have grandchildren." Too afraid of what the look on Bernard's face will be, and unwilling to let him see the look on her own, Patricia looks down in sorrow and shame when she continues, "If it wasn't for your sterility, the man I would share those experiences with would be you. I want it to be you, but it just can't be you...I'm SO sorry! But I—"

Bernard puts a finger to her lips to silence her. Patricia is compelled to look up at him, but when she does the most unexpected of looks is on Bernard's face. He is smiling. His eyes are shedding tears, but his expression is one of understanding and empathy. If that wasn't enough, his words are even more unexpected.

Bernard: "It's your life, Patricia. Do what you want with it. I want you to be my girlfriend and eventual mate, but if you don't want it, then it wouldn't be marriage based on a mutually beneficial relationship. Just make sure you never lose hope that you will find a guy who will make your dreams of motherhood come true, and love you to the end of days."

Patricia: "I promise. And make sure you never lose hope that you will find a girl who will love you as much as I did, and who will want to spend her life with you even though you're sterile."

Bernard: "I promise too." They embrace for a full minute before slowly letting go. When they are holding on to the tree using all four paws, Bernard asks, "Is this goodbye?"

Patricia: "Only to our love relationship. I doubt that you'll accept it after what I've told you despite all the wonderful things you have told me today, but if it's okay with you, could we still be friends?"

Bernard: "No."

Just as Patricia's ears and facial expression droop down, Bernard says, "We'll be best friends. After Patricia's ears and expression perk up, Bernard assures her with, "Never think for a second that I would ever say no to you."

Patricia: "Aw, Bernard, thank you again."

Bernard nods and says "If you ever need me for anything, you know where I live."

Patricia: "Ditto."

Bernard: "Can we please just climb back down? My acrophobia is setting in."

Patricia: "Of course." She goes down seven feet before realizing Bernard hasn't joined her yet. After looking up and seeing him in the same spot, she curiously asks, "What're you waiting for?"

Bernard: "I am better at climbing up tall heights, but still petrified of climbing down from tall heights. If you could get one of your parents to get me..."

Patricia: "Say no more. I'll have 'em up here in a flash."

It takes Patricia less than 30 seconds to scurry down the 150 foot tall tree, and only 15 seconds for her parents to climb up to Bernard. Once everyone is on the ground, Bernard and Patricia tell the others how their relationship has changed and the promises they had made. The fact that Bernard seems perfectly alright with it is enough to make even Richie not bother to convince his little sister to become Bernard's girlfriend again. The opossacoon also apologizes to Peter for the threats he had said to the fully-blooded raccoon. To Bernard's—and especially Patricia's—delight, Peter is surprisingly very forgiving, and bears no grudges. Bernard then says his farewells to the family, and starts heading back up the hill where Clara is still waiting.

The steepness of the hill makes scaling up it a challenge, but Bernard replays something his mother taught him in his mind, "Just take it one step at a time." Those words of wisdom not only make the trek up the hill easier, but also give Bernard reassurance of his own future now that he will never be Patricia's boyfriend again. It hurts, a lot, but neither Bernard's heart nor spirit are broken. He intends to keep the promise he made to Patricia of never losing hope, knowing that time will heal this particular wound.

Note: Like I said at the end of Chapter 13, you never saw that plot twist coming, did ya?! Keep reading to find out why I chose to go with this angle.

---

RJ is still pushing Heather in the doll stroller, nearing the animal graveyard. Heather had requested they go there for her to visit Ozzie's resting place and tell him of all the things that have happened to her and the family since his passing. Not wanting to see his beloved mate suffer, RJ had reminded her of Lou's words of how Ozzie's soul in Heaven can see and hear everything that happens to them on Earth. Therefore, she could just find a quiet place at home to talk to him and he would hear her. However, the raccoon's mind replays Heather's response that had convinced him to take her where she wanted.

Heather had said, "I prefer to be at the place he was buried, because when you have something physical that you can go to and touch, it's like you're near him and touching him, which is something I never got to do with my mom or baby brother."

RJ had asked her to explain and she said that after her mother Mary and newborn brother (whom they would have named Oliver) had died, Ozzie and Heather had some of their friends bury the bodies, and then the two had left their home and pursued a nomadic life. The hope was that being separated from the source of their greatest sorrow would ease their pain, which it did, but it didn't take long for the two possums to regret their decision and long to go back and visit their loved ones' grave. Unfortunately, they had traveled so far, and the U.S. had such a vast landscape, that they simply could not remember how to get back home. The only thing that dulled their regret was meeting Verne's small family, which caused her life to take a turn for the best and she doesn't regret that. But now with the last member of her full-possum bloodline gone, the memories of regret and pain for not staying close to her mom's and brother's grave don't have to return at all since Heather can go visit Ozzie's grave and use it as a physical place to go and interact with not only him, but also her mother and brother.

It was impossible for RJ to say no to her, so he had taken the doll stroller and pushed it as fast as he could without breaking into a jog or run. Heather's reasoning had fueled RJ's determination so well that by the time they now arrive in front of Ozzie's grave, the normally 10 minute walk took only six minutes, RJ never slowing down for anything.

RJ: "Anything else you need me to do, Heather?"

Heather: "Bring me down to him."

RJ walks to the front of the stroller and carefully gets Heather out and onto the ground. She groans during the short process, but isn't doing it now that she is inches from the grave stone. RJ asks, "Want me to go ahead and put a paw on your shoulder?"

Heather shakes her head side to side and says, "No, love. You can stay here, but I want to be left alone in my own little world with them. No matter how sad I sound, or how tempting it'll be for you to comfort me, promise me you'll let me be, you'll let me get it all out. I'll tell you when you can come near me."

RJ sighs, knowing he's in for another tear-jerker moment, but nods yes and says, "Alright, love. I promise. But at least let me give you some kleenexes."

He takes a box of kleenexes out of his bag and sets them next to Heather who nods in appreciation. Heather then faces Ozzie's grave stone, puts her paw on it, and says, "Hey dad, it's me. Just wanted to let you know I miss you but am aware you're happier than ever now that you're with mom and Oliver. Speaking of which, I need to say some things to them before talking to you. Mom: I hope you liked that I named my daughter after you. She is so like you, me, and RJ in so many ways." Heather wipes away her tears of joy with her free paw and continues with, "And Oliver: although you weren't alive even as you were brought into this world, know that your birth was one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced, before it took a turn for the worst. I was, like, so psyched about becoming a big sister, and would have been the best one for you..."

Heather's face then goes from smiling to frowning, her tone becomes sad, and her tears are now shed in sorrow when she says, "I'm so sorry it took the death of dad for me to talk to you two this way...You'd think I'd have done it sooner—I should have done it sooner—and the fact that I've been so busy enjoying life and raising my own family isn't an excuse. I'm sorry!"

RJ wants to hug Heather right then and there because the fact that she feels guilty for finding happiness in her life is almost unbearable for him. However, he remembers his promise and sticks to it.

Heather wraps both arms around the grave stone and cries out every word when she says, "Forgive me for forgetting to talk to you like thi-iiiis! I love you two so much! I'll always love you and always miss you!" She gasps in sadness and continues, "And dad: everyone misses your face, voice, scent, and personality. We miss you playing possum and all the laughs it brought. Heck, I even miss the feeling of embarrassment it brought me! At no point were you at your best than when you were playing possum...Things are so different now that you're gone! Annette doesn't have you to be around her, but she'll pull through like we all will. But...You weren't here to listen to Bernard's revelation! You weren't here to help us try to convince the families of Plushie's friends or Tabitha's gang to not attack us and to forgive! You weren't here to help us or be at risk during the fight that happened! You weren't here when Clara came to our rescue and vowed to change her ways! You weren't with us to hear about Bernard's miraculous comeback...! Some of the best things that have happened to our family...and you WEREN'T HERE TO EXPERIENCE THEM!"

Heather blows her nose then puts one paw back on the grave stone and says, "But I—we—will all learn to carry on without you here. You will always be in our hearts, even if our memories fade. But I promise that I will remember you and all the things we've gone through. You were there when I needed you. I said it many times before, so I'll say it again: thank you so much for being the best dad there will ever be, it meant more to me than anything you could have imagined. You, mom, and Oliver will always be a large part of me and this family. You three will be with me forever, even if I can't hear or see you...Thank you. Thank you for EVERYTHING you've done!" Heather pauses to wipe her tears, and this time they stop falling from her eyes. She takes a deep breath and says, "Whenever I need to remember all that I've said, I'll just come back...to this place...to be with you three. I love you...without end."

Heather looks over her shoulder at RJ and nods, promoting him to come sit beside his mate. He puts an arm around her shoulder and says, "That was beautiful, Heather."

After nodding Heather says, "At the time of the funeral, my shock with the unexpectedness of his passing got in the way...It took a couple of days for me to overcome that shock, and then the fight we had yesterday where I almost lost all of you to put me in the proper mindset to say all the things I couldn't at the funeral."

RJ: "I'm just glad you're over it more now than you were before."

Heather: "I'll never be over it, RJ."

RJ feels concern for this since he knows all too well what depression and sadness can do to the mind. However, his fear is put to rest when Heather says, "But that doesn't mean I should give in to my pain of loss. I'm going to keep living the best life I can with you, our kids, the family, and our friends. Because that's what my dad, mom, and brother would want."

RJ: "And listening to you say the things you've said has given me some great ideas on how to cope when it's my own parents' time to leave this world." (Looks into her eyes and takes her paws tenderly into his own) "I'm not kidding when I say that you have saved me from future heartache. Thank you."

Heather smiles and says, "You're welcome, love." After a moment of silence, Heather says, "I'm ready to head back home now."

RJ: "Me too. I'm looking forward to hearing how things have turned out with Bernard and Patricia. Rebecca might be back too."

Heather: "My spidey senses give me a good idea of how things ended for all of them."

RJ: "Heh-heh, me too. Let's go see how right we are."

After putting Heather back in the stroller, the two soul mates go back home—right about one family member, but not about another.

---

Bernard, Clara, Rebecca, and even Kale are at the log by the time RJ and Heather get back. Mary notices the latter first and says, "You're finally back, mommy and daddy!"

Heather: "Well someone's excited."

Hammy: "We all are because now that you're back, we can hear what Bernard and Rebecca have to say."

Celine: "We got woken up to hear this."

Rebecca: "Verne made Bernard and me promise not to tell anyone until the whole family was present."

Luby: "They got back about 15 minutes ago."

Stella: "So we been spinnin' our wheels till y'all got back."

De'Ausha: "The wait was killin' us."

Bernard goes "Uh!" and plays possum, causing smiles and a little bit of laughter from the onlookers.

Kale: "Word of what you's all did to da animals dat came here yesterday has spread and predators are bein' a bit more cautious 'bout attackin', so it looks like I'm off today which izza good thing."

RJ: "Then let's stop waiting and hear the good news." (Uses the same paw to point one finger at Rebecca and another at Bernard) "Who wants to go first?"

Rebecca is so hyped that she bounces up and down while raising her paw in the air like a school girl saying, "Me! Me! Me! Garrett asked me to marry him, and I said yes!"

Rogan: "Alright, Becca!"

Everyone else cheers loudly and a few walk up to pat Rebecca on the back, hug her, or put a paw on her shoulder. When it's over, Sarah asks, "So does this mean that you...?"

Rebecca: "...Yes mom."

Sarah: "You've made me the happiest mother on the planet!"

Plushie: "Wait, are there pages missing? What's going on? What're you talking about?"

Rogan: "It's nothing for you or anyone to worry about—"

Rebecca: "No, dad. It's time I come clean in front of the whole family..." (Once all eyes are on her) "Everyone, at the time all the problems began this summer, I was going through a phase where I thought I was gay."

All except those who had known raise an eyebrow. To make matters more uncomfortable—or humorous depending on the context—Aaron asks, "Mommy and daddy, what does 'gay' mean?"

Neither parent gets to answer because Ty looks at Rebecca and says, "I knew you looking at that girl at the Quinceañera too closely is what caused you to release pheromones."

Rebecca: "Yes...Females and feminine things seemed to 'excite' me more than males and masculine things. I never told anyone else until now because I was afraid you'd all think I'm a disgusting freak. But the more time I spent with Garrett, the more he 'excited' me and now I know for sure that he does attract me more than feminine things. He was my teenage crush and still loved me even after he found out about my little phase. It would be foolish of me to choose one of my gal pals over him to be my mate. And if I ever feel my gay feelings returning, he'll be there to steer me back to where my heart truly belongs: with him."

Everyone goes "Ah..." in appreciation. Rebecca then looks at her parents and rhetorically says, "Do I even need to ask if I have your blessing to marry Garrett?"

Rogan: "You absolutely—"

Sarah: "—Positively—"

Rogan: "—One hundred and ten percent—"

Rogan and Sarah in unison: "Have our blessing, Becca!"

Rebecca: "And hopefully your desire to have our side of the family's line to continue will happen sooner than you think, mom and dad, because I want the wedding to be this Saturday."

Penny: "Jeepers, that's just three days from now!"

Lou: "Which gives us plenty of time to prepare for her special day."

RJ: "We'll make it happen, Becca. But if you're finished—"

Rebecca: "I am."

RJ (winks at his sister and turns to Bernard): "—Then we can ask Bernard how things went between him and Patricia."

Mary: "So, is she you're girlfriend again?"

Bernard: "No..."

Everyone's expressions show sadness, confusion, or remorse. Roger asks, "How?"

Bernard: "I proved to her that I am stronger than I was before, and confessed how much I loved her, but she still wants to be with someone who can give her kits. That's where her heart belongs, and it would be extremely selfish of me to try to force her to love me over someone who can bring her true happiness. I offered her true happiness, but what she desires is beyond what I can provide her. However, my heart isn't broken, and we agreed to be best friends forever."

De'Ausha: "But you wa' supposed to get together with 'er. That's how things should turn out in this kinda situation..."

Bernard: "In movies and story books, yes, but this is real life. Things don't always turn out how they're supposed to. I don't see it as a loss, I see it as a big load off my chest. I can finally move on and look for love in different places instead of pursing only one option. I know the right girl is out there for me somewhere, and I'll find her. I know I will. So don't worry about me anymore."

Verne turns to RJ and Heather, expecting them to say what needs to be said, but the raccoon and possum are bursting with so much pride they can't speak. So the reptile co-leader says, "We won't, Bernard. And we are so glad for you not losing hope or heart from this," (turns around to face the others) "right?"

The family in unison: "Right."

Emma: "But to lighten the mood, Spike and I have an announcement: I'm pregnant again!"

That puts the celebration back into full swing, as more congrats follow. The high point is when Ike says, "I'm gonna have a wittle bwother or sister, and it's totally AWESOME!"

As if things couldn't be more jovial, Rachel speaks up by saying, "And you'll have some new cousins to play with as well, because guess who's pregnant to-oo?"

The family gasps and breaks out in a bigger celebration.

Bucky: "Way to go, Quillo!"

Quillo likes how that rhyming phrase never gets old to his ears whenever he hears it. He perks up more and says, "It was nothin' Bucky." (Takes Rachel's paw tightly into his own) "Rachel and I never gave up, and never stopped trying."

Rachel: "I almost gave up, but luckily I have the best mate I could ever ask for."

Verne: "I'd say it looks like all of our problems have been solved."

Clara: "Eh-hem!"

The others looks at her and Verne says, "Oh yeah, sorry that we forgot about you Clara."

Clara huffs in bitterness and says, "Everyone forgets 'bout me, it's like I don't exist—which is even worse dan bein' hated." Just when Verne is about to say that he didn't mean to cause her this pain, Clara says, "But I forgive ya's, which is somethin' I'll need ta get used to if I wanna stay here wit all'uv you's."

Kale raises an eyebrow and says, "Did I miss somethin'? What made ya's wanna be a part'a dis familia?"

Verne: "Yeah, you said this morning before escorting Bernard that you needed more time before you wanted to be with us."

Clara: "While I was guidin' Bernard, we said some things that made do the soul-searchin' I needed ta do. And now dat we're all here, I guess it's time for me ta come clean, otherwise I'll nev'a be free...For so long I blamed my misery on my parents for makin' me so smart, and blamed my brother for makin' me get the mark of shame. It was easier ta blame someone else for what led ta my banishment and pain. But now I know that my parents or brother didn't ruin my life...I did. And I can't blame my strength for anythin' either because I chose ta let my strength make me develop my superiority complex. I always had to be better, always had to win in every situation, always had to be perfect, and always resorted to killing whenever I couldn't win. But even though that killing made me feel better, the disgrace of defeat still haunted me, and I took it out on the world like an immature, spoiled brat. Even by wolf standards, I'm insufferably annoying. The world would benefit tremendously if I spontaneously died—or at least, that's what I thought until yesterday.

"But Kale and all of you...you gave me a second chance, you showed me love when all I knew—and all I expressed toward others—was hate. That made me realize what I must do to finally let go of my messed up past. I've got to start life anew, turn over a new leaf, and reform myself. If a mindless caterpillar can cast off its old life and be reborn into a new life as a butterfly, why can't I do the same? Only then will the pain go away permanently. The first step is acceptance: I'm the one who was in the wrong, which is a hard lesson to learn. But Kale, you didn't give up on me which gave me hope.

"What I've come to realize by spending time with Kale and this family is that this world isn't meant to be perfect, and myself and others will fail from time to time. But I don't need to be afraid of failure and don't need to win all the time. I also don't need my past to dictate my future. It's not being superior to others that'll free me, it's love that will, and love came my way when I was willing to let it in my life. I can't thank you enough for that."

Clara's words and serious tone have left most of the hedgies speechless, and even when Verne can form words, he's so surprised that they come out in a stutter, but sound heartfelt nonetheless. "Why, y-your welcome, C-Clara. Th-th-that's the m-most beautiful things w-we've ever heard."

Hedgies: "Yes."

While they lightly clap and softly cheer for Clara, Kale has an epiphany about her. When he first met her, she refused to admit defeat or acknowledge any weakness (1). Despite how irritating that made her, Kale had found great comfort in that (1). Clara had been utterly unlike himself save for one aspect: She was a hardened survivor (1). Living the life of a wolf required that (1). If you were inclined toward being soft or weak, the world would tear you apart, suck the marrow from your bones, then bury whatever little remains there were of you (1). Every wolf he had known as he grew up had prided themselves in defying the planet every single day, and that inspired in him an appreciation of that survival sense (1). But now, Clara has taken survival to the next level of evolution, one that transcends all the lessons wolves teach their young. She is willing to change and live a life of love instead of hate. He made the same choice five years ago, and his life was opened to experience things—both good and bad—he never would have if he had stayed in a wolf pack. And he can't be happier that he had helped her realize that.

Note: (1)=based on Star Wars Dark Tide I: Onslaught by Michael A. Stackpole.

Kale is brought out of his thoughts when the claps and cheers stop and everyone's eyes are back on Clara who is making her way toward him. Once there, despite all the happiness in the air, she frowns. Before Kale or anyone else can ask her what's wrong, Calra says in a confessing tone, "That night when you caught me trying to walk out of the bunker before Ned and Ted attacked us...I was thinkin' about leaving before you showed back up, but I stopped myself. At the time I didn't know what I was feeling, but after talkin' ta you and dis family, I now know what it was."

Kale: "And that is...?"

Clara: "As much as I hate to admit it, it was great to have company for a change. And I can't get my mind offa you; how you didn't kill me when you had the chance, why you gave me first aid, and brought me to a safe place to recover from my wounds. Then you nearly died savin' me from Ted and Ned...I...I...I'm grateful for you and all you've done for me. You and your family actually showed me forgiveness 'stead of hate. And..."

Kale: "Yeah?"

Clara: "I'm sick of bein' lonely all the time. I'm sick of no one understandin' me, and sick of livin' the life of a loner. I've decided that I'm better off with ya's dan without ya's. I...I want to be with you and this family. I want to be a part of this life of love and friendship. Will you" (Looks at the others) "and all of you's be willin' to accept me inta your family?"

RJ: "There's only one way for that to happen."

Clara (uneasy tone): "And dat is...?"

Hammy leaps up into the air and stays there while exclaiming, "Group hug time!"

The hedgies come forward, and for the first time ever, some of them almost can't hug Clara because the family has grown so big over the years. Fortunately each member does find enough space to hug Clara who doesn't try to resist like she did with the tickling yesterday, which further cements her willingness to start a new life.

Although it will divert the feeling of profoundness, Kale says something that's been on his mind ever since Clara came back to the log. Kale asks, "Where'd you's get the skateboard from? I tought I threw it away."

Clara: "Dose raccoon twin boys found it for me after I helped save the family yesterday."

Kale: "Oh, Roger and Ty, or as I like ta call them, Peleando Hermanos Uno y Dos. Dat means 'Feuding Brothers One and Two.' And since you's a part'a dis familia now, you's need ta know dare pack names I've given 'em." Kale points to each family member as he states their real names and pack names. "Verne is Señor Cáscara Conmocionado: Mr. Shell-Shocked. Velma is Dama de Concha de Lazo: Bow Shell Lady. Plushie is Chico Caparazón Temerario: Daredevil Shell Boy.

"RJ is Cabecilla: Ringleader. Heather is Zarigüeya con Actitud: Possum with Attitude. Mary is Chica a Cargo: Girl in Charge. Bernard is Rey del Drama: Drama King.

"Hammy is Simplemente Nueces: Just Plain Nuts. Scarlet is Cuerdo Exterior Salvaje por Dentro: Sane Outside Wild Inside. Aaron is El Estadounidense Speedy Gonzalles: American Speedy Gonzalles. Sam is Capacidad, no discapacidad: Ability Not Disability.

"Stella is Maestra de Voladuras: Master Blaster. Tiger is Príncipe de Persa: Prince of Persians. De'Ausha is Bombas de Distancia: Bomb's Away.

"Lou is Piel de Papa Cactus: Papa Cactus Hide. Penny is Piel de Mama Cactus: Mama Cactus Hide. Bucky and Emily are Mi Mejores Brotes A-y-B: My Best Friends A and B. Quillo and Rachel are Mi Mejores Brotes C-y-D: My Best Friends C and D. Spike and Emma are Mi Mejores Brotes E-y-F: My Best Friends E and F. Annette is Poky Dulce Corazón: Poky Sweet Heart.

"Rick is Máscara Negra con un Plan: Black Mask with a Plan. Luby is Bomba de Laza: Bow Bombshell. "Rogan and Sarah are Luchadores de Lobos: Wolf Fighters. Rebecca is Grande Chica: Big Girl.

"Simon is Sombras Caña Hombre: Shades Cane Man. Celine is Sónar Mujer: Sonar Woman. Marilyn is Ataque Agallas: Spunk Attack, Christine is Alas Anchas con Gran Carga: Wide Wings with Big Load. Claire is Tímida no Débil: Shy Not Weak.

And Ozzie was El Jamón de todos los actors: The Ham of all Actors. Once Ike, Annie, and Drake are old enough to display a unique talent that makes dem stand out, I will give them pack-names too."

Clara: "Yeesh, I've already forgotten almost all of them, but I'm sure dat enough time with you and dem will make dare pack names stick to my memory. But Kale...Before I met you, I was so stuck up and serious that I drove away everyone else I had cared about. You had the tolerance to stay with me even as I tried to shove you away. I can't stop thinkin' about you and how I both respect and loathe how you're better dan me in some ways."

Kale: "You's not alone, babe, I'm pretty jealous that you're better dan me in other ways too."

Scarlet (in a self-aware tone): "I see an odd couple blooming."

Aaron: "Oh! OH! Kale and Clara sitting in a tree."

Hammy: "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

Scarlet: "First comes love, then comes marriage!"

Hammy: "Then comes Clara with a baby carriage!"

Sam: "Aas un aaaa, aas un aaaaaa-aaaaa—!"

Clara: "Quiet you! I never said I love him yet—!"

Clara puts a paw to her mouth with a light Slap while blushing, and Kale looks surprised in a confused way. Most of the hedgies snicker and give the two wolves lewd-eyed looks to show that they know the canines' future is together. Wanting the awkward moment to end, Clara says, "Topic change. So what does this 'family' normally do when all of our problems've been solved?"

Mary: "Easy."

RJ: "We bust out the good ol' boombox—"

Verne: "Find a song that sums up all the good and bad things we've been through—"

Velma: "And how it will make us stronger in the future to come—"

Stella: "And dance in celebration!"

Kale: "In other words, we have'a fiesta!"

Hammy: "Which means party!"

Clara: "I'm not dat much of a music lover, but I'm willin' ta make more changes in my new life, so bring it on out!"

And Clara isn't the only one, as all the frustrations and hardships the family has faced this midsummer have made them change for the better. True, a few have had to give up things they hold dear, some have had to struggle with new life challenges, while others have had to deal with loss from the past and present. All however have become stronger and closer as a result. And the song they select to play is, like always, a perfect sort of ballad of all they have overcome and offers important insight on what they should do when encountering similar issues in the future. The song is none other than the well-named "Move Along," and each member in the ever-growing family of hedgies feels how it speaks to everyone on a personal and collective level. The lyrics make them reminisce of where they started and celebrate where they are now with their improved or newfound identities, relationships, and above all else, love.

Note: "Move Along" is copyright by The All American Rejects and their album of the same name. I highly recommend you listen to it while reading and like our beloved characters let the song remind you of what do when you face issues in your own life.

Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking
When you fall everyone stands
Another day and you've had your fill of sinking
With the life held in your

Hands are shaking cold
These hands are meant to hold
Speak to me,

When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through

Move along
Move along

So a day when you've lost yourself completely
Could be a night when your life ends
Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving
All the pain held in your

Hands are shaking cold
Your hands are mine to hold
Speak to me,

When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along

(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
When everything is wrong, we move along
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
When everything is wrong, we move along

(Along), along, (along), along (along), along

When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through

When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
(Just to make it through)

When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
(I know you do)
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
(Move Along)

(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
Right back what is wrong
We move along

(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
Right back what is wrong
We move along(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
Right back what is wrong
We move along(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
Right back what is wrong
We move along

In a nutshell, throughout the entire Midsummer season the hedgies have learned that the world is not meant to be perfect, and everyone will experience failure and strife, but it's important to move on and learn from failure and strife. The biggest mistake is to hold on to hate and regret in one's heart, but when they learn to love and forgive, then any obstacle can be overcome.

---

Well there you have it, another one of my OTH Expanded Universe stories done. Thanks for reading and all your support!

See you next story!