AN: After the seemingly never ending drama of so many of the previous chapters, I'm putting out a much more light hearted chapter today. Hope you all enjoy.

Ch 13: Homecoming Dance with Mom and Dad

Louis enters an apartment to see a group of animals setting up a party. "How's it going?"

One animal, Legoshi, turns with a smile. "We should be ready before they get here."

Riz and Andy, the tallest animals in the room, are putting up a banner that says 'Welcome Home, Philip!'

Louis smiles seeing the banner. "Can't believe it's been a year now."

"Both a short and long time depending on how you look at it!" Jack shouts from where he is working on balloons with the rest of Legoshi's old 701 Gang.

"A long time for all of us impatiently wanting to see Philip out of juvie," says Miguno the Hyena.

"A short time spent there for all his crimes thanks to Legoshi here pulling a few strings," says Durham the Coyote.

The grey wolf frowns. "Don't say it like that."

"Not really another way to look at it," says Collot the Sheepdog.

"I just don't like to think of taking advantage of my position."

"Accept it happened this one time for a good cause," says Voss the Fennec Fox. "Try and move on."

Legoshi sighs and gets back to work. "Fine."

Casey, who's messing around with his fancy new keyboard, chuckles. "A year ago today, I was a criminal. Now, I'm a session musician."

Ben is fiddling with his camera. "I'm working on the set of a movie."

Andy finishes his end of the banner. "Classified."

While most everyone else is confused, Louis is able to figure out what was meant by that. 'You were able to hack into Horns Conglomerate's computer systems for that email that held the script for my interview with Mara. The company had one of the most secure systems in the world and you hacked in like it was nothing. The government clearly saw your potential and hired you. Good for you.' The stag turns back to Legoshi. "Everyone here yet?"

"We're missing two," says the wolf.

Louis freezes. "What?"

The whole room knows what's about to happen.

"Calm down, Dude," says Kai.

"Don't panic," says Shiira.

Louis doesn't hear them. "If everyone isn't here, the welcome won't be perfect. He'll be crushed."

"No he won't, Sir," says Goshen.

"You're overreacting and overthinking this," says Kibi.

Legoshi grabs Louis's shoulders. "Louis, Philip will just be glad to have a stable home to live in. He won't care about specifics like how many balloons there are or if the welcome banner is crooked."

"Or why the cake isn't here," Louis says while looking at an empty table behind the wolf.

"Haru, Dom, Trini, and Els are in the kitchen putting finishing touches on it," Aoba offers quickly to ease the stag's concerns.

"Take a chill pill," says Bill.

"Seriously," says Pina.

Louis takes a deep breath. "Sorry. It's just…Juno's going to be bringing Philip home any minute. He'll have a place to live in with us for the first time. I want it to be everything that he's ever hoped for after all the years he spent waiting and thinking it wouldn't happen."

"That's nice, but you don't have to try so hard," says Tao.

Legoshi lightly pats Louis's shoulders. "Why don't you take a seat with Marie?"

The stag heads over and sits down next to his daughter, who's doing balloons with all the 701 guys. "How are you?"

The young hind smiles at her father. "I'm wonderful, Dad."

"Have you and Goshen decided on any names yet?"

Marie looks down at her slightly protruding belly. "No, but we have plenty of time for it. We're planning to not know their gender until they're born."

"Surprising yourselves? Sounds fun." Louis gets a serious look on his face. "I'd like to ask you something very personal."

Sensing things might become tense, Jack gets the attention of the other canines. "We can all work over there." He has the rest of the 701 Gang follow after him.

"What is it, Dad?" asks Marie.

Louis hesitates a moment. "Marie? Have you felt that I've…neglected you lately?"

The hind stares at her father. "What? No! Of course not!"

"It's just that Juno and I have put so much time and effort into getting this apartment and making it a real home for Philip. I've been feeling like I've only occasionally payed attention to you and that fills me with guilt."

Marie smiles at her father. "Different children require different relationships with parents depending on their needs. I needed the freedom to have my own life, which I now have and you support. Philip needs the stability and comfort of a loving home, which you and Mom have bent over backwards to set up. I'm perfectly happy with our current relationship and I'm quite certain Philip will love all of this."

Louis hugs his daughter. When he pulls away, he looks down at the suit he has on. "I've got to change out of this. A suit doesn't exactly scream family man." The stag gets up and heads for the bedroom to change.

Marie gets back to balloons as the 701 Gang comes back.

"Your dad's a lot different now," says Jack.

"He is and isn't at the same time."

Miguno laughs. "Yeah. He's set up Haru's flower shop to become a chain of stores."

"Don't forget he's heading the Hybrid Rights Movement," says Durham.

Marie hands her finished balloon to Voss to tie up. "He's gotten himself so involved in it, he's outsourcing the financial and business aspects of Haru's shop to Dope. Dad is likely getting ready to hand it all over to him completely."

"Where are the lions anyway?" asks Collot.

"With Mom bringing Philip here."

Jack smiles at Marie. "It's nice how easy it is for you to call Juno your mom."

"Azuki may have given birth to me, but she was no mom. She's nothing more than some bad memory to me now."

Durham decides to steer the subject back towards less sensitive topics. "Let's hope Louis won't get absorbed by his new goals."

"That won't happen. The friends and family around him would never allow it."

Voss chuckles. "If that doesn't work, some of us can knock sense back into him."

The 701 Gang laughs and Marie even giggles.

Hearing a knock at the door, Legoshi goes to open it.

Standing on the other side holding a wrapped box is a familiar leopard-gazelle hybrid.

"Hey, Melon," says Legoshi.

"Hey, Legoshi. Where do I put this gift?"

The wolf points at a table with a slew of gifts on it. "Over there with the rest." He pokes his head outside and looks around while Melon heads to the table. "Just you?"

"She stopped to chat with one of the neighbors."

Legoshi stares at the hybrid. 'Just over two decades ago, I was in a death match with him in the Back Alley Market. Now, he's friends with everyone here. What time can do to someone.' His head turns as his nose picks up someone else coming. "Hey, Sebun."

Legoshi's former Merino sheep neighbor smiles up at the wolf. "Hi, Legoshi." Noticing he has a sad look on his face now, Sebun holds his hand. "I know. I miss Zaguan too. He was a great friend to all of us." The seal's death was a blow to many, especially her.

The wolf nods to her. "Thank you. I appreciate that, Sebun." He watches the sheep walk over to Melon and hug him. Legoshi smiles seeing the leopard-gazelle hybrid kiss the top of her head. 'Who would've thought those two'd get together? I'm glad they did though. They are still crazy in love after years together.'

Just then, Louis reenters the room in his new outfit. Hearing laughter and snickers from a good number of the others, the stag rolls his eyes. "Okay. Get it all out of your systems."

"It's tragic when someone with good taste loses it," says Pina.

"I'm putting this online," Kai says as he pulls out his phone and takes a picture of Louis.

"You've officially joined the Dork Club with Legoshi," says Bill.

"I think Louis looks great in plaid," the wolf says in the stag's defense.

"You're biased, Legoshi," says Voss.

"You're the king of plaid these days," says Durham.

Louis shrugs. "Legoshi said this is the wardrobe that best represents a family man. This is me trying it out." He walks over to Melon. "Thank you for tutoring Philip all this time."

"I have a PhD in History," says the leopard-gazelle hybrid. "I might as well make use of it. Besides, Philip's a great student."

"As much as I loathe and despise saying even one positive thing about them, Xander and Delilah did give Philip the drive to be a good student."

"He probably still has nightmares about them. I know I still have a few revolving around my own past." Melon looks at Sebun. "With the right support, they won't hurt as bad."

The sheep smiles at him.

Melon looks back to Louis with a very mischievous smirk. "A new nightmare that'll hurt forever is the sight of you in plaid." The leopard-gazelle hybrid cackles at his own joke.

"That wasn't nice, Melon."

Louis is giving the hybrid an annoyed glare when his phone dings. He picks it out of his pocket, his eyes bulging at the sight of the text message. "They're here."

Everybody else in the room quickly gets back to work in the hopes of finishing their tasks before Philip gets there.

"Where's the cake?!" Louis shouts to the kitchen.

"We're done!" Els shouts back. "Bill! Help Trini carry it!"

"Coming!" the tiger responds as he runs into the kitchen.

All the rest of the preparations are completed as Bill and Trini carry the large cake over to the empty table with Dom, Els, and Haru close by.

After the cake is set on the table, Trini and Els notice Louis's plaid shirt and try covering their mouths to stifle their laughter.

Dom shakes his head at the stag. "You need to spend less time around Legoshi."

Haru just stares at Louis in silence. Then, she laughs. She laughs so hard. Hard enough to fill the whole room and have to hold her gut because it hurts.

Louis is blushing at this point. "Your husband wears plaid all the time, Haru!"

"Yeah…but…he makes it…look good! You…just look…dumb!"

The stag heads over to Ben and his camera with a huff.

As Melon stands by the door to listen for the guest of honor to arrive, Legoshi gives Haru a smile. "Do you really like me in plaid?"

The rabbit smirks at her husband. "A lot. I sometimes imagine you as some really hunky lumberjack I'm having my way with."

Legoshi's entire body tenses up at this.

"Mom!" Goshen shouts in disgust. "I don't need to hear what you two get up to in bed!"

"Well, it's not always the bed," says the wolf. "Sometimes it's the shower, the couch, the kitchen table, different walls—"

"STOP!" Goshen screams as he covers his ears.

Realizing what he just revealed to the room, Legoshi covers his face in embarrassment.

Haru is blushing from all that detail into their sex lives being revealed. "It's a good thing you're hot, Legoshi."

The wolf's tail wags despite still covering his face.

Melon's ear twitches. "They're on this floor!"

Louis points to the camera, which Ben turns on. The stag smiles. "Hello, viewers. As is obvious, I'm not Philip. I'm his father, Louis. I, my friends, and my family set up this party for him to welcome him to his new home on his first day back in the outside world. You all will join in on seeing the beginning of this party thrown in Philip's honor." He leaves the camera's line of vision as the apartment door opens.

Stepping inside, Philip had already been expecting a welcome party. He's still blindsided by the extravagance and the volume of everyone yelling "WELCOME HOME, PHILIP!" The deer-wolf hybrid's eyes well up seeing all the smiling faces of those who'd visited him in juvie.

Juno hugs her son from behind while the lions file in and close the door behind them. "Is this just the most amazing party your father could have prepared or what?"

"It is, Mom." Philip runs over to Louis and gives him a hug. "Thanks, Dad."

Louis's smile grows. "You deserved the best, Philip."

The deer-wolf hybrid steps back and sees the plaid shirt his father has on. "Uh…I'll learn to accept your clothing choices."

The stag is starting to get tired of everyone insulting his plaid shirt. The feeling gets even worse when he looks over at the lions. While they don't say anything, Louis can see in their eyes that none of them are fans of his current look. He feels a hand pat his cheek and discovers that it belongs to Juno.

The she wolf gives an understanding smile. "I get what you were going for, but it doesn't look good on you."

Louis is about ready to lose it, but he's distracted from that by Philip stepping out in front of the camera to greet the viewers.

"Hi, viewers," says the deer-wolf hybrid. "This is Philip…or Dancer W…or whatever all of you'd prefer to call me. It's been some time. I'm glad you could all be here to welcome me to my new home. Don't mind the scar on my snout." He points to it, the mark of him accidentally shooting himself a year ago. "Now then, join us as we put on a show for everyone here."

Most of the animals in the room are surprised at this announcement.

"Today, I won't be dancing alone. I'm joined by two guest dancers. Louis the Red Deer and Juno the Grey Wolf." Philip smiles. "My mom and dad. The ones who've worked hard for this new home, gotten me through my time behind bars, and who gave me these dentures when I lost my front teeth." He opens his mouth, showing off his fake front carnivore fangs. "Makes it easier to eat fish and eggs. Anyway, the theme of today's video is…family. Specifically ours."

Louis and Juno step out in front of the camera as the lions back everyone up so that there is enough room. The pair gets into position as Casey riffs on the keyboard. The music that plays reminds the pair of the tango from last year's ball. Their dance moves represent their lives. How they developed feelings, Louis's attempts to deny those feelings, Juno trying to get his attention, and ending with the two pressed together while Juno has a hand covering both of Louis's eyes (a representation of their tryst when he didn't know that it was her). They then walk off in opposite directions as the music changes to something sadder.

Philip jumps back in front of the camera. His movements represent all of his misery and anger he felt at not having a loving family for so many years, the music rapidly switching as if to signify mood swings. He ends his solo part crouched down with his hands up in the air.

Then, Louis and Juno come back in and each take one of Philip's hands, the music having changed to a celebratory dance. The three move together, representing the hope for the happiest future as a family. At the finale, Louis and Juno each wrap an arm around Philip before all three pose for the camera with smiles on their faces.

The whole room applauds for them.

As Philip relaxes, he catches sight of Trini. The deer-wolf hybrid was visited many times by the tiger-goat hybrid in juvie. Each time, he'd been confused yet fascinated by her kindly and forward personality. Now, seeing Trini absolutely beaming at him, Philip's heart beats faster.

"The viewers loved it!" Andy shouts from the crowd holding a giant laptop in both hands. "'Beautiful!' 'What a great family!' 'It made me cry!'" The alligator-rhino hybrid laughs at the next comment. "'The only thing keeping it from being completely perfect is the horror of Louis in plaid!'"

The stag's had enough. "That's it! I'm burning this shirt!" He starts to undo the buttons.

Legoshi runs over and stops Louis. "Don't! That's a perfectly good shirt!"

Juno and Haru head over to calm their men down.

Philip looks back to the camera with an embarrassed smile. "Seems the rest of this party will be private. Bye, viewers." He shuts off the camera.

AN: Lots of things to say here. First, I really don't have any issues with plaid myself. I have quite a few items of clothing that are plaid myself. I just felt that Louis would likely be made fun of for wearing it because it just doesn't suit him. Also, I felt most everyone there would not be fans of plaid except Legoshi. I also have the feeling that I've created an internet monster with the suggestion of Lumberjack Legoshi. Yikes. I decided to have Zaguan be dead because (and I know lots of readers won't like this) I just don't care for him. He's a nice guy and all, but he's not a character I particularly enjoy. Besides, Louis and Juno's apartment was already rather crowded in my opinion. It's why I also didn't include Gouhin, San, or Kyuu (they're alive, but I don't think they'd attend an event like this anyway). How many of you expected Sebun x Melon? I know it's basically a crack pairing, but it popped into my head one day and hasn't left. I know it's a bit early, but I'll reveal to you all that I'm slowly working on a story that tells how those two end up as a couple. I'm still in the very early stages, but it will come out eventually. So...only one chapter left, readers. Here's to going out strong. See you Saturday!