Chapter 8:
Ahhh, Nick what are we going to tell your mother? Its her house after all. Won't be a problem carrot, she's been dying for grand kits. Well, I hope your right, don't want to give her a heart attack. It'll be fine stop worrying. Nick sticks his key in the door, opening it. Hey ma, were home. Well it's about time, came a voice from the kitchen, your late for lunch. I know ma but we got held up this morning, we have a surprise for you. This had better be good. Foot steps could be heard coming from the kitchen down the hall. As Vivian turned the corner, she took in the mountain of bags in the foyer, what's all this? she asked. I came around from behind the bags. Her paws flew to her muzzle in surprise. IT WAS ANOTHER MOM; I ran as fast as I could and jumped into her arms. I nuzzled into her neck and began to cry again. Vivian just held me, and let me cry, and make yipping noises, into her neck. She then went and sat down in a chair in the living room. Occasionally she'd take her paw and starting from my head, stroking it down my back. Nick and Judy meanwhile, were putting the groceries away. They took my stuff, and put it in the spare room, MY ROOM.
When I had finally cried myself out, she wipes my eyes and muzzle, and asked if I was hungry, I said yes, I was. She turned and headed back for the kitchen. She sat me down in a high chair that Nick had brought up from the basement. I can't believe you still had this old thing in the basement mom. It was mine wasn't it? Asked Nick. Vivian shook her head yes. She then dished me out a bowl of vegetable soup that was on the stove. Nick, Judy, Vivian all did the same and sat down at the table. I know this is going to be quite the story, said Vivian, so let's save it for later this evening, shall we? Nick and Judy both shook their heads yes, all the while continuing to eat. You guys go get some sleep, you look like you need it, I'll look after… As she turned to me, Nick, Judy and I all said "Daniel" at the same time. We all laughed. Right, I'll look after Daniel, You guys go sleep. You're an angel ma, said Nick as he kisses her forehead, putting their dishes in the sink, Judy and Nick leave the room and head for their bed. Vivian turns to me and asks; you want some more little guy? As an answer I just hold out the bowl. She laughs and fills it again.
I have now laughed more in a few hours, than all my life up to this point. This was a new feeling for me and my siblings, "Happiness" We all wanted more. They had been lurking in the back of my mind all morning, giving comments and laughing with me, crying with me, and just holding me close with their love. Well this is certainly an adventure, said Susan. We all agreed with her. I started to node off in my bowl, Vivian picked me up and carried me to my room. Laying down on the bed with me, she curls around me, and I soon fall fast asleep.
When I woke up, it was dark again, and I was all alone. It took some reassurance from my sibling to quill the panic that had been rising in me, I had never slept alone before. I walked out the door, which had been left open, and walked down the hall towards the voices in the kitchen. Well Daniel, Good to see you awake son. said Nick." Son, I liked the sound of that". Vivian, who had been facing the entrance to the kitchen, asked me, "hungry"? I said yes, but needed the bathroom first. Judy got up and taking my hand, leads me to the bathroom. The facilities were a little different, but I managed to use them, (with out falling in) my siblings laughed at this thought of mine. I just blushed. I returned to the kitchen, and Nick lifted me up, and put me in the high chair. I was handed I plate of stir-fried veggies, with a side dish of bugs. I nearly threw the bugs on the floor, but Vivian grabbed the dish before I could do so. You don't like bugs? asked Vivian. I shuddered, and said I won't eat them. Then how about some chicken? No, I said a bit forcefully, won't eat meat either. Well I do have some peanut butter how about that? As I had never had peanut butter, I said I would try it. She went over to the cupboard and pulled out a jar of brown gooey stuff, putting some on a slice of bread, she brought it to me. I could smell that it was good, but the first thing that happened was it stuck to the roof of my muzzle. My antics of trying to lick it off, got everyone laughing (especially my sibling who could feel my distress at having it stuck to the top of my muzzle). Once I had managed to get it off, I dug into the plate of veggies in front of me. They were different, cooked, and had some sort of flavoring with them. After I had finished them off, Vivian brought me some berries for "dessert". I especially liked the small blue round ones.
Meanwhile the adults continued talking.
So that's when we came out of the conference room, and saw the condition of the lobby of the precinct, I have never laughed so hard in my life, said Nick. Chief Buffalo Butt, came out of his office, and put a stop to it with one word. Not only that but I swear I saw a smile on his face, said Nick. He did not, piped in Judy. I swear he did carrots. Oh mom, no sugar for Daniel, I don't think his body handles it very well. We then left the precinct and found breakfast. After breakfast we went to social services. I have never been so scared in my life. I didn't realize you were scared Nick, said Judy. Even proposing to you fluff, was not as scary. Har, har You're a regular "Rosanne Boar". Said Judy, lightly punching his arm. Anyway, we thought they would refuse us again, but this time things were different, the mixed couple species thing, didn't even come up. She saw how we acted with Daniel here, and Irene approved us right away. And the rest you Know.
Vivian come over to me, picked me out of the chair, and held me close. I know your life hasn't been very good up until now Daniel, but I hope we can make it better. "Better now", was all I said.
Well who's ready for a bath? My hand shot up, "Bubbles lots of bubbles", I said. Everyone laughed at this. We all head for the bathroom, as Vivian runs the water, I got undressed, (cloths, still not used to them), and this was when Vivian noticed all my differences at once. Guys, If I didn't know better, I would say he was your biological son. Judy starts to cry at this. We noticed this right away this morning, mom, and it hurts to know that the clinic was bombed before it could happen. Well he is here now, even if he is not your own. With this she literally throws me in the tub. I start laughing, right away and throw a hand full of bubbles at Vivian. I then dive under the water, and come up in the biggest patch of bubbles. I held my arms at a 45-degree angle with my paws facing forward going, Rowwr. Everyone laughs at this (ha, another joke) Oh no, the dreaded bubble monster, what shall we do? Vivian knows just what to do, she throws some water on me to wash the bubbles off. I collapse like she had just mortally wounded me. We continue to have fun in the tub till the water turns cold. Judy then pulls me out of the tub, and proceeds to dry me off with a towel. I had never been dried with a towel before, and a happy chirr escaped my throat. Judy and ever one else look at me in shock. Well I guess that should have been expected, remarks Judy. I look at her with a puzzle look. Daniel, the sound you made, is usually made by contented bunnies. "Bad" I asked. No Daniel, we just were not expecting it. You chirr all you like. She then finished drying and dressing me (again different cloths for night time). We then settled in the living room to watch some "TV".
They turned it on and a flickering picture emerged, I was fascinated by this, as I never seen the likes before. I looked behind the tv, looking for the little people I could see on the front. (I could tell my sibling were also fascinated by this). The adults laughed at this. This is just a moving picture, explained Nick. He then picked up a photograph beside the coffee table, and explains the difference, and how they were similar. I then sat down in front to watch.
Back up a bit Daniel, too close may hurt your eyes, and its easier to see the whole picture from further back. So, I sat back, and it was easier to see the whole picture, I didn't have to turn my head as much. They put it on a tv show called "Rosanne Boar", I didn't get all the humor, but I did get some of it, when I did get it, I laughed just as hard as the rest of the adults. We watched several different shows, "Acquittances, third stone, how I met my mate, and full houses". By the time of the last one, I was falling asleep, and fell over. Some one picked me up, and took me to bed. I woke up enough, "Stay"? I asked. "I'm not Leaving" come the reply, and they curled around me, as I fell back to sleep.
In the morning when I woke up, Vivian was still wrapped around me. I tried to wiggle out of her grasp without waking her, as I had to use the bathroom, but she still woke up. Problem Daniel? "Bathroom, have to go", I said. We got up, stretched, and used the facility's, and then went down to the kitchen. Vivian then began to putter around the kitchen, getting breakfast going. I just sat in the chair watching everything, as this was all new to me. (how long would it be before everything didn't seem new). She put some water in a machine, and some black stuff came out. Coffee, my nose told me. DeDe had drank this stuff all the time. Vivian then put a frying pan on the stove, and poured a thick liquid into it. As it cooked, this wonderful smell filled the room. She then came back to me, and handed me a glass with an orange colored liquid in it. I could smell carrots, but I couldn't see any. I then took a sip of the glass and found the carrots, it was liquid. I drank about half in one go. Whoa, slow down little guy, there's more where that came from. Shortly there after, Nick and Judy came into the kitchen. Morning squirt, said Nick as he kissed the top of my head. Judy jumped onto the chair and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. That felt so good. (My siblings all decided to do this to DeDe and see if they could get the same response. The response was over whelming, DeDe Just broke down and was crying as she hugged and kissed them all). Vivian then brought over that wonderful smell. "Pancakes" she said, as she put some margarine on it, with a maple syrup flavor on it as well. Whoa Mom, no sugar remember? Oh, hush you, it's diabetic syrup. Uh mom, why do you have diabetic syrup? Vivian's face turned red as she turned to face her son. Uh, I've been borderline diabetic for about four years now. Nick got this weird look on his face, when were you planning on telling us mom? Being diabetic's not a death sentence you know. I know mom, I'm just worried that's all. Don't worry Nick, as long as I watch what I eat, I can keep it under control. Sorry mom, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's ok Nick, I know you are concerned, but I'm fine, really. Nick came around the table, and hugged his mom. "Love you mom". Love you too, you over protective tod. A small chuckle escaped his muzzle as he went to sit beside Judy again.
So, what should we do this fine Saturday?
Sir, it appears we will have a chance to put the cameras, and sound, in this afternoon, they appear to be going to the park. That's good news.
What happened in the lab this morning? We saw through the window of their home, that when "J" was kissed and hugged this morning, it appears all of the test subjects did the same with DeDe shortly afterwards. Have they ever expressed affection before? No, Sir, this was something new.
So, we can assume that there is a connection? Yes Sir, there has always been hints of this connection but no real proof. Right, we need to explore this, try some telepathy tests. Sir, isn't that a little far out there? There's been no real proof of telepathy before. Well, I have a feeling that we will find something. Very good, Sir. (from the archive file of the institute)