Chapter 40: New family members
Dad's in a fine mood this morning, he grabs mom and kisses her, and holds it for a long time. Mom blushes when he finally releases her. We all get kisses and hugs before he heads off to work. I continue to instruct mom, and Vivian. The kits and pup run around the DOJO and generally make a nuisance of themselves. Everyone else is either soaking or swimming.
"Hey spots, how are you doing"? Clawhauser lets out with a squeal, "Nick your back, oh, show me, please"? Nick chuckles as he shows off the new additions. "Elisabeth is faster than Scott, so she chases him. Justin is a little slower, but makes up for it by being the highest bounder. They can be a nuisance, but I wouldn't trade them for anything".
"So, this little guy is your brother. Wow, never seen an orange wolf before". "It seems kind of strange, I mean my brother will be growing up with my kits. But he is already pack leader with Elisabeth and Justin. Just the other day, he shocked the heck out of his mom, when he looked at her and called her mom. He appears to be a fast learner, just like all the older kits". "Speaking about that, when is Daniel coming back"? "My mom figures another week, she wants to be ready as well". Looking at the clock, ben exclaims. "Look at the time, Nick you better get to the bull pen, or the chief might put you on permanent parking duty". "Right spots, see you later", says Nick as he heads for the bull pen.
Nick just smiles and greets everyone, as he walks into the bull pen. He finds his seat, just as the chief comes in the front door. "Oh, so good of you to join us Wilde, have a nice vacation"? "Yes chief, the hula girls were just fantastic". The bull pen cracks up with laughter. "Can it Wilde". The Chief hands out the assignments till only Nick and the new wolf are left in the bull pen. "Wilde, parking duty…. just kidding, you and Howler will be teaming up until your partner comes back from her vacation". With that Bogo leaves the bull pen.
Nick walks over to the new guy. "Hi, I'm Nick Wilde". "Hello Nick I'm Barry Howler, I'm a temporary transfer from precinct 3"." So, what brings you to this part of the city"? Nick asks this as they head for the patrol car. "Well if truth be told, I wanted to meet up with Judy Hopps". "Why's that"? "Well Nick, she helped me in the academy. I was failing out, and she showed so much determination, that I decided if a bunny could do it, so could I".
"She helped me with some assignments, and some practical techniques. I was third in our class because she helped me, and I never got to thank her. I'd would really like to see her while I'm here". "I think I can arrange that". "So, you and Judy went through the academy together"? "Yes, I wouldn't have minded if she had become my girlfriend, but my grandpa, the pack leader would have probably have killed me and her".
"Ohh, that's harsh". "Yes, it is, my grandfather did not handle interspecies relationships very well. He drove a lot of the family away because of it". Nick throws Barry the car keys. "Senior officer drives", he says. Barry gets behind the wheel, and starts the car. "So how many of the pack left because of his Views"? "Two thirds left or were driven out, including my uncle. My uncle married an artic fox, they had a cute little artic fox tod, he was from her first relationship".
Nicks head snaps around and he looks at Barry. "So, what happened to this uncle"? "He died when I was nine. He was coming back from some park when they were broad sided by a drunk. My uncle Peter was in a coma the last time I saw him. Three days after the last time I saw him, grandpa said he had died. We claimed his ashes, and the ashes of his wife and son. Their picture hangs on the wall of remembrance, with their ashes in a niche in the wall below it. Listen to me, I must be a right bore, he says as he wipes a tear from his eye". "It's all right Barry, I love my family too". They spend the rest of the day talking about nothing in particular.
Nick come in the door in a troubled state. "Hey slick", Judy looks at Nick and can tell something is wrong, "Nick what's wrong"? "Is Peter home yet"? "Yes, he and Vivian are in the hot tub". Nick reaches for Judy's paws, and pulls her into an embrace. "Have I told you how much I love you"? "Nick your scaring me, what is it". "It's nothing bad love, but it might bring closure to Peter". "Nick what are you talking about"? "We'll talk later, I need to talk to Peter first". "Nick if it concerns Peter it concerns all of us". "Your right, that's why I love you".
Peter and Vivian, are both laughing, giggling, and smooching as they come in the front door. Nick hates to spoil their good mood, but he thinks it needs to be said. "Peter, Vivian, can you guys come and sit down in the kitchen we need to talk". "Right Nick, just let us get dressed first". "Right, Sorry".
"So, Nick what's got you so riled up"? Asks Peter with a grin. "Peter, I met one of your family members today". Peter deflates and sits down hard. "Nick you know I don't talk to my family". "Yes Peter, I do, but I think you need to". "Why, Nick"? "Because your family thinks you are dead". "WHAT? Nick my family doesn't talk to me because I had, and still am having an interspecies relationship". "According to Barry, you died when he was nine". "All right Nick if you did talk to Barry, tell me about his birth mark".
"Peter, he has a birthmark on the back side of his left ear, in the shape of a flying bird". "That's Barry all right. So how did you meet him"? "He is my temporary partner till Judy comes back". "What, little Barry became a cop? I bet his father loves that", he said sarcastically. "Peter would it hurt to just talk to him? You don't have to give your name; we can call you Pete". "Why are you pushing this Nick"? "Peter, I know how hard it is when you let family down, and I know I didn't have the courage without Judy".
"Peter, I let my mom down, and it was the hardest thing to say, I'm sorry". Vivian gets up and goes around the table and hugs Nick. "Nick, I didn't let them down they threw me out". "I think Peter it was all your dads doing. I believe your family still loves you. Barry had a tear in his eye today, when he thought of the death of his uncle".
Peter deflates. "All right Nick where would you like me to meet him"? "Ah, actually I would like to bring him home. He wants to meet Judy, to thank her for getting him through the academy". "And he won't know who I am"?" I won't tell him". "All right, I'm Pete, can we all stick to that name"? "Yes Pete, we can".
The next night Nick parks the cruiser in the VIP section, and they both walk into the building. "Nick how can you afford a place like this"? "I can't, but my relatives can". "Relatives"? "You'll see. Evening JR", "Evening Nick, who's the new guy"? "JR this Barry, Barry this is Jerry Rathbone". "Jerry Rathbone, snow storm Jerry Rathbone"? "JR chuckles, the one and only". "It's good to meet you sir", he says as he shakes his paw.
"Mavis you there"? "I am always here Nick'. "Mavis I'm bringing a guest up tonight". "Very good Nick, you know the routine". "Barry you have to state your full name, and place your paws on the scanner, and look into the camera". "Wow, that's quite the security system. My Name is Barry Howler". 'Thank you, Mister Howler you may proceed". Nick and Barry go into the elevator.
As Nick and Barry come in the door, they can both smell something good. "Hey love, where are you"? "In the Kitchen", comes the reply. Nick goes around the corner and scopes Judy up and plants one right on her muzzle. Barry just stares in shock. Nick puts Judy down, and they both stare at Barry. "Nick you didn't tell me that you married Judy". "Well yes, he did, about five years ago", "how you doing Barry lad"? Says Judy as she hugs him. "Judy you know I'm only a year younger than you"? "Yes, I do, that's why you will always be lad".
"Oh, get ready for a shock Barry". With that he's mobbed by Elisabeth, Justin, and Scott. All three are jumping a him for attention. "Cute kits, are they yours Judy"? "Yes, two of them are". The fox and the rabbit are Nicks and mine". "You adopted"? "No Barry, they were conceived and carried by me, and before you ask yes, Nick is the father". "Your vacation was mat leave"? "Nick what did you say"? "Wasn't me, it was chief Bogo". "Yes, Barry it was mat leave. You should have seen me, as big as a beachball".
Nick pulls out his phone and shows a picture to Barry. Barry just laughs and Judy blushes. "So, who is this other guy"? "That Barry would be my brother. Say Hi, to Barry Scott". "Hi Barry", says Scott in his high Squeaky voice. "Well hello their little guy", says Barry as he leans down to give him a hug. Justin And Elisabeth beg for hugs too. Barry hugs them all at least once.
"All right guys, TV off, go wash for Dinner". "Right Mom", as the rest of us stampede around the corner. "Ah, Nick are all the rest your as well"? "Only the burnt umber ones, the rest are the owners of the building". "Wow, this s really hard to believe, I think I have just walked into a fairy tale". "Some days I fell like it too", says Nick.
Vivian and "Pete" come out of their bedroom, and head for the kitchen. "You guys hungry"? Ask Vivian. Three small heads nod yes. "Guys you'll have to excuse me". With that Vivian goes to the nursing chair, and uncovering her teats start to feed Elisabeth, Justin, and Scott. "Barry I would like you to meet my father-in-law, Pete".
Pete and Barry shake hands, "do I know you sir, you seem kind of familiar"? "No, I don't think so Barry. I just moved to town". Barry shrugs, and sits down. We all come in and sit in our chairs. "Barry I would like you to meet our Kits, Daniel, Terry, Davis, and Ava. And beside them is Susan, Cindy, Suzie, and Rick, the O'Hare's". We all raise our hand when our name is said. "Wasn't there something in the news a few years ago about the O'Hare's"? "Yes, there was, but it's time to eat".
After supper we all go back to the living room and continue the movie we were watching. The adults sit around the table with coffee, and talk.
"So, Barry, tell me about yourself". "What's to tell sir"? "I had a below average up bringing, the only ones I felt that loved me were my mother and father and my aunt". "Come now their had to be more than that in your family"? "There was, but granddad drove most of them away. And the ones he didn't drive away, were just like him". "So, has anything changed for you"? "Well yes, dad challenged granddad for the right to be pack leader". "Did he win"? "In a manner of speaking".
"This happened about two years ago. They had been arguing about the latest removal from the pack, when dad had finally had enough. They fought in the traditional manor, Dad had him pined to the ground, and was ready to rip his throat out, when grandma rapped dad on the back and told him he didn't deserve to die that way. Dad thought about it as his anger cooled, and had to agree with his mom. Dad let granddad up, and just shook himself all over. Grandma then took the matriarchic chain from around her neck and put it on my mom's neck. Grandpa got up in a huff, and taking his jacket stormed out of the compound. That was the night of the big storm. They found him three days later, sitting on a park bench, with his paw frozen to his cane. He died like he lived, with a cold, cold heart".
"So, has things changed in the compound"? "You bet they have"; Barry gets very animated at this question. "Dad has invited all the family members back. Some came back, but other wanted to wait, to see how thing went. We were down to a total of sixteen members in the compound, when dad challenged, now we have forty-two member in the compound. There are many interspecies couples in the compound now".
"Terry my uncle, was the strangest, he brought his new wife to the compound, she's a black panther named Sasha. Dad welcomed them in, and she is the best thing to happen in the nursery. She's a mother to all the pups, and they love her. Dad looks at her, and gets a melancholy look in his eyes, and I'm sure he is thinking about his brother".
"Dad always told me he had only one regret in life, and that was his brother". "How's that Barry"? "Well dad has always told me to speak my own mind, and to not let another speak for me. When granddad threw Peter out of the pack, dad had argued with him the night before. Granddad said he was right, and no son of his would be in an interspecies relationship. They fought then, and dad had the scruff of his neck torn off by granddad".
"Dad was rushed by car to the hospital in tundra town, and they managed to reattach most of it. Still to this day, it hurts dad on wet days. Dad wore a high collar, and stood with granddad as he told his brother off, he had tears in his eyes as he did this. He was scared of the old mammal. He had a wife and son to look after, and he couldn't do that if he was dead. But that was his one regret, he couldn't tell his brother the truth, and dads brother died before he could tell him how sorry he was".
"So, how did his brother die"? "You sure you want to hear this"? "Humor an old dog Barry". "Well about two years after he was thrown out, he was in an auto accident, his wife and son died at the scene, and my uncle was in a coma".
"Mom and I visited every third day, we stayed about an hour each time. The last time we saw him, he looked so frail and I wanted him to be strong, so I left my action figure in his hand hoping it would give him strength. Three days later, we were on our way to visit, but we got a call from granddad, saying he had passed on".
"Mom and my aunt were devastated, and cried and howled for a week. Granddad made all the arrangements, but grandma intervened and brought all the urns of his family, home to the compound. Their ashes reside in an alcove below their picture in the hall of remembrance".
Everyone including Peter had tears in their eyes. "I'm sorry everyone, this was a really heave subject". "Not really fluff butt. How's your mom Stacie and your Aunt Beth doing now". "God, I haven't been called fluff butt since I was two. Wait, how did you know my nickname"?
"I was there day you were born, fluff butt. You kind of fell into my hands. Here I believe this is yours". Peter hands him an old action figure. Most of the paint has worn off over time, but you could still tell it was super mammal. "Perhaps I should introduce myself, hi fluff butt, I'm your uncle Peter Howler".
"My uncle is DEAD, what are you playing at"? "Barry, I know you. And I know about the birth mark you don't talk about, you know the one in front, in an awkward position shaped like a heart". Barry's eyes get big and wide, "if you are my uncle, tell me something only he and I would know". "Let's see, how about the fire in the shed? Caused by a careless candle, and when I pulled you out, you told me you were hiding from the evil eyes of Harvey. Will that work"?
"O.M.G. uncle Peter". Barry bounds around the table and cuddles into Peter whining the whole time. "Yes, Barry, I heard you that last time, and I wanted to squeeze your hand, but I still couldn't move. It was several hours later when I could close my hand over your "gift". And I never let it go. I have carried it in my pocket every day since".
"Oh, God, uncle we have to tell the whole family, they will be so happy". "No, Barry, I want to tell them in my own time". "But uncle". "No buts Barry, my own time or not at all". "Yes uncle, but will you make it soon"? "Barry, I have lived as a lone wolf for so long, it's going to be hard for me to join a pack again". "I... I understand, but it will be hard, as the anniversary of your death is approaching".
"Tell me, does your father still hold court at the end of each month"? "No, he holds a council, all pack members have a say at council. He may be the head, but the limbs have a say in how the body is run". "Good and does he take petitions for entrance to the pack"? "Yes, he does". "Good see you at the end of the month Barry. Please don't tell anyone". "It will be hard, but ok". Barry kisses Peter and lets him go. Barry leaves, and Vivian cuddles into him.
" That was well done love". "Vivian, I don't know if I can face my family". "You can face them, because I will be at your side". "Are you Sure"? "I'm not going anywhere Peter, Get use to that". Peter just leans down and kisses her. After a bit it becomes very passionate, and he picks her up and heads for their bedroom.