Chapter 12: We R Family
A/N: Here's part 2 of what was once one long chapter. At least now I have the freedom to add some extra stuff like the llama scene. I noticed I didn't get any reviews for Chapter 11, but it was a pretty dry chapter with not a lot going on. This one's got a fair bit of humor and drama with a nice cliffhanger to the final chapter of this story. Oh yeah! We're almost wrapped up! One more chapter to go and I should be done. For now.
2:10pm at Toys or Bust
The families were having a fun time looking around at all of the toys. James and Spots were messing with bicycles, Wolford was looking at the blocko toys while his wife was trying to pull him away from them, Terry was helping Sarah decide on some dolls while Nick was playing with Michael and Cotton who were playing with the toy lightsabers. Suzie meanwhile, was stopping to take pictures with some of the children in the store.
"Thanks for wanting to take a selfie, but for the last time, I'm not the mascot!"
"Don't forget to keep an eye on the kids!" Nick yelled out to Suzie. "Can you give me an update?"
Thanks to her large size, Suzie had a view of the entire store from high above her. She started thumping her chest to make helicopter sounds. "This is Suzie Clawhauser with your eye in the sky news. There's a traffic jam in the bicycle isle as Jim Wolford tries to be funny while riding a tiny tricycle much to the amusement of Spots. There's an injury in the Blocko isle as Mrs. Wolford pulls her husband away from the toys by his ear. Speaking of 'accidents', my mother ,Terry Clawhauser seems to taking my baby sister off to the restroom to get changed. Petey seems to be sobbing in the Bambi doll isle and there's a pair of young padawans playing with lightsa-"
Nick cut her off. "Hold on! Petey's crying?"
"It appears so Nick! Back to you in the studio!"
Nick just rolled his eyes. "Can you ask the Wolfords to watch Mike and Cotton for me? I gotta check up on Petey."
Within moments, Nick was standing behind Petey. The young bunny was in the Bambi doll isle looking at the clothing accessories for the dolls and weeping. Nick knelt down to be on his level. "Hey champ. What's wrong?"
"SNIFF! It's not fair! I want these... #$%!...these dress up toys, but I can't have them."
"What do you mean? Why not?"
"They're for girls. I'm a boy."
"Oooooh. You know Pete, there's no law that says you can't have these. We all know you have a passion for fashion. Lord knows you've helped me look good before I went out the door every day. So if you want to play with dolls and dress them up, that's your business. Besides, these days what's for girls and what's for boys is a blurred line. I mean, look at those twenty-something guys looking at the 'My Little Chonies' dolls!"
The guys were offended. "Hey! These are toys based on a well written show that anyone of any age and gender can enjoy!"
"I'm not judging you."
"Also, Skidmark Dash and Stinky Pie are HOT!"
"...Okay, NOW I'm judging you. A little."
Nick turned his attention back to Petey. "Peter, it's a free world and it's changing for the better day by day. You can like whatever toy you want, love whoever you want and have a career doing what you love. If you want those toys, I'll be glad to buy them for you. Okay?"
Petey wiped a tear and smiled. "Okay!" He hugged his father and then picked out two dolls and a bunch of clothing accessories.
Thirty minutes later...
"Toys or Bust" is attached to the local mall, so the gang were now at the food court and having a late lunch. Terry seemed very upset.
"I'm VERY ashamed of you right now! Having a fit right in the middle of the store. The crying! The stamping of your feet! Did you really think holding your breath was gonna change anything?! And then...THEN you just lie on the floor and refuse to move! I had to pick you up off the floor like a rag doll! What do you have to say for yourself?!"
"I'm sorry." Tim Wolford said. "But c'mon! 'Dat Blocko Star Boars Aluminum Falcon set is so cool! You kids thought it was cool, right? Back me up here."
"Don't look at me!" Michael replied.
Petey added "If you... #$%!...you have to get back up from six year-olds, you've already lost."
"It's two hundred dollars." Auburn said.
"We can afford it!"
"We're in the middle of moving out and have to pay for the last of our rent and storage."
"But I was gonna pay for it with MY money!"
"OUR money." Auburn replied. "When we're married, your money and my money becomes OUR money. We decide on our spending habits together and you don't need a building toy taking up shelf space right now. Got it?!"
Tim bowed his head. "Got it."
"Good!"
Nick looked around the table. "Where's James?"
Terry explained. "You see that place right there?"
Nick leered over. "Family Tree?"
"It's a business that looks up your family history with as much information as they can get. He's seeing if there's any relation between him and Sarah."
Tim was upset. "What?! He don't like me and Burnie 'er somethin'?!"
"No. He loves you two! But he loves me and Sarah as well. I think he just wants to expand his family."
Meanwhile, at Family Tree...
The technician was finished looking up James' family history. "Well, after you gave us all the information you could, we looked up a ton of profiles and did a bunch of searching online and found out that you and the cub named Sarah are indeed related."
"That's awesome!" James replied. "She's an orphan with no biological family she knows of so that'd be wonderful for her. Do we have the same father?"
"No, but not far off. You're cousins. After your father, Daniel Mewler left your mother, he fell on hard times and died homeless."
"As much as I hate my dad, I wouldn't have wished that on him."
"His brother, your uncle, Steve Mewler was also very poor. That's why him and his wife couldn't afford to take care of little Sarah and left her at the orphanage. His wife eventually left him and he joined his brother. They both died homeless together."
James thought about it for a moment. "What about the mother?"
"Died of a drug overdose."
"Damn! Sir?...Do we have doctor/patient confidentiality?"
"I'm not a doctor. We do this for money and to help people find out about their past."
"Well Sarah's past has a sad ending. Can you ummmm...fudge with the results a little so we're half siblings instead of cousin's?"
"It's unethical, but again, I'm not a doctor so I don't see why not? It'll make her happy and you two are technically related by blood."
"Thank you so much!"
Meanwhile, back at the food court...
The families were eating some fast food as Cotton was sharing her drawings with her father.
"Look daddy! I drew this one in the car."
Nick picked up the paper drawing. "Hey! It's James and Sarah hugging and being very happy! Sarah's in tears, but they look like tears of joy."
"Yeah! I guess that's gonna happen soon."
"...What do you mean?"
"Well, I don't know why, but sometimes I can see things in my mind and I draw them out. I drew this during breakfast."
Cotton showed Nick another drawing. Nick's jaw dropped in disbelief. "This...this is all of us on the couch! In the exact positions we were sitting in!...How did you know this?!"
"I dunno."
Nick showed the drawing to the others. Tim liked it. "H-Hey! 'Dat's real nice! All detailed 'n such!"
"Notice how we're all sitting the positions we were in?"
"Heh! Yeah, yer daughter's got an eye for detail."
"She drew it hours before it happened."
"...Okay, that's just creepy."
It was then that James came by with the slightly false results. "Okay guys! I'm back with the results!"
Terry was anxious. "Sooo?...What's the news?"
"Well, the bad news is that my father and Sarah's father both died homeless."
"Well that's sad." Sarah replied.
"But Sarah...the GOOD news is...it was the same father! We're half-siblings!"
Sarah screamed and cried with joy and she reached out for James. The cougar picked her up and hugged her tight. Tears were rolling down Sarah's face as she was crying with joy. "Jimmy's my brother! Jimmy's my blood brother!"
Nick looked at the drawing and then back at James and Sarah hugging at one point, it matched perfectly. Cotton looked at her father with worry. She saw the fear in his eyes. "What's wrong Daddy? Did I do something wrong? Is it a bad drawing?"
Nick looked at his scared daughter and smiled at her. Relieving her worries. "No dear. It's a wonderful drawing. You have a great gift."
Tim and Terry looked at each other with concern. "Sooo...what do we do now?" Tim asked.
"What do you mean?" James said.
"Well...'dis is worrying me. And I'm sure it's worrying Terry too. You two are brudder and sister. Does Terry have to give her up to us? Do we leave you with 'da Clawhausers? We do we do?"
"What?! NO! That's not what I wanted at all! We're both orphans. We should stay with each others families. Dad...Aunt Terry. I did this so our families could become closer, not tear us apart! Dad, I know you love Aunt Terry a lot and think of her as a little sister. I wanted you two to be able to stay bonded together in some way. So now, our two families can be closer than ever! Me and Sarah, we're like, both a Wolford and a Clawhauser in a way. We're the glue that bonds these families together. Right little sis?"
"Right!" said a very happy Sarah who was wiping away tears.
"Come to think of it, I'm gonna be related to spots pretty soon too!"
Spots was confused. "What are you talking about?"
"My cousin, Bobby Catmull is Marrying your new grandmother, Vivian."
"Oh yeah!" Spots replied. "Guess we'll be like, distant cousin-in laws or something."
Nick went over and patted Tim and Terry on the back. "Well how about that?! We're like, one big family!"
James saw Suzie looking away with a sad expression on her face. He excused himself from the table. "Hold up. I'll be back. Can I take Sarah with me aunt Terry?"
"Sure." Terry replied.
James walked over to Suzie who had her head bowed and was sniffling. "Hey there."
"SNIFF! H-Hey. Congratulations."
Sarah looked worried. "What's wrong Suzie?"
"N-Nothing! Nothing. You're very lucky James."
James hugged Suzie's head and rubbed his paw on her neck. "I'm VERY lucky, because now, I've got TWO little sisters."
"Wh-Wha?"
"You didn't think I forgot about you did you?! You've been Sarah's big sister long before I ever knew I was her big brother and I wouldn't ever break up the love you two have. You'll always be her big sister and extra mother. But now, I can help look after both of you."
James kissed the giraffe on the forehead. "You're my little sister too Suzie and I love you."
Suzie wept a little "Awww James!" Suzie rubbed her head against James as he hugged her neck with one arm while holding Sarah in the other.
"So Junior-Junior better be on his best behavior tonight. Not that you can get that wallflower to actually do something mischievous anyway."
Nick patted James on the back. "You better hurry and and grab something to go. We're almost done here. C'mon! It's my treat."
James gave Sarah to Suzie as Nick walked with him. "You're lying."
James suddenly got real nervous. "What?! What are you talking about?"
"You can't fool a grifter kid. I know when someone's lying. I see the signs in their face."
"I'm not lying! Not exactly. We're...we're cousins. Both our parents our dead, so I just...adjusted the results so we're half-siblings. You heard me say why I did it."
Nick patted the cougar on the back. "I did. To be honest, it's a damn good lie. I wish Spots would finally figure out who she is, because you'd make a damn good son-in-law someday."
James smiled back. "Thanks Mr. Wilde."
As they were going to pick up a slice of Pizza. They heard Cotton yelling. "Daddy! Help me!"
They turned around to see a panicked, female Llama trying to pull away Cotton from Spots. "Let her go! Her and these bunnies need to be safe from you predators!"
"YOU let go you, you...incredibly fluffy crazy lady! That's my sister!"
"Oh please! She's obviously no relation to you! She needs to be safe!"
Cotton was crying "OW! She's pulling on me!"
Wolford growled at the Llama. "You put that little lamb down right now! I'm a cop lady! Don't make me arrest you!"
She kept moving back. "I have to save her! I've seen the news! You predators are going wild now! Soon you'll come after us! We're not safe!"
She ended up backing right into Nick. He wasn't angry. He put his paws on her shoulders. "You're right. None of us are safe and we're all scared."
The llama gasped in fear as Nick continued.
The fox remained calm. "Lionheart has caused chaos in the city and it has caused many predators to finally riot against the injustice they've had over the decades, but it's not who we are. I'm Nick Wilde. Please. Would you like to take a seat? I promise we won't hurt you."
While hesitant, the llama did sit down in front of Nick. She didn't let go of Cotton yet, but Nick got Spots to back off. He couldn't stop her from growling though. Nick continued. "Like I said before, I'm Nick Wilde. The little crippled lamb you're currently holding is my daughter Christine. We call her 'Cotton'. That hyena growling at you is my very-protective elder daughter, Vivian. Look, I understand why you're scared. There's anger and fear and confusion going on all over the city right now, but the predators are not at fault! We're all being manipulated. Here. Take this."
Nick took a pamphlet from his pocket. "This is a program I've been working on called 'Preds for Peace'. You may have seen us on TV last night."
The llama finally recognized him. "That's the thing Gazelle was singing at last night! Ooooh. You're THAT fox!"
"That's right! And you've probably heard of my fiance', Judy Hopps?"
The llama smiled. "Everyone knows Judy. She's one of the best cops in the city!"
"And WHO was her partner?"
"...Oooh. You!"
"That's right! Now...can I please have my daughter back?"
The llama let go of Cotton and she ran into Nick's arms "I-I'm sorry! I'm just scared for these children. My...my son. He was mauled to death by a grizzly bear outside of a night club. Since then, I've always been fearful of predators. But today...today's just...I can't!"
Nick got up and held the crying llama gently. "It's alright. We understand. Many of us are just as afraid. But you can't let fear control your life. Fear just leads to suspicion and hate. Fear is how people like Bellwether and Lionheart gain control of us. By turning us against each other. I'm sorry for the loss of your son, but that doesn't mean you can just go kidnapping other children."
The llama put her head on Nick's shoulder's. "SNIFF! I know. I'm sorry. Sometimes...sometimes I feel like I just...can't cope with it anymore. You're a really nice fox."
"And you're even fluffier than I thought you'd be!" This made the llama giggle. Nick continued. "Look. If you need someone to talk to, I'll give you me and Judy's number. Auburn here is a lawyer and has done some counseling in the past."
He broke off the hug. "I hope you have more children again someday. Just...not ones that belong to other people. Okay?"
She gave a slight giggle. "Hee-Hee! Thank you."
Nick and the llama exchanged numbers and chatted for a short time. As she walked off, Wolford was a little upset. "What? She does attempted kidnapping and you just let her walk off?!"
"It's obvious she's been through a lot Tim. We got a scared prey to change her mind about predators. I'd say that's a bit of a victory."
"Whatever." Spots said. "She tries something like that again, I'll tear her throat out!"
"Hey! Hey! Don't be like that! You'll only prove them right and deepen their fear."
"The llama was right about one thing." Auburn said. "Things are getting worse. I don't want my family to be in this city when that dome goes up."
"I agree." Nick replied. "I think I'll take the kids to my mom's place out in Foxden or maybe Bunnyburrow."
"That's not a bad idea." James replied. "Their soon-to-be grandpa is my cousin Bobby. Maybe me and mom and dad could stay out there for the day?"
"I'm still noivous around yer cousin." Tim replied. "But it's a good idea. Fangs! You and 'da kids should come with us!"
Terry looked depressed. "We can't go."
"What?! Why not?!"
"Because I doubt Mrs. Wilde's house is big enough for a giraffe."
Nick bowed his head. "It's not. I'm sorry."
"Then we'll have to hunker down in our apartment and ride it out. We'll board it up temporarily."
"I'm sorry." Suzie replied. "I wish I wasn't so big!"
James changed his mind. "Well, if my little sisters are trapped in the city, then I'm staying with them!"
Auburn was worried. "No James. Stay with your cousin."
"No! We're family and we need to stay together!"
Tim made the final decision. "Well 'dat settles it! We're spendin 'da night at 'da Clawhausers tomorrow and Nick's takin' his kids 'ta Foxden. I know how James feels. I wouldn't feel right if my family was in danger and I was away from 'dem."
"Thank you everyone." Terry replied.
It was then that Wolford's phone started to ring. "Hello?...It's Snarlov!...Yes?!...Oh my God! We'll be 'dere right away! Everybody get up! We gotta go!"
"What's going on?" Nick asked.
"Snarlov and Simmons saw Bogo standing at 'da Tundra Town bridge."
"That's where I once contemplated suicide when I was young!"
"James too. A lot of people go 'dere just 'ta try and jump off. 'Da icy river can kill ya fast!"
Nick took control. "James, Suzie you come with me and the kids. We'll get them seated faster."
"Hurry Terry!" Wolford shouted.
"I can't run, remember?! I'm barely out of the wheelchair now!"
"Well 'den...power walk! Just hurry! Geez. What a day! Here we were havin' a nice time at 'da toy store, den we get to 'da food court and 'dat llama shows up and everythin' goes downhill!"
Nick started fishing his sunglasses out of his shirt pocket. "Well Tim, it looks like we saved the drama..."
"Don't you dare say it Nick! Now's not 'da time!"
He then put the sunglasses on. "...for the llama."
"I hate you."