Hey guys, first update from me over Spring break!

I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, which was a musical chapter from me!

And now lets move on to the next chapter!

Chapter 7: Second Thoughts

Alex woke up the next day, not feeling so well. He had some bad nightmares, so bad, that when he woke up, he was sweating all over and he found himself out of breath as he panted heavily. He dreamt about what would happen if he did become Lily's official mate, the negatives heavily outweighed the one positive that could come out of him having chicks with Lily.

He imagined, last night, that every macaw declared that he should be banished from his home and never come back, that he was to become an outcast to every macaw tribe he encountered. He imagined his own mother kicking him out, Liz, the right wing lady, agreeing to it. Alex even pictured his own adoptive brother, Blu, the one he spent years with in Minnesota and then in Rio, to not provide refuge for him and turn his back on him.

"No, I know he would never do that." Alex said quietly to himself as he felt his heart ache from last night.

Alex walked out to find his family eating breakfast together already and smiled when he saw his mother pass a piece of a brazil nut to Lisa, which she ate happily.

"Hey son, finally awake?" Maria asked, smiling at Alex.

"Yeah, you overslept a bit big brother." Lisa added.

Liz only continued to eat, knowing a bit why Alex overslept, not bothering to say hello to him.

"Oh well, I guess I was just really tired last night, well I guess I should eat with you guys." Alex said, joining his family for some breakfast.

As he ate, Alex decided to ask his mother a question before she flew off to perform her daily tribe duties with Liz. Alex was really afraid of asking his mother, she would most likely question why he would be asking such a thing to her. However Alex really needed to know, he decided to put aside his nervousness and just ask.

As Maria and Liz was just about to fly off, Alex came up and stopped his mother before she could start flapping her wings.

"Mom, can I talk to you in private for a few minutes?" Alex requested of his mother.

"Sure son." Maria replied and turned to Liz. "Liz, go on without me, I will be there after I finish talking to your brother."

"Alright mom." Liz replied, in a not so even tone as she stared at her brother before flying off by herself.

"Okay son, what is it you want to ask me?" Maria said to Alex, in a friendly voice.

"Mom, I know it's not right to have a mixed pair of macaws together and for them to have chicks, but if that were to happen, what would happen to the pair?" Alex asked, his voice getting lower and lower with each word.

"Why do you ask such a weird question?" Maria returned, an eye raised.

"Just wondering is all." Alex replied, not sounding too convincing.

"Well, that pair would be put on trial before all the macaw tribe leaders and a vote is put in place to decide if the pair should be banished from all tribes." Maria told Alex.

"Okay, thanks for letting me know." Alex replied.

"Well I hope you don't have that, my son. You know, Aisling really likes you, maybe you should date her, see how it goes." Maris cheered her son up.

"Yeah, maybe I will try mom." Alex said, clearly lying.

"See you later, my son." And Maria flew off for the day.

"Yeah right, the girl who likes to attack me with hugs and kisses out of nowhere should be my mate." Alex said when his mother was out of earshot, rolling his eyes at the thought.

Alex didn't like Aisling because she was too wild for him, it seemed like she was a robot, always awake and active. The reason why Alex really loved Lily was because she had the same kind of personality as him, she was also extremely nervous and shy and well Alex, to be honest, found that to be cute and attractive. He couldn't really explain it, but he felt a very strong connection with Lily, like fate decided they should be together.

Alex decided to go see his brother, if he was free, to ask him what he thought. He could only hope his brother would not turn his back on him if Alex decided to go down the road with Lily.

"Lisa, do you mind going to school today by yourself, I got some things to take care of." Alex told his little sis.

Lisa saw the look in her brother's eyes and understood that it was important. She gave her nod of approval.

"Yeah, it's okay, I understand big brother, go ahead."

"Thanks." Alex returned as he came up and gave his sister a kiss on the head. "I'll see you when I get home okay?"

"Okay." Lisa replied, while giggling at her brother kissing the top of her head.

Alex then flew out towards the Blue macaw tribe to see Blu, hopeful that he would still be at his hollow and not yet gone out to perform his tribe duties. And as he was flying to Blu, Alex had conflicting thoughts of is it really worth being hated by everyone for the sake of being with the one he truly loves.

"No Alex, you promised her we will be together in the future and that is what will happen." Alex told himself as he spotted Blu's hollow.

Alex flew in to find Blu just about to leave and he was sharing a goodbye kiss for the day with Jewel. The two had their eyes closed so they did not see Alex come in, they were so lost in the moment. Alex actually felt a little jealous seeing them make out so much, he cleared his throat to get their attention.

"Oh Alex, I was actually just about to leave for the day, can I help you with anything?" Blu asked as he came up to his brother, with a smile.

Alex thought about it and well he really couldn't ask Blu for some reason, it's like his heart told him "No" all of a sudden.

"Well actually, I just came by to say hi and see how you guys are doing." Alex lied to Blu as he tried to put on a convincing smile.

"Well that's good that you came to see us, but I do have a tribe to take care of. I'll see you later and maybe we can have some time to catch up on stuff, just between us two." Blu said to Alex, putting a wing on his shoulder.

"Yeah, that will be nice." Alex commented and Blu flew off to do today's work.

Jewel read right through Alex and guessed why he was here.

"This is about Lily and you, right Alex?" Jewel said as soon as Blu was out of hearing distance.

"Yeah, I'm having these thoughts Jewel, what if Blu hates me if he found out, what if he no longer accepts me as a family member." Alex sighed as he looked downward at his talons.

"Hey, he's your brother, he will still love you like one no matter what you do, I'm sure about that. He will stay with you, you just got to believe that he will not betray you." Jewel comforted Alex.

"Yeah, you're right Jewel, I should just relax and just think happy thoughts. Thanks very much." Alex smiled.

"You're welcome, just focus on making Lily happy and everything will be fine in the future." Jewel added.

"I certainly will, well I'm going back home, tell Blu I love him and I'll come back again for a visit soon." Alex said as he prepared to fly back home.

"Okay Alex, see you later." Jewel waved goodbye at her brother in law.

As Alex flew back home, he tried to think positive and look to the future, but for some reason, he started to have second thoughts, like maybe it would be better if he and Lily just stopped seeing each other and avoid the unnecessary risks. He really didn't want to say the words to Lily, for it would certainly break her heart, and he really didn't like to see her cry. However he felt he had no choice, he had to tell her.

Oh no… Will Alex be strong enough to tell Lily?

Wait to find out!