Chapter 14
I called Princess on the telephone later on, that day, and got some intel as to when Courage would be coming home. "We just got finished with dinner now, and we're ready to come home at any given point". Princess said. "That does sound wonderful, but it is late". "Are you sure you wish to make the long trip?". I asked, gently. "I don't mind it". "It sounds good to bring Courage home". "He had a wonderful time today, and he seems very peaceful, and relaxed". "I'm sure after a long day, the last face he wants to see is me". Princess remarked, gently. "Well, I hate to ask for favors, and become difficult, but is it possible for Courage to stay overnight this evening?". "Winnifred and I were looking for an evening to ourselves". I suggested, in an awkward happenstance.
"No, I don't mind it". Princess said, gently. "But I do have work in the mid-morning". "And I have a cover shoot for En Vogue later on". "I can bring him by around 8:00, or 7:30". "Sounds good, huh?".
"That sounds wonderful". I replied, as I sighed a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much for understanding, Madame Morbucks".
"Don't mention it, Madame Muriel". Princess said, gently, as she and I shared a fitting laugh. "Have a wonderful evening, tell Winnifred I say hello".
"Certainly". I mentioned, kindly. "Good night now, Morbucks". I may have said this with the distinct essence of unkindness, and sovereign blunt, brutality to a hard, phrasing, but let's face facts; I don't particularly like Princess Morbucks. She is very privileged, and has an abrasive attitude. Think of the younger version of Eustace's Ma, only richer, and much more passive aggressive.
So I hung up the phone, what else is new? Princess Morbucks came into the living room, as she saw Courage, curled up on the couch, drinking from his sippy cup. "Hey, Coochie, I have some big news to tell you". Princess Morbucks said, gently with nurturing softness. "Muriel says it's ok if you sleep over this evening". "Exciting, huh?". Princess giggled as she petted Courage's cheeks, gently. "That is nice". Courage said. "Well, let me go out for one last vape, we'll refill your sippy cup before we get set up in my room". Princess said, gently. "We do have to be in bed, early, that way we can wake up early". "I have to go into the Cardiac Unit at 9 tomorrow morning".
"Ok". Courage said. Princess kissed Courage's cheeks, gently. "I love you, my Coochie". Princess said, gently with soft kindness. Courage took some more ear medicine as he followed Princess outside to the porch. "Mm, just look at those stars". "Those stars mean the world to us". Princess said, gently. "They do". Courage replied.
Princess brought her legs close, as she sat on her chaise. Her panties and bra getting a soft brush of air as a breeze set in. "mm, this is nice". Princess said, gently. "Muriel used to take you outside to look at the stars, hmm, baby boy?".
"She did". Courage said, as he sniffled, glancing around. His eyes seemed to well up with more tears, as time went on. Princess turned her gaze to notice. "Coochie". She said, with a soft, gentle hum. Vape smoke surrounded her in its ever-founding stillness. As if the tobacco smoke returned. "Coochie, what happened?". "Why are we sad this evening?". "Why are we a sad coochie?". Princess asked, kindly with softness. "I'm scared, kind of….I don't know….I get anxious sometimes….and I think I might have a medical emergency". Courage said.
"I don't think you'll have anything happen to you". Princess said, gently. "You are my healthy coochie, and in my medical opinion, I think you're very healthy, and ok for now".
"I think this year has everyone a bit anxious for now". "I've gotten anxious myself a couple of times". "But I can assure you, everything will be ok". Princess said, gently. "I do have a medicine that relieves anxiety, and helps you sleep when you most need it". "I think it'd be perfect for you".
Princess went into the pockets of her robe, pulling out a medicine container. "This is Melatonin". "It helps relieve anxiety, and allow calm to break through in the toughest of situations". "Let's take some before we go to bed". "It's just a vitamin, that helps sleep". Princess said, kindly.
"Want some?". "You can take it right with your Oat Milk, and sleep like a dove". Princess said, kindly. "Ok". Courage agreed. Princess took a melatonin capsule out, giving it to our Courage. Courage took the Melatonin, as he drank from his sippy cup. "Feel better, Coochie?". Princess asked, gently. "I feel better". Courage said, as he drank some more. Princess kissed Courage's cheeks, gently as Courage's eyes began to fall. "Let's go upstairs, pumpkin". Princess said, gently with softness as she and Courage went right up.
Courage was put down on the bed, Princess's bed, on the silk sheets. She kept him close to her, as she kissed his head, gently, while making sure he was comfortable. They both slept, they were both comfortable, well into the morning hours. They did quite alright. They did just fine by standards.
Noodle felt rather uncomfortable that night, as she sat in the living room, pondering. As she did, there was a knock at the door. Russel opened it, seeing none other than Eddy, (from Ed Edd and Eddy), there, wearing a blazer sportcoat, with no shirt underneath of it. Eddy had a rose in his mouth as well. "Hey, man, you from Noodle's Chem class, and calculus class up at the high school?". Russel asked. "I am, indeed". Eddy said, with a suaveness, and a sexual, ease to his raspy, smoker's voice. "I heard she was having a hard day, so I'm here to whisk her away to my place, where she can do her bedtime thing, have some ice cream, and watch a movie or two". "I'll babysit tonight so you can do your thing with the guys". "I've got a mansion with a heated pool, and a hot tub, I've got ice cream, and I've got a Gamera movie courtesy of Pay per View". Eddy said, gently. "I'll take care of your baby for you". "Every daddy has his baby". Eddy chuckled at this.
"I have been looking for babysitters for quite a while". "I trust Noodle, fully, but I don't think she's ready to stay alone at night, yet". Russel said, softly as his suit rustled. "She'll be ok with you, as long as she has her medicine, and has her bedtime ritual, she'll be fine".
"Hey, your baby is cool with me". "You don't mind if I borrow the baby for a bit?". "Give her a bottle, and put her in the crib?". Eddy said, suavely, chuckling. "I don't mind at all, she just finished up her dinner, and now, she's ready to relax". Russel said, kindly. "I'll be out until 11 or 12".
"Cool, I'lll take good care of her". Eddy said, as he and Russel laughed. "Where's my baby girl?". "Where is she?". Eddy said, endearingly.
"Noodle, someone is here to see you". Russel said, gently. "Hi". Noodle said, as she looked up at Eddy, seeing he wasn't wearing a shirt under his blazer. "Hey, baby girl". "Ready for some fun?". Eddy asked, kindly. "Kind of". Noodle said. "I take that as a yes". "You know you love me". Eddy said, kindly. Noodle nodded. "Can I have a kiss, baby?". Eddy asked, gently. "Sure". Noodle said, as Eddy lowered his cheek for Noodle to kiss. Noodle kissed his cheek, as Eddy smiled. "There she is, I love her too".
"I packed some medicine, I've got some Oat Milk at the house, and I have some Oat Ice cream for us". "More for your sippy cup". Eddy said, gently. Noodle nodded. "Ready to hit it?". "I don't live too far away". Eddy said, gently. Noodle nodded, as she wrapped the blanket around her. Noodle had her blanket around her, as she walked outside to Eddy's car, where the lights around it were dimming. Noodle came in, as Eddy drove. The car was dimly lit, as Eddy lit a cigarette in the bottom where the lighter feature was. "So, how was your day, baby girl?". "Did you have a good one?". Eddy asked, gently. "I did". "I recorded some songs, and I did some studying, but other than that, everything was good". Noodle said.
"I'm happy for you, Noodly doodly". Eddy said, kindly. "I have some bedtime milk in my fridge if you're interested in some". "That, and I have some caramel flavored ice cream".
"That's good". Noodle said, as she yawned a bit. "You and I both know we're tired after a long day of studying and hosing it for an hour". "Now, we get to sit back, and reap the rewards". Eddy said, kindly. Noodle nodded. As they pulled into the driveway, they went inside, having a lot of fun watching some films. Perchance, it was the most fun they had. So on and so forth.
My Courage woke up beside Princess Morbucks, in her bed, deep down tucked into her side by her legs. Courage glanced around him, as he began shaking, shivering in fear. Courage was having a nightmare, or already had a nightmare….being that he had been shivering for quite a while. He began crying, as he wiped his nose with his paws. Princess tossed a bit in her sleep, hearing Courage's whimpers. "Baby". Princess mumbled, in a tired whisper. "Baby…shh, it's ok". "It's ok….oh, baby….it's ok". Princess mumbled, pulling Courage closer to her, in a half-asleep, half awake trance. She tossed a bit, opening her eyes at the sight of Courage as he was sure to wipe his tears to hide them from her.
She smiled as she opened her eyes, giggling a whispery giggle. "Hey, guess what, Coochie?". "I was just dreaming about you". "I had an angelic dream about you….how crazy is that?". Princess whispered, excitedly, in a friendly, soft, gentle whisper one would only hear in the middle of the night. "I was on an island, and you were trapped, you were crying because you were anxious, and scared….and I appeared in front of you….naked…and I rescued you". "I kept saying, "baby, ohhh baby, it's ok, or don't be scared". "I rescued you from the scary anxious thing, how amazing is that?". Princess whispered, excitedly.
"But now that I see you, I just want to hug you, and kiss you, I just want to give you more love". "You are my knight in shining armor, and I love you, unconditionally". Princess whispered, gently. "Thank you, I could use it right now". Courage said. "Let me give you the love you deserve….the love we all need". Princess whispered, gently. Courage nodded, as he snuggled close to Princess while she stroked his fur, and kissed his forehead. They both snuggled, unafraid of the world. Courage fell back asleep, wallowing in the petting, and the kisses he received from Princess Morbucks. He was in a good place, as of now….no matter how scary the world was at the time. He was always in a better place. A similar situation happened with Noodle and her bandmate, Murdoc.
When Eddy brought a sleeping Noodle home from his house, he set her down in the bed, Murdoc's bed, unwittingly. While Noodle slept beneath Murdoc's legs, while Murdoc snored, Noodle tossed in her sleep a bit. She tossed and turned, as she opened her eyes, while the nightmare she had, became more extreme. Noodle turned over, as she began crying into her pillow. Her cries were soft, and Murdoc could hardly hear them, but something unusual was going on with her bandmate, Murdoc.
"Mmm, don't worry, baby". "Iss ok". "Ohhhh, baby….my baby…don't cry….iss ok…daddy's got you…..it's ok…oh baby". "Baby". "Baby girl". Murdoc mumbled in a whisper as he was half asleep, half awake, in his loving trance. Noodle glanced upwards, feeling a bony, wrinkly hand stroke her face, gently. Murdoc did open his eyes, as he smiled a happy smile. "Hey Noodle". "Guess what?". Murdoc whispered, softly with friendliness. "I was just dreaming about you….I had an angel dream about you". Murdoc stroked Noodle's face, gently.
"We were on the beach, and you were alone, the waves were coming to you, you had on a nightgown, and you looked sad….you just lost mommy and daddy". "You were so cute, but you looked behind you, and you smiled….I came to you, naked, with no clothes, whatsoever, and rescued you". "I held you in my arms, and kissed your cheek, and thanked the Lord that I received you, because you were my savior". "I am so happy I had that dream, because I now know just how special our relationship is". Murdoc whispered, gently.
"Now that I have you, I want to give you everything I have, because you are everything to me". "I love you, unconditionally". "I want to hug you, kiss you, and give you everything". "Because you mean the world to me". Murdoc whispered, gently. "Ok". Noodle said. Murdoc planted a kiss on Noodle's forehead, as she slunk deeper beneath the blankets. "Goodnight, baby". Murdoc whispered, gently. "Goodnight". Noodle replied, as she hid her nightmare from Murdoc. Murdoc smiled, as he stroked Noodle's tears away, giving her space and time. Murdoc gave Noodle some time for the amount. She was someone she herself, knew to be true. Murdoc knew it as well. Murdoc fell back asleep, as they comforted the night, in its essence.
The next morning, Courage woke up, seeing Princess stretch as she woke up as well. The clock read 5:34 am. Courage yawned as he saw Princess yawn alongside him. "Hey, coochie". Princess said, gently. Courage yawned, as he dug himself beneath the sheets. "Ready to wake up?". "I have some Oatmeal raisin butternut cream for breakfast". "I could feed you some". Princess said, kindly. "Ok". Courage said, as he yawned. "I wake up early, usually, get a vape, some coffee, and cake, and I'm already putting on my scrubs for the morning". Princess said, gently. "I love waking up early". "It's the pinnacle of success for a healthy morning".
"Want to have breakfast with me?". "I could really use a buddy to have a healthy breakfast with". Princess said, gently. "Ok". Courage said. Princess and Courage woke up, as they went downstairs to the porch. Taking in some blue raspberry nicotine, Princess was on the porch with her vape pen. "Mm, I love the morning". "So loving, and elated in nature". Princess said, sighing as she took in the crisp morning air. The stillness of the pool water sat, in tranquility as the dark blue, the navy blue of the early morning sky took on its hue.
"It is nice out here….I like it a lot….in every way". Princess said, gently. Courage nodded, as he kept his tears intact, trying not to remember his nightmare. "Is everything alright, Coochie?". Princess asked, kindly. Courage glanced away for a moment. "Kind of". Courage replied.
"You look kinda sad". Princess said, gently. "Are we sure everything's good?".
Courage glanced up at Princess. "Maybe". He said.
"I did have a nightmare last night…it was about the war in North Korea, perhaps". "I remember the fears of what would happen if something were to go on". Courage said.
"I know that was scary to hear….it scared me to hear something like that, too". Princess said, gently with softness. "But fortunately, if something like that were to happen, we'd be prepared". "Nothing to worry about, fortunately". *
"I understand it's not easy, but it's something we must contend with". Princess said, gently. "Don't be scared, we'll figure out what to do". Courage nodded, as he sniffled. His eyes welled up with tears. "Shh, Don't be upset, Coochie". "Be happy". Princess whispered, gently as she kissed Courage on the nose, gently. "Thank you". Courage said, as he glanced up at Princess, while she nuzzled him while the early morning dew soaked in.
"Hmm, let me put on my scrubs, and we'll head home". Princess said, gently with kindness. Courage nodded, as he glanced up at Princess. He felt the essence of a nightmare come in, but he didn't mind it.
Princess put on her hospital scrubs, as she and Courage got in the car, heading to my house. Courage felt tired as he yawned. When a cornfield came into sight, Princess petted Courage's head, gently with kindness. "Have a wonderful day, my Coochie". "My Courage". "I love you, immensely". Princess said, gently as she gave Courage a hug. "Goodbye, Courage". "I'll see you tomorrow, if you come over". Princess said, gently as she kissed Courage. Their bond was something that was indefatigable. They hugged one more time, as Princess knew the love she shared with Courage.
After dropping Courage off, Princess bade us goodbye, as Courage slept on the Couch, while I petted him. It was a fine day full of its immensity and loving quality.