Chapter 16

The cruise turned out to be nice for them. There was much laughing, smiling, talking, and of course, visits to various places. Though one day, something unfortunate happened. "Oh no, Coochie". "Something might be wrong, here". Princess said, gently with some concern to her gentle voice. Courage wrapped himself up in the blankets, looking at the television. "There's a rabies warning in Nowhere". "Right where we left port". "They're asking us to stay on the ship until it's safe to come out". Princess said, gently. "Well, that's no problem if we wish to just cuddle".

Courage began whimpering as he held his sippy cup close. "Shh, it's ok, Coochie". "I'm here beside you, it's ok". Princess said, gently. "It's ok…shh, Cuddly bear's got you". Princess whispered this, as she held Courage close, providing some weight. "Why don't we eat some sandwiches, and cuddle in our bed, for right now". "We can cuddle, and I can give you tummy rubs, and nosey kisses". Princess said, gently as she spoke in baby talk. She and Courage laughed, as she tickled Courage's stomach. "Cuddly time comes, and we like to tummy cuddle". Princess said, gently. Princess and Courage laughed, as she put her lips on his stomach, making a farting noise. Bubble butt giggles, she called it. Courage laughed, smiling as he playfully giggled, while Princess did more "Bubble butt giggles".

Courage and Princess laughed, as they giggled some more. They found a way to pass the time.

When the captain cleared for everyone to disembark, Princess and Courage gathered their things, getting off of the ship. They went to the parking lot, finding their limousine. "Did you enjoy the cruise?". Princess asked Courage, gently. "I enjoyed it". Courage said. "It was fun".

"I liked being with my Coochie, and seeing him so relaxed". Princess said, gently. "I loved being with Coochie, and the best part was seeing him do so many things, and be so centered".

"Thank you". "I worked on myself a lot this week". "And I realized that I'm someone with so much potential". "I can do so much". Courage said.

"You can, sweetie". "And I believe you have in so many ways". "Don't worry about yesterday's mistakes". "Know that everything comes with a caveat, life has its own meanings we have yet to find". Princess said, gently. "Everything will be ok".

"I know". Courage said. Courage glanced around as he looked out of the window of the limousine. "Everything ok, Coochie?". "You look kind of sad". Princess said, gently. "Everything is fine". Courage said, as he stared outwards. Princess glanced at Courage as she felt a bit concerned. "I'm just thinking, that's all". Courage said.

"Don't be thinking negatively". Princess said, with gentleness. "Remember, that's the number 1 rule I have".

"I know". Courage said. Courage glanced Pensively out of the window, as the limousine came down a dirt road leading to my house. Princess got out, as she and Courage were exhausted. Winnifred and I were sitting on the couch, watching television, as Winnifred took my hand, kissing me on the lips. "Hello, dears". "How was your trip?". I asked, kindly.

"It was very nice…we relaxed a bunch, but just getting there, and back….it kind of takes the wind right out of you". Princess said, chuckling. "It does, and it is daunting in many senses, but it is a nice trip at the end of the day". I said, kindly.

"Courage had a nice time….looks like he has the glitter on his face to prove it". Winnifred said, gently. We all laughed at that. "Yep". Courage said, as he laughed….although I could tell Courage's laugh was forced, and not without some degree of sadness and insecurity behind it. "Mm, well, I am exhausted from traveling". "It made me lose some of my sanity as well". Princess joked. "But I'm doing well".

"That's lovely dear". I said, gently. "You are very esteemed in the line of medical practices". "I'm proud of you".

"Thanks, Madame Muriel". Princess said, curtseying, as I curtseyed back. We both laughed, as there soon was banana bread, and coffee. When the visit was over, Courage bade Princess goodbye, and watched her drive away.

"Well, I am happy you had a swell time on your trip". I said, gently. "Princess does know how to treat someone well off".

"She does". Courage said. "I told her "Thank you", too".

"Wonderful". I said, gently. I smiled a gentle smile, as I picked Courage up, kissing his cheeks. "I'm glad to have you back, my Courage". "I've missed you so". I said, kindly. "I missed you too". Courage said. We hugged, as Courage enjoyed the kisses I gave him. "It was definitely lonely here without you, Winnifred and I watched television, and sat on the porch, we made eggplant parmesan, and we spent some time in the jacuzzi, but I missed you". "I needed you the whole time, and I was wondering…."where is my Courage?".

"I kind of wondered that, too". Courage said. We both laughed, as Courage rested his head against my chest. "Well, have you had dinner or dessert yet?". "I made some of our favorite pasta with Baklava as a dessert". I said, kindly. "It sounds yummy". Courage said.

Courage ate his pasta, as I spoonfed him. Courage felt at-peace, and calm as I fed him. He was no longer troubled, I could tell.

I smiled a kind smile, as Courage lapped up his Oat Milk after a two-course, plentiful meal. "You seem a bit pensive this evening, my Courage". "Is everything alright?". I asked, gently. "Everything is fine". Courage said. "Kind of".

"Why do you mention, "Kind of"?". I asked, gently. "Because….I believe a lot in being an achiever…and making you proud….that's exactly the kind of thing I want to do…is make everyone proud". "I don't like how I started out…..and I'm kind of ashamed of it". Courage said, sadly.

"Sweetheart, perhaps it's time we talk for a bit…shall we?". I said, gently. Courage nodded.

"Losing a birth parent that early on in your life….in your puppyhood, and staying resilient….staying able to learn, grow, mature, and become the strongest Courage you are to me, you are to anyone, is nothing to be ashamed of". "There are a lot of children, puppies, kittens, and mammals that lost their birth parent, their mother early on, and didn't receive milk, or nurturing". "These mammals have so much strength, tenacity, and wisdom about them". "You mean the world to me, just as you mean the world to a lot of people". "These children, these kittens, puppies, rabbits, Giraffes, anything, mammals, that go on after being abandoned, or watching birth mom die, are the planet's true heroes, and heroines". "They've been through so much…and they learn so much by growing, and by maturing". "You've matured so much from the time I got you as a puppy, Courage". "You've grown into someone with so much kindness, insight, love, and wisdom". "I know you can do anything….I believe in you, definitely". "You have done wonderful things….because you are someone who is capable of anything". "You are strong, you are invincible, you are my Courage". "And I will always love you for who you are, and whom you've become". "You can do anything, my Courage". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as he sniffled. "I've always believed you could….because you have….and I've seen you do it….because you've shown me just how strong you truly are". I said, gently.

"Thank you". Courage said, as he hugged me, feeling the comfort, and the warmth my arms had for him. My arms were a comforting additive for him. They were a comforting source of love, hope, and prosperity. We both enjoyed a hug….coalescing in the comfort there truly was.

There truly is an amount of comfort in the seen. There is an amount of comfort in the truth. My truth was aligned with how much I loved my Courage. Which is why….now that I'm in heaven, I can look down, and see….just how wonderful Nowhere has built itself up to be. There is so much strength and promise in it. No more scary monsters, no more cynicism, no more hatred. Slowly, but surely as we mend, we can build a more perfect palace for everyone to enjoy. We can build it….because we've built it before. We are so close…..we just have to keep mending. With a bit of strength, with a bit of tenacity, we truly can create a perfect world, filled with forgiveness, strength, love, hope and faith. We can build a beautiful city, all on our own….not a city of angels….but we can build a city of kindness, of man, of strength.

I, Muriel Bagge, have gone on to see what heaven is like, and it is beautiful. I know there is hope in all of us. 2022 was a wonderful year….and I hope the rest of the 2020's are like that. While I leave this world, I leave my Courage….I leave this world with a parting message; Be kind. Kindness can make anything superior. Kindness is the way to success. Kindness is what being human is truly about. I know we can do it…I know we can be strong, despite facing hardship. With that, we can have our own Aspirations in Courage. Until next year, be safe, be creative, and….be kind. See you soon…until we meet again…

Thea white.