Author's Note: Thank you everyone who is reviewing…Hopefully the next update will come a little bit quicker!!!
Oh and just to clarify, I know that cats with blue eyes means that they are deaf, but for the sake of creative liberty I decided to give Jemima blue eyes….It was sort of a writer's whim. I know that biologically or whatever she should be deaf, but she's not… So sorry for that but fanfiction allows creative licence!!!!!!!
Chapter Seven: Put me to the test
"I think stay in here another week then take her out to play with the other kittens. That small one, Etcetera is close to Jemmie's age." Demeter said.
Bombalurina nodded. "Yeah I guess you're right."
"You okay Bomba?" Her sister raised an eyebrow at the scarlet queen.
"Yeah, just…" Bombalurina trailed off.
"I know, Munkustrap told me about, uh, his reactions." Demeter hissed, as if even thinking about Jemima's father caused her pain.
"It's not that."
"What is it?" Demeter cocked her head and tickled Jemima under the chin absently.
"Maybe it's just this whole, maternal instinct mumbo jumbo, but, I just can't help thinking about…"
"Your other daughter?" Demeter guessed.
"Yeah." Bombalurina sighed. "She would be, a year and a half older than Jemima, exactly."
"I know." Demeter said.
"She's probably you know, one of them though." Bombalurina said sadly.
"Maybe, but then again maybe not." Demeter said in an attempt to comfort her sister.
Bombalurina shrugged her sister away and rested her head on her paws, watching Jemima stumble around the den. She paused at the entrance blinking out into the sunlight. She knew she wasn't allowed out, but she put a paw out to test what the air was like, glancing back at her mum and aunt to make sure it was okay. Bombalurina chuckled to herself and Demeter's face fell. When Jemima turned back to the door a figure was obscuring her vision of the Junkyard. She let out a yelp of surprise and tumbled backwards, caught luckily by her mother.
"What are you doing here?" Demeter growled.
"Uhhh…" Tugger blinked stupidly at Demeter.
"Dem." Bombalurina said softly. "It's okay."
Demeter and Tugger turned to stare at Bombalurina, a look of relief spreading across Tugger's face. Demeter's eyes narrowed, but her sister nodder her away.
"I guess I'll just wait outside then." Demeter grumbled padding out of the den.
Tugger sat down, staring incredulously at Jemima who peered from behind her mother at the new cat in the den. He blinked and cocked his head, Jemima imitating him, giggling then hiding again. Tugger's mouth twitched into a slight smile which he discreetly covered up by rubbing his nose with his paw. Bombalurina sighed.
"Well?" She said.
"She's perfect." Tugger's voice was a near whisper.
"Yeah. She is." Bombalurina stroked Jemima's headfur.
"Bombalurina I.."
"Don't say anything Tugger." Bombalurina cut him off. "I know that this is not exactly the situation you would want to be in, you're not the type of guy that's going to stick around. But that's okay. Jemima and I will be fine. We'll figure it out, anyway, I have enough help from Jelly and Jenny so it's going to be okay."
"But Bomba..." Tugger attempted.
"Please Tugger, don't make this any more complicated than it already is."
"It doesn't have to be!" Tugger exclaimed, taking Bombalurina by surprise. "It doesn't have to be complicated Bomba. You see, what I'm trying to say, but then again if you don't want me to I won't, I just..."
"Get on with it!" Came Demeter's voice from outside the den.
Bombalurina rolled her eyes, laughing quietly to herself.
"Thanks Dem." Tugger grumbled to himself.
"You were trying to say something?" Bombalurina asked.
"Oh, um, yes. See Jemima is a baby right." Tugger began again.
"Right." Bombalurina raised an eyebrow.
"And you know, babies they grow up."
"Yes, do go on Tugger."
"Well, babies have you know, parents. Two parents. A mother and a father." Tugger glanced at his paws. "So I'm trying to say that you know, Jemima, she probably needs two parents too."
Bombalurina stared at him, letting the words sink in. He continued to stare at his paws, playing with a loose thread on the frayed red rug beneath his feet. She glanced down at Jemima who blinked up at her with bright blue eyes, slightly confused but happy anyway. Could she let Tugger into her life?
"You're saying you want to be there for Jemima?" She finally said, her voice at a whisper.
"Well, yes. Cause you know, it would be pretty lame of me if I you know, left you with her." Tugger replied.
"It would!" Demeter's voice called again from outside the den.
"I guess we could come up with an arrangement." Bombalurina sighed.
Tugger's face brightened. "Really?"
"Yeah, sure. I think I would like that." Bombalurina smiled, Tugger smiling back.
Jemima poked her head up and blinked at Tugger. He smiled at her and she grinned back, the small white teeth decorating her smile. She glanced up at her mum who smiled comfortingly.
"Say hello to daddy little one." She said softly.
