OH MY GOSH. I-it's the last chapter! This is the first story I've actually, well, finished! It was quite fun to write and I really want to thank everyone who faved/ watched/ reviewed! Especially FluffDucklings, Deikuru, Goldpen, and 18dustyrose for your multiple wonderful reviews! 3 I'm sorry I didn't reply to them, I'm still pretty new at this. :'D I also want to say that I know what Disney movie I'm gunna Hetaliafy next, and I think it's going to be fun (though maybe not as original). There was also mention of a "Scamps Adventure" sequel, which I would consider, but my worry would be that it would just be filled with tons of OC's, that and Disney sequels are kind of..."special". Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you like the ending! I may add an Omake if it is deemed necessary!
The couple strolled at a leisurely pace, happy to be able to see their family after the short but relaxing vacation. They both held umbrellas, although the rain had slowed to just a sprinkle. Their pace quickened at they turned the corner onto the block where their house sat, but something instantly caught there attention.
"Darling, look.." The man said, motioning to a large carriage parked in front of their house. As soon as the woman looked the door opened, spilling light onto the wet pavement.
"And if you want my advice you'll take care of that brute at once!" Came Aunt Sarah's shrill voice, following out two burly men who were dragging a third between them, his hands cuffed behind him. He was struggling half heartedly, but it was apparent that the situation was not in his favor.
"Oh, don't worry ma'am, we've been after this one for months. We'll take care of him all right." One of the large men growled out, giving a harsh tug in the direction of his carriage.
"What do you suppose…" Darling said with worry as they got closer.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Jim Dear questioned as they shoved their prisoner into the back of the carriage.
"Just pickin' up a stray, mister." He said, climbing into the driver's seat and grabbing the reigns. "Caught him robbin' the place and attackin' a baby!"
"Good heavens!" Jim Dear gasped, taking a step back.
"My baby!" Darling cried instantly, running towards the house. "Aunt Sarah, Aunt Sarah!"
"Aunt Sarah!" Her husband called, following after her quickly. Unnoticed next to the gate in the shadows were their adopted son's best friends, standing in mute shock.
"I was certain he was no good the moment I first laid eyes on him." Scottie finally muttered.
"Yes, but.." Annabel said, chewing her lip "Ah never thought he'd do a thing like that."
Matthew's head shot up quickly from where it had been laying in his arms. He scrambled up, wiping at his eyes quickly with his sleeves, legs slightly numb from sitting on the cold, hard cellar floor. He had heard voices, familiar ones, ones that could help him, make everything right again, and above all believe him.
"Thank goodness I got there in time!" He heard Aunt Sarah said as she approached. "There they were, crib overturned-"
"I'm sure there must be some mistake." Jim Dear's voice cut in, as the cellar doors began to jiggle from the lock being lifted. "Matthew would never-"He was cut off as said boy burst out of the cellar, running instantly up the stairs.
"Watch out! He's loose! Keep him away!" Aunt Sarah all but shrieked.
"Nonsense!" Jim Dear scoffed, following his son up the stairs. "What is it Matthew?"
"T-there's been a terrible mistake!" Matthew said desperately, moving to the baby's room. "Please, you have to come see!" Jim Dear followed him quickly, until the boy stopped, pointing at the downed curtain with a slightly trembling finger, face determined. Jim dear lifted up the cloth, dropping it instantly.
"Darling! Aunt Sarah!" He yelled. "Come here!" The two women came rushing in, stopping in an instant as they saw the crumpled unconscious body on the carpet.
"An accomplice!" Aunt Sarah shrieked in horror.
"No!" Matthew cried "This man came to try to rob us and Francis stopped him! He saved the house, and the baby, please you have to believe me." He looked up desperately at his adoptive father, who had a deep frown set in his features. There was a moment of tense silence until finally he spoke.
"Of course I believe you Matthew."
"A thief!" Annabel gasped out, standing in the open front doorway of her friend's home, having heard the conversation upstairs. "We should have known!"
"Aye." Scottie said, looking down guiltily. "I misjudged him….badly." Annie frowned for a split second before a determined look spread across her face. Turning she started running swiftly towards the street.
"Come on." She growled out. "We've got to catch that wagon!"
"But lass," Scottie said, following behind quickly. "We dunnit know which way they've gone!"
"We'll track 'em down." Annie said, holding her skirts up as they ran along the muddy street.
"And…and then?"
"We'll hold 'em." The blonde said with a flash in her eye. "Hold 'em at bay." The turned a corner sharply only to stop suddenly at an intersection. Annie began trotting around, inspecting every possible turn incredibly closely. Scottie watched her, still feeling unsure.
"Now what..?" He asked cautiously.
"Ah have to look for clues, see which track is the freshest, made by the type of wheels on that wagon." She replied, squinting in the dark, seeming not to care that her pretty shoes were being ruined. The red headed boy bit his lip slightly, shaking his head. He put a hand on the girl's shoulder, turning her to face him.
"Ach.." He said with a sigh. "Let's face it lass, we both know you're blind as a bat." Annabel's eyes widened and a look of shock spread across her face, quickly replace by indignance. She seemed incapable of speaking her mind, merely giving an angry huff before pushing the Scotsman away and resuming her inspection. Only seconds later she froze, until suddenly running at full speed down one of the streets. Scottie barely had time to catch up to her when they hit another intersection and stopped.
"Lassie-"
"Shhh!" She went back to inspecting the road, needing less time that previously before she was off running, a bewildered Scott behind her. They ran as hard as they could, gasping and panting, slipping occasionally. They passed through a stone tunnel, and instantly to his great shock Scottie saw the very carriage that had just been parked outside Matthew's house moving slowly up ahead of them. The two friends picked up there pace even more, and Scottie couldn't help but smirk at the look of utter shock on the Frenchman's face as they passed. Annabel lunged and grabbed the reigns of the horses, causing them to rear in fright.
"Go on! Get out of here!" The driver of the carriage yelled as the vehicle began to toss and turn with the panic of the horses, who were now trying to run away despite being restrained. "Watch it! WATCH IT!" With and earsplitting crash the wagon tipped over into the muddy road, stopping in its tracks. The following loud shouts of confusion were cut through by the sound of a car horn as said vehicle came speeding around the corner. Struggling to get up after being roughly thrown into the side of the wagon Francis looked up in time to see it screech to a halt, and a blond head come bursting out of it. Matthew ran directly to the back of the carriage, wrestling with the lock of the swinging back door as Jim Dear ran up to the 'catchers' who were currently trying to calm their horses. Finally managing to get the stupid lock open he all but flung himself at the still slightly imbalanced Francis. After a moment to compose himself the Frenchman wove his arms around the boy, hugging him back.
"What took you so long, Pigeon?" he cooed.
"W-we had to tie up the robber a-and…oh I thought I'd never see you again!" Matthew cried, nuzzling his face into the elder's shoulder. Francis ran his hand soothingly down the boy's back, shushing him gently. Finally Matthew pulled back, looking up at him with deep violet eyes.
"Francis…" He said quietly. "J-je t'aime aussi." Said man's eyes grew wide as he looked down at the boy.
"You speak French?"
"Oui." In an instant Francis pulled the blond into a deep kiss, holding him as close as he could, considering their position. When he pulled back Matthew's eyes were half lidded as he tried to catch his breath, hands fisted ever so slightly in the taller's shirt. He finally composed himself with a smile, leaning up for another kiss.
"No!" Both boys jumped at the shout, Matthew instantly recognizing the voice of his friend and jumping back out of the carriage, running over to the side. He froze at what he saw, covering his mouth with his hand as he gasped. Scottie was kneeling in the mud, head hung, staring at crumpled figure on the ground. It was Annie, her pretty blonde hair caked with mud, and her fancy dress caught and ripped in the axel, lying motionless under a broken wheel.
"Alright everybody, watch the birdie!" Matthew laughed slightly as he watched Jim jr. waving a rattle incessantly in Francis face as he tried his best to sit and smile. They were sitting on the floor next to the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, a soft glow enveloping the living room. Jim Dear was currently trying to get Matthew, Francis and the toddler in a nice position to take their picture, something that required a lot of patience when it came to the baby. Matthew snatched up his little brother, sitting him in between him and the Frenchman as Darling got his focus with a little toy bird that made noise.
"Steady now.." Jim Dear said with focus. "Hooold it-"There was a loud "Poof!" noise and the room was suddenly full of thick black smoke. Coughing Jim Dear ran to the window, opening it and trying to wave out some of the smoke.
"I guess I used a little too much!" He said with a laugh. He paused for a moment, still looking out the window. "Uh oh. Matthew, visitors!" He said with a smile. Matthew got up and trotted to the window, Francis not far behind.
"Why it's Scottie!" Darling said with a sweet smile as the redhead appeared at the front gate, bundled up in a plaid coat. "And dear Annabel." Another figure appeared, being lead gently by the arm, limping slightly.
"Careful now Lass, careful. It's a wee bit slippery." The Scotsman said with a serious frown.
"Yes, yes, Ah know, no need to fuss Scottie." The girl said giving him a sweet smile. Francis was quick to go to the door, opening in up for the guests. Jim jr. tried to follow him, only to be snatched up by his mother.
"Oh no, not you young man, you're going to take a nap."
"Joyeux Noel!" Francis said smoothly, letting the two in. "Come in, come in."
"If you'll just step into the Parlor I'll see about refreshments." Jim dear added as the four friends walked back towards the tree. "Oh, Darling? Where are those chocolate truffles from Aunt Sarah, the box she sent for Christmas?"
"In the kitchen, Jim Dear." Once the group was comfortably seated Annabel all but squealed, directing her blue-eyed gaze on Matthew.
"Well? Give me your hand, Ah just have to see!" The boy gave her a little smile and held out his hand, having it snatched away and examined. "Oh mah…" Annabel said, staring at the shining ring on his finger. "But it is beautiful." Matthew's smile grew, blushing ever so slightly.
"When's the wedding?" Scottie asked, giving a smirk.
"May." Matthew said, looking over at his fiancé admiringly. It had only been a few weeks since he had asked him to marry him, but it felt like forever. Right after their first encounter Jim Dear had taken both Matthew and Francis aside, separately and then together. He had asked Matthew the obvious, if he really loved the man and such, which he had of course asserted adamantly. He had spoken to Francis too, wanting to make sure he was really serious about his son and a change in lifestyle. It seemed he was, since he had gone from streetwise tramp to a popular society member as easily as changing clothing. He had also gotten a job with Jim Dear, and luckily he was a natural.
"And where is the honeymoon going to be, Ah simply must know!"
"Paris, of course." Francis said with a sigh. "It has been such a very, very long time." Matthew laid his head on the man's shoulder, looking up at him with adoration, to which Francis wrapped and arm around him.
"Well," Scottie said, noticing something else. "And I see you finally acquired a license." He pointed at a small chain around the Frenchman's neck, from which a shiny tag hung.
"Oh, Oui." Francis said. "Complete with the yacht." They all gave a small laugh.
"Ah yes, the new license." Annabel said with a haughty smile "Ah caught the sight of it the moment Ah entered the room. Of course now, mah sight is very highly developed. Runs in the family, you know." Scottie rolled his eyes.
"There'll be no living with her from now on." He muttered to Matthew, making him giggle.
"Well, as mah grandpappy old reliable used to say….Ah don't recollect if Ah ever mentioned old reliable before."
"Non, amie. You have not." Francis said.
"No? Ah haven't?" Annie said, looking surprised. "Well, as he used to say…he'd say…um…" She paused frowning. "You know..Ah plumb forgot what it was he used to say!" They all started to laugh, the clear sound ringing through the perfect winter's night.