Bulfie hadn't slept at all. The entire evening had been spent sitting in what passed as an armchair, watching his son. Rinn awoke twice in the evening; the first time at ten, at which time Bulfie was inducted in the use of a bedpan. Rinn then waited until three to awake again, at which point no fewer than three story books were required to settle him. The ferret yawned watching as the sunlight streamed though the blinds. His young son slept peacefully in his hospital bed, and Bulfie wasn't about to disturb him. Getting to his paws he stretched, his shoulders and back ached from the long time sitting. As it didn't appear like Rinn would awake again for some time, he decided there wasn't any harm in sneaking away to the cafeteria. A hot cup of coffee might just wake him up.
Leaving the room, the ferret first checked in with the nursing station. "Just running down for a cup o'coffee, won't be but a moment. If the little 'un gets up and is looking about fer me, let 'im know I'm coming back." He sincerely hoped that his son wouldn't awake and find his father absent. The kindly nurse assured him that leaving for a few moments would be alright. They had been trying all evening to convince him to go home and get some sleep.
Noting the time on his paw-watch, Bulfie waited for the elevator. Pushing the call button over and over he grumbled. "Bloody lift is slow again." Not wanting to waste any time, he found the stairs and hurried downwards. Just as he exited to the stairwell, who should come out of the elevator but his wife Bluella.
It took Bulfie longer than expected to get a cup of coffee, the line up of hospital staff and family members far exceeded what he expected. Once he got what he came for, he nearly spilled the contents all over himself in the rush to return to his son's side. Clutching the hot beverage he nodded to the nurses and turned the corner to enter the room. He stopped dead in his tracks and just about dropped his coffee.
"Bluella what are you doing here?"
There she was sitting beside a barely awake Rinn. She had made the boy sit upright to enjoy a take-out breakfast she had bought for him. Now, Bulfie had been instructed that due to the surgery Rinn had to be cautious with how he sat, also he should only have soft foods for the next week.
The female ferret smiled coldly towards Bulfie. "An' where were you off to, I found Rinn all alone. Just getting in I 'spose."
Bulfie gritted his teeth, his marriage to Bluella had never been an easy one, but he always promised he wouldn't fight in front of his children. But oh how she baited him.
"I was here, just ran down for a cup of coffee. " He quickly turned his attention to his son. "How y'feeling this morning Rinny?"
"M'belly hurts." The child pouted.
"I know buddy, how's about y'lay back a bit. Dat'll make it feel all the better eh." He coaxed the child to lay back. Then, using the bed's mechanics angled the upper portion of the bed so that Rinn could lie in a half sitting position.
"Doctor said he could only have soft foods." Bulfie spoke flatly, he watched his son prepare to take a bite out of a greasy breakfast sandwich. "Rinny, hows about y'save that there fer laters, try some of that apple juice. "Opening the carton of juice he placed the straw in it and pushed it forward. His quick paws snatched the food away.
Bluella looked offended that Bulfie would deny her son the gift. "I bought him a treat, he deserves it." She grinned as Rinn looked up at his father with confusion. He did deserve it didn't he?
"Yeah, but the doctor wants 'im t'take it easy fer a while. 'Is belly might be upset fer a few more days."
"When is 'e going home."
"Today more than likely, we'll see that 'is doctor says." Bulfie sighed. "I'm going t'take the rest o' the week off t' keep an eye on 'im. Don't want Rinny at daycare wit' 'is belly like it is."
"I'll look after 'im."
Bulfie was hesitant at this suggestion. His soon to be ex-wife was many things, but he wasn't sure she could handle the responsibilities of carrying for a child after surgery. "Y'sure, y'd have t'take the time off work."
She waved this notion off. "Pah, Rieback said her boy was back at school the day after 'e got out of hospital. Rinn 'll be just fine. Yer always babying 'im."
Bulfie ground his teeth again. His patience was quickly wearing thin. As he didn't want to argue in front of Rinn, he motioned towards the door. "A minute Bluella."
Huffing the female ferret followed her former mate out into the hallway, so their son would not hear their conversation.
"I can't let you just dump Rinny back into daycare. If ye' can't get the time off, I'll watch 'im during the day."
"I'm 'is mother Bulfie, I gots rights too." She wagged a paw under his nose.
"Oh I knows Bluella, an' we worked out a schedule fer' that. I know Friday is the start o' yer days wit the young 'uns, but I really think Rinn should stay wit' me until those stitches come out. "
"What is this then, y'gets the male an' I get the maid. Are y' dividing up the family now?" the female ferret hissed. "Don't make me get the lawyers inta this again Bully."
"Yer' threatening me now is ya?" Bulfie shook his head not able to believe what was happening. "I ain't saying y'can't see the lad, I just wants t'watch 'im during the day. If Rinny could get into trouble at daycare, who's t'say he won't do something else to make this worse?"
"So y'thinks I'm a bad parent?" Her voice rose all the louder, to the point it drew the attention of the nurses.
"No, that isn't what I'm saying." Bulfie spoke lowly.
One nurse quietly approached the couple, this sort of arguing wasn't new to her but all the same she had little tolerance for it. "I'm afraid; you will need to sort this out at another time. I can have a social worker called if you require it."
Bulfie saw the look in his wife's eyes, at that moment he wouldn't doubt but she would accuse him of child abuse if it meant she could get her way. "Get the time off work." He sighed then went back in the room to sit with his young son.
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Beth and Dan packed up their suitcases and prepared to catch their flight. The visit had been most productive for Dan, and eventful for his daughter. She animatedly told him all about the dance she had been invited to, reenacting the antics of the young hares she met. Dan smiled nodding as she carried on, although after a while the tales became taxing. As they made their leave the squirrels crossed paths with Captain Tussock. He smiled to them both offering his good-byes.
"You're not taking us to the airport?" Beth sounded most disappointed.
The hare shook his head. "Sorry missy, I'm playing cabbie for another guest. Perhaps next time wot." He shook paws with each squirrel wishing them a safe and happy flight. Waving as they were driven off he remarked to a nearby hare. "Nice squirrels those lot, pleasant sorts t'be around."Then looking at his reflection in a car window he fixed his tunic. He had another task to see too.
Bringing one of the mountains black cars around to the entry way he fiddled with the controls and waited for his passengers. Everything seemed to be in order; he just had one minor task to do before he was ready for the drive.
The squirrel-prince Truffken had received good-byes and well wishes from the most senior officers of the Long Patrol. Lord Urthbriar had politely thanked him for his attendance, and hinted that he hoped Truffken's father or older brother would make the next trip. The youth walked alongside his large otter body guard a sour look plastered upon his features. "Why'd I have to come to Salamandastron anyhow?"
"Because your highness, the relationship between Southsward and Salamandastron is a deeply cherished one. Lord Urthbriar has been a longtime friend of the Queen. "The otter replied flatly. He opened the door for the prince, and then got in on the other side, nodding in greeting to the Captain.
Tussock had a smile on his face as he drove out of the underground parking lot. "Have a good time yer highness?"
The prince offered up a muffled reply, which seemed to indicate yes.
"I understand you briefly misplaced Mr. Streambattle." Tussock continued to keep a light tone about his conversation. It was met by another incoherent sound from the prince. "Normally I wouldn't worry about such a minor incident. After all what chap hasn't run off from their bally supervisor from time to time. What does concern me, is a rather vexing incident that seems to have occurred. "
Truffken crossed his paws before his chest. The otter could only image what had happened to his young charge, and held a look of concern. Jutting out his jaw Truffken addressed the hare.
"Not sure what you're thinking of Captain. I only got distracted by the crowd for a moment. I wasn't in any danger. Not with so many Long Patrol hares there. "
"That is very true laddie buck, the Long Patrol most certainly wouldn't see any harm come to a prince wot. Y'see your highness, we take very good care of all our guests. Treat 'em like family dontcha know. An' if somebeast causes a spot of bother for one o' our family, well, that is a very serious matter. "
Truffken felt his stomach lurch, but the hare continued.
"I understand you were rather ungentlebeast like to a certain squirrelmaid attending our garden party." Tussock gave the hare the opportunity to respond. As he suspected, rather than admit any fault, Truffken was quick to lay blame.
"You misunderstand sir; I hardly spoke to her, beyond a polite hello."
Not taking his eyes off the road Tussock mused. "Funny thing being a hare is. We're dashed fast, perilous fighters, an' some would call our eating habits frightful. But we're rather blessed to have these blooming big ears. Hear all sorts of things they do, things like, I dunno a prince telling a maid she's; Just a bratty twerp from a place where no one gives a fur about."
Truffken went pale, and peering into the rearview mirror Tussock smiled. At last he was getting through to the young squirrel.
"Y'see bucko, princes especially do not address maids in such a manner. And they most certainly do not insult them when they refuse an invitation for share chambers as it were. A gentlebeast is respectful, and kind, and presents himself as an upstanding part of society. You sirrah, are not gentlebeast, you've the manners of a worm and the sense of a jolly acorn. "
Truffken puffed himself up in his seat, still largely ignoring his lecture. "Who are you to say these things t'me."
Tussock laughed, "Well highness if you don't want to listen to me, I jolly well understand. But perhaps you will listen to a beast with more authority wot." He paused before continuing, watching the confused look on the squirrel's face. "Your Majesty, I rather hope you heard that lot on your end wot? Am I coming in loud and clear? These dashed paws free thingamys can be rather confusing."
An older female squirrel voice could clearly be heard over the speakers. "Oh I could hear you quite well Captain Tussock. Truffken, we will be speaking more on this when you return home. Your social outings are going to be drastically reduced young squirrel."
Truffken gulped hearing the voice of his grandmother the queen addressing him. There was no question; he was in for it now.