Notes: Lily's nightmare is the last remnant of what this story was originally going to be. Lily was going to be a lot more realistic in slow-burn acceptance of Radley, culminating in the scenario in the nightmare. But when I decided it was too sad for an Eevee to have been treated badly enough that she would be that distrusting, I scrapped that storyline but felt badly to delete the climatic scene already written. Hence, on friends' suggestions, it became a nightmare.

Chapter Six

Lily's sleep was restless that night. She tossed and turned on the pet couch, locked in a terrible nightmare—the worst one possible for her. What if she hadn't accepted Radley right away? What if she didn't want him to touch her?

. . . What if she had hurt him like everyone else had hurt him?

Radley had always been very respectful of Lily's desire for space. He fed her every day, but although he longed to pet her, he didn't when he saw how she shied away from any touch.

"Not today either, huh?" he would say with a disappointed but respectful smile. "Okay. Maybe tomorrow."

But Lily was never ready. She was always up for the food he offered, and deep down she was coming to care about him, but showing that caring by letting him pet her was something she could not make herself do.

She always only stayed long enough to eat and then left. Radley never tried to stop her or get her to stay, even though he wanted to. She thought she was coming to know him quite well indeed. When one day he suddenly grabbed her without warning as she was about to walk across the street away from the diner, she cried out in shock and anger and started to sink her teeth into his arm.

The car hitting him and sending them both tumbling put a stop to that.

Lily froze when they crashed. Radley had fallen limply on his side, still holding her. He wasn't moving now and the driver of the car was getting out in horror, screaming about having killed someone as he shakily pulled out his phone to dial 911.

"Radley!"

Evie was running out now, her eyes wide and horrified. She nudged Radley's arm repeatedly and then stiffened, seeing the small marks that hadn't broke the skin. She raised her gaze to meet Lily's, disbelieving, heartbroken.

Lily looked away, squirming out of his limp grasp. "He knows I don't like being picked up . . . !"

Tears flowed freely from Evie's eyes. "He saw that car was going to hit you! He only picked you up to save you, and you tried to bite him!" She climbed into the space Lily had vacated, crying as she tried to nudge and lick Radley into waking up.

Lily stared at her, stricken.

"You've only ever been mean to him, just like they say Kalin was when he first came here!" Evie cried. "If he's not okay, I . . . I'll never forgive you! Never!" She collapsed against her beloved owner, wailing in anguished grief.

Lily fled, crying now as well.

Evan came out the back door, followed swiftly by a horrified Kalin. "Radley?!" Kalin ran over and knelt down by his cherished friend, his hands shaking as he checked for injuries. "No. . . ."

Evan took in the scene and went over to Evie, who could not be comforted. He licked her face and she nuzzled into him, still crying.

"She's so mean! Radley got hurt for her and she just tried to hurt him more! She's awful!"

Evan held her close. "I think Lily was just shocked. She acted out of reflex. She ran away just now in tears."

"I'd never hurt Radley, even in reflex!" Evie sobbed.

"I know," Evan said. He licked her again.

Evie just continued to cry. When the ambulance came several minutes later, Kalin had the presence of mind to lift both Eevees into his arms and hold them, shaking, as Radley was lifted onto the stretcher.

"Is he going to be alright?!" Kalin demanded.

"Nothing looks broken," the paramedic assured him. "But he might have hit his head. We're not sure why he'd be unconscious otherwise. Are you bringing your . . . pets to the hospital?"

Kalin hugged the Eevees. "They wouldn't stay away." He climbed into the ambulance with them as soon as Radley was carried inside. His heart breaking, he held the Eevees in one arm and reached for Radley's limp hand.

"I'm right here," he rasped. "Evie and Evan are too. It's going to be alright. Radley, you have to be alright! None of us will ever recover if you don't. You are our everything!" He shut his eyes tightly, a lone, helpless tear leaking out onto Radley's hand.

Lily hadn't run too far away. From her spot under a chair on the diner's porch, she could hear the ambulance driving off and heading for the hospital. She curled into a tighter ball, willing her fur to swallow her up. But she was still visible, and the town's other Eevee was coming onto the porch to find her now.

"Why are you under here?" Isla asked.

"It's my fault he's hurt," Lily said in despair. "And I almost bit him! The car hitting him was the only thing that stopped me!" She looked up, tears streaming from her eyes. "He was always nice to me and I was mean. Evie was right! She was right. . . ."

"Radley understood you needed time," Isla said. "Scotch told me he was always patient with all the members of the Bunch while they were warming up to him. Some of them were mean too."

"But I hurt him!" Lily sobbed. "You and Evan were wild too, but you didn't hurt him or Kalin when you met them!"

"We didn't go through what you went through," Isla said. "People were cruel to you. Of course you wouldn't accept Radley immediately!"

"I was starting to!" Lily said. "I wanted to be his. It's the first time I've wanted that in so long! But then he startled me and I was scared and angry. If he never gets okay because he was trying to save me . . . !"

"Radley wouldn't let something like this conquer him!" Isla insisted, and prayed she was right. "He loves everyone here so much. He'll fight to stay with all of them!"

"I'm so sorry," Lily wept. "I'm so sorry . . . !"

Isla went under the chair with her and hugged her close. "I know."

Kalin hadn't been at the hospital long, but it felt an eternity. He held the Eevees but didn't speak, too distraught to try to assure them it would be alright when he wasn't sure of that. When the doctor came out far sooner than he expected, he wasn't sure whether that was good or bad. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Well?"

"He's alright," the doctor told him. "No internal injuries and he's awake wanting to go home."

Evie's ears shot upright in her joy. "VEE!"

Evan perked up too.

Kalin hugged her and Evan close. "Can he come home?"

"If he rests," the doctor said.

"Thank God." Kalin pulled out his phone. "I'll have Scotch bring the van."

The call was swiftly made and they were hurrying down the hall to the room. Radley was laying on the bed in his shirt and pants, with his jacket draped across his chest. He perked up immensely to see them coming. "Hey," he smiled.

"Radley . . . !" Kalin set the Eevees on the bed and gently hugged him. "When will you stop worrying us?!" His voice cracked.

Radley hugged him close. "I'm sorry," he said guiltily. "I saw the car was going to hit Lily and I had to act."

Evie was climbing on him, licking him in joy. Evan was rubbing him. He laughed, petting them both.

"You picked her up?!" Kalin exclaimed.

"I had to," Radley said. "I knew she might hurt me if I did, but there was no other choice."

"Vee . . ." Evie settled down with her head under Radley's chin.

"All of our Eevees have had sad experiences," Radley continued, "but Lily was treated cruelly and never had anything good to compare it to. I'm pretty sure I was the first person to ever be kind to her. Is she okay?"

"I . . ." Kalin thought back. ". . . I saw her running off crying," he remembered in dismay. "I was too worried about you to really pay attention."

"Oh no." Radley frowned. He started to push himself upright. "I have to find her, Kalin. I have to let her know I'm okay."

Kalin stiffened. "The doctor will only let you go if you rest!" he scolded.

"Which I can't do knowing she's off somewhere feeling awful." Radley hugged Evie and Evan. "She might still be in the area. Please, Kalin. I have to try to find her."

Kalin's shoulders slumped. ". . . We'll drive around and you can call to her from the van," he compromised.

Radley smiled. "Thanks." He squeezed Kalin's hand.

Scotch hurried in, the car keys in his hand. "Radley!" He beamed, hugging his dear friend and idol close. "Everyone's so upset! That little Eevee we've been feeding went under a chair on the porch and won't come out!"

Radley hugged him close. "She's there?!"

"Yeah! Isla's trying to comfort her," Scotch said.

Evie frowned. "Eevee . . ."

"Let's get over there now," Radley said. He started to get up, still holding the Eevees.

Kalin and Scotch rushed to aid him. "Just don't overdo it," Kalin insisted.

Radley grimaced as several bruises were jarred in the move. "Don't worry, I won't," he said.

It didn't take long to journey back to the diner. Lily was still under the chair, completely drooped. Isla had come out but was still standing nearby. She perked up, tail waving, as the van pulled up. "Eevee-vee-vee-vee!" she exclaimed.

Lily looked up slowly. "Eevee?"

Radley eased himself out, holding on to the door. Kalin hurried around to assist. "Hey there," Radley smiled.

Isla rubbed him with joy. Scotch picked her up and held her so Radley could pet her without bending over.

"You guys were worried too, huh?" Radley stroked Isla's head and looked to Lily, who was watching him hopefully but didn't dare come out.

"See, I'm okay," he soothed. "I know you've had a really rough time in your life, but I wanted to show you something better. I still want to. If you're interested in coming home with us, we really want you to be part of our family."

"Eevee?" Lily said in disbelief. She looked to Evie and Evan.

Evie sighed. ". . . We all just wanted to be friends with you," she said. "Radley still wants to, and . . . if you like him now and want to, then I still want to too. . . ."

Evan nodded. "That's right. Everyone deserves a second chance."

Lily slowly got up. "I want to," she said softly.

"Then come out to Radley," Evie said. "He won't reach for you. He's waiting for you to be ready!"

Lily gave a cry, launching herself at Radley. Surprised and touched, he drew her into his arms and held her close.

"It's okay," he said kindly. "Everything's okay now."

Lily cried, both tears of regret for what had happened and tears of joy that Radley was alright. And perhaps, tears of joy that she finally had somewhere she belonged.

Lily started awake, breathing heavily. It was still night; Radley and Kalin were peacefully sleeping in bed and both seemed fine. Evie and Evan, however, were awake and watching her in concern.

"Are you okay?" Evie asked. "You've been rolling around and crying!"

"I'm fine," Lily said. "More importantly, Radley is fine. I didn't hurt him. . . ."

"Of course you didn't!" Evie said in amazement. "Did you dream you did?!"

Tears welled in Lily's eyes. "Yes. . . ."

Evie and Evan both immediately came to hug her. "There couldn't be a more awful dream!" Evie exclaimed. "I was so scared before that I might Gigantimax and hurt Radley! I had horrible dreams about it!"

Lily stared at her. "Really?"

"It was awful," Evie said. "But Evan was right here to comfort me."

"And we're both here for you now," Evan said.

Lily hugged them both close. "I'm so glad I don't have to be alone anymore. And I didn't hurt Radley. . . ."

"Did the dream end bad?" Evie worried.

"No. . . . Even there, Radley forgave me for hurting him and I was going to get another chance," Lily said.

"That's really what would happen too!" Evie declared. "Radley is so wonderful!"

"Yes," Lily said softly, "he is. You and Evan are too. And Isla."

"And you are too!" Evie said.

Lily smiled.

"Are you okay to go back to sleep?" Evan asked.

"You could lay on Radley!" Evie said. "That always helps me sleep!"

Lily looked up at him, still sleeping peacefully with no knowledge of what was happening on the pet couch. "I haven't done it before. . . ."

"But you're in his arms all the time anyway!" Evie said. "Why not when you need comfort to sleep too?"

That did make sense, and Lily slowly rose up to put her front paws on the bed. "Well . . . maybe. . . ." With the idea in her mind, it was too glorious to refuse. She climbed up the rest of the way and stood looking at her prince for a long moment. He was so noble, so kind. . . . She wanted to be with him for always. Shyly she walked up onto his chest. He was still peaceful, and Lily felt incredible. She started a happy purr as she relaxed. Yes, sleep would definitely come now.

Come morning, Radley awoke to two little Eevees laying on him. Evan, of course, was on Kalin. He laid there, looking at the sweet animals in touched surprise. When he reached to pet them, they snuggled closer.

Kalin stirred. "They're back again?" he mumbled.

"This time Lily too," Radley smiled.

"She's getting so comfortable with you," Kalin said.

"I'm still amazed she has so quickly," Radley said. "But I love it."

"It's special," Kalin agreed. "Most animals like Lily would take much longer to adjust. People too." He looked away, clearly thinking of himself.

Radley smiled and laid a hand on Kalin's shoulder. "But they all came around too."

Kalin gripped Radley's hand. "When I finally did, it was almost too late for us," he said quietly.

"But then it wasn't," Radley soothed. "You gave me the will to fight to live, just like we told Lily. That's what I always think about, not the sadness that came before."

"You're so forgiving," Kalin said. "I always think of the sadness. I can't not. Then I think of the good afterwards."

"The good is the most important to me," Radley said. He glanced at the clock. "And we'd better get going. Mom and Emilio will be here around noon, probably."

Kalin nodded and started to get up, holding Evan in his arms.

Radley moved to follow but hesitated. This was the first time Lily had climbed on him. He hated to disturb her. Maybe she would wake up soon. . . .

Kalin noticed his hesitation. "I could fix breakfast," he offered.

Radley gave him a grateful look. "That'd be great, thanks."

Kalin nodded and gently laid Evan on the bed. "You can come when you can."

Radley reached to pet Evan, not wanting him to feel left out. "I'm sure we'll all be there once the food gets going."

He was right about that. As the delicious smells began to waft through the house, all the Eevees started stirring. "Eevee-vee!" Evie exclaimed. She rubbed Radley and got up, tail waving.

Radley chuckled. "Good morning!"

Evan was soon awake too. Although disappointed to find Kalin wasn't there, he was used to rousing up with Kalin going about the business of the day. He stretched and moved to follow Evie to the kitchen, but paused when he saw Lily still asleep.

"Hi," Radley said. "That smells good, huh?"

Evan warbled.

Lily looked around in awe as she woke up, at first not seeming to believe where she was. "Eee . . ." She gazed up at Radley, who smiled at her.

"Hello," he greeted. "You want some breakfast?"

"Eevee," she said, and shyly nuzzled him.

He petted her and the others. "I'm happy you joined us up here," he said. "It's a nice surprise."

Lily beamed. "Vee!"

Evie looked triumphant. "Eevee-vee!"

"Let's go see what Kalin's making, okay?" Radley smiled.

The Eevees all happily agreed.

Kalin had pancakes on the table by the time they all arrived. "I hope strawberry is okay," he said. "It looks like we need more blueberry."

"Strawberry sounds great," Radley said, as the Eevees chorused in delight. "I've had strawberry waffles, but never strawberry pancakes."

"Let's hope it was worth the wait," Kalin grunted.

Radley grabbed a couple with his fork and set them on the plate. When he cut into one and ate the first bite, he was delighted. "It was worth it," he said.

The Eevees happily began to eat too, and swiftly voiced their approval of the meal choice.

Radley chuckled. "Looks like it's unanimous."

Kalin had to smile. "Thanks."

"I really think you've got something here," Radley mused. "I might add this to the breakfast menu at the diner."

Terribly curious by now, Kalin took a couple and bit into one after buttering them. ". . . You're right, this really is good," he said in undeniable surprise.

"I don't deliver fake praise," Radley said with an amused smirk. "I have to really believe in something or someone to praise them."

"I know," Kalin said.

"And I know what's good food," Radley said. "The Eevees do too."

They all happily warbled.

"If we have any left, I'd like to share them with Mom and Emilio," Radley said. "If we eat them all first, would you mind making another batch or telling me how to make it?"

"Sure," Kalin said in surprise. "I just followed the blueberry recipe and used strawberry instead."

Radley smiled. "That's easy enough to throw together." He looked to Lily. "Are you still feeling any better about them coming?"

"Vee," Lily nodded.

"You're a good sport," Radley said. "I think you'll like them both."

Lily smiled. She thought so too.