Book 3: Breaking the Ice
Me: Hey, guys! Sorry I didn't put up an author's note on the first chapter. Well, I'm back and I've been working hard on each chapter. Went to watch Kung-Fu Panda 2 this afternoon. I almost cried twice, but I'm not going to tell you why because I don't want to give anything away. Well, let's start the chapter, shall we?
Chapter 2: Afraid They'll Forget Me
Rosalina beamed at the two lovers as they walked in. She sat Celine on a stone before sitting down in between Roxanne and her. Roxanne had finally awoke when Celine called for Buck when he came back with the fruit.
Buck and Jenna walked over to the stone table and set the second bag of fruit on the platform. Once everybody was seated, they began to eat.
Rosalina started eating again right after the day Buck allowed Celine to be a new member of their family and recovered from her six-month depression. She was so happy that she didn't even remember when she said that she wasn't going to eat anymore. She was thankful to have Celine as a little sister, even though they weren't related, and she wasn't about to let anything happen to the brunette kit or her sister.
"So, Rosalina, I heard that you were going to go on a quest to find a mate with Roxanne. Is that true?" Jenna's question interrupted Rosalina's thoughts.
Her cerulean eyes widened a bit, getting back to reality. "Oh, y-yeah. Buck must have told you about that. And, yes, it's true. We may hit the road in the afternoon or we'll wait until tomorrow to leave. I don't know yet."
Buck's ears drooped. She's planning on leaving this early? It looks like I'll only have one day to spend some time with my daughters. He stopped eating a peach at the thought. He was no longer hungry for its sweet taste. He got up from his seat and walked out of the cave.
Jenna watched worriedly before turning her head in Rosalina and Celine's direction. "Girls, stay in here. I'm going to check on Buck." She told them, getting up from her seat.
"Okay." They replied and continued eating. When Jenna was out of their hearing range, Celine looked at Rosalina.
"Will daddy be okay?" She asked as her green eyes filled with worry. Rosalina knew how she felt. She was worried about him, too. Reassuringly, Rosalina replied, "He'll be fine. He's probably upset about something, but mom's going to take care of him, Celine. Don't you worry."
"Yeah, squirt, don't fret. Jenna's got this." Roxanne also reassured the little kit.
They pulled the little kit into a comforting embrace. Celine happily returned it and nuzzled against Rosalina's shoulder. She was enjoying the warmth the teenager's fur was providing her and almost fell asleep until Rosalina and Roxanne pulled away from their hug.
"Come on, kiddo. Let's clean up." Roxanne smiled. Grinning sweetly, Celine helped the she-weasels throw away the fruit.
Once Jenna was outside, she saw Buck sitting on a stone, his ears drooped and his eye shimmering with sadness. The sight saddened her. He's taking the news hard, isn't he? She sighed softly, causing Buck to look up slowly. The she-weasel sat down next to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Buck, what's wrong?" asked Jenna. He didn't reply. Instead, he just rested his head against her shoulder, sighing sadly. Jenna's ears drooped. "Are you sad that Rosalina's growing up?" She guessed. Buck nodded.
Jenna sighed softly. "I figured." She muttered to herself.
Jenna lifted Buck's chin to get him to look at her. He stared at her with no words spoken. "Buck, that's life. We're born, we grow up, and then we die. Rosalina can't be a teenager forever, you know. You should also know that even though Rosalina's growing up, she'll always love you." She rubbed Buck's uncovered cheek with her thumb. Her caress was gentle and caring.
Buck placed a paw on her bandaged arm. Jenna looked down from him to his paw that rested on her shoulder. Her arm had healed three months ago, but she decided to keep the leaf bandage on just like she decided to keep the other bandage that was wrapped around her ankle on. Jenna told Buck that she wanted to keep the leaf bandages on so that she'll look tough, in a way. She made Buck laugh when she said that.
Jenna gently removed his paw from her covered shoulder and held it, squeezing his paw affectionately.
"I just feel like once Rosy and Roxanne finds themselves a mate, they'll forget all about me." Buck finally spoke in a solemn tone.
A placid, cool breeze reached the two weasels as they stared at each other. Jenna's light blue orbs softened, but went back to being serious. Poor Buck. He's really down about Rosalina and Roxanne's finding a mate quest. Jenna thought as she gave him another sympathetic gaze.
The female wrapped her arms around Buck's neck, pulling him closer to her. Buck rested his chin on top of Jenna's head.
"You're going to be all right." Jenna whispered reassuringly against his chest.
"I know. I'm just sort of down in the mouth, as some mammals say." replied Buck, who gave her a light peck on the top of her head.
"I know you are. To be honest, I feel the same way, too. I only got to know them for six months and already the girls are becoming grown-ups." Jenna murmured with a noticeable hint of disenchantment in her tone.
Three minutes ago, Rosalina, Roxanne, and Celine were finishing up on throwing away the fruit and were now doing their own thing. Celine was in their room and Rosalina and Roxanne was eavesdropping on Buck and Jenna's conversation outside the cave. They overheard what Buck's fear was. Rosalina's eyes glistened with tears.
I would never forget about him. After all the things he's done for me, I promised, in my heart, that I would never forget him. I'm going to have to talk to him, privately. Maybe, once he's done talking to Jenna, I'll tell him that I'm ready to learn how to swing on vines. Yeah. I'll do that. Rosalina thought to herself with a small smile slowly forming on her face.
Roxanne caught her sister's smile and whispered, "What are you thinking?" Rosalina's smile disappeared as she got out of her train of thought. "You'll see." The snow-white furred and black-dappled female replied with her smile stretching across her face again.
"So, are you okay now?" asked Jenna, who was getting up from her spot on the stone. Buck looked up at her and nodded.
"Yeah. I'll be all right."
"Whenever you have something on your mind, don't hesitate to come to me." The she-weasel patted his shoulder before going back in. Buck sighed to himself. Jennifer's right. The girls won't be teenagers for long. I've got to spend more time with them before they goes.
He was about to go back in the cave until Rosalina stopped him by quickly walking out from the cave entrance to get to him. Sadness and sympathy was written all over her face as she stared at him.
"Wot is it, lass?" Buck asked, obviously concerned. Rosalina shook off her sad expression with a small smile.
She said, "Since we'll probably leave by tomorrow morning, I think it's around time for us to learn how to swing on vines. I figured I would go ahead and tell you beforehand. So, what do you say?"
Buck smiled. Somehow, he knew part of the reason why Rosalina wanted to learn how to vine-swing ahead of time and there was no way he was going to reject her. It's best if he spends time with his older foster-daughters before they headed out tomorrow. Buck knew that and so did the girls. He placed a paw on Rosalina's shoulder.
"Sure. Let me tell Jennifer where we're going. Then, we'll go." Buck gently squeezed her shoulder before going inside to tell Jenna about their plans.
Roxanne brushed past Buck as she walked over to her sister. "You planned this?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. Rosalina nodded with a smile.
Roxanne smiled back and whispered, "You're awesome!"
"Aw, thank you!" Rosalina said, feeling good after her sister's compliment.
Inside the cave, Buck was telling Celine and Jenna where they he and the twins would be. Jenna smiled at the two she-weasels that were waving at her from behind then turned her attention back to Buck.
"Well, you three have fun. Maybe, I'll take Celine to see Momma and her little ones. Kind of like a play date." Jenna looked down at Celine, who seemed happy about the news.
Jumping up and down excitedly, Celine asked, "Are the baby dinos cute?"
"I haven't really met them. I guess we'll find out together." Jenna smiled at the little kit with sincere happiness.
"Well, that sounds good. You two have fun. Oh, and Jenna! If you happen ta' run into any trouble, including Rudy, find somewhere safe ta' hide and scream fo' me." Buck gave Jenna a small peck on the cheek before heading out of the home with Rosalina and Roxanne following him.
Jenna picked up Celine and said, "I guess we should get going, too." Celine agreed with her and told her that she's ready to go. Chuckling, the female walked out of the cave with Celine in her arms.