Hi. Sorry for the loooooong wait for updates. I wanted to wait until have the poll results... Anyway, here is the next chapter! Enjoy!
Only a few days went by before the chicks' parents had to go. Goodbyes were sad, but with promises of more visits, they younglings waved goodbye happily. Rusty was moody; sometimes sad, and quieter than his usual self, and sometimes he just yelled and snapped at everyone; including Gracie, who he was always gentle, and kind with. Rico had noticed his behaviour, but figured it was only because he didn't get to meet his mother.
"Oh, Gracie, why not name the little one Bartholomew?" Marine asked.
"Why?" Gracie asked, uncertainly.
"That was your grandfather's name," Marine replied, with a laugh.
"I'll think about it…"
"I have one question," said Marine to Kowalski. "Why does Gracie have a British accent, if almost everyone else is American?"
"Probably because she mostly listened to Private, while learning to speak, and learned how to pronounce everything with that accent," Kowalski figured.
"That makes perfect sense."
"Cammy, dear, I almost forgot," Aqua said, just before entering the crate. She kneeled down in front of Cam, reached into her little purse, and pulled out a necklace on a silver chain. It was tear-drop shaped sapphire that matched the mother and daughter's eyes. Cam breathed a slow gasped as Aqua placed the necklace in her flippers.
"My mother gave that to me. And my grandmother gave it to her. And my great-grandmother gave it to her. Your great-great-grandfather used to explore the oceans on sailing ships, and he found this, and brought it home to his wife, because it matched her eyes. It's just something pretty for you to have as you grow up." Cam put the necklace around her neck, and didn't say a word.
"Do you like it?" Aqua asked. Cam only nodded, then, without warning, threw her flippers around her mother's neck.
"Thank you!" she cried. "I've never gotten anything so beautiful!" Aqua smiled, hugging her back.
Rusty slipped up to the group, and stood in front of Sal, who was just saying goodbye to Gracie.
"I've decided something," he said.
"What's that, sonny?" Sal asked, kneeling in front of him, so he could see eye-to-eye.
"I'm coming with you to Antarctica," he answered, louder than intended. Everyone stared at him, but Rusty kept his eyes on Sal. "I want to meet my mother." Rico placed his flippers on his shoulders, and shook his head.
"Nuh-uh," he grunted. "You not go."
"But, Dad!" Rusty complained, turning to face him. "I want to meet her! I might never get a chance, if she never comes! I have to meet her!" He looked like he was almost about to cry; and Rusty only cried if something was really wrong. Rico simply couldn't say no, but he didn't want Rusty wandering around in Antarctica without him. The decision was hard for Rico, but Rusty's pleading eyes helped him finally make his choice.
"Ah-right," he sighed. Rusty hugged him, then turned to Sal.
"Is it alright with you?" he asked hopefully. Sal smiled, and nodded.
"I think what your mother really needs is to see her son," he said. Rusty jumped in the air in delight, and rushed into the HQ, coming back seconds later with a painting he had done. It was of the Central Park Zoo from the bell tower.
"She might like to see my home," he explained. He had gotten quite good at art, so figured if he never learned to regurgitate properly, like Rico that would be the next best thing. He slipped into the crate with Sal, just as Alice came in, and sealed it up.
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