Chapter 2

"Thank you, Aunt Minnie." Oswald Junior 420 said as the last of the bunny children got their bowl of carrot soup.

Minnie smiled as she watched the rabbit go off to find a place to eat before leaning against her kitchen counter.

"Was that everybody?" Daisy asked, putting the ladle back in the big pot on the stove.

All four hundred and twenty of them." Minnie nodded. "Thanks for helping."

"No need, though Donald might wanna hear that." Daisy admitted, leaning to look out the kitchen door into the crowded living room. She noticed the white duck in the sea of blue as he made his way back into the kitchen.

"Oswald owes me. Big." Donald grumbled as he threw away used napkins.

"Just shut up and watch them." Daisy ordered. "We're doing this for Ortensia."

The phone rang, getting Minnie to pull the old land line from the kitchen wall and to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hey Minnie, how's the kids?" Oswald's voice asked.

"Eating dinner right now." Minnie informed.

"If you want you can shoo them back over here after they eat." Oswald offered.

"Are you sure Ortensia's ready to have a full house again?" Minnie asked, worried for her friend.

"She's the one who wants them over here." Oswald admitted.

"Ok, we'll walk them over when they're done." Minnie was about to put the phone up when Oswald caught her.

"Hey, has Mickey been acting strange today?" Oswald asked.

"I don't know. I said hey this morning, but haven't seen him since." Minnie admitted. "Why?"

"No reason." Oswald tried.

"Oswald?" Minnie drew out, eyeing the phone's receiver as if it was the rabbit.

"He sent Mr. Foozle over here." Oswald admitted.

"From the War-Drum?" Minnie asked, surprised. "I'm going to talk to him after we drop your kids off. Who in their right mind would even consider-"

"Thanks Minnie." Oswald said, cutting her off. "And tell Donald to keep it quiet when you all drop them off."

Minnie giggled at that before saying, "Will do, Oswald." and hung up.

"Do you really think Ortensia's ready to have them back in the house?" Daisy asked, overhearing Minnie's half of the conversation.

"He says so." Minnie shrugged. "Their house is built better for this many children."

"True, I was lucky to have use of their house when you all went up north." Daisy admitted.

"Well, if you don't need me." Donald tried, reaching for the back door.

"Oh no you don't." Daisy stopped him, grabbing the back of his collar to pull him back. "We need all eyes to make sure they all get down the street."

Donald crossed his arms over his chest as he grumbled something under his breath incoherently.

-.-.-.-

"Thanks again." Oswald said as he watched Ortensia getting time with her bunny children as they went through the living room.

"Sure, how's she feeling?" Minnie asked as she waved to Donald and Daisy who were already walking back to their cars parked at Minnie's house.

"Her bruises are healing and the furs's obviously growing back." Oswald informed, "I'm just worried about her arm. And what she's not telling me."

"Her arm will heal, and she'll tell you when she's ready." Minnie tried. "I wish I could've gotten to her quicker."

"You did wonderfully." Oswald praised, smiling at the mouse.

"Well, if you're sure you can handle all them, I guess I'll head out to Mickey's."

"I'd tell you good luck, but I think he's the one that needs it." Oswald said, shaking his head.

"He probably just wasn't thinking when he told Mr. Foozle. They used to be close friends after Mickey saved the paper from Pete." Minnie reminded. She caught Ortensia's eye and waved before telling Oswald "See you tomorrow."

"Thanks so much." Oswald said, watching the mouse leave before closing the door.

Minnie quickly checked the lock of her house before jumping into her car to drive the few streets over to Mickey's house. She parked behind Mickey's red 1930's jalopy and went straight for his front door, knocking hard on the white wood.

The door opened as a flustered Mickey tried to smile, "Hey, Min, I didn't expect you."

"Oswald wanted me to check on you." Minnie explained, confused as to why Mickey was making it hard for her to walk in, blocking her path with his body. "Are you ok?"

"Never been better." Mickey tried. "What makes you think anything'd be wrong?"

Minnie huffed as she gave up trying to get in and said, "You're just not acting like yourself."

"Mickey, what's taking you so long?" an unfamiliar female voice asked as a blond mouse walked into view, coming down the stairs. The two women's eyes locked, scarring the girl to rush back up the stairs.

"Who on earth is that!?" Minnie exclaimed, pointing a finger behind Mickey as her other hand curled into a fist.

Mickey laughed, pushing her accusing finger away before leaning on the door frame. "Oh come off it, Minnie. We've been dating for almost ninety years now. Don't you think I'd ask you to marry me by now if I really loved you?"

"Why you-!" Minnie cut herself off and settled on slapping Mickey good on the side of his face with enough force to send him down to the floor in surprise.

Minnie closed her eyes, not wanting Mickey to see her cry as she quickly turned around and stomped back to her car. The trip back to her house almost didn't even exist as she found herself dropping onto her couch, crying.

A meow caught her attention down to the floor as Figaro tried to comfort her. Minnie dropped an arm down to him so he could rub his back against it.

A scratching took Figaro's attention, getting Minnie to sit up. She wiped her eyes and saw the black and white cat heading towards the kitchen and back door. "What is if, Figaro?"

Minnie got up and found Figaro at the back door, reaching for the door handle. Curious, Minnie opened the door only to find a blood hound whining up at her. "Pluto?" Minnie asked, surprised as she dropped to her knees and the dog moved closer almost asking to be hugged. "Pluto, why are you here? Did Mickey replace you too?"

Getting nothing but whining from the dog, she stood up and moved aside, "Alright, you can come in. Maybe you can help Figaro and me eat some ice cream and watch a movie."

Pluto drug himself in, his tail dropping behind him as if to say "why not, I have nowhere else to go".

"Oh Pluto, something's just got to be wrong with Mickey." Minnie tried, wishing she could figure it out.