Chapter 7

The next morning, the younger canines walked out to the dining room, seeing Robin and Marian eating breakfast. When he saw Maverick and Lana standing there, Robin spoke up asking, "So, did you guys decide to spend the night?"

"Not exactly" Maverick replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Marian asked.

"It's a bit of a crazy story" Lana stated.

The older vulpines listened to the wolves' story intently. While the story was being explained, they were dumbfounded that a parent would kick out their child and grandkid on Christmas night of all nights. "Wow, Lana" Marian said, "your father is not a good guy. I can't imagine kicking James out like that."

"What are you guys going to do?" Robin asked.

Maverick and Lana looked at each other before Maverick replied, "we were hoping that your offer for us to move in here was still available."

Robin and Marian must have not expected to hear that because Robin asked, "You want to stay here?"

"Well, only if that's okay with you guys" Lana explained, "yesterday you sounded pretty genuine about us using the guest room."

"Of course, it's okay for you kids to move in" Marian smiled, "you're more than welcome to stay as long as you need."

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. McCloud" Maverick stated.

"Do you have anything you need to bring in from your car?" Robin asked.

"Yes, we only brought in a few essentials; change of clothes and a few things for Wolf" Lana stated.

"Okay, let's go bring in what you need, and you'll be all set" Robin stated.

The rest of the day was spent by the five canines bringing in any possessions of ours Maverick or Lana thought was necessary. When James and Maverick were bringing in boxes together, James said, "I know this sucks, but if you think about it, you and I will now be roommates at the Academy and here as well."

That made Maverick smile, "I know I should be happy to never have to put up with that guy again, but I feel bad for being part of the reason Lana won't see her parents again."

"It might not mean much coming from me, but I think you guys are better off not dealing with that toxic household anymore" James said, giving his opinion "he hated you, never acknowledged Wolf as his grandchild, and cut all ties with Lana."

Lana overheard James' comment saying, "You have a point, James. I just wish I could've said goodbye to my mom."

The rest of Christmas break consisted of Maverick and James playing Risk, daily, and a little New Year's Eve party. Theo Pepper, Bandit Hare, and their families were invited over for the party. Getting use to the McCloud household, I was finally starting to be more mobile and mischievous, as two-year-olds tend to be, but Robin and Marian were more than welcoming towards us, causing me to think of them as my grandparents. The last night of Maverick and James' break, they were discussing with Lana what the plan for vehicle distribution would be.

"I think that since you need a vehicle for school, Maverick and I should take my car to the Academy, and you can have access to your car" James explained.

"I'll agree to that arrangement" Lana nodded, "this past week and a half has gone by way too fast. I can't believe I won't see you again for two months."

"Don't worry, Hun, those two months will just fly by" Maverick stated, "I'm sure of it."

"What should we do for our last night before we head back to the Academy?" James asked.

"Maybe we could go out for dinner" Lana suggested, "Just the three of us."

"That's a great idea, I know a great little restaurant nearby we can go to" James stated.

"What kind of restaurant is it?" Maverick asked.

"It's some kind of buffet" James explained, "I've never been to it, but it's always looked like a cool little place to go to."

"That sounds lovely" Lana stated, "give me a few minutes to get ready, and we can head out."

When they got to the restaurant, there weren't many other animals there. When they were seated, James noticed a familiar face at a nearby table. "Mav don't look now, but it looks like our best friend is here" James stated, sarcastically.

"Don't tell me, Andross?" Maverick asked.

"Unfortunately" James nodded.

"Who's Andross?" Lana asked, confused.

"Some ape who's been giving us a hard time at the Academy" Maverick explained.

They must have said his name too many times because he noticed them and walked over to their table. "Well, if it isn't my two favorite rookie cadets" Andross stated, sarcastically.

James decided to be nice and said, "Hi, Andross how was your Christmas break?"

"It was rather good, until now" Andross smirked, looking at Lana "who is this lovely lady, and why is she sitting with you two?"

"This is my girlfriend, Lana Ballard" Maverick stated, trying to keep a level head.

"How'd a pretty girl like you end up with a worthless pup, like Maverick?" Andross asked.

Lana could tell that Maverick was struggling to keep himself from going off, so she answered, "We've been best friends since we were kids, so our relationship naturally developed to where we are now."

"So, you're not doing this as a pity date?" Andross asked, "You must be pretty desperate if you're willing to settle for this loser."

"At least someone loves him" James shot back, "I don't see anyone ever possibly loving you."

"Your one to talk, McCloud" Andross glared, "I don't see you here with anyone special."

As he said that, a feminine voice spoke up from behind them "Sorry I'm late, sweetie." Everyone turned to look at who was talking. Walking towards them was a beautiful vixen, around James' age, she sat down next to James and kissed him on the cheek. Maverick and Lana were speechless watching what was transpiring.

Andross started stuttering, "Who, who the hell are you?"

"My name's Vixy Reinard" she introduced herself, "I'm this handsome hunk of fox's girlfriend."

"That's strange, because he's never mentioned you" Andross stated.

"That's because we're trying to keep our relationship under wraps" she replied, "now if you'll excuse us, we'd like to get back to our meal."

Andross walked away confused about all that just happened. When he was out of earshot, James looked at the vixen who was still sitting next to him, saying "Thank you for that."

"What's your name, cutie?" she asked.

"J-James McCloud" he stuttered.

She giggled, handing him a folded piece of paper "Well, James, it was nice meeting you. Give me a call if you ever want to go on a date."

The three canines watched the vixen walk away, "What just happened?" James asked, confused.

"I do believe someone might have a new lady friend" Maverick winked, "what's on that paper?"

James unfolded it and smiled, "Her name and her phone number."

"So, are you going to call her?" Lana asked.

"I'll have to think about it" James stated, "it feels weird to go on a date with someone who's clearly a stranger."

"You can't let an opportunity like this pass you by, though, James" Maverick stated, "if anything you can at least text her and get to know her. That way next time we're able to come home or see family, you could ask her out on a date."

"I could do that" James nodded.

They spent the rest of their time at the restaurant without any interruptions. Robin and Marian were just about to head to bed when the young canines got back home. "How was the restaurant?" Robin asked.

"It was a cute little buffet" Lana stated, "they had some amazing food."

"James got something that wasn't on the buffet table" Maverick joked.

"What's that?" Robin asked.

"It's no big deal, some vixen just gave me her phone number" James stated, nonchalantly.

"So, some stranger just randomly came up to you and gave you her number?" Robin asked.

"That would be correct" James stated.

"Well, she did introduce herself to you and kissed you on the cheek, before giving you the number" Maverick corrected.

Robin smiled, "You should give that girl a call."

"Wouldn't that make me seem desperate?" James asked.

Maverick and Robin nodded, "I could see that" Robin stated, "you just don't want to wait too long either."

"Okay, dad" James replied, turning his gaze to Maverick "we should probably head to bed, we've got a busy day of readjusting tomorrow."

"Thanks for reminding me, James" Maverick groaned, as they were heading to bed. "In all seriousness, I think you should at least text that Vixy girl while we're at the Academy."

James sighed, "I'll give it a shot tomorrow, during lunch or something."

"That's what I like to hear" Maverick smiled, "I'll see you bright and early."