Chapter Three
True to Scotch's word, he went and got the Pokeball from his house once they arrived on their street. He was back within five minutes, holding it out to Radley on the porch. "Here it is!" he said grandly.
Radley smiled and took it. "Thanks, Scotch." He held it out to Lily. "Well, are you ready?"
Lily nodded. "Vee!"
Radley held out the Pokeball and Lily stretched out her front paws to meet it. Soon she was letting herself be absorbed into it. It was a surreal experience, but not unpleasant. She would be Radley's now. Belonging to someone had always been her dream, yet at the same time it had been a very daunting thought. She had never found anyone she wanted to be with, until now.
The ball rocked several times and then stopped. "That's it!" Radley called from outside. "You're registered, Lily. Come on out."
Lily willed herself out and she jumped into Radley's arms, snuggling close. She was his. She was truly his! She no longer had to wander ever again.
Evie exclaimed for joy and leaped over too, wanting to join the hug. Radley held them both equally close with a smile, while Evan and Isla rubbed their respective owners.
"We'll have to have a party!" Scotch grinned.
"I agree," Radley smiled. "Tomorrow." He headed inside. "Thanks again, Scotch. Goodnight!"
"Night!" Scotch picked up Isla to head home too. She waved Goodbye to the others, to which they called back cheerfully.
Inside, Radley set his Eevees down so they could begin their nightly ritual of romping. Tonight, however, they and Evan mostly danced around him and Kalin.
"I don't think I've ever seen animals so happy and excited to have new friends," Radley laughed. "I'm sure there's plenty of them; I just haven't seen it before."
"I don't often see it with animals or people," Kalin remarked.
"It's pleasant and adorable," Radley smiled.
They enjoyed the dance until the Eevees wore themselves out and were ready for bed. At that point, Radley and Kalin went to shower and then came back to ready themselves for bed too. The Eevees had snuggled on the pet couch, all happily dozing. Radley covered them with the throw he kept for cooler nights.
He and Kalin soon relaxed on the soft mattress of the human bed. This was a good end to a peaceful day. After so many various problems in town, it was always welcome to have a period of quiet, happy days. The Eevees had brought them a lot of that.
"Isn't your brother about due for a visit?" Kalin realized.
"Yeah," Radley said. "He'll probably call soon so he and Mom can arrange it. He's really been champing at the bit to see the Eevees in person again. I think he's been begging to have one of his own."
"It's not like they can go to a pet store and get one, even if your grandmother would allow it," Kalin said.
Radley nodded. "Maybe someday. He might even find one here, since they keep being drawn to us."
"I wonder what your grandmother would say to that," Kalin grunted.
"She probably still wouldn't like it," Radley said. "But I hope if Mom saw him holding a cute little Eevee, she would let him have it."
"Do you think any of the Eevees will ever . . . make eggs?" It still sounded so strange to Kalin to say it, to even picture eggs coming from such furry little mammals.
Radley chuckled. "I think it's possible. Evie still seems too young to be a mother, though. She's like one of those kitties who always acts kitten-like."
"Well, maybe if it happens, you could give Emilio one of them," Kalin said.
"Maybe," Radley mused. He still wasn't sure what to think of giving away or selling any possible Eevee eggs. But he also wasn't sure how many Eevees their house would hold.
Oh well, it was a dilemma for another day. He settled deeper into the bed.
Kalin did too. "Are we going to get Lily a collar and nametag tomorrow?" he wondered.
"That's a good idea," Radley smiled. "I'd like to do it as soon as possible."
They both dozed, peaceful and warm and happy with each other and their Eevees.
xxxx
Come morning, Radley and Kalin awoke to find Evie and Evan on top of them. Lily, who still wasn't sure she was ready for that, was laying by Radley's side. Radley smiled, petting both of his Eevees while Kalin stroked Evan.
"Good morning," Radley said to everyone. "We have a big day today. Lily needs her collar and nametag and we'll be having a big party at the diner."
Lily chirped in approval and leaned into his hand.
"I'll let Yusei know we're coming in," Kalin said, reaching for his phone.
"Good idea," Radley said.
His own phone rang soon after Kalin's successful call. He smiled as he activated the holographic feature. In a moment, Emilio's image appeared. "Radley! Kalin!" He beamed. "Mama says we're going to be coming soon!"
"Great," Radley said sincerely.
Kalin smiled. "We'll be looking forward to it."
Emilio took in the full scene in delight. "Eevees!" he squealed.
Evie warbled happily and reached to paw his image. Lily just looked up shyly.
"Hi, Evie! Evan! Oh, there's another one!" Emilio realized, seeing Evan still snuggled with Kalin.
"This is Lily," Radley smiled. "We just met her the other day and she wanted to join the family."
"They're all so cute!" Emilio declared. "Will they all let me play with them?"
"Evie sure will, like always," Radley said. "Evan and Isla too, most likely. Lily might not be up to it at first, but definitely invite her. Just respect her space if she says No."
"I will!" Emilio promised. "Mama says we should be ready in a couple of days."
"We're all looking forward to seeing you guys again," Radley said. "It's been too long."
"It sure has!" Emilio said.
Evie continued to warble in agreement. She loved Radley's little brother, and not just because he was Radley's little brother. She loved him for his own merits too.
Lily, still not sure what to think, just watched the conversation in wonder. So there would be more people. Evie seemed so utterly delighted that apparently this was not a matter of concern. And when Radley hung up, he definitely seemed happy.
"Emilio is really nice," he told Lily as he petted her. "He's very gentle with animals."
"Just like Radley!" Evie proclaimed.
"It's just . . . I thought I'd have some time to get used to having a home before more new people showed up," Lily said.
"You'll probably be meeting more friends if we go to the City today," Evan told her. "Kalin always likes to visit Yusei when we're in town."
"And his friend Bruno has a nice Siamese cat!" Evie said.
Lily laid down and swished her tail with indecision. "So many people. . . ."
Radley was not unaware of Lily's concerns, at least regarding Emilio. He continued to pet her and Evie both. "If it gets too overwhelming, we'll have quiet time," he soothed. "Emilio will have plenty to do playing with Evie and Isla, and Evan if he wants to join in."
"Eevee," Lily said.
"We'll make it work," Radley promised.
Lily finally relaxed. She trusted him.
xxxx
After breakfast, the Bunch arrived for the trip into town. Lily was surprised when Radley and Kalin headed for a dark blue van in the garage instead of their motorcycles. "What's this?" she asked.
"We take this to the City so you guys can be safer," Radley told her. "We wouldn't want you riding on motorcycles for that long a trip."
"But they always get their motorcycles out so we can ride in the City!" Evie exclaimed. "It's so fun!"
Radley and Kalin set their Eevees down on the passenger seat and set about loading their motorcycles in the back. Scotch brought Isla to join them, and Evie went on two legs to demonstrate the fun of looking out the window.
"We get to see pretty scenery all the way to the City!" she said. "I can pick out all the special landmarks by now!"
"Aren't big rocks the only landmarks?" Lily asked. "And those cactus things?"
"Pretty much," Evan said.
"The cactuses are only close by town," Evie explained. "Radley said his mean rival, Malcolm, stole cactuses from Arizona and planted them here! They're pretty, aren't they? Whenever we start seeing them, I know we're almost home!"
"Don't the Arizona people want them back?" Lily wondered.
"Probably! But when they saw the cactuses were doing okay here, they just let them stay!" Evie said. "They probably do so well because Radley is here!"
Lily might have laughed, but when she saw Evie was in earnest, she didn't.
Evan gave her a grateful look. He wouldn't hurt Evie for anything. Both he and Isla were used to Evie's innocence and sweetness and just accepted it.
Soon they were on the road to the City. Isla bounded happily around the middle seat, while Robert watched her in amusement. Radley held the other Eevees on his lap, which they all found delightful. Evie looked out the window, tail vigorously wagging. Evan watched her and everyone else in the van, and Lily snuggled close to Radley and began to purr. She had already decided this was her favorite method of transport.
The trip was pleasant and without incident, and soon they were arriving at the pet store. Unlike when Radley and Kalin had shopped for Evie and Evan's collars, now Pokemon were well-known again as real animals and the Eevees were celebrities. It would be safe to take them inside so Lily could choose her own collar.
"I'm sorry you guys couldn't do this when it was your turn," Radley said apologetically to the other Eevees as they all got out to head inside.
"Eevee-vee!" Evie said. She was just happy they could see the store now.
Lily looked at everything in amazement. So many bowls, and leashes, and toys of all kinds. . . . And even cats and dogs up for adoption! They watched the newcomers from their glass windows, some curious, some blasé.
Of course, Evie ran over and went on two legs to warble Hellos. The other animals answered, with some coming over for a closer look.
Radley chuckled. "Evie makes friends wherever she goes."
Lily spotted the collars and reached out a paw to them in wonder. "Vee?"
"You can pick any color you'd like," Radley said.
Lily pondered. Evie had red, Evan had blue, and Isla had purple. She liked all of those colors, but it would be nice to have one just for her. After thinking about it some more, she pawed a pink one. "Eevee!"
"That will look beautiful on you," Radley said. He took it down from the rack and Lily looked at it in awe. "We'll get an I.D. tag engraved and then I'll put both on you."
While they waited for the engraving, Evie listened to the song on the loudspeakers. "Eevee-vee, Eevee-vee-vee," she sang, rocking back and forth to the music.
Radley chuckled. "That's really cute."
"It's adorable!" Scotch gushed. "Maybe they could all sing a number for my next concert!"
Evie wagged her tail with enthusiasm. "Eevee!"
"Evie sure could, anyway," Radley said, seeing Lily shrink at the thought. Evan looked fine with it, while Isla rolled on a cat tree and waved all paws in the air. "Evan and Isla too."
"I'll think of the perfect number and see if they'll all sing it together," Scotch said.
"Okay, but don't be too disappointed if Lily would rather not," Radley said.
"I know!" Scotch said. He took note of the cat tree Isla was rolling on. "Hey, this is pretty cool!"
"Vee!" Isla said proudly.
"That's gotta cost a bundle," Biff frowned. "All those levels, and that covered condo at the bottom with the cat-shaped opening. . . ."
"And the toys!" Scotch said as Isla batted a feather toy. "It's perfect!" He immediately grabbed a boxed one off the shelf.
Radley chuckled. "Isla loves climbing, that's for sure."
"Yeah! This'll give her something to climb besides the bookcases and the cupboards!" Scotch said. "They can all play on it together!"
"Eevee-vee!" Evie squealed in joy.
"Eeveeee!" Isla added. She loved the thought of sharing the fun with her friends.
"Isla will be in seventh heaven, certainly," Robert remarked. "I'd be happy to cover half the cost."
"Yeah! We can buy it together!" Scotch gushed. He had enough money, but he loved the idea of both Isla's owners being able to get it for her.
So did Isla. "Eevee-vee-vee!" she exclaimed.
"Well, if you guys are sure," Biff said. He knew they loved to shower Isla with attention and gifts. Isla was very appreciative too, which made it easier to swallow that so much money was being spent. And at least they had room for the cat tree; it could slip into a corner of the living room without any trouble.
"We're sure!" Scotch said.
Radley looked to Kalin. Getting something fun for the Eevees sounded like a nice idea. Now he wanted to join in that fun as well.
Kalin gave a slight nod. He wasn't opposed.
"Okay, what would you guys like?" Radley asked their three Eevees.
Evie perked up. "Vee?" She looked around at all the intriguing toys and objects and chose a cat tunnel to run in and out of.
Evan soon seemed partial to cat shelves to affix to the wall and allow for climbing.
Lily swished her tail, studying everything with a concentrated look. She wasn't sure what she wanted. All of this still seemed too wonderful to be true. Now everyone was getting a present too?
Finally she selected a soft pink rug, placing a paw on it. "Eee . . ."
Radley smiled. "These are all cool choices. Okay, let's get them." He and Kalin loaded everything in a cart.
Evie cheered.
The clerk smiled when they all approached. "What adorable Eevees," she said.
"They sure are," Radley beamed.
"Vee!" said Evie with pride.
Lily looked at the clerk in amazement. There was so much appreciation of Eevees here, and back in town. It was strange and new and wonderful. "Will it always be like this now?" she wondered. "Will people always love us?"
"I wondered that too," Evan said. "But I think so."
"Of course!" Evie squealed. "We get lots of fanmail from people who read our story in the newspaper. Maybe they can do a story about you too and then you can get fanmail too!"
"Fanmail?" Lily tilted her head.
"Yeah! Letters from people who love us!" Evie said. "Some of the kids draw pictures! They even send treats and toys!"
"So you're like celebrities," Lily mused.
"And you can be one too!" Evie said.
"Would you like that?" Evan wondered. "I know Radley would set it up for you if you'd like it."
"I'll have to think about it," Lily said. "Maybe when we get home, you can show me your fanmail."
"Okay!" Evie chirped.
As they finished checking out and headed for the doors, Lily had to pause to really think about what she'd just said. Home. . . . She had never thought she would say that and be able to mean it. But . . . for the first time, she felt like she had one. She wanted to embrace it, talk about it. She wanted this to really be reality and not the fairytale it felt like.
Please let this last, she prayed. Please let me really keep having a home. . . .
Then Radley petted her again and she leaned into him with hope and longing.
"Are you ready to have your collar now?" he asked.
"Eevee!" she declared.
They got to the van and everything was loaded inside. Radley sat down, carefully putting the collar and I.D. tag around Lily's neck while the other Eevees watched and cheered.
"Here you go," he said. "Now everybody knows you're ours." He held her up to the mirror.
Lily stared at her reflection for a long moment. This was her, unloved and unwanted for so long and now wearing a beautiful collar and held by a kind and loving man. She reached out a paw, touching the other her in the glass. She had a person, she had friends, she had a home . . . everything she wanted and dreamed of.
"Eevee," she said softly.
Radley brought her back down to sit on his lap. "You are beautiful, milady," he said.
She started to purr, snuggling against him for the rest of the ride. Evie and Evan joined her for the cuddle session, while Isla snuggled Robert on the middle seat.
"Can you really manage three all at once?" Kalin asked Radley.
"Sure," Radley smiled. "They're no trouble." He petted them all and held them close. "They're a delight."
Lily closed her eyes in bliss. He was a delight too.
"It's funny that in the games females are rare, but we have three of them," Virgil remarked as he leaned on the outside of Radley's door. "It's more like the guys are rare!"
"They're probably all really around with the same frequency," Radley said. "We just happened to end up with more females for some reason." He smiled. "And all of our Eevees are so cute."
Evie warbled in agreement and gratitude.
"Yes!" Scotch exclaimed. "So, are we still going to Yusei's?"
"As far as I know," Radley chuckled.
Kalin nodded. "He's expecting us. Let's get over there." He started the engine.
Lily looked up, still wary of this venture. She would go along, since Radley and the others really wanted to do it, but she would probably stick close to Radley the whole time. Being with Radley was comforting.
She snuggled closer as Kalin pulled out of the parking lot.