Chapter 8: Family Time
The girls were already put down, which left Thomas, Chilli, and Bandit to sit in the study and talk. It had been decided that the study would be the best place because it was the one room in the house with any degree of privacy outside of the bathrooms-And we aren't all crowding into the dunny to talk. Bandit and Thomas had just finished explaining what they'd discovered earlier that day, leaving a stunned Chilli to sit a moment and process all that had been shared.
"So… What do you think?" Thomas asked.
Chilli leapt forward and pulled Thomas into a tight hug, placing her muzzle on the top of his head as she held him tightly. She pulled back a moment and looked at the human, tears glistening in her eyes. "I knew you were special, Thomas." She kissed his forehead.
He smiled, "Thanks mom."
She wiped her eyes and looked back over him a moment. "Okay, now I suppose we have to talk about your superheroics."
"Yeah…" Thomas sighed. "Dad and I already agreed that I could keep doing it, but before I do, I want you to both be okay with it. I know what happened was scary; I didn't realize how bad it was until he told me about it. But I need to do this; with Jinx and this other black suited bastard running around I need to keep them from doing any more harm. And I know that Jinx, and probably the other guy too, are both gunning for me. Which means that you guys are secondary targets…" Thomas paused, looking at Bandit and Chilli, "I need to stop them before that happens. If I just ignore it eventually they'll find me, and you guys." Thomas paused, "I already lost my family once, I'm not gonna let that happen again."
Chilli sighed, "Alright, but you need to keep yourself safe. You see either of those two, blip somewhere safe, there's no point endangering yourself any more than you need to."
Thomas smiled, "I will."
"That was a bit of a heavy conversation, I feel like I could use something a bit lighter. Anyone up for some snacks?" Bandit offered.
"The only thing getting lighter when you eat snacks is the chip bag." Chilli joked.
Bandit feigned offense, "My dearest, whatever do you mean?"
Thomas chuckled as Chilli rolled her eyes, it was nice to be part of a family again.
Saturday
It was shortly after eleven when the first knock came on the front door.
"I'll get it!" Bluey yelled, running excitedly to the front door. When she arrived Thomas was already letting in Stripe and his family. "Aww! I wanted to get it!"
"Sorry Bluey, I was already in the room. How about you get the next one?" Thomas offered.
"Okay!" She said.
"Hi Bluey!" Muffin shouted. "Hi alien!" She yelled at Thomas.
"Muffin!" Stripe sighed, pinching his forehead.
"Guess I better change." Thomas noted, quickly shifting into Heeler form. A moment later his clothes had disappeared, replaced instead with his blue fur.
"I'll get the girls settled in." Trixie offered, leading the two toward the yard.
Stripe glanced at Thomas a moment, "Hey mate, out of curiosity, where do your clothes go when you change?"
Thomas glanced down. "I don't know…"
It was about half an hour later when Bob and Chris arrived, completing the party's attendees. Rad had wanted to come with Frisky, but the two were already on holiday in New Zealand celebrating their engagement. He'd promised to stop by as soon as they got back, but they'd be gone at least another week.
"Hi Nana!" Bluey said, her tail wagging as she let in her grandparents. "Hi Granddad!"
"Hello Bluey!" Chris said, scooping up her granddaughter. She put her down a moment later. "We brought a few sides, is your mum around so we know where to put them?"
"Yeah, she and Jason are in the kitchen helping dad get stuff ready." Bluey noted. "And Uncle Stripe and Aunt Trixie are playing with Bingo, Socks, and Muffin in the yard. I was out there too, but Jason promised I got to open the door next, so I came in to let you in." She turned and started toward the kitchen, "Here! Come on!"
A minute later the three appeared, Chilli and Jason were hovering over the stove.
"Okay, now we add the stock." Thomas said, tipping a carton gently into a pan.
"Then the onions?" Chilli asked.
"Yup, and the garlic." Thomas nodded.
"Oh, hi mum!" Bandit said, looking out from the fridge.
"Hello Bandit!" Chris smiled.
Thomas turned around. He saw a pair of older blue heelers standing with a stack of Tupperware.
"Oh, here let me get some of that mum." Bandit said, taking the containers. "Does it all need to be refrigerated?"
"Not the cookies, but the rest, yes." She replied. Chris noticed the teenaged blue heeler looking at her. "And is this strapping young man the Jason I've heard so much about?"
"Hi." Thomas waved. He walked over and extended his hand to shake. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Heeler." He was quickly pulled into a hug.
"Welcome to the family!" Chris hugged him tightly, scruffing the top of his head a moment before releasing him. "And it's Nana."
"Okay Nana." Thomas replied with a small smile.
"Here, come on. Give your granddad a hug." Bob offered a set of open arms and Thomas tentatively went to hug, only to be lifted off the ground a moment before being returned to earth.
"Dad! Come on, you'll throw your back out again doing that." Bandit chastised.
"I have 18 years of hugs to make up with on this one, I can't help it."
Bandit rolled his eyes.
Chris looked again at Thomas. "You certainly are a handsome young man; I imagine the girls are all over you. And from what I've heard you've got a personality to match."
Thomas blushed, unsure of how to respond to the compliments from a relative stranger. "I, um…"
"Mum, stop embarrassing him, he's 18, give him some space." Bandit said.
"Oh let her, she's wanted a grandson to fawn over." Chilli said, stirring the pot on the stove.
"Not that all my girls aren't wonderful, but I did raise three boys, I do have a soft spot for them." Chris commented.
"Alright, this looks done…" Chilli commented, removing the pot from the heat.
"Uss! That means I get to fire up the barbie." Bandit gave a little fist pump as he exited to the porch.
"He just got a new one and he's been dying to try it out." Chilli said, turning to Chris. She looked over to Bob and Thomas. "Why don't you boys go and help? I'm sure he'd love to show off."
"Sure mom," Thomas smiled, heading out to the porch.
Over the next half-hour the burgers were cooked and prepped, with the three generations of Heeler men talking, and Thomas learning more than enough embarrassing facts about his father and uncle to have blackmail for years to come.
"Dad!" Bandit yelled as Thomas tried to contain his laughter.
"What? You think his mullet is bad, just imagine frosted tips. The boy loved all that poppy boy-band music so much he wanted their hair. We thought he was gay, but turns out he was just bi." Bob monologued, taking a sip from his beer. "I think your Nana still has some pictures on her phone, we got them scanned and emailed to us."
Thomas grinned. "Do you think you could send them to me?"
"Absolutely not." Bandit said, pointing the spatula at the two.
"No, your dad's right, it's not my place."
"Good." Bandit said, turning around to flip the burgers.
Bob leaned in and whispered to Thomas, "I'll text them to you later."
The group convened and ate lunch together, with the kids at a separate table and Bingo really liking salad for some reason. After the food the grown-ups sat and talked and Bluey, Bingo, Socks, and Muffin had played a few games. Well, until Muffin realized that it was both 2:00 and that no adults were guarding the TV to stop her from tuning into Cat Squad. She quickly disappeared into the house to get some extra screen-time. Socks, losing her sister, had lost interest in playing with the others and had decided to see how much of a mess she could make in one of the flower beds. This left Bluey and Bingo on their own, and eventually the two sisters had decided to jump on the trampoline until they couldn't
"Hi Lucky!" Bluey shouted as she jumped on the trampoline, glancing her friend from across the fence. "Is your family having a cookout too?"
"Yeah! We have sausages! What are you guys eating?" The lab replied, watching her bounce.
"We're having hamburgers!" Bingo yelled, jumping up as Bluey fell back toward the trampoline.
"Nice! We have a bunch of people over and I'd invite you, but mum says this one's just for family."
"Yeah, ours too…" Bingo replied.
"Hi Bluey! Hi Bingo!" Chucky said as he waved, having walked over to see who his brother was talking to.
"Hi Chucky!" Bingo waved back. "Hold on, I'm gonna get off, I'm getting dizzy from all this talking and bouncing."
"Yeah, me too." Bluey replied. A moment later the two girls slipped out from the trampoline and went over to the fence, pulling themselves over to look at their friends.
"Who do you have over? Because it's our Nana's birthday we have over our aunt and uncle and a bunch of our cousins." Lucky gestured to the collection of yellow and black labs in the yard.
"We're the same. It's us and mum and dad and Jason, and our Nana and Granddad, and our Aunt Trixie and Uncle Stripe and our cousins." Bluey noted.
"Who's Jason?" Lucky asked, glancing at the collection of Heelers in the yard.
"He's our new big brother!" Bingo declared.
"You got a new big brother?" Chucky asked. "I thought you could only get new little brothers?"
"Yeah, Jason is a-dod-ted. I mean, adopted." Bingo said.
"Cool! How old is he? Can he drive?" Chucky said, looking at the teenager he assumed was Jason.
"Yeah, but he grew up in America so he sometimes messes up when he's driving. They drive on the other side for some reason." Bingo said. "Dad's making sure to reteach him before he gets to do it on his own."
"Is he in high school?" Lucky asked.
"No, he graduated already. Mum and dad said they might see if he can go to university, but they aren't sure." Bluey shrugged.
"How old is he?"
"He's 18, but he'll be 19 soon." Bluey said. "His birthday is in a few weeks."
"Our cousin Jade is 19! She goes to uni here, but she's always busy with school so we haven't seen her a lot." Chucky said, pointing at a lab with a red hair band.
"Ooh, she's pretty! I like her hair." Bingo said. "She looks like a nice lady."
"Yeah, she's really nice." Chucky smiled. "She taught me how to do origami. I can make cootie catchers!" He pulled one out and showed it to the girls.
"Wow!" Bluey said.
"What's your new brother like? Is he nice?" Lucky asked.
"He's awesome! He's smart and nice and funny and he can cook better than mum AND dad!" Bingo said, listing the items on her fingers as she spoke.
"Hmmm… Does he have a girlfriend?" Chucky asked, an idea starting to form.
"No, I don't think so." Bluey shrugged. "Does Jade have a boyfriend?"
"No, her old one and her broke up a while ago." Lucky stated.
"We should get them together!" Bingo said, excitedly jumping up and down.
"Yeah!" Chucky agreed.
"Ooh!" Bluey's tail started wagging.
"How? They're at two different parties." Lucky asked.
"Leave that to us." Bluey said. "Just make sure Jade's by the fence, okay? We'll get Jason over here in a few minutes."
Eight minutes later a Frisbee went soaring over the fence between the Heeler and Retriever houses.
"Jason! Our Frisbee went over the fence, can you get it please?" Bluey asked, pointing in the direction that it flew.
Thomas rolled his eyes and sighed, setting down his beer on the table where he'd been chatting with Bandit and some of the other men. "I'll get it in a sec." He walked over to the fence and hiked himself into the Retriever yard, landing ungracefully on his snout as his foot caught. "Oof!" He grunted.
"I'm guessing you were looking for this?" A yellow lab with a red head band held out the green flying disc.
Thomas immediately blushed as he got off the ground and brushed off his fur. "Um… Yeah, that's my little sisters' they accidentally threw it over the fence, I guess."
"And you were being a good big brother and getting it for them?"
Thomas nodded, his tongue suddenly glued to the roof of his mouth.
She smiled. "I'm Jade, what's your name?"
"Jason… Jason Heeler." Thomas said.
"Well, it's nice to meet you Jason. I didn't know the Heelers had any boys."
"Well, I'm sorta new to the family; I just officially became a Heeler a little while ago when they adopted me."
She nodded. "Are you American? Your accent seems like you might be."
"Well, I was actually born in Brisbane but my parents, my birth parents, moved to the US when I was little. It wasn't until recently that I got here." Thomas said, remembering his cover.
"That must've been interesting. What part of America did you live in?"
"Well…"
"Jade! Come on! Your Nana's going to open presents. If you like that Heeler boy so much just give him your number, you can talk later!" A female golden lab shouted.
"Mum!" Jade shouted, a scarlet blush rising on her cheeks.
Thomas cleared his throat, "Um, well, thanks for the Frisbee, Jade."
"Wait. Here." She handed him her phone. "Put in your number."
"Really?"
"You're the first decent guy I've interacted with in the last, well, eternity-unfortunately most of the ones in my engineering courses are major creeps." She smiled. "Maybe we can hang out sometime, or whatever?"
"Yeah, I think I'd like that." Thomas said, quickly putting in his number. He felt his pocket buzz a minute later; it was a text from Jade making sure it worked.
"Jade Persephone Retriever! You get in here now young lady!"
"Alright mum! Coming!"
"Bye Jason." She smiled, waving as she ran to the house.
Thomas stepped back over the fence and returned to the Heeler backyard. He was still a bit red when Bluey ran up to him.
"Thanks Thomas!" She grabbed the Frisbee before running over to giggle with Bingo.
He shrugged and returned to the table, where Bandit and Stripe both quickly exchanged a few glances.
"You like her, don't you?" Bandit asked, hiding a grin behind his drink. He'd been observing from the deck all that had happened.
"What? No! I barely know her!" Thomas said, the redness creeping down his face.
Stripe chuckled. "Mate, you get any redder and you'll start looking like Rad."
"Shut it." Thomas grumbled, taking a sip of his beer.
The two brothers laughed as Thomas glanced at his phone and quickly added Jade to his contacts.
Later that Day.
A young Brussels Griffon pup by the age of six years old and by the name of Andy was playing at the park while his uncle was watching him. "Uncle Busker I have to use the bathroom," Andy said looking at his uncle. "Okay mate, lets get you to a bathroom," Busker said as he stood up from the bench that was sitting on. Andy then got off the slide at the he was on and went over to his uncle. The two then went to a bathroom and Busker waited outside for his nephew. "Alright mate just call me if you need anything," Busker said with a smile. Andy nodded and went inside the bathroom. Andy did his business and then went to wash his paws. "Andy…" a dark raspy voice called out to him. "W-Whose there?" Andy asked looking around the bathroom. "A friend…" The raspy voice said darkly. "You don't sound like a friend," Andy said about to run and get his uncle.
"Oh, but i am indeed," The voice said with a chuckle. "Where are you?" Andy asked while looking around for the voice that was talking to him. "I'm over here," The voice said calmly. Andy then looked in a corner that was very dark. "You're over there?" Andy asked as he moved closer to the dark corner. "Maybe we can be friends? Don't you like making new friends?" The voice asked. "I like maing new friends!" Andy said while wagging his tail. "Good, I'll be your friend until the end.." The voice said as Andy got closer. "Really?! Great!" Andy said now standing right next to the dark corner. "Good… just come a little closer…" The dark voice said. Andy nodded and handed out his hand out to the dark corner. Suddenly Andy was grabbed and pulled into the dark corner. Silence was all that was heard until Andy then screamed as loud as he could. Busker ran into the bathroom as fast as he could. "ANDY?! Whats wrong?!" Busker shouted while looking for his nephew.
Busker then found his nephew in the corner brushing himself off. "I saw spider," Andy said as he walked over to his uncle. "Oh, where did the spider go?" Busker asked his nephew. "It was in that corner, but it ran off," Andy said as he hugged his uncle. "Oh, well don't worry I wont let anything hurt you," Busker said with a smile. "Can we go get ice cream?" Andy asked his uncle. "Sure mate! Let's go," Busker said as he started to make his way out of the bathroom. "Okay! Let me just wash my paws," Andy said as he went to the sink. Busker nodded and then left the bathroom. Andy then went to the sink and washed his paws. Andy then looked into the mirror and smiled darkly with his eyes flashing a golden yellow Indicating that Jinx had Possessed him. "You ready Andy?" Busker asked from the entrance of the bathroom. "Coming uncle Busker!" Andy said as he went and joined his uncle.
Back at the Heeler house.
Thomas was helping his father with the dishes while Chilli was giving the girls a bath. "So, mate tell do you like that girl?" Bandit said teasing again. "Dad I barely know her," Thomas said while drying the dishes. "I know mate I'm just teasing," Bandit said with a chuckle. "Besides, shes a dog and I'm… not," Thomas said while putting the dishes away. "That shouldn't stop you mate," Bandit said while looking at his son. "What if she finds out? I mean even if I started dating here I can't really see how since I'm a human," Thomas explained while looking down. "Listen mate, I know you just mate her, and if things do happen don't let it stop you," Bandit said looking at his son.
"Easy for you to say dad, you're an actual dog and I'm just a human," Thomas said still trying to prove his point. "You won't know unless you try mate," Bandit said while washing the last of the dishes. "I guess you're right," Thomas said now putting the rest of the dishes away. "Are you going out tonight?" Bandit asked looking at his son. "No, I'm going to stay in tonight," Thomas said softly with a smile. Bandit smiled at that while placing his paw on his son shoulder. "Good, You're mum will be happy to hear that," Bandit said still having his smile. Thomas nodded as he then went to the living room and sat down at the couch. Bandit finished cleaning the kitchen and then joined his son at the couch.
Downtown Brisbane,
Agent Fenrir was on a rooftop looking over the city hoping to run into Thomas. But by the looks of it that was going to happen tonight. "Agent Fenrir," Carson, Fenrir's informer said in his helmet. Fenrir looked at his screen inside his helmet seeing Carson talking to him. "Have you found Thomas?" Carson asked in serious tone. Fenrir sighed that he had found him but he had escaped from his grip. "May I remind you that if you fail this mission the rest of the hell hounds will hunt you down and kill you and finish your mission for you!" Carson shouted as pressed a button on his control panel causing a high pitch sound that was in the helmet to hurt Fenrir. Fenrir grab his head and screeched in pain. "Don't fail the mission! Project Preserve needs the works of Project New Era to save our world! Do you understand?!" Carson shouted angrily. Fenrir nodded understanding his informer. "I created you! And I can end you in seconds! I don't care if you have to take Thomas's head off! We need Project New Era for this to work!" Carson growled before leaving Fenrir.
Fenrir stood up and shook his head, Fenrir signed to himself "Asshole" if it was up to Fenrir, he'd kill Carson and free himself and the rest of the Hell hounds. But that was impossible since Carson had all the power to Terminate him and the hell hounds at anytime that he wanted. This made Fenrir angry as he punched the nearest wall near him and broke the wall completely. Fenrir growled at himself and then went back to Searching for Thomas in the city.
The-Surburban-Guy A/N Hello everyone! I hope you liked this chapter! I know a few people had asked for Thomas to get a chance to meet his grandparents, and I agree that it was a good idea. With everything going on, I'm looking forward to what unfolds from these new developments. Please review to let us know what you think. Thanks!
Kodiwolf321: Hey guys! Hows it going? With his chapter we wanted to follow a reviewers request with Thomas meeting his grandparents! And looks like Jinx has Possessed Andy Busker's nephew and well… thats Unfortunate as for Rad and Frisky… I'm thinking of Rad being untrusting of Thomas if he finds out what he really is when that time comes what do you think? Let us know what you think and we will see you in the next chapter really soon!