Ch.78
Tara came to at nearly the same time as Bonnie, screaming Ron's name. That attracted a few looks from the people still at the gym but they knew better than to comment.
"Tara, look at me." Monique instructed having decided to wait for them to wake up. "He is okay, his heart was beating steady when last I saw him and they took him to the hospital."
"Then what are we still doing here? Let's go!" Tara said the moment the information sunk in.
"I was waiting for you, Bonnie and Kim to wake up." Monique said prompting Tara to look around, Kim was nowhere to be seen and Bonnie was to the side making a call.
"I'm guessing Kim already woke up." Tara said.
"Yeah, ten minutes ago. Should be checking on her family right about now." Monique clarified.
"Okay then let's go." Tara said.
"Tara you need to look outside first." Monique says extending a hand so Tara can stand up.
"What's outside that's so urgent?" Tara asks.
When she makes it to the gym doors she sees smoke billowing in the distance and hear emergency services. 'What happened to the town?' Tara wonders.
"Eric wasn't kidding when he said they were trying to take over the world." Monique explained. "Check on your family."
"Okay." Said a stunned Tara, moving to the side to make the calls.
Monique watched her go sighing and remembering her own phone calls. Her family was okay, though shaken up by giant Little Diablos attacking everywhere around town. They explained that the house suffered some damage but no one was hurt. Then they briefly freaked out when she mentioned she was going to the hospital but Monique explained that she was unhurt thanks to Ron who is the one in the hospital. When her family understood they suggested she go home and at least pack since they needed to spend a few days at a hotel. Monique stressed that she was going to the hospital and they compromised to let her go after she packs for the hotel and changes. Monique agreed then waited for her friends to wake up.
~~~~~
Bonnie's call was with her mother and said mother was a bit frantic.
"Bonnie I need you to come home as soon as possible!" Lonnie demanded.
"Mom, I understand but I need to check on Ron." Bonnie pleaded.
"Bonnie, sweety, I understand your friend is hurt but I can't get a hold of your father and I want you home where I can know your safe." Lonnie persuades.
"Mom, I want daddy to be safe too and I would love to go home so you can feel better but Ron is important to me. He... he... might be the one!" Bonnie admits.
She could hear her mom sighing on the line. "Okay but you have to stop by the house first, I want to make sure you're okay."
"Deal mom, I'm on my way." Bonnie agreed. "Also, let me know when you hear from daddy."
~~~~~
Tara was talking with her parents and both demanded that she go home till sweet and loving Tara snapped.
"Mom! Dad! I understand that your both worry about me but I need to make sure he's okay. I love him." Tara started shouting but ended up whispering.
"...okay Tara but you need to come home first. We would at least like to see you." Her mom compromised.
"Okay mom, love you." Tara agreed and hung up. Finishing up with her call Tara walked back to Monique and reported. "My family's okay but they want me to stop by before going to the hospital."
"Mine too." Monique said.
Bonnie finally came over and spoke. "My dad's not picking up his phone but mom agreed to let me go to the hospital if I stop by first."
"Bonnie are you sure you don't want to be home waiting for news?" Asked Tara while Monique nodded.
"I can't." Bonnie explained. "If I stay at home waiting to hear for news on both my dad and Ron I think I'll snap."
"Okay then, Bonnie can you drive me home so my parents can confirm I'm okay and I can change my clothes." Tara asked.
"S(same)." Monique said.
"Sure." Bonnie easily agreed.
~~~~~
Kim made it home to see a completely demolished house and started to panic. She had tried both her parents cellphones and they didn't reply. Kim had also tried the house phone but now that she arrived she understood why they didn't pick up.
"Mom! Dad! Jim! Tim! Is anyone here?" Kim called out as she looked around the debris.
With no response from around the house Kim dialed her dad again. It rang a few times before it finally connected. "Hello Kimmie cub, what..."
"Dad finally! Are you okay? Is mom and the twins okay? Where are you guys?" Kim interrupted with her own questions.
"Kimmie... Kim! Breath sweetie." James called out. "You need to calm down."
Kim took a deep breath and said. "Okay, I'm much calmer. So tell me, are mom and the twins okay?"
"Well, I honestly don't know." James admitted, adding. "At work we were all under house arrest at my boss's orders. Till just now when they gave me the phone back and your call came through. Have you gone home to check?"
"I am at home and it's a pile of ruins." Kim shouted. "Dad, synthodrone 901 said they were holding my family hostage!"
"Oh!" James said, seemingly stunned. "I'll be there as soon as I can. For now though, ask the neighbors, maybe they saw something."
"Okay." Kim agreed and moved towards the neighbor's house as the line went dead.
Turns out the neighbors in the immediate vicinity saw nothing besides two giant robots attacking the house. Then, they promptly hid in their basements and called 911.
Kim had just made it to the Stoppable's house and was turning around to try and dig the debris off her house in hopes of finding her family when she was tackled from the side. Kim was about to react to the attacker till she heard them speak.
"Kim you're..." Tim began.
"...okay!" Jim finished, making Kim realized she was being hugged.
Dropping to her knees, Kim hugged them back.
"You guys are okay, what about mom?" Kim asked.
No sooner than her question being asked was Kim hugged again.
"I'm so glad your okay!" Ann said hugging Kim tightly, before asking. "Where's Ron?"
"He should be at the hospital." Kim said relieved her whole family was okay. "Some ninja's took him when he got hurt. Where were you guys?"
"At the Stoppable's, Ron brought us here after rescuing us." Ann explained and added. "I'm going over to the hospital to check on Ron and offer my help. With what's happened they must be flooded with patients. I need you to stay and watch the twins."
"Mom I'm coming with." Kim countered.
"Sweetie I'm sure you're worried about him but I need you to watch the kids." Ann soothed. "With James nowhere to be found you're the only one I can rely on Kim."
"Dad is on his way. I managed to reach him a few minutes ago." Kim explained. "His boss placed them under house arrest at the space center till it was confirmed the threat was dealt with. He should be on his way home right as we speak."
"Good but you're still going to have to watch the twins." Ann insisted.
"How are you even going to get to the hospital anyway?" Kim asked exasperated.
"I'm walking, how else?" Ann asked back.
"Mom!" Kim said.
"It's decided, now go inside and watch the phone, I expect the Stoppable's to call at anytime to at least check on their son." Ann instructed and turned to leave after telling the twins to behave.
"But I also want to make sure he's okay." Kim whispered while looking at her mom walk away. A moment later she pulled out her cellphone to call her dad and let him know where she was and that her mom and brothers were okay.
~~~~~
Turns out Ann didn't have to walk all the way to the hospital. Five minutes into her walk a car honked the horn at Ann.
"Told you it was her." Monique says from Bonnie's convertible. "Where are you heading Mrs. Possible?"
"Oh Monique!" Greeted a surprised Ann. "I'm on my way to the hospital."
"So are we!" Tara said.
"Get in, I'll give you a ride." Bonnie invited.
"I'll have to accept, thanks." Ann said before getting in.
"What happened to your car, Mrs. Possible?" Monique asked.
"Smashed by a Little Diablo." Ann replied simply.
As they drove, Ann noticed that they each stopped by their homes and checked on their families.
"So why are you guys going to the hospital?" Ann asked.
"Ron was hurt." Tara/Monique/Bonnie said in unison.
'Seems like they still care for him, I wonder if they know he has others in his life?' Ann thought to herself.
"Mrs. Possible, are you still interested in Ron?" Monique suddenly asked.
"Wh... what do you mean, Monique?" Ann asked, flustered.
"We know he has an interest in you at least." Monique said, explaining. "In the shared dream we saw some of the ones he likes with the exception of one. And if I'm honest we all care for him as well. So I was wondering if you still cared?"
"It's... not that simple." Ann finally admitted. "I'm thirty nine. I have three kids and one of them is his age. They used to be bestfriends and would be still had my daughter not messed up. Add to that, I'm married to a cheating husband and what I decide could make me lose my kids." Ann hears them suck in a breath of air at her honesty and continues. "In all honesty, I'm afraid I'll lose my kids and I won't let that happen even if Ron is my last shot at love."
"Hmm, not belittle your choice but wouldn't your kids understand?" Tara asked and explained. "From what I know, Kim wouldn't want you to remain unhappy just for her sake and I'm sure the twins are smart enough to think the same. So why don't you ask then for their blessing first, what they'll same might surprise you."
"Also, who knows how much time we might have with Ron?" Bonnie asked. "Today made me realize that time is precious. Right now Ron is in the hospital and a couple months ago he was in the hospital because he was shot. What if the next time even the hospital is not enough?"
All the women present trembled at the thought of losing Ron.
"I think we need to rethink our strategy, both for Ron's and our happiness." Monique siad.
"What do you mean, Monique?" Tara asked.
"Well, I say this because we all have the same thought." Monique explained. "To make Ron chose us over the others but what if we take away the choice from him?"
"I don't understand." Bonnie said to which Tara nodded.
Ann got an idea of what Monique meant but couldn't voice it.
"What if we, talk among ourselves and agree to share Ron?" Monique said it clearly.
Ann's heart skipped a beat. Since finding out James cheats on her, her confidence took a hit, so the prospect of winning Ron's affection to herself seemed a distant thing. 'This can make us all win. No don't think about it Ann, you have your kids to worry about.'
"You'd be willing to share?" Bonnie asked, incredulous.
"If it means both Ron and I can be happy, yes!" Monique admits.
"Monique that's a lot to think about. When did you even think of this?" Tara asked.
"For the last few weeks." Monique says, explaining. "I had a feeling that it might be the best for all of us."
"I'll think about it." Tara says.
"Me too." Bonnie agrees with Tara.
Ann sighs and looks outside to see the hospital come into view. 'We're here!'