Ash adventures back to the club to confront Frenni in any way she can to ask her questions. The bear finally with get the answers to the questions she's been asking herself for the last month.

Ch 4: Mother Dearest

One Month Later

The month that went by so quickly before this small, unexpected trip. She wouldn't complain though. She had gotten back into the swing of things at home and gone back to work fixing the animatronics. They needed a lot of updates, kind of made her mad that the person that took care of them didn't do everything that was needed. Then again, the girl did things a lot differently for her family that a normal employee wouldn't know.

Ash had landed in Memphis and Heart was just outside the airport waiting to pick her up. To her surprise, there was a charming man standing next to her who looked out of the time period. He had brown hair that was short and styled while wearing a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A pair of cheaters sat on his nose while he had a brown bow tie around his neck.
"Hey, Ash, nice to see you again. It's been a few months now." Heart greeted as she gave her friend a hug.
The bear hugged back. "Thanks for letting me stay with you for a little bit. I can explain everything on the way. You're not going to believe it."
"There are a lot of things I didn't believe that I do now. Trust me." Heart huffed as she looked at the man by the car. "Ash, I don't think you've met my fiancé yet? You always miss him when he goes out of town."

Ash nodded as she looked at the brown-haired man. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise dear." He said with a bow. "Heart talks all about you."

Heart blushed. "Al, stop." She hit his arm playfully. "Anyway! Ash, this is Alastor. Alastor meet Ash."

"I can finally meet the mystery man." Ash joked.

Alastor laughed, "Of course, but only for today. I have to go back out on the road late tonight."

"Ok, let's get in the car and get going. Don't want to hold up the traffic here." Heart said as she put Ash's bag in the trunk.

They all got into the car and drove off. Heart drove while Alastor was in the passenger seat and Ash was in the back.
"So you're not going to believe what I found out after I got home last month." Ash started off.

"Hit me with it." Heart replied.

She took a pause before saying, "I'm…adopted."

The hybrid raised an eyebrow for a moment. "You didn't realize that?"
"Was it that obvious?"
"Ash…really?"

"No…I'm serious I had no idea."

"Girl…you lived in a pizza plex, being raised by animatronics."
"Well I figured out I wasn't an animatronic back when I was like 14 and I accepted that."

"But not the adopted thing?"

"I…I don't know…I guess it was just something I denied and didn't think about."

Alastor then butted in. "Ladies please. Let us not argue about this and let Ash continue on track."

Heart sighed. "Yea, sorry Al. Please keep going Ash."

The bear managed to continue on with what she was saying before. "I know who my real mom is."

"For real!? Girl that is awesome!" Heart said excitedly as she pulled up to her townhouse. "So, who is she anyway?" She asked as she parked the car.

"Let's head inside first." The bear got out of the car.
The others agreed and headed into Heart's home then got settled down. Ash grabbed her bag from the trunk and left it at the bottom of the stairs to take up later. Once they were on the couch they decided to continue their conversation.

As they sat on the couch, Ash pulled out the picture of Frenni holding her as a newborn. She looked at the picture a moment before handing it to Heart who took it from the bear's hands. As she glanced down at it, the other female had a shocked look on her face. "Frenni?"

Ash was taken back a moment, "Wait, you know Frenni?"
Heart blushed slightly. "Well…I have been going to the club ever since you've been gone. I promised you I'd keep an eye on it." She stood up from the couch, handing the picture back.

"You have? Did you find anything out?" Ash wondered with excited curiosity.

Heart's blush started to spread more as her ears went back slightly. "Besides the fact that I've slept with your mom."
"What?"
"What!?" There was a strong silence around the room before Heart quickly walked into the kitchen, "Ima go get a drink now." She said quickly and covered her muzzle.

As the hybrid left Ash looked over at Alastor confused. "What got into her?"

The man looked at the bear calmly. "Let's just say Heart's gotten to know that girls there a bit over the past few months. I don't mind her doing these things because she's been a lot happier since she started going to the nightclub and meeting the girls. As long as she's happy then so am I."

"I told her to look out for something weird. Find out anything interesting about the animatronics. Not join the fucking pigs that are in there gawking over them." Ash said angrily.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't use words like that to describe her for this situation." Alastor said with venom. Ash looked over and swore she saw the man's brown eyes turn red a moment. It almost scared her to a point. "She means no harm to the girls in that club. She talked and got to know them a little first before deciding to do anything sexual with them. You of all people should know how Heart is."

Ash got quiet…he did have a point.

Heart then returned with a few drinks in hand and set them on the table. She then sat down next to Alastor and leaned against him. The man smiled and petted the wolf hybrid on her head before wrapping an arm around her. Her tail wagged and calmed her a bit.

Eventually Heart spoke up, "I've found out a lot about the girls since I started going there. They never had someone actually just sit down and talk with them before. It was a first for them. Plus, it's been years since they've been treated so kindly. They appreciated the time with me talking and just…getting to know them a bit. Makes me sad that they have to live there the way they do."

"Heart it's ok, I'm sorry for reacting the way I did. I appreciate you going and looking after all the girls there. Now it's my turn. At least to get to Frenni." Ash said.

"Wunna go tonight? I'll drive you over. Probably best I don't go in with you. I can spend time with Al before he leaves tonight. Just tell me when to pick you up." Heart suggested.

"That sounds good. Tonight then." Ash agreed.

When the nighttime rolled around, after they had dinner, Heart drove Ash to the nightclub. As they drove Ash was trying to think about what to do. I guess if anyone would know anything, it be Heart.

"Anything I need to know before I go in there again?" She asked.

Heart made a turn and saw the club up ahead. "Well, if you want to talk with Frenni, you might have a tough time getting to her. There is always someone on her. The best way you might be able to talk with her is to ask for a private show. You get them for about an hour. It's not much but they take you to a private room away from people."

"Private show? Well…ok. How do I do that?" Ash wondered.

The hybrid parked the car in front of the club. "There's a computer over by the stage. Go there and schedule a private show if there is one open. The girls are programmed to be in the private room at the time you choose. Hope you get lucky with getting something."

The bear nodded and started to make sure she had everything. "Got it. I'll do that first thing. Anything else?"

"If you get a chance with any of the other girls, especially Fexa…tell them I said hi." Heart blushed.

Ash looked at her with an odd look but nodded. "Ok. I'll see you later." She said before getting out of the car.

Heart left and went back home as Ash headed inside the club, but this time with a mission. Again, she stepped into the darkened place and popped out by the bar. Adults were in there as they cheered and whistled from the show going on stage. All four girls stood there as they were singing and dancing for everyone. With the crowd distracted she looked around the open area to see what Heart was talking about for the computer. She spotted it, there were already two men standing there in a line. She quickly b-lined over to it and got behind the one male without issues from the crowd.

After the two in front of her were done she got to the computer. It was a touchscreen with some sections on it. She filled out some personal info first before there was a section that asked what you were looking for. They had things as simple as a private dance to things more…explicit. She clicked on the private dance and then the girls popped up on screen on who you wanted to pick. Looking at all the girls, they had their names under their picture. Bonfie was the purple bunny, Chiku was the yellow chicken and the red fox was Fexa. Once she was able to see their names, she picked Frenni's picture and a few times came up on screen. Most of them were darkened out and there wasn't a close time to now.

"Shit. Guess I'll be here longer than I thought." Ash said softly to herself.

She sighed and then pushed the time stamp for 10pm, that was the next available time. It would have to do. She could kill two hours here…hopefully. Once she hit confirm she was all set. Her phone went off with a text message that told her where to go for her private dance at her time.

After she was done she walked away from the computer and went over to the bar to at least get a drink. She sat at the bar looking and watching the girls on stage. Once they were done performing they went around the room and was greeted by a lot of people who crowded them for a bit. Soon enough the fox animatronic, who she remembered was Fexa, pushed through the crowd with a displeased look on her face. The other girls called her back but Fexa stomped away still. No one seemed to follow her, so it was probably best to leave her be. Just from that display, Ash could tell Fexa was a little ball of rage and was probably the reason Heart liked her so much, she always did like the bad boys and girls.

After that with Fexa she wasn't seen for a while but the other girls were around. Ash kept her eyes on Frenni…knowing what she knows now made it a little hard to see her do what she did, but then again…she was built to do this and it made her wonder how she even was conceived in the first place. Those two hours went by fast, mainly because she was thinking of what to tell Frenni when she saw her. What to ask her or what to even say.

Her phone went off as she got a text message. Looking at her phone the message said, 'Frenni will be in room 3 for your private dance. Please report to room 3 in the next five minutes.'

After that message was another with instructions on where the rooms were. So, Ash took a deep breath, finished her drink and headed to the elevator, up to the second floor where there were rows of private rooms down a hall. She went over to door three, standing there a moment staring at the red door. Trying to get the confidence needed. Then she knocked.

"It's open." A voice called out behind the door.

Ash opened the door slowly and soon saw the bear animatronic standing beside a chair in the room. She was still dressed in her attire at least so she hadn't gotten too far in this. Nor did she want it to. She closed the door behind her and heard a click and then the door locked. She could feel a sweat as she was nervous now standing there alone with Frenni.

"You seem nervous, sugar. This is your first time?" Frenni asked as she walked up to her. The girl replied with a nod. As Frenni got closer to the girl, there was something in her that told her something felt off but not in a bad way. She couldn't explain what she was feeling. "Well here, come sit down and we'll start slow." She gestured over to the chair.

Even though she was nervous she shook her head. Even as the animatronic stood close to her now, she was almost eye height with her. "N-No…I…I actually didn't want a dance from you." She admitted a bit shaky. "There…was another reason I wanted to see you. It was just hard to do so downstairs."

"A talker huh? You're not the first. Won't be the last either." Frenni said as she backed up a little bit from her. Looking at the young bear she felt something in her that pulled her closer but ignored it. "What is it you want to talk about?"

The girl was then silent. She was lost for words. How did she want to start this off? Her heart pounded in her ears as she played with her hands a bit. "I-I didn't learn till recently…that I was adopted by my family…that I had a mother somewhere and-" Ash then reached into her pocket and pulled out the picture to show Frenni. "I found you…mom."

The animatronic was taken back a moment from the girl's words. She then looked down at the picture and slowly took it from the girl's hand to see it better. It was that picture…of the night. It didn't take long for Frenni to start to cry as she looked at the picture. She knew she felt something spark in her from this girl…now she knew why. It was her daughter. She hasn't seen a picture of her since her 18th birthday and she looked a bit different now than then. Her metal heart felt like it pounded faster than it ever has and she felt so light, floating even with this news. It made her night so much better now.

When she started to cry, it made Ash cry too. She quickly went up and hugged the animatronic. "I'm here now mom…I found you." The girl whispered as she held her close.

Frenni was quick to wrap her arms around the girl, holding her tightly, but not too tight to hurt her. It was her girl…she never thought she'd be able to see her like this. In person. It made all those nights crying in heartbreak years ago so worth it now. "Ash…oh my god…I never-I never thought I'd see you." She cried harder. "My baby girl."

They stood there and held each other for a long while. They didn't want to let each other go, but they only had so much time. As they pulled away Frenni kissed the girl's forehead. It made her so happy to finally see the girl and hold her after all these years. She was just born the last time she held her…she was so small. Now she was a grown young adult….it was hard to fathom a little bit.
"Mom, we only have about 45 minutes left of our time together and I want to spend that time asking some questions. I hope that is ok?" Ash reminded her.
"Oh shit, of course. Of course. Come sit and I'll try my best to answer your questions." She gestured to the chair. Ash went over and sat down. "I have a question for you first. How did you find me?"

"Well, I guess I can start there." She got comfortable in the chair and the animatronic pulled up a stool to sit in front of her. "I grew up in a pizza plex, living with animatronics."
Frenni laughed. "So, you still grew up around them. The program must have known you were special."

Ash smiled. "The one that raised me the most, his name is Freddy. He is my dad, well, the one I call dad. Everyone else is my aunts and uncles. But besides that, I grew up at the pizza plex. I never left the building. Ever in my life. I was homeschooled and learned a lot just from being there. We all are family there, even the owner."

"I used to send letters back and forth with the owner. Fenri I believe was his name." Frenni said happily, "He kept me updated on you all the time. They would send me a picture and a letter each year on your birthday. The last picture I ever got of you was your 18th birthday. After that, they had to stop giving me updates on you." The bear's ears went back.

Ash reached over and held Frenni's hand, "Because once I turned 18 I became a 'adult' technically."
"Yes, so he had to stop being in contact with me. It was hard not seeing your picture these last 4 years. That is why you didn't seem familiar right away to me. You look a bit different from then." She chuckled.

The girl chuckled too. "Yea my style has changed and I keep my hair short most of the time now."

"I see that, but I think you should grow it out a bit." The animatronic played with the lock of the girl's hair for a moment.
Ash nodded, "Maybe, seeing your hair all tied up makes me want to grow it out now."
Frenni blushed with a small giggle. "Mine is…well it's best I don't say actually. Continue on with your story dear."

"Oh, right. Anyway, just last year, when I turned 21 they let me out of the pizza plex and I went to explore the country. For the first time in my life, I got to go out and explore the world." Ash explained and was ecstatic to talk about it again. " It was so exciting and fun. I saw and learned so much. Plus, I had friends along the way. Hence how I found out about this club. I have a friend that lives here in Memphis and when I came to visit her the first time I saw this place. When I saw a picture of you on the posters I just…felt something."

Frenni nodded. "Almost like something was pulling you here?"

"Yes, so when I visited I saw you for the first time and I was confused. I wouldn't be home for months still but I had my friend here to keep an eye on things and find out more about this place. Although it seems she got a little closer than I thought without finding out much." She gave an embarrassed chuckle.

"Who is your friend? If it's ok to ask." The animatronic was curious.

"Heart." Ash answered.

The woman blushed. "She was here just a few days ago. She comes at least twice a week when she can. She is Fexa's favorite." Her blush got darker. "Oh shit, that is your friend? I hope she hasn't said anything embarrassing."

Ash shook her head, "No, she hasn't gotten into…details but that is beside the point."

"Fair…your friend treats us well though." Frenni got a dreamy look on her face, "I thought I'd let you know. She's the best client we've had in a long time. Makes us feel alive again and not like some machine that's sole purpose is to please someone. We have feelings…she can see that in us."

"That sounds like Heart, she always did treat people with respect and make sure they felt loved and appreciated." Ash smiled. "Other than that stuff with Heart, when I got home from my trip I asked my dad Freddy if he knew anything about you. He didn't. That is when he told me I was adopted. I went to Fenri and he gave me everything that was ever shown to you. It's amazing how I ended up finding you by complete accident."
"But maybe it was fate instead." Frenni smiled wide.

Ash smiled in return. "Maybe…it makes me happy to know that I actually have a mother."

"Ok, now that you answered my question. What is yours? We have 30 minutes left." The animatronic told her.

"Oh yes! So, I guess the big question is, why did you give me up in the first place?" Ash wondered.

Frenni went silent and sat back a bit, her ears going back as she was reliving those months pregnant with her. "I couldn't keep you. Not here at the club. It's not a healthy environment for a child. Let alone a baby. That is why I gave you up…it was for your safety. I didn't know what they would have done to you if they found you." She took a breath to regain herself. "I kept my pregnancy a secret…from everyone. Even my friends. They never knew and…they still don't. Luckily, I didn't show that much when I was pregnant with you." She looked at the picture she still held, then started to cry again. "It was so hard…it was hard to let you go. I wanted to keep you but I needed to think about what was best for you. I'm stuck here at this nightclub…having you here would have been dangerous for you."

Ash went over and hugged her mother tightly. "It's ok mom, I understand better now." She whispered to her. "Seeing this place…I can understand why it would have been hard."

Frenni held her daughter tightly. "I'm simply happy you grew up somewhere happy and it was wonderful for you. I'm just sad I couldn't be in your life."

"Even though you gave me up, I still have to thank you for doing so. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am now. Having a loving family in a place that loves me as well." She smiled. "So, thank you mom. For everything."

The two separated from their hug. "Even though I couldn't be with you then…I want to be with you now. If you'll allow me?"
"Of course!" Ash answered with so much excitement. "My main goal now is to learn more about my mother and get to know you. I can meet the others as well?"

Frenni let out a breath and nodded. "It's probably best the girls know. I also will thank you for wanting me to be in your life. I was afraid you wouldn't want a sex working mother." She gave a sad chuckle.

"Nonsense. Just because what you do doesn't mean it would make me judge you any less." Ash reassured her and gave her a hug. "You're still my mother no matter what."

That made the animatronic smile wider and return the hug. "Thank you dear…that means a lot to me."

They broke from the hug and Ash looked at Frenni in her blue eyes, "I know you probably won't know but…do you know who my real dad is?"
Frenni gave a small sigh as she shook her head. I know it was a bear client, he broke the condom and didn't tell me it happened or put on a new one. So…I don't know who it was. It was a onetime thing, I'm afraid."
She nodded. "I understand, I figured that was the case but I still wanted to ask."

"I understand. None of the others have gotten pregnant besides me, at least that I'm aware of." The bear rubbed the back of her head embarrassed. "They have a blocker in us now anyway. We can't get pregnant unless the blocker is removed so that is good I guess."

"Fair. At least I know other little ones aren't running around." Ash chuckled. Soon enough her phone went off. Their time was up. "Shit…our hour is up."

Frenni nodded and stood up from her stool. "Unfortunately, but I have an idea. Come back after the club is closed. I'll sneak you inside from the backstage door. I'll have you meet the girls. We don't have a night guard right now so it should be ok."

Nodding, Ash said, "After hours? Well ok I trust you. Sounds like a plan."

"I have another appointment after yours so I better head to the next room. I'll see you tonight." Frenni said as she gave the girl a hug.

She hugged the animatronic back, "Ok mom, thank you for talking with me."

"Thank you as well…for finding me and accepting me into your life." Frenni gave the girl a kiss on the forehead before walking out of the room.

The young girl sighed happily and walked out of the room as well, Frenni was already gone. She sent a text to Heart. She let her know to come pick her up plus tell her the plan for tonight. Meeting the rest of the girls was going to be interesting.

Hope everyone is enjoy this story so far as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Please don't be afraid to leave a comment to let me know what you think of the story so far.