AN: Part of Porsha's story does have a warning. Be careful of the words you use with those you love. Keep them sweet because you never know when they'll be the last words you share. Even when you're angry or hurt.

Loch: Lake (Scottish, example the monster of Loch Ness)

Part 28

It was so hard to accept that his wife was gone. She wasn't coming back. He had been determined to be single the rest of his life, unwilling to even imagine dating another woman. Of course, isolated in his idyllic, mountain loch, meeting other women was next to impossible. Occasionally, a superfan would hunt him down and he'd have to chase them away with his paint gun but that didn't afford him many chances to meet any women either. If anything, it assured he didn't.

Then in Mid-May, he was pulled out of retirement by an annoying koala and his protégé. He had reasoned that he could do one show, to honor his wife, and go back into isolation. He didn't expect to watch the annoying koala be murdered on the same night. He knew what they needed in order to survive and heal after the loss, but that meant he couldn't leave.

"They need you, Clay," he heard her voice in his ear. "Stay with them. Take care of them."

He had no idea that the very next day, he would meet a lovely woman who understood exactly how he felt. Widowed 24 years, Sitara was in the unique position to offer him comfort and even guidance.

At their age, dating didn't necessarily mean going out. Most often, they just sat in front of her television screen, watching whatever happened to be on, just holding hands and talking. Occasionally, her trunk would stroke his thick mane.

"I love your mane," she admitted with a grin. "I heard Mr. Moon was discharged today. How is he doing?"

Clay sighed. "He's doing better then he was a week ago, especially now that he has a restraining order against his parents. And the Suarez's have given them a notice of trespass. Which means they can't go near the theater at all. Johnny and Ryan gave them one for the dance studio too. They can't go anywhere near Eddie without legal ramifications." He laughed. "Sure it's not as much fun as shooting them with paintballs but it's effective."

She laughed with him. "You know, I've never been paintballing… is that a word?" She asked.

He smiled at her. "It works. It's a lot of fun. We used to go with the band. There was a course not far from our townhouse in the suburbs. Before we bought our lake house. Then after she was diagnosed, I left the band and, until she got too sick, we would play together, just the two of us. On our property." He seemed to be thinking. "I know it's generally regarded as an activity for the young but…"

She giggled. "Nothing wrong with being young at heart." She kissed his cheek. "I feel young again when I'm with you."

"Why? Because I'm 63?" He joked as he returned her affection.

She shook her head. "Silly goose. No, because the last time I felt this way, I was 24, and I had just found out I was pregnant." She sighed contentedly. "I didn't think I could feel this way again at 48."

He nodded. "I thought I was going to live alone for the rest of my life in my lake house. I never thought I'd feel like this again…" He looked at the clock. "Going on midnight… I guess I should get back."

Sitara pouted up at him. Since Meena moved in with Alphonso, she'd felt the loneliness of the empty nest. "You know, you don't have to go. You could stay the night. If you wanted."

He gave her a half-smile. She offered every night but he always refused. But something felt different. He didn't want to leave. And he could see in her eyes, she didn't want him to leave. "You sure your dad won't mind?" He teased, feeling like a teenager. "Alright… I could stay, if you really want me to." He kissed her.

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The next morning, Meena woke up with a splitting headache. It had started the night before, just a light throbbing but Alphonso had quickly chased it away. Now it was back worse than ever. She felt sick to her stomach and sore in places.

Alphonso put his hand on her head. "You were sick yesterday too. Would you like me to call the doctor?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine, really." She tried to make herself get out of bed.

"I'm going to at least call Tyler. I'm staying home with you," he promised.

"No, you skipped out on him yesterday to take care of me," she protested. "You're the recipe wizard, he needs you if you're going to be ready for November 1st."

He sighed. "How about I call your mom to stay with you and we'll use his kitchen for the test kitchen today? That way we don't disturb your rest." He compromised. He was worried. She didn't get sick often that he was aware of.

She knew that was the best she'd get. "Alright, my ice cream guy." She smiled at him.

Alphonso grabbed his phone and dialed. "Hello, Mrs. Patel. Oh, Clay, I'm sorry. Did I call the wrong number?" He double-checked. "Oh, okay. Hi, Mrs. Patel. Alright, Mom. Meena is sick and I have a lot of work to do if our winter truck is going to open in time, but I don't want to leave Meena alone. Great! Thanks. I appreciate it." He hung up and went back to his wife. "Your mom and Clay are coming. You won't believe this, he stayed the night with your mom."

She laughed. "That's great! Mom deserves someone special. Ugh…" she rolled over to vomit into the trashcan Alphonso placed at her bedside. He rubbed her back lovingly. "I'm sorry…"

"For what? You're sick. You're allowed to be sick," he told her. "I'm going to let Tyler know the plan." He typed out the message on his phone and she heard the "whoosh" of the message being sent over the cellular waves.

A few moments later, she heard the bing bong of the return message. "Tyler's going to handle the grocery shopping and he's going to pick up some ginger ale and saltines for you, my goddess." He stroked her forehead with his trunk while squeezing her hand in his.

She smiled. "Thank you. You're the best. I'm sure I'll feel better soon." Or at least she hoped she would.

Clay was glad he decided to stay the night with Sitara. He was able to drive them both over on his bike. They arrived just as Tyler got there with the groceries. Kindly, they helped him inside with the many bags with many different ingredients for them to play with.

"You use breakfast cereal?" Sitara asked curiously.

He nodded. "Occasionally. We'll blend it into the batters for the waffles and pastries. And Alphie makes a bomb fruit puff buttercream that he'll use to fill special holiday cannolis and eclairs. And he'll use chocolate piping and individual pieces to simulate Christmas lights."

Clay nodded, impressed. "Interesting. So it's mostly hot food for the fall and winter."

"Yep, the ice cream just doesn't sell. Except for the deep-fried ice cream which is very popular." At his door, he thanked them for their help and went in while they knocked on the door across the hall.

Alphonso let them in with a warm smile. "Meena's just up in bed."

Sitara nodded. "And what are her symptoms?" She asked with all the experience of a loving mother.

"Getting sick, migraine, low grade fever, aching in places," he explained. "She was sick yesterday too."

The mother elephant smiled. "Really? Did she eat anything? At all?"

"Well, she felt better about partway through the day. Enough to order a pizza with pineapples and pickles," he explained.

The woman looked at her boyfriend, who was trying not to smile. "Pineapple and pickles, huh? Interesting combination." Clay observed.

Sitara took a deep breath and nodded. "Any irritability?"

"Well, she squirted water at a bird that was chirping too loudly outside of our window," Alphonso replied. "I suggested a doctor but she doesn't think it's necessary."

Sitara looked at Clay. "Dear, would you mind going to the pharmacy and picking up a few things for me?" She began writing a small list.

"Of course, Sisi, I'll be right back," he waved away the money she tried to give him. He was happy to spend the money had just been building for the last 15 years from royalties and interest. It felt good to sort of have a family to spend it on. Money really was worthless with no one for which to provide.

"Well, Alphonso, I don't think you have anything to worry about. We'll take good care of her while you work." She promised. She hugged her son-in-law. "You go to work now. We've got it from here and Tyler is waiting. Let us know if you need taste testers." She teased.

"Thanks, Mom," he returned her hug. "I'll be over to check on her periodically and if she needs me for anything, I'm right across the hall." He vowed.

She shooed him out the door and went upstairs. Meena was curled up in her blankets. She smiled and called gently, "Meena…"

She moaned and rolled over. "Hey Mom… Where's Alphie?"

"I sent him across the hall to help Tyler," she explained. "How are you feeling honey?"

She thought about it. "A little better. A little hungry actually."

Sitara nodded. "Tyler gave me the saltines and ginger ale or I can make you something." She offered.

"Maybe a couple of eggs, toast with chocolate-hazelnut spread and a couple of pickle spears?" She asked. "Why are you smiling?"

Her mother shook her head. "No reason, sweetheart. I was just remembering when I was first pregnant with you. When I first found out, I was so happy, just filled with love, I thought I might burst." She sat beside her only child. "Now you're all grown up, with a loving husband." She grabbed a tissue and wiped her tearing eyes.

Meena smiled up at her mother, processing what she said. "Wait? Pregnant? Mom, how did you know you were pregnant?"

Sitara nodded. "Well, I was sick for several days. I was so exhausted, I could barely get up at first. My breasts were very sore. And I had the strangest cravings. I didn't pick up on it right away and your father, my father and your grandma all hanged up on me and made me go to the doctor who did some tests based on my symptoms." She waited while Meena put together the pieces.

"Mom, wait… Could I be? Alphonso and I have only been married for a few months," she asked.

Her mother shrugged. "It's possible, it only takes one time. And when I told your father, nothing could have made him happier than he was in that moment. At least until the day I placed you in his arms…" She stroked her daughter's forehead, remembering the first and last time he got to hold her. "You were his greatest joy, his deepest love."

Meena sat up. "I wish I'd gotten to know him. But hey… I heard you had a sleepover last night." She changed the subject to something less bittersweet. "So you two are getting pretty serious."

Sitara blushed. "Clay is a wonderful lion. I really think I might be in love again. Are you alright with this? Really?"

She forced herself to get out of bed. "Yes! Maybe I'd be less enthusiastic if I'd known Dad but I didn't. And Mom, Dad would be happy too. You don't deserve to be alone the rest of your life." She got dressed in her jeans and a sweatshirt. They went downstairs. There, she promptly went into the bathroom and Sitara could hear her vomiting.

Clay walked through the door with the small bag of supplies. "I found everything, Sisi." He gave her the bag.

Sitara took the bag as Meena came out. "Honey, I want you to go take this test for me." She gave Meena the box and a paper cup. "The instructions are right on the side."

The younger elephant took the box and went back into the bathroom. She came back a few minutes later. The possibilities were running through her mind. How would Alphonso feel? It was so soon but she felt they were ready.

Fifteen minutes later, she handed the cup to her mother, unable to look at it herself in her anxiety. Sitara looked at the indicator and smiled, offering it back to Meena. "Two pink lines…" She hugged her.

"Oh my gosh! Then… I'm… I'm going to have a baby?" She hugged her mother back. "Oh my gosh! I can't wait to tell Alphonso." She said just as the bull elephant came in.

"Can't wait to tell me what?" He asked. "You're out of bed. How are you feeling? Can I get you anything ooof!" He chuckled as she hugged him tightly. "What's this for…"

Meena beamed at him. "I'm feeling great." She offered him the test.

Her bull took the stick. "Wait, what is this?" He knew he should probably be able to guess.

She giggled. "Alphonso… you're going to be a daddy."

He stood there for several minutes in silence, processing the news. Finally, he asked, "Are we sure?"

Sitara smiled. "Home tests are as reliable as the tests they do at the doctor's office." She hugged them both. "I'm gonna be a grandma!" She shrieked. "I can't wait to tell your grandma and grandpa! Oh my baby girl!"

Meena looked at Alphonso. "This is good right? Because I'm so happy right now."

He nodded, tears in the corners of his eyes. "Meena, it's so good, it's wonderful. I was afraid we might have to wait a while before our family got started. I'm so happy." He wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you, Almighty God. Thank you for this amazing blessing!"

She laughed and nodded. "I can't wait to tell the others! I gotta call everyone." The excitement was working on bubbling over inside her. A few months ago they were celebrating Rosita's third pregnancy. Now it was her turn.

He smiled. "I guess I should go tell Tyler. Oh my gosh! Praise God, you're not sick-sick. I was worried." He admitted.

She hugged him. "No, I'm not sick. Go on, you've left him on his own long enough. We'll celebrate together tonight. I love you, Alphonso."

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After nursing her five piglets, Rosita made breakfast for her older children. Eddie was back to sleeping on the couch surrounded by air mattresses piled with his twenty-five little brothers and sisters. He understood they would be hesitant to let him be alone after his nearly-fatal relapse. They understood his position but made it clear that was not the answer.

He remembered the week before. Or the day after his first full day at the hospital. His mother and father decided to waste their one phone call to try and beg him for help. When they found out there wasn't even an Eddie Noodleman at the hospital, it was sweet. Telling them he'd taken Buster's name posthumously, doubling down by hyphenating it as Moon-Suarez, taking his adopted parents' name and rejecting theirs had been the cherry on top of the sundae.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Noodleman, but I don't know you anymore. I don't think I ever did. And you certainly never even tried to know me. Goodbye to both of you. Pretend they told you I died because you are dead to me." They just sputtered, unable to speak in shock, while he hung up and the two pigs applauded him.

"Can I help, Mama?" He asked timidly, using the title he felt she deserved. She was more a mother to him than his mother ever was.

"Of course sweetie. Can you pop some bread in the toaster for me please?" She asked as her phone rang. "Hey, Meena, how are you? What?! No way! Eeeee! That's wonderful. Congratulations! Yeah, yeah, of course. Talk to you later." She hung up.

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Ash was worried when Clay wasn't already in the kitchen drinking his first cup of dark roast until she saw his text. She couldn't help feeling happy for the old lion. He had been alone a long time.

She started her drip brewer and grabbed a bowl of cereal just as her phone rang. "Morning Meena. Nah, I'm just getting breakfast. What's up?" She nearly dropped her phone. "Okay, remind me never to bet against Johnny. Because he totally called that! Congratulations! That's great! Yeah, go ahead. Thanks for letting me know!" So Rosita had her brood and now Meena was pregnant. Now that she was starting to get the hang of kids, she couldn't help the little speck of envy. She never thought she wanted kids of her own but a lot had changed in the last four, almost five months. Five months. It seemed like so much longer and so much shorter at the same time.

She looked over at her copy of the group photo they took at the Grand Re-Opening. "Wish you could be here to help us celebrate, Buster. I miss you so much." She could imagine his reaction, an exuberant hug and a cry of pure unadulterated joy, followed by relegating Meena to non-dancing roles.

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At Klaus' insistence, Johnny continued to work with Kia while Ryan worked with Yusef. Despite Johnny's many attempts to show he wasn't interested, Kia continued to flirt with him.

Finally, he pulled Klaus aside. "I'm sorry sir, but I cannot continue to work with her."

"Why not? She is pleasant and she is learning well," Kickenklober asked.

"Because she keeps trying to flirt with me and I'm not comfortable," Johnny explained.

"Because you are attracted to her?" He challenged his pupil.

Johnny shook his head. "No, because I'm in love with Ryan. We are in a committed relationship and nothing you do is going to change that. Even if you think I don't deserve him, I love him!"

Klaus inhaled sharply. "Ryan is a good lad. He doesn't deserve to be taken advantage of!"

"Hey, look, we agree on something! I'm not taking advantage of him! I'm not your ex! Look, forget it, you'll never accept me. Fine. I'll go back to training with Nooshy. But you won't drive me away from Ryan," he looked at his lover. "Oi, I'm going upstairs."

The tiger glared at the teacher. "What did you do?"

"I did nothing, he is being a prima donna as always," Klaus critiqued.

"Sir, I beg of you, don't make me choose between you. You've always been on my side," Ryan said. "Yusef, work with Kia. Wait, where'd Kia go?"

He found her blocking Johnny's path. "You know, I find you very attractive," she said, reaching up to play with his hair. He pushed her hand away.

"Thanks but I'm trying to go upstairs, please excuse me," he tried to be polite.

"Oh come on, I know you felt it too. Between us," she drew nearer and Ryan could see how tense Johnny was.

"Honestly, I wish there was something between us," Johnny put his hands on her shoulders. Ryan froze.

She smiled. "Really?" She flapped her eyelashes at him while he picked her up and moved her aside.

"Yes, a continent," he stomped up the now-clear stairs as his phone rang. Ryan laughed at his joke.

Ryan went by her and she asked. "What just happened?"

He stopped. "Look, stop trying to take my boyfriend. He's not interested in you. And I'm pretty well attached to him." He went upstairs.

"Ahhh!" Johnny's shout caught him by surprise and he ran in expecting to see him fallen or otherwise hurt. "Meena, that is great! Blimey, congrats! We'll need to get together and party. Thanks for calling. Yeah, get back to your mom and Clay. Congratulations again."

Ryan looked at him while getting out of his practice gear. "Well, do I have to guess?"

Johnny laughed. "Meena just called with some great news. She's having a baby." He got up and hugged his lover.

The tiger hugged him back. "That's wonderful. I'm sorry about Klaus and that Kia girl."

He shook his head. "I'm not mad. Not at you. I'm not really mad at him. Just frustrated that nothing I do is proof enough. That I never intend to do you the way his ex did him."

Ryan chuckled. "Well I don't need you to prove it. I believe you. I trust you. More importantly, I love you." He kissed him. "Nooshy is a good teacher."

"Yeah but she's busy with school now. I don't really want to bug her," he admitted. "Maybe you… could be my teacher." He suggested.

"I could certainly work with you and teach you," he kissed him again. "I could teach you… many things…"

Johnny chuckled. "You made that sound very racy." He kissed him back. "Mmmm, yes, Teacher, teach me the ways of the dance." His mouth fell open as Ryan's hands moved down his body, taking them to their bedroom and shutting the door.

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AN: I think that's enough. And no, we won't be getting Meena having the baby for a long while. Elephants gestate for 20-22 months irl. Question: Sitara is only 48. Elephants can have babies up but on about 65. She could still have another baby. Clay could be the father, however I'm not sure if that's crossing a line or two. What do you think? If I did, I could either go full blown and combine genetics completely or I could use Pokémon rules (the baby is the same species as the mother but with mental attributes that come from the father). What do you think?