AN: So I've decided to make cross-breeding a thing. Just because I can see Marcus and Suki holding a couple of babies. Hey, Disney crossbred a cat and a dog in Treasure Planet, so don't judge me!

Part 33

The next day…

"Now jump over that guy and squish the guy behind him. Look out for the Orc!" Eddie guided Jerry through a level of his video game while Nana enjoyed afternoon tea with Rosita and Norman. The piglets sat around them cheering them on and trying to give tips too.

"It's good of you to take him in again," she said softly.

Rosita shook her head. "It's our pleasure. We want to help him. We love him too. No matter what, we are always going to be here for him. He seems to like not having to live in the pool house. Caspar, Leo, Freddy and Andy were happy to let him share with them."

Norman nodded. "He's doing much better. As long as they keep to the restraining order and stay away, maybe he can finally find healing."

Nana smiled softly. "He always wanted brothers and sisters. His parents insisted they didn't want any more children. To be fair, I pressured them to have Eddie because I wanted to be sure of my family legacy." She sighed. "I almost think that's what drew him to Mr. Moon. He was always so lonely. But he met Mr. Moon after one of my operas. I think it was Epiphany. All Eddie could talk about was the cool little koala. His parents didn't encourage it because of his background and lack of social status and money. However, he made Eddie happy." She lowered her head. "I degraded him as useless so I suppose I was part of the problem but now… I'd do anything just to have my happy grandson back."

Rosita nodded. "We'll get him back. You may have been harsh but you know you were wrong and you're making up for it as best you can. I wish I'd known five years ago what they were doing to him. I wish Buster had told me they were keeping Eddie from him."

The old ewe looked back over at him. "If either had told me, I would have put a stop to it. I would have gotten him out of here a long time ago."

"Okay now wait," Eddie instructed. "Do you see that ledge at the very edge of the screen? Jump twice and you'll reach the ledge and you'll find a Revival potion." The piglets squealed as Jerry completed the jump and found the "Too Valuable to Use" potion.

Jerry whooped, surprising himself and the entire house. "I've never played video games before. This is fun!" He grabbed a Dorito from the bowl in between them.

"If you think that's fun, Jerry, you should try a board game," Rosita said, going over to the closet and pulling out Monopoly.

Eddie's eyes lit up. "Let us finish the level so we can save, Mama." He agreed. His parents never played board games with him. "Board games are definitely better." He told the cat.

"I used to play board games with my grandma but she's long gone now," he admitted. He finished the level with Eddie's guidance and the auto save function saved their progress before they shut off the console.

Eddie listened as they and the piglets went to the big dining room table where Rosita and Norman were setting up the game. "What about your mom and dad?"

The cat shook his head. "My mom gave birth to me, left me with my grandma and went off. I have no idea who my dad is. I don't even know if my mom is still alive." He sighed. "After my grandma died, the closest I had to family was Crystal. They invited us for dinner every night. Sure, it was to talk about work, but it was around the dinner table."

Rosita had to bite back her distaste for the wolf's memory. Like Porsha, their new friend cared for that wolf. It wasn't his fault that the object of his desire had been such a beast. "Well, now you're part of this family. It might be a hodgepodge of all kinds of animals but it is a family nonetheless."

He looked up at her in askance. "Even after everything I did. You'd consider me a part of this family?"

The father pig sighed. "You made mistakes out of grief. No one was hurt in the end and it all came out right. You regret what you did. We don't hold grudges. For the most part." He squeezed his wife's hand. "Now which piece would you like?" He offered him the selection of movers.

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While Marcus was down in the garage working on a car that a customer had brought in, Suki was on her laptop as usual. She wore a headset with microphone. "Yeah, Linda. We'll be in Redshore that Saturday. I got the board to agree to just the one week as long as they agreed to come back next summer."

"I can't wait! I miss seeing my best friend everyday," Linda replied. "But how do you like Calatonia? You said you're living with Marcus now?"

She shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. I stay here when I'm not in Redshore. But it's so nice here. It's not as stuffy as Redshore. I'm not always worried about how I look just to go to the grocery store. The atmosphere is just more relaxed here. And Marcus is just…. He's the exact opposite of Jimmy. He's affectionate. He's clever but not too clever for his own good. He's humble. He works hard for his family and Linda, he adopted two orphans without even needing to be asked. Porsha and Nooshy love him."

Linda laughed. "And what about you? Sounds like you got it bad, girlfriend!"

Suki giggled. "Well, not long ago, he actually told me that… he loved me. I just… You know the phrase 'once bitten twice shy'?" She asked. "It's like that. I'm just afraid if I admit it… if I say it, it'll make it real and… something will get in our way…"

The mare nodded but rolled her eyes. "I get it but girl, you finally have a real shot with a good man. Someone who can give you what you need. Real love. You can't let what happened with Jimmy make you afraid to try again." She laughed. "And besides, he already has three kids, so you'd have a family without sacrificing your figure."

The two ladies laughed together at the joke. "I do think I love him. I'm pretty sure I do. I just have to make sure." She blushed at the thought. "It's nice to be able to pretend that I'm just a normal housewife sometimes. I help the girls get ready for school, Marcus usually makes breakfast, I do the dishes. Then at night, we switch off, I make dinner and he cleans the kitchen. Of course today is Sunday so the girls are at the mall."

"Oh girlfriend, you'd be surprised how many of us really wish for that," Linda sighed heavily. "I've been considering leaving Hot News."

Suki sat bolt upright. "What? Why? You're an awesome host."

"No, I'm not. I'm just an average busybody reporter who gets famous off of the misfortune of people I consider my friends," she drank her coffee. "If I hadn't reported on Porsha losing her job… maybe it wouldn't have happened. I know you're going to say it's not my fault and maybe it's not but… I've lost my love for the job. It doesn't help that all of my guests since have been blah. Completely 100 percent boring."

Suki wished suddenly that she could be by her friend's side. "I know you miss him. I still miss him. Porsha still cries for him now and then. But if you don't love the job anymore then yeah, you should quit. Come out to Calatonia. Get a place and a job here. But not until after Out of this World's run. You're the only one I trust to cover the show and the situation with tact."

"Oh, not to worry. I've already got an appointment for a video interview with Eddie and Rosita to promote the show," Linda promised. "How is Jerry doing?"

"Better. He has a new friend in Eddie who is also doing better." She had told Linda, in confidence, about what happened. "They've hit it off since that incident. He will not be coming with us. Nana put her foot down. Redshore City is just toxic for him right now."

"Well, tell him that I wish him well," Linda said. "I should get off of here though. Are you coming back tomorrow?"

"Nope. Since the show has been set and scheduled, I don't need to come back until that Saturday either," she replied. "But I'll call often. I promise. I'm going to start dinner." She giggled. Normalcy was definitely underrated. "I'll call you tomorrow even. Goodnight." They disconnected the call and she got up to look through the freezer, pulling out a pack of hot dogs. She also found a bag of frozen french fries. She was just getting the water onto boil when the door opened. Her gorilla boyfriend came in, exhausted. "Welcome home." She laughed as his arms encircled her. "I missed you too."

He kissed her neck before she turned around for him to kiss her mouth. "I needed that. That car down there was a hot mess. I'm going to grab a shower really quick and I'll come help." He promised.

"It's just hot dogs and fries, I got this. You go shower. Please go shower. I love your natural musk but… it doesn't blend well with motor oil," she teased him.

Blue eyes glistened with mirth. "I'll be back. I love you." He went off to the bathroom to get cleaned up. He said it at least a few times a day even if she wasn't ready to say it back. He never pressured her to respond. All that mattered was he loved her.

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With the show coming up, Johnny and Ryan were practicing their fight scene. Kia, Yusef and the other new students watched with fascination.

Kia clapped when they successfully completed the maneuver. "I can't believe we're going to Redshore City!"

Johnny and Ryan glanced at each other before shaking their heads. "No, Kia, you and the class won't be joining us this time." Johnny corrected her. "We are only going because we have no real choice. After this show has completed its run, we're never going back."

Yusef scratched his head. "Why not? It's Redshore City. Performing there is everyone's dream."

Johnny shook his head sadly. "Well for us, it's a nightmare. Didn't Klaus tell you about our troupe's history?" He and Ryan both eyed the proboscis monkey.

"I didn't know if you wanted anyone else to know," Kickenklober admitted. "It is not my story to tell."

Ryan nodded, understanding the old monkey's logic. "It's difficult for us to talk about so just know that Redshore City is a place we will probably never take you." He held his lover's hand, pulling him close.

Kia nodded. "I hope you'll tell us the full reason why someday." She watched as Johnny and Ryan went off to the side. She thought she saw Johnny crying but Ryan simply held him. "It must have been really bad."

Klaus simply nodded. "It was. A terrible business. No, Redshore City is not the place for any of you." He eyed Johnny. He had earned a little favor by not falling for Kia's wiles. Yet. But he still wasn't entirely ready to accept Johnny as Ryan's chosen.

AN: Will Suki ever tell Marcus she loves him? Will Klaus ever get his stick out of his rump? Keep reading and find out. Please comment!