AN: I think we all know that it takes more than DNA to make someone a real parent.

Would you read a Ryan-centered prequel?

Part 43

The following morning, Ryan woke first and just contented himself with watching over his fiancé. Two more days and he would call him his husband. It was the happiest time of his life but it was also bittersweet. His father should have been walking him down the aisle. That should have been Klaus but that idea was gone. He didn't know if he'd cut Klaus out of his life for good but things had changed between them. The trust was gone.

Without Klaus in the picture, his thoughts went to the family he'd cut out to follow his teacher. It hurt that he'd sacrificed his family to be a dancer, to accept Klaus as his teacher and Klaus had turned around and stabbed him in the back. He looked at his phone. He still had his mother's number assuming she hadn't changed it in the last eight years.

With a deep breath, he dialed the number and waited until he heard a familiar voice say, "Ryan? Ryan, sweetheart, is that you?"

"Yeah, Mom… long time… how are you?" He asked.

"Surprised. Pleasantly surprised but surprised. How are you, baby?" She asked. "We've missed you."

He smiled. "I've missed you too. How's Dad?"

"Just terrible, sweetie. Not a day goes by when he doesn't worry about you. How has your dancing career progressed?" She asked.

"Great. I'm top of the class and almost always chosen for special shows," he took a few minutes to tell her about Out of this World. "Mom, I got to meet Clay Calloway! I can actually say Clay Calloway is a friend of mine."

She laughed. "That sounds wonderful sweetheart."

"And there's something else… I'm getting married…" he heard her squeal joyously. "I know it's short notice but… it's in Redshore City… on Saturday. Well, we were going to marry sooner but my fiancé was in a car accident and we're still at the hospital."

"Oh honey, I can't tell you how happy I am. We will be there. We'll leave right away," she promised him. She hung up and he put his phone away. He knew it was dirty not to be forthcoming about his fiancé but he just wanted to get them there. It felt good to hear his mother's voice again and he wondered if his father really regretted his actions.

He sat back down and smiled when he saw Johnny was awake. "Sorry if I woke you up." He kissed him tenderly.

"No need to apologize. I'm surprised I have any sleep left in me. Who were you talking to?" He asked.

Ryan shrugged. "Well, since I can't call Klaus my family anymore, I decided to call my folks. I invited them, I hope that's okay."

Johnny sat up. "That's great. I can't wait to meet them. I hope they'll like me."

The tiger took his hand and entwined their fingers. He loved the way it felt to hold his hand. "Me too. But no matter what, I love you."

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No one expected to be spending Christmas in Redshore City but Johnny's condition had made it necessary. So they accepted a suite at the hotel and got a tree at the local lot.

While watching the large hodgepodge of a family putting decorations on the tree, Gunter looked at a small something that he'd found while they cleaned up Buster's apartment.

"What do you have there?" Ash asked curiously as she hung up an ornament. "Oh, is that for someone special? You never told us you were seeing someone, Gunter." Everyone gathered around to see it.

The boar shook his head. "No, no… I found it… when we were cleaning his apartment… wrapped in a piece of tissue paper with Eddie's name on it."

Rosita gasped when she saw the small stainless steel ring with the small cubic zirconia in the band. She was glad that Eddie was focused on wrapping presents with Norman. "Wonder when he bought this…"

Gunter sighed. "I… I remember… I came by late one night to work on the costumes and sets for our upcoming show… he was drinking… heavily… he was very upset… And he put this in his drawer before he realized I was watching him." He looked it over. "I asked him what was wrong and he just started spilling his guts. I should have said something before but I knew the Noodleheads had stopped Buster from seeing Eddie. He didn't want us getting involved so I kept it secret." What he didn't and wouldn't say was after sharing in Buster's cheap vodka, he had spent the rest of the night comforting the koala, doing whatever he could think of to cheer up their dear friend.

Meena's lip shook. "Should we give it to him? It feels almost mean at this point."

Rosita shook her head. "Buster meant for Eddie to have this ring. So, Gunter, you should give it to him. Maybe when you two can be alone." She smiled sadly. "Buster, why didn't you let us help you?"

Gunter nodded and quickly hid the ring. He would never admit to it but he knew too well how Eddie felt. He could never tell any of them how much he really loved their boss. They would have understood but Buster's heart belonged to Eddie. He would let Gunter comfort him and make him feel loved but the love he felt for Eddie was different. So Gunter kept his feelings on the down low.

"Should we leave the angel for Johnny? He always likes putting the angel on the top of the tree," Ash asked, holding up the porcelain angel.

Meena nodded. "Yeah, he'll be home on Christmas Eve." She smiled. "Praise God!"

Alphonso hugged her. "I knew God wasn't done with Johnny yet. He has too much to do."

"Well, let's get cleaned up now so we can see Johnny. I don't know about God, but we're not done with him yet," Rosita laughed.

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A few hours later, after visiting with their friends and family, a pair of tigers in their late to mid forties were shown into the hospital room. Ryan stood up. "Mom! Dad…."

The tigress rushed forward. "Oh, Ryan, sweetheart!" She hugged her son. "Let me get a look at you. So grown up! But you're too thin dear. You really must come home and let me fatten you up."

Ryan shook his head. "Nah, I just can't seem to gain weight. It's the dancer's metabolism." He looked at the gruff tiger who stood against the wall, his arms crossed. "Hey, Dad…"

"So, you're still dancing then?" He asked.

"Yeah, I love it…" He was glad to see his mother but he was starting to think inviting his father might be a mistake.

"So, Ryan, don't keep us in suspense. Where's this girl you're marrying?" Mrs. Hunter asked.

Ryan turned back to Johnny and sat beside him. "Actually, Mom, Dad, this is Johnny. Johnny, this is my mom and dad, Katherine and Jackson Hunter."

Katherine smiled politely. "It's nice to meet you, Johnny. Come on, Ryan. Where is she?"

"Katie," Jackson interrupted her and directed her gaze to where Ryan was clearly holding Johnny's hand.

"Oh! Oh! Well, this is… unexpected… Ryan, you didn't say…" she stammered while her husband glared at Ryan.

Johnny bit his lip. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Hunter. Ryan is wonderful."

She nodded. "I know he is, I raised him, dear. Ryan… dear, enough with the jokes. Where is the girl you're marrying?"

"It's not a joke, Mom. I'm in love with Johnny and on Saturday, we'll be married. I was hoping you'd both be there… that Dad would…" Ryan was trying desperately to cling to some hope. His mother was so happy to hear from him on the phone. "That Dad would walk me down the aisle."

Jackson sneered. "So, your disgrace is complete. Ryan, it's disgusting. You had so much potential. You could have had it all. Fame and fortune as a pro football player. Instead you let that teacher corrupt you and turn you into a disgusting abomination."

Ryan looked at the blankets and Johnny glared back at the tiger. "What's disgusting is a parent who would try and force their kid into a career they don't want. What's disgusting is kicking your kid out because they want to do something else." He looked at his mom. "I love Ryan so much. He was there for me during one of the darkest times of my life. I promise, I will strive to make Ryan the happiest tiger in the world."

She shook her head, crying. "Ryan, I just don't know what we did wrong. We did everything right when you were growing up. How did this happen? Johnny, no offense, you seem nice and polite. Your mother must be very proud but you must know, on some level, that this isn't right."

"My mother passed away when I was a kid. And Ryan is the only one who's right for me," he smiled at his fiancé, making him turn his eyes to him. "I know this is a shock but it would really mean a lot if you were there on Saturday."

Katherine looked torn but Jackson's eyes said all Johnny needed to hear. He glared darkly at Ryan. "How did I end up with a son like you? You're nothing like me and you never will be." Those words cut Johnny deeply. He started to leave, only to run into Klaus. Johnny had never felt so happy to see the bastard.

"Mr. Hunter, I think it's quite obvious that your son is nothing like you. And that's a good thing. This world couldn't do with another one of you." He crossed his arms. "Go on then. If you don't want to be a part of your son's life during this special time then fine. He already has a father to walk him down the aisle." He looked at Ryan who smiled tearfully. He nodded and faced down the bulky bully.

Jackson pushed his way past the proboscis monkey. Ryan looked at his mother. "Mom, please… I'm begging for you to try and understand. Johnny makes me happy. He saved my life! That's why he's in that bed! He saved me from being hit by a car."

Katherine looked at Johnny. "Really? You saved my son's life?"

Johnny scratched his head. "Well, I love him. I couldn't let him be hit. Ma'am, I know I'm not what you expected but Ryan means the world to me. No girl could ever come close."

"Katie, let's go!" Jackson came back to retrieve her.

"Mom, please, stay. Come to my wedding. Even if Dad won't. I'd like it if you were there," Ryan pleaded with the tigress.

Katherine looked between her husband and her son. "Jackson, go to the motel without me. I haven't seen my son in eight years. I don't care if he wants to marry a toaster! I am going to his wedding!"

Ryan smiled at her while his father slammed the door. He looked at Klaus. "Thank you… sir…"

"Ryan, you're the closest thing I have to a child of my own," Klaus said. "I'm sorry for how I acted before. If you still want me there… I'll be there."

The tiger looked at Johnny who nodded. "I'd really like it if you were. I don't know why I bothered with him."

He sat down. "Because of me. The way I acted. I'm sorry, Ryan. I am so proud of you, my son." He hugged the tiger.

Ryan felt tears in his eyes. He never really wanted his father there. His mother, yes, but he really wanted his father to walk him down the aisle, the only real father he really knew.

AN: Upcoming, Gunter gives Eddie the ring from Buster and makes a few confessions of his own. Lance makes yet another attempt to pop the question. Christmas morning. Oh do you think Buster Claus should drop off a few gifts or do you think that's going a little too cheesy? Oh, I'm stuck again. I thought I had Eddie's SO picked out but now I'm considering him and Gunter. What do you think? Should I get Eddie with Jerry or Gunter and why?