AN: Yes, the implication is Gunter and Buster were intimate in a drunken "love the one you're with" type of thing.

Warning: Heavy alcohol consumption. Please, if you're old enough to drink, remember that alcohol is not the answer to your problems. Alcohol can be nice in moderation. Drink a glass of water between each drink and eat something. Never drink alone and ladies, if you have to leave your drink unattended, order a fresh one.

I can imagine it might be uncomfortable for a sheep to wear a traditional ring just like for an elephant which is why those rings are more bracelets then rings.

Part 45

Christmas Eve dawned on a beautiful blanket of white. Gunter woke up early to watch the sun rise. He sat on the sofa, opening and closing the ring box.

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4 years and 7 months prior, Gunter couldn't sleep when there was so much to do in preparation for their next show. He often came to the theater late in the night to work. The pig loved the new theater that Nana had built for them.

He was in the backstage area, painting one of the set pieces when he heard something. It sounded like someone was crying. He followed the sound up the stairs to the main office.

Buster had a big bottle of well-brand vodka and was throwing back a shot followed by a deep drink of a beer. Gunter saw the tears as he looked at something in his hand. "Eddie… What can I do… how do I earn their approval?" He wrapped the small item in some tissue paper and put it in a drawer as he downed another shot. "Eddie, Eddie…" he wept.

Gunter couldn't bear to see his boss and friend in such pain without doing something. "Mr. Moon, what is wrong?"

"Gunter?" Buster shot up and quickly tried to grab some tissues to clean his face, only for him to topple from his chair.

Gunter rushed to his side and helped him up. "You were crying. What's wrong?"

Buster shook his head. "I'm… I'm fine… Eddie might not be around as often…" Another shot went down his throat. "His… his parents… who am I kidding? I have nothing to offer… I'm just a talentless, deluded charlatan…" He sobbed.

The boar hugged Buster gently. "Mr. Moon, you are not. You are so much more than that. If Eddie's parents can't see that then forget them. Just tell him."

Buster shook his head again. "I can't do that. Eddie is close with his parents. I don't want to mess that up." He grabbed another shot glass and a beer from the mini-fridge. "At least I don't have to drink alone." He passed them to Gunter before filling both glasses again. "I don't know what to do… I love him so much and… if I go back… they'll have me arrested for trespassing." He sobbed.

Gunter rubbed his back and let him cry for what was starting to look like a star-crossed love. Eventually, the tears subsided but Buster was still upset. The pig wanted to do something, anything to make him happy again. "Hmmm, I know what you need…" He picked up the koala. "You need to be shown just how much you mean to us. To me…" He kissed the soft forehead as he carried the drunk director up the spiral staircase.

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Gunter's efforts that night had paid off and afterwards, Buster usually turned to Gunter when he was feeling lonely for Eddie. They didn't tell anyone because it didn't mean anything. Gunter loved Buster but he knew Buster would only ever have eyes for the sheep. It was okay, at least he could comfort him.

Seven months later, the pain was still there. He didn't tell anyone because he was afraid Eddie might see it as a betrayal. But now, he was wondering if he was going about it wrong.

He looked up as Eddie came out of his room, followed by the few piglets who were his roomies during their stay. "Good morning…" he greeted the sheep.

Eddie waved and yawned while getting a cup of coffee and helping the piglets get their breakfast.

Gunter sighed. "Eddie, can we talk?"

He came over, drinking his coffee. "What's up?" He asked.

"Do you remember when we cleaned his apartment?" Gunter asked. Eddie nodded, his eyes going misty. "I found zis… In his desk drawer…" he handed Eddie the box wrapped in tissue paper with his name.

Eddie's breath hitched. He thought he was done crying but when he unwrapped the tissue paper and looked in the box, the tears started anew.

"I'm sorry… maybe I shouldn't have given it to you…" Gunter paused.

The sheep shook his head and put the ring on his wrist. To be fair, it was more of a bracelet on him but the intent was obvious. Buster must have emptied his wallet to buy this. "No, thank you, Gunter. I just miss him."

The dancer nodded. "Me too… I loved him too…" Everyone told Eddie how much they loved and adored Buster but something about his tone told him that Gunter wasn't just talking pure sentiment. "I loved him too…" For the first time, Gunter allowed himself to feel the hurt that he'd been fighting. "I'm sorry…"

Eddie touched his hand. "He was easy to love. I could have left my parents' home at any time. I was just too afraid to act on it."

Gunter blew his nose. "I'm sorry. I should have done more. I should have said something to someone."

The sheep shook his head. "No, stop. I don't want to think of all the things we all could have or should have done. It's not your fault. It boils down to my own cowardice. My fear of the world outside the safety and security of my parents home. I didn't think I could survive on my own." He sighed. "I chose security over love." He looked at the band around his wrist. "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." He repeated a well-known quote.

Gunter nodded and they sat together in quiet, silently mourning and comforting each other.

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Ryan helped Johnny get out of his hospital gown and into the clean clothes Marcus brought. What he wore that night had been unsalvageable. The good news was by then the broken bones had mended and he didn't need any itchy, bulky casts.

"Finally, I'm getting out of this place," Johnny rejoiced.

His betrothed laughed and kissed him. "And tomorrow is the big day. Christmas and our wedding."

"Well, we'll both always remember our anniversary," Johnny joked although neither would need help remembering.

The nurse brought in the wheelchair. "Are you ready to go home, Mr. Green?"

"That's Mr. Hunter-Green," he looked at Ryan with a grin.

She nodded. "Excuse me, Mr. Hunter-Green. Are you ready to go home?" She asked again with a giggle.

"Yes, let's get out of dodge already," Johnny agreed. He refused to get in the wheelchair. He was perfectly capable of walking.

Marcus and Suki were waiting for them in the waiting room. "There's my son!" He hugged Johnny carefully.

"Where's everyone?" He asked.

"They're preparing a huge Christmas feast to welcome you home," Suki said.

He smiled at Ryan. "Great! I'm starving!" Hospital food was really inedible.

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One thing Alphonso really wanted to do that morning was to go to the graveyard beside his old church. Meena went with him and helped him arrange a bunch of flowers from the florist.

He knelt by the grave marker. "Hey Dad, Merry Christmas. I miss you. Oh! You're going to be a grandpa! Meena and I are having a baby…"

Meena put her arms around him. "I bet your dad and my dad are best friends by now. And Buster too." She rubbed his back. "And I know he must be so proud of you."

He nodded. "Thank you, my goddess… I'm okay…" He stood up. "Johnny will be home soon. We should finish our Christmas shopping."

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In their room, Ash and Lance were still wrapping the gifts for the kids. The more time she spent with them, the more she liked being their mom. Christmas was just so much better with kids. The day before Johnny woke up, they'd taken them to see Santa Claus with Rosita's piglets. She didn't know why she'd been so against this. It was just like playing with the piglets except sometimes she had to actually discipline them. Even though, she mostly let Lance handle that since nothing was official. As their father, he had the first right to handle the discipline.

She thought back to the hospital. Lance had been about to ask her something but had been interrupted. Since then, he seemed to be trying to get up the nerve to try again but they rarely had a moment alone with her large family. There was only one thing she could think he'd want to ask, with everything that was happening, but she also didn't want to assume. But it did give her cause to think about what answer she might give.

"Finally, we have some alone time," she said, drawing attention to that fact, hoping to draw out at least a hint.

Lance nodded. "Yeah… finally…" He looked at the small pile of gifts. "Raquelle will love this toy guitar you found."

Ash nodded. "I hope so. I hope Lil Lance likes his Lil Baker's Oven." The boy had taken a real liking to his dad's new job and they were happy to encourage the hobby. Okay, new tactic. "So, Johnny and Ryan are finally tying the knot tomorrow."

Lance nodded. "Yep… Hey, I… Hooo… I'm sorry."

She sighed. "Don't apologize. If you want to ask me something, then ask." She pressed.

He nodded. "Ash, the whole thing with Becky… it… there's never any guarantee of anything… I love you."

She smiled. "I love you too…"

"And the kids just love you, they adore you. Ash…. If… I need to know if anything happens… I don't want them going to her…" he explained. "Would you… if anything ever happened to me… would you…"

She realized where his head was and felt a little embarrassed by her assumption. "I would be honored to take them… if I'd be allowed. The law normally favors biological parents."

"Actually, according to Nana, I just need to put it in writing that I want you to have them," he said. "I just didn't want to do that unless you were okay with it."

Ash hugged him. "But nothing's going to happen to you." She wondered if he'd ever ask. They hadn't gone beyond loving kisses and cuddling in bed. Maybe he was afraid to ask. Maybe she should ask him. "Oh, we need to get this done. Johnny and Ryan will be here soon."

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Rosita admired the Christmas tree they'd put so much work into. She made sure to set aside some ornaments for Ryan and Johnny to put on and of course, the porcelain angel tree topper. A shiny red train set went around the tree and there were gifts for everyone. Her fingers found a particular ornament on the tree. It was a custom photo ornament using their Christmas photo from their first Christmas as a troupe, as a family.

"Merry Christmas, Buster… it's hard to believe isn't it… you should be here," she wept softly. The little koala loved Christmas. He even had a special red suit with a green bowtie that he saved specifically for this time of year.

They'd usually do a big Christmas show but no one wanted to do it without Johnny. However, that didn't stop Rosita from reminiscing about the last few years. The ice skating rink and Gunter's crazy rendition of Sleigh Ride. The next year when they did a production of Miracle on 34th Street, and Nana actually honored the audience with a rendition of Oh Holy Night. And no matter what they did, Buster always came over dressed in a koala-sized Santa costume with presents for all 25 piglets. This year, there would be no Buster Claus and she didn't know how her kids would handle it. This was not how she wanted the Santa talk to come about.

A pair of arms wrapped around her. "I know, honey… I know…" She realized she was crying.

She turned into her husband's embrace. "How are we going to explain why Santa isn't there tomorrow?"

He shook his head. "Well, we already told them we're doing Christmas tonight because of the wedding tomorrow." He didn't know what else to do.

Off to the side, Clay sat with Sitara sharing cups of hot chocolate. He didn't mean to eavesdrop on their conversation but he couldn't help feeling the weight of it. He couldn't let this tragedy ruin their precious childhood fantasy. It was the last bastion of innocence before they would need to enter the harsh world of reality.

"I'll be back soon, Sisi," he promised, kissing her gently before leaving. What he didn't know was Gunter had also overheard the conversation.

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On the way to the hotel, Johnny and Ryan decided to do some Christmas shopping. Marcus and Suki went back to the hotel to give them time alone. Ryan had been unwilling to leave Johnny at all so he was very behind on the shopping. Johnny stopped at a store window and smiled. "Hey, what if I….?" He asked.

Ryan laughed. "I love it!" They went into the shop with amusement at Johnny's idea.

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Though Klaus had re-earned Ryan's respect, Mr. Green was still uncomfortable with the old monkey around his son. He knew it would take time to rebuild the trust he had lost. So instead of going to the hospital, he found himself outside of his old classroom, watching as Félix and Cecilia prepared the dancers for the Christmas Eve production.

The food vendor, Alphonso, had made a really good point that his behavior was influenced by his past experiences. When Félix told him all those years ago that he was going to marry Cecilia, he'd had too much pride to express how much it hurt. He wanted to understand. He wanted to be happy for him but he just couldn't.

At some point in the class, Félix saw him standing there and came out. "Hey. How are you?" He asked awkwardly.

Klaus nodded quietly. "I'm… well…"

"I'm glad you're here… I think we should talk," he said. "Class is almost done, how about we grab a drink up at the bar?"

The monkey nodded and after Félix dismissed class, they went upstairs. It was still early so there weren't a lot of customers yet, so they had the luxury of semi-privacy. The cheetah purchased a bottle of spiced rum.

"I assume you still drink it neat?" He asked, pouring two glasses of the hard liquor.

Klaus sipped the drink. He didn't know what to say or even how to start the conversation.

"How long has it been? Since we just had a drink together?" Félix asked.

Klaus looked at his watch. "25 years, 3months, 6 days, and…" he waited a few seconds. "exactly 4 hours."

Félix nodded and whistled. "The fact that you've kept track is a little disturbing. Have you really spent all of this time focused on our past?"

He shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry if it didn't mean as much to you but yes! I loved you and you don't even seem to care!"

"Klaus, we were young, we were experimenting!" He sighed. "You were my best friend, and I wanted to feel the way you did. I tried but… Cecilia… it was just different. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I wish you'd been honest with me but I don't know what I could have done differently."

The proboscis downed his drink and poured another. "What could I have said? That no, I didn't want you to marry because I loved you? It wouldn't have done any good. All I could do was back off and try to save my pride."

Félix nodded. "I'm sorry… I know it's not much but it's what I got. I love Cecilia and I can't change that."

"I don't want you to…" Klaus admitted. "I don't know what I want. I just… I've been alone for so long."

"Well, what you need to do is move on. There's an entire world filled with men. And women. Give yourself a chance. Stop pining for me because what I want is for you to be happy. Find yourself someone special and move on," the cheetah told him. "You're like a brother to me and I want you to be happy." He finished his glass and poured another.

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Their Christmas shopping finally done, Johnny and Ryan finished the trek back to the hotel. They rode the elevator up and changed into the costumes they'd bought, laughing with delight. They took a quick selfie before getting off the elevator.

"The kids are going to love this!" Ryan laughed as he slid his keycard into the door and opened it.

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Folding tables lined the wall nearest the kitchenette. Party platters of vegetables and fruits, baskets of cookies, cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potatoes, an aluminum pan with a huge beef pot roast and another with a twenty pound turkey, and lastly a beautiful three-tier Christmas cake with a nativity set made from modeling chocolate sat waiting for the feast to begin.

Rosita was putting table cloths on the coffee tables when the door opened. She smiled when she saw who was coming in.

"Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!" Johnny shouted, carrying a huge bag of presents, wearing a soft red coat with white faux fur lining, matching pants and a black belt. Around his face was a big fake beard. The entire room laughed when Ryan came in behind him, wearing a long red dress and wire frame glasses.

All of the children clapped and rejoiced. "Santa!" Others cried out "Johnny" as they mobbed the pair, not fooled by their guises.

At the same time, the door burst open and Clay came in, wearing a Santa costume and carrying an enormous sack of gifts. "Ho ho ho, I heard there were a bunch of children on my nice list here!"

Rosita's eyes went wide and she hoped her kids wouldn't question it. "Well hello, Santa…" Thankfully, they seemed happier that Johnny was Johnny and he was finally home.

Under threat from his wife, Jackson and Katherine sat on another sofa. Jackson glared at his son's getup and looked at his wife. "Can I say something now?! He's wearing a dress!"

She smacked him. "He's wearing a dress to amuse the children, dear. Get the stick out of your butt, please, it's Christmas!"

Again the door opened, this time to Gunter, also dressed like Santa and carrying his own sack. He saw Clay and mock-glared. "Imposter!" Laughter filled the room as they passed out the presents to the children.

They were just about to officially start the party when Meena and Alphonso walked in. The laughter was renewed when they saw Alphonso had donned a Santa suit as well. And Meena had found a Mrs. Claus outfit to match.

Rosita wiped her eyes from the laughing tears. "So, we have four Santa Clauses and two Mrs. Clauses. We need a picture! Everyone gathered around the tree."

But before they could, the door opened again and Ryan's laughter was easily heard above everyone else's when Santa Klaus walked in also with a bag of gifts. Johnny had to hold him to keep him from falling in his delight.

"Okay, make that five Santa Clauses and two Mrs. Clauses. You might as well get in this picture too," Rosita still was not happy with him but when Johnny told her of his apology and how he came to Ryan's defense against his father, she was feeling a little more forgiving. "Say Merry Christmas!" She set the timer on the camera and hurried to get into the shot.

"Merry Christmas!" Everyone shouted with laughing smiles.

AN: So that was Christmas Eve. Sorry, I couldn't resist the urge to have many Santas including the pun on Klaus' name. And we finally had Klaus and Félix clear the air.