AN: Suki's not as close to the rest of the troupe as Rosita is. She and Marcus want to meet their new twins in private before they meet everyone else.

Part 56

The cast stood outside the auditorium while the guests slowly trickled out, still floored by the show. Eddie and Gunter jumped for joy at their success.

Nana hugged her grandson. "I'm so proud of you, Eddie. And you as well, Mr. Schweinsteiger." She smiled at the two showmen.

Gunter laughed. "Dankeschön, Nana. It was so much fun to help Eddie write and produce the show. I can't wait to start the next one."

Linda had changed out of her costume, not wanting the accolades that should go to Suki. "I have to say, this show was great. But I have to ask about that ending. You ended it on a cliffhanger. Do you plan to continue the story?"

Eddie nodded. "Oh yeah, we have a couple of sequels planned but…"

"You'll have to wait until next year to find out what happens next," Gunter and Eddie exchanged high-fives with excitement.

Ryan and Johnny stood side by side in costume, accepting bouquets of flowers from several guests, men and women alike.

Ryan hugged his mother. "I'm glad you both could come tonight." He took the flowers she offered.

"You were splendid, darling," Katherine praised. "You are a very skilled dancer. Wouldn't you agree, dear?" She gave her husband a pointed look.

Jackson sighed. "I do. You did very well, son."

Katherine hugged Johnny. "You too, Johnny. You both did wonderfully out there. You were both shall we say rotten to the core." They laughed at the show's tagline.

Ash stood with Lance. "Are you okay that you didn't have a role in this show?" He asked.

"Nahh, I like just helping backstage now and then. Besides, I have an awesome role in both sequels!" She reassured him. "I get to play a Pirate, arrrr!" She said excitedly. "Did you kids have fun?"

Raquelle nodded. "That was great. I loved Evie!" She cried out loudly.

Porsha heard her from her place beside Johnny and Ryan. "Thank you! I should thank Darius for making such a good nerd."

The yak laughed. "Yeah, yeah, don't get used to it." He had liked acting alongside the wolf. She didn't fawn over him like other girls did, but oh well.

Lance laughed and smiled at Ash. "The show really was great. And yeah, I can see you being a pirate."

Mr. Gupta and Mrs. Patel took turns hugging their granddaughter and grandson-in-law before moving down to Sitara and Clay. "Congratulations to all of you."

Nooshy had to get in her hugs too. "Awesome job guys. But shouldn't we get to the hospital?"

Johnny shook his head. "Dad said it's still going to be awhile."

Rosita nodded. "Her first litter will take a bit more time. After the party is over, I'll go see them, Johnny." She saw Linda out of the corner of her eye. The horse was standing before the statue of Buster examining it. "Hey thanks for helping out tonight?"

Linda nodded. "Suki's my best friend. I'd do anything for her. This is a great likeness."

"Nana commissioned it. Buster would never have wanted to be buried in a cemetery. He was such a light to all of our lives and he loved this theater so…" Rosita touched the statue. "You can see how much we all cared about him. Every now and then, someone comes in with a bouquet or some other trinkets. Even food."

Linda sighed. "I'm quitting my job at Hot News." She announced. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have done that story. Jimmy didn't even need to find out that she was fired. Why didn't I keep my mouth shut?"

Rosita had asked herself that many times but knew it wasn't fair. "You didn't know what would happen. None of us did." She caressed his face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dredge up memories…" Linda apologized.

"You didn't. It doesn't hurt like it did at the beginning but…. I don't know if it'll ever really go away," the sow said.

The reporter nodded. "No, I don't think it does." She said softly. "Well, I'm going to the hospital to sit with my best friend."

Rosita went over to Gunter and Eddie. "Bibbidi-bobbidi, that was awesome." She hugged them both. "I knew you could do it." She told Eddie. "Buster would be so proud of you."

Eddie blushed. "I didn't think I had any talent but it was fun."

She hugged him again. "Plus et en vous. There is more in you then you can possibly know until the opportunity comes for you to shine." She smiled. "So what's next?"

Gunter laughed. "Rosita, where would the fun be if we just told you? But it's going to knock your socks off?"

The sheep laughed along. "We won't keep you waiting. We still have plenty of time and a month or two of this anyway."

——————————————

Finally, everyone went home and Gunter and Eddie went up to their apartment. Eddie had splurged on a bottle of MacCutcheon scotch whiskey. "This was his favorite even if he couldn't afford to get it often. So I thought it was appropriate." He poured them each a shot. "Here's to you, Buster."

Together, they threw back the shots. "Ahhhh!" Gunter gasped, drinking his beer chaser. "That is burning good, ja?" He laughed.

Several shots would be taken that night, until both the hog and the sheep were wasted, neither of them really thinking about what they were doing.

Eddie noticed Gunter looking at him strangely. "What… what… what?" He could barely string a sentence together.

The pig drew closer. "I was just thinking how tempting you look tonight…" he hiccuped. Eddie blushed when Gunter touched his cheek. Before he knew what was happening, a pair of lips brushed his own. And in his inebriation, he was powerless to stop it. But he didn't think he wanted to anyway.

——————————————

With the epidural numbing Suki's lower back, she was able to doze even with the contractions ripping through her. She moaned during one such contraction and opened her eyes, looking around the dim, empty hospital room.

"I remember when Rosamund was in labor with Porsha," a voice made her jump and she looked over at the chair nearest the door.

She blinked. "Mr. Crystal?" She wondered if she was going insane. "Where is Marcus?"

He shrugged. "Probably watching you sleep…"

She bit her lip. "What are you doing here?" She asked him.

"I wanted… needed to… apologize. For how things ended between us. For hurting you. I never knew how you felt," the white wolf explained. "I took you for granted. You and Jerry both. And Porsha. I just assumed you'd always take my side, even at my worst."

She nodded. "I did. For far too long. I'm sorry I let it go so far. But maybe if I'd told you how I felt… maybe you wouldn't have been so hung up on your reputation." She sighed. "Maybe if you knew that someone loved you for more than your money and power…"

Arms crossed, he looked at the floor. "But… I am happy for you. For finding someone who can love you as I never could and finding your own happiness. And thank you… for looking after Porsha for me. She's doing so well."

Suki nodded. "She's a wonderful young lady. And Marcus is a good father to her. And a loving husband to me." She moaned as she slept through another epidural-muted contraction. "You should know that… Porsha has decided to sell the company after Out of this World finishes its run."

He nodded. "I know. I was a fool. After Rosamund died, all I understood was money and fame and power. I told myself that I needed to support my daughter and build the company because it would one day be hers. I lost so much time with her. Not just since that night but… I realize now that I never really got to watch her grow up. One day she was running around with her underwear on her head and the next, she's almost a young woman and I barely even know her." He buried his head.

Suki shook her head. "She was so upset. For a long time, she blamed herself. She was really hurt by what you said and did. All she cared about was you." She wanted to assuage his conscience but they knew she couldn't. He could no longer hide from the wicked things he did before. "But she's alright. For better or worse, you raised her as well as you could have. Marcus can correct what needs to be corrected and she'll be fine." She grit her teeth again. "That hurt worse."

He nodded. "The medication is wearing off. It's almost time for me to go. But someone else has something to say before we do…"

"Who?" She asked before she saw a gray head out of the corner of her eye standing beside her. "Mr. Moon? I'm… I'm so sorry…"

The koala smiled at her. "You tried to make me leave. I didn't leave. Putting on our show was more important. I have no regrets. Well, one. I have one regret. But there's nothing to be done about it now."

Suki nodded. "I just wish I could have done more. For both of you. I'm sorry I said you weren't good enough."

"Suki, you were only doing your job. Nothing that happened was your fault. There's no one to blame," he reassured her. "I just wanted to give you my best wishes and let you know that even though we didn't know each other well, I appreciate you helping my troupe. For helping Marcus take care of them for me."

She shook her head. "I've just been on the edge of things. Helping Marcus with Porsha and Nooshy. Helping to navigate the board at Crystal."

He nodded. "You've done more than you know. But now, it's time. We have to go and you have to start pushing."

She blinked her eyes a few times. "What?" She asked.

"It's time, Mrs. Green," the nurse said and she realized she was awake and a doctor had her in position. "You need to push…. Now…"

The worst contraction yet gripped her and she held Marcus' big hand tightly, screaming in agony as she pushed. He pet her hair. "It's alright, Suki, you can do it. Just keep breathing and pushing… just a little more… I see a head… shoulders… keep going."

"Ahhhh I hate you!" She screamed though they both knew she didn't mean it, squeezing his hand as tight as she could. Thankfully, she wasn't strong enough to do any real damage to the mountain gorilla.

—————————————

Morning dawned on the apartment above the theater. The bottle of whiskey lay on its side, just a little of leftover liquid dripping out onto the carpet.

Eddie moaned into wakefulness, wondering why he felt so good. He couldn't remember much except their show. Until he realized there was a pair of arms around him and he opened his eyes to see Gunter still asleep.

He pulled away as carefully as he could. Being with the hog felt so good the night before but he still felt guilty. This was what Buster wanted but it didn't change that Eddie felt like he was being disloyal. But he was also lonely. Buster was gone. Gunter was kind and his jolly attitude was infectious.

He sighed. "I love you, Buster… I miss you so much but… now there's Gunter. I don't know if it's love or the whiskey but… I just wish I could know if you're really okay with it…" He heard Buster's words in his head. 'Love again…' He looked at the sleeping pig in the bed.

—————————————

AN: Coming up, the gang visits Suki at the hospital after getting the all clear from Marcus. I wanted to give Suki a little closure with Crystal and Buster. Of course, we're heading into a little problem. The apartment above the garage only has two bedrooms and while the twins can start out in their parents room in a bassinet, they will eventually need a nursery.