Warnings: Domestic Violence!

AN: I really had fun with the last chapter. I wanted to give Barry and Stan a spotlight. A chance to shine.

Part 104

In the Green's hotel room, Suki made a pot of tea for their unexpected guests. Chelsea was staring at the table while Nooshy and Porsha did their best to distract René from the situation. "The chopper is on its way to take you to a safe haven in Redshore City. Porsha and Nooshy have volunteered to accompany you along with dear Barry and Stan." She poured a cup of the soothing herbal liquid and handed it to her.

Chelsea sipped the hot beverage. "Thank you. You're very kind, Mrs. Green. Ryan obviously married well." She smiled. "You're all so kind."

Suki nodded. "We've all had… We all have a story. Many of them are filled with sorrow but… that's okay. Sorrow is a part of life. The New Moon Theater is a safe place."

She trembled. "Jackson found out and he wanted to tell the authorities but Thomas said they'd never believe me and he would just take René from me. I couldn't leave without my daughter." She looked over to her child, playing a board game with the two older girls. "I made Jackson promise not to tell anyone. For her sake."

"Your soon-to-be ex-husband is in for a rude awakening," the Saluki assured her. "My husband detests bullies like him and we have the best lawyer in Redshore City on the case."

"The best…. I can't afford a lawyer," Chelsea explained. "Let alone the best."

Porsha looked over with a smile. "Don't worry about that. You won't need to worry about money at all." She and Nooshy shared a smile.

Chelsea looked back at the girls. "Thank you… thank you so much."

Nooshy nodded and whispered. "While we're there, we'll check out the stuff in that closet. I have a feeling we should at least look through the desk."

The wolf nodded. "Great idea. And then we have one more destination after you have a chance to rest. I cannot say at this time. But by the time we get there, you will be happily divorced."

The blue eyes trembled. "Is this real? Or am I dreaming?" She wept with relief.

Suki shook her head. "No, you are safe. Oh, the helicopter will meet us at the park." She said after looking at her phone. "We were going to take the kids for an Easter Egg hunt. René, would you like to join in? At least until the chopper comes?"

The little leopard cub smiled. "Thank you. I would like that. Mommy, is it okay?"

Chelsea nodded. "Yeah, of course, sweetie." She looked around her. She was really out of there. They were safe.

———————

At the church, the leopard was surrounded and unable to get away from the group. Jackson was sneering at him arrogantly.

A chimpanzee wearing a fine gray suit and carrying a Bible was talking to a line of people as they worked on leaving the church. Marcus walked by and grabbed him by the scruff. "What? What? What is going on?"

Marcus dragged him and the offensive feline into the nearest empty office. "We have this handled. Rosita, can you take everyone else to the park like we planned? Barry's already outside waiting for you."

Rosita smiled. "I'd love to, Marcus. Mr. Rhoads, I can only say that it has not been a pleasure to meet you. If I were you, I'd do some serious self-reflection." She kissed her husband, who was staying behind.

"Sorry about this, Pastor Elliot," Jackson said while the preacher smoothed out the wrinkles in his suit. "You remember my son, Ryan."

The chimp smiled. "Why, of course. It's good to see you doing so well, Rye-Bread. I haven't seen you since before your high school graduation."

Ryan nodded. "It's good to see you again, Pastor. This is my husband, Johnny and my father-in-law, Marcus Green. You know Mr. Rhoads…"

He nodded. "Yes, what is going on?" He asked.

"You're here as a witness. I understand preachers take vows of confidentiality," Marcus asked. When the chimp nodded, he offered his phone with the photographs pulled up on the screen.

Thomas frowned. "You didn't say you'd involve him."

"I only said that if you push the wrong buttons, I'll share that with the entire church," Marcus corrected him.

Pastor Elliot flipped through the photographs. "Mr. Rhoads, this is your house. Padlocks? A cage? What the…"

The leopard growled. "Women cannot be trusted… the Bible says…"

Marcus slammed his fist on the desk, making Thomas jump. "Where does it say to lock women up like prisoners? Where does it say to beat them? Alphonso, does it say anything like that?"

The younger male shook his head. "Not a thing. If you think God would approve of this, then you haven't read one word." He said with disgust.

The pastor looked at Thomas with shame. "I'm surprised at you, Thomas."

"I've asked you to be here for this, Pastor," Marcus began. "Because I want to make sure that he cannot do this to anyone else." His phone rang. "Su, yes. Yes, we have him detained. Did you talk to Floyd? Great. Tell him I'm sorry to bother him on a holiday." He sat down at the computer. "I'm sorry, can you unlock this for me?" He asked the priest, who deftly slid in to do just that. A few minutes later, "Okay, Suki, I'm in my email. Found it." He clicked some buttons and the printer began beeping and whirring. Several sheets of paper printed off. "Johnny, Ryan, Alphonso, Norman… go to the park. It's Neo's first Easter. His fathers should be there to see his first egg hunt. Jackson, you stay."

Johnny looked at Ryan. "Come on. Let's go help Neo hunt for eggs." He took his hand.

Ryan nodded. "In a minute. Dad, I'm sorry I misjudged your intentions. Thomas, you're an idiot. Chelsea's a great girl and she deserves real love. The kind of love I get from Johnny. Enjoy your lonely, backwards life." He and Johnny led the other men out.

Marcus waited until they were gone. "Mr. Rhoads, I'm going to give you a choice. You can either choose jail. I will show this evidence to the police and to the entire world. Your name will be mud." He paced around the leopard.

Thomas looked up at the gorilla in trepidation. "Pastor Elliot, why aren't you doing anything? This beast is threatening me."

Marcus slammed his fist back into the desk. "Because he knows there's nothing he can do. I hold the power now. How does it feel? I'm not a weak, young woman. How does it feel to be powerless!"

Pastor Elliot looked at Jackson. "Your friend is very… intimidating…"

Jackson nodded. "I found out what was happening. She begged me not to tell. She was afraid to lose her daughter. I got the idea to somehow get Ryan clued in. I knew if I could at least get Johnny suspicious, he'd look into it. And his father would get involved."

Marcus turned his head. "I can respect that. As for you, as I was saying… Your choice is jail and ruin or…" He put the packet of papers before you. "You can sign."

Thomas read the document. "Mutual Divorce Agreement? I won't! She's my wife! I want her and my daughter back."

"That's not happening," Marcus assured him. "Your choice is this and you have to attend counseling with your pastor to retrain your sick thought process. She's not asking for child support or alimony. You get the house and everything. However, you will never take another wife. You will be watched like a hawk. I have friends who will keep an eye on you for me. And if you ever bring another woman home, these photos will be shared with the congregation and you will be destroyed."

He growled. "This can't be legal. Divorce takes years. Months at least."

"Floyd Grisham works for my daughter. She asked him for help. He'll file this with the courts. A mutual divorce agreement only takes as long as one needs to print it up and sign it," Marcus explained. "And if you don't sign it, he will make sure that not only do you lose all of your assets, you will go to jail, he will pursue the maximum penalty. You have 3 minutes to decide."

Jackson nodded. "Take it, Thomas. Otherwise, you are looking at hard time."

Thomas picked up the pen. "I should have my own lawyer look this over."

Marcus shook his head. "Your lawyer can't save you. 2 minutes."

The leopard looked at the chimpanzee. "I'm sorry, Mr. Rhoads. I'm not going to help you here but I will happily give you the counseling you so desperately need."

Defeated, Thomas picked up the pen and signed on every line that Marcus pointed out to him. "Good luck to her. Let's see her try to survive without me."

"Don't worry about that at all. She and her daughter will be quite well off without you," the mountain gorilla vowed. "Now, I'm going to join my family for the rest of the holiday. Pastor, wait two hours before you let him leave here. I want him to feel what it's like to be caged for a little while."

The pastor nodded. "Yessir. We'll have our first session." He fixed the leopard with a severe expression. "I'm seriously astonished…" the chimp said as Marcus left with the paperwork.

————————

"Alright kids!" Gunter shouted. "Uncle Eddie and I have hidden all of ze eggs. Zey are all in zis meadow, so do you see ze trees on zat side und zis side und behind me?" He pointed.

"Yes, Uncle Gunter!" The children said in unison. It was easy to listen to Uncle Gunter. He was always so nice.

He nodded and Eddie added. "Stay in between ze trees! Once you find ten eggs, please sit down or help your friends find their ten eggs. There is enough for everyone to find ten eggs. Any fighting over eggs will result in paying the fighting tax to me and Uncle Gunter. One egg from each fighter." Gunter had instituted the fighting tax long ago. If the children were caught fighting, they had to surrender whatever they were fighting over.

Gunter smiled. "Und if you need help finding eggs, you may ask Miss Crawly for help. Once. Alright. Everyone. On my signal. Einz, zwei, drei, verlaufen!"

All of the children splintered off around the meadow while Gunter and Eddie rejoined the adults. Sitara and Rosita were serving up a picnic spread of premade turkey and roast beef sandwiches from the local deli.

"I remember Meena's first Easter Egg hunt," Lakshmi said with a smile. "Remember, Sitara? Her face when she found her first egg."

Sitara smiled wistfully. "She was so adorable." She passed a sandwich to her husband. "In her powder blue Easter dress. And later, remember it was her first time trying chocolate… her face was covered,"

Ryan sat on the outskirts, feeling guilty. Chelsea had ended up with that asshole because he left her. He didn't even leave a way for her to contact him. He just abandoned her and, worse, forgot her. She willingly let him go, set him free and gave him the push he needed to take the step.

A plate of food appeared before him. "Hey…" Chelsea said.

Ryan looked up. "I'm sorry…" he apologized.

She laughed. "And why are you sorry? You weren't the one abusing me. You saved me. You saved our lives. Barry and Stan told us that you sent them."

He sighed. "That's just it. I didn't. I thought my father… I thought he wanted to use you to break up Johnny and me. Johnny was the one who told his father. He sent them. I didn't trust his instincts." He looked up at his husband who was coming over.

Johnny shook his head. "We'll talk about it more tonight, but for now, all is forgiven. How did Jackson know?"

She sighed. "We ran into each other in the market. It was the day after a beating and he saw the bruises…. A few days later, Thomas was gone to work and he came to visit. The bruises hadn't healed yet and there were new ones. Thomas saw me talking with Jackson in the market." She looked down.

"I'm sorry, Chelsea. You set me free. Because of you, I've found the greatest happiness I have ever known. And… I never even thought to come back and check on you," Ryan apologized. "I never gave you a way to find me or anything. I'm sorry…"

She laughed. "Ryan, it's okay. I understand. I just wasn't it for you. I knew it at junior prom but I didn't say anything because at least we still cared about each other. I'm so happy that you went off and found your dreams. I'm so proud of you. And at least it's over now. I'm glad I trusted your dad with my secret."

Ryan nodded. "But you should know… the credit for that… goes to Johnny. Dad sort of told him and Johnny trusted his gut," he sighed. "And I believed the worst. Of my dad. I thought he wanted you to come between me and Johnny. And I know you'd never do that but I thought that's why he invited you."

"Ryan, your dad loves you. I know it may not be obvious. He's a jerk but… he is trying. He talks about you a lot. At church, last Sunday, he was showing off photos of his grandson," she smiled.

Ryan chuckled. "Mom! That was supposed to be a surprise!" He laughed.

"Sorry, Ryan, but your dad found the photo. I couldn't lie to him," Katie apologized. "Little Neo is so adorable. But I am mad at Jackson for not telling me about this, Chelsea."

She shook her head. "Don't be. I begged him not to tell. I'm glad he found a way to help me."

Ryan looked over at his dad, who had just arrived with Marcus.

"The pastor is holding him for another two hours," Marcus said. "His expression was priceless." He handed the folder to Chelsea. "You just need to sign and give this to Floyd and it's over. You're divorced. Your daughter is yours."

Chelsea looked through the paperwork. "Oh my gosh. It's real…" A pen appeared and she took it.

"Sign under his signature," he instructed.

Her lip wobbled as she signed everywhere he showed her. "How? How is this possible?"

Marcus nodded. "We have friends. And don't worry. He's convinced you won't make it without him but we gotcha."

She sighed. "He's probably right though. I've never worked a day in my life except for housewife stuff. And he never let me have any money of my own."

Porsha came over. "You'll have everything you need. In fact, Big Mama had a great idea and I love it. I own Crystal Entertainment and I was trying to sell it. But I can't find a good buyer. So I need a new CEO."

"Me?" Chelsea asked. "CEO of Crystal Entertainment? I don't know anything about being a ceo."

Porsha sat down across from her. "That's actually a good thing right now. See, Crystal needs a serious overhaul. The board is a bunch of lazy jerkoffs. I'd like to fire them all and start clean."

"Now you're thinking like a business woman, Porsha," Suki said, coming over with her plate and the twins in their pram. "I can teach you everything you need to know, Miss Tibault."

"Yeah, and you can work from home in Calatonia and you'd have a helicopter to take you back and forth from Redshore City," Porsha said. "And then he doesn't get the satisfaction of thinking you're out on the streets."

Chelsea wiped her eyes. "If you're sure, then, I'll happily accept. I can only promise that I'll do my best. Why couldn't you find a buyer?"

Porsha sighed. "All the buyers want me to include the contract to Out of this World. And the whole troupe just wants the show canceled after the last showing. Crystal wanted a whole month but when I took over, I cut it down to the third weekend in May." She explained. "You'll get to find new shows for the theater and make contracts and connections and… and… you can see why I need a CEO. Big Mama was doing it but she'd like to just be a housewife and stay-at-home mom."

Suki nodded. "I've been a career woman for all of my life. I want to raise my family." She picked up Rosamund who was starting to fuss. "It's okay, Rosamund, Mommy's got you. "

Chelsea smiled. "Your babies are so cute. I had no idea that dogs and gorillas could procreate." She picked up Luke. He smiled and cooed up at her.

The redheaded saluki giggled. "I didn't either. I'd heard stories but I was prepared to just be a stepmom at best. They're my little miracles. Of course, I was already very blessed with my stepson and my daughters." She gave Porsha a one-armed hug. "And I would have been perfectly content. Lukie and Rosie are just the cherries on top of our family sundae."

The leopardess nodded and looked at Ryan. "Your family is amazing. And so big. Pigs, a lion, elephants, gorillas. Dogs, wolves, cats, sheep. An iguana."

Ryan laughed. "I know. They're the best. Johnny is my whole world. Him and Neo. Thank you, Chelsea. For pushing me, for letting me go. For letting me find real happiness." He hugged Johnny.

She smiled. "I'm glad that you did. You're my best friend, Ryan. I'm so happy that you found such a wonderful family."

"A family that you, now, get to be part of," Johnny promised. "You gave me Ryan. You're one of us."

The young woman became aware of everyone surrounding her, forming a protective barrier. Alphonso came over. "I'm Alphonso. I called my pastor in Redshore City, my former pastor, and my current pastor in Calatonia. Pastor Rick will meet you in Redshore. He and Pastor John will have supplies to get you and René started."

Ryan smiled up at him. "Thanks, Alphonso. Klaus is preparing a family apartment for you. Don't worry, René will have many friends. We're even starting our own school. So our kids have a safe place to learn and we can find others like us with similar talents and interests."

Chelsea hugged him. "You don't need to keep selling me on it, Ry-Ry. I am so grateful for everything. The job sounds great. Thank you, all of you. I prayed every night that help would come. That we could be free. Thank you."

Suddenly, wind began blowing around above them. The kids ran over, their baskets full of eggs. A blue helicopter flew over them towards a nearby hill.

Suki smiled. "That's Raoul. Now, Barry, Stan, girls, are you sure you want to go too? This is your vacation too."

Nooshy nodded. "Yeah. It'll be nice seeing Redshore for a bit."

"And we already promised we would go," Barry confirmed. "We have a job to do." He stood up as the chopper landed.

Stan nodded. "It's our pleasure to join them and guard them. Just in case he decides to be foolishly brave." He said. "Besides, our nieces are going along so, they need protection as well."

Jerry bit his lip. "Maybe I should go too. Just in case the board tries to keep Porsha there." He said. "I can contact someone. The board… the board can be pretty forceful. They drove her father to madness."

"Oh yeah!" Porsha said. "Your first job is to fire them. For… der… der… not doing their jobs?" she looked at Suki.

"For dereliction of duty, sweetheart," she gave her the correct word. "I think that's a smart move if you're keeping the company."

"At least until I can find a buyer who isn't just after Calloway," Porsha said. "I still don't really want it but… if I have to keep it then… I want to redeem it. For Daddy." She looked down at the ground.

Nooshy took her hand. "It'll be okay, Porsha."

Rosita looked away. "I suppose we could continue working with Crystal until it's sold. As long as we don't do Out of this World again and… maybe not stage 3." She requested. That would make it easier for Porsha to be the owner. Their responsibility to Porsha was higher priority than their hate for her father.

Porsha smiled. "Thank you, Rosita. I think that's doable."

The group walked with Chelsea and the others going back to Redshore City. "We'll see you guys back in Calatonia." Marcus promised. "Nooshy, you keep me updated." He hugged his daughters before letting them go. She and Porsha got in the chopper with Chelsea, René and their uncles.

Nooshy nodded. "Don't worry Big Daddy, I'll take care of everyone," she promised.

Ryan stood back, watching the helicopter take off. He saw his dad nearby. "I'm sorry, Dad…" he said softly. "I thought the worst of you. I thought that…"

Jackson held up his hand. "Everyone else thought the same. Ryan, I may not agree with everything you do but you are still my son. I love you." He sighed and led his son to a picnic table. "Am I disappointed that you didn't end up with her? Maybe a little. But I agree with your mother. Johnny is a decent young man and he loves you. I just couldn't leave her in that situation."

The younger Tiger sat down. "I love you too, Dad. What made you decide to get us involved?"

He laughed. "You may not believe this but I actually had a dream. I had gone home and I couldn't get it out of my head. When I finally went to sleep… I dreamed that someone came to talk to me. A koala. He told me to get her to the show and get you curious. That you and Johnny would get her out."

"Well… that actually makes sense… it was probably Mr. Moon…" Ryan smiled sadly.

"Dad! Look! I found my ten eggs!" Neo held up his basket triumphantly. "Did René leave? She handed me her basket to hold."

Ryan smiled at his son. "She did, Neo. I'm sorry but she and her mom had to get to safety. But they'll be our neighbors so you can give her back her basket when we get home."

The clouded leopard cub nodded. "Okay, Dad. Can I leave the baskets with you? Uncle Gunter is going to teach us the Hokey Pokey."

Ryan chuckled and accepted both baskets so he could run back and rejoin his friends. He watched his son playing and dancing with the piglets and porcupettes. "I'm glad he's adjusting so well. I was afraid I'd be terrible at this…"

"Being a dad is… it's not easy… I know I don't say it often… but…" Jackson took a deep breath. "I am very proud of you. For having the courage to go after what you really wanted. It's easy to defy your enemies. It's harder when it's someone who loves you and only wants the best for you." He patted his son's hand. "You'll understand one day. You're a dad now. I'm sorry for being so stubborn. I just love you and I only want your happiness."

Ryan kicked at the ground. "You've never said that before… At least not since I joined the dance team. I know it's not what you wanted for me."

He shook his head. "What I wanted didn't matter. I understand that now. Chelsea only married Thomas because her father thought he was a good match. He started beating her after her parents both died. He took her inheritance and…" he snorted with disgust. "So… I have learned that parents don't always know best… even if they have the best of intentions." Jackson looked at his son. "So…. Even if I don't agree with everything you do, I've come to realize that… maybe I'm wrong. And, while I can't help worrying about you, I'm willing to entertain that possibility. And… if you… if you ever decide that you're not as happy as you could be, if you ever decide you want out, I'll help you."

That statement might have offended Ryan if not for what had just happened with Chelsea. He understood where his father was coming from. "Thanks, Dad…" Suddenly, a pair of arms was wrapped around him. He hugged his father back, savoring the rare affection. "I love you too, Dad."

Father and son sat together for several minutes. Johnny saw from afar and smiled at them before turning back to watch the children all doing silly dances and games with Gunter and Eddie.

AN: Okay, I finally reached a stopping point. Jackson has definitely reached a good point in his development. Chelsea has been made a part of the regular cast. The kids had their egg hunt with Uncle Gunter. Next: Porsha introduces Chelsea to the board right before letting the leopardess give them their notices. Porsha and Nooshy go searching through her father's desk.