Part 108

After taking care of Nooshy's friends, they returned to the mansion. The ride was quiet. Clay was trying so hard to think. He looked in the rearview mirror back at her. He knew he should tell Marcus. She wasn't his daughter. He couldn't discipline her. He didn't think Marcus would harm her. He would simply sit her down for a nice conversation and maybe restricting her freedom a little bit. However, he didn't want to accidentally give the idea that helping those in need was wrong. Her heart was in the right place. Maybe Sitara would know what to do because he sure didn't.

"Look, I get what you were trying to do," he told her. "Your heart was in the right place. But… sneaking out and going off on your own is highly unsafe. Anything could have happened. Trafficking is a very real danger, especially in tourist cities like Redshore."

The lynx looked down at the floor of the suv. "I'm sorry. I'm just so used to being on my own. And before, no one really cared if I went off on my own." She explained. "And no one seems to mind back home."

Clay looked back at her. He sighed. That would make this conversation harder. "And I can understand that might be confusing but… ugh…"

She nodded. "I'm sorry… I understand now… it's just… Are you going to tell Big Daddy?" She asked.

"I don't know. Why are you worried about me telling him?" Clay asked. "You know he's not the kind to harm you in any way, right?"

Nooshy shook her head. "Of course not. Big Daddy is the best dad ever." She thought about it. "I just don't want him worrying about me when there's more important things going on. Like what's going on with Chelsea."

The lion nodded and Porsha hugged her. "But Nooshy, he's our dad. He wants us to share these things with him. He's on our side. At least you could have told me." She said, feeling a little hurt that Nooshy didn't ask for her help. "I would have gone with you."

Nooshy leaned up against the window. She hadn't meant to hurt her sister. "I know you would've but… I just meant to deliver the food and come right back. I meant to be back before you guys woke up. I lost track of time. Thank you for hooking them up, sis. I promise. Next time, I'll wake you up…"

"And tell Big Daddy," Porsha added. "Come on, you know he'd help. We all would."

She sighed. "I know but… I was worried they might think I was rubbing their noses in my good fortune instead of simply sharing it. I have the best big sister in the world but for those who are in that situation, it can come off…" Nooshy hugged her. "Not everyone is as lucky as I am. I was afraid they might see it as bragging."

Porsha returned the hug. "I guess that makes sense… I forgive you."

Clay watched them through the rearview mirror. He had a real conundrum. Marcus was a good father to her. He could be trusted not to overreact. Not with his daughter. Right?

———————

Marcus was impressed that Suki was somehow able to get him on the same flight. The bears were still there. She also got them tickets as well.

Now, he sat in first class, in the first seat while the bears had seats at the very back. Apparently, Suki had a talk with the airport manager herself. The three passengers in the very back happily accepted the upgrade and she made sure that Marcus was seated last.

"Champagne, sir?" A flight attendant offered him a glass of the freshly-poured bubbly beverage.

He shook his head. "No, thank you. I'm working." He looked at his phone. "Row 30 Aisle." He typed back. "Thank you. Let me know if he moves at all." He sighed. "Any movement. Make sure he doesn't see you." He groaned. "Marion, please… I don't want to get my hands dirty again. Please, don't let me fail again…" he pleaded softly as he leaned his head back. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to rest.

"You didn't fail, Marcus," a voice made him open his eyes. He looked around the empty cabin before he looked beside him. Blue eyes smiled up at him. The little koala sipped on a flute of champagne. "You know, I always wondered what it would be like to fly first class." He chuckled.

Marcus didn't know if he could trust his eyes. "I… I did fail. I couldn't protect you… he got to you because I neglected my job. I failed. I'm sorry."

Buster looked up at him sadly. "Marcus, you didn't fail. You did everything possible. I was not meant to survive that night. I know that now. And what happened was for the best…" he swirled his drink. "Don't tell them but… I only had a few years left anyway. But if… if I'd ended up on the natural path, Eddie would never have been free. The minute Nana died, his parents would have attempted to marry him off and I think we both know how he would have responded. And hearing it, that would have killed me. This was better because now Eddie gets to live his life and he gets to marry for love and he's doing so well with the troupe." He looked out the window. "I wish it hadn't happened… I wish… but… it really was for the best."

The gorilla eyed him. "Johnny specifically asked me to protect you. Everyone did. They didn't fear for themselves, they feared for you."

Buster chuckled. "I wanted you there to protect Johnny and the others. And… your wife wanted you there so you could meet three people who would help fill the void she left behind."

The normally-tough man covered his eyes briefly. "My wife? Marion?"

"Hello, sweetheart." The voice made him turn to look at the seat to the other side. The female gorilla smiled at him.

His mouth fell open. "Marion, I… I don't know what to say. I just… you wanted me to meet Suki?"

She nodded. "Bonnie and I could see that she was pining for a man who would never return her affections. She needed someone like you to show her what real love was. And of course, those girls desperately needed a proper father." She smiled.

He took her hand. "You trusted me with them even after I screwed up with Johnny?"

Marion laughed. "How did you screw up? You made some mistakes but you made up for them. Johnny is fine lad and he'll be a great father. He's already well on his way." She stroked his head. "Johnny idolizes you, Marky-Mark." She used her old nickname for him.

Marcus realized there were several others. A bull elephant, another pair of koalas, even a female wolf who looked remarkably like… "Are you, Porsha's mother?"

She smiled. "I am Rosamund Crystal, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Thank you for taking such good care of our daughter. And thank you for doing what you did for Jimmy. Thank you for setting him free." She saw his face fall.

"You shouldn't thank me. I killed him. It's my fault Porsha was made an orphan," he explained. "I was so… angry…."

She nodded. "So was I. It's still a sore topic between us. Seeing as I'm good friends with Buster's mother. But you did what had to be done. What he was too afraid to do himself. None of it was your fault. You did your best. Jimmy's where he belongs now. With me. Though right now, he's with your target. Don't worry, we're on your side."

Marcus shook his head. "I can't let him hurt his wife again. I can't fail…"

Buster chuckled. "You won't… if he even tries to touch her. You won't fail…" he sipped his drink. "If you can't get through to him, all you need to do is let him go. We will handle him."

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Back in coach, the leopard was looking out the window, plotting his wife's punishment. He didn't even notice the plane becoming empty and the lights becoming dim.

"Don't do it," a gruff voice said beside him. He jumped. He looked beside him at the white wolf. The startling blue eyes seemed to drill a hole into him and he trembled. "Especially don't do it if a weird dream gives you an anxiety attack." The wolf chuckled darkly.

The panthera pardus gulped. "Who are you? What are you?"

He seemed to think about his answer. "You've heard of Pinocchio right? The wooden puppet who wanted to be real boy and he had a little cricket?"

Thomas nodded. "Of course. His conscience." Why was he dreaming about giving a book report?

"Think of me as your conscience," the wolf continued. "I'm here to give you one last chance to make the right choice."

"Choice? My wife ran away with our daughter!" He shouted. "She is a woman. Her role is to be subservient to me."

"And you're her husband, or you were. Your job is provide for her and protect her, not to harm her. Your job is to build her up!" He jabbed the leopard in the chest. "More importantly. What would you do if it was your daughter and her husband was treating her like you treated Chelsea? Do you know how lucky you really were to have her? She loved you."

He growled. "No, she didn't. I was second. She married me as a backup because she couldn't marry the guy she really wanted. And I know if she ever got the chance, she'd leave me for him!" He looked away. "I found her diary. I know all about her high school boyfriend and she can't even deny that she dreams about him. She talks in her sleep."

"Have you given her a reason to dream about you? Have you showered with care and affection? Or have you only been the beast in her night terrors?"

Thomas stubbornly looked out the window at the clouds and the ground below just rolling by. "I lost my wife when my daughter was just a little thing. In a car wreck with a drunk driver. I let it change me and I shut out everyone I cared about, even my daughter. I let my board of directors gaslight me into doing all of the work because I needed my work to hide from that pain. All I cared about was my image. I became angry and vicious, violent. Until it all came to a head and I made the worst mistake of my life. I took an innocent life. The life of someone who could have been my friend if I'd taken my head out of my ass. But you still have a chance. You can avoid sharing my fate. All you have to do is make the right choice. Let her go. Let them go." He looked around as a voice announced over the PA.

'Now landing at SFJ International Airport! Please fasten seatbelts and put your tray up, thank you.'

The leopard jerked and his eyes opened. He realized that he'd fallen asleep. He looked beside him. What was that? Just a dream? He wiped his sweaty brow.

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The Victorian style home with its red roof turret stood proudly before them. The sunlight glistened off the ripples of the lake, making it appear as though there were stars in the water.

"Oh my gosh!" Chelsea gaped with wonder at the sight before her. "This place is beautiful!"

Clay nodded. "I lived alone here for fifteen years. And not a soul found me until the New Moon troupe came looking. So until Marcus gives us the all clear, you and René will be perfectly safe." He said as he led them through the orchard. "Help yourself to an apple. Ruby loved apple trees."

Porsha looked around. "Ash told us about it and Meena agreed it was gorgeous. He let her and Alphonso honeymoon here." She said.

"It's pretty Mommy! Oh oh, look Mommy, there's a boat!" The little leopardette cried out, pointing.

"Yes, there's a boat, but look at me, little one," Clay got her attention. "You stay away from the boat and the water unless your mommy or another adult is with you."

"Does your daughter know about water safety?" Sitara asked Chelsea.

She nodded. "Yes, she took ISR lessons as a baby. Don't worry about that. Sometimes I wonder if she's part-fish." The two mothers laughed.

Sitara smiled. "Meena loved swimming when she was a kid."

Once inside, while Sitara gave their guests a tour of their accommodations for the next day or two, Clay sat down with Nooshy. "So, I've decided that I'm not going to tell your father." She breathed a sigh of relief. "You need to tell him and your mother." She froze. "You need to learn to trust him, that includes telling him about things like this. He's your father and his job is to help you and keep you safe."

Nooshy sighed. "I know that but…" At his stern look, she continued. "Alright, Mr. Calloway. I will tell him. After everyone is home and settled. I don't want to bug him while there's still so much going on."

The lion studied her briefly. "That's fair but… I expect you to tell them at the earliest convenient time. Deal?"

She nodded. "I promise…" She saw Porsha thinking intently. "Sis?"

She looked up. "I just can't get it out of my head. They were living in boxes, in tents… in whatever they could find. Their clothes…" She bit her lip. "And that was practically next door to the hotel. How did I completely miss it?"

"You're just a kid, Porsha. I don't blame you for not noticing us. You're noticing now and I'm glad you're not like we thought…" Nooshy reluctantly admitted. "You're getting them help."

Porsha nodded. "I'm sorry. I wish I'd known. We could have been sisters a long time ago." She hugged her.

———————

"So while Grandpa is gone," Johnny told Neo as they had a late breakfast. "Grandma Suki asked if we wouldn't mind watching Lukie and Rosie today. The ladies are all going for a spa day. Until showtimes and Uncle Norman will look after all of you during showtimes. Is that okay?"

He and Ryan had developed a habit of letting Neo into the daily plans, letting him have some input. They wanted Neo to feel like he had some control.

"Of course, Dad. I like playing with Lukie and Rosie," Neo said.

"Great. We're just hanging at the hotel today. We, guys, are all meeting at the pool soon," Johnny smiled and stood up as Ryan came out in his swim trunks. "Are those rupees and triforces?" He asked teasingly.

Ryan nodded. "Oh, yeah. I loved Zelda as a kid."

The gorilla laughed adoringly. "I'm going to go get my brother and sister."

His husband crossed the distance in just a few steps, wrapping his arm around him. "It's dangerous to go alone. Take this." He kissed Johnny's lips tenderly.

Johnny eagerly returned the kiss. "I love you too." He grinned and left.

Ryan chuckled. "Go get your trunks on, Neo, then come here so I can put sunblock on. And don't forget your hat, sunglasses, and water shoes."

His son jumped up and ran into his room to change. Ryan cleaned up the remains of his breakfast.

———————

Suki was packing up the diaper bag. "I just don't know, Rosita," she told the mother pig who was helping her. "I know Johnny's great with them but what if they're not ready to be without Mommy for so long?" She turned to tickle their little chins.

Rosita giggled. "Suki, they'll be alright for a few hours. It's okay." A knock made her get up. "Hey, Johnny, thank you for babysitting. You deserve a break, Suki. It's important for all new mothers to get some time off."

Johnny nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Suki, go to the spa. Enjoy yourself. Ryan and I are always glad to babysit. It's good practice."

She smiled. "So you definitely see yourselves adopting again? Neo adores you both."

The gorilla nodded. "Oh yeah. He needs at least one brother or sister, maybe more." He looked down at the infants. "Hey there, guys. You're going to spend the day with your big brothers and your nephew Neo."

They didn't understand but they did recognize their big brother and they squealed with joy.

Suki sighed. "And you're really sure? I mean, it would be no problem to just take them with us."

Johnny shook his head. "We'll be fine. Go on. Have fun." He took the diaper bag and pushed the pram to the door. "We'll see you guys at the pool after your spa day. Say 'bye bye, Mommy…'" he cooed at them before wheeling them out.

Rosita laughed. "See, Suki, come on. All the other ladies are waiting. A day of massages and facials and mani/pedis. And wine. Copious amounts of wine." She grabbed her purse and Suki's hand.

"Well, I could use a new hairstyle," the Saluki admitted. "And a massage…" She reluctantly allowed the sow to pull her to the hotel spa.

—————————

Thomas Rhoads was confused by his dream but determined to go through with his intentions. It was just a dream. Just a dream.

However, upon disembarking, he was shocked to see the menacing gorilla looking directly at him. He looked around for a way to escape.

A large hand pushed him forward. "Go on, tough guy." He recognized the bears. They had followed him. How?

He was trapped. Again. Marcus glared at him. "So, you thought you could outsmart me. Look, I used to be a master bank robber. I've forgotten more about these kinds of plans then you will ever know. Come with me. The airport graciously let us have a room to do this in private. And be aware, this is your last chance to make the right choice." He grabbed the bully by his collar and pulled him along.

In the private meeting room, Marcus shoved the offensive man into a chair. "Now! What part of my warning yesterday did not make sense to you? What part of their warning just went completely over your head? What is so confusing about 'if you try and come after her, it will not end well'?"

Thomas glowered. "You kidnapped my wife! You took her away from me! You forced me to sign those forms! You can't do this!"

"I most certainly can! What is your problem anyway?" he barked back. "No woman deserves to be treated that way. You were lucky, no, blessed to have that kind young woman."

"You wouldn't say that if you knew the truth about her! I busted her cheating on me," he snapped. "Yeah, she thinks I don't know. But I heard her talking in her sleep. She was cheating on me with some guy named Ryan."

Marcus shook his head. "Ryan? You're delusional. He was her high school boyfriend but that was before she even knew you. They broke up. It's the same Ryan you met yesterday! He's gay and married! To my son! She was not cheating on you!"

He froze. "What? But…" he tried to think.

"And it doesn't matter if she was. You handle that with divorce. You don't beat her and cage her!" The gorilla shouted. "But yeah, you were wrong! So you can get rid of that narrative." He began pacing the white, sterile room. He looked out the window. "And you certainly didn't give her a reason to be faithful. I could never understand hurting someone I loved that way. And your daughter. She hasn't cheated on you!"

"How do I even know she's mine?" The leopard argued. "The little slut…"

"Stop, shut up before you say something you regret. I'm this close…" Marcus threatened him. "Now I'm going to make very clear what is at stake. Do you want to live or die today?"

The leopard thought about the events. They had managed to follow him and find him. His dream came to mind. He looked away.

"That's what I thought. Vlad, take him back to his home. Use the credit card that Suki gave you. It'll more than cover it. And thank you for your help," Marcus said. "Vlad and his brothers will be your new roommates for the next year. They will keep you from making this mistake again."

Thomas nodded, trembling like the coward he was.

Vlad chuckled. "It's no problem, Marcus. We like dealing with little pissants like him." The bears and Marcus dragged him back out.

He walked with them to the desk. He stayed on them all the way through TSA and the gate. Only when the plane took off did he let himself relax. "Marion, please, let this be it. Let them finally be safe."

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AN: Okay, I think we can leave Thomas in Texas for an undetermined amount of time. Time to end this subplot, I think. I really just wanted to give Marcus a second chance to protect someone, to bring his story full circle, so he can finally forgive himself. Oh and please, review. Ask questions, make suggestions or even requests. I do take requests (that are relevant to the story).