AN: I feel I need to say something. I hope no one takes offense. I work for Dunkin' Donuts. I have many bills to pay. Fanfiction is a hobby for me. So while I appreciate fanart and such, I don't have discretionary income to pay for commission artwork. I'm sorry, it's just not in the budget. I'm even trying desperately to save for my dog's heartworm treatment. It's not working. So commissions are not in my budget. However, if you feel inspired to draw fanart inspired by my work, feel free to do so and publish it, just reference my work so people can read it too. Please don't message me offering to sell me commissions. It breaks my heart but I just can't afford them. Again, feel free to draw fanart if the spirit so moves you, I believe in the share alike principle of fanfiction and other derivative works.

Part 129

On the way out of the museum, Gerhardt spotted a florist. "I'd like to get Mrs. Suarez and her husband a small gift. For inviting me to dinner last night and partly to apologize for the drama I caused."

Jerry nodded. "That's not a bad idea." The hog was growing on him despite his efforts. For all of his ignorance, he meant well. He told stories of his childhood and he heard the love Gerhardt had for his brother. He could be a good person if he'd just start recognizing that his brother was an adult who didn't need his protection or guidance.

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It wasn't long before Ash and Meena arrived. Johnny and Ryan arrived shortly after them, having received a call from his father.

"Porsha and Nooshy are watching over Neo and Noelle," Johnny explained. "They and Glenn were there checking out his apartment. What do we know?" He asked, hugging Rosita in an attempt to comfort her.

She wiped her eyes. "Thank you, Johnny. Thank you both for coming. The storm seems to have calmed but the bay is becoming cloaked in fog. I don't know what to do… my son is still out there. Who knows what's happened to them." She wept.

"Hush," he said softly. "They're safe. They're both safe. We will find them. I bet Mr. Moon is watching over them personally." He rubbed her back. "I'm going to go help my dad with that motor." He let Norman hold his wife.

Meena nodded. "Yeah, Rosita, I'm sure they're safe. They'll be home soon."

Johnny and Ryan ran to the garage. Marcus was working on the motor. "Johnny, just in time. I've almost got it."

Frederick was standing to the side, uselessly holding a torque wrench, not even sure if he had the right thing. "Your dad just… in less than an hour. It was amazing."

The gorilla laughed. "My dad is a professional mechanic. He knows what he is doing." He didn't know why Mr. Noodlehead was there but it wasn't the time. He ran over to Eddie and Gunter. "How are you two holding up?"

Eddie was trying to console Gunter. "We're dealing. But I know they're okay. We need to have faith in our friends and we'll find them."

He nodded. "You're right… we must not… lose hope. Buster is looking after her for us. I'm sure of that. I just… Gertie trusted me to take care of her. I can't lose her…"

Marcus shook his head. "And you won't. This boat is about ready to set out. I bet they're fine, just waiting out the fog and the storm wherever they might be."

Frederick looked up, a light coming on over his head. "Hey, Eddie, have you possibly shown Caspar that cave you used to play in?"

"Yeah! Not long after they moved in," Eddie said. "I bet that's where he went too. He's been wanting to go back but of course it's been too cold until today."

He nodded. "The cave is just towards the cape. Let's go. We have some kids and a loyal penguin butler to find."

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When Suki heard about the missing kids and how Marcus needed to go help with the rescue efforts, she had wanted to go help but Airlia and the twins still needed new clothes.

Now she was making lunch for the four of them. Airlia had the new clothes laying out nice on the couch, admiring them. "Thank you, Mrs. Green. These are such nice clothes. Thank you."

Suki put a grilled cheese on a plate with a mug of tomato soup. "It's my pleasure, Airlia. It was fun going shopping. And please, call me Suki." She looked outside at the foggy city.

"I hope Mr. Green is okay," Airlia verbalized what was going through her own head.

The Saluki nodded. "I'm sure he is. He said he'll keep me updated." She sat down to feed the twins. "How are you doing? Really? I know you've been through a lot lately."

Airlia looked at her sandwich. "It's hard. I miss Mom and Dad but… I've… it's not the first time I've lost my parents. Not the first time I've had to move. Not the second or third time either." She ate slowly.

Suki listened. "You've been through a lot. Do you want to talk about it?"

She thought about the question. "My mom was a junkie. She would leave me alone for days. I learned how to feed myself and clean the house as best as I could. And I learned to keep my mouth shut. But then she didn't come back. I eventually ran out of food and I had to go to my neighbor and tell her. That's when I was put in the system. I was five years old. I was bounced around foster homes for the first year until the Coleman's offered me a place with them until a forever family was found. But… Glenn decided I should just become his little sister. He's the best big brother. And Mommy and Daddy adopted me. And I'll miss them but I know Glenn will do his best."

Suki nodded. "Yeah, he will. And we will do our best to help him. I know Porsha will… She'll be a good big sister, if you'll let her."

Airlia smiled. "I like Porsha. Glenn really likes Porsha." She looked over at the present that she helped Suki pick out.

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Out in an unknown part of the ocean, Hobbes was trying to keep the two children warm. Their hot, sunny day had turned into a very chill evening and neither of them had the foresight to bring coats for a late spring outing at the beach. The fog had gotten worse and he was afraid to go anywhere. Yet he knew that was potentially a worse decision. They were still moving and he had no idea where they were. He couldn't even contact anyone as the fog made reception impossible.

"Please, Madame, help me to get these children home safely," the penguin pleaded. "Caspar, Sarah, you must not fall asleep. Whatever you do, you must stay awake."

Caspar shivered. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for getting us into this, Sarah." He closed his eyes as he tried not to cry.

"It'll be okay, kiddo," a voice made him open his eyes. He looked up and felt his heart leap into his throat. Buster smiled at him from just outside the boat.

"Mr. Moon, I'm so scared. I want Mommy," he begged.

He nodded. "And she's looking for you. It'll be alright. You'll be home soon. Until then, can you sing for me?"

The piglet tilted his head. "Sing for you?"

"Caspar, are you alright?" Sarah asked, making him blink. He looked around. Mr. Moon was gone but he heard his words. 'Sing for me…'

He nodded. "I thought I saw… Mr. Moon… he asked me to sing for him."

Hobbes chuckled. "Then you should sing, Caspar. It'll be alright."

The little boy closed his eyes and began. "Don't lose your way with each passing day. You've come so far, don't throw it away…"

Sarah and Hobbes listened to the tender voice. The little girl slowly stopped trembling, letting the song calm her fear. "Live believing dreams are for weaving…" Her voice made Caspar stop in shock. "Wonders are waiting to start."

He smiled, continuing. "Live your story. Faith, hope and glory. Hold to the truth in your heart."

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In the boat, Rosita, Eddie, Gunter and Frederick stood at strategic points while Marcus and Johnny piloted the motorboat.

Eddie watched his father out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't believe he was really helping them.

Johnny monitored the radar system, watching for any blips that could be the missing children.

"Why?" Eddie asked, needing to talk about something or go crazy with worry.

Frederick looked at him. "There are two children in trouble, Eddie. What else could I do?"

The sheep eyed him. "I'm sorry… I just… you know why it's hard for me, right?"

"I do, Eddie and I'm not looking for your forgiveness now. I want to help find these two children. Because they are important to you. So they're important to me," he sighed. "I'm glad you found true parents and I'm sorry. Mr. Suarez is a kind man. I was wrong to imply or suggest that they or your friends were gold digger. The gold digger was me and I'm so sorry. That's all I can say. It's all I have. If I could turn back time… I would have let you be with him. I would change my mistakes. But I can't. All I can do now is help when you need my help and be there for you when you need me." He said softly. "That includes finding the closest thing I'll ever have to a grandchild."

The younger man froze. "You'd… consider her a grandchild?" Eddie asked.

Frederick smiled sadly. "I saw you with her uncle. She calls you uncle. You clearly help fill a parental role in her life. It would make her my grandchild if…. If you would allow it. But I won't force it or anything. The point is I want to help because she's important to you." He rambled.

The polled sheep laughed despite himself. "Dad, stop before you hurt yourself. I get it." He returned his eyes to the ocean just as he saw a pinprick of light in the dense fog and he heard it. "Shhh…"

"If we hold on together. I know our dreams will never die." Caspar's voice echoed off the water.

Rosita's mouth fell. "Caspar! Caspar! That's my baby!"

"Dreams see us through to forever," another voice joined his and Gunter smiled, wiping his eyes.

"Sarah!" He called out. "Sarah!"

"Caspar! Sarah!" Eddie joined in. The fog seemed to move off as the light grew brighter before it dimmed completely, as though it had never been there. "I see them!" He pointed at the little rowboat with the two piglets and the butler holding onto them. "Sarah!"

"Onkel Eddie!" She called back, waving her hand excitedly. She tried to run to the head of the boat. "Onkel Gunter!"

"Sarah don't! It's slippery!" Hobbes tried to stop her but she was too excited. Her feet hit the slippery wood and she fell, hitting her head against the side as she fell into the ocean to their collective horrors.

"Sarah!" Gunter was about to jump into the water after her but a splash stopped him. Frederick Noodleman was already swimming out.

Eddie shouted. "Dad! Sarah! He's not a good swimmer." He said.

Frederick didn't care how dangerous it was. This little girl meant something to the son he had already failed too many times. He looked around the water until he saw the little pink piglet in her yellow swimsuit. He swam against the current until he could grab her and he swam back up to the surface. He swam back to the boat and offered her up to Johnny who was able to take her and pass her off to her uncle. "Is… is… is she alright?" He pleaded to know while he got back in the motorboat and they drew closer to the rowboat to help Hobbes and Caspar.

Gunter was too busy examining his niece to answer right away. She coughed up seawater. "Sarah, oh Sarah! I was so scared!"

As she got rid of the water in her lungs, she began to cry, holding onto her uncle. "Onkel Gunter."

Relief filled Eddie's face and he looked at his father. "You saved her life."

He nodded. "I told you… she's important to you."

Rosita wept, holding onto her precious son. "Caspar, my baby boy, you're safe. You scared Mommy. Never never do that again! You are so grounded! I love you, baby boy. I love you so much." She looked to Hobbes. "You found them. You saved them."

The penguin shook his head. "But it was my fault that they were in danger to begin with. I failed in my duties to keep watch over them. Forgive me, ma'am. I will hand in my notice at once."

She scoffed. "Now, I will hear none of that kind of talk. You are not to blame. 30 children is a lot for two people."

Norman nodded. "I should have been helping once I had Mr. Noodleman safe. I'm sorry, Hobbes."

Marcus looked up. "Alright, let's get everyone back home. These kids need baths, supper and their beds. I have a feeling they're already feeling regretful about their choices today."

Gunter turned to Frederick. "Thank you. Thank you for saving my niece. Thank you. She's all I have left of her mother." He clutched the child close.

He nodded, smiling. "I'm glad I could see her safely back to you. Just… pay me back by looking after my son for me." Frederick asked.

Gunter considered his next move. "Look, it's not much but I still have my trailer in my old trailer park. I am not wanting to just sell it. You can come to work for the theater. Maybe as a caretaker or something and take over the lot rent. I'll talk to Eddie and we'll figure things out." He owed the sheep for helping to save Sarah. His trailer was easily a very fair trade.

The rest of the ride back was quiet and uneventful.

However the quiet was shattered when they heard a shout upon reaching land. "What do you mean Sarah is lost?!"

Gerhardt was standing in the driveway, holding a decorative pot of fresh flowers, with Jerry, talking to Meena.

"It's okay!" Norman shouted, interrupting them. "We found them! Everyone's okay!" He tried to diffuse the impending argument.

Gerhardt gasped and dropped the pot, rushing over to hug his niece. "Sarah, Sarah, they told me you were lost in a boat during the storm. Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He looked over the child and growled when he saw the swollen gash on her head. "You are hurt! How did this happen? What did you do?" He shouted at Eddie.

"What? I didn't do anything!" Eddie said incredulously. "Sarah and Caspar did what children do and wandered off."

"On your watch!" Gerhardt challenged him.

"That's not true!" Gunter got between them. "It was an accident. Sarah is safe. We are going to take care of her head and she is safe."

"I knew… I knew last night that you weren't right for my brother!" He burst out. "You are too immature for him. Too immature to help raise a child! Too broken."

Jerry gasped, feeling all of the work he'd done that day going to waste.

Eddie felt the blow of the words. "I love Gunter. I may be broken but… I'm not immature. I love Gunter and Sarah. When she's ready, we intend to adopt her."

"Over my dead body! Bruder, if you insist on this irresponsible sheep, I will challenge Gertie's will!" Gerhardt promised. "You need to be an adult and do what's best for her."

"Shut up!" Frederick shouted. "Go ahead and challenge the will if you want. I will help my son and your brother fight you." He knew he couldn't do much but the strange pig didn't know that.

"Alright! All of you!" Rosita's voice rose above the combatants. "Mr. Schweinsteiger, I'm sorry but I think you have worn out your welcome. No one talks to Eddie or any of my family that way. It is time that you take your vacation elsewhere and leave them alone."

Gerhardt realized no one was on his side. Even Jerry appeared angry with him. "I'm… I'm sorry, Gunter… I can't help worrying about you and her!"

"I don't need you to worry about us! Stop trying to be our dad! You're not our dad! I hate him for other reasons!" Gunter spat. "But I won't trouble Rosita with any more of our drama. We need to take care of our children. You need to leave and stop interfering in my life! I don't care where you go but you need to go."

Gerhardt watched with defeat as everyone went inside. Jerry sighed. "I was trying to help you. I'm sorry for that now. I'll keep your secret although I'm not sure I buy it anymore. And don't bother challenging the will. Your brother has Floyd Grisham on his side if he needs him. Sarah is ours." He had no trouble admitting to feeling some responsibility for Sarah. He went inside, leaving the older hog outside.

Gerhardt groaned as he began to weep. He hadn't meant to lose his temper that way. He really wanted to like Eddie. He certainly hadn't meant to make Jerry hate him too.

AN: I am so sorry that this took so long. I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder which makes writing excruciatingly painful. Please comment.