AN: You'll notice I'm trying to include many different types of family, ranging from biblically traditional through surrogate families and of course the opposite of traditional. Oh, theory: Meena's grandmother is ACTUALLY her FATHER'S mother while Grandpa is her Mother's father. Which is why Grandpa has a dating profile. He's not cheating. You can't cheat on someone you're not married to.

And of course, everyone grieves differently. Each of them was close to Buster in their own way. Where others might be ready to start healing, others are not.

Part 12

When Suki arrived at the theater early Saturday evening, she recalled the last time she was there. The Alice in Wonderland marquee was still up in the lobby but there was something new, something covered with a large sheet.

The cheerful atmosphere with the guests dancing along with the show was gone. She hadn't fully appreciated it then but now she wished she could have seen the second act. Mr. Moon had been so proud of it. She should have stayed. She should have at least given him that chance. Or she should have told him exactly what she thought he could do to improve and agreed to come back out next time they were looking for a new act. Rather than just a blanket "You're not good enough." Or she just could have said it outright. "My boss is an asshole and you don't want to work for him." That would have been simple enough and she could have put him in contact with any of the other theaters in Redshore City. The Majestic had called her hoping to get their show in their theater. There were other ways of dealing with it. She did none of them and she was certain that her cruel words had been the catalyst to make him sneak into Crystal Headquarters, making him feel like he had something to prove.

On the far wall was a table with a mass of flowers and tributes for the producer. She carried the small pot of bluebell flowers she had bought and placed it with the others.

"Suki!" Marcus called as he came out of the backstage to the lobby. "You made it."

The Saluki nodded. "I said I would." She took a moment to admire his outfit. "That green pinstripe looks great."

He smiled. He'd taken the chance to buy a new suit. "You look very nice as well." He referred to her shimmering teal dress.

"Thank you but… are you sure I'm dressed appropriately? This is basically a funeral," she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, Mr. Moon would never want any black. You know how flashy he was. His memorial needs to be just as flashy and bright." He led her into the auditorium.

"Aunt Suki!" Porsha cried out from the stage where she was sweeping. Suki couldn't help being amused.

She giggled. "Well look at you. I almost didn't recognize you with the broom in your hand," she teased the teen, hugging her. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing alright. It still hurts but helping out with the concert is helping," she said. "What about you? How's it been back home?"

Suki shook her head. "Well, I've just been trying to get things back to normal. Interviewing and trying out new acts. Dealing with Jerry's crap. I should probably just sack him but I just can't bring myself to do it." She sighed.

Porsha shook her head. "Oh no, no, don't do that. He's a simpering idiot but he was a good friend to my father. Even if he didn't appreciate it." She begged. "Thanks for coming tonight."

The redhead giggled. "Of course I came. So, tell me, what are you singing?"

The wolf bit her lip. "Well… we talked about it… and… we decided it would just be them going onstage. This isn't about us. This is about saying goodbye. If Clay went on, the audience would be all about him. The focus needs to be on Mr. Moon."

Suki nodded. "Very wise and very mature of you, sweetheart. Where are you all sitting?"

"The three of us newbs are helping Eddie backstage," Porsha explained. "It's almost time though."

Marcus smiled at her. "Try to have fun," he instructed her. "Mr. Moon would want this to be an out and out party. Come on, Su, Ryan and I are sitting by Alphonso and Tyler." He guided her and courteously allowed to scoot in ahead of him.

Suki looked at the bull elephant. "Hey, you're the ice cream vendor that's normally in the plaza. I was wondering why your truck was gone. I was starting to miss your Mint Chip."

Alphonso smiled. "Yeah, sorry I didn't let you guys know we were leaving. It happened so fast."

Tyler nodded. "Little Alphie here just got engaged to Meena." He would never not tease his best friend.

Alphonso blushed while Suki cooed. "Aww, well congratulations. Mazel tov. I hope you'll be happy."

The elephant smiled. "Thank you. Meena's the best."

--

Backstage, Rosita went through all of the checks, showing Eddie each step, while Gunter got into his sparkly unitard. Johnny was practicing his piano playing. Ryan stood beside the piano, just listening and occasionally sneaking a kiss.

Ash tuned her guitar while listening to Meena talk about her date with Alphonso. "Wow, Meena, that's so great. I couldn't be happier for you. Have you talked about when?" She asked.

The elephant shook her head. "Not yet, but probably not for a while. I was thinking I would use…" She stopped. She didn't really want to use that money. She didn't want the money then, she wanted it even less now. "I mean, I don't know what else to do with it."

Ash nodded. Clay had advised her to save and invest it. She didn't want it either but he reminded her that Buster had set this up so he could be at peace knowing they were provided for. "I think Buster would love it if you did that. Maybe part of it could pay for the wedding and the rest could be a downpayment on a house or apartment or something."

Meena nodded. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to talking about him in the past tense." She looked down at her dress, smoothing out the familiar indigo skirt that she'd worn that night. "You know I didn't know my dad right? I was still just a baby when he died. Grandpa tried but it wasn't the same. All of my friends had their dads or they at least had memories. All I have are the stories that Mom tells me."

Ash could figure out where her head was. "Mr. Moon was almost like a father to you."

Meena nodded. "It was the closest I ever was to feeling like I had a dad. He encouraged me just like I imagine my dad would have." Ash put down her guitar and hugged her friend. "Now I've lost him too."

"I know. I mean, I knew my dad but the difference is, I wish I didn't. He and Mom never wanted me. I wasn't part of their plan. They made sure that I knew that I wasn't wanted and the minute they could legally kick me out, they did. Then I met Lance and we know how that went," Ash explained. "It sucks that so many people who should be parents don't get to be while those who shouldn't..." She kicked the nearest box. Rosita and Gunter may have comforted her after she told them what Lance but when she told him after the rehearsal, Buster had to be restrained from confronting her ex himself.

"Okay everyone, two minutes, do your final checks please," Rosita called out. "Eddie, do you think you can do the introductions?" She was sure he could handle them on any other night but this was different.

In his sharp yellow jacket and matching capris, Eddie looked out from the curtains. "I don't know but I'll try." He looked up at the golden crescent moon. "I guess I should find a way up there."

She shook her head. "No, no. I don't think it would hold. You go out on stage while Norman lowers the moon." She glanced at her husband who gave her a thumbs up.

Eddie took a deep breath and walked out. The theater was completely full. Every box and every seat on both the upper and lower levels had guests waiting. He looked up and saw his grandmother up in her box. She nodded at him. She believed he could do this.

"All creatures great and small," he began the familiar speech. "I am Eddie Noodleman, welcome to the New Moon Theater. Tonight we are here… to celebrate the life of my best friend, Buster Moon. You know, I was the first one Buster announced his singing contest to. I thought it was a dumb idea, it would never work. I thought it was doomed to fail when his secretary accidentally put two extra zeroes in the promised prize. Don't worry, Miss Crawly, we still love you." He looked offstage at the elderly lizard. Everyone laughed. "I kept trying to tell him that it wasn't going to work. I think he took it as a challenge. I thought he should just give up but then the theater was flooded and destroyed and he almost did. It broke my heart to see him washing cars instead. But even that didn't keep him down and the next night, he and his troupe came together. Tonight… for him… we come together to remember him and honor him with a restaging of that first show. Buster, this is for you… Come on out, Gunter and Rosita." He darted off the stage.

The curtain went up on a make-shift kitchen scene while Rosita went on stage singing. "I stay out too late." She opened the "drier" full of "clothes" and started piling the clothes into a basket. "Got nothing in my brain. That's what people say. Hmm hmm. That's what people say."

"I go on too many dates!" Gunter popped out of the drier like before, earning laughter from the crowd. "But I can't make them stay…"

In her seat, Suki watched, laughing. So this was the fabled show she'd heard so much about from the other guests around her.

He and Rosita spun around the stage together until she went inside the "refrigerator." When she came back out, she was wearing a sapphire blue sequin dress with what looked like a blue, ruffled, peacock tail. They had considered the black like before but decided against it.

Unlike last time, when Rosita and Gunter finished their number, her piglets did not rush the stage. But that was only because Nana and Hobbs was with them in a private box. Instead they had to content themselves with cheering wildly from afar.

Eddie came back out. "Thank you, Rosita and Gunter, that was great. Next we have Johnny!"

Johnny wheeled his upright piano into the centerstage position. He took a deep breath. The lights came down, creating a blue hue around the theater. He looked out into the crowd. He found Ryan sitting with his dad, Nooshy. The tiger blew him a kiss and he blushed. His fingers flew down the piano. "You can never know what it's like, your blood like winter freezes just like ice. And there's a cold lonely light that shines from you. You wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use."

From backstage, Ash looked out at the crowd. Her mouth went wide when she saw Lance wearing a white dress shirt and a pair of slacks. Raquelle and Little Lance sat on either side of him, clapping and bouncing with the music. She questioned her song choice. She'd written her first song about him or rather their breakup. Except Moon had been so proud of her first song. It was the only song appropriate for tonight.

The first time he'd seen his son play, Marcus had been in jail and had to break out to make things right between them. Marcus was glad for the second chance to see him perform properly. He couldn't help noticing his son's boyfriend watching him intently. And he had seen him blow Johnny that kiss. Hearing Ryan praise him for being a supportive, loving father, unlike his own, the former crime boss had felt the guilt burning inside. He had done virtually the same thing Ryan's family had done to him. Now the tiger had no interest in even trying to contact them, not even to let them know about his great success as a dancer. Would Johnny have gone no contact if they hadn't reconciled? It was too terrifying to even consider. And it was only because of Mr. Moon that they got the chance to reconcile and be a family again.

He thought back to when he was holding the broken theater host. He had known when he picked him up. His little gray body was too damaged. Bones were broken and blood soaked his dress shirt and Marcus' CFS jacket. He knew they wouldn't have made it to the hospital and if they had, it wouldn't have made a difference. The only thing that could be done was to grant him his final wish. 'Mr. Moon, thank you… for everything… for saving my family…'

Ryan knew Johnny was a brilliant pianist but watching his fingers tickle the ivories made him feel very warm inside. When he first met Johnny in Klaus' class, he'd been intrigued. He was possibly the most attractive animal Ryan had ever laid eyes on. And the way he acted so nervous but still tried as best as he could, even when Klaus knocked him on his backside whenever he messed up the final move, he'd wanted to pick him up and soothe his wounded pride. He kept trying to find the guts to ask Johnny on a date back in Redshore City. When he came to class with Nooshy, for one terrifying moment, Ryan was sure he'd misread the signs and almost gave up until he saw the lynx flirting with one of the other females in the class. He couldn't wait to get Johnny home after the concert. Heck, only the nature of the event was stopping him from meeting Johnny backstage and dragging him into the bathroom. It would not be appropriate. And it wasn't lost on him that he also had Mr. Moon to thank for it. Logic said Ryan would have eventually found someone else but he didn't want anyone else. Only Johnny would do.

Finally Johnny jammed the final notes, having kicked over his stool in his excitement. He panted, trying to regain his breath while looking out at the audience. He heard shouts of praise. He recognized his father's whooping over the din but even louder than his father was Ryan. He blushed and bowed before blowing a kiss to his tiger. He knew that look by now and he had a feeling he was going to be sore in the morning, not that he minded.

He pushed the piano offstage to make room for Ash. Eddie was starting to sound a little more confident as he introduced her.

She looked out at the audience, wearing the exact same outfit as before. Red leather jacket over a shimmery pink dress and even a pair of red heart shaped glasses.

She found Lance in the audience again. His daughter had climbed on his shoulders while his son sat on his lap. She sighed and shook her head before striking the first chord of her song. "I've followed my heart into the fire. Got burned, got broken down by desire I've tried. I've tried but the smoke in my eyes. Left me blurry, blurry and blind…" She threw the sunglasses into the crowd.

Clay stood in the wings watching her perform. He was being careful not to let anyone in the audience see them. He knew if they saw him, they'd make this about him and he didn't want to steal their thunder. It was also why he chose not to perform. This was about their leader and that's how it needed to stay. He saw her ex was in the audience, he also hadn't missed the bouquet of wildflowers at his side and the way he looked at Ash. He hoped he wasn't planning on breaking her heart again. He still didn't know how he'd let this girl get to him. She had opened his heart in a way he didn't think was possible. Oh, he didn't feel that way for her, she was far too young for him, but there was some kind of love between them.

"This is my big hello. 'Cause I'm here and never letting go. I can finally see, it's not just a dream. When you set it all free, all free, all free. You set it all free!" She hit the last chords, sending the crowd into wild cheers.

It was her turn now. Suddenly, Meena felt her stomach fill with butterflies, that familiar stage fright was returning. "No… no… not now…" She scrunched up against the wall, afraid to go out on stage when Eddie called her name. "I… I can't… I can't do it…"

"Yes, you can…" she could swear she heard it. "Remember, you will not feel afraid anymore if you just start singing."

She looked down. "What if that's not enough this time? What if I choke and I forget the words or what if…"

"Don't let fear stop you from doing the thing you love."

"Meena, honey, are you alright?" Rosita's voice snapped her back to the moment. "It's your turn."

She nodded, she had to go on. "Please, Mr. Moon, help me…" She whispered, forcing herself to go out. She saw Alphonso looking at her with worry. Her family sat just behind him. She convinced her grandfather to forego the banner this time. Peering into the wings, she thought she saw, no, it was just her imagination, just a memory. Her ears formed a barrier around her face. "Everybody's got a thing… but some don't know how to handle it…" She tried to continue but she couldn't make her mouth form the words. She burst into tears and ran from the stage before anyone could stop her. She didn't see Alphonso get up.

Eddie looked at Rosita. "I'll go talk to her, make sure they don't leave." She instructed him. "Announce a short intermission."

Rosita found her in one of the dressing rooms, curled against the wall, sobbing. "Meena?"

She shook her head. "I can't… I can't do it… I just keep thinking about… He's not here. He's gone and everything is ruined. I just can't sing… I don't want to sing anymore… I hate singing…"

Rosita sat beside her. "Meena, you know that's not true. You have one of the best voices I've ever heard and you are born to be out there on that stage." When Meena looked away in defiance, she asked, "Do you think Mr. Moon wants you to stop singing?"

The dressing room door opened and Alphonso came in. Rosita got up and let him take her place. He said nothing. He just took her in his arms and let her cry. Rosita smiled at them. He really was a good match for her. When Meena had told her that morning about their engagement, she had her doubts. She and Norman dated for a couple of years before he proposed. But they really were well-suited.

Once the tears were cried out, he used a handkerchief to clean her face. "Are you ready to try again?" He asked, surprising Rosita. "I'll come on stage with you." He promised.

The sow nodded approvingly as Meena trembled. "Okay…" He helped her to her feet. "Thank you…" She let him support her, holding his hand as they went back to the stage.

Seeing she had returned, Eddie once more announced her name. Holding onto Alphonso, they went onstage together. He stood in a way that let the audience know he was not one of the singers.

With Alphonso beside her, Meena took a deep breath. "You can do this." He whispered.

"Everybody's got a thing but some don't know how to handle it…" Her voice was soft at first but he squeezed her hand. "Always reaching out in vain just takin' the things not worth havin' but… don't you worry about thing. Don't you worry about a thing, baby, cause I'll be standing on the side when you check it out."

Feeling her confidence building, he stepped back, letting go of her hand so she could start to dance with the upbeat soul song, but he stayed where she could see him.

"They say your style in life's a drag and that you must go other places," her shoulders started to bounce. "Just don't you feel too bad when you get fooled by smiling faces. Don't you worry about a thing!"

Grandpa had wanted to go find his granddaughter and make her go back to the stage but his daughter had stopped him. Seeing that Alphonso had gone after her himself and brought her back was confirmation for him. He would care for her and love her as much as he did. She was no longer his baby granddaughter. She had blossomed, proving that the flower that blooms in the face of adversity was the rarest and most beautiful of all. He had to wipe away his own tears. Mr. Moon had helped her find her voice and because of his insistence on going to Redshore City, she had met her soulmate. He wished he could tell the koala how much he appreciated what he did for her.

Last time, the theater had been a flimsy, makeshift outdoor theater that ended up falling apart because of Meena's jumping around the stage. This time the stage was fully intact and not as fragile. That didn't stop the entire theater from shaking with each bounce but at least nothing fell over.

"Everybody needs a change. A chance to check out the new, yeah. You're the only one to sees the changes you take yourself through! Ohhh ohhh!" She vocalized. "Don't you worry 'bout a thing!"

The applause was nearly deafening and she looked to Alphonso who reclaimed her hand. "You did great." He assured her as the rest of the cast came on stage. He was going to go back to his seat for the bows but she clutched his hand.

Johnny joined hands with Meena and Ash. Rosita joined Ash and Gunter. All five of them and Alphonso bowed, the bull elephant feeling very out of place on stage but Meena needed him.

As the applause dimmed, Nana came out onto the stage with them and her grandson, the piglets rejoining their parents. "Thank you everyone for coming to help us honor Mr. Moon. There is one more item before we depart. Follow me." She led the way down the stairs, the cast following after her. Starting from the first row, the rest of the guests joined in a large procession out to the lobby and the covered thing in the middle. "I commissioned this first thing when I got home. It was agreed that Mr. Moon did not belong in a drab, dreary, depressing cemetery. So… Hobbs, if you would…"

The penguin butler picked up the end of the sheet and pulled. Standing on an ivory pedestal, a statue made of alabaster stood.

Meena had to bury her head again in her fiancé's dress shirt. She would have to make sure she washed it for him.

Johnny wasn't in much better shape but the feeling of a soft, strong tiger hand in his own helped. "Wow Nana… it's great…"

Rosita wiped her eyes as she admired the alabaster form of their boss, their friend, their surrogate father/uncle (to her piglets). "He would love this, Nana."

She nodded and pulled out six necklaces on thin, heavy, black cords . "Most of Mr. Moon's ashes were put into the statue itself, but I had these made for each of you." They were all the same. Tiny, glass crescent moons and inside were ashes. "So that you can know he is still here. In some capacity. This theater was his home and here he shall stay until the day this theater is truly dust." She promised. "For the last time, we say goodbye, Mr. Moon. Hopefully, you can rest peacefully."

The guests each took a chance to admire the statue on their way out until it was just them and their families.

Suki approached the troupe and the statue. "That was amazing. I'm sorry that I said you weren't good enough before. I was wrong." She looked down.

Rosita sighed. "It's alright. Everyone tends to underestimate us. We're happy to prove them wrong every time." She touched the statue tenderly.

She nodded. "You should know that… they still talk about your performance. They keep asking me to bring back the 'Clay Calloway Space Musical,'" she said. "I don't know if it would be at all possible…"

Rosita shook her head. "Not at this time. I don't know if we'll ever be able to return to Redshore City. Porsha, if you want to go back, you can…"

Porsha looked at Suki then to Marcus who nodded in agreement. She needed to do what was best for her. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't. I want to stay here. I have a new dad here and he actually seems to care about me. I even have a big brother and a little sister."

Suki nodded and hugged her. "No matter what, you always have a home in Redshore City." She stood back. "I better go. The bus leaves soon and it's a long nine hour ride."

"Thanks Aunt Suki," Porsha returned the hug. "Be safe, please. And please, come visit anytime. I'll let you know next time there's a show."

"You better," Suki waved before going out to hail a taxi cab.

Ash put her necklace on and examined the pendant. "Goodbye Buster…"

"Ash?" She turned around. Lance stood with his kids and the bouquet of wildflowers. "Um… you were great up there…"

She sighed. "Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Did you two have fun?"

Raquelle bounced. "Yeah! You're real good, Miss Ash! Daddy plays the guitar too." She announced.

Lance shook his head. "Not professionally. I only play for them now. Mr. Moon was right, I'm terrible. You always were the better one. I'm sorry I let jealousy cloud my judgment. Here, I brought these for you." He offered her the bouquet. He had seen that most of them had someone special to help them grieve. He could have been that for Ash. He should have been that for her. But he couldn't be anymore, he couldn't help her when she needed it most.

Ash accepted the flowers. "Thank you. And thanks for coming. And… if it helps, I forgive you." She attempted to assuage his conscience. Even if she still liked him that way, it could never work. She was not mother material. But she could at least let him off the hook for his deceitful, abusive actions. It was five years ago and he seemed to have learned his lesson.

He nodded. "Okay, kids, time for baths and bed… Goodbye Ash." He left, leaving her to wonder if she would see him again.

She became aware of a shadow over her. "It's okay, he just wanted to… I think… to make amends." She held the bouquet.

Clay nodded. "If you ever need me to, I will make sure he never comes back here. I won't let him hurt you again." He vowed.

She shook her head. "That's not necessary. I really think he means his apology. There's just no way we could ever get back together. He has his own life now with kids." She explained. "Let's go home."

AN: Finally got through the concert. Sorry it took so long. I got bit in the cheeks by my dog making my cheeks swell and made it difficult to see. He didn't mean to, he was just so old and I think I hurt him by accident when I picked him up to take him back to bed. He passed away today. Anyway, please review. I love constructive criticism. This is not done yet. Not by a long shot.