Part 27

By the time Eddie was in a larger recovery room, Nana had returned. Rosita and the others vacated the room, leaving them alone.

They sat in silence for several minutes. Neither of them knew how to start.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Nana finally asked softly. "I know why you were hesitant to tell Rosita but I am your grandmother. Why didn't you tell me they were threatening you?"

Eddie shrugged. He didn't have an answer. "I'm sorry, Nana. I just… I didn't want to be a burden."

She reached over to him. "Eddie, I am your grandmother. I want you to burden me! It's my job to make sure you are safe. Because I love you. I know I don't say it often enough but I do." She squeezed his trotter in hers.

The polled sheep looked down at the blankets. "I'm sorry. I really am."

She touched his cheek, forcing him to look up at her. "They are the ones who are going to be sorry. But I want your word that this will never happen again. I want you to promise me, on Mr. Moon's name, that you will not do this to yourself." She hated resorting to such tactics but was unwilling to do this again.

Eddie froze. "Nana… I promise…"

"On Mr. Moon's name! Because I will not lose you, Eddie. I cannot lose you!" The normally-stoic opera singer begged for him to understand.

He nodded. "On Buster's name, I promise… this won't happen again. I'll get help." He vowed. He thought it was dirty to invoke Buster like this but knew she meant well.

She stood up. "Very good. I better let the others come back in. They're rather eager to see you."

"How long do I have to stay here?" He asked curiously. It felt like his wrists were fine.

"A few days at least. Even then, you'll be going home with Mama Rosita. Until you are no longer a danger to yourself," Nana told him. "And you'll be talking to a psychiatrist at least once a week. And Mr Green's dance instructor tells me he has been training you."

Eddie nodded. "Yeah. He said suffering makes a great dancer so I should dance." He sighed. "Everyone has been so nice to me."

"They all care about you very much. We all love you, Eddie. I wish I knew what to do to make you believe that," the old sheep admitted to what was bothering her. Reversing decades of damage felt like a sisyphean task. But she would keep rolling the boulder up the hill until she could push no longer. She would not stop fighting for her grandson.

—————————

After Nana had her say, she let the rest come in. Eddie was surprised when the little girl-porcupette hugged him. "Hey there…"

"Mr. Eddie, Daddy said you were hurt. Are you okay?" Raquelle asked him. "What happened?"

He nodded. "I am now. And let's just say, you should never run with sharp things." He said, knowing they wouldn't understand what really happened.

Lance nodded. "A very good life lesson. And if you do find something sharp, like a knife, you leave it there and get an adult."

Ash sat beside Eddie. "How are you feeling? I'll tell you, we were scared last night."

He nodded. "So everyone says. I'm sorry. I don't mean to be…"

"You are not a burden!" The entire room echoed in unison.

Meena hugged him. "You're our friend! We love you. And when you get out of here, I'm going to make you a huge cake." She promised.

"You don't have to," he replied. "That's very nice of you."

"I want to," the female elephant said, hugging him again.

Alphonso smiled. "Meena was really scared." She nudged him. "We both were. I think everyone was scared."

Johnny whistled. "That's the understatement of the year."

Eddie nodded. "That's what I get for running with sharp objects." He said, looking at the kids. "I should have called for help when I found it rather than try and handle it myself. I'm sorry everyone."

"As long as you promise it won't happen again, we forgive you," Ryan said, taking Johnny's hand, squeezing it.

Klaus waved his hand. "It won't happen again because I'm going to be training him so hard, he won't have the energy to try it again." He fixed the sheep with a sharp gaze. He was empathetic but too many of these fools were way too soft. Let the others handle him with kid gloves.

Marcus fixed him with his own glare. "If you think you're going to treat him the way you treat my son, you have another thing coming. Which, by the way, if that doesn't stop, I'll start training you myself." He showed his sharp canines to the sadistic teacher.

Johnny got between them, blocking their line of sight. "Really, Dad, it's okay. You don't need to get involved. And this really isn't the time." His father thankfully let the matter drop but had a feeling it was only temporary.

Rosita sighed at the primates. "Anyway! Eddie, we have a new friend who wants to meet you." She gestured to the yak in his starry blue vest and his black pants. "This is Darius Petrakis. He was with us in Redshore City. Darius, this is Eddie Noodleman, he's our leader now."

"Noodleman? Like Nana Noodleman? The famous opera singer!" He asked.

Eddie pointed to the corner where the elderly ewe sat out of the way. "She's my grandma."

"Whoa! That's rich. It's great to meet you," Darius offered his hand in greeting. "So… did you know Mr. Moon?" He asked curiously.

He nodded. "He was my best friend. I loved him." He blinked back tears. "I miss him so much."

Rosita stroked his head-fleece. "We all miss him. All we can do is hold onto each other. Together, we can get through this."

"Hey, he was a great guy. Best director I've ever worked for. Best team I've ever worked with. And Meena was the best partner," he said, knowing well that he was sucking up. He had no shame. "I mean, I tried other shows and groups but… I want to join your team. For good."

Eddie looked around as he processed what was going on. "Wait, you're asking me? Why?"

"Because you're our leader," Rosita reminded him. They had talked about it while waiting but they all agreed that Eddie needed the right to the final say.

He thought about it. "I mean… I don't know… What do you all think?" He asked.

"It's your choice," Ash said. "You are our leader."

He looked around. "Um, Nana?" He asked her.

She shook her head. "Don't look at me? This is your choice, Eddie."

He scratched his head. "I… I don't know… How do I know what the right choice is?" He whispered just loud enough for Rosita.

"What does your gut say?" She asked. Softer, she asked. "What would Buster say?"

The sheep considered the options. "Um, I didn't get to see the show. How did he do?" He asked the rest, earning a smile from Rosita.

Everyone looked at Meena. The elephant sighed. "Other than a few personality conflicts, he was okay. I'll be honest, I didn't quite pay much attention to him. I was too busy dreaming of Alphonso." She blushed and hugged him. "At least he's getting my name right now. And we only met because I was trying to get away from him."

Everyone laughed and Alphonso just kissed his wife. "I guess I owe you a thank you then, Mr. Petrakis. Meena is wonderful."

Eddie chuckled. "Well, I guess… Alright, Darius, welcome to the team."

The yak smiled. "Awesome! Now I just need a place to stay."

"Come back with us when we leave," Ryan said. "We got that taken care of."

Clay looked at the sheep. "Well, I think it's time we let Mr. Noodleman get some rest…"

Eddie sighed. "Um, can we stop calling me Mr. Noodleman. I'm sorry Nana, but I don't want to be a Noodleman anymore."

Nana nodded. "I had a feeling. I understand. What do you want to be called?"

Eddie looked around the group then to Rosita and Norman. "Well, Eddie normally, by my friends but… in a fair world, I would have taken Buster's name a long time ago… I loved him and I know now that he felt the same so… I want to be Eddie Moon."

The room was quiet as they remembered their friend. Nana nodded in approval. "That is fitting." The others echoed her sentiments. It would be painful at first, but Buster would approve. "I will get the paperwork to make that official."

"Then we should let Mr. Moon get some rest," Clay corrected the name. "We all need rest." Real rest, not hospital chairs. "Ash, you too. And I'm sure Lance needs to tend to his kids' needs."

Lance nodded. "Yeah, I bet you guys are exhausted and hungry and bored. Ash, we can raincheck our date right?"

"Only if you promise you'll hire a sitter!" She commanded. "No offense, kids, but dating adults need time alone."

Gunter jumped up and down. "I'll do it! They were great. Norman, Rosita, I'll stay with the kids so you can be with Eddie."

"Thanks Gunter. You're the best," Rosita said as she hugged each of her kids. "You all be good for Uncle Gunter."

"Okay Mommy," they said together while Gunter slowly started extracting the piglets.

The main cast each gave Eddie a last hug before bidding him farewell. Even Nana gave him a rare forehead kiss.

Once it was just the three of them, Eddie settled down into his bed. "I really am sorry…" he said again.

Rosita shook her head. "No more sorries. We're just so happy that you're alright. We love you so much, Eddie." She tucked him in.

—————————

Suki would be lying if she said she wasn't tired herself. Marcus certainly made the hospital chair more comfortable but it was still a hospital chair.

"Sorry, you had to come back to more drama," he apologized.

She shook her head. "Oh no, it's fine. I feel bad for the poor guy."

Porsha nodded. "I wish there was something we could do, or I could do. My father was no saint but at least he let me think he loved me. At least he tried." She looked at Nooshy who shrugged. Everyone said her father abused her, she just didn't believe it. She never felt abused. "He never made me feel like I was less than a person."

Suki nodded. "Your father had issues but you're right. Sure, he spoiled you and failed you in some ways but in the big ways, he was a good father to you. In his own way." She hugged the young wolf. "Oh, I didn't get to ask. How was your first day at school?"

Porsha launched into a huge explanation of everything that had gone on in her new school. Nooshy got into the refrigerator and found a leftover piece of fried chicken. One thing she loved about this was not wondering where her next meal would come from. It took some getting used to but she liked not having to work everyday. Going to school was different and she had protested at first but Marcus was insistent. He felt bad for denying Johnny the chance to finish school and she and Porsha both would if he had any say at all.

She didn't know why Porsha still looked up to the white wolf she called father. He was evil and wicked. He never spent any time with her. A good father would not have done what he did. Of course, she didn't have much experience. She didn't really remember her parents.

"Nooshy?" She jumped when she realized that Suki was talking to her.

"I'm sorry? What was the question?" She asked.

"How do you like school so far?" Suki asked again.

She shrugged. "I like it alright. It's still just the first week so… but I get to go school so that's great."

Suki was marveled at how Marcus took on two young girls, both from exact opposite ends of the spectrum, and made them both equal. Nooshy had better clothes then when she first met the lynx and Porsha's clothing had come down from the designer styles she was used to but the clothing was still great quality and served its purpose.

"That's good," she yawned. "I don't know if I want to shower first then sleep or sleep first then shower." She looked at Marcus.

He smiled at her. "We could take a shower together…" He suggested. He put his arm around her, kissing her deeply.

She sighed into his kiss, returning his affection in kind. "Well, it would be nice to wash the travel and hospital off."

As they disappeared into the bathroom, Nooshy only chuckled. "Think he'll ask her to marry him? Ever?"

Porsha shook her head. "I don't know. Then Aunt Suki would be Mom but she's always kind of been a mom to me. My mom died when I was just two years old. I don't even remember her." She popped her leftover pizza slice into the microwave. "Daddy couldn't even bring himself to talk about her. I asked about her once and he just locked himself in his office for days. I wish I could remember. I don't even know what she looked like."

Nooshy nodded. "Me neither. From my earliest memories I was on the streets, trying to fend for myself. I don't know what happened to my Ma and Da. I assume I had them but I don't know where they are or why they gave me up or if they even had the choice. I lived on the kindness of others for so long until I learned how to dance, then at least I could earn my keep."

Porsha grabbed a can of soda from the fridge and the pizza from the microwave. "Yeah…. Look, my dad loved me. He really did. He did a terrible thing. But he didn't abuse me. He just didn't know how to love me."

The lynx sighed. "If you really believe that then okay." Whatever brought Porsha comfort. She just didn't think she believed it. "Hey, do you think they'd let the team out of the contract if you asked?"

Porsha thought about it. "I don't know. I could call and talk to someone. It could be worth a try. Especially if they knew how traumatic it would be for me." She looked down. "I can't believe the last words I ever said to him were basically a musical middle finger."

Nooshy touched her sister's shoulder. "I guess we never know when it's our last chance to talk to someone."

Porsha nodded. Most of the time, she was okay, but other times, the pain would come back. "I just wish I had gotten to say how much I loved him, you know, just for being my daddy. No one ever told him anything like that. All they cared about was his money." She wept. "But I should have. Instead I just kept asking for crap. Clothes and jewelry and cars, you name it. I never asked for the one thing I really, really wanted. Just him. For him to hold me and tell me how proud he is. To spend time with him. I would trade everything, I would give it all up if I could just have him back."

Nooshy nodded and hugged her, just letting her grieve. She hated the white wolf worse than ever. He had literally everything and had thrown it away to preserve his fragile ego. And seeing how Eddie's parents treated him, even she had to admit that Crystal had at least that much on them. He at least acted like he loved his daughter. She just wished Porsha could be grieving someone worth her tears.

———————————

Klaus drove the three of them and their new member back to the dance studio. Darius looked at the place.

"You guys live here?" The yak asked.

Johnny nodded. "Yeah. Ryan and I have an apartment on the second floor. We had two new dancers join us recently and they each have their own apartment too. Hold on." He went into the main office that was just behind the studio itself. He grabbed a key and made a note. Coming out again, he tossed Darius the key. "The floor and unit are on the tag. Fully furnished but feel free to change anything."

"So what, it's like some kind of co-op?" Darius asked. "Cool. Can't wait to get my stuff and get moved in. Redshore City sucks anyway." He read the tag and went upstairs.

———————————

In their condo, Meena baked a millionaire spaghetti casserole and put together the batter for the big cake she promised Eddie. She giggled when she felt his arms around her, kissing her neck with his trunk. "I love you too."

Alphonso chuckled. "I love you so much. Everyday I love you even more." Since their wedding, he had wasted no chance to tell her how he felt. Or show her.

She reached her trunk around to kiss him back as best as she could while stirring the batter. It ended up not mattering though. He made her feel so good, she accidentally tipped the bowl, spilling the batter all over the counter. She didn't care. She just wanted her husband and his affectionate touch.

——————————

She was back in her spaceship, hovering over the stage with the wormhole of multiple colored lights and stage smoke.

"Captain, we cannot land on the last planet, there is, like, a huge wormhole. The ship will never make it."

"You're right, it won't make it. But I will." She grabbed her helmet and put it on. "If you want it, take it, I should have said it before."

She walked to the edge of the springboard, singing the beginning of her song. Yet when she looked down, the panic swelled up inside her again and she couldn't make the jump. She stumbled back to the door of the spaceship. Until she saw it in the corner of her eye. Buster was falling from the catwalk. She had to jump. Without even thinking about it, she ran to the end and leapt off. She aimed herself at him, trying to make herself as much like an arrow as possible. She got closer, closer but he was falling so fast. She tried to get beneath him, tried to grab any part of him that she could. Her hands just barely brushed his fur as he fell out of her reach. "Buster!"

On the ground, on the set of the planet of Despair, he lay in a pool of blood. She ran to him. His eyes looked up at her, unseeing, blank. His body was still. "I wish I could have heard your song…" His voice echoed around the stage.

She opened her eyes and sat up, her brain taking a moment to register where she was. She thought the dreams of that night were done but she supposed the fear of losing Eddie had brought them back. She looked over at the sleeping sheep and blinked a few times. She rubbed her eyes. For a moment, she thought she saw a small figure stroking Eddie's hand and giving him a small kiss on the cheek. But that wasn't possible. It was just the combination of her sleep deprivation and the leftover dreams. Right?

AN: Ending this here. Please tell me what you think and please give your opinion on who Eddie should end up with.