AN: Can you Spot the Pixar reference and put it in the comments.
Part 61
After seeing their children off to school that beautiful Monday morning, Rosita and Norman went to the theater. They found Gunter and Eddie toasting the review with orange juice. "Wow, that good, huh?"
Eddie showed her the paper. "For my first show, our first together, it's pretty good. Worth celebrating."
Rosita read the modestly positive review. "That's a very positive attitude, Eddie. And yeah, it's for kids. It's meant to be campy and cheesy. It's mindless fun. Right now, that's what we need." She smiled.
Gunter chuckled. "Ja! Desperately. We were thinking of our spring show though too. Johnny's in-laws want them to come visit at Easter. We thought we might contract with a theater out that way so Ryan's grandparents can come."
Eddie had his laptop pulled up, looking for theaters in Galveston. "There's the Grand Opera House. I'll get in touch and see if they have a show scheduled for that time frame. But first, we have some ideas and would love your opinion. We were leaning towards either Grease or Xanadu, or possibly My Fair Lady. His parents might appreciate something more sophisticated." He handed over his notebook, showing the fruits of their brainstorming.
Rosita read their ideas. "Hmmm, I would definitely keep Grease or Xanadu for our summer production after we finish our contract with Crystal. My Fair Lady is a lovely production though and that age group is perfect."
"My Fair Lady it is," the sheep agreed. "And we can take a vote on the summer show." He didn't fully trust his own judgment and he didn't want to make all the decisions. He needed help and they had a right to weigh in.
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At the doctor, Meena shivered as the obstetrician ran the cold, goopy wand over abdomen. Alphonso held her hand as they watched the monitor.
The doctor pointed at the clump of cells that was slowly becoming elephant-shaped. "And there is your baby. Everything seems to be going just fine, perfectly normal."
Meena hugged Alphonso. "Oh, Alphonso, he or she is so beautiful. I love them so much already. Is that possible?"
Alphonso smiled. "I hope so because I feel the same way. That's our baby." He caressed her lovingly.
The doctor nodded. "Now did we want to know the sex of the baby?"
They shook their heads. "We want to be surprised." Meena explained. "We only care that he or she is healthy."
Doctor Overman made a note and smiled. "Alright. I'll see you both next month then. Same time, same place sound good?"
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Marcus packed up a bunch of his and Suki's clothing along with the supplies for the twins. He looked up when he saw a black car pull up. A bulky rhino got out of the car.
"Hey Mack, what can I do for ya?" Marcus asked the rhino.
He crossed his arms. "You can explain a few things for me, Marcus. Like why you were in Redshore City last year when you know the terms of your probation means you can't leave Calatonia for ten years."
Marcus sighed. "Mack, I believe you know my son, Johnny? You know that my son is the highest priority in my life. So when my son calls me and says he and his friends need protection from an insane wolf and his minions, I know what I must do."
Mack groaned. "And I get it, Marcus, I really do but you didn't even let me know anything about it."
"Then how did you even find out?" Marcus asked sharply.
"An informant has told police that you… you had something to do with the murder of James Crystal," he explained. "What happened?"
"If you can bother me over this, you can start packing that box there. I'm getting ready to move so I can add onto my home," Marcus pointed at the boxes. "Now, last May, I'm at home and I get a call from my son…" He took the next twenty minutes to give Mack a sanitized account of the circumstances. "The bastard got ahold of Mr. Moon and before I could stop him…" He groaned. "He threw Mr. Moon from the catwalk, 1000 feet above the stage. I held him as he died."
Mack shook his head while helping Marcus. "Poor guy, but what happened with Crystal? Tell me you didn't harm him. Tell me you didn't get revenge."
Marcus nodded. "I didn't harm him. I did not get revenge. I only told him about the horrors of jail and what would happen to his daughter if he let the law deal with him." He explained. "They would have taken away everything from her. She would have been put into the system. He jumped, Mack. He took his own life. How did you even find out?"
The rhino sighed. "Mrs. Adelaide Noodleman told us. She also said you attacked her and her husband."
The gorilla rolled his eyes. "Mrs. Noodleman is currently facing life in prison for attempting to murder her own son! If she's your informant, she's just trying to save herself."
"Marcus, I get what you're saying but… just because you didn't do the actual deed, doesn't mean you're not guilty of foul play," Mack groaned. "I was able to get them to let me talk to you about it first but you've put me in a really tough position."
"Look, Mack, I have witnesses who can tell you that Crystal jumped of his own free will. He left a note. All I did was compassionately adopt his daughter as my own," Marcus really hoped that last May wasn't about to bite him.
The parole officer thought about it. "I'll explain this to the judge but you're still going to have to answer for leaving the city. You violated your parole. I'll try and get the judge to drop it but I can't make any promises."
Marcus shook his head. "Do what you must, Mack. I only did what I had to do. And I'll happily go back to jail if that's the punishment for going to protect my son!" He growled, baring his teeth. "And you tell him that. Now, I have to go to the hospital to pick up my wife and our twins."
The rhino froze. "Wife? Twins? What?"
"Wow, I really haven't kept you updated. I got remarried at the end of December and my new wife, Suki, just had our twins," the ex-con explained. "They're being released so I have to go pick them up and take them to our temporary apartment. 550 Echo Drive Apartment 3A."
"Thanks, I'll need that." Mack made a note of the address change. "Congratulations. Like I said, I'll try to get the judge to drop the violation. I'll do my best, Marcus, but I wish you'd contacted me before now." He bid the gorilla farewell and left.
The gorilla groaned. He had really hoped the issue with Crystal was done and over with. He prayed Mack would be able to clear this up with the judge. He really didn't want to go back to jail but if it came to it, he'd take it. Protecting his son, no, his whole family would always be his priority. How did the Noodlemans even know?
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Rings were traditionally the gift used to propose. Yet Ash was not the traditional type. Lance knew he needed something special. More importantly, he needed the money to get it. His wage was generous but kids and rent and bills still ate up his check minus a little that he kept saved for emergencies.
He snapped his fingers and smiled. He opened his guitar case and examined the instrument. He barely played anymore anyways.
He took the instrument to the nearest music store. After several minutes, he walked out with a wrapped package, just in time for his phone to ring. "Hey, Ash. I was just thinking about you. Sure, I don't mind at all. I'll call the school and let them know. Hey, are you free Monday morning? Ehh, I want to take you out for a Valentine's Day breakfast since I know you have to work later that night."
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Ash sat on her couch, opening and closing the ring box with no small amount of anxiety. "Awww, Lance, you don't have to… Okay, then. It's a date." She laughed to herself as they disconnected. At least she didn't need to plan the date.
At noon, she arrived at the school to pick up Lil Lance and Raquelle. "Hey kids!"
"Ash!" They ran at her, hugging her.
"Hey guys, I thought you might like to go to Pizza Planet with me," she asked. They bounced up and down with excitement.
The pizza place and arcade was hopping and Ash let them play in the ball pit until their large cheese pizza finally made it to their table.
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Marcus arrived at the hospital just as they were wheeling Suki and the twins to the front. He greeted her with a kiss and took one of the infants. "Good afternoon." He tickled Rosamund's long chin. "They have your nose." He told Suki, resolving not to tell her about Mack.
She giggled. "Well, you're in a good mood." Together, they got the twins in their car seats.
"How could I not be? I have you and our family," he hugged her before they got in the front seat. "The girls will be home from school soon. You know this could work. At least for a while they can just walk across the street to the theater." He chuckled.
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"Ow!" Ryan yelped as he hit his finger with the hammer yet again.
Johnny shook his head. "Would you like me to hang the banner?" He asked.
The tiger shook his head. "I got it, John-John. I promise, I can handle a hammer and fuck!" He shouted again. Sucking on his sore thumb, he passed the hammer to his husband and got down off the ladder.
Johnny took Ryan's hand and kissed the injured digit. "All better." He teased before kissing his lips.
"Mmmm, Johnny," Ryan moaned into the kiss. "Oh!" He smiled as he felt his body responding. "You know, I bet we have… Ah!" He jumped as the apartment door opened. "Big Daddy, Suki! Welcome home!"
Johnny laughed as he hugged his dad and took one of the carriers. "Hey Dad."
Marcus looked at the banner hanging from the ceiling. "Thanks boys."
Suki chuckled. "That was very thoughtful, boys. Thank you." She yawned.
Johnny nodded. "We just wanted to welcome you home. We'll let you get settled and rest." He ruffled his new siblings' heads gently, looking longingly at them.
On the way down the stairs, Johnny sighed. "I want a baby." He said.
Ryan hugged him. "Tomorrow, let's start looking at adoption agencies. Let's start there." He reasoned.
AN: So the incident in Redshore City may not fully be put to bed. Will it come back to bite Marcus in the ass? And Johnny and Ryan are ready to start their journey to becoming parents. And oh both Lance and Ash are planning to propose to the other. There's definitely a lot going on. Oh, I should say that when I say Galveston, I mean a fictional small town USA within the Galveston area. Mariemont is a small town within the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. Please comment, review, etc. Can you find the Pixar reference? Put it in your comment.