Part 86

How did he get to his lake house? That was the big question Clay needed to figure out. He remembered going to bed with his wife. He looked around, hearing voices.

"How long do you think it'll take him to find us?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

A slightly more familiar voice laughed. "About as long as it take him to figure out what's going on."

He went upstairs, finding a trio sitting in his favorite nook, just drinking tea. He recognized the koala instantly.

"Mr. Moon, what? What are you doing here?" Clay asked.

"I invited him, dear," the voice behind him made him turn. Ruby smiled at him as she carried in a pot of steaming tea.

His mouth flapped open and shut in shock. "Ruby?"

She nodded. "Yes, it's me." She put the pot down on the table and kissed him. "How are you doing?"

He shook his head. "I'm… I'm well. Awfully well, in fact." How would she really feel about him remarrying? "I'm sorry."

The lioness stroked his mane. "For what? Oh, Clay… Let me introduce you to Naveed Patel." She indicated the third invitee.

Clay held out a paw to the elephant. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You're Meena's father, Sitara's…" He turned to Ruby. "Then you're both okay with this?"

Naveed and Ruby laughed in unison. "Clay, the first time I talked to you wife, I knew you would be perfect for SiSi. We just needed to get you together."

Ruby giggled. "Who do you think gave that sweet hog the idea to get you into their show? He was easy to inspire."

"Oh, Ruby… I… I was such a fool. For 15 years… I'm sorry if I made you worry about me," Clay hugged her.

She hugged him back. "You know I didn't want you secluded out here. While I was sick, the peace and quiet and fresh air was appreciated but you were supposed to return to the world when I was gone. We talked about it, remember?"

He sighed. "I know… I'm sorry. And Mr. Moon, if my reluctance in any way contributed to what happened, I am so sorry. Your troupe still misses you."

The koala nodded. "Things happened the way they needed to happen. It was not your fault. I wish everyone would stop blaming themselves and others. It was no one's fault. Thank you for stepping up to the plate and keeping them on track. I was terrified that they might disband without me. But they all belong on that stage. Meena especially."

Naveed smiled. "Oh to hear my daughter sing. It brings chills every time."

"She does have a beautiful voice," Ruby agreed. "Sit, dear, have a cup of tea with us. Tell us your plans for the show tonight."

"You know about that too? Well, it's just a one time thing. It's for charity. I still love music but I don't want the same career I had before," Clay explained. "I like working with the troupe. It's more low-key."

Buster chuckled. "Thank you. We always tried to work as a family. Too many troupes fall apart when fame becomes too big a deal."

The lion nodded. "They're doing their best. You should know that you left a pretty big hole in their lives for such a little guy."

The producer sighed. "I know… I miss them too. And thank you for your part in protecting Eddie."

"As ineffective as it was…" the rockstar admitted. "So… what is the purpose of this dream? Why have you come to me?"

Ruby kissed him. "Only so we could let you know how proud we are. I love you, Clay. And it pleases me so much that you've found love with Sitara and a family with the New Moon troupe."

Naveed nodded. "Please, tell SiSi that I feel the same way. I love her so much. Leaving her right when I did… I felt terrible about it. I love her and my dear Meena so much."

"She knows. And she understands that you didn't have a choice. But I'll tell her. She might think I'm crazy but I'll tell her." Clay promised. He drank the cup of tea that his first wife put before him.

The four of them talked over tea for the rest of the evening. Until Clay saw the sun starting to come up over the mountains and brightening the sky. "I guess… it's time to go…"

Ruby kissed his cheek. "It's okay, Clay. Enjoy your life. You have a good deal of it left to live. Good luck tonight."

He smiled at her as the lake house faded and he felt his bed beneath him. He rolled over to see his beautiful wife still asleep, her trunk curled around her pillow in the most adorable way.

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The troupe met at the theater at three o'clock to do a final run through of their act for the concert.

While Rosita and Norman worked with the children's choir, Eddie took the chance to talk to Johnny and Ryan.

The gorilla and tiger laughed only a little. "Of course!" Ryan said. "There's another three bedroom right next door to ours." They had moved to a three-bedroom when they knew they were ready to start growing their family.

Johnny chuckled and held out a key. "We were just waiting for you to say you wanted it. A child changes things." He looked at Neo who was playing a trading card game with Sarah. "What will happen to his apartment?"

Gunter nodded. "We want to make it a shrine. The whole theater will always be his. No matter who holds the deed. We were going to discuss it with everyone and we can all help."

Eddie smiled. "Yeah… we could hang his suit up nice and clean. Make up the bed. You know. Make it his again." He took a deep breath.

Johnny nodded and reached out to touch his shoulder gently. Gunter added his own hand. Ryan patted Johnny's shoulder.

"You're all doing great, kids!" Rosita's voice snapped them out of their brief moment. "I'll be right back with some juice." She appeared backstage and went to the cooler to fetch the juice boxes. "Sarah, Neo, would you like some juice?" She offered the boxes.

"Danke, Tante Rosita," Sarah said as they each accepted a drink.

Rosita smiled. "You're quite welcome. Would you like to come out and join the rest for snack time?"

The two looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure."

Gunter smiled at Rosita who joined them. "What are you boys doing? Are you ready for tonight?"

Eddie nodded. "Yep. We were just talking with Johnny about an apartment. Sarah needs her own room."

Rosita smiled and hugged them. "She sure does. So you two are staying together then?" She asked almost leadingly.

Gunter and Eddie shared a look. Maybe it was time to start telling. "Yeah… We feel that it's right." Eddie put his arm around Gunter.

She bounced on her trotters. "That's so great. I better get out there with the drinks and snacks before the natives become restless."

Eddie laughed. "We should help instead of just standing around."

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At 6 o'clock, the troupe made their way to the arena via party bus. A well-dressed otter waited for them at the performers' entrance.

"Clay! My good pal!" He rejoiced when they stepped off the bus. "Wow, when you said you were part of a troupe now, you weren't kidding. Hello, everyone."

Clay nodded. "This is the New Moon Theater troupe. Everyone, this is my former agent, Jake."

The otter smiled. "From that quaint little local theater on Echo Drive? I thought I recognized you but you weren't credited in the program or at the meet and greet."

The lion chuckled. "Yes. I asked them to leave me out of the credits. I meant what I said, I'm not fully back in the game."

Jake nodded. "Understood. Don't worry. We did use your name to sell tickets but they know that you didn't want any more than that. This is great. Even the pre-order pay-per-view numbers are through the roof. St. Jude's is very appreciative."

Clay smiled. "That's great to hear. Let me introduce our manager, Eddie Moon-Suarez. Then we have…" One by one, he introduced every member of the act. When he said Gunter's last name, the pig looked over at Eddie as though he was thinking about something.

"I'm impressed. Well, let's go get you all set up. You guys are the openers," Jake led the cast to their big dressing room. "I'll get some risers set up on stage for the choir."

Eddie looked at the troupe. "Alright, do we remember the plan? The choir will lead off with The Sound of Music. Johnny and Ryan. Meena and Alphonso then Clay is going to do his new song. Then Rosita and Gunter. Porsha and Nooshy are reprising their Sisters number. Then finally, Ash with her new song." He ran through the program. He took a deep breath as Jake came back.

"It's time, guys. Are you ready?" The otter asked.

Rosita nodded. "We certainly are, Mr. Jake. Eddie, sweetheart?"

Eddie nodded and looked at Gunter. "Would you like to do this part with me?" He asked nervously, holding out his trotter.

The hog smiled and casually took his hand. "I'd love to." They were aware of the smiles being directed at them.

Oh the way onto the stage, Gunter stopped. "Eddie, before we go out there… Would you mind if… I don't want to be a Schweinsteiger anymore…"

The sheep tilted his head. "I don't blame you. Doesn't sound like they were any more of a family to you than mine. What name would you like?"

Gunter blushed. "I'd like to be a Moon…" He waited while Eddie blushed back and absorbed the request.

"Well, I think he would like that… You loved him as much as I did," he replied, not fully putting it together.

His boyfriend chuckled. "That's part of it, yeah, but… I want to take your name too… if you'll let me." Still shielded by the curtain, Gunter kissed him deeply.

Eddie kissed him back and for several moments they were so lost in each other that Rosita had to come. "Is everything okay boys?"

Sheep and hog pulled away, laughing embarrassedly. "Yeah, sorry, Rosita. We were just quickly discussing how to introduce ourselves."

She giggled and nodded. "Very good. I have the kids ready as soon as you give the introductions."

Eddie led Gunter on stage and they stopped at their mark. "All creatures great and small. I am Eddie Moon and this is…"

"Gunter Moon. Und we thank you for the great honor of letting us, the New Moon Theater featuring Clay Calloway, perform for you this evening," the hog bowed. The crowd went wild at the mention of Clay's name.

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In their small trailer, an African crested porcupine sat in front of their television. "Honey, it's starting!" He shouted. "Hurry with that popcorn."

His wife came in with a big bowl of popcorn and a can of beer for him and a wine cooler for her. "I can't believe Clay Calloway is playing again." She sat beside him.

'Our first act tonight is the New Moon Theater Children's Choir performing The Sound of Music Medley…" the sheep announced while the curtain rose.

"Awww, how cute…" the late middle-aged woman said while twenty-five piglets and two porcupettes came onstage in a neat single-file line.

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Eddie got off stage quickly while Gunter got in position to conduct the young choir. "Okay, kinder, one, two, three, eyes on me."

A large drum roll and a powerful violin solo opened the song before Caspar began singing. "The hills are alive with the sound of music. With songs they have sung for a thousand years." His siblings and the twins harmonized behind him.

Hannah took up the next part of the verse. "The hills fill my heart with the sound of music. My heart wants to sing every song it hears."

Together, the boys led into a more upbeat melody. "Do, a deer, a female deer. Re, a drop of golden sun."

"Mi, a name I call myself," the girls replied. "Fa, a long, long way to run."

Together, they ran through the rest of the first refrain before branching off into My Favorite Things and Edelweiss.

In the wings, Clay watched the children perform with pride in his eyes. Ruby would have loved to see this. Sitara was right. He had the family he always wanted. Children and grandchildren.

"Mr. Calloway," Nana's voice got his attention and he turned.

"Dame Noodleman, how are you enjoying the children?" He asked.

She smiled. "They are excellent as always. I wanted to take a moment to thank you. I realized that I hadn't done that yet."

"For what?" He asked. "I didn't do anything."

The old ewe chuckled. "Well, you did defend my grandson but more than that. You stayed with the troupe when it would have been so easy to go back into seclusion. You helped keep them together when they were uncertain of their future."

He shook his head. "I only did what I thought Ruby would want. What I know she wanted. Perhaps if I had been more receptive when they first came… Well, who knows how things would have turned out." He looked up at the box that Jake arranged for his family, both direct and extended. "I still don't know why I fought this."

Nana nodded. "Well, I appreciate everything you've done. I know they're in good, experienced hands…"

The Lion looked her over. "This is a very strange conversation. Are you feeling quite well?"

She smiled at him. "I'm feeling fine. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. My grandson has found joy again. I really think he's going to be alright."

He sighed. "I think so too. He's surrounded by people who love him and he knows you love him. He doesn't have the doubts that he had then." He studied her intensely. "You should go up to the box and relax. Enjoy the show."

Nana nodded. "I am going. I just felt like I needed to say it." She smiled and left for the box. He hoped he was mistaken but she seemed to be moving just a little slower.

He turned back to the show in time for Raquelle to get her solo in the medley. "A dream that will need all you can give. Everyday of your life, for as long as you live."

The choir sang after her. "Climb every mountain, ford every stream. Follow every rainbow 'til you find your dream." The drums led them into the climax of the song. "I go to the hills when my heart is lonely. I know I will hear what I've heard before."

Caspar and Hannah sang together while the rest harmonized with the music. "My heart will be blessed with the sound of music. And I'll sing once more…"

The arena filled with applause. It wasn't perfect. There were a few times when they went off key or missed a word but they were children and expected. The children bowed and sat down on the risers.

Gunter turned and bowed. "Thank you, kids. Maybe we'll hear from them again in a little bit." He teased. "But now, let's welcome Johnny and Ryan."

An upright piano was wheeled to the right hand of the stage. Johnny took his place at the instrument while Ryan stood center stage.

Johnny started playing as Ryan started to dance. "Blue Jean baby. L.A. lady Seamstress for the band. Pretty-eyed, pirate smile. You'll marry a music man…"

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Up in the box, Marcus sat with Suki and the twins. They each held one. Suki used to be one of those who didn't approve of babies in the theater. Her mind had since been changed by motherhood. Besides, the twins seemed to be enjoying hearing their big brother sing.

Nana came up the stairs and into the box. Marcus immediately jumped up and offered his hand to the old woman. "Let me help you, Madam."

The sheep gave a good natured glare but allowed him to help her around the tightly packed chairs. Sarah and Neo sat together just in front of her chair. "Are you two enjoying the show?"

Neo nodded. "Yeah. My dads are the best!" He said, watching them work off each other. Ryan's ballet was flawless.

Sarah smiled. "I think my Onkel Gunter is pretty good too. Mütter used to tell me how Onkel Gunter would dance and sing for her. She was very sad that he lived so far away."

The opera singer put an empathetic hand on her head. "Your Uncle Gunter is a good man. I know your mother would be happy that he can sing and dance for you now." She looked at the stage. When the couple finished their number, they exited the stage, Meena and Alphonso came out to sing THEIR song. The song that had brought them together.

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It was his turn, Clay realized as Meena and Alphonso got off the stage. He had asked for a middle spot so that he was neither the leading player nor the finale. Both places held too much attention. More than he wanted. Singing as a group was different,

He began playing his guitar while the crowd applauded and screamed just to see him onstage. Johnny had come back to play the piano part.

"Was a Monday morning about a quarter past four. You were busy dreaming. So what did you wake up for?"

Offstage, Ash watched him, enjoying the sight of him onstage again. It was amazing considering how he had dreaded going back onstage after the death of his wife.

Tyler stood next to her. "Are you ready to do your song?"

She nodded. "I never thanked you for helping me with the Spanish part."

"Hey, I had fun helping you… I'm happy to help anytime," he promised.

Ash smiled. Sometimes she thought he might be trying to flirt with her but he was also trying to honor Lance. She wasn't sure which she wanted. He was a really nice guy. The kids loved him, that was for sure.

The rest of the show seemed to go by in a blur while she struggled to sort out her thoughts. Rosita and Gunter sang a Mexican folk song, honoring her own roots. Porsha and Nooshy sang their number.

Eddie went to the microphone. "Thank you, Porsha and Nooshy. It's always great to see that sisterly love. We're nearly there folks. We just have a couple more songs for you tonight. Allow me to introduce a porcupine who needs no introduction. Ash!"

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In the trailer, still watching the show, the female porcupine gasped. "Did he say Ash?" She asked her husband.

"That's what I heard… but…" he looked closer as the singer came out onstage. "Damn! That is her! Our daughter is a famous singer? Singing with Clay Calloway!"

"Who would have thought she'd amount to anything. Maybe we should try and reach out," his wife replied.

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"Thank you, Eddie," Ash said while he got off stage. "Tonight, I'd like to play a brand new song that I wrote. This is in honor of my late husband, Lance, and our former leader, Buster Moon." She began playing the soft song.

"Say that I'm crazy or call me a fool," she sang the first few lines in an almost mournful tone. At the end of the fourth line, the melody picked up. "To a melody played on the strings of our soul and a rhythm that rattled us down to the bones. Our love for each other will live forever in every beat of my proud corazón."

While she sang the first refrain, the rest of the troupe came out onto the stage with her. She indicated for them to join her in the coda. Together they sang. "Ay mi familia, oiga mi genté. Canten al coro, let it be known (oiga mi gente). Our love for each other will live on forever. In every beat of my proud corazón!"

While the crowd clapped in praise at her new song, Ash felt an ease settle over her. It felt like she'd found closure at last. She'd written Set it All Free to get back at Lance for cheating on her, but that had been wrong. It didn't make her feel any better. It didn't change that he cheated on her and dumped her. It just buried the fact that she still loved him.

Now she had really say goodbye to that time of her life, goodbye to the old Lance. And she was ready to say goodbye to the porcupine that she'd fallen in love with all over again. She was ready to move on. She just didn't know what she was ready to move on to.

AN: Alright, I think this has gone long enough. It's definitely taken long enough to write. Please understand that I own none of the songs. I just thought Proud Corazon was appropriate for the subject matter. Please review, then go check out the spin-off, Afterlife. It's pretty much the story from Buster's POV in the afterlife.