Part 87
"Salud!" The adults, minus the non drinkers and the designated drivers toasted their successful performance back at the theater with small glasses of champagne. The kids and the non drinkers joined the toast with glasses of sparkling apple juice.
Nana held up her glass. "If I may, I'd like to say a few words. I was so proud of all of you tonight. Tonight has shown me, without a doubt, that you are all the best performers in this city. Mr. Moon would have been so proud. And Eddie, I'm so proud of how far you've come. I know I don't say it as often as I should but I love you."
Eddie smiled at the rare praise. "Did you hear just how much the event raised? Including the dvd sales? That was insane! At least it was all for a good cause."
Porsha smiled. "I'm glad we can help people. Daddy always liked charity events. They made him look really good. I'd like to do more charity events."
Gunter nodded. "We could definitely look into it."
Eddie got out his notebook. "Now before we break it up. Monday, we start rehearsing Mary Poppins. Has everyone been studying their parts?"
Ryan nodded. "Sure have. Thanks for giving me a shot at a leading role but are you sure you wouldn't want Johnny for it." He looked at his husband. "You don't mind?"
Johnny laughed. "I think it's great. We're going to Galveston and doing this show for your grandparents. I talked to your mom and dad. They're not going to know you're coming until the night we arrive. It's going to be a huge surprise."
Rosita nodded. "And just one last thing, before we all leave. If we could gather in front of the theater. In front of Buster."
They all followed her to the statue. Norman was getting a camera set up. "We were thinking that it was time to take a new group photo. So kids all on the lower step." Rosita directed. "Then tallest on the third stair. Nana, you too." She smiled at the elderly sheep.
"Great idea, Rosita!" Meena said. "We haven't done a group photo in a while." She touched the statue.
Everyone got into position. Johnny, Ryan, Meena and Alphonso took the third stair. Eddie, Gunter and Rosita took the next step. She looked around. "Marcus, Suki, you and the twins stand in-between Nana and Johnny. Nooshy, and Porsha stand beside me and Norman. Clay stand beside Alphonso." One by one, she arranged everyone, including Tyler beside Ash in the bottom stair behind the children.
"Okay, Norman set the timer and come get beside me…"
Norman got the camera centered around the large group. "Alright guys. Say Cheese!" He hurried into his spot.
"Cheese!"
The camera flashed and Rosita smiled. "Thank you everyone. I'll get you all copies." She promised. "Goodnight everyone."
Nana approached Rosita as everyone started leaving. "Rosita, may I speak with you? And Norman."
"Of course, Nana, is something wrong?" Rosita asked.
"No, just the opposite. I haven't seen my grandson so happy in so long. You saved him," she said gratefully.
Norman shook his head. "We only showed him the love he was entitled to. He did the hard work. And Gunter helped."
"Yeah, we would do it again. We love Eddie," Rosita assured her. "And we love you too."
Nana smiled and she looked at her grandson. "I just wanted to make sure you knew how grateful I am to you. My grandson is safe and loved." She sighed. "I should go. Hobbs' has the car ready."
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That night, Porsha and Nooshy got ready for bed. Porsha still didn't want to sleep on her own. And Nooshy was happy to share a room for as long as Porsha needed to heal. In a way, it was like she was the big sister.
"You're going to be 18 in a week. Are you excited?" Nooshy asked as she got into her bed.
She shrugged. "I'm excited about my first family birthday dinner." Porsha admitted. "But it'll be my first birthday without… I don't know how to feel. I feel like a terrible daughter for wanting to be happy."
"Well, you're not. No one defends your dad more fiercely than you do. You have the right to move on," Nooshy said. "Are you sure there isn't something I can get you for your birthday?"
Porsha laughed. "You already gave me my birthday present. A little sister. All I want is for you to be there."
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By time they got home, Raquelle and Lancey were fast asleep. Tyler and Ash carried them to their beds and tucked them in.
"They really sang their little hearts out tonight," Tyler said as he covered Lancey.
Ash covered Raquelle. "They did great. Just like their dad."
"And their mom," he smiled at her. "You're the one teaching them how to sing." He reminded her. "They love you."
She sighed. "Yeah, I love them. You know, I don't know why I was so scared. It's not easy but it's not as hard as I thought it would be." Ash looked at Tyler. "Of course, a lot of that has been because of your help. I don't know what I would have done."
He chuckled. "You would have done fine. You're smart, Ash. You're resourceful. You're sarcastic in all the best ways. You know what you didn't like about your parents so you know what not to do." They went out to the living room. "You're incredible
Ash blushed at the praise and led the way back to the living room. "Would you like a nightcap before bed?" She offered, going over to her mini-bar and pouring a finger of scotch,
He nodded. "Sure." He wasn't strictly anti-alcohol like Alphonso. He just chose not to drink in front of Alphonso to be supportive.
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Alphonso almost had to carry his precious wife to bed. They were both completely done-in.
"That was great tonight," she said softly. "I love getting to sing OUR song." She kissed him before resting in his strong arms.
He stroked her head lovingly with his trunk. "Me too." He sighed. "Heavenly Father, thank you so much for another wonderful day. Thank you for my dear wife, Meena and our baby. Guard them both for me while I sleep and give us the strength for another great day tomorrow.."
She loved hearing his voice while she fell asleep. It was so soothing and relaxing. She was sound asleep by the time he said "amen."
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Rosita and Norman tucked in their little darlings while telling them over and over how proud they were of their performance.
"You know, I was thinking it might be a good idea to open up the choir…" Norman suggested. "Our kids are getting older and soon, their voices will start changing."
She nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. We could hold auditions. It would be a great way to bring in new talent on a regular basis." She agreed. "Hey… do you think Nana was talking a little strange tonight?"
He nodded. "Maybe a little. But maybe she's just… she is old, honey. And she was recently reminded how swiftly it can all be over. So she was probably just thinking, just in case, you know."
Rosita thought about it. "I'm so happy for Eddie and Gunter… I thought they would be a good couple. They have so much in common."
Her husband chuckled. "You were right, honey. All things considered, I think I like the way things have turned out. There's only a couple of things I would if it was possible. All in all, I'm the happiest boar alive. With the most loving, smartest, most beautiful wife and thirty awesome kids. 31." He revised the number as he wrapped his arms around her.
She sighed contentedly. "And I'm the happiest sow. With the greatest husband in the world." She kissed him as they headed for their bedroom.
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Once everyone had gone home, Eddie and Gunter put Sarah to bed. "Tomorrow we're moving into our new apartment." Gunter promised. "Then you'll have a room of your own."
Sarah smiled. "I love you, Onkel Gunter. You too, Onkel Eddie." She closed her eyes.
Miss. Crawly promised to look after her in case she had bad dreams, as she usually did, as they left the room.
On the way up to the apartment, Eddie turned to Gunter. "I… I just want to be sure that I understood what you were asking earlier… Are you…. Were you…"
Gunter blushed. "I know it wasn't the best time to ask but… ja. I was… I love you, Eddie. I'll never be with anyone else. You are it. Und I want to make it real. To be your life partner, your mate. If you want to be mine."
The sheep kissed his boyfriend. "I want that more than you can ever imagine. I thought that without Buster that I would never love again. I thought I was doomed to be alone forever. You showed me how to love again. I love you." They made-out on the way up the spiral staircase to their bed.
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Jerry was still up to greet her when Nana got home. He had refused the invitation to the event. He had enough theaters and arenas and concerts to last a lifetime.
"Good evening, ma'am, how was the show?" He asked her as he took her coat dutifully.
"It was splendid, Jeremiah. I really do think that everything is going to be alright… I can finally rest," she said.
Jerry's head popped up. "Rest?"
"I mean relax. I don't have to worry about them anymore. Not even Eddie…" she sighed and smiled wistfully. "I'm going straight to bed." She started up her staircase. She stopped halfway and turned. "Jeremiah, I want you to promise me something."
He nodded. "Anything, ma'am." He promised. She had saved his life, he'd do anything for her.
"No matter what happens, stay with the troupe. Hobbs will be looking after the Suarez's for me. I want you to look after the rest," she asked him. "Especially Eddie. A new relationship can be daunting…"
The tortoiseshell cat eyed her but nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Of course."
The sheep smiled down at him for just a few moments more before continuing to her bed. She did her evening toilette and got settled in for some well-deserved sleep.
She yawned deep and laid back on the pillow, closing her eyes. She slept for what felt like hours but when she opened her eyes, the clock only read 1am, only an hour after she'd gone to bed. She tried going back to sleep but it was no good. It felt like someone was watching her. She sat up and looked around. Finally she saw. In the corner of her bedroom, sitting in her pink and purple easy chair was a little koala in a blue suit.
"Mr. Moon, what a pleasure it is to see you. I heard you've been making the rounds," she smiled at him.
He came over. "It's great to see you, Nana. I've missed you. Are you ready?"
"Ready?" She asked as she found herself standing before him. She looked back at the bed and smiled knowingly. "You know, I think I am. I've done everything I can. Everything I wanted to do and my grandson is taken care of."
He nodded. "Thank you for staying with them for as long as you did. It's time now. Your husband is getting your apartment ready. He's missed you very much." He reached a hand out to Nana.
She took it and took a deep breath just out of habit. Contentedly, she let him lead her out of the bedroom and into the pure white hallway.
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AN: It finally felt like the right time to bring in this plot point. How will the troupe handle it when they learn of Nana's passing? Keep reading and please review.