AN: I'm going to start using abbreviations for the trigger warnings. So look for the abbreviations at the beginning of chapters.

WARNINGS: DV

Oh, Mother's Day is coming up instory. I'd like to do something big. Who would you like to see get the focus on Mother's Day or should I try and focus on all the Mothers? Because there are quite a few.

Reader Question: Should Eddie and his father reconcile or should the man become unhinged over being disinherited and not even being told that his mother died? Please weigh in.

Part 102

'Pop!' Everyone ducked as the cork flew off the champagne bottle and hit the far wall. Bubbles fizzed over the mouth while Gunter began filling glasses. Alphonso poured sparkling juice for his wife, the twins, Tyler and himself.

Once everyone had a tulip glass of their preferred celebratory beverage, Eddie held up his. "Here's to another great opening night. You all did wonderfully tonight. Especially the children. Raquelle, Lancey, I know it was scary being up onstage. I am so proud of both of you and Raquelle, I'm proud of you for coming back despite how scared you were. Here's to all of you. And here's to Buster, I hope you enjoyed the show."

"Here's to Buster," they all repeated before sipping their drinks.

Lorraine sipped her drink and looked to her grandson. "Ryan, I've got to say, you were excellent."

Ryan smiled while Marcus came over with Neo. "I'm really glad you all could make it. Even you, Dad. It meant a lot that you came."

He and Johnny shared a glance while Jackson looked at the boy. "Dad… MeeMaw, Papaw… Mom… Johnny and I would like introduce our son. Neo, this is my mother, your other grandma. My grandparents, MeeMaw and Papaw. And… your third grandfather, my father…" Ryan bit his lip, hoping.

Jackson and Neo regarded each other for a few moments. Neo tilted his head. "So you're my grandpa too? Dad says you like football."

Jackson nodded. "Yeah, I do. What about you?"

"I love sports. Can you teach me how to play?" He asked like Johnny advised.

The older tiger's eye glinted slightly. "Why, yes. I can."

Neo smiled and rushed over, hugging his new grandparents. Johnny looked at Ryan who sighed with relief. "Alright, Neo. I hate to do it but it's time for bed for you."

Neo groaned but didn't argue. His dads were very firm about bedtime. Katherine smiled. "How about I come help tuck you in." Lorraine quickly volunteered as well.

He nodded. "Okay, Grandma and… MeeMaw?" he tested the name.

Johnny looked at Jackson. "Ryan, you go on. I'll be up to help shortly." He kissed his tiger.

Ryan nodded. "We won't take long." He promised. "You just stay down here and keep Dad and Papaw company."

The gorilla nodded and waited until they had gone before turning back to his father-in-law. "Thank you for giving him a chance. Neo's a good kid."

"I can see that." Jackson nodded while the three men went to enjoy their drinks at one of the bar tables. "I want you to know, Johnny, that I did invite Chelsea here… but not for the reasons everyone thinks."

Johnny laughed. "Oh please. I'm not offended. Klaus did the same thing. Close to it anyway. He didn't think I was good enough for Ryan either and tried to tempt me away with a pretty girl."

Fergus brought a bottle of whiskey from the bar. "Jackson, just accept that you were caught."

He sighed. "Johnny, listen to me." His tone made the laughter stop. "Trust me. I invited Chelsea and her daughter the way I did for a very good reason. And I need you and Ryan to come to church with us tomorrow. She'll be there. Trust me. I can't say exactly why."

The gorilla studied Jackson. He seemed almost desperate. "Should my father come with us?

"You should… have him on standby… maybe those uncles of yours too," he advised. "In fact, Katie invited the whole group. I think you'd both regret it later if you don't. Please."

Johnny nodded. "Message received. Don't worry, if I'm understanding right, we'll take care of it."

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Ash and Tyler took the twins up to their suite. They helped them carefully get their costumes off and hung them up for steaming later.

"You kids did great tonight!" Tyler said joyously. "I'm so proud of both of you. You definitely take after your mom." He chuckled as he smiled at Ash who blushed.

"Thanks, Uncle Tyler," Raquelle said as she climbed into her bed. "Mommy, do you really think Daddy could see us?"

Ash nodded. "Oh, I know he saw. And he's as proud of you as I am. I'd say more but I don't think anyone could possibly be MORE proud of you than I am."

Tyler shook his head. "I don't know, I think I could be prouder," he teased, making her and them laugh. "And tomorrow, you'll get to watch your friends, Hannah and Caspar on stage."

Lancey lay his head on his pillow. "Yay." He said softly, his little body feeling the exhaustion of the night.

"And tomorrow is Easter Sunday, so we are going to church… Ryan's mom invited us all to join them," Tyler promised. "And you can wear your new Easter clothes."

Raquelle clapped. "Yay!" She and Ash had gone shopping for an Easter dress the week before while Tyler had taken Lancey. "Can you sing us a song, Mommy?"

Ash already had her guitar at the ready. "I certainly can and will." She sat down to play a soft lullaby.

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Later that evening, Ryan steamed their costumes while Johnny took a shower. "Sorry about my dad. Again." He called into the bathroom.

"It's fine, Ryan. I don't expect your dad to just suddenly approve. Besides, it was nice meeting your old flame," the gorilla replied as he washed his hair. "He actually asked me to have you call her, to see her again."

Ryan groaned. "I'm sorry. I'll talk to him and I'm sure Mom will give him hell."

"Well, I don't know… Ryan, do you happen to know the bloke she's married to?" Johnny asked. "I guess you wouldn't… don't you find it strange that your father asked her to come tonight even though she's married? I mean, if all he wanted is to break us up, wouldn't he try it with someone who's unattached?" The metal faucet knobs creaked as he turned off the water and wrapped a towel around himself. "Your mom invited everyone to church and he said she goes to the same church with her family."

The tiger gagged while he put away the steamer. "Ugh… church?"

"I know but… Ryan, I think we should humor him," Johnny said. "I know, I know, but what if there's something very wrong? What if she needs our help?"

His husband sighed and rolled his eyes. "Why are you taking his side?"

"I'm not. If he wants her to try and come between us, that's it, we're done with him. But Ryan, what if… what if Chelsea is being hurt by someone?" The question made those hazel eyes look at him with shock. "Could you live with yourself if something happened that you could have prevented?"

Ryan bit his lip. "No… you're right. I…. I'm just so angry that he'd invite her behind my back. He could have at least talked to us."

"If I'm right, talking to us first might have been a luxury he didn't have," Johnny said. "He sounded pretty desperate. I just don't want to take the chance. She seems nice."

The tiger sighed and sat back. "It's just… I don't want him under the impression that there's any kind of chance with Chelsea and me."

Johnny sat beside him. "Hey, I trust you. I know there's no chance but that doesn't mean you have to completely forget about her. I assume you still consider her a friend?" He looped his arm around his shoulder and nuzzled him.

Ryan nodded. "Of course. Alright… but we won't stay long. Just long enough to see if we have anything to worry about." He moaned as his gorilla began almost suckling on his neck, his mouth falling open with arousal. "Oh, Johnny…"

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After hanging up her costume, Rosita helped Norman get their many children to bed. He smiled at her. "You really do make the perfect Mary Poppins." He kissed her.

She giggled. "It was fun. I love that movie." She kissed him back. "We should get some sleep. Katie invited us all to join them for Easter service at their church."

Norman nodded. "Easter… that means Mother's Day is only two weeks away." He smiled at her. "Do you know what you want to do this year?"

Rosita thought about it. "Hmmm, I haven't given it much thought. Well, last year, we did dinner at the hotel's nicest restaurant." She smiled, remembering one of the few nice memories from their time in Redshore.

He stroked her head lovingly. "What if we asked Gunter to babysit and…"

Rosita shook her head. "Possible. We could ask Hobbs but as much as he says he's fine with working, 30 children is a lot for him." She sighed. "We'll figure something out. We have time."

He nodded and pulled her close. "Yeah, we will."

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Meanwhile, Eddie and Gunter prepared for bed. "Mother's Day?" Gunter asked. "What about it?"

Eddie thought about his words. "It's my first time having a real mother to honor. My egg donor always forced me to buy her something expensive and take her to eat where she'd tell me how pathetic I am and how she knows best." He sighed. "I'd like to do something for Mama Rosita."

Gunter thought about it. "Hmmm, what if… we'd need to talk to Nooshy, Porsha, maybe Meena, definitely the piglets but I almost feel she should be one of the honorees. The question is how do we do this and keep it a surprise?"

Eddie bit his lip. "Let's think it through." He got out his notebook. "Are you going to church tomorrow? I know a lot of them are."

"Nahhh, I appreciate the invite but it's not my scene," the pig said. "I thought maybe we might take the children to the park where we will hide the Easter eggs we brought. Filled with candy."

The sheep smiled and laid a sleepy head on his boyfriend's shoulder. Jerry had opted to have his own room so it was just them that night. He didn't mind. "I like that. You're so good with all the children."

Gunter chuckled. "Kids are joy. They are the best parts of us and they remind me of simpler times. And now, I, or we, have a child of our own." He kissed his head. "Come, it is time for bed… you are practically falling asleep on your feet."

AN: Good grief, Charlie Brown. Sorry, these transition chapters take so long, it's hard to decide how to fill the time, what future parts I want to start building or add to. Let me be clear, Ryan and Johnny aren't actually going to church. They are going to the building to see Chelsea and make sure she's alright. Please review. Please.