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Julia woke up early feeling tow set of arms around her, One from Hennery and the other from David. She peeked at her phone and it was 6am and there were two messages. One from Grandma saying they were 2 hours out from a half hour ago. And one from Michael late last night asking for his phone charger. She made a mental note of that and slowly got up out of bed figuring now would be a good time to go get breakfast going, She went to her dresser and got her clothes and made her way to the bathroom. As she reached the bathroom door she saw the knob start to turn and suddenly there was a naked mouse standing in front of her. “Oh hey Julia” he said blushing a little “Hi Fern” she said glancing him over with a blush “been a while since I saw you naked” “You too” he chuckled “You look beautiful Davids lucky” “Yeah he is…” she blushed and chuckled too “Is bubba up?” “He’s down stairs getting breakfast started” he said with a nod “We better get dressed” “Yeah” she nodded too “Oh when you go down tell JJ Gran and Eric will be here by 8, mom needs her phone charger, and I need a private word with him” “Grandma here by 8, charger and private word go it” Fern recanted off with a nod. He looked at Julia over and sighed “friendly hug ok?” “Oh hells why not” she smiled and they hugged each other naked for a moment then went there separate ways. Julia took a quick shower and dried off just in time to see David and Hennery come out of the bedroom. David handed her her phone and gave her a quick kiss before following Hennery into the bathroom. She was fully dressed and ready so she made her way down stairs and could smell fresh breakfast already made for everyone. JJ was sitting at the table checking his phone and Henry was beside him doing the same. She made her way to the seat beside JJ and gave him a kiss on the cheek before digging in to her food. The wolf looked over and smiled at his little sister tail wagging. “I remember when you used to do that every morning” Julia blushed and smiled at her older brother remembering the same thing.she turned an ear toward the stairs and could hear David and Hennery making there way down too for breakfast. Fern made his way out of the kitchen and sat down. “I got mom’s charger in my pocket” “Cool” Julia said with a nod. “How far out are they?” JJ said anxiously. Julia checked her phone and actually got a message as she unlocked the screen. “They’re 10 minuets out now.” She said “Just enough time to finish breakfast for us and give them a bathroom break before we head out just in case” JJ nodded taking a breath “Any word on daddy?” Hennery asked. “Non.”Julia said “Mom’s phone needs to charge and she’d call us directly from a hospital phone if something new developed” Hennery nodded and dug into his breakfast as did David. By the time they had finished they heard a knock on the door JJ immediately got up and answered the door and was greeted by male Hyena that bore a striking resemblance to his dad but much younger looking. “Hey uncle Eric” JJ said with a gasp “Hey bud” Eric said “We about ready to head over?” “Just about” everyone was gathering there stuff as he talked “Drive up go ok?” “It did” he nodded “how many are going to visit?” “Including you and Gran eight total” JJ explained “I got room in my husbands SUV for you Gran and henry and lil man David and Julia are taking moms truck so less cars to take” “Sounds good” Eric nodded “If you unlock I can take your grandma and get her in” JJ nodded and undid the locks as he did everyone flooded out behind him ready to Go. JJ followed Eric to the car and helped his grandma out of the front seat. “Aw there’s my grandson!” “Hi grandma” he smiled “Wish it were a happier reason for your visit” “I know pumpkin” she nodded “take me to your ride and lets get going” He nodded. They helped her out and helped her walk to Ferns car where he had the door held open. For her. Once they got grandma loaded up the whole group in two separate vehicles made there way to the hospital. Once they arrived they conveniently found a pair of parking spots side by side near the entrance for them. And waiting for them at the front door was Michael. JJ spotted him and parked quickly got out and made his way over to him in a hurry. Michael was looking worried and morbid and JJ had a bad fear as he got up to him “Is he?” Michael shook his head “Still hanging on last I checked. They’re cleaning him up and changing his bedding so I came out here” “Thank heaven’s” JJ sighed and hugged his mom close. As he did a strange yet familiar scent hit JJ’s nostrils. His eyes went wide and he made a look of hock at his mom and was a bout to say something when Gran and the rest came up behind him. “Is Jimmy alright?” Gran said “He’s still in a coma…” he nodded “They finished cleaning him up a bit ago, I needed some fresh air” Everyone nodded and started to file in. As they did JJ slowed his steps till he was beside Julia and tapped her shoulders and motioned her to a side hall which she followed. Once the party was out of range JJ spoke up ”Did you smell it on him?” “I wasn’t sure till we got inside” Julia frowned “Mom hasn’t smoked in Forever” “No shit” JJ growled softly “That’s the last thing dads gonna want to hear when he wakes up” “I know bubba” Julia took a breath “Maybe we can find Tim and see if he can intervene on our behalf” “He’s done so much already” JJ sighed frustrated “You think he could?” “Never hurt to ask” Julia shrugged “Oh while I have you I need to talk to you about something equally important” “Fern said you needed to talk what’s up?” he asked. “It’s about little Hennery” she started “He’s worried about dad just like the rest of us but there’s more to it. He told me last night how lonely he felt being the youngest among us. He understands your grown up and have a family and a life I think. And he also knows that after David and I are secure we’ll be moving out too. But deep down the lil guy misses his big brother just like I do sometimes” “I miss him and you too” JJ said with a sigh. “Not a day goes by where I think about you guys and miss you lot a bit” “I think Hennery feels it a bit more then we do. I’m 21 your 26 and he’s turning 11 next March Like trade places with him a moment bubba. How would you feel if dad were in the hospital like he is now, Mom’s not in a good head space, Big brother’s not around the house anymore and big sis is looking to move out in the next few years too. How would you feel?” she asked. JJ thought about it for a moment staring at his sister a moment, He thought of the number of times he’s hung out with Hennery growing up and it was staggering how little it was. He still hung out with him on occasion and gamed with him when he could, but even he had to admit that wasn’t a lot. The reality of how Hennery felt began to sink in. “I’d feel left behind, or forgotten” JJ said and gasped when Julia nodded “Oh man…I had no idea” “Its not too late bubba” Julia said putting a paw on his shoulder. “Talk to him after you find Tim. Okay?” JJ nodded and and hugged Julia tightly which she returned in kind. Once they separated Julia went to the room while JJ Searched for Tim. He didn’t have far to go thankfully he spotted the lion on his way to the cafeteria and Waived him down “Hey, Tim you got a moment?” “Sure thing” he nodded “Walk with me? I was about grab a snack” “Okay” JJ nodded and followed “How’s dad doing?” “Same condition as last night, but we are seeing encouraging signs” he turned to him curiously “Have you gone to see him yet?” “Not yet” JJ said shaking his head “I was talking to my sister about another potential problem brewing” “What kind of problem?” Tm ask raising a brow “With mom” JJ said “Did you smell him when you came in this morning and did he smell of cigarette smoke?” “I can not sniff patients unless they give me there signed consent” Tim said as if quoting a law “However, yes I did notice the smell. Is that a problem?” “It is.” JJ nodded “Last time mom smoked it wasn’t pleasant. Dad Julia Henry Bear and I are the only ones who remember how bad he was when he smoked last and it took everything to get him to quit and I made him swear not to pick up another one after that” Tim eyed JJ closely listening to his vague recount. “That’s rather vague JJ” Tim said. “I’d rather not talk about it openly” JJ said “Mom’s not the same when he smokes, and with dad unable to intervene I’m worried he’ll go back down that path again. I know you said dad’s showing good signs but if something slips and he doesn’t wake up, I shudder to think how far gone mom will be if he keeps it up.” “I see” Tim said as he grabbed a crispy bar and continued as he check out “Well I don;t have a lot on my plate today, and I was gonna use the time for paper work and keeping an eye on your dad, but I suppose as a favor I could sit Michael down for an evaluation” “That would be very helpful thank you” JJ said with a smile. “My pleasure” Tim said as he paid for his bar and opened the wrapper. The pair made there way back to the ICU room where Jim was. Along the way Tim also mentioned how that nurse got canned this morning after her homophobic rant last night which put a pep in his step. They soon reached the room and saw Grandma petting Jim’s paw. Tim perked seeing her and the other hyena “Well well I’m assuming this pretty young lady is our sleeping friends mom am I right?” “That is correct” She smiled “I’m Francine and this is my youngest boy Eric” Eric nodded his head. “I’m Dr. Tim” Tim bowed his head “I’m head surgeon and family physician. It’s a pleasure madame/” “Pleasure to meet you too” Francine smiled “I’ve been speaking to Him telling him stories and every now and then I can feel a faint little twitch” Tim upon hearing that made his way over and felt his paws and checked his vitals. He smiled and nodded. “He’s still got a ways to go but the signs are encouraging” Tim said with a nod. “He’ll wake up” she nodded “A mother always knows even if I wasn’t there I just know it” Tim nodded and looked to see Michael in the corner looking onward. He figured now would be a good time. “Hey Michael could I borrow you for a little bit?” Tim asked. Michael’s ears perked at hearing Tim’s request. He made his way around everyone and followed Tim out of the room. The lion lead Michael out of the ICU and into a room that had two chairs and a desk and a desktop computer. Tim took a seat behind the desk and motioned Michael to take a seat as well. The wolf took a seat and looked at Tim curiously. “What’s all this about?” “Well it’s about you” Tim said folding his paws together. “About me?” Michael tilted his head. “Yes” Tim nodded. “Your oldest son came to me with a concern about your recent smoking trip.” Michael looked down in shame. He thought the fresh morning air would be enough to be rid of it but he guessed wrong. “I just…I needed something to calm my nerves” “I understand” Tim said “more then you know” “You do?” Michael said tilting his head. “I do” Tim nodded “I don’t judge you on your choices of calming down, even if it is unhealthy. But from what your son has informed me you’ve had serious issues in the past when it came to smoking tobacco is that a fair assessment?” The wolf reluctantly nodded. He never talked about his prior addiction to anyone save for his family but Tim insisted he tell him more. For the full hour Tim sat and listened to Michael pour out his mental stresses and worries. He explained why he smoked and what it caused his m to do the lack of eating and insomnia that kept him awake most nights how he got little sleep last night and hadn’t eaten since he went to the store around the corner to grab a bite and a pack. When he finished Tim stroked his whiskers and pulled up his chart on the computer. “Hmmm…Says here you’re full trans and have seen Lilly Barns, she’s your therapist right?” Michael nodded. “Well I would recommend setting a meet with her soon to see her” Tim said “It could do you some good” Michael nodded again. He hadn’t seen her in almost 11 years since before Hennery was born. Tim kept scrolling And leaned in. “I see you have zeenax listed as an allergy for anxiety could you tell me more?” Tim asked “It makes me feel weird and causes my heart to act Weird too” Michael explained. Tim nodded and checked a few things and filled out a prescription card and handed it to Michael who took it. “It’s loopertumX” Tim explained “It’s not as potent as zeenax, But it will achieve the desired results just take 1 a day with any meal and you’ll be good.” Michael nodded and smiled a little encouraged. “Oh and take that to our Pharmacy go to floor 5 and follow the signs and tell them Tim sent you, They know me well there.” “I will” Michael said standing up still looking at the prescription card as if it were a golden ticket. “Thanks Tim I appreciate this” “Thank your son for getting my attention” Tim said with a smile “I’ll consider that plenty thanks” Michael nodded and made his way out of the room as he made his way to the elevator his stomach reminded him he hadn’t eaten in a while and decided to pay the pharmacy a visit after wards. He made his way instead to the cafeteria. As he arrived he could smell the fresh roast beef and decided a sandwich would suffice for now. He ordered a fresh one with a Dr, Pepper and took a seat and started to eat. As Michael ate he looked over and noticed a young lion cub looking over at him curiously. Michael pretended not to notice but the lion kept tilting his head from side to side. The wolf thought he was playing a game and tilted his head with him as he took a bite. The lion cub looked no older then his granddaughter. After a few minuets the lion cub got up and made his way over to Michael. The wolf looked sown at him curiously. “Hey Little guy what up?” Michael asked. The lion cub was defiantly was around the same age as Rose, and even was starting to grow a mane in the form of a Mohawk. “Um.” The cub had his paws behind of back looking rather shy “Are you Michael Nickolai by chance?” Michael blinked and nodded “Yeah I am?” “I knew it!” The cub cheered and extended a paw “I’m Lucias my dad knows you and told me a lot about you!” Michael blinked and accepted the cubs paw in surprise. “Hi Lucias nice to meet you” Michael smiled “Tim never told me he had a son here” “Tim?” The cub blinked “OH! Uncle Timmy! No he’s my uncle! I got’s two dads see” Michael nodded sort of understanding “Who are your dad’s,better question what are there names?” “Well my daddy here is Daddy Thomas, he’s a medicine boss for the pharmacy here. My Other daddy’s named Sanderson he’s a tabby cat who worked with you!” Lucias explained Michael nearly dropped his sandwich but dropped his jaw instead. Sanderson?! There was no way this cub could be his. The wolf felt like he was in a bit of a paradox. Sanderson was the last cat on earth Michael expected to have a family, The one time he invited him over he made a bunch of snide comments about his family that infuriated him. The proudest moment of his like was when Hennery peed on his lap. “Sanderson’s your dad?” Michael asked completely shocked. “That’s right” He smiled. “Him and Daddy Thomas adopted me a year ago they’re awesome dads!” Michael was still in disbelief. Granted he had taken an early retirement after an bad back injury nearly cost him his mobility, and hadn’t worked in a year. His mind was only partially buying it. But why would a cub make that up and misidentify him? He had an Idea. “Your daddy Thomas works at the pharmacy here right?” “Yup yup!” he said happily. “Well could you take me there after I finish my sandwich to meet him?” Michael asked “I have to turn in a card for medicine” “Sure!” Lucias smiled “Is that why your here because you need medicine to feel better?” “No.” He said with a muzzle full of roast. He swallowed be fore continuing “My husband Jim, is in a coma and we’re hoping he wake up soon” “Oh I sorry to hear that” he said frowning a little “Tim and the doctors will make him better though I know it!” “I sure hope so” Michael said as he finished the last of his sandwich. As he wiped his paws he began to wonder how and why Sanderson deserved such a nice cub like Lucias. He took care of his tray and came back over to the lion cub. “Lead the way” Lucias smiled and lead the way to the elevator. Once they got there he pushed the up button and one of them opened up. They stepped in together and Michael watched as he pressed the number 5. The Doors closed with a ding and they started going up. So far the story was starting to add up but he just had to be sure. Once they reached the fifth floor the doors opened and Lucias led him down the hall and to the left and there was a big that said “PHARMACY”. They went inside and saw that it was rather busy. Once they got to the middle of the room Lucias stopped him with bot paws. “Wait here I promise I’ll be right back” Lucias said. Michael nodded and watched as he made for the door that said “Authorized Personal Only” The lion boy pulled out a card and slid, punched in a number code and opened it. The wolf wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or shocked at them letting him back their. He waited a few minuets then he saw the door open and a trio of lions came out. Two were easy for Michael to recognize, one being Lucias and the other being Tim. The third lion though was wearing a lab coat and black jeans, typical pharmacist clothes. He resembled time but with a much larger mane and was a little bit shorter then Tim. Lucias grabbed the shorter lions coat and pointed at Michael who assumed that was Thomas and waived. The three came over to him. “Michael?” Tim asked “What’s going on here?” “I was hoping you and…” He turned to the shorter lion “You could tell me. Lucias says you’re his father’s and my former…co-workers mate” Thomas blinked a moment looking Michael up and down. “Wait a minuet” he gasped “Your The Michael that worked with my Sandy?” Michael couldn’t help but snort a laugh at the name “Sandy” “That’s me alright” Michael said with a smile “Wow! Timmy what are the odds the same Michael you’ve been Doctoring is the one who’s had my Sanderson climbing the walls in anxiety” “To be fair bro he did deserve it sometimes” Tim said. “Well yeah he can be a little abrasive at times. but he does ave good heart” Thomas said then turned to Michael who looked skeptical. “But that’s neither here nor there I hear you have something for me?” Michael blinked then remembered “Oh right um here” He fished out his prescription card and gave it to Thomas who examined it a moment.he gave a nod and turned to Lucias and handed it to him “Be dads little helper and give this to auntie gabby please?” “Sure thing daddy” and he scampered off. “So you two are really brothers?” Michael asked. “Yes we are” Tim nodded “I’m older by 30 minuets” Michael had a hard time processing this much information. Thomas noticed and gave a smile. “Hey Michael, How about you join me in my office for a chat” Thomas offered. “Um…am I allowed?” Michael asked. Thomas nodded “You’re my guest and I’m head pharmacist so if I say it’s okay, then it’s okay!” “Alright” Michael gave a small smile. Tim gave a sigh and stuffed his paws in his pockets. “I guess I’ll go check on Jim and family” Tim headed off and Thomas motioned for Michael to follow him. The wolf followed through the door nervously. Michael could see a bunch of Furs checking medications and shelves for days. A few furs gave a look but Thomas waived them off. They soon reached a door that lead to another room which Thomas opened. Michael followed Thomas inside the room which turned out to be a decent size office full of books a desk and a couple of chairs. There was also a bean bag seat which he assumed was for Lucias. As Michael took a seat Thomas spoke up. “I have to admit this was a meeting I wasn’t expecting” “Nor did I” Michael said sitting down “I was having a brunch, I guess, and Lucias came up and asked me if I was who he thought I was, and when I said yes he told me who he was and who his dads were” “Oh really?” Thomas said with a soft chuckle “I bet that was a shock?” “It was more unbelievable then anything” Michael replied “I mean…No offense but the one time I had him over he didn’t act like the maternal sort to put it lightly” “Oh yes I remember chewing him out over that when he told me” Thomas said with a sigh “What you gotta understand though is despite some of his blunders he does mean well” “I get that it’s just hard to fathom” Michael explained “When we worked together I was always yelling at him and working to clean up his mistakes and any progress that was made when he got involved often got setback weeks. I’m amazed your dad kept him even after that one time I asked for him to be fired and he did then brought him back. That drove me up a wall” “I see” Thomas nodded and folded his paws. “I hear everything you say Michael but allow me to clear the air.” Michael nodded ears forward. “It was I who convinced father to hire him back for another chance. As I said I know what he’s truly like and I’ll touch on that in a sec. You see after my talks with him after his visit he started to see the grater possibilities of having a cub and we both wanted to contribute to the income so she, or he in this case, could be well off. On top of all that, it was I who suggested he go into construction to begin with. I assume you remember how bad he was back then?” Michael nodded furiously. “Well he had no training before paw. Sanderson knew he would have to learn on the fly and, I told father he needed a gentle paw to help get him up to speed on things. Then, No offense when he paired him up with you, You really didn’t help with the shouting…” “He was always messing up on basic stuff” Michael interjected. “Let me finish” Thomas held up a paw calmly “Sanderson’s biggest fault is he doesn’t respond well to shouting directed at him when he doesn’t fully understand the big picture. It’d be like me hiring you and you gave a patient Ibuprofen instead of Aspirin because it works better, However you can;t make that call because of laws and you don’t know there medical history if they’ve got underlying health issues that prevent them from taking the Ibuprofen. See what I’m saying?” “I do” Michael nodded “I tried explaining a similar concept to Sanderson but he didn’t listen.” “Did you shout it at him?” Thomas asked/ “I…” Michael paused and thought back to the moment “I did yes” “There you have it.” Thomas nodded “Instead of calmly explaining the whole picture like I explained to you in my example, you went to the yelling place and broke him down instead of building him up to your level of understanding. Sandy has had issues in his past with confrontations involving yelling and doesn’t respond to positively” “Wow…” Michael slouched in his seat thinking over the times he shouted at him and remembered all the times he flinched at the sound of his own name being called by him. Even if it was lunch time. “I had no Idea I was that way to him” “Sometimes we don’t realize what we’re doing till it’s pointed out from a different perspective” Thomas said with a nod “After you retired Sanderson took over your position and surprisingly to all of us managed to get commissioned and is doing quite successfully” “He is?” Michael’s eyes widened and Thomas nodded ”Well…Fuck… I mean that’s good to know! I wish I could talk to him” Thomas felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the message and smiled. “Looks like you might get that chance he’s here” Thomas said with a smile. “Oh” Michael perked up “I’ll uh stand out of sight” Thomas nodded having a suspicion on what he had in mind and went along with it. Sure enough 5 minuet’s later the door opened and in walked a very familiar tabby that Michael knew well. Sanderson didn’t notice Michael as he made a straight line towards Thomas and gave him a big hug. Thomas smiled and gave a big hug in return he Looked over his shoulder and gave him a wink. “How’s my Sandy?” “I’m well love” He said with a smile “I wanted to come by for lunch with you and lil Lucias” “Awe, I’d be down for that” Thomas smiled at him “But, There’s actually someone here who wants to say something to you” “Who?” Sanderson asked tilting his head “Hi Sanderson” Michael said softy. The tabby cat suddenly tensed up as his fur stood on end. He had heard that voice in his nightmares a few times. He turned around and saw Michael looking rather humble and welcoming vs the other times he saw him. “M-Michael” Sanderson stuttered “W-what’re you doing here” “Your son recognized me and brought me here” Michael explained. “That and his husband is in a coma…Tim told me earlier” He explained seeing Michael’s confusion “Ji-Jim's in a coma?” Sanderson asked shockingly “I-I’m so sorry to hear that” “Thanks” Michael said sincerely rubbing the back of his neck “I…uh…I wanted to…to tel you something” “What’s that?” Sanderson asked tilting his head again “Well with Jim in a coma and meeting your son and husband. I realized that I was a bit harsh with you and maybe didn’t treat or train you right when I was working with you…” Michael paused trying to choose his words carefully “You did add a lot of stress on me” Sanderson said “I know.” Michael said suddenly then softened “I know…Thomas broke it down for me and made me see that my shouting was causing you un-seeable stress and injury….I’m truly sorry for that Sanderson,,,P-please forgive me?” Sanderson’s looked at Michael for a solid moment in disbelief. Never in his wild dreams did he picture this scene or moment ever taking place in his wildest dreams. In truth, he’d hoped he and Michael would bury the hatchet one day. The tabby stepped forward with a smile and offered a paw “I’m willing to bury the hatchet if you are?” “I’d like that” Michael Said taking the paw and shaking it “This feels like a dream you know?” “Yeah I know” Sanderson said rubbing the back of his head. “Oh it’s real alright” Thomas said. “Oh hon you should tell him…” Michael blinked over at Thomas and then back to Sanderson. “Oh yeah I should” Sanderson nodded “Remember the fancy hotel the city’s been proposing for decades?” “How can I forget?” Michael nodded “Your father-in-law’s been drooling over the notion of developing and constructing it for as long as I can remember!” Sanderson nodded “We got the green light and the funding, and I got put in charge of it” “Oh Wow!” Michael gasped “Tha-That’s Awesome!” “We break ground next march and….”Sanderson paused a moment “Since your here, I wanted to ask you something” Michael tilted his head curiously. “Would you consider stepping out of retirement and join me on the project?” Sanderson asked. The wolf’s eyes widened at the prospect. He’d been bored at home since he was forced into an early retirement because of injury. Thinking of the injury made Michael a little hesitant as he stared at Sanderson. “I can’t do heavy lifting anymore Sanderson, you know this” he said sadly “Oh I know, I know” Sanderson nodded understandingly “I was thinking more of an advisory role we’d be partners in the project, Giving direction and Occasionally getting our paws dirty in laying tile and other things” “Equal partners?” Michael asked Sanderson nodded “Well I’m interested…”Michael smiled “It’s just I have to get Jim back.. first” |
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HalcyonWinter |
