The Past and The Present

Epilogue Part 1

Two weeks had gone by and everything seemed right. The sun was out and there was nothing more than a slight breeze in the air as autumn had found its way home. Home, something virtually foreign to Rose, had now become livelier with the addition of the old vixen. Like most creatures, it took a while before she settled in with the family but after a while, she was happier than ever.

Rose lay outside on the front steps, basking in the sun as she tried to catch as much as she could before the winter months. Her mind was clear of thought and her body motionless. Although she was calm, her senses had not become used to the worry free life. Her ears flinched as she heard distant chatter and the sound of snapping twigs drawing closer. She opened her eyes and raised her head to see who was coming. 

"Hiya Rose, sorry if we scared yea," said Chief as he came into the vixens line of sight with Copper closely following him. 

"Oh, it's alright. Hello to you too guys," Rose replied as she began sitting up, "What brings you here?" 

Copper answered before Chief could, "We just came by to check how things are going." 

The old vixen stood up and walked to the door saying, "Why don't you come in and find out."

Tod and Vixey were laying in a large basket that Widow Tweed had bought for the family. Tod's legs had gone back to normal and, according to Dr Mulligan, the clot in his brain was free. His head couldn't quite wrap around the fact that his mother was still alive, but he knew that it would take time. Vixey, on the other hand, enjoyed the older vixen's company. She was going to be a a mother herself soon and needed to know what to expect. Her bulging belly told her that it was only a matter of time before the kits would arrive and that she needed to relax.

Rose walked in the room first to make sure the couple were awake. "Hello, are you awake?" she asked as she approached the basket, "You have visitors." Tod looked at his mother before sitting up. 

"Mom, I think the kits are close," he said with worry in his voice as he looked down at his mate, who had begun breathing more rapidly and audibly. Copper and Chief took the sound as trouble and ran into the room. 

Tod started to panic. 

Widow Tweed was out in town and the three males knew nothing about birth. Rose knew that she was the only one who could help the younger vixen. Vixey had begun growling and groaning as she went into labor. "OK," said Rose, taking charge, "you boys might wanna head on out. It can get quite bloody." the males took the queue and bolted for the door.

Once outside, Copper and Chief thought they could finally talk, but that was not going to happen as long as Tod remained panicky. They tried to take his mind of Vixey, asking, "How yea been?" the fox simply ignored the question, pacing up and down with worry. Copper knew he it was going to take more than a few words to snap him out of his deep thought. He then stood up and walked in his way and said with the most firm yet calm voice, "Hey! Relax. Your mother probably has it under control." Tod continued to walk and soon found himself walking into his friends body, pulling him out of his dream. "Tod, are you ok?" asked the hound dog as the fox fixed his stare one the house. 

"Y-Yea, I'll be alright," replied the fox. He was worried and didn't do a good job of hiding it. "And you guys?" 

"We're good," replied Copper, " and Vixey will be too, so relax." Before Tod could respond, a rustling noise was heard in the tree that stole their attention.

Up in the tree were two birds peering into a small hole in the bark. There mischievous Laughs, and silly grins could only mean one thing. "Boomer, sh... This is the last time I'm tracking this guy, so you better not miss," said a slightly aggravated yellow Finch. 

"Don't worry, D-Dinky. He ain't getting away this t-time. But just one small problem," said the taller woodpecker before shouting, "WE CAN'T EAT A B-B-BUTTERFLY!" Without a word, Dinky flew to eye level and wrapped his feet around the woodpecker's beak. As he did so, the butterfly exited the hole and flew off. 

"Now see what yea done! Yea forever costing us our breakfast!" angrily shouted the finch.