Disclaimer, I don't own The Raccoons

Susan, Roman and Richard are my characters

Enjoy

Chapter 3

Things Look Up

"As you wish," said Richard.

"You mean you're sending me back?" asked Ralph surprised. He wiped away his tears.

"I think you've learned your lesson, besides I can't deprive you of your relationships. They define your family, your wife, your friends and most importantly, yourself. In ways you don't yet realize. Ralph talk to your In-Laws. Make peace. Don't repeat your mistakes. Learn from them. Look to the future. Look at the positive in your life. And keep those you love happy, so you can be happy. Sometimes you just have to think about what's best for others and you will be doing what's right for yourself. And remember, we're always watching. Good luck."

Richard floated backwards and slowly disappeared. The white changed to black. Ralph then felt something on his chest and a slight pain in his head. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. What was on his chest was a blanket and a bandage was wrapped around his head. He felt groggy and heard breathing next to him. He was in the hospital. The breathing was coming from Mellissa. She was sitting in a chair with her head lying next to his arm and was asleep.

Ralph smiled and gently kissed her on the forehead. Mellissa groaned and moved her head. Her blues eyes fluttered opened and locked with Ralph's.

"Ralph."

"Hi Mellissa," he answered happily. "It's good to see you."

They hugged. "Oh honey. Are you okay? I was so worried."

"My head hurts a little, but I think I'm okay. How long was I out?"

Mellissa smiled. "A few hours. Doctor Canard says you have a concussion and you'll have to stay here and rest for a couple of days."

"How's everyone else, are they okay?"

Mellissa was confused. "Of course they are. Why wouldn't they be? Are you sure you're okay Ralph?"

"I'm fine honey. Really. Just a bad dream I guess."

Mellissa smiled and they kissed. "I'm sorry we had such a terrible fight. I had a talk with my parents. They want to talk to you." She got up to call them. Ralph caught her arm. "Mellissa. I'm sorry too. I love you so much."

Mellissa smiled lovingly at her husband. "I love you too." She kissed him and then headed for the door. Ralph looked at his wedding ring and sighed happily.

"Mom, dad, you can come in now."

Susan and Roman came in and sat on either side of the bed. Both looked very guilty.

"Hi guys," Ralph said enthusiastically.

"Hi Ralph," they said together.

"How are you feeling?" asked Susan.

"I've been better," answered Ralph. "And how are you 2?"

Susan and Roman exchanged glances and sighed. "Not so good," answered Roman.

"Is something wrong?" Ralph asked worriedly.

"Yes," answered Susan. "Mellissa had a talk with us after you left and we realised something."

"Yeah," said Roman. "We realised we were hard on you and we had no right to be."

"What we mean," said Susan. "Is that we had trouble letting go."

"I guess we forgot that Mellissa is grown up now and has her own life to live."

"I know it may be hard for you to understand," said Susan. "But when you have children, you become so protective of them. And sometimes you forget that they eventually grow up."

"Yeah," said Roman. "One minute you're teaching them to ride their first bike and the next you're crying your eyes out as you wave goodbye to them when they leave for collage and then marry."

"It's one of the hardest moments in a parent's life, when their children leave the nest."

"It was even harder for us, when she moved to the Evergreen Forest and married you. We hardly ever get to see her anymore and we love her so much. We also miss her so much, that we forgot she has her own life now and is married to a good man, who makes her happy."

Susan held Ralph's hand. "What we're trying to say is… We are so sorry for the way we've been treating you. You and Mellissa have known each other since before kindergarten and there's always been a spark between you 2. No wonder she moved back here. We've been mean to you ever since we met you and didn't even come to the wedding. For that we're both very sorry sweetheart. We love you so much and we're very proud that you are part of the family now." She kissed Ralph on the cheek.

"We sure are proud of you son," said Roman. "Mellissa's lucky to have you. You've always been good to her and she loves you dearly. This whole experience reminded us of when we were young."

"Yeah," said Susan. "Those were good times and we're sure happy to see Mellissa married to a man, who makes her so happy. And thank you for that."

"Yeah, thanks a lot," said Roman. And from now on, we'll be nice to you like we should've been in the first place."

Ralph was touched and couldn't stop crying. He knew they were telling the truth. He held out his arms. Susan and Roman were crying too and they embraced in a group hug. "Thank you." He kissed both on the cheeks. "I love you guys too. I'm so sorry I didn't try harder in the first place. Next time we're together, I promise things will be much better."

"We promise too," said Susan. She kissed Ralph and they headed for the door.

"Mom, dad," said Ralph. They stopped. "Thanks."

Both smiled lovingly at him.

"You're welcome son," answered Roman.

"See you in the morning sweetie," said Susan.

They left the room.

George and Nicole entered.

"Hi big brother. Hi Nicole."

"Hi Ralph," they answered as they sat down.

"Lookz like tingz worked out worked out wit your In-Lawz," said Nicole.

Ralph smiled. "Yeah. They're good people.

Nicole giggled. "Yez. I'm glad Bentley finally met dem. And it'z zure good to zee dem again. It'z ard to believe we aven't zeen dem zinze before we go married."

"Nicole and Susan have a lot in common," said George. "I think she made a new friend. Remember I used to babysit Mellissa for them, before Nicole and I got married, just like I used to babysit Bert."

Ralph smiled. "Yes I do. I'm glad to hear that. And I'm sorry I acted so immaturely. It won't happen again."

George smiled. "It's okay. We all need a little time to ourselves."

"It elps to clear your mind and zolve problemz," said Nicole. She kissed Ralph on the cheek. "Well we zhould go. It'z getting late.

"Bye guys," said Ralph. "Thanks for coming."

"Our pleasure," said George. "Goodnight."

Nurse Peck came in and gave Ralph his meds and supper. "Thanks, he said. He suddenly realised how hungry he was, since he'd missed supper.

"No problem," Nurse Peck answered in her Irish accent. "Now I tink it's time we all got some rest as soon as you're finished."

"Okay, goodnight," said Ralph. He quickly ate and turned over. The meds made him drowsy and he was already falling asleep. Nurse Peck came back, turned off the light and closed the door.

When Ralph woke up the next morning, his head was hurting less. Mellissa, Susan, Roman, George and Nicole came to visit as promised. As Ralph chatted with Susan and Roman, he realised they had a lot in common and they enjoyed some good laughs as they talked. Bentley even came to see him. Ralph promised to go fishing with him, Bert and Cedric the following weekend. "Summer is far from over," he reminded Bentley.

"You're right, said Bentley, who smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem," answered Ralph, ruffling Bentley's hair.

On Monday, Ralph came home and was glad to be out of the hospital and no longer eating hospital food. Doctor Canard told him to take it easy for a week and Ralph was only too happy to do so.

Susan and Roman would be staying for supper, before heading home to Vancouver and were happy to see Ralph recovering.

Bert and Lisa got home from Regina, just before supper. George, Nicole and Bentley came in behind them.

"Susan, Roman," said Bert. "It's good to see you guys. It's been a while."

"It's great to see you too," said Susan, as they hugged.

Roman shook Bert's hand. "Welcome home."

"Thanks," said Bert. "Oh this is Lisa by the way."

They shook her hand. "Nice to meet you my dear." You're very lovely," said Susan.

"Yes you're very pretty," said Roman.

Lisa blushed. "Thanks. You're both very kind."

Bert turned to Mellissa. "Hi Mellissa. How was your weekend?"

"Fine, thanks," she said as they hugged. "Welcome home."

"Thanks," said Bert.

Mellissa hugged Lisa. "It's good to see you sweetheart. We missed you."

"I missed you guys too," said Lisa. She suddenly noticed the bandage around Ralph's head. "What happened to you Ralph?" she asked worriedly.

"The ink pad fell of the press and hit me on the head," answered Ralph. "Doctor Canard says I just need to rest for a week."

"Well that's good to know," said Bert. "Get well soon."

Mellissa noticed the locket Lisa was wearing. "That's a nice locket," she said.

"Thanks," said Lisa. "Bert bought it for me in Regina." She took it off and handed it to Mellissa.

"Wow," said Mellissa staring at the photos of them. "That's so sweet of you Bert."

Lisa wrapped her arm around Bert's shoulders and kissed him. "It sure is," she agreed.

Bert blushed and dug a toe into the floor. "Anything for the woman I love."

The others smiled and were happy to see Bert had found someone special.

Ralph noticed Bert was wearing a ring on his left hand. "Nice ring. Who gave you that?"

"Lisa," answered Bert. "It's a promise ring. Some people call them pre-engagement rings."

"I see you 2 have gotten very close," said Mellissa.

Lisa smiled and nodded.

"You love him, don't you?" said Ralph.

"Of course I do," answered Lisa, as she hugged Bert. "He's wonderful. So kind and sweet. Always there when I need him. He makes me laugh and he makes me so happy."

Bert looked at her and they hugged and kissed. The others applauded. "Congratulations Bert," said Susan.

"Yeah way to go," said Roman. "You 2 are very cute together."

Bert and Lisa just smiled.

Everyone sat down for supper and listened to Bert and Lisa's story of their trip. "Dad got a new boat," said Bert. "We went fishing at Last Mountain Lake. Caught some Walleye. Wish you guys could've been there for the fish fry. It was really good."

"And Bert's mother took me on a day trip around Regina," said Lisa. "We bought souvenirs for everyone."

Bert and Lisa handed out coffee mugs to the women, which said I heart Regina and t-shirts to the men, which said the same thing. Bert had bought Bentley a poster, with dinosaurs on it from the Saskatchewan Science Centre. "Thanks," everyone said.

"You're welcome," said Bert and Lisa, as they sat down.

After supper was finished and everything was cleaned up, Susan and Roman finished packing. They said their goodbyes and Susan hugged and kissed Ralph. "Come for a visit soon," she said. "We can't wait to see you guys again."

Ralph smiled. And Vice Versa," he said kissing her back. "Thanks for coming. It was good to see you guys again."

Roman hugged Ralph. "Bye Ralph. See you soon."

"Bye dad."

Susan and Roman turned to George, Nicole, Lisa and Bentley. "It was nice meeting you 2," said Susan. "It was sure good to see you guys again," she said to George and Nicole.

"Yeah," said Roman. "We look forward to seeing all of you again."

"Uz too," said Nicole.

The Stevenson's got in their car. "Drive safe," said Ralph. Mellissa held his hand.

"Bye and thanks for having us," they called as they drove away.

The End

I hope everyone enjoyed my story. Thanks for reading and more still to come.