a Debt Repaid, Epilogue

 Bunnie fluttered her eyes open as she regained consciousness.
 she was briefly blinded by a bright light..But, her eyes soon adjusted.

 she found that she was in the medical center of Freedom HQ, and that she herself was laying in a bed.
 much of her body was bandaged up, and her cybernetic arm and legs were apparently missing.


 "hmm..wha?"


 "hey!, she's waking up!" spoke a voice


 Bunnie looked, and saw Rotor, Sally, Tails, Amy and Sonic approach her.
 Antoine, however, ran up to his wife and hugged her (which caused her slight pain due to her bruises)


 "You gave is quite a scare, there." said Sally.


 "Yeah, Rote and Tails really had to work double time to patch you up!" said Sonic.


 Antoine held Bunnie's hand. "oh. mon cheri..I am zo glad you are safe!"


 "Yeah, we ALL are." concurred Amy.


 Bunnie moved a bit in the bed. "CAREFUL, Bunnie. your bones are still fractured." warned Rotor.


 Bunnie indeed felt some sharp pain in her body. "r-right.."
 Bunnie looked at herself. "where are mah-"


 "Cybernetics? they were too damaged." began Tails.
 "We had to remove them. But, DON'T WORRY, we have some new and improved replacements for you."


 Bunnie looked at the metal socket where her arm used to be..THEN, she widened her eyes.


 "peter. (looks to everyone) Where's Peter?!, TELL ME!!, IS HE ALRI-"


 "That..is complicated." said Rotor, and he motioned over to a bed right beside Bunnie's.

 Bunnie gasped upon seeing the state her adoptive son was in.

 while he had less bandages than Bunnie, he had a bloodstained bandage
 wrapped tightly around the nub where his severed arm once was.


 Bunnie choked out a sob.


 "he lost alot of blood. Frankly, It was a miracle we were able to stabilize his condition."


 Bunnie reached over to the unconscious Peter with her only hand. "peter..mah' baby."


 At that moment, faint shouting was heard outside the room.


 (("...Don't TELL ME I can't go In! My BEST FRIEND is in there!!
    so, you'd better LET. ME. IN, or YOU will need a hospital!!"))


 the doors then burst open..and, in marched Cream.
 the teenage rabbit girl looked angry..but, her rage subsided upon seeing Peter.


 "PETER!!" Cream ran over to the human teen. as she looked at his severed arm..she wept uncontrollably. "what..WHAT HAPPENED!!?"


 Bunnie  laid her head back down and shed fresh hot tears
 as she recalled the events that led to her son's "condition"


 "th-th' Earth Masters..their leader, SHAW. he-he tried ta..ta' execute me."


 "We know." said Sally, solemnly. "they had It televised on every station..
 (voice breaking) we were so frightened for you."


 "But, we saw how Peter pulled a fast one on those guys,
  and saved you." said Sonic. "THAT, was Awesome!"


 Bunnie smiled weakly. "yes..v-very awesome."


 "but, how did "THIS" happen!!?" exclaimed Cream again, motioning at Peter's severed nub.


 Bunnie wept again. "P-Peter tried ta' git me ta' safety..
 but, Shaw was waiting fer' us at th' only exit."

 Bunnie's lip quivered as she recollected the event.

  "P-Peter tried to defend me..but, Shaw, he..
 He stabbed Peter with knife, nailin' him to a wall.

   Ah' tried to stop him..but, Ah' was already weak and injured.
 he started beatin' me ta' death with a wrench."


 "That would explain why you have a collapsed lung,
  and bones that look brittle." said Rotor


 tears fell down Bunnie's cheek as she continued. "Peter saved me..
 but, he had ta' tear his own arm off ta' get free.

  Shaw nearly killed me..but, Peter killed him.
 shot 'em from behind with one of his guns."


 Everyone were too stunned to speak..All except Antoine, that is.


 "zhooting a man from behind? tsk-tsk-tsk. zuch a cowardly tactic. Disgraceful."


 everyone looked at Antoine with shock and disgust
 on their faces (none more so than Cream..and, of course Bunnie.)


 "WHAT!!?" exclaimed Bunnie, sitting up despite her pain.
 "Are you SERIOUS!!?, Ya' did NOT just go and SAY that, ANT-TOINE!!"


 "How DARE you call Peter a Coward after what he had to go through!!" shouted Cream angrily
 as she held Peter protectively.


 Antoine was quite shocked at everybody's rage.

 "Well, he IZ, Izn't he?! I mean..only a Cowardz
  would ztrike at an opponent from behindz, right?"


 "you WOULD know, wouldn't you, D'Coolette." said a gruff voice.


 Everyone looked, to see a grizzled, middle-aged male rabbit
 in a trenchcoat and cowboy hat walk In.


 Bunnie gasped upon seeing him.

 "U-Uncle Beau!, then..Ah' didn't imagine It. you DID save us back there."


 Beauregard nodded as he clenched his cane on his hand.

 "Ah' did, yes. Ah' was actually on mah' way to save YOU, darlin.."


 Beauregard then sighed sadly. "but..mah' great nephew beat me to It.
 an' all Ah' was able ta' do was finish what he started."


 Bunnie was quite surprised to hear her uncle address Peter as his "Great Nephew."


 Beauregard then glared at Antoine darkly. "An' if savin' mah' niece makes Peter a coward
 in yer' eyes, D'Coolette..then, you have no right to call yer'self "brave soldier."


 "N-Now, wait juzt a-"


 "Antoine, SHUT UP!!" shouted Bunnie.


 Antoine looked at his wife. "What?"


 "you heard me, (shouting) SHUT THE HELL UP!!!"


 Antoine did just that as Bunnie glared at with with intense anger.

 "you lied ta' me, Antoine." began Bunnie. "you Lied, an' BETRAYED me!"


 Antoine looked dumbfounded. "wa-What?! Bunnie, what are you zay-"


 "Ah' asked you ta' accept Peter as yer' son.
 Ta' love, and care fer' him as Ah' do." continued Bunnie.

 "An, while ya' did..fer' awhile. As soon as JAQUES was born,
  ya' abandoned MAH' SON fer' yer' own!

  Fer' TEN. YEARS, Peter tried to earn yer' love an' respect.
 he TRAINED with Sally ta' make you proud of him!!"

 Bunnie then pointed at Peter. "Look at 'em, Ant..LOOK AT HIM!!
 Mah's son tore off his own FREAKIN' ARM ta' save me!

  Ah' would have been DEAD if It wasn't Fer' him,
 an' you have th' GALL to call him a COWARD fer' what he did!!"


 Tears streamed down Bunnie's face as Rage and Sadness overwhelmed her.
 she finally looked away, unable to look at her own husband. "get out of here, antoine. just go."


 Antoine reached for his wife. "B-Bunnie, I-"


 "GEEEEEEEET!! OOOOOOOOOOOUT!!!!!" screamed Bunnie,
 scaring EVERYONE in the room with her rage.


 Terrified, Antioine prompt ran out the room.
 Bunnie then breathed heavily, her rage beginning to subside.


 "Nevuh thought Ah'd see the day you'd talk to that husband
 of yer's in such a hateful way." said Beauregard, with a smirk.


 Bunnie looked at her uncle. "an' AH' nevuh thought Ah'd hear you
 call mah' son yer' "Great Nephew." Ah' thought ya' rejected him as yer' family!"


 Beauregard looked away, shame actually apparent on his face. "Ah' did..yes.
 but, that was before he did this..Before he showed me just how wrong Ah' really was about him."


 Bunnie's expression of anger and suspicion slowly became one of softness. "Are you serious?"


 Beauregard looked at his niece..then, nodded. "Ah'm not th' baron of th' dead
 Dark Egg Legion, anymore..an' Ah've had alot of time to rethink some thangs."


 Beauregard then brought his attention back to Peter.
 he approached the boy, and looked at his bandaged nub.

 Bunnie also looked at her son..and, welled up in tears again.

 "he did this fer' ME. Ah' still can't believe he's do somethin' like that."


 "I can." said Cream, stroking Peter's hair.
 "He has a good heart. Compassionate, and Unselfish..That's just who he is."


 Cream shed some tears as she continued to run her fingers through his hair.


 Beauregard looked at Bunnie..who looked at him as well.

 "Ya' know what needs ta' be done." said Beauregard, finally.


 Bunnie looked away, fresh tears forming in her eyes.

 "ah' nevuh wanted this ta' happen. Not EVUH."


 "It's either THAT, or be a "slot machine" fer' the rest of his life."


 despite the serious situation,
 Sonic couldn't help but chuckle at this..to which Amy smacked his arm.


 "fine. give mah' metal curse to mah' son." said Bunnie, sadly.


 "Right. I'll go prep the-"


 "No." said Beauregard, stopping Rotor.
 "Ah'll do It. Ah'm much more experienced with cybernetics than you are."


 Bunnie looked at her Uncle. "Uncle Beau..what are yo-"


 "Ah' owe that boy fer' the years Ah've spent thinkin' the worst of him." explained Beauregard.
 
 "When Ah' saw those overlander terrorists tryin' ta' kill you,
 Ah' was scared. Terrified at losin' that which Ah' love like a daughter."


 Bunnie shed a tear at this. "oh, uncle beau.."


 "Then, HE saved you." continued Beauregard.

 "that boy, that..that Overlander who Ah' hated and despised since he was a youngin'

  Ah' realize now how wrong Ah' was about him..
 and, what a damned fool Ah've been fer' so long."


 the aging rabbit looked back at his niece. "Ah' may nevuh make right
 ALL the thangs Ah' have done wrong ta' you.

  and, this is hardly penance fer' ten years of ignorin'
 an' Hatin' 'em..but, Ah' want to at least TRY to."


 Bunnie looked into her Uncle's eyes, as if searching for the truth.
 looking into them, she saw..Sincerity. Sadness, and SHAME.


 with teary eyes, Bunnie smiled at her uncle. "ah' forgive you, uncle beau.
 go on..Go, fix mah' son. Fix YER' great nephew."


 Beauregard nodded. he then took the gurney where Peter laid, and began to roll It away.


 "WAIT!" said Cream, suddenly. "wait..Please."


 Beauregard stopped as Cream looked at Peter once more.
 she gently caressed his cheek, fresh tears forming in her eyes.

 Then (to Bunnie's shock) Cream leaned over, bringing her face closer to Peter's..
 and, kissed him on the lips. "for good luck." said Cream, as she stepped away.

 her arms crossed, she turned away. "go."


 Beauregard looked at the teenager with soft eyes.

 "ah'm sorry, miss." said Beauregard softly before carting Peter off to another room.


 Once gone, Bunnie continued to stare at Cream. shock still frozen on her face.


 "umm..I-I think we'd better..leave you two alone to..talk." said Sally, uncomfortable


 "uhh..YEAH, me and Tails still need to..t-tune up your replacement cybernetics." added Rotor


 With that, everyone but Cream left the room.
 after a long silence, Cream finally spoke. "I'm sorry..I didn't want you to find out this way."


 Bunnie stared at Cream. "how long?"


 Cream looked at Bunnie. she looked down sadly, shedding a tear.

 "when..When my chao, Cheese, died. I thought..
 (sobbing) I thought my whole world was coming to an end!

  b-but, Peter, he..he was there for me.
 and..well. I came to care for him as MORE than just a friend."


 Bunnie paused as she pondered this. "why didn't Peter tell me?"


 "I wanted him to." said Cream, as she turned and faced Bunnie.

 "he promised me he would. he was just..afraid."


 "Afraid?!" exclaimed Bunnie, confused "of what!?"


 "Of you not understanding. You've always been so protective of him,
 that he was worried you wouldn't be ready for..THIS."


 Bunnie again stopped to think about this.


 "Bunnie, I assure.." began Cream. "I love your son with ALL my heart and soul.
 If anyone loves him as you do..It's ME."


 Bunnie looked into Cream's eyes. "tell me, cream. and, be HONEST: Have you had sex with him?"


 Cream froze up..then, looked down. "once. b-before he left to save you.
 I-I thought he was going to die, and that I would never see him again."


 Bunnie exhaled sharply as she laid her head back down.


 "Bunnie, I am SO. SORRY, Had I known, I wouldn't hav-"


 "Ah' still remember the day he was born as clear as day." began Bunnie, her mind wandering.

 "It was after th' Robotnik War..Ah' made a promise
 to his real father before he died, That ah' would take care of his son.

  Ah' learned his still developing fetus was removed
 from his mother when she was killed while pregnant with him.

  he was placed in an artificial womb, an egg-like pod.."


 Bunnie smiled contently.

 "When they took me to see It..they opened th' pod fer' me.

  an' there he was..a lil' baby naked as a jaybird,
 an' all alone in this cruel, dangerous world.

  Ah' fell in love with him..In that moment, he became MINE.
 Mah' baby..mah' precious child. ah' nursed him, bathed him,
 clothed him, read him stories, an' sung to him each night..

  An' no matter how old he gits..Ah' will ALWAYS think of him
 as that lil' baby who needed me so long ago."


 Bunnie looked at Cream. "Did any of you use protection?"


 Cream looked down. "no."


 Bunnie breathed out sharply. "Then..you will 'eventually' understand what Ah' mean."


 Cream blushed bright red at this..she then rubbed her belly.
 It was still very flat, but she knew that It wouldn't stay that way for very long.


 "Cream." Cream looked at Bunnie. "y-yes?


 "Peter is Mah' son, an' as his mother, Ah'll ALWAYS worry about him
 (looks at Cream) Normally Ah' would be wary of ANY girl takin' an interest in Peter.

  But, Ah've known you since you were six..
 So, Ah' trust that you won't break mah' son's heart."


 "I would NEVER do that!, I love him!!"


 "Ah' hope so. because, Ah'm trustin' you Ta' be there fer' Peter when Ah' can't.

  Ah' won't live forevuh..an' Ah' need ta' know that Peter
 will be LOVED, and PROTECTED even after Ah'm gone."


 Cream smiled as she took Bunnie's hand. "Bunnie..I promise.
 I will love and cherish Peter until the day I die.

 and, I will NEVER let him be hurt by anyone."


 Bunnie smiled..then, did her best to hug
 her future daughter-in-law without feeling pain.



 [Meanwhile, in the Emergency Room]


 Beauregard looked over the tools and cybernetic arm that lay on a table.
 glancing over at the still unconscious Peter, he sighed
 as he put a surgical mask over his muzzle.

 he then took a pump, and placed It have Peter's mouth.
 pumping him with anesthetic gas.


 "there..that should keep ya' under." said Beauregard, softly.


 Beauregard then undid Peter's bandage..and, nearly gagged upon seeing his severed nub.
 It made him feel sick to see the shredded flesh and torn skin hanging from his broken bone.

 the rabbit then gently stroked Peter's head. "ah'm sorry, boy.
 Ah', so sorry It had ta' come ta' this."


 Beauregard then took a marker, and drew a dotted line over the area where he needed to amputate.
 once done, he then grabbed a buzzsaw. gripping the handle, he looked at Peter again.


 "fer'give me."


 BZZZZZZZZZ!!!



 [an hour later]


 Peter breathed steadily as he began to regain consciousness.
 he slowly opened his eyes..seeing an adult mobian rabbit
 in a trenchcoat and hat coming into view.


 "hmm? w-who are..you?"


 Beauregard looked, and saw that Peter was awake.

 "Oh!, eve'ning, m'boy. How are you feelin?"


 Peter darted his eyes as he looked around the room.
 THEN, he looked back at the strange rabbit.


 "where..Where am Ah?"


 "Freedom HQ..the Medical Center.
  Take It easy, boy, you've jus' been through surgery."


 "Surgery-" as Peter rose up, he noticed something "different."

 he looked..and, gasped is shock at seeing his entire left arm was metallic and mechanical.
 as he stared at his new appendage..Beauregard approached him.


 "yer' arm got torn off. Ah' had to replace it..ah'm sorry, son."


 Peter looked at Beauregard. "you..a-ah' think ah' know you."


 Beauregrad looked down. he then removed his hat as he looked Peter in the eye.

 "Beauregard. Mah' name is Beauregard Rabboh- err..Ah' mean
 (looks at his cybernetic arm) RabBOT."


 "Rabbot?!"


 "Ah'm Bunnie's uncle. That makes me yer' "Great Uncle."


 As Peter pondered this, he realized something.

 "mom..MOM!" Peter grabbed Beauregard. "Is she alright!?, IS MY MOTHER OKA-"


 "Bunnie's FINE." said Beauregard, gripping Peter.

 "She's alive, an' she's gonna make it..thanks ta' YOU, son."


 Peter laid back as he began to calm down. "how..How bad is she?"


 "she has a collapsed lung, an' fractured bones.
  BUT, she'll recover..in time."


 Peter laid back as a tear escaped his eye.
 Beauregard then placed his hand on his shoulder.

 "It's over, son. She's okay..an' now, so will you."


 "Will I?" Peter looked at his cybernetic arm again. "this feels..COLD. a-an' numb."


 "Yeah, Ah' know. It's often like that durin'
  yer' first time..But, you'll git. use to it."


 Peter then smiled weakly. "ya' know..Ah' remember when Ah' was little,
 Ah' wanted ta' be just like mah' mom."


 Peter began to flex his mechanical fingers. "now..Ah' really AM jus' like her."


 "Good ta' see ya' takin' this well." said Beauregard, as he put his hat back on.


 "Now..let's test out yer' new arm. Move It fer' me."


 Peter flex his arm, wrist and fingers in every possible way. "hmm..feels Okay, Ah' guess."


 "We ain't done yet, boy." said Beauregard. "Now, try usin' yer' weapons."


 Peter looked at his great uncle. "Weapons?!"


 "Yer' equipped with weapons..jus' like yer' momma. Now, try an' focus."


 Peter looked at his arm..then, close his eyes and focused.
 his arm vibrated..then, It suddenly shifted into a long blade.

 Peter gasped upon looking at It.


 "Good..now, try It one more time."


 Peter focused again. his blade arm vibrated again,
 then shifted into a gun not unlike the type that Bunnie's arm is equipped with.


 "Whoa." said Peter, his shock lulled.

 as Peter marveled at his new weapon..It began to whine as it charged.

 before Peter could react, the gun suddenly discharged.
 firing a single shot that blew a hole in a wall.


 "WHOA!" exclaimed Peter, his arm shifted back into a hand in shock.


 "Easy, EASY.." began Beauregard, grabbing Peter. "Ya' just need ta' work on yer' "touch."


 Peter exhaled sharply as he gripped his head,
 rubbing his temples. "this'll take some gittin' use to."


 Peter then looked at his Great Uncle again. "Ah' wanna see mah' mom."


 "Peter, yer' still very weak from yer' blood loss-"


 "Ah' WANT to see mah' mother..NOW." repeated Peter, his tone stern.


 Beauregard exhaled sharply..then chuckled. "ya' certainly DO take after her."

 the rabbit then walk away, and returned with a wheelchair.
 helping Peter into the chair, he began to roll Peter away and out of the room.



 [Meanwhile, In another part of the Medical Center]


 Bunnie lay still as Rotor connected her new replacement cybernetics.


 "There..good as new." Rotor looked at Bunnie. "How are you feeling, Bunnie?"


 Bunnie sighed. "well..It still hurts ta' breathe, an' move. but..Ah' think Ah'll be okay."


 Cream smiled as she looked at Bunnie from her seat beside her.


 Just then, the door opened..and, in walked Antoine.


 "B-Bunnie? c-can I come in??"


 Bunnie gave Antoine a glare..then, exhaled. "fine."


 as Antoine entered the room, Bunnie looked at Rotor. "can ya' give us a minute?"


 "uhh..Sure." said Rotor, as he turned to leave.


 Bunnie looked at Cream. "you too, Cream."


 "But-"


 "Ah'll let ya' know when Peter's awake.
  just give me an' mah' HUSBAND some time ta..talk."


 Cream looked at her..then, sighed as she got up off her chair. "okay."


 Once Cream was gone, Bunnie glared at Antoine. "what do ya' want?"


 "I juzt wanted to say..I am zorry."


 Bunnie's dark expression never wavered.

 "sorry?..fer' what??, fer' callin' mah' son a COWARD..OR, fer' the sixteen years
 he needed a daddy in his life..and, YOU wasn't there fer' him."


 Antoine sighed sadly. "B-Bunnie, I-"


 "Ten years ago we had this conversation before." continued Bunnie.

 "Mah' son was taken, an' Ah' confronted you over never lovin' him like Ah' do.

  THEN, when Ah' got him back..You said you were sorry, an' fer' a moment
  Ah' believed you. Ah' BELIEVED you had finally opened yer' heart, and loved him."


 Bunnie then shed a tear as she shut her eyes tight.

 "then..Jaques and Belle were born. an' ya' showed me where yer' fatherly love TRULY laid.
  ya' abandoned Peter fer' Jaques..leavin' him all alone AGAIN."


 Bunnie looked at Antoine. "did you EVUH love Peter..AT ALL?!
 have ya' LIED ta's me all these years!?"


 Antoine stuttered, and stammered as he tried to speak..
 but, couldn't think of anything compelling to say.

 finally, Bunnie turned away. and, with tears in her eyes..
 spoke two words that shook Antoine to his core. "It's ovuh, antoine."


 "w-what?"


 "It's ovuh..Ah' can't do this anymore. (looks at Antoine) Ah' wanna divorce."


 tears broke from Antoine's eyes. "but..But, WHY!? Bunnie, I LOVE YOU!!, You can't-"


 "and, Ah' love you too, Antoine.." said Bunnie, tears still in her eyes.

 "Ah' will ALWAYS love you. but, Ah' can't live with a man who WON'T love mah' son."


 "I-I'll do better!, I PROMIZE!! I'll-"


 "It's too late fer' that, Antoine..FAR too late." said Bunnie, sadly.

 "Peter needed you thirteen years ago. he's not a little boy anymore..
  in fact, he's gonna be a daddy HIMSELF very soon."


 Antoine was quite surprised to hear this. "He..IZ? who-"


 "That isn't yer' problem anymore." said Bunnie, darkly.

 "Ah'm sorry, Antoine..but, It's ovuh between us."


 Antoine looked at Bunnie with teary eyes. "Bunnie, PLEAZE reconzider!"


 "no. Mah' mind is made up. Mah' only regret is that I didn't do this sooner.
  Ah' should have known from the start that you'd nevuh love Peter..

  but, Ah' had hoped that you loved me enough ta' open yer' heart to him.
  Instead, Ah' selfishly wasted Peter's life.

 DENIED him a real father..All because Ah' wanted ta' be with you."


 Antoine hung his head low. he then turned away sadly, unable to face his former wife.


 "zo..what now?"


 "You can keep Jaques. he is YER' son. he ALWAYS was." began Bunnie.

 "But, Ah'm takin Belle and Peter..an, movin' back home to th' Southern Baronies."


 Antoine sighed sharply. "I..I nevair thought It'd end like this."


 Bunnie looked away. "nor did Ah, Sugar-Twan..nor did Ah."


 Antoine breathed out forcefully as he walked away. doing his best to fight his tears.
 once gone, Bunnie shut her eyes and let her tears fall freely.


 "ah'm sorry."


 At that moment a door suddenly opened. Bunnie looked..
 and, smiled upon seeing Peter being rolled in by her Uncle.


 "Peter!"


 "MOM." said Peter, both happy and sad at the same time.


 as Beauregard brought Peter over to Bunnie's bedside,
 he reached out to her. "Are you okay, mom?!"


 "Ah' am..thanks to you." said Bunnie, her eyes moist.


 Peter gripped his mother's hand, holding It tight.

 "Ah' was so scared mom. w-when you were taken, Ah' didn't..ah-Ah' couldn't-"


 "Shhh!, Ah' know. Ah' felt th' same way when you were taken from me."


 Bunnie then looked at Peter's arm. "oh, mah' stars."
 Bunnie touched Peter's cybernetic arm..brushing her fingers over the smooth metal.


 "oh..oh, peter." Bunnie felt the urge to cry.


 "It's okay, mom."


 "NO, It isn't! It won't be..not evuh.
 (voice breaking) Ah' didn't want this fer' you..nevuh this."


 Peter gripped his mother's hand. "mom..Ah' don't regret what Ah' had ta' do ta' save you.
 Ah' can live without an arm..what Ah' CAN'T live without is YOU."


 Bunnie looked at Peter. "are you sure? ah' mean..you are all grown up now.
 an' It's obvious that you don't need me ta' protect you, anymore."


 Peter caressed his mother's cheek as he looked into her eyes.

 "yer' mah' mother..Ah' will ALWAYS need you in mah' life.
  Ah' wouldn't even HAVE a life if not fer' you."


 Bunnie shed a happy tear as she hugged Peter. "thank you, son. Ah'm so proud of you."



 just then, the door opened..and, a familiar voice sounded. "Peter?"


 Peter broke away from Bunnie, and turned to look..and, saw Cream standing at the door.


 "PETER!!" With tears in her eyes, Cream ran to Peter.

 she then leapt over, and hugged him.
 then, she suddenly kissed him passionately on his lips.

 "oh, peter..(choke, sob) you're okay."


 Peter looked nervously at Bunnie..who only smiled at him. "It's okay, Peter..AH' KNOW."


 "but..h-How?!"


 "Cream told me while Uncle Beau was fixin' yer arm."


 Peter sweated a little. "how MUCH did she tell?"


 Bunnie gave Peter a stern expression. "Ev'rythang."


 Peter grew pale at this. "oh, mah-"


 "peter..While Ah' understand the circumstances,
  Ah' hope you understand how serious this is." began Bunnie, in "Stern Mother" mode.

 "Ya' didn't use protection (even though you SHOULD know better.)
  so, Cream is probably pregnant now..Pregnant with YER' child."


 Peter looked down, feeling really bad.
 he looked at Cream..and, immediately felt shame. "cream..a-Ah'm so sorry."


 Cream touched Peter's chest. "It's okay, Peter.
 If there was anyone I wanted to have a baby with..It's YOU."


 "so.." began Bunnie. "What will you do now?"


 Peter looked at Bunnie..then, at Cream again. exhaling, he spoke.

 "ah..Ah'm gonna take responsibility fer' mah' actions."

 Peter looked at Cream. "Cream. If you want ta' keep our baby,
 Ah' promise Ah'll help you raise It."


 Cream smiled at Peter. "Of course I want to! Being a mother sounds wonderful!"


 Bunnie smiled at this. "well, then..Ah' guess Ah'd better git used to
 being "Grandma Bunnie", then." said Bunnie, with wit in her voice.


 Peter laughed for a bit..then, looked to Cream again.

 "so..If we're REALLY havin' a baby, how will raise It as a family when we live apart?"


 "I guess me and my mom will just have to move in with you." said Cream.


 Peter smiled. "yeah..yer' right. Vanilla is family, too."

 Peter then looked at Bunnie. "You think maybe you could convince dad to let them move in?"


 Bunnie frowned at this. "Antoine no longer has a say in yer' matters..not anymore."


 Beauregard looked at his niece. "What do ya' mean by that?"


 Bunnie sighed sadly. "ah'm..Ah'm gittin' a divorce. Ah', breakin' up with him."


 Peter widened his eyes at this, shocked. "What!?, WHY?!"


 Bunnie looked at Peter. "Because he refused ta' be yer' father..
 an' fer' sixteen years, Ah' let mah' selfishness deprive you of what you needed."


 Peter frowned at this. "mom..y-you don't have to-"


 Bunnie looked Peter right in the eye.

 "Ah've made mah' decision, Peter. he ain't gonna hurt you anymore."


 Peter bore an indifferent expression on his face. Unsure how to react to this news.


 "what about Belle?" asked Peter


 "She's coming with us." replied Bunnie. "Jaques, however..will have to stay with Antoine."


 "is he leavin?, or..will WE need ta' find a place ta' live."


 "Ah' already worked that out." began Bunnie.

 "We'll go ta' live at mah' family's old plantation."


 "Our old summer home?" inquired Peter


 "It'll be our NEW home from now on." Bunnie then glanced at her uncle.

 "go ahead, Uncle Beau..git' It over with. Git' the "Ah' Told Ya' So's" ovuh with."


 Beauregard expressed no emotion. "It's no secret Ah' nevuh approved of yer' marriage
 to that D'Coolette boy..an' Ah' can't say Ah'm sorry that yer' finally leavin' him.

  but..Ah' know ya' loved him, an' that this decision has ta' be hurtin' you."


 "It was. the hardest decision Ah'v evuh had ta' make." said Bunnie.


 "well..Ah' ain't gonna throw any celebration." said Beauregard. "Ah'm not THAT heartless."


 Bunnie looked at Peter again. "peter..Ah'm so sorry.
 Ah' wasted the best years of yer' life fer' nothin..can you evuh forgive me?"


 Peter looked at his mother with soft eyes. "There is nothin' to forgive, mom.
 It wasn't yer' fault da-, Ah' mean..Antoine wouldn't love me."

 Peter then reached out, and touched Bunnie's shoulder.

 "what matters is that YOU were there fer' me when Ah' needed you."


 Bunnie smiled as she touched Peter's face. "always, and forevuh, baby."


 Cream finally took notice of Peter's arm, and examined It.
 Peter noted this, and looked at her. "Ah' hope this is okay with you."


 Cream looked into Peter's eyes. "What matters is that you are alive.
 THIS..well, this is just another thing we'll have to deal with together."


 Cream then took ahold of Peter's robotic hand, clutching It tightly.
 she looked up at him..and, smiled. "It's no so bad."


 Peter smiled, then hugged his girlfriend. "thank you, cream."


 "peter."


 Peter looked at Beauregard. "yeah, great uncle beau?"


 Beauregard exhaled softly. "look..Ah' know that all thangs considered,
 Ah'v been no better than D'Coolette when It came ta' you.

  but..if you evuh do need a father on yer life. Ah'll always be there fer' you."


 Bunnie nearly welled up in tears upon hearing this.


 "thanks, Great Uncle Beau.." began Peter.

 "an, given how Ah' may become a father mah'self soon enough..
  Ah' may need some "advice" in being a parent."


 "Ah'm in no way the "perfect father" (Bunnie can attest ta' that.)
  But, Ah' have learned from mah' many mistakes in th' past." said Beau.


 "Better than what Ah'v had."


 Beauregard smiled, then he began to wheel peter away.

 "Al'ight, come on. You still need yer' rest. an' so does yer' momma."


 "okay. (looks to Cream) bye, cream. see ya' later."


 "okay." said Cream, meekly as she walked away.


 Peter then looked at Bunnie. "bye, mom. get better soon, huh?"


 "you too." said Bunnie.


 As Beauregard rolled Peter away, Bunnie called to him. "Uncle Beau!"


 Beauregard stopped, and looked back at her. "thank you."


 the aging Rabbit smiled at her. "anytime, darlin." with that,
 Beauregard and Peter left. Leaving Bunnie alone.


 Bunnie then laid back down..and, exhaled softly.
 both troubled and content at losing Antoine, and regaining her uncle.

 but, more so..she was worried for her son, Peter. and his OWN growing family.


 Then, another thought occurred to Bunnie. "damn. Ah' still need ta' get groceries."

 

 [The End, For Now.]