Found Again

SLAM!

Proxy jumped at the sudden sound of the front door opening and closing. Ocha had been out meeting with some friends, but it had barely been an hour. Why was she home so early?

Proxy went downstairs to greet their wife, but stopped upon seeing her state. She was visibly shaking, and on the verge of tears. Ocha’s paw gripped a strange photograph, enough to crumple it. What on earth was going on? But first, Proxy had to calm her down. 

“Hey, try to breathe. We can talk if you want once you’re ready.” They pulled her into a soft hug. This seemed to work, as Ocha’s breathing and shaking slowly calmed down. After a moment, she inhaled and looked at Proxy.

“I…I discovered something important.” 

“Ok, what is it? I’m listening.”

“Let me sit down.”

The couple sat down at their kitchen table. Ocha didn’t look at her partner, her eyes fixated on the photo still in her paws. 

“I told you when we met that I was taken as a kitten into an army. But…I didn’t tell you I had a friend there. We kept each other safe. But when I escaped, I thought she…she died. Dusk mentioned their sister’s name and I, uh, I think they’re my old friend. He showed me a photo. I don’t know what to think. What do I do!?” She then handed Proxy the photo. 

Proxy looked at the picture. It was of their friend, Dusk, and another cat. She had brown fur, blue dust, and long fangs. Her smile was mischievous. 

Have I seen her before…?

Shaking the thought away, Proxy looked at Ocha. 

“Well, what do you want to do? I trust your judgement.”

Ocha fiddled with her claws. She looked very nervous, which was rare for her.

“I…I want to meet with her. But I’m so scared. What if she doesn’t remember me? Or what if she HATES me? I never tried looking for her! Because I thought she-” She started tearing up again. Proxy reached over and took her paw in theirs. 

“Strawberry, I promise that if anything goes wrong, I’ll be there for you. I think we should give it a shot. And if she ends up being an asshole, I’ll beat her up. How does that sound?”

“Proxy!”

“Ok maybe not beat up, but you get the idea. Let’s make a plan, ok?”

“...Ok.”

~ ~ ~

After a quick call with Dusk, Proxy had tracked down the strange cat’s residence. She seemed to live in Dwarfville, near a pond. So the next day, Proxy and Ocha set out to the small town. 

Well, Proxy, Ocha, and one more.

Lura had overheard their plans and begged to come along. She wanted to meet this new cat. Proxy was going to tell her no, but after being given big cute eyes, they and Ocha gave in. 

It didn’t take long for the shuttle to reach Dwarfville. The trio stepped out of the station, and Proxy pulled out their map. 

“Ok, I think their home is east from here. Are you both ready?”
Lura jumped up and down. “Yes yes yes! Mama, are you ready?”

Ocha gave a weak smile. “Yeah, as much as I’ll ever be.” 

A few minutes later, they arrived at the house. It was blue, with a sea-green doorknob shaped like a starfish. Whoever lived here really liked the water.

Proxy was about to tell Ocha to knock when Lura loudy knocked on the door. Well, that works. 

After a moment, the door opened to reveal a cream and brown teen-aged cat. They stared with green eyes at the strange trio in front of them.

“Who the heck are you guys?”

Once again, Lura led the way. “Hi! We heard there might be an old friend of my Mama’s here? Gray-brown with blue eyes?”

The green-eyed cat thought for a moment, then their eyes lit up. Then they turned around and shouted into their house.

“MA!!! THERE’S SOME OLD FRIEND HERE TO SEE YOU!!”

Pawstepped sounded from inside the house. Ocha held her breath. 

Then a tall gray-brown cat appeared at the doorway. She ruffled the teenager’s hair before looking to the aquatic family. 

Her eyes widened. Then her long ears drooped. Then she stepped closer to Ocha.
“...Ocha?”

Ocha couldn’t speak for a minute. Then, she tackled the other cat down to the ground in a hug, tears streaming down her face.

“BROOK!!!!”

Brook seemed speechless, then pulled Ocha into a hug as well. They lay there for a minute, laughing and crying at the same time. 

The teenager stared at the duo, a puzzled look on her face. Then she looked at Lura.

“Uh, I’m Willow. I guess I should introduce myself?”

“I’m Lura! My green mom is Proxy, and my pink mom is Ocha. Is Brook your mom?

“Yep, she’s one of my Mas. The other one is away on a trip right now.”

“OH MY GOSH!!! DOUBLE MOM GANG!!!”

Proxy listened to the kids chat, then helped Ocha off the ground. She was still laugh-crying, along with Brook. 

“Sorry about that! I just, I just can’t believe you’re alive! I’m so sorry I didn’t know earlier. I hope you can forgive me…”
Brook laughed. “Girl, there’s nothing to be sorry for! I’m just so glad you’re ok! How have you been?”

“I’ve been great! As you can see, I have a family, I see you have one too! Your daughter is soooo cute! You found the girl of your dreams?”

“I sure did! She’s away right now, but she’s the sweetest little bug on earth. I couldn’t be happier. Hopefully you can meet her when we see each other again.” Brook gave a fangy grin.

Ocha paused. “You…you want to see me again?”

“Of course! I can’t just see you once and never again. Not happening again. I’m staying by your side for good this time.” 

This caused Ocha to burst into tears again and pull Brook into another hug. This was gonna happen a lot.

After some more chatting (and crying), Proxy, Ocha and Lura said their goodbyes. As they headed to the shuttle stop. Proxy looked at Ocha.

“So that went pretty well, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m just, so relieved. I have her phone number so we’ll keep in close contact. Lura, what did you think?”
The young spacecat smiled. “Willow is really smart! Miss Brook is super cool! She might be cooler than you, Green Mama!”

“HEY!” Proxy scolded her teasingly. Ocha laughed. She had quite a story to tell Dusk and Petal next time they met.