Baby I'm Longing For- First Draft

Burning bridges, Rebuilding Trust

Bombalurina opened her eyes and smiled at her sister.

"Hey Dems!" she yawned, "Don't look so worried!"

"They told me you were taken ill," said Demeter, frowning, "I was worried."

"Don't be sis! It was just a little too much alcohol, that's all...!"

"I saw Munkustrap take your glass off you," Demeter cut in, "and then, before that, I saw him confiscate your cigarette."

"Demeter..."

"What's going on, Bomba? I'm not stupid, I can tell when you're lying. Please tell me! You're meant to be my sister!"

"I...

"She's pregnant." Bombalurina's eyes widened. Munkustrap, Jazzie and Rum Tum Tugger were all standing by the curtain, looking in. Munkustrap limped over to her bedside and held her paw, while she looked horrified, first to him, then to Demeter and then to Rum Tum Tugger as realisation dawned in their eyes. Well in Demeter's anyway.

"Wait, you're pregnant?" Rum Tum Tugger asked suddenly.

"Keep up Tugger! Yes I'm pregnant."

"How come you never said?"

"Because they're not yours."

"Not mine? Who's are they? I'll kill him!"

"They're mine, you idiot!" Munkustrap growled.

"Your's?!"

"Do I have to spell it out? Yes, mine. You got a problem with that?"

"Yeah I have, as it happens!" said Rum Tum Tugger straightening his mane and squaring up to him. Munkustrap let go of Bombalurina's paw and drew himself up to his full height. Both toms stared threateningly at one another, with their fur bristling and tails slashing. Rum Tum Tugger was lean and muscly, almost the same height as Munkustrap, with his long mane making him appear slightly taller, but Munkustrap was bigger overall. His chest and shoulders were broader and more defined, and as he flexed them, one was left in no doubt that, even injured, he was still a force to be reckoned with.

"You can't get enough can you?" Rum Tum Tugger sneered, "First our mum..."

"Jenny isn't our mother, you great worm's pimple...!"

"...then Jelly, then Demeter, then Tanto, Jazzie, and Bast knows who else! Now my missus! Who's next?" He cupped his paw to his mouth and called out to no one in particular, "Hang onto your queen fellers, don't let her out of your sight, because the minute you do, he'll be all over her like a rash!"

"That's enough! You have no grounds to complain about my mating habits, when you yourself have mated with most of London! At least I have standards! Bombi was probably worried she'd catch something off you!"

"I can speak for myself, thank you dearest!" snapped Bombalurina, "Tugger, it was my choice, you got that? You're still my Tuggy Bear, but I needed something more. Fun just doesn't cut the mustard, I'm afraid. Fun won't give me strong, healthy kittens. What use is fun, when I need a father? Someone who is strong, good looking, wise, level headed, brave. Sorry Tugs, but you only scored one out of five there."
"May I ask how I fared, just out of interest, or don't I want to know?" asked Munkustrap. Bombalurina gave him a wink.
"Oh, you got full marks, Tiger!" she purred, then she turned seriously to Rum Tum Tugger. "Don't sneer Tugger, you only have yourself to blame! You made it perfectly clear what you thought about having kittens with me, so sorry and all that, but you lost out. Deal with it! Look, I'm ten this year! Yeah, don't sound quite so shocked, will you!" She glared at the small group of cats, but no one responded, so she carried on, grudgingly, "Time is not on my side, this could have been my last chance."
"And does love not feature at all in amongst your life plans?" Rum Tum Tugger asked, morosely.
"It certainly does!" She glanced fervently in Munkustrap's direction. "You are extensions of each other, so how could I not love you both? It was my heart that guided me, and if YOU loved ME, Tugger, then you would stand by me and respect my decision, seeing as it was mine to make, instead of throwing all of your toys out of the pram!" Rum Tum Tugger shook his head,