Late Bloomer

An Unexpected Turn of Events

"There, that's all settled," Judge Peckinpah replied, once the formal agreement was written up and signed. Turning to Red, who was still cradling his hatchling, he commented, "This was your last day, Miss. Red. Who have you chosen to be the hatchling's other parent?"

Red opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by Leonard. "What do you mean? His other parent is obviously me."

"So, you're going to take responsibility, and officially become Red's mate?" the little bird asked, eyeing the pig king.

"Are you talking about marriage? You're asking if I'm willing to marry Red?" the king asked, eyes widening at the thought.

"Share her home, care and raise her hatchlings, provide support in her times of need? Yes. That is what being a mate entails, Mr. Mudbeard," the judge replied.

Leonard clapped his hooves together in excitement. "Of course. If he'll have me." Turning quickly to his lover, he smiled down at him. "What do you say, Red? Will you marry me?"

"I — I suppose so," Red replied, pulling his little one close to his chest.

"We can keep your house here as a vacation home, but you'd have to agree to return home to Piggy Island with me. And, since I'm the king, you'd be my queen," Leonard informed him. "Er, I mean, my Queen Consort."

"We'd take our child with us, right?" Red asked, as if he was uncertain about Leonard's intentions.

"Of course. I'd never leave our little one behind. He's my firstborn, after all. My heir. The prince of Piggy Island. A Mudbeard, through and through," Leonard boasted, hands coming to rest on his hips.

"Alright," Red agreed, glancing away. Leonard was sure he could see a blush on his lover's cheeks.

"Wonderful! Now, would you like the doctors to give you some... contraceptive tips, Mr. Mudbeard?" Judge Peckinpah asked.

"It wouldn't hurt. I love children, but I don't think having a child every single year would be a good idea," the king mused, stroking his beard.

"You want... more of them? With Miss. Red?" the little bird asked, casting a questioning eye at the red avian.

"Of course," the pig insisted.

"I should have known," the judge sighed under his breath. Red had been, by far, his most difficult Lost and Found ward. It seemed she was better off with the pigs, given her strange ways... and even stranger hatchlings.

The flapping of giant wings caused everyone to look skyward, only to cringe as the giant bird landed face-first in the dirt in front of them. Mighty Eagle pushed himself to his feet, his gaze flickering over the court circle.

"RED! You're future mate has arrived," the giant bird boasted, striking what he thought was a stunning pose.

"My future what?" said Red, frowning.

"His future WHAT?!" yelled Leonard, his eyes narrowing at the interloper.

The judge tightened his talons, prompting the bird beneath him to take a step toward the eagle. Raising his wings in a calming gesture, he said, "Mighty Eagle! We are humbled by your presence, but it seems that Miss. Red has found a mate on her own."

"Oh." The eagle looked crestfallen for a moment, before a grin spread over his beak. "Well then, let me look upon the princess' mate, so that I — the Guardian of Bird Island, and the last royal guard of the Cardinals, may judge him worthy of her wing in matrimony. So, where is this guy?" The larger bird glanced around the assembly, winking at Red and the child in her arms, before resuming his silent search.