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ATHOR'S NOTE: I just wanted to think everyone for all the support they've given me as I've written this series. This will be the final chapter in the series because I think it's a proper place to stop, but who knows, maybe there will be a new story arc in the future with Sandy and Robbie? You never know!

Spring had come yet again to the land, and with the temperature starting to rise, flowers blooming and new life in the air, many of the creatures who'd been cooped up all winter now wanted to go outside and enjoy the warmer weather, and no one wanted to enjoy the spring time more than Cedric and Cecil Evans. The two young squirrels, who'd just turned six years old were busy running around in the backyard with their father Simon chasing them through the wooded area at the very back of their property. Simon couldn't believe how much energy his two young sons had, and it took everything he had to finally catch both of them.

"Gotcha, you little brats," said the older squirrel, grabbing hold of the twin boys. "Now, it's time to go inside and get cleaned up."

"Aw," whined Cedric. "We wanna stay outside some more, Daddy."

"Yeah, well, I'm too old and too tired to keep chasing you all day; besides, your brother and Robbie are coming home later today," said Simon.

"Sandy and Robbie are comin' home?" asked Cecil, his eyes bright and shiny.

"They sure are," said Simon, opening the back door and ushering his sons to go inside.

"They aren't gonna leave again, are they?" asked Cedric, looking askance.

"Not for quite awhile," said Simon. "There band is taking a break from touring so they can do some different things."

Cedric and Cecil ran inside the house and saw their mother Sonya putting up a banner in the entry way that read "WELCOME HOME, SANDY AND ROBBIE!".

"Whatcha doin', Mommy?" asked Cedric, seeing the banner.

"Just putting this banner up to welcome your brother and Robbie home," answered the female squirrel. "I can see you two have been having fun outside, haven't you?"

"Yeah," answered Cedric and Cecil together.

"In that case," said Sonya. "You two need to go take a bath. You're all dirty and I don't want this house to be a mess right now."

"Aw," whined the twins.

"No arguing with your mother," said Simon, picking them both up. "Get your tails into the tub and wash yourselves good, and no whining either."

Simon deposited his sons inside the downstairs bathroom and drew some bath water. He told them to turn the water off once it reached a certain level, and also warned them not to come out until they were squeaky clean. Closing the door, he went out to the living to rejoin Sonya.

"You're really missed those two, haven't you?" asked the male squirrel.

"I have," said Sonya. "Everything's changed so must in the last year. Sandy and Robbie graduated high school and then a week later there band goes on a nine month tour all over the world. It's just . . ." Sonya tried to find the words. "It doesn't seem like that long ago Sandy was the same age as Cedric and Cecil and you were outside chasing him around after the weather started to warm up."

"I'll tell you this much," said Simon as he sat down on his recliner. "I had way more energy to keep up with a six year old back then."

"That," said Sonya smiling. "And there was only one of them to chase around."

"Those two are just like Sandy was at that age," said Simon. "Happy, healthy and not a care in the world."

"They sure are," said Sonya. "You think they'll end up wanting to be in a band too?"

"Of course," said Simon. "They've already been talking about that. Cedric wants to play bass like his brother, and Cecil wants to be a drummer, just like Robbie."

"Maybe in a couple of years we can let them try," said Sonya. "Right now, I'm happy with them just being playful little kids."

"Agreed," said Simon. "Besides, could you really imagine two six year olds playing in a death metal band?"

The mention of that made Sonya laugh. "Now that would certainly be YouTube worthy."

Simon could hear water splashing around inside the bathroom. Sighing, he got up from his chair so he could check on them. "I swear, those two aren't going to make it to seven if they keep this up." The older male squirrel went into the bathroom, only to come out with Cedric and Cecil wrapped in terry cloth towels, while his shirt was soaked with bath water. Seeing her husband in such a state, Sonya put a paw to her face, trying not to laugh in front of the twins.

"Looks like I'll have to take a shower now," said Simon, scowling.

"That it does," said Sonya. "Here, you boys go get dressed and don't you dare get dirty again or you're father's going to have your tails for lunch."

Simon sat the boys on the ground and the two threw off their towels, running naked to their room to find clean clothes. Simon looked at his wife, who could no longer hide her amusement. "Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want, and then tell those two that I'm going to eat their tails if they don't behave."

"I'm sorry, Simon," said Sonya, giving her husband a kiss on the cheek. "I just want them to look perfect when Sandy and Robbie come home."

"I know you do," said Simon, embracing his wife. "It means a lot to me too. Now, I'm gonna go shower and hopefully by the time I'm done, Robbie and Sandy will be here soon."

"Then you'd better get going," warned Sonya.

"Yes dear," said Simon, walking down the hall to go shower.

Simon was able to shower and get dressed with plenty of time to spare. Sonya made sure that Cedric and Cecil were entertained, but still clean for when Sandy and Robbie arrived. The female squirrel also made sure that the twins didn't tear up the house, as she wanted everything to be perfect . Simon occasionally peaked outside, hoping that the boys would show up soon.

"Daddy," said Cedric, hopping on his father's lap. "When's Sandy and Robbie gonna be here?"

"Pretty soon, son," said the older squirrel.

Cecil climbed aboard too. "There they is, Daddy!"

Simon turned around, seeing that a limousine had pulled into the drive way and let out Sandy and Robbie. Picking up both the twins, Simon walked to the door, awkwardly opening it as both young squirrels squirmed to get free and greet the two members of their family.

"Sandy! Robbie!" screamed the two as they ran towards them.

Sandy picked up Cedric, while Cecil ran right for Robbie. The two road warriors, each with a young squirrel and luggage in their arms, walked inside the house and were quickly set upon by Simon and Sonya, with Sonya being unable to keep from tearing up. She kissed Sandy and Robbie over and over, overjoyed beyond words to see them.

"Oh man," said Sandy, finally able to sit down on the couch. "It feels so good to be back home after being on the road for so long."

"Sure does," said Robbie, sitting down next to the squirrel.

"You guys didn't bring your instruments home with you?" asked Simon.

"Oh no," said Sandy. "After all that time playing, I don't want to even look at a bass guitar for a couple of weeks. I need to just unwind right now."

"Me too," said Robbie. "The last thing I need to see is a drum kit in front of me."

"So," said Simon. "What's it like to tour the entire world?"

"Exciting," said Sandy. "But exhausting too."

"Pretty cool that most of the kids we went to school are either in college or working some job, but we get to go around the world and play to thousands of screaming, adoring fans," said Robbie. "Nothing quite as thrilling as that."

"I would think not," said Simon.

"And you two haven't been doing anything you're not supposed to, right?" asked Sonya.

"Of course not, Mom," said Sandy. "We promised you we wouldn't."

"And we've kept it too," added Robbie.

Sonya made Sandy and Robbie promise her that when they were on tour they wouldn't indulge in any of the vices that many bands fell into. To this day, Sandy and Robbie, and the other three members of the band had never drank alcohol, done drugs or even smoked a cigarette in their entire lives.

"It's pretty easy to keep that promise when you're touring with your husband," said Sandy, showing both his and Robbie's rings to his parents. "This guy's always nagging me about something."

"If I don't, who will?" asked Robbie. "Somebody has to keep you in line."

"They certainly do," said Sonya. "So how was that one music festival you were talking about . . . oh, I can't remember the name of it."

"Wacken?" said Sandy. "Incredible. I couldn't believe that we were actually playing there, but we did."

"We've wanted to ever since we were thirteen," said Robbie. "Hopefully we'll be playing in next year."

"But not this year?" asked Simon.

"Oh no," said Robbie. "The band's taking a six month hiatus so Felix and Ethan can start their side project band, plus Leon has got some small acting rolls he's gonna be in and Felix has been really eager to start singing again, and he really didn't have the voice for that in Death Roar, so he and Ethan are starting some kind of progressive metal band."

"You gonna be in it?" asked Sonya.

"They haven't found a permanent drummer or bassist yet," said Sandy. "But they've already written an entire album of material, so in a few weeks Robbie and I are gonna go over to Ethan's Dad's house and record with them."

"But no touring, right?" asked Sonya.

"Not until this fall," said Robbie. "We promise."

"Good," said Simon. "It will be wonderful having you boys around again. Oh, that reminds me . . . you wanna see the basement now?"

"Sure," said Sandy. "I've been wondering how it's been coming along."

The basement at the Evans home had been nothing more than an unfinished area when Sandy and his parents had moved in seven years ago, but after Sonya insisted that the couple stay with them when not touring, Sandy and Robbie got the idea to send Simon and Sonya money to finish the basement to it could serve as their home when not on the road.

"Come with me," said Simon.

Simon opened the basement door and turned on the lights. Sandy and Robbie followed him downstairs and were awestruck at the changes that had taken place. Before, the basement was one, big unfinished room, but now it was completely finished with a living room, bathroom, small kitchen and bedroom.

"Dad," said Sandy. "I can't believe how great it looks down hear."

"I made sure the to get your money's worth when dealing with the contractor. I take it your happy with the results?"

"Very happy," said Robbie. "You even got some things from my parents' house, didn't you?"

"Sure did," said Simon. "I thought you might want all of your art stuff over here, since you two plan on working on the comic books again."

"I've really been looking forward to that," said Sandy. "We both need some quiet time away from death metal."

Simon laughed. "I'd imagine so."

Cedric and Cecil, who'd been barred from going downstairs during the construction of the basement were now running around, exploring all the new things the lower part of the house contained.

"Hey, you two," snapped Simon. "Don't go wrecking your brother and brother-in-law's home, okay?"

"It's alright," said Sandy, tackling Cedric, while Robbie got hold of Cecil. "They're welcome to come down here, provided the bedroom door isn't shut."

"And if it is," said Simon, addressing his two younger sons. "You get your butts up here and leave Sandy and Robbie alone, understood?"

The twins nodded their understanding. "Very good," said Simon. "Are you two going to join us for dinner tonight?"

"We're going over to Robbie's parents' house tonight, Dad," said Sandy. "Don't forget, Jessica just had their second kid."

Jessica, Robbie's sister-in-law, who was married to his older brother Ricky, had just given birth to their second child, a girl they name Amy. They already had a three year old boy named Richard John Atkins III, though they decided to call him by "Richie", as their was already a Richard and Ricky.

"Oh yes," said Simon. "She's a pretty little thing. Looks just like her mother."

"I've seen the pictures," said Robbie. "Really looking forward to seeing my little niece for the first time."

"And Richie," said Sandy. "He's an ornery little snot. Reminds me a lot of Robbie, to be honest."

Robbie gave his husband a playful shove. "Hey, I've gotten way more mature since we were twelve years old, acorn breath."

"You're never gonna be mature enough," said Sandy. "I'm certain of that."

Sandy just shook his head. "Dad, you mind if Robbie and I spend some time alone before we go over to his parents' house? We're kinda tired after the long trip from the airport."

"Sure," said Simon. "Cedric, Cecil, get on upstairs. Sandy and Robbie need some time alone."

The two little twins moaned in disapproval, but the stern look on their father's face was enough to convince them to comply with his demands. With the two younger squirrels upstairs, Simon shut the door to the basement, leaving the married couple by themselves.

"Feels good to be home, doesn't it, Robbie?" asked Sandy.

"Yes it does," said the raccoon. "I've spent to much time here that it feels like my second home."

Sandy walked around the basement, admiring the remodeling. "Yeah, I feel the same way about your house. In fact . . ."

"What?" asked Robbie, hearing that his husband had stopped in the middle of a sentence. "What is it?"

"My god," said Sandy, pointing at a picture on the living room wall of the basement. "Would you look at that? You know what that's from, don't you?"

"Wow," said Robbie, looking at the picture his husband was pointing at. "Yeah, I remember that day really well."

The picture they were both staring at was a picture from the very first day they had met. Sandy and his parents had only begun to unload their belongings from the U-Haul truck that Simon had driven across country, when Robbie, riding his bicycle, happened to stop and see what was going on. Sandy went over and struck up a conversation with him, and the rest was history.

"You know," said Sandy. "I hadn't even talked to you for five minutes when I'd felt like I'd known you all my life."

"Me too," said Robbie. "It was like we were meant to be together, don't you think?"

"I don't think so," said Sandy. "I know so."

Robbie smiled. "Gonna be kind of nice, chilling out here in the basement, working on comic books again, won't it?"

"I've been so looking forward to it," said Sandy. "All those months on the road, blasting my ears out, banging my head and playing my fingers to the bones on my bass? Yeah, I could use a break from all that."

"And there were nights I thought I was going to pass out from playing blast beats for so long," said Robbie. "Good thing we both stay in shape, I guess."

"Sure is," said Sandy. "Now, how about we go get some rest before seeing your Mom and Dad, okay?"

"Sounds good to me," said Robbie. "Though I think first we should have some fun."

"Oh, that's a good way to wear me out," said Sandy, putting his arms around Robbie. "Hey, Robbie?"

"Yeah?" said Robbie.

"I love you, bandit," he said, giving the raccoon a kiss on the mouth. "Always have, and always will."

"I love you too, acorn breath," said Robbie. "Now, let's go into our new room and have some fun, okay?"

Sandy nodded in agreement. The couple slipped out of their clothes before shutting the bedroom door. They were both glad to be back home with their families, and with each other, for the rest of their lives.