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Gideon spent a lot of time visiting with Travis and Alizar. The three of them usually played video games to pass the time. He had also been baking a lot of pies with his mother, and it became pretty clear to both his parents that he really enjoyed doing so. He took pride in the fact he was making them himself, as well as in the positive reactions he got whenever he shared them with family and friends.

As Gideon awoke that Saturday, he quickly showered and got dressed before coming downstairs. Both his parents were there watching the news. "Mornin', Mama. Mornin', Papa."

"Good morning," the two elder foxes replied.

It was then Gideon noticed that both his mother and father were dressed. He knew his father was working, but the only reason his mother would usually be dressed this early, rather than in her robe or PJs was when she had something she needed to do. Gideon turned to her, looking curious. "Are ya alright, Mama?"

"I'm just a little sore this morning, and I want to talk to my doctor about it," she told him.

Gideon then walked over. "Did ya want me ta come along," he asked.

"You don't need to do that, Gideon," his mother replied. "You should just go and have fun with your friends.

He shook his head. "Mama, Ah wanna come with ya."

Still, his mother persisted. "I'll be fine, sweetie."

"Are ya sure, Mama?"

She nodded. "I'm just going to talk to him. That's all."

Gideon nodded. "Alright, Mama. Is it okay if Ah go over ta Travis' house while yer gone then?"

"Absolutely," the vixen replied.

"Ah'm gonna have breakfast and head over there then," the kit replied back.

"Alright," Amanda gave her son a quick kiss.

Gideon then headed for the kitchen to get some cereal. While eating it, he heard the front door open, then, seconds later, heard it close.

Tyler entered the kitchen, walking over to the coffee pot and pouring himself some coffee, before sitting down at the table with Gideon.

"When are ya goin' ta work today, Papa," the young kit asked.

"In about fifteen minutes. Ah've got just enough time ta drink some coffee before Ah have ta head out," Tyler told his son.

Gideon nodded and finished off his breakfast. "Do ya think Mama's gonna be okay?"

"That's what she's goin' ta the doctor fer, Gid. Ah'm sure the doc will take care of her," Tyler replied, hoping Gideon didn't press the matter further.

"Ah just don't like knowin' Mama's hurtin' is all," the kit replied as he walked over to the sink, rinsing his bowl out and putting it in the dishwasher.

"Ah don't like it either, Gid, but we gotta wait ta see what the doctor says."

"Right... Ah hope she's okay though," Gideon commented.

"Ah do too, son. Fer now, go on and play with yer friends. Ah'll see ya when Ah get home," the elder fox told him.

The kit hugged his father. "Alright. Love ya, Papa."

Tyler hugged back. "Love ya too, son. Now go on. Scoot."

Gideon then headed outside, making his way to Travis' house. When he got there, he knocked on the door.

When the door opened, Charles was seen standing there, fully dressed for work. "Oh! Good morning, Gid."

"Mornin', Mr. Bailey," the kit politely replied. "Is Travis home?"

"He is, but he was just about to head to your place," Charles told him.

A moment later, the younger ferret's voice was heard. "Oh! Hey, Gid!"

"Hey."

"I was just about to head to your house," Travis told his friend.

"That's what yer dad was sayin'. Mama's at the doctor's office right now, so, since Papa is workin', there's no one at the house."

Travis shrugged. "Wanna go over to Alizar's house then?"

"Don't see why not," the fox replied.

Charles looked to his son. "You have fun, kiddo. I'll see you later tonight." He then hugged him.

Travis hugged back, stepping outside with his friend.

Charles then stepped outside as well, pulling the door shut. "Got your house key?"

"Yup. Got it right here, Dad," the ferret replied, patting his pocket.

"Alright. I'll see you tonight then."

"Sounds good. Love you, Dad," Travis said with a smile.

"Love you too, kiddo." Charles gave his son's head a pat. Charles then walked over to his car, got in, started it up and drove off.

Travis then looked at Gideon. "Shall we?"

Gideon chuckled. "Yeah. Sounds good ta me."

The pair of them headed back toward Gideon's house, crossing the street and walking up to the front door of Alizar's home.

Gideon then knocked, waiting there with a smile.

As the door opened, Ada stood there, smiling as well when she saw the two of them. "Good morning, boys."

"Good morning, Mrs. Cooper," the two replied.

"Are you here to visit with Alizar," she asked them.

"Yes, ma'am," Gideon told her.

"Please come in. Alizar is playing games in the living room at the moment."

The two boys stepped inside and, after thanking her, headed for the living room, seeing Alizar there, who immediately paused his game to look at the two of them.

"Hey guys," Alizar remarked.

"Hey," Gideon replied as they walked over. "How are ya?"

"I'm doing alright. Just going through a few races. You guys wanna join me?"

"Sure," Travis replied, as the two of them sat down.

"Ah have ta admit, Ah kinda need this right now, so Ah stay distracted," Gideon told them.

"Why's that, Gid," Alizar asked.

"Mama went ta see the doctor. She's apparently not feelin' well. Ah can't explain it, but Ah feel like there's somethin' wrong," Gideon told them.

"Let's just keep your mind off of it then," Travis commented, turning his attention to the TV.

Gideon nodded and turned his attention to the TV as well. "You can go first, Travis. Ah'll play against whoever wins."

Travis shrugged then nodded, taking the second controller.

Alizar then exited the race he'd been on, going back to the title screen. "You can pick the first race."

"Alright." Travis looked over the race selection before picking one. The ferret then readies himself as he began the race.

Alizar's attention quickly became focused as well.

Gideon watched the two for several minutes until eventually, the race had ended, with Travis being the victor. "Way ta go, Travis. Ah knew ya'd win."

"Oh, ya did, huh?" Alizar looked to him. "You can see the future now, huh?"

"Maybe." Gideon snickered as Alizar gave him the controller. Once he had picked out the race, the two were off.

Travis seemed just as focused as with his previous race though, and, after several minutes, eventually emerged victorious again, though it was only by a few seconds. "You almost beat me, Gid."

"Yeah..."

Alizar took the controller again. "Did you KNOW you were gonna lose, Gid," the older kit asked with a smirk.

"Of course not. Ah was just bein' silly earlier," Gideon remarked, smirking back.

"Right," Alizar turned his attention to the screen once more.

The three boys sat there for a couple hours before Ada peeked her head in. "Boys? Are you hungry?"

The three of them, almost in unison, spoke up. "Yes, ma'am."

Ada chuckled softly. "I've got some macaroni and cheese made. Help yourselves."

"Thanks, Mom," Alizar remarked as he stood. He then walked over to her and hugged her, getting a hug and a kiss back in return.

"You're quite welcome. Enjoy."

Alizar walked into the kitchen with the other two. "Mom's macaroni is homemade. It's not like the packaged stuff."

"Ah'm sure it tastes great. Can't wait ta try it," Gideon said with a smile.

"Alizar got out three bowls before scooping the macaroni and cheese into each. "Here you go, guys."

"Thanks," they both said, taking their bowls.

Alizar then took out three spoons, handing one to Gideon and one to Travis, before walking over to the table and sitting down.

The other two sat down as well, and the three of them started eating.

Gideon then took a bite. "Mmm... This IS good."

Ada stepped into the kitchen. "Thank you very much, sweetie."

"Yer welcome, Mrs. Cooper."

Ada walked over and got a plate of the pasta herself before sitting down.

"Very tasty," Travis said after swallowing a bite himself.

"Thank you too, Travis."

"You're very welcome," the ferret replied.

The four sat and ate their food. When they finished, Alizar stood and cleaned up all the dirty dishes, with Gideon and Travis helping to put away the leftovers.

"Thank you again, boys."

"You're welcome," the three boys replied.

Gideon, Travis and Alizar headed back into the living room. The three then resumed their games, taking turns and passing off the controller whenever they lost. Several hours later, the boys were interrupted by Gideon's cell ringing.

Taking it from his pocket, he answered it, seeing it was his father calling. "Hey, Papa. Is everything alright?"

"Not really, Gid," his father told him with a sigh. "Ah just got a call from yer mama. She's being admitted ta the hospital."

"What?!" Gideon nearly dropped the phone, startling the other two. "Is she okay?!"

"Calm down, Gid. I'm sure she's gonna be fine," Tyler remarked, trying to reassure him.

"Ah knew it! Ah knew somethin' was wrong with her. Ah shoulda went with her," Gideon continued.

"Gideon, Ah'm sure she'll be fine," his father repeated.

"Ah shoulda went with mah gut feelin'. Now she's being kept overnight and who knows what's gonna happen."

Tyler then shouted. "Gideon Alexander Grey! Calm down, now!"

Gideon went completely silent.

"That's better..." Tyler said, lowering his voice now. "Now... Ah'm gonna be finishin' mah work here in about an hour. Are ya still at Alizar's house?"

"Yes, sir," Gideon answered in a low voice. "Ah was just racin' with Alizar and Travis."

"Alright. Did ya wanna come with me ta visit with her after Ah get off work," Tyler asked.

"Please," Gideon replied, trying to keep calm.

"Alright. When Ah get off, Ah'll come get ya."

"Thank ya, Papa," Gideon replied.

"Ah'll see ya in an hour then. Bye fer now, son. And please, try ta stay calm, alright?"

"Ah'll try, Papa. Bye fer now." He then hung up. As soon as he did, he frowned, turning to his friends.

"Gideon?" Travis frowned.

"Somethin's wrong with Mama... She's been admitted ta the hospital. Papa's gonna pick me up after work and we're gonna go see her," Gideon told his friends, as a couple tears fell from his eye.

"Gideon, just try to relax." Alizar put his paw on the other fox's shoulder.

"Ah can't, Alizar. She's mah Mama. Ah worry about her," the other fox replied.

"I know, Gideon, but getting yourself worked up isn't going to help you or her," Alizar told him. "Take a few deep breaths and relax. We'll go back to playing games until your dad gets here to keep your mind off it."

"Somehow, Ah don't think that's gonna help now," Gideon said, still trying to compose himself.

"Maybe it will, maybe it won't but right now all we can do is wait for your dad," Alizar told him.

Gideon sighed. "Ah know... Ah just hope whatever's wrong with her gets fixed."

"She's in the best place she can be right now, Gid," his ferret friend told him.

"Ah know," Gideon replied, as he sniffled again, turning his attention to the TV as they began playing again.

About fifteen minutes later, Ada came into the living room, seeing the young fox sad. "Gideon?"

"Mrs. Cooper... Mama's in the hospital," the kit replied. He never took his eyes off the screen, though currently Alizar and Travis were the ones racing.

"We're trying to keep him distracted, Mom," Alizar told his mother.

"I'll leave you to your gaming then. I'll keep your mother in my thoughts though," Ada told him.

"Ah appreciate that ma'am," the fox replied. "Thank ya."

"You're welcome, Gideon," Ada replied before taking a seat on the couch to watch the boys play.

As the boys got involved in their racing, it seemed Gideon was finally starting to relax. When the three of them heard the doorbell, their attention was pulled away from it.

"I'll get it," Alizar commented as he stood. He walked over to the door and opened it, seeing Tyler standing there. "Hello, sir."

"Hey there, Alizar. How are you," Tyler asked.

"I'm doing alright. Me and Travis have been keeping Gid distracted," the fox told him.

"Ah appreciate that," the elder fox commented.

Gideon stood up, walking over to his dad and hugging him.

Tyler hugged him back. "Are ya ready ta go see yer mama?"

Gideon looked to his father and sighed. "Yeah... Ah guess so." He turned to the other two. "Ah'll let ya know what Ah find out, guys."

Both Alizar and Travis hugged him, before Alizar spoke up. "We're here for you, Gid."

"Ah know... And Ah appreciate that." Gideon forced himself to smile. "Ah'll talk ta ya later." He then turned to Ada. "And thank ya fer lettin' me stay here and play with mah friend, Mrs. Cooper."

"You're very welcome. Come back anytime," Ada told him.

Gideon then turned to his father. "Alright, Papa... I'm ready."

Tyler nodded. He then walked with Gideon to his car, got in, and drove off after both of them were buckled. He then drove to the hospital, parked and got out, heading inside with his son in tow. He walked up to one of the reception desks, looking to the lioness behind it. "Hello, ma'am. Can ya tell me where Ah can find Amanda Grey? Ah was told she had been admitted ta this hospital."

The lioness did some typing. "Let me see here... Ah! Yes, here she is. She's in Room 215."

"Thank ya," both foxes replied. They then made their way to the elevator, and upon getting to the second floor, walked to room 215.

Gideon reached over to open the door to the room, but Tyler stopped him. "Papa?"

"Gideon... Ah know yer worried. So am Ah, ta be honest, but right now, we don't know what she's bein' admitted fer. Could just be the doctor wants ta examine her a bit more."

"Ah hope that's all it is. Though, honestly, Papa, Ah've got a bad feelin'," the kit told his dad.

"We'll just have ta see what the doc says." He gave Gideon's shoulder a squeeze. "Just try ta stay calm."

"Ah'll try, Papa. Ah'll try," Gideon said.

"Alright," Tyler replied.

Gideon then reached for the door again, knocking before opening it and peeking inside. "Mama? Are ya in here?"

"Yes Gideon," Amanda told him, though her voice was a bit weak. "Come in."

Gideon pushed the door open the rest of the way and entered with his dad. He turned toward the bed in the room to see Amanda in it, with an IV running down her arm. "Are ya alright, Mama?"

"Feeling tired and out of breath. I'm on some meds right now for the pain, and I'm waiting for the doctor to come back."

Immediately upon hearing that, Gideon frowned. "Mama... Are ya gonna be okay?"

"Gideon, if I tell you what's going on, I need you to try not to get yourself worked up. I don't want to see YOU getting admitted because you got so upset you got sick."

Gideon now became even more worried. "Okay, now Ah KNOW somethin's wrong. The fact ya have ta say that means it's bad..."

Tyler put a paw on Gideon's shoulder. "Relax, son. Ah agree with yer mama. Ah don't want ya to hurt yerself."

Gideon took several breaths to calm himself. "Alright... Alright... so, what happened, Mama?"

"I had a heart attack this morning, Gid. Or at least, I think I did. When the doctor comes, we'll know for sure." Amanda reached out and took Gideon's paw.

"That's bad, Mama..."

"I know... Please stay calm, Gideon. Just sit with me and wait for the doctor okay?"

Sighing quietly, Gideon nodded. "Alright, Mama. Ah'll wait."

"Come sit with me, son," Tyler told him, patting the chair beside him.

"Alright..." Gideon sat down.

Amanda looked to him. "You see I'm awake and you can hear I'm talking to you, Gideon. Just relax."

"Ah'm tryin', Mama." Gideon said, the worry still evident in his voice.

It would be about another half hour before there was another knock, and the doctor, a tall thin tiger stepped in. "Hello again, Amanda."

"Good evening, doctor," Amada replied.

"Based on what I've seen, it looks like you DID have a heart attack. Very likely either late last night or first thing this morning," the doctor told her.

Gideon whimpered but otherwise stayed quiet.

"I'm going to be keeping you for a few days. And I'll be checking in again regularly to make sure you're okay," the tiger told her.

"Thank you," Amanda replied.

"What's your pain level at right now," the tiger asked.

"I'd say a three or four, but it's manageable," she told him. "I've been feeling out of breath a lot though."

"Sadly, I expected that," the doctor told her. "You're probably going to feel weak for a while, but that will eventually pass, as long as there are no other issues."

"Understood. I'll just rest here," Amanda told him.

"For now, that's the best thing to do. Please don't hesitate to let the other nurses or doctors know if you need anything," the tiger told her.

"I'll keep that in mind," Amanda told him. "Thank you."

The doctor smiled then left.

Gideon then immediately stood and walked over to her. "Mama... Ah'm so sorry..."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Gideon," his mother told him. "This isn't your fault."

"Ah shoulda gone with ya," Gideon continued.

"Like the doctor said, this happened last night, not while I was here. I'm here just in case it happens again."

Gideon shook his head. "Ah don't want it ta happen again."

"I don't either. But at least if it does, I'm somewhere I can be taken care of."

Gideon nodded. "Ah love ya, Mama."

"I love you too. Very much," Amanda took Gideon's paw and squeezed it.

Tyler then walked up to Amanda's bedside. "Just get yerself some rest, Amanda. Ah'll take care of Gideon."

"I know you will, Tyler," she said as she looked to him. She then looked to Gideon. "I don't want you staying here and worrying about me. I want you to go home."

"But Mama..." Gideon argued.

"No buts, Gideon," Amanda interrupted. "I want you to go home. There's not a lot I can do right now anyway, and I promise you, if something changes, I will let you know."

Gideon sighed. "Alright..." He then carefully leaned over and gently hugged her, kissing her on the cheek. "Can Ah come back tomorrow?"

"Of course you can," Amanda said softly, with a yawn.

"See ya tomorrow then, Mama."

The vixen nodded. "Of course. Now go on. Scoot."

"Yes, Mama." Gideon then turned to his dad. "Ah'm ready ta go."

Tyler nodded and leaned in, planting a kiss on her muzzle. "See ya tomorrow, hun."

"See you tomorrow," she replied.

The two foxes then left the room and made their way back to the car.

Gideon looked to his dad as he got in. "Papa... Ah'm scared. What if it happens again?"

"All we can do right now is wait. Try ta stay positive, son. Yer mama's a tough vixen," Tyler answered, trying to comfort his kit.

"Right... Ah just don't want ta lose her."

Tyler sighed. "Me either, Gid. Me either..."

The two then headed home. Gideon called to tell Travis what happened, also calling Alizar. After that, Gideon went upstairs to his room, too upset to eat dinner, climbed into his bed and fell asleep.