Lily sat at the end of the dock, her feet resting on the larger of Kimberly's two canoes, the one she thought of as hers. Dana liked the sailboat, and loved taking kids and implings out on the river, but Lily and Maris preferred the canoes.

The dock shook as 2D trudged out and plopped next to her.

"Sorry that ran a bit late."

"If it's every day I'm not sure it counts as 'late' any more."

"Yeah. Once it starts you gotta keep going or you lose it. Wait'll we start recording." He looked over at her and smiled. "I'm glad you tagged along today. Kimberly missed you."

"I had a fabulous lunch in the city and Matilda ended up with four new outfits and an armload of books. Can't complain. It will have to hold her over for a long time. I have three new students starting this week."

"I was s'posed to be your student," he remarked. "Mabel doesn't like me."

"Mabel likes everyone. You just prefer ponies. And ducks."

"Yeah, I do. Less likely to trample me."

"You're lucky I love Morgans and not Percherons or Belgians."

Traffic buzzed on the bridges and bells from the buoys on the river added their voices.

He reached over and took her hand. "What's wrong, my Lily?"

She sighed. "I'm not sure how to say it."

"Do you wanna write it down for me?"

"No, Stuart." She pushed her hair back; the wind was picking up.

"Do you wish you hadn't come to New York with me?"

"Of course not."

"Only you left everything. The zoo, and your best friends, the only family you ever had."

"And now I have Matilda and a family here." She ran her toe along one of the lines mooring the canoe. "I thought we could just - transplant ourselves, and be just the same as we were in England. We were for a while. The first thing we did was build a new school for our implings. And I worked at the theatre with you. But then I got pregnant, we bought the house and the farm and I started teaching. Then Murdoc wanted an album. Next you'll go on tour and saints only know how long you'll be gone. There's nothing we're working toward together any more. You're going your way and I'm going mine."

He swallowed. "Some couples do okay with that."

"I'm not okay with it. And neither are you. You broke up with Noodle because your lives were leading you in different directions."

"Only you and me have more. We have Matilda."

"If I thought for a second that the only reason our marriage was surviving was because we have a baby I'd be devastated."

"I know. That was a stupid thing to say."

"No, Stuart. It wasn't stupid. It means you're looking for reasons to keep trying and I love you for it. But what it all comes down to - the farm is my world, and the studio is yours."

He let go of her hand and rubbed his thighs anxiously. "I- I don't have to do the album."

"Yes, you do. You belong in a studio. You belong on a stage. You're incredible."

"So are you, Lil. You absolutely belong in a barn."

She leaned her head against his shoulder.

He poked the other canoe with his foot and set it bobbing. "You still haven't got me in one of these, either."

"You didn't want to drown in front of everyone in New York."

"I think it's a valid concern. You almost got me eaten by a bear when you made me come camping."

"There were no bears, Stuart."

"You can't be sure of that."

"But I promised I'd keep you safe, and I did."

"You always make me feel safe, Lil."

They stood up and stretched, then held each other, listening to the sounds of the city.

"Remember after we got married? We stood right here and I told you even if I could pull down the sky and wrap it around us it still wouldn't be big enough for this love."

"All I need wrapped around me are your arms, Stuart." Her voice broke a little.

They walked back up the hill to the patio and pried Matilda from Nana Kimberly.


"How goes the creative process?" Kimberly asked, setting out wine and glasses.

"Haltingly," responded Noodle. "We have incredible songs wandering around with no direction. What's our message?"

"The immorality of selling out. The exploitation of art," Murdoc said grandly.

Noodle kicked his leg, and he pulled his sweater down to cover the designer label on the jeans he'd worn for an ad campaign.

"Maturity and responsibility," Russ offered.

"Immaturity and irresponsibility." Noodle kicked Murdoc again.

"The allure of domesticity," suggested Murdoc.

"And the rejection of outdated concepts thereof," countered Noodle.

"Definition of success. How do you challenge yourself after you achieve your goal?" said Russ.

"The need for freedom to explore," Noodle proposed.

"Contrast between the earthly and the divine," Murdoc tossed out.

"The need for violence to promote change within a broken system," said Russ.

"The need for violence," Noodle stated. "Period."

"Something simple, maybe?" Murdoc scribbled some notes. "A commentary on the human condition?"

"That's simple?" asked Russ, raising his eyebrows.

"It is for him," Noodle answered. "He opens his mouth. Alcohol goes in, words fall out. Everyone gets mad. Repeat."

"Well, we're not handing the creative process over to Father Goose. He'll give us an album of nursery rhymes and lullabies."

Russ opened his mouth.

"NO." Murdoc wrote something on his paper and vigorously underlined it. "Not a chance."

"The challenges of working with a demanding and dictatorial leader," Noodle said drily.

Murdoc held up his paper and pointed to the word "NO".

"Well, let's talk about it tomorrow with 2D," Noodle said, standing. "Maybe he'll have something on his mind he wants to get out."


Kimberly and Murdoc had a light dinner, prepared by Urdek before he popped back Below for the day.

Kimberly squeezed lemon over her salad. "I love listening to all of you talk shop," she remarked.

"Good thing," Murdoc grunted. "That's all you'll be hearing."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" She refilled his wine glass. "Since I have all this free time."

"Can you rustle up Prince or David Bowie?"

"I can knock on their doors, my sweet snake, but I can't guarantee they'll answer."

"Then all I need from you is the usual: keep the wine flowing and the ropes and whips in a convenient location."

"Your wish is my command, Leviathan."

"Yes. Yes, it is."

"This is quite different from putting the musical together."

"Well, of course, my sweet peach. It's not as straightforward and formulaic. And all of us involved in every aspect of it." He pushed his plate away. "Shame about that but it can't be helped, really."

"And of course, you didn't go on tour with it." She spoke softly and didn't quite meet his eyes.

"That have you worried?" Murdoc shoved the chair next to him over a bit to put his feet up. "Too far off to start fretting, my strawberry. And you know - you could always come along." He smirked and lowered his brows. "There's about 300 rooms in the average hotel."

Kimberly raised her glass. "Start stocking up on lube, Asmodeus. That one's going to be a record breaker."


That night when they made love 2D was almost tentative. After he came his shoulders still shook and Lily realized he was crying.

"Stuart?"

He pressed his face against her neck. "I don't wanna lose you, Lil."

She stroked his hair. "I don't want to be lost, Stuart. I want us to find our way back to one another."

He put his head up. "How?"

"I don't know. I wish I did."

He sniffled and rolled over on his side. She wrapped herself around him as she had the very first night they spent together. He put his arm over hers and they drifted off.

For fifteen minutes. Until Ms. Matilda Penelope Jones-Pot voiced her objection.


"The doofus missed our conversation last night," Murdoc began the following day, "so let's get his admittedly limited input now. Where do you see this album going?"

2D thought about it. "Well. It's all streaming now-a-days so I s'pose it's going everywhere."

"What should our theme or concept be?" Noodle clarified.

"Oh. Well. I dunno. Most of what I've written so far doesn't seem very connected. I'm- having a bit of trouble focusing." 2D stared at his lap.

"Breaking news, that," Murdoc grumbled.

Russ arrived. "What's news?"

"Our microphone stand has writer's block," Murdoc explained.

Noodle said, "We still haven't really picked a direction."

"We just move," Russ advised. "Let the songs pick the direction. Find their own path."

"I'd like to have a general idea, at least," persisted Murdoc. "I need to know whether to pack woolies and wellies or sandals and sunscreen."

"Every song goes where it wants to go," mused Noodle. "Everyone goes where they need to go."

"The only direction is outward," said Russ.

"Yes-s-s. I think I see," Murdoc nodded. "Where do we want to be?"

"Who do we want to be?" added Noodle.

"How do we get there?" Russ offered.

"How much is bus fare?" pondered 2D.

"We're getting somewhere, at least." Noodle grabbed her guitar off its stand. "I think I know where the bridge on this one needs to be."

The rest fell to work on their respective pieces. The creative process was a comfortable chaos: suggestions that became arguments, revisions that became rewrites, d.c. ad infinitum.

After a few hours Murdoc headed up for lunch, followed by Russ.

2D checked his phone. "Lil's bringing Matilda over in a bit. I'm gonna take her for a walk before lunch."

After he left she shifted herself down to the floor, back against the wall, and put her headphones on. She perused some new releases, wrote down a few notes, and then just listened and let it move through her.

Presently she noticed a soft light pulsing on her right, through the narrow crack underneath the closet door. She stood and approached it quietly, then took off her headphones and pressed her ear against the wood. Nothing. She turned the knob and opened the door an inch, then very gently closed it again.


The next day Noodle was gone.

"Fucking hell! Am I a joke to her?" Murdoc looked around for something to throw. He grabbed a set of drumsticks.

"Something else," Russ suggested quietly.

"Right. R-r-right. Not nearly heavy enough."

"I have her stuff right here," 2D said, holding up her laptop. He then ducked behind it as Murdoc threw a packet of bass strings at him, followed by an equally ineffective pick.

"She has it covered," said Russ.

"I can play the guitar part so you can work on the bass line with Russ," 2D suggested.

Murdoc sighed. "I want a banger of an explanation when she gets back."

"You won't get it," said Russ.

Murdoc fixed 2D with his bloodshot eye. "Where is she? If she told anyone it would be you."

"She wouldn't tell me. She knows you'd just beat it out of me."

"Fine." Murdoc stomped to the stand and picked up his bass. "Just fucking fine."

They worked for about two hours before Russ announced he was heading home for an afternoon nap. 2D took the opportunity to slip out as well, saying Kimberly wanted to take Matilda shopping for a sunhat.

Murdoc stalked around the studio, looking for more reasons to be irritated.

"Drummer too tired to drum. Guitarist can't be bothered to stick around. Frontman- well, better off without him."

He found plenty to aggravate him, but the studio was not one of them. Once he had the Bass of Doom in his hands his musical depression lifted like magic. He fully intended to pay Kimberly back for it. At five dollars a week it would take him 961 years - assuming Kimberly didn't charge interest - but his intentions were good. The studio was built to his specifications, including a well-stocked bar, hooks for his hats and capes, and framed photos of himself and the band (2D cut off or creatively blocked with stickers of kittens). It wasn't haunted or in danger of sinking into the ocean, either.

He poked and prodded restlessly. He wasn't ready to be done, but he was too distracted to write or practice or even admire himself.

He sat behind Russ's kit for a moment or two, rifled through the folder Noodle had left on the end table, and removed all the power cords from 2D's keyboards. He looked around for a good place to hide them. He spied the cupboard in the corner he hadn't bothered with before; he'd seen Urdek hang a feather duster inside and that was all he needed to know about it.

He opened it, intending to stash 2D's cables behind bottles of bleach and boxes of light bulbs.

He dropped the cords.


Friday after a lengthy writing session 2D climbed the stairs from the studio and searched for his keys.

Maris, Kimberly, and Urdek were settled at the table with a teapot. At Kimberly's invitation - and since the table also contained fresh cinnamon rolls baked by Urdek - he joined them.

"What's up Pudding Cup?" Maris asked.

"Pudding Cup? Did- did you just give me a nick-name?" 2D was absurdly pleased.

"You're mother's favorite child and I might as well accept it." Maris grabbed two cinnamon rolls. "You don't have any siblings, right?"

"Baby trees?"

"Those are saplings. Brothers or sisters."

He shook his head. "I was born first and then after me they just stopped for some reason."

"I'm your big sister now."

"All right. Does that mean I do things like take your stuff without asking?"

"Yeah," Maris mumbled through her roll. "Just ask Dana to grab some shit for you."

2D smiled widely, stood, and grabbed another roll for the road. Then he bent swiftly and kissed Maris on the cheek and hurried out.

"That was sweet of you, my spring beauty," Kimberly said, gazing lovingly at her daughter.

"He's going through some shit. The new, improved Maris wants to be nicer to Butter Cookie."

"I must say this is distressing," said Urdek. "I never would have imagined."

Kimberly poured more tea for herself. "We can't know what a relationship is truly like unless we are the ones in it. Goodness knows mine is a mystery to those I love."

"I've seen some crazy ones," Urdek agreed. "I knew a couple who were both two-headed demons. One of the heads on each of them was in love, and the other two heads detested each other." Urdek shuddered. "One night of playing Scrabble and we never invited them again."

"I wouldn't think so."

"And you know Bol-gammon and Tra'gouroth. Constantly one-upping one another. They both play a computer game called "Fields of Fire," where you build your own houses and towns. Every night their buildings get destroyed and their crops stolen and they have to start over. Neither of them knows it's the other one doing it."

Maris stopped chewing. "Fuck outta here. That's brilliant."

"Then there was my friend Szum-ka. He was a Hrindge demon. He fell in love with a Dbajgael demon. I'm sure you can guess how that ended."

Kimberly shook her head.

"Well, her father ate the both of them, of course."

Maris licked icing off her fingers. "I don't think Shortcake and National Velvet are in danger of that."


Noodle was back three days later, sporting a black eye and limping slightly.

Kimberly was alarmed. "Abeona? What happened?"

Noodle sighed. "I'm fine. You know the line: you should see the other guy." She snickered.

"Tea?"

"God, yes." She dropped into a kitchen chair and put her foot up on another.

"When did you get in?"

"An hour ago. Has he been insufferable?"

"Utterly."

2D shuffled in, pocketing his keys. "Hullo, Noodle. What happened to your eye?"

"Someone else's poor judgement." She accepted a cup of tea from Kimberly and blew on it.

"I'm heading back up to pry my beast out of bed," Kimberly said as she breezed out.

2D poured a glass of milk and plopped down one chair over. "What happened to your foot?"

"The same."

2D's eyes widened. "Noodle. Have you been working as an assassanin again?"

Noodle hesitated. "Not- really."

"But you've been beating people up?"

"Oh, yes."

"But you're not an assassanin?"

"No. Nobody hired me."

"Oh. Where were you just now?"

"Antarctica. Cruise lines sail out of King George Island. I delivered a painful message to their port operator from some vengeful penguins."

"What was the message?"

"Something may have been lost in translation, but I heard the word 'stabbing' and ran with it."

"Blimey."

"You can't tell Murdoc, 2D."

"I would never! You probably shouldn't have told me."

"I mean it. You keep this between us or the next black eye won't be on my face."

2D solemnly crossed his heart.


"The way forward is sometimes the way back," Russ said, nodding sagely.

"You stole that from Labyrinth, Russ." 2D stretched out on the sofa.

"What are you saying?" Noodle asked.

"We go retro. Other people sang about their journeys. Sample them. Expand on them. 'How many roads must a man walk down'?"

"Depends on where he's going," remarked 2D.

"Understanding someone else's path," mused Noodle, "can lead us further on our own."

"The places they've gone," Russ said. "The people they've been." He took a bite out of a powdered sugar donut and set it back on his floor tom.

"Sounds like a lazy, exploitive shortcut," said Murdoc. "I'm all for it."

They made lists of older songs that felt promising. Noodle and Murdoc started compiling a playlist for them all to listen to.

Kimberly texted Murdoc to invite everyone for dinner.

"I'll be up in a minute," said Russ. "Got some things I need to get out of my head."

2D left with a little wave. Murdoc and Noodle were discussing how far they could wiggle around copyrights.

Russ sat back and regarded his kit. A copious amount of powdered sugar dusted his tom and the floor. And his sneaker.

He stood and looked around. Spying the supply closet, he crossed the studio and opened the door. He gazed within and closed the door. He opened it again. He stood for quite a while, his brow furrowed in thought.


Their one year anniversary should be a happier occasion, Lily thought, staring at herself in the bedroom mirror. She and 2D hadn't spoken again about the widening rift between them but it was on her mind constantly.

She knew that the rapid progression of events in their lives could put a strain on any relationship. The first year of a marriage was said to be the most challenging, and the first year with a new baby as well. She had tackled both, along with a move to a new country and a new business. But none of those things were to blame for what was happening.

When they were in England they worked side by side. They ran the zoo, they ran the daycare, and those two things functioned together as a place for growth and learning - for them as well as the children. He had music, he had his ducks, he had the love and admiration of his implings. She had her animals, she had little people to teach, she had a chance to swing a hammer and build something new.

She smoothed back her hair and ran her hand down over the front of her body. She turned sideways and regarded her reflection. Still Lily. Larger breasts and softer tummy, but the calloused hands and solid muscle were there. Even in the green paisley dress she had taken an unusual liking to, she was still Lily.

She heard a deep sigh and turned to see 2D standing in the doorway, watching her with glowing eyes. He wore beige trousers and a pink shirt; he had even tied his shoes. He entered the room and embraced her, running his hands through her hair and kissing her neck.

This was a place she knew she belonged: wrapped in his arms, his warmth, his sweetness. Yet something was missing from him as well; she could see it in his face and sense it in his touch. He had as much difficulty speaking his thoughts as she had, she realized. He expressed his emotion through his music; would she have to wait until the record came out to truly understand what he felt, what he needed?

She closed her eyes and leaned against his chest, and wished for a past that could never be reclaimed.


Friday afternoon 2D entered the studio to find boxes blocking his keyboard, lining one wall, and compressing the cushions of the sofa.

"What's in the boxes, Murdoc?" 2D asked. "They smell funny."

"So do you. Mind your own business."

Noodle nudged one of them. "They're in the way, Murdoc."

"He's in my way but you don't hear me complaining. Now if you don't mind, we have actual important things to discuss." He settled himself on his stool. "I don't think any of you are pulling your weight here. I'm looking at you, Frog-face. While avoiding actually looking at you."

"We need to talk about collaborators," Noodle removed three of the boxes from the sofa and sat down.

Murdoc waved his hand airily. "Not a problem. They'll be standing in line as soon as they know I'm working on something."

"I spoke to Vega Blue. They're not available," Noodle said. "Neither was Mac Leffler."

"What about Lactose-free Porcupine Dreams?" Russ asked, naming the band that had worked on the musical "Some Like it Medium."

"They split up," explained Noodle. "Had a big fight. Cheyenne formed her own band called Dairy-loving Dolphin Realities."

"Can we get Darren on his own?" Murdoc asked.

"He's working with Pyflax," Noodle answered.

"Ah, yes, that cartoon band," Murdoc muttered. "Stupid idea."

"We had the implings too," 2D said. "We could ask them."

Murdoc curled his lip. "This is not an annex to your cursed nursery."

"Can't deny they have talent," Russ said.

"Definitely unique," Noodle added. "The potential for a video is tempting."

Murdoc heaved a sigh. "Bring 'em in. And all of you lot start looking for more. I want an alphabetized list, cross-referenced by years in the business and successful releases. And cool names."


2D spoke from underneath a pile consisting of Basilia, Jill, Archibald, and Montmorency, who flung themselves on him the moment he walked through the door. "Mr. Murdoc isn't what you'd call on board with the idea," he said in a muffled voice.

Clemencia snorted. "You leave him to me," she said. "He gives us any lip, I'll settle his hash."

Argentia lowered her horns. "Over my dead body, you will."

"I have some new stuff," Cecil said. "I've been working on string quartets but I think a lot of the smaller pieces I have could be usable."

Sophronia and Eudora hugged each other. "This will be so much fun!" Eudora squealed.

Pendragon folded his arms. "That's not fair."

"What's not fair?" Druvoxin asked.

Ozias answered, "They'll get to see Mr. 2D and we don't."

"You know Mr. 2D is making music now, and he has to spend more time with Mr. Murdoc, Mr. Russel, and Ms. Noodle."

"You have a basement," Archibald said suddenly, sliding off 2D's lap. The others followed, and looked at him with puzzled expressions.

"Yeah, I do."

"It's a really big basement. And you have a yard. And a playset."

Argentia's eyes widened.

"You're a genius," Basilia whispered.

"Only I'm not," complained 2D. "What are you on about?"

"Have school at your house," Pendragon said.

"My house?"

"Sure," Esau said. "Your basement is huge. Mrs. Lily let us play down there during Ms. Maris's birthday party. There's plenty of room."

"We could fit everything," Ozias said, scanning the classroom.

"And we can play outside whenever we want to," said Clemencia.

"And have our music lessons again," added Sophronia.

"Ride Yancy all day," said Jill. Argentia nodded.

"And play with Matilda!" Eudora piped up.

"I'll- I'll have to talk to Mrs. Lily about it," he said. "Let's just keep it among us while I think about it, okay?"

The implings nodded their heads vigorously.


That afternoon at the farm, Argentia was quiet as she went about her chores.

Lily finished cleaning Mabel's saddle and approached the impling. "You look like you have something on your mind."

Argentia looked up at her, brows drawn together. "Just- something we talked about at school today. It's nothing." She carefully hung up a bridle that had fallen to the floor, and trotted out the back door into the paddock. Yancy ambled over immediately. "Mrs. Lily?"

Lily came out, wiping her hands on a rag. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Why do we have only one pony?"

Lily stared at Yancy, then at Mabel, contentedly cropping grass in the pasture. "I got the pony for you and the other implings to ride. I didn't think we needed another."

Argentia patted Yancy's nose and scratched between his ears. He closed his eyes and leaned into her claws. "It would be nice to have more. We still go to the petting zoo now and then, but it would be really nice to have more ponies here at the farm. And maybe sheep again. And goats."

Lily placed her hand on Argentia's head. "You're planning on becoming a shepherd? Spend your days milking and making cheese? Opening a new petting zoo?"

Argentia looked up at Lily with her soft brown eyes. Lily drew in a sharp breath.


2D brought Matilda home from her day with Nana Kimberly, and they went straight out to the barn.

"Lil-"

Lily was on the phone. She held up one finger. "Through the website? And they'll send someone over. Thank you very much. You too." She ended the call and set her phone on the desk.

"Lily, I was talking to the implings-"

"Argentia had the best idea-"

"Wait, Lil- I wanted to say something first."

"But this is huge, Stuart. I was on the phone with the town zoning board-"

"But they were saying how much they miss us and they wish-"

"She thinks we should reopen the petting zoo-"

"They think we should move the school over-"

They both stopped.

"Bup," said Matilda, to no one in particular.

"Lily, I thought you wanted the horses."

"I do. But I miss the children. I loved teaching them how to care for the animals, how to milk the goats and brush the ponies. That was the best part of the zoo. I can keep Mabel, and I can still teach riding. But I can have so much more. And the implings want it."

"They want me back, too. They don't get music lessons any more. Plus Druvoxin won't let them have candy. They asked why we couldn't have school over here."

They stared at one another. 2D stepped toward his wife and pulled her close with his free arm. She nestled up against the area of his chest not occupied by their daughter, who discovered with delight that she could yank both of her parents' hair at once.


"I think that needs a longer bridge," 2D said, ripping the cardboard sleeve off a new power cord. "Like four more measures."

"And I think you need a bridge between your brain cell and your mouth but I don't insist upon it, do I?"

Russ sat back with a newspaper, waiting patiently.

"I wrote one out-"

"I didn't ask you to."

"But I wrote all the rest-"

"And most of it's nauseating."

"I thought you liked it! You said-"

"I said it wasn't the worst thing I ever saw. The worst thing I ever saw was Russ in a speedo on the French Riviera."

"It was a nude beach," Russ remarked. "Count your blessings."

"Fine," 2D said tightly. "Let's work on 'South Around Four' then. Happy?"

"Since it's a masterpiece and I wrote it, yes."

Two hours later 2D dropped onto the sofa, arms folded. "I'm not singing that, Murdoc. It's against my principles."

"Right. Finished." Murdoc slammed his laptop shut and strode out of the studio.

Russ folded up his newspaper and left.

2D crossed the hallway and slipped inside Noodle's apartment to grab a package of cookies he'd left in the cupboard.

When he walked back into the studio Noodle was there. She appeared flustered.

"Hullo, Noodle. I thought you weren't home."

"I thought all of you left the studio."

"I just went over to your house to get some biscuits." He held up the package. "They're mine. I didn't steal them from you."

"It's fine."

"Only I didn't see you in here earlier. Thought you were gone."

"I was. I'm- here now." She hurried out.

2D stood for a moment, staring at the studio door. Then he turned to the corner where she'd been standing.

The door to the cupboard stood slightly ajar. He could just make out the swirl of bright light through the crack.

He walked over and pushed the door the rest of the way open.

"Blimey. She never tells me anything."

He pulled out his wallet and opened it. Satisfied with his cash on hand, he stuck it back in his pocket and stepped through the portal.


2D and Lily wasted no time. They hired Mr. Beneventi, Lily's former boss, to make a few upgrades to the expansive basement. They painted the cinderblock walls bright colors. Druvoxin supplied white boards and bookcases, and Ozias and Esau's parent Algromek sewed four sets of curtains. Mernak brought in a few area rugs, and Mr. Kinoshita contributed several boxes of interlocking foam squares.

The final touch was yet another new sofa.

Lily lounged on it the day it arrived while Matilda reclined in her swing, looking at the mobiles 2D hung from the ceiling. "This is the fourth daycare. The studio, the council building, then the park shelter."

2D joined her on the sofa after retrieving Matilda's pacifier so she could throw it again. "You've been with me since the very first one. You supported me each and every time."

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I want you to have what you want. It's just hard to find a balance."

"I know." He stroked her hair. "You've tried so hard, Lil. Maybe we found it? I hope. Just- just stay with me."

"I will, Stuart. I promised to share your visions forever."

He bent over to pick up Matilda's pacifier and held it up in front of the baby. "Fool me twelve times- all right, you still get it back."

She waited until her parents started kissing to throw it again.


Russ stepped quietly into the studio, closing the closet door behind him. He hid his gloves and shoes in an empty box he had shoved in the corner behind his drum kit. He touched his face gingerly. Unfortunately, the bruises were not as easy to hide as his equipment.

Noodle walked in through the studio door and came up short. "I didn't hear anyone come down here."

"I'm light on my feet," replied Russ. "Float like a butterfly."

She stepped closer and peered at his face. "That's a worse black eye than I have."

Murdoc slammed into the studio with 2D following him.

"Who are you two then?" Murdoc grunted. "Crime fighters? Invisible Woman and Donut Man?"

Noodle glared at Murdoc. "Can we just work please?"

"No." He leaned against the edge of the soundboard. "I want to know where you've been disappearing to. You're not bounding all over the globe saving whales. You're not doing Highlander any more. What the hell are you up to?"

"What's in the boxes, Murdoc?"

Murdoc folded his arms and lowered his brows.

"Right. You keep your secrets and I'll keep mine." Noodle started tuning her acoustic. "Let's get to work."

"I think I have the right to know what my own band is up to!"

Russ said, "Just like we're saying here: we all have a path. We all have a direction."

2D chirped, "I'm gonna have the school and petting zoo again!"

"I wasn't talking about you, Double-doofus."

"We have our own lives, Murdoc," Noodle stated flatly.

"But you're not supposed to! What is so hard for you to understand about that?" He looked around for something to throw.

Noodle handed him his bass instead. "Shut your mouth and make the music."

They played for the rest of the afternoon, occasionally giving one another suspicious glances.

After the others left, Murdoc ripped the tape off one of the boxes. He pulled out a little vinyl figure and examined it. It looked enough like 2D to pass. He tapped its head. "Nice and hollow. Realistic." Noodle's had six fingers on the left hand. "People will just think that's how she plays so well." The fumes were a bit overwhelming, but in five minutes that would be someone else's problem. He closed the box and taped it shut, then shoved it through the portal.


As soon as the daycare was squared away the farm underwent its own transformation.

Noodle designed a pond for the soon-to-arrive waterbirds, as she had done for the ducks back in England. Another barn sprang up for the smaller animals, and a snug brick building for Basilia's forge. Popcorn and cotton candy stands followed. As at his previous establishment, 2D refused to charge admission, preferring to rely on donations. He maintained firmly that nobody should ever have to pay to pet a duck.

The new pony arrived, a sturdy Welsh named Gareth. He explored the barn and pasture while Mabel and Yancy looked at one another in puzzlement.

"I don't love you any the less, silly girl," Lily reassured her horse, resting her forehead against Mabel's. "Those two can entertain each other and leave you be."

The goats were next and Murdoc was quite pointedly not asked to name them. The demonic names he chose for the goats in England had far-reaching consequences and Kimberly wasn't up to another trip to Hell to rescue him. Ozias and Esau took charge and named them Truffle and Toffee, matching the names to their colors. They also snuck some candy to the frisky little fellows before Lily could stop them.

Four Valais Blacknose sheep were delivered the following week.

"I am going to die of cute!" Basilia exclaimed. The sheep milled around her and Montmorency in the new pen. They stopped to have their shaggy heads scratched, then bounced off to nibble the benches, butt gently against the fence, and tip over the grain. Cecil, Clemencia, Eudora, and Sophronia took naming duties. The wooly newcomers were dubbed Forte, Legato, Crescendo, and Glissando.

The previous petting zoo lacked rabbits, Pendragon and Marmaduke decided. They helped Lily build a large hutch, and Peanut and Butterbean moved in.

Two Pekins, two Cayugas, and two Indian Runners waddled into their enclosure and began a thorough inspection of their house and the pond.

"This is how it all began." 2D sighed contentedly, bouncing Matilda on his knee as one of the Pekins approached to nibble some peas from Lily's outstretched hand. "One little duck."

"Never would have met you if not for that one little duck." Lily leaned over to kiss him. "Running the zoo was my dream come true."

"Couldn't have done any of it without you, Lil. I had no idea what I was about. I just wanted a duck."

The remaining implings and human consulted one another about suitable duck names. Binbrook, Teddy, Fluff, Cortez, and Blue nibbled and flapped, unaware of the significance of the moment.

"Matilda gets to name the last one," Jill said breathlessly, as she ran about the yard with Fluff chasing her.

"What's it gonna be, Tilda?" 2D asked. He stood his daughter up on his leg so she could see the ducks better.

Matilda watched the ducks dipping their heads under the water, shaking their feathers, and waddling about. She waved her arms around and yelled at them, then laughed delightedly.

The sixth duck was named Giggles.


Noodle looked in the mirror and straightened her babushka. Not a look that suited her, she felt, but it matched the blouse and peasant skirt, which in turn concealed her tanto. Some jobs are not suited for the daishō. She left her apartment and entered the studio.

The closet door stood wide open. The portal swirled invitingly. And Murdoc was shoving a cardboard box through it.

"Murdoc!"

"Fucking hell, Noodle! Don't scare a man like that!"

"What are you doing?"

He looked more closely at her. "What in hell is that thing on your head?"

"It's a babushka. I knew you were up to something with those boxes. What's in them?"

"Have you been sneaking off slicing and dicing people?"

The portal swelled and opened, and Russ stepped through. He had a smile on his face and a jewel encrusted belt in his hands.

"Russel?"

"Murdoc." Russ turned to Noodle. "I like the babushka."

"Thanks. Russel, what are you doing?"

"Taking my own path," he responded.

"Gah!" Murdoc shouted, clutching at his hair. "No metaphors! Just answer the question!"

Russ held up the belt. "I'm the Heavyweight Champion of Queens."

Murdoc's mouth hung open. "You're the-"

Russ took note of what Murdoc was holding. "What's in the box, Murdoc?"

"That's none of your-"

"Our business is yours but yours is none of ours?" Noodle fumed.

Murdoc whirled to face her. "Right! Exactly right!" He spun back to face the drummer turned boxer. "And just how did this come about, Russel?"

"Used the portal to hit the gym. Figured it would help me relax, but before I knew it-" He held up the belt again.

All three stood staring at one another.

The handle rattled, and the door of the studio opened. 2D entered, head down, counting out quarters in the palm of his hand. He looked up and stopped abruptly.

"Hullo. I was just- That's a nice- What-" He finally gave up and stood clutching his money in bewilderment.

"You knew about the portal?" Noodle asked.

"Yeah. Been getting ice cream."

Murdoc glared. "You are aware there is a freezer full of ice cream upstairs?"

"Urdek never buys sprinkles."

Noodle pulled her tanto from its hiding place among the folds of her skirt. Murdoc stepped back. Never taking her eyes off his face, she used the dagger to slit the tape on the box. Russ reached inside and pulled out a vinyl Noodle. He examined her carefully. "You know she has six fingers on her left hand?"

"You've been smuggling bootleg merchandise!" yelled Noodle.

"Russ gets to have a hobby and I don't?"

"Keeping all the money for yourself, of course."

"Well, obviously. What would be the point? It's better than killing people. Or beating the crap out of them."

"Not the same thing," objected Russ. "They let me."

"And the people I off deserve it." Noodle took a deep breath.

Russ said, "I needed a fresh challenge."

Murdoc sniffed. "Nothing wrong with income of my own."

They looked at 2D.

"I just wanted ice cream with sprinkles," he whispered.


After a week of humidity that left everyone breathless and lethargic, the weather broke and storms wrung the moisture from the air. The sun rose on a clear, brilliant day just perfect for a grand opening celebration.

Lily and 2D's kitchen table had been pulled out to maximum capacity; treats still overflowed onto neighboring countertops. Marmaduke helped his father Urdek, who was never happier than when overseeing a party.

Paper lanterns and streamers fluttered in the light breeze. Bright yellow pennants drew the eye to the new sign on the barn:

"Ducky's Acres"

Petting Zoo

Riding Academy

Demons and humans milled about eating cupcakes and exploring the barns. The Presence of one parent who hadn't previously attended school events caused a ripple of excitement - and a touch of disquiet - but the Lord of Darkness was simply there to spend time with His daughter, and was keeping as low a profile as possible. He followed Basilia down to her classroom. The other parents also headed to the basement to see the set-up of the new Little Devil's Daycare facility.

The most significant addition was a kitchen workspace, with an oven and gas range. Cupboards underneath the expansive counters held everything Ozias, Esau, and Archibald needed to create their delectable treats.

Argentia and Jill held a riding demonstration. Gareth was not interested in anything that required more energy than ambling to the barn to lip some grain and then back out again to browse the field flowers. But Yancy had plenty of spring, and Argentia urged him over a series of low jumps. Jill walked through some beginner dressage moves. Gathiod and Mr. Kinoshita looked on proudly.

Basilia fired up her forge for a demonstration. The young metallurgist was in her element as she showed her audience the basics of creating Damascus steel. Pendragon assisted. Tra'gouroth and Bol-gammon applauded loudly at the end of the show, as did Druvoxin, but Basilia's Father had His reservations.

"Is this really appropriate?" The Morning Star murmured to His wife. "She's a princess. You're having her learn a trade?"

"You did say you might not retire, Light Bringer," Druvoxin pointed out. "She wants a career of her own."

The Great Adversary sighed. "At least she's working with fire."

Basilia trotted up to hug both of her parents. "I can help out a lot here, Dad. I'm learning how to be a farrier! I'm going to try shoeing Montmorency later."

Montmorency dropped his cupcake. "You're going to do what?"

Matilda had a busy day. She discovered that tugging Eudora's horns was as satisfying as pulling hair and didn't cause any screaming. She grabbed a fistful of frosting from the top of Maris's cupcake. She alarmed 2D by tipping over face first into the grass, while leaning against his leg. The toad she was lunging for narrowly escaped. 2D picked her up and removed a leaf from her mouth. She resisted her nap loudly and indignantly, but once she conked out, she slept for three hours and woke refreshed and ready for more adventures.

A mini-stage had been erected perpendicular to the barn, creating a large open square. The highlight of the day, at least in Murdoc's eyes, was the premiere of the band's new song "As it Happens."

"Noodle wrote this one, under my close supervision, of course. Don't ask me what it's about, mate. You're supposed to figure this out for yourself. Plus I have no fucking clue."

Eudora approached Murdoc and looked at him expectantly.

He groaned. "Yes-s-s - and special guest stars- What was it?"

"The Fiendish Four."

Murdoc closed his eyes, then shook his head as he stepped away from the microphone.

Cecil played keyboard, and Eudora sang with 2D since Murdoc wouldn't let her play bass on stage with him. Sophronia traded licks with Noodle, and Clemencia simply took over Russ's kit.

Lily sat in front holding Matilda, who bounced and babbled while she watched her father. When they finished he jumped off the stage and immediately fell over. He crawled to his daughter.

"What did you think, Tilda?"

She reached out and grabbed his nose.

"Best review I ever got," he said nasally.

The afternoon would down. Guests packed up leftovers in containers Lily left out for them, and drove or boomed off.

The last to linger were those who made a habit of it.

Urdek tidied the kitchen while Marmaduke and Basilia explored the wooded lot beyond the pasture. Mabel watched them complacently.

Lucifer seated Himself in the largest deck chair holding an iced tea, its cubes melting faster than usual. Druvoxin sat at His left as a matter of convenience rather than a statement of position; they were sharing a plate of fudge.

"Another successful party in the bag," said Kimberly, fanning herself.

"Great set, too," agreed Russ. "Those little devils really know their beats."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Dana asked, "Are the implings going with you when you go on tour?"

No one answered. Kimberly slipped her hand into Murdoc's. Lily gazed out at the paddock.

"Did I say something wrong?" Dana asked, bewildered. "I'm sorry."

Maris sat up. "You haven't talked about touring, have you? If a single one of you misses my wedding I'll never speak to you again. Which might come as blessed relief, but still."

Murdoc cleared his throat. "We have no formalized plans as of yet. What with release dates and festival appearances and publicity, and- Fine. No, we haven't talked about it. All right?"

"Nope," Maris replied. "You need to get started on this shit. Can't leave people hanging. I mean, look at these poor women. My mother looks like someone just stole her Gucci handbag. Bob's all set to take a dramatic ride off into the sunset."

"I don't want the implings to travel with you," Lucifer said decisively. "The Earthly Realm can be a very dangerous place for our children. These little ones are My responsibility."

2D stood behind Lily, stroking her hair soothingly. "Only that's not a problem. They don't have to travel with us. They can just boom up in time for sound check and then pop back home after they take their bows."

"There you go," Kimberly said. "Quick and easy."

"Just like using the portals." 2D nodded. "Thass what we should use ours for."

"The what?" asked Dana.

"Portals," said Noodle. "We have one here at Kong Queens."

"And it would have been nice," growled Murdoc, "if the first person to find it had let the others know."

"It's a quick way to get from one place to another," Russ clarified for those who didn't know. "It was Noodle who came up with the idea."

"It's in a closet," 2D added. "At the old Kong there was one in the toilet. This is a big improvement."

"We've had issues now and then," cautioned Noodle.

"Sir Elton did come out looking like a cartoon," 2D admitted.

"Still," Russel said, "sure would cut down on travel time."

Murdoc glared at 2D. "I absolutely hate-"

"Murdoc, it's a great idea-" Noodle interrupted.

"Let me finish!" Murdoc worked up a good glower again. "I absolutely hate that it came out of the oversized garden gnome over there."

"But we could do it, right?" said 2D hopefully. "I mean, some stuff we would have to do the old fashioned way, but we could be home a lot more."

"Yes. Well. As I said, I hadn't really thought about it yet." Murdoc sniffed. "If I had I would have come up with the idea myself."


The sun sank lower in the sky. 2D and Lily were almost alone - Nana Kimberly wasn't ready to give up her baby just yet.

"Last bit of cleanup is on us, Stuart."

They made quick work of the chores, even though 2D took extra time to pet the bunnies. They started the horse barn together.

2D stood outside Mabel's stall with the pitchfork in his hand.

"If you would like to try," Lily said quietly, "I can have her saddled in no time."

He took a deep breath. "No. I'm really sorry, Lil."

"You don't need to be sorry, Stuart." She took the pitchfork from him. "We don't have to love all the same things. Just be pointed in the same direction."

Once they were finished they headed out of the stables into the cool of the night.

"Where's Tilda?" 2D asked, noting that Nana Kimberly was inside the duck enclosure, stroking Blue's head.

Lily pointed.

Murdoc stood outside the goat pen. Matilda was fast asleep on his shoulder. He waved off 2D when the worried father hurried over. "I've got the skunk. You go play hopscotch or build with blocks or color a picture."

"Only I already done all that," muttered 2D to Lily.

"She's fine, Stuart. He adores her. I actually heard him refer to himself as Papa Murdoc."

2D turned to Lily in shock. "He never."

"He did."

They sat down on the stairs of the deck and looked around at the trim buildings and fences, and listened to their animals bedding down for the night.

"The way forward is sometimes the way back," 2D said solemnly.

"Who said that?"

"Russ did. Only he stole it from a muppet."

"Still sensible advice."

Lily kissed her husband's cheek and together they watched the sun set over Ducky's Acres.