Work Text:
Be Ready
Bandit stood in the master bathroom of the holiday house looking back at his reflection in the mirror. Although they were on holiday, this was a special occasion. Today was Bluey bid day, specifically her and Mackenzie's wedding day. Bandit had been waiting for this moment since the day Bluey announced the engagement, checking off every day for what felt like a year ago, similar to a child on christmas. Now the day off the wedding, something had changed Bandits attitude. Dressed up in a tuxedo, the Blue Heeler had been in the bathroom for nearly an hour. The rest of the Heeler family was on the ground floor getting ready to leave for the ceremony. Really he wasn't sure why he isolated himself there all morning. Just then the love of his life walked through the door snapping him out of his trance.
"You all set for the day, big fella?" Chilli said, stepping beside her husband to look in the mirror dressed in a sky blue beach dress.
"Almost, just making sure I look perfect." Bandit said, straightening his bowtie for the fifth time.
"You said that half an hour ago. You look just fine." Chilli gave him an unamused look.
"I know, but I just don't want to ruin her day." Bandit trying to hide the real reason for his worry.
"It'll take more than how you look to ruin her day. All you have to do is walk her down and that's it, at least for the ceremony." Chilli said, looking at her reflection, straightening her fur.
"It's not as easy as it sounds." Bandit was now plucking any loose gray hair he had on his muzzle.
"Whatever you say babe. Don't be too long, and remember Bluey wants to see her dress before we leave." Chilli told her husband as she left the master bathroom.
"Yeah, yeah I'll be ready…" Bandit stared at his own eyes in the mirror as he stood there in his thoughts. It had been almost nine months since Bluey told her parents she was finally engaged. At the time Bandit was ecstatic for his oldest, congratulating her and just being proud of her milestone. Yesterday he was more than ready to walk her down the aisle and hand her over to his soon to be son in law, Mackenzie. But now his emotions had shifted when he grasped the gravity of the day. His daughter had fully grown up, and would be in the caring arms of someone else. Someone who wasn't him.
Bandit knew he was still happy for Bluey but something just gave him a somber feeling. He couldn't quite understand why. So in an attempt to shake the feeling he hid himself in the bathroom for almost an hour. Doing this he would try to mentally prepare himself, and yet he still was left staring at the glass mirror.
"Come on Bandit, you knew a day like this would come when she was born. You knew about this for nine months and it didn't bother you then and it shouldn't now. You can do this mate, and you're gonna do it for her, alright." Bandit tried to amp himself up so he could finally leave the bathroom but every mention of his daughter failed to motivate him.
Bandit put his paws in his eyes in frustration and grunted to himself. "Why is this so difficult? Of all days to act like this, why today?" He asked himself leaning against the counter. This truly was hitting him hard and seemingly had no way of shaking this feeling, yet again he remained in the room by himself as time went on.
Always Ours
"Okay Muffin, Socks you guys know what you're both doing?" Bingo asked, holding a small notepad and pen.
"Yes Bingo, I'm getting everyone seated and then I help Socks with taking pictures." Muffin rolled her eyes after having to confirm their roles for the third time.
"Okay good, everyone knows what they're doing and now we just need to leave in eight minutes. We're making great time." Bingo smiled as she checked off a few things on her notepad.
"You should do this for a living, Bingo. You could make so much money from irritating people." Socks mocked her cousin, making her older sister chuckle.
"I prefer to do it for free, they say you shouldn't make your hobbies into a profession." Bingo said, taking the insult with stride.
"No one says that." Muffin bluntly spoke.
"Well I do." She gave her cousins a smug look before returning to her notes. The page had been covered with tasks that needed to be handled before the ceremony started. Every one of these steps had been crossed out. Except for one, and that was for Dad to finally see Bluey's dress. Bingo had yet to see her Dad this morning and was having trouble finding him. Looking around the living room she spotted Chilli and hurried over to her.
"Mum, have you seen Dad? I don't know where he is." She cut straight to the chase.
"Has he still not come out of the bathroom? He's been in there for ages." Chilli was growing a tad frustrated with her husband.
"Well can you go get him, I need to see if Chloes done with Blueys makeup yet. We're also leaving soon so tell him to hurry." Bingo said before heading off to one of the bedrooms her sister and Chole were currently occupying.
With that Chilli made her way upstairs to the master bedroom. Reaching for the door and twisting the knob, she opened the door to see the back of her husband sitting on the bed. Not thinking she headed to the other side to face him.
"Alright, you have to be ready by now. I don't think it's taken you this long to get dressed…" Chilli didn't finish her sentence when she was in front of her husband. Already she could tell by his posture and expression that something was bothering him. Hunched over with his arms on his knees, staring at the floor with a gloomy frown. Sensing something was up she knew if anyone could cheer him up it was her.
"Honey, what's the matter?" Chilli asked, placing a paw on his shoulder.
It took a moment for Bandit to respond before he shrugged his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck. "...I don't know. I guess I'm just being a bit moody."
"Why are you acting moody? Did I say something to you?" Chilli tried to get to the bottom of his sudden sadness.
"No you didn't, it's just… probably nothing really." Bandit was clearly trying to hide something for his wife.
"I can tell this isn't nothing, and I can tell something's bothering you. You can tell me what's wrong, whatever it may be." Chilli spoke in the same comforting voice she used to use on her children when they were young.
At this point he knew he couldn't hide it anymore. Thankfully if he had to come clean to anyone, at least it was his wife. Placing his own paw on hers he let out a deep sigh and opened up. "She's all grown up now hasn't she?"
Chilli didn't quite know how to feel at what he said. She could feel her heart warm up to see just how much he cared for their eldest. But she could also understand why he was feeling down even on her big day. She was about to speak but was stopped by Bandit who continued to speak.
"I guess it didn't really settle in until today. Our girl isn't little anymore and she's starting a new life and doesn't need us as much. It felt like yesterday when she turned seven. Every song she and Bingo would sing, the way she laughed whenever I would cheer her up. And all the games we played…" Bandit having said out loud how he felt made him even more upset. Closing his eyes he spoke once more. "I'd give anything to go back and play one more game with her…"
Chilli couldn't help but smile at him. Knowing the reason for him being upset showed her just how much their kids meant to him. This made her love him that little bit more. Chilli sat next to her husband wrapping an arm around him and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Time sure does fly when you're having fun doesn't it." Chilli empathized with Bandit.
"I wish it hadn't." Bandit sighed.
"I know how you feel, honey. When she told us about the engagement all I thought about was how much she's grown." She said rubbing his back to ease him.
"I know it's silly. But it feels like I'm losing her, like she doesn't need us anymore." Bandit felt an ache in his heart for his daughter.
"We aren't losing her. As long you're around she'll always need you. You're always going to be her Dad, and she will always be our daughter. Nothing in the whole world will change that." Chilli spoke for the bottom of her heart knowing this was what he needed to hear.
Bandit knew this already, but having heard this from his loving wife revealed some of his stress. Forcing a smile he said. "The hardest part of being a parent is letting them go."
"I would have thought it was all the times you'd get hit between the legs." Chilli chuckled attempting to lighten his mood. Which it did.
"That's the second hardest thing." The Blue Heleer laughed with his wife. Remember all the painful times he should have crossed his legs. After their laughter died down he still felt a tad upset. Chilli took notice and made him remember what's most important.
"You remember when they were young, and we had to teach them about keeping their promises?" Chilli asked him.
"I think, that was a long time ago." Bandit having trouble recalling that day, only knowing bits and pieces.
"Well, do you remember what you said at the end of that day? When the kids were asleep." She asked him again.
He thought for a moment and then picture his two little girls sleeping soundly in their beds. He had always watched them sleep, but that day was different. Because that night he made them a very special promise. "I promised I would always love them."
"I don't need to tell you that you kept your promise. You've shown Bluey and Bingo nothing but love as they grew up. You've taught them to be tough when they got knocked down and you were always there for them when they really needed you. And right now, Bluey needs her Dad more than anything in the world. You aren't losing your daughter, you're helping her start her own life. Even though she's moving on, Bluey will always have you in her heart." Chilli was even getting a little emotional herself trying to cheer Bandit up.
Bandit could feel how genuine every word was to him. This day made him forget just how much of an impact he had on Bluey's life. His extreme dedication to parenting shaped her into the grown up she is now. A caring, kind and loving grown up. And it was all because of him and his wife. Bandit felt a tear about to leave his eyelid but held it back as he leaned over to hug his wife tightly.
The two shared the loving embrace as he said softly in her ear, "Thank you, Chilli. I don't know where I'd be without you."
"I don't know where I'd be without you either." Chilli repeated back to him.
The two broke the hug and stopped at each other's gaze. Feeling the love between them, they both shut their eyes and shared a gentle kiss. After they broke their kiss Bandit held his wife's hand and said something she was all too familiar with. "I love you, Chilli."
She smiled ear to ear and again repeated his words back, "I love you more, Bandit."
The two sat in silence for a moment before Chilli caught a glimpse at the clock and remembered the reason she came here in the first place. "Oh, it's almost time to leave."
"Ah yeah, I lost track of time. Well come on let's get everyone in the cars." Bandit said, standing up and heading to the door.
"Wait, aren't you forgetting something?" Chilli asked, raising a brow.
"What? I already kissed you, wait you're not suggesting we…" Even after decades of being married he was still oblivious as ever.
"NO, Not that. Bluey wants you to see her in her dress before we leave." She rolled her eyes and spelled it out for him.
"Oh, right. So I'll just go in and.." Before he could finish, Chilli interrupted him.
"No no. We've thought of the perfect way to surprise you." The Red Heeler said with a cheeky grin.
Bandit could tell he was in for an emotional roller coaster, even though he had just settled down from the one he had a few minutes ago. All he could think to say was a confused and almost scared, "We've?"
Surprise
"This isn't fair, it's downright cruel." Bandit sulked with his arms crossed. He was standing outside of the holiday home on the front porch with his back towards said home. The surprise Chilli and Bluey had in mind was for Bandit to have his back to Bluey and when she was ready he would turn around and see her wedding dress for the first time. What he wasn't happy about was his brothers, in-laws, nieces and parents were watching him through the front windows; No doubt planning on recording his reaction. He was feeling a little embarrassed, but it was all for Bluey.
"We're not being cruel Dad, we're just going to put your emotional breakdown on full display. It'll be funny." Bingo smirked, keeping an eye on her Dad making sure he wouldn't peek.
"Funny for you, not for me." Bandit muttered under his breath.
"Look, I'm just doing what Bluey wants, it's not my fault I get some enjoyment out of it." Bingo chuckled to herself.
"You keep being cheeky with me, I'll make sure you'll go nowhere near the bar. You may be an adult but I can still tell you what to do." Bandit said as if she still lived under his roof.
"Oh really? And why is that?" She asked somewhat cocky.
"Cause I'm bigger than you." He groaned at his youngest.
"That's what you always say." Bingo would have shook her head but something caught her attention behind Bandit. This made her all giddy like when she was five years old.
"Oh okay do NOT move. Stay right there, I mean it." She ordered her Dad to stay put and rushed behind him and went back through the door.
Bandit stood there by himself. The only thing keeping him company at the moment was the morning sun just above the horizon, and the chirping birds being the only ones to break the silence. He used this moment to take in everything that had happened moments ago. How he was almost scared to in a sense lose his little girl. Remembering how much fun he had, and even the times he didn't, playing with his oldest. All of this felt like it was yesterday, and yet she was hours away from becoming someone's wife. However, thanks to his true love, he recognized what was most important and that was because of his guidance, Bluey has been living a life that some could only dream of having. He had one chance to give her the world and he did exactly that. Though the feeling of somber had faded, a sliver of it still remained.
His train of thought was interrupted by the front door opening and could make out three sets of footsteps. Hearing some faint whispers he could make out it was Chilli and both of his daughters. Bandit's heart was picking up its pace and was a little nervous at this point. When the murmuring stopped Chilli walked up from behind him to face him. Putting both paws on his shoulders she looked him in the eyes with a warm smile and asked, "You ready?"
It's time. The moment Bluey has been waiting for. Closing his eyes, taking a very deep breath, letting it out then opening his eyes he spoke, "I'm ready."
Chilli looked over his shoulder and nodded to some behind him. Even though it was still before noon he heard his oldest daughter speak for the first time today. "Okay Dad, you can turn around now."
Chilli released Bandit for her grasp, and he slowly turned around to gaze at his daughter. Bandit could feel his heart skip a beat seeing Bluey in the pure white gown. The sleeveless dress was simple at the bodice but her waist was covered in jewels while the skirt had been lace with a beautiful pattern. Her lovely blue fur coat complemented the white and the jewels that glitter in the light. It reminded him of Chillis dress the day of his and her own weddingHe was now overwhelmed with joy letting a happy teardrop escape from his eyes with a smile on his muzzle. Not wasting any time he walked over to Bluey to give her a loving hug as father and daughter. She returned the embrace as Bandit softly said in her ear.
"It's perfect. You look so beautiful Bluey..." Bandit let his heart speak for him.
"Dad, don't say that. You're gonna make me cry." Bluey laughed. Although seeing her Dad act this way made her emotional as well.
"You look just like your mother. I'm so proud of you sweetheart." Bandit said attempting to not get too choked up.
"I think Bingo will look more like Mum if and when she gets married, but thank you Dad." Bluey couldn't help but point out the obvious fur color difference.
Chilli and Bingo watched from the side as the two Heelers shared their heartfelt moment. Chilli smiled at her husband, knowing that prior to their conversation it was safe to say Bandit was feeling much better. She could hear a sniffle to her side turning to see Bingo with a wide smile and a few tears still in her eyes. She placed a paw on her daughters back, "Aww, Bingo."
Bingo quickly whipped her eyes and tried to brush it off and crossed her arms. "What? It's just my allergies."
"No it wasn't. You were gonna cry." Chilli chuckled at her youngest.
"I was not." Bingo protested.
"Yes you were." Chilli pulled her in for a side hug against her delight.
Bandit had now let Bluey go and could see she herself had shed a tear or two. She ran her paw over her eyes and giggled at the situation. Bandit could feel all the nerves in him finally ease, and all he could feel was happiness. "I'm so happy for you Bluey, and I'm glad I get to see you on your big day."
"I know you are, you've told me that a hundred times already. And where else would you be at my wedding?" Bluey rolled her eyes with a smile.
"I know but still, you've grown up so much. It's hard to believe that years ago you were just starting highschool. And look at you now, a soon to be wife and a lovely grown up." He expressed this to her.
"Well…I had a pretty good Dad to thank." Little did she know how much that meant to her Dad.
"I’m glad I got to be him.” Bandit again went in to give Bluey another loving embrace which she of course returned.
The two had taken the little time they had to soak in the moment. Bluey was more than happy to see her Dad so proud of her as an adult, and Bandit having warmed his heart knowing just how much he meant to Bluey. As nice of a moment it was, it had been interrupted by Bingo, grabbing their attention.
“Alright you emotional wrecks, I think it's finally time for us to get the ball rolling.” Bingo blurted, having shifted back to her professional wedding manager act.
“I’m starting to think it was a mistake to ask you to be in charge of my wedding.” Bluey ended the hug and scolded her younger sister.
“It was the best decision you've ever made, even better than agreeing to marry a Border Collie.” The Heeler boasted, crossing her arms and raising her chin.
“His name is Mackenzie, use it.” Bluey stated or practically ordered.
“Even in your twenties you two act like children.” Chilli shaking her head at the two bantering.
“Still music to my ears.” Bandit said under his breath with a warm grin.
“But seriously, we need to leave like sixty seconds from now.” Bingo said point to a wrist watch that wasn’t there.
“Alright, I’ll help bluey in the car you guys get everyone else.” Bandit volunteering to take the easiest job.
ONWARD
Having helped Bluey in the back seat of Stripe's car the two waited for the rest of the family to join them or enter their own cars. Bandit hopped into the driver seat just as Stripe went to ride shotgun. “You put on quite a show mate, remind me to send the video to you.” Stripe chuckling over his brother's meltdown.
“You’ll get what's coming to you when your daughters leave you for some boy.” The middle Heeler is already planning for the future. Said nieces now cramping into the backseats.
“His name is Mackenzie.” Bluey getting frustrated having to repeat herself.
“We know Bluey, but it's more watching you be bridezilla.” Socks mocked getting her sister and Bingo to chuckle.
“I brought you into this wedding, I can easily take you out, Socks.” Bluey shooting her a mean look.
“Then you can say bye to your pictures.” Bingo added on.
Bandit watched in the rear view mirror and was reminded of all of the times the four of them had been in the same situation years and years ago. Just like when they were kids. As the banter went on the train of the Heeler family drove out of the holiday house and made it onto the road and made their way to the ceremony on the beach. While Bandit drove he had made it to an intersection, where the road split forward and left. He knew he had to keep going straight to get to the beach but couldn't help but come to a stop at the two splits. Everyone in the car was wondering what Bandit was doing since there was no stop sign. Before anyone asked, their question was answered.
“Last chance Bluey, I can make the turn and I'll get you to the airport in a flash.” Bandit said with a cheeky smile. Offering to abandon the marriage to keep Bluey for making a, for lack of more clever words, mistake.
Bluey rolled her eyes but didn't answer straight away. Instead she looked back at both her cousins and sister, then gave them a nod which they returned. With determination in her eyes she raised her arm to the roof, and threw it down and pointed directly in front of them.
“ONWARD!” She shouted with her cousins and Bingo cheering her on. Bandit and Stripe let out their laughter and cheered as well.
“Alright, BEACH!” Bandit yelled and forward they went.
“BEEEEEACH!” Bluey and Bingo shouted with their Dad trying to contain their laughter.
Bandit again looked in the rear view, watching as his oldest shared a laugh with her family. Once more he couldn’t help but think of when she was young and how far she's come. It almost made him cry to think that this day had finally come. To say he was happy for her would be an understatement, he was proud. Shedding a small tear that went unnoticed he softly spoke only to himself.
“That's my girl.”
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