Maddison had been up early the next morning. And after digging out just enough dishes to make breakfast there was a knock at her door. Maddison found Snow standing with more cinnamon buns and two cups of coffee.
“I thought you would like the help with packing up. I already have two of my cousins who are willing to put up the banister and railing for you, and help us move your furniture or whatever we have packed at the time.” Snow gave a proud smile, only to have it falter at Maddison’s dumbfounded expression.
“Wow.” Maddie blinked unsure of what to say.
Snow’s ears drooped. “Oh...” She gave a defeated sigh. “I should’ve realised, I'm sorry for bothering you. I had just thought... nevermind. I'm sorry to intrude.” Snow looked ready to leave when Maddy stopped her.
“Snow you're not intruding, I just wasn't expecting anyone to help.” she admitted.
Snow looked at her with a brow raised  questioningly.
“I have nearly everything packed already, except for what I just pulled out.” Maddison explained. “I just was caught off guard a bit.” Maddison stepped out of the doorway. “You're welcome to come in. After I get the boys up and about, I was going to go up and do a once through of cleaning. I figured it would probably be easier before I started bringing up my stuff.”
“Oh.” Snow entered with a smile. “Of course, I'm sorry for misunderstanding a few moments ago.”
“Nothing to even apologize about. I know I look mean before I get my coffee.” Maddison joked, taking one of the cups.
After Maddison had gotten breakfast for herself and the boys, Snow offered to help her clean out the empty apartment.
Alpha, who at this point had been sitting upon the table, teleported and appeared in his full size beside Maddison.
“I can bring the pups up with us.” he offered.
“That would be great Alpha, but they will be putting up the banister on the platform, once it's finished we can come down and get you all.” Maddison countered with a soft smile.
“Mother why can't we come with you?” Button asked with a pout, as Stretch seemed to be sleeping beside him.
“Button I don't want you or the others to get hurt. Also moving can be rather stressful, adding the noise that will be from the construction and I honestly dont think its the best of environments for King and Gnaw.” she explained. “And I don't feel comfortable having you boys separated, in case something were to happen, it’s a comfort knowing you are together and if needed Alpha will be here.”
A red blush dusted Alpha’s cheek bones. “I appreciate your confidence in my abilities, Miss.”
Snow had helped bringing up the cleaning supplies and helped Maddison clear out the cupboards and cabinets of any expired or opened food, the fridge had taken some time to get through tossing out the “forgotten” food and have it scrubbed and bleached to remove any smell.
“This is strange, aside from the plants and furniture, there should have been nothing left... I did two walks through it before locking up the apartment after it was emptied out.” Snow commented as she found yet another empty whipped cream can, as well as a kettle corn bag that had both been tossed into a bottom cubert. “By the way do you even want the plants?”
“I will try and see which ones can be salvaged, I kind of like the green area upon the platform.” Maddison admitted.
Snow smiled, “Oh good, I have so many plants down in my apartment at the moment, from saving them from the trash, and once I have tried to grow a plant myself. ...Down in the underground... we didn't have many different types of plants, definitely not like this. . . I guess I kind of fell in love with the different foliage.” Snow smiled at the thought.
“Well I can understand the love to plants, I still haven't seen all the types of plants that exist, and from what I hear people are developing new kinds everyday. . . they can be very calming as well as intriguing.” Maddison admitted as she double checked the last of the drawers and cupboards. . . finding only cookware, and some dishes.
“Making new ones? Oh my. . . well it's nice to know I may have someone who I can talk about plants with,” Snow's smile widened in joy.
Maddison cleaned the windows and there ledges in the bedrooms, and vacuumed the carpets in them after cleaning out the stands and dusting in the bedrooms, as she waited for the two cousins to finish there work, so she could sweep and mop the hardwood floors. Maddison had to wonder what kind of person would turn down an apartment like this because of some weather. . . who had the old tennant been? They had made the garden, with such care and skill, they seemed to have the money for brand new furniture and even leave it behind as if it were nothing. The who’s and why’s seemed to keep Maddison mentally occupied as she managed to have both rooms finished about the same time the two large male rabbits had finished their work and stepped down the stairs. Maddison hadn’t paid them much mind as she didn't want to bother them while they were working. However they both stood a good foot taller than Snow, and both seemed. . . lean muscled. . . oh my.
“Maddison these are my cousins, Carmel and Coal.” Snow introduced the tanish brown furred, and yet black furred rabbit men.
“Nice to meet you, and thank you for getting the railing up so quickly.” Maddison gave a grateful smile.
“Oh no problem sweetheart, our cousin doesn't call us to help out with something too often ya know. So we figured it must be important.” Coal smiled.
“We will try and help clean the living room area as I think we caused most of the dust anyway.” Carmel offered.
Once the boys had the majority of the extra wood bits, dust, and tools picked up, even moving the couch so Maddison could sweep out from under it, only to find more empty whipped cream cans, caramel corn, and soda cans. Snow offered to go down with the two cousins and sit with Maddy’s bittys and minis and get them some lunch as she swept and mopped the living room.
Maddison had ended up mopping herself onto the platform. . . when she realized her mistake she gave a sigh and figured she might as well start to work on the plants to see what was salvageable. To her surprise, despite the dead over growth the plants were healthy and even seemed to be recently watered. . . after cleaning up the potted plants, she walked out onto the roof to the garden outside after finishing mopping the platform.
There were at least ten 2x5 raised garden beds going from the glass door in rows of two till they reached the inner wall of the building, the “L” shaped roof garden then started down the other side with two 4X10 beds, parallel to each other, one being overgrown with herbs and edible flowers that seemed to be growing in a set of clay pots layered into one another to resemble steps in a way. The other seemed dead and barren with nothing more than twigs and remnants of the old plants. The back portion was made into one large plot against the wall, half was filled with corn, the other with rows of leaned fence wire to let bean plants climb up them, six large sunflower plants were growing along the edge and supported by tall wooden poles. There were 2ft long flower pots mounted onto the two and a half foot tall brick wall, in spaced out sections, two of the eight planters had large strawberry plants over hanging from them, where as the rest seemed to have random wildflowers to attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. The wall had small grated holes in the bottom of the wall to allow for excessive water to flow off, the wall itself keeping people from falling off.
Each plot just like the potted plants inside, seemed to each be taken care of fairly well, aside from the herb section needing unclustered from the plot to give the plants a chance to keep growing and not be overcrowded. The harvested herbs were set aside to be hung and dried, (no sense in wasting what can be saved.) and the dead growth removed from other plots. But all and all there wasn't much that needed to be done to the roof top plants. . . she made a mental wish list of possibilities for the empty plot, seeing there wasn't many fruit plants even considered to try and find a blueberry breed that would work well for in the raised bed.
She took into account the plots and what was healthy and thriving as she looked over the cared for beds, she had swiss chard and kale in one bed, Bell peppers, tomatoes, three plots of root veggies such as carrots, beets, radishes, and onions. Just to name some . . . things she didn't even think of for in a pot like bed, would they grow appropriately? The beds were about two feet deep each, but still. Brushing the fascination aside. Hot pepper plants, cucumbers, and two plots of zucchini. . . or maybe squash? She wasn't sure the orange flowers were still in bloom and no fruit or were they vegetables? Were growing on them yet.
The bean plants were mostly string beans, and sweet peas, but there was also a single row of wax beans as well but from the looks of it whoever made this garden might not have been a big of a fan of it as they were the others.
She had to commend not only the creator of the garden but it’s secret caretaker, it was one she could easily help feed her boys throughout the year, as well as try a few old canning recipes she hadn’t the chance to in years.
Once the dead shrubbery was picked up and bagged she took the harvested herbs and turned around to the glass door, at first she saw what she thought was Gnaw or king watching her from the doorway, however she soon realized the eye color on this skeleton was a gray/violet, he also had two cracks on his skull, one on his left cheek reaching down under his chin, and the other cracking from his right eye, both in vertical lines.
As soon as he realised he had been spotted he teleported away.
Maddison walked through the glass door and onto the now dry stage. Her eyes scanning the room, the sound of the door that led to beneath the area under her, slam shut.
She was about to walk down the steps and check, when her front door open, Button darted in pausing to look around in aw, Stretch teleporting to his side.
“Hay kiddo, we should probably stay out from under foot.” the larger bitty scooped up the excited youngster, and teleported to the banister beside Maddison.
“Mother this place is huge!” Button exclaimed bouncing in excitement. “Do we each get our own room?”
“Not quite sugar, You boys will all have a separate bedroom, and of course you will have your stand to have as your personal area, i don't know if i could afford a place with one room per bitty or mini,” she felt bad that she had to limit the space for them, would the setup be alright? The bedroom for them was almost as big as the entire livingroom area of their old apartment. . .
“See kid, told ya Mother wouldn't separate us.” Stretch scruffed the top of Button’s skull.
Button was about to ask something then turned nervous, messing with one of the loose strings of the bow, made from the same ribbon as since he came to live with Maddison, it had been washed, partly patched up but the ribbon still appeared tattered, “Will we still be able to . . . sleep in your room if we have bad dreams?”
“Of course.” She couldn't think why he would assume he wouldn't be allowed to. “Button you are always welcome in my room so long as the door isnt shut, you know this. . .”
Button smiled. ”Ok thank you Mother.”
“Your welcome sugar skull, if you want you and Stretch can go out and see the garden while the rest of us get the items in the door.” she suggested. Smiling when Button turned to her with a star in his one eye.
“We have a garden?” he seemed to be vibrating with excitement again.
“Sounds good, come one short stack.” Stretch smiled.
“Just be careful, I don’t want a hawk to take off with one or both of you.” She wasn’t sure if a hawk would take a bitty, but judging from their reactions this was a valid fear. “Stay close to Stretch ok?” she spoke to Button, who nodded.
“No worries mother, I'll keep Button close and teleport away if needed.” Stretch vowed taking hold of Button’s hand.
“Thank you Stretch, it makes me happy to know I have such a dependable bitty.” Maddison hadn’t meant to say anything that would have upset Stretch, But for a brief moment she thought she seen tears welling up in his eye sockets. But before Maddison could say something about it, Stretch closed his eyes and let out a “heh”.
“Thanks mother.” he looked away so she couldn't see his face. “I won't let ya down.” He then teleported himself and button out to the garden.
Alpha was beside her in his full form, teleporting there before she even realised it, he pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her up and off of the ground so her feet weren't touching the ground and he could reach his neck over the crook of her neck and nuzzle her back with his chin. His tail was even partly wrapped around her legs.
“Alpha sweety, i wasn't gone that long.” Maddison couldn't fathom why Alpha would be acting in such a way.
From how she was being pressed into Alpha’s chest she couldn’t see the deadly warning glare he was aiming at Carmel or Coal.
“Alpha we still have things to bring up and unpack.” Maddison said after a moment. Maybe she hadn’t been giving the bitty the proper attention he needed, she had been a bit occupied over the past few days, she made a mental note to let him snuggle with her tonight after dinner and she ignored how his tail was still hovering around her after being put down, as if he had it poised to scoop her back up in a moments notice.
“My apologies Miss.” He placed a hand upon her shoulder, as with his other hand he snapped his fingers and the furniture from the hall floated in and was set in appropriate places, the the book case was placed against the wall to the left of where the entertainment stand would go, the stand was set across from the couch, and the bitty end stands were floated to the bitty room furthest away from the greenhouse windows and with its tan carpet, they were place in each corner of the far left wall, the boxes and bags were set in the kitchen area.
Alpha turned to the three rabbits but spoke to the cousins when he said, “Feel free to go down and get more, i doubt the futon will need to be brought up, however the tables, chairs, and remaining boxes would be appreciated.” His eyes narrowed letting the two males to know this was not a request and they might want to leave immediately or anger the 8 ft tall dragon skelly.
“Alpha I don’t expect them to move all of my things for me.” She felt slightly agitated at Alpha for behaving in such a way, without any reason she could see. Nether Coal or Carmel had done anything to her or the bittys. . .
“W-we could at least bring up the rest of the furniture. We did say we would help.” Coal said nervously, looking down trying to not look directly toward Alpha let alone at Maddison.
“Well thank you both for helping.” Maddison smiled “I appreciate it.”
“Not a problem, a friend of Snow’s is a friend of ours.” Carmel said, both took the empty Dolly and left to retrieve the rest of the furniture.
As soon as the elevator door could be heard signaling the two were no longer on the floor Alpha teleported away, appearing back in his mini form upon the kitchen counter.
“Snow I'm so sorry for Alpha . . . scaring your cousins. I don’t know why he would be behaving in such a way.” Maddison walked down the steps to the living room floor, she then scooped up the two minis and snuggled them before setting them onto the couch so she could look through the boxes and get them placed into the rooms they belong to.
Sorting the boxes, and unpacking the kitchen went rather smoothly, and once the rest of the furniture had been dropped off, Maddison gave the cousins the o.k. to leave.
“Snow would you be willing to watch the others while Alpha and I get the last of the boxes?” Maddison set up the Tea set for Snow at the newly set up kitchen table.
“Oh of course.” Snow smiled. “Do you mind if I take a look around your garden? I haven't seen much of it before it was overgrown. . .” She almost seemed a bit remorseful for that fact.
“Sure thing, It shouldn’t take more than two trips or so.” Maddison explained.
“Take your time dear, to be honest visiting with you and your boys is a lot more welcome than just sitting alone down in the office.” Snow smiled taking a sip of her tea.
“Well you know you are welcome to visit whenever. I don't have many day to day friends.” Maddison admitted, before carrying Alpha out and down to her old apartment along with the Dolly.
Once in the apartment Alpha gave another snap of his fingers and the Dolly was filled with all but the gift nest box from Seara, which Maddison offered to carry.
“Miss, is something wrong?” Alpha could tell she was distracted by a thought.
“Well aside from the way you glared, and intimidated Snow’s cousins, yea. . . I thought I saw someone in the apartment, just before you all came in. . . I wanted to talk to you about it.” she admitted.
“Did they threaten you?” Alpha’s eyes narrowed.
“No, nothing like that.” Maddison proceded to tell Alpha of the cans of whipped cream they found, bags of kettle corn, and the other signs someone had been living there. She then told Alpha of when she spotted the skelly as well as where she thought they may be hiding.
“How would you like to proceed? If you like I can speak with them about going to the shelter.”
“Well unless they are a threat or are dangerous I don't think I have the heart to put them out. Unless of course they want to leave.” Maddison crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “I think I'm turning into the crazy bitty lady, but to force some one out of what shelter they have, it just seems cruel to me.”
“I understand.” Alpha walked up behind her in his full form, he pulled her into a comforting hug, squatting down so her head hit his chest, he held her gently as he rubbed her back in a manner reminiscent of the very action she used with the others before. “You have a kind heart, and the want to care for anyone who needs help. These are more than admirable traits.” he brushed hair from her face to look her in the eyes. “And if you want to care for these strays or keep more pups, I will be more then happy to help keep them safe. You are NOT crazy for having a good soul.” He let her go then pushed the dolly pausing to make sure Maddison was following behind.
“Thank you Alpha.” Maddison couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief and follow. Having small companions was nice, but knowing if she needed it she could be held safely and told everything would be fine without having to worry about any hidden agendas, was nice.
She was his caretaker, He was her bitty in a way that meant they were family, and family looked out for one another like that. Something she hadn't had in a long time. It was nice.
