Our Nest Egg

Chapter 1

XoxoxoxoxoX

Author's Note: Taking a small break from "What's A Panda To Do" to write a cute, short story involving some of my favorite shippings in LPS. I got the basic idea from watching various series that centered around the "taking care of an egg as parents" thing and I thought it was too cute not to try out. Enjoy!

XoxoxoxoxoX

"Hey, guys! I'm home!" Blythe joked as she opened to door leading into the day-camp of Littlest Pet Shop. She smiled at the bright little faces that turned to face her. "Did you miss me?"

"Blythe!"

The various small animals immediately gathered around to enthusiastically greet the human girl, accompanied by affectionate sounds and a few of them jumping up to lick her. Blythe couldn't help but smile at the warm welcome she always received from her animal friends, but it always took a lot to calm them down and let each individual tell her about their day. When the last pet gave their update, she reached inside her backpack to take out her well-protected surprise.

"Ta-da!" she said proudly. The pets stared at it blankly, some even glancing at each other as if they were looking for help on how to react to Blythe's actions.

"Um... that's beautiful, Blythe!" Zoe said brightly, never one to want to embarrass her good friend.

"Yeah, uh... it's... somethin'!" Pepper agreed with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, er... it's an egg," commented Russel, looking at her pointedly. "An egg."

Blythe laughed. "Not just any egg! It's my project for this week!"

"Your project is an egg? I don't understand human education at all," Sunil said with a scratch of his head. "I do not mean that to be rude, but what are you supposed to get out of it, Blythe?"

"I'm glad you asked, Sunil," Blythe smiled, pulling out her instruction sheet and skimming it over once more, even though she knew exactly what to do already thanks to reading it repeatedly beforehand at school. "See, our teacher wants to teach us about parenthood and all the responsibility and stuff that goes along with it. So, he's paired us all up and we have to be mothers and fathers to our 'child'. This egg." Blythe held up the white object for all to see once more. The pets looked on in amazement. "We're not to let any harm come to it. Once the week is over, we're have to give a report on what we learned about parenthood. This is also supposed to help us really think wisely about children in the future. Cool, huh?"

Some of the pets nodded their heads from impression or agreement. Others simply looked around, unsure. Russel, however, looked absolutely thrilled with the idea, feeling a burning passion inside him to try out the simulation. He turned to the others with his eyes twinkling with scientific enthusiasm.

"Guys, we should try this too!" the orange hedgehog insisted. His friends regarded him with surprise. Since when did he show so much energy? Ever?

"Uh, why?"Vinnie asked with a look of disgust. "We're not in school, Russel. Duh!"

"Vinnie, please show some intellectual curiosity, alright?" Russel returned irritably, folding his little arms. "Come on, guys, this could be a very rewarding experience. If Blythe's peers can give it a shot, why can't us pets here at Littlest Pet Shop?"

"Oh, alright, already!" Pepper said in exasperation, who wasn't eager to hear one of Russel's drawn out speeches on the importance of education. "If it'll make you happy. But we don't have any eggs to take care of."

"Actually, you do." Blythe reached inside and pulled out a small carton of medium-sized eggs. She gave them all a knowing smile. "I knew when I told you about it, you'd all be on-board."

Russel blushed. "Ha, I think you know us a little too well."

Blythe beamed. "Alright, what pairs are you all going to be in?"

"Oh! Russel and me! Russel and me!" chimed Minka excitedly, hopping up and down and attempting to grab one of the eggs from Blythe. She smiled at Russel. "You'll be my partner, right? Right?"

Their friends looked at them and Russel couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. But, truth be told, he was going to ask Minka to be the co-parent anyway. Just, not in such a public and exuberant manner...

"Yes, Minka, I'll be your partner," Russel replied quickly, gently tugging at her long tail to make her calm down. "Careful, or you'll drop it!"

"No worries, Russel," Minka said confidently, holding the egg Blythe placed in her hands with unusual care. "It'll be fine with the two of us keeping watch!"

Blythe made a little note on a folded sheet of paper. "Okay, that's Russel and Minka," she muttered. She looked back at the rest of the group. "Who else?"

Penny Ling eagerly stepped forward, raising her paw. "Oh! Me next, Blythe!"

It was no surprise that the small purple and white panda was eager to join in. While pandas were commonly associated with being kind and gentle, Penny Ling was all that and then some. It was only natural to assume that she'd be the motherly type as well. Blythe gently passed her an egg.

"Alright. But who will be your partner?" she asked.

Penny Ling looked as if she hadn't given it much thought. She looked towards the two unclaimed males and quickly pointed out the shorter of the two. "Vinnie! If that's okay...?" she added uncertainly.

"M-Me?" Vinnie pointed at himself, taken aback. Sunil nudged him forward, smirking. "Oh! Uh, I guess I don't mind," he said coolly, walking over to stand next to Penny Ling and gazing at their egg curiously. Blythe jotted it down.

"Zoe? You in?" she asked the little Spaniel.

Zoe nodded firmly. "But of course!"

"Then you and Sunil –"

"UGH!" Zoe looked horrified, giving the blue mongoose next to her a quick once over. "Absolutely not! Digby's coming by today, darling, and I can't wait to ask him to..." she sighed, looking off distractedly. "Be a parent with me. Eeee, it's just so romantic!" the purple dog squealed.

Even though Sunil had no allusions of partnering up with Zoe, he couldn't help but be a little offended. "You didn't have to say it like that, you know!"

"Sorry, Sunil. It's nothing personal," Zoe returned, though she didn't seem at all choked up about it. Out of nowhere, she whipped out her favorite photograph of her crush, wagging her tail. "It's just that no one else can compare to Digby... it's not your fault."

Blythe held back a laugh. Not because she thought it was all that funny, but because of how similar she and the little dog could be when it came to their love interests. Did she look so obviously lovestruck when she was around her current partner and long time crush, Josh Sharp? Yeesh, I sure hope not, Blythe thought.

"Good grief," Sunil sighed, rolling his eyes. He looked to his skunk friend. "How about you and I...?"

"Sure!" Pepper smiled. "Sounds like a good way to pass the time until my new comedy props come in."

"Then it's settled!" Blythe said with a flourish of her pencil. She stood up and looked around at all of them. "I'll keep track of how you're doing and at the end of the day, we'll see if you anything from it. Just be sure to have fun, guys."

The pets nodded and looked at their eggs, their pretend children, and wondered how the day would go.

XoxoxoxoxoX

Author's Note: Next chapter will be up shortly!