Matters of the Heart

Story by: Phoenix710

Summary: Colleen has a very happy piece of news for Hunter; She's due to give birth soon to their third child, a little girl. They've decided to name her Kayla, which means 'pure'. The two of them start informing the other Rovers, and the entire team is overjoyed. However, Parvo hears about the upcoming launch of a new laser defense satellite, known as 'Hawkeye-One', which is due to be brought into space in a week by the Space Shuttle Endeavour. He and Groomer make their escape from prison, and begin planning their assault on Cape Canaveral. Can the Rovers stop them, ensure that the shuttle and its payload get into space safely, and make it back home before Colleen gives birth?

Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights whatsoever to Road Rovers, or to any of the characters associated with the series. Road Rovers, and all associated characters, are registered trademarks of Warner Brothers. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is property of NASA (National Air and Space Administration). However, Cassie, Alexander, Kayla, Karina, Alek, Samantha, Kasha, the Stealth Rover, and the Sirius Mk.1A armor suits, are products of my imagination. The song that Hunter sings for Colleen in this chapter, 'Eternity within You', is property of Takahide Inoue, and is from the anime 'Mobile Fighter G-Gundam'

Rated: K+

Chapter One: A new baby for Hunter and Colleen

Hunter woke up just after 9:00am, and was startled when he didn't see Colleen in bed next to him. He then remembered that she was pregnant, so it made sense when he saw the note that she'd left for him on the dresser. He picked it up, and read it.

Huntie:

I've gone down to see Professor Hubert, to get an idea on when our new daughter, Kayla, might be born. If you get up before I come back, just take your usual morning shower, and I'll be back as soon as I can.

Love,

Colleen.

Smiling, Hunter went into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and climbed in. He rubbed the shampoo into his fur, and then washed it out, after he'd worked up a good lather. He went into the twins' room, which was right next door to the one he and Colleen shared, and found the two of them already awake, and making their beds. Cassie said, "Morning, daddy!" Hunter hugged his son and daughter, and then he heard the door open. Standing there, with a smile on her face, was Colleen. She said, "Huntie, you certainly are wonderful when it comes to handling the kids, and I'm proud to have you as the father of our children." Hunter crossed the room, and gently pulled her close, kissing her for a few minutes. When they pulled apart, Hunter asked, "Well, how's Kayla coming along?" Colleen smiled, and replied, "She's coming along perfectly, Huntie. Professor Hubert says that, within the next day or so, Alexander and Cassie are gonna have themselves a new baby sister." Alexander asked, "Mom, when Kayla's born, can I help take care of her?" Colleen smiled, and looked down at her son. She replied, "Of course. When daddy and I have to go out and save the world with the others, you two are gonna be in charge of watchin' out for your new sister." Cassie said, "Mommy, you can count on me, honest!" Alexander said, "Same here!" Hunter and Colleen smiled. Their twins were always asking to help out. Cassie was starting to learn how to do medical treatments from her mother, while Alexander was learning how to cook, from both Hunter and Colleen. Hunter was also teaching his son how to do mechanical work, by letting him watch whenever he did some work on the Stealth Rover, or any of the other vehicles. Alexander could already take apart a flashlight, and then rebuild it in under a minute. Cassie knew how to stop bleeding, treat minor burns, cuts, and scrapes, and could make a sling for a broken arm, or splint a broken leg. Both of them could cook small meals, such as microwaving a can of Chef-Boyardee pasta, or soup, or making toast. Hunter didn't plan on teaching them how to use the stove until they were a bit older. Hunter turned to Colleen, and said, "Colleen, I'd like to sing a song for you, called 'Eternity Within You', by Takahide Inoue. Colleen replied, "I'd love to hear it, Huntie."

'What kind of dream are you having?

Your peaceful, sleeping face…

Your gentle, warm shoulders…

I draw them closer to me.

In this great city,

The morning that I greet with you

Is the most important thing to me.

With kindness alone, one cannot find love…

Even if you were to hurt someone,

I will never give up your smiling face.

With kindness alone, one cannot protect love

I am always gazing only at you.'

Colleen and the twins applauded, and Colleen said, "Huntie…that was lovely!" Hunter blushed under his golden fur, and replied, "Aww…thanks..that's nice!" After Hunter and Colleen made their bed, they went downstairs along with the twins, and started up breakfast. Hunter decided to make apple-cinnamon waffles today, so he set about whipping up the mixture. He made sure to add just the right amount of eggs, cinnamon, and apple spice, along with some maple syrup. He also added a bit of brown sugar. Finally, when he was finished with his culinary creation, he allowed the waffles to cool for a few minutes, and then slid them onto everyone's plates. Blitz and Samantha came down soon, and were followed quickly by Exile and Kasha. Alexander and Cassie, meanwhile, had finished their breakfast, and were now playing CandyLand with Karina and Alek. Exile said, "Comrade Hunter, you look happy this morning. What is going on…did you promise Colleen another romantic vacation?" Hunter shook his head, and said, "No, although I think I might just do that, now that you mentioned it. I think I'll let Colleen spread the happy news." Colleen swallowed a bite of her waffles, washed it down with a sip of her orange juice, and then she said, "I just found out from Professor Hubert, that our third child is due soon, within the next couple days, as a matter of fact. Huntie and I have decided to name her Kayla, which means 'pure'." Samantha said, "Colleen…that's wonderful! Congratulations!" Blitz said, "Ja…I'd be happy to be the Godfather for your daughter, just like you agreed to do it for little Karina." Hunter said, "Thanks, Blitz. That means a lot to me." Colleen said, "I'd be honored, Blitz, to have you and Samantha as Kayla's Godparents." Sam replied, "After breakfast, I think I'll go out with Blitz, to pick up a little welcoming gift for your new bundle of joy." Exile said, "Da…I will go too. Kasha said she wanted to be going out to mallski anyway, so we can pick up gift while we are out." Hunter said, "Thanks, guys. You really are the best friends I could ever ask for." Shag went back upstairs, and came down with a small pink and white pair of baby pajamas, which he'd bought at a nearby store. Hunter said, "Wow…thanks, big guy!" Colleen replied, "Ooohh..it's lovely, Huntie! Thanks so much, Shag!" She hugged the big Sheepdog gently, and he returned the favor. The Master came down, and Hunter passed the happy news along to him. He replied, "Well then, I think congratulations are in order. Colleen, I hope that you have a successful time with Kayla, as you did with your twins." Colleen smiled, and said, "I've got Professor Hubert to take care of me, and I'll have Huntie and Samantha at my side, so I think I'll be fine. Still, thank you for the kind words, Master." Muzzle bounced along happily at The Master's side, as he left the kitchen. Once the Rovers finsihed cleaning up the breakfast dishes, Blitz and Samantha took a walk down to one of the nearby department stores, and they brought Karina with them. Exile, Kasha, and Alek took the Street Rover, and headed off to the mall. Meanwhile, Hunter carried Colleen upstairs into their room, since she got tired rather easily. The twins went down to the Rec room to play a game of air hockey, while their parents relaxed. Hunter began gently massaging Colleen's shoulders, letting his hands glide gently through her soft, smooth fur. He gently kneaded his hands along her neck, shoulders, and back, and soon, she sat up and hugged him. She said, "Huntie, you give such wonderful massages. Then again…you're also the most abso-bloomin'-lutely wonderful dog in the world, so that's probably why. I love you, Huntie-Wuntie." He kissed her, and then he answered, "I love you too, Colleen. You're the lovliest dog on Earth, and I can't think of anything else that I'd rather do, other than just lying here next to you." He gently wrapped one arm around her shoulders, and placed his other hand on her belly. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and, moments later, the two of them took a brief nap before lunch, unaware that they would soon be called into action again.

Next Chapter: Parvo and Groomer escape from prison, and begin to plan their assault on Cape Canaveral, with the ultimate goal of stealing the Space Shuttle Endeavour, along with the laser satellite Hawkeye-One. Can the Rovers stop the megalomaniac from capturing the Space Shuttle and its payload, or will Parvo use it to bring the world under his control? Find out in Chapter Two: The Return of Parvo.