Well, I couldn't resist the urge to write a Chirstmas special. Sorry I couldn't get it updated sooner I was in the hospital trying out a new pick-up line. 'Oh damn, your kidney is dying. If you give me your number, I'll give you a kidney.' Ok so it wasn't exactly like that but I didn't donate because something went wrong in the middle of surgery and my blood pressure dropped really low, and I had a very weird experiance. If you want to know just PM me and I'll tell you about it. Anyways, on to the story!
Private was the first one to wake up. "It's Christmas eve eve!" he squealed. "Kowalski! Skippa! Rico! Wake up!"
Kowalski grumbled and rolled over, pulling the pillow over his head. "5 more minutes."
Rico just continued to sleep.
"Where's Skippa?" Private asked looking around.
"He stayed at Grace's last night. He told me he wasn't going to make it."
"Was Grace sick again?"
Kowalski sighed, possibly realizing he wasn't going to get back to sleep. "Well, Private. She is expecting."
"Expecting what?"
Rico began making baby sounds.
"But it's not Skippa's baby." Private looked at Kowalski, who slid out of bed.
"But Skipper does feel responsible because it was more or less his fault."
"What was Skipper's fault?" Marlene asked, dropping through the hatch.
"Nothing. Why would you even assume that anything is or isn't Skipper's fault?" Kowalski quickly tried to cover for Grace.
"Why are you acting weird?" the otter asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Why are you acting weird?" Kowalski returned.
"Why can't we just tell Marlene that Grace is-" Private was cut off by Rico pouncing on him.
"I'll just be going now. You guys are acting more and more strange everyday." she shook her head and walked away.
After the otter had left, Kowalski sighed, realived that crisis had been averted. "Come on, let's go see Grace."
"Akela," the brown wolf sighed. "I wish I could take Aubrey and Allison but I can't."
"Please Grace," Akela was practically begging. "I'm going out. And I promised Scout I'd watch them."
"Tell your new pet no, Key. Be a man for once." Grace rolled her eyes and turned around to go back inside.
"It'll be great practice." Akela raced around in front of her, sliding on the ice.
Grace looked around, paniced. "Who told you?" she whispered.
"It's not as subtle as you think. You've gained weight, and not where you normally do."
"Is that a fat joke. Because I've heard enough from Mani."
"Hawk doesn't know. But Mani does?" Akela tilted his head.
"Yes, Mani was there when the results came back. I didn't want to see them so Kowalski took them to Mani and they read them." Grace tried to walk past Akela, but he stepped in front of her.
"Grace. I don't want to ruin their Christmas. And Scout is working."
"Tough luck. I have plans with the boys."
Akela searched for something to say. "Why? You can't drink."
"I don't care." Grace kept walking. "Marlene and I got our shopping done already. Oh wow. I really just said the 's' word."
Akela began to panic, pictures of his latest fling, a red and white Irish Setter named Lizzie, raced through his mind. Then, he got his idea. "If you don't watch the kids I'll tell the whole zoo about you being pregnant."
Grace stopped, and Akela knew he had hit a home run. "You're bluffing." Grace challenged.
"Oh, Julien!" Akela started for the fence.
"Fine. I'll keep Auby and Alli. But don't expect them to remain sober the whole time."
"Thanks, Grace. I knew you'd see it my way." Akela smiled at Grace and quickly licked the side of he face. "I'll bring the kids by in about an hour."
"I hate you."
"I hate you too." Akela jumped the fence.
Skipper waddled out to Grace. "Where did you go? You should be resting."
"Akela dropped by. I'm -uh- baby-sitting Aubrie and Allison. Scout's kids."
"Wait. You are babysitting them? Why isn't Akela watching his neices?"
Grace followed Skipper back into her cave. "Beats me."
Skipper grabbed a coffee cup and motioned for Grace to lay down.
"I take it Scout's working?"
Grace lowered herself to the floor slowly. "Yeah, she was called out last night late. I guess the girls stayed with one of her friends untill now."
"How are you feeling Grace?" Private appeared in the doorway.
"I'm ok." Grace put her head down. "Not like I once was but oh well."
"The actual odds of you ever being in top physical condition again are 1 in 9 and the odds of you regaining your former feminine appearance are-"
"Ahem." Rico motioned to where Grace was laying. She had a mortified look on her face.
"Sorry."
"When do you plan on telling everyone?" Private asked. "I know lots of animals would be very happy for you."
"That's what I'm afraid of." Grace put her right paw over her eyes, "What if I'm a bad mother?"
"Then the humans were wrong." Skipper took a sip of coffee.
"But the humans are always wrong. So how does that work out to my benefit?" Grace moved her paw.
"Doesn't" Rico grumbled.
"Uhg." Grace covered her eyes again.
Skipper sensed something wrong with his long time friend, "Boys, let's bring a little Christmas to the wolf's den."
"I didn't think of that." Grace stood up. "I am capable of decorating my own house, Skipper."
"I know. But we are here to help."
An hour passed like time usually does when you are waiting for something dreaded, like a dentist appointment or news of a relative in the hospital. And that time, for the boys, passed very quickly. But for Grace, the seconds ticked by, each seemingly twice as long as usual. She paced the floor, since Skipper had banned her from helping. Back and forth, back and forth. Eventually, boredom ot the best of her and the wolf went to visit Marlene.
"So, what are you getting them?" The otter asked.
"Probably nothing. I hate kids."
"Then why did you agree to watch them?" Marlene was busy wrapping presents.
"Because Akela blackmailed me."
"That's awful. Paw." Grace set her paw on the ribbon and held the knot down while Marlene finished the bow. "But, it will be good for-"
"What do you know!"
"It will be good for the zoo to have some pups around."
"Yeah. I suppose." Grace looked back at the wrapping paper.
"Are you alright? You haven't seemed right since your last tip to the vet. Was there bad news?"
"Yes. Well, no. Actually. Maybe. I don't know."Grace looked back up at Marlene.
"Oh my gosh. You aren't pregnant are you?"
Grace thought about lying, but changed her mind. "I-"
"Good. The last thing we need around here is more commando mishaps. I love you don't get me wrong, but can you imagine seven Skippers? Only bigger?"
Grace stopped herself. How do I tell her now? Damn, Grace, dig yourself outta that one. "I don't even want to try. I think the kids will be here soon."
"Ok?" Marlene watched Grace leave.
And there it is. I'm not really in the Christmas mood so I was hoping this would help. I don't think it did.
