It was Saturday evening, and Freddy, Peck, Pig, Pip, Bessy, Duke, and the rest of the barnyard animals were gathered in the Night Barn, the typical party that was regularly held at the barn every few nights or so. Just a few seconds ago, Freddy had come charging in excitedly holding a box-shaped package.

"Peck! Hey, Peck, look!" Freddy hastily exclaimed under his breath.

"What is it?" asked the naive rooster.

"It's my new 'Boinga-Ball'! I just got it in the mail!"

"Great! Well, what does it do?"

Freddy grinned, unaware of the havoc he was about to cause. "Here, I'll show you!"

Freddy swung the ball back and threw it with all his force. The ball ricocheted from the ground to the ceiling, bouncing all across the barn and knocking into flower vases, drinks, and animals. Peck was the final victim, as the ball bounced right into the "accident-prone" rooster's face and knocked him onto the ground. Peck let out his painful gurgling noise. The whole barnyard scowled and scolded Freddy, accompanied by Bessy's, "You ball-throwing crazy moronic weasel!"

"Hehehe..." was all Freddy could say, and, embarrassed as he was, backed away to a corner of the barn. Just as the animals were about to pound him, all was interrupted when they heard the slam of a car door outside.

Pip climbed up to barn the window to investigate the noise. He smiled and said, "Otis and Abby are back from their date."

Otis and Abby had both gotten out of the farmer's car (they apparently had used for their date) and were heading towards the barn. Otis was wearing a dashing, handsome black tuxedo while Abby was wearing her beautiful new black dress with high heels, hair down in elegant waves, makeup, and jewelry. The couple had just returned from a fancy dinner accompanied by dancing, surprisingly in a new undercover restaurant built by the gophers. The restaurant was in a secret underground den and it was made especially for animals. This way, they could enjoy a nice dinner without worrying about humans.

Abby held Otis's hoof as they walked towards the barn. Her body was filled with a thousand tingles just being around her boyfriend. She grinned and said in a joyful tone, "I had a wonderful time tonight, Otis."

"Me too," Otis smiled. "And I still can't get over how amazingly beautiful, hot, and sexy you look in that dress."

Abby giggled and blushed at her boyfriend's compliments. Did he just call me sexy? Butterflies fluttered excitedly in Abby's stomach as she remembered Otis's first reaction when he saw her in the dress, a few hours ago. His eyes had widened so large that they practically fell out of their sockets, and his mouth had literally almost hit the ground. She also recalled how he let out a whistle and complimented how gorgeous and stunning she looked. She was very glad to have attracted Otis's eye like she hoped to.

Abby, too, was astonished by Otis's appearance. She could not get over how handsome, hunky, and striking Otis looked in his tuxedo. She leaned her head on his chest, and said, "I wish tonight would never end."

Otis wrapped his arms around Abby. "Me neither. The best part about tonight was just getting to spend time with you."

"Oh, Otis," Abby contently sighed. The two embraced and shared a long, romantic kiss before Otis whispered, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Otis!" Abby waved, and with that the two departed into the barn. They entered just in time to see the regular night party ending, and animals beginning to clean up. Abby and Otis both volunteered to help with the clean-up, and after a good forty-five minutes or so, the barn was back to its original state.

The animals eventually cleared away into their stalls for the night. Otis and Abby blew each other kisses before turning into their stalls to get a good night's rest. However, Abby couldn't sleep a wink; she was much too excited and thrilled about the night she had shared with Otis. She flung herself onto her hay bed with a dreamy sigh. Abby and Otis had become very serious within a single month. They loved each other, not just liked. Tingling sensations of excitement filled Abby's insides as she thought about what a month or two more of dating would result as.

Abby's heart pounded just thinking of her boyfriend. Handsome, clever, smart, funny, creative, sweet, and muscular - what more could she want? Abby felt like the luckiest cow in the world. She prayed that she would be able to stay by Otis's side forever. She knew Otis felt the same exact way about her; in fact, he had even told her once.

Abby slipped out a handsome picture of Otis from under her pillow. This will have to do for now, Abby thought with a devious smile, and placed the picture next to her on the hay bed. Even sleeping with only a picture of Otis made her feel more comfortable and safe. Finally, after a long while, Abby's eyes gradually closed as she drifted off to sleep.

***

When Abby awoke the next morning, the first thing on her mind was Otis. She decided to pay her boyfriend a visit. To her luck, Otis was already awake when she approached his stall. She did not want to wake him. She knocked on Otis's stall door, and it was only a few moments before Otis swung the door opened and smiled warmly at her. "Hi, Abby."

"Hi sweetie!" Abby threw her arms over his shoulders and gave him a big smooch on the lips. She noticed to her dismay that Otis wore a rather disappointed look on his face.

"Something wrong?"

There was a pause before Otis replied, "Just...something I heard the farmer saying on the phone last night."

"What?" Abby asked, curiosity drowning out all other thoughts.

"I overheard him talking to someone. He's bringing one of his old animals back to live here again," Otis nervously said with a gulp.

"Who could it be?" Abby pondered. Please, oh Lord, don't let it be Jack! She dreaded the very thought of that horrifying bull ever showing his face around the barnyard again.

Otis sighed, and wrapped his arm around Abby's body. "I don't know, but let's not let it get to us. Why don't we take a nice little walk together to get our minds off of this?"

"Sure," Abby grinned. Otis and Abby joined hooves as they set off for a comforting stroll around the perimeters of the barnyard. The sun shone brightly, birds chirped, butterflies fluttered by, and Abby and Otis couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and romantic morning. As the bovine couple ventured through the shady trees, sunlight poured in through the branches. It was now the middle of June, and the summer sun was beginning to get hotter. Otis and Abby decided to stay closer to the shady areas of the farm.

Abby rested her head on Otis's shoulder, and a few moments later Otis laid his head on hers. "Otis, this was a great idea of yours. I'm glad I can share these beautiful moments with you now," Abby sighed contently. Otis was all that mattered to her now. He had officially become the center of her life.

"Me too," Otis cooed. "Nothing could ever ruin this beautiful morning we share."

Unfortunately, Otis had spoken too soon, for Duke suddenly approached them hurriedly and out of breath. "Guys! The farmer's back! And he brought a trailer with an animal in it!"

Who do you think the new animal is? Oh, who am I kidding, of course you probably know! :) Let's just see what happens in the next chapter... And aww, don't Otis and Abby make such an adorable couple? ;D I'll try to update sooner, guys! I'm sorry! Also, my beginning chapters are usually short, but I promise they will get longer. ;3