The Best Christmas Ever
Story by: Phoenix710
Summary: Now that Hunter's mother has met her new daughter, and her grandchildren, the happy family heads into the Rec. Room at Road Rover Headquarters, so they can talk about all of the adventures that the Rovers have been on, Hunter and Colleen's early lives, and how Hunter and Colleen first realized that they loved one another. After that, Starlight joins in for the decorating of the tree, and then the Rovers all head to bed for the night. Meanwhile, Havoc is about to escape from prison, and begin cooking up another scheme. What is he up to this time? Let's find out.
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 song that Hunter sings for Colleen in this chapter, 'Love of a Lifetime', is property of the 1980's/1990's band Firehouse. All original characters are products of my imagination.
Chapter Two: A Happy Reunion
Hunter and Colleen led Starlight on a guided tour of Road Rover Headquarters, while the twins waited down in the rec room, along with little Kayla. Starlight said, "Wow…all this time, you've all been together, fighting terrorists worldwide, and raising a family at the same time. It must be tough, trying to balance your jobs as crimefighters, and having children." Colleen replied, "Not really. Professor Hubert, our chief scientist and inventor, keeps an eye on our kids while we're gone, and Master makes sure that they're well taken care of, just like he does for us." In response, Starlight said, "My…Colleen, your friend Blitz was right. You and Hunter really do have a lovely family, and I'm so happy for you both, and even happier to welcome you to the family, Colleen. You and my son Hunter truly were made for each other, and it makes me happy to see that he's found the one that he loves, with all his heart and soul." Hunter said, "Mom, you mean Blitz…brought you here, to spend Christmas with us? TOO COOL!" Blitz walked by just then, and Hunter said, "Blitz, thank you so much, for bringing my mom here to spend Christmas with us. I've always wanted to have her meet Colleen and the kids, and now, thanks to you, my dream's come true. Whatever wrongs you've done in the past, Blitz…I want you to know this: No matter what, we'll always be friends, forever." Blitz and Hunter shook hands, and Colleen hugged him gently. She said, "Blitz, thanks so much. I don't think I've been this happy since I married Huntie." He replied, "Danke. I'm glad you liked my present. I'm going to go take a shower, and then go out for a bit with Sam and Karina, until dinner. See you later." Hunter said, "See ya, buddy. Have fun!" Hunter walked with his mother and Colleen into the vehicle hangar, and Starlight immediately recognized the Cloud Rover. She said, "That one, the helicopter, that's what Blitz picked me up in." Hunter said, "Mom, we've got a ton of vehicles here. The car there is the Street Rover, over there's the Sky Rover, the Turbojet Rover, The Sonic Rover, and our newest one, the Stealth Rover. It's fully armed, capable of cloaking, and it's got shields." Starlight walked inside, and marvelled at the high-tech display panels. Hunter said, "Careful, Mom. That thing's expensive. We got some of the parts from the Air Force, mostly the ejection seats, the weapons, and the radar system. The rest of it, Professor Hubert made himself." Hunter and Colleen then led Starlight over to the armory, and she gasped. Hunter said, "Don't worry, Mom…we don't kill people with these guns. The only time we use lethal force is against aliens, or zombies, or vampires." That aside, we use either gas grenades, or these dart pistols, which fire tranquilizer darts, using compressed C02." Hunter showed her one of the Colt .45's that Professor Hubert had modified into a dart gun. Next, Hunter showed off their armor. The brilliant, full body silver, red, and blue suits gleamed in the lighting. Starlight said, "Hunter…you weren't wearing this when you came to see me last time, is this new?" Hunter replied, "Yeah, it is. It's designed after the MJOLNIR Mk. VI armor worn in Halo 2 by the Master Chief, the cyborg super soldier that's the hero of the game. Professor Hubert designed it about a year and a half ago, after Colleen got kidnapped by a vampire named Mordred, who wanted to turn her into his new servant, and take over the world. Her and I destroyed him with the pure power of our love for each other, through the technique known as the Storm of Passion. Also, our love for one another, has enabled Colleen and I to communicate telepathically." Starlight said, "Wow…if your love is that strong, then nothing will ever break you apart." Colleen replied, "That's right. Huntie and I have promised to each other that we'll remain together forever." Smiling, Starlight said, "I'm so proud of you both. You've risked your lives for one another so many times, saved the world from impending doom, and found love in the process. Why don't we all go talk about your adventures, and I can learn what my daughter went through, before she found her soulmate in my wonderful son." Hunter said, "Sounds great, Mom! I know just the place…we can go to the rec room." Starlight agreed, and, before long, they had gotten themselves comfortable on the ring of soft lounge seats that surrounded the large table in the middle of the room. Hunter, Colleen, and Starlight, had stopped by the kitchen long enough for Hunter to make some Pizza for them for lunch, and he'd also cooked a pair of personal-sized ones for the twins. Hunter was having Root Beer to drink, Colleen had Coke Classic, and Starlight was having Pepsi. Starlight asked, "So, Hunter…tell me just what kinds of adventures you've all been on." Hunter said, "Well, our first mission was stopping our archenemy, Parvo, from getting his hands of a molecular stabilizer, which would have let him build an army of Cano-Mutant soldiers for world domination. Next, we stopped this lunatic named Storm, from attacking the U.S. with a stolen laser satellite. Our next mission was one that I'd really like to forget." Colleen replied, "Me too…I still get the shudders when I see the full moon…" Starlight asked, "What happened?" Hunter replied, "Well, a pack of werewolves was terrorizing London, Colleen's hometown, and we had to stop them. Our first battle with them was a disaster, in more ways than one. They got away, and Colleen got slobbered on by one, after it jumped her. She became one of them, and it was a race against time to get the cure to her. We got there just in time, before the sun rose on the third day after she became one of those monsters. I fired a tennis ball into her mouth, covered in swamp water, and when it combined with her saliva, it turned her back to normal. We did the same with the other werewolves, and headed home. Next, we stopped a warmonger named Havoc, from igniting a war over an ancient scepter, between Katzenstok and Eisneria. Hunter told his mom all about their other adventures, and, at the end, she said, "Wow…you guys really are amazing! From what I've just heard, my son sounds like the perfect leader." Colleen replied, "Oh…he is, and he's also the best friend I've ever had, and the only one I'll ever love." Starlight asked, "When did you realize that you loved Colleen, Hunter?" He replied, "Well, right when I met her, I was attracted to her. It was after our first mission, especially after she saved me from a Cano-Mutant that was about to shoot me, and then probably toss my body off the train we were on. When I saved her from the werewolves, I realized that I didn't want anyone else to touch her. What REALLY convinced me, though, was on our mission to stop Parvo from using a mother Tyrannosaurus Rex and her babies to take over Earth. She beat up a Cano-Mutant Shiba-Inu ninja in a museum in Japan, while we tried to stop them from stealing a vase that had part of a map that led to the cave that they were sealed in. They got away, but seeing Colleen's strength, her bravery, and her gracefulness, made me realize just how much I loved her. I told her how I felt, just after we got back from stopping a joint plan by Parvo, Storm, and a villain from Japan named Big Cheese. After that, we were married, and Alexander and Cassie were born the following Christmas, shortly after we took down Osama Bin Laden." Starlight was amazed; her son, whom she hadn't seen since he was only eight weeks old, had done so much, since she'd seen him last. She turned to Colleen, and asked, "Colleen, what made you realize that you loved my son?" She smiled, and replied, "Well, the first thing was after he ran back into a burning volcano, during our first battle with Storm, to rescue Muzzle. His loyalty, his bravery, and, most of all, his selflessness, made me realize that he'd never abandon a friend, no matter what. The second thing was after he saved me from being a werewolf. Just before he turned me back to normal, I tried to tear him apart in my werewolf form, but he was able to fight me off, and give me the antidote. I then realized that he was totally dedicated to keeping me safe, and that I'd never have to worry, as long as I was with him. Finally, right at the end of our first year as a team, Parvo was gonna dunk all of us into molten lava, just before Huntie swooped in with the crop dusting plane. He'd gone to see you, and I thought I'd lost him for sure. When he came back, though, I knew that we still had a chance. I'm glad I was right, because I can't live without him." Starlight pulled both Hunter and Colleen into a hug, and the twins joined in. Starlight then took Kayla gently into her arms, and rocked her back and forth. Kayla soon settled down, and fell asleep in her grandmother's arms. Colleen said, "Wow…you're really good with her, Starlight." Smiling, Starlight said, "Well, it's a mother's touch. Even if I only had Hunter for eight weeks, I still remember how to handle kids. By the way, Colleen, where did you come from, before you met Hunter?" She replied, "Well, I was born a stray, actually. My mum and I were alone on the streets of London, fighting off other dogs for food and water, stealing it from food stands, or however else we could put food in our tummies. When I was only nine months old, my mum caught the flu and died. It was cold and rainy that night, and I laid there by her side, as she was fighting to stay alive…" She started crying, and Hunter pulled her against him, letting her cry into his chest. When she was ready, she continued. "Like I said, she was laying there, barely able to breathe. The last thing she said to me was, 'Never, ever give up hope, and follow your heart, Colleen. If you do, you'll eventually find a life beyond these dirty streets.' After that, she passed on, and I spent the whole night at her side, trying to get her to wake up. I pawed her, nudged her, I even stole some bread and put it near her. When she didn't get up, I knew I'd lost her." Starlight had tears in her eyes, as did Hunter, and the twins as well. They hated to see their mother, who was normally strong and fearless, crying like this. Colleen finished crying, and said, "One night, after I fought off a pair of dogs that were trying to steal a bone I'd found, I was called by The Master, and I came here, and became a Road Rover. That's what led me to Huntie, and I'm so glad. Now, I've got him, the rest of the Rovers, my lovely kids, and now, you've adopted me as your new daughter. Starlight, thank you so much…it means so much to me." Starlight replied, "Think nothing of it, dear. You and Hunter truly were made for each other, and I wish you all the luck in the world." Hunter set up a camera, and then joined his wife, his mother, and his children, in the middle of the room, for a family photo. Once the picture was snapped, Hunter pulled it out, and said, "Wow…it's great! I'm gonna have this framed as soon as I can!" The happy family then headed into the living room, and began decorating the tree. Hunter strung the lights, Colleen and Starlight put up ornaments on the lower branches, Exile and Kasha took care of the middle branches, and Blitz, Shag, and Samantha did the upper branches. The kids helped out with the lower branches as well, and finally, Starlight lifted Cassie up, and she put the star on top of the tree. Hunter plugged it in, and the whole room was instantly lit up. They smelled dinner cooking, and headed into the dining room, where a lovely roast beef had just come out, along with gravy, noodles, carrots, and a salad. Everyone sat down to eat, and, after they cleaned up, and had some ice cream for dessert, they headed for their rooms. Starlight went into the spare room right across from the one that her son and Colleen shared, and, after taking a shower, she stretched out on the soft mattress, and was asleep in minutes. Inside Hunter and Colleen's room, Hunter said, "Colleen, I'd like to sing you a song, called 'Love of A Liftime', by Firehouse. I think it suits us perfectly. Colleen replied, "Huntie, that sounds so lovely!" Hunter popped in the CD, and began singing with it.
'I guess the time was right for us to say
We'd take our time and live our lives together day by day
We'll make a wish and send it on a prayer
We know our dreams can all come true with love that we can share
With you I never wonder - will you be there for me
With you I never wonder - you're the right one for me
I finally found the love of a lifetime
A love to last my whole life through
I finally found the love of a lifetime
Forever in my heart, I finally found the love of a lifetime
With every kiss our love is like brand-new
And every star up in the sky was made for me and you
Still we both know that the road is long
(But) we know that we will be together because our love is strong
I finally found the love of a lifetime
A love to last my whole life through
I finally found the love of a lifetime
Forever in my heart, I finally found the love of a lifetime'
Colleen's eyes were filled with tears, and she embraced Hunter. She said, "Huntie…you're incredible. I swear, there's no other dog on Earth that can make me as happy as you do. I love you so much, Huntie-Wuntie." Hunter kissed her, long and deep, and replied, "I love you too, my English Rose, always and forever." They kissed again, and then climbed into bed. Once they got under the warm covers, they curled up in each others' arms, and were fast asleep minutes later, basking in the warmth of their undying love.
Next Chapter: Havoc makes his escape, and the Rovers move out to stop him. Can they save the world, and still make it home in time to celebrate Christmas? Find out next time in Chapter Three: Time To Save The World