CH.7: Christmas and a new day
Skye was looked after when a doctor managed to make it through to the cabin and Steven said his goodbyes as he headed out. The cabin was filled with festive cheer as everyone was back together…and while Chase knew he should be with Skye there was one person he had to talk to before. Finding Ryder nursing his hot cocoa looking out the window he clears his throat. "Ryder…do you have a moment?"
Ryder looks down at him then gestures towards two chairs before taking his seat. Chase hops up onto the other chair and heaves a sigh. Ryder is patient with him…he does not rush him and he appreciates this. After what the two of them went through there was still this tense soreness that just wouldn't go away. He was grateful that Ryder and the others came to look for them…but…the ride back the two of them hardly said a word to one another.
"I apologize for the way I acted before…I should never have lost my temper the way I did. My emotions were out of control as I focused on getting out of there…placing blame where there should have been none. Skye knew what she was getting into…and you knew her capabilities better than anyone…hence why you had fate in her to accomplish what she set out to do. So…I wanted to say sorry but also to thank you for all you have done for us…you gave us a home and you helped us help people."
"Thank you Chase…I really appreciate you telling me this. I appreciate all you and the others do and you are my best friends…I'd never have you do something unless I had complete fate in what you do. We're a team…no…we're more than that we are a family. Now…lets join the others."
Chase nods his head as he walks over to where the merriment is still going on. There is singing and tales that bring laughter and bring high spirit to a group of weary pups. The journey had been long and at the end of it they all found themselves here…no pup had been lost and that is what counted in the end. Feeling a tap on his shoulder he notices Skye walking off and as he joins her the singing falls to the background.
"What's up Skye?" Chase inquires as he stands there and finally sits on his haunches figuring there was no rush.
"I-I want to thank you for coming to rescue me…I also want to tell you that it was foolish to go out by your own. What if something had happened to you? Chase you are very important to me…and as you heard…then you know that a loss of your caliber would be something I could never recover from. Promise me if anything like that happens again, I will make the promise as well…should anything happen to either of us we are to trust in that individual and wait a bit before attempting a full scale rescue, ok?"
Chase didn't like the sound of that…not so much her getting onto him cause he deserved that full fold. Just the part of leaving one or the other behind till help was available. "F-Fine…but maybe next time it can be a two pup job…and no more snow ok?"
Skye turns head to the side considering it but he can see she is siding with him on this. "Alright…next time it will be a two pup job…and I think I have had enough snow to last me a bit now. By the way…look up."
Chase looks up and blushes as he notes the mistletoe hanging over his head. "Oh, um, heh…would you look at that."
"I think you and I have…hmm…some unfinished business it would seem." Skye leans in and as he closes his eyes he pushes forward locking lips with her. The two sit there kissing each other locked in the other's embrace. As the room grows quiet he opens one eye and notices everyone looking at them.
"Well it is about time!" Marshall says and soon everyone is chiming in and Chase finds himself laughing…and so is Skye.
"Hey everyone I have cookies…who wants some?" Ryder calls from the kitchen and soon all the pups are bounding their way to the kitchen.
"Best Christmas Miracle ever huh?" Skye asks him as they walk over and Chase nods his head glad that things worked out in the end. However…before he could end this chapter he had one more thing to do.
It was the day after Christmas and Chase and the others were at the park relaxing. So far no emergencies were called in and it did them some good to warm up their bones after being up in the chill for so long. Chase took Skye, blindfolded of course over to the tree; having got permission first from Ryder, and after that it was all a matter of getting Skye to play along.
"Are we there yet…are we going to the Police Academy?" Chase had some friends at the Police Academy and when he got a chance he would bring one of his friends along there to catch up. As it was due to his talk with Steven, Ryder's Uncle he had gotten back into the Academy and had straightened out his act.
"Yes, and no…so…voila." He removes the blindfold and settles back behind her as she finds herself looking at the tree.
"I see…so…do you know what that means now?" Skye turns to look at him and he walks over standing at her side.
"Yeah…I realized it when I was looking for you. I sort of…well…blacked out a bit and dreamt or reflected upon the memory when you first showed me. C & S…with a heart…and I had no idea you meant us. You knew all along how you felt…and that was when I was still finding out. How did you wait so long?"
Skye smiles at him and licks his cheek before walking in front of him and placing her paw against his chest. "I felt it in here…well technically in my chest but you get the idea. When I found out…I thought I'd let you find out on your own…well…aside from this moment which would have been romantic but back then our maturity probably wasn't enough to really cement things as they are now. I do mean it Chase…and long as you will have me…I will be yours forever."
Chase gazes into her eyes and finds she means every word, not that he would doubt her, seeing how his heart raced at her touch. The two of them stood there as a gentle wind blows through their fur and he leans forward. "Forever is an awfully long time…to be with one pup…I'm all in."
He kisses her lips and once again the two share a private little moment. Leaves begin to fall down all around them as he deepens the kiss and settles into her. Everything was going to be just fine…and far as forever went…he hoped it lasted even longer than that.
THE END
Authors note: I hope you all enjoyed this Christmas tale and I hope when Christmas arrives that you all spend it with the ones you love or even family…cause that is what counts in the end. Chase and Skye forever, later.
