Chapter 9: Expectant Parents
With Amanda and Nero's romantic being an obvious success, it was just the matter of the time when the praises were going to show up, coming not only from Nero and Amanda's families, but from the others as well, since they just had to hear what happened between the two lovedogs.
"After Kiana, it is you who's going to bring even more happiness to our lives!" Yukon said that as she was tightly embracing his only son, being so proud at him that even Nero needed some air to breathe after being embraced like that. "And soon enough, Amber is going to be after you."
"And I don't even doubt that." Yin commented as she was embracing Nero, remembering that even Amber was hitting the good ground. "She and Geed are really getting the hang of each other. At least all three of you are going to have beautiful lives with each other." By this point, Geed and Amber were doing very well with each other.
Nero, thinking how his family was going to expand greatly, commented: "You're right. Now what matters now is to wait for a few days till Amanda goes to vet and finds out if she and I are going to be parents." The sole thought of him being the father of his and Amanda's puppies was making him melt greatly.
And with the days passing, the check-up for Amanda in the vet clinic was slowly and steadily coming. And once that day arrived, Nero nuzzled her in front of the vet clinic and just said: "I believe in you, Amanda. I believe that our relationship is going to bring the prosperity between us!" These words were enough for Amanda to embrace him tightly.
"Oh, Nero! Hearing that from you is making my heart melt, don't you know that?!" She had to ask him that question, knowing how much the life without Nero wouldn't be that good. Once the vet doors opened, she licked him by his cheek and whispered: "I shall be back as soon as I can!" Once that was said, Amanda went into the clinic.
With Nero looking dreamily at the doors, wondering what was going to be afterwards, he heard someone's pawsteps, indicating the arrival of someone. Looking at his side, he realized that Taiga and Sarah were coming, with each of them with the delighted looks on their faces, knowing why they were looking like that.
"Hey, Nero!" Sarah came to greet him first, being quite happy to ask him some questions. Taiga sat next to her sister and greeted him with: "Hey, Nero.", and he nodded to them both happily. Sarah was the first one to ask: "So, Amanda went on to check out whether you two are going to be parents?"
Nero nodded happily in an approval, with him saying: "After all, it has been one week since our romantic night. Not to mention ten days since I have returned from that journey. All in all, I am sure that it's pretty accurate time around to check out whether she's having puppies!" And he was right by saying that, as it was necessary at least one week to know whether the female is bearing puppies or not.
With them both being happy to have Nero becoming partly the member of their family, Taiga went on to ask: "I believe you, Nero, that you and Amanda will hit this off pretty quickly with the puppies. I really do." After all, what was not to trust the eldest pup of Steele?
Then, as this check-up was going to take a while, Nero went on to ask the sisters: "Taiga, Sarah... while some of us were absent these days, has anything new happened in this town? I know I could have asked this before, but up until now I didn't go for it." No worries, he thought to himself, nothing to rush with.
And as both of them awaited that to be asked, Taiga went on to say: "I believe that after Ryan made his first mail delivery, he's hitting off with Annabeth." Of course he knew that, as when Rodney was Ryan's teammate and awaiting Rod, it came to be that Ryan met Annabeth more clearly.
"Speaking of hitting offs..." Sarah moved on to say what was she witnessing, smiling cheerfully. "Titanium and Timber are doing well with Allina and Tenana respectively. And there's a good reason for a such thing. Taiga?" She asked her sister to carry on, as Taiga was the one who was mostly around her stepbrothers but Geed, to hear about that.
"Right." Taiga continued, knowing why she was being asked for so. "When Rodney came with you, our musher found out that Timber was a perfect replacement for him. Timber didn't succeed to become a sled dog at first, but Tenana comforted him, which I say established the relationship between the two..."
"...out of the joy, despite being one week in our team, he ended up becoming a sled dog in the third team. Being thankful to Tenana, he took her out for a date!" Taiga was recalling that, giggling quitely. "He ended up in the same team as Titanium. But it's strange that Allina became a sled dog? She doesn't seem to be fit for that... but is for our dear Titanium."
Nero snickered mischievously on that, thinking how this couldn't have been a coincidence, but ended up shrugging it off, since it wasn't really necessary to fiddle with the things that didn't matter to him. Wondering if there was more to say, he said: "Okay, carry on?"
Sarah nodded as she knew that what she had to say was more accurate to her so she spoke: "You may know that Geed is dating Amber. They're going pretty well with each other! As for Noir, I think I may have seen her hitting off with Harath for start. That was something I saw after my second or third mail delivery." After all, Sarah was Harath's teammate.
Looking at the sisters, thinking about what they were saying, Nero exhaled in relief that he at least didn't skip the events that were way too major to be skipped. Knowing that the check-up was still on, he just said: "Oh well, glad to be knowing that. Now all that's necessary is for Amanda to come."
But as he said that, the pawsteps from inside were heard, but not from one dog, but at least two or three dogs. What if Amanda was one of them, or...? His question was answered, but it wasn't Amanda who came out first, but Saba. The look on her face was indicating some good news.
"Aunt Saba? How did the check-up go?" Nero wondered, being full of anxiety and hope. He was wondering if Amanda had any luck, but then Saba spoke: "Well, you're going to love what's going to await you!" It had to be puppies, it just had to be that he and Amanda were going to be parents...
With Josh coming out, after Saba of course, he was also very delighted by the news. Looking back at the dog doors, he spoke: "Come on, Amanda! Don't be shy! Nero, you have no idea how astonished you're about to be!" It only could be the best of the best now, but in what way?
And then, Amanda finally came out, with her being the happiest dog in the world right now. She came to tightly embrace her beloved mate and whispered: "Nero? Are you ready to be the future father of our six puppies?" SIX?! He couldn't believe that he was going to have that many puppies! SIX?
"Oh my goodness! We're going to have six puppies!? That's AMAZING!" Nero couldn't hold it back anymore, embracing Amanda tightly as they both laughed cheerfully. Josh and Saba loved to see their nephew being so joyful as they cuddled to each other. Also, Taiga and Sarah both patted the couple by their backs, yelling: "Congratulations!"
With them laughing and hugging each other, being quite out of themselves as they were going to be the parents of the six adorable puppies, they knew what they had to do: Let the others know! Oh, now that that hit Sarah in her feels, being herself the mother of the six, both Balto and Steele were going to be hit in feels by the joyful news!
Nero decided to head to his grandfather to let him know about the wonderful news whereas Amanda went to tell her father about that. Once both Balto and Jenna were let known about these news, Balto and Jenna embraced him tightly that they almost squeezed the air out of his lungs, with them saying: "Well done, Nero!"; "SIX?! That's amazing! Just like the two of us!"
And with Steele and Elizabeth being let known about Amanda's pregnancy of the six puppies, Steele and Lizzy both joyfully embraced their daughters, but not as tight as Balto and Jenna. The tears were strolling down Steele's eyes as he muttered: "Six grandpuppies?! This is a wonderful day for our family!"; "Just like me! You're going to be the mother of six puppies just like me!"
The news had spread quickly around the town of Nome and outside, indicating that it was very important to know about the new young parents yet to be. With Nero being surrounded by some of his cousins and friends - Rodney and Tayer being among them, they knew what to do.
"Nero, know that while at first it might be a bit of problem for you to handle their playfulness, know that they are puppies and that the playtime for them is important!" Rodney let his brother-in-law know, having the similar experience with his puppies one and a half year ago, possibly being let known about Amber's incident.
"And don't forget that if there is at least one puppy who feels like being odd out, let him know what you told Brook that time." Tayer reminded Nero, remembering clearly when Nero taught his son Brook that despite him being black whereas his siblings being red, that there was nothing bad in different looks, but the fact that he should be proud of his deeds instead!
Looking at Rodney and Tayer and listening to their tips, he knew that with these tips he was going to be a really great father to his six upcoming puppies! Now that he knew what and how, he was hoping dearly to see them coming soon! Eventually, it came to him to say: "Rod, Tayer, thanks for these tips. If I need any other, I'll talk to you!"
"Sure thing!" Tayer cheerfully nodded to him, knowing that even if he became young as a father, he was a really great father to his puppies. He still was, considering the fact that his pups were grown now and that along him, there was his son Sean to live with, something he dearly appreciated.
When it came to Amanda, she not only had Kiana by her side to talk about becoming a mother, but Shira and Elizabeth were there to talk to her. It came to Shira to tell her as she was a better mother with her triplets with Yang, because at least they were born in pristine condition.
"Remember, even if your puppies do like being nursed, let them be even if they are one month old. But if their fangs do become piercing, tell them it's time to stop." Kiana recommended her that, knowing how her experience was with her puppies. Though she didn't have any pain to deal with her puppies' fangs then, as she was on time ready to tell them to end it.
"Don't forget that even if they become loud and cry, know that all they want is your love, Amanda." Shira spoke next, remembering that he had two litters to keep up with previously in her life. "And don't feel horrified if you have to leave them alone for short time. You know that you will return to them again."
Now it came to Elizabeth to talk to her daughter and she decided to be wise with her use of words by saying: "Make sure that there's enough of your love and Nero's care and at the same time the authority of both of you. As long as you teach them to be modest and caring, you'll be pleased to have the good puppies!"
Looking at her friend, her stepmother and at her mother, their words felt so authentic and so much to live by, indicating that as long as she kept up with these, she was going to be as great mother as they were. Nothing to fear about, just to stay with these words. Amanda smiled at them and spoke: "I shall make sure to have that in my mind."
With the time passing, it had been around six weeks since Amanda and Nero became mates and by that point, Amanda's belly became quite swollen and she started to feel the kicks of her own puppies, being quite delighted to become the mother. But at the same time, she felt some kind of anxiety about it.
As she was resting in the basket on her back one sunny morning, she placed her paws on her pregnant belly and felt a kick or two from one of her six unborn puppies, softly whispering: "Wow, my little puppies. You seem to be very excited to be born, aren't you?" And one of the puppies kicked inside her belly as if it was saying: "Yes, mommy."
Sighing in content, as if she was able to understand her unborn puppy, she said: "I know, I know. I'm excited too." As she was resting on her back, the dog doors opened and it was none other else than Nero, who happily greeted her with: "Amanda, good to see you!" Coming straight towards her, he nuzzled her affectionately and asked her: "How are you? How are the puppies?"
Smiling delightfully, Amanda licked his cheek and just let him know: "I'm alright. If you want to know how the puppies are, why don't you feel them yourself?" He knew what she was trying to say. Basically, he placed his head on her belly, but then he felt Amanda's stirring, with her commenting: "Sorry, I'm a bit ticklish on my belly."
"That's okay." Nero let her know, being totally understandable around his beloved mate. He knew very well that as long as they were understanding each other, their relationship was going to remain stable. Feeling several kicks from the puppies in Amanda, he whispered: "Hey there, puppies! It's your daddy Nero! Aren't you happy to see me soon?!"
Then one of the puppies kicked Amanda's belly, as if that one was going to say: "Yeah, daddy." That made him very happy to get to "talk" to one of his puppies. Suddenly Nero got quite mischievous so looking briefly at Amanda, he got the idea - to nuzzle her belly with his wet nose. As soon as he started, Amanda shouted: "Oh, Nero, stop it! Hahahahahahahhaah!"
Eventually he stopped, with Amanda catching up some air after the round of tickling. Looking lovely at her, he went on to ask: "Amanda, you have no idea how happy and ready I feel to be a father! How about you? Aren't you happy and ready as well to be a mother?"
But when he asked her that, Amanda sighed once again in content, but not in happiness and delight, but in doubt and insurance. Noticing her look, Nero asked her: "Amanda?" And eventually his answer came up fast, with her saying: "It's okay, Nero... It's just... as much as I wanted to be a mother, how well am I going to handle six at once?"
Wondering why she was saying that, Nero looked at her once again and thought to himself. After thinking and thinking, Nero let her know: "Amanda... my grandma Jenna, when she became a mother, she had to handle six at once, one of them being my father. Sarah also had to handle six at once, your mother had to handle all six of you. But guess what? They didn't give up, they did their best!"
With his words being said, Amanda was picking these up and that was meaning one thing - do your best if you want to make sure your puppies are going to be easy to handle. As Nero's head was close to hers, Amanda sweetly licked his cheek and said: "You know, I feel much more easier now thanks to your words."
Licking her cheek back in response, Nero calmly let her know: "And it's my pleasure that I helped you. Believe in yourself, Amanda." Raising her paws, Amanda sweetly embraced him and just said: "I hope that you're going to be with me when they're going to come." Her wish was soon followed by: "Always. Always, Amanda."
After letting him go and placing her paws back on her belly, Amanda looked at her mate and just said: "You know, Annabeth is doing well with your cousin Ryan. Noir would be the same if Harath wasn't that shy. But the thing is... I'm pretty much concerned for my brothers."
Hearing what else was troubling her, Nero had to ask her: "What's with them? Something not right?" While trying not to think about it, Amanda couldn't conceal it. She admitted to him: "Ever since that date Tenana and Timber had, outside Nome, he brought a diamond with himself to surprise Tenana for the another time. Sadly, Titanium and Geed found it out so they tried to keep it for themselves or at least give it to Allina or Amber. Now they're in row..."
Knowing that at this state, he didn't have to give anything to her but to cherish everyday with Amanda, Nero sighed in disappointment and said: "I'd love to make them be good with each other again, but this is not my fight. It's on them to solve it." Amanda agreed with him, knowing that as long as someone had no relations with any kind of argument, better let him out of it. Feeling cheerful as well, Nero placed his head on Amanda's belly to feel the puppies, without tickling her this time.
At around eight weeks of Amanda's pregnancy, it was around the time she was going to give the birth to her and Nero's puppies. Nero knew that well, and as he was heading to her house one evening, being accompanied by Rodney, he spoke: "This may be a long night for me, Rod, but I shall help her."
Looking at him as if he knew what was he talking about and in fact, he knew it well, remembering from one and a half year ago. That's why Rodney said: "I get you. It was the same thing with me being by Kiana's side when her due came. As I can see, you're going to succeed with Amanda help her get through this."
Of course, Kiana was Nero's sister and Rodney being by Kiana's side when their puppies were born, Rodney made her feel better after giving the birth. Placing his paw on Rodney's shoulders, he said: "Thank you. When this is all done, I shall make sure to let you know, got it?"
That was something Rodney, along with the others who weren't around right now, couldn't deny. Nodding in an approval, Rodney just said: "No worries, I'll gather as much as I can. Though expect the closest of our families, yeah? And one more thing - good luck." Nero nodded to him in a sign of "thanks".
With Rodney leaving to his house, Nero realized that he was in front of Amanda's house. Wasting no time, he headed straight inside and once he was in the living room, he found Amanda below the window on the opposite side of the doors. Smiling to her as he was walking towards Amanda, he asked: "Hey, Amanda. Are you doing fine?"
While Amanda's belly was fully swollen by this point, she was still keeping her cheer up so she just let him know: "Don't worry for me, Nero. You'll be so delighted when you see the puppies." With her giggling, she placed her paw on her belly to feel the puppies again. Nero did the same thing... soon the puppies would arrive...
It was their moment, the new parents, the new puppies, more joy to the family, Amanda's labor was going to be easier with Nero being by her side...
The next morning...
As the sun had already risen two hours ago, that was something that didn't matter to Nero. He didn't get enough sleep last night, but at least he was comforting his beloved mate Amanda by licking her cheek. Not to mention that he indeed helped her a lot.
Amanda was awake for around few minutes, feeling the licks on her cheek. Giving back some licks to her mate, she asked him with a bit exhausted, but nonetheless happy voice: "Nero, aren't they beautiful?" Nero looked into the basket, just by her belly. He smiled widely and not to mention... fatherly.
There they were, the six newborn cute little puppies... it was revealed that four of them were females and two of them were males. Four of the puppies were black, with one of them having the gray underbelly like Nero, one of them having a pink nose, one having most of its' face being black and one had the black line by its' nose.
As for the other two, one puppy was silver and was resembling Nero's mother Yin. The another one was dark red and that one resembled Nero's father Yukon. Looking at the puppies, and then at Amanda, he whispered: "They're as beautiful as you." Amanda was flattered by that and replied: "And as you too."
After watching their newborns for a few minutes, Nero got on all of his fours and whispered to her: "I'll be right back, Amanda. I promised Rodney and the others to gather them here when you were going to become mother, yeah?" Amanda smiled happily, licked his cheek again and said: "Don't worry, your puppies will be here, waiting for you."
Licking her cheek back, Nero set off outside to gather his family and Amanda's family to let them all know that Amanda gave the birth to their six puppies. Amanda smiled to her newborns, licked each of them by their tiny heads, one by one, whispering: "Rest well, my puppies. Your daddy and I are happy to see you with us."
And after minutes and minutes of waiting, Nero returned with his company. Although there weren't as many as they were expecting, at least there were the ones who promised to come: Rodney, Kiana, Amber, Yukon, Yin, Yang, Steele, Elizabeth, Annabeth, Timber, Titanium, Geed, Noir, Balto and Jenna. These guests just had to know first! The others were going to come and find out by themselves anyways.
"Oh, Amanda, they're so adorable!" Elizabeth spoke first as soon as she spotted her six grandpuppies in the basket, licking her daughter by her forehead. Steele came by Amanda's other side and embraced her carefully, whispering: "You're all making us proud, Amanda. You sure are." Amanda couldn't resist but to lick her father's cheek and whisper: "I know, dad. I know."
Yin, Yang and Yukon came to embrace their son as well, with Yin saying: "Nero, you have no idea how happy I am for you to be a father!" Nero just rubbed his head against her chest. Yang patted his nephew by his back and said: "And there are some of the little ones taking after your parents, I see that." In fact, Yukon was looking at the puppies happily, noticing the red and the silver one being nursed. They reminded him on himself and Yin respectively.
"I cannot believe that there were enough room to have two puppies to take after us, right, my son?" Yukon joked as he hugged his son, showing that he was very proud at him to be a father now. Nero returned him the embrace and said: "It's an honor to have these two looking like you, dad."
"And don't forget that they look indeed after us too, little brother." Amber licked his cheek as she noticed herself the puppies, with Kiana noticing them as well. Rubbing her head against Nero's chest, Kiana spoke to her baby brother: "They're very adorable, Nero! I'm sure you're going to be a great father."
With Nero nodding to his eldest sister in an approval, Annabeth stepped in front to Amanda and just said: "I know this may be out of the contest, but the good news is that Timber, Titanium and Geed have finally apologized to each other. There's nothing to worry about, Amanda." While Annabeth was looking at Amanda's puppies, Amanda saw how her brothers were indeed being nice to each other again.
"And looking on the bright side, Amber, Allina and Tenana are happy that they can see each other normally again." Noir added what Annabeth didn't say, with her watching the puppies in the basket. Now if only there was it to get back to the main subject.
"Just to tell you, all, my siblings will come later on. Along with others that is, but for now, we the closest ones are here." Rodney spoke wisely as he felt like that he was supposed to say that. Indeed, the others were accepting that very well.
Now that everything that may not have been in topic was discussed, Jenna and Balto came closer to see their great-grandpuppies themselves and were flattered by their cuteness! Looking at the new parents, Jenna asked first: "Well, have you named them? Were you waiting for us?"
Nero and Amanda looked at each other happily and just said: "Grandma Jenna, Grandpa Balto, you and the others have arrived just in time to know their names! Alright, everyone! Gather up!" Without any other objections, the guests had gathered up neatly in front of Amanda's basket, with Nero being by her side. Once that was done, Balto nodded in an approval and just said: "We're listening, Nero."
Smiling happily, now that it was their turn to reveal the names of the puppies, Nero laid back behind Amanda and with his paw on her side, he neared it to the silver puppy that was the nearest to Amanda's head, saying: "This is Ilak, the oldest one and one of two males. He takes a lot after you, mom."
With Yin smiling proudly that her grandson coming from Nero was taking after her, Nero smiled back to his mother and moved on: "And look at this one, dad. This is Arina, the oldest female and she takes a lot after you!" Yukon got the opportunity to smile widely this time. They all saw Arina next to Ilak.
Then, Nero carried on, pointing at the first black puppy after Arina. With Nero smiling very widely right now, he spoke: "And this little female here is Sheena. She takes a lot after me by the fur color. Isn't she adorable?" It was obvious that Sheena could be Nero's favorite puppy.
With Amanda licking Nero's cheek, she whispered: "I shall continue here, my love." Nero nodded, with him remaining on the same spot. Now that Amanda got her opportunity, she pointed with her paw on the next black puppy, saying: "This is Akun. The second and the last male here, for whom I must say that he's a lot like you, dad." Steele just smiled happily on that one.
Anyways, Amanda could carry on, pointing at the third black puppy: "And this little female is Victoria. If you look closely at her face, you'll see that she has a pink nose!" With some of them coming closer, they indeed spotted the adorable female with her cute pinky nose. Steele whispered to his daughter: "Awwww, she looks a lot like you, Amanda!"
That made her blush a bit, but as long as she was Steele's favorite, there was nothing to shy about! And finally, one last puppy, which was almost covered by Amanda's legs, was seen. Amanda pointed at the puppy and said: "This youngest puppy here is Yune, the last female to be said. She kinda resembles you, mom..."
"...but has the face similar to you, dad." Nero commented, regarding Yukon. Yukon came closer to see his youngest granddaughter himself and he was right! She was kinda resembling him! Laughing again, Nero patted his son's back delightfully and said: "Close enough!"
Now that the names were revealed (Ilak, Arina, Sheena, Akun, Victoria and Yune), the others were happily looking at the new and young parents. With the minute passing, Nero suggested: "Everyone, I think we should give them some room today. I'll remain here to keep the space, okay?"
The others nodded and soon enough, everyone gave their best regards to them before leaving to their homes. Rodney was the only one who remained with his brother-in-law and his stepsister, looking after his stepnieces and stepnephews. He softly whispered: "This is definitely going to be your time, you two."
Both Nero and Amanda chuckled amusingly. When one of the puppies whimpered after being briefly separated from Amanda's belly, she licked the puppy, which was Victoria and nudged her with her muzzle back to the belly, making the puppy calm. Rodney couldn't hold himself but to whisper: "Awwww, who's the little hungry Vicky?"
Upon hearing "Vicky", something beamed in the parents' heads and Amanda just said: "Vicky you say, Rod?" But she wasn't sarcastic or anything at the moment, which Nero could have seen. Basically, Nero said: "I like that nickname, if you get me!" That made all three laugh as they remained all day in the house, with the eventual guests coming to see the puppies. This was the day to remember!
