CHAPTER 9
Happiness All Around
As morning broke over the Great Valley, Petrie twitched and turned in his sleep once the Bright Circle's rays of light managed to poke through his eyelids. He involuntarily turned himself around in his mother's wings, but he soon gave up on getting anymore sleep. The Flyer opened his eyes and yawned while stretching his wings. This got his mother to wake up, and she slowly sat up and stretched her wings before she looked down at her son.
"Good morning, Petrie," she whispered.
"Good morning, Mama," Petrie replied as he set his snuggling stick down and crawled out of his mother's wings.
The Flyer looked out towards the cave entrance and noticed something …
Light.
Light from the Bright Circle! It was so bright outside that it felt too good to be true after yesterday's awful storm.
Petrie smiled in delight and almost couldn't contain his excitement as he imagined himself having another sweet day out with Ducky. After spending nearly all of yesterday being confined within his home, he couldn't wait to fly back outside and have lots of fun with the Swimmer he loved.
"Today feel so happy already," he chuckled to himself quietly, trying not to wake his sleeping siblings.
"Why do you say that, Petrie?" asked Mama Flyer.
"Sky water stopped. Bright Circle come out today," smiled Petrie, and he eagerly ran outside onto the ledge and looked down to find the Great Valley looking bright and shiny once again just like it was meant to be. He gasped and smiled in delight at the wondrous sight, and a sense of excitement rose in his chest. He seemed to be breathing a little quickly as his excitement only grew.
Mama Flyer looked outside and saw that the Bright Circle was once more shining beautifully over the Great Valley. It looked like a splendid morning.
She glanced at her son and noticed him breathing ecstatically from excitement, and she instinctively wrapped a wing around him to calm him down.
"Okay, dear. Settle down," she said, "I know you're excited, but you need to have your breakfast first."
"But me no want to wait for breakfast!" complained Petrie, and his mother chuckled at his response.
"Lucky you don't have to wait a few extra minutes, because I just so happen to have saved a few tree stars from yesterday," Mama Flyer informed her son, and she revealed a tree star to Petrie and handed it to him.
"Yippee!" Petrie squealed in excitement as he eagerly began to eat his breakfast.
Mama Flyer giggled as she watched Petrie's eccentric behavior. She felt happy for him that he would be able to go outside again and have lots of fun, whether it would be with all his friends or just with Ducky.
Before long, Petrie had finished his tree star, and he turned to smile up at his mother.
"Going out to play, dear?" assumed Mama Flyer.
"Yep, yep, yep!" giggled Petrie, unable to resist using Ducky's catchphrase since he loved it so much.
"I thought that was Ducky's phrase," laughed Mama Flyer.
"Me love it so much, me thought me use it for once!" chortled Petrie, "Well, see you later, Mama!"
"See you later, Petrie!" Mama Flyer replied as her son flapped his wings to get himself in the air.
"It so much fun being a young Flyer!" Petrie laughed to himself as he happily flew over the Great Valley, knowing exactly where he would be going this morning. He hummed a little tune as he soared over the valley, unable to contain his happiness …
"It so much fun being a Flyer.
It so much fun being me.
Me got me eyes in the sky, me can play low or high!
Just the way me always like to be!"
He laughed at his own cute little song and flew his way to the one place he felt just somewhat more welcome than he did at home.
At the Swimmer family's nest, Ducky had awakened once the Bright Circle hit her eyelids, and she opened her eyes and sat up just as Spike groaned behind her and stretched his limbs.
"Well, I cannot always be the first one up," Ducky thought to herself as she sighed and stood up before stretching her arms.
"Oh, good morning, Ducky. Good morning, Spike," her mother greeted them.
"Good morning, Mama," Ducky replied.
It was then that the little Swimmer looked around and came to realize just how beautiful the Great Valley was with the Bright Circle's light, compared to yesterday when the sky water storm hit. The green grass shined beautifully as some of it was still damp from the recent sky water, and the nearby river glistened gorgeously.
"My, what a beautiful day," Ducky said to herself with a smile as she admired the surrounding landscape.
"It sure is, Ducky," agreed Mama Swimmer.
"Come over here and have some breakfast, then you can go out and play with all your friends," called Papa Swimmer.
Although Ducky always liked the idea of playing with all her friends, the only friend she really wanted to play with was Petrie. Since Cera was still trying to barge in on the truth, she didn't feel very comfortable being anywhere near her.
Without hesitation, Ducky joined her siblings and shared two tree stars with three of her sisters.
Within moments, all the Swimmer children had finished their breakfast, along with Spike, and Ducky stood up and gazed towards the river. She wondered how Petrie would be feeling once he saw that today's weather was a lot better than yesterday.
"I am going to go find my friends, Mama," the Swimmer smiled.
Then, she noticed her mother looking up towards the river as if she was gazing at something.
"I see someone's already come over to save you some of the trouble," she commented.
Just as Ducky turned to see who it was, she heard a singing voice which she thought was so adorable …
"It so much fun being a Flyer.
It so much fun being me!
Me can be anywhere, high or low, here or there!
Just the way me always like to be!"
Ducky smiled with delight as she heard Petrie's cute voice, and the Flyer came soaring down towards that same rock as the day before last and set his feet on it. Her mother giggled and smiled as she listened to his voice. In her eyes, Petrie had such cute ways of making surprise entrances to her family's home these days.
"Petrie!" the Swimmer squealed in excitement as she ran towards her boyfriend as fast as she could.
"Ducky!" the Flyer replied with a giggle in anticipation that his girlfriend was about to grab him and nearly crush him in a hug.
Sure enough, just as Petrie had predicted, Ducky ran right up to him, grabbed him with both arms and squeezed him in a tight hug while rocking him from side-to-side like a baby. Then, she eagerly smooched his beak for several seconds, releasing him with a big, "Mwuah!"
Petrie blushed deeply in embarrassment and happiness as the love Ducky gave him instantly melted his heart warmly.
"Good morning, my Funny Flyer," the Swimmer said cutely.
"Good morning, me Sweet Swimmer," the Flyer replied adorably.
"I am so glad you could finally come back outside to enjoy this wonderful Great Valley! Yep, yep, yep!" chuckled Ducky.
"Me, too! Uh-huh!" agreed Petrie with a smile before kissing Ducky's bill.
"Hey, guys!" called a very familiar voice nearby.
Ducky and Petrie looked around and spotted Littlefoot running towards them with an excited look on his face. They knew what that smile was for.
"Hi, Littlefoot!" the Swimmer and Flyer said together as their Longneck friend stopped in front of them.
"I'm happy to say that we have a good chance of us having some fun today," announced Littlefoot.
Ducky and Petrie looked at each other nervously. They desperately hoped that a particular Threehorn would not be among them today.
"Um," muttered Petrie.
"Cera had to go with her father to collect something for Tricia, so she won't be joining us today," whispered Littlefoot.
Ducky and Petrie instantly perked up and smiled at the Longneck.
"We be happy to join you!" smiled Petrie.
"Yep, yep, yep!" agreed Ducky, and she turned to her Spiketail brother, "Are you coming, Spike?"
Just as she finished her question, Spike appeared from behind the ground star plant he was eating, and he licked Ducky's face.
"Spike!" giggled Ducky, "That tickles! It does, it does!"
"Me take that as 'yes'," commented Petrie with a playful chuckle.
"Are Chomper and Ruby joining us, too?" asked Ducky.
"Yes," answered Littlefoot, "They'll be waiting for us near the Secret Caverns. Come on, let's get going!"
"Have a good time, kids!" called Mama Swimmer.
"We will, Mama!" Ducky called back, "See you later!"
"See you later, Ducky and Spike!" replied Mama Swimmer.
With nothing but smiles on their faces, the four friends hurried on their way towards the Secret Caverns to meet up with Chomper and Ruby.
Throughout the morning, the six kids all enjoyed playing some of their most favorite games, even those they would occasionally play whenever Cera was not around. For some of the kids, it felt a little empty without Cera being included today, but Ducky and Petrie felt rather happy to not have to deal with the Threehorn's constant complaining and bickering suspicions about them. Of course, though, Littlefoot couldn't help but notice that whenever Ducky and Petrie were close to each other, they would exchange cute smiles. He knew what those smiles were for, but he felt worried about how Spike, Chomper and Ruby would react. If any one of them found out?
Around lunchtime, the Longneck's fears came true when he noticed Chomper and Ruby once again taking notice of how odd the Swimmer and Flyer were acting. He feared they were going to ask him what was going on with their smaller friends. In his mind, it was only a matter of time.
But could he trust them? There could still be even the slightest risk that one or both of them could spill the truth, even accidentally, and if that ever happened, Ducky and Petrie's lives could potentially be ruined forever. Littlefoot couldn't even begin to picture the dreadful consequences that could have the potential to negatively affect all their lives.
"There they go again," Chomper whispered to Ruby as they watched the Swimmer and Flyer smiling at each other in a strange way.
"I think we should ask Littlefoot if he's taken any notice, since he probably knows what is going on," suggested Ruby.
"You're right," agreed Chomper, "They've been doing this for some time now. He must know something by now."
While Littlefoot, Ducky and Petrie decided to eat some sweet bubbles, Spike helped himself to a ground star plant, and Chomper and Ruby started catching some bugs that were flying right over them.
It was then that Littlefoot looked to make sure that Spike was preoccupied with his lunch, then he turned over to Ducky and Petrie.
"How have you two been doing?" the Longneck asked in a whisper.
"Oh, we have been doing very good," answered Ducky with Petrie nodding along with her, "Petrie and I have discovered-ed how much we truly love each other."
"We so happy together, and we hope to stay together forever," added Petrie.
"I'm happy to hear that," grinned Littlefoot, "I was worried about you when all that sky water fell yesterday."
"Yesterday so boring," sighed Petrie sadly as he remembered yesterday's dull events before Ducky invited him over to her home, "Until Ducky invite me over and we have good time."
"That sounds cute," chuckled Littlefoot.
"Yeah," agreed Ducky and Petrie.
Then, something struck Littlefoot's mind …
"But wait. Ducky, if you invited Petrie over to your home, … then, … did anyone …"
"We hid-ed under a bush so that my brothers and sisters would not see us," explained Ducky, "It was a very good hiding place."
Petrie nodded in agreement and grinned.
Littlefoot sighed in relief just as Chomper and Ruby came up behind him.
"Littlefoot, … do you mind if we ask Ducky and Petrie what's been going on lately?" asked Ruby.
"We don't want to bother you guys with this, but we can't help but notice that you two have been acting a little … strange … lately," put in Chomper.
Littlefoot sighed unhappily, while Ducky and Petrie gulped nervously. They weren't very keen on letting any of their other friends know the truth about their secret love. If either one of them were given the truth and let it spill for any reason, they'd never forgive them.
Spike suddenly appeared next to Ducky and nuzzled her. It was obvious that the Spiketail had eaten enough ground stars for now.
The Longneck looked down at Ducky and Petrie. He could tell they were scared of what would happen if their Spiketail, Sharptooth and Fast Runner friends learned the truth. What would happen if anyone of them spread the word to the rest of the Great Valley residents? Anything could be possible, the good or the bad.
"I'm not sure if this is something that should be discussed right now," sighed Littlefoot.
"We promise we'll keep this to ourselves," promised Chomper pleadingly.
"We promise to keep this a secret, since secrets must be kept to ourselves," added Ruby.
Ducky and Petrie looked at each other once more. They knew there was no turning back now. If Spike, Chomper and Ruby desperately wanted to know the truth, then they would have to know sooner or later. The only hope was that they wouldn't spread it to anyone else.
"Me guess we have to tell them, Ducky," gulped Petrie.
"You are right, Petrie," sighed Ducky sadly.
"Is there something dreadfully wrong?" asked Chomper, "You look as if something horrible has been happening."
"It may be horrible to others," said Petrie nervously.
"Horrible to others?" said a dumbstruck Ruby, "What do you mean?"
"It involves something that is not acceptable in the Great Valley," explained Littlefoot.
Spike let out a moan, indicating that he was quite surprised that his sister was involved in something that the Great Valley dinosaurs would discourage.
"What has been going on that involves the two of you and would be discouraged in the Great Valley?" asked a confused Chomper.
Ducky and Petrie looked at each other, and they knew that now was the moment to say what they dreaded to say …
"We are in love."
"We in love."
Chomper, Ruby and Spike all gasped in astonishment. Ducky and Petrie in love? A Swimmer and a Flyer falling for each other at the age of just seven cold times? No dinosaur had ever heard of such a thing happening anywhere on Earth, and yet here it was happening: a Swimmer child and a Flyer child secretly in love with each other. To them, it felt so amazing that such a thing could happen.
"You two are in love?" gasped Ruby.
"That's amazing!" said Chomper with a smile of amazement, accompanied by a nod from Spike.
"To us, yes, … but to others, maybe not," said Petrie sadly.
"Why not?" asked Ruby, "What's wrong with a Swimmer and a Flyer being in love with each other?"
"For one thing, we are too young to be mates," Ducky explained, "Secondly, the Great Valley dinosaurs do not like relationships between those of different kinds."
"What's wrong with relationships between different kinds?" gasped Chomper in shock, feeling that nothing could possibly be wrong with such relationships.
"Nobody feels comfortable with the idea of one kind joining another," said Littlefoot.
"I think it's fascinating," said Chomper.
"Me not so sure others agree," Petrie disagreed.
"So, … that's what you've been trying to keep secret from us for the past couple of days?" said Ruby.
"Yes," sighed Ducky.
"Have you even told anybody?" asked Ruby.
"My Mommy and Daddy, and his mommy," answered Ducky, "Littlefoot found-ed out when he saw us kissing."
"Why didn't you tell us, Littlefoot?" asked Chomper as he looked up at his Longneck friend.
"Because … they told me not to tell anyone. I gave my word that I would keep it a secret," answered Littlefoot.
"That's just silly," said Ruby, "Why wouldn't you want to tell the others?"
"Because they hate us if they find out," replied Petrie.
"Please do not tell Cera about this," begged Ducky, "If her father ever finds out, Petrie and I will be banished-ed to the Mysterious Beyond forever. Oh, yes, yes, yes."
"Mr. Threehorn despises relationships like these, and he's one of the most powerful figures in the Great Valley, along with my grandparents," explained Littlefoot, "I'm pretty sure he would be throwing Ducky and Petrie out right now if he would have just learned the truth."
Chomper and Ruby looked at each other with odd expressions, while Spike exchanged one with Littlefoot. They still couldn't understand why some dinosaurs refused to accept the idea of love between different kinds. Why would it be considered a crime to fall in love with somebody from another kind? It felt just absurd and unthinkable to forbid those of different kinds from falling in love with each other. As far as they were concerned, love should have to be all about finding the dinosaur you thought would be perfect for you, regardless if it was a Longneck, a Threehorn, a Swimmer or a Flyer. This just didn't add up very well.
"Why would anyone even think of forbidding these relationships?" said Chomper as he could feel a slight rage building up within him, "That is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard in my life! No one should have to be judged just by what kind they are! I mean, look how they treated me when Ruby and I first came here! It is just despicable!"
"And unacceptable!" agreed Ruby, "Just because someone of one kind falls in love with someone of another kind, doesn't make them bad dinosaurs, because good dinosaurs fall in love with each other all the time."
Ducky and Petrie couldn't help but feel newfound strength for each other from hearing Chomper and Ruby's strong words. They sounded as if it would be a perfect argument if it ever became a meeting subject.
"You two are perfect for each other," said Chomper, as Spike nodded and licked Ducky's face playfully, earning a giggle from the Swimmer, "I've seen how close you've been, even before I met Ruby. The way I see it, once you've found the love of your sleep stories, then you will always be happy as long as you stay together through thick and thin."
"You may be in a relationship that's considered bad to others, but that doesn't mean we'll stop being your friends," added Ruby, "We will all be the best of friends until the end."
"Really?" sniffled Petrie.
"Really, really," replied Chomper.
The Swimmer and Flyer smiled at each other before they looked up and saw that Littlefoot, Spike, Chomper and Ruby were all smiling down at them.
"You all best friends we ever have," smiled Petrie tearfully.
"Yep, yep, yep!" agreed Ducky.
"We promise we won't mention a word about this to anyone unless absolutely necessary," swore Chomper.
"I'm still wondering whether or not my grandparents should know eventually," said Littlefoot.
"Your grandparents should know, Littlefoot," said Chomper, "You said they're among the leaders of the Great Valley, and they love all of us."
"It's true," agreed Ruby, with Spike nodding in agreement with an expression that looked as if he was begging the Longneck to do something for him.
"I'll think about that later," said Littlefoot thoughtfully, earning nervous gulps from Ducky and Petrie, "For now, though, let's play 'Hide and Seek'."
The Gang instantly broke into cheers, and the six kids commenced their game of "Hide and Seek," with Ducky being "it."
In the back of their minds, Ducky and Petrie couldn't wait until tonight to get some time to themselves.
By the time the Bright Circle began to set that evening, the six kids began to feel tired out after so much playing. It still felt a little empty without Cera being around, but now Spike, Chomper and Ruby knew it was for the better of Ducky and Petrie. The Sharptooth still couldn't believe that love between different kinds could be discouraged in the Great Valley, and he desperately wanted to do something about it. However, since Ducky and Petrie's relationship was still a secret … for now, he knew that right now was not the best time to discuss it any further.
After the six had finished playing their last game of the day, Chomper and Ruby were keen on getting back home to the Secret Caverns, while Littlefoot and Spike were willing to go home early to allow Ducky and Petrie to have some time alone together.
"Well, today was quite a day," said Littlefoot.
"Well, we'd better be heading home, since home is where we must be," said Ruby.
"I think we all should be heading home," agreed Littlefoot.
"Hello there, kids," came an elderly voice right behind Littlefoot.
Everyone knew who that voice belonged to.
The kids looked up and saw the always-warm sight of Grandpa Longneck standing over them with his always-warm grin.
"Hi, Grandpa," said Littlefoot.
"Did you all have a good time today?" his grandfather asked.
"Yep, yep, yep," answered Ducky.
"Those are the kinds of days we love to hear about," came Grandma Longneck's voice as she stepped beside her mate.
"Well, children, it's getting late, and I think you'd best be getting home before your folks worry about you," suggested Grandpa Longneck.
"Okay, Mr. Longneck," said Chomper, and he and Ruby walked away, "Goodbye, guys!"
"Bye, Chomper! Bye, Ruby!" the rest of the kids called back before the Sharptooth and Fast Runner disappeared.
Spike playfully licked Ducky's cheek to earn a giggle from her before he turned and walked on his way back to the Swimmer family's nest.
Littlefoot's grandparents then focused their attention on Ducky and Petrie, who appeared to be sharing giggles with each other.
"Ducky? Petrie?" said Grandma Longneck, "Aren't you two going to head home, too?"
"We will," answered Petrie.
"Hmm," muttered Grandpa Longneck as he observed the Swimmer and Flyer's odd behavior.
"Let's go, Petrie," Ducky said as her boyfriend got airborne and hovered right over her.
"Me right with you, Ducky," Petrie replied, and the two went on their way across the valley.
"My dear, I think something is up with those two. I can feel it," Grandpa Longneck whispered to his mate, and they eyed the Swimmer and Flyer closely, noticing that they were staying very close to each other and exchanging smiles that could be seen, even when their backs were turned.
There was something about those particular smiles that told the elder Longnecks that something rather strange had happened between those two.
"Yes, I can feel it, too," replied Grandma Longneck, and the two looked down at their grandson, "Littlefoot, would you happen to know exactly why Ducky and Petrie are acting so strangely?"
Littlefoot gulped. He hoped this moment wouldn't have come so soon. As much as his grandparents had soft hearts, there was no idea if they would be accepting of Ducky and Petrie's undying love or not. The little Longneck felt a lump in his throat as he struggled to find the right words to say. He knew he would not be able to keep the subject away from his grandparents for much longer.
"It's a long story," he said.
"Well, why don't we go home and eat some tree stars, and we can start from the beginning?" offered Grandpa Longneck.
"Good idea," agreed Littlefoot, letting out a tiny sigh of relief, "I think this would be best explained there than out here."
Without another word, the three Longnecks began their slow walk back to their home. As they went on their way, they watched Ducky and Petrie on the same path ahead of them, appearing to be staying close together and enjoying each other's presence.
Ducky walked through the valley with Petrie flying right over her. Both had anticipating smiles on their faces. They knew exactly where they were going tonight, and they couldn't wait to get there so they could privately smooch and pamper each other with their love to their hearts' content. All the while, they never looked behind them and thus had no idea that three certain Longnecks were following them curiously.
Eventually, the Swimmer and Flyer found the location of Littlefoot's home, and they looked to their left and saw that familiar narrow tunnel they had crawled underneath the other night. They knew where that long, narrow, sealed path would lead to.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ducky playfully pulled Petrie down from the air and placed him on her back. Petrie was nearly startled by this, but he quickly relaxed as Ducky placed his arms behind his back while holding his hands within her own, keeping her own arms behind her back to hold him securely. The Swimmer tiptoed into the tiny tunnel, and a few tree stars sealed them from the outside world behind them.
Littlefoot noticed this and ran up to the little spot they had crawled through, but he couldn't see Ducky or Petrie within the many tree stars shielding their tunnel, and he was too big to fit inside. He wasn't ready to give up yet, though, and he quietly stumbled into some branches to try and catch a glimpse of the Swimmer and Flyer.
Once they were concealed, Ducky began rhythmically hopping on both feet at the same time. With each hop, she swung her legs in midair to bring herself forward a little, and Petrie smiled and giggled from the breezy sensations of his bouncy piggyback ride on Ducky. They both felt rouses of excitement in their chests as they hopped closer and closer to their new secret hideout, failing to notice a certain Longneck trying to follow them discreetly.
As Ducky settled into her bouncy rhythm, she couldn't resist the urge to break into song …
"Well I am the kind of girl who will never settle down.
Where all the fun is, well you know that I am around.
I kiss you and I love you 'cause to me you are so cute.
I hug you and I squeeze you like a cootchie cootchie coo!
We are lovebirds.
A couple of lovebirds.
Hopping around, 'round, 'round, 'round."
Ducky stopped and turned to the right each time she sang, "'round," performing a perfect rhythmic spin before she continued down the path, sharing some adorable laughs with Petrie. As she continued, she switched from hopping to skipping, still maintaining her rhythm, and the Flyer decided to sing the next part of their little song …
"There you Ducky on the left, and me Petrie on the right.
And Ducky be the girl who me be with tonight.
And when she ask me, where she give me ride to?
Me say our secret cave with a 'cootchie cootchie coo'!
We are lovebirds.
We couple of lovebirds.
Skipping around, 'round, 'round, 'round."
As Petrie finished their second verse, Ducky stopped skipping and started marching, rhythmically lifting Petrie up and down on her back. They managed to hold back laughs and start singing together in unison.
"Well, we roam around the valley.
We love each other with so much care.
And we are happy like a baby.
And with our two hearts beating and we going nowhere."
Close behind them, Littlefoot, whom had been listening to the entire song so far and had been enjoying it, suddenly found his path blocked by three trees. The gaps were too narrow for him to squeeze through. He looked to his left and right and found more trees blocking his view. It seemed that whatever tiny gap there was between the trees was enough to allow Ducky and Petrie through, but the Longneck had no place to go but back where he came from. Disappointed, he sighed and turned back to rejoin his grandparents.
As they started their final verse, Ducky went back to joyfully hopping on both feet like an eccentric hatchling, while Petrie simply relaxed on her back and cherished this babyish, dancing ride Ducky was giving him.
"Well, we a couple of kids who love to roam around.
We never in one place, from the sky to the ground.
And when we find each other with a smile on the face,
We hop right over the trees, our hearts at such a quick pace."
Ducky instantly switched from hopping to marching again as they noticed the right-hand bend in the tunnel drawing very near.
"Yeah, we are lovebirds.
A couple of lovebirds.
Marching around, 'round, 'round, 'round."
With a, "Yep, yep, yep," Ducky then went back to skipping, her feet never losing their rhythm for even a moment.
"Oh, we call us lovebirds.
Yeah, we lovebirds.
Skipping around, 'round, 'round."
"Oh, yep, yep, yep," Ducky added once again as they she rounded the bend and could see that last tree star shielding them from the Bright Circle's light in the forest cave just ahead. She went back to hopping again to prepare for a jumping entrance, as she and Petrie sang the last few words to their song.
"Hey, we each other's lovebirds.
Yeah, we sweet lovebirds.
We hop around."
The two closed their eyes as Ducky brushed past the large tree star and made several big hops on a few small rocks, still in rhythm to their song, until she made one more giant jump, landing delicately on both feet on the damp, grassy floor of the forest cave. They opened their eyes and smiled with delight as they found themselves in their new private paradise. Everything seemed just as it was when they last stumbled in here, and, to their joy, their shiny stone neckwear was exactly where they had left it before. With the Bright Circle shining directly on them with orange light, it felt so perfect, … too good to be true, as if it were just a sleep story.
"Ready for another love night, Petrie?" asked Ducky excitedly as she brought her arms out from behind her back and let Petrie jump off.
"Me always ready to love you in this beautiful place!" he replied adorably.
The two instantly walked up to their neckwear and put them on, around their necks. The red shiny stones shone directly over their hearts as they looked down and admired what they called their symbols for their love and devotion to each other.
"That such breezy dance you do back there, Ducky," commented Petrie with a chuckle.
Ducky cutely giggled and suddenly thought of an idea …
"I think we should dance on the floating pads in the pond."
Petrie adorable smiled in such a way that Ducky couldn't take her eyes off him.
"We do love dance?" the Flyer beamed, "Me would like that. Yep, yep, yep."
This earned a laugh from Ducky as she heard her own catchphrase being used by her "Funny Flyer."
"Let's go," said Ducky, and the two held hands and began to cutely hop onto the pond's green pads.
They each landed on one foot with each jump they took in order to make it feel more adorable and just right for their young age, and by the time they made it onto the pad right in the center of the pond, they released each other's hands and bowed to each other as if they were about to start a dance to express their love. They smiled cutely at each other as they gazed at each other's eyes and smiling mouths, knowing they were in for the dance of their lives.
"Ready?" asked Ducky.
"Me ready," answered Petrie.
With that, the two brought their heads back up, and they each brought one foot forward and placed their hands on their hips. They tapped their feet in a rhythm they knew they could dance to, and the duo held each other's hands and started doing some cute dance moves.
"Now fun really begin!" chuckled Petrie.
"Oh, yep, yep, yep!" agreed Ducky.
The Flyer held both of Ducky's hands with one of his own, and the Swimmer performed a spin while standing on one foot. The spin ended with her taking both of her boyfriend's hands, and Petrie squeezed underneath one of Ducky's arms.
"That so beautiful!" cheered Petrie, "We do that again, me Sweet Swimmer!"
"With pleasure, my Funny Flyer!" smiled Ducky.
Just a few seconds later, ten fish brought their heads over the surface of the water, scratching their heads with curiosity, and they watched in astonishment as Ducky and Petrie pulled off even more childish dance moves they were fitting for them. They couldn't help but smile at the couple, and they began making sounds in the rhythm of their dance to provide them with some dancing music.
The Swimmer and Flyer couldn't believe what they were hearing, as the fish poked on rocks and sang softly with their mouths. To their ears, it sounded so magical to them, and they smiled at each other before resuming their dance, now that they had some music to dance to.
Over the next few minutes, Ducky would spin on one foot and squeeze Petrie underneath her arm after she stopped spinning. Petrie would stand on Ducky's feet when the Swimmer wrapped her arms around her chest from behind, and Ducky would perform some cute moves with her feet which brought Petrie's feet up with them. The Flyer smiled brightly as he watched his girlfriend's feet move his feet around.
"This so much fun!" he giggled.
"Special moves just for our love, my Funny Flyer!" chuckled Ducky.
"Aw, me Sweet Swimmer!" beamed Petrie.
Soon, Ducky released Petrie, and the two held hands and closed their dance with Ducky doing one more spin. This time, it ended with them wrapping an arm around their backs as the Swimmer crouched while smiling up at her boyfriend. Petrie smiled right back down at her, and the two brought their free hands together and engaged in a dance-closing smooch. This prompted the fish to perform a drum roll on the rocks before they stopped the music in style. Just as the last note played, the two children released each other's mouths with a big, "Mwuah!" to each other, and the fish applauded them with claps and cheers.
"Me think they like it," chuckled Petrie.
"Me, too," agreed Ducky, "They must think we are so adorable together."
"Because we are," grinned Petrie.
"Aww, Petrie!" giggled Ducky, blushing.
The fish let out some laughs before they dipped back down into the water and swam away.
"It was very nice of them to provide us some music," said Ducky.
"It was," agreed Petrie.
"So, Petrie," said Ducky as the two sat down on their green pad, "Do you want to sit on my lap and watch the Bright Circle with me?"
"Me love to relax that way after so much dancing," replied Petrie.
The children smiled at each other, and Petrie sat on Ducky's lap. The Swimmer then tightly wrapped her arms around the Flyer's chest, pinning his wings down, as if she was caring for him like a baby. He sighed comfortably as he felt her loving hug soothe him warmly.
"I love you, Petrie," Ducky whispered before she planted a kiss on Petrie's beak.
The Flyer blushed and smiled brightly at the Swimmer.
"Me love you, too, Ducky," he said cutely, and he returned the kiss on Ducky's bill, making her blush just as deeply as he had.
"Doesn't this feel so wonderful?" asked Ducky.
"It do," nodded Petrie, "Me wish we could sit here forever and live in this forest cave."
"I wish we could live here, too, Petrie. I do, I do," agreed Ducky, "Maybe, … if our mommies let us live here after we have reached-ed our Time of Great Growing."
"Me already see us living here," chuckled Petrie.
"You silly one!" laughed Ducky, tickling her boyfriend's chest playfully.
"Hehehe! Duhuhuckeeheeheehy!" laughed Petrie in a bubbly voice.
"You are my funny Petrie," beamed Ducky as she stopped tickling him.
"And you me sweet Ducky," Petrie smiled brightly.
With those words, the couple brought their faces together, and Ducky opened her mouth to allow Petrie's beak entry into it. The Flyer instantly opened his mouth as Ducky sucked his beak into her bill, and the two instantly began sucking each other's mouths, exchanging saliva and playing with their tongues delicately. The ends of their mouths pointed upwards at such levels that it looked as if they would never stop smiling at each other, even in a trancing kiss. Their eyes sparkled in delight as they pleaded to each other to not stop smooching.
Petrie's smile turned brighter once he felt his beak being covered all over in Ducky's saliva, and Ducky's smile brightened in return, knowing she had done a great job at splashing her boyfriend's face in such a seductive fashion. Their tongues continued to dance with each other as they twisted and turned in loving fashion. The children closed the top half of their eyes and looked at each other seductively. They each knew what the other wanted, and they knew it was for this kiss to never end. The sounds they made as they smooched sounded as if they were drinking saliva from each other's mouths.
After what felt like an hour, although it really had been four minutes, the two kids pulled their faces away from each other. Their mouths made an adorable sound as they broke away, and they gasped in desperation for air that they had not breathed in for nearly four minutes. They looked at each other's eyes, feeling quite surprised that they were able to keep a single kiss going that long without them suffocating.
"That … felt-ed … so … sweet," panted Ducky.
"Me … feel … so … warm," Petrie panted as his beak was drenched in saliva from their kiss.
"Your beak really tastes good," commented Ducky jokingly.
"Me hope you no get ideas," said Petrie oddly, not getting her joke.
"I was just making a joke," laughed Ducky.
Petrie quickly realized what she had meant, and he giggled softly as he tried brushing off the saliva from his beak.
"This kiss really do it," commented Petrie with a grin as he looked down at the saliva coating his face and dripping off the tip of his beak, landing on their feet.
"Let me help you with that," chuckled Ducky, and she planted multiple kisses all over Petrie's face for several minutes.
Petrie could only smile and blush as his girlfriend pampered him endlessly with so much love that he felt his heart melting in happiness. He wanted this moment to last a very long time.
Ducky's bill continued to feed Petrie's beak some loving rubs and smooches for a while, until the saliva had been washed off. Sometimes, she would playfully suck his beak in and coat more saliva on his face just to make him feel warm, before washing it off again with more pleasant kisses. Petrie giggled and allowed Ducky's soothing cuddle to rouse his heart to the point that he felt … excited on the inside … in some strange sense. To him, her presence felt so sweet that he couldn't stop smiling, and before long, he was breathing a little quicker than normal.
Likewise, Ducky also felt some odd excitement in her chest as she tenderly held Petrie and kept washing his face with her own saliva. Simply the idea of providing the Flyer he loved with such a warming presence gave her so much of a thrill on the inside that she, too, began breathing a little faster.
It was then that they looked at each other and simultaneously realized that strange feeling they had both gotten. They blushed sheepishly as they contemplated simply the idea of getting these rushes of adrenaline in their chests. They never imagined that anyone as young as they were could possibly gain these sensations, but once they spent a moment thinking about it, they suddenly discovered right then and there that their love for each other had much more of a special meaning than before. It was as if it was their destiny to be together forever, like they were the perfect match, … the perfect couple.
"Uh, … m-me guess we have new secret to keep from everyone," said Petrie sheepishly.
Ducky let out an awkward chuckle before she started laughing, "Yep, yep, yep! I think we have discovered-ed that we are just right being together. We shall stay together forever."
"Together forever? Yep, yep, yep!" Petrie eagerly agreed.
The couple laughed and kissed each other's faces, and the Swimmer eventually finished washing and rinsing the Flyer's face with her own saliva.
"How is that for a wash?" she chuckled.
"That so good!" beamed Petrie in between excited giggles, "Me love it!"
"I am happy to do it just for you, Petrie. Yep, yep, yep!" smiled Ducky.
"Me love you so much, Ducky," said Petrie.
"I love you so much, too, Petrie," replied Ducky, "Yep, yep, yep!"
Petrie smiled even brighter from hearing so much of Ducky's "Yep, yep, yep." He felt as if he could never hear enough of it.
"Me love that strange feeling me get when you hug and wash me," giggled Petrie, "You think we do that again sometime?"
"I had-ed that feeling, too," confided Ducky, "I would love to feel that again. How about the next time we come here?"
"Yippee!" cheered Petrie excitedly.
With some more babyish laughs, the two relaxed on their floating pad while they resumed watching the Bright Circle set. They felt it was the perfect way to relax and cuddle together after their dance and a long smooching kiss.
"So, I'm to understand then that Ducky and Petrie have been falling in love with each other ever since we came to the Great Valley, and only now they have started a relationship?" Grandpa Longneck said as he looked down at Littlefoot with a shocked expression.
Littlefoot had only just explained to his grandparents that Ducky and Petrie had been secretly falling in love with each other for over two years since their arrival in the Great Valley, and that after putting it off for so long they eventually confessed their love to each other and started something that hardly anyone in the Great Valley would be accepting of: a relationship … between two different kinds.
"It's true, Grandpa," sighed Littlefoot, fearing his grandparents were not going to take this matter very kindly, "Every word."
Grandma and Grandpa Longneck looked hard at each other for what felt like ages to Littlefoot. They could not have imagined a Swimmer and Flyer just seven cold times old falling in love and forming such a loving bond. This was practically unheard of up until now. Firstly, they obviously could not have imagined that they would fall in love at such a young age; them being way too young to be in love, and it still being at least six Cold Times before their Time of Great Growing would come. Secondly, they were of different kinds, and no one (or, at least, no one they knew) had ever heard of dinosaurs of two different kinds falling into a loving relationship. This was something completely new to the Longnecks, and they wondered how it could have happened, or how would everybody else react to it.
"I never saw this coming," sighed Grandpa Longneck.
"Me neither, dear," replied Grandma Longneck, "I have never heard anything about a Swimmer and a Flyer falling in love with each other as long as we've been alive."
"If it ever did happen before, it might have happened a long time ago, or it may have happened somewhere else on Earth; somewhere far, far away," said Grandpa Longneck thoughtfully.
The two then looked down at their grandson, who was eyeing them worryingly. They knew why he was worried, but they had to ask him just for good measure.
"Why didn't you tell us earlier, Littlefoot?" Grandpa Longneck asked.
"Because I was afraid of what would happen if anyone found out," answered Littlefoot in a low voice.
"You shouldn't be afraid to tell us if something is going on between your friends, Littlefoot, even if it's something you're not sure about," explained Grandma Longneck, "You can tell us anything, because we care about you so much; in fact, just as much as we care about the rest of your friends, don't we, dear?"
"We sure do," agreed Grandpa Longneck, "You are all special in your own way, and that's why we care about all of you."
Littlefoot grinned faintly as he heard those words, but he was still nervous that his grandparents would not like the idea of a Swimmer and Flyer being in a relationship.
"Another reason why I didn't tell you was because … I didn't think you two would take it very well," he admitted, looking down in shame for what he had just said.
"Littlefoot," Grandpa Longneck began in a gentle voice, "We know that love between different kinds isn't acceptable in the Great Valley, but in the case of Ducky and Petrie, I think we can make an exception."
Littlefoot was very surprised to hear this. He felt as if he had just been hit in the head with a rock as he looked up and saw his grandparents' warm grins. Had his grandfather really said what he thought he had just said?
"Wait! What did you say!?" he gasped.
"We can understand why Ducky and Petrie fell in love with each other despite their young ages and them being different kinds," Grandma Longneck added, "Now that I think about it, any dinosaur can find love and desire in any other dinosaur, regardless of what kind they are, because they share the passion they have for each other, and they follow their hearts to the point where they realize they are meant for each other."
"Ducky and Petrie quickly found themselves at the point where their hearts began to beat for each other," said Grandpa Longneck, "They have strong devotion to each other, they share the same passion, and they feel connected whenever they're together."
"The way I see it, they each found something so extraordinarily special in the other, and it was that special something in each of them that connected their hearts and brought them into a loving bond," Grandma Longneck finished.
Littlefoot was astounded as he listened to his grandparents' wise words. He began to imagine so much what love really meant. Despite being underage, he could picture himself finding a special somebody whom felt right for him because, in his heart, she meant so much to him, maybe even if that 'she' wasn't a Longneck like him.
"I can see it now," he said thoughtfully, "Ducky and Petrie found each other so special the moment they first met, and they developed a strong passion for each other with each day that passed."
"Exactly!" chuckled Grandpa Longneck, with his mate smiling along with him, "It is not the kind of dinosaur you are that determines what happens in your future. It is your choices."
"Then, how come nobody has ever spoken of such relationships during our time here?" asked a dumbstruck Littlefoot.
"That would be very difficult for someone your age to understand," answered Grandma Longneck, "Once you've reached your Time of Great Growing, you will understand much better."
Littlefoot felt as if there was so much he wanted to know about what love really meant. There were so many questions he wanted to ask, but he didn't know how to word them, or how he would understand the answers. He knew then that his grandparents were right: as long as he was still a kid, love would be impossible to understand. This made it even harder for him to understand why Ducky and Petrie had somehow managed to fall for each other, even though they were the exact same age as him.
"So, … about Ducky and Petrie?" the young Longneck said nervously.
"We believe that those two are just right for each other," smiled Grandpa Longneck.
"They will make a great couple when they reach their Time of Great Growing," agreed Grandma Longneck.
Littlefoot gasped in surprise and smiled with astonishment. He was happy his grandparents would be accepting the idea of Ducky and Petrie being in a relationship, but he knew deep down that a few certain grownups would most certainly oppose it.
"Is there anybody else who knows, Littlefoot?" asked Grandma Longneck.
"Well, … Ducky's mom and dad, Petrie's mom, and all my friends, except for Cera," answered Littlefoot.
"How did their folks react to it?" asked Grandpa Longneck.
"They accepted it," replied Littlefoot, "Although, I'd imagine Ducky's dad was probably not very excited about it."
"Mr. Swimmer does have a tendency to care a little too much about his children," chuckled Grandpa Longneck, "Well, that's one problem out of the way. We know their parents are happy with them being together."
"I'm still worried about how … M-Mr. Threehorn …," Littlefoot stuttered before his grandmother spoke up.
"If Mr. Threehorn ever finds out, we'll find a way to force him to accept the facts," explained Grandpa Longneck, "In my personal opinion, it should not be a crime to love somebody from another kind, so there's no reason those two kids should be banished to the Mysterious Beyond just for being in love. To condemn two dinosaurs because of love would sound like the equivalent of … I don't know what."
"Especially since they're children," said Grandma Longneck sternly, "Banishing children should be considered a crime, not falling in love with someone from another kind. I personally find it distasteful to even contemplate what would happen to those two kids if they ever received banishment just for sharing their passion for each other."
Littlefoot eagerly nodded in agreement. He knew that banishing children from the Great Valley was one of the most depressing things any dinosaur could do. He shuddered to imagine Topps banishing Ducky and Petrie. It would be the worst thing they would ever experience during their lives. Although the matter had never been formally addressed before, in the eyes of many adults, love between different kinds was a one-way trip to permanent banishment with immediate effect. He wished that perhaps they could, in some way, change that rule so that love between ANY two individuals could be encouraged.
Littlefoot's grandparents looked up at the sky and saw that the Bright Circle was just about to disappear below.
"I think it's best if we get some shuteye," yawned Grandpa Longneck.
"I think so, too," agreed Grandma Longneck.
At that moment, the three Longnecks heard the sound of tree stars shaking around. They looked to the direction the sound was coming from, and they were very surprised to see Ducky and Petrie emerge from the forest floor, through the same hole they had crawled into, smiling at each other while holding hands in such passionate fashion.
The two elderly Longnecks eyed them for a moment and exchanged looks of astonishment. They could tell right away that those two children meant so much to each other and greatly deserved each other.
"Those two really are so great together," sighed Grandpa Longneck happily.
"Aren't they just adorable?" agreed Grandma Longneck.
Littlefoot and his grandparents then watched as the Swimmer and Flyer exchanged kisses on each other's faces so adorably. The little Longneck couldn't help but chuckle quietly as he watched them kiss. There really was something about each of them that brought them closer to each other, and it was no wonder they had fallen in love.
"Ducky, … you okay if me take you home tonight?" they heard Petrie ask Ducky, and the Swimmer chuckled in delight.
"I would love that, Petrie. Yep, yep, yep!" she replied.
"After you, me Sweet Swimmer," Petrie said adorably as Ducky wrapped an arm around her boyfriend's back.
"Nope. We are going together, my Funny Flyer," she giggled.
Littlefoot's grandparents chuckled at the adorable moment, but they suddenly wished they hadn't …
Ducky and Petrie seemed to freeze in place, and they slowly turned their heads and noticed the two elderly Longnecks looking directly at them.
They gasped and paled as their hearts skipped beats. They had been spotted kissing by two of the most powerful elders in the valley. They had been caught red-handed committing a heinous crime right in front of the leading elders. They flushed and struggled to calm themselves down as they stared at the Longnecks with fear etched on their faces.
"Uh, … w-we, … uh, um, … we w-were just …," stuttered Ducky.
Petrie gulped, "Mm, h-hey, … hi, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck."
They looked at each other and panted heavily before they stood side-by-side and slowly lifted their hands up as if they were surrendering.
"Kids?" said Grandma Longneck worryingly.
"Would you really think that someone like us would do something so horrible to you just because we saw you kissing?" chuckled Grandpa Longneck.
Ducky and Petrie looked down and noticed Littlefoot gesturing to them that everything was okay. The couple were dumbstruck by this. How could everything be okay after they had just been caught?
"Relax, children," said Grandma Longneck, "We're not going to punish you."
"W-what?" gasped Ducky and Petrie.
"I must admit that little moment you had there was quite adorable," chuckled Grandpa Longneck, "We're fascinated with the fact that you two have fallen in love being so young."
"Really?" said Ducky and Petrie in astonishment, their eyes staring widely at the old Longnecks.
"It is true that we normally wouldn't allow love between dinosaurs of different kinds in the Great Valley, but seeing how special you two are, we can make this an exception," said Grandpa Longneck, and he and his mate both grinned and winked at the two lovers.
Ducky and Petrie looked at each other as if they had just been smacked on the head with boulders. This just couldn't be true. Littlefoot's grandparents accepting them being in love despite being forbidden from doing so?
"Uh, … w-wow," muttered Ducky, "That is, … I … do not know what to say."
"Me neither," shrugged Petrie.
"We are both willing to support you as you grow closer to each other each and every day," said Grandpa Longneck warmly, "As long as you don't get caught, I think you'll have plenty of hiding places within our valley that you can enjoy yourselves in."
The Swimmer and Flyer beamed in delight and gasped in surprise. This felt too good to be true. Two of the most powerful figures in the valley were willing to allow them to be in love and help keep it a secret. This was the greatest news that had received since that fateful evening when they confessed their feelings for each other.
"Oh, wow!" squealed Ducky eccentrically, grabbing Petrie and hugging him tightly, "Did you hear that, Petrie!? Littlefoot's grandma and grandpa are happy with us being in love!"
"Um, … n-not so loud, Ducky," said Petrie, struggling to breathe from being held so tightly.
"Sssh! Be careful when you say that, Ducky," warned Grandma Longneck, "You're lucky no one else was around to hear that."
"Oh!" gasped Ducky in realization, and she calmly set Petrie on his feet again and covered her mouth with her hand, "Oops. Uh, I am sorry."
"Ducky, … me think we should be more careful when we not hiding," said Petrie softly.
"You are right, Petrie," nodded Ducky in agreement.
"Speaking of which, … we followed you while you were strolling around a little while ago, considering our home is right here, … and we couldn't help but notice you crawling into the forest and apparently staying in there for quite some time," said Grandpa Longneck, "Is there something about that forest that interests you?"
Ducky and Petrie shuddered nervously. They didn't want to break their secret about the special hideout they had just discovered. If anyone was able to find out where they had set up their new space to privately engage in … excitable love activity, … then what were the chances that anyone else could blow their secret and find that cave?
Littlefoot then spoke up.
"I tried to follow you once you crawled into those trees, but I couldn't keep up and gave up after a while," he said.
Ducky and Petrie looked at each other, holding hands, and sighed with dread. They knew that the Longnecks would have the right to know why they had been sneaking into a forest neighboring their home. They nodded at each other and hugged each other's backs as they gulped nervously and looked up at the two elder Longnecks.
"Okay, Grandma and Grandpa Longneck, … and Littlefoot," Ducky began, "We will tell you what we found-ed in there, but you must promise to never, … ever … tell anyone what it is, not even any of our friends."
"Especially Spike because he try to eat his way through if he find out," muttered Petrie.
"Do we look like a couple who need to be asked to keep a secret?" said Grandpa Longneck, chuckling at his own comment.
"We found-ed a secret cave in that forest, with walls maded out of branches and tree stars instead of rocks," said Ducky.
"There nice little pond with green pads, and grass so soft and cool, it feel so nice," added Petrie.
"Best of all, the Bright Circle shines brightly over it when it sets before night," put in Ducky, "It is so beautiful, and we love it there."
"So, we decide to make it our secret hideout where we hug and kiss each other without anyone seeing us," finished Petrie.
The three Longnecks were all fascinated by their description of what surely sounded like a place that could only exist in one's sleep stories.
"That all sounds so unreal," said Grandma Longneck.
"But it is true," said Ducky, "It is so beautiful, and it is so deep into the forest that no one can hear us in there."
"Uh-huh, uh-huh," nodded Petrie.
Littlefoot's grandparents chuckled. Although it sounded hard to believe, if they were very sincere with what they had just described, then they were willing to believe them.
"Alright, little ones. We believe you," smiled Grandma Longneck.
"And don't worry. Your secret is safe with us," her mate added with a wink.
Ducky and Petrie turned to Littlefoot, and he nodded and winked at them, too. This brought more smiles to the Swimmer and Flyer's faces as they let it all sink in. It felt so comforting to have the Longnecks on their side when it came to their secret relationship. They couldn't have imagined it being the case until now.
"Now then, kids, I suppose you both better get home before your folks worry about you," said Grandpa Longneck.
The loving couple peeked behind the Longnecks and noticed just how low the Bright Circle had sunk.
"Me think you right," said Petrie, not wanting to possibly have their mothers out looking for them again.
"Thanks a lot, Grandma and Grandpa Longneck," said Ducky graciously, "This means so much to us."
"It so delightful to have you happy that we happy being together," added Petrie.
"It's such a wonder to have two special children like you finding passion in each other," replied Grandma Longneck, making the two lovers blush.
"Run along now, and we'll see you tomorrow," her mate told them.
The two lovers held each other's backs and smiled to each other as they turned around to begin their journey home.
"Goodnight, you two special ones," called Grandpa Longneck.
"Goodnight!" Ducky called back.
"Goodnight, Littlefoot!" hollered Petrie.
"Goodnight, guys!" replied Littlefoot, and with that the Swimmer and Flyer disappeared into the distance.
"They are so cute together," chuckled Grandma Longneck.
"I've never seen a moment between children that was sweeter than that," agreed Grandpa Longneck.
"Those two really deserve each other," said Littlefoot before he yawned.
"We'll talk more about this later," said Grandpa Longneck, "For now, let's lie down and get some sleep."
"Okay," said Littlefoot as he lied on his belly and rested his head on his forelimbs.
"Goodnight, Littlefoot," his grandparents spoke softly as they also lied down to rest.
"Goodnight, Grandma, Goodnight, Grandpa," replied Littlefoot weakly as he closed his eyes and fell asleep, feeling happy that his grandparents would be supportive of Ducky and Petrie's relationship.
In his mind, there was only one obstacle left to overcome before Ducky and Petrie would truly feel safe about living peacefully in the Great Valley while in love with each other and flourishing their relationship.
Well, this chapter came out a bit earlier than I was planning, but that's for good reason...
My city of Buffalo is expecting a windstorm tomorrow, with gusts potentially reaching 75 MPH by tomorrow evening. I decided to go ahead and get this chapter done before it was too late. Unfortunately, though, such winds like these will obviously mean a high threat for power outages spread throughout upstate New York for up to several days. :( If that ends up being the case, then it will slow down the tremendous progress I've made so far. I'm just telling you now so that you'll understand later if my progress suddenly slows down and I may not get the next chapter done for probably a week.
There's a few things about this chapter I'll go ahead and explain. First off, the song that Ducky and Petrie sing while she's bouncing through the tunnel is actually based off a timeless classic tune: "The Wanderer" by Dion. When I was a kid, I had a collection of Kidsongs VHS tapes, and there was a 1986 tape that contained a cover version featuring some singer that sounded like either Billy Joel ... or, in my opinion, more like Ric Ocasek from The Cars. Melodically, I'm more familiar with that 80's pop version than I am with the original 1961 version, so I probably would have imagined Ducky and Petrie singing along to the former. Again, there's my taste for 80's synth! :P I, thus, give credit to the song's original writer, Ernie Maresca, although I wrote my own lyrics for the kids to sing. Cover version or parody, what's the difference? :P
As for Ducky and Petrie experiencing those "feelings of arousal and excitement," that is the closest I'll ever come to even suggesting that there will be a point where they, ... well, you know what I mean. DON'T get any ideas! I am not the kind of writer who likes to write such suggestive scenes in any of my stories, and what you saw here is only something I put in to give an idea of how their presence makes each other very happy. This is simply a love story that I'm trying to keep age-friendly, and that's that.
Well, since this may or may not be the last chapter for a while with the coming storm, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, because I have no idea when I'll be able to post the next one. If any of you wake up on Monday and my name does not appear online for several days in a row after that, you'll know why. Wish me the best.
See you ... soon.