Chapter 6: My Heart Is Open

Prince and Kylie slept next to each other until the next morning. Kylie woke up first and then looked at Prince who also was now awake. "Hey," Prince said softly. "Hey yourself," Kylie said as she kissed Prince. Prince kissed her back until they both heard Rad walk into the room. "Good morning mate!" Rad walking into the room. "You're dead!" Prince shouted now looking at the Heeler. "Sorry mate!" Rad said as he quickly shut the door. "Now, where were we," Prince said looking back at Kylie. Kylie chuckled as she got off the bed. "Where are you going?" Prince asked, looking at Kylie. "I have to get to work and you probably have things to do," Kylie said with a smile as she collected her things.

"Me? Nah I do want I want," Prince said with a chuckle. "There's the Prince I know," Kylie said as Prince got out of bed. "Don't go," Prince said as he held Kylie. "You know I have to," Kylie said looking up at Prince. "You don't have to, I could take care of you," Prince said, still holding on to Kylie. "Where is this vulnerability coming from?" Kylie asked with a soft smile. "I told you I've changed," Prince said as he lightly brushed his hand on Kylie's muzzle. "It's nice, whatever Rad has done to you, it's working," Kylie said before pulling away. "Kylie," Prince said softly. "Yes?" Kylie said looking at Prince. "Dinner tonight," Prince said with a smile. "Okay…" Kylie said as she cuddled up to Prince. "But with Rad," Kylie said with a smile. "What?!" Prince said, surprised. "I want to meet the dog you almost ruined for your sister," Kylie said as she went to the door of Prince's room. "Does he have to be there?" Prince groaned. "Yes he does," Kylie said as she left Prince's room. Rad was at the island eating some cereal when he saw Kylie come out of Prince's room. "Sorry about earlier, I didn't know Prince had company," Rad said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Kylie smiled as she walked up to Rad and looked at him closely. "Do I have something in my hair?" Rad asked. Kylie chuckled as she fixed a piece of Rad's hair. "Emily was right, your cuter in person," Kylie said as she was about to leave. "You knew Emily?" Rad asked as Kylie was about to leave the penthouse. "Yeah… she was like a sister to me," Kylie said as she left the penthouse. Rad was a little confused by Kylie's impressions of him but then shook it off as Prince came out of his room. "Hey mate," Rad said with a smile. "You!" Prince said, pointing at Rad. "I said I was sorry mate," Rad said, getting ready for Prince to hurt him. "Thank you," Prince said softly. Rad was surprised by this. "Thank you?" Rad was surprised that Prince was mellow and kind for once in his life. "Without you… I couldn't be happier with Kylie," Prince explained as he sat down next to Rad. "So that was Kylie," Rad asked. Prince nodded, "I made the mistake of losing her once and treated her like an object," Prince confessed. "And now?" Rad asked. "I'm opening my heart to her much like I used to when Emily was alive," Prince explained.

(Flashback)

Thirteen year old Prince was in his room crying until he heard a knock at his door. "Go away!" Prince shouted. "It's just me," Emily said as she opened the door. "What do you want?" Prince said with a sniff. "I just wanted to see how you're doing," Emily said softly. "Well here I am! Now get out!" Prince snapped at his sister. "But it's your birthday," Emily said as she walked closer to her brother. "So, it doesn't matter to dad," Prince said, not looking at Emily. "But it matters to me," Emily said, getting into her brother's bed. "Get off!" Prince said as he pushed his sister off the bed. "I'm just trying to be here for you!" Emily said, ready to cry. Prince, now realizing what he had done, started to cry as he pulled his sister up onto his bed and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry Em, I never want to hurt you again," Prince said while crying to her. "It's okay, just when you need me just know I'm here for you," Emily said as she hugged brother.

"Don't ever change Em, even when I can't change, just be the great sister that you are," Prince said while still holding onto his sister. "That's great and all Prince but I need to breathe," Emily said while trying to breathe. "Oh, sorry Em," Prince said as he let go of his sister. "Prince?" Emily asked, looking at her brother. "Yeah Em?" Prince asked. "Just know you do have a good heart and you don't need to change to show it," Emily said as she placed her hand on her brother's muzzle. "Thanks Em," Prince said softly. "Your welcome big brother," Emily said with a smile.

(End of Flashback)

"So there you have it," Prince said as he and Rad walked outside of the penthouse building. "Of all the things you've done you still had a good heart," Rad said looking at the husky. "I wasn't all bad I guess," Prince said looking down. "Hey, we still have some work on you," Rad said, placing his hand on Prince's shoulder. "Like?" Prince asked. "Like… getting you and Bandit to talk," Rad said with a smile. "I don't know, I'm pretty sure he hates me and it's not just because I turned his son against him," Prince said looking down. "Come on mate, you have to have faith in yourself," Rad said still with confidence. "You come on mate, your brother isn't easy to please," Prince said, trying not to get angry. "Was that your best Aussie accent?" Rad asked surprised. "Yeah… Why? Was it that bad?" Prince asked. "Thomas could do better mate," Rad said while patting Prince on the back. "How did Emily ever love you?" Prince said as he shook his head.

"Come on mate, remember to have a little faith," Rad said with a smile. "Yeah, yeah," Prince said as they went for their walk. Prince and Rad went to the park and just sat by the lake and watched the little boats by the water. "Listen Rad, Kylie wants you to join us for dinner," Prince said while watching the little boats. "She does?" Rad asked nervously. "Yeah, she wants to get to know the dog I almost ruined for my sister," Prince explained. "Oh," Rad said, looking forward to the lake. Prince then felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Prince then took out his phone and looked at it. "It's our nephew," Prince said looking at his phone. "Oh? What did he say," Rad asked. Prince took a deep breath as he started to text his nephew.

(Texting)

Thomas: Hey uncle Prince

Prince: Hey punk, how are you doing?

Thomas: I'm good, how are you doing?

Prince: Better, still dealing with my issues but better,

Thomas: that's good, listen I'm here for you if you need me to be, just give me a call or text,"

Prince: will do kid, thanks

Thomas: No problem, I love you,

Prince: Love you too kid.

"He just wanted to know how I'm doing," Prince said softly while putting his phone away. "Did you tell him?" Rad asked. "Just told him I was dealing with my issues," Prince said, looking away from Rad. "You're not going to tell him you have a girlfriend?" Rad teased. "Kylie? I… don't think she's my girlfriend yet," Prince said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Really mate? After last night you don't think she could be more?" Rad asked. "Of course I think she could be more! I want her to be more! She's already like an aunt to Thomas because she spent so much time with Emily and Bandit," Prince explained. "Then what's stopping you from giving her more?" Rad asked. "I… I don't know, I've never been good at love! I've always been taking what I can get and running with it," Prince said standing up. "But you've changed mate for the better," Rad said while watching Prince pace back and forth. "Easy for you to say," Prince said looking at Rad. "If Emily could see us now mate, we're always in the same room, when we used to not be able to," Rad pointed out. "Yeah, and I still have to work out things with Bandit, her ex husband!" Prince shouted. "Then call him," Rad said standing up.

"That's easier said than done," Prince pointed out. Rad then grabbed Prince's phone and Dialed his brother's number. "What are you doing?" Prince asked. "Calling my brother," Rad answered. "Please be your youngest brother," Prince pleaded. "Nope, it's not Stripe," Rad said and he handed Prince the phone. "I hate you," Prince said with a glare at Rad. "Sure you do mate," Rad said with a smile. "Hello?" Bandit said on the phone. "Bandit, it's Prince," Prince said on the phone. "What do you want mate?" Bandit asked not to be amused. "Just to talk Bandit, please," Prince said hoping his brother-in law would listen to him. "Alright… what about?" Bandit asked. "Bandit I'm sorry… I'm so sorry for everything I've ever did to you," Prince said while walking by the water. "Mate… you really hurt me… you pinned my son against me for years and then you came into my house and put my son in the hospital for the Anxiety of trying to turn him against his sisters… haven't you done enough?" Bandit asked. "I know I can't change the past and understand if you never want to speak to me again. But please I'm changing for the better and changing for Thomas, he's all I have left of Emily besides you, Rad and Kylie" Prince explained.

"Kylie? Are you seeing her again?" Bandit asked. "It's a long story," Prince answered. Bandit then took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay mate, I'll

Forgive you, only because Emily would want me to," Bandit said softly. "Thank you," Prince said. "But if you ever mess up again and turn on my son you'll never see him or me again," Bandit said firmly. "That's fair I promise I'll never screw up again," Prince said with a smile. "Alright mate, I have to get back to playing with my daughters," Bandit said, getting ready to hang up. "Bandit?" Prince asked. "Yes mate?" Bandit asked. "It's probably too soon to ask but… I want to be there for Bluey and Bingo too," Prince said not knowing what Bandit would think about that. "You do?" Bandit asked, confused. "I do… please let me make it up to them for what I did," Prince pleaded. "I'll have to talk to Chilli about it, but I'm sure she would be open to it," Bandit said, still surprised by Prince asking to be a part of his daughter's lives. "Okay, I'll take that," Prince said with confidence. "Alright mate, I'll talk to you later," Bandit said. "Okay, sounds good," Prince said before both dogs hung up the phone.

Prince then looked at Rad who had a shocked look on his face. "What?" Prince asked. "You want to be apart of Bluey and Bingo's life too?" Rad asked. "Is there something wrong with that?" Prince asked. "Well no, but are you sure about that?" Rad asked. "Thomas is my nephew and his sisters are his sisters and maybe I should act more of their uncle too," Prince explained. "What did Bandit think about that?" Rad asked. "He said he would talk to Chilli about it," Prince answered. Rad nodded. "Well, I hope it works out for you mate," Rad said with a smile. "Yeah, me too," Prince said as he and Rad started walking back to the penthouse. "Do you think they're scared of me?" Prince asked. "Bluey and Bingo?" Rad asked as they walked. "Yeah," Prince said. "Maybe, you are a big scary football player," Rad jokes. "Thanks," Prince said while looking down. "I'm sure they'll like you just give them time," Rad said. Prince nodded in response.

"Should we get ready for that dinner?" Rad asked. Prince perked up his ears and then looked at Rad. "Yeah… we should probably get going, I'll text the place to Kylie," Prince said as he started texting Kylie where to meet him and Rad. Not long later. Rad and Prince were at a fancy bar and grill waiting for Kylie. "Are you sure we can be here mate?" Rad asked, a little nervous about being in a fancy place. "Yeah, it's fine… why? is it a little much for you?" Prince asked. "Kinda," Rad replied. "Well if you're staying with me you better get used to it," Prince said while taking a drink of his water. "Everything is overpriced!" Rad said, looking at the menu. "So?" Prince said, looking at Rad. "It's not even that expensive where we went to dinner when we first met!" Rad said, looking at Prince. "Oh that's right you Heelers aren't used to the whole being rich thing," Prince said with a chuckle. "Does Thomas get used to this?" Rad asked, placing down his menu. "Yeah, I took him, Emily and Bandit to fancy places," Prince explained, not fazed by the fact he's used to being expensive. "One time I told Bandit he had to pay for the last place we went to with Emily and Thomas," Prince said with a chuckle. "Really? How did that turn out?" Rad asked.

"Now that I think about it, he nearly choked on his food," Prince said, rubbing the back of his neck. "If anything you could have killed the poor dog," Rad said with a chuckle. "Maybe that was my plan from the start," Prince jokes. "Mate that's not funny," Rad said glaring at Prince. "Right, sorry," Prince said with a chuckle. Suddenly Kylie came into the restaurant and found the table where Prince and Rad were. "Hey sorry I'm late," Kylie said as she sat down next to Prince. "Hey it's no problem," Prince said with a smile. Kylie smiled and then turned and looked at Rad. "So, Rad tell me more about yourself," Kylie said. "Well there's not much to really say," Rad said looking down. "Really? Emily said there so much about you, like being that touch football captain," Kylie said with another smile. "Seems like you know a lot about me," Rad said with a blush.

"Yeah I know some things," Kylie said. "Emily used to say it was love at first sight with you," Kylie added. "She said that?" Rad asked again, blushing under his fur. "Kylie you know he has a girlfriend right," Prince asked. "You do? How is she?" Kylie asked. "She's good," Rad said with a smile. "What's her name?" Kylie asked. "Frisky," Rad answered. "Any plans on putting on a ring?" Kylie asked. "Kylie…" Prince said, looking at Kylie. "That's the plan I hope," Rad said again blushing thinking about Frisky.

"How's Thomas? I haven't spoken to him in a while not since… well since Emily first got sick," Kylie said looking down. Rad and Prince looked at each other and then started to explain everything. "Prince! You did that!" Kylie said surprised. "Yeah… unfortunately I did," prince said with ears down. "But that's why I'm here to help him," Rad added. Kylie nodded and then looked at Prince who was looking away from her. Kylie then placed her hand on Prince's knee which made him look at her. "Your doing better, that's what matters," Kylie said, placing her hand on Prince's muzzle. "What if it's too late?" Prince asked. "It's not mate," Rad spoke up. Prince and Kylie both looked at Rad. "How do you know?" Prince asked. "Because we're friends now mate," Rad answered with a smile. That made Prince feel warm inside as he started to smile. "Yeah, I guess we are," Prince said with a smile. Kylie smiled as she rubbed his back. "Are we ready to order?" The waiter asked. "Yeah, I think we are," Prince said with a smile.

(Brisbane, Australia)

Bluey and Bingo were getting ready for bed as Chilli and Bandit were tucking them in. "Hey kids, can we ask you something?" Bandit asked his daughters. "Sure," Bluey and Bingo said sitting up. "What do you think about Thomas's uncle Prince?" Bandit asked. "He's a little scary," Bingo said while cuddling into her blanket. "I think he's mean," Bluey added. "Well, he wanted to let you kids know he's sorry for what he did," Chilli said, tucking Bluey in her bed. "Is he really sorry?" Bingo asked.

"He is mate, I've known him for a long time and this is something big for him to say that he's sorry," Bandit explained. "Oh okay, I forgive him," Bingo said with a smile. "If Bingo forgives him then do I!" Bluey cheered. Bandit and Chilli looked at each other and smiled. "Okay then, let me ask you kids this then… could you see him as your uncle?" Chilli asked. Bluey and Bingo looked at each other and then looked back at their parents. "He wants to be our uncle?" Bluey asked. "If you want him to be," Chilli said softly. "Okay!" Bluey and Bingo cheered while wagging their tails. "Will Thomas be okay with it?" Bluey asked, looking at her father. "Of course mate, he would love it if you called Prince your uncle," Bandit said. "Then he's our uncle!" Bingo cheered. "Alright then it's settled, you can call him uncle Prince," Chilli said as she and Bandit were about to leave the room. "Goodnight kids", Bandit said as he and Chilli left the room. "Good night mum! Good night dad," Bluey and Bingo said as they then started to go to sleep.

Kodiwolf321 A/N: Hey guys! Here we are with a new Chapter of Numb. Things are starting to change for the better. I'm glad to see Prince change for the better of his character. Let me know you thoughts and feelings about Prince now being better for himself and he's family. Alright guys I'll see you in the next chapter real soon!