Expanding Horizons - Chapter 13

Everest had arranged for a slumber party at an empty cabin, so they could plan the puppy showers.

"So did we not want to go to the spa?" asked Yeshe, "I was kind of looking forward to another spa day."

"I actually did one better," Everest said as she opened the door. Katie and Gale had the tubs set up in the main room of the cabin. "I brought the spa with us."

"Awesome Everest," said Skye, "I'll admit, you topped my previous parties."

"I learned from the best," said Everest. "But I thought you deserved a great party thrown for you for a change."

The girls all enjoyed the party and now Everest's slumber party joined the legendary club.

Buster was walking the perimeter when he noticed Karuna walking up.

"You didn't have to come," said Buster, "I told you, I have your shifts for the week.

"I know, and I know why," said Karuna, "so, fell asleep, huh?"

"I know it looked bad," said Buster, "I'm ashamed that I ruined the date. You worked so hard to help me make it perfect."

"Give me a break, You didn't ruin it," laughed Karuna. "In fact I overheard my sister telling Lizzy that it was perfect. You got away with it, and while you're going to be tired for a week, you really got off pretty easy. I don't think my parents were really all that upset."

"They did accept our excuse pretty quickly," said Buster, "I'm sure one or both of our dad's came and found us."

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised," said Karuna. "So you really didn't do anything?"

"No, I would never," yipped Buster. "Well that's not true, I hope to someday."

"Whoa TMI," laughed Karuna, "I don't want to imagine you knotted with my sister."

Buster laughed, "seriously, no I never even thought about it. I enjoyed everything and we were laying back talking about our futures. I was asking Gale if she was going to go to school to be a vet or not. She asked if I planned on remaining a Guardian. We talked about where we would live and how great it would be to wake up with each other each morning. She was laying on my chest and I was petting her head, then we were waking up."

"Wow, I have to admit," said Karuna, "that sounds pretty perfect to me. So would you say all this is worth it?"

"Short of them not allowing us to see each other," said Buster, "I would have gladly accepted anything. I don't mind the extra shifts. And you get the week off."

"Yeah, Lizzy thanks you for that by the way," laughed Karuna.

"So you really just fell asleep?" asked Katie.

"Honestly, we did," said Gale, "It was perfect. Buster was a perfect gentlepup. I had to kiss him first. And it was a great kiss. He fed me fruit and cheese, then pup treats he made. He even fixed a great chef salad. I love chef salad. He thought of everything, although I know my brother helped him get everything together. We talked about our futures and then I was laying on his chest listening to his heartbeat, I felt his chest rise with his breathing. It was hypnotic, the next thing I knew he was jumping up hyperventilating that Mom was going to kill him."

"It sounds like a perfect date," said Katie, "So where is this pond?"

"I don't mind the extra shifts," said Gale, "It gives me more study time. I'd have done anything to keep them from not letting us see each other."

Gale told Katie where the pond was and Katie said she thought that sounded like a great idea.

Later that evening, Chase and Skye pulled up to the trail leading to the pond and noticed all the other vehicles.

They walked into the clearing and noticed that all the adult couples were sitting around on blankets.

"So you guys knew about this place also?" asked Chase.

"We found about it because this is where Buster and Gale spent the night together," said Rocky, "We invited Kang and Mudita."

"I brought Ryder after Gale talked about their date," explained Katie, "It sounded romantic."

"Gale told me about it when she explained why she was going to be at Katie's all week," said Marshall.

"So how'd you hear about it," asked Yeshe.

"This is where Chase brought me to ask me to be his mate," said Skye, "Wait they spent the night together?"

"Funny story," laughed Yeshe, she went on to explain the event to Skye and Chase.

"I still haven't told Buster that I came and found them," said Kang. "It was a lot more fun to watch them squirm. The moment, I found them, I knew what had happened."

"So all the adults are away," laughed Everest, "Should we worry that they're having a party at the Lookout?"

Everyone laughed.

"I know where Buster is," laughed Kang.

"And Karuna has still spent a lot of the nights with Buster anyway," said Rocky.

"They are pretty tight," said Zuma, "I think they are probably as close as Rocky and I."

"Chase and I also," said Marshall.

"So what about the girls?" asked Mudita.

"Lizzy and Gale were together at the cabin when we left," said Yeshe, "They're as close as the boys are."

Jake and Samantha walked into the clearing.

"Dudes, Why weren't we invited to the party?" said Jake.

"Actually, we all showed up separately," laughed Everest. "Maybe we should start planning adult parties more often. It seems our kids are finding great spots."

"So you have to tell me," said Lizzy, "how did it go. I mean outside of the last part. But you have to tell me about that also."

"Well, he picked me up at Katie's and drove me to the mountains," said Gale, "I thought he was taking me back to the retreat when he turned off and took me over to the trail. I was beginning to wonder what he had in mind and of course where we were going to eat out there. Anyway, he lead me to this clearing by a little pond. There was a little bridge over the pond, it was beautiful. At the end of the little bridge a blanket was set out with all kinds of food and a huge chef salad."

"Oh wow," said Lizzy, "I didn't know Buster could cook."

"He can't," giggled Gale, "Apparently Karuna, taught him enough to make everything. Then the little sneak went out there and set everything up when Buster came to get me. The food was great, and we laid there talking, while he fed me fruit and cheese."

"Oh wow, that sounds so romantic," said Lizzy, fanning herself with her paw.

"It was," said Gale, "I seriously thought I was about to have to jump in the pond for a while."

Lizzy was blushing hard, "Uh, so did he kiss you?"

"He hesitated at first," said Gale, "So I kissed him. I could feel his muscles almost melt. I guess I did an ok job. He then kissed me back. Then we laid there staring at the stars and talking about our future. He encouraged me to go to Vet school. We talked about where we would live. I moved over and was laying my head on his chest. I was listening to his heartbeat and breathing. I thought to myself 'I could stay like this forever.' The next thing I knew Buster was jumping up whimpering about Mom killing him. We picked everything up and went back home. They were all waiting for us. I thought Buster was going to have a stroke. But he pulled himself together and started out taking responsibility for everything. I insisted I was equally to blame. I'll admit it to you, I wanted to sleep with him."

"Y-you mean…" said Lizzy.

"No, no I meant just sleep," said Gale, "Ok, yes I would have if he asked. I'll admit it."

Lizzy giggled, "You're so bad. But I'll admit it to you as well. When Karuna kissed me it was all I could do to not lift my tail for him, that's how we ended up in the water."

"Well I've got to get to sleep," yawned Gale, "I have three more days of punishment."

"You want me to go back to my room?" asked Lizzy.

"Of course not," laughed Gale, "That would be a terrible sleepover if you didn't stay. Besides, I sleep better with my best friend beside me."

"Good night Gale," said Lizzy yawning.

"Good Night Lizzy," said Gale.

Weeks had passed and Skye and Sunny were getting closer everyday.

Skye was sitting in the dayroom watching TV when Sunny called,

"Skye!" said Sunny, "I think my water broke!"

"Ok, ok," said Skye jumping to her feet, "have you called Zuma yet?"

"Yes, he's on the way," said Sunny. "Oh Skye, the contractions hurt."

"Breathe Sunny, Breathe, I'm on the way," said Skye, "Have you called Katie?"

"No! Oh here comes another one," whimpered Sunny.

"I'll call," said Skye, "Breathe, I'll be there soon."

Skye called Katie's, Gale answered.

"Katie's, how can I help?" asked Gale

"Gale, Sunny's in labor," said Skye, "I'm on the way. Let Katie know and head that way."

Gale called Katie and let her know. Then she grabbed the bag she and Katie had prepared. Katie had prepared her professor and called him, she then headed for the dorm.

"Breathe sweetie, breathe," Zuma was saying as Skye ran in.

"Oh thank goodness," said Zuma, "She says it's hurting really bad. I-is that normal?"

"I know labor pains hurt sometimes," said Skye, "Hopefully Gale will be here soon. Let me take over."

"Thank you," said Zuma standing, he immediately started pacing.

Gale ran in carrying the med kit, "Katie is on the way, I think Dr. Smith was coming also."

"Gale, she says the labor pains are really bad," said Skye.

Tears were running down Sunny's muzzle, "It hurts."

"I'll see what I can do," said Gale. She began her assessment. She saw the cord protruding.

"Uh, crap," said Gale, she hit her pup tag, "Katie! I have a prolapsed cord. Sunny's in extreme pain. Permission to try to reduce it."

"Can you see the head?" asked Dr. Smith obviously in the car with Katie.

"No sir," said Gale.

"Is the puppy going to be ok?" asked Zuma.

"I- i, I don't know," said Gale, a look of determination on her face none of the others had never seen.

"Ok, Gale," said Dr. Smith, "You got this, apply pressure and see if you can expose the head. If so, try to slip the cord back over its head. That should allow the pup to pass correctly. If not, we'll have to do an emergency C-section. We'll be there in about five minutes."

Gale applied pressure and was able to expose the head. She quickly slipped the cord back over its head. The pup slid free. Gale picked the pup up, it wasn't moving.

"NO! Not today," growled Gale.

Katie and Dr. Smith came running in, "What's happening!"

Gale wouldn't speak, she was growling and occasionally cussing under her breath. She was providing sternal rubs to pup. She said, "Great One, Don't do this, not this."

Zuma was holding Sunny and both were crying.

"Gale, Keep at it," said Dr. Smith, "You got this, growl more if it helps."

Gale never looked up, Katie was about to take over and a weird feeling came over her, she stopped, this was supposed to happen, she couldn't explain why she knew.

"Gale, don't stop, but listen to me," Skye said, "When I was gone. The Great One told me you would be one of the greatest canine vets. He said you just needed to believe in yourself. You saved me, you can do this."

Dr. Smith knelt beside Gale and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Gale sometimes, these things happen. It's not something you did."

"NO! I won't accept it," said Gale with a growl louder than anyone had heard out of her before. She continued rubbing.

The pup coughed once and then began squirming and crying.

"Thank you Great One, Thank you," cried Gale.

"Oh Gale, You saved him," cried Zuma.

"Her, It's a little girl," said Gale.

"You saved my puppy Gale," said Sunny. "I'll be forever grateful."

"You did it Gale, You did it," cried Katie. "You are one hell of a medic."

Skye hugged Gale, "You're already great. But there's far more in your future."

Gale handed the pup to Sunny, and began cleaning up everything and finishing up the procedure.

"Gale, you did great," said Dr. Smith, "You handled that like a pro. Uh, Gale?"

Gale never looked up, she just kept working.

"Gale, sweetie?" said Skye, stepping over to her. She took Gale by the shoulders and turned her toward her. "Gale, it's ok. You saved her."

Gale broke, the tears started falling. Skye hugged her tight. Katie was calling Yeshe.

"I-I was so scared," whimpered Gale, "I-I H-hate not knowing what to do. I don't ever want to feel helpless again. I want to know how to handle anything that is thrown at me. I could have cost that poor puppy her life."

"Whoa, Gale," said Dr. Smith. "Nobody knows everything. Even I have to call others for help occasionally. You admitted that you were over your head and you called for help. I told you what to do and you did it. You didn't question me, you did what needed to be done. You did, no one else. You saved that pup on your own."

Zuma came over and hugged her tightly. "Thank you," Zuma wept, "Thank you, you will always be my hero. You saved my daughter. It's a miracle, you were sent by the Great One to be here for this purpose. I can never repay you for saving her."

"Zuma, Her name is Rdzu 'Phrul," said Sunny.

"What?" asked Zuma. "What does that even mean?"

"Miracle," said Yeshe, walking in, "How do you know that word?"

"I-I don't know," admitted Sunny, "I've never heard it before now. I just heard a voice tell me her name."

"Well that decides that," said Zuma. "Can we call her Mira for short?"

"I think that's perfect," said Sunny.

"Gale, honey are you ok?" asked Yeshe.

"Mom!" cried Gale, as she fell into Yeshe's paws. "I was so scared. I hate not knowing what to do. I, I want to go to school, I want to be a veterinarian, I want to know what to do, I don't ever want to not know."

Mr. Lariat walked in, Zuma had called him the second that Sunny called him. Then had called and provided an update.

"Gale, your college is paid for in full," said Mr. Lariat, "You saved my grandpup, I'll owe you forever. If you can get better and learn more, there isn't any way I can repay you. But if I can contribute to your education, I will."

"Well, I think this counts as your entrance exam," said Dr. Smith. "I expect you in class on Monday morning."

Gale sat there with her mouth open, "I, uh, I don't know what to say," said Gale, "I, uh"

"Your welcome," said Mr. Lariat hugging her tightly. "If there is ever anything you need, you call me." He kissed the top of her head. Zuma would swear he saw a tear roll down his cheek.

Marshall came running in, "What did I miss?"

"Well good news, Zuma and Sunny are parents," laughed Skye, "I'll let Katie explain the rest. I'm still not totally sure what happened."

Katie explained what had happened. The more she explained the more proud Marshall became.

"Oh and Mr. Lariat offered to pay for her tuition for Vet school," said Sunny.

"I better learn to groom," laughed Marshall, "Gale set the bar a little high, people expect a certain level of service now."

Everyone laughed.

"Wow, Gale," said Marshall, "your second save. You're definitely better than I am. I told you you are already a great medic. Now you'll be a great Vet."

"So you sister is quite the celebrity," said Buster, "She's amazing to say the least."

"I think you're a little biased," laughed Karuna. "I'll admit, I'm really proud of her. So your sentence ends tomorrow. You better take her out tomorrow, she'll be busy once she starts classes."

"You think your mom will let me?" asked Buster.

"I think if you ask both of them," said Karuna, "They will probably. You willingly did your time."

"Ok, I'll stop by in the morning," said Buster. "I'm proud of her as well."

"Maybe she'll practice anatomy identification on you," laughed Karuna.

"Whoa, who's the pervert now," laughed Buster.

"Mom, can we go out tonight?" asked Gale.

"Sure, I'd love to take you to dinner," said Yeshe.

"Uh, ok," said Gale

"I'm kidding," laughed Yeshe, "I think you both did your time. Did dad grade your paper?"

"He gave us a B-," said Gale, "He said we repeated ourselves too much. And had grammatical errors."

"He what?" said Yeshe, "He has become quite the nerd hasn't he?"

"I think he let Buddy grade it," said Gale, "Buddy loves astronomy. He would know if we made stuff up or not."

"Did you?" asked Yeshe

"No mom," said Gale, "We took it serious. We both know you could have been much more strict. We won't push it any more than we did."

"So you would have slept with him if he asked?" said Yeshe.

"What? Did Lizzy tell you that?" yelped Gale.

"No," laughed Yeshe. "It was a trick question. But you already gave yourself away."

"Mom, that's not fair," protested Gale, "You caught me off guard."

"Honey, you're old enough now," said Yeshe, "I'm not saying go jump him. But if you've decided you're mature enough to go to college, you're old enough to determine if Buster is the one to be your mate. Just so you know, Kang said y'all were really cute laying there asleep."

"He what?" yipped Gale, "Y'all knew where we were? Why did you put us through all that?"

"For one," said Yeshe, "You still didn't come home. Second, you proved that you two are responsible enough to own up to your mistakes. And third, it was funny to watch you squirm."

"So what if I had actually slept with him?" asked Gale.

"You heard what happened the night I was shot?" asked Yeshe. "I would have let your dad eat Buster."

Gale laughed and hugged her mother.

"And I expect Buster will be by this morning to speak to your father and I," said Yeshe.

Buster did indeed stop by to ask permission to take Gale out. They let him squirm a little but then said yes.

"Don't knock her up!" yelled Buddy from the study room.

"Buddy!" yelled Rocky, "That's not appropriate!"

"You know you were thinking it," Buddy yelled back.

"He's your son," laughed Yeshe.

"Oh sure you get Gail," laughed Rocky, "I'm stuck with my perverted boys."

"Y'all have fun," said Rocky to Buster. "I guess you're going to have to wait until weekends to go out after Monday."

"Thank you," said Buster, "I won't disappoint you again."

"Of course you will," laughed Yeshe, "But as long as you're willing to admit it. We can find common ground."

"I do love her, you know," said Buster as he was about to leave.

"You better," said Rocky, Yeshe punched him. "What?"

"Hush," said Yeshe

"Uh, ok," said Buster, confused, "I really do."