Expanding Horizons - Chapter 14
Buster had come and picked Gale up. They went to Mr. Porter's and were enjoying their meal.
Mr. Porter walked over, "Everything has been taken care of, would you like a to go bag?"
"What do you mean?" asked Buster.
"Well, Zuma came by and paid in advance for your next meal," said Mr. Porter. "Then Mr. Lariat came by and paid for the next three. Gail, I'd have covered it, if they didn't. You're going to be the greatest canine vet in the country."
Gale blushed and Buster was speechless.
"I-i'm so proud of you Gale," said Buster, "I was so stupid to have ever put any doubt in your mind. I can't say I'm sorry enough."
"Buster," said Gale, taking his paw, "I think you made me mad enough to push myself to prove to you I was good enough."
"I never said you weren't good enough," said Buster, "I always knew you were good enough. I was jealous that your attention would be somewhere else. I was a stupid pup."
"Really, did you think I wouldn't come back to see you?" asked Gale.
"Like I said," said Buster, "I was a stupid pup."
"Well, you're not a pup anymore," said Gale, looking deeply into his eyes. "I want to be your mate."
"I want you to be my mate someday also," said Buster.
"No, I want to be your mate right now," said Gale.
"B-b, but I-i uh," sputtered Buster.
"What?" said Gale, "You holding out for a better offer? You have somewhere to be?"
"N-no, Gale I want to be your mate," said Buster, "I really do."
"So what's the problem?" asked Gale.
"You realize how long it took me to ask you out?" said Buster, "I have to ask your parents first, I'm terrified of your parents."
"You're being silly," said Gale, "You know they support us. They wouldn't have let us go out again if they didn't."
"Dad still talks about the night your mom was shot," said Buster, "You're dad may literally eat me and you mom will eat what's left."
Gale laughed, "Only if you threaten mom."
"You think he wouldn't kill for you?" asked Buster.
"Well, let's go talk to them," said Gale, "Together."
"If they kill me, it's your fault," said Buster.
They walked into the Cabin, Kang and Mudita were sitting there talking with Yeshe and Rocky.
"Oh crap!" Buster said under his breath.
"Hello guys," said Rocky.
"Did you have a nice dinner?" asked Mudita.
"It was wonderful," said Gale, "apparently we don't have to pay for any meals for a while. Zuma and Mr. Lariat are still leaving little surprises all over town."
"So was there something you needed?" asked Kang.
"Uh, I, uh" sputtered Buster.
Gale took his paw and gave it a squeeze.
"Rocky, Yeshe," said Buster, with his eyes closed at first then he opened his eyes and looked at both of them. "Your daughter is amazing. I have loved her my whole life. I plan on staying with the Retreat and serving as a guardian until I'm too old to run and fight anymore. She is going to be the best Veterinarian in the country, possibly the world. We love being together and want to spend the rest of our lives together. I would like to have your permission to ask her to be my mate."
"You knocked her up, didn't you!" yelled Buddy from the study room.
Rocky smirked, Yeshe gave him a dirty look and yelled, "Buddy I told you, I'll duct tape your muzzle shut."
They turned back to Gale and Buster.
"Buster, I knew this day was coming," said Rocky.
"As did I," said Yeshe. "I had a feeling you would be coming tonight. That's why I invited your parents. I think you two are going to be very happy. You both still have growing up to do. I for one see no reason you shouldn't grow together."
She and Rocky looked over at Kang and Mudita. Mudita had tears welling up.
"I agree, you still have a lot to learn," said Kang, "But I also agree that together you can support each other."
"I think Aunt Skye will want to throw a wedding," said Yeshe. "And I think Toby would love to officiate."
"Mom, did you have this planned already?" asked Gale.
"Only about 5 minutes after you were born," laughed Rocky.
Yeshe punched him in the arm, "I have always dreamed of the day you would stand here asking this question," said Yeshe.
"Congratulations Son," said Kang. "Welcome to the family Gale."
"Yes, welcome to the family Buster," said Yeshe.
"So Gale, are you going to tell your brother?" asked Yeshe.
"I guarantee Buster will," said Gale. "They are closer than brothers about everything."
"So I guess," said Rocky, "I need to get with Rubble. We're going to have to add rooms or are you going to move back to the dorms at the Lookout?"
"It would put me closer to campus," said Gale.
Lizzy came running in, "Did he ask her?" Only then did she notice they were standing there.
"Oh, uh, Hi," laughed Lizzy.
"No, Gale asked him," laughed Yeshe, "I win."
"Did you two have a bet on us?" asked Gale.
"Maybe," laughed Lizzy.
"So what else did you bet on," asked Buster.
"Well that remains to be seen," said Lizzy.
"What?" asked Gale.
"On when I become a grandmother," laughed Yeshe.
"Lizzy your my best friend," whimpered Gale.
"Yeah, and now you're mates," laughed Lizzy. "You replaced me with a boy."
"You'll always be my best friend," said Gale. "Will you be my maid of honor?"
"I'm teasing you," laughed Lizzy, "and of course I will. You can be mine, if I have my way about it."
"Mom," said Gale, "Twenty treats on Karuna asks her first."
"You're on," said Yeshe.
"Hey!" laughed Lizzy
"You know when Buster tells him," laughed Gale, "He's going to be ticked that Buster beat him to it."
Lizzy laughed, "You're right. But I bet I still have to ask him."
"Lizzy, I love you," said Gale, "But Karuna claimed you as his mate the moment he saw you. He's been talking about it for over a month. I think he more than proved he's willing to die to protect you. Trust me, He's already planning on it, Buster will tip the scale."
"Hey I'm still here," said Buster.
"Still I bet Karuna asks Lizzy," said Gale.
"I want in on that?" said Everest walking in. She walked over and hugged Gale, "Congratulations you two."
"Wow word travels fast," said Gale.
"Oh please," laughed Everest, "You think Lizzy was the only one placing bets."
"What? Mom!" yipped Gale.
"Oh no," said Yeshe, "Skye started it."
"What?" asked Gale, "When?"
"The other night when we all ended up at the pond," laughed Skye as she and Chase walked in. "So Everest, who won?"
"You and Sunny did," laughed Everest.
"Guys, really?" said Buster.
"If it makes you feel better," laughed Everest, "Obi and I had your side."
"Ghee, thanks," laughed Buster.
Everyone began showing up. Skye was due anytime so she sat on a pup pad and allowed Chase to bring her snacks.
Sunny and Zuma brought Mira with them. Gale held her for a while, while the girls sat around Skye's pup pad and planned the wedding.
"You know Skye?" said Sunny, "Mira's getting lonely."
Skye laughed and then got a weird look on her face.
"Uh guys?" said Skye, "I think I felt, oh, OH!"
"Skye are you going into labor?" asked Gale.
"I, uh, oh my," said Skye, "That uh, hurts."
"BUSTER! Go grab my bag out of the truck," said Gale. "Ok Skye, we got this. Chase, get over here."
"Yes Ma'am," said Chase running to Skye's side. "Breathe honey, Breathe. Tell me when it stops so I can start timing them."
Gale began turning Skye around so she was facing where the lighting was better. "I'm going to go scrub up" said Gale, "Katie, do you want to do this?"
"No, you got it," said Katie, "I'm here if you need me."
"Ok, I'll be right back," said Gale.
Buster came running in with her bag. "Where do you want it?"
"Just beside her is fine honey, thank you," said Gale. She returned and sat down holding her paws up.
"Here, Let me help," said Marshall. He opened her bag and got out the OB Kit. He opened it and pulled out the gloves. He opened the package and laid it out holding the outside so he didn't make contact with the gloves. "You don't seem to need me anymore."
"That's not true," said Gale, "I'll always need you. You will always be my inspiration."
"Ok, here comes another one," said Skye.
"Breathe honey, Breathe," said Chase and began counting and breathing with her.
"Ok Skye," said Gale, "On your next contraction I want you to push. I think you're almost ready."
It ended and Chase stopped counting. "Two minutes apart Gale," said Chase.
"Very good, Chase," said Gale, "You're doing great Skye, rest between contractions."
Skye closed her eyes in a little under two minutes her next started.
"Ok now Push," said Gale. Skye pushed. "Ok, I see the head. Keep pushing, and Got it."
The pup slid free, "It's a little Girl, Someone note the time."
"Got it," said Katie.
"Ok rest Skye, One more," said Gale. She felt Skye's belly. "It's lined up correctly. Any bets on the sex?"
"It's a boy," said Chase.
"You sure?" asked Rocky.
"Yes, I asked for a boy and girl," said Chase. "I just know."
"Well, we're about to find out," said Skye.
"Ok Skye, push big for me," said Gale. Skye pushed. "Ok here it comes," said Gale.
As it slid free, Gale caught it. "And Dad was right, it's a little boy."
"So did you have names picked already?" asked Marshall.
"She's Valorie, His name is Apex," said Skye.
"Why those names?" asked Sunny.
"Chase wanted to name her Velocity," Skye laughed weakly, "I settled for Valorie."
"And Apex because I thought it sounded cool," laughed Chase, "Oh, baby you did so good. Rest baby, rest." Chase had tears in his eyes as he petted Skye's head.
"Well the nursery is full again," said Yeshe, "So whos' going to be next?"
"Don't look at me," said Gale, "I'm finishing school first."
"You sure you're not knocked up already," laughed Buddy.
"I'm going to knock you out," said Gale.
"Ok Valorie is adorable," said Buddy. "She looks just like Chase. I think Apex looks more like Skye."
"Buddy's got a baby crush," laughed Buster. "But you're right, Valorie is pretty cute. I still love Mira though, she's going to be an awesome water rescue dog."
"Do you know something we don't?" asked Sunny.
"What do you mean?" asked Buster.
"No one has mentioned that up to this point," said Zuma. "Did you just have a vision or something?"
"I don't know," said Buster, "Zuma, are you sure you didn't say something?"
"I never said anything about it," said Zuma, "I'd be crazy happy if she chooses to do water rescue. But I haven't said anything about it."
"We'll just have to wait and see," said Sunny. "Maybe you did just have a foreshadowing."
Karuna walked in, "Hey guys, did I miss something?"
"Only Gale and Buster announcing their mates," said Buddy, "And Skye having her pups on your pup pad."
"You What?" yipped Karuna.
"He's kidding," said Yeshe, "It wasn't your pup pad. And it will all wash out regardless."
"No not that," said Karuna, "Your mates?"
"Oh, yeh," said Buster, "I was going to tell you. But you where, hey aren't you on duty?"
"Yeah, Just stopped by for a drink and saw all the cars," said Karuna. "Well Congrats, that must have been some second date. So who won mom?"
"I did," laughed Yeshe.
"Dang bro," said Karuna, "You let me down. And you beat me to it."
"Karuna?" said Buster, "You bet also?"
"Everyone did," laughed Karuna. "Anyway, who are the new additions?"
"Valorie and Apex," said Chase.
"Wow, Cool name," said Karuna. "I bet Valorie's the cop of the family. She looks just like you Uncle Chase."
"And here goes the next round of betting," laughed Everest.