GUESS WHO'S BACK.
BACK AGAIN.
BOSSMAN34'S BACK.
TELL A FRIEND.
It's been a minute. No, it's been an hour. Actually, it's been almost HALF A YEAR since I published anything on here. And don't worry about me, guys. I didn't have any crazy mental issues, any sudden tragedies or a job change during this time. I just got extrordinarily lazy. I just had so many off days, combined with how hard writing this story is, it took way too long for me to write.
And to my readers who have been waiting for me to publish anything during this "hiatus" of sorts, I really apologize for making you all wait this long.
A lot has changed over the last 6 months.
The Packers...man...what the hell is going on?! It's so weird that both Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, two of the greatest to ever play, suck now at the same time. My childhood really is over.
The Bucks have been off to a great start, though! I mean, 7 straight wins to start the year?! That's just amazing. Cuphead continues to be amazing and there is SEASON 3 COMING THIS MONTH. After the cliffhanger in the season 2 finale, I'M EXCITED. Sonic Origins does have its issues, but it's still a great time. I played all the games on it except CD, because I've been focusing so much on this story. Speaking of Sonic, Sonic Frontiers kinda looks interesting. Might have to give it a shot.
And Taylor Swift. Holy shit. 10 songs in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100. It's never been done before. Midnights is such a great album, though.
As for this piece. It took so long because I was very inexperienced (and insecure) about writing a whole marriage proposal (twice) and a marriage ceremony (twice). I tried my best to make sure the experiences of Skase and Evershall differentiate from each other while maintaining the same great vibe of romance and charm.
Alright, enough talk. This wait has gone long enough for all of you. And best of all? This story might be the longest I have ever made. It's just over 40,000 words long.
I'm so happy that I'm finally able to share this with you all. I hope you guys enjoy this story as much as I do. Be the light. -mitch :)
paw patrol: all grown up #25: tying the knot
chapter 1: it's ring season
"Ryder, Marshall…I know it's early in the morning…like…before-the-sun's-even-up kind of early…but I just have to tell you guys something important. Something that you boys cannot tell ANYONE. And I mean it." spoke the German shepherd firmly. It was indeed early in the morning: 6 AM to be exact. He hated waking both his owner and his best friend at this hour, but he couldn't possibly have anyone else hear what he was about to say. He also couldn't trust anyone else, either.
"What is it, brotha?" asked the dalmatian, yawning at the same time.
"Surely it has to be important." Ryder thought aloud. The words that Chase, police dog of the PAW Patrol, were about to say would change the whole team's dynamic, his life and everyone else's lives around him. But it was a good change. He wanted this change. A change that would possibly make his puppyhood dreams a reality. He cleared his throat, the lump in it ever present.
"Ryder, Marshall…when Skye and I turn 18…I…I…I'm gonna ask her to be my wife." he stated. Silence. For fifteen seconds, the boy and the dalmatian stared at their police canine comrade as the gigantic information bomb registered in their minds. When it finally did, both boys smiled. Marshall, being the shepherd's best friend, rushed over and embraced him.
"I knew it, buddy. I'm so happy for you, man. She'll definitely say yes." the fire dog rejoiced.
"Well…what do you know…just a couple dog years ago…you and Skye were just on your first date. I remember it like it was yesterday…more like 6 ½ human months ago. Now, both of you are fully grown up…ready for the next step in life…Chase, you grew up too damn fast." Ryder choked up as he embraced his not-so-secretly-favorite dog.
"Thanks guys…It really means the world to me that you guys are supporting me. It really does." sighed the police canine, gratitude overflowing his heart.
"No problem, buddy. That's what friends are for, right?" Marshall inquired Chase, his spotted paw draping over the german shepherd's chest.
"You bet, man…oh, is there something that you would like to say to Ryder, too, my guy?" The police canine nudged his friend.
"Oh, I was gonna say…I will be taking the next step with Everest as well…when the time is right, I mean." Marshall told the boy.
"Man, what a time to be alive, huh. I can't believe it. My pups…they are getting married soon…I will support you guys as much as I can." The young man spoke up.
"Well, that's great to hear, Ryder. I'll let you go back to sleep." The german shepherd told the human PAW Patrol leader.
"Thanks. Love you guys." The boy smiled as he walked away.
"There's another reason I wanted to talk to you so early." Chase told the dally.
"What's up?"
"You wanna go to the mall later?" The German shepherd inquired.
"Yeah…there's a lot of jewelry stores there. We'll find something there." agreed Marshall.
4 HOURS LATER
Chase and Marshall were at the mall in the next town over, checking out the jewelry stores to see what "rings" they hoped to be their eventual bride-to-bes would wear. The practice of dogs tying the knot and walking down the aisle was a very new-and very popular- concept. In the past, most canines' parents and generations before never felt the need to ask for a paw in marriage, per say. The male would ask the female if she wanted to mate, and that was that. But, thanks to humans and how elaborate their weddings got in recent years, the canine world was in a sort of "wedding craze" themselves. It was very convenient, low cost, easy to prepare, and the weddings themselves were just as wonderful as their two legged human counterparts. The "ring" part of marriage was also a brand new concept for canines as well.
Instead of the simple wedding rings that would be worn on their paws, dogs decided to differentiate the formula while maintaining the charm. The male dog would go into a store, and would find a "flower ring" for his potential spouse. A "flower ring" is a kind of ring that looks like a flower, but has a diamond encrusted in the middle of it. It would be worn on the right ear of the bride, and that was the new tell-tale sign that marriage was imminent. For the males, it was more or less similar to humans; a classic, normal wedding ring would be worn by the groom on the right front paw.
Chase knew that finding a flower ring for Skye would be a little challenging. His girlfriend loved flowers of all kinds, but sunflowers, being her favorite in the entire world, was a little tough. It is a very popular flower for weddings, and it usually came on a first come, first serve kind of basis.
Marshall knew he had time to come up with an idea for Everest, but it wasn't any easier for him. The husky was not the traditional feminine canine in the fact that she didn't love flowers as much. In fact, Everest never cared much for appearance compared to Skye. Marshall initially had the idea of looking for a flower ring that would remind her of home, being that she hailed from the South Pole. Except there was one problem. There were very few flowers that came from Antarctica, mainly due to the atrociously freezing climate. But he was confident. He was mainly in the market for a flower ring color that would fit well with her fur, being that Everest had a lavender coat.
The two best friends were at a jewelry store named "Girl's Best Friend" to kick off their search. The German shepherd was praying that he would find the perfect one. He searched around every nook and cranny, up and down every aisle, for almost twenty minutes. Marshall assisted him in the search, but both failed to find one. Just as they were about to exit the tiny store and vacate to another, a peculiar scent sauntered his way into his nose.
"Dude…I think I found something," Chase motioned to his pal, as the dalmatian followed him. The scent took him all the way in the back of the store, where low and behold, there was a lone sunflower flower ring. It was the last one on the shelf, and it had a pink diamond in the middle. To show its authenticity, the flower even had its scent.
"It's perfect…" The german shepherd gasped in awe, his jaw dropping and eyes widening. The dally laughed as Chase laid his puppy dog eyes on the ring. The police dog was infatuated with its simple, yet elegant look. He imagined the love of his life putting it on her right ear, and for him, it was enough.
"You good, man?!" Marshall chuckled as he saw his best friend drooling. He had to physically shake Chase out of his love-driven stupor.
"What I meant to say was…that's the one." Chase remarked, pointing to the flower ring.
"Skye's gonna look really good with that." The fire dog imagined.
"I'll say." The german shepherd agreed.
"How much does it cost? Ryder gave you $300 as a loan." inquired Marshall. Chase took a moment to look how much cash he had on him.
"It's a hundred and fifty…I'm sold. You know what? You get the rest of the money so that you get a ring for Everest." The police dog decreed.
"Oh my god, really?! Dude, you're the man!" Marshall smiled as he embraced his best friend. Suddenly, the good vibes in the room came to a screeching halt. Chase's nose caught a whiff of something familiar…and unnerving.
"Bruh…" murmured the shepherd, sweat starting to trickle down his face.
"What?" asked Marshall in confusion. He thought that Chase had sniffed a crime taking place.
"You smell it?" Chase inquired the fire dog. They both caught the oh-so-familiar smell that the two had come to love- but not this time.
"Oh my god…Skye and Everest…they're in the mall…" Marshall whispered. Alarms began blaring through both their minds. Their secret plan of buying the girls flower rings was now in major jeopardy of being exposed. Like Ryder, Chase had extremely quick thinking-and it worked to his advantage.
"I have a plan…you go out in the food court and distract them if they come around. I'll buy the ring and look at the gold chains while you do so. If your plan fails, I'll be in that aisle." The police dog instructed the dalmatian.
"Got it." Marshall replied as he dashed out of the store in no moment's notice. He walked slowly into the food court and sat at one of the tables and took a moment to think. God, how does Chase think so fast like that? Coming up with a plan in three seconds flat to avoid utter embarrassment? Man, he's a genius. Oh, I see Skye and Everest. Gotta act natural. He saw the two girls running up to him.
"Hey, Marshall!" The husky exclaimed, the two sharing a nuzzle for a moment.
"What are you guys doing in the mall? We've never seen you guys here." Skye pointed out, giving the dalmatian a suspicious eye.
"Chase and I wanted to look at the gold chains at one of the jewelry stores. Zuma wanted to buy one, and the both of us wanted to check it out." Marshall cleverly told his female friends.
"Really? That's what you guys do?" snickered the husky, expecting a better answer but not getting any.
"Oh yeah? What are you guys doing here?" The dalmatian shot back.
"We're just looking at the fancy clothes and diamonds that they have here. You know, what we always do." the cockapoo answered. Just then, out of nowhere, Everest and Skye's pup tags lit up and vibrated, catching their attention rapidly. This could only mean one thing: they were going on a mission.
"Skye! Everest! Can you hear me?" The boy called out through their pup tags.
"Yeah, Ryder. What do you need us for?" inquired the pilot.
"A trio of hikers got lost in the woods of Jake's Mountain, and have been separated for almost 12 hours. We need both of you to pitch in the effort to help find each of them. Jake and I are at the entrance of his resort. You both will meet us there." answered Ryder, giving a clear and concise description of what was occurring.
"We're on our way, Ryder!" Skye and Everest answered in unison.
"Thanks, pups. Ryder out." concluded the boy, ending the call.
"Hikers getting lost again?" groaned the dalmatian. Marshall felt bad for Everest doing the same job over and over again, being that he did so many different kinds of rescues.
"Afraid so…it's the only reason I get called to do any jobs anymore. And the occasional avalanche. I don't love my job like I used to." admitted Everest.
"Me neither. But very few know how to rescue a group of hikers like we do." Skye added, raising her best friend's morale.
"Preach, bestie. Anyways, we gotta go." The mountain rescue dog spoke up.
"Bye, Marshall! Tell Chase I said hi!" The cockapoo shouted to the fire dog as she dashed away.
"Bye, Marshy…love you." Everest said warmly, kissing her love on the lips for a few seconds.
"Love you too, Eve. Go get 'em." Marshall replied, giving her extra motivation as she sped after her best friend as fast as she could. As soon as the two girls were out of sight, Chase, who had been watching the whole time from the window of the store in curiosity, rushed out to him.
"Dude…they're gone…what happened?" The German shepherd asked, catching his breath from combined nerves and exhaustion.
"They got called by Ryder. They gotta find some lost hikers again." sighed the fire dog.
"Again? That's the third time this month." frowned the police dog. Everest didn't really like the 'rescue' part of her job as she used to. Most of her 'rescue' work just revolved around finding missing people in the woods because she knew them like clockwork or finding skiers in avalanches. She had done them since she was little, and with recent upticks in jobs persisting to those tasks, it was becoming more of a slight source of irritation for the husky.
"I'm so lucky that Ryder called them. I just barely talked to them long enough." Marshall sighed with relief.
"You did? What did you say?"
"I said that you were checking out the chains in the jewelry store. I was just about to point them over to another store nearby, but Ryder interrupted everything." The dally answered.
"Well, we did it. Our secret is safe, thanks to you." The German shepherd smiled, dapping up his BFF.
"Dude, if you were in my position, you would have been much worse. You're terrible at lying!" playfully protested the dalmatian. Chase was so good at being brutally honest that when he had to lie to cover himself or someone else up- it would be disastrous.
"True, true. I'm just thankful that you stuck up for me today." The police canine admitted, putting his arm around the fire dog's shoulder.
"No problem. When's your guys' 18th birthday anyway?" inquired Marshall.
"Just under 3 weeks from now. I'm actually older than Skye by 3 days, but Ryder is planning a birthday celebration for the both of us. Due to budget reasons." answered the german shepherd.
"Makes sense." agreed the dalmatian.
"You wanna go back and find a flower ring for Everest?" Chase asked.
"Absolutely. I think I know the one I'm looking for…" answered Marshall, the two walking back into the jewelry store they were in before. It sure was a pricey day, but it was a day that would foster a beginning of a great change in their-and the PAW Patrol- as they knew it.