Chapter 12: A family reunion … or maybe not
A/N: Wow, second chapter within two days. I'm in the flow. Hope you guys like it. From now on I'm counting down the days until Christmas (12-25). I just hope I get it done to synchronize Christmas.
Ryder's POV (10 days):
I couldn't believe Marshall telling me that Sweetie was from the famous show dog family of Beauregard but didn't have reason to doubt him for Marshall is the most trustworthy dog I know. 'So Sweetie is a Beauregard. Katie once mentioned them. Maybe she could contact them so we could help Sweetie out. It might be just the idea.' "Marshall, I want you to go to Mayor Goodway and ask her if we could hold a dog show while I ask Katie if she could invite Sweetie's family to it." "Are you sure, Ryder? I mean I can do that but is it the right thing to do?" "We'll see. And if something goes awfully wrong we can always put a stop to it. But don't tell Sweetie. I don't want to get her nervous over what might be nothing. It's to help her out." "Alright, I'm all fired up." I couldn't help but giggle over him saying his catchphrase. "Okay, Paw Patrol is on a roll then."
"I sure can do that, Ryder. But I've heard that they aren't nice people to interact with." 'Not Katie, too. I don't have time for this.' "Yeah, you see we want to help Sweetie get close to her family or at least to get over it for good." I didn't think about it that way up until then. 'What if they really are this bad? Is it really right of us to force her to meet them in person again after what happened back then? Is it going to be my stupid test all over again?' "Ryder? Are you okay?" "What? Me? Yeah, I'm good. Why do you ask?" "Well, you seemed a little … Alright, if you're okay then I will do as you asked me to but I can't promise anything and I still don't believe that it is a good idea." "Thanks , Katie. I knew I could count on you. So now I have a dog show to plan. Please inform me as soon as you have an answer." "I'll do, Ryder."
With that on the way my mind started wondering again. 'Are they right? What if there is a reason Sweetie never told us her family name? Sure, we didn't ask either and by the things we know she wasn't well-liked by them but, for Dog's sake, it's her family. She should at least try and speak to them.' Little did I know about the circumstances. Otherwise my mind would be going into a total other direction.
Skye's POV (7 days):
"The 'First Annual Adventure Bay Dog Show'? What's that?" "You see, Skye, it's a dog show held in Adventure Bay every year beginning this year." I turned to Rubble. "Are you looking for trouble right before Christmas?" I asked tilting my head a little. "No, I'm sorry Skye. It's just … I couldn't stop myself. It just happens sometimes if I don't know what is going on." 'It just isn't fun teasing him. I don't know why he always gives in that fast.' "It's a show every dog can enter and show the audience his or her best tricks or an other performance. This performance will be judged by a jury consisting of five people." I turned around. There was Katie right behind us. "And we've got some celebrities, too. A couple of famous show dogs are coming for the first show." 'Why doesn't she look excited?' "What's wrong, Katie?" Rubble asked. 'Seems like I'm not the only one noticing.' "Nothing but the fact that the celebrities coming are the 'Beauregards'. That means we've got Sweetie's biological family in Adventure Bay." "Wait a moment. You're saying that Sweetie is going to meet those – let's call them people – who were abandoning her back then? Those who were the reason she had to live on the streets us a little pup? How could that happen?" "You see, Ryder asked me to invite them although I told him that I didn't think this to be a good idea. I still don't think it is but I trust Ryder to have it thought through."
"Ryder, how could you?" I was angry. "Don't be mad. I know it doesn't look like it but I have thought it through. We will all be there and I don't think they will do something as long as there are cameras covering the area. And if they try we always can interfere. She won't have to suffer more than she does already. I promise." " I sure hope so. Sweetie is a good friend of mine and I won't let them or anyone hurt her. She deserves to be happy." With that said I left to plan my performance. All in all I was excited to show them what I can do.
The Day of the Show (still Skye's POV [6 days])
'Wow, I've never seen that much dogs around here. Is that …?' "Hi, Skye. Long time no see. Did you get your boyfriend yet?" I gasped. What if Chase heard? I looked around but he was nowhere to be seen. "Hi, Paula. Still the same. But why bringing this up right the moment we meet again." This is the Paula I know. Just saying what comes to her mind. In a way I'm jealous of her to be this straightforward. But it is how it is. "Did you see my brother somewhere. I was supposed to meet him here." "No, sorry but I haven't seen him since breakfast. But if you were to meet him here he should be somewhere around. Shall I help to find him?" "Thanks, Skye. But I'll find him myself. We have to discuss something before the hustle begins." "Well, see you. I hope you stick around after the show is done."
Sweetie's POV (6 days):
'Great idea. A dog show of all things. Why do I have to participate?' The last point was easy to answer. I lost a bet. "Well, who do we have here?" Hearing this voice I turned around. "You? How …? Why …?" "Didn't I teach you to speak in full sentences? At least I tried but it seems my low-class baby sister still can't communicate correctly." He came two steps closer. "Do you remember the punishment for not talking correctly? Or do you need a reminder of how low you are?" "I'm not low or low-class. I was the pet of the princess of Barkingburg and I demand some respect." I knew that I said something wrong the moment I said it. He wasn't going to give me respect. No, he was there to give me a punishment. "You can't demand something. You're not the royal pooch. You're just a freak of nature. You don't even have the right eyes." There he had a point. Everyone in my family had blue eyes. Well, everyone except for me. "Our family was right to leave you but somehow you survived. Well, we could change that but where is the fun in that? I suggest a little bet. I just can't help it. It's an annoying habit I got into." "What do you suggest?" 'Don't let him know you're freaking out right now.' "We'll take part in this little contest here and see who is better. The winner ..." The last part he whispered into my ear. 'I have to win or my life will be over.'
A/N: Now Paula is in Adventure Bay. So is Sweetie's brother. What does he have in store for her if she loses the bet? And can she win when she's still injured or is this a handicap she just can't overcome? Like always stay tuned.