"There now; everything is in order." Noble Heart smiled to himself; after a long morning of getting the cubs up and ready for the day, they were finally done, each cub off doing their own thing. He walked around the room, checking up on things: Swiftheart and Playful Heart were busy finger-painting; Grumpy was playing jacks with Harmony; Brave Heart was practicing his roar (much to the annoyance of Funshine and Cheer) and Love-a-Lot was helping Bright Heart with a toy invention. Noble chuckled to himself as yet another of Bright Heart's inventions suddenly poofed, covering the cousin with smoke. Love-a-Lot laughed lightly, wrapping the sad raccoon in a warm hug.
"It's good to know we have such loving, caring cubs, isn't it Noble Heart?" True Heart walked over, standing beside Noble Heart, watching as Love-a-Lot helped Bright Heart pick up the remains of his invention.
"It sure is True Heart. And everything is running smoothly, everyth—"Noble Heart was cut short by the sound of crying coming from the door. Before he could blink, he found himself with a sobbing Lotsa Heart clinging to his leg. He lifted his leg up, scooping Lotsa into his arms. He looked at True Heart. "Do you know what's going on?"
She shrugged. "No idea. Maybe—" She stopped short, noticing Tenderheart racing into the room, running straight for Noble Heart.
"Losa! Losa pway! Losa pway! LOSA PWAY!" Tenderheart screeched, causing the rest of the cubs to stop what they were doing, noticing the commotion.
"Tenderheart!" True Heart put her hands on her hips, causing Tenderheart to skid to a halt in front of her; he cowered at the tone in her voice. "Inside voice please; you know better than to yell. Now, what is going on here?" She pointed to the sobbing Lotsa Heart. "Did you make Lotsa cry?" The bear cub looked down at his feet, mumbling something. "Tenderheart…"
Tenderheart looked up, his eyes just barely meeting True Heart's disapproving glare. His voice got quiet. "Losa wouldn't pway. Wanted to look at buggy."
"Buggy…" Lotsa Heart sniffed.
True Heart looked at Noble Heart. "Noble, would you take Lotsa into the kitchen please? I think Tenderheart and I need to have a little talk." Noble Heart nodded knowingly, walking into the kitchen with Lotsa; Playful Heart following at his heels.
"Okay little one, we need to talk; what happened out there?" True Heart kneeled down in front of Tenderheart. "Tell me everything that ha—"
"Tenderheart need a wish?" Wish Bear toddled over to True Heart, staring a star out of her tummy symbol. She held it out to Tenderheart.
True Heart smiled warmly at the little cub, gently taking the star from her. "Thank you Wish Bear. That's very sweet, but Tenderheart and I need to talk alone. Why don't you go play with Funshine and Cheer?" Wish Bear nodded, walking off to join the other cubs. True Heart scooped Tenderheart into her arms, walking into the nursery. "Come on you little rascal." She walked into the nursery, closing the door shut behind her before sitting down in a rocking chair, placing Tenderheart on her lap. "Now, tell me everything…"
Noble Heart walked into the kitchen, setting Lotsa Heart down on the counter, drying his tears. "Okay Lotsa, feeling better?" The cub sniffed, nodding. Noble Heart smiled. "Good. Now, what should we eat?" He walked away from the counter, opening the refrigerator.
"Lotsa!" Lotsa turned to see Playful Heart scamper onto the counter, swinging to a nearby cupboard. "Wanna a nana?" Lotsa Heart nodded, then watched as Playful Heart picked a lock on the cupboard with his tail. He grinned mischievously, grabbing a banana out of the cupboard and handing it to Lotsa. Lotsa smiled, popping half the banana into his mouth.
"Playful Heart!" Noble Heart turned away from the fridge, his eyes wide in horror at finding Playful swinging from an open cupboard door. He walked over, trying to hide a slight smile. So that's how the cupboard doors keep getting unlocked. "Playful Heart, we do not swing from the cupboard doors. Or unlock them. Come here." He scooped the monkey into his arms.
Playful looked apologetic. "Lotsa sad; I give him nana. It make him feel better."
Noble smiled at the cub's good intentions. "Okay, just this once. But not again, okay?"
"Okay!" Playful leapt out of Noble Heart's arms, sitting down next to Lotsa Heart. He smiled. "Good nana?" Lotsa nodded. "I love nanas! They make me happy!"
Noble Heart chuckled, walking over to Lotsa. "Can I have one?" Lotsa looked at the banana in his hand, then held it out, placing it into Noble Heart's mouth. Noble chewed, smiling. "Thank you."
"Welcome."