Chapter 3: Like Father, Like Son.
September 15, 1929.
After the ordeal his family was put through at the hands of Steele, Kodi worried about his mother and father for weeks, even after Steele and his team left town. Eventually, the pup let his guard down, and moved on with his life. Pretty soon, the memory faded from his head entirely, as he started focusing on his career as a sled dog. In two years time, he became a member of Nome's mail team, following in his father's footsteps like he always dreamed of. He made a bunch of new friends, and found himself a mate, a girl to spend his best days with.
And best of all, he got to run alongside his father in what was probably the greatest race of the boy's career. And before the week was over, he had helped his dad save a human life. Even if it was the life of a guy he really disliked. He finally understood what it was like for Balto, riding into Nome with the antitoxin all those years ago. He finally understood what it was like to pitch in and save someone from certain doom. It was the greatest feeling in the world.
But those days were over now, and they had been for over a year now. Now the sled dog had a much bigger problem to worry about than racing. A much more personal problem.
"I'm telling you Dust, you shouldn't be running in your condition", Kodi said, worried.
Dusty scoffed, and rolled her eyes at her mate. "There are hundreds of female sled dogs out there Kodi, and I'm sure almost of all them have run while they were pregnant", Dusty replied.
"Yeah, but they never had me for a husband", Kodi replied.
"Lucky them", Dusty muttered.
After helping Kodi save his dad last spring, Dusty and Kodi became closer than ever. Eventually, it led to them dating, which then led to Kodi popping the question, which after much prodding on Kodi's part, Dusty said yes. They married during the holiday season, and when springtime came around again the next year, so came mating season (and you know what happens between two dogs during mating season). Now Dusty had a bun in her oven, which was due in about three to four months. Unfortunately, what would have been a fun and happy time for the couple was instead bothersome and annoying, since Kodi kept insisting that she 'take it easy' during her weakened condition.
"I just don't think you should be going on this trip to White Mountain, not when you're so close to your due date", Kodi said.
"I'm not due for another three months! I haven't even started putting on weight yet", Dusty reasoned. Kodi looked like he was about to say something else, when Dusty decided to cut him off. "Hey, you're lucky to even be having kids. Before you started going out with me, everyone in town thought you liked Jack, or Kirby, or Ralph", Dusty said irritably.
"Yeah, why did everyone think that?", Kodi asked, getting a bit distracted.
"Maybe because you acted like you had a big stick in your butt when you first the team. Nobody thought a straight guy could be that uptight", Dusty said exasperatedly.
Kodi sighed, and walked up to his wife, placing his paw on the husky's shoulder. "I'm sorry honey. It's just, I love you so much, and I don't want to see anything happen to you or the baby", Kodi apologized.
"I know you do. But in case you haven't noticed, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. And I'm sure the baby will be just fine", Dusty replied, nuzzling her lover on the chin.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. With you as a mother, our kid will be tough as nails", Kodi joked.
Dusty laughed, and let her mind wander a bit. She still couldn't picture Kodi being a father. Granted, he was four years old now (28 in human years), but he still acted like a kid in many ways. She couldn't imagine what their nights would be like after the baby was born. Having to get up at midnight every single night, just to make sure their pups got some sleep. That wasn't going to pleasant, but Dusty guessed it was all a part of being a parent.
"Kodi, you're half-wolf, aren't you?", Dusty asked curiously.
"No, my dad was half-wolf, so that makes me a quarter wolf. But yes, I've got some wild dog running in veins", Kodi replied, deciding to make a joke out of his answer. At least the boy's sense of humor had improved since he married Dusty (she chalked it up to him being around someone who wasn't uptight all the time).
"So that means our kid will be too. Do you think it'll howl at the moon like wild wolves do?", Dusty asked curiously.
"Well, my sister Aleu used to all the time, so probably", Kodi replied, not really knowing the answer to the question.
"Oh, that's just lovely. Our baby won't just cry at night, he'll howl us all to death", Dusty groaned, rubbing her stomach subconsciously.
"Hey, no one ever said being married to wolf-dog would be easy", Kodi replied, grinning. When his father first told him of his wild heritage, Kodi had been a little angry that his own dad had lied to him for so long, but he hadn't freaked out nearly as bad as his sister Aleu had when she first learned the truth. Now, he was proud to be a hybrid. He thought it was kinda cool to be a combination of two species, especially since it helped him when he ran.
"People said the same about me, so I guess we're both troopers", Dusty said, smiling back.
Unexpectedly, the two dogs leaned in, and kissed each other on the lips, sharing their first kiss of the day. And the last kiss they'd have for the rest of the day. That was why Kodi wasn't holding back like he usually did.
Dusty sighed contently, as Kodi continued to push forward on her face, which she returned with even stronger shove to his. It had been so long since Kodi kissed her like this. Ever since he found out she was pregnant, he had always been so anxious and careful around her, like he was afraid of breaking her if he touched her too hard. Maybe now that she'd calmed him down, he'd lay off a bit and give her her space.
Today was the last day they'd spend in Nome before they were chained to their sled harnesses and started an all day run to White Mountain, delivering mail and supplies to the nearby town. So she and Kodi had agreed to spend their last day before the trip with their friends. After all, they'd have all day tomorrow to talk about small stuff. Today, they'd get a chance to catch up on things they might have missed when they were at the doctor's office nonstop for the past two weeks. As much as Kodi didn't want to leave his new wife alone during the most important time of her life, a little time apart was just what every marriage needed. Besides, how bad could spending a day with the guys be? Even if they were the same guys everyone thought he had thing for only a year ago.
As much as he didn't want to, Kodi eventually pulled away from Dusty, and stared at his beloved wife. "I guess I'll see you tonight at the Old Mill. I hope you have fun", Kodi said half-heartedly.
"You too", Dusty said.
With that having been said, Kodi walked off, leaving Dusty standing alone on the sidewalk. She watched as her man disappeared down the street, and even though she had promised herself she would have fun, she missed him already. She had to find a way to take her mind off Kodi. And she was sure she'd think of something to pass the time, eventually.
((()-()))
A couple hours later, Kodi and two of his friends, Ralph and Kirby, walked down Nome's Front Street. Kodi had forgotten how annoying his friends were. In just two hours, they had already exhausted him more than any baby could.
"So where do you want to go now, huh Kodi? The beach, the mill?", Kirby asked excitedly.
Kodi yawned, and glanced further down the street. "Actually, I'm planning on visiting some family today", Kodi replied.
"Aw, Kodi, you're supposed to be getting away from your wife for today", Ralph complained.
"I'm not talking about Dusty, I meant dad", Kodi replied.
"What do you want to talk to him for?", Kirby asked, curious, and a little annoyed that Kodi was ditching them already.
"I'm about to be a father soon, I want to ask for his advice", Kodi replied.
Ralph and Kirby sighed, but eventually gave in. "Fine, just don't forget to meet up with us later at the Boiler Room", Kirby said.
Kodi nodded, and ran off down the street, heading in the direction of the old trawler - his father's home.
((()-()))
Kodi wasn't the only one who decided to visit family that day. On the other side of town, Dusty found herself slipping through the dog door to Rosie's house. Dusty admitted that visiting her mother-in-law wasn't going to take her mind off of Kodi, but she felt like she had to speak to Jenna. Dusty hadn't seen her real mother since she was sold to Simpson's team when she was a pup, so Jenna was the closest thing to a mom she had had in years. And today, the husky had a few questions that she felt only another mother could answer.
"Jenna, are you here?", Dusty asked.
"I'm upstairs!", Jenna shouted, from the staircase that led the house's second floor.
Following the sound of Jenna's voice, Dusty found Jenna waiting for her in Rosie's room.
"It's good to see you Dusty", Jenna greeted, smiling warmly at her daughter-in-law.
"It's good to see you too Jen", Dusty replied, sitting down on the floor. Dusty and Jenna had agreed to be a first name basis, instead of Dusty just calling her Kodi's mom, or Mrs. Jones all the time.
"I don't want to be rude, but what brings you by today? You and Kodi haven't visited since last week", Jenna asked, curiously.
"Me and Kodi are leaving town tomorrow, and there's something I wanted to ask you before we left", Dusty replied.
"What's that?", Jenna asked, moving a few inches closer to the husky so she could hear everything she was saying.
"Is it hard, being a mother?", Dusty asked, nervously. Before Jenna could reply, Dusty started rambling wildly, her words getting jumbled up as they poured out of her mouth. "Cause I don't know anything about being a mother, I barely even know how to be a wife! And Kodi doesn't know how to be a father. What if we can't support our own baby?! What if we can't feed him? What if-", Dusty stuttered, before she found herself being shaken back and forth by Jenna.
"Dusty, calm down, it's gonna be okay, just take deep breaths", Jenna said reassuringly. Eventually, Dusty followed the husky's orders, inhaling and exhaling several times before her breathing patterns returned to normal. "Sorry, I guess that breakdown must have been building up for a while", Dusty said embarrassedly, before sighing.
"I understand what you're going through. Balto and I weren't prepared to be parents either when we decided to have children, but our faith in each other kept us strong. So long as you and Kodi work as team, parenting won't be that hard. Besides, being a mother isn't as scary as it seems. It mostly instinctual. Once you see your baby for the first time, it'll all come to you, and you'll know what to do", Jenna said.
Dusty grinned. "Yeah, but you never had to worry about feeding for two and having to deal with a nagging husband. Kodi's been driving me crazy all month", Dusty said.
Jenna smirked. "You think Kodi's bad? Balto was even worse when I was pregnant. He used to follow me around all the time, worried that if he left my side for more than even one minute, something horrible was gonna happen to me or the kids. I had no privacy at all. Of course, the irony of it all is that when you're as big as an ox, and you can't even see past your own stomach anymore, privacy is the only thing you do want", Jenna joked.
"Men, and they say we're demanding", Dusty said, rolling her eyes. Most people hated having to spend time with their in-laws, but Dusty liked visiting Jenna. She was such a fun and relatable person. No wonder everyone liked her.
"Still, it was nice having Balto around. He helped keep me strong when I need it the most. Balto and I have been through everything together. People ask us all the time if the serum run was the hardest thing we'd ever faced, but it was just the beginning. Try raising six hyper kids all on your own. Like I said, if Balto hadn't been there to take some of the weight off my shoulders, I'm not sure if I would have been able to handle the pressure. Balto is my world. He's my everything", Jenna said.
"Like Kodi is mine", Dusty whispered, realization washing over her.
"Exactly. You two are meant for each other, just like Balto and I were. It's your time now Dusty, so make the best the of it", Jenna said.
"Thanks Jenna", Dusty said, smiling.
"Anytime", Jenna replied.
Both dogs got to their feet, and Dusty ran out of Rosie's house. She had to find Kodi. Now that her pregnancy jitters were over, there was something she had to tell him.
((()-()))
Kodi walked up the trawler's plank, sniffing the air to see if anyone was home. Of course, they were. "Boris, Muk, Luk, Dad? Where are you?", Kodi asked, shouting loudly so the old boat's residents would hear him.
Eventually, Kodi watched a familiar face waddle on deck. Boris Goosinov, Balto's adoptive father, and Kodi's grandfather. "Kodi, it's good to see you", Boris said, extending to his wing.
"It's good to see you too granddad", Kodi said, shaking the goose's wing with his paw as gently as he could.
"I thought we agreed on uncle Boris. I'm still too young to be a grandfather", Boris mumbled.
Kodi grinned. Granddad still had that 'stellar sense of humor' he remembered him having when he was a pup.
A few seconds later, Balto stepped out of his cabin, and smiled when he saw his son walk across deck. "Hi Kodi", Balto grinned.
"Hey dad", Kodi said, before hugging his father around the waist.
Once the hug was over, the father and son pulled away from each other, and stepped into Balto's cabin. Not surprisingly, Balto was the first to speak. Kodi hadn't visited him or Jenna in days, and he had a few questions he wanted to ask the boy. "How are things going with Dusty?", Balto asked.
"Things are going great. The pregnancy's moving along smoothly, and she'll be due in a few months", Kodi replied.
Balto raised his eyebrows. It wasn't like Kodi to give such a short and courteous answer. Something was obviously on the boy's mind. "Alright son, out with it. Why did you come here?", Balto asked, curious.
"I came to ask for your advice", Kodi explained.
"About what?", Balto asked.
"About how to be a father", Kodi said.
Balto took a deep breath. He knew Kodi would ask him about this sooner or later. All sons did eventually. "What do you want to know?", Balto asked.
"Is it hard, raising kids?", Kodi asked nervously.
Balto smirked. "Everything's hard when you do it for the first time. Just like you and Dusty, me and Jenna weren't prepared to have kids either. And believe me, it was no picnic. You and siblings were the wildest pups I'd ever seen", Balto said, patting Kodi on the head. "All kids are energetic, but you and your brothers and sisters had this wild side to you. All this extra energy that kept you going for hours and hours", Balto explained.
"Our wolf-side?", Kodi asked, realization washing over him. Balto nodded, and Kodi took a deep breath. "So, that's what our kid is gonna be like after he's born?", Kodi asked.
"Maybe. All kids are different, as far as we know your little boy or girl could be the calm, quiet type. But the point is, me and Jen got used to it all eventually, because we had each other to count on", Balto said, though he could tell his son still wasn't getting it.
"It's like a dog sled team. Where everyone has to work together as a team, or the mission will be a failure. It's like that with parenting. You and your mate have to have each other's back all the time. You need to be able to count on each other's quick judgment in some of the worse situations, or the kids will literally walk all over you", Balto continued.
"Oh, I get it now", Kodi said, comprehension washing over him.
Balto grin's grew wider. "I knew you would eventually. Oh, and one last thing. Make sure you're actually with Dusty when your pups are born", Balto added.
"Weren't you?", Kodi asked.
Balto grinned sheepishly. "Um, no. I stayed with Jenna during the entire day before, until she told me to go home and get some sleep. And while I was sleeping, she must have went into labor. Because when I woke up the next morning, you and your siblings were lying next to her in her bed", Balto explained awkwardly, the hybrid rubbing the back of his neck subconsciously.
"Well, what kind of dad are you? A deadbeat?", Kodi joked, before he and his father punched each other in the shoulders.
The two talked a little bit longer, until Kodi stood up. There was something he felt he needed to tell Dusty, as soon as he saw her.
Once he saw Kodi stand up, Balto got to his feet. There was something he needed to tell his boy before he left again. "Hey Kodi, make sure you visit more often. Muk and Luk have been missing your company", Balto said.
"I take it they're not the only one who's been missing me?", Kodi asked, raising his eyebrow.
"Well, father-to-be or not, you're still my son", Balto reminded him.
Kodi grinned. "I will dad, you can count on it", Kodi promised, before running out of the cabin, and back towards Nome. His lady love was waiting for him, and he didn't want to be away from her any longer.
((()-()))
Later that night, the now middle-aged Jared and his canine band were playing in the Old Mill. Kodi and his team watched on in mild interest, as the Newfoundland's band started a new song.
"The Sky's The Limit" by Jason Derulo begins.
"Like a shock, to my heart. When I saw you tonight, like a dream come alive, for the very first time. When we touch, in the dark, baby you're blowing my mind. Wish I could freeze you and me, in this moment in time", Jared sang.
"You got it, what I want, give it up, shorty, step it up for me, and I'll give you everything. All my life, all my love, I'll give you my fortune and fame, I'll even give you my name", Jared continued, entering the chorus section.
"Girl you take me higher than I've ever been before. My feet don't touch the floor, Fly.
The sky's the limit, the sky's the limit. Girl you take me up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up. Girl you take me up. Girl, you take me higher. The sky's the limit, the sky's the limit", Jared and his band sang.
"Geez, these guys are still trying to sing? I thought they would have retired years ago", Ralph muttered.
"I guess you're never too old to rock and roll", Kodi replied, grinning.
"Dude, who even says that anymore?", Kirby asked, to Ralph's amusement.
Kodi rolled his eyes. It was pointless to try and argue with them. In fact, the only reason he was still sitting around the Old Mill was because he was waiting on someone. Someone very important to him.
"When we dance, when we kiss, doesn't get any better than this. How you shine, trapped in the spotlight, finally mine, yeah. Baby let's go, let's get out of here. Baby let go, got nothing to fear. And now that we're here, let's disappear, into the night", Jared continued.
"You got it, what I want, give it up, shorty, step it up for me, and I'll give you everything. All my life, all my love, I'll give you my fortune and fame, I'll even give you my name", Jared continued, before entering the second chorus.
"Kodi!", someone shouted.
Kodi looked over his shoulder, to see Dusty walking up to him. "Dust, I was wondering when you'd make it", Kodi said, before running up and hugging his pregnant wife.
"Girl you take me higher than I've ever been before. My feet don't touch the floor, fly. The sky's the limit, the sky's the limit. Girl you take me up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up. Girl you take me up. Girl you take me higher. The sky's the limit, the sky's the limit. Oh, oh! Up, up, girl, you take me up, oh yeah, oh. The sky's the limit. The sky's the limit", Jared continued, as the two lovers embraced.
"I've missed you so much baby", Kodi said, as Dusty buried her face in his fur.
"I've missed you too", Dusty replied, sighing contently as she nuzzled her lover's chin.
"We don't need time apart. What we need is to learn to work together on this. Be more like a team", Kodi said.
Dusty chuckled. "That's just what I was thinking. Did you talk to Jenna too?", Dusty asked.
Kodi cocked his head to the side in confusion. "No, I went to go see dad. You visited my mom today?", Kodi asked curiously.
"I got bored. I don't really have any girlfriends because I never wanted any", Dusty mumbled.
"Yeah, and I don't really have that many guy friends either", Kodi added.
"The next time we say we want some time apart, maybe we should actually make some more friends first, huh?", Dusty asked.
"My feet are on the ceiling, they don't wanna touch the ground anymore. Oh what I feel, I can feel it. Can you feel it? (feel It, feel it)", Jared continued.
Instead of replying, Kodi smirked. The rust and cream colored sled dog bent his head over, so he could whisper in Dusty's ear. "I love you Dusty", he said quietly.
"I love you too Kodi", Dusty replied, sighing again as she breathed in the delicious scent of her Kodiak. The alluring woodsy musk that she knew only wolves and half-wolves had. She understood why Jenna loved Balto so much. Having a half-wolf for a husband had it's ups and downs, like all marriages did, but the better moments were some of the greatest she'd ever had.
"Girl, you take me higher than I've ever been before, my feet don't touch the floor. We'll fly! The sky's the limit, the sky's the limit! Girl you take me up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up! Girl, you take me up! Girl, you take me up, up, up, up, up! The sky's the limit, the sky's the limit. Oh Woo", Jared finished.
As the two danced to the end of Jared's song, and the one after it, the couples' worries about their kids completely disappeared. Because they knew they'd be okay. So long as they had each other, they could anything together. After all, Balto and Jenna had fought off an angry grizzly bear together, how bad could raising a few pups be?
Well, almost all their worries were gone. "God, I hope they're not like me", Kodi thought, as he remembered how playful he and his siblings used to be. With that one last thought, Kodi and Dusty spent their last night in Nome dancing, celebrating all the good times they had shared together, and the good times that were yet to come.
Author's Note:
This chapter contains "The Sky's The Limit" by Jason Derulo. Kodiwolf321 loves rap music and hip hop, and asked me if I could find a place for some in this story. Personally, I'm more of a rock/pop guy myself, but I'm willing to try something new every once and a while. So Kodi, what did you think?