Epilogue Nome Alaska April 11, 1929
For the second time in the last week, Balto had spent the night in a cramped area in a plane. The FBI was nice enough to give them all a free trip home. However the flight was far from pleasurable. The entire time he was in a metal caged crate with Steele, Loki and Suki next to him. Duke and Jake sat opposite them, both quietly snoring in their seats. Secretly, Boris and Stella once again stowed away in an overhead cargo compartment. Balto could hear the occasional noise come up from above but decided not to think about what was happening inside. Unable to sleep, he stared out the window and watched the clouds fly by in the early morning sky. A woman walked out from behind a blue curtain and picked up a transceiver for the intercom.
"Attention we will be landing in Nome in a few minutes. Welcome home." Duke and Jake woke up and looked out the window. The morning sun was just peeking out from behind a mountain, lighting up the town below and turning the sky pink. The plane landed and Duke let the dogs out of their cage.
"Welcome home boy." Duke hugged Balto and scratched him behind the ears. All four dogs hopped out of the plane. Balto heard the bark he thought he would never hear again and saw what he thought he would never see ever again. Jenna ran into him and nearly knocked him down.
"I thought I lost you." She said, nearly crying from joy.
"You nearly did once or twice; but I'm home, and I'm not going anywhere." Balto saw the rest of his adopted and mismatched family of sled dogs and bears walk to them as well with Kodi riding on Muk's back. Boris and Stella flapped down next to them. Steele and Loki were greeted with open arms as well.
Daisy sat atop a stack of crates and hopped down she trotted over to Steele and nuzzled him.
"So, how was your week?" She said with a tone of voice that hinted Steele was in the proverbial doghouse for a good month.
"Um, eventful. So when did you get back?"
"An hour ago." Daisy seemed quiet calm given the situation. "You are gonna spill your guts on this one." No outburst or tirade, Steele was definitely in hot water.
"Papa, what is it you wanted to tell me before?" Loki asked.
"Oh that, well, maybe you should go and get your brothers and sisters then meet me at Balto's boat. Your mother and I should tell you all at once." With that Loki bounded away to the heard of pups and Rowdy who had been caring for them. Bois and Stella flew out of the plane and flew a circle around them.
"Hey Steele." Balto called from behind him. "Tell them the truth, don't hold back." Steele nodded and rolled his eyes.
"Tell them about what?" Daisy asked.
"You know family, particularly your side of the family."
"Oh, you can have the honors of doing that." His punishment had already begun. Two happy geese landed next to Balto and it was greeting and hugs all around. Then Boris was snatched up from behind and nearly choked to death by Muk.
"Uncle Boris your back! We missed you so much!" Luk piped as his brother squeezed the life out of their Uncle.
"I missed you to. Will you be putting me down now?" Muk dropped him and he landed on Balto's back.
"You know boychik, I am thinking of indulging Stella."
"By all means, just don't give me the play by play." Balto pleaded. Boris and Stella flapped off towards the boat and Balto turned his attention back to Jenna. The sun had now come out from behind the buildings and lit him up from behind. Balto felt the last week melt off as he stood up and followed her home and he felt as if he could never leave her side again.