Opportunities Taken - Chapter 12
The next morning Marshall had got up and gone running with Chase and Rhonda. They all came running up to the house and noticed Skye and Everest sitting on the front porch.
"I have the coffee ready," said Skye.
"Thanks love," said Chase.
"Y'all didn't have to get up," said Marshall.
"But I'm glad you did," said Rhonda, as she took a cup of coffee and sat down.
"So what time did Cutter leave?" asked Rhonda.
"I don't think she did," laughed Everest.
"Oh really," laughed Rhonda.
They walked in and Skye finished cooking breakfast for everyone. Zuma and Cutter came walking into the kitchen, giggling between the two of them.
"Well you two seem to be hitting off pretty good," said Chase.
"Uh, Captain Chase?" stammered Cutter, blushing, "I thought you were still in class."
"No, we ended that on Tuesday," laughed Rhonda. "Don't worry lieutenant, he's not concerned about your off duty activities."
"Not at all," laughed Chase. "I'm glad you and Zuma are having fun."
"So did you enjoy the video?" asked Rocky. "I got the music added yesterday morning."
"You couldn't think of anything better than the Hawaii Five-O theme?" laughed Cutter.
"It was that or something from the Ka'au Crater Boys," laughed Rocky.
"I'm kidding," laughed Cutter, "it was great. You're really good at video and editing."
"It's a hobby," said Rocky. "So are you coming back to Adventure Bay with us?"
Zuma turned bright red and put his head on the table whimpering softly.
"Oh Zuma," laughed Skye, "You're so cute when you whimper."
"Well, No one asked me yet," said Cutter.
Zuma looked up, "Um, Cutter. W-would you like to come back to Adventure Bay with me? I'll show you around."
"I'd love to," said Cutter, "I have time saved up. I just need to convince my commander to let me have a week or so off."
"I'll take care of it," said Chase.
"You know my commander?" asked Cutter.
"Chase knows everybody," laughed Rhonda. "But in this case he was in our class."
"Well then, yes," said Cutter, "I guess, I am."
"Great," said Rocky. "You'll love Adventure Bay. It's a little town, but lots of really great people."
"I'll just run to the base in a little while and grab a bag and turn in my leave request," said Cutter. "You want to come with us, Rocky?"
"Sure," said Rocky. "What are you guys doing today?"
"I want to fly over to the Big Island and go to Kona," said Chase.
"Yeah, the coffee is amazing," said Skye, "and then we are going to go see the black sand beaches at Panalu'u."
"I think Rhonda and I are going to tour rum distilleries," said Doug.
"I bring y'all a bottle," said Rhonda. "If we don't drink it all."
The pups all laughed. Everyone agreed to meet and go to a restaurant that Everest had set a reservation up for.
Cutter, Zuma, and Rocky rode up to the Coast Guard station. They walked in and a gentleman approached as they walked over to Cutter's desk.
"So is this the dog that's stealing my best pilot?" said the Gentleman.
"Good Morning Commander Wagstaff," said Cutter. "I'd like to introduce you to Zuma and Rocky, both formerly of the original Paw Patrol."
"It's great to meet you both," said the commander. "Needless to say, Zuma, we use some of your rescue techniques to teach our new pups. I would have loved to have had you join us. Everything is taken care of, Lieutenant, enjoy your trip."
"Thank you sir," said Cutter.
"Rocky, do you have a moment?" asked the commander.
"Certainly sir,"" said Rocky, stepping into the commander's office.
"Uh, What is that about?" asked Cutter.
"Rocky is a technical engineer from some high-tech bunch," laughed Zuma. "He only admits to selling aircraft parts. We all know better, but he won't talk."
"Wow, you guys have gone on to become so much more than anyone will ever know," said Cutter.
"Well, some of them did," said Zuma. "I'm still just a school teacher."
"Hey, I told you," said Cutter, "don't sell yourself short. We need teachers that have heart. Otherwise, the future rescuers won't ever try."
"Thanks Cutter," said Zuma. "You make me feel so much better about myself."
"So, you said you still have your hovercraft," said Cutter. "Will you take me for a ride?"
"Of course," laughed Zuma. "I can't believe you're coming back with me. I really thought I might just be a fling."
"I really like you, Zuma," said Cutter. "Who knows, but for now, You're my boyfriend, deal with it."
"Uh, I, Um," stuttered Zuma.
"What's wrong," giggle Cutter, "not used to being chased instead of chasing. Do you not want to be my boyfriend?"
"N-no I-i Do!" said Zuma. "No, I'm not used to being chased. I like it, but uh, I really like you too. I want to be your boyfriend."
"Good," laughed Cutter. "I'm a girl that generally gets what she wants. And besides, I know your tickle spots now."
Zuma was bright red as Rocky returned. Rocky looked at the two and just shook his head.
"I don't even want to know," laughed Rocky.
"Zuma's my official Boyfriend now," said Cutter. "Ok let's run to my apartment and get my bag."
Rocky stared at Cutter then looked at Zuma who was somehow even more red than before, he just shook his head laughing.
Chase and Skye had enjoyed the Coffee Tour and were now laying on the black sand beach enjoying their afternoon. Marshall and Everest had decided to tag along, they laid next to the couple.
"This is just so amazing," said Skye.
"I'd seen pictures, but never thought I'd actually get to see it," said Marshall.
"I think the view is even better with you in it," said Chase.
"Ah, thanks Chase," said Skye, kissing her mate.
"So what time is our reservation?" asked Chase.
"I set it for 1900," said Everest.
"Perfect," said Chase. "We can enjoy the beach a little more and then head back to the house to change for dinner."
Chase, Skye, Marshall, and Everest arrived at the house to find the others sitting on the front porch enjoying one of many bottles of rum that they had bought.
"Come on and have a glass with us," laughed Rhonda.
"Looks like you might have had enough for everyone," laughed Skye.
"Maybe," laughed Doug.
"These guys sure know how to drink," laughed Cutter.
"Yeah, careful," laughed Chase, "Rhonda used to drink my guys under the table just for fun."
"I don't doubt that," laughed Cutter, "So do you know what Rocky does for a living? Even with a little rum in him, he won't talk."
"Nope, aircraft parts is all he ever admits to," laughed Chase.
"We're going to get ready and head to dinner," said Skye. "Anything other than rum happen while we were gone."
"Zuma's Cutter's boyfriend now," laughed Rocky.
The pups stared back and forth at Zuma and Cutter then laughed.
"Well congratulations," said Marshall.
The pups split into vehicles and headed to the restaurant.
The restaurant turned out to be one of the best on the island and the food was incredible.
"I've heard about this place," said Cutter, "I never thought I'd get to come here though."
"This place is awesome for sure," said Zuma, "Wait until you get to eat at Mr. Porters in Adventure Bay."
"Is it fancy also?" asked Cutter.
"No, in fact we used to go immediately after going on rescues," laughed Zuma. "But the food is incredible."
"I look forward to it," said Cutter.
Rocky's phone rang, he looked down at it. "Oh, I need to go take this call," Rocky said, standing up and walking away from the table.
"The President calling?" laughed Cutter.
"You never know," laughed Zuma, "Probably work related, but you just never know and he won't talk."
"Maybe it's a secret lover," laughed Rhonda.
"I wish," laughed Zuma.
"What does he not date?" asked Cutter.
"I think he would," said Zuma. "It's hard for Rocky to relate to other pups. He's just too smart and has poor confidence in himself."
"There's always someone for everyone," said Everest, "Sometimes you have to go looking."
"Or you get lucky and spend the better part of your life with them," said Skye.
"But it takes the idiot years to get the guts to say something," said Chase.
"I sense a story there," laughed Cutter.
Doug called the waiter over and ordered another bottle of wine, "This is going to take a while," laughed Doug.
Skye began to explain and Chase would step in every once in a while to fill gaps. Then Everest and Marshall told their story.
"Wow, you pups had such a wild couple of years," said Cutter, "I was born on the USCG Cutter Reliance. My father was a rescue swimmer. My mom was an Avionics Tech. We didn't see a lot of action but we saw a lot of rescues. I loved the ship but the first chance I got to fly I jumped in all four paws. I love being in the air."
"Well if you decide to get out," laughed Skye, "I have my old 3500 that needs a pilot."
"I might take you up on that," laughed Cutter.
They finished their meal and returned to the house.
The next morning everyone got up and got their things together. Marshall, Rocky, Zuma, and Cutter flew out for Adventure Bay. Chase, Skye, Everest, and Doug left for Toronto.