When Fires Collide - Chapter 9
Cinder woke the next morning from coming home. She rolled over and looked at the empty spot beside her. "I wish you were here with me," Cinder softly whispered to herself. She got up, got ready and headed to the station.
As she walked in she noticed everyone watching her.
"What?" Cinder asked softly.
"I actually wondered if you'd come back," said Rain.
"I wouldn't blame you," said Splash, "He's hot."
"Well, I wouldn't leave you guys," said Cinder softly, "I love this department. I'll admit it was tempting to stay, but I do really love you guys."
"We love you too," said Splash, "Now, you've got to tell us all the details."
"Maybe a few of the details," laughed Cinder softly. The girl pups followed Cinder into her office.
*** In Adventure Bay ***
Marshall had just hung up after talking to Smudge.
"So what did Smudge have to say?" asked Everest as she walked into the room.
"Only that he's losing his mind," laughed Marshall, "I really think he would move here in a heartbeat if she asked."
"You think they're that serious?" asked Everest.
"I think he is," said Marshall. "I'm not sure about Cinder, but I get the feeling she might be getting there."
"Well Jake wanted us to come to dinner," said Everest, "He has a friend from out of town visiting and wanted to introduce us."
"Sounds good to me," said Marshall.
Later that evening they arrived to find a gentleman about Jake's age standing beside him as they pulled up.
"Everest, Marshall let me introduce you to Adrian," said Jake, "He owns a ski lodge in Switzerland."
"Wow, that's awesome," said Everest. "Very nice to meet you."
"Danke, Mrs. Everest," said Adrian, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you two. Jake has told me so much about you. Marshall I knew of because of his fame. I have two St. Bernards that work at the Chalet, they often talk of your accomplishments."
"Me," yipped Marshall, blushing.
"Marshall, you have so much to be proud of," said Adrian. "I also understand your twin sister is equally talented."
"She's amazing to say the least," said Everest.
"Well, before we are totally consumed by talking about what good pups all of you are, let's eat," laughed Jake.
Over dinner they talked about many things. Everest asked about the Alps and the Chalet. Adrian pulled out his phone and showed various pictures.
"It's beautiful there," said Marshall. "I'd love to see it someday."
"You should come for New Year's Eve," said Adrian. "The fireworks over the fresh snow are amazing. I understand your sister is seeing some English pup, you should invite them too."
"You know," said Everest, "That sounds like a great idea. I wonder…"
"Uh oh," laughed Marshall, "I know that look. She's plotting something."
"Yep, I've seen those eyes before," laughed Jake.
"I think I might have any idea," laughed Everest. "I'll have to check and see if I can pull it off."
"I'm sure you'll let me know what I need to do," laughed Marshall.
The four continued talking for the rest of the evening. Marshall and Everest decide to stay the night at the lodge.
*** Heartland ***
Cinder sat in her office going over several reports. She had stopped and was staring off into nothing thinking about a certain dalmatian, she smiled and sighed. A knock on the door broke her from her day dreaming.
"Come in," Cinder called out softly.
Rain stuck her head in the door, "Are you busy?"
"Just reading training reports," said Cinder softly. "Nothing that can not be put off for a moment. How can I help?"
"I, um, I know this will sound weird," Rain started, "especially coming from me. Can you tell me about the sight-seeing trip and the trip to Paris again?"
Cinder thought for a moment, she could see what was going on. "Ok, I will probably be telling that story for many years to come," Cinder laughed softly. She began retelling the story from the point of boarding the bus.
Rain looked on and occasionally closed her eyes as she listened.
"...And then he kissed me at midnight under the lights of the Eiffel Tower," Cinder finished softly. She looked up and noticed that Rain had tears in her eyes.
"Rain?" Cider softly asked, "are you ok?"
"Sorry Chief," said Rain, wiping her eyes. "I, uh, I…"
Cinder got up and walked around her desk pulling Rain into a hug. "What's wrong? Friend to friend."
"It's, it's just so beautiful," said Rain. "I only dream of having what you and Marshall have. I can't even dream of having what you and Smudge have had already. Let alone what's in your future."
"Rain, while I can't even explain what Marshall and I have, and I doubt it can ever be duplicated," said Cinder softly, "but there's nothing stopping you from having a ma, uh, boy friend that's every bit as nice as Smudge."
"You almost called him mate," said Rain with a knowing smirk, "I love you like a sister. But I'm jealous. The odds of two perfect males let alone three just seems impossible."
'Two?' thought Cinder, 'who is she talking about, oh, Marshall!'
"Trust me Rain," Cinder replied softly, "Smudge is not perfect. He is wonderful but no one is perfect."
"Marshall is," Rain finally wept.
"I can assure you from personal experience that Marshall is far from perfect," laughed Cinder softly, "and Everest would agree."
"I want my own Marshall," said Rain. "I want someone to want me as much as he wants Everest. I want someone to woo me like Smudge is wooing you."
"Oh, Rain," said Cinder softly, "there's someone out there for you. I honestly thought I'd never find anyone. I'm still not sure I have."
'What do you mean?" asked Rain. "Smudge would do anything for you. Heck when he showed up after the incident, I'll admit, I was jealous. How could you not think he is perfect?"
"We all have flaws," said Cinder softly, as she turned away.
"How can you say that?" asked Rain. "Smudge is incredible, Marshall is perfect, and you are everything every female pup wants to be."
"But I'm flawed," Cinder softly replied. "I've had several pups reject me, because I'm not… not whole."
"Oh, Cinder," gasped Rain. "I'm so s-sorry I made you think about that. You may not be physically whole like most other females, but you have so much more heart and soul than every other pup I've ever met. That fact that you had your accident does not take away how incredible you are. If any pup can't see past that, they're blind. And you already have a plan to overcome that hurdle when the time is right. But I never meant for my jealousy to bring that to your mind."
"I still haven't told Smudge yet," Cinder whispered softly.
"Oh, and you're afraid that Smudge will be like the others," said Rain. "I don't know why, but I can guarantee he won't be blind like those other pups. You could see it when he was here training. But when he came back to be with you after the highway accident, there was no doubt. He adores you and will do anything to be with you."
"Well, I really hope you're right," said Cinder softly. "But I can assure you, there is the perfect pup out there for you too somewhere. Unfortunately, you might have to go looking for him."
"Sorry," said Rain, "I didn't mean to come dump my self-pity party on you."
"Rain," said Cinder softly, "you know any of you can come to me at any time. I may not be able to fix everything, but I'm always willing to listen. There's nothing wrong with an occasional pity party. We all need to have them. I can never explain how much it meant for all of you to watch over me as I had my, um, breakdown."
"Cinder," said Rain, "we all felt that one. The fact that it hit you so hard hurt us as much as the incident itself did. It also reminded all of us that it's ok to feel sadness at the things we see."
The two came together in a tight hug.
"I'll let you get back to your reports," said Rain, "Thanks again for listening to me whine."
"Anytime," Cinder softly said with a smile before returning to her reports.
*** Adventure Bay ***
"Marshall!" called Everest.
"Yes honey?" said Marshall walking into the office she had set up in the back room.
"Ok, I think I have all my plans in place," said Everest, "I need you to make the flight reservations for three to London. And four to Switzerland."
"Ok are you going to tell me the plan?" asked Marshall quizzically.
"No, you're terrible with secrets," laughed Everest. "And if by some miracle you managed to not say anything. Cinder could still pluck everything out of your mind somehow. The less you know the more of a surprise it will be."
"What about Cinder and Smudge?" asked Marshall, "Aren't they going to need to arrange leave?"
"Already arranged," said Everest, "I have spoken with Skipper and Smudge's Chief. I have everything but the flight arranged. I thought I'd let you do that part."
"This sounds like an epic event that even Skye will be hard pressed to top," laughed Marshall.
"Well, after the trip to Paris Smudge and his friend arranged," said Everest, "I thought I'd take it up a notch."
"How are we going to get their passports and bags packed without giving them any hint?" asked Marshall.
"I talked to Rain and she is going to get everything together and have it at the station," said Everest. "Then after I sent that care package to Smudge's sister I called her. Amethyst is really nice and agreed to help on his end. Trust me, your devious mate has everything worked out."
"I can't wait," laughed Marshall.
*** Two Days Before New Years Eve ***
Christmas had been busy. It was the first year that Everest got to go to Marshall's parents for Christmas. There had been some interesting conversations between Cinder and her mother and father about Smudge and why they had not met him yet. Cinder explained it as difficulty arranging schedules and assured them that she would bring him to meet them after the new year and things settled down.
Marshall almost slipped when he told Cinder he would see her soon. Everest covered it quickly by reminding her of the concert in Adventure Bay in February. Then when Cinder turned away Everest nipped Marshall's ear.
The day had arrived. Marshall and Everest stepped off the train in Heartland. Skipper had spoken with Everest and agreed to pick them up.
"Phase one begins," laughed Everest.
"Ok, so just figuring this out," said Marshall, "neither of them know anything about this right?"
"Correct Marshall," laughed Skipper, "Everest called and explained what she had in mind. I must say, this has to be one of the most exciting things I've ever heard of. Let's just say it is almost spy novel worthy."
"I just can't wait until the entire plan is revealed," laughed Everest. "I'll let her know it's a surprise visit to Smudge. But until we have him collected, will I let them know about the end destination."
Skipper pulled up to the station Marshall and Everest got out and Rain met them.
"She's in her office," said Rain. "This is so cool."
"So does everyone here know about it?" asked Marshall.
"Pretty much," laughed Rain, "I'll load her bag while you go get her."
Everest and Marshall knocked at her door.
"Enter!" Cinder called from inside.
They stepped inside. Cinder looked up and it took her a moment to register who had walked in. She jumped to her paws with a happy yelp and ran to hug them both.
"Wow, I didn't expect you two," Cinder softly cooed.
"Yeah, we thought we'd come take you to dinner," said Everest.
"Great, let me call Skipper and let him know I'm leaving for the day," Cinder softly explained.
"Actually, He knows," said Everest, "He's driving."
"Oh, uh, great," laughed Cinder softly. "Let's go?"
They walked out to Skipper's SUV and got in. Skipper pulled out and pulled onto the highway.
"So where are we going to dinner?" asked Cinder softly.
"London," said Marshall, he had begged to be the one to reveal this part.
"Excuse me?" Cinder softly yipped.
"Yeah, dinner with Smudge sounded fun," said Everest.
"But I don't have my passport or anything packed," Cinder softly protested.
"Actually you do," laughed Everest. "Let's call this what it is, an abduction. We're taking you and you have no say in the matter. Enjoy the ride missy."
"You two are crazy," laughed Cinder softly. "Skipper are you in on this?"
"I'm just following the mastermind's instructions," laughed Skipper, pulling up to the airport. "Enjoy your trip."
They stepped out, checked their bags and then walked in to get into line for security. As they were waiting Cinder noticed Jan walking up. She walked past Cinder and over to Everest.
"Good evening ma'am" said Jan, "You've been selected for special screening."
"Ok," said Everest, looking amused at first but she covered it quickly before Cinder could notice.
"Jan, it's ok she's with me," said Cinder softly.
"Sorry Chief," said Jan, "It's procedural."
Jan led Everest to a little room off to the side. As soon as the door closed Jan started laughing.
"Oh goodness that was fun," laughed Jan, "Ok Skipper called, I got you all bumped up to first class."
"Wow, thanks," said Everest.
"And when you head to Switzerland you'll need to seek out a yellow lab named Trey at the security stand," said Jan. "He'll take care of you getting you through Customs and all."
"Thanks, Y'all are great," said Everest, hugging Jan.
Jan led Everest back out to the security area to join Marshall and Cinder.
"Well that was fun," laughed Everest.
"I'm sorry," said Cinder, "The random searches are annoying but necessary. If I had known I'd have made arrangements."
"No, she was quite nice," said Everest. "Let's get to our flight."