When Fires Collide - Chapter 16
Cinder had walked into her apartment after having seen Marshall and Everest off at the train station. She called Smudge to assure him that she had safely made it home.
"Sorry," said Cinder softly, "I know it's late there. I just wanted to let you know I made it home."
"No, no, it's ok," said Smudge. "I haven't been able to sleep. I left you a little surprise. Hope you like it."
They had continued talking for a while. She had hung up and finished unpacking her luggage. She found a wrapped up package in the bottom of her bag. She carefully unwrapped it at first she was confused. It was a pillow case from the lodge. She was about call him back for an explanation when she caught a whiff of something familiar. She leaned down took a deep sniff of the pillow case, it was from Smudge's pillow. He had sent her a pillow case. There was a note pinned to it.
Cinder my love,
I couldn't send myself, so I sent my scent. Yes, I asked Adrian. I know it's not the same, but when you close your eyes, let my scent surround you and hold you until once again you're in my paws.
Love you more than life itself,
Smudge
Tears welled up and she quickly texted Smudge, "found it. Thank you, if I can't have you in my paws, this is the next best thing. Love you too."
Thousands of miles away, Smudge smiled after reading her text as he snuggled into his own pillow with Cinder's scent on it. He closed his eyes and dreamed of holding her in his paws.
Cinder however was having trouble sleeping. She held the pillow with the new pillow case on it close and thought of the words Smudge had said before hanging earlier, 'I'm holding you right now. I'm caressing your ears, and now your head, down to your neck. I'm kissing your neck. I'm with you inside your heart until we are together again. This is good night, not goodbye.' When she closed her eyes and inhaled his scent she could almost feel his paws wrapped lovingly around her.
Marshall and Everest stepped off the train in Adventure Bay. Everest had called Jake and asked if he could meet them at Mr. Porter's for an early dinner.
"So are you going to tell me you're moving to Switzerland?" joked Jake.
"I thought that was a known fact" giggled Everest. "But no, we wanted to tell you our surprise before we told Ryder and the other pups."
A myriad of thoughts passed through Jake's head. Suddenly his eyes went wide.
"You're pregnant?" gasp Jake, "I'm gonna be a grandpa!"
"Wow, Jake," laughed Marshall, "you figured it out faster than even Cinder did."
Jake sat there for a moment.
"Are you happy for us?" asked Everest, concerned about his silence.
Jake turned with tears in his eyes and said, "No I'm very happy for you both. I'm so sorry for what I put you both through years ago when you started this journey together. I was so scared that I wouldn't be a part of your life anymore."
"That's the past Jake," said Marshall. "We've all grown since then and we both wanted to tell you first. Cinder found out because she was with us all week. You will be a large part of our pups lives. We would never think to leave you out of it."
"I love you, Jake," said Everest, licking his cheek. "I would never have dreamed of shutting you out. Obviously I won't be able to help as much the rest of this snow season, but Marshall said he'd be happy to help as much as he can."
"Thanks Marshall," said Jake. "I got the pictures Adrian sent of y'all's rescue. You seem to work good in the snow, not that there was ever any doubt. The snow has been great this year. I appreciate the offer for help. So are you going to move to the Lookout, Everest?"
"Actually," said Marshall, "I figured she would be more comfortable at the Lodge. And if I move there I can help you and take care of her also. I can respond from the Lodge anywhere if needed."
They spent the rest of the time talking about Switzerland and the trip as well as enjoying a good meal.
Later Marshall and Everest walked into the TV room where the pups were all watching Apollo. Marshall had asked the pups and Ryder if they could pause the TV.
"We have a little surprise for you all," Marshall said teasingly.
"What is it?" Chase asked.
"You have to guess," Everest replied in a sing-song voice.
"You are moving to Switzerland," Rubble suggested.
"You are buying Adrian's resort," Rocky volunteered.
"You are pregnant!" Skye yipped.
"Bingo!" Marshall and Everest sang together.
The pups gasped in surprise.
"Congratulations!"
"That is pawesome!"
"We are going to be uncles!"
"This is so exciting!"
"Wonderful!"
"You ok Zuma?" Marshall asked the surfer pup.
"Dudes, come on!" yipped Zuma, as he turned to glare at Rocky.
"What?" asked Marshall, cocking his head to the side, "are you not happy for us?"
"It's not that," laughed Rocky, turning to Zuma and holding a paw out.
Zuma handed Rocky a dollar and turned back to Marshall and Everest, "Really, I'm happy for you dudes. But Rocky bet me Everest was going to come back pregnant."
Your fault for taking the bet" Skye giggled, "all of us know that those two go for the wild and crazy stuff."
"You aren't wrong" Everest giggled, giving Marshall a look that made him blush.
The pups laughed and continued congratulating the couple.
Smudge woke and inhaled deeply enjoying the scent of his beloved. He opened his eyes and sighed, "Soon my love, soon." He got up and began getting ready. He fixed a small breakfast as he sat staring at it, he closed his eyes. He was about to get up when a knock came at the door.
"Who could that be this early?" Smudge asked himself. He walked to the door and opened it, standing there was his father.
"D-dad," said Smudge, "is something wrong?"
"No, I simply wanted to talk to my son," said Dalstrom.
"O-ok, come in," said Smudge, stepping aside to allow his father to walk in.
"I just finished my breakfast," said Smudge, "Would you like me to make you something? I have coffee."
"Thank you, coffee will be fine," said Dalstrom.
Smudge poured a cup for him and sat at the table allowing his father to sit as well.
"Son, I know you are struggling with a decision," said Dalstrom.
"W-what do you mean?" asked Smudge.
"Come on," laughed Dalstrom, "I'm not blind and neither is your mother."
"I'm not following," said Smudge.
"Smudge, you've never been able to hide your feelings," said Dalstrom. "Since you were a pup, your mother and I have always been able to read your feelings. I knew early on that you weren't going to be a show dog. You always had ambitions to do something you thought was greater."
"I know you both wanted me to follow in your paw prints," said Smudge. "It just never felt right for m…"
Dalstrom had held his paw up, signaling Smudge to wait..
"Dreamed of perhaps," said Dalstrom, "But I could see your desire for something else. Regardless, I can see in you that same look of hope for something greater again."
"I'm hoping the Operations Chief Program takes off," said Smudge.
"Yeah, that's not what I'm talking about," said Dalstrom.
"I'm…" whispered Smudge, fearing where this was going.
"Smudge, You aren't simply twitterpated about Cinder," said Dalstrom with a knowing smile. "You are completely in love with her and both your mother and I, and especially your sister can see it."
"And you're concerned that…" Smudge started.
"That you're trying to decide how to break it to us that you're leaving," laughed Dalstrom.
"I have been considering how to approach that topic," Smudge admitted.
"Smudge," said Dalstrom, "it would be nice to hear it from you, but you're a grown dog. If you've searched your heart and this is what you want. I won't suggest you reconsider."
"Yeah, but what about mom," asked Smudge.
"She is never going to admit it," shrugged Dalstrom, "But she knew the first time you brought her to meet us. No, she's not going to be overjoyed but she is happy for the two of you."
"Well it doesn't matter unless her parents say yes," said Smudge.
"Well I'm glad you plan to ask," said Dalstrom. "So much has changed in this world. I'm happy to see you still honor some of the values I tried to teach you."
"I hoped to go see her in a couple weeks," said Smudge.
"Well, make sure you let us know when you leave," said Dalstrom, standing and turning to the door. "If it means anything, you both have my blessing for a prosperous future."
"Dad?" said Smudge.
Dalstrom turned back to him. He was met with a hug from Smudge.
"Thanks dad," said Smudge. "I appreciate your blessing more than you know. I love all of you. I will come back occasionally when and if I move."
"Well, we've considered taking a try at the American Kennel Club Circuit," said Dalstrom. "It might be a good excuse to pop over and check it out."
Dalstrom turned and walked out to an awaiting car.
Smudge continued getting ready to go to the station. He stopped and made a call to a certain Dalmatian in Adventure Bay.
Cinder awoke and stared at the empty space beside her. She sighed and got up to prepare to go to work.
She walked around the apartment making sure everything was in its place. She dusted and cleaned here and there. She stopped and laughed at herself.
'I'm avoiding going and facing the others,' thought Cinder with a laugh.
She stopped and walked out of her apartment. She carried her duty bag and caught the bus to the station. She stepped out and walked into the station.
As she entered the lounge, everyone stopped talking and turned to look at her.
"Ok, I knew just enough about what the trip was," said Rain.
"We definitely want details," laughed Splash.
"Good to see you too," laughed Cinder softly. She walked over to her office and opened the door. The girls followed her in.
"Ok, spill it," laughed Rain. "Start from leaving here."
Cinder laughed and began retelling the story. When she got to the hot tub scene and began retelling how she told Smudge the girls were holding their breath. Once she explained how he took it, Rain squealed.
"Woohoo! I knew that pup wouldn't let us down," laughed Rain.
"What did y'all have a bet?" asked Cinder softly.
"Absolutely not," said Splash, "no one here would bet against Smudge accepting it and stepping up. Now, if you'd come back a mated pair maybe."
"What?" Cinder softly yipped.
"I figured you'd want the whole big wedding thing," said Rain.
"And Sadie and I said you'd elope and come back with him," laughed Splash.
"Well neither of you win," Cinder softly laughed.
"But you discussed it," said Rain.
"Well of course," Cinder softly replied before she realized she said it.
"So when is the wedding?" laughed Splash.
"And do we get to be bride's pups," laughed Rain.
"We haven't actually planned it," Cinder softly admitted.
"Why?" asked Rain
"Well there are things to consider," Cinder softly explained.
"Like…" asked Splash.
"Like, who is going to move," Cinder softly explained. "Who's going to give up their department. Who's going to leave their family. Who's going to change everything for the other."
"Well, hopefully he knows he's moving here," laughed Rain.
"Seriously, We love you and don't want to lose you," said Splash. "But if you decide that is what is right for you, we'll support you."
"Thanks girls," said Cinder softly, "that means more than you could know. But we still have a lot to discuss. But it will have to wait because I have a week's worth of paperwork to catch up on."
"See you Chief," said the girls as they walked out.
"Good Morning Skipper," said the girls as Skipper walked in behind them.
"So you did come back," laughed Skipper.
"What, did you believe I wasn't coming back or was coming back mated?" Cinder asked softly.
"So they admitted to their little wager?" laughed Skipper.
"They did," Cinder laughed softly. "Is there something you needed?"
"No, I wanted to stop by and catch you up on calls from last week," said Skipper, "and explain a new development the Chief wanted a course prepared for."
He continued and explained that no major calls occurred. He also explained a new system the chief was looking at and hoped to implement a training curriculum for. Cinder listened intently, taking notes on a few points.
Skipper finished and sat there for a while.
Finally Cinder asked, "Was there something else?"
"So since you don't seem to want to tell me without prodding," laughed Skipper. "What have you two come up with?"
"Who?" asked Cinder softly, knowing full well who he was referring to.
Skipper stared at her for a moment before laughing, "Smudge and yourself. Are you going to be handing in your resignation anytime soon?"
"Not that I'm planning on," said Cinder softly. "We are still trying to figure out everything. And yes, I spoke with him about the accident."
"I take it he accepted it as well as I expected he would," said Skipper. "You know I don't want to lose you, but I will support you and you and Smudge's decision."
"Well, currently neither of us are planning on leaving our departments," said Cinder softly. "I really do appreciate everyone's support. I'm not sure what to do, or how we can fix this so that someone doesn't end up leaving their previous life behind."
"Well, there will have to be compromise on both of your parts," said Skipper.
"I just want to figure out how to see him once in a while," Cinder softly explained.
"Well maybe you could actually take some of your vacation days for a change," laughed Skipper.
Cinder softly laughed.
"Honestly," said Skipper, "I'm very happy for you both. You'll figure something out, but don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it."
The alarm sounded throughout the station. "The city never sleeps," laughed Skipper, "Welcome back, let's go save the world."