It was early November in Nome, Alaska. People and dogs were going about their business in the twilight during the sunless months of winter. The snows had come early this year, but that was the least of everyone's concerns. The darkness cast a sense of calm and tranquility over the town, as if the sun's sleep had descended upon everyone whether they were really asleep or not. People were enjoying themselves as they thought of Christmas approaching. Even the dogs seemed much calmer and happier than they usually were.

Suddenly the peace was shattered by a howl that filled the morning air. Several people stopped to listen, wondering what was going on. A moment later, a speeding blur shot down the street. It dashed past dogs and people, bowling several of them over. Shouts of confusion and a few angry words followed it, but the dog responsible was hardly aware of the chaos. All he cared about was that howl. "Hi, guys!" he called to the mail team as he ran past them, more out of habit than in greeting.

Kodi started to reply, but by the time he'd said its name, the blur was long gone.

"Was that Toby?" asked Dusty. "I could barely tell it was a dog."

Norik shook his head in amazement. "Where was that speed when he was on the team?" he wondered.

Toby ran faster and faster, seeming to take flight as his heart pounded like a jackhammer inside his chest. The run was hardly more than a block, but to Toby it felt like a mile. Skidding to a halt, he found Luna sitting on her front porch with a smile on her face and in no apparent trouble whatsoever.

"Luna?" asked Toby, panting. "Are you alright?"

Luna just smiled. "I'm fine, Toby. Just fine."

Toby looked around. "Where's Arrow?" he asked, wondering if the pup had disappeared.

"Eugene went to visit a friend and took her with him."

Toby was confused. "Then why did you howl? You sounded like you were in trouble."

"No, I wasn't in trouble," she replied, turning to lead him inside. AI was happy. And I wanted you to get here so you'd be happy, too."

Now Toby was totally lost. "Luna, what are you talking about?" he asked. "I'm happy whenever you're around!"

In answer, she turned around in a circle. "Do you notice anything different about me?"

"Only every other second."

Luna gave him an impatient look. "Just answer the question," she said.

Toby looked her over, but didn't see anything different. "You've had a bath?" he ventured, saying the first thing that came to mind.

Luna gave him that look a girl gives a boy when he's said or suggested something utterly absurd. "Since when do I howl like that over a bath? Besides, I said I was happy about it."

Toby shrugged. "Okay, bad guess." He thought a moment longer. "A new collar?"

She shook her head, a definite smirk growing on her face. "Wrong again."

"You've been brushed?" Luna rolled her eyes. "You've had your nails clipped?" Luna groaned. "Okay, I give up."

Luna turned so her side was facing him. "Toby, I want your honest answer. Do I look like I'm putting on weight?"

Toby blanched. His father had warned him long ago that there was no right answer when a female asked a question pertaining to her appearance. Actually, 'right' isn't the correct word; 'safe' would be more accurate.

Luna read the expression on his face. "Come on, this isn't a trick question. Just tell me, and don't worry about how I'll react."

Toby studied her. "Well," he finally admitted, "you do look a bit on the heavy side. Now why do you want to know?"

Luna's secretive smirk grew. "Remember when you were taking care of Loki and I said that you'd be a wonderful father someday?"

Toby nodded. "Yes, I remember that, but what…?" Then his mind ground to a halt as what she was saying hit home. "Whoa, wait a minute," he said, his eyes wide. Luna started to smile, as did Toby. "No. Uh-uh! Luna, are you telling me…?"

She rubbed her nose against his. "No, but I think you figured it out just fine."

Toby's brain was frozen like an icicle. "But…I thought the vet said that your back injury―"

"I know what the vet said," she interrupted. "The vet also said you should have died during the sled run, and that the same accident that messed up my back should have killed me or left me crippled for life. Remember?"

"Luna, are you sure this is for real?" asked Toby. He knew how badly Luna wanted to be a mother, and he was worried that all the wanting had finally convinced her it was happening, even after adopting Arrow. He'd heard of cases like that before.

She nodded. "It's not my imagination. Arrow told me this morning that my stomach was 'kicking' her all night."

"How do we know she didn't imagine it?" Toby asked. "Or if she just felt one of your muscles spasming?"

Luna's smile spread from ear to ear as she motioned for Toby to put his paw on her belly. He did, and gasped as something inside her body rolled and pressed against his paw. Her claim wasn't empty after all. Toby laughed. "How many?" he asked finally.

"I don't know yet," Luna answered, her paw covering the one Toby held to her belly, "but it feels like five or six. Maybe even seven."

Toby kept his paw pressed to Luna's belly. "However many, I don't think I can put this into words!"

Luna was beaming as she rubbed her head under his chin. "You don't have to."

"Did you tell her what it meant?" asked Toby, pushing his neck against hers in a canine embrace.

She shook her head. "No, not yet. I wanted to surprise you first."

He laughed again. "Well, you definitely succeeded!"

She shrugged as they pulled away. "It's a hobby."

"Hobby?" echoed Toby. "Seems to me like you make a full-time job out of it." Then he winced as his own words reminded him of something. "Speaking of full-time jobs, I hope Dad doesn't need me anytime soon, because I'm not going anywhere this time."

Luna giggled—not a little girl kind of giggle or even a teenage giggle—but the soft giggle of a full-grown lady. "Kind of ironic how we tied the knot so you wouldn't need an excuse to take me on trips like that, isn't it?"

"Oh, come on, Luna. You know that wasn't the real reason. I just said it that way because I couldn't think straight at the moment."

Luna tilted her head to one side. "Refresh my memory. When did you learn to think, period?"

"Hey," he protested, "I'm putting a career with my dad on hold, setting aside a life of adventure, and all you've got are insults?"

She furrowed her brow and studied him with a wary look on her face. "Okay, who are you and what have you done with my mate?"

"Huh?"

She burst out laughing. "Come on, Toby. You? No more adventures? After everything we've been through, I was beginning to think you'd never have enough chaos."

Toby chuckled. "Well, if our kids are anything like you, we'll have more than enough trouble right here in town."

"Excuse me?" Luna countered dangerously. "I believe you are the number one troublemaker around here, Tobias, not me."

Toby raised an eyebrow. "Tobias?" he echoed. "Luna, you sound like my mother."

"Under the circumstances, I'll take that as a compliment."

Both of them laughed. "We've had some hairy escapades, haven't we?" asked Toby.

Luna made a face. "Hairy escapades? That was bad even for you."

"Hey, I'm gonna be a dad. I need to practice my bad jokes."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was that a joke?"

Toby pretended to wince. "Touché." He laughed softly and then let out a quiet sigh. "We've done just about everything, haven't we? Tracking down criminals, babysitting a wolf cub, raising Arrow, getting rid of Steele…" He stopped when he saw Luna's hurt look. "Sorry," he amended. "Sensitive subject, I know." Luna looked at the floor. "Hey," Toby went on, "what your grandpa did has nothing to do with you, remember?" He brushed his tongue against her cheek. "And it's definitely got nothing to do with us."

She nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

Toby smiled reassuringly. "You've got nothing to be ashamed of. It won't matter to them any more than it does to me. You are who you are; what more could they want? Come to think of it, what could they do? They're stuck with you anyway."

Luna smiled, then turned and padded to her basket. "I guess I'll have to use this dumb thing now," she muttered contemptuously. "No way Connie's going to let me on the bed once I start ballooning." Toby sat down next to her, and Luna rubbed her nose under his chin. "So, any ideas for names?" she asked.

"Hmm…" Toby considered. "Well, whichever girl looks the most like you, we'll call her Eris."

"Eris?"

"From Greek mythology." Charlie had been reading Greek myths for his homework, and Toby had picked up a few. "She was the goddess of chaos and discord."

Luna gave him a playful whack. "If you weren't my mate, I'd bite you," she warned him.

Toby chuckled. "Well, I guess that makes me even luckier than I thought."

Luna laughed and rubbed her head under his chin again. This is the best day of my life, she thought.

Toby returned her affection, but his thoughts were at the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm in way over my head.