By the time evening came, it was time for them to go. Rose and Dodger had to go back to the barge. They would stay there until the puppies are about 8 weeks old. Same goes with Whisper.

Rose saw Peppee and Violet jump on their owner, nearly knocking him over. It reminded Rose of when she saw Fagin for the first time since she came back. She was all over him, licking him as her tail wagged so fast that it looked like helicopter blades.

He hugged her while laughing hysterically, saying how much he missed his dog. He also noticed that she didn't wear her bandana. They'd have to get her one soon.

Rose laid with her mate and puppies, who were alsleep. For some reason, she couldn't sleep. She looked at her second litter of puppies, and her mate, feeling happy to be with them. She got up from her bed and trotted out of the barge.

(Outside of the barge)

It was dark outside, meaning that the lights in the city and the bridge were lighting up the city, giving it a lively feeling. Rose smiled at the sight.

She watched as a ferry floated by in the water, blowing its horn. She closed her eyes, taking in the salty breeze in the air. It felt so good to be back home after traveling for two years.

Now with more puppies, and Whisper, who has puppies of her own, things are getting better. Her relationship with her first litter and their puppies are getting much better

She was disrupted by the sound of the old wood creaking. Rose opened her eyes and looked over her right shoulder. It was just Dodger. The older dog smiled at her mate.

"You should be with the puppies, Dodge," Rose said. Dodger walked over to his mate and say next to her on her right side. "I know, but they're knocked out from today. They're not gonna wake up anytime soon," Dodger explained.

For a moment, they were silent. They couldn't figure out what they wanted to say.

"Really beautiful, isn't it?" Rose said, looking at the lights. "Yeah, it is..." Dodger replied, his voice soft.

"So... Why'd you come out here? I got worried," Dodger asked, raising his ears a little bit. "Oh, sorry. I didn't want to wake you up," Rose said, looking back at him.

Dodger nuzzled her, dropping his ears. Rose nuzzled him back, dropping her ears. "How'd you feel... when I disappeared?" She asked.

"I was... Oh, I can't tell you," he said, looking away from her. Rose was worried. Maybe her vanishing had taken a major toll on him. That's probably why he came after her on deck.

Rose knew him too well though and she licked him on the cheek. "I understand. You don't gotta tell me. I'm sorry for scaring you like that," Rose said, tilting her head.

The two dogs nuzzled each other, promising to not leave the other.

The next morning, they were woken up by Ryan, who ran down the barge.in a frantic way. "Ryan? What is it?" Rose asked, yawning loudly.

"It's Einstein! He's dying!" Ryan barked. Dodger perked up, hearing the grim news. "Let's go," Dodger said, rushing to the outside of the barge. They had no choice but to bring their pups with them because everyone would be there for Einstein.