'Am I enough?' thought Smudge, as he laid there staring at the ceiling.
Smudge was deep in thought about what Everest had told him. Smudge got up, careful not to wake anyone and decided to go for a walk. He wandered for a while until he found an overlook facing away from Adventure Bay. The mountains and valleys were lit by the moonlight. He laid down and contemplated if he thought he could be enough for Cinder if there was actually a disruption of the link between her and Marshall. He arose with resolve and assured himself that Cinder was the most important pup in his life and there is nothing he would not do to always be there for her and love her with all of his heart. He stood and returned to the cabin, slipping into Jake's room and laying down. He knew deep inside he would not be able to wait much longer.
"Figure it out?" Marshall softly asked so as not to wake Jake, lifting his head to look at the British Dalmatian.
"Getting there," said Smudge.
"Sleep will help. Goodnight, Smudge," whispered Marshall.
"Goodnight, Marshall," Smudge whispered back.
Smudge laid his head down, quickly drifted off.
The next morning Smudge was waiting for Cinder to wake up and as she walked into the kitchen to grab breakfast, he slipped into the bedroom to speak with Everest. He explained that he wanted to figure out a way to ask Cinder based on the plan but also quickly have the wedding.
"I think I have an idea," said Everest, with a gleam in her eyes. "Do you trust me to come up with a plan?"
"Everest, I'd trust you with anything," said Smudge.
"Great, I'll take care of…" Everest was saying, turning to stare at the door.
Smudge turned to look at the door. Cinder was standing there with Everest's breakfast, and she stopped. "Am I interrupting something?" she softly asked, suspicion evident in her tone.
"Not at all," said Everest lightly, "Smudge was just making sure I was comfortable."
"I'll go now," said Smudge. He stopped long enough to give Cinder a quick kiss on the cheek. "When you have a moment, I need to explain an email you'll receive from Skipper."
Smudge had walked out, and Cinder turned to Everest.
"So, are you going to tell me?" Cinder softly asked.
"Nope," said Everest with a knowing smirk.
"Really that's it?" laughed Cinder softly.
"Yep," laughed Everest, "you'll find out soon enough."
"I'm sure he's driving himself insane," Cinder softly giggled. "I guess I'll go see what Skipper has talked him into." Cinder set Everest's breakfast down and walked into the living room. She smirked at the voracious chomping sounds behind her.
Smudge explained the idea Skipper had suggested. Smudge then explained that Skipper had sent the files and what the password was. Cinder giggled at Skipper's password choice. As Smudge finished explaining that he was so happy that something had worked out. A smile spread across Cinder's face, and she grabbed Smudge kissing him deeply.
"Uh Hum!" Sparks voiced. "A little early to be consorting already, don't you think?"
Smudge jumped back a good yard from Cinder with a surprised and terrified yelp. "Sorry Sir, I was explaining that Skipper has given me a job offer."
"And I was congratulating him," laughed Cinder softly.
"And what is the job?" asked Ash, joining her mate.
Smudge explained about the Airport Operations Chief job and the training he would have to begin upon returning to Heartland.
Sparks began laughing.
"What?" Cinder softly questioned.
"I just feel really sorry for you, Smudge," said Sparks. "Don't get me wrong, you'll be great at the position. But I don't envy you when it comes to the training."
"Or who you'll answer to for certification," laughed Ash.
"I'm not that bad," Cinder softly protested.
"I seem to remember a high-scoring burned out building," snickered Marshall from nearby.
"I'll do anything," said Smudge, "but I would not be confident doing the job if Cinder didn't approve. I want to make her proud."
"I'm sure you'll do an amazing job dear," said Ash.
"MARSHALL!" Everest cried out from the other room.
Like a scene from Loony Toons, Marshall disappeared in a cloud of dust running full speed for Everest's room.
"It's, (breath) time (breath)," panted Everest.
"Ok, we've got this," said Marshall serenely. He stuck his head into the living area informing everyone that Everest's labor had begun. The look in his eyes and tone of his voice told everyone that fun Marshall was no longer present. Paramedic Marshall had taken over and there would be no nonsense tolerated. Cinder ran to Everest's side and began assisting with her breathing exercises, Smudge ran and began gathering the materials that had been set aside for this very moment. Marshall turned and returned to room and walked to the corner where he had placed a cart containing the OB Kit and all the equipment he might need. He wheeled the cart over and began setting everything out. He checked Everest and determined that she was almost ready. Soon he began. Ash came over to assist Marshall. Shortly thereafter, Skye landed outside and ran in taking Everest's other paw opposite Cinder.
The delivery went perfectly and first born was a little girl Everest informed everyone would be named Shasta. Next, a little boy Marshall explained was named Blaze. Both pups were allowed to nurse as Marshall continued to clean up. As he closed everything up and the adrenaline wore off, Marshall paused. "You did wonderful, Everest" Marshall whispered lovingly to his mate, tears of joy welling up in his eyes. Cinder stepped over and embraced Marshall. Marshall gazed at his snow-white pups; they were beautiful. Sparks stepped over and shook his paw, Ash hugged him. Marshall walked over and kissed Everest's head.
Jake walked over as his eyes teared up, "They're beautiful pups, dudes," said Jake.
"Thank you, Jake," said Marshall.
Ryder and the others came over to see the pups and then retreated to the living room to allow Everest and the puppies to rest.
Chase, Rocky and Smudge were sitting to the side talking.
"So, what have you decided?" asked Chase.
Smudge explained the job offer and then further explained his idea for the proposal.
"Wow, that's cool," said Rocky. "How are you going to get that together?"
"Everest said she has it handled," said Smudge.
"So that's what Skye has been helping her with," said Chase. "I figured it was puppy related. I can't wait to see how it turns out."
"If it wasn't for the pups," said Smudge, "I'd have whisked her away already. Now that they're here, I'll probably take her soon. I'll have to wait until Everest wakes up to find out when she planned everything."
The next morning Marshall came out to meet Smudge and explained that Everest wanted to see him, while Marshall distracted Cinder.
Smudge walked into the room. Everest and the puppies were laying on a pup pad. Everest motioned for him to close the door.
"Yes, you wanted to see me?" said Smudge.
"Yes, get your stuff ready and expect to leave first thing Saturday morning," explained Everest. "I have Skye getting Cinder's things ready and they will be loaded in Jake's Jeep. He will drive you two to town for breakfast. He will drop you off at the airport. The tickets are lined up as is the ride to the lodge. I expect you will ask her that evening, so I have dinner lined up with hopefully a clear view of Denali in the background."
"I-I don't know what to say," said Smudge, choking up, "You've pulled this together while ready to give birth and now nursing and everything else."
"Well, when all you can do is lay around," laughed Everest, "you have lots of free time to plan perfect proposal events. I also have a little surprise waiting for the two of you."
"Ok," laughed Smudge nervously.
The week went by and was torture for Smudge, he wanted so badly to tell Cinder. He had told her that he wanted to take her to breakfast Saturday morning and that Jake agreed to drive them to town.
"Enjoy your breakfast," said Ash, hugging Cinder and winking at Smudge over her shoulder.
When Jake turned towards the airport Cinder snapped her head around looking at Smudge.
"What are you up to?" softly asked Cinder.
"We're going to breakfast," said Smudge nonchalantly.
"Uh huh," said Cinder softly, "And where would that be?"
"Alaska," said Smudge, smugly.
'What?" yipped Cinder, "just what are you up to and why do I feel Everest's paws in this?"
"You two have fun," laughed Jake as he waved goodbye to them.
The two Dalmatians walked into the airport and were directed to an awaiting aircraft. They landed in Fairbanks and found a driver waiting to take them to the Lodge.
"I can't wait to see what you have planned," said Cinder softly as she snuggled up against Smudge.
When they pulled up to the Lodge; it was still light enough you could still see the mountains in the distance, luckily the skies were clear and the mountains were visible. Smudge walked Cinder over to the restaurant.
"Hello Smudge and Cinder," said the Maître D' "your table is awaiting you on the balcony."
Cinder eyed Smudge. He appeared just as amazed as she was. She'd definitely would have to hug Everest later.
Smudge helped her sit and walked toward his chair but stopped, taking a deep breath. He turned and came back to Cinder. He sat down bowing his head to her, as dogs can't exactly kneel.
"Cinder, you are the most amazing pup in the entire world," started Smudge. "In the time we've known each other I have come to love you more and more each day. I have thought for two weeks how best to ask you and everything I came up with paled in comparison to my expanding love for you. I can't imagine my life without you in it. As such I will simply ask, would you make me the happiest pup in the world and agree to be my mate? I promise you that you will never wonder about my love and devotion to you."
Suddenly Smudge's mind was inundated with an overwhelming feeling of love and happiness as Cinder tackled him, kissing him fiercely.
Smudge leaned, back gasping for air, "So does this mean you'll think about it?"
Cinder giggled softly, "No need to think about it; nothing would make me happier than to be your mate."
Cheers erupted around them as two couples lowered menus nearby. Smudge's parents and sister sat on his side and Cinder's parents sat just behind Cinder. The other pups and Ryder were sitting just inside the restaurant.
"How?" gasped Smudge.
Everest came to the table and hugged Cinder, "surprise, I immediately called Smudge's parents and planned this based on how fast I could get them here. We all came on Air Patroller; it's much faster than commercial flights and we landed in the parking lot. That gave me plenty of time to get everything set up."
"What else did you set up?" asked Cinder softly.
"You'll see," laughed Everest.
Smudge's mother came over and hugged Cinder. Smudge's father walked over and shook paws with Sparks and then Smudge.
"That was the proposal I expected out of you," said Sparks.
"Thanks, I think," said Smudge.
"You made your father and I proud," said Lilly
The others walked by and congratulated the couple.
"We'll be in the other room," said Chase. As the pups and Ryder turned to walk out of the restaurant.
"What other room?" asked Smudge.
"Like I said," laughed Everest, "You'll see."
"Well, are you ready?" Ash asked Cinder
"Ready?" asked Cinder softly, "ready for what?"
"Well, your wedding of course," giggled Ash.
"What!" yipped both Cinder and Smudge.