Hey, say hello to Part One of "What's Love Anyway?"
This project is kind of an experiment for me: instead of my usual style of material, these will be a collection of short one-shots generally focusing on the same or close to the same cast of characters (I got the idea from a Star Fox Christmas fanfic). The situations will vary, but essentially all the ideas I have so far are companions to, deleted scenes from, or teasers of a series of longer fanfics I have in the development stage. Also, in keeping with Valentine's Day, all the stories will deal with some type or aspect of love and with couples, though the two will not always be directly linked. THIS PROJECT IS SET IN AN ANTHRO-VERSE (sorry; wanted to make sure you were still reading), meaning that the characters appear in humanoid form like they did in Balto's Treasure Island, Road Rovers, etc.
I plan to post a new chapter each year, hopefully sometime in the week leading up to Valentine's Day. I may change the genre to match the latest chapter when appropriate, but the above description should fit everything I put here. I'm rating the project T to be on the safe side. (In case you're wondering, there will be some material which may surprise those familiar with my other stories).
This story takes place around Balto and Jenna's second wedding anniversary, and is set sometime in the eighties or so. It's not the first of my ideas chronologically, but the themes involved seemed appropriate with the way things are right now in the world. Anyway, enjoy!
Jenna slipped on the dress and looked at herself in the mirror, frowning. She didn't remember it feeling so tight; it felt as if she could hardly breathe or move. Have I been letting myself go, she wondered, turning this way and that, or...?
It shouldn't be having that result; not this early. She knew it didn't really matter; Balto would love her even if she put on twenty pounds or more. He might not be thrilled about it, but he'd still love her. All the same, she did want to stay looking good for her husband, girth or no girth. Besides, she thought, this isn't regular weight gain.
She took off the dress and looked for another. As nice as it looked on her, she'd never be able to enjoy herself if she felt like she was wearing a straightjacket. She chose a blue one instead; not as slimming, but much more comfortable, and close to the black one on the list Balto most liked to see her in. She tried it on and studied herself.
Now, let's see, she mused, selecting a diamond necklace from her jewelry box. It looked good against the blue backdrop of her dress, and would go well with the shoes.
As she continued to tinker with her look, she tried not to think about what had unfolded at the doctor's office.
"I wonder what Balto will say," Jenna said when the doctor told her she had one in the oven. She was nervous even though she knew she didn't need to worry; kind of like her wedding day, as she would later reflect.
The doctor frowned a little. "Worried he might take it the wrong way?" he ventured.
"No, no," Jenna answered, shaking her head earnestly. "We've been hoping for this ever since we got married, but... well, his hours got cut at work recently." Then she shrugged. "But his boss promised that wouldn't last long. We'll make it work."
"Hmm," the doctor mused. "I suppose so, but you do have other options."
She was confused. "What do you mean?"
"You could put off having kids," he answered, noting something on his clipboard. "If this is a bad time..."
"You just said I already... had..." Jenna trailed off, her ears falling back in shock at what she was hearing.
"You don't have to decide that right away," he went on. "Think about it and let me know your decision at your next appointment. Now there are a few-"
Jenna stood up and retrieved her purse. "I've already decided," she answered, heading for the door.
The doctor looked up. "Mrs. Williams, we have a few more things to-"
"I'll find out about them from my new doctor," she answered, refusing to even look at him. "I'm putting off my next appointment – permanently."
The doctor wisely decided not to follow her as she headed back to the waiting room. With the frame of mind she was in right then, even a mugger or murderer wouldn't have dared mess with her.
"Oh, Jenna," the receptionist called, "Could you remind your husband he has an appointment here in two weeks?"
It was all Jenna could do to maintain her usual demeanor as she answered. "I will," she promised, "but when I tell him what Doctor D'Nollah said, you probably won't want him to come."
A knock sounded at the door. "Can I come in," asked the familiar voice, "or is this still a construction zone?"
Jenna smiled and rolled her eyes. "Come in," she called.
Balto entered, and she could no more help noticing his appreciative gaze than he could help giving it as he walked over to his own dresser in search of his favorite tie. Then he noticed the black dress on the floor. "Not in the mood for black?" he ventured.
She shook her head, remembering that he had bought her that dress for her birthday the first year they were married. "No, it just felt a little tight this time," she answered vaguely. "I think I put on a pound or two."
"Lucky me," he chuckled. "All the more to love."
Just you wait, she thought.
Jenna did her best to stay in the moment as they headed out for dinner, and for the most part she pulled it off. She noticed and turned up the volume on the radio a few notches when "Cleaning This Gun" came on – she and Balto often jokingly called it their song, though they both preferred "Love Story." She was aware enough of the present to be duly surprised when Balto pulled up to Red Lobster – a decision Balto attributed to some generous gifts from her parents and his godfather. It wasn't easy, though, and as they sat down to wait for their order the lack of distractions seemed to funnel her thoughts back to the pup growing inside her. She was surprised when Balto laughed at one of her mechanical answers.
"What?" she asked, trying to remember what she had said.
"You said you wanted ice cream for an appetizer," he chuckled. "I thought you were worried about your waist."
That had been the wrong thing to say. "I'm not fat," she argued, her face growing hot, "and I wasn't serious about the ice cream." Part of her was upset with him, but she knew it wasn't fair to think that way; after all, he didn't know, and she had brought up her figure earlier. That was what made the other part – the one annoyed with herself – so frustrating: deep down, she knew it was right. She had been planning to tell him that night as they got ready for bed, or maybe the next morning as a kind of mini after-party to follow up on their anniversary celebration. It had been so romantic in her mind, but now she felt almost trapped, and she knew he must feel pretty cornered too.
Balto confirmed her suspicion as his ears leaned back and his smile fell into a surprised frown. "I'm sorry. I... I never meant to say it like that."
She shook her head. "It's fine," she answered. "I'm not just- I mean just not myself tonight," she amended.
He nodded understandingly. "I know, my work cut has you out of it. I don't like it either, but we'll be alright." He reache out and took her by the hand. "Don't worry about it. We're together, we've been together for two years, and we've got a long time head of us. Why be upset over a small pay cut?"
Jenna smiled. Even after two full years, feeling his hand on hers still gave her butterflies. Yet the moment was hindered by her worries. "I've been thinking about picking up some extra work," she suggested. "Maybe a part-time job on the side, just until yours picks back up."
"Oh, Jenna, you don't have to do that," he countered. He didn't mind not being the sole breadwinner for their household, but he did like having Jenna there when he got home; he always said that the thought of her face made his work seem lighter.
"We do have bills to pay," she reasoned. "Besides, you work hard all day. You deserve some backup." Back when they were still planning their wedding they had decided to try to get by just on what he made whenever possible so they could put her earnings aside for leaner times... and for when they started a family. Now that both of those had come along, Jenna was convinced they needed more income.
Balto shook his head. "Jen, I appreciate that, but I'm fine, and-"
Suddenly, over at the next table, a greyhound stood up and tapped his fork against a half-full glass, calling for attention. "Excuse me, everyone. Excuse me." He looked around to make sure all eyes were on him, then beckoned for a female greyhound who had been sitting across from him to stand up. He put his arm around her and they both smiled.
"I'd like to announce," he called out, "that Shannon here has just agreed to marry me."
Applause broke out throughout the room, and several customers raised their glasses in salute. Jenna couldn't help smiling at the sight of the happy couple, but then a worriesome thought came to her: what if Balto did something like that when she broke the news to him? She felt as if she might die if he did that. She was just congratulating herself on her discretion in holding the news until they were alone when...
"What's wrong?"
Jenna blinked, clearing away the distracting thoughts. Balto was looking at her with concern in his eyes.
"Nothing," she answered too quickly.
He frowned. "Jen, I haven't been married to you for two years without knowing when something's got you upset. What's wrong?"
She shook her head. "I don't..." then she stopped, and she knew why. She did want to tell him. Even the part of her that was afraid he'd get right up and tell the world wanted to tell him, if only to get it over with. Deep down, though, she just wanted him to know. She'd been practically glowing inside earlier just thinking about it, and she wanted him to feel that way too.
"Alright," she said quietly, "but promise not to make a scene of it."
He looked wary, but he nodded. "Okay."
She leaned across the table. He leaned over too. She put her muzzle next to his ear and whispered, "When I said I'm just not myself tonight, I really meant not just myself."
She could almost hear his eyes pop as his mouth fell open and his breathing stopped. "Jenna," he asked, "do you mean...?"
"I'm pregnant," she answered.
For a heart-stopping second, she thought he might forget his promise. Then he laughed. "I guess I can see why you wanted it kept quiet," he admitted, glancing to the newly engaged couple across the room. "We wouldn't want to upstage them."
She shook her head. She was going to say that wasn't her reason (although it wasn't a bad one); say that she had been afraid it might embarrass her, but then she stopped. She wasn't embarrassed, just like she hadn't been afraid in the doctor's office. Nervous, yes, but not embarrassed and not afraid. She was his wife, she was carrying his pup, and she was proud of it. He was her knight; he had been ever since that day in high school when she'd been in a tight corner until he backed her up.
Instead of the answer she had been thinking of, she drew back just enough to look into his eyes. Then she kissed him. "I just hope she's as happy as I am right now," she told him.
He smiled, and just before leaning in for another kiss he added, "That guy can't be as happy as I am, but I hope he's close."
Next to them, a female cleared her throat. "Sorry to interrupt," said a Cocker Spaniel, "but your appetizers are ready. Do you want to order your main courses now, or later?"
"Oh." Balto sat back down in his seat, blushing a little. Then a mischievous grin appeared on his face. "I'll wait," he answered, "but could you get my wife an order of ice cream with a side of pickles?"
The following morning, Balto awoke in a slow manner which called to mind the sensation of drifting to the surface out of a warm lake on a sunny day. As soon as he looked at Jenna, he remembered the news from last night and caressed her stomach with his fingertips. Boy or girl? he wondered. He wondered a lot of things as he stroked, unaware that his attention was waking Jenna up.
"Morning," she said softly, startling him out of his reverie.
He jumped. "Jenna! I… morning."
She giggled. "A penny for your thoughts?"
He sighed contentedly. "Wondering if it's a boy or a girl," he mused. "I was hoping for a boy, but now I kind of hope it's a girl."
"Why?" she asked, turning a little more toward him and propping her head up with her arm.
He shrugged. "Well, at least one of us would have some idea how to raise a girl… except you had two brothers, so I guess that's a moot point."
Jenna knew all too well why that would worry Balto; having lost his parents at an early age, he'd always lacked a lot of role modeling. She smiled, turned his face from the ceiling towards herself, and gave him a peck on the lips. "You'll do fine, whichever it is."
As they continued to talk, she remembered her conversation with the doctor the previous week. She hated to spoil the moment, but decided she'd better get it over with. He took it well... for a wasp.
"He wanted you to what?!" he demanded. "Why that-"
"Careful," Jenna warned, patting her stomach. "Not in front of the baby."
Balto frowned, trying to remember that his wife's glibness was born of having had more time to get over the creep's idea. Taking a few deep breaths, he went to the phone and dialed.
"Balto, don't say something youll reget," Jenna warned.
"As long as it doesn't land me in jail, I'll regret nothing," he replied. Then, into the phone, "Hello. Yes, this is Balto Williams. I have an appointment next week, and I'd like to discuss it with Doctor Belljar." He waited, then spoke again. "Yes, hello. About that appointment, I have something to tell you: over my dead body." With that, he hung up the phone.
"Feel better?" asked Jenna.
He smiled. "A little."
The phone rang again, and Balto groaned. "If that's him again…"
Jenna gently pushed him aside and picked up the phone. "I'll check. Hello?" She paused. "Oh yes, he's right here." She put a hand over the mouthpiece. "Mr. Bighams."
Balto took the phone. Mr. Bighams was his boss. "Hello?"
"Hello, Balto. I know you asked for today off, but we just got a big contract and we need all the hands we can get on it. I know you're feeling an hours crunch, so if you're interested then you should get here fast."
The news took Balto completely off guard. "Just a second," he said, covering the phone and quickly telling Jenna. There was a regretful look in his eyes as he added, "I know we need all the money we can get right now, but…"
She shook her head. "I'm fine. We can catch up later."
Balto nodded and returned his attention to the phone. "Yeah, I can be there in about an hour."
"Good. If this pans out like I'm hoping it will, it could spell the end of your time cut. I'll expect you soon. Goodbye."
"Bye," Balto replied, and hung up. He turned to Jenna with a shrug. "You just never know, do you?" he asked.
"(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:7
Well, that's Part One. What do you think?