Chapter forty-three: Hours In Transition
Entering into the living room, the two German Shepherds heavily dragged their feet across the floor. Both plopping down onto nearby pillows, which just happened to be nearby the one Boomerang was laying on; all curled up and ready for bed.
"Augh.. Who knew younger pups could already make me feel old.." Chester groaned, his voice muffled by the pillow since he didn't move from where he'd landed; which was flat on his chest.
"Aouh.. I don't know, but,.. can I skip my therapy tomorrow?" Chase moaned.
"Nice try, Chase.." Maggie grinned, drying her hands off with the dish towel she'd draped over her shoulder. "But, we'll try not to go too hard on you after all the babysitting tonight. You will get time to truly relax, I promise."
"Uhhhhnnnn.." Chase groaned, face-planting into the pillow. Frank and Billy came in at that time and stomped the snow from their boots. Billy entered the kitchen through the door directly in front of him from the front door, and he approached his sister so his back was to the pups.
"Mari's gonna be active tonight." He told her discreetly. "We'll need to keep eyes on her." Then peeking over his shoulder they both looked at the two pups watching them intently. Maggie just smiled and handed the towel to her brother and strode toward the two pups.
"Alright, you two let's get ready for bed.." She said picking up Chase on her way by them and instantly took him down the hall past the front door, with Chester in tow.
"But- nih! What about mom?" Chase asked, futzing around a bit as he was placed into a tub that fit inside that actual bath tub.
"That's our job to worry about it and you not to.." Maggie told him. "She just needs time and support, neither of which you can give her.. Leave her to us while you get some rest.."
She turned on the water and pulled out the sprayer with a special brush attachment. Then diverting the water to the sprayer, she let the water run through her fingers till the temperature was just right. Chase transitioned himself to lay toward the slant of the one side of the tub and lay on his side. As soon as the spray worked up his paws he jumped from the temperature change, but the further up it went the more he relaxed. And at a certain point, the foamy bubbles forming across his sopping wet coat from the circular brushing motion almost seemed to entrance him to the point of nearly falling asleep multiple times.
He didn't even seem to notice the moment the water stopped flowing, or the moment he was taken out and dried off. By the time he was laid back onto the pillow in the living room, he was sound asleep almost instantly.
"Woah, how'd you do that?" Chester marveled, a little distantly since he was getting tired too. "He's like.. midnight level sleep in a matter of seconds."
"Minutes, Chess.." Maggie smiled. "Melatonin and lavender.. the two best natural sleeping agents. He'll get all the rest and recharge he needs.. and now it's your turn.. come on."
"Sweet! I'm down for a solid night of sleep." Chester replied, following her back to the bathroom.
XXXX
When she was putting Chess down on his bed, he was definitely more awake than Chase was,.. but unlike the young PAW Patrol Pup, he was all too willing to lie there awake for a bit to let sleep slowly take him from the waking world. And in no time at all they were both solidly asleep.
Maggie draped blankets over both of them, then picked up the mug she'd brought with her and set it on the stand next to her father, who sat in his chair reading a newspaper quietly. Peering down through his glasses, he scanned every word thoroughly, till he heard the mug contact the tile coaster next to him.
"Thank you, dear." He said, lowering his paper to take the handle in one hand so he could take a sip and set it back down.
As soon as she'd delivered the mug, Maggie headed for the front door to grab her coat and open the inner front door.
"Those two should sleep through just about anything now, but keep your ears open for 'em, would ya, Dad?" She said, "and keep your eye on Dad for me, Boomer. It's gonna be a long night."
"Of course.." the old dog replied, noting the look Frank gave her over the frame of his glasses, but smiled when straightening his paper to begin reading again.
Then with that, she opened the door and went out, bracing against the breeze that came rushing in initially and began making her way to the breeding barn.
xxxx
Mariana's breaths came and went like she was on the verge of panting.. but they were calm to say the least. Her eyes opened when an approaching sound entered her whelping box.
"How's she doing?" Maggie asked her brother, who had taken a spot next to her head against the side wall of the box, gently stroking her head with his fingers.
"Handling it like a champ, just like always." Billy replied.
"Where is Chase.." Mariana asked, the concern of her tone coming out despite her exhausted demeanor. "He can't be anywhere near.. -here.."
"Don't worry, Ana, they've both been taken care of.." Maggie assured her, when she was now close enough to kneel beside the laboring mother. "They're sound asleep.. and if they wake Pap and Boomer will keep them away for as long as this takes. We'll bring them out tomorrow if all goes well.. You just relax and keep everyone in here safe.."
"Oh.. ok.." The German Shepherd's concern melted away as did she when she laid her head back down.
"She's getting close.." Billy murmured to his sister, as she took a seat where she was. "I'll bet we'll have the first one very soon. And with any hope, they'll all come quickly after that."
"I already left a voicemail for the doc," Maggie informed him. "I'll send him another when the first pup comes.. but we shouldn't need him till they're all out and eating.."
"Sounds good.." Billy nodded, laying his head back against the wall to close his eyes. "It's gonna be a long night.."
XXXX
The sun shined through the glass sliding doors, despite the cold chill in the air.
A yawn broke the silence as Melody woke up. The female husky slowly sat up and shook herself, letting the purple blanket slide off of her. Looking around, she noticed her siblings were still asleep. Melody decided to go get a drink of water when a sudden tug pulled her back; something had her tail.
"Om nom nom nom!" came the munching of Brian as he softly chewed on his sister's tail. Melody rolled her eyes.
"N-No. More chicken! Please!" Brian said in his sleep as he kept chewing on the furry tail. Melody carefully pulled her tail away with disgust and amusement. She then went to get her drink of water.
After Melody took a long drink of water, she looked around, wondering if anyone else was awake or not.
Marshall slept with the ease of the peaceful atmosphere and the refreshing bliss of sleep. He suddenly looked up when he thought he heard the front doors open, but nothing appeared to have happened so he laid back down.
It hadn't been much longer before a crash sounded, jerking many if not all them awake in an instant.
"*snort* huh?
"Huuh?"
"What?" Sleepy voices yawned, as sluggish eyes blinked heavily, and bodies drunkenly began to rise from the seas of cushions.
Suddenly a meowing head came up among the pile of training equipment.
"Cali?" The PAW Patrol pups queried, then the door suddenly opened again. Then one of the heavy poles started to fall and the few pups that saw it gasped when it finally tipped over and hit the TV on the wall..
"Merry Merry Christmas! Celebrate the holiday with our one of a kind Holiday Merry Gift Basket! Choose from walnuts, cashews, cranberry juice, cucumbers, and cheese or a big juicy turkey for seventy percent off! This offer is only available for two weeks, so get yours today! Cash or credit is accepted with a price of fifty dollars plus seventy percent off. Call 1-500-Merry-Basket for your Holiday Merry Gift Basket today! That's 1-500-Mer.."
"Ahh!" Those that were already awake were pretty startled, but those that were still asleep were VERY stunned. Just the volume alone made them afraid they would be blasted out, but then the flashy visuals and lavish colors threatened to blind them with holiday cheer.
"Ah! Too loud! Too loud!" Brian exclaimed as he covered his ears with his paws.
"Rgh.. good thing Chase isn't here.." Rocky remarked, shielding his face and ear from the harsh sound.
"I like Christmas, but not like this! Someone do something!" Snowflake cried as she too covered her ears before ducking under a pillow.
"Ahh, make it stop, make it stop!" Skyler cried, crouching down to cover her ears then stuffed her head under a pillow to block out the noise. Then suddenly the sound cut off and she poked out the other side.
"Wooph, thanks.." the border collie sighed.. "Wait.. who did that?"
The pup whose paw was on the tv remote stood poised in position.
"You're welcome.." Rayla sighed
The blonde visitor came in at a run and stopped just inside the door to brace her hands to her knees so she could catch her breath.
"Cali.." the girl gasped.
"Katie?" Rocky addressed the girl as he and some other pups wandered over to her.
"*gasp* sorry pups I tried to stop Cali from just busting in on you, but-"
"Pups.. is everything ok? I heard a lot of commotion down here-.." Ryder froze after coming out of the elevator when he noticed Katie there, opening her arms to accept her cat who came running to her. "Uhh Katie?"
"Sorry Ryder.." Katie apologized, stroking the cat. "I wasn't planning to crash in like this, but Cali.."
"It's ok, Katie, what can we do for you?" The boy interjected, beginning an approach toward her.
"We're ok.. by the way.." Marshall mentioned stepping up next to Ryder. The boy smiled down at him and nodded his thanks.
"I'm sorry it was so early,.. but.. one of my packages didn't arrive this morning.. and it's really important.. I have a special customer coming today and I need this package. They sent me a case of a specific brand of high quality soaps to use on their pet for their appointment. And it was supposed to be outside my door this morning, but when I went out to bring in my order the box I was expecting wasn't with them.. and I think someone might have taken it!" She handed Ryder something and when he unraveled it he found a logo and some information.
"I was hoping Chase would be here to try and help me find out who took it.." Katie continued, "but.. I don't see him.. did he sleep outside by himself again?"
"Actually the Prescotts asked if he wanted to go spend the day with them on their farm outside of town.. So he went home with them last night." Ryder replied. "They thought it might be a good break for him.. and it's something new to shake things up a bit."
"Yeah, but I think we can still help you!" Snowflake said, as she walked over to Ryder.
"Wait, seriously? We're not gonna just call him to come help?" Skyler asked, a little surprised.
"Why not, dude?" Zuma reasoned. "He's taking a break right now.. he could use the distraction.."
Snowflake eyed Skyler in surprise.
"Nnnnoooo.. But Chester could use Chase's gear.. If he hadn't gone with Chase too.. Well, I'm a tracking pup so I can help. Maybe we can call Tracker if we reach a dead end?" Snowflake suggested.
"Why? His tracking skills wouldn't really help since his super hearing is more tailored to finding things in the jungle?" Rocky mentioned. "And besides, we should have all the tools we need here."
"Of course we do.." Ryder affirmed. "Don't worry, Katie we'll help you find out who took your package and get it back for you.. No job is too big. No Pup is too small!"
"And we know Chase is gonna flip when he hears we handled this without him.." Tiny mentioned among his friends as Ryder initiated the pup tags. Then everyone ran for the elevator.
"Wait for me!" Brian said as he ran, with a pillow balancing on his head.
"Wait!" Marshall cried. "Watch out for.. Woah!" Landing on something soft, he opened his eyes and held on as the bobbing motion ran them into the shield of glass.
However, Brian fumbled and sent the pillow forward. So Marshall braced, anticipating the crash. But when the padding rolled up to his shoulder, he opened his eyes to realize that the pillow had slid into the elevator and was stopped against the back wall.
"Don't mind me," the Dalmatian shrugged with ease, as the remaining members boarded. "I'm just on a magic cushion ride."
Then laughter erupted amongst the group, as they began their ascent.
XXXX
Peace hadn't felt so peaceful.. The stillness of the atmosphere seemed to be the only reason the slumbering body was still sleeping. Which gave the impression that even the slightest bit of motion would ruin the whole thing. Still, the freedom of air in his lungs flowed in and out and nothing could feel any better. Well, other than the touch of someone very close to him.. or perhaps a hug from them, that too.
However he did not miss the tiny paws and tongues that had bombarded him just hours ago. Which brought back the memories, though they were somewhat fond, they were also the reminder of annoyance. But he could have sworn that this still seemed to ring the sound of a little pup noise in his ears, which suddenly made him sit up.
"Mom!"
xxxx
Bursting out the door in a hurry, his pants puffed with smoke as he set his sights on the breeding building across the yard.
"Woah, woah, hold up there, pal. Let's bundle up out here, it's cold." Billy said, approaching him from coming up the path toward him in full winter gear.
"But- but-.." he tried to protest, but was swept off his feet before he could move anywhere.
"No buts.." Maggie insisted, tapping him on the nose in her arms. "We'll not be returning you home with a cold."
"*sigh* ok.." Chase sighed, hanging his head, then the two siblings entered the house together with the pup cradled in Maggie's arms.
So that was fun.. And we're back again so yay! Sadly though setbacks have been making writing a little bit tricky at the moment so I apologize. If we have to postpone again I'd like to say we'll get back to it but I can't guarantee anything for certain. However.. We'll do our best.
That being said, how much fun has this been already? I know this story is dragging on longer than we thought, but I promise we will get it to Christmas day hopefully before or around the same time as this Christmas season. Here's hoping I guess. See you next time! Thx!