Morning Routine

The sun was just peeking over the horizon, casting warm rays of light through the Lookout's panoramic windows. Ryder stood in the kitchen, carefully cracking eggs into a bowl as he prepared breakfast for the pups. His movements were deliberate, mindful of his ribs, which were still healing. Despite the lingering ache, Ryder couldn't help but smile as he heard the muffled sounds of the pups talking and laughing in their rooms.

"Smells good, Ryder!" Zuma barked as he padded into the kitchen, his tail wagging. One by one, the other pups joined him, their noses twitching as they took in the delicious aroma.

"Pancakes and scrambled eggs?" Rubble guessed, his stomach growling loudly.

"You got it," Ryder replied, flipping a pancake onto a plate. "I thought we'd start the day with something special."

Skye bounced on her paws. "You spoil us, Ryder."

Ryder chuckled. "You pups deserve it."

Breakfast Time

Soon, the table was set with plates piled high with fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon. Ryder sat down with the pups, watching as they eagerly dug into their food.

"This is so good, Ryder!" Marshall said, his baby-blue eyes bright with gratitude.

"Yeah, dude, you nailed it!" Zuma chimed in, syrup dripping from his muzzle.

Chase took a moment to look up from his plate, his expression serious but warm. "Thanks for breakfast, Ryder. You really didn't have to do all this."

Ryder waved off the comment, smiling. "It's no big deal. Seeing you pups happy makes it all worth it."

Kitchen Cleanup

After breakfast, the pups began exploring their new rooms while Ryder stayed behind to clean up. Humming softly, he started gathering the plates and loading them into the dishwasher. As he reached for a stack of cups, he moved too quickly, twisting his torso without thinking.

A sharp pain shot through his ribs, making him gasp and stagger slightly. Ryder instinctively gripped the counter, trying to steady himself as the ache radiated through his chest.

The Pups Notice

Chase, who had been walking past the kitchen on his way to his room, immediately noticed Ryder's change in posture. His ears perked up, and he trotted over, concern etched across his face. "Ryder? Are you okay?"

Ryder winced but tried to wave Chase off. "I'm fine, Chase. Just… moved the wrong way."

Chase didn't buy it. He stepped closer, his brown eyes narrowing as he studied Ryder. "You're holding your side. Did you hurt your ribs again?"

Hearing the concern in Chase's voice, the rest of the pups quickly appeared, their playful chatter replaced with worried looks.

"What's going on?" Skye asked, her pink eyes darting between Ryder and Chase.

"Ryder's ribs are hurting," Chase explained, his tone serious.

Marshall immediately stepped forward, his EMT training kicking in. "Ryder, let me check you out," he said softly. "You might have pulled something."

"I don't need—" Ryder began, but Marshall was already gently guiding him to a chair.

"Ruff! X-ray screen!" Marshall barked, activating the diagnostic tool from his pup pack. He moved the scanner over Ryder's ribs, his face tense with concentration.

The other pups crowded around, their ears flattened with worry.

"Is he okay?" Rubble asked, his voice small.

Marshall finally spoke, his tone reassuring. "It's okay. Ryder didn't re-break anything—he just strained a muscle. But you need to take it easy, Ryder."

Ryder's Response

Ryder sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I appreciate you pups worrying about me, but I'm fine. Really."

Chase frowned. "Ryder, you've been through a lot. You can't push yourself too hard."

"Yeah," Skye added, her voice gentle but firm. "We don't want you to end up back in the hospital."

Ryder looked around at their concerned faces, his heart aching at how much they cared. "I'm sorry, pups. I didn't mean to make you worry. I'll be more careful—I promise."

Exploring Their Rooms

After making sure Ryder was comfortable, the pups returned to their rooms, eager to explore their new spaces more thoroughly.

•Chase's Room: Chase admired his police-themed bed and command station, testing out the security monitor Ryder had installed. "This is awesome," he muttered to himself, a satisfied grin on his face.

•Marshall's Room: Marshall carefully placed his new super suit on a hanger, smoothing the fabric with his paw. "This suit is amazing," he whispered, his tail wagging. "Ryder really outdid himself."

•Skye's Room: Skye tested out the hammock in her room, giggling as it gently swayed. "This is so fun!" she exclaimed.

•Rocky's Room: Rocky began organizing his tool racks, muttering about the efficiency of the layout. "Ryder thought of everything," he said with a smile.

•Zuma's Room: Zuma climbed into his hammock-style bed, bouncing slightly. "Totally awesome," he said, grinning.

•Rubble's Room: Rubble used his toy crane to lift a small model truck, his laughter echoing through the hallway. "This is the best room ever!"

Ryder's Room Touch-Ups

Meanwhile, Ryder stayed in his own room, tidying up and making a few adjustments to his setup. He carefully arranged some tools on his workbench and adjusted the angle of his monitors. Though his ribs still ached, he worked slowly, not wanting to alarm the pups again.

He glanced at the framed photo of himself with the pups on his nightstand, a soft smile spreading across his face. "I'm lucky to have them," he murmured.

A Family Moment

As evening approached, the pups gathered in Ryder's room to check on him one last time. They found him sitting on his bed, holding the photo.

"Ryder," Marshall said gently, "are you sure you're okay?"

Ryder looked up and nodded. "I'm fine, Marshall. I promise."

Skye hopped onto the bed beside him, nudging his arm. "We just don't want anything to happen to you."

"I know," Ryder said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You pups always have my back, and I can't tell you how much that means to me."

"We're a family, Ryder," Chase said firmly. "And family takes care of each other."

Ryder smiled, pulling them all into a group hug. "Thanks, pups. I don't know what I'd do without you."