wasn't sure what to expect, but that was part of the fun, like wondering what's underneath the wrapping of a birthday present.

The terrier was quick to follow him as he bounded to Jenna's house, stopping at the door to her shed while he went forward, nudging it open. This was it - the time where he'd get to see just how many bundles of joy they would be caring for.

He stopped at the threshold, taking a moment to look at her. She was lying on her side with her back turned to him, delaying the big reveal for a few seconds more. "Hello Balto," she greeted softly, as he readied himself for what was waiting with her. "Well come in, they don't bite… at least not yet," she said as he padded over to her to see the newborn pups.

It was a sight that would melt even the coldest of hearts. Snuggled up beside her were six pups - Jenna had been spot on with her prediction - nursing from her to receive their first meal of their lives. Five of them bore thin, reddish coats, varying from the brighter shade that Jenna wore to a darker shade that he assumed partially came from him. The sixth was the one that stood out the most, as it had a striking tan coat similar to his, just a shade lighter. All six of them moved awkwardly, still getting used to using their own limbs. Every now and then, one of them would let out a small puppy cry, not to vocalize anything, but simply to test out what would become their voices. As he watched their round bodies squirm and wiggle, he felt like he could float away on his joy.

"Oh Jenna, they're… they're so beautiful; just like you," he said, nuzzling her softly. A small whimper caught their ears, but it was just the little tan pup finding a better spot on her mother's belly.

"And you," she replied, before returning to their nuzzle.

While they took in the sight of their new pups, Boris poked his head in to see the two happy parents. Since he felt like Balto was a part of his own family, he was also very glad about the new arrivals. "Look at me - I'm an uncle," he said to himself. However, the moment was broken when the terrier decided to enter as well, barking his head off. By now, Boris had gotten sick of the yappy dog's intrusions, and decided to be rid of him once and for all. With strength that very few would think a goose would be capable of, he kicked the terrier backwards with enough force to send it flying over the fence behind them. With no more interruptions, they were now free to enjoy the sight of the adorable newborn pups.

After Boris got his own look at the pups, he left to let Balto and Jenna have some time to themselves. For the first little while they just watched the pups quietly, taking in the sight. So far there wasn't much - some of the pups were still nursing while others had settled down for a nap. One of them was bold enough to amble away from its mother to find out what else there was in this new world. However, its eyes were still shut, so it couldn't get very much from its excursion. Balto leaned down and let his nose tap the young pup's. It froze and squeaked a little at this new sensation. It couldn't see or hear what had tapped it, and whimpered in anxiety.

"Hey there little guy… I'm your daddy," he comforted. "Don't worry, your mother and I will take good care of you and your siblings."

Jenna giggled a little. "You do know that pups are born deaf right? They can't hear a word you're saying."

"So? Doesn't mean I can't try. They have to learn the sound of my voice at some point," he replied, before gently nudging the wayward pup back towards its mother, where it settled down to nap with its brothers and sisters.

"Would you look at that, I'm actually a father... but I missed it. Jenna, I'm so sorry. If I'd known, I-"

She shook her head to dismiss his apology. "It's fine Balto, there was no way you could have known. I wasn't expecting it to happen during the night either… then again no one knows how to expect the birth of their own children."

"But I was only a mile away and slept right through it," he countered. "I wanted so badly to see this, but now that I've missed it, it feels like I was asleep at the wheel."

"I know you wanted to be here, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not the most important thing. What's important is that you're here now, and that our pups are safe and healthy," she assured him.

"True… now all that's left is to name them all," he said. "Any ideas?"

"A few. I was thinking-" she was cut off when they heard the door creak open, and turned to see Rosy there, coming in to check on Jenna in the early morning.

"Balto? Watcha doing here boy?" she asked as he came over and let her scratch his ears. "I guess you wanted to check up on Jenna too, huh? Aw, you're such a good dog to look after her like that." He wagged his tail as he received the affection from her, before gently tugging her sleeve to bring her over. "What is it boy?" she asked, and when she saw the pups, she let out a loud squeal of delight.

"They're so cute! MOM! DAD! JENNA HAD HER PUPPIES! MOM DAD! JENNA HAD HER PUPPIES!" she shouted excidtedly as she ran out the door and bolted inside to deliver the news. They could hear her gleeful shouts from inside, following the path of her voice as she went up to her parent's room, roused them out of bed and came back down with her father in tow.

"Alright Rosy, calm down. We heard you the first dozen times," her father said as he ambled into the shed. It was obvious that he'd been woken abruptly, and Balto smirked a little when he saw his appearance.

'Wow, and I thought I had the bad hair days,' he thought as he saw the man. Dressed only in his robe, his hair stood in every direction from lying on a pillow, and even his normally neat moustache was askew that morning.

"Now, let's see what we've got and - hold it, what's he doing here?" he asked suspiciously, pointing at Balto. "He shouldn't be near the pups."

"But dad, they're his puppies too! See, some of them really look like him, especially this one," she explained, before picking the tan pup up and holding it for her father to see.

Rosy had failed to notice that pup had been enjoying her nap against her mother's warm belly. The jostling from being picked up, along with being unable to see of hear what was going on as it was being carried away frightened her. Balto noticed her squirming out of discomfort in Rosy's hands and knew from Maska's advice that pups shouldn't be separated from their mother much before they were able to wander off on their own. Doing so would cause them distress and keep them from the warmth their mother provided to their newborn bodies.

He padded over and gave the pup a few nuzzles and licks to try to calm her. Her squirms calmed a bit, but not completely. So, he very gingerly took the nape of her neck in her teeth and lifted her from Rosy's grasp, taking extra care to not jostle her. Much like what Maska and his mate did countless times with their cubs, he carefully carried his pup back to Jenna and set her down with her siblings, tapping her once with her nose to urge her to stay.

Both Rosy and her father observed his actions, and it was then that something finally gave in the older man. Seeing how tender Balto was with the pups reminded him of the day years ago when he first held his own daughter in his arms. He remembered wanting to be as gentle as possible with his newborn baby girl, and he saw that care being mirrored in Balto's actions. Now, that same little girl he could once cradle in one arm looked up at him, not wanting him to send her hero away. "See, he's being gentle with them. Please don't send him out - he should get a chance to see his puppies."

Everything he'd heard about wolves was telling him to say no, but he couldn't ignore that what he'd just seen ran contrary to his earlier preconceptions. Balto was being as much, if not more gentle with the pups than any other husky dog he'd seen. His concern over the pups no longer held any weight as Balto was there, being very gentle with them - as gentle as any good father would be with their children. The hybrid turned and looked at him, his expression calm, but expectant. He was waiting for the man to make the next move, with no signal of apprehension, anxiety or aggression. He was just waiting for what the man would say, and Rosy's father knew that the time had come now. He would have to give Balto the benefit of the doubt if they were ever to move forward.

"I… well… I'm not going to win this one, am I?" he sighed, pausing a moment before continuing, "Oh what the hey, why not?" he finally conceded. "Maybe having an extra pair of eyes looking after the pups won't hurt."

At this, all of their faces lit up in joy. "Really? Oh thank you, thank you!" Rosy exclaimed, and hugged him tightly. Her father chuckled on seeing her happy outburst, and was surprised when he was almost knocked over as an ecstatic wolfdog rushed in to lick him and show his gratitude as well.

"Easy there, down boy," he said, and Balto obliged, letting the man rub him behind his ears. "Now, I'm going to let him come by to see the pups and play with them, but that's it," he told Rosy. "I'm still wanting to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he'll behave within a home."

"But he will, why don't you just let him be