2nd time lucky

 

2nd time lucky?

 

 

It was an early morning in Nome Alaska… the bright sun peeked over the tops of the pine trees. The skys glowed a bright blue. The milk coloured snow settled upon the roofs of the little houses that where stacked together.

The cobbled streets wet with slush and sleet.

The waves on the beach crashed against the rocks and seagulls cawed as they dived in the sea.

A sleeping Balto lay upon the abandoned ship in a small cabin. He tossed and turned before laying on his back.

An old goose walked over to him mopping the decks. “Vhat is wrong Kido?”

Balto looked up at him. “Nothing, Boris…” he lied.

Boris gave him a funny look as he put the mop down and folded his wings.

“What?” Balto said sheepishly.

Boris tapped his webbed foot on the wooden floor. “Don’t lie to me, Balto I can tell if something is wrong.”

Balto stood up and shook the blue blanket off his back. “Well… it’s Jenna”

“And…” Boris encouraged.

“I think she’s pregnant… again”

Boris chuckled. “Great… more babysitting” he said sarcastically.

Balto laughed and looked out the window. “You wanna come with me? I have to go check on Jenna!”

Boris nodded and followed Balto out of the boat and down the beach.

They entered the village where they saw a sled dog team pull up. “Hey dad!” Kodi called as a man took his harness off. He raced to him and nuzzled him.

“Hey son, how’s it going?”

“Fine, hey where you off to?”

“To see your mother” Balto said as he and Boris left him.

“Oh ok bye dad! Catch ya later!”

“Bye!” Balto shouted as he trotted off.

 

They came to a small house on the edge of Nome. “Jenna!” he called to her window. But there was no answer. Balto tilted his head and barked. “Jenna!!”

“Hmm” Boris thought and pushed open a barn door. Inside was Jenna laying in some hay. She raised her sleepy head and looked at them.

“Jenna?” balto asked when he saw her.

She nodded and smiled. “Come closer”

Balto swallowed hard as he walked in. laying beside her was 2 tiny bundles of life suckling.

He smiled and nuzzled one of the pups. The pup wrinkled up his small nose and squeaked.

A tear came to Jenna’s eye as she stared into the corner of the barn.

Balto looked in the same direction to see 3 more pups, covered in dust and hay.

He walked over to them and nudged one. But it just rolled onto it’s back.

Balto’s eyes widened. “Is he-“

Jenna sighed and nodded. “I’ve had miscarriages. Their dead…”

 

 

 

 

A disappointed look spread across Balto’s face. “But their so small…”

“They didn’t even to share the sight of the world…” Jenna interrupted.

Balto noticed that tears streamed down his mate’s face. He sat beside her and comforted her. “Shh, it’s ok look we still have 2 pups” he said in a warm voice.

Jenna nodded. “W-what are we gonna call them?”

Balto thought for a moment. He looked at a pup that looks like him but more tanned colour and light. “What about… Tovak?”

Jenna’s face lighted with delight. “Yeah, I like that! Hello my little Tovak” she said warmly and licked the pup’s tiny head.

She looked at the other one that had the markings of Jenna but the colours of Balto.

“This one’s a girl, my little princess… I like the name Kayma” Jenna said proudly.

Balto nodded and smiled. “Our little Kayma and Tovak!” he said with delight.

Boris creaked open the door and smiled at the sight.

 

“Hey, Dad!” Kodi said as he came into the boiler room late at night.

Balto smiled at his son.

“I got the others like you told me” Kodi said.

Saba, Dingo, Chester and Kally followed Kodi in. “Hi dad!” they called.

“And Aleu as we all know went with wolves… so other than her where all here”

Balto grinned. “Well, this might be a shock to you but… Jenna just had 5 pups!”

All the brothers and Saba looked at each other whispering.

“But! 3 of them sadly died while she gave birth… but the other 2 are healthy lively young pups and the boy is called Tovak and the girl is called Kayma!” balto continued.

Silence fell among everyone. Just a slight cough or bark in the distance.

“You’ll get used to them” Balto said and winked before leaving them in the boiler room.

 

7 weeks later…

 

It was a nice sunny day on the beach and Balto was playing with Kayma and Tovak.

Jenna sat and watched the happy sight with Boris.

“C’mon kids!” Balto yelled as the two pups tackled him.

“Wow, you guys are pretty tough…” he said as the pups began nibbling on his ears.

Kodi trotted over to Balto. “Hey dad can you watch the big sled dog race that’s on tonight?

You said you’d be there. Me, Dusty, Kirby, Ralph and some other dogs are racing and I’m gonna be lead dog!!” Kodi said wagging his curled tail.

Balto nodded “Yeah of course I’ll be there son” Balto said and grinned.

“Thanks dad you’re the best!” Kodi said and nuzzled his dad before trotting off with Dusty.

“He’s a good pup” Balto said looking at Kodi trot of with Dusty.

“Tovak!” Kayma called before tackling her brother to the sand pinning him.

Tovak growled playfully before pushing her off of him and pounced on her.

 

Balto panted as he walked over to Jenna. “Are you okay Balto?” she asked and nuzzled her mate.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine, aww look at them” he said and looked at Kayma and Tovak.

“Their the only pups that looks like me, Kodi, Chester, dingo, Saba and Kally look like you Jenna!”

Jenna nodded. “You’ve got Aleu…”

Balto snorted and didn’t say anything.

“She’s still your daughter Balto, if she’s away from you or anything! Like our dead pups… their just as much family as… Saba and everyone! And even Aleu” Jenna snapped.

Balto folded his ears. “I-I just miss her”

“I know…” Jenna sighed and nuzzled under Balto’s chin.

“I gotta go now and meet Rosie, see you later Balto, c’mon pups home time!”

“Ok mom!” Kayma and Tovak shouted as they raced after her.

The pups stayed at Jenna’s house one week then the next week they stayed at Balto’s boat.

“And remember Balto! Kodi’s race! Don’t be late!!” Jenna called.

Balto nodded and walked to his boat.

 

Later that night…

 

An angry Kodi stormed into the boat and nudged Balto hard. “Wake up, dad!”

Balto raised his head and looked at his clock. “Kodi it’s 2am… what you doing here?”

“Oh I just finished my big race!”

Balto opened his eyes wide and got to his feet remembering.

“You missed it dad! You promised you’d be there, it means a lot to me!!”

Balto lowered his ears. “Kodi I-“

But kodi stormed out the door. “It’s all Kayma and Tovak’s fault… everything was fine until they were born… you just like them better than your first litter and everyone agrees… even mom” he sighed and ran down the beach.

Jenna was on the beach beside the boat. “Kodi!” she called softly.

Balto jumped down beside Jenna.

“You’ve lost Aleu… and you’ve now lost Kodiak…” she said suddenly.

Balto shook his head and ran after his son but he was too fast.

 

 

 

Tovak walked over to Balto. “Dad? You ok?”

Balto nodded slowly and watched Kodi run round the corner until out of sight.

Kayma walked over to them too. “Papa!” she cried and nuzzled him.

“Where’s Kodi going?” she asked.

Balto shrugged. “He’ll be back by morning”

 

 

To be continued…

 

 

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