around and started to walk to the door. Steel thought about it. He did love Princess, very much. Was that what was missing? He was too tired to worry about it now. So he closed his eyes, and tried to go back to sleep.

_

            The moon was shining high above Nome. The light made it look like the snow was glowing. Balto and Seph had waited at the boat for their guests to arrive. Kodi, Dusty and the team arrived first. Jenna came shortly after. Balto met her as she came up onto the deck. She looked beautiful. Her masters had given her a bath and groomed her. Her fur was shining in the moonlight.

Balto: You look absolutely beautiful.

Jenna: Oh, Balto. Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.

Balto: But not as good as you.

Jenna: Oh, you’re so sweet.

            Balto stepped forward and gave his lover a passionate kiss, and then hugged her. As they hugged, Balto saw Aleu, Niju and the clan arrive over Jenna’s shoulder. Jenna saw who was coming and stepped aside to let Balto go to his daughter.

Balto: Aleu, you made it.

            Balto walked down the plank to his daughter on the ground.

Aleu: Of course I did, Papa. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.

            Balto came over to Aleu and gave her a hug. It was good to see her.

Aleu: Merry Christmas, Papa.

Balto: Merry Christmas, Aleu.

            Balto saw that Niju was standing right next to Aleu. He had a smile on his face.

Niju: It’s good to see you, Balto. Merry Christmas. 

Balto: Merry Christmas, Niju.

            Niju stood aside and let his sister greet Balto. October walked over to Balto, happily.

October: Merry Christmas, Balto.

Balto: Merry Christmas.

            Balto then turned around and looked at his brother who was standing on the side of the boat, looking down at October.

Balto: He’s waiting for you.

            October rushed onto the boat and greeted Seph with a hug and a kiss. Balto loved to see his family happy. And know was the night to have the time of his life with them.

Balto: Alright, everyone. Let’s get on board.

            Balto then guided everyone onto the boat. It was time for the carols.

_

            Everyone was sitting in a crowd on the lower side of the boat. They girls were going to sing the first carol. Jenna, Aleu, Dusty and October lined up in front of the crowd to sing “O Holy Night”.

Listen to “O Holy Night”. Here’s the link for the specific song and video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-8jYpa1-o  

            It was beautiful. Their voices sounded angelic. Everyone was touched to the heart by the song. Niju was so happy to have fallen in love with such a beautiful, talented singer. Balto was so proud of Aleu and so amazed by Jenna’s voice. Kodi loved to hear Dusty sing. She was the perfect singer, he thought. And Seph shed a tear, hearing his love sing the words in Jesus name. Everyone loved it. They howled when they finished, since they couldn’t clap. They bowed and moved to the side for what was coming.

            Seph then stood up and faced the crowd.

Seph: Hello, everyone. You’re probably wondering what I’m doing up here. I just may be asking myself the same thing.

            Everyone laughed slightly at Seph’s humor. Then got quiet really quick, knowing that he was going to sing.

Seph: I am going to sing a song for all of us tonight. Just to show everyone how special this night is, and how tomorrow will also be a very special day to us all. You may join me if you wish, don’t be shy.

            Then, Seph began to sing “Silent Night”. The girls stood standing for his help.

Listen to “Silent Night”. Here’s the link for the particular song and video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b79sMJjYwW0

            As Seph allowed, all who were able, sung along. And October stayed next to him the whole time. She also liked hearing his angelic voice. This is going to be the greatest night ever. She thought. And it was.

_

            Everyone had just return from the midnight run. They were all walking back to the boat. They all had a wonderful night with Balto. It was definitely a Christmas Eve to remember. Balto then turned around to thank everyone.

Balto: Thank you all for coming. I hope you all had a wonderful night.

            They all did. Every single one of them thanked him. This night had meant so much to Balto. This is the first night he had spent a holiday with his family, and it was said to be the best.

            Seph had to be on his way. He couldn’t stay the whole night. Plus, there was still a celebration he had to be in Heaven for.

Seph: I have to leave, brother. Thank you for a great night.

Balto: Thank you for coming, Seph. I’m glad you had a good time.

Seph: I had the time of my life. I wish I could stay, but you know how it is. Plus I don’t want to miss the celebration.

Balto: What celebration?

Seph: Our savior’s birth day, of course.

Balto: Oh, yes. Of course.

Seph: But before I leave there is some last minute business I need to take care of.

Balto: What kind of business?

            Seph gave a slight laugh.

Seph: You’ll see. Well, let’s just say after tonight, you will stop worrying.

Balto: Oh, alright. Well, I definately hope to see you again soon.

Seph: And I’m sure you will. Merry Christmas, brother.

Balto: Merry Christmas to you too… brother.

            Seph then stepped forward, and have his brother a hug. It was so nice for him to spend time with his family, although he couldn’t always see them. It made him more than happy. Balto had an idea what kind of business his brother was talking about, but he had a feeling that was exactly what it was.

            Seph walked over to October, talking to Niju.

Seph: I have to go, October. Tomorrow is the Lord’s birthday, and I can’t miss it.

October: Oh, but we’ve only spent a couple of hours together.

            October leaned into her lover’s arms and started to tear.

Seph: I know. Don’t cry. We will se each other again soon, very soon.

            Seph held October and gave her a passionate kiss.

Seph: I promise you.

October: I love you.

Seph: I love you too, darling.

            Seph gave October another kiss, then bid everyone farewell. He began to walk towards the far left corner of the town, in the direction of the factory. Jenna walked up to Balto to his from behind and stood next to him.

Jenna: Where’s he going.

Balto: Oh, he’s just taking care of some business for me.

Jenna: Well, that’s nice of him.

Balto: Well, he’s a nice brother.

Jenna: Then I guess you’re lucky to have him.

Balto: Yeah. I guess so.

_

            Steel was still trying to sleep ever since Balto had come to visit him. Though, he hadn’t been getting good sleep. He had been waking up almost every twenty minutes ever since Balto left. The same thing was happening to him as it did Balto. He had the thought of something he had to do in his mind, and that kept him from being calm. Steel wasn’t very aware of this. He just thought it was a coincidence, but he also had Princess stuck in his head. Maybe, I should talk to Princess, he thought. He missed her. And the feeling of not being with her; made him feel like he wasn’t complete, as if he were still the mean Steel that he was. But only he was able to fix that.

            Steel had woken up again in the middle of the cold night. He could feel the cold wind rushing through his fur, for the door was open. It disturbed him.

Steel: Oh, what now?

            If it was this cold in a room with an oven, than someone must have come inside, he thought.

Steel: Ok. Look, Balto. I don’t feel like talking right