would be held in the machine room, and the dinner would be held in the dog’s restaurant. Nikki, Kaltag, and Star spent endless hours arguing over what music to play, until they were finally able to come up with a song schedule. Dixie and Sylvie spent an almost equal amount of time on the aesthetic points of the wedding, among them picking out a nice collar for Balto to wear and some white roses to put in Jenna’s bandana. Morse proved invaluable during the massive setup three days before the wedding, barking messages loudly across the rooms. Eventually, everything was finally prepared.

It was the night before the big day. Balto couldn’t sleep at all; his mind had been tirelessly thinking of Jenna all week, and now those thoughts were at their strongest. He knew he would need some sleep, so he decided to go out for a walk to spend a little energy, hoping physical fatigue would help overcome his crazily energized mind. He started walking seriously, but in time he was reduced to ambling slowly. A lot was about to happen to him, he knew. The next day, he would become a husband, and officially a part of the town. What a tremendous step it would be from his former life. He stopped walking for a moment and looked at the moon. “They’ve been long and bitter years,” he said out loud, “but it’s worth it for this.” He continued down the street, but stopped when he heard a noise that sounded like humming. He looked around, and…there, on a bench. There was no mistaking that beautiful red. “Jenna?” he said. She turned and looked at him. “Balto? Hey! I hardly expected to see you here!” Balto smiled. “I felt like going for a walk. Mind if I sit down?” “No. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here, though.” Balto sat next to her. “Why are you out here?” “I’m having a hard time sleeping. I was just trying to pass some time.” “I don’t think I have to ask what you’re thinking about.” “Just everything that’s happened. I mean…” “I know.” She smiled. “Tomorrow, it’s going to be like…all of the guys that didn’t work out, all of the disappointments, all the hope I lost…that’ll all be gone, and it’ll just be…us.” “I’m sorry, Jenna.” “Why? What do you have to be sorry about?” “That I didn’t propose to you a whole lot sooner.” They embraced tenderly. “I have a surprise for you,” Jenna said. “Really?” Balto replied. “What is it?” “I overheard Rosy talking to her parents. She wants you to live at their house, and her parents agreed.” “Are you serious?” Balto said excitedly. “They want to take me in?” “Yes! And think; now we’ll be married! We can spend every minute of the day with each other!” They embraced each other, chuckling with joy. “I love you, Balto,” Jenna whispered. “I love you, too, Jenna,” Balto whispered back. “We should go home and get some sleep, okay?” “Okay. Goodnight.” “Goodnight.” They parted and began walking down the street in opposite directions. Balto turned around. “Marry you tomorrow!” he called. Jenna turned around as well, and they both began laughing ecstatically. “Marry you tomorrow!” she called.

Eventually, the lovers fell asleep, their minds flooded with wonderful dreams of each other, and eventually, the dawn broke, and the dogs began gradually moving into the machine room. It was quite full by four fifty-five in the afternoon, five minutes before the ceremony was due to begin. Balto stood outside, fidgeting nervously. He made an annoyed sound. “Five minutes. Come on, come on!” “I know you’re going to scoff at me, but be patient.” Boris was making sure Balto was ready, and Muk and Luk were there with them. “That collar looks nice,” he said. Balto made a sound like he was choking, and Boris laughed. “I knew you’d like it.” Balto was about to make a crack about the collar, but he noticed Boris’ face fade from happiness to gloom. “What is it, Boris? Are you okay?” “Ah, yeah, yeah, I, um…” A stray tear leaked down his cheek, and he turned quickly to wipe it away. Balto had never seen Boris shed a tear in all the years he’d been raising him. “Boris? What’s wrong?” The goose hung his head and wings, speaking sadly. “It’s just…Balto, you mean a lot to me. My home isn’t in the old country anymore; it’s here, and you’re a big part of it. Now, I’m totally excited that you’re getting married, especially seeing as Jenna’s such a nice girl, and I’m happy that you’ll be able to live in her house like you told me. Just…” His tears began to flow freely. “Please don’t forget me, my boy?” “Yes, Balto, you will visit us, won’t you?” said Muk, and Luk whimpered the same question. Balto walked up and nuzzled each of them comfortingly. “I’ll never forget any of you.” The three hugged him, and Balto spoke to Boris. “You’re nothing less than a father to me,” he said softly. Boris lost control and broke into sobs as Balto spoke to Muk and Luk. “And you two are like little brothers to me.” The bears sniffed a little, hugging Balto tightly. After a few seconds, Boris regained his composure and smiled. “I’m not the mushy type, Balto, but…I love you, son.” “I love you, too, Dad,” said Balto. “We love you, Balto,” said Muk, Luk humming his assent. “I love you guys,” Balto replied. “Alright,” said Boris, “that’s enough for now; I’m sure there’ll be plenty of crying and stuff in a couple of minutes. Go on in.” Balto walked into the room and stood on a platform that had been set up for the occasion. Doc was standing on it as well, waiting to conduct the ceremony. Balto happened to look at a silver plate and see his reflection. “Well, goodbye, old me,” he thought.

Jenna was waiting outside as Dixie and Sylvie got her ready. “I can’t believe you’re finally getting married,” said Dixie. “You were never superficial like us; I didn’t think you’d ever find a guy that measured up to your standards.” “You were smart to wait,” said Sylvie. “Well, Jenna, this is it. He’s waiting. The roses are really nice.” “Yeah. You look great.” Jenna smiled and looked at her reflection in a frozen puddle. She sighed happily. “Well, goodbye, old me,” she thought.

“Try not to get the notes wrong, Star,” said Kaltag. The dogs had managed to secure a small piano from an abandoned tavern, and Star had been asked to use it to play the wedding music. “Hey look, I’ve got it, chum,” said Star. Nikki spoke up. “This is really special, do yous know that?” “Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh ye of little faith…” He accidentally brought his paws down the instrument’s keys, striking a very sour note. Nikki and Kaltag glowered, and Star smiled timidly. “Sylvie is good at this kind of thing, but she’s being a flower girl.” “Just don’t get any funny ideas, okay?” “Hey,” said Morse, “knock it off, you three. The wedding is going to start in a few seconds! Star, get ready to play that thing.” Doc motioned with his paw for everyone to quiet down. Everyone watched as Jenna walked up to the door. Star began to play the piano, and Jenna walked down the aisle, slowly, grinning ear to ear, nearly oblivious to anything except Balto, her first and only true love, standing on the platform, looking so handsome in his collar and combed fur. Balto smiled joyously, his gaze fixed on her. She looked so much like an angel, his beautiful Jenna, walking toward him now, roses under her bandana, ready to join him forever. It was almost like a dream, but they both knew it was real, and that made it all the better. Boris was standing behind Balto as the best man, Dixie and Sylvie were accompanying Jenna as flower girls, and Nikki and Kaltag were watching from off to the side. Muk and Luk were sitting with the other dogs in the audience. Luk said something to Muk, who agreed. “Oh, yes, I’m very happy for Balto. He’s waited a long time for this.” Luk nodded, humming his agreement. Jenna stepped up onto the platform, and she and Balto smiled at each other. Doc began speaking. “Dearly beloved…”

“Do you, Balto, take Jenna to be your wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, till death do you part?” Balto was trembling with happiness as he looked at Jenna, his heart soaring. “I do.” “And do you, Jenna, take Balto to be your wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, till death do you part?” Jenna stared lovingly into Balto’s eyes, a tear of joy running down her cheek. “I do.” Doc nodded and smiled. “By the power vested in me by the dogs of this town, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” Balto and Jenna embraced each other and, without any delay, shared the first kiss of their marriage. Everyone sat up, cheering. There were more than a few tears, and not just from Balto and Jenna. Dixie and Sylvie were sobbing, Boris had begun halfway through the ceremony, Nikki and Kaltag were trying desperately not to cry but failing miserably, Star’s tears prevented him from being able to see the music notes to play properly, and it wasn’t Luk, but Muk who was crying at the sweetness of it all. It was a fantastic moment, and Balto and Jenna didn’t notice anything but each other, until they moved apart. They both laughed softly, tears streaming down their cheeks, and began walking up the aisle.

“This is pretty cool, guys,” said Nikki. “We hasn’t been to a wedding in ages, not to mention one this beautiful.” “Yeah, this is the most awesome, the most wonderful, the most stupendous, the most fabulous…” “This is nice!” Star cringed and braced himself for the impact of Kaltag’s fisted paw. Balto intervened. “Hey now! How can Star enjoy the dinner if he’s in a coma?” Kaltag sighed. “Alright. Since you’re the one getting married and all that, I’ll humor you.” Balto nodded and walked back to Jenna, who was standing near the dance floor. They exchanged a kiss, smiling at one another as Morse’s voice cut across the room. “Hello, everybody? Hello? Your attention, please!” The room quieted. “We are about…to pass around the cake! Thanks be to Boris, who was the only one among us dexterous enough to cut it!” Everyone cheered. “Balto and Jenna, could you come up here, please?” They obliged.