please?” They obliged. “Go on! Give some to each other, and we’ll start eating.” The two of them clumsily tore pieces off the cake and put them in each other’s mouths. They hugged each other, and those present clapped again, after which they ate their apportioned pieces of cake. “I swear,” said Doc, “everyone is going to be rather hyper this afternoon.” Nikki’s voice came over a microphone. “Okay, may I have your attention, everyone?” The dogs all looked toward him. “Thanks. We’s are going to start the music now, so anyone who wants to dance should get ready. Rule! Only one rule! Balto and Jenna will only be dancing with each other, so nobody else ask them, okay?” Everyone nodded. “Good. Let’s dance!” They turned on the radio system, and Balto and Jenna started to dance, along with a few other dogs. The first song, most appropriately, was “I Knew I Loved You”, and it was beautiful. Balto nuzzled Jenna as a sob escaped his throat. “What is it?” Jenna asked. “It’s just…it’s like the song. I’ve waited so long for this…I just, I can’t believe your mine.” “Well, I guess that’s why I’m crying, too,” said Jenna. She pulled her head back, and Balto saw that her face was tear-streaked. They embraced each other, letting their happy tears fall.

The rest of the music was very good; Nikki, Kaltag and Star had worked their tails off choosing it. When the dinner began, an introduction had to be made. Boris, Muk and Luk got to talk to Nikki, Kaltag, Star, Dixie, and Sylvie for the first time, and among other things, Boris told them the story of how he found Balto. Following this, the eating started in earnest, and the eight of them, including Balto and Jenna, got to have a fantastic time talking. After several minutes, the couple went back to the tables to get more food. While they were up, they happened to notice someone standing uncomfortably near the door. It was Steele. Balto looked at Jenna, silently asking her what he should do. Jenna nodded slightly, and Balto began walking towards Steele, who simply watched him approach, saying nothing. Balto stopped in front of him and, after a moment, held out a paw. “No hard feelings?” he asked. Steele looked down at Balto’s paw and sighed. Then, he slowly held out his own, and they shook. “No hard feelings,” he said. “Are you going to eat anything?” asked Balto. “Nah. I’m going to get out of here.” He looked at Jenna, then back at Balto. He looked like something was bothering him a great deal, and Balto didn’t have to think too hard to figure out what it was. “Don’t worry; I’m not going to rub this in your face or anything, and she won’t, either. I know it.” The troubled look on Steele’s face seemed to fade. He nodded and turned to leave, but stopped just as Balto was going to head back to Jenna. “I promise I won’t mess with her,” he said. “Or you.” Balto turned towards him, more than a little surprised. “You mean that?” “I’ve always thought that one good turn deserves another.” Balto nodded slowly. “Thank you, Steele.” Steele actually smiled a little, and then walked out the door. Jenna walked up and nuzzled Balto. “Do you think you made a friend?” she asked. “Well,” said Balto, “I’m not completely sure about that, but I do think I lost an enemy. I actually feel sorry for him.” “Well, I think his perfect mate is out there, if he’s willing to be patient and keep his eyes open.” They kissed and went back to the table where their friends were sitting. Almost two hours passed of talking and eating, and then, as the dinner was due to end, Doc walked to the dance floor, clearing his throat to draw attention. “Well, everyone, I think it’s time to go home. Before you leave, however, a toast, to Balto and Jenna and a happy life for them!” Acknowledgement came from around the room, and everyone drank to the couple’s marriage. Balto and Jenna thanked all wholeheartedly, and then walked out the door, calling goodbye as they headed back to Rosy’s house.
 
“After you,” Balto said charmingly. Jenna smiled at him and walked through the dog door. Balto touched her shoulder as she went in, letting his paw run down her body. Jenna broke into a grin, feelings a sweet, pleasant rush. Balto walked in after her, and when he saw her sitting there, it was his turn to feel a rush. “Man, she’s lovely,” he thought. He walked slowly toward her, feeling like his body wasn’t his own, and broke into an uncontrollable grin. Jenna stood up, an enchanted look on her face, and walked toward him. They met and kissed, holding it long. When they released, Balto sighed lovingly. “I love you, sweetheart,” said Jenna. “I love you, too, beautiful,” said Balto. Jenna smiled. “I don’t imagine you’ll want anything to eat,” she said. “You’re right,” Balto replied. “I’m stuffed.” “What did you used to get for food, anyway? Couldn’t have been much; you’re pretty thin.” “Well, when I was a puppy, Boris always found things for me to eat; I don’t know where he got them. When I got older I started going out to find my own food, because since I was eating more he couldn’t find enough all by himself. I never killed any animals, but I did have to steal from people a lot. I didn’t like doing it that way, though; I preferred to look through garbage and try not to get caught. I’d still get chased away, but it was a lot easier than stealing. The garbage behind the butcher shop had great meat, so I would go there a lot…until he caught me. One look at him holding that meat cleaver and glaring, and I never went back. Sometimes I just had to do without.” Jenna felt deep pity for Balto while he was saying this. “It’s so unfair,” she thought. “He’s the nicest dog in town, and he’s had to live the worst his whole life. He probably never had a really decent meal before today.” “You’ll never have to worry about that anymore,” she said. “Rosy will never let you go hungry. Come look.” They walked into the kitchen, and Balto saw a new food bowl sitting next to Jenna’s, with his name on it. “See?” Jenna said. “She’s already made you a bowl.” Balto smiled, shaking his head. “Wow…” “Wow what?” “Just…it’s so different. All these changes…it’s just huge.” Jenna nodded. “You deserve a beautiful life after all you’ve been through. I hope you’ll like it here.” “Anywhere you are.”

The two walked into the living room together. It was quite late by this time, and the room would have been pitch black, but the sky was spotless, and the moonlight spilled into the room through a front window of the house, the curtains of which were open. A bright shape of the window stretched out over the floor from the pale rays, and all of the furniture was bathed in a faint, surreal glow. Balto and Jenna embraced again, holding each other tightly, wanting only to be as close to one another as possible. Jenna nuzzled Balto, who then walked over to a radio that sat on a low cabinet. He turned and looked at Jenna. “You like jazz, baby?” he asked, his voice low and romantic. “Yeah,” Jenna said softly, with a sweet smile on her face. “Soft jazz.” Balto turned the radio on softly, and spun the dial until he heard a saxophone. Jenna walked to him, and he met her halfway across the room. Neither of them said a word; they just placed their heads on each other’s shoulders and began dancing slowly, closing their eyes and absorbing themselves in the atmosphere of the moment; the gentle, passionate music; the shadowed room with the shining ambient moonlight; the feel of each on the other, and the stirring, delightful passion of a slow dance, into which they fell voluntarily, thinking about nothing except how wonderful it felt just to be there.

When the song stopped, Balto and Jenna slowly moved their heads apart and stared into each other’s eyes. Balto felt more alive than he ever had in his life. For so long, he had yearned to give his love to Jenna, and his chance had finally come. Jenna felt so happy she could barely think. As she lost herself in Balto’s eyes, she felt complete at last, the empty space in her heart gone for the first time. Standing there, allowing their hearts to intertwine, was a moment that bordered on magical. Balto was the first one to speak. “I can see behind your eyes, Jenna,” he said softly. “I can see your heart.” “I can see behind your eyes, too, Balto,” Jenna said. “It’s like I’m actually seeing how beautiful your heart is, instead of feeling it.” “That’s exactly how I feel,” Balto said. “It’s too wonderful for words.” After staring into each other’s eyes a little longer, they finally broke away, and went into the family room. A fire burned low and warm in the fireplace, casting its flickering yellow-gold light over a basket bed sitting just in front of it. The bed had a large pillow in the bottom, a soft-looking brown blanket, and red velvet cushions. Jenna kissed Balto on the cheek, and he turned toward her, letting her lips run down his muzzle and meeting her second kiss with his. “The bed looks comfortable,” he said. Jenna looked at the bed, then back at him. “Wanna find out?” she said alluringly. Balto grinned. “Why not?” he said, passion filling his voice. “By the way, I’m not really thin; I’m lean. I’ve got muscle. Feel it.” He stood taller, flexing his shoulder and back muscles. Jenna moved slowly to his side, letting her eyes play across his body, and ran her paw over his left shoulder. “Hmmm,” she said admiringly. “That’s nice…” She leaned in and kissed the tensed sinews, feeling him with her paws. She moved toward his front, and kissed his neck, close to his left shoulder. Balto shuddered and started breathing hard. “T-that’s my sweet spot,” he gasped. Jenna looked into his eyes, smiling. “I was wondering when I would find it.” Balto’s eyes moved to her head. “We already know yours, of course.” He drew his paw up and down one of her ears, letting his claws lightly brush her skin, and she began trembling. “Mmm. Oh, Balto, that’s good.” Desire burned in Balto’s eyes, and he moved in to Jenna. He licked her muzzle, and she closed her eyes, pressing her body