tonight. But since school is in session for a few months, I won’t be doing anymore shows till this summer. Till then, boys, welcome to the Amazing Melissa’s Magic Show, you are now official performers of my show, starting with your performance tonight. But you’ll be working more with me and your cousin, learning tricks and all till summer!”

“But there’re two conditions.” Melissa and Rebecca said in unison. They both glanced at each other before they laughed, seeing as they did the old talking in unison deal again.

“The first condition is this: You have to finish all your work for me and your Dad at Higher for Hire first, your chores, cleaning your rooms and such.” Rebecca said, speaking directly to Kit before turning to his brother. “Chris, I’ll have to add some duties for you later when you get more adjusted,” she added, smiling, knowing she was going to have Chris help with paper work, answering the phone for her and taking messages when she’s not there and normal chores most at first.

“The next one…” Melissa cut in. “Is that you two have to give me a hug at each practice and I want a twin hug, not one at a time.”

“Sis!” Rebecca giggled. “Don’t you mean just have fun?” she inquired, laughing behind her hand.

Giggling, Melissa replied. “Yes, but you can’t blame me for wanting to hug my loveable nephews, I love them both so much that I could just eat them up.”
 Jeffery was getting red faced at the moment, though he loved his Mom as much as she loved him, Jeffery was such a modest bear cub like his cousins and couldn’t help feeling embarrassed whenever his Mom goes overboard with all this mushy stuff – hugs and kisses and all.

Kit and Chris stood there awestruck, also slightly red faced for a moment before both said in unison: “Do you really mean it, Aunt Melissa? And do you, Mom?”

“Yes!” replied both Rebecca and Melissa, this time slightly off timing. Melissa spoke a split second before Rebecca did.

“Now, boys,” Melissa said, bending down to their levels. “You are to go with Jeffery to our house everyday after school, so you can practice and learn magic trick with us. We’ll have a two-hour session, and then I’ll drive you home. Would you two like that?”

“Yes, Aunt Melissa!” shouted the Cloudkicker twins in unison, punching the air joyfully.    

“Alright kids,” Baloo said, grinning. “Come on, it’s time ta go.”

“Aww, do we have to, Daddy Bear?” whined Chris cutely, giving Baloo the puppy dog face.

Baloo chuckled at his new nickname, and he liked it coming from Chris. He walked over to Chris, scooped him up, tossed him high in the air and caught him again in a one-arm hug.

“Heh, heh, heh, of course we have to, Chris.” Baloo said, tickling Chris’ armpit. Chris squirmed and laughed in Baloo’s arm before Baloo stopped. “You got yer first day of school tomorrow and you’ll have to get up early if ya want a big breakfast before school. Now say goodnight to Melissa.”

Suddenly, Chris felt sleepy; he let out a big yawn before saying sleepily: “Goodnight Aunt Melissa.” And he snuggled himself up in Baloo’s arms, rested his head on Baloo’s chest and fell asleep.

“Heh, he had a long, exciting day,” Baloo said, chuckling a little bit. “So he should be tired.”

“Aww, he’s so cute when he’s asleep.” Melissa cooed, walking up to Baloo and kissing the now sleeping bear cub on the cheek.

“Yeah,” Rebecca agreed, smiling as she watched Chris sleep in Baloo’s arms. “Like an angle sleeping, he looks so innocent and peaceful.”

Kit and Jeffery were watching the adults cooing over Chris.

“One thing for sure,” Jeffery said, chuckling. “He won’t have any trouble attracting the ladies’ attention unto himself—he practically does that in his sleep!”

“Yeah,” chuckled Kit, looking amused while nodding in agreement. “Well, it’s looks like we’re leaving. I’ll see you in school tomorrow.”

“Yeah, hey maybe we could eat together at lunch.” Jeffery suggested, looking excited at the idea, it would mean seeing his cousins a bit more.

“Yeah, we can do that.” Kit said, smiling. “Chris and I will meet you at lunch tomorrow and eat with you.”

“Kit, come on, we’re leaving.” Baloo’s voice called out to him from the nearest exit.

“Coming, Papa Bear.” Kit called back, then he turned back to Jeffery. “I gotta go, see ya tomorrow!” And with a wave of his hand in farewell, Kit dashed out the door after his Papa Bear and brother. 

Chapter Four

Broken Wand, Skinny Cub

The next morning, Chris bounded down the stairs from his and Kit’s bedroom for breakfast, still in his white night shirt. Kit followed shortly after, dragging his feet and looking as though he’d like nothing better than to go back to bed and sleep for a few more hours, even though he was usually an early riser.

Chris skidded into the kitchen, stopping in front of the small, icebox-size refrigerator. Opening the refrigerator door, he withdrew the milk bottle.

“G’morning, Daddy Bear!” Chris said brightly to Baloo, who was at the stove, cooking breakfast, the smell in the kitchen was wonderful. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Wow, yer up bright ‘n early, kiddo.” Baloo chuckled, turning around and placing a tall tower of pancakes onto the table. “We’re having pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuit with white breakfast gravy. How do ya like yer eggs, Lil Buddy?”

Chris’ mouth watered at Baloo’s description of a delicious breakfast before he forced his drooling mouth shut.

“Um, scrambled,” Chris replied as he sat down at the table and setting the milk bottle down in front of him. “Can I have glass, please Daddy Bear?” he asked, gesturing to the milk bottle.

“Sure, kid.” Baloo said, handing him a clean glass before turning his attention onto Kit, who had just sat down at the table next to Chris. “’Morning Lil Britches, the usual?”

“Yeah, Papa Bear.” Kit said groggily. “And some coffee, please.”

Chris made a disgusted face. “You drink coffee? Yuck!”

Kit rolled his eyes at Chris. “I like it, Chris,” he said, shrugging. “And just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean I’ll dislike it too.”

“Okay…” Chris said, not wanting to argue with his brother. He then poured himself a glass of milk and took a sip.

Baloo chuckled as he poured Kit a cup of coffee; it was very interesting comparing the differences between the twins on not only their outward appearance, but also their likes and dislikes as well as their individual personalities.

“Thanks Papa Bear.” Kit said, accepting the cup of coffee Baloo handed him.

“You’re welcome, Lil Britches.” Baloo said.

Just then, the front door opened and in came Rebecca.

“Good morning,” she said brightly. “My, it smells wonderful in here. Baloo, I didn’t know you cook.”

“Of course he cooks, Mom,” Kit said, grinning slyly. “He didn’t just get so big by eating at Louie’s alone, you know.”

“Hey!” Baloo said indigently. “Is that the thanks I get for cookin’ up a good breakfast?”    

With breakfast all ready to eat, Baloo loaded Chris’ plate with scrambled eggs, two buttered pancakes, two strip of bacon, one piece of sausage, a biscuit smothered in gravy and a piece of toast with strawberry jam.

Chris stared at his plate with wide eyes and his mouth was drooling again.

“Wow, this looks delicious!” Chris said, he picked up his fork, scooped up a little bit of scrambled egg and begin to eat. “Mmm-mmn! Boy, this is good! A lot better than the orphanage’s food!”

Baloo chuckled as he handed Kit and Rebecca their plates. “Glad you like it, kiddo,” he said, ruffling Chris’ hair affectionately. Then he fixed himself a plate and sat down at the table, enjoying a nice big breakfast with his two sons and his boss for the first time.

As Rebecca finished eating, she wiped her mouth on a napkin before speaking.

“That was delicious, Baloo, I didn’t know you had it in you to cook so well,” she said, sounding pleasantly surprised. “Where did you learned to cook like that?”

“Well,” said Baloo, blushing slightly at her compliment. “I was a pilot in the navy at one time—worst three years of my entire life, it was like my commanders didn’t even know the meaning of relaxation! Anyway, I was put on cooking duty fer….slacking off, as Commander Hathi said.”

Kit was gazing at Baloo with newfound admiration. “Wow, Baloo, you’ve never told us that! Is that’s where you learned to fly like you do?”

“Partly, yeah,” Baloo replied, finishing the last of his bacon. “I was naturally gifted at flying. In fact, my flying skills were the only thing that made ol’ Commander Hathi happy. He assigned me to take advanced aviation classes and I passed with flying colors. So, from then on until I left the navy, Commander Hathi gave me flying assignments, as those were the only assignments I could do without messing up.”

“That sounds like you alright.” Rebecca