World of Paws: Balance of Heroes

A Surprise Awakening

A loud howl from a little six-year-old dholabbit furry crawling on top of his parents.
Young Dholabbit Furry: "Mommy? Daddy?"
He tries pushing on their shoulders to wake them up.
Jackson: "Junior, me and Mom are still trying to sleep."
He closed his eyes again.
Jackson Junior: "But it's a bright day outside! Mommy, it's breakfast time, but Daddy is still being grouchy."
Taciana wakes up to the sound of her child's comment and picks him up to set him on her lap.
Taciana: "Junior, do you know why me and Daddy are sleeping in?"
Jackson Junior: "Why?"
Taciana: "We need to sleep in sometimes, after working all week."
Taciana pats her son on the head.
Taciana: "Place your paw here."
Jackson Junior places his paw on her stomach.
Jackson Junior: "What is that big bump on your belly, Mommy?"
Taciana: "That my son, is the sign of you and your siblings having a few more playmates."
Jackson Junior: "Really? Oh wow! I hope they are four new brothers! My current sisters and brothers are okay, but it would be awesome if I had a larger boys club in here."
Taciana: "Hehe, we will just have to wait and see."
She nuzzles the top of his head.
Taciana: "Now go downstairs and wait at the table."
Jackson Junior: "Okay, Mommy."
He leaves the room.
Taciana breathes in and out slowly while holding her stomach.
Jackson: "You okay, Hun?"
He helps sit up from the bed.
Taciana: "I'm alright."
Jackson: "How are our four new fighters coming along?"
Taciana: "They are kicking a little, but that probably means they are hungry."
She laughs slightly.
Jackson: "We need to make sure you get enough food for you and them first."
He rubs her stomach with care.
Taciana: "Hey Jacky, I need you to be honest with me."
Jackson: "Sure. What is it?"
Taciana: "Does all this baby weight make me look fat?"
She says with some tears in her eyes.
Jackson: "Nah babe no, it means you are more radiant than ever."
Taciana: "Really? You think I'm radiant?" (sniffles)
Jackson: "You have always been radiant to me, Tacci."
Taciana: "Aww, thank you Jacky."
She aggressively nuzzles and pulls him into a deep kiss. As they were preoccupied, two of their other children walk in their room and see them caught in the moment.
Sherman: "Um... Mom? Dad?"
The nine-year-old wolf's eyes were shocked to see what his parents were doing.
Mallory: "Momma? What is going on?"
Jackson and Taciana break the kiss.
Taciana: "Oh um... it's nothing sweeties."
She smiles at Jackson.
Taciana: "Daddy and I were handling an adult thing. Right honey?"
Jackson: "Yeah, that's right, just a thing adults do."
Mallory: "An adult thing?"
The six-year-old rabbadhole girl approaches them.
Jackson: "Get up here kiddo."
He sets his daughter on his lap and faces her in her mother's direction.
Taciana: "What are you up to?"
Mallory: "Um... Nothing."
Jackson: "Hehehe, sure you are."
Taciana: "I think we should tell them about what's going on."
Jackson: "All right."
Mallory: "Tell us about what?"
Taciana: "You and Aziza are going to be big sisters."
Mallory: "You're having another baby?"
Taciana: "Hehe, you are going to have four more siblings sweetie."
Mallory: "Does this mean we're going to be in a house soon?"
Taciana: "Yes, we are moving to nice, big place for all of us."
Mallory hugs her and Jackson.
Sherman: "We get our own rooms in this new place?"
Jackson: "Yes Sherman, you'll have your own rooms and personal space."
Sherman: "Oh yes! Can't wait!"
He goes downstairs to the breakfast table.
Mallory wonders as a pair of three-year-olds; a little female rabbit and a young male dhole pup follow her inside and Sherman goes back upstairs to see what is taking them a while.
Sherman: "They are doing it again."
Mallory: "Yeah. Why are they always following us?"
Jackson: "Your siblings will always follow you because they see you as role models, Mallory."
Mallory: "Oooh, okay. I kinda like that."
Sherman: "Yeah, being the oldest feels awesome!"
Sherman and Mallory high-five one another.
Jackson: "Alright, come on you four, wait downstairs and Mom's going to make an awesome breakfast for you. How does that sound?"
Mallory: "I want some biscuits and some little waffles."
Jackson: "You got it."
The furry children go down to the kitchen and wait for their parents.
Sherman: "I used to be the star in their eyes."
He says with a hint of jealousy.
Mallory: "Are you okay, Sherman?"
Sherman: "It's nothing sis. It seems like they don't care as much about me anymore."
Mallory: "Our parents love us all equally. Besides, sooner or later our new siblings will be coming."
Sherman: "Yeah... and they'll ignore us for a while until we need something. That it?"
Mallory: "No Sherman. It means there will be more love to share."
Sherman: "You giving me advice? Hmph, never thought I'd see the day."
Mallory: "Well, I learned that from watching you."
The pair smile in agreement.
Mallory: "So, when are they coming down to make breakfast?"
Sherman: "Knowing Dad, he's probably doing more 'adult things' with Mom before joining us."
Aziza: "Oh you mean... the thing that Mom and Dad were doing?"
Sherman: "Yes, the mushy stuff."
Aziza: "Oooh."
Sherman: "Yeah, that's the case."
Jackson Junior: "When is the food coming? I am starving."
Mallory: "Momma, says to always be patient, JJ."
Aziza: "Breakfast on the table!"
Zaino: "Yeah, breakfast on the table!"
Sherman: "Would you two quit it!"
Mallory: "Why are me and Sherman the only ones who take things seriously?"
Jackson Junior: "Because you hate fun?"
He smirks and laughs.
Mallory: "I have fun." (scoffs)
Jackson Junior: "Hahaha! Yeah, right. I am the king of fun!" (howls)
Aziza: "Yeah!"
Zaino: (howls)
Mallory: "Ugh! They are so annoying."
Sherman: "Tell me about it."
Jackson Junior: "Because you two have no sense of humor."
Sherman: (snarls)
Mallory: "Yes we do." (grumbles)
Jackson Junior: "Relax dynamic duo, I am only kidding."
Mallory: "Can we just wait for Mommy and Daddy, please?"
Jackson Junior, Zaino, and Aziza nodded just to ease moods of their fellow siblings.
......Meanwhile......
Taciana: "Jacky, you don't have to carry me downstairs."
Jackson: "I carried you over the threshold and I can still carry you now."
He lifts her up in his muscular arms.
Taciana: "Whoa! Oh my!"
Jackson: "Maybe we should sneak in a little alone time once in a while."
Taciana: "Like back in the good old days?"
Jackson: "Yes, my lovely Tacci."
Taciana: "Hehehe."
Jackson: "Wish I could take you right now."
Taciana: "Shh, Jacky. The kids might hear us." (giggles)
He carries her down gracefully to the kitchen and Taciana starts cooking.
Jackson Junior: "Is it true that we are moving into a big house real soon?"
Mallory: "Yeah, based on what Momma told me. It is going to be huge enough for all of us to run in."
Sherman: "It is going to be a real step up from this high-rise apartment."
Jackson Junior: "That is awesome! I hope it's a big house!"
Jackson: "Hehe, you'll have to keep guessing."
They all eat their breakfast together and wash their plates before putting them back in the cabinets.
......Thirty minutes later......
Jackson: "Pack up kids. We are heading into our new home tomorrow."
Sherman: "Sure Dad."
Jackson Junior: "Alright father."
He says in a relenting tone.
Mallory: "Yes, Daddy."
Aziza: "Yes, Daddy!"
Zaino: "Okay."
The five young furries run upstairs to get ready for the move.
......Seven hours and thirty minutes later......
Jackson: "You kids all packed?"
They all nod yes to his question.
Jackson: "Alright then, it's time for some shut eye."
Jackson Junior: "I'm not tired, Daddy."
Jackson: "JJ, it is time for bed."
Taciana: "You heard your father, kiddo."
Jackson Junior: "But Mom... "
Taciana: "Shh. Shush."
She pecks his forehead after tucking him and his siblings in their bunk beds.
Taciana: "Now get some sleep, okay. I love you all."
Sherman: "Night, Mom."
Jackson Junior: "Goodnight."
He says pouting a little.
Mallory: "Night Momma."
Zaino: "Nighty, night."
Aziza: "Goodnight, Momma."

Taciana: "After all these years, they are still so adorable when they sleep."
She holds her paws over heart with pride.
Taciana then joins Jackson in the bedroom across the hallway.
Jackson: "I cannot wait to see our new home."
Taciana: "Hehe, yeah. There will be plenty of spaces for our kids to run around and the new babies to crawl over."
Jackson smooches her cheek.
Taciana: "Hehe, you missed my lips." (smiles)
Taciana presses her lips against his before snuggling closer to Jackson in bed.
Taciana: "Goodnight, my macho mate."
She places her left paw on his chest.
Jackson: "Night, Sugar Bunny."

Authors Note: "What surprises will come during the move? Find out in the next chapter."