World of Paws: Balance of Heroes

Gifts From The Heart I

As the Tontione family was unpacking the all the luggage, Sherman and Aubrey talk for a bit outside regarding Zaino and Aziza's upcoming birthday.
Sherman: "So... are you planning to come to the party? Or what?"
Aubrey: "Yeah, of course I will come. What do they like?"
Sherman: "Well, Zaino likes playing with Dino-Carts and Aziza wants this Mousy Madame doll."
Aubrey: "Hehe, I could gift her my old Mousy Madame doll."
Sherman: "Aubs, you don't have to give up your stuff for someone else. It's fine I can pick out the one she's been wishing for."
Aubrey: "I want to give it to her."
Sherman: "Why?"
Aubrey: "Because I care about you and what better way than to help bring happiness to your siblings."
Sherman: "Are you alright? What happened to the overly materialistic Aubrey?"
Aubrey: "Shermie... that Aubrey is gone. This is the new me and I have you to thank for it."
Sherman looks into her eyes while carrying a smirk on his face. Aubrey holds his left paw in her right one, giving him a light nuzzle. Then her smartphone goes off and picks up the call and puts it on speaker.
......Phone Convesation......
Riley: "Hey Aubrey! How was the Kingsgeo trip?"
Aubrey: "Oh, hi Riley. Yeah, the trip was fun."
Riley: "Did you have fun with Sherman?"
Aubrey: "Hehe! Yeah! He's actually right here."
Riley: "Oh... hello to you too, Sherman!"
Sherman: "Hey Riley. What's going on?"
Riley: "Just finishing off my homework now."
Riley: "Oh, by the way... are you two getting something for Zaino and Aziza's birthday party?"
Sherman: "Yeah and I have a good idea on what they want."
Aubrey: "Yeah, Sherman and I are going to use some of our allowance money to buy them."
Aubrey: "Right, cutie?"
Sherman: "Yeah, that's right. Both of us are pitching in."
Riley: "Oh cool! When is the birthday party?"
Sherman: "Their birthday is in three days."
Riley: "Nice! Count me in!"
Riley: "Will there be a music band?"
Sherman: "You bet."
Riley: "Great! Catch you two later!"
Sherman: "See ya!"
Aubrey: "Bye, Riley!"
......Phone Conversation Ends......
The phone hangs up.
Sherman: "So... I will see you on the bus tomorrow?"
Aubrey: "Hehe. Yeah, I will see ya tomorrow, Sherman."
She grabs her backpack.
Sherman: "You have a pleasant night, Aubs."
Aubrey blows him a kiss as she walks back to her house across the street.
Sherman: "Whew."
Mallory: "Sherman, can you help move this bulky suitcase?"
Sherman: "Sure, sis."
They move the last of the luggage upstairs.
Mallory: "Thank you."
Sherman: "You're welcome."
Jackson Junior: "Hey Sherman, do you want to go play some video games?"
Sherman: "Yes."
Jackson Junior: "Great! I will pick them out!"
He zips into the playroom upstairs to gather the games he wanted. JJ goes back downstairs.
Jackson Junior: "Okay, I have Throne Takers, Race Trailblazers Prix, Island Wars, and the Furred Boxing Simulator."
Zaino: "Ooh, ooh, Ooh! Can I play Island Wars!"
Jackson Junior: "Not you. You two are not ready for these types of games, Zaino."
Zaino: "Why not?"
Jackson Junior: "It's a two player game. Besides, me and Sherman are facing off in the first round on multiplayer mode."
Zaino: "What? No fair!"
Jackson Junior: "Sorry, them's the rules."
Mallory: "JJ, would you stop it. There are plenty of game controllers."
Jackson Junior: "No there isn't. There were only two."
Mallory: "Yes, there is."
Jackson Junior: "No there isn't."
Mallory: "Yes, there is."
Jackson Junior: "No, it's only two."
Mallory: "Oh really?"
Jackson Junior: "Yes."
He says with a smug grin and then Mallory goes upstairs to JJ's room, finding two extra game controllers hidden in his shirt drawer.
Mallory: "Unbelievable."
Mallory goes back downstairs.
Mallory: "You are a sneaky little liar, JJ!"
Jackson Junior: "I have no idea where those came from."
Mallory: "Oh, stop it. Here ya go Zaino."
Zaino: "Yay! I want the golden one!"
Mallory: (chuckles)
Zaino: "Do you wanna play the video game with us, too?"
Mallory: "Nah. It's okay Zaino. You enjoy it."
Zaino excitedly joins his older brothers.
Aziza: "I want to pway too."
Jackson Junior: "Ha! You never played a video game in your life. Just wait on the side and watch."
Aziza starts puts on a sad but pouty face.
Mallory: "JJ!"
Jackson Junior: "Alright! Fine, fine. She can join."
Aziza: (giggles)
As the kids play, Jackson and Taciana finish unpacking their own luggage.
Jackson: "Ya know Tacci, you were right. I truly needed a vacation to ease my mind."
Taciana: "See baby... I told you that stress would fade away."
Jackson: "Yeah, but don't get used to me saying that."
Taciana smiles at him amusingly.
Taciana: "So... what do you want to do now?"
Jackson: "Let's put on that new detective series, Jacob Hayes P.I."
Taciana: "I don't know Jacky, some of the scenes were so violent. Besides we saw ten two hour episodes of it."
Jackson: "Come on babe... the first season isn't over yet."
Taciana: "No. I'd like to see something different."
Jackson grabs the remote.
Jackson: "Okay, then what do you do want to watch."
Taciana: "I would like to watch a movie where two furries fall in love."
Jackson: "Well then how about 'Toxic Squid' film?"
Taciana: (gasps)
Jackson: "What? The two cast members weren't in love?"
Taciana: "It's a horror film showing a squid with poisonous skin and it's terrorizing a small seaside town. Ugh! That is awful and scary."
Jackson: "Alright, then you pick."
He hands her the tv remote and it lands on 'Love and The Sea'.
Jackson: "Love and the Sea? What is this?"
Taciana: "It says it's a heartfelt story."
Jackson: "Does it have to be this one?"
Taciana: "Cone on, give it a chance. Just for me."
Jackson: "Fine, but I get to pick the next film."
Taciana: "Thank you. It's a deal."
She pecks his lips and cuddles up to him.
......Two hours and thirty-one minutes later......
The film ends and Jackson was bored out of his mind, while Taciana wipes her tears during credits.
Taciana: "That was story was so... precious."
Taciana: "The way Geraldo risks everything just to meet Nina was great. Don't you think?"
Jackson: "Eh, big deal. The Geraldo character ain't as good as me. I can romance you way better than that."
Taciana: "Hehehe, you would risk leaving home to find your true love?"
Jackson: "If you were many miles away. I'd hitchhike a plane to find you."
Taciana: "You would?"
Jackson: "Heck yeah, baby."
Taciana holds his cheek and plants kiss on his lips.
Taciana: "I'll shut the doors and lock them."
Jackson turns off the television.
Jackson: "Play us a R&B/Soul hit."
AI Speaker: "Selecting song."
The music speaker begets a song called 'Warmer To The Beat'.
Taciana: "Mmm... excellent choice my darling.
Jackson: "Moving to the beats."
Taciana: "Prove that you can romance me with your prowess."
Jackson: "Mmmwwah. Your wish is my command sweetheart."
Taciana: "Hehehe! Mmmwwah! Mmmwwah!"
The pair make love in bed as the night carries on.
......Meanwhile in the Nursery......
The six infants were sleeping soundly and Mallory goes to check up on them.
Mallory: "Awww, my baby sisters and brothers are so precious."
She whispers to herself.
Sherman: "Hey, Mallory."
Mallory: "Good afternoon, Sherman."
Sherman: "What are you doing?"
Mallory: "Watching over them."
Sherman: "Sis, they are safe and sound in those cribs. The odds of them waking up are practically zero."
He steps on one of the children's new toys and it rouses her from slumber. She yawns and coos after seeing her older brother.
Angel: "Aaaeemba."
Mallory: "Hi baby sister. Hello."
She tickles her stomach.
Angel: (giggles)
Angel: "Aaaeemba."
Mallory: "Did you want to stay with Sherman again?"
Angel claps her paws a three times and coos in agreement.
Mallory: "Gosh you are so cute. But I'll take that as a yes. Up you go!"
Sherman: "Why is it always me?"
Mallory: "She misses you. That is so sweet."
She gives Angel to Sherman. Angel in turn grabs Sherman's ear.
Sherman: "No Angel. My ear is not a chew toy. No."
Angel: (whimpers)
Sherman: "Here, take your pacifier. You'll feel better."
Angel: (sucking noise)
Sherman: "There ya go. Better?"
Angel snuggles closer to his chest.
Sherman: "I guess she's not giving me a choice."
Mallory: "You totally bonded with her."
Sherman: "Not true."
Mallory: "Sherman, it's okay if you to keep her close her and safe."
Sherman: "Can we please go to sleep? It is already close to 11:00pm."
Mallory: "Yeah, you're right. Have a goodnight's rest you two."
Sherman takes Angel up to his room.
Sherman: "Goodnight, Angel."
Angel: "Aaam, Aaam."
She crawls close to him and drifts to sleep.
......At 6:00am......
Jackson wakes up and to a noise on the monitor.
Jackson: "Geez, these little munchkins are early risers. Mmmm!"
He stretches out his arms while heading downstairs to the nursery.
Jackson: "Easy now."
He feeds Zakari, Cecelia, Joseph, Jaronte, and Eliza some warm milk, noticing that Angel is wasn't in her crib.
Jackson: "Angel's not in her crib. Huh... she's probably in Sherman's room."
He goes up to his room and carefully removes Angel from Sherman's bed, causing his eldest son to shift.
Jackson: "Hey, little one. Want some milk?"
Angel yawns and smiles at her father.
Jackson: "There ya go."
She drinks her fill and Jackson burps her before placing her back in the nursery.
Jackson then makes himself two scrambled eggs and drives to work.
......Later on......
Sherman and his siblings wake up one by one and go into the kitchen as Taciana whips up some breakfast. The kids finish up and grab their book bags for school.
Taciana: "Look out for each other and have a great day at school!"
The children wave goodbye to their mother as the electric school bus rolls to Clearwater Elementary.
......At the school......
The whole elementary school is abuzz about a video showing the events that occurred in Kingsgeo.
Triskah: "Hey girls!"
Helena: "Hey, Triskah!"
Radinavia: "What's happening, girl?"
Triskah: "Oh I got text from Mallory saying that she is back from Kingsgeo."
Radinavia: "Oh my gosh, they are so lucky! I hear that it's so fun over there. Plus, plenty of spas and gift shops."
Triskah: "But... she also said that a dark spirit attacked with an army of bad furries."
Helena: "I hope no one got hurt."
Triskah: "Oh look, there she is with Aziza!"
Triskah: "Mallory! Mallory!"
Mallory: "Hi Triskah! Did I miss any of miss anything new at school?"
Triskah: "Girl, Mrs. Weller and Mr. Fickleburn have given us some homework for the past few days."
Mallory: "Oh geez. Could you guys help me catch up during lunch?"
Triskah: "You can count on us, girlfriend. We are going get you up to speed."
Aziza: "Can I come?"
Helena: "Sure you can, Aziza."
Mallory: "Yeah, come on little sis."
Aziza: "Hehe!"
......Five minutes later......
Sherman, Jackson Junior, and Zaino walk to class with their friends.
Lucas: "So dude, what's this about you meeting these light spirits?"
Sherman: "It's complicated, but apparently I am destined to protect the world."
Redford: "Dang! Did they give you powers?"
Sherman: "I felt a slight energy surge when they come close and they said that I am my Dad's successor."
Jackson Junior: "Do you think the Light Spirits can grant me and Zaino some of those energy powers too?"
Zaino: "Yeah, Sherman? Can they?"
Sherman: "I'm not sure. Maybe I can ask them or even Dad? I mean he told me that the Vitaea Spirits helped him fight against Vakatarus from way back."
Jobahan: "Your dad must be one powerful furry to be fighting a dark spirit. My parents told me that even if a spirit turns to side of darkness, it usually means that it has the choice to become good again."
Sherman: "If only it were only that easy, Jobahan. If only..."
They make it to the lab room where Mr. Fickleburn is holding the class.
Mr. Fickleburn: "Alright students! Let's get started."
......Seven hours later......
Jackson Junior: "Finally class is over and now we have a lot of homework."
Sherman: "It is a small price to pay; especially after the road trip."
Zaino: "How much math homework is there?"
Sherman: "There's quite a bit of homework for all the subjects."
Sherman's siblings and friends go outside to the front of the school.
Lucas: "Is he coming or not?"
Jackson Junior: "He's probably trying to fight off his adoring audience."
Redford: "Hahaha! He better run."
......Inside by the auditorium......
Sherman then feels a text from his smartphone.
......Text message......
Aubrey: "Hey Shermie."
Sherman: "Hi Aubs! What's up?"
Aubrey: "Are you all set to go to Party City?"
Sherman: "You mean the party shop close to Midtown?"
Aubrey: "Yeah, that one. We are going to purchase those birthday gifts for Zaino and Aziza."
Sherman: "Oh right."
Aubrey: "Yeah!"
A toothy smile emoji pops up after it.
Aubrey: "First, meet me by the playground."
Sherman meets up with Aubrey behind the school.
Sherman: "Aubrey? You here?"
Aubrey: "Right here, Shermie."
Aubrey: "I wanted to talk to you in private so we don't give away the surprise for your little brother and sister."
Sherman: "Okay... but we could have talked at your house."
Aubrey: "True, but this was the fastest option."
Sherman: "So... what is it?"
Aubrey: "I was thinking that if you and I are going to pick out those two gifts for them. Why not go all out and get them something that shows we care?"
Sherman: "Like what? I already know they like toys."
Aubrey: "We'll find out once we reach the store. Come on let's go catch up. The bus will leave without us."
The two run to the bus and return to their homes.
Sherman: "Mom?"
Taciana: "Yeah, sweetie?"
Sherman: "Me and Aubrey were thinking of buying gifts for Zaino and Aziza's birthday."
Sherman: "Could you drive us down to Raven Giant so we could pick them out? Please?"
Taciana: "Sure, honey. When is Aubrey coming over?"
Sherman: "Knowing her... very soon."
The doorbell rings and Aubrey greets Sherman and his mother.
Aubrey: "Are you ready to go out shopping?"
Sherman: "Not really."
Aubrey: "Come on it's not so bad. Who knows... you might find something else new for me and yourself as well."
Sherman: "Just this once and I leave the rest of it to you."
Aubrey: "Hehe! You need to get out way more, Sherm-Sherm."
Taciana chuckles at the mention of Aubrey's nickname for her son.
Sherman: "What?"
Taciana: "Oh nothing." (chuckles)
Taciana: "I will take you two over there and I'll pay for what you want to pick out."
Sherman: "Aww, sweet anything we want!"
Aubrey: "This is for your siblings too. Remember?"
Sherman: "Alright, alright, let's get going."
......At the Raven Giant......
Taciana leads the duo through every store aisle for groceries.
Taciana: "Alright, you two. Go to the toy section to pick out the gifts you want to purchase."
Sherman: "Thanks Mom. We'll be okay!"
Taciana: "If you get lost, walk to the front of the store and I will find you!"
Sherman: "We will. Thanks Mom."
Aubrey: "Come on Shermie, let's go explore."

Author's Note: "New chapter completed. Remember to be ready! Surprises have a way sneaking up on you."