World of Paws: Balance of Heroes

Gifts From The Heart II

(Aziza is shown above.)
Sherman: "Here it is. I found those Dino-Carts. Did you find the Madame Moose doll thing?"
Aubrey: "You mean Madame Mousy? And yes, I found it on the side of the aisle shelves."
Sherman: "I was close enough, Aubs."
Aubrey: "Sure you were. Hehehe!"
Sherman: "Anyway, we got the things they asked for the most. Let's head to the front lanes for checkout."
Aubrey: "Wait... did you get anything else?"
Sherman: "Nope."
Aubrey: (scoffs)
Sherman: "Aubs, I'm kidding. Here."
He hands her a toy pyramid.
Aubrey: "Oh, it looks great. What is it?"
Sherman: "It's called the Magic Answering Pyramid. It answers any question you ask it."
Aubrey: "Wow. Who are you planning to gift this to?"
Sherman: "Zaino."
Aubrey: "Oh okay. Do you any else that Aziza likes?"
Sherman: "Well... she's into using makeup and other stuff like that."
Aubrey: "Can't we get her a new shirt too? One of those shirts that says, 'Value of Family' on it."
Sherman looks a short rack and plucks one off.
Sherman: "Hmm... here."
Aubrey: "Ooh, wow. This looks cute."
Sherman: "Yeah. It says, 'Best Sister In The Universe' on the front."
Aubrey: "Hehe, you really care about your sister, don't you?"
Sherman: "Yeah, but mainly I think it's because she likes the shirts I pick out."
Aubrey: "She loves her big brother. That's why."
Sherman: "Maybe."
Aubrey: "It should never be a maybe, when it comes to family, Shermie."
Aubrey holds his paw.
Sherman: "How are you so philosophical?"
Aubrey: "My Mom taught me to be thankful for the family you have."
Sherman: "Wow. That's deep."
Aubrey: "Hehe, well... I'm happy to comfort you with some facts I learned too."
Aubrey nuzzles him and he does the same in return.
The pair trek to the front of store.
Taciana: "Hey you two! Did you both find gifts for Zaino and Aziza?"
Sherman: "Sure did, Mom. I also picked out a subsonic deflector for protection."
Taciana: "You don't need a subsonic deflector, Sherman. It's not safe."
Sherman: "But Dad has one."
Taciana: "You're father uses that one for the right situations. It's a not a toy."
Sherman: "Come on Mom, please..."
Taciana: "No Sherman, that is final. I don't want you getting yourself or anyone else hurt."
Sherman: "Alright."
He relents and places the toys and shirt on the checkout lanes conveyer belt.
Taciana: "How much is due for the total balance?"
Male Beaver Cashier: "That will be $353.53 for the food, supplies, and clothing."
Male Beaver Cashier: "Are the toys a separate payment?"
Taciana: "Yes. My son and his girlfriend here will be paying for the toys."
Male Beaver Cashier: "Okay. Sounds good. Will that be in cash or by credit card?"
Sherman: "Cash, good sir."
Sherman and Aubrey use some of their allowance money to purchase the toys.
Male Beaver Cashier: "There you go. Here is change and have a nice rest of your day."
Taciana: "Thank you sir."
Sherman: "Bye!"
Aubrey: "Bye! Bye!"
The return to the Tontione mansion and notice Jackson fixing up a dislodged cabinet.
Taciana: "Hi honey!"
Jackson: "Hey! How was the shopping spree?"
Taciana: "It went well. I got more than enough food to last for three weeks."
Jackson: "Cool. I will be with ya in moment to help carry the stuff in."
Taciana: "Thanks so much, handsome!"
They unpack her car trunk and bring the groceries, clothes, and toys inside.
......Shortly After......
Aubrey: "Mmm... your dinners smell great Mrs. Tontione."
Taciana: "Well thank you Aubrey."
Taciana: "Tell me. Does your mother make dinner for you?"
Aubrey: "Oh yes, she does Ma'am. But whenever I get takeout from restaurants. It's not as fulfilling as eating a home cooked meal."
She looks at Sherman eating right next to her.
Aubrey: "Could I stay here for the night?"
Taciana: "Whatever for?"
Aubrey: "Well... me, Sherman, and the others could catch up on homework."
Taciana: "I don't know... are you sure you won't be distracted?"
Aubrey: "I am sure Ma'am. You count on us to not lose focus."
......A little while later......
The Tontione's go to bed and Aubrey returns to her house across the street.
......Two days later......
Jackson and Taciana's children wake up to a new day as JJ jumps on their bed enthusiastically.
Jackson Junior: "What a day!"
Mallory: "JJ, it's and Aziza's birthday today. Not yours."
Jackson Junior: "That's today? Oh crap, I forgot."
Zaino: "It's my birthday! Yay!"
Aziza: "It is also my birthday too, Zaino."
Zaino: "Sorry Aziza, but we all know is I get the first bite of the cake."
Aziza: "No, I should go first."
Zaino: "No, me!"
Taciana: "Children!"
Zaino: "Yes, Momma?"
Aziza: "Yes?"
Taciana: "What have your father and I taught you?"
Zaino: "About what?"
Taciana: "About sharing with your sister."
Zaino: "Always eat the cake first?"
Taciana: "Try again."
Zaino: "Special occasions are always meant be shared. Especially, on birthdays."
Taciana: "Now apologize to each other."
Zaino and Aziza apologize to one another.
Zaino: "Where is Sherman?"
Jackson: "He's helping all of his friends hide your gifts outside."
The doorbell rings showing Veronica and her daughter Aubrey at the door bringing in two gift bags.
Veronica: "Hi neighbors! And happy birthday to you Zaino and Aziza!"
Taciana: "What do we say?"
Zaino: "Thank you Mrs. Olvera!"
Aziza: "Thank you!"
Veronica: "You are mighty welcome! So is anyone else coming?"
Jackson: "Every one of their friends from school should be coming."
......Shortly After......
As the party games started more of Sherman's friends showed up from around the neighborhood. Even Ramona and Martin drove up to the Tontione mansion with their three children: Aminat, Kallik, and Vasho.
Ramona: "Hey big sister!"
Taciana: "Ramona! How are you two doing?"
Jackson: "What's up Martin?"
Martin: "Things have been great, bro. I got promoted to being the VP of the dealership called Rhino's Motorcars."
Jackson: "That's awesome dude. You're on the way up!"
The two fist bump and talk about their careers, while Ramona and Taciana talk about all their children.
......Meanwhile......
Vasho: "Hello, I am Vasho."
Vasho: "He is Kallik."
Kallik: "The coolest of the three."
Aminat: "And I am their sister Aminat."
Aubrey: "It's good to meet you three. My name is Aubrey Olvera. Are you Zaino and Aziza's cousins."
Vasho: "We're three of his many cousins. So where is the birthday duo?"
Aubrey: "I'm not sure. Let's go find them."
......Outside near the guesthouse......
Sherman and his friends Lucas, Redford, and Jobahan hid all of their gifts to Zaino in various hiding spots.
Sherman: "Ohh ho! This is going to be hilarious! Zaino is going to be so annoyed when he can't find his presents from me. Hehehe!"
Lucas: "Oh yeah, he'll be so mad."
Jobahan and Redford laugh along with them.
Suddenly Zelene shows up.
Zelene: "Hi guys! I was wondering where the gifts go. Could you show me?"
Sherman: "Oh... it's inside the second living room and on the left side near the patio."
Sherman: "Anyway, what are you doing out here?"
Zelene: "I've been meaning to talk to you at school earlier this week; but I was a little nervous."
Sherman: "Oh really? What about?"
Zelene: "Could we talk in private?"
Sherman: "Um... sure. Let me speak to the guys first."
Zelene: "Alright."
Zelene waits in the guest house. After the door shuts.
Sherman: "What do you suppose she wants?"
Lucas: "Not sure bro. With newbies, it be anything."
Redford: "Yeah, true dat ."
Jobahan: "We'll see you inside, buddy."
The four share a fist bump.
As his friends join in on the party, Sherman follows to where Zelene is sitting.
Sherman: "So... what's been going on, Zelene? Any new portraits in your gallery? Hehe."
Zelene: "Yes, there is actually. In fact, that is kinda the reason I wanted to talk to you."
Sherman: "And?"
Zelene: "I want to invite you to my house. Do you... what to come by and visit?"
Sherman: "I will have to ask my parents first, but yeah. I'd like to come over and visit."
Zelene: "Yes! I mean... thank you. I could use your help on two of my newest works of art."
Sherman: "Okay, sounds interesting."
Zelene: "Great!"
She and him shake paws and hear Taciana calling.
Taciana: "Sherman? Shermie! It's time to wish your brother and sister a happy birthday!"
Sherman opens the door and says, 'Coming!'
Sherman: "Let's go Zelene! It is party time!"
Zelene laughs along with him as they run over to the mansion.
Everyone sings 'Happy Birthday' in unison to Zaino and Aziza.
......Thirty seconds later......
Taciana: "Now blow out all four candles and make a wish, my sweeties."
Zaino: "We blow out the candles together?"
Aziza: "Ya!"
They both blow out the four birthday candles.
Jackson: "Yeah! Awesome footage!"
He finishes recording the birthday moment.
Taciana: "This is great Jacky! Send me a photo so I can make a copy for our family scrapbook."
For the rest of the day, birthday duo celebrate the rest of their birthday with their family and friends.
......Fifty minutes later......
Zaino and Aziza find their gifts, they and the other children go for a fun jump on the moon bounce. After the moon bounce, Sherman then tells Zaino that the last of his birthday gifts are hidden somewhere near the Tontione guest house.
Zaino: "You mean the Dino-Carts are in the guesthouse?"
Sherman: "That's for me to know and you to find out, lil bro."
He pats his head.
Zaino: "Can't you simply tell me?"
Sherman: "Nope, then it wouldn't be a last minute scavenger hunt."
Zaino pouts and starts sniffing any trace of Sherman's scent in the hopes of finding the gift he wanted most.
......Fifteen minutes later......
Sherman: "Keep looking! I am sure it's around there somewhere!"
Sherman and his friends snicker.
Aubrey: "Why are you four doing this to him?"
Sherman: "Come on Aubs, it's all part of the fun. Besides he can catch a scent if he focuses."
Aubrey: "I hope you are right."
......Two minutes later......
Zaino searched all over until he started getting teary-eyed.
Zaino: "I'll never find it. Why do you make it so hard to find?"
He whines out a little.
Aubrey: "Shermie, just tell him where it is. Please? Look at him."
Sherman looks at Zaino's eyes and told him where it was hidden.
Zaino locates it underneath the main guesthouse sofa and cheers.
Zaino: "Yeah! It is Dino-Carts! Hahaha!"
Sherman: "Hehe, you're welcome."
As Zaino goes off to Aziza about them, Sherman mumbles under his breath.
Sherman: "Haha, what a whiner. Hehe."
Aubrey: "Shermie..."
Sherman: "Okay... okay, my bad."
Aubrey: "No you need to apologize to him. Once he forgives you. I will accept you back."
Sherman: "Fine."
He goes outside to find Zaino and Aziza playing with their new toys together.
Sherman: "Here it goes. Zaino?"
Zaino: "Yes?"
Sherman: "I'm sorry about making you need to search for your new gift."
He says it with sincerity.
Zaino: "It's okay, Sherman. I forgive you."
He hugs Sherman.
Sherman: "Wait... you mean ya don't hate me?"
Zaino: "No, I don't hate you. You're my favorite big brother."
Sherman: "Thanks, Zaino."
Aubrey starts sniffling.
Aubrey: "Shermie? Is there something else you wanted to tell him?"
Sherman: "Oh yeah... me and my friends may have hid a few more gifts around the guest house earlier today. Do you need help finding them?"
Zaino: "Yay! Let's go! Show them to me!"
His little Dhole brother runs off to the guesthouse.
Aubrey: "It might go faster if we all join in."
Zaino: "Yes! Working together! Yeah!"
Aubrey: (giggles)
As Zaino and Aziza start looking, Sherman looks to Aubrey again.
Sherman: "Now do you forgive me?"
Aubrey: "Yes... I forgive you too Shermie."
She hugs him shortly after and hold his paw while leading him after his four-year old siblings.
......Five hours later......
The party over and the everyone returned to their homes.
Jackson: "Alright, kids! It's time for bed!"
Jackson Junior: "But Dad... we were this close to beating the boss level."
Jackson: "No back talk. Bedtime. Now."
Sherman: "Yes, Dad."
Jackson Junior: "Okay."
Zaino: "Goodnight, Daddy."
Jackson: "Are the girls in bed?"
Taciana: "Oh yeah, they are quiet as mice, honey."
Jackson: "Great. Now that they are asleep..."
Taciana: "We can put on a crime thriller?"
Jackson: "You are right on the baby."
Taciana: "Hehehe."
They view two episodes for a while until they both fall into slumber for night.

Author's Note: "Another newest chapter down! Get prepped for the one y'all! It may push Jackson even further against the enemy."