In The Dog House
Summary: Continuation of the Bella series. Three years have passed since House and Cuddy's wedding. Bella is 13 years old and there's a new addition to the House family, possibly two. When Bella and Simon find a little friend in need of some rescue, how will her family react? Will they be happy to have him or will Bella be in the doghouse?
Chapter 1
The sun shone brightly overhead, rays spilling through the trees with barely a cloud in the sky. A slight breeze brought in a mild chill on a post rainy day in mid April; the first Princeton, NJ had seen in nearly two weeks. The streets and sidewalks were still wet; puddles like little mirrors reflecting the sun's rays, and the smell of spring flowers lingered in the air. Bella House stepped off the school bus and watched it drive passed her down the street after the doors were sealed closed behind her. She waved goodbye to schoolmates as they scattered in various directions toward their homes. Bella began a slow walk, untangling her headphones draped over her neck, placing the buds in her ears, and pressing play on her playlist. She paused on the sidewalk for a moment to open the flap on her shoulder bag, rifling through it for the second bag of potato chips from her lunch she'd packed that morning. It was crushed by now but she didn't care, she needed her salty afternoon snack after sitting in boring classes all day.
Chips in hand, she opened the bag and resumed her walk. On bus riding days, the days she didn't have any after school activities, Simon and Maya accompanied her because their parents didn't want them walking home alone. It was slightly out of Simon's way but being the occasional gentleman that way was, he walked her home first (her house being closer) and then Maya. Today, Maya was out sick and Simon got detention again, so she was walking alone. As she listened to her playlist on low volume, her brow creased when she thought she heard her name called out behind her. She removed one of her earbuds and sure enough…"Bella, wait up!"
Bella turned, her brow still crinkled. Simon was rolling down the sidewalk on his skateboard to catch up to her. She stopped and waited for him, popping a potato chip in her mouth and wondered how he got there so fast from detention. She removed her other earbud and slung them over her neck again as he approached.
He stopped in front of her, expertly popping his skateboard into his hand and she raised her eyebrows. "How was the slammer?" She quipped, crossing her arms.
Drawing in a breath, he straightened, rolling his eyes. "A breeze, same as always…but only because barely five minutes in, Mr. Boone had to go puke in the bathrooms." He explained, laughing. "It was awesome, he shot up out of his chair and ran out of the classroom with his hand over his mouth. For a second, I thought he was gonna barf right there in front of us. Oh my god, it was hilarious." He laughed through his explanation. "Then, Mr. Reese came in and told us we could leave because Mr. Boone was 'indisposed,'" He exaggerated. "But not before giving us another assignment and told us to come back tomorrow, can you believe that?" He asked, helping himself to a chip and popping it in his mouth.
"Yes. If he didn't, it wouldn't be detention." She informed him logically, scowling. "So, is Mr. Boone going to be ok?" She asked, concerned.
Simon shrugged. "I don't know, I didn't stick around, I got out of there before Mr. Reese could change his mind."
Bella rolled her eyes.
"But don't worry, I'm sure Mr. Boone will bounce right back and be ready to torture us again tomorrow. You can bring him a shiny red apple and draw him a picture that describes how much you love his….class." He teased. "I know about the not-so-secret teacher crush you have on him."
"Shut up, I do not!" Bella screeched, her cheeks pinking. She shoved Simon away, her face flaming from embarrassment as she raked her hair behind her ear.
Simon laughed and regained his balance, falling back in pace with her. "Oh, Mr. Boone, you're so dreamy." He teased her.
Bella rolled her eyes. "I hate you. I never said that and I don't sound like that." She pouted.
Simon laughed again. "Mr. Boone, I love your shirt…Mr. Boone, your hair looks nice today…Mr. Boone, your eyes as so sparkly, I love you." He mocked.
"That was Maya, you ass!"
"Yeah, but you're her brain twin." He retorted. "What is it with all the girls in our class crushing on him?"
"I don't have a crush on him." She defended, crossing her arms defiantly.
Simon rolled his eyes. "I call bullshit." He said eyeing her with a smirk as they continued down the sidewalk. "I know it's not him you really love, anyway…it's Alexander Peterman." He remarked, his smirk growing into a shit-eating grin.
Bella halted, aiming a glare at him. She wanted to kill him…how did he know that?
Maya.
She was the only person Bella told. She was so going to pay for that. Bella schooled her features, pasting a look of indifference on her face. "No I don't. He's nice, but I don't like him like that."
"Double bullshit." He howled.
Bella huffed and started walking again, increasing her pace. "Don't you have anything better to do than follow me around and spout heinous nonsense?"
Simon tilted his head to the side when he caught up to her, considering it, before shaking his head and smirking. "Not really, no."
Bella rolled her eyes again; it was a common practice around Simon, especially when he was being…well, no, it was pretty much all the time. She studied him for a moment as they walked, frowning suddenly. "So, what about your parents? What are they going to think?"
Simon turned his head in confusion. "About your crush on Xander? I'm pretty sure they don't care." He joked.
"Three detentions this semester, Simon?" She clarified on an impatient huff.
He shot a glare in her direction, shrugging. "So?"
"You keep it up and you'll get suspended, Si." She replied, her glare matching his.
"Again, so?" He smarted.
Bella heaved a sigh and punched him in the arm for his attitude. "Don't be a jerk. I was just asking out of concern, Simon."
Simon rubbed his arm. "Ow, Bella. Dammit." He mumbled.
She stared, waiting for his reply.
"Fine, god." He huffed. "My mom will be pissed, ok? But she's always on my case about everything, so why should I care? She blames everything in her shitty life on me, anyway; she hates her job, blame Simon, my sister misses her curfew, blame Simon, my mom breaks a nail, blame Simon, it's his fault!" He replied bitterly, shaking his head. "I'm just sick of her bullshit."
"Simon…." She sighed.
"Don't worry about it. My mom doesn't care that I get detention or suspended from school because she doesn't care what I do, not really; she just wants someone else to blame for her problems and since my dad isn't around anymore it falls on me. And anyway, he's no better than she is, but at least he doesn't blame me for his crappy life." Simon ranted before shaking his head as if to rid himself of it. "Screw 'em, B. I don't want to talk about it anymore." He mumbled.
Bella didn't know what to say. This wasn't the first time they'd talked about the problem with his parents. He never wanted to talk for long and would usually cut it short like he just did. She only knew a little of what it was like for him. Most of it she gleaned by watching and listening when she was at his house, but that was rare. Maya didn't know much more than she did and they made a point not to gossip about it. When it came to his parents, they pretended that one cared more about him than the other, but they didn't. It was like a game to them. They were both verbally abusive toward Simon and he toward them. They treated him like a toy they both wanted to play with but neither really wanting the toy, only to possess it because the other wanted ownership. Bella would never say it to Simon, but his parents were selfish assholes. They were like four year olds playing a game of tug of war with a toy they both wanted, and one of these days they were going to break him. Simon's reaction to all of it was to get into trouble; cause them problems so maybe they wouldn't want the toy anymore and they'd let go. Simon's sister was old enough that it didn't affect her equally because she was inches from getting out of the house after graduation.
Bella reached over to link her arm through his as they walked side by side. He looked over at her, gracing her with an appreciative smile. She returned it, before gently leaning her head on his shoulder. Bella felt terrible about his home life and that there was nothing she could do to help him. She could only be his friend and she hoped that was enough.
They walked in silence for a few minutes before Simon spoke again, changing the subject to something lighter.
"So, did you ask your parents about going rock climbing next Saturday?"
Bella nodded, unlinking her arm. "Yeah, I can go."
"Really?" He squeaked in shock, whipping his head to look at her.
She shrugged. "Yeah. But there was a lot of begging and pleading involved. I had to convince my mom I wasn't going to fall off a cliff and die, that there would be plenty of adults around and that I would be strapped into a harness and wearing a helmet."
Simon chuckled. "I'm surprised she didn't want to conduct thorough interviews and background checks on every single person attending."
Bella shifted mischievous eyes to him, a grin to match. "You think that's a joke but it's not, she probably did. What would surprise me is if she asked for blood and pee samples so she could test everyone for drugs and do extensive research into their medical history."
"Don't get me wrong, I love your mom but she's a little neurotic, isn't she?" He asked, amused.
She shrugged her shoulders. "She just has a big heart and doesn't want anything bad to happen. I don't let it bother me too much."
Simon nodded, agreeing. "Yeah."
Bella turned to him, noticing the look on his face. "You know she'd do it for you too, right? It's not just me she looks out for."
He lowers his gaze to the sidewalk and shrugs but doesn't comment, his expression changing from wistful to doubtful.
Bella huffed, knowing she couldn't convince him with words. Simon got words thrown at him all the time, mostly poisonous ones from his parents. Words didn't mean anything good to him, he valued people's actions.
They continued their leisurely pace down the sidewalk in silence, finishing off the bag of chips and shoving the trash inside her book bag. As they turned the corner onto her block, suddenly Bella heard a whimper. She furrowed her brow, looking to Simon to ask what was wrong and quickly realizing it hadn't come from him when he seemed oblivious. She looked away and continued walking. Another whimper, and Bella turned around, unable to determine what it was and where it had come from. "Did you hear that?" Bella asked Simon. She tilted her head slightly, listening for it again.
"No, what? If it's the voices in your head again, I told you, the rest of us can't hear them." Simon quipped, chuckling.
"Shut it, Si, I heard something. Listen." She told him.
Again, a whimper or more of a whine was coming from somewhere close by. It sounded weak, but they both heard it that time and Bella looked at Simon.
"What is that?" Simon asked.
"Sounded like…maybe a dog? But where did it come from, I couldn't tell?" She asked, looking at the area surrounding them. There was a thick row of bushes on the perimeter of the corner house. She took a hesitant step toward it, not wanting to frighten the animal.
"Me either; listen again."
Bella kept her eyes on the bushes, hoping to see it move so she could find him and get him out if he was stuck. When they heard it again, it didn't sound like it was coming from the bushes, it sounded like it had come from the storm drain at the street corner behind them. "There." She pointed, stepping over to it, kneeling down to look inside.
"See anything?" Simon asked.
"Barely, but yeah, I see something moving. I think it is a dog, Si, a small one, maybe a puppy." She told him, glancing up at him in concern as he knelt over her to try and get a glimpse.
"Really? How'd it get down there?"
"He had to have fallen in, maybe slipped." Bella replied. "I hope he's not hurt. We've got to get him out of there."
"How? There's a big grate covering it and it's all nasty down there." He grimaced.
"I think I can fit." She observed, speaking mostly to herself and ignoring Simon.
"Are you whacked? You can't fit down there, it's too narrow; nobody can fit down there. And anyway, there's disease and giant sewer rats." He exclaimed, cringing in disgust.
Bella laughed, turning her head to look at him. "It's not the sewer, it's a storm drain. Not the same, Si."
He glared. "I know! I was just…kidding. I know it's not the same."
Bella shook her head, holding back a laugh. He totally didn't know. "Obviously, we'll have to move the grate first." She explained, replying to his earlier comment.
He sighed, looking upwards. "How do I get myself into these things? I try to be good and trouble finds me." He said, grumbling under his breath, reluctantly putting his skateboard and bag aside and kneeling down to get a grip on the grate. Bella knelt down to help.
"Shut up. More lifting, Simon, less grumbling." Bella grunted through her teeth as she pulled up on the grate with all her strength.
It wouldn't budge, so they both let go, taking in a few breaths after their exertion. Bella sighed, frustrated. "Let's try again, we have to get that grate off."
"It's too heavy, Bella. It's probably sealed with concrete."
Bella shook her head. "I think it's just stuck, with all the rain we've had, the mud is caked in the cracks, see?" She pointed around the edges of the grate. "We just have to try harder." She insisted.
Simon looked at her doubtfully and she sighed. "We can't leave him down there to die, Simon." Bella added, pleadingly.
Bella knew the moment he gave in because his eyes softened as he studied her. Then he nodded, agreeing. "Ok, let's try again."
Bella smiled. Bending down, she grabbed a nearby stick and began clearing the mud and leaves from around the grate, hoping to make it easier to lift. Once she was done, they tried again. It was still heavy, but she could tell getting the mud off had helped. They continued pulling up until finally, after several tries, managed to lift it and shift it over to the side.
"Oh my god, that's heavy." He grunted, letting it go and shaking his arms out and wiggling his fingers.
Bella stood up, ignoring him, her mind on a mission to get the little creature out of there. She swiped her muddy hands on her pants and removed her bag from her shoulder, setting it on the sidewalk. She knelt down again, trying to assess the situation now that the grate was moved, how she was going to get him out of there. There were two sections to the drain. A concrete 'step' where most of the mud and leaves the grate didn't catch was caked, and then the drop off that went deeper and was harder to get to. That's where the puppy was. This was going to be harder than she thought. Bella looked up at Simon, seeing concern in his eyes. "Don't worry, Simon, it's going to be fine. It'll just take a minute. I'll get the puppy, hand him to you and then I'll get right out." She reassured, trying to sound more confident than she felt. She could tell he wasn't convinced.
"May-maybe I should do it." He stuttered out, clearly hesitant to go down there but willing to help his friend.
Bella smiled at him indulgently. "It's ok, Simon, you don't have to be a gentleman on this one. I got this." She told him, patting his shoulder. "Anyway, you'd probably throw up on the puppy."
Simon glared at her, just for effect, but she knew he knew she was right. He had a pretty weak stomach when it came to slime and other things of unknown origin. Once, he almost threw up in their kitchen when her mom was cleaning out the innards of the Thanksgiving turkey. He got grossed out pretty easily, and he hated to admit it. It was a point of great amusement to her and Maya.
"Plus you won't fit." She added, teasing him.
He huffed, rolling his eyes. "Are you sure about this?"
"Of course I'm sure. Aren't I always?"
"That's what worries me, B. Sometimes you don't think stuff through."
"Ok, pot." She snarked. "This kettle needs help getting down there. Just hold on to me in case I slip in the gook." She told him, holding her hands out to him.
In the meantime, the puppy had gotten quieter and that worried Bella. She didn't know how long he had been down there. He was probably starving, dehydrated and cold. He looked so small and he was covered in mud. Bella was also concerned that he'd get too weak to hold his head up and drown in the puddle of water below. As Simon held on to her, she stepped down. Ugh, this was so gross, she thought as she noted the mud and other things she didn't want to think about caked at the bottom. Her shoes would be a mess, and her pants already were. She didn't want to show Simon how grossed out she was by this; he'd never shut up about it. She liked to tease him but he wasn't wrong about how gross this was.
She felt some of the goop seep into her shoes. Gross. "Ok, Si, let go so I can reach down there and grab him." She said in as normal a tone as she could muster while she inwardly cringed.
"Ok, but hurry up, I feel like I'm getting some kind of disease just from watching."
Bella sighed, kneeling down and feeling the cold, wet mud squish onto her skin through her pants. Her mother was going to kill her for getting her clothes this dirty. She'd have to throw this pair out and buy another with her allowance before she noticed. "So gross." She mumbled.
"What?" Simon questioned.
"Nothing." She replied, louder.
Bella reached down for the puppy, but couldn't get a hold of him. From what she could tell, he was black and white and he was super furry. He looked like a baby Ewok. So adorable, even though he was covered in all amounts of goop and mud. Poor thing.
She shifted her position, moving a little further inside the drain.
"Bella, be careful." She heard Simon say above her.
She ignored him and shifted again, one leg hanging from the step she was on hoping to slip down close enough to reach the dog. She could still hear Simon grumbling his complaints of disgust, as she reached down but was still unable to get him. She took a small leap down from the step, more muddy water squishing into her shoes. Kneeling down, she was able to reach him. He whimpered, moving his head from side to side, and that's when she saw it. Bella gasped, horror-stricken. "Oh my god!"
"What?" Simon exclaimed, his voice squeaking. "What, Bella? Please don't tell me you found an alligator down there or, or, or…one of those CHUDS you hear about in the Big City."
"Simon, shut up. I've got him, now help me get him the hell out." She exclaimed.
Bella cuddled the puppy to her chest. He whimpered again, looking up at her with his big black eyes and what she could only describe as gratitude. She had to get him out of there. She was completely horrified and angered over what she'd found when she picked him up. She hadn't seen it before because he was covered in mud and leaves. There was a rope tied around his neck with a rock tied at the other end. She knew what this meant, someone had done this to him on purpose and it made her blood boil.
She felt Simon reach in and grab under her arms, pulling her as far as the step and once she'd gotten her feet under her, he helped her out of the drain. She held the dog in one hand and the rock in the other. The rope was still around his neck, but she'd have to remove it once she was sitting down on the curb.
"Thanks, Si." She breathed out, shaky, angry tears springing to her eyes as she showed him what she'd found.
"Is that a rope?" He asked, somewhat dumbly, but with equal outrage in his voice.
"Somebody did this to him; tossed him out like trash." She spat out, her tears spilling down her cheeks. "Simon, who does that? How could anyone do that? And why the hell would they need a rock to weigh him down, it's not like he can get out on his own." She reasoned.
Simon seemed unsure of what to say as he opened his mouth to speak but no words forming. After a moment, his voice finally returned. "Yeah, B, that's seriously fucked up." He agreed, his face solemn as he looked at the puppy in concern. "We should get that off him. Come on, let's sit down."
Bella followed him, sitting down on the curb as she cuddled the puppy to her chest. Simon reached over and gently slipped the rope from the puppy's neck. Thankfully, it hadn't been tight enough to choke him. He whimpered pathetically and it almost brought more tears to Bella's eyes. This was cruelty she couldn't comprehend. Such an innocent creature; there was no reason for it. Bella held him closer, comforting the dog. Simon looked on, and she read concern on his face but she wasn't sure if it was for her or the dog. Knowing Simon, probably both. She gave a tight-lipped grin of reassurance, and he responded with one of his own.
"It'll be ok, Bella. You saved him, he's ok now."
"Couldn't have done it without you."
Simon shrugged like it was no big deal.
Bella handed him the puppy. "Hold him for a second."
Simon stuck his hands out, taking him from her. "Oh, gross, Bella…he's all slimy!" He whined, his nose crinkling in disgust.
Bella rolled her eyes. "Simon, how is it you can do all of the macho, stupid daredevil stunts and get dirty, bloody and smelly, but you get grossed out from a little slime?"
"Well, I don't know what this slime is, Isabella, this could be anything from poop to…radioactive alien sludge!" He exclaimed, the disgust in his voice contradicting the gentle way he held the puppy to his chest.
"If it were radioactive alien sludge, it'd be glowing." She volleyed as if his comment were entirely logical.
Simon furrowed his brow, thinking about that a moment and looking down to inspect the dirty puppy. "Good point." He mumbled finally, still grimacing. "But still…. Ugh, he stinks."
Bella rolled her eyes, good-naturedly, a smile coming to her lips as Simon held the puppy. She knew he was over exaggerating the disgust he felt just to make her smile, but not by much. Simon seriously hated goop he couldn't identify. But she was grateful for Simon and his ability to always put a smile on her face, especially in tough situations.
Bella and Simon were still sitting on the curb together, side by side, comforting the puppy. He was whimpering a little more now, giving Bella hope that he'd be ok. If he was whimpering, he had some energy left in him still. Maybe he hadn't been down there that long. She ran her hands over his little body to see if he was hurt anywhere, broken bones or bruises. He didn't seem to be in any pain. She was no veterinarian, but he seemed fine, other than the mud that had now dried and matted up his fur.
"He's so sweet, how could anyone do this to him?" Bella mumbled softly, petting him gently on the head and behind his ears.
"I don't know. What do we do with him?" Simon asked, stroking the puppy's matted fur.
Bella looked up at Simon. "I want to keep him."
Simon chuckled, shaking his head. "I knew you were going to say that."
"Well…he needs me, Simon. Look at him, he's so tiny and helpless. Someone tried to kill him."
"Hey, I'm not the one that's told you a million times that you can't have a dog. I'm not the one you're going to have to convince." He said pointedly.
Bella sighed, knowing he was right. There was no way her parents would let her keep this puppy, even if she did save his life. They would make her take him to the shelter, so somebody else could take him home. Her parents had told her several times that she couldn't have a dog, too much responsibility or some such nonsense. The last time was a while ago, though. She was 13 years old now; she could take more responsibility than she could before. As she pondered how she was going to convince her parents, she heard her cell phone ringing in her bag.
"Can you hand me my phone, Si. I bet that's Grandma, wondering where I am."
Simon grabbed the phone out of her bag, looking at the caller ID. "Yep." He confirmed, handing it to her.
"Hi, Grandma." Bella answered.
"Bella, where are you? I was worried sick, the bus should've dropped you off half an hour ago."
"I'm fine, Grandma. I'm with Simon, we're on our way."
"Well, ok, dear. You two hurry home."
"K." Bella replied, hanging up. "Let's go." She told Simon, standing up with the puppy in her arms. They began a brisk walk to her house, just a block down.
"Wait, are you going to take him home with you? What about your parents?"
"Of course I am! And…what they don't know won't hurt me."
"Ha! Yeah, right. Are you high? B, your parents aren't stupid, they're like…the smartest people I know. They'll know you have a dog in the house." He replied, following her. "He's a dog, he'll cry and bark. Not to mention all of the poop and piss stains he'll leave all over the floors. There's no way." He reasoned, waving his arms and shaking his head emphatically.
"I have to take care of him, Si. I can't just leave him. I'll figure something out."
"What about your Grandma, what are you going tell her? Or even worse, what about Mik, she'll give you away in half a second if she sees him." He stressed, raising his eyebrows in emphasis.
"Don't worry about Grandma, she'll be on my side. I might even be able to get her to help me convince my folks. As for Mik…yeah, she can't know either." Bella replied.
Simon shook his head in disbelief and great amusement. "This is going be so good, I can't wait to see this. Can I stay over for dinner, I don't want to miss the show?"
"Shut up."
"Are you just going to walk through the front door with him?" He asked, as they arrived at her home, standing at the steps of the front walk.
Bella scowled. "Ooo, good point. If Mik sees…." She trailed off in thought. "I know, you take him and wait outside my bedroom window until I can open it and let you in."
Simon rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. "You are unhinged, Isabella House."
"That is quite possibly true." She admitted, nodding. "But just do it, Si, ok? Please?" She begged, handing him the puppy.
He sighed and took the puppy from her. "Oh man, this is going to be so good. I can't wait till your parents get home…I'm going to need some popcorn for tonight's entertainment. Oh my god, this is better than a movie, better than those monster truck rallies your dad took us to that time, better than-"
Bella huffed, indignant. "Shut up, Simon, just go." She shoved his shoulder, propelling him to move around the house to wait for her.
He laughed at her as he climbed the steps, his skateboard and backpack in one hand and the puppy in the other, and walked around the house to reach her bedroom window. Bella shucked her muddy shoes at the door, cringing at the sight of them as she went inside the house and quickly scampered to her room, hoping to delay the inevitable.
"Bella." And there it was. She heard her grandma calling from the kitchen, followed by Mik's excited squeal. "Lella!"
Bella stopped at her bedroom door, waiting for her grandma to find her. She came around the corner, holding her baby sister, Mikaela. "Hi, Grandma." Bella greeted casually, flashing her a smile like everything was normal and like she didn't resemble a mud-cicle.
Grandma gasped at her appearance. She looked Bella up and down, noticing her muddy and disheveled clothes. "What happened to you? Is everything ok? I thought you said Simon was with you? What is going-."
"Everything's fine, Grandma." Bella interrupted reassuringly, and leaning over to place a kiss on her little sister's cheek. Mik held her arms out for Bella, wanting to be held. Bella took her, dirty hands and all. Grandma cringed, not liking it a bit.
"What happened, you're filthy?"
"Fitty." Mik repeated, patting Bella's shirt.
Bella sighed inwardly, not wanting to explain what she'd been up to but knowing it was unavoidable. Grandma raised her eyebrows, waiting for her answer.
"I just found something and I had to get dirty to get to it." She explained cryptically, moving Mik's wandering fingers away from Bella's necklace as she tried to grab at it. Grandma grimaced at how dirty Bella's hands were and moved to take Mik from her. Mik held on to Bella though, not wanting to part from her big sister.
"Where, the sewer?" Grandma huffed, leaving Mik where she wanted to be, knowing already that she'd be washing her down later.
Bella tilted her head, and furrowed her brow, amused slightly that her Grandma had thrown that out there if only as a joke. "Sort of."
"What did you find that you had to get that dirty?" Grandma sighed.
"Um…" She started, glancing quickly to Mik, before shifting her eyes back to Grandma. "A…p-u-p-p-y." She spelled out so Mik wouldn't understand.
Grandma furrowed her brow, glancing at Mik, immediately understanding why she'd spelled the word. "A…p-u-p-p-y? And where exactly was this p-u-p-p-y?"
"Down the storm drain. Simon and I rescued him. Someone threw him down there, Grandma, he had a rope around his neck with a rock tied to the other end. It was awful, he was crying and whimpering, trying to get someone to hear him and when we found him he was dirty and messed up and hungry so I thought I'd bring him home and give him a bath and-." Grandma held her hand up, stopping Bella, her explanation having spilled out of her mouth. Grandma's mouth was agape as she listened to what had happened.
"Darling, that is horrible and I'm so glad you could help him," she said gently. "But I also know where this is going, so save it for your mother, she's the one you'll have to convince."
Bella nodded. "So you'll help me?"
Grandma sighed softly. "Honey, I'm not making any promises. But if I can help somehow, you know I will. Does it need a vet?"
Bella shrugged, "I don't know. He seems ok, like maybe he hadn't been down there for long. He didn't cry out when I checked him for broken bones and he wasn't bleeding."
Grandma nodded. "Ok, darling, but keep your eye on him and let me know if something changes."
Bella smiled and handed Grandma the baby. "Ok. Will you keep her occupied so she won't see him?" She asked, since Mik liked to get into everything.
Grandma took Mik from her. "Isabella, don't you go do something that I'm going to regret helping you with. I know you and the trouble you can dig up, just like your father."
"Just until I can convince Mom. I promise." Bella said, crossing her heart.
"Alright." She answered reluctantly.
Bella squealed and brought her arms around Grandma and Mik. Mik startled slightly before releasing her own squeal and clapping her hands.
"Thanks, Grandma!" Bella added.
Grandma hugged her loosely, avoiding the mud on her clothes but with a smile on her face. "Of course, baby. Now go give that d-o-g a bath, I can smell it from here. Or maybe it's you, dear." She added, looking Bella up and down again before shaking her head and walking away with Mik in her arms.
Bella dashed into her room, yelling her thanks. She ran over to the window where Simon was still waiting outside and opened it. She looked behind her, to make sure Mik was out of sight, before gesturing for Simon to hand her the dog.
"It's about time. He almost peed on me, you know." Simon huffed, passing the dog over to her.
Bella chuckled, cradling the puppy in her arms. "Come on, we need to give him a bath."
"What did Grandma say?"
"No promises, but she'll do what she can. She's keeping Mik occupied." Bella explained as Simon crawled through the window. "We can give him a bath in the tub."
Simon nodded, following her out of the bedroom and into the bathroom down the hall.
A/N: So…this story has been sitting on my computer for a lot of years now, unfinished. I thought if I start posting it, I'll make myself finish it. Truth be told, I have no idea if people still care about this story or if anyone still reads House fanfic. I haven't in years and maybe that's why I haven't finished this. And will you believe that I never even watched the last season of House M.D? It's true…I don't know how the show ended. I lost my desire to know after the catastrophe that was season 7. I realize Netflix has the entire series up, but I still don't care about that last season. Maybe someday... I basically moved on to a different show and started reading fanfic for that, although I never wrote anything for it. But I recently got the writing bug again and realized I have this unfinished story just sitting on my hard drive…instead of starting something else, maybe I should finish this one. I hope, not having seen the show in a while, that the character's 'voices' still come through in this story. I feel detached from it, so hopefully it won't make anyone run screaming. But if anyone does, I won't hold it against you.
Anyway, if I recall correctly, this story started out as a small idea to continue telling Bella's story and to see how the Houses' lives are progressing, if only in my imagination. Will I keep writing fanfic for this universe? Who can say…but if I do or if I don't, I at least wanted to get this one out there. I don't know how many chapters there will be so I hope you guys will stick with me. Also, I make no promises as to the timeliness of my chapter postings. Except maybe one promise, it won't be years apart… ;-P
This author's not has gotten out of control, so I'm gonna end it. I hope y'all enjoy the story.