It's Friday night and Casey is looking forward to a relaxing night at home. Alex has plans with Olivia and tried to get Casey to come, but was unsuccessful.
On this particular evening Casey hadn't felt like going out. She was tired from a very long day at work and just wanted to do something to unwind.
"What are you going to do tonight without me?" comes Alex's voice from the bathroom.
Casey leans against the door frame and stares in at her. She's putting her hair up, her makeup lightly done and wearing the purple turtleneck sweater she got at the mall last weekend.
Even dressed casually like this, Casey find her incredibly sexy.
"Probably just play video games. And have my girlfriend over."
Alex smirks in the mirror at her. "Oh? Is she hotter than me?"
"Yes."
Casey approaches her wife from behind and kisses her neck, causing Alex to snuggle against her. Her neck a is her weak spot and she melts whenever Casey presses her lips there.
"You look sexy."
Alex laughs. "I'm wearing a turtleneck. Probably the least sexy thing I own. And besides, you just said your girlfriend is hotter than me."
"I lied. No one could possibly be hotter than you."
"You shouldn't lie to your wife," Alex says in mock seriousness, turning around to look at her.
Casey picks up her glasses from the counter and places them on her face. Casey loves it when Alex wears her glasses; she finds it incredibly enduring and adorable.
"Now you look like my Alex."
"Contacts," Alex says quickly, removing the glasses. She waves her glasses around. "I save them for you."
Casey kisses her again. She can't help it. Alex is so beautiful and kind; she just wants to put her hands on her all the time.
Alex smiles and wraps her wife in a hug. She lightly touches her side, where she had surgery to remove her appendix just a week earlier. "No more pain?"
Casey shakes her head. "I'm all better."
Alex smiles, her entire face lighting up. "Good. I'll be home by eleven, okay? You don't have to wait up for me."
But Casey will. If one of them is going to be out late, the other always waits up. Neither can sleep unless their wife is safe and tucked into bed with them.
After Alex leaves, Casey fires up her XBox One. She doesn't play nearly as much as she used to; her free at home time is mainly spent with Alex and Alex isn't big into video games.
She's been playing her favorite game for about an hour when there's a buzz from the lobby. Sighing, she gets up and hits the intercom.
"Casey, it's Amanda. I have a situation. Could I come up?"
Casey immediately buzzes her up and unlocks the door.
Casey opens the door a few minutes later to reveal Amanda and her little counterpart, her daughter Jesse.
"Could you watch Jesse for a couple hours? We caught a break on a case and I really have to go."
"I - um...Alex isn't here," is all Casey can think of to say.
Sure she's watched Jessie before, and even Olivia's son Noah. But that was when Alex was with her. Alex had always known how to relate to children and the kids liked her. Casey always joked that she couldn't babysit without Alex because Alex is the "grown up".
So the idea of the spending the next three hours alone with a little delicate Amanda clone scares the hell out of Casey. What is she supposed to do with a kid? She's too young for her gory video game, and they have no kid themed movies or games in the apartment. Nothing for a child to do, really.
"She won't be a bother. She's already been fed, just put her to bed by nine. Please, Casey?"
Casey's mouth moves before her brain and for some reason she says yes.
The next thing she knows Amanda has left, leaving the blonde child in Casey's hands.
"Do you want to play?" Jessie asks with a smile.
"Um….ok. Play what?"
Jessie starts running around the sofa. Casey has to spin around to keep sight of her, she she lunges forward to stop her before the blonde runs into the coffee table or fireplace and creates a bruise or cut that Casey has to explain.
"Sweetie, no running in the house please," Casey pleads, once again reaching for the little blonde ball of energy.
She goes to grab for her and misses, instead slamming her knee on the coffee table.
And here she had been worried about Jesse getting hurt.
"Do you have toys?" Jesse asks loudly, not pausing even a second. "I have toys at my house."
"No, no toys," Casey says, finally catching a hold of her gently. "Why don't we find a cartoon or something to watch on TV?"
"Do you have Netflix?"
A four year old knows what Netflix is?
"Yes. I do." Jesse sits down and Casey grabs the remote, opening the app quickly before Jesse can change her mind. "What do you like to watch?"
Jesse gets up again. "Boring! Play with me!"
Casey spends the next forty minutes trying to calm the blonde until she gives up and grabs her phone, desperately hitting Alex's speed dial.
"Hey, baby. What's up?"
"Alex. I need you home."
"Why, what's wrong?" Alex's voice on the other end of the phone was dripping with concern.
"Amanda dropped her spawn off for me to babysit and I'm in way over my head. She's using our apartment as a playground, I can't get her to quiet down, and I'm on the verge of tears."
Casey hears Alex whisper something to Olivia and then hears them both laugh. "It's not funny, Alex! I can hear you guys laughing! I just wanted to have a relaxing night, and I'm worried she's going to get hurt, and I don't know what to do! Please come home."
"It's okay, baby," Alex says, laughing again. "We'll head out and come rescue you."
Casey thanks her and sinks down on the couch as Jesse continues to babble on, launching the magazines off the coffee table as if they were missiles.
Casey watches helplessly as Jesse strews the magazines about the floor, ripping some off the covers off in a game she's seemingly invented and is enjoying.
It's after nine PM and Casey knows she should quiet her down and put her to bed in the guest room. But Jesse shows no signs of being tied and Casey has absolutely no idea how to relate to this little pint sized person.
"Jesse," Casey says in a soft voice. "It's time for bed now."
"No!" she objects, her face twisted into a scowl that closely resembles Amanda.
"Yes," Casey says, trying to sound stern and in control. She reaches her hand out. "Come on. I'll tuck you in."
Jesse gets up and for a minute Casey thinks she's going to do as asked. But instead she takes off like a torpedo towards the kitchen.
Casey sighs and curses the gods as she gets up off the couch in pursuit of the small blonde.
She finds her under the kitchen table with one of the magazines .
"Jesse, it's time for bed," Casey repeats.
This repeats for about another half hour until the door opens and Alex and Olivia arrive home to save Casey.
As soon as Jessie sees Olivia she yells out "Aunt Livvy!" and launches herself into Olivia's arms.
Casey all but runs back into the living room and falls onto the couch, happy to be relieved of duty and completely and utterly defeated.
Alex sits next to her wife and takes her hand in amusement. "What's the matter baby, you can handle rapists and murderers, but not a four year old?"
Alex laughs as Casey glares at her. "I need a beer. Or fifty."
"Aw, my poor baby." Alex leans her head on Casey's shoulder and places her hand on her knee. "Just think, you've been wanting a puppy. Almost worse than this."
"They don't talk back," Casey reminds her.
"I'll take her home with me and text Amanda that I'll keep her overnight. You're off the hook, Case," Olivia says with an amused smile at how exhausted Casey looks.
"Thank you. I owe you a drink."
Casey bends down and begins picking up the magazines. "I don't know how Amanda does it, especially all on her own."
"She's a good mother," Alex says. "Did you know she's pregnant again?"
Casey looks at her in disbelief. "Holy shit, no. I don't envy her."
"We'll probably be asked to babysit more."
Casey makes a face. "Only if you're here. I can't handle it, Alex. Especially a baby. I know nothing about them. I've never even changed a diaper before."
Alex laughs. "What makes you equipped to handle a puppy, then?"
"They poop outside. All I need is a pooper scooper."
"What about during housebreaking? You going to freak when it has an accident in the house?"
"Well, no." Casey sits upright again. "That's to be expected. And part of the training process."
Alex sighs. Casey has wanted a dog for a couple years. She insists upon a puppy that they can raise together, even though Alex thinks an older dog from a shelter may be a better fit for their lifestyle.
"You know, we're both gone an awful lot for a puppy."
This is what Alex always says; she's always the logical one.
"I know." Casey sighs. She knows she will probably never get her way on this. "I've just always wanted to raise a dog from a puppy."
"We can revisit this again some other time," Alex promises.
.2
The next morning Alex prods Casey out of bed with kisses and the smell of bacon wafting down the hallway.
It's Saturday, so Casey doesn't even bother getting dressed and walks out to the kitchen, sitting down on a stool at the island. She yawns sleepily, not quite ready to be woken up.
Alex, on the other hand, has been up for a couple hours. She's fully dressed, her makeup done. She spins around with a frying pan and smiles at Casey.
"Morning, beautiful."
Casey's eyes are on the frying pan. "I'm still not used to this. You cooking without the smoke alarm blaring."
Alex smirks at her, getting the plates down out of the cupboard and sliding a couple pieces of bacon on a plate for Casey. "I could make it go off, for old times sake, if you miss it so much."
"I'm good. Thanks for the offer."
Alex finished breakfast, which includes french toast, and sits down across from Casey.
"You're way too chipper this morning," Casey grumbles, taking a drink of her orange juice. "Am I dying? Are you dying?"
"No. I'm just excited because it's my turn for Saturday surprise."
Saturday surprise is something they have done since before they were married. Each of them gets to pick one Saturday a month where they plan the entire day. And the other has to do whatever they plan, no complaints.
Casey had forgotten that today was Alex's chosen day and she internally screams. What is she in for? Museums? Ballet? Theatre?
"What are you going to subject me to?" Casey raises an eyebrow skeptically.
"You'll like it; I promise. Hurry up and eat so we can get ready. We have to be there before two."
"Uh-oh, there's a time limit?" Casey tries to think of what would have to be done before two on a Saturday. "Not good."
"Yes it is. Now hurry."
Casey is slow to get ready when she really doesn't have to hurry, so it takes her an hour to get dressed and do her hair and makeup, all while her wife is leaning in the doorway reminding her of the time.
"Do I look good enough to be seen with you?" Casey asks, spinning around and showing off her tight jeans and purple fleece pullover. Her hair is wavy today and cascades down her shoulders in the way Alex loves.
"Beautiful," Alex says with a smile, giving her a peck on the lips. "Now let's go."
Casey grabs her purse and follows Alex out the door. "Still no hints?"
"You know how these Saturdays work."
"Yes of course, but my mind keeps playing that one Saturday where you took me to the ballet in a loop."
"It wasn't that bad."
"Yes, it was."
Casey gets in the car, resigning herself to the fact that she's at Alex's mercy for the day, and that could mean anything.
"Remember, you're supposed to love me, so please don't make me miserable," Casey says as Alex pulls out of the driveway.
Alex rolls her eyes. She keeps the air of mystery until she pulls into the driveway of their destination.
Casey takes one look of where they are, a smile spreading ear to ear. "Alex...no way…"
They are at the local Humane Society.
Alex beams back at her. "Yes, way. We already have an approved application. We can take home our little friend today."
Casey squeals like a child at Christmas and throws her arms around her wife. "Alex!!!! This is the best surprise ever! I have always wanted my own dog!"
"Well, this is going to be our dog, and our responsibility equally. I'm going to commit to raising it fifty-fifty. We can visit with the dogs first, find one that fits us. They have adult dogs and puppies."
"Why didn't you tell me you put in an application?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
The smile hasn't left Casey's face. "Well, it sure is! This is a great Saturday Surprise!"
They go into the shelter, and after a small wait while their application is pulled, they are led to the dog kennels.
There are so many dogs. Small dogs, large dogs, all different breeds. Most are barking loudly, hoping it's their time to be taken home.
Casey doesn't have a specific type in mind. She had wanted a puppy, but now that she sees just how many dogs are in need of homes, she's had a change of heart.
"Are you thinking big dog or small dog?" Casey asks as they continue to walk.
"I think whichever one we connect with."
They visit with many dogs of all types, but Casey seems drawn to a specific one. His name was Bentley, and he was a black and white pitbull mix with several scars on his face from being used as a bait dog in dog fighting. He's a very quiet dog, didn't bark at all, and had jumped right up on Casey's lap and licked her face.
Casey kept mentioning Bentley, even after she got to visit with the adorable collie mix puppies.
They are left alone to discuss it, and Casey looks at Alex hopefully. "Did you like Bentley?"
"Yes. Even though he acted like I was invisible," she laughed.
"I'm sure it's nothing personal," Casey says with a smirk. "Probably doesn't like blondes."
Alex swats at her.
"Thought you wanted a puppy?"
Casey sighs. "I did. But after meeting him and knowing his story...he was so trusting of me, even though humans mistreated him. And he's only two; that's pretty young. The volunteers said he likes to run. He would be a good running buddy, and a good cuddle buddy too."
"He's better not take my place when it comes to cuddling," Alex says.
"Ohhhh, Alex is jealous of a dog."
"I like cuddle time with my Casey."
"He can join, then."
"He doesn't get to sleep in our bed."
"Well, then we'd better stop by the pet store and get him a nice dog bed. He sleeps in our room, though."
A half hour later they are walking out the front door with Bentley on his leash, Casey grinning like she's just won the lottery. She opens the back door and Bentley jumps onto the backseat, wagging his tail happily.
Alex smiles as she gets into the car. The dog is for both of them, but Casey's happiness and being able to rescue a dog fills her with pride. She would do anything to make Casey happy, and she was excited to start this new adventure of being dog parents together.
They stop at a nearby pet store and Casey walks Bentley inside proudly. He walks very well on a leash, doesn't pull and has good manners. He greets people with a tail wagging but doesn't try to jump on anyone.
"He needs a matching collar and leash, and an identification tag," Casey announces. "I'll pick them out. Why don't you pick out the bed and bowls and stuff?"
Alex has a huge smile on her face as she cruises the aisles looking for the perfect items. She selects a large memory foam dog bed, and blue dog bowls. She asks a worker what the best kind of food would be, and puts that in the cart as well.
As she approaches the toy aisle, she hears Casey's voice. "Look at you, so handsome!"
Alex steps around the aisle and bursts out laughing when she sees Bentley.
Casey has him dressed up in a puffy jacket with a hood, and she's holding a squeak toy in front of him.
"A jacket? He's a dog."
Casey looks up at her. "He's short haired. He will get cold, Alex. And look how cute he looks!"
Bentley looks up at Alex, and she swears he is grinning. He doesn't seem to mind the jacket. He wags his tail happily and Alex shakes her head.
"I'm sorry, Bentley. Sorry your new mom wants to dress you up like a doll."
"Oh, look at this!" Casey picks up a nearby shopping basket. She holds up and matching flannel color and leash, and a red bandana. "He will look cute in these! And I got some treats, and we are picking out toys...what did you get?"
Alex shows her what she selected, and Casey seems to approve. She pulls Alex close and kisses her. "Thank you, baby. This has been an awesome day."
Alex smiles and interlaces their fingers together. "Ready for our next adventure? Being dog moms?"
"More than ready." Casey kisses her again.
I'm aware that Amanda's daughter isn't four yet on the show - but this is fiction :)Hope you liked it!
