"Jules, don't get mad."
Juliet's body tensed involuntarily as she turned to regard her husband. "You should know by now not to even bother saying that," she told him, shaking her head. "What did you do?"
"Well, you know how you sent me and Liam out to buy milk?" Shawn asked, barely hiding a grin.
"Oh, God," Juliet moaned. "Please tell me you didn't get chocolate milk again. I can't make mashed potatoes with chocolate milk."
"What? Why not? I thought they were delicious," Shawn defended, momentarily distracted by the memory. "Buttery... and chocolately...anyway, no. Not chocolate milk. But close."
"A cow?" she asked with a sinking feeling.
Shawn whistled, and Liam entered the room, a sleeping black lap puppy in his arms.
"Can we keep him?" Liam asked her hopefully, his entire face lit up in pure joy.
Juliet plastered on a smile before turning to Shawn, who at least had the decency to look guilty.
"Jules, I swear! Look at him. He has those puppy dog eyes."
"That's because he's a puppy, Shawn! And how can you even see his eyes if he's sleeping?"
"I meant our son. Look at him."
Liam smiled dutifully up at her, stopping just short of batting his eyelashes.
"Your dad and I are going to have to talk about it."
Liam's face fell, but only a moment. He knew his dad was a top negotiator. "Can I go show the puppy my room?"
Juliet sighed. "Sure. Just... put some newspaper down first," she grabbed yesterday's edition from the stack of recycling and handed it to him.
Liam bounded off, excitedly chattering to the still asleep puppy in his arms. As soon as the young ears were out of hearing range, Juliet pointed a finger at Shawn.
"What the hell were you thinking? We already have a dog. And a cat."
"Yes, but we don't have a puppy. Now we're like Homeward Bound!"
"Shawn..." She was tired. He could see that, and he knew that he would win if only he could pull off the final blow.
"I'll housetrain him."
Her eyebrows shot heavenward. "Can I get that in writing? Notarized, perhaps?"
"And you'll have veto rights for the naming," Shawn added quickly, sweetening the deal as he approached her. He put his hands together pleadingly and batted his eyelashes.
"You're worse than your son," Juliet told him, crossing her arms.
Maybe she wasn't as tired as he thought.
"Jules, there was a puppy sale. What was I supposed to do?"
"A puppy sale? At the grocery store?"
"The grocery store, Lord Pettington's, who can remember these things?"
Juliet groaned. "You could at least pretend to discuss these things with me first. I am your wife, you know. We're supposed to be a team."
Shawn's eyes searched the kitchen for an answer. "We are a team. That's how I knew you wouldn't mind."
He flashed her his most winning smile. Juliet felt her defenses weakening. Damn that smile!
"Shawn, a puppy is hard work," she complained, trying desperately to fight it. "I'm not going to be the one responsible for him. Not this time."
"You won't. I swear! So... can we keep him?"
Juliet sighed. She had to face the facts - she'd known the puppy's fate when she first saw him, just as she knew Shawn had known.
"Fine."
Shawn let out a breath. "Whew. That's good, because I'd already named him."
"Veto rights!" Juliet reminded him as Shawn turned to leave.
"And make sure he's actually a boy puppy!" she called after him.
"I wouldn't make that mistake," Shawn replied over his shoulder. "Again," he added.
Juliet sighed and shook her head, her eyes scanning the kitchen as she contemplated her role as the sole adult in the family.
"Shawn!" she yelled suddenly, turning to track him down. "You forgot the milk!"
I'd recommend a shelter if you're going to get a cat or dog, but Lord Pettington's just sounded funny. :)