A week later Alex and Maggie finally managed to find time to go to the shelter. It was a good thing Alex and Maggie bought such a bit house because at this point, each bedroom was full. Ever since they returned to National City, it was a struggle getting Erin's shop set up on top of working and helping Stacy settle. Getting the property for the shop was easy but they neglected to think of how expensive new equipment would be. Alex could see how stressed out Erin was becoming as she watched the shop slowly come together and wanted to help in anyway possible.
Alex and Maggie walked hand in hand into the shelter. The first thing they noticed was the wet dog smell along the barking. A woman walked up to them, "hi welcome to National City's Animal Shelter how can I help you today?"
Alex looked to Maggie and smiled, "we're looking to adopt a dog puppy today."
"That's great. Why don't you follow me." The women escorted them to the dogs. The woman opened the door to a room full of large dog kennels.
"All of these dogs are rescues and we take pride in being a no kill shelter." The woman said as Alex and Maggie walked around checking out all the different dogs. They passed one that was really old with a cast on its front leg. Several other jumped on the door to excited to see new people. Alex and Maggie split covering more dogs (there were a lot of dogs).
"Alex come here," Maggie says. Alex walks over to Maggie and her heart explodes.
"That is shelly and she just had those pups two months ago and as of today they can be adopted."
"Awe Alex they are so cute!" Maggie said as the woman opened the gate and allowed them to go in. Alex stayed towards the front of the cage while Maggie met the puppies half way. All the puppies except one ran up to Maggie. The other one stayed back and watched Alex. Alex watched the puppy as it watch her back. After a few minutes the puppy slowly walked to Alex and plopped a squat in front of her. Alex slowly knelt down to the puppy and the crawled onto her lap. Maggie watched the whole event happen and her heart exploded. The puppy nudged Alex's hand onto her head asking for Alex to pet her.
"It looks like we found our Gertie."
Alex looked up to Maggie, "but I thought you wanted to pick the dog."
"Alex the dog picked you. How can I say no to that. Plus look how cute she is and she is the smallest of the bunch, it's adorable."
Alex looks to the dog, "what do you think pup. Do you like the name Gertie."
"BARK."
"Ha she likes it, you like to don't you girl," Alex scratched behind her ear.
"It looks like you found your dog, congrats! Now all you have to do is fill out the paper work and we're good go."
Alex refused to let go of the dog the entire time. Even when they went to Petco to get supplies for Gertie remained on Alex's hip. Maggie thought Alex couldn't get any softer but she was wrong, Gertie was turning Alex into a pile of mush. By the time they checked out, Gertie was fast asleep. Even on the ride home, Alex continued to pet Gertie's back.
"She already has you wrapped around her little paw doesn't she." Maggie said.
"So, look at her. Isn't she the cutest little puppy. I always wanted a German Shepard when I was little but then Kara came but now I finally have the cutest one!"
Maggie walked into the house first, "Zack, Aunt Erin, mom can you please come to the dining room," Maggie yelled. Feet rustled and came down the stairs.
"Mama!" Zack said running into Maggie's arms, "hi my favorite man. How's your day with grandma and aunty Erin."
"We colored and watched Paw Patrol."
"Mommy and I have a surprise for you." Maggie said as Alex walked in holding Gertie.
"PUPPY!" Zack screamed frightening Gertie.
"Zack sweetie you have to whisper or you will scary Gertie?"
Zack nodded and sat on the chair. Alex walked and sat in the chair next to him. The room was quiet as all the adults watched the interaction between the puppy, that just woke up, and the child, who is trying to not bounce in his chair with excitement. Gertie picked her head up and sniffed Zack's hand then licked it.
"Ew," Zack said pulling back his hand as everyone laughed at Zack's reaction.
"Zack that means she likes you. It's her way of giving kisses."
Zack stared at Alex as he comprehended what she said before getting out of the chair and kissing Gertie on her nose. Gertie looked up to see all the other humans standing before her then ducked her head in Alex's lap.
"Awe she's shy," Erin said as her heart exploded with cuteness overload. After the stressful week she's had the sight in front of her made her week. Alex switched places with Gertie than gestured for Erin to go into the kitchen with her.
Alex got two water bottles out of the fridge and asked, "so how is the shop coming along?"
Alex was doing enough for Erin already that Erin didn't want to push so she responded, "it's going pretty great. We are getting a steady flow of the new equipment."
Alex knows that Erin is keeping information from her, "that sounds great Erin, but seriously I'm a special agent for the government and know when someone is with holding information. All I want to do is help you be successful because one, you are family and family takes care of each other, and two I love seeing small business thrive in this chain store economy shit."
Erin laughs at the last comment then frowns, "honestly the city is taking forever with the permits so we can't install any of the equipment or renovate. I've had a couple people come in and ask for jobs but than are a bit hesitant to work with aliens. Honestly I don't see the issue, if anything, they are better workers than the typical human being. In the few lesson's I've given them they picked it up so easily its astounding. It took me forever to learn some of the stuff I'm teaching them."
"At least you won't be shy on employees. Look, I know that you don't like asking for help because Maggie had to learn it from somewhere, but you are in a new city and things are different here. It helps if you know people so they can speed up the process and that is exactly what I'm asking to help with. I have some friends at the office that can get the permits done in no time."
"That would be amazing Alex. The longer it takes the more money it takes up and at this point I'm nervous that I'm going to have to ask for a loan from the bank."
"Erin if you need money that is something I can help with too. I'm not sure if you know but besides being a special agent for the government I also have my own company. I'm not a big spender so if you need it I can help you. I just really want to see your business be successful. Please let me help."
Erin looked at Alex with a stunned expression, "seems like my niece picked a good one. How on earth did you manage to have time do accomplish all of this?"
Alex was quite for a moment before honestly answering her question, "when you have Supergirl as your sister, it's hard to compete with her so you go above and beyond."
Erin place her hands on Alex's forearm, "you know you don't have to compete with her. You have three people in the room next to you who think the world of you and one in this very room. I'm truly in awe of everything you have done for yourself and others. I don't mean to push but do you make time for yourself? I only ask because you do so much for everyone else it is easy to neglect yourself."
"I never use to but Maggie is helping me learn how and to answer your question I think it would be the air show coming up this month back in Nebraska. I always loved flying but things got in the way and I lost sight of it. I'm really excited about it and can't wait for Maggie and Zack to see me fly."
Meanwhile in the dinning room:
"Zack be gentle when petting her, nice and slow down her back." Maggie guided Zack as Stacy stood behind Maggie with a hand on Maggie's shoulder.
"I love her mama," Zack said with the widest smile on his face. Gertie woke up a few minutes later with enough energy to want to play with Zack.
"You can go in the back yard but stay on the grass please," Maggie said as the two raced to the backyard.
"I know you always wanted a dog growing up and I'm sorry I couldn't give that to you." Stacy said as Maggie pulled her mom to sit down next to her.
"Hey no more dwelling on the past, we have each other now and that's what matters." Maggie smiled sincerely at her mother. Stacy looked to the living room and asked, "what do you think they are talking about over there?"
Maggie looked to the living room then back to her mother, "Aunt Erin's business I'm guessing. Alex has been silently hovering over her to make sure everything is done right. Aunt Erin's been really stressed the last few days and I can only imagine why so I'm guessing Alex is giving her a pep talk as well as asking if she could help in any way shape or form."
"Every time I think Alex can't be more amazing she does something like this. I'm so happy for you Maggie. This family you have, I'm just so in awe and proud of you."
"Yeah."
"What is it?" Stacy moves closer to Maggie.
"Uh?" Maggie shakes out of her gaze and thinking face.
"You were thinking about something there."
"Oh umm," Maggie fiddles with her thumbs.
"If you don't want to tell me it's okay but if you do I'm here."
"I want another baby," Maggie blurts out and Stacy's eyes widen and she grins.
"Really?"
"Yea I really do. Alex and I talked about it a while ago but we are in such a good place right now and Zack is getting older. I don't want the age gap to be too large between the kids."
"Wow Maggie that is great! Wait who would carry the baby?"
"Alex would carry the next one. It makes sense when we put other factors into play too like work and stuff."
Stacy hugs Maggie, "I love you so much sweetie."
"I love you too mom."
Later that night Alex and Maggie were lying in bed about to fall asleep when Maggie blurts out, "I want another baby."
Alex turns over and looks at Maggie, "what?"
Maggie smiles as she looks into Alex's eyes, "I think we should start trying for another baby."
Alex smiles and kisses Maggie, "well it just so happens that I finished my research on the device that will help us conceive."
"Really?"
"Yea really and that means we can start trying whenever. I want this Maggie, I want a big family with you with lots of mini us' running around." Maggie leans in first this time and kisses Alex hard.
"I love you so much Alex."
"I love you too Maggie."
"I cannot wait till you're pregnant." Maggie says as she glances down to Alex stomach imagining what she would look like when she's heavily pregnant.
"Well hopefully you won't have to wait too long. As much as I would love to continue talking about this I'm exhausted." Alex yawns and Maggie snuggles closer to Alex as they both drift off to sleep excited for the next chapter of their lives to begin.