Penname: kyla713
Creative Original or Derivative Fiction: Derivative

Rating/Warning(s): M

Disclaimer: All copyrighted, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: Word Prompts: Park, dark, stark. Choose one word and write what your imagination dictates. For an added challenge, include all three words in your entry.

Just when Bella thought she couldn't love Edward anymore, he always managed to do something so unexpected, it was impossible not to. He had his mind and heart set on that little beagle mix, and no amount of argument or "protocol" talk from the shelter was going to deter him. He was as certain as she was that they were meant to be at the shelter that day, at that moment, waiting for a sign, and they got it. The decision was made the moment those big brown eyes gazed at him and he wasn't leaving without that particular dog.

Finally, papers were signed and fees were paid, and they walked out of the building with their new addition secured in Edward's arms. Once they'd settled into the car, Bella glanced over to watch him petting and soothing the trembling puppy; the poor thing was so scared and unsure of his surroundings, whining and whimpering, but never taking his eyes off the man holding him.

"So, do we have a name for this little guy?" Bella asked as they began the drive home, while Edward scratched behind the dog's ear.

"Yes. I'd like to call him Bilbo," he replied in a calm, even voice.

Bella's eyes widened and she crooked a brow at him. "As in Baggins?"

Edward nodded and turned his gaze to her. "As in Baggins."

"Okay, mind if I ask why? Are you some closet Tolkien fan or something?" she inquired and he laughed in response.

"Not exactly closet fan, but I'd like to think of it as more symbolic than anything else," Edward said with a shrug. "He's small and may not seem like anything special to some, but he was destined for something more than being just another dog in a kennel. He was meant for greatness."

Bella smiled at him and caught a glimpse of the dog tentatively licking his hand. "Bilbo it is, then."

"Hey, baby? Do you have any other plans for us today?" Edward asked and she shook her head, glancing at him questioningly. "Do you think we could stop at the store and pick up some toys, and take Bilbo over to the dog park? He needs to run and play after all that time in the shelter."

"I think that is definitely doable," Bella replied and made the turn at the light to head to Walmart, listening to Edward talking animatedly to Bilbo.

In just the few minutes they'd been in the car, there was already a stark difference between the dog they'd first laid eyes on in that tiny pen and the one seated in Edward's lap. The whining had almost completely ceased, his front paws were pressed against the man's chest, alternating between licking his chin and gazing out the window. There was even the hint of a smile appearing as Bilbo relaxed in the company of his new family.

Bella remained in the car while Edward ran into the store, and the puppy immediately began whining again, pacing in circles on the passenger seat and propping himself up on the window edge to peek out. "Guess you've already chosen your person, huh? That didn't take long."

A little howl emitted from the small animal and Bella reached for his leash, coaxing him out of the car and walking him over to the patch of grass a few feet away from where she'd parked. As he sniffed around, she occasionally glanced toward the doors to check for Edward, impatiently waiting for him to return. How long could it possibly take to pick up dog toys?

Suddenly, Bilbo spun in a circle, sending his long ears flapping, and began barking. Bella turned and saw Edward approaching with a carriage full of bags.

"A few toys?" Bella teased, quirking an eyebrow as she walked over to him and pointing to the cart.

Edward shrugged sheepishly and smiled, unloading the bags into the back seat. "Dogs need variety, too, Bella. And food and treats, and a little bed. But not everything is for him. I got us something to eat also."

Bella rolled her eyes and laughed; even their dog would be spoiled by him. Watching him interact with Bilbo throughout the day was much like observing him whenever he was around Josh and Brianna; so animated and gentle, and completely in a world of his own. It was interesting to watch him bring the dog almost entirely out of his shell, running and playing as a puppy should, and she felt bad when she glanced at her watch and told him they needed to head home before it started getting dark.

"But there's still a few hours before that," Edward remarked, looking at his own watch to see that it was only four.

"Come on, can't have too much of a good thing all at once," Bella replied, standing from the bench and throwing away her water bottle. "And both my boys need to eat."

"Yes, Mom," he groaned playfully and whistled for Bilbo. The dog came running with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, panting heavily. As Edward hooked the leash to his collar, Bella heard him muttering to Bilbo about ruining all their fun before he looked to her with a grin. "I know, baby. I'm kidding. Spending time with my girl on her birthday is important as well."

Later that evening, Edward and Bella were sitting on the couch, gazing at the exhausted dog sleeping soundly on his bed. Her hand ran from his knee and up along his thigh, and she pressed a kiss to his neck. "Think I can get my other present now?"

Edward moaned softly as she traced her fingertips over him and turned his head to look at her. "I believe that's a distinct possibility. Since you wouldn't let me buy you anything."

"You bought me a house, and now, a dog. Everything else I want, money can't buy, and I've got it all anyway," Bella murmured and met his lips with hers before standing with his hand clasped in hers.

They slowly crept out of the room together, attempting to sneak past the dog and up the stairs without waking him. No sooner had they closed the door behind them and barely gotten their shirts off, a scratching from the other side sounded, accompanied by a yipping cry. Edward parted from their kiss and glanced in that direction, looking back to Bella with pleading eyes.

"He can come in, but he's not sleeping on the bed," she said firmly and he nodded with a smile, making his way to the door to open it and Bilbo bounded in.

To say sex that night was interesting would be an understatement.

"It's good practice," Edward said as they lay side by side afterward with his arm around her. "We'll have to find ways to make love once the kids come along."

"If our children are barking and tugging the blankets off us from the side of the bed while we're in it, you are not getting any," Bella joked, propping herself up on her elbow to kiss him and her eyes met the dog's as he sat next to the bed with his tail swishing back and forth on the floor. "I can't … I can't resist that face."

Edward laughed when she patted the mattress and the dog began bouncing in preparation to leap, and then nestled between the two sets of legs to curl up in a ball. "You are such a pushover, baby."

"Like you have any room to talk," Bella grumbled and settled her head down on his shoulder as he fought to restrain his smile. "Shut up, Edward."

"I love you," he whispered against her forehead as he pressed his lips to it. "And happy birthday."

"Thank you," Bella murmured with a smile, curling her body into his side and tilting her chin up for one last kiss for the night. "I love you, too. More than anything."