Today was Jays daddy daughter day, his favourite day of the week. Although it was only for a couple hours he still soaked up every bit of it. Yes at work he always tried to act and portray himself as the super tough detective but if he had to wear a tiara and sip on imaginary tea he would.

They were walking through the park when he spotted a tent, he grabbed his daughters hand and they walked over. Instantly he regretted it. Lots and lots of dogs. Big ones, little ones, older ones and younger ones. Great what had he done, he was already cursing his curious mind. He hoped it was a face painting station not a chance to adopt a fury friend.

"Daddy! Puppies!" Lily said excitedly as she tried to run off, but Jay held tight onto her little hand.

"Hold up princess."

"Please! Daddy! Please!" She kept pleading.

"Okay let's go have a look, but stay with daddy okay?" She nodded and he picked her up and rested her on his hip as they walked over.

A lady greeted them and told them if they were interested or wanted to have a play with one of the dogs to yell out.

Jay looked around as his daughter continued to be excited and overwhelmed, she loved animals and every time they came in contact with one and they then left without it she would chuck a tantrum.

Jay then saw a German Shepard tied up underneath the desk. He walked over and knelt down extending his arm for the dog to sniff.

The dog sniffed then started nuzzling his wet nose into Jays hand, "Hey boy."

Lily started reaching out, "Careful sweetheart, you have to be gentle okay?"

Lily nodded and started gently patting the dog that sat in-front of them, then all of a sudden he laid down and crawled even closer to them.

"Wow, Zeus really likes you guys." One of the ladies said.

"Why hasn't he been adopted?" Jay asked curiously.

"He's an ex military dog, only has three legs," Jay looked down, he hadn't even noticed, "Little older so of course when families come they pick the puppy over him but he's beautiful, great natured, perfect with kids and will do anything to protect."

"Where do I sign?" Jay said straight away, not even thinking about what Erin would say.

"Really?" Jay nodded, "Let me get the paperwork organised."

"Daddy we keep?" Lily said looking up to her father.

"Yeah Lil, we are taking this guy home with us, that okay with you?"

Lily clapped, "Yay!"

Zeus started wagging his tail and got super excited, but he was still so gentle with Lily.

Jay smiled but kept thinking about what Erin would say, 'Hopefully she won't kill me."


On the way home Jay knew that Zeus was going to be perfect for them. He was obedient, already so protective over Lily and he was so kind and gentle.

Jay pulled up in the driveway and got out, he let Zeus out straight away and he sat down next to him while he got Lily out of her car seat. Jay looked down, "Good boy."

"Daddy can we pwease have ice cream?" Lily said as Jay picked her up out of the car.

"Hmm, maybe later Lil." Jay smiled.

"No!"

"Lily."

"No. No. No!" Lily shook her head and started squirming in her dads arms.

"Lilian Halstead." Jay said sternly.

Then the water works started, Jay sighed and walked up to the house. He unlocked the door and walked in, still a crying toddler attached to his hip and Zeus close to his side.

He heard footsteps approaching him, "Jay?"

"Yeah we are home."

"I can hear that," she said coming around the corner, "What is wrong with this one."

"I said no to ice cream and well," Jay pointed his head towards Lily and shrugged.

"She's probably just tired, she's had a big day. I will put her down for her nap," Erin said taking her from Jay and walking off, "Also Jay don't think I haven't noticed your new fury friend, we will talk about that."


Half hour later and Erin walked outside where Jay was sitting, she sat down next to him and watched him throw the ball for Zeus a couple of times because she spoke.

"So a dog, we never talked about getting a dog. Or did we?" She said confused.

"Uh nope. But I thought..."

"You thought what Jay?" She said cutting him off.

"Okay what the hell is wrong?" Jay said annoyed.

"I just think it would have been nice if you spoke to me about getting a dog. I mean we have never spoken about it."

"Okay well I'm sorry. There was an adoption tent at the park and I got curious and went for a look, let's just say Lily wasn't the only one that fell in love with all the animals there. Then I saw him, he needed to be loved Er."

Erin chuckled, "Jay we really don't have the time for a dog. What's his name anyway?"

"Zeus. Erin come on look at him, he's obedient, so good with Lily already and we've known him a whole two hours and you can't say he isn't cute." Jay nudged her.

Erin watched as Zeus played with the tennis ball Jay was throwing him earlier, "How did he lose his leg? Do you know?"

"He was a military dog, got caught in the line of duty."

"Wow. Lucky dog." Erin said shocked.

"I just feel like maybe it's a sign? Sounds stupid but I know what that dogs been through. Just think he deserves a chance to be loved and live a happy life."

Erin smiled and grabbed Jays hand, "Welcome to the family Zeus."


They were all snuggled up on the lounge watching a movie when Erin shifted from Jays side, "Babe you okay?"

"I'm going to put this one to bed." She whispered.

Jay nodded and watched as they walked off, Zeus was close behind them. Couple minutes later and Erin walked back downstairs, "Where's Zeus?"

"He didn't want to leave Lil's room, I think it's quite sweet."

He smiled, "It is. So now do you want to tell me what's got you in this weird closed off mood?"

"What? I don't know what you mean." She shrugged.

"Babe come on, how long have I known you?"

She stayed silent then looked at him, "I think I'm pregnant."

"Wh...what? Seriously? Er, thats...that's great."

"I just don't want to get my hopes up."

"Are you late?" Jay questioned.

"Five days."

"Okay well have you taken a test? I know the last couple times you thought you were and you took the test alone because you didn't want to get my hopes up so I'm guessing you feel different about this?"

She nodded, "But it's also because I don't want to sit alone if it's negative. I don't know how many more negative tests I can take."

Jay stroked her cheek, "In this together yeah?"

She nodded, "Still love me if I'm not?"

"Of course. Always babe." He smiled.


Jay sat outside the ensuite waiting for Erin, he was extremely nervous and full of hope. They'd been trying for six months and in that time Erin had taken multiple pregnancy tests by herself that were all negative. He hated that she never asked him to sit with her while she done it but she didn't want to give him false hope. But obviously she felt different about this? But as she said she couldn't do it again without support if it was negative. He also wasn't sure how he'd fee if it was negative but he knew he had to be the strong one.

The door slid open and Erin walked out, Jays head snapped up, "So?"

"I haven't looked. I can't. Can you?"

He nodded and stood up, wiping his sweating palms on his jeans, he was stressed. He walked in and slowly approached the test that was sitting on the bathroom sink. He picked it up then slowly turned and walked back out the door, he saw Erin sitting on the bed, legs pulled into her chest. She was also stressed.

"Babe?" She stayed silent, "Er. Erin."

"Jay?"

"Look for yourself." Jay smiled as Erin raised herself up off the bed and grabbed the stick.

"I'm pregnant," she said in shock, "Jay we're pregnant!"

Jay smiled and lifted her up into his arms, "We are going to have another baby."

"I love you."

"Love you more."

"I'm so glad your going to be here this time round." Erin smiled.

Jay placed his hand on her stomach, "You can't even begin to imagine her excited I am. I will be here every step of the way."