Hi! My name is Henry and I'm a dog. My human, Emma, says I'm a miniature black goldendoodle because my mom was a golden retriever and my dad was a miniature black poodle. Today is the best day ever, and I wanted to tell you the story of how we got here.

It all started a loooooooong time ago. It was so long ago, the springtime went away and came back again. Anyway, that day started like any other. I went out first thing in the morning, barked at a few birds, sniffed around my yard to see if anyone had been by to visit, and even got to chase a bunny. Then Emma fed me, and I got to snuggle with her while she drank some of that hot, fragrant stuff she calls coffee.

It was one of those good days, the days when Emma doesn't leave. (I don't understand why humans leave. Staying home and being together is the best. Why would you want to go anywhere?)

That morning, she decided to do something funny. She said something about working out, and then she turned on the TV, and there was music, and she started jumping around. I didn't know what was going on, but I figured she probably wanted to play, because playing's the best. I found my favorite tennis ball and brought it to her, but she just laughed and kept on jumping around.

I just don't get humans at all.

That was when we first met Killian. I'd seen him before. He lived outside our front window, and he had a dog that looked kind of like my mom. I used to whine all the time about wanting to go see them. I knew that dog and I would be best friends, and he lived soooo close. I couldn't understand why Emma didn't take us over there so we could play. Playing is the best and meeting new friends is even better!

Anyway, Killian came to our door, and at first it didn't seem like Emma liked him. She wanted to make him go away, but I didn't! I could tell right away that Killian was the best kind of person. He was a dog person.

Sometimes when your human is being stubborn, you have to take things into your own paws. I did the polite thing and greeted him with kisses and barks of joy. He seemed to like it. He laughed and started petting me, and then Emma finally finally decided to let him come in and stay.

(I wished he'd brought his dog with him, but I guess meeting one new friend is better than meeting none.)

Emma and Killian talked for a long time, and then just before he left, they did that weird thing humans do where they smush their lips together. Emma used to do that sometimes with other men that came to our home, but I didn't like them. They weren't dog people and they made Emma cry. I was glad when they stopped coming over.

The next day was a really exciting day. The next day we finally got to go over to Killian's house, and I got to meet his dog, Smee. Smee is my bestest friend ever! We had so much fun running and jumping and wrestling and playing tug of war while our humans talked and then spent a long time doing that lip smush-together thing. Later on, they took Smee and me for a long walk. Best. Day. Ever!

(Later that night, Emma talked to Ruby on that little box she puts up to her ear. I like Ruby. She always gives me treats. Anyway, Emma told Ruby about Killian, and Ruby got all excited and asked if there was any making out, and Emma got kind of embarrassed, but admitted there was and that Killian was a really good kisser.)

Ever since then, we've seen Killian and Smee just about every day. Sometimes we go to his house, and sometimes he comes here. Sometimes Emma and Killian leave together, and Smee and I are stuck at home alone. I don't like those nights, but at least now Smee and I get to stay together instead of being alone.

I remember one night a few months ago. Emma and Killian left us at our place that night, and then they went somewhere. When they came back Emma brought Killian over to the couch, and they started doing the lip smush thing again (I think that's what they call kissing). They did it for a long time, petting each other and tilting their heads to get closer.

When Emma pulled away, she smiled, and it looked like she had tears in her eyes, but not the bad kind of tears, the good kind. The kind that meant she was really, really happy. She put her hand on his face, stroking him gently, and then she said it. "Killian, I love you."

This made him happy. His smile was huge. He said, "I love you too, Swan. More than anything."

Then Killian surged forward and kissed Emma again, knocking her back until they were laying flat on the sofa, Killian covering Emma. Emma laughed, before hugging him to her and kissing him back.

Killian and Smee stayed all night that night. Ever since then, we spend most nights together.

And that brings us to a couple weeks ago

Emma and Killian had one of their dates planned, and Killian came over while Emma was still getting ready. He came in and started petting me, but I could tell he was distracted.

"Henry, m'boy," he said in a low voice, "I have a secret to tell you."

He'd reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. He opened it, and inside was something he called a ring. He seemed to think it was a big deal, but I sniffed it, and it didn't really smell like anything. Humans get excited about the weirdest things.

"I'm going to propose tonight," Killian says, "and if all goes well, she'll say yes, and we'll get to all be a family."

I didn't really know what a family was; Emma had never had one before, but it sounded like a good thing.

When Emma and Killian came back from their date, Emma had the ring on her finger, and both she and Killian were happier than I'd ever seen them. When Emma's happy, I'm happy, and whatever Killian did made her so happy, you'd think someone forgot she'd already eaten and gave her dinner a second time.

There was so much kissing that night and so much...whatever it is the humans do in the bedroom alone together. So much joy! I didn't even really know what was happening, but their happiness made me happy.

The next morning, when Emma and Killian got up, they started talking about looking for a place. They were gone a lot that week, and everytime they came home, they smelled like they'd been to a different place.

I didn't know what they were doing until today. Today they took Smee and me on a car ride to a brand new house with a huge, fenced in backyard with lots of new things to sniff and lots of birds to chase. Emma told me this was going to be our new home, and we were going to live there together with Killian and Smee forever.

I guess this is what Killian meant by family: people and pets that live together and love each other forever and always, and you know what? I like family. I really, really like family.

And that's the story of why today is the best day ever.

Gotta go! Smee just saw a squirrel in our backyard, and we need to chase it! I love our new house!

Who would have guessed all of this could come from my human doing a workout on an ordinary spring morning?

The end!

Notes:

-After some consideration, I decided that A Man After Midnight needed one last chapter, mainly because Bear would never let me hear the end of it if Henry and Smee didn't at least get to have a pup play date. I mean, a CS romance is all well and good, but we can't forget the most important part of the story-the dogs. So here you have it, Emma and Killian's love story through the eyes of Henry.

-Up next: Not a clue. If you have any prompts or suggestions, let me know!