AN: Apparently all, (emphasis on all) of my stories are weird, so enjoy another one! This is a self-made prompt fill. Nothing but cute and fluffy.
Dog
"Hey, Babe."
He looked over his shoulder to the family room as he pulled open the fridge, grabbing a beer from the bottom shelf. The top of his wife's head was just visible over the back of the couch.
His eyebrows furrowed when there was no response.
"Elizabeth," he said as he twisted off the cap.
The television was flipped onto the local news station, but it was muted. And as he threw the bottlecap onto the countertop, he thought that maybe she'd fallen asleep… It wouldn't be the first time.
When he slowly rounded the corner of the sofa, he was surprised to find her eyes open.
He tilted his head to the side. "Elizabeth?" His left hand touched her shoulder.
Her eyes popped up and she nearly jumped.
"Hey." Her voice sounded sad.
He squinted his eyes at her.
"I was talking to you a minute ago."
She gave a soft smile as he sunk down next to her.
"Sorry," she apologized. "I didn't hear you."
He brought the bottle to his lips and sipped.
She'd been more than a bit spacey lately. He could blame that on her job, but he knew it was more than that…
As of recently, they'd all been so busy. It was a Thursday night, he'd worked late, and the kids were all out, leaving her in the house by herself.
"We should get a dog," he said as he'd wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side.
Her face turned up. "What? Why?"
He took another swig of his beer. "I don't like you coming home to an empty house." He shrugged one shoulder. "I think it would benefit your mental health." Sitting and petting a dog can relieve stress in a matter of just ten minutes.
He balanced the beer bottle on his thigh, so he could reach down and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. He let his fingers linger on her cheek.
"Maybe," she whispered. And then her forehead wrinkled, and her nose scrunched up. "When would we have time to train a puppy, Henry? Do you remember how much work it was to house train Lady?"
His lips pressed together as his fingers wrapped around the neck of the bottle. Raising a puppy had been a pain. It was almost as if they'd had a fourth baby, only unexpectedly more difficult.
"We could go the rescue route."
Her fingers had begun to play with the buttons of his shirt.
"Or you could come home earlier?" She stared up at him. "I know I don't have much room to talk about staying at the office late, but… I miss you."
"I'm here now," he said softly.
She nuzzled her face into the side of his neck.
He was here now, but would he be tomorrow? His hours were becoming as unpredictable as hers. Working with Jose and Black Dog station was time-consuming, and honestly emotionally draining. Some nights, after he'd arrived home past dark, he'd struggled to be present with her and the kids.
"How about a hot bath? I can open a fresh bottle of wine."
He could always entice her with a good bottle of red. He knew she wouldn't be able to resist.
"That sounds delightful." Her breath was hot on his skin.
He tipped the bottle up, downing the rest of his beer before he urged her up from the couch.
She snagged her blazer off the back of one of the wooden chairs that are sat around the table before she headed for the stairs.
"You know." She turned just after climbing the first step. "Gordon and Deedee just adopted a Golden Retriever." She gripped onto the rail and leaned forward. "I've never seen a more adorable puppy."
He chuckled before he turned and pulled down two wine glasses.
"They shed a lot." More than a lot. "You'd have to say goodbye to black clothing. Though I guess you could finally make good use of your beloved wet/dry vac."
She snorted.
"A Doodle then. That way I don't have to give up some of the key pieces of my wardrobe."
He walked towards the stairs, holding the two glasses upside down by the stems.
"Black is slimming you know." She playfully ran her palms down the sides of her hips and threw a wink his way.
"You're beautiful no matter what you wear, Babe."
She smiled and grabbed him by the tie, so she could peck his lips.
"You're biased." She took the opened wine bottle from his hands. "You like me in anything."
When she turned, heading up the stairs, he playfully swatted at her ass with his free hand.
He smirked. "Wrong there. I prefer you naked."