The morning of their 'anniversary' Chuck woke up to breakfast in bed with Casey. The morning was spent in bed. They crawled out of bed around noon, getting ready Chuck asked,

"Is there anything specific I need to wear?"

Casey thought for a minute.

"Just jeans and a t- shirt is okay."

Chuck got dressed and they left.

"Where are we going John?"

"You see."

Ten minutes later, Casey pulled up to the animal shelter, Chuck looked at him confused.

"You don't remember?" Casey asked.

Chuck shocked his head no.

"On our first date we came to this shelter, you wanted a dog and I asked you to wait until we had a place with a backyard. We have one now, I figure we pick a dog out for the whole family, sign the paperwork, go eat, then go to the hotel for the night and in the morning pick up the dog and surprise the kids."

Chuck smiled.

"Really?!"

"Yes. Let's go find one."

They went into the shelter. There was a woman sitting at the shelter desk.

"How can I help you gentlemen?"

"We are looking for a dog for our family." Casey said.

"Kids?"

"Yes, 7 months and 5 months." Chuck said.

"Labs, Collies, Beagles, french bulldog are your best bet. Just depends on the size you want."

"Thank you." Casey said.

They walked up and down the aisles of cages. They came up to one Cage with a labraheeler.

"Her name is Shadow."

"She is always beside you." The guy cleaning the next stall said.

"What's her story? She's only 2 years old and has scars on her." Casey asked.

"She was a war dog, served as a bomb sniffing dog in Iraq at the age of 6 months, just 2 months after finishing training. Her trainer died in an explosion, Shadow came here when she got back from Iraq because the family of the trainer didn't want her. She is very sweet and great with kids and dogs as I've taken her home from time to time. I just have too many to keep her."

"Is she good with babies under 1?"

"Yes, I have an 8 month old and they were great together as well as my 7, 10, and 12 year old."

"Is this your day job?" Chuck asked.

"Yes. I was in the marines I went in at 18 and retired at 48. I love animals, and I didn't want a 'real' job."

"I'm in the marines and was in the NSA, I'm actually retired from both. Thank you for your service."

"The same goes for you too."

"Can we take her outside and play with her?" Chuck asked.

"Sure, let me go get a harness and leash."

After an hour of playing with Shadow, they decided to adopt her. After signing the paperwork and explaining that they would pick her up the next day. They headed for dinner, after they ate they went to their hotel they always used for their getaways from life. The next morning they picked up Shadow from the shelter, halfway to the car Casey started shaking,

"Casey, I'm here. Listen to my voice, let it ground you."

Casey nodded, Chuck helped him into the backseat of the car and Shadow jumped in behind Casey, immediately licking his face and hands laying on his lap. While Casey grasps his necklace in one hand with the other on Shadow. After a few minutes Casey snapped out of it, petting Shadow.

"Wow." Chuck said.

"What?" Casey asked.

"She must have been trained for that."

"Probably being in Iraq with a group of guys in a war zone." Casey smiled, while Shadow nuzzled him.

They went home, Casey stayed with Shadow while Chuck went to get the kids. The shelter had given them a leaflet on introducing a dog to young children and babies. It had advised that they tire out the dog beforehand, so they had taken Shadow for a long walk on their way home. They had discovered the previous day that Shadow was very obedient and obeyed commands immediately. Chuck brought out the children in their carriers and placed them on the porch. Casey had Shadow still on his lead, sitting beside him watching with interest. He walked over to the children with Shadow at heel. Telling her to sit once they got to the carriers. The babies were sleeping and making the occasional noise. Shadow sniffed Riley's toes and then snuffled her head. She then moved to Reagan, doing exactly the same to him. She then sat back down next to Casey. Casey bent down and praised her enthusiastically and took her inside. Chuck followed, awkwardly carrying both carriers.

"That went well. So the leaflet says we just continue praising her when she shows no interest. We keep their bedroom doors shut and keep an eye on all three when together. Then make sure when they start crawling that the babies don't use her as a toy." Casey said as he let Shadow off the lead.

That night after the kids were in bed, Casey was writing in his journal what the trigger was to his episode and how Shadow helped him so he could tell his therapist. The next day they finally got both kids' rooms set up, Chuck didn't want to do it with Casey. They decided once they both got older they would be moved to separate rooms. Reagan's side was white walls and camo bedding and Riley was pink walls with a white crib with a pink and camo blanket.

The next couple months went by, Shadow became the 5th member of the family. Casey officially adopted Riley and both adopted Reagan. Beckman had tracked down Sarah who showed up on Chuck's and Casey's doorstep one Saturday morning. After spending 10 minutes with Riley, she told Chuck and Casey good luck and thank you and was gone. Christmas came and both Reagan and Riley had lots of presents from their aunt Ellie.

"Ellie, all this is too much for two 1 year olds." Chuck said.

"No, it isn't trust me, it's mostly stuff they can use as they get older. You will use all of it." Awesome said, smiling.

Chuck and Casey looked at each other, smiling. Everyone went home after a few hours, Casey got some of their new stuff in each room, put up two mobiles and two swings. When Casey finished Chuck brought Riley to her room, he first changed her diaper before laying her down.

"She's out, Reagan is still awake though."

"I'll go get her." Casey got up.

He walked into the living room, watching Reagan. He was up and walking to him with the help of the furniture. Casey smiled as he crouched down holding his hands out to him.

"Come on buddy, you can do it." Casey said just as Reagan met his hands.

He picked him up, kissed his head and walked to his room. Chuck was already in there getting everything ready and double checking the baby proofing.

"Someone has started walking."

Chuck smiled, taking Reagan.

"Really baby boy growing up on us already?"

After Casey got him into pjs and asleep, Casey looked around seeing Shadow and Chuck both watching him. Casey walked toward them, petting Shadow's head then looked at Chuck.

"Thank you for helping me get through the last few months." Casey whispered.

"You're welcome, John." Chuck said, as he kissed him.

Casey broke the kiss, and pulled him into the bedroom.