Chapter 6:

"I kinda like that one." I pointed at the small Boxer puppy in the pet store window. He was so cute; all legs and white with a few patches of brown on his face and back.

"You would." Lucas teased, tugging a strand of my auburn hair playfully. "I'm still going with the Doberman." He nodded towards the tiny dog, with floppy ears.

"You just want it because it's a manly dog." I laughed, poking him in the ribs. "Boxers are supposed to be some of the sweetest and most well behaved dogs."

"Well, I don't know anything about Dobermans, but that guy is really rambunctious." Luke shrugged.

"Yeah, that's exactly why I don't think it's a good idea to buy him. I told Jake, after I got his permission of course, that I'd find him a well- behaved and quiet dog for Jenny. She's not a boy, Luke. She won't want to race the dog all day; she'll want to cuddle and pet him or her. That puppy needs a boy that wants to play." I smiled. "I'm going to get that Boxer for Jenny's birthday."

"You're right. He's a good choice." Luke sighed. "Let's buy him then, shall we?"

"Let's." I grinned and entered the pet store. A short, pudgy, balding man stood behind the counter, helping an elderly woman find the right food for her cats. Lucas and I lined up patiently behind her.

"It's just, Sammy has a very fussy stomach. Poor thing gets sick with a lot of cat foods, it positively dreadful." The elderly woman shook her head sadly.

"I can assure you, Madam, that this food will do nothing of the sort. It's ingredients are very mild and I'll even allow you to return it if your cat does get sick." The man look strained from the conversation.

"Well," She seemed to contemplate the thought for a moment. "All right then, ring it up." She nodded crisply, as if it had been her idea in the first place.

"Of course, Madam. That'll be ten dollars for the eight pound bag or seven dollars for the six pound bag." The man told her.

"The six pound bag will be fine. Here you go." She handed him the money, took her cat food and marched out of the store with an air of aristocracy.

The man sighed. "What can I do for you two?" He asked, smiling at them in a friendly manner. "Sorry about the wait."

"It's not a problem." I smiled cheerfully. "We'd like to buy that Boxer puppy tat we saw in the window."

"Oh, you mean Chase. Fine dog that one, he's eager to please and has been looking for a good home." The man came out from behind the counter. "He's a nice choice for a young couple such as yourselves."

"We're not a....." Lucas trailed off.

"I'm actually buying him for our Niece's birthday." I cut Luke off. "She's always wanted a dog."

"Oh, well, he's a nice choice for a young girl too." The man picked the pup up and placed him in my arms. The little thing immediately began to shower my face in little puppy kisses and I nuzzled my face into his fur.

"He's perfect." I cooed, scratching his ears.

"I personally wanted the Doberman." Luke whined, but he looked at us with eyes full of adoration.

The man behind the counter laughed. "Most men do, but their women persuade them for a calmer dog. He's just playful is all, he's just got some growing up to do." The man scoffed.

Luke caught my gaze over Chase's head and I felt my heart melt. Oh boy, look what he's making me do. "Is he eager to please or will he be a rough train?" I asked.

"Depends, he'll just be more difficult than Chase here. He'll want to play more than work, so you'd probably have to use treats as a bribe. "The man's eyes lit up in prospects of another buy.

Luke shot me a pleading look. "Lucas." I whined, looking back towards the window. "God, the things you make me do. We'll take him too. He'll be mine."

"Ours." Luke corrected with a smile. "I want him more than you do."

"Oh, you." I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Ah, young love. I remember that clearly. He'll make a fine dog for you both. His name is Justice, funny name for a dog, actually, but he responds to it." The man moved back to the window and picked up the squirming pup and handed him over to Lucas. "I hope you're prepared to spend some money."

"Oh, don't worry, Lucas will share in the expenses." I grinned at him triumphantly.

"I was planning to anyway." He laughed, nuzzled the pup.

"Well, you'll need food, collars, a leash, treats..." The man began, moving off to his shelves and pulling stuff off of them.

We emerged from the shop twenty minutes later. "I've got a dog." I stared at the still squirming Justice, who was nipping playfully at Lucas' ear. "I didn't even call Brooke to make sure it was okay first."

"I'm sure it's fine. Besides, he's my dog too, you know." Luke corrected, batting at the puppy's nose absently.

"You're rarely ever here in Boston." I pointed out.

"All the more reason for me to get up here more often." Luke replied, as we climbed the stairs to our apartments, laden down with puppies and puppy supplies.

"I wasn't enough to get you out here enough?" I shot him a look of mock hurt.

"Oh you know that's not true." Luke scoffed, as we entered Jake's apartment.

"Ahh!" Jenny squealed, as soon as we walked in and I set Chase down. The little puppy scampered over to the girl, showering her with puppy kisses. I set down his bag of things and grinned at Jake.

"Hales, I said one dog!" He looked slightly alarmed.

"I know, the other is mine and Luke's too, but it'll mostly be mine." I grinned, watching the girl and her new dog. "Happy Birthday Jenny, from me and your Uncle Luke here."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Jenny got up from the floor and flung her arms around my middle. "It's the best present you've ever given me."

"Thank your Daddy too, he's the one who let me buy him for you." I smiled, ruffling her hair.

"Thank you so much, Daddy!" She shot over her shoulder before hugging Luke with all her might.

Laughing, I took a squealing Justice from his arms so he could hug Jenny properly. The pup immediately settled in my arms and nuzzled into my shoulder. I scratched his ears lovingly.

"See, I told you that you won't regret buying him." Luke smirked, letting Jenny go play with her new dog and moving forward to rub Justice's head. "You'll love him."

"I already do, it's just the taking care of him part. I work and so does Brooke and so do you. You don't even live here." I pointed out. "I just don't want him to be cooped up in an apartment."

"He won't. You work a lot at home, well at least for the majority of your writing and there's something else I haven't told you yet. I actually haven't told anybody yet, but the Lakers are thinking about selling me to the Celtics because they're willing to pay a hefty price for one of the Scott brothers and I so graciously volunteered for them to consider." Luke grinned. "I may be moving up here after all."

"No way!" Jaek exclaimed, an excited grin etched upon his face.

I let out a squeal that rivaled Jenny's and flung myself into Luke's arms, sandwiching poor Justice between us. He let out an annoying bark and we moved apart a little. "This is great."

"I won't be surrounded by these woman by myself?" Jake asked, a hopeful expression on his face.

"Not anymore my friend. I'll make the deal final. I have a puppy and a family on this side of the country. I need to be here." Luke laughed.

"Oh my God! Wait 'til I tell Brooke and Peyton! This is fabulous. It's almost like the whole crew is back together!" I did a miniature version of the happy dance.

"All we need is Peyton, Nathan and Skills." Jake agreed.

"Right." I felt like my face was about to burst from smiling so much. "I love it!"

Okay, that's it for chapter 6. Sorry it took me so long to update. I got ground just before springbreak, thanks to my brother and then I flew off to Europe. I'm back now, so updates will be more frequent again. I hope you enjoyed. It still isn't official whether it's going to be a Laley or Naley fic. According to the votes, Laley is winning, but that's not the final decision, it just weighs on which I decide on, so we'll see how it goes. Kepp on reviewing and the chappies will keep on coming.