Joan's POV

I awoke to the sound of the front door creaking and the jangling of the dogs' collars ringing through the house as they ran in ahead of my dad, who was desperately attempting to sneak in quietly from walking them so as not to wake me.

"Shhh!" I heard him urge, to no avail. "Calm down, guys. Joanie's still sleeping."

"Too late!" I called down to him, chuckling. "That ship has sailed!"

I tossed the covers off of me, chuckling still, as I heard him say something else to the dogs that I couldn't quite make out.

I'm pretty sure our, once small, pack's at least doubled in size since my mom died a year ago.

Dad's had his habit since long before that though, long enough for my mom to claim that he was something like the equivalent to the cat lady stereotype or something, or as much as he could be for someone who'd been married to someone who was almost as crazy about them as he is.

Dad already had breakfast on the table and was pouring himself a cup of coffee, as little Buster stared up at him with hopeful eyes, when I was making my way into the kitchen.

"Morning, Dad." I greeted, sneaking some eggs down to Buster as he raced over to greet me. "Breakfast smells good."

He smiled as he took the seat just across from me, at the table. "Well, I try."

"Well, you succeed today." I reassured him. "Have a nice walk?"

He nodded, taking a strip of his bacon. "It was, very nice as usual."

"No new recruits today?'

"Afraid not." He chuckled. "Although that shy one that you saw the other day is still around, couldn't get him to come close enough though."

"Or her." I added.

He shrugged. "I'll try again if he..or she, is out there when I get home from work tonight."

"Not if I do first, this time." I smirked.

"It's not a contest, you know." he chuckled

"That's what you think."

He let me have that one.

"You know, it was starting to look like it might rain when I was out there…" He pointed out, changing the subject. "You sure you don't want me to drive you today?"

"I'm pretty sure there's just as much shield from it on the bus as there is in your car, Dad." I teased. "Anyway, aren't you going to be late for work?"

His eyes widened suddenly as he looked at his watch, having clearly lost track of the time trying to make small talk with me. "Ahh, yes. Yes, I am. Thank you for that."

"Don't mention it." I chuckled, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. "I should get going too, the bus should be here soon."

He nodded. "Still, I hate rushing off like this."

"I don't." I shrugged. "Really, it's fine."

"Alright. Have a good day at school, then."

I waved as I headed toward the door. "I'll certainly try to."

Jocelyn was already standing in front of her locker, putting stuff into it, and arguing with her brother over the phone when I arrived.

"Oh boo fuckin hoo, so you had to drive your sister to school in the rain ONE day out of your miserable life!" She shouted. "NO! No, I will not cut you some slack, are you shitting me?!"

I kept my distance until she finished, awaiting the best opportunity to surprise her from behind.

"I swear, you belong in California with all the other idiots who act like they've never seen a drop of rain in their life!" She growled as she hung it up.

"Boo!" I smirked, finally seizing my opportunity.

She turned around, smirking back when she saw it was me. "Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in….or should I say dog, in your case?"

"Very funny." I chuckled, quickly stealing a kiss. "...bus was late. Seems your idiot brother isn't the only one who likes to act like he's never seen a drop of rain in his life."

"Small world." She pulled me in closer, kissing me again until the bell for first period rang.

I shook my head after pulling back away. "Such a damn mood killer, that thing is."

She nodded. "Meet me after class?"

"You know it, babe."

It was evening by the time I heard my dad's car door slam shut outside. The faint sound of his voice followed shortly after, as if he was talking to someone else out there.

I paused the Supernatural episode I was watching and walked over to the living room window to peak out.

He had his bag of dog treats in his hand and was using them to coax a familiar, golden brown coated, mutt out of the back seat of his car.

I smiled and returned to the couch to play my episode, figuring he probably was hoping to surprise me.

The door creaked open as he walked in, leading the new dog in along with him.

"Kitchen sink, where you left it after we cleaned up Sammy." I announced, assuming from the condition of the new dog's coat that he was searching for the wash tub we typically used to bathe new dogs when we found them…..or rather, they found us.

"...Thanks." He answered, walking back out of the kitchen with it. The dog was still following him when he walked back toward the door.

"Got a name for him or her yet?" I asked when he reached for the doorknob.

"Him." He corrected. "...and I was hoping maybe you would help me out with that." He glanced up at the TV screen. "After...whatever you're watching is over, that is."

"Supernatural." I corrected. "And it's on Netflix, so I can just pause it and come back to it later."

"...Well, I don't wanna interrupt."

I shook my head. "I don't mind. I've already seen this one a few times anyway."

He nodded as I stood up to follow him out the door.