I was lying on the floor watching as Junior and Tani licked faces at the door. I wasn't sure what made those two finally smarten up and get together, but it appeared that it wasn't common knowledge to everyone else, just me. Tani left, and Junior came inside grinning like crazy. When he went into his room and shut his door, Catherine came creeping down the stairs with Steve, and they licked faces at the door before she left.

"Someone here?" Junior asked, returning and making Steve jump.

"No," Steve answered. I flicked my eyes back and forth between them.

"Oh. Thought I heard someone."

"Just me."

Junior nodded and went to the kitchen. I looked at Steve, who exhaled in relief. If I could laugh, I would have then. The two of them were sneaking around, and I knew all about it. I figured it was only a matter of time before it all got revealed.

...

"How's it going with the cat?" Danno asked the next day as he came in. I went over to him, and he popped the treat right into my mouth when Steve turned to look at the cat.

Steve's with Catherine again! They're having a baby! I wagged my tail happily. Junior and Tani are licking faces! Then I felt bad. I already gave away their secrets to the first person I saw. Danno just can't hear me, thankfully, which is a good thing.

"I think it's better," Steve nodded. Mr. Pickles gave me his laser beam glare from across the room. No, it wasn't better. Steve just didn't see us go at it. We waited for him to be at work.

"Did Junior say anything about his date with Tani?" Danno asked.

"Was it a date? I thought it was just the two of them going to a wedding as friends?"

"Come on," Danno scoffed. "You buy that?"

"Not really," Steve chuckled. I could smell nervousness on him. He didn't want Danno to find out about Catherine.

"We gonna go to work or not?" Danno pointed to the door.

"Yea, yea," Steve answered. I stood still as they both left and shut the door behind them. Pickles and I gave them a good head start before I scrabbled at the floor in my haste to chase that cat.

...

I was dreaming about Pickles being taken away when I heard the door open. I snapped to attention, my legs flinging around since I was sleeping on my back.

"Hey, buddy," Catherine said, smiling and shutting the door behind her.

Yippee! I raced over to her, sliding into her legs and making her laugh.

"I have never had a dog that adores me this much, and I love it," Catherine said, scratching me. I tried not to let my drool hit her feet. It was the least I could do.

"You up for a walk?" Catherine asked. Was I?! I bounced, excited. She went to find my leash while I stayed on her heels. I didn't want her to change her mind. Mr. Pickles came to see what was going on, and Catherine looked down at the cat as he meowed at her.

"Sorry, buddy," she said. "I'm not a cat person. I'm a dog person."

Yes! Catherine was all mine. Ha, HA, Mr. Pickles!

The cat slunk away, and Catherine finally found my leash. We went for an amazing walk together. I was alert and focused, knowing that when Steve wasn't around, I was her protection. I also had a baby to protect now too, and I took my job seriously. I barked at some birds that were in our way. They looked suspicious to me. I wasn't taking any chances that they wouldn't hurt Catherine. After I successfully protected her and scared away the birds, I walked proudly beside my girl. When we got home, she went upstairs to hide in Steve's den. I paced, waiting for Steve to come home. When he did, I skittered to him.

"Hey, buddy," he said, petting me.

Catherine's here!

"You play nice with Pickles today?"

Ummmm, no. We never do.

I wagged my tail anyway, showing that I did play nice even though I hadn't.

"Good boy," he smiled.

I loved pleasing him. I felt slightly bad that he didn't know I was lying, but what did he expect? Cats and dogs were natural born enemies. Steve went upstairs, and I followed. I knew he'd be so surprised. When he opened the door to his den, he stopped. I hit his legs, not realizing he'd stopped. What was he doing? I wanted in there. I couldn't see anything.

"Hey, you," Catherine said.

"Oh, wow," he replied. I was immediately slid backwards out the door by Steve's foot, and it shut firmly in my face. I stared at it in disbelief. What was that?! I scratched at the door.

Hey! Let me in there! I wanna play with Catherine too.

I got no response. I settled down for a snooze outside the door since they weren't listening to me. I grew concerned when I heard Catherine making some loud noises, but they didn't sound like she was in pain or hurt. I was confused. Then I heard Junior come home, so I got up to greet him.

"Hey, Eddie," he said. I wondered if he would hear Steve and Catherine. I felt worried. Their secret would be out. He went down to his den, and I stood, waiting. I couldn't hear Catherine or Steve now. Maybe they heard Junior come home. He returned in different clothes. I smelled the sweat, and I knew what that meant.

"Wanna go for a run?" he asked, putting on his running shoes.

Two walks in one day?! Oh, yes please.

We left together. I hoped Catherine would be home when I got back.

...

She wasn't. Steve was alone, but he smelled very happy.

"Good run?" he asked.

"Yea," Junior nodded.

"That's good."

I went over to say hi to Steve before going to my water bowl. I was very thirsty.

"How's Tani?" Steve asked. Junior tensed.

"Fine?" he said.

"How was the wedding?"

"It was fun," Junior answered.

"Are you two...?"

"What? No," Junior replied quickly. I knew he was lying.

"Hmm."

"I'm gonna go out for some dinner," Junior said after a moment. Dinner? I was intrigued. What was dinner, and could I have some?

"All right. Have fun."

"Will do."

I wanted what Junior was having for dinner, whatever it was, but I got my dog food. I guessed it was okay. Steve did eventually throw me a piece of his meat, though, which I devoured. He really did love me. I was so lucky to have him and Catherine. Things were just so good. I didn't want anything to change.

...

But things change. I knew this. It all started when Danno did a surprise visit when Catherine was over.

"Are you sure Junior is out for the night?" Catherine asked as she licked faces with Steve on the couch. I was on the floor. I thumped my tail happily.

"Yea," Steve answered.

The door was flung open by this point. I leaped to my feet, and Danno was coming inside, his mouth running fast like usual.

"Do you know what Grace just said to me? Do you?" he started. "She told me that she doesn't think she wants kids! If she doesn't want kids, then how do I get grandkids? I mean, I'm not ready for grandkids. Believe me. I'm too young, but still! You do think about it. She didn't say definitely no, though, so there is hope, but I just-" He stopped abruptly, seeing Catherine on Steve's lap. Both of them were staring at him. He stared back. I watched carefully.

"Um, what is this?" Danno asked.

"Don't you ever knock?" Steve demanded.

"I have a key..." Danno said, showing him.

"Well, maybe your key privileges need to be taken back."

"You still haven't answered my question," Danno argued. "What is this?"

"What do you think it is?" Steve countered. Catherine had gotten off of his lap by this point. She smelled embarrassed.

"Are you two back together?" Danno asked, pointing at them. He smelled surprised and a bit upset.

Steve looked at Catherine, who nodded.

"We are," he answered, looking back at Danno. I wagged, happy. Tell him about the baby, Steve! Danno would be happy about it too.

"Why didn't you tell me? How long has this been going on?"

"Well, it started after Joe died. Then we took a break. Then we got back together again," Steve said nonchalantly.

Danno looked at both of them. He didn't seem to get it. I wanted to help him understand. If he knew how hard I had worked to get Catherine back with Steve, he wouldn't be confused or upset.

"I asked him not to say anything," Catherine said then.

"I see."

"Danny, this is a good thing," Steve said.

"You're not gonna just take off again?" Danno asked Catherine. "Break his heart again? Shatter him into pieces?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere."

Danno didn't seem convinced. I went over to nudge his hand to help reassure him. He crossed his arms. I nudged his leg instead.

"Stop, Eddie," he said.

"Catherine is here for good," Steve assured Danno.

"And how do you know that, huh? What's to say she doesn't decide she can't do this and split?"

"I'm right here," Catherine said, sounding amused but a little bit hurt.

"Sorry," Danno said. "But I'm his best friend. I gotta ask these questions."

"I understand."

Steve looked at Catherine then.

"I think we gotta tell him," he said.

"Do we have to?" she asked.

"Tell me what?" Danno demanded. I pranced, getting excited. They were gonna tell him about the baby! Yes!

"I think it'll help," Steve went on.

"You think?"

"I do."

Catherine nodded slowly.

"Will someone please just tell me what the hell is going on?!" Danno shouted.

"All right, all right, don't get all twisted up," Steve said. Catherine nodded again, and he smiled. "We're having a baby."

I watched Danno's mouth open and shut repeatedly. He was surprised, I could tell. I grinned. Wasn't it great news?!

"Wow," he said. "Um, wow."

"Yea," Steve nodded. "We know."

"So you see," Catherine said. "I am not going anywhere."

"And if there wasn't a baby?" Danno asked.

"We would have found our way back to each other anyway," Catherine answered. "We love each other." Danno seemed satisfied by this. He finally pet me at least. He seemed to need the distraction.

"Well, this is going to get around quickly now that he knows," Steve said, getting up. "So let's go tell the rest of the crew before he does."

"Okay," Catherine agreed.

I sensed a car ride! Then I was disappointed because I was left at home. Humans just don't get that dogs really love car rides. I sighed.

...

After the news was out to everyone, Catherine was over a lot more. Then she moved in. I loved having her in our pack. She made the home smell good all the time, and she took me for so many walks. I loved it all.

"I'll see you later," Steve said one day. I wasn't as lonely when Steve went to work now because I had Catherine. I still affectionately said goodbye to him in my own way, though, and he always rubbed my ears and told me to be a good boy. On this day, Catherine and I went on a walk (of course), and she was making something really good smelling in the kitchen. I heard her small black box ring, and she answered it. Then things changed. I smelled her fear, and I got to my feet, knowing something was wrong.

"I'm coming," she said. She rushed to the door. Junior was coming in at the same time, and he was surprised to see her right in his face at the door.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's Steve," she answered. "He's been shot."

"What?!" Junior exclaimed. "When? How? Where?!"

"At the office. Hassan's wife shot him!"

"Oh my God," Junior said.

What? Steve was shot? What was happening?! I didn't like shots, they hurt. Who shot him? Was he okay? Why wasn't anyone answering my questions?!

Catherine and Junior ran out of the house, leaving me behind to howl in agony at the fear of possibly losing my boy. Then, I saw Joe again. I was stunned to see him because it had been a while. He looked at me sincerely.

"It's gonna be all right, pup," he told me. "Don't worry."

I had no choice but to wait and see if he was right.

Yup, yup, I twisted it all up like I always do! Lol If you've followed me long enough, you know I love my twists ;) Anyway, trust Joe on this one :) Thank you for reading!