A/N — our elves arrived last night and brought the kids their Advent calendars. The eleven-year-old got Legos, of course, and the nine-year-old got Pokémon. Five-year-old got knock-off dinosaurs and is the happiest I've ever seen her. xoxo — kals
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Name: Admiral Chandler
Setting: Once in Forever Universe (AU), but all you need to know is that Tex is alive and he and Andrea have a son, Liam
Prompt: someone gets a puppy
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"What the hell is that?" Andrea asked, pointing her finger at the lump in Tex's jacket.
He glanced around before unzipping his coat just enough for Andrea to see the golden furball curled up inside. "One of the guys found a box of them abandoned by the gate. I snagged the only girl. Liam is going to love her."
Tex could see the internal dispute as Andrea considered her response. On the one hand, Liam had been begging for a dog for months, since Frankie got a puppy, and Andrea was the one who quite firmly said no. But on the other hand, Red was a soft touch for kids and animals and knowing that this one was effectively thrown away was bound to pull on her heartstrings. Finally she reached out a hand, scratching the puppy under her chin. A tiny pink tongue came out to lick Andrea, drawing a smile that softened her face, and Tex knew that she was going to cave.
"She is cute," Andrea conceded, before fixing Tex with her best you are in so much trouble look. "But don't think I'm fooled. I know exactly what you're doing here. You and Liam will take care of this dog or else we'll rehome her. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Tex winked at Andrea before walking to the doorway and calling down the hall. "Liam! Come see what your Mom and I got for you."
Eight-year-old Liam burst into the kitchen. "Daddy! You got home early!" A moment later he seemed to realize what his father was holding, his eyes wide as they swung from Tex to Andrea and back. "Is that a puppy? Is it ours?"
"Yes," Andrea smiled. "Merry Christmas, Liam."
Liam threw his arms around first Andrea and then Tex, although he was careful not to squeeze too hard because of the puppy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is the best Christmas ever! I don't even need anything from Santa."
Tex raised an eyebrow at that announcement, and Andrea shook her head. Liam might say that, but she knew that he would be disappointed if there was nothing under the tree on Christmas morning. "What do you think that we should call him?"
Liam's head shot up. "He's Admiral Chander, of course. Frankie already took Admiral Dewey."
"That's..." Andrea tried to think of something to say. "But the puppy is a girl."
Liam shrugged. "Daddy says you're going to be an Admiral so our puppy can too."
Andrea gave Tex an imploring look, which he ignored. "I'm sure Uncle Tom will be honored."
As Liam settled on the floor, puppy in arms, Andrea leaned closer to Tex. "Tom might be honored but I think you should be the one to tell him."
Tex shook his head. "Coward."
Andrea chuckled. "Guilty as charged."