NEW CHAPTER! IT'S MILLER'S FIRST TIME AT THE DOG PARK! (JOAN/SHERLOCK'S TOO.)
Sherlock sat with his head resting in one of his hands as he watched Miller wander around the parlor. Miller hadn't sat still since the night before and Sherlock was getting worried that the poor puppy was sick. No dog would wander restlessly without eating or drinking, for twenty-four hours. He must either be sick or extremely bored out of his mind.
Joan walked into the parlor, clutching a mug between her palms. She eyed Sherlock and then followed the consultants gaze down to the puppy, who was now scratching at the floor for no reason. She sat down on the couch and took a sip of her tea.
Sherlock didn't turn towards her as he spoke, "Do you think he's sick?"
Joan frowned. "I hope not." She took another sip of her tea as the silence settled in again. She sensed how worried Sherlock was, so she spoke up again. "Did you call the vet?"
"Yes. He told me to watch him overnight…so I did." Sherlock stifled a yawn.
"You stayed up all night?" Joan arched an eyebrow.
Sherlock nodded. "I hope he's alright."
Joan sighed. "I'm sure he is…Maybe he's bored…" Joan shrugged.
"Bored…" Sherlock contemplated this. He stood and clapped his hands.
Miller's ears perked up and he bounded towards Sherlock.
"Are you bored, boy?" Sherlock knelt down and patted the puppy's head.
Miller whined.
Sherlock motioned towards Joan. "Please bring me his collar and his leash."
Joan did as he requested. She set down her mug and went to retrieve the items. When she came back, Sherlock was using his 'baby' voice while he kept asking Miller if he wanted to go to the dog park. Miller was jumping around Sherlock's legs and wagging his tail. Joan smiled at the two of them. It was a rare sight to see Sherlock like this, guard down with his playful side showing.
Joan handed Sherlock Miller's collar and leash and retrieved both of their coats.
Sherlock placed the collar around the puppy's neck and clipped him to the leash. "Ready, Miller?" He asked in a high pitched tone. The puppy danced around his feet, getting Sherlock tangled up in the leash in the process.
Joan handed him his coat and they shuffled out the door.
…
Sherlock watched as Miller came to life and began playing with a tiny Yorkshire terrier named Lucy. Miller crouched and Lucy mimicked his motion. They both pounced at the same time and began to chase each other around the park.
Joan glanced sideways at Sherlock and then went back to watching Miller and Lucy. "It looks like Miller was just lonely and bored. I think if we take him here every so often he'll be fine…and less rambunctious."
"I like when he's rambunctious." Sherlock stated.
"Yes, but I can only handle one rambunctious thing at a time, Sherlock." Joan laughed.
Sherlock let a smile tug at his mouth.
Joan watched as a woman walked their way with her little Chihuahua. The Chihuahua raced towards the two other dogs and began to play.
"Which one's yours?" The woman asked Sherlock. The woman was dressed in a black pencil skirt with a purple blouse; clothes that were all too fancy for a dog park.
Sherlock looked her over and pointed to Miller. "The Golden Retriever puppy."
"What's his name?" She moved a little closer.
"Miller. What's yours named?" Joan answered her instead.
The woman ignored her as she continued to stare at Sherlock.
Sherlock glanced between the two women and smirked. "I believe my wife asked you a question." He took a hold of Joan's hand. He looked at the woman and stifled a laugh. She looked so embarrassed.
The woman shot a glare at Joan and called her dog's name. "FiFi!" Her dog came running and she scooped it up. She strutted away and left the two holding hands.
When the woman was out of sight, Joan began to laugh. Sherlock gave in and began to laugh with her.
"That is such a stupid name for a dog!" Joan laughed.
Sherlock smiled. He glanced down at their intertwined hands and he came back to reality. He yanked his hand away and looked down, embarrassed. "Sorry." He mumbled.
Joan smiled. "Don't worry. It's alright. If I didn't want you holding my hand, I wouldn't have let you grab it."
Sherlock lifted his head and met her gaze. He smiled and looked around at all the other dog-park-goers. "Will you do me a favor and hold my hand for the rest of the time we're here?"
Joan cocked her head to the side and furrowed her brow. "Why?"
Sherlock smirked. "I don't want to be hit on by anyone…especially by someone in a dog park."
"Why not? It's so romantic." She asked sarcastically as she took his hand.
Sherlock squeezed her hand and smiled warmly. "Thanks."
Joan and Sherlock began to walk, hand in hand, down the paved path of the dog park as Miller began walking side-by-side with Lucy.
To any onlookers, they might have actually looked like a real family.
I HOPE I DON'T OFFEND ANYONE WHO HAS AN ANIMAL NAMED FIFI…ITS NOT THAT BAD OF A NAME…
THANK'S FOR READING AND PLEASE FAV/FOLLOW/REVIEW!
A/N: I NAMED THE YORKIE LUCY AFTER LUCY LIU (JOAN WATSON).
NEXT UP: POTTY TRAINING!