A Gift of Love

An adaptation of "Christmas Guy"

based on Villains' Bad Girl's universe

by LDEJRuff

Chapter 3 - Finding Vinny

The Griffins had to rush out of the Mall early and got into the station wagon. The reason was that they wanted to find Vinny. He was nowhere to be found around the Mall since he ran out.

"Poor Stewie," Lois said, carrying her still-sad baby in her lap. "Since he mentioned Brian and Barbara, Vinny ran out on him, crying."

"Poor Vinny," Meg worried. "He could freeze to death out there."

"No kidding," Chris added.

"All right, let's not panic," Peter assured.

"We'll find him, kids," Lois added.

"I'll send search parties to find him," Peter continued. "Maybe they'll find the King of the World keychain I lost on Independence Day."

Cutaway: We see Peter on Main Street looking around the sidewalk.

"Excuse me, pardon me, excuse me," he said, bypassing a few pedestrians. "I need to find a lost keychain."

Within the next few hours, they've searched all over Quahog for their missing canine family member. They've checked the convenience store, the Drunken Clam, even a few alleys, but no sign of him was found. Their latest stop was at the pet cemetery where Brian and Barbara were buried. There, they found Vinny's black collar next to Barbara's tombstone. It was a sign that he's been to the cemetery. However, he was nowhere in the cemetery to be found.

Later that night, the Griffins stopped by the Swanson house. They had informed Joe that Vinny was missing since he stormed out of the Mall crying.

"I'm really sorry for what happened, Peter," Joe said. "I'm sure that when we find Vinny, I'll give you a call."

"Thank you, Joe," Lois replied. "I hope he's okay."

Joe opened the door, allowing the Griffins to walk out of the house. Joe then closed the door as soon as they were out.

"Why do they always have to care so much?" Joe whispered.

When the Griffins returned home, to their surprise, they found Vinny in the corner. The collarless dog was curled up, still crying.

"Vinny!" Peter exclaimed, relieved. "Oh, thank God you're safe! We've been looking all over Quahog for you!"

"Hey, Peter," Vinny replied, voice shaking. "I never would have expected you to find me here. I'm so sorry for running off."

"Vinny," Lois began, "you shouldn't leave your collar behind. You'd be impounded."

"You had us real worried, Vin," Meg said.

"You can't just run off like that during Christmas," Chris added.

"I'm sorry fellas," Vinny replied. "Maybe I'm just not fit to be a father. Maybe I'm just also unfit to be your dog."

"Don't say that, Vinny," Lois disagreed. "We love you. I know Brian would be very proud to have you in his place. Barbara may not have been, and neither have the puppies, but you're still our dog. Nothing can change that now."

Still shedding tears, Vinny smiled, hugging Lois. However, Stewie was still sad.