After reading 'Plans' by Drive All Night, if you haven't read it, what the hell is wrong with you? Stop reading this and go read 'Plans'.
This is just a sugary sweet one shot.
The sweetest sound in the world woke him up, the soft babbles of his son as he nursed. Miles was just ten months old and completed their family.
Adam ran his hands over his face before speaking, his voice was groggy, "good morning.." he propped himself up on his elbow, he ran the back of his hand over Miles' head, "You're a hungry man this morning huh?" He'd never tire of seeing Kim nursing their son.
"When isn't he hungry?" Kim teased, "you got in late last night? I assume all went well? No injuries?" She knew if something major had happened she would've received a phone call and that hadn't happened. He turned to the side a bit a revealed a large bruise just above his right hip, it was already angry looking and Kim hissed at the sight of it, "Jesus…did you get that looked at?" It went from just above his hip and up to his rib cage.
Adam shook his head, "Nope, it's fine. Torres was roughed up a bit too, nasty black eye and needed some stitches. All things considered it was a great outcome. We got our guys and recovered the weapons."
"Good." Kim handed him Miles and then adjusted her tank top, "I'm taking Mack school shopping today." Summer was just about over, Mack was going into the fifth grade her final year in elementary school and it was bittersweet.
"Sounds like a blast." Adam tickled Miles' stomach and laughed as his son giggled, "I think I'll pass."
"I figured you would pass, do you want me to leave Miles?" Kim asked, she put a robe on and pulled her hair into a messy bun, "I don't mine taking him, it's totally up to you."
Adam thought about it for a minute, "could you take him? I need to go in submit my paperwork, I couldn't be bothered to do it last night. I just wanted to get home."
"Shocking!" Kim leant on the bed and kissed him quickly, "I'm gonna wake Mack up and get her ready then I'll shower. Can you get little man changed and dressed for me?"
"Of course." Adam told her.
They were on the fifth and what Kim hoped would be their final store, they had gotten almost everything they had wanted. They were now on the hunt for the perfect sneakers, "Honey, we don't need to get them today. If you don't find anything it's okay." Kim told Mack. She rubbed her back, she was exhausted from shopping, she was wearing Miles and her lower back was starting to ache.
Mack walked up and down the aisles, carefully inspecting the sneakers displayed, "I don't see them. Jordan said this store sold them. Maybe they're out of stock?" She wondered aloud.
"Could be." Kim countered. She could murder Kevin and Jordan both for turning Makayla into a 'sneaker head' as they called it. The kid always wanted the most obscure sneakers and was determined to get a pair that 'no one else would have', it wasn't an easy task and at times it was beyond frustrating.
"Maybe we could go to that store in the mall, you know the one that Uncle Kevin talks about. They can special order, and you know if I tell them about Uncle Kevin they will definitely get the ones I want." Uncle Kevin had quite the reputation and there were a handful of stores where he held a celebrity status.
Kim groaned the last thing she wanted to do was drive across town and go to the mall, "Honey, I'm tired, your brother is tired. How about next weekend?"
Mack's shoulders slumped and her face fell, "Ugh, I guess."
"Maybe daddy will take you after work one night.." she offered, "and if not I will take you the weekend."
"Okay." Mack replied, "Can we look in the pet store?" It was her favorite thing to do and it was a bit strange as they didn't have a pet. She just loved walking the aisles and looking at all the dog toys and always talked about what she'd buy if they had a dog.
They kept putting her off whenever she asked about getting a puppy, it was always 'not until we have a yard', then when they finally had a yard it was 'let's get comfortable in the house first', it was always something and Mack never complained.
Kim sighed, "Okay, but a quick look."
Thankfully they didn't need to get back in the car, the pet store was in the same shopping center as the sneaker store, it was just a few doors down. Miles had drifted off to sleep and Kim knew if she took him out of the carrier and into his car seat he'd wake up and he hated the car seat. It was why she was quick to agree to the pet store, as much as she wanted to go home she wanted Miles to get his nap out.
They heard the barking before they saw the signs, "Mom?" Mack looked at her, "they have dogs in the store!" She was so excited to get to see the dogs, "I wonder if it's a training class?"
Kim spotted the sign first, "Looks like an adoption event." She marveled at Mack's excitement and she would be lying if she said she wasn't a little excited as well. She had one dog growing up and she adored him, he was actually her sister's dog but he had become her best friend as well.
As they entered the store they were hit with the sound of barking dogs, they had dogs of every age and dozens of puppies.
They were all in kennels of various sizes, some of the kennels held multiple puppies, and others held just one dog in it.
They were greeted by a volunteer who offered to show them any dog they'd like, Kim smiled kindly at them, "Oh, we aren't here to adopt, just browsing."
"Well let us know if you change your mind. The store is offering a two hundred dollar gift card with the adoption of a dog, our fees are eighty five dollars for a dog over a year old and one hundred fifty dollars for a puppy. That fee includes the first vet visit, vaccinations, microchip and a spay/neuter so it's a good deal. Just let us know if someone catches your eye".
"We will." Kim was surprised by her response but chalked it up to being kind.
"Can we look, mom?" Mack asked her.
"Yes. We aren't adopting though." Kim told her, she felt Miles stir in the carrier so she started to bounce on her toes, she leaned down and kissed his head, "are you going to save me Miles? Your sister is in heaven and I'm afraid I might not be strong enough." She mumbled against his soft hair, he reached up and slipped his fingers into her mouth, she but them playfully, "yum yum"
Kim watched as Mack bounced from kennel to kennel, she spent a few moments at each one her fingers slipping between the bars to scratch an ear or stroke a sweet face. She'd laugh as they licked her or look on sadly as a dog cowered from her touch.
Kim followed her without paying much attention to the dogs, only to stop on a dime when they approached a kennel that held six puppies, they looked like a shepherd mix some had ears that were already standing up and others had ears that had yet to stand. One puppy had an ear that stood up and one that was still floppy.
Kim's eyes were drawn to that pup and Makayla picked up on it immediately, "Mom?" She was suddenly feeling hopeful.
"How old are they?" Kim asked a nearby volunteer, not hearing Mack call her name, "what breed are they?"
The volunteer grabbed a clipboard that held the litter's info, "um…let's see" he flipped through the paperwork, "they are shepherd mixes, that's our vet's best guess but we don't know for sure, they're just shy of six months old. They've been fostered in a private home, they're a good litter. I think they're spoken for though."
Kim felt a bit dejected but quickly reasoned it was for the best, Mack's hopes were dashed, "Oh, okay.."
They started to walk away when the volunteer spoke, "Ah, wait, five of the six are spoken for. One remains."
Kim turned back to face him, "Just out of curiosity which one is is still available?" She was a bit shocked by the question, what the hell was she doing? She could feel Mack's eyes on her.
The volunteer opened the kennel and one by one checked the puppies collars looking for the one that was available and after the fourth puppy he found it, "This one is."
Kim chuckled to herself.
Of course it was that one.
"Would you like to hold him?" He asked Kim, "we can go into one of the cubicles so you can get to know him."
"Can we mom? Please!" Makayla begged.
Kim chewed on her bottom lip, "uh, um." She hemmed and hawed a bit. "I think so. Yes, can we? I'm not sure about adopting him, but I'd like to see him." She was done for, she was already smitten with the mutt.
The volunteer led them to the back of the store where they had a six different cubicles that were large enough for two chairs and enough room for a dog to move around a bit.
"Take all the time you need. My name is Nick just shout if you have any questions." He closed the door behind him.
He had set the puppy down in front of Kim and Makayla, "he's so cute! Look at his ears mom, they're adorable." She tugged lightly on the floppy ear, "I wonder why this one isn't standing up like the other."
"It could still stand up. He's pretty cute." She was amazed at how docile it was, the other puppies had been pretty hyper, jumping all over each other and the bars of the kennel not this guy. He explored the small cubicle before returning to Makayla's side and plopping down.
Kim pulled Miles out of the carrier and sat down on the floor with him in her lap, the puppy came over and smelled both her and Miles.
Miles squealed with delight as the puppy looked up at him, the puppy's head cocked to one side and then the other as Miles vocalized.
Makayla giggled, "oh my goodness, how cute! Miles' likes him mommy. Look!" She was smitten with the puppy and it was obvious she wasn't the only one.
Nick had watched from afar and decided he needed to swing by, "So. What are we thinking? Any questions?"
Kim looked up at him, "Why do you think he hasn't been adopted yet? He seems really sweet."
Nick rested his arms on the wall as he looked down on them, "Honestly? I think it's a combination of things. This guy seems a bit shy, then the whole ear thing is a bit odd. He's definitely the runt of the little. He's on the smaller side. He's cute but the others are cuter."
"Well, that's rude." Makayla huffed, "he's so cute." She scratched his belly, "can we get him mom?"
Kim knew that this was a mistake but she too was drawn to the dog, "Can you tell me more about him? He's been neutered already?" Kim asked.
"Yes." Nick replied, "Last week. They're all set to go hime today. He's had his first round of vaccinations and I'm almost certain he's housebroken. They had a great foster home, if you're interested you need to act fast." He told them, "I know another couple had inquired about him so if you want him you need to act fast." He looked over his shoulder briefly, "I know he's been passed on a few times already but that won't last forever. Someone will pick before the day is over. We've never had a puppy not adopted at these events."
Kim sighed, "I don't know. I would need to talk to my husband." She was trying to find a reason to say no but it was a struggle. "will you place a hold on him?"
"Sorry. No holds." Nick said.
"Please mommy? I will take care of him, I'll feed him and walk him. I'll even clean up his poop! Please mommy?" The puppy licked Miles' face causing him to laugh. "Look he likes Miles and Miles likes him too!"
Nick knew just what to say, "All adoptions are on a trial basis, you can take him home and you've got a week to see if it works out. If you get him home and it doesn't work out, you can return him and get your money back."
"I don't know…"
"He needs a family mom! We gotta adopt him! I'm adopted and he can be adopted just like me!" Mack pointed out.
"You're playing dirty." Kim laughed.
Nick laughed as well, "It's a simple application, just need identification and some information on your living arrangements and you'd be good to go. We can even recommend a veterinarian if you don't have one. Come on mom, look at how cute he is? He already loves your kids."
Kim sighed and watched as the puppy fell asleep in Mack's lap, "Okay. Give me the paperwork."
Makayla burst into happy tears and buried her face in the puppy's fur, "Oh my goodness I'm finally getting a puppy. Oh I already love you!"
They spent the next hour shopping for the furriest member of the Ruzek family.
Makayla picked out a neon green collar, since that would look best with his black and tan fur, they purchased a half dozen toys, a package of tennis balls made just for dogs, a ginormous bag of food, a crate, a dog bed and leash. They also grabbed dog shampoo, dog treats, a dog blanket, a harness for the car, two dog bowls, and a cute little teddy bear that Makayla insisted he needed so he didn't miss his puppy brothers and sisters.
They had been given the two hundred dollar gift card but had managed to spend close to five hundred dollars.
The car ride home was spent trying out names on their new puppy who slept the entire ride home, his head in Mack's lap.
Kim felt nauseous as they pulled into the driveway, she had decided it was best to ask for forgiveness instead of permission and hadn't even called Adam. She figured it would be better to have an in person reveal instead of a phone call.
Once he saw the kids with the dog, especially Makayla there was no way he would say no.
"Daddy, daddy, daddy!" Makayla yelled as she entered the house, she had the puppy on the leash and followed him in the house.
His paws were massive and he seemed unsure of how to move them, he had a goofy gallop and was as uncoordinated as could be, it made him even cuter.
He yapped for the first time and it was what pulled Adam in from the backyard, "What the hell…" he stood slack-jawed in the kitchen, "where'd that come from and more importantly who does it belong to, why is it here?"
"He's ours daddy. We adopted him." Makayla replied. "He's too cute! We don't have a name for him yet. He's neutered, that means he has no nuts and can't make puppies." She explained.
Kim cringed, Makayla had overheard a conversation between two older boys who were discussing the definition of neuter while they were waiting to have their adoption approved.
"Kim?" Adam croaked.
She covered her face, "I know. I know." She set Miles on the floor, "It was a weak moment, but he's so cute. I couldn't say no. I got a great deal."
"I bet." Adam sighed, "How old is he? Is he gonna piss and shit all over the house? What about when we're at work? He's going to be here all alone, is that fair? We don't even know a vet or how to care for a dog. Miles is a baby, Kim. Do we really need a puppy? Who will clean up after him? All that hair…." He sat down on the couch, "he will need a lot of stuff."
"We bought it already." Makayla told him, "it's still in the car."
"Adam, I know it's a lot but look how happy she is." Kim sat down beside him, "I fell in love with him, it's my fault. There's something about him. Adam, he was the only one not adopted. He was so sad, he's the runt." She pointed out.
"Of course he was the runt," Adam replied, "you seem to have a thing for runts don't you?" He gave her some serious side eye, "don't you remember the last runt you fell for? It wasn't your finest moment now was it?"
She knew exactly what he was talking about and shoved him, "eww, don't go there. Seriously though, look at him." They watched as Makayla walked him around the house telling him about each room and letting him sniff everything. "She's in love. He is almost house broken, he's very calm and sweet."
"What if he chews on everything? Or digs?" Adam asked her.
"Luckily we have seven days to return him." Kim pointed out.
Adam laughed heartily, "Right, like you're going to give him back and there's no way in hell I'll break our daughter's heart and take him back." Adam told her. There was no way the dog was going back, no matter what it destroyed the mutt was there to stay. "something tells me you knew that already."
Kim kissed him, "Thank you!"
"Name?" Adam asked as he finally touched the dog, "you're kinda goofy looking. What's up with the ears?"
"They're cute!" Kim told him.
"And ginormous." Adam pointed out, "You know he's going to be huge, easily a hundred pounds." Adam looked at his paw, "his shit will be massive."
"Gross daddy." Makayla scrunched her face up, "I'll clean it up, daddy. I promise. I'll feed him too."
Adam rolled his eyes, "Sure you will. I bet that lasts a week and then I'll be the one doing it."
Hours later long after the kids had gone to bed Kim watched as Adam and the puppy as they sat on the floor playing.
Adam threw the ball, "Go get it boy!" Laughing when then dog slid across the wooden floors and crashed into the wall, "ouch, come here boy. Let daddy see." The puppy was no worse for wear and climbed into Adam's lap and immediately reached up to lick his face.
"I think he is in love." Kim came and sad down beside him, "hey sweet boy." She gave his tail a light tug, "we need to get him used to having his tail messed with, his paws and ears touched. Miles is so busy and I know he will be all over the dog."
Adam shrugged, "Nah, this is a good dog. You're the best dog aren't you Hoss?" He snuggled the dog close to his chest. "he's giving off good dog vibes. You picked a winner, Darlin'."
"Hoss?"
"Yeah. I think it suits him." Adam reasoned, "you're a good boy, aren't ya buddy?"
"The best boy." Kim leaned against Adam, she sighed contentedly.