In case you were wondering yes, I was serious with this idea for a story!
A few minutes later they were in Cal's car, having decided to take his vehicle and then he would drive her back to the office. Not that they would admit it with each other, but they both felt strangely elated: they were responsible scientists and business owners, but it was fun to play hooky once in a while when they knew it wasn't really an issue. The meeting with the law firm had indeed been postponed, the rest of the team could perfectly manage until the end of the day and really, going to pick up a dog was a pretty good reason to leave a little earlier.
"Do you already have an idea of what you're looking for?" Gillian asked once he started driving, a little note of excitement clear in her voice.
"Nah, figured I'll take a look and see which one speaks to me."
"Please don't tell me I need to remind you that dogs don't speak."
"Why Foster, when did you get so cynical?" Cal grumbled with a half laugh. "Obviously I meant one that gives me a good vibe."
On the passenger seat, Gillian shifted to give him a hard side look.
"Exactly how long have you been thinking about getting a dog?"
"Long enough to know I want a rescue dog, bit on the senior side, rather than a puppy."
"How come?" She asked, and Cal smirked at the utter disappointment in her voice at the revelation there wasn't going to be an adorable tiny cuddly puppy involved.
"Puppies need training, lots of time to adjust and learn a few things. You know, not to chew off all of your shoes, pee wherever they feel like it and so on." He explained. "Besides, older dogs don't usually get adopted, people prefer cute little puppies rather than a companion with some mileage."
"So," Gillian smiled softly, finding his explanation sweet and completely understandable, "you want a senior dog because it would be more your speed?"
Cal started to nod in agreement but stopped halfway, glancing at her and clenching his jaw when the double entendre of her statement became clear. He chuckled and shook his head, poking the tip of his tongue at her to express how little he appreciated the insinuation, but decided not to carry on and just enjoy their silly banter.
Eventually they reached their destination and Cal parked the car in front of the dog rescue centre, then they both got out and he buzzed at the door which was opened by one of the employees inside.
"I'm Cal Lightman," he introduced himself while shaking hands. "I called earlier today for an adoption."
Cal and the employee spoke briefly while Gillian listened, realising that despite all the joking and mocking he clearly had put a lot of thoughts into that. Once the introductions were over, the employee led the way to the kennels, asking Cal pretty much the same question Gillian had had for him.
"I'm not after a puppy, I think an older dog would fit my lifestyle better and I read that they don't get adopted very often."
"That's sadly true, most people think that older dogs don't have much to offer, especially rescues," the young man agreed. "We do have a couple of long-timers with us."
As they approached the kennels they could hear the cacophony of barking getting louder and louder, which did nothing but put a smile of anticipation on their faces. When she had woken up that morning Gillian would have never guessed that she would have ended her day in a room full of dogs, and the prospect was more than enough to make her get over the fact that she had had to abandon her chocolate back at the office. They entered the area and started to look around, with Gillian stopping in front of every cage to greet the pups yapping and coming over to look at the nice smiling lady, while Cal followed the employee who introduced him to the more senior dogs. The first one was a Dachshund, and as open minded as Cal was he simply couldn' see himself with that, and certainly not with the Bichon Frise that came afterwards. Not quite his style, and he was sure that Foster and everybody else would have mocked him to death: he wanted a dog, but at the very least one that matched his style.
Then they ended up in front of a cage that seemed empty at a first glance, but when they stood in front of it Cal spotted a dark shape at the back. The dog was laying down in the corner, not scared but clearly not as eager as the others to make himself noticed. Still, when he saw Cal kneeling in front of the cage the dog stood and slowly made his way to the front, sniffing his hand through the metallic fence and revealing a scar across the muzzle.
"What happened to this guy?" Cal asked the employee, keeping his eyes on the dog who had started to lick his fingers and waggle his tail slowly. "What's his story?"
"He's eight years old, spent six of them here and at another rescue centre. His original owner took him as a puppy but abandoned him after a year before going on a month long holiday with his family, and the second person who took him used him in illegal dog fights. He's a big softy and fighting wasn't his thing, when he got nearly killed he was left for dead until someone found him." The young man opened the cage and the dog walked out, getting closer to Cal and welcoming his first attempt to pet him. "The last owners were an elderly couple, but they surrendered him after a few months because they weren't able to look after him."
"Was he giving them any problems?" Gillian asked, watching mesmerised as Cal and the dog got to know each other with small and measured gestures, almost as if they were dancing.
"Oh no, he's a goofball, the sweetest dog ever. They just had some health issues of their own and having a dog became more of a burden than anything else."
Cal was listening but his focus was mostly on the dog, who seemed to have broken the barrier of his shy approach and was now snuggling up on Cal and enjoying how the man was stroking under his chin.
"Does he have a name?"
"We just called him Buddy, because of this character really. It's-" All of sudden, the dog laid down and offered his belly to Cal for some enjoyable rubs. "Oh, he definitely likes you!"
Gillian had to agree, and she was more than ready to declare that the liking was mutual. She knew Cal liked dogs, and the way he seemed to be drawn to the animal was somewhat fascinating. Then Cal patted the dog's head and took his muzzle in his hands, gently forcing the animal to look at him straight, studying his expression the same way he did with human's.
"I'll take him," Cal announced then, slowly standing up and watching as the dog jumped up with his paws on his lap to maintain contact. "Where do I sign?"
Over the years, Gillian had frequently seen Cal's impulsive side at work, making rushed decision on a case, having a plan of his own, putting himself on the line of fire and taking risk; with that kind of experience to look back at, it was refreshing to see him do the same for something far less dangerous and more positive.
The employee told him to follow him, then put a leash on the dog and they walked out. Gillian noticed how, despite the leash being in the employee's hand, the dog was walking close to Cal instead and smiled, even more thinking that with his dark brown mantle the pet was just a few colour steps away from looking exactly like his about-to-be owner. Being there just more for moral support, she had the chance to observe the fast growing interaction between Cal and the dog while he sat and took care of the paperwork, thinking that intense staring must have kicked off some sort of imprinting effect because the pet was glued to him every step of the way. Cal was telling the truth back in the car, he needed a dog who spoke to him and somehow the animal quietly sitting by his feet had managed to do so without emitting a single sound.
'Buddy' was already neutered and microchipped, up to speed with all his shots and all Cal had to do was to go online and add his information to the chip serial number so that they would come up in case he got lost.
"Is it a problem if I don't have a name for him yet?" Cal asked. "He's technically going to be my daughter's dog so I'd let her pick one for him."
"Oh, she's going to be so excited. Kids love to name dogs!" Gillian had to bite at her bottom lip to fight back a laugh, daring Cal with a side look to clarify for the joyful employee that the 'kid' in question was a 19 year old freshman at college. "It's not a problem, you can add and change details anytime."
"Alright then, I guess that's all." Cal stood up and stuck his copy of the papers in the pocket of his coat, and the moment he took the leash from the employee's hand Buddy stood up too, ready to follow. "Actually, got any good suggestions for pet stores around here?"
"There is a small family run shop about three miles from here, going East. They often organise collections for us and we like to support each other." The young man went to the reception desk and picked up a business card from the shop which he handed to Cal. "We have a bit of a running promotion with them, if you buy from them the same day you adopt a rescue they will give you a discount."
"Sounds like a very nice deal," Gillian commented, positively impressed by the genuine good attitude and care of the young man.
"Nice to my bank account for sure!" Cal quipped crassly, then shook the man's hand. "Well thanks mate."
With that they left, Cal's hand safely on the leash and Buddy trotting next to him as if they had done it a hundred times already. When they got to the car and Cal opened the door, the dog immediately jumped on the driver's seat and sat there as if he was ready to drive off himself, his tongue sticking out his mouth in what Gillian thought looked like a very smug grin.
"Nah old fella, you go in the back." Buddy gave a little tail waggle and then jumped on the back seat, pacing around until he found a comfortable spot. Baffled by the interaction, Gillian took her seat on the passenger's side and gave Cal a puzzled look, to which he replied with a shy shrug. "What?"
"Is this a prank?" She asked bluntly, but there was a hint of smile on her lips that made Cal smirk. "What you on about, love?" He asked absently while checking directions to the pet shop before pulling out of the parking.
"You two already look like a pair of old pals, am I supposed to believe you just hung out with him for the first time today?"
"What, you think I've been sneaking in here all week to get all chummy with the dog and pull a fast one on you?" No, she really didn't think that but the idea was as heartwarming as it was hilarious. "I don't know what to tell you Foster, I guess we're just like two old men. I mean, when you think about it, if he's eight years old we're about the same age."
"Well," she threw a quick look at the dog peacefully spread on the back seat, "he certainly carries it better than you."
"Oi, Foster! You keep this up and I won't let you dog sit anytime soon."
"What makes you think that I wouldn't want to-"
She wasn't going to fool anyone and they both knew it, but it was the furry passenger in the back seat that called her out on it. As if he knew they were talking about him, Buddy pulled up and snuck in between the two front seats, resting his head on Gillian's lap and looking up at her with what sounded like a very human-like sigh. Damnit! Gillian thought, immediately patting the dog's head and ignoring Cal's grin of satisfaction. I'm gonna be in so much trouble with these two!
"So, do you want me to drive you back to the office- Alright then!" Cal chuckled when she threw him a hard look at the insinuation she might be part of the upcoming purchase expedition. "Shopping spree it is then."
Gillian giggled, positively elated by the prospect of going around a pet shop with those two, and the dog seemed to pick up on her enthusiasm because he started to nuzzle her hand for more pets like he had done with Cal previously.
They followed the directions on the GPS and within 20 minutes reached the shop, which seemed rather big from the outside to be just a family business. There must have been something in the air, maybe the smell of dog food or other animals, because the moment Buddy got out of the car he put his muzzle up and started to pull Cal on the leash towards the entrance, with an enthusiasm that they hadn't seen on him yet.
"Like a kid in a toy store," Cal mumbled, shaking his head as they entered the shop.
"Do you even know what you need to get?" Gillian asked as he grabbed a small cart from the line by the door.
"I've owned dogs before Foster, thank you very much. Besides, it's not that hard." He started pushing the cart down the first short aisle, which seemed to be dedicated to bedding and similar accessories. "After all dogs have very similar needs to toddlers, all they do is sleep, eat, poop and play."
"Wow!" Gillian rolled her eyes and chuckled. "I'm sure Emily would be thrilled to hear about this comparison."
Cal chuckled and gave her a playful shove with his shoulder, then stopped in front of an array of dog's beds of all shapes and sizes. Buddy immediately started to smell the soft items with peaked interest, nudging them with his nose here and there.
"Go on old fella," Cal encouraged him, kneeled down next to him and touched a couple of the beds. "Pick one."
Gillian thought it was sweet but also a bit silly, that he would ask the dog to chose, but then Buddy started to scrutinise the options a bit more attentively and ended up laying down on a large rectangular bean bag that made a soft rustling sound as he paced around looking for the right position, and took his shape when he finally tracked down his furry butt looking up at Cal with a satisfied face and a wagging tail.
"Looks like we have a winner," Cal huffed and motioned to take the bed but Buddy didn't budge, so he ruffled the dog's muzzle and head with a grin as he spoke. "I know you like it pal, but if you don't get up I can't put it in the cart and buy it for you."
As a psychologist Gillian was familiar with the phenomenon of baby talking to pets, that it came almost as a reflex to humans as a way to build a stronger bond with their pet and because of an innate mental association between pets and babies. Not that she needed it, but clearly another sign that for Cal "Emily's dog" was so much more than a ploy to get his daughter to visit more often. And she wasn't at all surprised when Buddy looked like he was almost smiling back at Cal before getting up and watching his owner chunk the new purchase in the cart.
They carried on through the shop, adding essentials such as food, bowls and treats, a spare leash and poop bags, a shedding brush and cleaning products, a couple of protective blankets and some weird looking brush. As someone who had never had a dog or any other pet, Gillian wasn't entirely familiar with the precise function of all of the items that Cal was throwing in the cart, but he seemed to know what he was doing and that was enough for her, especially when he pointed at the handful of loose dog hair on her coat and clothes.
"Sneaky thing, dog hairs." He chuckled while she tried to wipe off the hair before he handed her the brush he had just put in the cart. "They have a way to get all over you no matter what."
"Thank you," Gillian smiled softly at his attention and took over the brushing, then nodded at the half full cart. "You got everything you need?"
"Not even close. I saved the best for last." He grinned at her, all childish and mischievous, then pushed the cart around the corner and motioned at the new aisle with his hand as if he was introducing a special guest. "It's time for toys!"
The moment they turned the corner, Buddy's tail started to waggle so fast that his whole rear went along with it in a funny dance that made Gillian burst into a throaty laugh. The best part was that Cal seemed to be equally if not more excited, and he decided to let the dog off the leash and let him peruse the chew toys and stuffed animals on his own while he selected a couple of items. He knew Buddy wasn't a young pup anymore, but with his history Cal was ready to bet that he hadn't experienced much play time in his life and he wanted to make sure he could get his fair share.
Gillian pitched in too without any prompt selecting a small rubber ball, but Cal drew the line at anything that would squeak when chewed, knowing full well it would drive him up the wall to hear that sound all the time. She smiled at the idea, picturing Cal trying to watch TV or cook while Buddy would trot around him with a squeaky toy in his mouth providing a rather annoying soundtrack, then opted for a ropey toy imagining the two of them engaging in a human vs dog tug of war.
"I think we're good to go now, eh." Cal huffed, then moaned painfully as he realised just exactly how full the cart was. "Bloody hell! I hope this famous discount is a good one, and Emily better appreciate the surprise."
"Oh so you're sticking with that version then?" Gillian mocked him, so openly and bluntly that Cal honestly couldn't fault her for it. "Cal, why can't you just admit that this dog is for you just as much as it is for Emily?"
"I'm a little on the old side to be wanting a pup- Oh, what you got there pal?" Cal's half-hassed defence was abruptly interrupted when Buddy walked up to him and jumped up, proudly showing the owl shaped soft toy he was holding in his mouth. "Well, you drooled all over it so I guess this will have to come home with us."
Since she had seen Cal setting up his office at the group and lining up the picture of Isobel right next to the ones of his daughter, Gillian had been wondering what Cal Lightman as a dog owner would look like. And now, years later and out of the blue, she finally had her answer: a big goofy softy who couldn't keep a straight face. Smiling to herself, feeling like the "boys" seemed to forget about her every now and then and being oddly ok with it, Gillian watched Cal trying to wrestle the toy out of Buddy's teeth for a few seconds, before deciding to give up and let him have it.
With the cart now full and a very happy dog trailing in between them, Cal and Gillian made their way to the till point, and when Cal started to present his items Buddy jumped up with his front paws, still holding the soft toy in his mouth and wagging his tail.
"Oh, hi there!" The old lady behind the counter greeted him with a high pitched voice that fuelled his enthusiasm even more, clearly accustomed to friendly pets and not minding the invasion one bit. "Is that for you? Can I get it just for a second?"
Buddy let go and watched anxiously as the woman scanned the item and removed the small label, keeping his eyes glued to the toy until it was safely back in his mouth and then stayed propped up on the counter as if he wanted to make sure that none of their purchase was going to be left behind.
"What's the damage?" Cal whined once everything had gone through and bagged up, moaning when the woman communicated the final amount. "I just adopted the charming fella there, at the Redbird Rescue centre." He explained then, showing her his copy of the adoption papers. "They mentioned something about a discount? 'Cause I could really use one."
"Of course, don't worry about it! I tell you what," the woman cheerfully added while ruffling Buddy's head. "He's such a charming boy, I'll throw in a collar and name tag for free."
"Don't mind if I do!"
Gillian rolled her eyes at him but didn't comment, after all he had racked up quite the hefty bill, and leaned in when Cal asked her to help him choose a suitable combination. She knew he was trying to include her, but that his desire was genuine and honest because he did want to share the silly moment with someone who actually cared. It proved to her once more that the whole thing was about so much more than getting a pet, and she didn't mind. They ended up on an electric blue collar which would stand out with the dog's dark brown mantle - selected by Gillian, who strenuously opposed Cal's dark on dark idea - but with small metal studs that would still be manly enough. More eye-rolling came when the cashier asked Cal if he wanted to engrave the dog's name on the tag along with the address and he repeated that the pet's name was up to his daughter because it was her dog. He caught Gillian's reaction with the corner of his eye and smirked, annoyed, but they were both chuckling about it when they left the store a few minutes later.
Gillian was holding the leash while Cal carried the bags with their purchases, and the moment they were outside Buddy pulled rather decisively towards a patch of grass. He still had the toy in his mouth but that didn't stop him from doing his business with a peaceful expression, and Cal had to stifle a laugh watching the always elegant and proper Dr Foster standing by a peeing dog in her expensive winter coat, and making it look like it was the most natural thing in the world. She also looked like she was rather enjoying herself, playing with Buddy and pulling at the toy in his mouth with a smile on her face he hadn't seen in a while.
She wasn't wrong, obviously there was more to it than getting a dog for Emily, and Cal knew she had been gracious about it even when she had finally called him out on it. Truth was, one of the reasons why he had finally decided to do it was to hopefully find a way to share the new companionship with her. Foster had recovered well after the very personal case with Claire, it had taken time but she was ok now. And she had been dating, putting herself out there, which Cal was oddly ok with despite everything: he had Emily, even if she was in college now and less present, and aside from his daughter he didn't feel too much the need for human interaction. But Gillian was different, she was a well adjusted human being who understood and valued what a meaningful contribution could bring to her life, and she had accepted the challenge of dipping her toes back in the dating pool. Nothing of note had worked out yet, but that wasn't the point; the point was that she was up for it and took only the positive that came with it. Sure, it made things easier for Cal that she was enjoying herself without "really" enjoying herself, but that was his little secret. He knew he couldn't be the positive force she needed and deserved - perhaps even wanted - but a friendly dog to play silly with could be a good enough cop out.
Cal took his time, packing up the boot of the car and adjusting one of the blankets on the back seat, already covered in dog hair after the short ride, then motioned Gillian to get back and watched as she led Buddy towards the car.
"I think you're gonna have a hard time getting that toy away from him," she laughed when Buddy jumped on the back seat and trapped the stuffed animal with his front paws to better chew on it.
"Oh, he'll drop it when it's time to eat. Trust me."
They both chuckled and got in the car, chatting mostly about work on the way back to the office. It was past 6pm by the time they got there, with the carefree afternoon they had just spent there really seemed to be no point in going back in and instead they simply said goodbye for the day and went separate ways.
But as he watched Gillian get in her car, and Buddy looking at her and desperately whining about the separation, Cal thought that was exactly how he felt too.