Good morning!

Well, this is a silly one, but I guess we could use it after Stuck...

And here we go...


She had always been a half-full glass kind of person, perhaps some sort of defence mechanism developed to face some of the things she came across in her line of work; try to focus on what she could do rather than on what she couldn't, remember the people she was able to help instead of those she failed, and so on.

And throughout the years, Gillian had found that her positive attitude helped with a lot of things, including something as silly and inevitable as the passing of seasons. No matter which time of the year it was, she would always find something to like and cherish about it. Of spring she liked the unpredictability, the fact that every day was a bit like a lottery with regards to weather and, of course, how it pushed flowers and trees to blossom. Summer was easy, with the longer and brighter days, the warm sun to put some natural colour on her skin and high temperatures that easily justified ice cream consumption; fall wasn't too bad either, with its distinct colour palette and, for the inner child that would never grow up, the eternal charm of Halloween.

And then there was winter, which most people disliked once Christmas wrapped up leaving only cold and dark months with no joy in sight. But Gillian always found plenty to enjoy in the season even after the holidays ended, finding some soothing comfort in the early darkness and how it made the city lights shine, not to mention her long-time fascination with the white calm that a good snowfall could bring.

But mostly, she liked winter because she could get as much hot chocolate with whipped cream as she wanted and feel plenty justified.

The one she had in her hands as she walked back from the breakroom was the third of the day, it wasn't going to be the last and she had no shame about it. It was early January and freezing cold outside, that morning she had woken up to a thin layer of ice covering her driveway and car and she seemed to have lost her left glove when she had gone out to meet a client after lunch; it really was the perfect day to frequently pick from the private selection of luxury chocolate she kept in her office, so that she could enjoy the dense sweet treat as she pleased without having to go out in the cold to the coffee cart in the plaza.

Smiling to herself, Gillian slowed down a little just so that she could inhale the freshly made chocolate, already looking forward to matching the aroma with the taste, when Cal stormed out of his office fumbling to put on the coat.

"Oi! There you are," he addressed her with his trademark nervous energy. "I was looking for you."

"Why? Am I in trouble?"

Cal stopped and blinked at her, confused by her words since it was somewhat inconceivable that she might have done something that would put her in trouble, of all people.

"That's my line, love." Cal quipped as he finally managed to slide his arm in the sleeve of the coat, then he looked at the steamy mug in her hands and grinned. "Second of the day?"

"Third actually, and you can keep whatever comment you're working on to yourself because I don't care."

"As you shouldn't." He nodded with a smirk, then loosely put the scarf around his neck without even wrapping it around or buttoning up the coat. Gillian wondered what was the point of even having a warm coat and scarf if he was going to wear them like that, but she had long given up in pointing out that kind of thing to him, as much as he had stopped - well, reduced - the frequency of jokes about her eating habits. "I was looking for you because I need to get out a little earlier, if that's ok."

"Don't we have a meeting with the civil rights law firm to discuss their contract?"

"They called 10 minutes ago, their senior associate came down with something and they need to reschedule." Gillian gave him a studying look, showing off her mistrust until Cal rolled his eyes. "You can check with Anna. Why would I lie about that anyway, they are the good guys."

"True, but you don't like lawyers-"

"I don't like one lawyer."

"Cal," Gillian sighed, resuming her walk back to her office where she intended to enjoy her chocolate before it could get too cold. "I know you like to think I do have control of your agenda but we both know that's not the case, mostly because you don't actually keep one. And since we are equal partners, if you say you've cleared your schedule that's good enough for me." The conversation had carried on with the innocent banter during the walk but when they reached her office and went in, away from others, Gillian turned around and gave him a more serious look. "Something wrong?"

Cal smiled cheekily, surprised by the sudden change of register and somewhat grateful that she could show concern over nothing, then nodded and waved his hand to kindly dismiss her caring question.

"All good love, nothing to worry about. I just need to leave early to go and pick up a dog."

Gillian was just about to enjoy the first sip of chocolate when he spoke, and nearly choked on the dark thick liquid sputtering small drips on her lips.

"A dog?" She nearly yelled, unable to control the surprise as she wiped her mouth with a finger. "You're getting a dog?"

"That's the plan, yeah. If I can get there before they close."

Gillian didn't even bother to acknowledge how irritatingly casual he was being about it, as if he hadn't just said something totally unexpected, and instead tried to focus on making sense of the conversation.

"Hold on Cal, since when have you been thinking about getting a dog?"

"Well it's not for me, it's for Emily. You know she's always wanted one."

Gillian shook her head and sighed, watching as he dropped on the couch with a huff and clearly acting as if he didn't want to make a big deal of the whole thing.

"And you finally caved, just like that?" Cal nodded once. "You decided now it was a good time, when she just started going to college a few months ago and has been home only twice?"

"Better late than never."

"Right," Gillian mumbled, nodding too but more as a way to study him closely, and to make sure he understood she was onto him. "So this wouldn't be, I don't know, a scheme to try and get her to come home more often? After all Columbia isn't that far, and with the right incentive…"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Foster."

She chuckled softly at his shameless attempt to deny, he really wasn't fooling anyone with that little act of his, but she resisted the temptation to call him out on what she thought was the deeper and real reason behind the sudden desire to get a pet. More than that actually, because in the eternal debate between dogs and cats Gillian definitely sided with the first and for a very good reason: they made for a more fulfilling company. Cal had done a good job so far with Emily gone for long stretches, but he clearly missed his daughter: as a divorced woman with no kids Gillian had become accustomed to returning to a silent and empty home at the end of the day, but even with Emily splitting time between her parents that was a new experience for him.

Gillian decided not to push it, it would have been cruel and she was happy enough to see him squirm as he was, and frankly Cal getting a dog wasn't the craziest thing he might have been up to.

"Well then, if the meeting has been cancelled I guess I have no problem with you leaving early," she said eventually, and Cal immediately jumped back on his feet heading to the door.

"Thanks love." He quipped. "I'll see you tomorrow, eh?"

Gillian nodded and waved her hand at him as he left, going back to the hot chocolate she had temporarily abandoned on the desk. But she only managed a couple of short sips before she heard his steps coming back and turned around, rolling her eyes at the way his head peeked in the open door as if he hadn't decided if he wanted to go or stay.

"Wanna come with me and help me choose a dog?"

"What took you so long!" Gillian immediately exclaimed, quickly putting down the mug and grabbing her coat, heading out of the room ahead of him, leaving Cal smirking and watching her walking away for a beat before following suit.


What do you think? Is Cal gonna go for another pug?