- Dad... What are you hiding behind your back.
At the little squeak that had just been heard, Lucy bent her head towards her father's back to see what had made the sound.
Because she hadn't been dreaming.
She was sure she'd heard a squeak.
That could only mean one thing.
But to be sure, she had to see what he was hiding behind his back.
Goren smiled at his daughter's curiosity.
Lucy was in for a little surprise.
When Goren had seen it, he had immediately thought of his daughter, telling himself that it could be the special gift that would please her.
But he wasn't sure Eames would appreciate such an initiative, without talking to her first.
But Lucy was his daughter, and he wanted her to have this gift.
So even if he had to suffer the fallout, he was ready to receive it.
- Come on... Show me what you're hiding.
At his daughter's impatience, he pulled his hands away from her back and put them in front of him, revealing before Lucy's eyes what he was hiding.
- You didn't...
Lucy couldn't believe it.
Her father hadn't done this.
It couldn't be.
And yet...
When what he held in his hands squeaked, Lucy realized it was true, and rushed to take it gently from her father's hands and into his arms.
- Oh Daddy... Thank you for this puppy.
Lucy gently hugged the little puppy, put her hand to his muzzle and stroked him.
My goodness, my goodness...
How beautiful he was.
His snow-white fur, that long muzzle.
He was a mini Lassie, but white.
And Lucy couldn't take her eyes off this little wonder.
Her father had given her a wonderful gift.
How had he known...
Did he know she'd love to have a dog.
Her mother had always said no, not because she didn't like dogs, but because she wouldn't have the time to take care of them because of her work.
But then, why had her father been able to buy her one, when he did the same job as her mother.
And thinking of her mother...
Lucy wondered if she would appreciate the gift her father had just given her.
Lucy wasn't so sure.
- It's a girl... And I named her Lassie... Goren looked away, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. That is, if it suits you.
Why was his father so embarrassed...
It was odd.
In addition, she loved the name he'd chosen for the puppy.
Lassie would suit her very well.
She'd be the same adult dog as the famous movie dog, but she'd be white and smaller.
- I love this name... It's very pretty.
If Lucy knew why he'd named the little dog after her...
But it was better to keep it a secret.
When he saw the little dog, he thought of his daughter, but also of Eames.
And he was sure she'd be more like Eames.
That's why he'd named her Lassie.
But Lucy shouldn't know why he'd called her that.
For she would deduce that he was still in love with her mother.
Thinking of Lucy's mother...
- If you want to take her to your mother...
Really...
His father allowed him to take Lassie to her mother.
But if she took her with her, her father would be alone again, and she didn't want that.
She could see that underneath his surly exterior, he was happy to have company.
Besides, Lucy didn't know how her mother would feel about having a dog in the house.
- I'll give you something to feed her at your mother's.
Her father would give her something to feed Lassie…
But that wasn't the problem.
The problem was that for one thing, her father was going to be alone.
And two, whether her mother would accept this new little life.
Lucy knew that even if her mother didn't accept the puppy with joy, she wouldn't let her starve.
- It wasn't the food that was the problem... Lucy lifted the puppy, and brought her face close to his muzzle. If Lassie comes with me... She looked at her father, then back at Lassie. You'll be all alone.
So that was it.
Lucy wasn't afraid of her mother's refusal.
But she was worried about him being alone.
Before he knew he had a daughter, Goren had been used to being alone, and he didn't mind.
But since he'd had Lucy with him, even though he told her every day that he couldn't wait for her to go back to her mother, Goren had to admit that he'd grown accustomed to her company, and liked having her around.
So when Lucy was at Eames', it would be a void for him.
But he didn't want to deprive his daughter of her dog.
If Lucy wanted to have Lucy with her at her mother's, well, she could take her.
And there was nothing to stop them calling each other, if Lucy felt like it.
- Don't worry Lucy... Goren brought his hand to Lucy's wavy golden hair, stroking it affectionately. Being alone will do me good too.
Being alone would be good for her father...
Was this lie true.
Lucy didn't believe a word of it.
Besides, Lucy didn't have the heart to leave her father alone.
- Come on, Lucy... Stop worrying.
Stop worrying...
You bet.
It was normal for her to be concerned about leaving him alone.
He was her father.
And she'd almost lost him.
Had he forgotten how close he'd come to dying?
If he had forgotten...
She hadn't.
- Lucy... I think Lassie needs a walk.
At these words, Lucy snapped out of her thoughts to look at Lassie, who was staring at her with her big, almond-shaped brown eyes, pleading with her eyes.
Good God...
She had completely forgotten that Lassie was still a baby, and that she must need to relieve herself often.
But she was missing the essential part of getting Lassie out.
She saw her father smile, as if he'd read her mind, only to see him pull a small leash and harness from his pocket and hand them to her.
- I think Lassie will need this.
Lucy took the harness and leash from her father's hand, bent down, set Lassie on the ground and began to put the harness on her.
- Lucy... Lucy raised her face to her father's, her hands still busy putting the harness on Lassie. You can call me whenever you like when you're at your mother's.
Lucy nodded, and turned her attention back to the little dog and the harness she was putting on her.
Of course she'd call.
And since he'd given her the green light to call him anytime, well, she'd make the most of it.
Especially since this way, her father would feel less alone.
Delighted with this decision, and with having succeeded in putting the harness on Lassie, who was adorable and docile, she attached the leash to the harness, and stood up, taking care to lift Lassie in her arms.
- We can go for a walk.
With these last words, Goren headed for the apartment door, followed by Lucy, who held Lassie preciously in her arms.