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High Five (1/1)

"Hey, Daddy! Guess what?" Angie asked as she entered the kitchen carrying Pumpkin and wearing her backpack. "Luna likes riding in my backpack."

Steve looked up from the vegetables he was chopping, slightly alarmed. "Are you sure?"

As if on cue Luna's head popped up over Angie's shoulder and Steve could hear her purring all the way across the kitchen.

"I'm sure." Angie nodded emphatically. "This way we can all go on an adventure at the same time." She nodded to Cammie who was sitting by her tiniest human's side, tail thumping happily.

"Where are the things that belong in your backpack?" Steve asked warily.

"On my bed," Angie said matter of factly. "I'll put them back in on Monday when it's time to go back to school."

Steve couldn't help but smile. Angie wanted a way to take all of her best friends along at the same time and she made it happen. At six years old he was impressed with her problem solving abilities. Something he was sure she inherited from Catherine,

"So what kind of an adventure are the three of you off on?" he asked.

"DJ said we can play school when he gets back from the store with Mommy so we're gonna go set things up in the playroom," she said.

"I'm making a salad for lunch," Steve told her. "Maybe you should eat something before class starts so you're fueled up and ready to go."

Angie tilted her head to the side. "Maybe. Ms. Lane says you always think better when your tummy is full."

Steve smiled. "Ms. Lane is very smart."

"Can I give Cammie and Pumpkin and Luna some treats so they're ready too?" Angie asked.

"Of course you can," Steve replied. "Mommy and DJ should be here soon. You go get the playroom set up for school and I'll call you when lunch is ready."


Several hours later Steve and Catherine poked their heads in the playroom and saw DJ standing next to the chalkboard facing the makeshift classroom.

Angie sat in the front row, with Cammie by her side. The attentive dog looked for all the world as if she understood every word DJ was saying. The part of the scene they both found amazing was Pumpkin and Luna, sitting side by side on the room's small table that had been repurposed for the afternoon as a desk. In front of them sat a piece of lined paper and several crayons. They showed absolutely no desire to escape or to be anywhere else.

"How's school going?" Steve asked.

"Mommy! Daddy! Wait til you see!" DJ said excitedly.

Steve and Catherine could feel the happiness radiating off their son from all the way across the room.

"We taught Pumpkin and Luna a new trick!"

"A new trick?" Catherine asked. "I didn't think cats could do tricks."

"Pumpkin and Luna can," DJ said proudly.

"Because they're the smartest cats on Oahu," Angie said with a wide grin. "Just like Cammie is the smartest dog." She turned to DJ. "Let's show Mommy and Daddy the trick."

"OK." DJ looked at his parents with anticipation in his eyes. "Are you ready?"

"Ready," they replied.

DJ stood directly in front of the cats and addressed them one at a time.

"Pumpkin, you've been very good in class today. I'm proud of you." He held his hand out towards the cat. "Give me a high five."

Steve and Catherine watched in amazement as Pumpkin raised her paw and tapped DJ's hand. They were almost ready to write the whole thing off as a coincidence until DJ turned his attention to Luna.

"You were very well-behaved today, Luna. You're fitting in perfectly in your new classroom. Give me a high five!"

As if she understood exactly what he was asking for Luna raised her paw and tapped DJ's hand.

"We taught them to do high fives!" Angie squealed.

"We watched a video yesterday at Grandma and Grandpa's about how to teach your cat some basic tricks," DJ explained. "And it worked!"

"It certainly did," Catherine said. "Great work you two."

"Cammie helped," DJ was quick to say. "She showed them how to do it."

"Great work from you too, Cammie." Steve smiled. "I can't wait to see what you guys do next."


"You were right," Steve said as they walked down the hall towards the living room. "As usual."

Catherine squeezed his hand. "Right about what?"

"Luna fits right in here," Steve said. "We were definitely meant to be her forever home."

"You knew it too." Catherine hip checked him gently. "You just didn't want to admit it."

"I'll grant you my experience with cats is limited," he said. "But I thought having two cats around would be chaotic. But I've never seen a cat as chilled out as Luna. You should have seen her earlier just contentedly riding around in Angie's backpack."

"The pictures you took are adorable," Catherine said. "But I think we need to consider getting Angie a special backpack to carry the cats in, assuming they're willing of course. That way she won't have cat hair on her homework."

"Excellent idea," Steve said. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "That's why you're the brains of this operation."


Before Danny could knock, the front door of the beach house opened and he jumped slightly.

"We scared you, Uncle Danno," Angie giggled.

Danny squatted down and tickled her tummy. "You sure did."

"We're goin' to get ice cream," DJ said. "Do you want some?"

"Of course," Danny said with a dramatic tone that made both kids laugh. "I never turn down ice cream!"

"Steve's in the garage doing laundry," Catherine told him. "We'll be back in a few. Do you want the usual?"

He nodded his head. "Yep. Thanks." He reached into his wallet and pulled out a few bills. "Let this be my treat."

"That's not necessary," Catherine said.

"I've got to keep up my favorite uncle status." He winked at Angie and DJ. "Get extra sprinkles."

"Thank you!" both kids said as they gave him a goodbye hug and headed for the car.

Danny made his way towards the garage but paused just outside the partially open door when he heard Steve talking.

"I'll admit I was wrong," he heard his partner say. "It's no extra trouble having you around. In fact, I'm glad you're here."

He stepped into the doorway just as Steve held his hand out to the fluffy, black cat and said "Give me a high five."

When Luna did just that Danny barked a laugh.

Steve looked up, startled. "How long have you been standing there?"

Danny was nearly doubled over laughing. "Long enough. Your SEAL-y senses must be on the fritz. Did you just compliment your cat then … and I can't believe I'm saying this … give her a high five?"

"The kids taught her a new trick," Steve said defensively. "She's very smart."

Danny struggled to catch his breath. "Apparently."

Steve closed the door of the washer. "Are you having fun?"

Danny regained his composure. "More than you could possibly imagine."

"What are you doing lurking in doorways anyhow? Did you need something?"

"I wasn't lurking," Danny said. "Catherine let me in. I just dropped Gabby at the airport and decided to stop on my way back."

"Gabby's gone all week to the mainland, right?" Steve asked.

"She is. For a conference." Danny smirked. "Don't try to change the subject. I know what I just saw. You were talking to … and let's not forget high-fiving … a cat."

Steve dropped his chin to his chest. "You're never gonna let me live this down, are you?"

Danny smirked. "Not if we live to be 100."

THE END


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