The animal shelter
Several days later
"I'm so glad you decided to get a dog. Happy you didn't decide to change your mind," Zelda told Tim warmly.
"Playing with your two has been an eye-opening experience," Tim admitted, as Zelda took him on a tour of the facilities and the training ground that was next door.
"See, sometimes all it takes to create a dog lover is to get some experience with them," Zelda said smiling, as she introduced him to her staff that was present at that time. "You'll see how cute, adorable and sweet they can be just by encountering one or more somewhere and realize that you want one of your own."
The two of them then ran into an older woman who was holding a dog and giving him a pill.
"Tim, this is the Denise. Denise has supported this shelter from the minute we opened the doors. She's been a godsend and I don't know what I'd do without her," Zelda introduced. "And this cutie pie is Sweetie who unfortunately has a heart murmur and so has to take her medicine twice a day."
"Oh, you stop!" Denise blushed at the genuine praise, as she waved away Zelda's compliment.
"She's been the backbone of the shelter for a long time and it's going to be a sad day for the shelter when she decides she wants to retire," Zelda added.
"Oh, stop it, you," Denise said as she swatted Zelda on the arm lightly in a playful rebuke. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, so you stop such talk."
"It's nice to meet you, Ms...," Tim said that she shook the older woman's hand.
"Crawford," Denise supplied.
"It's nice to meet you, Ms Crawford," Tim said, shaking the older ladies hand.
"That's actually Mrs.," Zelda said smiling. "She's been married to the same man for over 40 years and has numerous grandchildren. She's been a contributor here ever since the beginning and has taken three dogs into her home permanently. She and her husband have also fostered plenty of dogs."
"I might be getting older, but I'm still young at heart," Denise chided Zelda, who laughed.
"You'll never be old Denise," Zelda told her her tone affectionate. "You have more energy than anybody half your age. Anyway, this is Timothy McGee. I've told you all about him and he is going to adopt a dog."
"So you're the man that has stolen our Zelda's heart," Denise told him causing him to blush. "I've heard all about you from Zelda here. I think you should keep him," Denise told Zelda in a loud whisper. "He's certainly handsome enough, and I made him blush, just because I told him he's stolen your heart."
"Stop teasing him Denise," Zelda ordered smiling. "If you tease him too much, he might decide not to adopt at all, just because you embarrassed him."
"Being modest is even better, as so many men are not," Denise said rolling her eyes, as she had plenty of experience with men who were not at all modest and in fact, they tended to be arrogant and rude.
"He is, but I like him like that," Zelda said, as she squeezed Tim's hand in affection. "Now about choosing a dog for Tim here. He wants something small, as he only lives in an apartment, so he doesn't have room for a large dog."
"That's true, I don't," Tim agreed having seemingly gotten over his embarrassment. "Something, the size of Zelda's two is about, right."
"Yeah, Remington and Lily are adorable," Denise agreed having met the dogs in question. "Last time I saw them they weren't yet fully grown, so it's been awhile since I've seem them, so they'd be all grown up now, but still young."
"They're not quite two years old so yes, they're fully grown," Zelda agreed. "I'll have to bring them by sometime, so they can interact with the other dogs here, as I'm sure they could use the companionship. To have dogs interacting with each other is good for them, as that means there's less chance of them turning aggressive, because they're used to being around people and other animals. Socialization is just as important for animals, as it is for humans," Zelda lectured. "It's why I often take my two to the dog park that isn't too far away from where I live, so that Remington and Lily can socialize with their peers."
"Are they still just as sweet as they were as puppies?" Denise asked.
"Yes, they're still sweethearts and spoiled rotten," Zelda said smiling. "I'll be sure to bring them by sometime so you can see them or you're welcome to come by my house, as you know where it is. Just make sure I'm there and not out running errands. I'm sure they will remember you."
"What's the point of having an animal if you don't spoil them a bit," Denise said and that was a philosophy Zelda agreed with. "I'll think about coming by to see them."
"Yes, they are sweet dogs, as I've met them too," Tim said speaking up.
"Meeting mine is what made Tim want to adopt one of his own," Zelda explained to Denise. "While he'll still have to fill out the application I won't have to do a background check, since I've gotten to know him quite well and know he'll never abuse an animal. He loves playing with my two whenever he's over at my place. His apartment allows pets, and yet he's never had even a goldfish."
"That's a shame, but not exactly uncommon," Denise clucked sympathetically. "Well let's see which dog you like then."
"This one is Bandit," Zelda said, as they came to the first cage, where a small dog with dark blonde and white fur and pointed ears, lay with its tongue hanging out. The dog gave a yip of greeting and Sweetie yipped in return. "He was named so because of the blonde fur around his eyes, which reminds you of a mask. He is two years old and if he doesn't get adopted soon, I'm thinking about taking him in myself, as he's a sweetheart."
"What about Sweetie?" Tim said the dog in question still being held in Denise's arms giving little yips, as the three of them toured the shelter before coming to the room where the dogs were housed.
"Well, Denise is very fond of Sweetie and last I knew she was considering taking her in permanently," Zelda said, looking at Denise. "That is if she sure she wants another dog, since she already has three. Her husband, of course, would have to agree to take in another pet and be in on the decision."
"Harry says it's my decision," Denise told Zelda who nodded having expected nothing less. "He loves the three we have and he doesn't mind if I get another. Besides, old Bruno is on his last legs and I suspect it won't be long before we'll have to put him down or simply wait for him to pass on his own, which could be a matter of months or several years."
"Sometimes putting a dog to sleep is the only option," Zelda told Tim looking sad at the possibility. "Denise is right, Bruno is old, has lost his hearing and has bad arthritis in his joints. All he does is lay in his spot in the kitchen and hardly moves at all, except to get up to go into the yard to do his business. It would be a kindness to put him out of his misery as sad as it is," Zelda said.
"That is sad," Tim agreed soberly. "I never really thought about dogs having some of the same ailments that humans can have."
"Dogs have a lot of the same ailments that any human can get at an advanced age, though there are a few diseases that are unique to them. Dogs can even get cancer, which kills them before their time just as often as it does humans."
The three of them continued to tour the dogs cages and Tim was having a hard time making a decision as all the dogs were adorable.
"Why don't we take a few of the small dogs to the playroom to let people interact with them. You can play with them and make a decision," Zelda suggested.
"That sounds good," Tim agreed.
"Which ones do you want us to bring into the playroom," Zelda asked and Tim immediately listed off several names it was clear he had paid attention to the names of the dogs.
"I think three is plenty for the first time," said Zelda. "You can interact with them and if there's not one in particular that you want we'll try three different ones."
Denise led the way to the room they used for people wanting to adopt a dog to interact with them.
"We'll bring three of your selections," Zelda said, kissing his cheek before disappearing out the door and leaving Tim to sit on the bench that was in the room.
It wasn't long before Zelda and Denise returned with three dogs, Zelda held two, and Denise one, having put Sweetie back in her cage while she'd been gone.
In the end, Tim chose a cute dog that was all black fur and soulful brown eyes. Tim's heart just melted when Donnie looked up at him with such hope in his gaze that Tim couldn't resist Donnie's soulful look.
Zelda practically grinned wide enough for it to eat her face, as she had guessed that was the one Tim would choose while Denise just shook her head at Zelda's elation.
That was what made Zelda so good at what she did in matching dogs and cats with their new owners as she was good at telling which animal would fit with which family or person.
The fact that Zelda could communicate with the animals was a great advantage, even if no one knew it, but it made her very good at picking out dogs and cats to be adopted by people young and old who just wanted an animal to love.
~~~Tim and Zelda~~~
"I think it's time for you to meet my parents," Zelda told Tim. "They know that I have found someone to love and are eager to meet you, but have been very patient, because I knew how nervous you were about meeting them. I didn't want to wreck things with you by having my family show up out of the blue just to meet you. I hope eventually we'll get married, but I won't force the issue if you're not ready."
"That would mean, taking a trip to San Francisco or them coming here," Tim responded immediately looking nervous at the prospect of meeting Zelda's family
Tim had relaxed a great deal ever since he and Zelda had met. The two of them had begun making love months ago, and since Tim couldn't turn Zelda immortal she didn't have to worry about them making love. He also couldn't get her pregnant until he was immortal, so she didn't need to worry about birth control nor about getting an STDs, or any other disease that was transmitted through sex. Sex with Tim the first time had been earthshattering and the second time had been even better. Each time they made love had only gotten more explosive.
She had told him that she was on birth control though so he wouldn't worry about an out of wedlock baby, even though having a child before marriage wasn't really anything to worry about in this day and age, but still, that information had made Tim relax, so it had been worth that little white lie.
Still, Tim was the type that wouldn't want to get a woman pregnant unless they were married so that was a reason she had told him what she had so he wouldn't worry.
Zelda had finally met his mother Kristen and his sister Sarah, and that they approved of her had made him relax, because if they hadn't, Zelda had a feeling that Tim would've tried to break up with her, just because of his families opinion. If Tim was anything, it was a dutiful son who wouldn't even think about marrying someone that his mother at least disapproved of.
Zelda suspected to Tim it wouldn't matter how much he loved her if his mother had disapproved, so it was a good thing that Kristen McGee liked her.
Kristen had definitely noticed the difference in her son. The fact that he had more self-esteem and more confidence had her accepting Zelda, because it was her that had given her son these things.
Kristen had told Zelda that her husband had been particularly hard on Tim, especially when he didn't fall into line like a good son. John McGee apparently hadn't seen the damage he was doing or perhaps hadn't cared and he just wanted Tim to do what he expected and wanted.
Zelda, for one, was glad that Tim had never joined the Navy or the two of them might very well never have met unless Tim had mustered out after his first tour or they had happened to meet while he was on shore leave.
"I've met your family, so it's only fair that you meet my parents and godparents at least," Zelda told him gently. "I like your family and I know you'll like mine. I can ask them to come here if you don't want to go up to San Francisco for a day or two."
"I've never been to San Francisco," Tim said seeming to be seriously thinking about it. "You're right, it's only fair that I meet your family since you met mine that doesn't mean I'm not nervous."
"You've improved a lot Tim. You have more self-esteem and more confidence than you did when we first met and that's a good thing," Zelda told him in an understanding tone.
"I know you really didn't have an appropriate male figure in your life, as a child. Your father doesn't really count, because he wasn't supportive of what you wanted to do once you were grown. I understand having certain expectations for your children when they're born, but demanding you go into a certain career and trying to force someone to do so is just wrong. "I know that a lot of parents are exactly like your father who want their children to go into the same career they're in whether that's as a doctor or lawyer or some other profession. Wanting them to go into that career and trying to force them, however, are two totally different things."
"I know that in my head, but that doesn't mean my father wasn't a hard man to say no to," Tim said.
"Of course, he was. He was your father and you loved him," Zelda said. "That he refused to see that what he wanted, wasn't what you wanted and tried to force you into the path he had chosen shows that he either didn't love you like he should have or he was simply oblivious too the hardship he was putting you through. Unfortunately, a lot of people, not just men, can't see or don't want to see that what they want for their children, is not what those children want for themselves. They refuse to give up their dreams for them and often try to force their children to comply. They often don't see that trying to force the child to go down a particular path is a mistake. That child might not only not have the desire for a certain career they also might not have the aptitude like if a parent wants their child to be a lawyer for instance."
"You know you've allowed me to see my dad's actions in a new light Zelda, and that's not a bad thing at all," Tim told her. "If I ever have kids I will never force them to go into a certain career or treat them like my father treated me."
"Which makes you a better man than your father," Zelda said firmly. "I'm sure your father loved you, he just didn't know how to show it."
"How did you get so wise so young," Tim told her as he took Zelda in his arms, hugging her close to him. "I'm surprised you put up with me and my insecurities. I've had woman dumped me in the past because of them, but then, they didn't have your gentle persistence."
"Everybody has insecurities, though Tim," Zelda told him smiling mischievously. "Anyone who tells you they don't is lying to you. A person's insecurity doesn't have to be large. It can be anything like being afraid of going in the water at the beach, because they nearly drowned as a child. That's a fear as well as an insecurity. They could be claustrophobic, and fear enclosed spaces, they could fear being bitten by a poisonous snakes. People fears are often the same as their insecurities as the two are often intertwined. Insecurities can also mean low self-esteem. Your father did absolutely nothing to install self-esteem in you and I'm assuming your sister."
"Sarah didn't get the brunt of our father's personality like I did, but then I was the only son and she was a girl so her relationship with dad was different. I was also the oldest, though I'm not entirely sure if Sarah had been older if father would've acted the same as he did with me."
"So what do you say about visiting my parents and my godparents?" Zelda asked again.
"Well...," Tim said seeming indecisive.
"They won't mind coming here, but you'll miss out on a terrific meal if they do," Zelda said enticingly. "They always prepare a great meal whenever someone in the family introduces them to the man or woman they've decided to settle down with."
"You can't have that many siblings," Tim said. "The only one I know about is your brother."
"No, but I have plenty of cousins, nieces and nephews," Zelda said, which was true, even if it wasn't the whole truth. "I have a very large family Tim, and it's not like my parents mind cooking a meal for them, even if I didn't grow up with those cousins, nieces and nephews in the same house.
"Besides, I might not have mentioned them, but I do have another brother and another sister that I haven't seen in awhile. We stay in contact over link calls, vid calls, and texts.
"My parents are always delighted when one of my family introduces them to their significant other. My family values each other unlike so many families. Personally, I think my parents enjoy the company, since all their children are grown."
"So you have another couple of siblings you haven't mentioned or introduced me to, which means they don't live here in New Orleans," Tim said.
Tim had met Neville several times now, as Zelda had taken him by her brother's bakery so that they could be introduced. Tim always ended up buying some kind of treat to take home and so did she of course Neville never charged his sister, but as for Tim, until he was in on the secret he was charged for whatever he bought, but wouldn't be once he knew.
"No, they don't," Zelda said. "I haven't seen them in at least a couple of years, as I've been busy with the animal shelter and they've been busy with their careers, but we both really do need to go where they are living so you can meet them and I can introduce you."
Tim nodded at that accepted the explanation, because it rang true, and Zelda internally relaxed knowing Tim would soon learn that she hadn't been lying she just hadn't told him the whole truth.
"Family events are really something you need to experience for yourself," Zelda added with a laugh. "Imagine going up there for Thanksgiving or Christmas and you'll see how many people there are in my family. You'll need to double that number if you include the Hotchners, which my family always does."
Zelda watched the emotions playing on Tim's face, as they went from uncertainty to fear to indecisiveness all in the space of a few heartbeats. Tim's face was very expressive when he was thinking, and not trying to conceal his emotions.
Zelda silently communicated with Donnie, telling him that Tim needed some love and attention, and Donnie responded by leaving his spot on the couch and barked for attention. Tim was startled out of his thoughts, as he felt little dog paws on his legs.
"See Donovan knows that you needed him," Zelda said, thinking that the small dog was adorable and obviously intelligent enough to listen to her when she told him that Tim needed him. "Dogs have a sixth sense for when their master needs some love or they just want attention."
"I'm glad I picked you Donnie," Tim said, picking up the small black dog and immediately got his face licked for his trouble making him laugh, his fear disappearing like a wisp of smoke. "You have definitely brought happiness to my life in the short time since I picked you out."
"I see that I've created another dog lover," Zelda said smiling.
"You have and you made me wish I'd had a dog as a boy, because really, it was my sister that wanted one, but I had no idea what kind of good companions they could be if I had known... I suppose it wouldn't have mattered as dad's decisions were set in stone, so he wouldn't have given in no matter how Sarah or I begged. Really, John McGee hated us begging for anything, and he probably would've spanked both of us if we had. He was never the type to spare the rod and spoil the child. He was more the type to do the opposite. His orders were to be obeyed and no backtalk or you were likely get a whooping. Sarah and I saved our begging for mom, but we made sure that dad was nowhere around when we did. Even begging for cookies, or some other treat was likely to get us spanked hard on the behind once. Dad didn't do gentle swats and his swats were hard enough to hurt for at least a minute afterwards. That swat was just a reminder that begging wasn't allowed no matter what kind."
"The more I learn about your father the more I'm glad he's dead," Zelda said her expression rather upset, but not at Tim. "I am now glad, I never had a chance to meet him, as he sounds like someone I wouldn't want to meet. Discipline is one thing, but whooping your child for even minor things like a little backtalk or begging for a treat like before dinner is extreme."
"Discipline is necessary, I do believe in that much, but the infraction of the rules would have to be major for me to want to spank my child and that's only if other punishments didn't work," Tim said thoughtful and a little sad.
"Me and my siblings were never spanked as children," Zelda said.
Of course, what Zelda didn't say was that there was a reason she and her siblings hadn't been spanked as children was being immortal that would've been a useless punishment since the stinging would've lasted only a split second before fading. No, her parents as well as the Hotchners had had to be creative when it came to punishment to teach that child a lesson that they wouldn't soon forget. Of course, mostly she and her siblings had been well behaved, at least for the most part.
"To be fair, we were mostly well-behaved, but still there were a few times that we could've been spanked if my parents believed in physical punishment," Zelda added.
"Your parents sound wonderful and definitely nothing like my father," Tim said.
"They were wonderful and since my mother's a baker, we got delicious treats on a regular basis," Zelda said smiling as she remembered.
"So if you weren't spanked, how were you punished for misbehaving?" Tim asked.
"Well, when we were little, if the infraction was bad enough, we would be denied dessert, which was always one of my mother's and that was punishment enough when we were young. Well, you know how good my brother's deserts are, and he got his talent from our mother. It seemed like the end of the world to be denied something so delicious when we were less than 10. As we got older, the punishment of course got more severe. Being denied desert for a couple of days was nothing compared to being denied for a week or more, depending on the severity of the crime. The rest of the family got dessert while we had to sit and watch them eat it. We didn't get any, and if there was any left over, it was locked up to where we couldn't sneak any. Those that got desserts often lingered over them as much as they could just to torture us. They talked, ate a bite, talked some more."
"Sounds like a rather unique punishment," Tim said, and Zelda smiled nostalgically.
"It wouldn't have worked for most families, but then, most families don't have such a excellent bakers in it nor do they serve dessert for lunch and dinner and even breakfast could sometimes be considered dessert, as it could be cinnamon rolls or French toast, something sweet anyway, and not at all healthy. Even left over the desserts, my mother made were out of this world. You're going to realize that every single one of my family are chocoholics with a few exceptions, but that's only if they married into it. My mother's desserts when we were growing up, usually contained chocolate as the main ingredient, hot chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven, homemade of course, and not from a mix and so were her brownies. She does a chocolate mousse that's out of this world and her peanut butter, chocolate trifle should be illegal it's that good."
"I'm surprised with that many high caloric desserts on a regular basis that all of you aren't extremely overweight," Tim said smiling and Zelda simply chuckled unoffended. "I definitely would be if I ate as many sweets as your family seems to."
"We exercise, so we can enjoy our mother's and the other family that got the talent desserts on a regular basis," Zelda explained chuckling. "That treadmill that I have isn't just for show, as it gets used a lot, trust me, on that. I'd be as fat as the legend of Santa Claus says he was if I didn't exercise at least a few days a week. I try to get a session in at least every other day, though that's not always possible, so at least three days a week and often more."
"It's certainly a good habit to get into, especially for people who eat as many desserts as your family does," Tim said.
"That certainly gives my family incentive to exercise, but that's not the only reason. One reason is that both my parents can cook about anything and a lot of their meals are high in calories just like the desserts, so even if my mother wasn't such an excellent baker all of her children, and my father would be extremely overweight if we didn't exercise. Now to get the pack to the original subject," Zelda said.
"I suppose I do have to meet your family at some point," Tim said looking reluctant, but knowing it was a duty he had to discharge. It wouldn't be right, for him not to meet her family since she had met his.
It was apparent that Zelda loved her family very much and that she was close to them. He doubted that she would agree to marry him without introducing him to her parents at least, but probably the rest of her family to.
"You really do," Zelda told him gently. "Don't be nervous Tim. I've told you before on numerous occasions that they'll love you just because I do. They're very nice and accommodating."
"If you say so," Tim said.
"I do say so," Zelda told him smiling. "Well, you'll see that you're reluctance and nervousness is unnecessary, but I suppose, seeing is believing."
Tim said nothing, as he didn't want to disappoint the woman he had fallen in love with over the last year or so.
~~~Tim and Zelda~~~