Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Thankfully, Bishop the pup was smart enough to carefully go backward down the stairs so my fears about the energetic pup taking a header and making me explain to the emergency room how he’d fallen down the stairs were unfounded.
Bishop had done a fabulous job packing Ian’s bag for our sleepover here tonight, so before we’d gone upstairs, we’d set out a sippy cup of juice along with several of his toys around him. As the pup wiggled closer, low to the ground, he nudged the bunny against Ian’s face.
The rabbit tipped over and onto his face, pulling a giggle from the maybe not-so-asleep boy. “Bunny.”
Ian’s chipper tone and short response made Bishop bark excitedly.
Well, that one sound had Ian’s eyes popping open so fast it looked like they were window shades in an old Tom and Jerry cartoon. “Doggy.”
Thank God.
He was little.
I hadn’t been sure how I’d have proceeded if an anxious Ian had woken up instead of a happy little. But seeing the wonderfully innocent smile on his face, I leaned against the couch and nodded. “The doggy wanted to play with you.”
That seemed self-explanatory, but I wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.
No worries here…just planning.
The doggy in question barked again, wagging his tail as little Ian marveled at his new friend. “Doggy.”
He threw his arms around Doggy and hugged him tight before petting his head and back. “Pretty Doggy.”
Pretty Doggy barked again as he wiggled and wagged, pushing his muzzle into Ian’s chest and making the little tumble backward as Doggy rubbed all over him.
Thank God.
No drama or fear…and no grown-up behaviors from either of them, which I thought was best for both of them.
“Doggy…” Ian dragged out the word as he laughed, making it sound almost like a giggling admonishment to behave.
Bishop just barked, not obeying the silly command at all.
“Oh, Doggy.” Ian rolled away, wide-eyed and filled with excitement. “Ball.”
Yes, the toys. They were very important, so I sat down beside the two friends and made sure Ian could find the new toys. I’d been a badass Uncle and had remembered to take off all the tags and wash everything, so the ball went flying across the room as soon as Ian got his hot little hands on it.
He laughed as Bishop barked and chased the bright red ball across the living room. “Doggy. Run.”
I was right…every little needed a pup…and every dynamic duo needed a grown-up in charge, so that was clearly my role as I walked over slowly and sat down to watch the chaos.
As Ian laughed and Bishop chased throw after throw, I couldn’t help imagining Ian in his jammies and playing with his pup at the end of a long day. They’d both be tired and silly, and then I’d lead them upstairs to bed…maybe with me or maybe in Ian’s playroom…which would definitely need space for a pup and a boy to cuddle up together.
Preston would’ve rolled his eyes and said that I was rushing things, but it didn’t feel rushed to me. It felt perfect. They were mine in a way I’d never found with anyone else and I realized that I hadn’t been alone before…I’d been waiting.
I’d been waiting for my pup and our boy to be ready to come into my life…and now they were here. My pup with his funny humor and his exuberance for life, and our sometimes shy, sometimes demanding little…two sweet subs who’d been meant to be mine.
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