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“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
We say a quick goodbye before I grab the last box and carry it to the attached garage. I set it with the others, and my lips tilt with a smile. She’s here. All of her stuff is here. Now I need to focus on the proposal. I want her with my last name sooner rather than later. We’ve waited long enough to start the next phase of our lives together.
“What should we name her?” I ask David on our way to the pet supply store.
“I thought you had a name in mind already?” He glances over at me with the puppy in my arms before returning his eyes to the road.
“I do, but she’s ours, so I want your opinion.”
“Okay, so let’s hear it.”
“I was thinking Dixie, or maybe Lucy.” I pet the sleeping ball of fur in my arms.
“Dixie Harris, Lucy Harris, either works,” he says after adding his last name to both.
“Wallace hyphen Harris,” I say, just to see his reaction.
We pull into the pa
rking lot, and he puts the truck in Park before turning in his seat to look at me. “You plan on hyphenating your name?” he asks. He sounds disappointed.
“You okay with that?” I counter.
I watch as he processes my question. “Yes. I mean, when I imagine it, it’s always just Olivia Jean Harris, but it’s your choice if you want to hyphenate.”
“You’re an amazing man, David Harris. The thought of hyphenating my name has never crossed my mind. I was just joking with you about the dog. Olivia Jean Harris has a great ring to it.”
“Yeah?” he asks, hopeful.
“Yes. Now, it’s time to get this little thing some toys, and food and a bed and whatever else we happen to find.” I laugh.
“So, her name is…?” he asks.
“Dixie. I like Dixie.”
“Welcome to the family, Dixie,” he says, gently running his large hands over her tiny head.
Butterflies dance inside my belly at the mention of us being a family. I want us to be official. I almost remind him again that I’m ready, but I told him to surprise me. Although patience is not my strong suit, I know I need to be just that, patient. He’s waited forever for me to come to terms with where our future is going. I can give him time, all the time he needs. Regardless, he’s mine and I’m his, and now this little furball, Dixie, is ours.
Nearly two hours later, we’re loading the truck with our purchases. I went a little overboard, but she needed a bed, some toys, food, treats, a collar, a leash, and they had these cute little sweaters. I had to get her one in pink, and then I happened to see one in blue and picked it up for Ace.
“You do know she’s going to be a big dog, right?” David asks on our way home.
“Yeah, and?”
“The sweater?”
“It was too cute to pass up. She’s tiny now and will look adorable. Besides, you have to get them used to that kind of thing when they’re small.”
“So you plan on dressing her up all the time?” He tries to hide his laughter.
“Maybe,” I say, snuggling Dixie a little closer. “Hey, can we swing by Mike and Jamie’s so I can give them the sweater I got for Ace? Oh my gosh, they’re siblings. I bet they miss each other.” I feel sad for the pups who have been pulled away from their momma and brothers and sisters.
David reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. “Yeah, baby, we can stop.”
I settle back in my seat and realize that not only am I happy, happier than ever, but I’m content. I wasted so much time. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.
“Aww,” Jamie says as I climb out of the truck with Dixie in my arms. “Look at her.”
