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“I think we’re going to be good moms. Dog moms,” she clarified. I wanted to ask her if she ever thought about upgrading to human children, but that was another thing we didn’t really talk about.
I wasn’t having them anytime soon since doing that would probably require a donor and lots of planning,ifit was something I decided I wanted.
Emma and I set up blankets and pillows in the living room and settled Vegas in between us as we watched a new episode of a show. He seemed to alternate between off-the-charts energy and being completely asleep. I could understand that on a deep level.
“Do you love him?” Emma asked, as I stroked Vegas’s head.
“I do. He’s perfect.”
“He is, isn’t he?” she said, smiling down at him.
“No regrets about getting him, even though it’s going to complicate our lives?” I asked.
Emma sighed. “I mean, in less than a month I picked up a wife and a roommate and a dog. What more could I want?” Sounded like a pretty great life to me, after things being pretty shitty for a long time.
“How about a million dollars?” I said.
“Yes, that would be nice, but this is pretty great too, being here with you and Vegas. And chips.” She held up a bag that we’d been passing back and forth. The trick had been keeping the bag and its contents away from Vegas, which was a challenge, but fun. He’d only been ours for a few hours, but I already couldn’t imagine life without him. Seriously, I would stand in front of a runaway train if it threatened him.
We took him out again, and this time it took nearly a half hour before he went potty, and I almost fell asleep waiting. The three of us settled onto the pile of blankets and pillows and I snuggled closer to Emma, with a drowsy Vegas cradled between us.
“How is he so perfect?” I asked.
“I don’t know. But he’s ours.” He was. Ours.
––––––––
IWOKE UP IN THE MIDDLEof the night to Vegas whining. Emma was asleep, so I took him out and did the rewarding. When I got back, Emma was awake.
“He had to make a tinkle,” I said, and then cringed at myself. “I hate that I just said that. Who am I, my grandmother?”
Emma smiled drowsily as I set Vegas between us. He flopped down with a sigh and she kissed his head.
“We should go back to bed,” I said.
“Or we could stare at him for a few hours.”
“Yeah, sleep is overrated.”
We didn’t end up staring at him for hours, or at least I didn’t. The next time I woke up, Emma and Vegas were gone, but as soon as I started to get up, the door opened and she came back in.
“We had another successful trip, so I think this potty-training thing is going to be a breeze.” The room was filled with light and I grabbed my phone to see what time it was. Too early. I groaned, but I didn’t think I could get back to sleep. There was an adorable puppy to love on.
“You want breakfast?” Emma asked, putting Vegas down and letting him romp around.
“Not yet. My stomach isn’t awake.I’mnot awake.” I covered myself with the blanket. In spite of the strange sleeping arrangement and the fact that I’d been woken up by Vegas, I had slept fine. I could always nap later.
“Hey pretty boy, aren’t you handsome?” Vegas danced and made snuffling noises of agreement.
“We should get him a bowtie,” I said, as Emma came back from the bathroom.
“I need a shower,” she said, running her hands through her tangled curls. I would never look that good in the morning. I had the feeling I was a complete disaster, but it wasn’t anything Emma hadn’t seen before.
“You can go first. I’ll stay with Vegas and make sure he behaves himself,” I said. Vegas dashed for one of his toys. I was going to teach this puppy to fetch, even if it took weeks.
“Cool. I’ll start breakfast when I get out. Do you want to take him on a longer walk today? Start training him with a leash?” That seemed like a lot to put on him since we’d just gotten him home, but he did need his puppy exercise.
“Yeah, maybe we can carry him if he can’t handle it.” He was still small enough to hold like a baby.
