The Chase (h.s. au)

Chapter 28

Harry.

Lifting a picture onto the wall, my fingers adjust it. I have the Stones blasting through the house and I whistle, my surprise for Lauren running at me. As soon as I lift up the trained military dog, his wet tongue runs along my cheek. He's four months and has been trained since he could walk.

"Good boy," I say when he sits after I set him down.

He's what I wanted in the house; a guard dog for if I'm ever not home. Lauren needs to be protected no matter what.

The name the dog has is Butler; the black lab full grown due to his mutt side. He's a cross breed that stunts his growth, but he's apparently fierce when on a mission.

While Lauren has been away setting up at her new job, I've been starting my courses. I got the suit for the interview with the head of the law department at Stanford, the interview in a few days. The courses are hard and it's already a lot of studying, my fingers highlighting more words in one book than I ever did at Michigan State.

I sit on the couch and pull Butler up with me, sitting him on my lap as I read through the chapter of my Book of Laws. There is someting about laws that make me understand everything better. I didn't realize law was something I wanted to do until I knew I wanted to defend Lauren. Defending people is what I want to do.

The sound of keys jingling causes me to put the book down, pulling Butler in my arms. As soon as the brown-eyed beauty opens the door, her eyes land on me and the dog. Her eyes widen and she smiles bright, my arms releasing the dog. He runs towards her and already jumps onto her, licking her hands and cheeks. Her laugh is all I need to know I did something right.

"Harry," she laughs, the sound so beautiful. My feet walk to her and she stands, wrapping her arms around me tightly. As soon as I wrap my arms around her torso, I know that this is home. This is where I want to be for the rest of my life.

"He's adorable. Oh my gosh," she mumbles, words muffled by my neck. I don't want to let her go.

"That's what I wanted for the house. A guard dog; military trained. I just need you safe," I remind her, setting a soft kiss to her neck. Our embrace continues and I pull my head up to look at her, resting my forehead on hers.

"Has he tried anything else?" she asks, my head shaking.

"Your father isn't coming near you. Your mother placed the restraining order today," I explain, kissing her lips lightly.

"So he can't come near me at all?" she asks, my head nodding.

"If he does, he has to pay a fine or if he doesn't abide by the rules of the restraint, he'll have jail time," I say, her fingers holding my shoulder. I reach up and grab one of her hands, placing the warm fingers on my cheek. The only thing she does is kiss me after, her fingers small enough to fit perfectly on my cheek.

"Let me make you dinner," she whispers, my lips tracing her jaw-line lightly.

"Okay," I smile, letting her go and grabbing the scrambling dog from the floor. I take him outside and toss the tennis ball, having fun with the little thing.

Once I whistle, I take Butler inside and wash my hands. The smells from the kitchen are amazing and I look around the corner of the door, Lauren's barefeet and tan legs on show. Her shorts just cover her bottom and my plaid shirt now adorns her torso.

Smiling at the beautiful girl, I turn out of the doorway and walk to the bedroom. My fingers reach into my pocket and I remove my phone, dialling Lance quickly.

"Hey mate," he says, answering fairly quickly.

"Hey, do you remember when I said that I need you to send me that thing?" I ask quietly, trying not to have Lauren hear this.