Some Strange Type of Peculiar Love

Sundays

Hugh's POV
I loved Sundays. Granted, everyday was a Sunday, but still. The sun felt warm on my back during the walk to town. Everything seemed more beautiful today, the trees seemed greener and the sky the most brilliant blue I've ever seen. I pushed the market door open as I read the grocery list in my pocket before I started the hunt for our necessities. The store smelled like fresh bread and pastries. I weaved around the children crying for sweets and confused store clerks into the ice boxes lined and filled to the brim with any cooled food you could dream of.

Milk, check
Bread, check
Eggs, check
Pickles, check
Cookies, check
Raspberry jam, check
Butter, check

For once, I didn't forget anything on the list, which Millard would call a miracle. I decided to get Fiona some new tea she wouldn't need to dry herself and some chocolate chip cookies. I wanted some Pop-Tarts in the worst way, but I didn't want to be in the present for too long. Fiona was almost 9 months along. Sure, it's a small chance that I would be gone more than an hour, but still. I want to be with Fiona the moment she went into labor.

I paid the grocer and stepped outside when I heard a tiny whimper. I looked down and saw a small golden puppy. I've seen him around the island before. The sun shine through his hair and made him almost glowing. He had a long body and a short snout like the beagle I used to have before I met Fiona, his name was Mickey.

Fortunately for us, animals, unlike people, don't reset everyday. They don't age at all, but they do remember you. Victor had a pet hamster once before Enoch killed it.
"I'll break your neck O'Connor!" He screamed. Victor was always carful around Chester, he only ever pet him with a toothbrush in fear he's accidentally snap his neck. Fiona to grow small foods for Chester and sneak in at night and play with him while Victor slept.
God I missed Victor. Most days we'd spend the whole afternoon playing soccer in the sun with Millard and occasionally Abe and Emma. The puppy barked at me breaking my trance and cocked it's head like Fiona when she heard something confusing. I laughed and picked him up.
"I'm gonna call you Sunny." The puppy barked and licked my face while licking my nose.

Sunny trotted along with me as I walked home. At first he tried to bite at my bees but eventually he understood not to. His floppy ears perked up while I whistled. As soon as he saw the gate he ran towards it as if he knew that's where he was supposed to be. I opened up the gate and Sunny pranced into the yard to do his business while I put the groceries inside. Fiona came over with her big belly and kissed my cheek.
"How was the market?" She smiled.
"Well...."
Fiona grinned, "what did you forget?" She said playfully.
"Well, it's more of what I got."
As if on cue, Sunny ran into the house and jumped on Fiona's legs. Fiona crouched to pick him up.
"Careful, darling." I put my hand in her back and helped her back up. I then bent down and picked up Sunny and gave him to her.
"If you really don't want him—"
Sunny barked and licked her face, "I love him!"
"Really?" I said relived. She giggled and kissed his nose, "I'm guessing you named him?" She cradled his head as she walked to the couch.
"You know me so well. I named him Sunny."
"Hello, Sunny." She said in a baby voice.
Sunny wagged his tail more and barked.
"He's precious." Fiona beamed. She ruffled his short soft hair and kissed his snout.

Fiona and I spent the rest of the afternoon playing fetch with an old handball Sunny found next to our new chair swing before falling asleep in the warm afternoon sun. I made some sandwiches (mine had chicken, but please don't tell) and Fiona leaned her head against my shoulder and nodded off as we watched the sunset. I could do this every day forever.

Fiona tapped me awake once the sun finally set. We took our pup inside and placed him on our bed.
"Hugh, do you want a boy or a girl?"
Truth be told, I haven't thought of it too much. All I want is a healthy baby, preferably peculiar.
"Either or. You?"
"I want a boy first."
First? As in more kids? I want a big family, but now it just seems so daunting.
"Then I want a girl, I always saw Victor as an older brother, and I want our child to have that too."
"Mhm."
"What about names?"
"I've always thought Victor if it's a boy." I admitted. Fiona smiled and started to cry.
"I cry at everything," she sniffled and laughed, "just ignore it."
Sunny woke up as Fiona sniffed and licked the tears from her face.
"Oh thank you baby boy." She laughed. He sat in her lap and promptly fell asleep again.

Ahhhh! I'm so exited to write the next chapter!!! It's gonna be so good I love it already lol. Anyways, how do you like the newest addition to the Apiston family? I love dogs and I just knew they had to have one, I mean, don't we all??
Anyways I know this chapter is short so I'm sorry ab that I've just been really stressed and last night my beta died so
my life is just not going my way rn

4/14/21