Perfect Imperfections

Fifteen

"Jake, seriously, where are we going?!" I laughed as he drove through a part of town I hadn't seen.

"Well, a few things are happening today! One, you know already-"

"I'm free of my second pair of legs, I know." I laughed, happy to be off the crutches.

"Two, it's my birthday today!" He grinned, which I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"I know this, idiot. We're going to the diner for your party." I said and looked at the clock.

"Which is in an hour, mind you." I said, but he turned and grinned at me as he stopped on a wooded road.

"Third, I have an early Christmas present for you." He said and I eyed him, wondering what it could be. When he turned the final corner, my eyes widened as I saw the animal shelter.

"Jake, you didn't!" I breathed and looked at him.

"Come on." He grinned after he parked and we got out, going inside.

"Hey, Jake!" A pretty blonde greeted Jake and he hugged her.

"All ready?" She asked and he nodded.

"We are. This is AJ, my Smarty." He introduced me and I waved as the girl smiled.

"Taylor. Give me a minute, I'll be right back." She said and went through a door.

"Jake, seriously, please tell me this is real!" I begged and he came over, holding my shoulders.

"Merry early Christmas, Adalyn." He smiled then kissed my head right as the door opened and I heard a deep bark. When Jake moved, I stared at the black Cane Corso on a leash and dragging Taylor as he tried to get to us.

"Adalyn Jade, this is Chewie!" Jake laughed as he pet the dog, who was looking at me expectantly.

"Chewie?! I fucking love it!" I laughed and kneeled, hugging the dog who easily reached my stomach height and kissing him.

"Miss Adalyn, here's your certificate of ownership." Taylor said and I looked at Jake, who smiled.

"He's your dog, Smarty." He said then I stood and took the certificate, fighting tears as I saw my name under owner.

"My dog!" I laughed and looked at Chewie, who was panting and looking up at me.

"Here's the food we've been giving him, along with his favorite toys and his bed. Oh, and your coats, Jake." I looked at Taylor then saw one of Jake's jackets and one of my jackets in the bag.

"To familiarize him with us." I said and Jake nodded as he took everything.

"Before I forget, here's his training certificate too." Taylor said and I took it then read it over.

"Protection training?" I asked and looked at Jake.

"He already had some training, plus natural instinct, we just finished up his training. Taylor wore your jacket and we trained him to recognize your scent. Obviously, he'll be protective of you more so than me, but-"

"Thank you!" I laughed and hugged Jake's neck, nearly crying as I gripped him.

"Don't we got a dinner to get to?" Jake grinned then I nodded, looking at Chewie as I let go.

"He's also car trained." Jake said and I laughed.

"That was a must." He said then I took Chewie's leash and we left the shelter. As I walked the dog, I saw him happily trotting towards the black truck he recognized as his owner's truck.

"Up." I said when the door was open and Chewie hopped up into the backseat, laying down as I shut the door.

"Jake, this is too much!" I laughed as Jake put Chewie's things into the trunk in the bed of his truck.

"No, it's not." He said then grabbed my hips, smiling at me.

"If anything, it's not enough. I was trying to get you a mastiff, but-"

"A Cane Corso though, Jake! That's just as amazing!" I laughed and he smiled.

"Let's go before we're late." He said, making me smile as we got into the truck. When we got to the diner, I walked in with Chewie and I saw everyone Jake was close to here.

"You like your present?" Katie laughed as she hugged me.

"I love him!" I said and let go, looking down at Chewie.

"He's absolutely perfect." I said then looked at Jake to see him greeting some of his old friends.

"He does too much for me." I whispered and Katie softly laughed.

"I'll let you in on a secret, Adalyn." She quietly spoke then she hugged my shoulders.

"My son has never, ever done what he's done for you for anyone else! You are a special, special girl!" She exposed her son and I smiled as Jake looked over at me, flashing me a smile. That night, I was laying in my bed again and Chewie was laying at the foot of the bed.

"Goodnight, Chewie-" I stopped as he lifted his head, growling at my bedroom door.

"Chewie?" I whispered, sitting up in bed as he shot up and ran out of my room.

"Chewie!" I yelled when I heard him barking. I got to the landing then gasped when I saw someone standing on the other side of the glass door, Chewie barking and pushing his front paws against the glass. When the lights flipped on, I saw Jake standing there with a bat wearing only his sleep pants.

"Chewie!" I called my dog and went downstairs, holding Jake's arm as he watched the intruder, who was obviously frightened by Chewie.

"Chewie, come!" I ordered and he came towards me, letting Jake go over. He ripped the door open then grabbed the intruder, Chewie growling as the man laid on the ground.

"Take off the fucking mask!" Jake growled as he held his bat up. I watched the man pull his mask off then Jake glared.

"Jared?! What are you doing here?!" He growled as I held Chewie's collar, trying to keep him from attacking this obviously known person.

"Come on, Jake! You're getting a piece of that girl, share with the rest of us-"

"You're fucking sick!" Jake snarled and looked at me.

"Call the cops, Smarty!" I nodded and let go of Chewie to call the cops. My dog happily kept that man in place until the police arrived.