A Taste of Christmas

Chapter 3: Christmas Surprise Puppy

After spending a whole day in the Children's Ward,Aspen and Nate had a notebook full of wishes.The boss,Martin,was very happy to hear that other employees decided to donate items so that every wish will come true.There weren't many funds to do this charity event but as it happens book sales were going over the roof in December so they are quite confident that all the children will also get a free book from the agency.
It was now December 10th.Not much happened in the time break,Nate still got ornaments delivered from his mother every morning,Aspen kept teasing Nate about his crush and of course,the giant Rockefeller Christmas tree was still as bright as ever outside Nate's window.
-Come on Nate,you said you will get a tree this week! I was looking forward to it! Do you really want me to send Peter all the way to New York to get you one? mom said.
-No mom! I am free today,so I will get one.Geez,I still don't understand why you want me to get one,its not the end of the world...
-Nate,listen you have to forget Meghan and how she broke up with you last year on Christmas Eve.I told you she was a stupid one anyway!You can't just live like this forever.Enough of this nonsense now,have you got my package?
-Yes mom.I heard it get delivered.I'll go ahead and grab it on my way out.Ill talk to you later,okay?
-Okay Nate,but I better see a Christmas Tree OR I AM COMING OVER MYSELF !!
-Geez mom I got it,okay? *hangs up*

Nate gets dressed and goes downstairs.To his surprise,he heard a sad cry from an alleyway next to the block.He goes to check on it,thinking there someone who might need help....It was a small puppy,trown out in the snow.It didn't appear to have any tags or collars...And it looked like he was out in the snow for a while now...He was probably digging trough the trash cans for some leftover food.Nate was shocked and didn't know what to do....But he knew one thing: he couldn't leave that dog outside in the snow...So,he tried aproaching the puppy but it just came rushing towards Nate's leg and started rubbing around his boot.

-Hehe,looks like you are friendly..Do you want to come with me,bud?We can ask around to see if anybody knows where your home is!Watcha saying?

Nate picked up the dog and carefully held him and left the dark alleyway.

Well,off we go to get a Christmas Tree!

Walking on the street,he bumps into Chase and Jessica :

-Oh hey!Didn't know writers keep dogs as pets...

-Hey!I found this little guy on the street,so uh I am trying to find his owner or at least somewhere he could stay for a while...

-Oh my god,can I pet it?Please,please,please!

-Of course,Jessica,you may pet him.He looks friendly!

-Shouldn't he get some food?He looks very hungry...Daddy,can we find food for Mr Nate's doggie friend?

-Jess ,I dont know if he needs any help....

Nate's heart skipped a few beats...Walking to a Pet Shop,WITH HIS CRUSH?!?!?!?

-Daddy,you promised we can do whatever I want today....

-I tought you said you wanted to go Ice Skating?

-This is more important than Ice Skating,Dad!It looks like Mr Nate dosen't have any experience with dogs,and we must help him!!Remember Mommy had a dog aswell?

And just when Chase tought that Jessica forgot about his ex wife,Clare, whom he previously divorced two years ago,she brought her up again...He didn't have the heart to tell her that Clare did not want anything to do with "that child" ever again....So he just told her mommy had to leave for a very long time to Antartica and she wouldn't have Wi-FI over there,and Jess belived that...

-Um,Mr Nate?You look a little lost in space...Daddy you're a doctor,what is wrong with him??

-I am just a nurse sweetie,and um...-

-I,I am fine...Just had some thinking..What were you saying?Sorry...

-We just decided we are going to teach you how to take care of a puppy!

-We did....?

-You did...??Well uhm,of course then...I dont know if I will keep him,but for now yeah,I might some help...No need to bother though....

After spending a whole afternoon with Chase and Jessica,Chase helped him carry a Christmas Tree back to his block,while Jessica held the puppy and Nate held the dog supplies they bought from the Pet Shop.Apparently the person there checked and the puppy didn't have any identification devices on him so they could not find out if this boy had a home or not...Nate left his number at the store,in case someone looks for a Golden Retriver Puppy....

-Thank you so much for helping me today!Im deeply in debt to you guys...

-Aw man it was nothing.Anything for my little baby girl...

-You sure you got this,Mr Nate?

-How many times did I tell you to just call me Nate?

-Hehe,yeah...Here's the puppy!!What are you going to call him?

-I uhm...Haven't really tought of a name....What do you think of "Koda"?

-I think it fits him a lot!Have a good night,Nate!Daddy,do you think we still have time for one more thing?

-Have a great time with your new dog,I suppose...Sorry,sweetie what?

-I want to go eat tacos daddy!!!

Chase and Jessica leave,leaving Nate in his Apartment Hallway..As he enteres his flat,his phone goess on."Old bear" is the caller's nickname.

-Hi dad!What is it?

-Your mom annoyed me all day today.Please say you got a tree,because she is going nuts...

-I sure did!And something else aswell-

-Oh?Finally!What is that sound? mom said.Indeed,the puppy was running around on the wooden floors and made small tap sounds...

Nate just turns on his front camera and records the dog and the wrapped-up christmas tree sitting in a corner.

-Oh my gosh!A dog??What?From where??

-I found it out on the street...I tought i should keep him until I can find his owner...

-Aw that is my son!Allways having a sweet spot for animals!You seem a bit happy than usual,is there anything more you want to tell us?

As Nate recalls the whole day he had with his crush and his child,he cant keep himself from smiling...The hot cocoa,the pet store,walking in his apartment block followed by Chase...Heh,nothing else mom!I gotta go,I am putting up this tree and then i think Koda needs to eat again!See ya later,alligator!