Forever and ever 2. The adventure starts now.

Part 48.

Christmas was coming and Parker just couldn't stop talking about the dog he claimed had run away from him.

The presents were all bought already, but I seriously started to think about the dog, wondering if maybe that was what Parker wanted for Christmas. Maybe not only what he wanted, but also what he needed. Without Tom and me, it would surely be good to have at least one buddy to look after him. The only question was whether Nikki would even agree to a dog, since she was the one taking care of Parker.

Today, Tom took him ice skating with Grandpa Dom, while I took Nikki for a walk. Although I loved the Christmas season because of the snow and the happy songs, I hated the cold where I couldn't walk more than a few miles without turning into a snowman.

My hands turned white, the tips of my toes went numb, and don't even get me started on my face. I felt like an ice cube. If not, even snowflakes started to form in my eyelashes. Fine, that was an exaggeration, but at such times I somehow missed the sun.

"Our friends Darleen and Peterson recently found a dog on the street." Nikki told me as we walked along a hill. Quite apart from the fact that I was just thinking about Parker and his dog, it somehow fitted the theme. "A little dalmatian puppy. He was said to be quite scared and playful when they found him."
"A puppy?" I questioned. Must have been pretty cold for the little one to be out on the streets all alone.
"Yes. Now they just don't know what to do with him. Darleen has a dog hair allergy, but they can't leave him in a shelter where they don't know who will get this little buddy either...."
"So he's still at their house?" I asked. She nodded.
"She sent me a picture of him. He's so cute, but I don't know if Dom would agree to get a dog." I understood that. I also didn't dare ask Tom if he wanted a second child anymore. After all, I already knew the answer, unlike Nikki as I suspected. "The same with Paddy," she went on. "although I've recently started to think a dog wouldn't be so bad for him... With the anger issues he has, he's starting to develope into Tom."
I nodded, even though I couldn't agree with her, because she sounded like it would be a bad thing if Paddy became like Tom, whereas it was not. Sure, Tom didn't have the best patience and dealt with getting his aggression under control, but he was also so much more than just anger issues. Even though it was a bit strange the last days and weeks because I knew he was still struggling with something, I knew that he was improving. I was sure of it. I hadn't seen him drink alcohol in weeks.
"I mean, I guess a dog wouldn't really hurt him. But... Tom and I have been thinking about something for a while now, and since we both have to go to different countries because of our jobs soon..." I hinted, wanting to take another deep breath to ask the actual question, when Nikki interrupted me.
"Yes. Oh yes! We would love to take care of Parker while you are away!" Sh exclaimed, and balled her hands into fists. Even squealed as happy as she was.
The answer came out of the blue, and I thought about whether I should regret it, because after all I hadn't discussed the subject with Tom yet, but then again, time was running out. It had to be done.
"Really?!" I questioned, not quite believing she agreed that easily.
"Yes! Oh of course Darling! I have just waited for you to ask me that question! I can't wait to spend more time with my grandson!" As happy as I was about Nikki's self-evident acceptance, I was still in doubt whether she really meant it. Nikki and Dom were no longer the youngest, that was a fact. So what if after just one week they had too much of a toddler and needed a break?

All right, Uncle Paddy was still around too, but he was also getting to an age where every teenager wanted to move out of the parental home.

I was thinking too much and soon realised it myself when I ran into a lamppost and bumped my forehead. That's what happens when you pay attention to the path instead of the surroundings.

There have always been two kinds of people. Those who laughed, and those who rushed to help. Nikki was fortunately of the second choice, and quickly stepped to my side to look at the bruise which was beginning to form a bump. Concern in her eyes, although it didn't hurt too bad, just throbbed a little.
"Do you need some ice?" She asked, wanting to bend down to scoop up some snow with her palms.
"No, I don't think that's needed." My forehead itself was already cooled enough by the cold. Well, it was running a little hot, but that was only because of the bulge throbbing like a heart.