Fate || BENNIFER

Gone

Jennifer's P.O.V

The soft glow of the setting sun cast a warm, golden hue across the neighborhood as we arrived home with Emme and Max after their school play. The excitement and joy from the performance still lingered, as they continued to repeat their lines over and over. Ben cradled Grace in his arms, her tiny fingers gripping at his shirt.

As we stepped through the front door, the kids still buzzing with energy, laughter filled the room. In that moment, nothing could've prepared us for the unexpected twist the evening would bring.

My eyes scanned the room, taking in the scene of pure joy. But my heart skipped a beat when I saw Emme running towards me, anguish clouding her features.

"Mommy! I can't find Lola!" She blurted out, panic etched on her face.

"Did you check the backyard?" I asked.

"Yes." Her pout deepened as she nodded. "I looked everywhere, but she's not there."

"She always comes when I call her name." Max said, his voice filled with innocence and confusion.

My worry escalated, my mind racing through the possibilities as I turned to find Ben.

"Lola is nowhere to be found." I whispered.

A furrow formed between Ben's brows as he processed the information.

"Do you think she managed to find a way out?" He asked, his voice filled with a mixture of worry and guilt.

My heart sank as the weight of our missing dog settled upon me. The once vibrant evening now carried a somber undertone. Ben handed Grace to me and knelt down in front of Emme and Max.

"Let's search the house again, just to be sure." He suggested. "Lola might be hiding somewhere."

We split up, each one calling out Lola's name in a desperate bid to locate her. The house was filled with an air of anxiety, each room echoing with our pleas, but there was no response. Emme started crying, tears streaming down her face as she realized our beloved dog wasn't there.

"She's gone." Emme choked out between sobs.

I knelt down beside her, gently wiping away her tears.

"We're going to find her, baby." I tried to reassure her.

"Put on your jackets." Ben instructed.

"We should call the cops." Max innocently suggested.

"Let's go around the neighborhood and see if we can find her ourselves, alright little man?" Ben replied.

"Okay." Max agreed, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.

Having thrown on our jackets to ward off the chill of the night, we left the house, lanterns in hand. Emme and Max ran ahead, their voices echoing through the quiet neighborhood. Ben and I, staying close to each other, took turns carrying Grace in our arms.

As we rounded a corner, a man appeared, walking his own dog. Max's eyes lit up as he approached the stranger.

"Have you seen our dog?" He asked. "She's a furry golden retriever."

"I haven't. I'm sorry." He replied, his voice carrying a tinge of sympathy. "But I'll keep an eye out for her."

"Thank you." Max said, disappointed etched on his face.

"Stay within sight, don't stray too far." I reminded them.

We combed through every street, every alley, our eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of Lola. But an hour passed, and still, there was no trace of our dog. The weight of disappointment settled upon our shoulders as we turned back towards home, our steps slower than before.

Max and Emme, usually full of energy and chatter, were unusually quiet. They slumped onto the couch, their small bodies sinking into the cushions. They barely moved, their sadness palpable in the air.

Ben and I stood close together, our bodies pressed against each other in a tight embrace. Ben's lips gently pressed down on my head, offering comfort.

Just as the weight of the moment threatened to become overwhelming, a sound broke through the silence. The jingle of the bell reached our ears, causing everyone to raise their heads. Rushing towards the door, Ben and I opened it, only to find Lola slipping inside without us even fully opening. Max and Emme's faces lit up with pure delight as they exclaimed her name.

As we opened the door completely, our gaze shifted to a close neighbor who stood with a smile on his face.

"She just sneaked into my backyard." He explained. "Wrong house, but she definitely knew who she was trying to get back to."

"Thank you for bringing her back. They were worried sick." Ben said, his voice filled with relief.

"I'm glad I could help." He nodded, a warm smile still present on his face. "Good night."

"Good night." I echoed, as he turned to leave.

Closing the door, we turned around to face the change of atmosphere. The room was now filled with happiness and excitement as Emme and Max showered Lola with hugs and kisses. Lola, tail wagging uncontrollably, seemed to understand the significance of her return.