Everyone was charmed by Leo's bright smile but behind it all, he could barely keep it together inside. From taking care of his sick mother to suffering mental and physical abuse from his father to keeping up his perfect grades in school.
King was th...
I couldn't wait to get into the door. My hands were full carrying the box, drinks, and bag of food for Leo, Uncle Ben, and myself. There was more in the bed of my truck, but I would have to get it longer though. However, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Leo had been so out of it since I found him on the bridge after his dad kicked him out, but this..., I was hoping this would kick him out of it just a little. It took me so long to find it.
Walking into the house, Uncle Ben quickly walked over to grab the drinks off the top of the box before they got knocked off.
"You really found her. I wasn't sure you would be able to," Uncle Ben said, putting the drinks on the table.
"Where is he? In the room still?" I asked, trying to contain myself, but it felt like I was bouncing in the clouds, waiting to give this to him. "Hey, Leo! Can you come help me with this?" I yelled, getting a smack on the shoulder from my uncle.
Leo came out of the room a minute late, rubbing his eye and pulling his jacket about himself a little tighter. "What do you need help with?"
"I don't." Leo gave me a confused look. "I got something for you. It's in the box." I rubbed my hands together after setting the box down at his feet. My smile was so big I'm sure I looked crazy, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wipe it off.
Leo looked between us and then down at the box, and something thumped inside, making him jump back a little. "Uh, what the hell is it?" Leo asked, looking at us again.
I smiled as I kneeled. "It's okay, babe." I chuckled a little, opening it for him instead.
The white fur ball jumped out before I opened it all the way, making Leo jolt back. She meowed and rubbed against his leg almost immediately. "Win... What... Is this..., Winter?" Leo stumbled over his words as he dropped to his knees. His shaking hands came up as Winter rubbed her face against them, purring loudly.
"It took me a little while to find her. Then, I had to take her to the groomer before bringing her here, but yes. It's her. I... I hope you're okay with it." I couldn't look at his face. It was the moment I'd been waiting for since I found her all dirty in the park, yet I was too scared it would backfire, and this wouldn't make Leo happy after all.
Hearing a sniffle made me snap up. Looking into Leo's eyes as tears started dropping down his cheek, my heart stopped. Maybe this was a bad idea. Fuck. What if I just made it all worse for him instead of better?
I reached over, wiping a tear from his cheek. "I'm so sor-,"
"I... I can't believe you found her after all this time," Leo said, his voice wobbled, but before I could think of any words to try and comfort him, he pulled me into a hug. "Thank you. Thank you so much." He kissed my cheek, leaving behind warm tears.
I hugged him tighter, nudging the box out of the way with my knee to pull him closer, Winter purring in the middle. "I'm so glad you like it. I love you so much."
"I love you too." His arms tightened before pulling back to wipe his face with his sleeves. "Can she really stay here?"
He looked up at my uncle, who was still standing behind me. Uncle Ben never liked the idea of having a pet, but I knew he was okay with whatever it took to help Leo feel just a little better after everything he's been going through.
"Of course, it's okay with me, as long as you want her here. She's your cat."
"Thank you," Leo's voice creaked as he looked down, petting Winter's soft white coat from head to tail. "I just... I can't believe you did this. I don't know what else to say."
"You don't even have to say it. I'm just lucky I found her."
I watched as Leo picked her up and hugged her gently, but I could see he just wanted to squeeze her tightly by how happy he was. I knew how much she meant to him when I saw her always curled up with his mom upstairs. She was a sweet cat and loved anyone near her. Leo needed that when I wasn't here with him, and even when I was.
"I'll get the rest of her stuff from the truck. The vet said she was underweight but otherwise healthy. I took her there yesterday, and they were able to keep her overnight since the groomers were closed by the time we finished. The people at the pet store helped me get everything she needed. I've never had a cat before, so I was pretty clueless at the store today."
Just then Kiki walked in the door, carrying a bunch of begs. She looked between us and dropped them on the floor. "What the fuck King! I can't believe you didn't wait until I was home to give Leo his gift."
Oh right... That was a dick move after she helped me chase Winter down when we spotted her, but I wasn't thinking of anyone else besides Leo when I got home. Uncle Ben just got lucky he was in here because I wouldn't have waited for him either.
Kiki got down on the floor next to Leo, petting Winter, and started telling him how she fell in the muddy melting snow in the park trying to catch her, but I could see she was going to love having Winter around too.
After we got done eating, I brought in everything from the truck. Leo helped me find places for all of it around the house, but I could tell he was getting tired, so we showered together and got ready for bed. I left my door creaked open so Winter could come and go as she pleased throughout the night, something I would have to get used to. Leo said thank you to me nearly a hundred times by the time our heads hit the pillows, but I laughed and told him how happy I was that he loved it.
Winter jumped on the bed as we got comfortable, curling up beside Leo like I hoped she would. It's like she knew who needed her the most. First, Leo's mom, and now Leo. She truly was a great cat.
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