Baby "Jayn"

"Buddy wash sho niche and cute and it licked Jayn'sh hand"

Chapter 63
{Anne}

Zayn skipped along with her as they walked down the street. Anne smiled as a soft breeze blew. She'd missed the neighborhood. It had been months since she'd last been here, partly due to the fact that Harry usually came home to Cheshire instead.
She used to take small walks with him in the autumn and he'd love to join her. Anne smiled at the memory.

A man with a beagle- the dog with the flappy ears and cute little snout- walked out of a house. Zayn jumped up at the sight, a huge grin plastered on his face. His energy reminded her too much of Harry's childhood.
"Can Jayn pat it?" he whispered to her. Anne smiled at him. "Why don't you go ask?"

Zayn took hesitant steps forward as the man exited his gate. Then he turned around, cheeks pink and walked back towards her. He grabbed Anne's hand and tugged at it. "Let'sh go."

Anne placed her hands on her hips. "But the dog?"

"Shh," Zayn whispered. Anne chuckled, shaking her head. She turned to the man who had just finished locking his gate. "Excuse me, could Zayn pet your dog?"

The man looked up and he smiled at Zayn. "Sure, Buddy loves kids."

Anne gave Zayn a soft shove since he was clutching her leg and not moving. Zayn took slow steps forward. He petted the dog, rubbing his head gently. "Doesh he bite?" Zayn asked, looking up at the man and squinting since the sun came in his eyes.

"Nope, unless you're a cat. He hates cats. You're not a cat, are you?"

Zayn giggled, shaking his head. "Am not a cat. What'sh hish name?"

"Buddy."

Zayn grinned and held out his hand as if he expected the dog to shake it. "Hi Buddy, am Jayn."
As a reply, the dog licked his palm and Zayn laughed.
"He likes you," the man said, chuckling softly.

"What'sh youw name?" Zayn asked the man curiously.

"Mark." The man smiled. "Nice to meet you Zayn."

"Niche to meet ywou too Mawk," Zayn said politely. Buddy licked his hand again, nuzzling his nose in Zayn's palm. Zayn giggled. "Buddy'sh cute."

Anne couldn't help it and she laughed, pulling out her phone to taking a picture.
"Well, I have to go now, but maybe I'll see you around," Mark said to Zayn.

Zayn nodded and he waved as the man left. "Bye Budddy and Mawk!"

Mark waved back, chuckling. Anne pocketed her phone, smiling. "He was cute wasn't he?"

Zayn nodded, wiping his hand on his jacket. "And wet."

As Anne began to walk in the direction of the park, Zayn's stomach growled. "Hungry?" Anne asked and he nodded shyly. She decided to keep the park for another time and turned around. "Let's go home and eat, what do you say?"

Zayn nodded happily. "Owkay!"

On the way back, Zayn picked up every color leaf he could find. A red one, a yellow one, a green one and a brown one. "Am gonna show theshe," he said proudly.
Anne pushed open the front door and stepped inside. Gemma walked over to them, an apple in her hand. She was still in her pjs, her hair pulled up into a ponytail. "Hey, where were you guys?"

"Jayn and Hawwy'sh mum went out," Zayn said excitedly. He showed her all the different colors he'd picked leaves in. "Look sho pwetty."

"Wow, these are nice," Gemma commented, winking at him. She took a bit out of her apple as Anne hung her coat on the rack.
"Jayn met Buddy, he wash niche and cute." Zayn continued to talk about their walk and while he did, Anne took off his jacket and shoes. She hadn't looked out for a child for quite some time and the feeling was nice, to just be with such a little soul. She thought her next time would be with Gemma or Harry's child, which in some way, Zayn was.