Sequel (Advent Calendar 2016)

THE 13TH OF DECEMBER

The 13th of December

...

She's sitting on the couch, blanket draped over her shoulders as she scrolls on her phone. Her hair is a blonde mess and her eyes are clear from having recently opened. She yawns, and he can't help but smile at her. You're a sight for sore eyes.

He gets up from the bed, stretching his body. He hadn't planned on sleeping till the next morning, but the exhaustion and having her in his arms were enough for him to sleep for eleven hours. He sits down on the couch, closer to her than he would have two days ago.

"Good morning," she greets him, her voice all sleepy. "Good morning," he whispers hoarsely. "How are you feeling today?"

She sighs, locking her phone and putting it on the table. "Better," she says, looking up at him. "It's always worst the first day," she says, sounding relieved that it's over. "It wasn't as bad with... you, though."

He smiles, rubbing her arm gently. When he sees her slight smile, his heart jumps in his chest.

Her phone makes a sound and they both look at it. Kristen picks it up, looking at the screen.

"How are the dogs?" Rob asks when he sees her lock screen.

"Uh, uhm, they're fine," she answers, a little distracted. She looks away from her phone, giving Rob her full attention. "They're happier than they've ever been." Rob feels like someone has pinched his chest. He tries to hide it, but Kristen sees it. She bites her lip, feeling bad. "They miss you though," she says, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. He mimics her smile.

"I miss them too," he admits, his eyes lingering on Kristen's lock screen as it lights up with an Instagram notification. Kristen glances at the screen, then looks back at him.

"Wanna see them?" She asks. He looks at her, studying her face.

"Today?"

"Yeah, why not? We have the day off. And I need to go home anyway. Suzie is going to New York with Jack, and someone needs to feed them."

He thinks about it for a minute. "Okay?" He says making it sound more like a question than an agreement. She chuckles at him. "Just shut up and come to my place at 4."

...

"Hey love!" Rob exclaims as Bernie greets him at the door to Kristen's house. "Where's your brother?" He asks her, getting down on the floor to pet her. As if on cue, Bear comes running towards him, patiently waiting till he's done giving Bernie love before nudging his snout against Rob's arm. Rob chuckles at the happy dogs and lets his hands run through their furs. "I missed you two," he tells them. They both look up at him, their tails wagging uncontrollably. The sound of a set of paws tapping against the floor makes Rob look away from the dogs in front of him. From the doorway, Cole appears, walking slowly towards her siblings and Rob.

"Hello," he greets her as she comes over to him, wanting to be petted as well. He smiles. Making sure all three dogs get the same amount of love, he pets them.

Looking up for a moment, he realises Kristen is leaning against the doorway, looking at him.

"Hi," he says sheepishly.

"Hey," she says, setting her beer on the table in the foyer. Getting up from the floor, he walks over to her and gives her an one-armed hug. "Want one?" She asks, lifting up the tin. "Uh, yeah," he says, running a hand through his hair. She feels herself smiling and snorts to cover it.

He follows her into the kitchen, where she opens the fridge and takes out a beer for him.

"Cheers!" Kristen says, holding up her drink when Rob has opened his. They clink the tins together.