Fall - A Rocky Lynch Story

Chapter 23

"It sleeps in my room!!" Avelyn shouted, "I call dibs!"

"Stop being loud." Rocky told her with a warning look.

"But I want the-" she paused her whining and looked at Rocky while I eyes Mason's pout carefully.

"If you don't stop, the puppy sleeps in Mommy and Daddy's room." He threatened.

"Okay..." She crossed her arms.

I knew the second the puppy waddled it's way into our house that it would be a mess. It turns out it wasn't potty trained well. And it went three times during the night. Brave little Rocky went out with it so I could try and sleep. Although that was something I still had struggled with.

"I don't want a puppy." He uttered at four am when the dog whined loudly to be let into our room.

I giggled sleepily, "I wonder how Avelyn feels."

"She sleeps with her door open," He groaned, "Who know's where the dog has peed. Who know's what he's torn up."

"Just go to sleep..." I mumbled and rubbed my hand on his chest.

"It's worse than having a new born." He concluded.

"Hah, this is just for one night. Those poor people have to take him back tomorrow..." I sighed heavily and sat up, "I'll go let him in."
I opened the door and the dog came running inside, begging to be let up on our bed. "Rocky." I whispered.

"Mmm," He mumbled.

"Can he sleep with us?" I asked.

"If it keeps him quiet." He moaned.

I let the small dog up onto our bed and he quieted down immediately. He snuggled up between Rocky and I and then all I heard was snoring.

* * *

I fixed myself a cup of coffee and sat like a zombie. The moments until Ellie's nap passed all too slowly. I was slightly thankful my other kids had school today so that I could get some quiet time. The puppy came running into the living room with a sock in its mouth and I took it from him. "Thanks buddy." I petted him gently and heard a knock at the door.
I walked over and the little puppy barked like it was fierce at the door. "You much be the owner?"

I greeted a small blonde woman in work out clothes. I shook her hand and she smiled at me. "Yes," She smiled, "I'm Grace."

"Juliette..." I picked up the puppy and handed her over.

"Thanks for watching her." She said, "He can be a handful..." she smiled at me and Ellie poked her head around at her. "And who's this?"

I picked up my daughter and smiled, "This is Ellie, she's our youngest."

"Oh how many do you have?" She asked and waved to Ellie.

Ell hid her face in my hair and I laughed, "We have four."

"Oh my..." Grace nodded, "Well, you've got your hands full. We've got two of these little guys." She petted the little dog, "They're a mess. This was gonna be our test to see if my husband and I were ready to have kids," She made a scared face and giggled gleefully.

"Well, from my personal experience, the first kid is a piece of cake. The second is rough. And by the third and fourth, you've already got so much going on that it doesn't really matter." I told her with a laugh.

She smiled, "That's good advice." She looked down at the puppy, "I think I should get him home, but if you guys ever wanna stop by and let the kids play with the puppies, we'd love to have you all over. We live three houses down in the red brick."