This is Home

Leoran

Get your emotions ready.

It's a little short, but I wanted it short and sweet, not too much.

-

"Wh-what?" Lauren asked, freezing.

"Leo, he was sick and we didn't know. That's why he hasn't been as active," Ally whispered, taking a step towards her youngest.

"I-is he, is he go-going to b-be okay?" Lauren asked, her eyes filled with hope.

Dinah shook her head. "We caught it too late. There isn't much we can do."

"Wh-where is h-he?"

"The hospital. Lo, there is nothing we can do," Dinah tried, looking at Lauren, who was still frozen.

Lauren started to breath heavily. "I-is he, is he d-dead?" Lauren asked, tears falling down her face.

"No, we wanted you to have a chance to say goodbye," Dinah whispered, hugging the younger girl.

Lauren nodded numbly. She looked down. Her family launched towards her, all of them hugging her. Lauren started to sob.

"C-ca-can I s-see, ssee hi-him n-now?" Lauren asked in a small voice.

Dinah nodded, "Lets go."

-

Lauren wiped her tears and kissed the top of her best friend's head. "H-hi Leo," Lauren whispered, giving him a small smile.

The dog raised his head a little and whined. He reached up and tried to lick her cheek, trying to give her a kiss back.

"M-mommy ssaid y-you h-hurt," Lauren whispered, stroking his head, "I-I don't, I don't wa-want you t-t-to g-go. I-I nee-need y-you wi-with mme. B-but th-the doc-doctor said w-we, I, sh-should le-let you g-go. I-I don't w-want to l-let you go."

Leo let out a whine, nudging her. Lauren smiled softly.

"I love you," she said, not stuttering since finding out about Leo. She gave him a hug, her eyes closed. She turned to the doctor. "A-are you g-goi-going to d-do i-it now?"

The doctor turned to her family. "After you leave."

Lauren shook her head. "C-can I-I st-stay wi-with him? I-I do-don't w-want him t-to be a-al-alone."

The doctor turned to Dinah. "We're all going to stay," Dinah said, nodding her head.

Lauren took a deep breath, muttering under her breath.

The doctor moved around while Lauren moved to talk to Leo. "Y-you're my b-best friend. Y-you're the rea-reason I w-was okay the l-last few y-years. Y-you p-protected me," Lauren whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I-I'm never, I'll never forget you."

"Hey Leonardo," Camila said, taking a step towards her sister and the dog. Leo's tail wagged slowly and weakly. "You're the best dog anyone could have ever had. No one can ever replace you. Thank you for find us, for protecting our family. Thanks for protecting my baby sister. I love you." Camila gave the dog a pat and a kiss on his head.