Future

Chapter 38

*Lexi's POV*

"Lexi!" Zuma ran out into the hall as I was finishing packing Aiyana's toys away with Everest. The lab burst into the room, panting excitedly.
"What's up?" I asked as me and the husky shot him a confused look.
"I know what might make Wocky happy - a way to make him feel he has puwpouse." It was true; Rocky had felt he didn't have much purpose since he ran away despite us trying to convince him otherwise.
"As much as I'd love to stay and listen," Everest began. " I have to go get the pups now that Skye can't ." Oh yeah. That too - Skye's expecting litter number two. That means next year her and Chase's girls have to share a room and the same with the boys. I wonder how there are so many rooms in this place I really do.

The husky left the room and Zuma looked up at me, tail wagging furiously.
"Go on." I giggle
"Well I've noticed he seems a lot happiew awound the pups. They always cheew him up and when we'we asked to pup-sit, he's so pewky."
"Zum, could you possibly cut to the chase?" I ask politely, remembering that I put dinner in the oven.
"I think me and Wocky awe weady fow a pup. A pup of ouw own." Part of me was shocked yet at the same time, I was expecting this at some point.
"Come help me with dinner, we can talk in the kitchen." I nodded.

Me and Zuma walked past the others, him stopping momentarily to nuzzle his mate, as we walked to the kitchen.
"How much longer for food?" Rubble asked. Some things never change.
"Not too long." I smiled, sliding the doors to the kitchen shut. I turned to Zuma and knelt to his level.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked.
"Yeah. I'm cewtain." He nodded. I paused to think for a few seconds then nodded.
"Ok. We'll see what we can do. Maybe start looking next week?" Zuma barked happily at my response and started bouncing around in joyful circles. I laughed as I pulled the dish of pasta bake from the oven and set it on top to cool for a little while. I sat at the table with the lab next to me.
"Happy?" I queried.
"Vewy. Thank you Lexi." He rubbed his head against me. "Do you think it'll be ok? When it's older. What if they'we bullied fow having two dads?" He wondered aloud.
"No one ever said it'd be easy, and yes that's a possibility of what could happen in the future. But you and Rocky can cross that bridge when you come to it and we'll all help you if you need us."
"Thanks Lex."
"Hungry?"
"Stawving!"

After putting all the dishes away, I walked onto the balcony and stood in the moonlight.
"Where the hell are you Austin?" I whispered, knowing full well that he couldn't hear me. He'd taken a position at the animal shelter since coming home but was usually back by five. Now eight, and having no text or call, I was worried.
"You ok Mum?" I heard Rocky's voice from behind me. I turned to look at the mix and smiled.
"Yeah. Just wondering where my idiot of a husband is." The canine laughed slightly and his mate walked over to him, nuzzling his neck. Rocky yawned.
"You guys carry on to bed. You're clearly tired." I smiled. Rocky didn't argue and headed straight to his and Zuma's room. The lab looked to the door that was now opening. I walked inside and spotted an exhausted looking Austin with a couple of blankets in his arms.
"Hi babe. Um...what's with...?" I gestured towards the blankets.
"The reason I'm late." He nodded. My husband passed the bundle to me and headed for the kitchen.
"It's in the microwave." I called over my shoulder. Zuma padded over to me.
"What is it?" He tilted his head to the side.
"I don't know." I lifted a small portion of the white material and both of us peeked inside. The pair of us smiled.
"Looks like you don't need to wait a week." I giggled.
"Yeah." Zuma sighed, his gaze fixated on the newborn Australian Shepherd pup in my arms.