The Arrangement

14

Lili
Mom, Tess and Chloe left after a few hours. "Hey Lili?" I hear from the living room. "Yea?" I reply, heading for the living room. "Does your mom know you are having twins?" he asks and I think for a minute. "No." I say slowly. "You should tell her soon." he says. "I know, but wouldn't it be better to surprise her when they are born?" I reply. He pulls me into his lap and I rest my head on his shoulder. "Get some sleep." he says softly.

I woke up on the couch and there was a tray on the coffee table. I look around the room and Cole was asleep beside me. I sit up slightly and his grip tightens on me. "Cole. Wake up." I mumble, moving his arm. "Let me sleep." he groans. I chuckle and shake my head. "When did you put this tray here?" I ask. "A few minutes ago." he replies. I turn slightly to look at him. I kiss his cheek and set my feet on the floor. I drink some of the orange juice and turn the tv on. I lean back against him and eat some of the food.

I start dinner and feel arms snake around me. "I could have cooked you know." he whispers in my ear. "Maybe I wanted something specific." I retort. "And what would that be?" he asks, resting his chin on my shoulder. "It's an old family recipe." I say. "It smells amazing." he kisses my cheek and I plate the food. We sit at the island and eat some. "I'm surprised. You can actually cook." he teases. "Never know. I could've poisoned it." I smirk and he rolls his eyes. "You wouldn't be eating it if you did." he retorts. "True." I giggle.

He sets our plates in the sink and picks me up. "What are you doing?" I wrap my arms around his neck. "We are going to bed." he says like it's obvious. He lays me on the bed and gets in next to me. "Go to sleep." he says. "Goodnight." I mumble, resting my head on his chest. "I love you." he whispers, thinking I was asleep.

I heard Dakota barking and sat up. He was growing at the door and I look over. Cole wasn't in the room. I got up and Dakota ran through the house. I heard him bark and a girl shrieked. "Calm down Bree!" Dylan says. "Dakota!" I shout from the door. I take him outside.

Cole
"I swear that dog hates me. She should get rid of it." Bree says. "It's her dog." Dylan says. "It tries to attack me every time we come here!" she shot back. I heard the door close and Lili brought Dakota into the kitchen. "Hey Lili. How are you feeling?" Dylan asks. "Better. I'm just glad I'm not sick anymore." she sighs. Dakota barks again. "Hush." she says and grabs a water from the fridge. "I told you." Bree says.

"Told me what?" he asks. "That dog hates me!" she exclaims. "He doesn't hate you. He just doesn't know you." Lili says. "He growls and barks at me like he is going to bite me." she says. "He doesn't bite unless he is very upset." Lili says. "How do you know?" she asks and Lili sighs.

Lili kneels down to Dakota. "Open." she says and he opens his mouth. She sticks her hand between his teeth. "Close." she says and he closes his mouth slightly. "That's doesn't hurt?" Bree asks. "His mouth is barely closed on my hand. Open." she replies and stands. He lets go of her hand and nudges her leg. "Stop." she looks down at him and he nudges her again.

"You ok Lili?" Dylan asks and she nods, taking a deep breath. She starts making lunch. "What are you making?" Bree asks, stepping closer to her. Dakota growls and she steps back. He nudges Lili again but she ignores him. I ate closer and he growls at me. "Stop." I say and he sits at her feet. I touch her shoulder and she flinches. "You ok?" I ask. "Yea." she sighs.

Lili
I plate the food and Dakota nudges me again. "I am going to put you up if you don't stop." I threaten. He gives me a look and I sit at the island. "Why is your dog like that?" Bree asks. "Bree." Dylan says quietly. I take a bite of my food. I drop some for Dakota and he almost gets my fork. I chuckle and finish eating. I set my plate in the sink and go change.

"That dog has some serious problems." I hear coming from the living room. I stop in the hallway. "There is nothing wrong with her dog." Cole says. "Yes there is! It's crazy!" she exclaims. I step into the living room and grab a magazine. I sit in a recliner and put my feet up. Dakota jumps on it and curls up on my lap. "You aren't a lap dog." I mutter, looking through the magazine.