The Arrangement

15

Lili
I get up quietly and go to the bathroom. I wash my face and brush my teeth. I change into some comfortable clothes and get in the car.

I pull up at the doctor and get called back. The doctor came in and starts the ultrasound. "The babies look healthy. You are 13 weeks along." she says and I smile. "Thank you." I say as she hands me a sonogram.

I get a hot chocolate from the cafe and take pictures with some fans. I get in my car and drive home. I step inside and set my keys and purse on the table. I grab a water and sit at the island. "Where did you go?" I hear from behind me. I jump up and spin around, clutching at my chest and stomach. "Jesus." I mutter. "Where did you go?" he repeats. I take deep breaths, trying to calm down. "Lili." he warns and I glare at him. "Will you give me two seconds to breathe!" I shout.

Tess came into the kitchen. "I have to go home." she sighs. "Ok. I will see you later." I hug her and she leaves. "You never answered my question." he snaps. I grab my purse and get the sonogram out. I shove into his chest and go to my room. I lock the door and sit on the bed. I turn the tv on and curl up with Dakota. "Lili." he sighs. "Please open the door." "So you can yell at me some more? I don't think so." I shot back. "I'm sorry. Please. Just open the door." he says.

I crack the door open slightly and he was leaned against the wall across the hall. "What do you want?" I ask. "I am sorry." he says. "You didn't even give me two seconds to breathe after scaring me to death." I scoff and he sighs. "I know." he says quietly. "Are we through? I have some binge watching to do." I say. "Open the door please." he pushes off the wall and I open it more slightly.

He gently pushes it open more and hugs me tightly. "I'm so sorry." he whispers in my ear and I hide my face in his chest. He picks me up and lays me on the bed. He lays next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. I lean into him and resume Netflix.

I woke up to the smell of pancakes. I slowly got up, nearly tripping over Dakota. I glare at him and go to the kitchen. I saw Dylan, Cole, Bree, Tess, and mom. "Where's Chloe?" I yawn. "She's at college. It is Monday." Mom replies and I nod. Dakota nudges my leg and I take him outside. He growls and tries to run off. "Dakota." I scold and he sits at my feet. I take him inside and undo the leash. I sit at the island and put my hands under my chin.

Dakota was sitting at my feet, eyeing everyone. "Stop." I say, patting his head. He lays down and curls up. "Did you take him to the vet?" I hear. I open my eyes slightly and look up confused. "Why?" I ask. "For his shots and stuff like that. He could have rabies you know." Bree says and I roll my eyes. "Dakota." Tess says. He looks up at her and his tail wags. She kneels in front of him and strokes his head, giving him a piece of food. "Quit making my dog fat!" I complain. "He isn't fat." she retorts and I squint my eyes at her. She looks up at me and smiles sweetly. "He gets fat, you are the one who is getting him to lose weight." I smirk.

We go to the living room and I sit in a recliner with Dakota at my feet. He rests his head on my knee and I pat my lap. He jumps and I put my feet up. He lays on my legs and I rub his side. He rolls to his back, resting his head gently over my stomach. Tess sits on the armrest, leaning against me. "You spoil that dog too much." she giggles. "At least I'm not making him fat." I grin and she rolls her eyes.

Tess fell asleep against me. Cole carries her to my room and came back a few minutes later. He rubs Dakota's chest and sits on the couch closest to me. Bree was eyeing Dakota and he rolled back over on my legs. He looks up at me with his head on my stomach. I cup his face, rubbing my thumbs back and forth. "Lili?" I hear. I look up and they were all staring at me. "Hmm?" I murmur. "How are you feeling with everything?" Mom asks and I shrug. "Ok I guess." I sigh, leaning back in the chair.

Bree walked past my chair and Dakota growled at her. I rub his head and he turns his attention back to me. "Why did you get such a big dog?" Bree asks and I feel a little panicked. Dakota nudges my hand and I don't respond. "Lili." someone says. Dakota stands and sits on my thighs, pressing against my chest. I try to get my breathing under control, but nothing was working. Dakota lays down on me, but I didn't move. He whimpers and I stare at the wall, trying to breathe. "How is he not hurting the baby?" I hear, but block everything from my mind. I hear Dakota growling and tries to focus on him. I push him gently and he jumps off my lap. I sit up, putting my feet down. He jumps back on me and rests against me. I get my breathing under control, and hug him tightly. He growls loudly, but I had my eyes squeezed shut.