𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓻𝓼. 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓜𝓮𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽...

Chapter 42

The next morning, Fern woke me up with wet kisses and I realized I had to go to school and work today. What was I going to do with her? Who would I ask to take care of her while I was out of my home? Should I take her with me? She looked at me with her big, beautiful eyes and I had no choice but to give in. I took a large enough bag that Fern could fit in, and I carried it with her in it on my back. I packed a few snacks that she could eat in case she got hungry, and I prayed that nobody would notice. When I got to the campus, she was already moving around and I had to go to a restroom stall to give her some food and not be so noticeable. Every now and then, though, my bag would move or kick and some people would give me strange looks and I have to smile as if everything was normal and then walk away quickly.

In my music class that day, she had fallen asleep in my bag and I let out a breath of relief that she'd be able to stay quiet long enough and maybe I'll make up an excuse later to go home early. The class was pretty normal for most of the session and I was able to distract my mind for a while, until someone crashed the symbols in the back of the class, making us all jump up in surprise. "Mr. Bolton", Mr. Birch yelled across the class from standing near the board, "How many times have I told you that these instruments are not toys?" He walked over to the boy who did it, and I could feel and hear Fern waking up in my bag and I had to sneak us out while he was still distracted. I ran to the nearest restroom when I crashed into someone, and my bag ended up open. I got up to see I crashed into Remington once again, and he smiled at me and said, "You've really got to stop falling for me, Carina." I lightly chuckled, and then stopped when I saw Fern crawl out of my bag and start running away.

"Fern, come back!", I shouted as I got off of Remington and helped him up, then he stopped me and asked, "Carina, what's wrong?" I pointed at Fern and brought him along with me, "My dog is running away, help me get her back!" We both then started sprinting after the wild puppy and followed her throughout the building. She was so fast for a small puppy, and I almost lost my energy. She was headed toward the cafeteria, and I told Remington to head toward the other side to try to corner her. He went the other way, and when she got there, he was waiting there and she stopped in her tracks. I stopped as well, and then we slowly got closer to her and she was frozen right there. When we close enough to her, I commanded, "NOW!" and we both jumped on her, but she ran out quickly and evaded us. We ended up hitting the ground and each other's heads.

"Ow", was all we could say and Fern was just standing there, looking at us writhe in pain. Then a pair of hands from behind her picked her up, and I looked up to see Emerson holding her. "Quite a handful you got here, Carina", he stated as he petted her head. I hung my head and rubbed my head. "Oh, I'm sorry you guys", I apologized with shame, "I found her last night and she didn't seem to belong to anyone, and I didn't have anyone to take care of her while I came to school today and-" I got interrupted when I felt my wrists being taken and moved away from my head, and looked to see Remington look at me with such worry and concern. "Carina, why didn't you ask us for help?" His voice was so genuine in his need to help me, it was hard for me to look at him. "I don't want to keep bothering you guys with my personal issues, and I guess I thought I could handle it myself."

Emerson walked closer with Fern still in his arms, and crouched down to my level. "Carina, if it hasn't been obvious to you by this point, let us make it clear", Emerson rested one of his hands on my back and smiled while saying, "You're a part of our family. You always have been and there's nothing we wouldn't do to help you or make you happy." I felt the tears build up as they both looked at me with true intent in their eyes, and I hugged Rem tight and he let me cry on his shoulder. "We know how we can help you", Rem said as he held me securely, "Sebastian doesn't really go to school anymore so you can leave her with him if you want." I pulled away from our hug, and wiped away my tears as I responded, "That'd be perfect." He smiled warmly at me, and then he got up first and helped me up.

"She is just so precious, Carina", Remington said while petting Fern, "What did you say her name was?" I Nuzzled her ear as I answered his question, "Fern, like the plant. I don't know if she belongs to anyone, but I really love her and I want to keep her to myself." Remington leaned close to Fern to kiss her little head, making my heart smile in response. She gave him doggy kisses and we all giggled at how much she's attached to Remington already. I was still shook that these boys that I've barely known for only about two months consider me a part of their family, and I couldn't even ask them to help me park my car. Do I even deserve to be considered that with them? What if they realize I'm not worthy of that title if they learn my darkest secret that could make them loathe me? As I looked at both of them being so lovingly with Fern, I put the dad thought away for now and enjoyed this moment in my life where I never felt more happy to be with a beautiful family.

AWWW!!! How sweet was this? There will probably be a lot of small chapters like this one before a few more special chapters I have planned to happen in this month of November in the story. But December will be the exciting chapter. 😉😉😉 Thank you again for your support and I love you all!!!

BTW, this is what the dog looks like in case you're curious (A King Charles Spaniel):