The Missing Gem

36 | Sparkles

Lucas

Turns out, the dalmatian puppy doesn't have an owner. She had no microchip either, and the vet was leaning much more towards abandoned rather than lost. According to her size and her teeth, the vet confirmed to us that she was around two months old, not much older than that.

When the vet asked us if we were thinking about keeping her, it wasn't even a question in mine and Nicole's head - we were absolutely surrendered to that little puppy and her cuteness.

We gave her a bath, bought her a bed, a few toys for her to play with, a collar with a name tag, a leash and she was just as happy to go home with us as we were to take her.

Deep down, and as selfish as that may seem, I'm glad she was in fact abandoned, so we could keep her. Not getting attached too her was hard. So hard that on the first night after a few whines I picked her up and let her sleep on our bed. 

However, she had been with us for over two whole weeks and we still haven't agreed on a name for her. 

Spots seemed too obvious. Same goes for Freckles. 

"What time is it?"

"Good morning to you too." I walked towards Nicole who made it from the bedroom to the kitchen with one eye closed and one open, and kissed her lips. "It's almost eight."

"Oh."

"Go back to bed." I offered, nodding towards the bedroom.

"I can't. Diane and I are meeting with the publishers one last time before I sign the contract. What are you doing up so early?"

During the course of these past six months, Nicole and Diane teamed up to face the editors and publishers, and were working hard in order to avoid any changes being made to her book. It was the story she created, the story she wanted to tell, and it should be published the way she intended to write it and not the modified version. 

"It's my first day at Pixar today. Actually, that's not true." I corrected myself. "I'm gonna sign all the papers today and actually start tomorrow."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry I forgot, it's just... it's too early and my brain isn't functioning yet." She bent down to pick up our dog and the four legged friend gladly accepted her cuddles.

I finished my breakfast and with a goodbye kiss from both my girls, I walked out the door, sat in the driver's seat and drove to The Pixar Animation Studios. 

After all this time it's still surreal to me that this was where I would be working, where I would be living my dream.

After passing under the Pixar logo at the entrance of the headquarters, I was stopped by the security. A tall man with a muscular body asked me who I was, I answered him my name and the man immediately let me through.

If I had to describe this moment, I'd describe it as the turning point in my life - when the security guy at Pixar knows my name and let's me in.

"Lucas! It's good to see you back here!" Robert Smith said with excitement before giving me a firm handshake. This was the man who spoke to Nicole on the phone and one of the people I met with back in November. Also known as the brains behind the creative team.

"I'm happy to be back here."

"Follow me into my office."

I did as told and sat down on one of the acrylic, transparent chairs that laid in front of his desk while he took the seat behind the wood table. 

"So, how was your semester in Santa Monica College? Tell me all about it." He interlaced his fingers as his hands rested on the table.

"It was amazing. Definitely very different than my college experience in London, but I loved it."