Erik laughed. “Yes. Unless you’ve got something else going on. We don’t have anything coming up for the next while, so we could be home to get everyone settled in. Before we have the next potentially world-ending supernatural catastrophe.”
Ben stepped forward and kissed Erik on the lips. “I love you so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Erik kissed him back. “You know, we need to decide if the dog gets to sleep on the bed. I’ve heard that dogs can be almost as disruptive to sexy times as small children.”
“Long-lasting chew toys. Bribery is a great distraction,” Ben said. “I’ve gotten tips from other couples. We’ll figure it out.” Ben threw his arms around Erik. “We’re getting a dog!”
Tired as they were, despite the late hour, Ben couldn’t help looking around the apartment as they got ready for bed.
“We could put the dog bed there, or there.” He pointed to the foot of their bed or a nearby corner. “Food dish and water bowl can go in the kitchen nook, where we won’t trip over them. We’ll find out what the shelter has been feeding it and pick up some of that food for starters.”
“We can ask around for a good vet,” Erik added as he stripped out of his clothes and pulled on sleep shorts and a T-shirt.
Ben watched him disrobe appreciatively, knowing that they were both too tired to do anything strenuous tonight. Even the buzz of excitement over becoming dog parents would fade, and they would crash and burn with exhaustion after all that had happened.
“We’ll need a ball, toys, a collar and leash, plus a harness for in the car.” Ben stripped and dressed for bed.
“Didn’t know you were into that,” Erik teased.
Ben rolled his eyes. “Stuff for a bath—for the dog. And we need to find out about dog training classes. It’s a big commitment.”
Erik pulled him close. “It is. And we’re up to it. But I’m dead on my feet. So try to stop bouncing, and let’s get some sleep so we can get to the morning faster.”
Ben kissed him again. “I’m going to see if I can put myself to sleep thinking of dog names like counting sheep.”
They climbed into bed and kissed again, slower this time but without heat or urgency. Just being warm and comfortable helped to slow Ben’s racing thoughts, and he felt the exertion of the last few days begin to take its toll.
Ben woke in the morning, having slept like a rock. Nightmares didn’t wake him, and neither did an adrenaline surge about going to look for a dog. With the dome and the window safely gone and their attackers in custody, they didn’t have to worry about mobsters outside their door, at least for now.
“You were really zonked,” Erik said as Ben dragged himself to the bathroom. “Or maybe I was. I didn’t hear a peep.”
“We were both exhausted,” Ben admitted as he reached for his toothbrush. “But I’m still excited for today.”
“I checked the shelter hours,” Erik told him after they had both showered and dressed. “By the time we finish breakfast and drive over, they should be open. There’s a whole process for would-be dog parents.”
“I read it.” Ben made coffee while they talked. “As far as they know, we have normal, safe, boring jobs without any supernatural stuff or Mafia hitmen.”
“We do have normal, safe, boring jobs,” Erik countered. “The ghosts and the Mob are extracurriculars.”
“Like hobbies?” Ben joked.
Erik rolled his eyes. “Some people watch crime dramas. We just take that a couple of steps further.”
“They want us to describe what our normal schedule is, and they’ll ask questions about what we want to do, like hike, go boating, that sort of thing, to make suggestions about what sort of dogs might or might not like that,” Ben continued. “Then we get to play with the dogs and see if we find love at first sight.”
“We’re clearly going to need to lie about our normal schedule, at least what it’s been like recently,” Erik pointed out. “Ghosts, mediums, magic, and Mafia shoot-outs probably won’t make a good impression.”
“I’m sure we can sound boring and normal if we really try,” Ben replied.
“You know it might take more than one visit,” Erik cautioned. “I don’t want you to be disappointed if we don’t find the right match immediately. We can go back as many times as we need to, and check some of the shelters in the area too.”
“Is that just good advice or do you have a sixth sense about it?” Ben asked.
“I feel hopeful, but nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone I’ve ever talked to about adopting said that they knew when they saw their forever pup. I’m trying to stay open to possibilities.”
Ben leaned in and kissed him. “You’re going to be an awesome dog father.”
“Isn’t that the movie with Al Pacino?” Erik quipped.
