“Me neither,” Ollie agreed. “Come on, we’d better make sure my mom’s not already choosing paint colors.” Ollie steppedaway from him but kept a firm hold on his hand, and Sam followed as Ollie led them down the hallway.
Ollie
One month later
The energetic eight-week-old puppy launched across the yard toward JoJo, who barked and leapt out of the way. The puppy tumbled over her own feet but recovered quickly, jumped up again, and yipped as she continued to chase JoJo around the yard.
Ollie leaned back against Sam’s chest and laughed, and he felt Sam’s arms tighten around his waist and then a gentle kiss breathe against his cheek.
“She’s such a klutz. And totally adorable,” Ollie said. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back and to the side and was rewarded with another soft kiss from his husband.
Sam hummed contentedly. “I think she might actually wear JoJo out. Look.”
Ollie chuckled as he opened his eyes again. JoJo lay stretched out in the middle of the lawn, her tongue lolling out the side of her mouth as she panted. And Sandy ran circles around her before jumping on her back and grabbing for her ear. JoJo just shook her head and then lowered her chin to her paws as the pup continued her antics.
“Well, I hope Sandy at least sleeps well tonight. Not like last night,” Ollie said, lifting his wine glass to his lips. He took a brief sip and then leaned back into Sam again. He felt Sam nod.
“As soon as she learns she’s got her bed and we’ve got our bed, it’ll be fine.”
“Oh, that’s funny.” From behind them, Ollie heard his mom’s voice, and he straightened up a bit and turned toward his mom, grinning.
“Funny?” he asked.
“That you think you’re going to be able to train her tonotsleep in your bed.” His mom stopped next to them, gazing out to where the two pups were.
“She’s smart,” Sam argued, shifting a bit so he was standing more to Ollie’s side, one arm around Ollie’s shoulders. “She’ll figure it out.”
“Sure she will,” Ollie’s mom said, her tone teasing. “I said the same about JoJo, and we all know how that turned out.”
“Mom, JoJo’s—”
“Spoiled? Yes, she is. But don’t even try to tell me Sandywon’tbe.”
Sam laughed, the low sound rumbling through his chest. Ollie turned and wrapped his free arm around Sam’s waist.
“Oh, she will be,” Sam said, and he planted a light kiss on Ollie’s forehead. “My husband here wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Ollie happened to glance at his mom at that moment, and she was watching him with the softest smile, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She bit her lip and gave him something of a small nod. His heart felt so full.
Sam cleared his throat. “I’m pretty sure that pup’s going to have both of you wrapped right around her little paws. Especially you, Mom.”
When Ollie looked up at him, Sam was grinning brightly, his blue eyes filled with love and amusement. Ollie’s fingers flexed against Sam’s hip, and Sam shifted his gaze to Ollie. They lingered there for a moment, until there was a quiet whistle next to them.
“JoJo, let’s go!” His mom stepped over to close the distance between them and hugged Sam first and then Ollie. She held him just a little tighter than she normally would, and for just an extra moment longer. And when she pulled back, there were more tears in her eyes. She smiled. “Thanks for dinner. Youtwo have a good night, and I’ll see you in the morning. Love you both.”
“Thanks, Mom. Love you too,” Ollie said, letting his hand squeeze her arm gently.
Just about then, JoJo bounded over, followed closely by Sandy. Sam leaned over and lifted up the fluffy puppy, who seemed to melt in his arms, clearly exhausted from her playtime.
“Gosh, sheisadorable,” his mom said. She gave a wistful sort of sigh, then smiled again. “Okay, you two. Good night!” With a final little wave, his mom patted JoJo and started off down the flat stone path leading to her home, JoJo walking calmly at her side.
Ollie turned to see Sam stroking Sandy’s head softly while he gazed at Ollie. Sam’s eyes were as always—filled with love and tenderness and some sort of... contentment. Ollie tilted his head toward the house.
“Ready to go inside?”
Sam just nodded and reached out to take Ollie’s hand, and the two of them headed inside and upstairs to get ready for bed.
Sam
