#Chapter 36 – A New Pup

“That’s your dog,” I say, my fingers pressed against my temple as the puppy whines in the back seat. The boys fuss over him, fighting over names.

“We are going to call him Lucky,” says Alvin.

“No. Slug!,” says Ian, laughing.

“You are not naming him Slug,” I say, angry, twisting to glare at the boys. “He has to live his whole life with that name.”

“If it’s my dog,” Victor says, smirking, “Then why do you care?”

I roll my eyes, murmuring “Fine, do whatever you want. But have fun explaining to your constituents why their First Dog’s name is Slug.”

Victor nods, considering. “True. Boys! Slug is off the table.” Alvin cheers and Ian moans.

“Seriously, Victor,” I say, turning to him. “I don’t have the time or the energy to take care of what is essentially a third child. The dog stays with you, in your house.”

He laughs softly and nods. “It’s fine, Evelyn – the dog stays with me. I have a full household staff – we can handle it. It’s just a puppy.”

“Just a puppy,” I say, mocking. “That’s what you thought when you brought these two home,” I gesture over my shoulder with my thumb, “and then called me in a panic saying they were wrecking your house.”

“Ah, that was just first-night jitters. We figured it out.”

With that, we pull into Victor’s driveway just as the sun is starting to set. “Mama, can we stay and have dinner with the doggie? I want to eat out of a bowl on the floor with him!” Victor says, clutching the poor creature to his chest as we walk up the driveway.

“Whatever you want, Ian,” I say, smiling graciously at him. “Stay with the dog in your dad’s house as long as you want.”

“I want to stay too! I want puppy chow!” Alvin says, trying to grab the dog from his brother. Poor pup!, I think as it looks at me with wide eyes. But also, not my problem.

When I come in the door, I see Victor standing by the kitchen island reading a note.

“What’d you get?” I ask, moving to the fridge to grab a cold bottle of water.

“Note from Amelia,” Victor says, looking off into the distance.

“Oh?” I say, studying his face. He’s suddenly glum after being so cheerful all day. “Is everything okay?”

“She’s off to Milan,” he says, shaking his head. “For a couple of days with her girlfriends. Says she needs to ‘get some space.’”

I grimace as I twist open my bottle’s cap. “Guess it’s a good thing she wasn’t here for the arrival of the puppy. Might have sent her overboard.”

to check

say, leaning against the door frame and smiling at them. “You’re going to stay here

at me, too distracted by the pup

says, drawing a string in front of

“No,” Alvin says, “Merlin.”

As I

from your client asking for an impromptu meeting. He says you didn’t pick up.

think, and hurriedly

give me a few minutes to set up. Tell him I’ll call him through

me back a thumbs-up emoji and

Victor?” I ask, stowing my phone

his hair. “Are the boys in there with the

don’t let Ian

eyebrow at me. “No promises,”

and wave as

at the office that connects

His mechanized voice sounds a

apologize for missing your call earlier. Do you have a moment to chat

I apologize for requesting this unscheduled appointment. I’m just…having a

amongst the boots

impromptu trip to Milan. She didn’t even tell me about it –

me in more

it should be obvious. “Beyond the fact that she didn’t tell me, which seems common courtesy, she cited the fact that she’s getting away from the ‘chaos’ of our life as her reason for needing a break. I’m worried that if she can’t handle this chaos,” he hesitates, “that…well, that she’s not going

like you two have different priorities. She wants freedom and fun, whereas you seem to be very focused on another child. Does that

says, after a moment of

to be on

he says, more

“that’s

my answer, I assume because he’s used to everyone

needs. It sounds to me like every time

he growls, but I

as the saying goes? I wonder how your relationship would change if you spent more time listening to what

we were going to start a family. It seems like more and more, these past months, she’s been moving in the

to punish her for taking her space. My advice would actually be to do the opposite. Call her and let her know

encourage her to continue her bad

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