Maybe, In Six Months

It was silly, but Erin had always wanted a dog. A cute little chocolate lab that would wake her up every morning with slobbery kisses, bounding around at her side and barking up a storm after work each day, ecstatic to see her. The thought of such a lovable companion made her smile.

Gabe had proclaimed himself a cat person, however, and Andy, after adopting and distributing twelve dogs from the local animal shelter, became fervently against the idea of getting any animals.

Erin, though happy she didn't have to become an official dog nurse, couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment for many years following.

~/~

She had come home from work one day to find a little brown puppy yipping and barking like crazy. It jumped into her arms, and Erin laughed as it licked her ears.

"Hey little guy, what are you doing here?" she giggled.

"He's yours," Pete had smiled, walking toward her from the kitchen, hands deep in his pockets. Erin's eyes widened.

"Mine?" she repeated. The puppy barked happily, sniffing around her face.

"Yup, his name's Tucker," Pete walked up and relieved Erin of the squirming puppy. "I got him a collar, a bowl, dog food, and some toys so far. We're probably going to need more supplies, though, as time goes by…"

He noticed the expression on Erin's face, however, and quickly backtracked. "Oh, hey. I'm – I'm sorry, I didn't… I'd just thought you'd like a dog…"

Erin ignored him and threw her arms around him. Tucker jumped out of Pete's arms and began to run and bound in circles around his owner's feet.

"I love him. Thank you, Pete," she whispered, her eyes welling up. Pete wrapped his arms around her waist.

"That's what boyfriends do," he muttered back, smiling, and Erin grinned into his shoulder.

"I know."

A/N: More is to come! In the meantime, I'd love some feedback:)