Post by S. Austin61 (Goldman74) on Jan 19, 2010 11:28:35 GMT -4
(9)
Earning Your Keep
Earning Your Keep
“Steve!” Jaime you better go get that dog before he wakes Todd up. What could she be barking at?
“I don’t know, but I’ll go get her before she wakes up the whole neighborhood.” Steve got out of bed and put on his robe. He headed out the door and toward the stairs. But The barking wasn’t coming from downstairs it was coming from Todd’s room
When Jaime heard Todd call out she joined Steve in the hall as they both headed for Todd’s room. When they got there Todd was on his bed crying and the puppy was snarling and barking at Mara Lutzman.
Mara stood frozen in the middle of Todd’s room staring at the dog.
The dog…even though she was still a puppy was quite serious. Mara stepped back several paces and fell into Steve’s waiting arms.
“I’ll call the police.” Jaime managed once she knew Todd was safe.
“Better call Oscar, he’ll know how to get a hold of Agent Gibbs.”
“Right” Jaime agreed. Jaime ran and called Oscar while Steve grabbed Mara.
“So what brings you to my house in the middle of the night?” Steve held her a little tighter than he should.
“You took my son away…” She accused
“He was not your son to begin with…you took him away.” Steve reminded
Todd got out of bed, the dog had calmed down now and Todd moved closer to her. “Did Santa leave you?” Todd sat next to her and stroked her back.
The puppy curled herself up on Todd’s lap and looked up at him. “I think 'he' likes me.” Todd smiled.
“He’s a…I think your right.” Steve smiled. He knelt down to the dog. “You’re a good dog.” He patted her on the head. “You stay here Todd just stay with your new puppy, I’ll be right back.
He caught Jaime just as she was coming back upstairs. “So, did you get a hold of Oscar?” He asked.
Jaime nodded. “What does Todd think of his new present?”
“I think it was love at first sight for both.” Steve still held Mara.
“Oscar and Gibbs are on their way here, they’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Good, I’ll meet them at the door; you go get Todd back to bed.”
Todd was still sitting on the floor. The puppy’s snout was nuzzled in his lap. “Look what Santa brought me mommy.” Todd looked up at her. “I asked him special to bring me a puppy.”
Jaime nodded. “Come on, you need to get back to bed.” Jaime spoke softly not wanting to wake up Taylor who had slept through the whole thing.
“Can Roger sleep with me?” Todd asked.
“Roger?” Jaime asked.
“That’s what I want to name the puppy.” Todd smiled.
“Well, I suppose this once Roger can sleep with you.” Jaime lifted Todd back up on the bed and then put Roger at the foot of the bed.
Roger stood…he looked up at Todd and walked up closer to him and laid across his legs.
“Well, I suppose it’s ok.” She left the room shutting the door behind her.
Steve was just coming back up. “They just left…this time Gibbs handcuffed Mara to him.”
“Well, that’s good, by the way…the dog’s name is Roger.” Jaime smiled.
“Roger?…but the dog is a girl.” Steve stated
“Do you want to explain the difference to him?” Jaime challenged.
“Not right now…Roger is her name then.” Steve agreed. “Where is she?”
“She’s sleeping with our son.” Jaime told him.
“I don’t know if I like that very well.” Steve argued.
“She’s earned her keep for tonight anyway.” Jaime smiled. “You should see them.”
“Well ok…just this once. Roger can sleep in her own bed after this.”
“We’ll see.” Jaime nodded.
“I suppose you’re right.” Steve peeked in on Todd. Roger lifted her head and then seeing it was Steve settled back down.
“I think we’re going to have a pretty good watch dog in Roger.” Steve commented as he and Jaime tried to salvage just a bit more sleep before Taylor woke up.
//////////////////////////
It was snowing lightly when everyone woke up Christmas morning. “It’s beautiful.” Jaime exclaimed as they all gathered around the tree cameras in hand to capture every moment on film.
“Ok Todd since you got one of your first present last night.” Steve smiled. “I think we should let Taylor go first.”
Todd nodded as he sat next to his new puppy.
Jaime sat on the floor next to Taylor and helped her open her first present. “It’s from Santa.” Jaime read the tag.
“Santa is really real.” Todd stroked Roger’s back, Roger in turn licked Todd on the cheek.
‘That breeder sure steered us right’ Steve whispered. ‘That pup is close to Todd, I don’t think even we dare go near him’
Jaime gave a slight nod as she helped Taylor open her present. “Look Taylor it’s a baby, just for you.” Jaime smiled.
“Ok Todd, you’re next.” Steve tossed the next package to his son.
///////////////////////////////
It took a better part of the morning, but soon all the presents were open. “Well, Jaime announced I better go get dinner started. You kids can play with your new toys.”
“Are your parents taking a cab from the hotel…or do you have to go get them?” Jaime asked as she got the roast ready to into the oven.
“They said they would take a cab.” Steve was sitting at the kitchen table.
“Why don’t you go watch the kids while I get things ready?” That way, I won’t have to worry about them coming out here.”
Steve nodded and headed for the kitchen.
A few minutes later Helen and Jim arrived. “I see Todd got his puppy.” Jim noted.
“Yeah,” Todd looked up at him. “Santa put him right in my room.”
“Well wasn’t that nice of Santa.” Jim smiled.
“You don’t know how nice.” Steve started telling him the events that had played out the night before.
//////////////////////////
That night Steve and Jaime made the rounds before they went to bed. “This was a pretty good Christmas.” Jaime said as they stood in front of Taylor’s crib. Her new doll sat in the doll stroller in the corner of the room.
“Most of all I think Todd believes in Santa again.” Steve added as they headed across the hall to his room.
When the door opened Roger’s lifted her head off of Todd’s feet that she was using as a pillow. She saw who it was and laid back down.
“She’s a good watch dog too.” Steve concluded.
“The best” Jaime agreed.
They headed for their own room and were asleep before they could say good night and one last MERRY CHRISTMAS
