Sorry for the delay folks - I think one more chapter should do it for these two characters. I am trying to work on a spin-off for Lili and Max and a continuation of MM & Junius.
I Sincerely thank you so very much for reading and commenting and voting.
Happy Reading Party People!!
********************
We fly home into Newport News and head to my place to relax for a day or two before going back to work.
I hadn't planned on being gone so long and I know my parents are tired of looking after my dog. I just haven't known how to introduce him to Lulu. I've been waiting and biding my time until the moment was right.
"It's time you met someone."
Putting thumb and middle finger to his lips Dax gives a piercingly loud whistle.
Impressed, Lulu is about to ask for instruction on how to do it herself when she is distracted by noise from the woods. Looking towards the noise she blinks and stares at the large streak of black hurtling towards them. She'd barely stepped backwards before it was placing its paws on her shoulders and knocking her over, sniffing her all over in a frenzy before licking her neck and cheek.
Dax of course was enjoying the scene immensely.
Scared to move she whimpered. "Dax, get this beast off of me!"
"Come Byte, down. I know how delicious she smells, but control yourself."
She stands slowly and backs away, brushing herself off.
"Shouldn't you be telling yourself that?"
"Byte, say hello."
Byte barks and extends a paw to shake.
Lulu shakes it and Byte rubs a bashful paw across his face before lying down and rolling about at her feet in an unseemly fashion. I know the feeling well.
"You named your dog Bite? That's a lawsuit waiting to happen."
"That's B-Y-T-E."
"Cute name for such a terrifying creature."
"He's barely done being a puppy."
"Puppy my ass. What is he anyway?
"Great Dane."
Byte and Dax play for a bit as Lou watches in amusement.
"I have a big favor to ask."
Oh boy, here we go.
"What's the ask?"
"He's my dog and I need to spend time with him. Can he come back with us? I will walk, feed and take care of him, clean up and what have you."
Lulu sighs, thinking of her scratch free floors and poop free yard. Byte sniffs her and puts his large head under her small hand looking up at her adoringly with soulful brown eyes.
"Oh no, not you too, that just not even fair."
Byte whines for effect.
"Scary but sweetly beautiful; You do remind me of a certain someone." She cuts an eye my way, stroking his dark coat affectionately.
I would propose spending more time here, but with my parent's right across the way she's not quite as uninhibited as she is on her home turf.
"OK, you can come to visit, but Dame Zora has to approve this."
"Dame Zora?"
"Neighborhood cat, 16 pound Maine Coon - keeps the mouse, and woodchuck population down, lives in the magnolia tree in my backyard - unless the weather is really bad. Found her stuck in the sewer and fished her out. I tagged her and got her all the shots but she is happily wild and I let her be."
"So you have a cat?"
"No, I set out food for her from time to time and see to her medical needs, but I do not do POO, remember that. I leave her right outside. She loves water so every so often I prepare a flea dip bath in Jackson's kiddie pool. Sometimes she lets me comb her and sometimes not. I don't force it. But everyone on the block takes care of her. She got up to 19 pounds at one point so we stopped supplementing her diet so much."
Throwing up her hands she looks at me.
"And now a dog, even more domestication. I am really trying to figure out where I went wrong man. If I see or smell poo or pee anywhere in or near my premises or grass I am kicking the both of you OUT. I mean it Dax, that mongrel had better be house broken."
Byte looks up at Dax worriedly.
"Don't worry boy, you'll get used to her."
We settle in at her place and she is very nice to Byte who seems to adore her; so much so I have a hard time being intimate with her as he has assigned himself as her body guard.
We do meet Dame Zora an impressive black and gray cat with large golden eyes. After a brief exchange of hiss, bark and a swipe of claw, our two animal friends seem to make their peace.
--
It's our third day back in the office. Its after lunch and Lou and I are in the elevator with Milton and Matt. The heavy elephant in the room though is making the elevator creep ever so slowly.
"So, Lou you going `woman in love` on me or what?"
The question earns him a sharp look.
"Flowers and chocolates delivered for you. It's not your birthday. Not yet its not."
Focusing on a flaw in the elevator ceiling I think that's my soul up there. Matt snickers and Milton looks expectant.
Pressing a button she halts the elevator, and turns to address the three of us starting with me.
"You - we need to talk, big trouble."
"Matt - stop laughing."
"Milton, he and I are dating. Is this a problem?"
With her straightened back and crossed arms - something tells me it had better not be.
He cocks his head back. "I don't know, is it?" He looks at us both.
"It is absolutely not." There seems to be an unspoken exchange and Milton relaxes, looking almost human.
"I am glad for you both. Your work has never been better by the way." His lips indeed twitch with suppressed laughter
"Mmmmm hmmmm I'll just bet."
With a head shake, she depresses the hold button and the elevator resumes its ascent.
The doors open and without turning her head its "Dax, my office now."
