Heal My Heart

S e v e n t y - F o u r : S c o t t

"When did this happen?"

"Two am. Scared the hell out of the nurse," he chuckled. "I just wanted to give you the good news."

"Thank you so much!"

"Are you busy this weekend?"

"Uh not sure yet. What's up?"

"I thought we could grab some drinks. I haven't had a good chance to really catch up with you."

"Uh...yeah. Alright. That'd be great. What are you thinking?"

"Saturday evening, seven thirty, Hotel Grande's bar. Dress casual."

That's a bit...demanding? "Okay. Sounds great. See you Friday then?"

I hung up amazed. It wasn't that I lost hope but it seemed unlikely he'd even actually wake up. I had accepted this. Puppy would be ecstatic when he found out.

"I'm sorry I forgot if she was getting the lavender or the honeysuckle?"

"Either."

I decided to wait to tell him. I wanted to be certain before I opened that door for him. "Lavender it is." He decided.

He carried it down and set it on the side table. "Any other tasks?"

I smiled and tilted his head up so I could kiss him. "Always so eager to help me. Why don't you get a snack and get set up for Christoph?"

"Do you think I need both workbooks?"

"You said you were covering grammar and math today so I'd assume so."

He nodded his head and disappeared back up the stairs. I made a cup of coffee and then answered the door as Gretchen appeared. Snow dusted her jackets and dark hair. "Hello Mr. King," the chipper young man greeted. "Happy Holidays!"

"And to you as well. You can go up and relieve Leah."

She took over jacket and boots. She stayed Wednesday through Friday in the guest bedroom while Leah had her weekend. Every room I had now had an occupant. It felt like my household had doubled in size! She took her overnight bag up with her and I went back into the living room to assess the mess Puppy had left behind.

He had picked up all the wrapping paper and ribbon on his own and replaced the basket under the tree so he could continue after his schooling. Puppy and Leah came down together. "Will you back for Christmas?"

"That's the plan," she smiled.

Leah didn't have any real family in the country. Her parents had moved to Canada last fall and she didn't enjoy making the constant flights. Plus they never really celebrated Christmas. I didn't mind having her one bit but assured that if she wanted she could have the day off.

She didn't mind--she had really bonded with Kingsley. "Have a good weekend," said Puppy. "Have you seen my green pen Scott?"

Yes. That's right. Puppy could use pens now. "I haven't. Check the junk drawer."

Puppy sighed. "I wish I didn't lose things so much." He commented as he went into the other room.

I hummed in agreement. He was still scatter-brained at the best of times but it wasn't annoying. He ever complained about it seeing as it was his own fault.

"For you." I gave Leah the gift and a holiday bonus check.

"You shouldn't have."

"Have a good weekend Leah."

She had the option to stay in the house of course but she usually visited someone the first night and then was a ghost in the house for the rest of the weekend. You only saw her at meals and occasionally ran into her in the hallway.

The doorbell went off as soon as I sat down and Puppy called that'd get it. "Good afternoon," I heard Christoph greet.

"Scott!" Puppy came into the living room holding a wrapped gift. "Can I open it now or should I wait?"

"Go ahead." I granted.

Christoph smiled and I leaned forward as Puppy unwrapped it. There was a rainbow array of pens that Puppy gasped at. There was also two new chapter books. Puppy was now reading at a middle school level and enjoyed it greatly. "Thank you," he breathed. "Can we give him his gift?"

"Of course."

While Puppy went to get the gift basket I gave him his weekly pay plus a bonus. He smiled. "This is very kind of you."

"What you've done for him is priceless," I retorted.

Puppy presented the wrapped basket and Christoph smiled. "Look at all these goodies!"

"We made the cookies." Puppy told him.

"They look delicious. Are you ready to get started?"

"Yup."

QOTC: *because you all seem to enjoy it so much lol* Was the time jump TOO MUCH???

150 Comments and I'll update tomorrow 😁