“What should we name her?” I ask David on our way to the pet supply store.
“I thought you had a name in mind already?” He glances over at me with the puppy in my arms before returning his eyes to the road.
“I do, but she’s ours, so I want your opinion.”
“Okay, so let’s hear it.”
“I was thinking Dixie, or maybe Lucy.” I pet the sleeping ball of fur in my arms.
“Dixie Harris, Lucy Harris, either works,” he says after adding his last name to both.
“Wallace hyphen Harris,” I say, just to see his reaction.
We pull into the parking lot, and he puts the truck in Park before turning in his seat to look at me. “You plan on hyphenating your name?” he asks. He sounds disappointed.
“You okay with that?” I counter.
I watch as he processes my question. “Yes. I mean, when I imagine it, it’s always just Olivia Jean Harris, but it’s your choice if you want to hyphenate.”
“You’re an amazing man, David Harris. The thought of hyphenating my name has never crossed my mind. I was just joking with you about the dog. Olivia Jean Harris has a great ring to it.”
“Yeah?” he asks, hopeful.
“Yes. Now, it’s time to get this little thing some toys, and food and a bed and whatever else we happen to find.” I laugh.
“So, her name is…?” he asks.
“Dixie. I like Dixie.”
“Welcome to the family, Dixie,” he says, gently running his large hands over her tiny head.
Butterflies dance inside my belly at the mention of us being a family. I want us to be official. I almost remind him again that I’m ready, but I told him to surprise me. Although patience is not my strong suit, I know I need to be just that, patient. He’s waited forever for me to come to terms with where our future is going. I can give him time, all the time he needs. Regardless, he’s mine and I’m his, and now this little furball, Dixie, is ours.
Nearly two hours later, we’re loading the truck with our purchases. I went a little overboard, but she needed a bed, some toys, food, treats, a collar, a leash, and they had these cute little sweaters. I had to get her one in pink, and then I happened to see one in blue and picked it up for Ace.
“You do know she’s going to be a big dog, right?” David asks on our way home.
“Yeah, and?”
“The sweater?”
“It was too cute to pass up. She’s tiny now and will look adorable. Besides, you have to get them used to that kind of thing when they’re small.”
“So you plan on dressing her up all the time?” He tries to hide his laughter.
“Maybe,” I say, snuggling Dixie a little closer. “Hey, can we swing by Mike and Jamie’s so I can give them the sweater I got for Ace? Oh my gosh, they’re siblings. I bet they miss each other.” I feel sad for the pups who have been pulled away from their momma and brothers and sisters.
David reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. “Yeah, baby, we can stop.”
I settle back in my seat and realize that not only am I happy, happier than ever, but I’m content. I wasted so much time. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.
“Aww,” Jamie says as I climb out of the truck with Dixie in my arms. “Look at her.”
“They’re brother and sister,” I remind her. I’m not sure what it is about these little balls of fur that turns my heart inside out.
“That’s right.” She nods. “Is she going to be an inside or outside dog?”
I look over at a grinning David.
“Whatever you want, baby.” He chuckles.
“She’s too tiny to be outside.”
“That’s what this one said,” Mike says, pointing at Jamie.
“Hey.” She hip-checks him, both of them grinning like fools.
“We got Ace a present,” I say, handing her the sweater.
Jamie turns to look at Mike. “See, I told you it was a good idea.” She turns back to face me. “He said, ‘Babe, dogs don’t like sweaters,’ but what do you know?” she teases him, her voice turning back to her own.
“Good impression.” I laugh.
“Hush it,” Mike says, grinning.
I watch as the two of them have some type of silent conversation, and my heart swells for my big brother and my friend.
“So,” Jamie says, “do you all have plans two weekends from now?”
I look over at David, who shakes his head. “Not that I know of. I’ll probably still be unpacking boxes,” I laugh.
David steps up behind me and places his hands on my hips. “It’s my life’s mission to get you unpacked and settled,” he whispers only for me before kissing my cheek.
“We’re thinking about a trip to the Florida Keys. My parents are there for a few weeks. We thought it would be fun to get everyone together, take a big family trip,” Jamie says, her eyes smiling.
“Uh-huh, what are you hiding from me?” I ask, studying her.
She looks over at my brother, and he gives her a subtle nod. “We’re getting married!” She jumps up and down with poor little Ace’s head bobbing with her. “We didn’t want to wait, and my parents are there, and yours said they would come… and a small beach wedding to seal the deal is all we want.”
“Seal the deal?” I ask her.
“Yeah, all that really matters at the end of the day is that we’re married.”
“Don’t you want the wedding you’ve always dreamed of?” I ask her. It’s romantic, but I’ve had the same vision for my wedding since I was a little girl.
“I never really dreamed of the wedding as much as the man who I would call my husband. I wanted the kind of love that consumes you and makes you whole at the same time. That’s all I need.”
My brother wraps his hand around the back of her neck and pulls her into a kiss.
“So in two weeks you’re going to be my sister?” I ask once he sets her free.
“Yes. We’re not really doing a wedding party. We’re going to invite Aaron and Whit, and Evan and Kinley, but we’re not sure they’ll be able to make the trip. But you two, we need you two there.”
“We’ll be there,” David assures her. He then holds his hand out for my brother to shake.
Just like that, we’re the last remaining holdouts. Not because we’re not ready, but because I’ve been irrational at best and let fear cloud what has been right in front of me all along. Turning in his arms, I hug him tightly, hoping he gets the message. I love you, and I’m sorry for putting you through so much.
We say our goodbyes with the promise to book our flights. On the way home, I can’t help but wonder if I waited too long. Maybe he’s over asking me. I can’t say that I would blame him.