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Tom returns to the living room, his path towards the sofa crossing the last few rays of sunlight finding their way in through the windows to dance across the floor. He’s already changed from his day wear into his loose and fraying pajama pants - you’ll replace them this Christmas and round file those - and threadbare shirt.
Is he planning to check how late you’re staying up? Maybe he’s just keen to join you and the pup in quiet companionship for a little while? He’s been out and about all day, busy as always.
The vibrations of the cushions and frame of the sofa tell you how happy Bobby is to see Tom, even if he stayed at your side rather than latch onto Tom the moment he came in the door. Some days Tom has a little shadow trotting around his feet, some days it’s just perked ears, waiting to hear a summons.
Tom beams at his pup, “You’re such a good boy!”
Sweet words make his chocolate spaniel wiggle in delight all the more.
As soon as he’s close enough he bends, nearly kneeling, to scratch around Bobby’s ears, “Such a sweet, handsome boy. I love you, you know that?” He cups his hands around the pup’s head, framing the chocolate eyes that look upon him with such devotion, “Look at that face.”
He bends further, giving Bobby a series of loud kisses right at the top of his head before standing up, a huge smile on his face. Heaving out a contented breath, Tom turns, leaving the room without another word.
You blink after staring for a moment at the hallway leading to the rest of the house. He’s gone to bed? Just like that? A quick glance in Bobby’s direction tells you he’s just as mystified, but clearly delighted from the show of affection. Sometimes you swear he’s this close to talking, a world of emotion conveyed in those furry brows and sweet auburn eyes.
“Well,” you laugh, reaching to scratch behind your companion’s ears and getting a happy doggy grin in return, “I think your father’s lost it, Bob…. should I go check on him?”
The pup tips his eyebrows up and looks towards the hallway before looking back at you again and turning his head to nudge your hand with his snout. It’s as clear a yes, mom as you’re going to get.
As you get up you lean to dot a light kiss over one of Bobby’s ears, “Alright, then. I’ll be right back.”
It’s not that it’s unusual for him to dote on his pup. That’s not it at all. It’s just that you were right there and he didn’t even give you a goodnight wave. A light laugh burbles within your chest as you walk down the hallway, seeking Tom out.
He’s not in the office, with a book or hunched at the computer. He’s not waiting just around the corner, either, catching you in his arms with chuckled delight. Bedroom? Has he really said goodnight only to the pup and gone to bed?
At first glance the answer is no. The bed is slightly rumpled from where he must’ve been laying on it earlier…. and there’s a book on the comforter, face down, spine cracked towards the ceiling. But where is Tom?
You pause just inside the bedroom door, uncertain if you need to backtrack or investigate the room further. He couldn’t have just disappeared. Maybe you missed him going towards the kitchen? You lean back, tapping your fingertips on the door frame as you think things through. Where’d he go?
A used washcloth in hand, Tom emerges from the master bathroom. A light smile already on his lips, it expands when he finds you standing there.
“Want to explain what that was about?” You flip your hand out towards the doorway beside you, indicating the rest of the house and what just transpired.
His shoulders jump with a quiet laugh before he turns, quickly tossing the washcloth back into the bathroom. Probably on the floor to be tripped over later, knowing him. He approaches, you think to wrap you in his arms and begin a lengthy explanation for ignoring you, but when he draws within arm’s reach he only pulls you towards him with one arm, leaning to tip the door shut with the other once you’re out of its path.
“Tom. What?”
He steps back, colliding with the closed bedroom door and pulling you along with him, wrapping you up in his arms, “C’mon,” he plants a quick kiss, “I had to do something to apologize to him for locking him out for a few hours.”
Oh.