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“Babe. Don’t be mad. But I did a thing.”
Carlos’s first reaction is to sigh, then smile. He’ll never get tired of these kinds of phone calls from the greatest adventure of his life. He’s about to ask what TK did this time when he hears a high-pitched bark echo through the loft.
It’s startling.
But not surprising.
TK has been campaigning for another pet since they returned from their honeymoon; the guy who couldn’t wait to have kids indeed eager to expand their family.
“Tyler. Did you bring home a puppy?”
“Maybe.”
He most definitely did.
And God help him – Carlos just laughs.
TK takes it as a good sign. “You’re not mad?”
“I’m not mad,” Carlos confirms.
After all, he’s the one who originally wanted a pet to…you know…pet. And although Lou II has grown on him, a reptile is still not something he wants to sit around cuddling.
“I just think we should’ve discussed it first.”
“We have discussed it,” TK defends. “‘Babe. I want a puppy.’ ‘No, TK.’ ‘Please?’”
Carlos smiles as TK reenacts the conversation they had just last night, even switching to a lower voice for Carlos’s part. “Is that how you think I sound?”
TK laughs. “I think you sound sexy and hot. But you’re changing the subject.”
“I’m also on shift,” Carlos reminds him.
“I know,” TK replies. “But I just couldn’t wait to share the good news!”
Carlos hums.
Time will tell if this is good news.
____________
“Yay! Daddy’s home!”
Carlos is not unaccustomed to hearing TK call him daddy, but it’s not usually in this context. “Um, hi.”
“Hi!” TK is beaming as he greets Carlos at the door, holding the puppy against his chest. He kisses his husband, then turns the ball of fur so Carlos can see its face.
And yeah.
It’s pretty stinkin’ cute.
Carlos smiles, immediately on board with this unexpected adoption. He had wanted to remain rational about this, to at least try to talk TK out of such an impulsive decision that will impact every part of their life, but – “That face…”
“I know!” TK is so happy, so excited. “He’s adorable! Aren’t you?” he asks, turning the puppy back around to rub their noses together. “Yes, you are! Yes, you are!”
Carlos’s smile widens as he drops his bag and sets his keys on the entry table. The puppy isn’t the only one who’s adorable right now. “You said he?”
TK nods as he follows Carlos into the kitchen.
“Have you picked a name?”
“He already has one.”
“Already has one?” Carlos frowns as he takes a bottle of water from the fridge. “Since when do puppies come with names? Isn’t that our job?”
“Usually,” TK agrees. “But this was an unusual situation.”
Of course it was.
Carlos takes a swig of water and leans against the counter, waiting.
TK sighs. “Well…the family who had him lost their house and everything else in a fire today.”
“Wow.” This story is starting much darker than Carlos anticipated. “Is everyone okay?”
“Yes. Everyone got out. But the house was a complete loss, so they’ll have to relocate for a while. And since the only place the Red Cross could find for them to stay doesn’t allow pets, they were forced to give up this little guy.” TK’s eyes mist as he holds the puppy tighter. He’s only had him for a few hours, but he can’t imagine having to make that decision. “The family couldn’t find any takers and were this close to sending him to a shelter when someone from B Shift called me.”
“Called you?” Carlos shakes his head, not making the connection. “Why would they call you?”
“Because everyone knows we have puppy fever.”
“We do?”
“Babe. Yes.” TK rolls his eyes with an affectionate smile. “Anyway…they asked if we were interested in adopting this little cutie. And as soon as I saw his photo, I was, like, um…yes! So now Shep belongs to us.”
“Shep?”
“It’s short for Shepherd.”
“Huh.” Carlos isn’t sure he likes that. “Can we change it?”
“Not unless you want bad luck.”
Carlos snorts as he pushes away from the counter. He needs to start dinner. “You believe that?”
“You don’t?”
Carlos shrugs as he starts collecting ingredients from the crisper. He doesn’t consider himself superstitious…but he also doesn’t want to invite trouble. TK overachieves in finding enough of that on his own.
“Fine. Shep it is.”
TK smiles as he sits on one of the barstools with Shep dozing in his arms. “After we eat, we need to go shopping.”
“For what?”
“Supplies. Shep lost everything in the fire, too.”
Carlos nods as he starts chopping vegetables. “So, what are we thinking? Food, leash, crate, dog bed, maybe a couple toys?”
“That sounds like a good start,” TK replies. “Plus, he needs treats. And clothes.”
“TK.” Carlos is not going to be that pet parent. “No. No clothes.”
“But babe! He’d be so cute in a little sweater or…” TK gasps. “Oh my God…pajamas!”
“TK.”
TK laughs at the reprimanding tone, though both he and his husband know how this is going to end.
____________
“Are you sure he’s allowed in here?”
“Yes, babe. It’s a pet store.”
Carlos still has his doubts as they walk toward the building, but no one kicks them out when they enter with a puppy in plain view, so it must be okay. In fact, the cashier by the door squeals her delight when she sees them.
“That is the cutest puppy I’ve ever seen!”
TK smiles at Carlos. They think so, too.
“What’s its name?”
“Shep.”
“Hi, Shep.” The cashier bends down for a better look. “What breed is he?”
TK shrugs. “We’re not sure.”
As far as they can tell, there are no distinguishing features, and the previous owners didn’t have any paperwork.
The cashier rubs behind his ears while glancing between TK and Carlos. “Can I help y’all find anything?”
“Puppy stuff.”
She laughs. “We have a whole wall. Follow me.”
Carlos expects that to be an exaggeration, but it’s not. There’s a whole wall and a whole section.
The cashier offers a few suggestions about which essentials are best before patting Shep’s head and returning to the front of the store.
“This is overwhelming.”
“Parenthood is like that,” TK teases, giving his husband a wink and a kiss as he shifts the puppy in his arms. “You go grab a cart, and I’ll start picking out clothes.”
“TK.”
“Love you. Hurry back.”
Carlos huffs a laugh as TK pushes him in the direction the cashier went. “No clothes,” he says over his shoulder, though he knows he’s talking to himself.
____________
They spend over $400 and can barely fit everything in the Camaro.
On the way home, both TK and Shep fall asleep in the passenger seat, and Carlos has a new definition for distracted driving.
____________
“Okay, so…” TK takes a deep breath as all eyes turn to him. “Nobody freak out. But me and Carlos decided to adopt.”
The announcement is met with stunned silence as everyone looks at each other.
“That’s great, sweetheart,” Tommy finally says. “But I thought Carlos didn’t want kids?”
“He doesn’t want kids right now,” TK clarifies.
“So, this is a long-term plan?”
“No,” TK replies, glancing at Paul. “We adopted last night.”
“What happened last night?” Owen asks, joining the group.
“Your son adopted a child,” Nancy informs, shocked and shook.
“What?” Owen is thoroughly confused. “I thought Carlos didn’t want kids?”
TK rolls his eyes. “He doesn’t want them right now,” he repeats, pulling out his phone. “But you’re all way off. We didn’t adopt a child. We adopted a…”
There’s a collective gasp followed by a chorus of awwws as everyone leans in to see the photo of a puppy fast asleep in its bed with its blanket, its PJs, and a bright yellow squeaky duck tucked under its paw.
“That is the cutest shit I’ve ever seen,” Mateo declares. “Congrats, bro.”
“What its name?”
“Shep.”
“Shep Reyes-Strand?”
“I think she means Strand-Reyes,” Marjan says, giving Nancy a look.
“No. I said it correctly the first time.”
The rest of the group groans.
“If y’all start that again, I’m goin' home,” Judd tells them, though everyone knows he’s not going anywhere. He’s started working part-time since Wyatt’s condition is improving, and no one is happier that Judd is back with the 126 than Judd himself. He peers closer at the photo as he reaches for the orange juice. “That dog’s part beagle.”
“Really?” TK smiles, excited about the possibility of identifying at least part of Shep’s lineage. “What makes you say that?”
“What don’t?” Judd counters, pouring himself some juice. “That tri-color coat. Those floppy ears.” He takes a sip. “Hope you got some understandin’ neighbors. ‘Cause hound dogs like to bark and bay.”
“Bay?”
“Yeah, you know. Like…”
Everyone laughs as Judd demonstrates the sound.
“You mean howl?”
“Mrs. Martinez will love that,” Nancy teases, laughing again as TK cringes.
“Mrs. Martinez?”
“If you and Grace came to game night, you’d know,” TK replies, taking the opportunity to remind Judd that he and his wife are always invited. “But Mrs. Martinez is our new neighbor.”
“And she’s not so understanding,” Marjan adds. “What did she call you again?”
Mateo quotes her in Spanish.
“I don’t even want to know what that means.”
“No, man. You don’t.”
TK glances at Tommy, who also shakes her head. He sighs. Carlos told him the same.
“Your husband lets her talk to you like that?”
TK smiles at Judd’s tone, ever the big brother, ever the protector. “No. I’m not sure what he said to her, but it worked. She doesn’t talk to me at all now.”
Judd nods his approval. “Good. If you ain’t got nothin’ nice to say…”
“Exactly,” Tommy agrees, feeling a bit protective herself.
“What’s your beef with her anyway?”
“I don’t know.” TK wishes he did, so maybe then he could make it right. “She just doesn’t seem to like me. Loves Carlos. They talk and talk and talk. But me? Nope.”
“Well…I love you, son.”
TK snorts. “Thanks, Dad.” He motions to the photo still displayed on his phone. “What do you think about your new grandson?”
Owen laughs. “He’s cute. No doubt about that. But does he get along with my other grandson?”
“Shep and Lou II haven’t met each other yet,” TK admits, a bit nervous about their first encounter. What if there’s sibling rivalry right off the bat? “But Shep slept through the night, so that’s good.”
“Amen.” Judd raises his glass in a toast of solidarity from one dad to another. “But the true test is potty trainin’.”
“He’s already pretty much house trained, so we can’t complain,” TK replies. “We bought puppy pads just in case, but so far, Shep hasn’t needed them.”
“Wait. Hold up.” Paul tilts his head. “Already house trained? How did you rank that?”
“Well…” TK gives the short version of Shep’s origin story, aware that his and Carlos’s joy is another family’s sorrow. “I offered to keep in touch, but they said they wanted to make a clean break. And I get that.”
The group nods.
“So, where is Shep now?”
“At home with Carlos. We’re interviewing dog walkers later and hope to get him enrolled in a doggie daycare soon. But the waiting lists were kinda long, so…” TK shrugs, then smiles when a text arrives from Carlos.
As he stares at the selfie, his heart swoons. He had changed the wallpaper on his phone to his favorite snapshot from the wedding, but this might take its place: the two loves of his life in one photo.
“A hot husband and a cute puppy?” Nancy sounds annoyed, but she’s also smiling as she sneaks a peek at the photo. “You are one lucky man, Reyes-Strand.”
“Strand-Reyes,” Marjan corrects, laughing as she ducks a piece of flying fruit.
____________
“Carlitos! What a nice...”
“Surprise!” Carlos says, seeing the shock on his mom’s face as he stands on her porch with a puppy.
“What is this?”
“Your grandson,” Carlos answers with a wry smile. He knows his mother would prefer an actual child, but this is the best he can offer right now. “His name is Shep. He’s a rescue TK brought home yesterday.”
Andrea nods, relaxing as she realizes this is Carlos and TK’s dog, not a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to cheer her up or provide canine companionship. She’s heard of adult children gifting their remaining parent with a pet to help ease loneliness, and she’s relieved that’s not what this is.
“Él es lindo.”
“Él es.”
Andrea smiles, reaching for the puppy as Carlos enters the house.
____________
“Well,” Judd drawls, hands on his hips as he stares inside the Camaro. “I’ve seen it all.”
TK rolls his eyes. “You’ve seen a car seat before, Judd.”
“Yeah. But not for a dog.”
TK laughs, his arm around Carlos’s waist as they stand beside each other outside the firehouse, watching everyone take turns cuddling Shep.
“Thanks for bringing him by.”
“Of course,” Carlos tells Owen, watching his father-in-law nuzzle into Shep’s fur like Andrea did earlier.
“He’s even more adorable in person!”
“And so soft!”
“With those big brown eyes…”
“Just like his daddy,” TK whispers, smiling as Carlos kisses his temple.
____________
“So, I guess it’s settled,” TK concludes after they bid farewell to the last dog walker candidate. “I’m gonna have to become a stay-at-home dizard dad.”
Carlos can deduce what that means – a dog and lizard dad – but he wants to hear TK say it because his husband is adorable when he’s worked up like this. “Dizard dad?”
TK sighs, not in the mood for games. “Babe. This is serious.”
Carlos nods, though his expression is still amused as he locks the door and joins TK on the couch.
“Did you see how Shep reacted when she tried to hold him?”
“Shep doesn’t want anyone to hold him except you,” Carlos points out, glancing at the puppy fast asleep in TK’s lap. He’s been with them barely 24 hours, but it’s already clear who Shep prefers, who he’s attached to. “Not that I blame him.”
TK smiles as Carlos kisses him.
“What did you think of the other woman?”
“I’m pretty sure she’s related to Amethyst.”
Carlos huffs a laugh as he remembers the priestess that described his and TK’s auras. This other woman did the same for Shep. “What about the guy?”
“Which one?” TK asks. “The guy who claimed he was raised by wolves, therefore he’s spiritually and emotionally connected to all canines? Or the guy who claimed he can read dogs’ thoughts because he’s part dog himself?”
Carlos shrugs. “Either of those work for me.”
TK groans as he shoves his husband’s shoulder. “Babe.”
Carlos huffs another laugh at the whining tone and steals another kiss from those pouty lips.
“What are we gonna do?” TK is truly stressed. “We both have shifts tomorrow, and none of the daycares have called with an opening. A dog walker was our only option.”
“Not our only option,” Carlos counters, reaching for his phone.
____________
“Who needs daycare when you have an abuela?”
Carlos smiles. His sisters have said that for years, and now he understands why. “Thanks for doing this, Mom. I promise it’s only until we find a dog walker or something else opens up. We’re on three different waiting lists around town, so hopefully we’ll hear something soon.”
Andrea waves her hand, dismissing such nonsense. While she doesn’t want a dog for herself, she is looking forward to having Shep’s company today. The house is too quiet and empty without Gabriel puttering around, working on his puzzles and complaining about his healthy lunch.
“TK portioned out his food,” Carlos tells her, handing over the backpack along with Shep. “There’s also treats, puppy pads, his leash and harness, his favorite toy, his blanket…”
Andrea smiles, listening to her son rattle off the contents of what amounts to a doggie diaper bag. He looks so official in his police uniform but sounds like a worried first-time father who’s never been away from his kid.
“He’s mostly house trained,” Carlos continues. “We haven’t had any accidents yet, but he is still a puppy, so it could happen. If it does – ”
“Carlitos. I have raised three children.” Andrea lets that statement speak for itself as she sets the backpack on the floor to better hold Shep in her arms. “We’ll be fine.”
Shep seems to agree as he licks her face.
____________
“Okay. So, we’re doing this?”
“Guess so.”
TK nods. Shep has been part of their family for two days now. It’s past time that he and Lou II were introduced, but honestly, TK has been putting it off.
“What if they hate each other?”
“Then I guess Lou II can pack his bags.”
TK swats his husband’s arm. “Parents aren’t supposed to have favorites, Carlos Reyes.”
Carlos shrugs. It’s not a secret that he prefers a cute little fur ball over something that literally haunts his dreams.
TK sighs as he moves toward the tank. “Alright. Let’s get this over with. Who do you want to hold?”
TK knows Carlos will choose Shep.
And Carlos knows that TK knows, but he still doesn’t disappoint with his reaction to that question. He shudders dramatically as he glances at Lou II before leaning down to pick up their puppy.
TK laughs. “Babe. I love you. But you are so predictable.”
“Maybe,” Carlos agrees.
But at least he’s not the one cradling a lizard against his chest.
____________
The first meeting between brothers goes off without a hitch.
Shep is mildly interested while Lou II is thoroughly bored.
But nobody is bitten, so TK takes it as a win.
____________
“We got a call today,” Carlos tells his mom when he picks up Shep after his shift. It’s been two weeks, and she’s been more than accommodating with his and TK’s work schedules whether it’s day or night. “There’s an opening at Doggie Howser. One of the daycares downtown,” he clarifies when Andrea just stares at him.
“I know what it is,” she replies. “I just don’t know why you need it.”
“Because Shep can’t stay in a crate for 12 hours, and we haven’t found a dog walker yet, so – ”
“So, you want to take him from his abuela and leave him with strangers?”
“Mom…”
“No.” Andrea will hear nothing more about this. “You call them back, mijo. You call them and tell them you no longer need their services.”
Carlos smiles as he catches her meaning. “Are you sure?”
“See you in the morning,” is all Andrea says before kissing Shep, then kissing her son.
____________
“Mrs. Martinez says hi.”
TK snorts. He’s confident that message was intended only for Carlos, not meant to be passed along to him.
“She also asked about Shep.”
“Oh, I’m sure she did.” TK greets his husband with a kiss as their puppy dances around their feet. “What did she say?”
“Just that she’s seen us in the hall with him,” Carlos replies, lifting Shep to receive the puppy’s own version of welcome home kisses.
“What else?”
Carlos scrunches his face as Shep licks his cheeks, barely able to hold the excited little wiggle butt in his arms. “She said she heard him bark the other night and hopes that doesn’t become a habit because she’s called the police on other neighbors who had noisy dogs.”
TK makes a face, offended as any parent would be when their well-behaved angel is accused of acting like a hooligan. “He barked one time. And it was adorable.”
“It was,” Carlos admits, setting Shep on the floor to scamper back to his squeaky duck. “She also said we need to consider quieter toys.”
TK rolls his eyes before his expression turns mischievous. “If she can hear Shep bark and play, I wonder what else she hears?”
“I wonder…” Carlos agrees, laughing as he kisses his husband.
____________
Even before he looks at his phone, Carlos is smiling because he knows the message is from TK. It’s their tradition to text each other before they go to bed when one of them is working the night shift, but these days the messages include Shep as well.
| Night-night, Daddy. We love you
Carlos was already wishing he was at home, but the feeling multiplies as he stares at the photo of TK cuddling on the couch with Shep. The puppy is in another set of PJs – Carlos doesn’t even know how many sets they own at this point – and his squeaky duck is held between his paws. TK’s eyes are gorgeous in the golden glow cast by the nearby lamp, and his hair is every which way like he fell asleep at some point and just woke up.
Carlos imagines there’s something random on TV, and TK isn’t quite sure what time it is…but he knows he hasn’t texted Carlos, so here he is – checking in before turning in. He pictures TK blinking at the screen, patient and drowsy as he waits for a reply.
Carlos wishes he were there to deliver it in person, to hold TK in his arms and laugh quietly together as Shep dreams of chasing something; his legs twitching, his barks muffled as he sprawls in his own bed beside theirs.
But Carlos has several hours before he returns to the loft, so he sighs and types his message.
| Good night, baby. I love you
Though sometimes that word just doesn’t seem big enough.
____________
Game night at the loft will never be the same.
It’s the same snacks.
The same attendees.
The same board game set up and ready to go.
But all anyone wants to do is play with Shep.
“He’s getting so big!”
“Ugh. I know.” TK makes a show of pouting – which earns him a kiss from Carlos – but it really does break his heart to see their puppy growing up. “Some of his PJs don’t fit anymore.”
“Dude. Just buy more.”
Carlos groans. “Nancy. Don’t encourage him.”
“I think it’s too late,” Paul says, sitting on the floor with Marjan. “Shep has more clothes than I do.”
“I’m not that bad,” TK defends, though he has been browsing Halloween costumes and holiday sweaters online. It’s never too early to start planning, right?
“At least he hasn’t outgrown Mr. Quackers,” Marjan says, holding the squeaky duck just beyond Shep’s reach.
When he barks, they all startle, then laugh as Shep lunges for his toy and trots away with it in his mouth; ears flopping, tail wagging.
“God, he’s adorable.” Nancy snaps a couple photos before turning to Mateo. “Babe. I think I have puppy fever.”
“You can come play with Buttercup.”
Nancy wrinkles her nose. “Thanks. But he’s not a puppy.”
“Shep won’t get that big, will he?”
“The vet doesn’t think so,” TK replies, nestled against Carlos as they sit in their favorite corner of the couch. “He said he’ll probably stay on the small-ish side of medium.”
“Whatever that means…” Paul comments, taking his turn to play with Shep when the puppy drops Mr. Quackers in his lap. He squeaks the duck a few times, surprised when Shep barks again, eager for him to throw it. “He’s finding his voice, huh?”
TK nods, then glances at Carlos when there’s a knock on their door seconds later. “Guess who…”
Carlos sighs as rapid-fire Spanish erupts in the hallway, exchanging a look with Mateo as he stands.
“She’s pissed,” Mateo reports, like they couldn’t already tell by Mrs. Martinez’s tone and the insistent pounding.
Carlos takes a moment to gather himself, then slides open the loft’s door with a bright smile. “Hola.”
The casual greeting only seems to infuriate Mrs. Martinez more. She launches into a whole new tirade, and although TK understands minimal Spanish – and speaks even less – it’s clear their neighbor is raising hell about his and Carlos’s puppy.
“Dude. He barked twice,” Nancy whispers, rolling her eyes. “Get some real problems, lady.”
The rest of the group nods their agreement as TK picks up Shep, protective and wary.
Carlos continues to patiently listen to Mrs. Martinez rant, then responds like the professional he is – more Officer Reyes than TK’s husband in this moment.
Whatever he says seems to calm her, though she still sends a glare toward TK before returning to her own loft.
The silence she leaves behind is awkward and tense.
“We’re not in danger, are we?”
The question comes out of nowhere later that night. Carlos thought TK was asleep, but apparently he’s just been laying there, quiet and anxious.
“Carlos…”
“No,” Carlos assures, opening his eyes to look at his husband. “I don’t think Mrs. Martinez is a threat. She’s just unhappy, so she wants to make everyone else unhappy, too.” He sees it all the time on the job. “But if we really needed her, I think she’d be there for us.”
TK responds with a doubtful hum as Carlos pulls him close. “Let’s hope that theory is never tested.”
“Agreed,” Carlos says, pressing a kiss into TK’s hair.
____________
“So, let me get this straight…”
Carlos arches an eyebrow at the woman’s disbelieving tone.
“Your puppy is less than six months old, but he sleeps through the night. Is completely potty trained. Doesn’t chew on things. Doesn’t bite. And doesn’t bark?”
“He barks sometimes,” Carlos allows. “But for the most part, he’s – ”
“Perfect,” the woman finishes, shaking her head at the injustice. “Where did I go wrong? My Charlie is over a year old, and I’m still having so many issues with him. Which makes me wonder…is it me? Am I failing him in some way? Do I suck at being a mom?”
“You don’t suck,” another woman assures her.
“She’s right, Cathy. Parenting is hard.”
“And self-doubt is so real.”
“But you are exactly the mom Charlie needs.”
The rest of the group murmurs their agreement while Carlos glances around for TK. He’s not sure how he became trapped in this sideline support group at the dog park, but he wants out.
“Are you looking for your husband or your dog?”
“Both,” Carlos replies, becoming a little concerned when he sees neither.
“Is that them?”
Carlos turns in the direction she points and smiles at the sight of TK running around with Shep chasing after him. “That’s them,” he confirms, his relief followed by a swell of love as he watches TK plop down in the grass. His husband is immediately overwhelmed with canine affection, and Carlos can hear him laughing from here as Shep repeatedly licks his face.
“He is pure sunshine.”
“And so adorable.”
“And so sweet.”
Carlos isn’t sure if the women are referring to TK or Shep.
But either way, they’re right.
____________
“Congratulations. You now have the favorite grandchild.”
“I know,” Carlos replies, smirking when Ana rolls her eyes.
“You also have the favorite spouse,” Luisa adds, smiling as she watches TK interact with Andrea and Shep.
“Congrats on that, too.”
Luisa laughs at Ana’s tone. As the oldest, it’s her job to give them a hard time, but her annoyance is all for show. “We’ve been so worried about Mamá but seeing her like this…”
Ana nods. “Yes. She seems happy.”
“She does,” Carlos agrees as he and his sisters clear the table. They haven’t spent time together since the wedding, so when they said they were coming to Austin for the weekend, it was the perfect excuse to host a dinner party at the loft.
“What about you?”
Carlos frowns. “Me?”
“Yes, hermanito. Are you happy?”
Carlos considers the question as they stack plates in the sink. There are still days when he is angry. When all he thinks about is seeking revenge for what happened to their father. And there are days when he’s despondent. When he doesn’t think there’s any point to getting out of bed or trying to make a difference in this shitty world.
But then he looks at TK.
And the darkness scatters.
“Carlitos?”
Carlos is aware that his sisters are staring, concerned that he hasn’t answered. But he’s currently distracted by his husband smiling at him with their puppy in his lap, and if Ana and Luisa can’t see that he’s happy, then Carlos doesn’t know what to tell them.
____________
“Oh, God. It’s her.”
Under any other circumstance, it would be amusing that TK sounds so anxious at the sight of a petite elderly woman walking toward them, but Carlos feels the same dread as Mrs. Martinez joins them by the elevator. He squeezes TK’s hand, then turns a polite smile toward their neighbor.
“Hola.”
She grunts at the greeting, her gaze shifting from Carlos to TK to Shep…then back to Carlos as she says something in Spanish.
Always in Spanish.
Always excluding TK from the conversation.
“Gracias,” Carlos responds, glancing at TK with a shocked expression.
Nothing else is said until they reach the bottom floor and go their separate ways on the sidewalk.
“Why did you thank her?” TK asks when they’re out of earshot. “Did she say I was less ugly today or something?”
Carlos laughs. “No. She said Shep was cute.”
“Oh.” TK understands now why Carlos looked so shocked. “Well, that’s…nice.”
“It’s definitely a start,” Carlos agrees, kissing TK as Shep walks between them.
____________
| Guess what time it is??
Carlos doesn’t have time to guess as another message appears.
| BATH TIME!!
He laughs at the accompanying photo. Shep’s expression in no way matches TK’s enthusiasm, but the puppy does look cute surrounded by sudsy bubbles.
| This already has over 200 likes
Carlos smiles, weirdly proud that their puppy has more followers on social media than he does. Shep also receives more comments, and while Carlos never expected to be this pet parent, he’s embraced it.
Just like he’s embraced the puppy PJs.
Carlos’s smile widens, then fades when a call comes over the radio. Night shifts were never his favorite, but they’ve only become harder since he and TK got married, since he and TK adopted Shep. Carlos wants to be home with them, yet here he is – flipping on his sirens and responding to dispatch.
____________
Even though TK lined the edge of the bathtub with multiple towels, there’s still water everywhere after Shep’s bath.
“Since you made the mess, you should be doing this. Not me,” TK teases the puppy, using his foot and their last towel from the linen closet to mop up the tile.
Shep barks his reply, and as TK turns to shush him, that’s when it happens – when he somehow slips and falls, his head connecting with the counter on his way down.
Blinding pain explodes on impact, stealing TK’s breath. As he lays on the floor, he’s vaguely aware of blood beginning to cloud his vision and Shep whining beside him before everything goes dark.
____________
Mrs. Martinez considers herself to be a reasonable person, but this is absolutely unacceptable. She never should’ve complimented her neighbors’ dog, never should’ve given them an inch when she knew they’d take a mile. Their puppy might be cute, but it’s also a nuisance. And if Carlos and that gringo he’s married to think she’ll tolerate them allowing the mutt to bark nonstop at all hours of the night, they’ve got another thing coming.
She slides open her front door with such force that it bangs against the wall and almost shuts again as she steps into the hallway.
A few other people are peering out their doors as well, also awoken by the racket.
“Who knew such a small dog could bark so loud?”
“And so long…”
“¡Ridículo!” Mrs. Martinez snaps, pulling her bathrobe tighter around her waist as she marches over to pound on her neighbors’ door. She saw Carlos leave earlier in the evening as he headed to work, but she knows the gringo is in there. She heard him talking to the mutt and playing music hours ago before he decided to let his dog keep everyone awake.
“Maybe something’s wrong.”
“Yeah. I was just thinking that, too.”
“TK would never let Shep carry on like this.”
“No. And doesn’t he have medical issues?”
“I don’t know about medical issues. But he does get hurt a lot.”
Mrs. Martinez scoffs at the conversation unfolding behind her. Nothing is wrong. The gringo is just rude and inconsiderate. “I’m calling Carlos!” she yells, rarely speaking in English but wanting her threat to be understood on the other side of this door.
When it still doesn’t open, and the dog continues to bark, she pulls her phone from her bathrobe pocket, scrolling through her contacts. Carlos gave her his number for emergencies, and as far as she’s concerned, this qualifies.
____________
Carlos frowns at the name flashing on his screen.
“Trouble?”
“Probably,” Carlos replies since he can’t think of any good reason his and TK’s neighbor would be calling him at this hour. “I’ve gotta take this,” he tells his partner, receiving a nod of acknowledgment before stepping away from the scene. “Mrs. Martinez?”
She responds with a swear-filled outburst about his mutt barking down the building and his gringo husband refusing to come to the door.
Carlos is instantly pissed – no one talks about TK or Shep that way – but the anger is quickly replaced with worry and panic because something is seriously wrong. Despite what Mrs. Martinez thinks, TK would not deliberately ignore her or allow Shep to bark nonstop.
“I’m on my way,” Carlos says, ending the call as he runs to his cruiser.
____________
“Grace.”
“Carlos?”
“Hey. Can you send an ambulance?”
“Of course.” That’s what she’s here for. “Where’s it heading?” She pulls up the screen to key in the request, then pauses when he gives her the loft’s address. “What happened? Is TK hurt?”
“I don’t know yet,” Carlos replies, speeding through downtown Austin with his lights flashing and sirens blaring. “But our neighbor just called, and I don’t have a good feeling.”
____________
Carlos is surprised to see Judd and Tommy when he arrives in the parking lot.
“Grace,” is the only explanation they give, and Carlos is thankful his unofficial partner sent backup.
“Do we know what we’re dealing with?” Tommy asks as they head up the stairs.
“No. Our neighbor just said TK won’t come to the door, and Shep won’t stop barking.”
“Sounds like he’s tryin’ to get his daddy some help.”
Carlos agrees, though the thought terrifies him. Just a few hours ago TK was fine, sending texts about Shep’s bath time like any normal night. But now…
“¡Finalmente!”
“Señora, cállate.”
Mrs. Martinez blinks as Tommy speaks to her. She was gearing up for another rant but remains silent as Carlos and his friends pass her in the hall.
The other tenants who have gathered also step back, murmuring among themselves as Carlos unlocks the loft’s door and slides it open, revealing a trail of bloody pawprints.
“Oh my God…” Carlos feels his stomach drop. “TK!”
Shep’s bark changes as he recognizes Carlos’s voice. He emerges from the bathroom, covered in blood and clearly distressed. He whines at the sight of Carlos before turning back to the bathroom to resume barking.
Carlos crosses the living room with Tommy and Judd on his heels, freezing in the doorway when he sees TK facedown beside the bathtub. There’s blood pooling around his head, but it’s also smeared across the tile where Shep has been sitting this entire time, keeping watch as he barked – desperate for TK to respond, for someone to help.
If Shep hadn’t been so persistent, how long would TK have laid here unconscious and bleeding?
Probably until Carlos returned home from his shift, but Carlos won’t think about that now. He won’t think about TK laying here alone and hurt for hours.
“Good boy,” he praises, picking up the puppy and handing him to Judd as he crouches beside his husband. “Tyler. Baby…”
“Pulse is weak,” Tommy reports, uneasy with how much blood is covering the floor. Head wounds are famous for bleeding profusely but – “How far out is that ambulance?”
Carlos presses the button on his radio. “Grace. ETA on medical?”
“They’re approaching now.”
“Tell them to hurry,” Tommy says as she snatches the hand towel from the wall, determined to do what she can until they arrive.
____________
“Carlitos…”
“Mom.” Carlos stands to greet her. “I’m sorry I called so late. I know that upset you.”
“It did,” Andrea admits. Middle of the night phone calls are always unsettling, but that’s especially true for the mother of a police officer. “I knew you had a shift tonight, so…”
Carlos nods, understanding the rest. “I’m sorry.”
“You never have to be sorry for calling your mother, mijo.”
Carlos smiles as he leans down to hug her, then sighs as he rests in her embrace. The past hour has been stressful and draining.
“How’s TK?”
“Stable,” Carlos replies, pulling away as he motions for Andrea to sit in one of the chairs beside the bed. “He has one hell of a concussion, but otherwise, the CT scans were clear.”
“That’s good, yes?”
“Yes,” Carlos confirms, resuming his seat. “But there was so much blood when we arrived, Mom. And TK was unresponsive, and I just…” Carlos shakes his head, refusing to go there. He didn’t think TK was dead, but he didn’t know how severely he might be injured. “I was scared.”
“Of course you were, mijo.” Andrea pats her son’s arm as Carlos’s eyes mist. Although he’s certainly had practice over the years, she knows this never gets easier. It’s always difficult to see the one you love pale and motionless in a hospital bed. “But it sounds like my favorite son-in-law will be okay?”
Carlos huffs a laugh, wondering if his mother overheard his sisters talking. “Yes. They’re keeping him for observation, but unless something else happens, he should be discharged tomorrow.”
Andrea nods as she stares at the sutures across TK’s forehead. “How many stitches?”
“Twelve.” Carlos expected more. “This whole situation could’ve been so much worse, Mom.”
“Sounds like TK had someone looking out for him.”
“He did,” Carlos agrees. “And thank God for that. Thank God for Shep barking until someone responded.”
“I meant Gwyn, but…” Andrea tilts her head. “What about Shep?”
“He was right there beside TK the whole time. Barking nonstop until our neighbor called me to complain.”
Andrea makes a face at the mention of Mrs. Martinez.
“I know,” Carlos replies. “But if she hadn’t called, TK would’ve laid there until I got home. And that would’ve been hours later.”
Andrea smiles. “So, Shepherd lived up to his name.”
Carlos hadn’t thought about that, but – “Yeah. I guess he did.”
The realization is somehow comforting.
“And where is my favorite grandchild now?”
Carlos snorts. His mother most definitely heard his sisters talking. “With Judd. He said he would keep him overnight.”
“No.”
“No?”
“No,” Andrea repeats. “I’ll stop by to pick him up on my way home. That puppy was traumatized, too, mijo. He needs to be with his abuela tonight, not with strangers in a strange place.”
Carlos nods. He can’t argue against that. “Thank you.”
Andrea pats her son’s arm again as she returns her attention to TK. “Has he been awake?”
“Yes.” Carlos smiles at the memory. It was such a relief to see those green eyes, even if TK was confused and disoriented. “He was awake and talking earlier.” But he’s sleeping now, and Carlos plans to sit here beside him the rest of the night. He glances at his mother. “Is TK really your favorite son-in-law?”
Andrea doesn’t say anything in response.
She just smiles.
And winks.
____________
“Where’s Shep?”
“Mom has him.”
“Is he okay?”
“You tell me,” Carlos replies, opening the last text he received from Andrea with a photo of Shep tucked beside her in bed.
TK hums a drowsy laugh. “He looks comfy.”
“He looks spoiled.”
“He deserves to be spoiled. He saved me.”
“He did.”
“You did, too.”
Carlos smiles as he fans his fingers through his husband’s hair. He hopes – prays – he is always able to save TK. “Go back to sleep.”
“’Kay.” TK’s eyes dip closed, then open. “Where will you be?”
“Right here.”
____________
“Babe. Talk to me.”
“M’okay,” TK assures, though he knows those words would be more convincing if they weren’t slurred, his eyes were open, and he wasn’t leaning against Carlos to remain upright.
“You will be,” Carlos promises, pressing a gentle kiss to TK’s forehead.
The skin is bruised and swollen, but the stitches are neat and clean. They’ll come out in a couple weeks, and in the meantime, TK is supposed to take it easy. He’s on bed rest until further notice as he recovers from the concussion, and while Carlos isn’t looking forward to that, he is grateful to have TK home where he can take care of him.
“Almost there,” Carlos warns as the numbers ascend to their floor, but TK still gasps when the elevator comes to an abrupt stop; the slight bounce causing the pain in his head to spike. Carlos presses another kiss to TK’s temple as the door slides open, revealing an empty hallway. “Let me know when you’re ready to move.”
“M’ready.”
Carlos smiles. “You’re not. But okay.” He knows TK just wants to lay down, and Carlos wants that, too, so off they go. “We’ll take it slow. Just keep leaning on me.”
TK hums his agreement with that plan, feeling Carlos’s arm tighten around his waist as they shuffle forward.
They’ve walked maybe six steps – and Carlos is seriously thinking about just carrying TK the rest of the way – when Mrs. Martinez opens her door.
Carlos glares at her as he continues to lead his husband down the hall. He doesn’t know what she intends to say or do, but today is not the day to fuck with him. Not when TK is fresh out of the hospital, clinging to Carlos as pain and exhaustion threaten to overwhelm him.
Mrs. Martinez lifts her hands, signaling a truce. She’s not here to start another confrontation. She knows she’s misjudged Carlos’s husband and wants to make amends. She wants to cultivate the kind of relationship she should have aimed for all along and that starts with speaking in a language TK can understand.
“I just want to say I’m sorry.”
TK startles at the voice, unaware anyone was there since his eyes were closed; his full attention on making it to their loft without collapsing or throwing up.
But Mrs. Martinez is only a few steps away from them, her expression unusually concerned and compassionate.
“I didn’t know,” she continues, shrugging because she realizes how inexcusable that sounds – that she was yelling about TK being rude and inconsiderate when he was literally unconscious and bleeding on the floor.
Carlos sighs. He appreciates her apology, but he’s really not in the mood for this conversation now. He nods and attempts to keep moving, then pauses when TK squeezes his arm.
“Thank you.”
Mrs. Martinez frowns. She doesn’t know what she expected TK to say, but it wasn’t that. “You’re…thanking me?”
“Yes,” TK replies, a bit breathless as he squints at her. “Thank you for getting me help.”
Mrs. Martinez glances at Carlos, both knowing that is not why she called him. But TK seems genuine and sweet, choosing to only look on the bright side of this. He’s grateful Carlos came to his rescue regardless of how he got there. And he’s grateful she played a role in making that happen regardless of her intentions.
“You’re welcome,” she says, blinking against tears. “Maybe when you’re feeling better, we can talk more.”
TK smiles. “I’d like that.”
____________
Andrea may have raised three children but balancing a squirming puppy and a basket brimming with food is her greatest accomplishment to date.
“Take him,” she says the second Carlos opens the door.
Carlos laughs as Shep whines and yelps, thrilled to see his daddy. “Hey, buddy.” He can barely hold the wiggling puppy attempting to lick every inch of him. “I missed you, too.”
“I brought soup.”
“Of course you did.”
Andrea swats her son’s arm. “Don’t sass your mother.” She tilts her head to accept a kiss on her cheek before moving toward the kitchen. “Where’s TK?”
“Sleeping.”
“Good. That’s what he needs.”
Carlos turns as a familiar voice floats through the open doorway. “Owen?”
“Hey. Sorry I didn’t call,” he says, giving Carlos a quick hug. “I just came as soon as I got your message. Damn cell service.”
Carlos nods. He figured the signal was spotty wherever Owen and Kendra went glamping. “How was your trip?”
“Amazing,” Owen replies. “But more importantly, how’s my boy?”
“Twelve stitches. Grade 4 concussion.”
Owen shakes his head. “That kid.” He smiles as he looks at Shep. “And you…” He takes the puppy from Carlos’s arms. “I hear you’re a hero.”
Shep just wags his tail in response.
____________
Carlos is beginning to think Andrea should’ve kept Shep for at least one more night.
“Easy,” he says, attempting to shield TK from their overeager puppy.
“It’s okay, babe. He’s just excited to see me.”
“I know,” Carlos agrees. “But if he doesn’t chill, he’s going to hurt you.”
TK smiles. His husband is so cute when he’s overprotective.
“Mom brought soup. And your dad stopped by,” Carlos reports, lifting Shep from TK’s lap to settle the puppy between them on the bed.
“Dad was here?”
“For a little while,” Carlos replies. “He didn’t have cell service until this morning.”
“Figures.”
Carlos nods as he inspects TK’s stitches, always concerned they’ll snag on the pillowcase while he sleeps. “Are you hungry?”
TK gives him a look. They both know the answer to that.
Carlos sighs. While he would prefer to feed his husband a meal, he’s not above bribery; he just wants TK to eat something.
“What if I told you Mom also brought cookies?”
____________
Two weeks later, TK is released from bed rest, and Carlos doesn’t know which of them is happier.
He returns to the 126 part-time, grumbling about light duty even though the chores around the firehouse exhaust him. He works half the day, then sleeps the other half, and while his lack of stamina is frustrating, it’s not concerning.
“All part of the package, son.”
“And so are dizzy spells,” Tommy reminds him, knowing TK is embarrassed that he practically fainted earlier while helping Nancy restock supplies. “How’s the headache?”
“Better,” TK replies, his arm over his face to block the light as he lays on his back. “Is Carlos coming?”
“Right here, babe.”
Tommy and Owen smile over their shoulders as Carlos appears at the top of the stairs, striding between the rows of beds until he reaches TK’s.
“Heard you might want to go home early today.”
“I think that would be a good idea,” Tommy agrees, patting TK’s leg as she stands, allowing Carlos to take her place on the mattress.
“I think maybe you should stay home tomorrow, too,” Owen adds. “You don’t want to set back your recovery by pushing too hard.”
“They’re right,” Carlos says, sitting beside his husband.
TK squints up at him with teary eyes.
“We’ll be downstairs if you need us,” Tommy announces, holding Owen’s gaze until he nods and follows her out.
Carlos strokes TK’s hair, then leans down to place a kiss on his forehead; his lips lingering on the fading scar.
“I don’t want to be sick anymore.”
“You’re not sick, baby. You’re recuperating. And you’re stubborn.”
TK quirks a smile. “Am not.”
Carlos hums at the boldface lie before helping his husband sit up, guiding TK to rest against him as the world tilts sideways. “I know, cariño,” he soothes when TK whimpers, overwhelmed by the dizziness of being upright. He rubs his hand back and forth between TK’s shoulders as they wait for the room to stop spinning. “Just breathe. I’ve got you.”
____________
Carlos must look stressed.
There’s no other reason Mrs. Martinez would be at their door offering to make dinner or walk Shep or do whatever else Carlos needs.
“After all, we’re neighbors,” she says, smiling like that actually means something to her now. “We’re here to help each other.”
Carlos nods, though this new version of Mrs. Martinez is a bit unnerving. She’s overcompensating – trading extreme nastiness for extreme niceness – and while Carlos appreciates the effort, he’s just too tired for this.
“Um…” He forces a smile as his words fail him. “Thank you, but – ”
“Carlos…”
Carlos turns, aware that Mrs. Martinez is also looking in the direction of his and TK’s bedroom.
“He sounds tired.”
“We both are,” Carlos admits, resting his head against the edge of the door.
“Long day?”
“Yes.”
Every day seems long and unpredictable as TK continues to recover.
“Is this his first concussion?”
Carlos huffs a laugh. “No. But it does seem to be the worst one so far.”
“So far?” Mrs. Martinez frowns at the implication. “How many has he had?”
“Too many,” Carlos replies, turning as TK calls for him again. Shep barks as well, then trots into the living room to investigate why Carlos hasn’t returned to them. “I’m coming, buddy.”
Mrs. Martinez smiles as Shep snorts in reply. “He’s gotten so big.”
“Yeah. Listen…”
“It’s fine,” she tells him, realizing this is a bad time. Carlos is too exhausted and too frazzled to know what he needs, and her offer of help is somehow adding to his stress instead of alleviating it. “Just remember you’re not alone. I’m right next door.”
“Thanks,” Carlos says, giving her a small smile before following Shep back to TK.
____________
Later that evening, there’s another knock at the door, and when Carlos opens it, there’s a covered dish sitting on the floor with a note attached.
Enchiladas fix everything.
Hope you enjoy.
– MM
____________
After that, Mrs. Martinez makes dinner for them at least once a week.
Sometimes she leaves it at their door with a note.
Sometimes she delivers it in person.
And sometimes she even joins them.
On those nights, she watches Carlos fuss over TK as TK looks at him like Carlos is the only person in the entire world.
____________
It takes six weeks for TK’s dizzy spells to dissipate and his headaches to subside. When they finally do, the scar on TK’s forehead is barely visible.
He returns to regular duty at work, and he and Carlos return to their regular schedules.
The only difference is that Carlos no longer works the night shift.
And neither does TK.
____________
“I think somebody has a girlfriend,” TK teases on their way home from the dog park, smiling at Shep strapped in his car seat. He glances at Carlos. “Did you see Bella the Frenchie chasing him around?”
Carlos did indeed, though honestly he was too distracted watching TK to notice much of anything else. Every time he laughed or smiled, every time the sun reflected off his wedding band, Carlos was reminded that he gets to have this.
He gets to have a husband. He gets to have TK. He gets to love him and be loved by him; a kind of love he’s never known. He gets to have a puppy and all the joy that brings. He gets to have a beautiful loft and a rewarding career and a close, supportive relationship with his family that he never expected.
The only thing he doesn’t get to have anymore is his father, and although Carlos sometimes feels guilty for moving on with his life, he thinks Gabriel would want that for him, would want him to be happy.
In fact, he’s sure of it.
TK smiles as Carlos takes his hand, lacing their fingers before brushing a kiss across his knuckles. “What’s that for?”
“I just love you,” Carlos replies, returning his husband’s smile. “And you,” he adds when Shep barks in the back seat.