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“What if we got a cat?” Sydney speaks so suddenly that it makes Carmy flinch a bit. It is a little out of the blue to question this so late at night — early in the morning?— so he kind of grumbles his response.
“What if we got a cat? Is this like a mad lib or something?” Syd sucks her teeth next to him, snatches some of the sheets so his right leg is exposed and he looks over at her.
“No, you-" she sighs and moves her head, annoyed as if he’s interrogating her. “Like a cat. I don’t know. Wouldn’t that be fun? Cute even?”
It’s been a couple of months since Sydney’s moved in with him and it’s been nice. Carmen wants to say it’s been natural, seamless even, but that would mean admitting and even possibly revealing to Syd that he’s thought about her living with him much longer than they’ve been dating which is not. Well it’s not something he really wants her to know right now. Carmen is nothing if not an ace at not making shit weird.
Nonetheless it does ring true. Her clothes had already been taking up a quarter of his dresser and closet, and her medication and skincare products had already been populating the bathroom before either of them had realized. The way he actually asked could have been way smoother, Sydney still teases him about it from time to time.
“You know, I can give you a key if you um. If you want?”
Sydney just looked at him, arched eyebrow and all. “Carmen. Are you trying to tell me to fuck off? I can go home y’know it’s not a problem-"
Carmy’s heart dropped pretty much all the way to his ass when he responded. “No! No no no no no Syd I’m saying I’m-" he sighed, shook his head and raised his hands. “I don’t want you to fuck off. Opposite actually. If-if you wanted a key to stay here, with me. That’s alright. I mean, I-I want that. If you do too, that is.”
Sydney just smiled, his favorite one too, the type that got wider with each second that passed. “Yeah, that’s cool.” She looked up at the ceiling, feigned thoughtfulness. “But I have the right to decline fully if we don’t watch Sharknado like right now.”
Carmy finds Sydney’s hand in the sea of sheets, twines it with his lazily. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a cat.”
She laughs, a little louder than warranted for 2:15 in the morning. “You’ve never met a cat? Were you waiting for a formal introduction? Black tie maybe?”
Carmy’s laughing too. God, she always got the jump on him, he relished it. “Fuck all the way off,” he laughs through every word.
They’re silent for a bit, Carmy’s almost convinced she’s fallen back asleep and feels only a little pathetic for being upset right now. Upset about what you may ask? Oh nothing, just to be awake for this part of the night where Sydney’s head isn’t on his chest and her arm isn’t wrapped around him tapping her fingers against his rib cage before curling her nails into his skin, making it heat even over his shirt. Fucking hell.
But, she’s not asleep. “Tabitha.” It’s all she says and then it’s silent again. She’s waiting.
“…Tabitha?”
Carmy can hear Syd’s nod against her pillow. “Great cat name.”
He wants to laugh again. “So we’re officially on the cat thing?”
Sydney just turns dramatically away, snatches more of the sheets from his side. “Never said that.”
Doesn’t it make it not true.
By whoever’s grace it’s Sunday finally, and Carmy’s street parking right outside The Bear before turning toward Syd. Her head is against the window and her eyes are closed but she isn’t sleeping, he knows. He reaches over and snaps her seatbelt off for her anyways, it always makes her roll her eyes, this time not excluded. “Tina’s off, and Richie said he needs to leave at like 8 to pick up Eva from her mom’s.”
Carmy nods. “We’ll have to sub in Daniela for Tina’s prep. She show her how to filet yet?”
Sydney half shrugs, before remembering something. “Actually I think she did but, I’ll try to take five, go over it with her again.”
He nods again and leans over to kiss her before noticing she’s speaking. “Marshmallow.”
If ‘confusing’ had a picture in the dictionary Sydney’s pretty smile would be right there front and center. “Do you want some or..?”
Sydney tilts her head, as if he’s on the wrong page of her book. “No. Marshmallow. Cat name. Great one right?”
Carmy sighs before cupping her cheeks with both hands, wiggling her head playfully. “So we are still on the cat thing.” He can feel the curve of her dimple under his palm.
Syd just shrugs again. “I dunno.” She leans over to kiss him properly before opening the car door and walking right into the restaurant without him. So that’s two times now.
Everyone’s nearly out for the night when the clock hits 10:00. Natalie’s putting on her coat when she waves to the both of them, hugging Carmy then Sydney like she always does. He’d be lying if he said hugs weren’t one of his favorite things in the world, whatever they’re nice, especially Sydney’s, but when his sister did he still found himself tensing up making his shoulders hurt more than they should. Might be the history, the intention, the mutual knowing that every one they share is laden in a thin layer of grief. Sugar never cared though, she just hugged him tighter and told him to get used to it because she’s owed a million of them. He supposes it holds truth.
Syd whispers something to Nat when they part, making Natalie laugh before making eye contact with him and rolling her eyes lightheartedly. Neither of them explain, and Carmy’s just left wondering how much his name is being said in his absence, complained about even. Doesn’t doubt it’s warranted.
“Hey can you? I can’t even get my hands above my head right now.” Syd motions toward her scarf. Carmy’s heart always flutters when she asks him to help her with it, that she trusts him with something like that. He always tries not to jump up out of his shoes like a moron when she does.
“Yeah, of course.”
He reaches up and carefully unties the knot by the nape of her neck, sits in the moment she shivers longer than necessary. Carmy gently undoes her hair tie as well, watching as her braids fall over her shoulders when they relax. He swivels around to the side of her face to press a kiss against her cheek. “Thank you,” she sighs and he just smiles.
“Ready to go?”
“Yeah. Yeah, just let me make sure I have my— oh!”
Carmy turns around to face her from where he’s patting his pockets for his car keys. “What? You lose something?”
“Ganache,” Sydney smiles wide and he’s suddenly not confused anymore. In all honesty, he has no room to be.
“Are all your names food based?”
Sydney closes her locker and shoves her bag over her shoulder, linking her fingers with his. “That’s the second fucking one. And it’s cute.”
Carmy just laughs and raises their hands to kiss her knuckles. “Never said it wasn’t, baby.”
With the following days just came a parade of names, blurted out at random times. During service, right before bed, right when they wake up, right after the jump scare of an old horror film.
Sydney was always smiling when she said them, a smile that said this name was absolutely better than the last. Fred. Pumpkin. Quicksilver. Reginald. Bandit. Caramel. Gretchen. Janice. Conductor Whiskers. Mr. Meowgi. That last one just made him snort while Sydney sent him a death stare. He promptly shut the fuck up after that.
Right before Family he approaches her station and bumps his shoulder with hers until she looks up from her notebook. Once brown melts into blue he nudges his head toward the back door. “Let’s go.”
Syd’s eyes just widen. “And where exactly are we going? This isn’t your pitch for a pyramid scheme is it? Secret location bullshit?” She heads toward her locker to put on her coat anyways.
“Syd, I don’t think I could convince anyone to buy a fucking chocolate bar, let alone into a pyramid scheme.”
“Doesn’t hurt to check.”
When they’re in the car, Carmy can tell Syd is eyeing his GPS for any kind of a hint toward where they’re going, but besides that it’s pretty quiet. Aside from all of her silent questions that is.
They stop in front of a building with a sign that says RIVER NORTH ANIMAL SHELTER in front of it. Sydney gasps a little, turns toward him. “You’re fucking with me, Carmen.” Carmy just shakes his head, smiles a little.
“Wouldn’t dare. C’mon.” She still looks suspicious so he relents, gives up more information. “Honestly Syd, we can just look around if you want. No commitments.”
She just scoffs at that, undoes her seatbelt. “Ha. Screw you. One of these little fuckers is coming home with us.”
They’re greeted by one of the employees and are asked what they’re looking for, to which Carmy surprises himself and speaks up before she gets the chance. “We were hoping to adopt a cat.” Sydney gives him a look and he guides his eyes to anything but hers.
The employee's eyes just brighten. “That’s great! We have so many lovely ones here.” And she’s not fucking kidding. There are so many, more than Carmy’s ever seen at once for sure.
He’s eyeing a sleeping calico when he hears Sydney’s voice. “Who is this?” Jane, the nice assistant helping them, laughs and explains. The cat they’re cornering now is a fluffy one with black and white markings, and Carmy can see something blue looking back at him.
“This guy is Bartholomew. He’s been here a while, but he’s only two, so really it’s been his whole life. He was found on the side of the road in the rain and a kind trucker brought him in, almost took him herself. He’s a little clumsy because he only has one eye but he’s actually really clingy. Extremely sweet.”
She goes on to tell them that he’s a ragdoll breed, not that Carmy’s ever heard of it but Sydney’s not talking anymore. She kind of just has her nose close to the front of his cage to get a better look. The only thing to come out of her mouth after a few minutes is a plea to hold him and that’s how he knows.
After signing the appropriate paperwork they have to leave again for service but the assistant assures that Bartholomew will be there for them when they’re ready. The shelter is open 24 hours so Sydney suggests they “cat-proof” the apartment quickly before coming back to pick him up.
As soon as the last ticket rolls up, Carmy’s actually kind of excited. Whatever he’s feeling right now, it’s not quelled at all when Sydney comes up behind him and practically whispers in his ear. “Let’s get our boy.”
The shelter is kind enough to provide them with an extra carrier to bring Bartholomew home in, and Sydney insists on keeping him on her lap the entire ride in case you hit a bump or something.
When the three of them are upstairs Carmy huffs as he places the carrier down. “Jesus, he's heavy.”
Sydney just shrugs. “They say he’s one of their bigger cats. Now open it up!”
Carmy chuckles and does as she says. Once the cage is open Bartholomew is slow to exit, which they were also told was normal as he’s just getting used to being in an entirely new place.
He’s watching the cat sniff the rug in the living room when Syd speaks again. “We have to get him like a bed and shit. And toys, and bowls, and-and clothes-" Clothes? “- so we know he’s comfortable and stuff y’know?”
Carmy walks up to her, places his hands on her shoulders and takes a big dramatic breath, forcing her to mimic.
“Hey, breathe okay? We have off tomorrow so we’ll head to the store and pick all of that shit up. First thing. For now let’s just get ready for bed and let… Bar-Bartholomew sniff or whatever the hell he’s doing.” Carmy and Sydney both watch as the cat enters their bedroom on a new journey.
Syd just snorts, leans forward to swipe a curl from his eyes and press her lips to his softly. “Name too long for you?”
Carmy rolls his eyes. “It’s four fucking syllables, Syd.”
The next morning Sydney’s awake and up before he is meaning he doesn’t get to see her sleepy smile an inch away from his face and it bothers the hell out of him. Why pretend. Carmy drags himself out of bed anyways.
When they get to the local pet supply store they’re looking at the list of basics the shelter gave them for Bartholomew.
“Litter box, water bowl, food bowl, toys. That’s it? He’s gonna need more. We need to get him a collar, I don’t know how we’re gonna fit his name on it though.” Sydney folds the list back up and places it in her pocket.
Carmy shrugs, fiddling around with a feather bell toy. “We can just put Barry on it.” Sydney’s eyes widen.
“Barry? Like Barry Allen?”
Carmy nods slightly, not wanting to give her the satisfaction. “So you were paying attention when we watched.”
She’s laughing and it’s contagious so he’s chuckling through his rebuttal. “Hey I read the fuckin’ comics when I was a kid alright? It’s a logical nickname.”
They leave the store with way more than Carmy thought they’d get, at Syd’s insistence. He basically has to stop her from buying the entire fucking store at a certain point, at least with the promise that if Bartholomew needs more they can always come back.
The cat is almost nowhere to be found when they get back, making him panic for a second as if he could reach up unlock the door and stroll out. He hears Syd’s voice before the thought travels too far. “He’s in here!”
She’s sitting on the floor by the edge of the bed when he gets to their room, the cat’s small head popping out from under it. He meows while slowly exiting his cavern completely, which Sydney is positively thrilled about. Carmy takes a seat next to her, Bartholomew sniffling and nuzzling against their legs.
She places her head on his shoulder while he links his arm around her and kisses her forehead. “We can put his collar on tomorrow. Wanna give him some time to, I don’t know, get used to everything.”
Carmy rests his cheek on top of her head before sighing. “He will. C’mon, I still wanna make that paella for you,” He stands and helps Syd up with both hands as they walk out, Bartholomew following right behind.
He’s laying on the couch with the cat on his chest when Sydney comes home. Bartholomew is fucking heavy but he is warm and kind of acts as a weird weighted blanket substitute so, it works. She walks over and bends to greet them both, petting the sleeping cat before speaking. “My dad says hi. Wants you to give him a call.”
Carmy nods slightly as Sydney kisses Barry’s head. “Shit, yeah. Yeah I’ll call him later.” She shakes her head as if to tell him not to worry.
“It’s nothing. Probably. I think he just wants to check on you.” Emmanuel makes Carmy more nervous than anyone has in a long time. It’s such a different experience from being scrutinized and verbally assaulted by some shithead EC, it’s more important than that. It’s someone who actually cares. Wants to know about him and wants to know he’s doing okay. Better even.
Whenever Emmanuel is over to visit he just drones on about how much Sydney used to (and still does) talk about Carmen which would just make his stomach flip. After all this time he still has such a huge fucking crush on her.
“Scooch,” Sydney orders gently and he complies, sitting up and letting Barry crawl off of his lap and onto Syd’s. He takes the opportunity to lean in and steal a kiss from her, chuckling when she chases his mouth and steals another of her own. “I kinda wanna start making Barry’s food. I hate giving him the canned stuff.” The cat is nuzzled fully into her lap now as comfortable as ever. She says she can’t tell who he loves more, but to Carmen it’s as clear as day, Syd’s the love of that cat’s life.
“Hm. Might as well. Wouldn’t be hard. For you at least. I don’t have a fucking clue what cats like. Bartholomew’s picky as shit.”
Sydney deadpans. “He’s not picky he just doesn’t like chicken.” She shrugs. “Likes fish. My boy’s traditional.”
“You’re just gonna give our kid the world aren’t you?” Shit. Why isn’t time travel a thing? Seriously. Why isn’t it a thing. If it was a thing Carmen would have already used it to stuff those words right back in his dumb mouth. He can see Sydney’s hand pause right where she’s still petting Barry’s head. The damn cat is just blissfully unaware of Carmy’s colossal fuck up.
It’s not like they haven’t talked about it before. But it was brief, passing comments back and forth really. Just that yeah, neither of them had really factored having kids in their lives before but were never totally adverse. Not making it weird.
“I’m sorry. I am sorry, I just made that so- you um. You don’t have to. Fuck-"
Sydney’s talking before his mouth even closes. “Well I mean. If I'm gonna be their favorite, I think the world is kind of a requirement.” She’s smiling like that again and it’s like someone shot an arrow right into his chest.
“Well how. How do you know I won’t be the favorite?”
She shrugs, not looking up at him, just down at the ball of fluff in her lap. “Don’t get me wrong. They’ll love you. I’ll just be more fun.” Carm chuckles, raises his hands in protest.
“I’m fun, Syd!”
She’s laughing too. “Maybe! Hey, I think you’re fun, but our kid might think differently. We’ll ask them to vote. Just put a fucking pen and paper in their crib and ask to check off one of our names with their little chubby baby hand.”
Sydney sobers up, looks up at him straight for the longest she has since they started sparring. “You’d uh. You’d really want that? With me?”
Carmy’s wanted so much with Sydney longer than he’s even realized at this point. “If you wanted it with me, yeah.” He smiles and looks down, heart hammering away. “I want everything with you.”
She’s closer than he’s prepared for when he comes back out of his head, her index finger hooks under his chin to get him to look at her. Sydney just whispers and shuts the door on the conversation. “Me too.” Everything kind of fades away the way it always does when she kisses him, lips melding onto his and teeth lightly nipping his bottom lip until Bartholomew meows.
Sydney backs up with a laugh, reaches up to tie her braids into a loose bun. “I think Barry wants to watch Sharknado 2.”
Carmy groans. “There’s a fucking second one?”
And it’s a little ways down the road. Different neighborhood. Bigger apartment. Same cat.
The Bear is a two star. On its way to three but Sydney’s trying to hold it off. She jokes that she doesn’t want their heads getting too big. Syd’s next spot has three stars anyways so it evens out.
They’ve been everywhere together. Amsterdam, Ireland, Copenhagen, New York, Seattle. Carmy still hates to fly, and Syd does too but she pretends she loves it so he can relax.
There’s a proposal, Carmy drops the ring, picks it back up, Sydney says yes. Says it ten times actually. They marry quickly like there’s no time left in the world to do it.
A pregnancy test is positive. And then another and then another. And then a daughter.
They name her Dorothy. Call her Dottie. It reminds him of Bartholomew’s nickname, timeless and fancy. Carmy couldn’t love it and her more.
She grows and grows and grows, Carmy reads her to sleep, Sydney makes her almond butter toast when she can’t. Dark curly hair that Sydney loves to braid, asks her if it’s too tight, the answer is always a small “no, mommy.” Dottie picks up a paintbrush, picks up a spatula too. Neither of them know what she’ll be good at, both know she’ll be good at anything she wants to be.
Natalie treats Dot like a princess, so does Pete, so does Richie. Everyone at The Bear really. Carmy and Sydney bring her in for parties and events and everyone’s golden question is always if she’s enjoying school and what she likes the most right now. And they want to hear her answer.
Emmanuel takes her to the park as much as he can, takes her for ice cream where pistachio becomes her favorite flavor. He tells her they’re going to try every flavor at the shop, a new one every week. Dottie still likes pistachio the most.
When Carmen and Sydney renew their vows, everyone demands an event of it, at least a party. Sydney calls for her daughter, asks if she’s ready to go when the 12 year old responds in a minute!
Dorothy walks over to her bed, pets the cat flopped over on it goodbye. Tells him not to party too hard without her. Bartholomew is older now, a senior cat technically though Penny and Carmy both hate the term. Barry’s been sleeping in her room since she was 7, follows her around everywhere she goes. There’s a picture of her having a tea party with him on the fridge.
One day, Carmen and Sydney adopt a cat and another, that cat becomes Dorothy Adamu-Berzatto’s best friend.