Twenty (Tim); Menagerie
I yawn slightly as I push open the front door. I didn't have much sleep last night, what with one thing and another, so today was pretty tiring. I'm just about to call and see where Heather is, when a cackle of laughter from the downstairs study gives me just a little clue. I wonder what's made her sound so happy? I walk over and peer around the door, and am greeted with an exceptionally strange sight. Heather is lying on her back giggling, whilst a part-husky dog is sat on her chest licking her face, and two kittens are playing with her hair. I raise my eyebrows at her as she looks around and notices me. She gives me a sheepish grin.
"Tim... Hi... Aidy get off me!" she giggles again, gently pushing the dog off her chest. As she sits up the smaller of the two kittens leaps up, attempting to keep ahold of her hair. I pull a slight face; I'm not a big fan of cats or kittens... Heather catches the kitten and sets it on her lap. "Um, hi..." she repeats, looking back up at me, far too innocently. I raise my eyebrows again.
"Hi." I nod. "Care to explain the zoo?" 'Aidy' appears to have only just noticed my presence, and comes bounding over to greet me, tail wagging madly. I crouch down to pet him, and Heather smiles.
"Well... These two were free and Aiden's just cute, and -I've always wanted a part husky!- and I didn't know whether you like cats or dogs best and I like cats best but I thought if you like dogs best I should-!"
"Heather," I can't help but chuckle. "You're babbling. It's okay. I don't mind you getting pets! Warning me next time might be a good idea, but I don't mind!" I rub the top of Aiden's head affectionately, and he licks my wrist, his tail wagging so hard I wouldn't be surprised if it actually fell off!
"S-so... You - you don't mind?" Heather asks in a nervous stutter, getting up and crouching next to me, her hand on my arm.
"No!" I chuckle. "Just - warn me, okay?" I smile. She blushes and smiles too.
"Okay... Tim?"
"Hmm?"
"Any idea what to call these two?" she asks, motioning to the two scrapping kittens. I watch them idly for a moment, then can't help a laugh as it bubbles up my throat.
"You should call that one Danny," I say, still laughing, pointing at the small orange-coloured kitten. "It's small and tetchy, and ginger!"
"Tim!" Heather giggles wildly, covering her mouth with her hands, trying to stifle the noise. Bless her! "I'll just call that one something really cheesy... Like Pixie or something."
"Up to you," I nod to her. She bites her lip.
"Although I'd rather go for something - you know - different..." she shrugs. "Ah well, Pixie'll do..." she smiles worriedly at me. "You sure this is okay?"
"Yes," I say, smiling as reassuringly as I can muster. She smiles, leans over and kises me on the cheek.
"I love you." she said softly, in a tone which makes me smile and feel content. "Dinner, then?" she asks. I nod and she stands, holding out her hand to me. I take it and notice, as always, how much smaller her hands are than mine. "Come and help me cook..." she suggests. Something in her tone of voice indicates that we're not going to get much cooking done...
Chapter 19 ; Contents ; Chapter 21
