Dominic chuckled. "Um... it's down the end of our lane."
Come again?
"Excuse me?"
"I made you work for your other presents, what's different about this one?"
I groaned in annoyance.
"What happened to just handin' someone a present and sayin' here you go, happy birthday."
"That's boring."
I rolled my eyes. "That's one thing you aren't... this day has exhausted me, and it's only after five. What you think is excitin' is not my idea of excitin'."
Dominic sighed. "Just go get your present, I promise this one will be the most-exciting part of your day."
Oh.
"I've to walk down the lane? Will I not get in trouble?"
Dominic laughed. "No, who will say something to you?"
"Uh, the staff."
"Ryder came and put the present down the end of our lane; he told them what was going down."
I swallowed. "And they just agreed?"
Dominic shrugged. "Would you disagree with Ryder?"
"I disagree with 'em all the time."
"Bad example, you don't fear me and my brothers, but most people do. The staff won't say anything and if they do, I'll have a word."
Oh, scary man.
"Fine, let me go so I can get this done."
Dominic released me, smacked my arse and sent me on my way.
I walked to the lane and stepped onto the walking strip that the staff must use so they don't fall. I walked all the way down to where the pins were lined up and hunkered down.
"Where the fuck is me present?" I mumbled.
I bent all the way down until I was lying on my stomach and looking under the pin machine. I saw a blue and silver rope with a collar at the end of it.
A lead?
I reached for it, but my arms were too short to grab it. I carefully moved onto the slippery lane and moved closer to the pins. I reached to the side and grabbed the lead with my hand then I got to my feet.
I examined the lead with confused eyes. I looked at the collar then at the blank tag that was shaped like a doggie treat.
A dog?
"Why would he buy me a lead if we don't have a-omigod!"
I turned to Dominic.
"You got me a dog?" I screamed.
He was standing on the end of the lane and recording me again on his phone.
"I got you a dog."
Oh, my God.
I screamed in delight then jumped up and down but jumping up and down on a bowling alley lane was not a smart move.
Seriously, don't ever do it.
I slipped and fell back on my arse, crashing into the pins knocking them all down. I groaned and rolled out of the way just as the pin machine came down to scoop the pins away.
"That hurt," I groaned and crawled out to the path I used to walk down the lane.
I stood up, put my hand on my arse and began walking back towards Dominic. I looked up and glared at him. He was on his knees recording me, but he was laughing.
"That wasn't funny."
I noticed Dominic was crying when I reached him.
Crying with laughter.
"That was hilarious."
Bastard.
"I think I broke me arse."
Dominic stood up and gave me a tight hug. "There is never a dull moment with you, pretty girl."
I grunted. "Happy to amuse you."
Dominic pulled back and snorted. "You got a strike when you knocked all the pins down with your ass."
Typical, fucking typical.
"It was worth it; you got me a dog!"
Dominic gave my head a kiss. "I got you a dog."
"Where?"
He grinned. "At home."
"What are we still here for then? Let's go!"
"Branna?" I screamed when I opened the door to my house.
"Don't shout you will scare him."
Him.
"Branna?" I whispered as I rid myself of my cardigan and dolly shoes.
I checked the sitting room first but it was empty. Next up was the kitchen, it was empty too.
"Hey birthday girl... do I get a kiss from you too like that chick at the bowling alley?"
Okay, Ryder, Kane, and Alec where in the kitchen, but no puppy and my puppy was all I wanted to see.
I ignored Alec's nasty self.
"Branna?" I called out.
"She's out in the back yard-"
"Branna!" I squealed as I ran to the back down and looked through the glass door.
I spotted Branna sitting on the ground while a chubby little Siberian Husky sat next to her.
Dominic got me a Siberian Husky.
I screamed and I jumped up and down.
"Oh, my God!" I cried.
I pulled the slide door open just as Dominic said, "She hasn't stopped crying all day."
I was so happy with every present he got me, how could I not cry?
"There's mama." Branna beamed up at me.
I slowly walked over before I sunk to my knees and then lay down on my belly and rested my head on my hands.
"Hello," I whispered to the puppy as he waddled over to my face.
I laughed when he licked my nose.
"He loves you." I heard Dominic say from behind me.
"I love him too," I sniffled.
I sat up then and lifted him into my arms, holding him to my chest.
"What do you want to call him?" Dominic asked.
I lifted the puppy up and looked into his bright blue gorgeous eyes.
"How about... Tyson?"
I heard murmurs of approval then Dominic said, "I like Tyson."
Tyson.