"Ace!" I tried to keep my voice to a low whisper, hoping that Stella wouldn't hear the argument I was having with our dog so early in the morning. It was barely seven o'clock but I wanted to wake up a little early today so I could shower and dress myself before Izzy woke up, ready to eat and play. Obviously, this wasn't going to happen. "Drop it!"


The dog tilted his head to the side, his paws digging into the floor. I mentally smacked myself in the face. There was a coffee table in between us and I knew I'd left the bedroom door open. Ace let out a small grown, challenging me. I huffed to myself before I took a step forward, but the moment I did, Ace took off towards the bedroom. We'd just rounded the corner when I nearly smacked into Stella, who had Ace in one hand and my boxers in the other. So much for not waking her.


"What's going on here?"


"Shower. Puppy. No boxers."


"You left the bathroom door open, didn't you?"


I could feel a smile coming to my face as I nodded. Stella let out a giggle and tossed my boxers on the bed before she snuggled the puppy. Loosening my grip on the towel that was connected to my waist, I made my way offer to the dresser to grab a fresh pair. Stella kept Ace busy until I was dressed and managed to run a brush through my Barakat hair.


"I think we should start really training Ace today," she commented, letting him go so he could run through the house. "He does great with the puppy pads, but today we should try taking them all up so we have to drag him outside."


"That's fine, but Tom is coming over later."


"Oh?"


I nodded, leading Stella through the house so I could make some coffee. As the drink brewed, I took a seat on the counter and watched Stella start breakfast for ourselves and our daughter. By this point, Izzy was running down the stairs with Ace by her side, giggling like the little girl she was.


"Mommy, breakfast?"


"Coming right up."


Izzy clapped her hands and sat down in the floor with Ace, holding him close to her body as they played a little rough on the floor. He wasn't hurting her, though, and they both seemed to love it.


"Why is Tom coming over? Is he bringing Aubs?"


"Nah, she's not coming. He bought her a ring finally."


"What?" A grin formed on Stella's lips as she put the freshly made pancakes on three different plates. "What does it look like?"


"Looks just like what you'd expect Aubs to like," I snickered, kissing her cheek before carrying all three of the plates to the table. Izzy had a booster seat so she could sit with us when we were home. "He's worried about how he's going to propose to her, though."


"I would imagine so. Aubree can be a little strange."


Since Izzy joined us at the table, we decided to eat and talk to her about how we were going to train Ace today. By the time Stella and I finished clearing the table, Isabelle already had Ace's treats in her hand and he was watching her with excitement. I laughed to myself as Stella took them from her, showing her how to make Ace sit, shake and stay for a treat. Honestly, I was glad we'd gotten him. He was a bit hyper, but I'd never seen such a smart dog in my life. It was like he was meant to be a member of this family.


I opted to wash the dishes while Stella helped Izzy with Ace. He knew I wasn't nearly as strict as my wife, mostly because I wanted to play with him just like Izzy. But seeing as there were only three plates, a sippy cup and two glasses, I was done pretty quick.


"Wanna go potty, boy?" I got down on the floor and rubbed his head. Ace jumped up and ran into the living room, looking for his pads. "No, outside this time."


Putting his leach on, I led him to the front yard. Izzy and Stella followed close behind, Stella explaining why Ace needed to learn to go outside.


"Hey babe, remind me to buy one of those scooper things next time we go out!"


I could hear her laugh from the door as she mumbled an 'okay.' By the time Ace had finished his business, Tom was pulling in. I handed the dog over to my favorite ladies and greeted my best friend. He seemed a tad flustered.


"I need help. No matter what I do, I can't think of a good way to propose."


"She's a girl," Stella commented as we got closer to the door. "You want to make her feel like a princess, like she's the only girl in the world that matters."


"But she is the only girl that matters," Tom mumbled, joining us in the house. "I know I don't want to make a big scene about it. You know how Aubs feels under pressure, but I have no idea what to do that could make it just as magical."


"You can't plan too much into it. Aubree analyzes everything, so if she seems you being super romantic for no reason, she's going to start wondering why and probably figure it out."


"Curse her and her brains," Tom growled, running a hand over his tired face. "Stella, help your brother out here."


"Do what Aubree likes to do most when the two of you are alone, just like you normall would. Then, out of nowhere, go for it."


"Just like that?"


"Just like that."


Tom nodded his head with a grin on his lips. We offered him some coffee, which he took, and Izzy demanded that he sees all of Ace's new tricks. In a way, I couldn't wait for Tom and Aubree to get their lives going the way Stella and I had. There once was a time where having children and being married scared the shit out of me, but now? Now growing up, having more kids and watching my friends do the same was the only thing I had to look forward to. It's exactly what I wanted out of life.

Notes

Freaking awe.
Speak up, guys!
-Jess.