Welcome to the Family

Fear, confusion, and a humbling recognition that all of your lives had just changed forever the three of you cling to each other. You couldn’t help but think that this must be how people felt when informed of an unwanted pregnancy. Holding Elsie close like this made you realize one thing for certain. You were glad it was her. Through any trial or tribulation that life had to pile on top of you it would have Elsie that you would have chosen to help you bear it. Faith wasn’t something you leaned on in your life but if there were two things in this whole universe that you had faith in it was that the Bailey’s would ALWAYS be there for each other and that as long as you and Elsie were together everything was going to be okay. Stepping back you pet Elsie’s silky smooth hair and look into her deep dark eyes. No words were needed either way. The gaze alone was enough for you to comfort each other. She was thinking what you were thinking. Her faith was the same as yours.

Elsie gives you a precious smile and a little nod, then turns to look at Button. “Well, this was certainly unexpected.”

“And unwanted?” Button peeps nervously.

“I never said that.” El smiles. “Welcome to the family Button.”

You pat Button’s shoulder. “You’re a Bailey now. Heaven help you!”

As you and El chuckle Button’s ears perk right up. “You’re not angry with me?”

“Of course not!” You rustle the fur between her ears. “It’s nobody’s fault. Certainly not yours.”

“We’re not a perfect family.” Elsie says as she takes Button’s hand in hers and holds it tight. “But we stand with each other through thick and thin. Jesse and I will not abandon you Button.”

You put your hand over theirs and take a grip. “That’s a promise.”

Button sort of giggles and sort of gasps all at once, overwhelmed by our words. “I don’t know what to say. I…I never expected…I never thought…” The tears well again. “I thought I’d be alone. I thought I’d be a stray. I-I never thought I’d have a f-family or a r-real home. I love youuu!”

Head down she steps back into you and once more you and El take her in a supportive group hug. Both El and Button cry a little, but they are tears of joy.

“Button.” You say. “Button Bailey. I like it. It just sounds right.”

“I like it too.” Button sniffles, tail wagging. “Oh thank you Jesse. Oh thank you Elsie. I’m the luckiest puppy in the whole galaxy!”

After some more happy head pats and cuddles you and El turn to the practicalities. “Now how do we break this to the others. I’m not even supposed to be here!”

El nods. “It’s gonna be interesting. Lemme think. Lemme think.”

“We need a united front.” You say.

“What are you thinking Jesse?” El says.

“We need Fiona and Mom with us.”

“But they can’t know you’re here.”

“No. Not at all at once they can’t.” You say. “We have to let them know one at a time. We win them over individually. We need the core family together on this. Whatever happens after that we’ll do it as a family.”

After a moment’s thought your sister slowly nods. “Good thinking. I don’t know Kazia that well. I don’t know what she would do if she knew there was ‘prince’onboard. Peg is too smart to be won over easily. She would insist that we do the right thing, the prudent thing, and that means taking you back to Earth.”

“Earth?” Button’s head cocks to the side.

“It’s our where we come from. We’ll explain later Button.” You say. “Chloe is right out.”

El giggles. “If we tell her we might as well broadcast it over the intercom.”

“Exactly.” You agree. “No. Mom and Fiona. We get them, then we tell the others.”

“I’m with you Jesse.” Elsie says.

“Berk! Me too!” Yips Button, though she really hadn’t a clue what you were talking about. “Berk! Berk!”

You and El laugh.

“Who first?” Asks your sister. “Fiona would probably love the idea of breaking rules.”

“No.” You say. “No. We can take care of two birds with one stone.”

“Huh?”

“Fiona we can take our time with. But Mom, Mom is time sensitive.”

“Okay.”

“You said Mom is freaking out because she can’t contact me?” Your eyes drift to Elsie’s trunk. “I say we establish contact.”

“You mean…?”

“Get me into her quarters El and I’ll take care of the rest.”

“But…Grandma and Grandpa were dead set against you coming. They convinced Mom and Peg. What if she snitches?”

“Oh, I think I can handle Mom.” A grin slowly grows on your face. “Do you really think Mom would turn in her one and only precious baby boy?” You widen your eyes in mock innocence as your voice goes high. “Especially since he only sneaked on board because he was gonna miss his Mommy soooo much. That he was so scared to be all alone in the big cruel world. That he just needed a hug.” You bat your big brown eyes. “Please Mommy. Please don’t tell on me.”

Elsie rolls her eyes and bursts out laughing. “Oh Lord! Ha ha ha! Jesse! That’s just cruel! Ha ha ha! Poor Mom’s not gonna stand a chance! Ha ha ha!”

Button claps and laughs along with Elsie though she didn’t know why. “He he he! I think I’m gonna like being a Bailey!”