a growing son, a happy family

[slayers_desire]

It was another good day for April and Jonathan. Their growing infant was learning more words, which was good since they didn't have to explain the S'man as much anymore.

Right now, Jonathan was trying to play with Shelby. But the older dog was just lying there, as he rolled a ball towards her. And called out... "B'll!"

April watched with interest. Definitely there was a connection there, between infant and dog. But the disconnect was that Jonathan had a lot of energy, while Shelby did not.

Comments

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Connor hugs her back, and from Clark he gets a manly clap on the shoulder. "Just stay out of trouble. We'll keep an eye out for you," Clark tells him.

[slayers_desire]

"By-bye!" Jonathan recognizes the familiar signs of hugs, and handshakes. So he has to add his two cents.

[jla_npc]

"Bye-bye!" Connor says, giving a little wave. "See you soon." And then he's off in a blur, vaulting the fence with ease and heading back to the house that he's staying in for the time being.

[slayers_desire]

April takes Clark's hands, smiling softly. "He is growing into such a fine, good man."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"He'll set a good example for our children," Clark agrees with a smile.

[slayers_desire]

"Jonathan seemed to like him." April chuckles. "Though... Jonny? That is a good nickname."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"It's not a bad idea... at least he might have a shot at pronouncing his own name sooner."

[slayers_desire]

"We have been working on that." April tickles the bottom of Jonathan's feet. "Who is Jonathan? Where is Jonathan?"

"Me!" Jonathan laughs.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Shelby barks once in apparent agreement, wagging his tail. He knows where Jonathan is, too. Clark gives the dog a pat on the head, and smiles at their son. "Hey, good job, buddy! You're such a smart one."

[slayers_desire]

"He takes after his father that way."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Hey, I don't get all the credit," he says, giving her a kiss. "Let's head back to the truck."

[slayers_desire]

"Let's go find some puppies..." April tells Jonathan, returning to the truck.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark doesn't watch the farm recede in the mirror, having said his farewell to the farm already. He misses the old place, but he doesn't cling to it, holding it dear to his heart while he lets it go. One day they'll return. And he's at peace with that.

The neighbor's farm is a few miles out of town, and Clark can hear the high-pitched yipping of young puppies as they pull into the driveway. Shelby's ears perk up at the sound and he looks out the window.

[slayers_desire]

"This must be the place." April is a little excited for this. "What breed are the puppies?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Golden retriever with a bit of black lab," Clark says as they get out of the truck. He clips Shelby to his leash before letting him out, in case the presence of lots of other dogs gets him too excited. Shelby is more than eager to get out and investigate the new smells and sounds, despite his slightly stiff joints. "From what I've been told, there's quite the variety to choose from."

[slayers_desire]

"Sounds like you did some research beforehand too." There are tricks to knowing which breed would suit any family, after all.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

It helps to have something familiar, too. Clark's very familiar with raising a golden retriever, and he knows that breed well. "They sounded like there might be a good fit."

The neighbor comes out to greet them, reaching out to shake hands. "Welcome back to the area, Clark. This must be your lovely wife. I'm Billy," he says, introducing himself to her.

[slayers_desire]

"Hello Billy. I am April. And this is Jonathan." The little boy in her arms goes into shy mode, meeting a new person.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Hey there, Jonathan." Billy waves at the little boy, smiling. "I hear you folks are looking for a new dog."

Shelby lets out a soft wuff at that, wagging his tail slowly.

[slayers_desire]

"We know that both Jonathan and Shelby here will pick out the appropriate puppy for our home."

"What about it Jonathan, would you like to see the puppies?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"We have the parents separated from each other right now," Billy says as he leads them around the house. "They can get a bit protective of their litter if they see strangers around."

"Will it be safe for Shelby to be around them?" Clark asks.

"Yes, but you might want to keep him outside the pen at first. The puppies are a bit excitable."

[slayers_desire]

"We have an excitable little boy in our arms too." April chuckled. Jonathan was hearing the sounds of puppies.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"He should be able to handle it... just keep him out of reach until they calm down a bit," Billy suggests.

The adult dogs are kept in separate pens behind a shed, so they can't see strangers with their babies, keeping them from getting too upset. The puppies are in a wire fence enclosure big enough to hold all six of them, and they're playing together until they notice the two-legged creatures approaching. Then the yips become louder as they all crowd near the fence, stubby little tails wagging.

[slayers_desire]

"Look Jonathan, puppies." April kneels down to the puppoes level. Far enough from the fence, so that Jonathan doesn't reach out and try to grab anything.

But still close enough so that the puppies can see them.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

The puppies are wriggling all over each other, trying to get close to the new people and lick them, their little tongues sticking through the fence. This is exciting and new for them, and they almost swarm Clark's hand when he reaches in to pet them. "They're certainly lively."

Shelby gets up close to the fence too, sniffing at the pups.