I woke up on my first day of officially being engaged determined to do everything right.

Mila was curled up next to me in my arms, reading the same book as yesterday. She was casually dancing against me, swaying to a rhythm that was set before I had woken up. It wasn't unusual but the energy was much higher than when she had woken up the day before.

"Morning," I took a strand of Mila's hair and twirled it around my finger. She gasped and froze. She set down the book on the nightstand and turned herself over to face me.

"Good morning," she placed a quick kiss on my lips before pulling away to look at me. She scanned over my face, my eyes, and a quick look at my lips before she settled on the blanket instead.

"How did you sleep?" I asked quietly, pulling her closer to me. I rolled her onto me and smiled at her. She rested her head on my shoulder and nuzzled up to me.

"Well... I slept very well..." Mila pushed some hair out of my face and smiled, her eyes meeting mine. "You slept, right?"

"I..." Words didn't come to mind and I found myself staring at Mila. The sun that was peaking through the blinds hit her brown eyes and turned them into honey. She laughed and tapped my shoulder to get my attention. "I did," I finally responded, keeping my eyes away from Mila's. They were a trap and I was already more nervous in that moment than I had ever been in my life. "Merry Christmas," I offered, trying to keep something rolling. Mila smiled and I earned another peck from Mila.

"Merry Christmas—what do you want for breakfast? Because you're not skipping it today." Mila scolded me with a smile. She attempted to sit up but found it difficult with my arms wrapped tightly around her waist.

"It's warmer in here than it was yesterday," I said, pulling her back down next to me.

"That's an odd way to—" Mila froze, as did the smirk on her lips. She sat up straight, ignoring my protests, and jumped out of the bed. She ran out of the room just as someone began banging on the door.

I ignored Mila's spider-senses and moved the presents from the closet to under the tree. By the time I had gotten to the front door, Mila was already in a full conversation with Sean. The living room light was on, confirming my suspicions. The power was back and that was something to celebrate at least.

"Sean, it seems a little ridiculous that you'd want to throw this poor baby on us... I don't even know you."

"Mrs. Nova," Sean smiled when he saw me walking up to the doorway. "Iris, I'm trying to find someone to take in Akira. My mother's getting old and with my father... Well, she can't care for the dog herself. I figured I'd ask the people around here first before going to a shelter." He was begging me silently, which didn't seem to work with my "wife."

"Where's the dog?" I asked as I placed my hand around Mila's waist. Sean nodded and looked behind him.

"At my mother's place. I can bring him over!" I nodded, figuring if nothing else I'd get to pet a dog. "I even cleared your driveway as a peace offering for letting everyone go a little overboard at the party... It must've been a hassle getting home." Sean turned around and jogged off. Once he was out of earshot, Mila turned to me with her eyebrows knit in confusion. I used my thumb to smooth out the wrinkles and waited for her to say something.

"Why'd you say yes?" She finally asked. Her lips pouted slightly and I wanted to fix it but I knew I wouldn't have the confidence to. It came in bursts and I needed to conserve it.

"I asked him where the dog is. There's a difference." I raised an eyebrow, which only caused Mila to roll her eyes. She gently pushed my chest and shook her head.

"You can't handle a dog," she rephrased as her eyebrows came back together.

"But we can, and you've always wanted one. If it's not a good dog, we say no, but that dog could end up in a million places, why aren't we a good fit?" Mila's expression softened and she nodded, turning to see Sean making his way back through the snow with a dog beside him and a wagon behind him. He began shouting once we were in earshot.

"Akira is trained and walks off-leash. He's actually a certified therapy dog so if you had any need for that..." He made it to the front door and the medium-sized husky ran up to me. It stopped and sat on the porch. Mila smiled and looked down at the dog.

"You're so pretty," she pet the dog once and became attached immediately. I could see it in her eyes when she looked back at me.

"How much are you charging?" I asked after watching Mila pet the dog for a minute.

"I'm not. Merry Christmas." Sean shrugged and I was back to debating what I should do. I took another look at Mila and the dog and nodded. "I have stuff here that should last you a month—I'm not sure how long you're staying but I'll only be here for a few more days. I'm leaving after new year's day." Sean leaned closer and checked to see that Mila wasn't paying attention, then he handed me a small bag and whispered: "I thought you might want some. We had extra."

Sean unloaded the wagon that had food, bowls, and a few toys, and went on his way.

Mila and I had a new dog as well as a bag I was too afraid to open with Mila nearby.