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Desperate Times, Closer Bonds (PatientOne & Celeana)

PatientOne

Star
Joined
May 1, 2014
Location
In the confines of my mind
Alex had been eighteen when his parents died. Coming home late from work they were carpooling and were hit by a drunk driver. The impact alone killed both of them. Alex had just been accepted into a college but the college was in a different state and with both of his parents gone, his sister Anna had no where to go but foster homes. Alex wasn't going to let that happen so he ditched the college idea and instead did the college online. He jumped straight into the work force, doing odd jobs on the side as well as working a full time job in a factory. Having a steady job, a car and a two bedroom apartment he was given Guardian rights to Anna since she was not eighteen yet.

That was two years ago. Now at the age of twenty Alex was a management position at the factory and making a decent living. However he was working almost every day, staying up a few hours a night to do his online courses and keeping Anna in school. Granted her school wasn't expensive but her books and her food had to come from some where. Alex loved Anna like any big brother and he was very protective over her...maybe a bit too much since their parents died but she was all he had. No Aunts or Uncles, and their grand parents were all too old to raise Anna, so it was literally Alex or foster homes. The life insurance that his parents had was enough to help him but he kept that on a tight hold. Only using it when it was absolutely needed, like hospital visits or something like that.

Alex was always smart with his money, something both of their parents had taught them at a young age. Only use what was needed, not wanted. It had been hard on Alex, putting a hold on his own life and his own goals but at the same time, he never once blamed Anna for it. He wanted her to be able to have a life even in such shitty times. He got to enjoy his high school life with little worries, he wanted her to have the same thing. High school was a big mile stone in a child's life and he'd be damned if he was going to have this hurdle ruin hers. Today was just like any other day and like all days, he'd taken her to school, about a half hour early so that she'd be sitting in the school cafeteria waiting with other kids. He then went to work. Standing at six feet tall and weighing in at one hundred seventy pounds he was a little light for a man his height but he wasn't lacking in the muscle department.

Working in a factory nearly every day for 10-12 hours a day tended to put some muscle on you. He had short black hair, cut in a crew cut style since it was so damn hot in the factory. His skin was lightly tanned and his eyes were a pale blue. Anna looked more like their mother with dark brown hair and pale green eyes. The freckles she had were from their dad. Her slender frame was definitely from their mom as she was a slim woman as well. Alex had left a note on the kitchen table as well as thirty dollars for Anna when she got home from school. He'd be working late due to a company inspection, but after that the factory would be shut down for two days to get re-organized and get a much needed cleaning and maintenance. Which was a nice thing since it had been two years since Alex had two days off in a row. His first full weekend.
 
Anna looked at the money on the table as she entered, having taken her usual ride home on the bus and walking about two blocks up to the apartment she and her brother called home. She was lucky enough to have been afforded a scholarship to a private academy but the scholarship didn't cover everything, just the cost of tuition. She did love her school though. Even if the work was hard and demanding, attending it put her at a higher chance of getting a scholarship to an Ivy league or even just a great University in general. Though when she did think about going to a good school, she thought of how her brother had sacrificed that after their parents had been killed. He was a good person, so reliable and responsible and while he worked hard, she couldn't help but feel guilty that she was keeping him back. Of course he didn't say she was, but she certainly felt like it. If their parents hadn't died, if she hadn't needed someone to look after her, he would have been attending a great school out of state, living a life beyond long hours and late nights providing and working towards his own goals at the same time. She'd mentioned getting a part time job but he'd told her that she needed to focus on school. He hadn't had a part time job in high school, and she wasn't going to either.

Reading the note, she set it down and then unloaded her book bag on the table, tugging off her blazer and then moving to do her homework. It took nearly two hours every night to accomplish the feat, even on Friday nights, but once she finished this homework, she'd have two days of freedom. The best part about that, was that her brother was actually going to be taking those two days off too so they could do more than watch a little tv before bed.

Once her homework was finished, Anna decided to save the money and instead, opted for cooking a bit of grilled chicken and stir fried veggies, making sure to leave a plate for him, wrapped up on the table, the money still there. She decided they could use that money to get burgers or some other kind of junk food tomorrow and really enjoy the freedom the two days allotted them both. After eating dinner, and cleaning up the kitchen, she got a shower, dressed for bed and then spent the next hour doing other household chores, making sure everything was cleaned. Finally, after all that, she settled down on the couch to watch TV, deciding she was going to wait on her brother to get home before she went to bed. Her brown hair was long and loose, damp from her shower and she wore a pair of long pajama bottoms and t-shirt that had seen better days, her feet bare as her petite frame laid on the couch, watching some silly family sitcom, hugging the throw pillow while she waited.
 
When Alex came home it was about ten o'clock at night. Pulling into his spot in the parking lot he put the car in park and rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh. Grabbing his bag he looked at the paper that one of his co-workers had given him. The woman had been new to his team in the factory. She was a sweet young girl and very attractive but as he looked at the paper it said, 'Let's grab a drink some time' and her number was on the paper. As tempting as that sounded, he didn't have the time for that. Alex wasn't twenty one yet so he didn't drink and he was either working or at home sleeping.

Putting the paper in his pants pocket he shook his head as he opened the door and got out, taking his bag as he shut the door and locked his car. Walking up the steps to his door he unlocked it and opened it. Seeing the table with the plate of food he walked into the kitchen and set his lunch bag by the sink. Walking out of the kitchen he looked around the corner to see Anna sitting on the couch and smiled.
"Hey Anna. How was school?"
He asked as he went back to the kitchen to wash his hands and his face since he was pretty dirty.

Once that was done and he dried off, he walked into the living room and bent down kissing her forehead.
"Would you mind heating up the food while I shower?"
He asked as he smiled. He smelled like sweat, factory soot and left over cologne that had stuck around. Walking to his bedroom he pulled his shirt off and as he did this, there was a small problem. There was a new white gauze pad on his upper right shoulder that was pink in the center showing that he'd been hurt at work. Which wasn't surprising but this was one of the bigger injuries.
 
"Not too bad. Aced my trig test. Math bites," she said with a smile, lifting herself up after he kissed her forehead. When he mentioned the food, she nodded. "Can do..." As he headed toward his bedroom, Anna headed toward the kitchen only to pause when she saw the gauze taped on the back of his shoulder. Concern shadowed her pretty face and she moved toward his room instead, reaching out, barely touching his shoulder. "What happened?" She asked ignoring the sooty diesel smell of the factory as she bothered over the wound, seeing the pink tinge to the white. Blood.

"It looks like it needs changing," she added then moved to the kitchen, opening the cabinet holding their first aid box. After grabbing it, she returned to the bedroom and urged him to sit down. "Don't start fussing at me either..." She warned then gently peeled back the medical tape and gauze, wincing at the nasty cut. Not deep enough for stitching but nasty all the same. "Are you going to tell me what happened?" She asked, grabbing neosporin from the kit, using a cotton swab to dab it on to the cut. "Or do I have to pout like a little lost puppy first?" She added, giving him a little smirk before continuing to see to the wound.
 
Alex huffed as he sat on his bed, sitting on the foot of in and leaned back so that she could see the wound and mess with it.
"Just a working accident hun. Nothing to worry about. It just showed the managers that the factory needs to have some maintenance done. Loose piping fell and hit me."
He said as he smiled a bit and shrugged then hissed as she put the neosporin on his wound. That sting was not an unfamiliar feeling but at the same time, it wasn't a pleasant one. Feeling her cleaning the wound he flinched a few times and winced as a piece of metal was plucked from the wound before she let him up.

"Super glue will fix it. Not to worry."
Walking back to the bed he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"But thank you hun."
He said as he smiled and tapped her nose. He then unbuckled his pants and motioned for her to scoot.
"Can I shower now?"
Chuckling as she hopped out of the room he stripped in his bathroom and took a long hot shower. Careful of his wound as well.

When he came out he wasn't wearing a shirt so that his wound could get some air and he had on a pair of sweat pants. His skin was clean and smelling of his soap. His hair was damp but it was too short to really be an issue. Sitting at the table he ate his food and thanked her for making it. While he ate he looked over at her.
"You have a history test Monday right? Been keeping your nose in your book?"
He asked as he looked at her, then he smiled.
"Get any boys numbers yet?"
 
She heated up his dinner while he got a shower and then watched him reappear, looking fit as a fiddle, and smelling like soap. It was a comforting scent. Sinking down at the table, she sipped on her water before blushing. "One guy but he is a pain in the ass," she said then sighed. "He constantly bothers me and thinks that because his parents are rich that I would fawn all over him. He is just...so arrogant....and my biggest rival for valedictorian...his GPA matches mine, which is equally infuriating," she grinned then sighed.

"And yes. History exam on Monday but I'm more than prepared for it. I think I memorized the entire chapter." Taking another sip of water, she watched him eat then set her cup down again. "I intend to enjoy my two days of rest...I hope you do. Maybe sleeping in for once. I can't remember the last time you had a day off. It's been months..." Her eyes softened. "I wish sometimes, that you didn't have to work as hard as you do to take care of me..." She took a deep breath before deciding to venture into dangerous territory. "I...I could get a job too you know...I wouldn't mind it..." Her voice was hesitant but she didn't dare look away. "If you can go to school and work, so can I...."
 
The last time she'd asked about working, she'd been fifteen and while he had a small part time job while he was in high school, he'd been seventeen. Now that she was older he looked at her. Standing up to put his plate away he sighed as he washed the plate and came back to the couch. Sitting down beside her he turned and looked at her.
"Just something small. Nothing big. Maybe starbucks or something. Pick something close to home though."
He said as he knew he had to let her grow up some time. Plus too, this would let her know what it was like to prioritize.

"When you manage to get a job, tell me what it is though. Also."
A few weeks ago they'd done her drivers exam and she actually had her license. Alex had used some of their parents life insurance and bought her a car. It wasn't brand new but it was new enough and had very few miles on it. Pointing to the little white box on the counter he winked.
"Open that."
Inside were keys to a Honda Civic and it was parked beside his car.
 
She smiled when he finally relented on her getting a job then blinked, glancing at the white box with confusion before turning back to him. "What? Is there some special occasion I'm missing or something? My birthday was two months ago...and Christmas isn't for another two...." She trailed off and then untied the ribbon on the box, opening it up, eyes wide as she saw the key. "Oh my god," she whispered then looked at her brother.

"Bubba," Anna whispered, her voice astonished. "You didn't..." She said then turned back to the box, lifting the key up, examining it, feeling her heart beat wildly. "You got me a car? B-but we can't afford a car...insurance..." She trailed off then looked back at him, flinging herself toward him him and hugging him tightly. "Oh Alex! I can't believe this! Why?" She asked, tears in her eyes, grateful, happy for it. "Thank you..." She added then hugged him again. "You really are the world's best older brother you know..."
 
Alex smiled at her as she called him a name she used to call him when Alex was to much for her. She'd been wearing diapers back then. Shaking his head he walked her to the window and pointed to the shiny Honda Civic parked beside his car.
"You're on my insurance so don't worry. Next time we go visit mom and dad you can thank them. You're almost an adult now...much to my disappointment. So I need to start treating you like one. Plus too, having my old ass dropping you off at school has to be annoying."

Smiling he kissed the top of her head and walked back to the couch to sit down and relax. He ended up leaning a bit to the left so he didn't press on his shoulder. Rubbing his neck he winced a bit. That beam must have hit him harder than he thought. His neck was really sore.

"Hey. Mind working your magic on my neck? It really hurts."
 
Tears welled in her eyes as he said that she was almost an adult and mentioned their parents. The tears could only wet her cheeks before she blinked them back. "You know I don't mind that," she whispered as he mentioned dropping her off at school. And she hadn't minded it at all. it was one of the few times a day they saw each other for more than a few brief moments. She hugged him again then felt him wince and draw back, mentioning his neck. Without a second thought, she was up off the couch and behind him, setting the key neatly down on the coffee table beside them. "Thank you," she said again, kissing the top of his head affectionately.

Anna slowly looked at the swelling around the wound and sighed. "You're going to have a huge bruise when all this is said and done..." she told him gently as she ever so slowly started to work her hand into the tense muscle. He was lucky that he hadn't been injured worse than this. And it reminded her how dangerous his job really was. Not for the first time, a bit of guilt assaulted her as she focused on what she was doing, and feeling her fingers drift a little lower, strong as they tended to his neck in hopes of relieving his pain. He did so much for her and she honestly couldn't imagine life without him in it. Their relationship, was certainly closer than any brother or sister she knew. They rarely fought and when they did, it was always because one of them was stressed out. After their parents had died, she had been so devastated, for a while just this quiet and solemn thing. While he had worked to ensure she didn't have to stay with the state or their grandparents, she had languished in limbo with a family she didn't even speak too. They'd been awful too and she could still remember how grateful she was, three months after their parents death, when the judge had given guardianship rights to her brother, the one person in the world who had been able to drag her out of her silent shell and who's constant love had caused her to return to some semblance of normalcy. He'd driven the darkness away. He'd been the only one able to do so.

"What do you want to do tomorrow? If you aren't too sore, maybe we could go to a movie, fill up on junk food?" Anna suggested softly, her fingers bold, intentioned as they sought out every tight muscle they could find.
 
Alex groaned as he felt her fingers working into his shoulder and neck. Wincing whenever she got to a sore muscle. He knew she worried. That factory had a few people get killed over the years due to faulty machinery and more than one get hurt from beams falling or a cat walk giving out but it was the best paying factory and their insurance was damn good as well. Nodding to her when she mentioned he was going to have a good sized bruise he shrugged.
"Price of working at a factory hun."
He said as he smiled and leaned back against her while she continued to rub his shoulders.

When she asked what he wanted to do he looked back at her.
"Whatever you wanna do. I barely get any time with you so we'll make this weekend about you. Wanna go to the mall? I've got a good amount in savings. I know your homecoming is coming up here soon. We can start looking at dresses for you."
He said as he smiled. He really didn't want to have to do that but homecoming and Prom were big things in the High school life. Though whatever boy was taking his sister had better be a fucking boy scout.

When she finished her little massage he pulled her into his lap and smiled as he kissed her cheek.
"Thank you Squirt."
He said as he smiled.
"You can drive tomorrow though. Let you break in your new car."
 
She squeaked as he dragged her into his lap then gave a grin. "I still can't believe you got me a car..." She whispered then hugged him tight. "You really do spoil me and I don't feel like I deserve it sometimes. I don't know what I would do without you Alex," Anna murmured, hugging him before grabbing the throw blanket, tossing it over both of thenm and curling into his side for warmth as the nightly news started.

Feeling herself getting tired, she gave a sigh some thirty or so minutes later, giving him a blurry eyed smile. "I'm gonna head to bed. See you in the morning," she promised gently before kissing both of his cheeks, making her way to her room. Inside, the walls were clean of any decoration except a calendar, and she had a couple of book cases filled with her favorites as well as her old school books. Some of them had gone on to make great reference books. She collapsed onto her bed, not even trying to turn the lamp on, and curled up under her thin quilt, exhaustion taking over as her head connected to her pillow.
 
Alex stayed up for a little while after Anna headed to bed. Sighing a bit he headed to his room a few minutes later and as he sat on his bed he looked at his phone and the phone number for Stacy, the woman who'd given him her number. Looking at it for a while he finally sent her a text telling her that he didn't drink and that he didn't have a lot of free time between taking care of his sister and work. Once the text was sent he hoped that would let her know that he wasn't someone she should bother wasting her time on.

A lot of people at work knew the story with him. How he was the legal guardian of his sister and that their parents were dead. So a lot of people tried to help him out when they could, even though he never accepted the help. He'd thank them for caring but he was more than capable of supporting her. Getting a reply she'd responded telling him that she could always come by and help him or hang out with him. Oh yeah, that wouldn't be awkward.

Telling her 'we'll see' he set his phone on silent and went to sleep. When he woke up the next morning his internal alarm clock had him up about an hour in a half later than he was used to waking up. Rolling out of bed he went right to the kitchen for some coffee. As he made the coffee he looked at the clock. 7:30. Rubbing his face he looked at his phone as the coffee brewed. Stacy was asking what he was doing today. He told her he'd be taking his sister to the mall and when she asked when, he said around noon.

Obviously he didn't think anything of it. Instead he pocketed his phone, drank his coffee and started making Anna's favorite breakfast.
 
It was the smell of cooking sausage that woke her and she turned over, letting the smell fill her nostrils before she gave a sigh. Slipping out of bed, she drew her long brown hair back in a scrunchie and then entered the living area, seeing him at the stove, making some breakfast. There was already a steaming pile of french toast on a plate and it looked like he was finishing up the sausage. "Yummy..." she said, entering the kitchen and then pulling out the gallon jug of milk from the fridge, humming to herself as she poured herself a glass, noting he had his coffee, something she didn't care for at all. It did smell good.

"You've outdone yourself big brother," she said with a smile then sank down at the kitchen table, watching him cook, after ensuring there was a plate and set of silverware for them both waiting when he finished. "It smells really good," she added, giving a beaming smile. "How's your shoulder? Better I hope," she said and she meant it. The last thing she wanted was for him to be in pain or hurting.
 
Smiling as she walked over he nodded to her.
"Morning."
He said as he chuckled when she filled up a glass of milk and set the table. It was a bit strange having breakfast with her. Usually he'd be up really early making her breakfast and by the time she woke up he'd be gone and her breakfast would be on the table. Walking to the table with her food he set it in front of her and kissed her on the top of the head.

"My shoulder is okay. Sore, but that's to be expected."
He said as he smiled and went back to the kitchen making his own plate before heading back and sitting in front of her. Once they were both seated he started eating his food and as they ate he discussed going to the mall with her again. He also needed to go because he needed more shirts and a new pair of work boots since his had seen better days.

"Is there anything you need?
 
She looked at her plate of food, taking a few bites of her meal before looking back at him. "Hmmm...well I guess we can window shop for a homecoming dress. I can try a few on but we can wait on that. There's no guarantee that I'm actually going to go. Boys aren't really interested in me at school...if they are, I don't know it....Not to mention I'm the...scholarship case...it's pretty elitist," she muttered then took another bite of her breakfast, washing it down with milk. "But that's life when you go to a prep school and I'm not there for the boys, I'm there to get a good education...I know it would make mom and dad proud...Mom was so happy when I got my acceptance letter..." she said, recalling it fondly. She was a junior now, and she had gotten the acceptance to the academy she now attended, just two weeks before their parents death. It was probably why, when she started going to Holsten Prep, she had wanted to do everything she could to make her mom and dad proud, to really fight. And now she was at the top of her class. They were her motivation to do better, to do more....that and her brother, who seemed to have this unyielding faith in her.

"It's not to far out of the budget to watch a movie is it?" she asked hopefully, finishing up her toast, working on what was left of her sausage, her green eyes focused on her older brother. "I'd rather window shop anyway, because I don't think I really need anything...." she mused then smiled before washing down her breakfast with the rest of her milk.
 
Alex smiled at her as she said that she'd just window shop. Part of him wanted to get her something special but since he didn't spend a lot of time with her, he had no idea what she liked anymore. So he just decided to keep an eye on her to see what caught her attention most. When breakfast was done and they'd showered and changed, he handed her the keys to her car and they left for the mall. It was nice not to drive once in a while.

Upon getting to the mall he walked to his usual stores to get his clothes and new boots, making sure there were deals on them just to save money. When they walked by some nice dresses he stopped and watched her to see how she'd react. What he didn't know was that Stacy was coming into the mall at that moment.

As he was standing there with a black plain t-shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans he looked up and saw tge red head heading their way. Sighing he looked at his sister who wasn't looking at the moment. This would be interesting.
 
"Oh they are so pretty," she said awwing a bit as she looked at the display window of gowns, but she knew that there were too expensive. She couldn't imagine dropping money on something she would only wear once. If she went to homecoming, she would want to get something she could put in her closet and wear out to formal events again, not just one silly high school dance. She knew of plenty of girls who's parents were spending close to half a grand on Homecoming and that didn't even factor in that they planned to spend double come Prom. Before she could say something else, a feminine voice rang out and she turned, watching a pretty red head move toward them with a grin.

"Alex!" she exclaimed. "Fancy running into you here," she teased before looking to Anna. "And you must be his little sister...I'm Stacy...I work with him at the factory."

She held out her hand. Anna's brow rose, but then she decided it would be rude if she refused so gave the woman's hand a shake. "Hi," she said quietly then watched the woman immediately divert attention to her brother.

"Well I'm certainly glad I ran into you Alex. I know you said you couldn't do drinks but maybe I could treat you..." she trailed off and glanced at Anna before looking back "and your sister to lunch at the food court...anything you want..." She was beaming, and trying to hard. Anna noted that immediately. Even so, she was pretty and well, when was the last time her brother had really made an effort with a girl. Part of her balked at the idea, but he seemed so lonely. Maybe this was what he needed, even if Anna didn't much like her already. She seemed a little to eager. Did the woman even understand the phrase 'hard to get'?
 
Alex looked at Stacy and gave a half smile, one that was forced as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Um. Hey. Yeah, I'm only twenty so drinking is a no go for me."
He said as he looked at Anna as he watched her brow raise. Like most siblings, he'd learned to have his own language with her basically through watching one another's facial expressions and eye movements. Anna wasn't amused. Smirking a bit he looked back at Stacy as she asked to treat him and Anna at the food court.

That was a bit of a double edged blade. If Anna liked the person, she'd be light on their wallet...if not. She'd hurt their bank account. Looking at his sister he nodded a bit.
"Sure. It's about lunch time."
He said as he let Stacy walk on ahead as she put way too much effort into swaying her hips. It looked like she'd pop a joint if they went any further. Putting his hand on Anna's shoulder he kissed her cheek.
"Be nice. I've tried avoiding this topic for a while."
He said as he let her know that he was entertaining this little event just to be nice.

As they made it to the food court, Alex just got a slice of pizza which was a grand total of four dollars. Five if you include his water. Looking at Anna he just watched her hoping she'd be nice.
 
"Only twenty? You seem so much older....then again, you're full of responsibilities guys twice your age don't have," she said warmly then glanced at Anna who was just quietly walking along beside them. At the food court, her brother ordered simply and Anna ended up ordering fries and a burger. Nothing fancy and nothing she wouldn't order with her brother. Stacy, ended up getting a slice of pizza as well and Stacy couldn't help but think she was only doing it because Alex was. Girls were stupid like that sometimes. Getting things, doing things and pretending to do things to impress guys that they liked. Stacy ended up sitting beside Alex and Anna remained silent as she took her own place across from them.

"I have to say Anna, your brother loves to rave about you...You must be something special," she said warmly. It's not that she was being mean, but Anna got the distinct impression that she was trying to hard, and for some reason, she really hated the fact that Stacy was so close to her brother, so flirty and clingy. Her brother just looked uncertain about it all and she tried to be nice. After all her brother deserved happiness and Stacy just might be that, even if Anna didn't particularly care for her.

"Oh...yeah well...he and I are pretty close," she said gently then ate a fry.

"I'll say," Stacy smiled then looked at her co-worker. "How are you feeling? I know yesterday you took quite the knock. Nothing to harmful I hope..."
 
Alex looked at Stacy as she mentioned his shoulder and nodded.
"I would have been sore but Anna really helped me out and gave me a massage. I really should start paying her with how good she is."
He said as he didn't think about what he'd just said. Smiling at Anna he could tell she wasn't too thrilled about this and he gave her an apologetic look as he knew he'd have to make up for this little bit. When he finished his pizza he waited till Anna finished her food then stood up and grabbed her trash, as well as his and Stacy's.

Leaning down he looked at Anna.
"Want some ice cream?"
He asked as he knew that would usually cheer her up, or something sweet. Giving the top of her head a light peck before walking to the garbage can and throwing the trash away. When he came back he looked at his sister and put his hand on her shoulder as he waited to see if she wanted ice cream.
 
Anna looked at her brother and nodded. "Oh yes please. The Cookies and Cream one please," she smiled brightly at him then took another sip of her drink, glancing back at Stacy who looked as awkward as Anna felt. After Alex went to grab the sweet treat, Anna took a sip of her drink. "Thanks for lunch..."

Stacy smiled. "Oh no problem. I think you and I can both agree that your brother deserves a break every now and then...the man works himself to death on the job..."

Anna looked at the table. "He is a good brother....you must really like him..."

Stacy nodded. "I do...he is such a sweetheart. Men like your brother are hard to come by."

Anna said nothing, feeling guilty, but also territorial. Her brother deserved happiness and her presence was probably making him stop in pursuing Stacy. Maybe she could curb back the attitude a little and try and garner what her brother thought of this girl. She didn't want to be a Debbie downer. Her brother deserved happiness, even if Stacy seemed insufferable and clingy.
 
Alex came back to the table with Anna's ice cream and as he set it down he placed a waffer in her ice cream and smiled at her. He loved to see Anna excited and any time he mentioned something sweet she always smiled. One other thing that he'd been planning for a while was something to help keep her company while he was at work. After they were done eating and she finished her ice cream, Alex stood up and looked at his watch.

"Anna. Follow me. I've got something I want to show you."
He said as he looked at Stacy.
"You can tag along if you want."
He said with a smile as he was just excited to see his sister's face. Taking her to a store that had adoptable dogs and cats it was a new store and he knew she loved puppies. Walking her into the store he pointed to the window of puppies.
"Pick one. You can pet them and hold them."

He was doing it to see which one she connected with the best. He'd already filled out the paperwork. He just needed to know which puppy she wanted.
 
"Pick one?" Anna asked softly, looking at him with wide eyes before slipping into the store, not sure she could believe it. There were a range of pups to choose from and as the employee helped her, she found herself attached to a cute white with brown patches mutt that was a mix of several small breeds. She was adorable and friendly and to cute for words. Her eyes were lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Are you really getting me a dog?" She asked softly. Between this and her new car, she didn't know what to think. Tears filled her eyes and she looked down, scratching the soft spot behind the pup's ear, so happy and in awe of this adorable furry creature and the fact that she would be taking it home. Her brother, honestly, was just to perfect for words.
 
Alex smiled as he nodded and bought the dog, signing the adoption papers and handing the pup to the workers so that they could chip her and give her the shots she needed as well as a collar and leash.
"I work a lot and I know you're at home alone a lot. So now you have someone to keep you company. Dog's are amazing at improving someone's mood."
He said as he smiled and gave Anna a hug, stroking her back softly.
"You will be in charge or walking her and feeding her mind you. I'll buy the food, but she's yours to train."

He was giving her the responsibility of raising a dog so that she could slowly grow up, despite how much he didn't want her to. Looking over at Anna as the dog was given to her in a small pet carrier with a new collar, ID tags, and leash Alex bought some supplies, dog food and a few chew toys. They took that stuff to his car and put it in the trunk, putting the dog carrier in the back seat.

Looking at Stacy he gave a sheepish smile.
"We should probably head home to get the dog used to her new home. Thank you for lunch again."
He said as he wasn't too sure about inviting her over mainly because he wasn't too sure he wanted her knowing where he lived.
 
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