"Okay, close your eyes. Don't open, i swear Ellis."

"Okay! Okay! I wanna see it."

I heard the door open and Nick told me to open my eyes. A tiny puppy, a tiny golden labrador stood at my feet, sniffing around me and hopping on both my legs.

"Oh my god! He's adorable!" I giggled and hunkered down to stroke him.

I squeaked and picked him up. I had a name fly straight into my head. "Benny."

"Benny. That's a great name."

The day went past in a blur. I played with Benny while Nick went out and grabbed some food for him. His fluffy ears were the cutest. I was so happy, but the thought of that baby broke my heart.

I lifted my phone and realised that Nick had been gone for two hours. I put my phone back down and told myself not to worry. Benny had soundly fallen asleep on my lap, soft snores escaping his wet nose.

I desperately needed the bathroom, but I held it so I didn't wake him.

I flicked the TV on and smiled. From now on, I wasn't going to let some stupid things bring me down. Keith, for example. I needed to start living my life, be more adventurous. Truly, I loved being a mechanic, but the thought of opening a shop with Blu, Tommy and Latch at a different location. Sunny side seattle maybe?

I smiled and stroked Benny when he finally shifted. I ran to the bathroom and came back to the front door opening. Nick was holding somewhat of a baby blue bag, and his arms were being held up.

"Nick?"

The baby from the hospital lay peacefully in his arms. His button nose pushed out and in with every healthy breath.

"I couldn't help it." Nick paused.

---

I sat at the dining room table with Benny roaming the apartment.

"Nick, I love you, and I feel heartbroken for the baby, but financially, we can't afford him."

2 hours before, Nick's POV:

I could see Mercy West hospital on my way to the pet store, and inside, I felt my heart shatter. The baby would be stuck there for god knows how long and the ringing in my head was slowly getting louder.  Instead of taking the first junction, I took the second towards the hospital.

I eventually found a parking space in the midst of the flooded humans in the carpark.

What was I going to say? How would I even put it?

I walked in with my nerves shaking. My legs felt like they were about to tumble under me as I walked through the doors and towards a small lady.

---

"Of course, Nick. Come with me."

The lady with soft brown, hair, Zoey, took me to an office room. It looked awful. Wood and white walls, no pops of colour.

"So while you're looking after the baby, adoption services will be in the background working on finding parents. I have a few questions if that's alright?"

I nodded with a bouncing leg.

"Alright. Home situation. Where do you live?" She pondered.

"I live above my boyfriends garage. It's soundproof." I felt so blunt, I was terrified.

"Okay. Finical wise, will you be able to hold this baby from anywhere to three weeks to twenty two weeks?"

"Yes, Ellis, my boyfriend works full time and the garage is in his name."

"No problem. I have a form here for you that you'll be temp parents until we find parents."

"Okay." I nodded while biting my nails.

"Great thing you're doing. Some babys  don't do well here, they put them through programmes of learning which I don't agree with."

"I'm glad I took Junction two." I smiled with my eyes watering a little bit.

--
I walked out with the little baby boy sleeping soundly in my arms. He looked beautiful, peaceful if anything. I didn't think I would've temp adopted a child. My heart was full of warmth and love.

I just knew Ellis was either going to cry or be majorly confused. I couldn't leave that baby in there, and the baby is up for permanent adoption while being took care in temporary adoption.

I opened the truck door and boosted him into a small seat zoey had given me. I strapped myself in after getting him in and headed onto the pet store.

Grabbing what I needed while having a baby in my arms was majorly difficult. I grabbed a bed, put it in the trolley with a few bags of food. Toys and chew toys for Bennys teeth.

Eventually I'd checked out. I had gotten pouches of some breast milk that was donated to Mercy West for free.

On my way home, I felt almost sick to my stomach. Part of me regretted my decision for mine and Ellis' stake, but another part of me almost fell In love with the joy lying beside me.

--

"Nick, I love you, and I feel heartbroken for the baby, but financially, we can't afford him."

"Listen, we are temp parents until they find permanent parents. Mercy West are covering costs with our insurance." I held his hand while the baby was gurgling and a little groan popped out.

"Can," He stopped and looked a little teary eyed. "Can I hold him?"

"Of course you can."

Ellis took the baby off me and the baby immediately grabbed Ellis' finger and tried to pull inwards towards Ellis.

"I think he likes me." He choked back tears.

"I think he does." I kissed his forebead softly, stroking Benny straight after.

Ellis lowered the baby so Benny could see him. Benny licked the babys face softly on the cheek and snubbed his nose into his side.

"I think Benny approved." Ellis giggled.

"What a day this turned out to be." I sat back and wiped a tear that accidently slipped out of my eye.

"I wouldn't change it."

Ellis laid beside me on the chair with Benny on either side of us, and the baby laying across our arms.

Maybe, someday, we would be permanent parents.