(Unedited, gotta go)

Sam-

The next morning was hectic... For me at least. Richard seemed to already have a rhythm down and moved through it seamlessly, even when he had to changed my pup an extra time. I wished I could help with breakfast or dishes or something, but I was having a hard enough time just managing to walk in a straight line. When I finally got myself into the kitchen and sat down against the cabinets there was a plate being moved in front of my face. It surprised me enough to let a quiet growl escape, but I ignored it and took the plate so that Richard didn't misunderstand.

He smiled, making me relax further as I blew on the food to cool it, then handed off little pinches of egg and bacon to my boy. He was back in his human form in a clean diaper and shorts. I still had on what he'd given me yesterday. It was comfortable, which was odd after being a dog for so long. I didn't think I'd like the feel of clothing on me again.

We were about halfway through the plate of food when I noticed Richard walking over and looked up just in time to see his hand come down and pat my head. My canine instincts took over, but not in the way I expected them to. Instead of biting or growling, I nudged my head into his hand, seeking the attention it gave. When I actually realized what I was doing I bristled and growled, making the hand retract as Richard figured out I might bite.

Instead of laughing like I thought he might, he actually gave my boy a gentle pat and then stood back up.

"I've got to head out. Remember, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to call me." He said before walking out of the kitchen. I wanted to say something back but didn't trust my vocabulary... and had no idea what I wanted to say in the first place. So, I kept my mouth shut as I listened to his footsteps near the door, then stop as little ones ran over. There was a quiet conversation I couldn't hear, then a pat on the back before the door closed and locked.

I could hear her coming after Richard left, but when his daughter walked around the corner and chanced a smile at me, I couldn't stop myself from baring my teeth and growling. She froze immediately, and I felt like crap for scaring her seconds after her father left her here, trusting her to me.

Stupid move.

My eyes followed her movements as she sat down awkwardly a few feet away by the door.

"I'm sorry, Sam." She whispered, hugging her knees against her chest.

Dammit.

Why had I said that I could take care of his cub? I could barely take care of my own pup in my human form, and now I was responsible for a bear cub that I couldn't even tolerate near my boy?

It was frustrating. Not being able to walk well was frustrating. Being so useless.

Shaking my head harshly, I set the remainder of the food aside, letting Coda nibble at it as I turned and used the cabinets to help myself get up onto my knees. That part was pretty easy, but when I looked up, my determination began to crumble. It had taken so long to walk to the darn kitchen this morning after I used the bathroom. I knew males normally stood, but I couldn't keep my balance enough and it was honestly humiliating to have to sit.

You can do this. Just stand up.

Even though it was such a simple thing I used to be able to do all the time, it took me a good five minutes to get to my feet. The counter had to help me stay up once I was there, making me get even more annoyed.

"Sam?"

Looking down, I noticed Jessica holding out a small walking cane to me. I noticed it looked almost brand new as I reached out and grabbed it. The color was a swirl of dark green and reds. It really was quite beautiful for such a basic item, but I was thankful to have it, my ego be damned. I got myself stabilized with the cane surprisingly well with the cane, then grinned down at Jess.

"Tank you."

Her smile grew as she nodded and gently picked up my now-puppy son who had been pawing at her legs. It made me fidget, but I swallowed down my fear of her hurting him and tried to look at the situation in a positive manner. She wasn't hurting him and he obviously wasn't upset. In fact, he was licking at her face like it was covered in peanut butter, and she was giggling like a little girl who had just gotten a puppy for Christmas.

"Would you like brekvast, Jezzica?"

I noticed that her father hadn't made her any, which was understandable since he was rushing so much. He likely forgot. When she nodded and told me just that, that he often forgot to make her something, I frowned and carefully made my way to the refrigerator. Cooking would be the nice thing to do, but that would also likely end with me being burned pretty badly and looking even more like a helpless dog.

Instead of grabbing the eggs or bacon, I got out the milk and easily found a box of cereal in a cupboard next to the fridge. "Is this okay?" I asked Jessica as I shook the box slightly and looked down at her.

"Yes Sam!" She chimed up at me, making me smile as I nodded and got a small bowl down and made her the simple breakfast. When I turned to hand her the bowl she had already set Coda down and was took it, careful not to spill the milk. She waddled to the tiny dinner table in the other room and set the bowl on top, then climbed into the chair to begin eating. That's where I found her a moment later after I got the milk put away and made my way into the room to sit down.

I've never really had this kind of responsibility so I wasn't sure what was expected of me. That's how I ended up staring at her until she was completely done with her meal. That left us at an awkward staring match that my inner dog couldn't manage to break. He was cocky and didn't exactly like when others challenged him. Too bad for him, I had to force my eyes away after nearly five minutes. She was a child and was likely far less in charge of her shift than I was of mine and didn't understand what she had actually been doing was aggressive behavior.

Sighing, I got up and carefully lifted Coda into my free arm, resting him partially on my hip. I planned to just settle in on the sofa and relax until Richard got home from work, but feeling eyes on me, I turned and noticed Jessica looking at me in little fleeting glances.

"What?" I asked, trying not to sound rude even though I didn't have much patience. It wasn't her fault though, so I did my best not to make my attitude visible.

"Um... Wanna play pwincess?"

Princess? Really? Do I look like someone who would play princess?  

That's what I thought, but then I found myself in her room, sitting on the floor staring awkwardly at the bright pink table and three chairs surrounding it. There was an old brown bear stuffed animal missing an eye, a bright purple unicorn that could use a good wash, and then Jessica plopped down into the chair across from me. She set a tray down on the table with water I don't remember her having gotten within the time it took me to get to her room.

Must have been from last time's tea party.

Drinking old water didn't bother me in the least. I did live on the streets for a good while. What did bother me was that she was now offering me a shiny pink and silver tiara that had no business being on my head. I took it though, but instead of putting it on myself, I carefully settled it onto my pup's head. It fit, disturbingly the well, and he didn't seem to mind the thing in the least. In fact, he was tilting his head back and forth curiously and wagging his tail.

And a new princess is born.

Jessica didn't seem to notice my distaste because her attention was way too focused on Coda's enthusiasm to his new crown. He soon turned his attention to the little cups Jess was setting out on the table and made her day when he took a quick drink from the one placed in front of us. He pawed at the table for the next few minutes as I was hinted to take a drink of the tea and forced myself to play along. It was annoyingly boring at first, but as my son got more into the stuffed animals... As in grabbing them and running around while Jessica tried to catch him, I realized it was actually quite entertaining.

Time passed and we moved into the living room as the playing tea party turned into a tug of war with a jump rope Coda had stolen from Jessica's room. I moderated, breaking them up if they got a bit too rough. They only ever got bad once or twice, and it never resulted in an actual injury, just a surprised yelp or growl.

By the time Richard was home we were all on the sofa, his daughter in her bear form and myself and my son in our canine forms. They were both cuddled up against my belly, snug and out cold. I hadn't fed either, not really trusting myself, even though the cane was definitely helpful. Besides, neither of them seemed interested in food and then passed out after running around for hours.

Richard walked over to me after setting his things down and hanging up his coat.

"Hey Sam. Looks like everything is in order. Knew I could trust you."

You can't trust me.

Instead of saying that, I whined and let my stubby tail wag slightly. It made him smile, which just made it wag faster. Darn it.

Instead of leaving me be to go make dinner or relax, he instead sat down gently set his hand atop my head. I didn't grumble this time. Not even when he began to scratch behind my ears and actually pet me like one would a dog. The kids moved a little, giving me an opportunity that my dog-self took without asking me first. I crawled into Richard's lap and practically embarrassed myself by rolling over and asking for a belly rub.

I wanted to kill myself right there... Until he began scratching my belly.

Screw dinner. Heaven. I'm going to heaven right nooooow.

I thought he would just scratch me for a minute, then get up so that we could take care of the kids. It smelled like Coda could use a diaper change and food was technically needed, but when he stopped scratching my belly a few minutes later, it wasn't to get up. Nope. Instead, he gently tugged me into his arms for a strong hug I was shocked to received. It felt weird at first and I felt a need to bite well up in the pit of my belly. But then it felt... Right.