(Quick chapter :3)

Sam-

The days leading up to the ultrasound wore me out in both body and mind. I was studying school after the principle had agreed to allow Richard to help me during the time I pregnant, but I was also reading as much about custody issues and mothers' rights as I could. And boy was there a lot of information!

"Hey, take a break Sammy. Dinner's ready and I know you're hungry." Richard said as he walked over to where I was laying on the floor, my paw on the mouse he had connected to the laptop. It had taken me a good day to figure out how to move it just right with my paw to allow myself to browse articles, but it had been well worth the frustration.

Thank you. I said while looking up at him with a slight wag of my stubby tail. He smiled and set my food down. Coda ran over at the same time, nibbling at the portion on the side of the plate that was obviously made for him. After finishing the last paragraph of the article I had been on, I turned my attention to the hamburger and pasta on the plate and began eating heartily.

Ever since the pregnancy began my appetite had skyrocketed. I was easily eating twice what I had before, which was surprising considering I hadn't even eaten that much when feeding my first litter. Not that there was much to eat. I reminded myself bitterly.

"Your appointment is tomorrow, so we'll get up early for that before heading in to work." Richard said as he sat down next to me, leaning against the sofa as he began to eat. He was so sweet, always eating on the floor with me and the kids since I couldn't really eat at the table without making a mess.

"Do you think it's an animal pregnancy this time? Or human? I have to say, I'd be glad if it was animal so the gestation is a lot shorter." Richard said with a light laugh. He tried to play it off, but I knew that he was exhausted from all of the extra hours he'd had to put in during the last several weeks just to keep me and Coda fed, let alone Jess and himself.

I think it is. I replied to him calmly, then glanced outside.

Hey Richard? Why don't you sell the chain link fence and dog house out there? I'm sure someone would pay decently for such a nice set up.

Richard blinked, looking outside with a raised brow.

"Oh. I guess so. I'll give the shelter a call tomorrow and ask them if I could sell it, since it was donated to them. I wouldn't want to get rid of it if they could use it."

I nodded, then added. And I do think it's an animal pregnancy. It seems to be progressing much faster than my other one.

Richard smiled at that, an obvious look of relief on his tired face. Looking back at my food, I quickly finished off the meal, then got up and scooted myself in right up against him, then sat down. His left arm came around my back right away and tugged me a little closer.

"Hey there, handsome pup." He said, nudging the side of my head with his nose. I grumbled quietly, but he knew that I didn't mind. I turned my head and licked his stubbled cheek, making his grin widen. He patted my head, then finished off his own plate of food before setting it aside and patting his lap.

Taking the hint, I hurried to settle in it, loving the petting that I received after I got comfortable. We stayed just like that for at least an hour as the kids played in their animal forms, bounding about the room with endless energy.

I wish I had that much energy. Richard thought to me as his fingers gently scratched behind my ears.

If you had that much energy, we'd be expecting a lot more boggies. I replied sleepily, but with a slight grin on my dog's muzzle. He chuckled and carefully lifted me in his arms as he stood.

"Alright kids, bed time." He said as he carried me to our room and set me down on the bed, then went to tuck in Coda and Jess. When he returned I was already curled up on my pillow. Richard slowly changed out of his work clothes and into a pair of loose pajama bottoms before climbing into bed. Normally we'd just fall asleep as we were, but when he opened his arms with a tired yawn, I scampered off my pillow and snuggled into them.

"Good night, Sammy."

Night, Richard.

The following day was hectic, to say the least. The vet's office was quite busy, making us wait a good hour after our appointment had been scheduled. I didn't mind much, but I knew that Richard did need to get to work as soon as possible. It wasn't the vet's fault that a dog had been brought in that was hit by a car and in critical condition abruptly and needed his full attention for a time.

When my name was finally called I followed the vet tech into the back room and sat down as Richard carried the kids in, then set them down on the floor. We waited another ten minutes before the veterinarian stepped in, clearly exhausted, though he still forced a smile.

"Sorry about all of that. Very hectic day today." He said as he glanced over the clipboard in his hand, then set it down before doing a quick physical exam on me.

"Everything looks good. Let's go get that ultrasound done and see what's going on, shall we?" He said, gesturing for me to follow him.

We walked out of the room, the door closing behind us as I followed him into another room and lay down on my side on the table. My exposed side was shaved and a cold lubricant applied.

"Alright, let's see whose home." The vet said, chuckling to himself as he turned the lights down a little and began running the scanner over my belly. I turned a little when he needed, doing my best to keep my eyes on the screen, even though I couldn't tell what it was showing.

When he finally turned the machine off and the lights back to full, I sat up, ears perked.

"Let's go talk with Richard about it. That way I won't have to explain it twice."

Before I could respond, which would have likely just been a 'woof', he turned and held the door open for me. Grunting, I hurried out the door and followed back into our exam room. He waited for me to sit beside Richard before speaking.

"Well, there's definitely something developing. It's too early to tell numbers, sex, and what not, but judging from your combination and the fact that we can already see the baby beginning to form, I'm going bet you'll only have one. Possibly two at the most."

Hearing the small number was at least a relief.

"Also, when you come in to have it, and I highly stress that you do, I can make sure to remove what I had clearly missed during the other surgery."

I nodded and figured that was it, but then the vet glanced at Coda, who was in his puppy form, and then back to me.

"Has he been seen recently? If you'd like, I'd be more than happy to do an exam on him, too. And if he needs any shots, I can do those, free of charge, of course."

Richard looked down at me, likely as surprised as I was.

Sure, why not. I told him, and he nodded, relaying the message to the vet. He had gotten most of his shots at animal control, so the doctor only had to give him a booster for a few, then a dewormer, as he did have a few little whipworms on the fecal test that was done. Coda didn't seem very happy towards the end of it, though he had been enjoying the attention at the beginning. Perhaps it was collecting the poop sample...

Either way, when we had finally left the vet, Richard was quite late for work, but since he had called in while I was getting my ultrasound, he wasn't going to be docked pay. Especially because he had already told his boss the appointment could run late. We all piled back into the car, me carrying Coda by his scruff since he was getting nippy with everyone else.

Someone's butthurt. Literally.

Snickering to myself, I sat down in the back and waited as Richard buckled the kids into their seats, then got us heading toward his work. We made plans to order lunch and stop to get it on the way, deciding to just eat it in his office.

"We're going to have to start thinking of names if it's going to be here in six short weeks." Richard said, a grin on his face as he drove.

I was already beginning to get tired, though I was also hungry and would need to eat before I fell asleep. I don't really mind what it's named. If you like, you can name it. I probably wouldn't mind Jess naming it either, but I preferred Richard be the one to do it.

"Okay. I'll think about it this week and see what I can come up with."

I nodded, curling up between the kids and closing my eyes.

"Go ahead and get some sleep. We still have to pick up our lunch order and then get to my work. I'll wake you up when we're there."

I didn't need to be told twice. My mind shut down so quickly that if he had said something else, I would have missed it.