Angelo and Rachel, Wednesday afternoon

[x-skin.livejournal.com]

Every little girl wants a pony. Even if it has to be a Labrador.



Most small children living around large dogs, at some point, discovered the possibilities of using said dogs like ponies. Rachel was no exception. Fortunately, Joyita was a goodnatured dog and didn't seem to mind careering around on the lakeshore with a two-year-old on her back.

"Whee! Whee!" Rachel shrieked gleefully, arms wrapped around Joyita's neck.

Angelo was sitting not too far away, watching them both at the expense of the book he was technically supposed to be reading. "Gently, Ray", he reminded her - not that she wasn't being, but it couldn't hurt to keep the idea in her head.

Joyita eventually laid down - or perhaps collapsed? - tongue out as she panted, her tail still happily thumping the ground. Rachel hugged her just as happily, murmuring something to the dog that Angelo didn't catch. Joyita proceeded to try and lick the little girl's face.

Angelo laughed at them, putting his book aside for the moment. "I think you wore her out, chiquita." He made no attempt to stop the licking - a few germs were good for the immune system.

"Joyita. Good dog!"

"Yeah, she is. Is that a new word I just heard? Her name?"

"Angelo." If a two-year old could manage a scoffing tone, that was what he was getting right now.

That got a mock-incredulous look as he sat up. "Are you makin' fun of me, chiquita?"

"Angelo silly!" She got up and bounded over to him, landing in a giggling sprawl in his lap. "Joyita Angelo's dog!"

"Well, listen who's almost gettin' whole sentences now", he said cheerfully, looking down at her with a grin. "That she is. Even if I share her half the time."

"Share?" Rachel got a puzzled expression, as if to say 'What is this sharing concept?' Not spending much time around other children, it wasn't one she'd particularly had to grapple with as of yet.

"Share", Angelo repeated patiently. "Means other people get to play with her too, when I say so."

Rachel blinked up at him, big gray eyes still somewhat puzzled. "Okay," she finally chirped. It was her standard reply to things, these days

Angelo pulled a face at her to make her laugh, noting quietly that 'sharing' was probably something that would have to be revisited, at some point.

Rachel snickered and reached up, grabbing handfuls of skin - very gently. "Funny. Love you, Angelo."

It wasn't the first time she'd said that, but still, hearing it... he hugged her impulsively, with a warm smile. "Love you too, Ray."

"Ride?" She turned huge, innocent gray eyes on him, blinking those very long lashes.

"You want a ride." He laughed and got to his feet, swooping her into the air as he did. "Now, what kind of ride would that be?"

Delighted laughter was the only response as he swung her up to his shoulders.