Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
Luka
“Oh my goodness. I can’t believe how perfect she is,” Scout squeals. “L.O.K.I. is going to be so excited!”
I didn’t think I could get wrapped around her finger any tighter than I already was, but seeing how giddy she is right now has made me realize that I’ve severely underestimated the power this woman has over me. Because I can’t think of a single thing I wouldn’t do to make her smile like that.
She’s got this glow to her now, a light behind her eyes that wasn’t there before. I can’t get over how much more relaxed she is. She looks so fucking happy.
And she isn’t the only one. My damn face is sore from how much I’ve smiled today. I didn’t even know that was possible.
We make our way up the steps, and I’m careful not to jostle the box too much as I open the door. “L.O.K.I.” I call out as I step inside. Scout slaps a hand over her mouth to cover her excited grin.
“Everything all right Mr. Luka?” L.O.K.I. replies, a hint of suspicion in his tone.
“Relax, L.O.K.I., you’re not in trouble.”
“Oh. Thank goodness. Is there something I can do for you?”
I kick the door closed as Scout and I make our way into the living room. Avengers End Game is playing on the TV, and L.O.K.I. quickly switches it off. “Sorry about that. I didn’t realize you’d be back so soon. I figured you were busy since you weren’t responding to my texts.”
“I was busy,” I say, ignoring the sass in his tone as I set the Spiderman wrapped box on the floor. It was the best I could do on short notice, and the only superhero-themed wrapping paper Market carried.
“What is that? I don’t recall it being anyone’s birthday.” L.O.K.I. asks. A moment passes, then he finally says, “Wait a second… is today my birthday?”
“Not exactly. But this is for you,” I finally say just as the tiniest mewl comes from the box.
“Why is my present making noises?”
Rather than answering him, I lift the lid, and Scout pulls out a tiny, black and orange kitten.
The kitten lets out a louder mewl of protest as she wiggles against her chest, probably telling us she didn’t appreciate being trapped in that dark box for the last five minutes.
“You got me a kitten!?” L.O.K.I. screams in excitement, making all the lights in the house flicker. “You got me my very own pet? I can’t believe it!”
I’ve always wanted a pet of my own, but I was hesitant to commit to it. Work has kept me so busy these past few years, and the last thing I wanted was to bring an animal home just to leave it alone all day. Not to mention L.O.K.I., who keeps getting into trouble with his insatiable curiosity.
But after his last escapade with the online dating scandal, I realized he needed something more to keep him occupied. Not just the random research tasks I give him, or his unlimited access to all the streaming networks.
Maybe it’s because now I have Scout around, and I’d never realized how nice it’d be to come home to someone at the end of the day. To share a meal together and spend time with.
But what he needed couldn’t have been more obvious.
What L.O.K.I. needed was a companion.
So after running it by Scout and making sure she was on the same page and ready for the commitment, we left brunch and headed straight to the local animal shelter.
My mom’s been volunteering there for years and already had the perfect kitten in mind.
We both fell in love the moment we saw her and knew she was always meant to be ours.
“Well, what do you think?” Scout asks, holding the kitten out to give L.O.K.I. a better look. “She’s a tortie. Isn’t she adorable?”
“I love her! I love her so much. This is the happiest day of my life!”
For some reason, hearing my precocious AI so beside himself with excitement does something to me. I feel my throat grow thick with emotion.
“What’s her name?”
Scout and I share a look. “Well, we were thinking you could name her.”
“Hela, ”L.O.K.I. says immediately. “Her name is Hela.”
“That’s cute,” Scout says as she admires the squirming kitten. “Kinda like Kayla?—”
“Why did you put my child in a box?” L.O.K.I. asks, cutting her off. “Do you know how dangerous that is? Anything could’ve happened.”
“Chill, L.O.K.I. She was in the box for like three minutes, tops, and I was holding her the whole time,” I assure him, holding up the box for him to see for himself. “See, she had lots of air holes.”
“It wasn’t worth the risk,” he chides, but rather than arguing, I just bite my cheek. He’s excited and not one to take his responsibilities lightly.
Scout sets Hela down, and she scurries across the floor and pounces headfirst into the box.
Her little head pops out of the top, and then she dives over the side in a front roll, making a piece of tape stick to the bottom of her foot.
She tears off in a sprint, trying to escape and dragging a trail of wrapping paper behind her.
“Poor baby. Did the tape try to get you,” Scout says as she rescues the kitten, cradling her to her chest. “That was scary, wasn’t it?”
“We are definitely going to need to kitten-proof this house,” L.O.K.I. says, already activating the robot vacuum cleaner and running his daily cleaning protocols. “And we’ll need to get a litter box and plenty of cat food. Also a scratching post and lots of toys so she doesn’t get bored.”
“I’ve already got it covered,” I assure him. “Hela’s automatic litter box and feeder will be delivered this afternoon, as well as a scratching post and all the toys a kitten could need.”
“We’re going to need your help taking care of her,” Scout adds. “Kittens have a lot of energy, so while Luka and I are busy working, we’re going to need you to take care of her.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m going to play with her and teach her tricks. I’ll make sure her litter box stays clean, and I’ll make sure she has plenty of food and water.”
Just then, the robot vacuum drifts through the room. It catches on a feather wand toy that sticks in its wheel. The tiny bells jingle as the feather wand drags behind, catching Hela’s attention. Her little ears perk up, and then she dives after it, chasing the vacuum back into the kitchen.
“Looks like she’s comfortable already,” Scout giggles.
A moment later, L.O.K.I. says, “Hey, watch this.”
I glance up to see a small green laser light move across the floor as Hela rips around the corner, barreling right behind it.
Then the laser disappears and L.O.K.I. turns on the AC fan, and a gust of air blows the wrapping paper, making it skid across the floor. Hela takes off in a sprint toward the ripped pile of paper, her sharp nails ripping it as she attacks it like prey.
I can already see we’re going to have our hands full with these two. And I can’t fucking wait.
“Oh my God. I can’t get over how perfect she is,” Scout says as she watches the energetic kitten bound across the room. Her little paw held high as she bats at every flying piece of paper L.O.K.I. sends her way.
But it’s not the kitten I’m looking at when I say. “I couldn’t agree more.”
My heart feels so fucking full of gratitude, I’m afraid I might burst into tears any second.
This is my family.
It may seem silly, and unconventional, but there isn’t a thing that I’d change or do differently.
I see my whole life laid out before me. Like our destinies were always meant to intertwine. Like we were always meant to find our way back to each other.
I don’t know what’s next, or what tomorrow holds, but I’m certain about one thing. As long as Scout’s by my side, we’ll have a hell of a good time figuring it out.