36. Alexis #2
Gabriel takes care of the paperwork to adopt the kitten, and the shelter volunteer helps us tuck Pepper into a cardboard crate with air holes in the sides.
The tiny animal is curious and energetic inside the crate.
Rather than curl up on the blanket the shelter provided, she spends her time sticking her pink nose and little paws into the holes in the cardboard, exploring her environment.
In the back seat of the car, Peyton entertains herself by playing with Pepper, dangling one of her shoelaces in front of the holes in the box and watching the kitten scramble to snag it with her tiny claws.
Gabriel takes the wheel and drives us to the pet shop down the street to pick up some essentials.
Pepper and Gabriel wait in the car while Peyton and I head inside to pick out the supplies. We promise Gabriel that we’ll only get the essentials, but the pet store proves to be too tempting for us. By the time we emerge, we’ve bought out half the cat aisles.
We pick up all of the planned essentials: dry food, a water fountain, litter box and litter, cat carrier, and the scratching post that I hope will save Gabriel’s furniture.
But Peyton manages to talk me into an assortment of cat toys, a bag of treats, and a soft, pastel-colored blanket that she insists Pepper will love.
One of the store’s clerks has to help us carry all of our purchases to the car.
I brace myself for Gabriel to be angry, but of course, he only sighs and shakes his head. He seems amused, frankly. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that. My parents would have lost their minds at me for being so irresponsible and frivolous, but Gabriel doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest.
Once the car is loaded up, we drive home. The plan is to let Pepper acclimate to our house slowly. She’ll live in the basement bathroom for a few days until she settles into her new environment. Then, slowly, she’ll be allowed to explore.
When we pull into the driveway, Peyton is the first to scramble out of the car.
She’s clearly eager to get Pepper inside.
She tries to pick up Pepper’s cardboard crate on her own, but she’s too short.
Gabriel steps in to help. Together, we ferry the kitten and all of her new belongings into the basement.
The bathroom is small, which, according to my online searches, is ideal for introducing a new cat.
I set up the litter box in one corner and pour in some of the lightly-scented sand.
Gabriel gets to work setting up the fountain, and Peyton scatters some of Pepper’s new toys around the room in strategic places.
She then folds up the blanket we picked up and places it on top of the toilet to give her kitten a nice, soft place to sleep.
Finally, it’s time to let Pepper out of her makeshift crate. Peyton does the honors, pulling apart the cardboard flaps. As soon as she spots the opening, Pepper wriggles free. She leaps to the floor and starts to roam around the edges of the room, her whiskers twitching.
Peyton crouches down to her level and holds out a white-furred felt mouse. “Here, Pepper. A new toy for you!”
“She might not be ready to play just yet,” Gabriel warns. “She’s got some adjusting to do.”
Pepper steps into the litter box and gives it a cursory sniff, then makes her way over to the sink to inspect the faucet.
“Maybe we should let her be alone for a while,” I suggest. “This is probably pretty overwhelming for her.”
“We should give her some food, though,” Peyton protests.
“Of course. Here, do you want to measure it?”
I walk Peyton through the steps of measuring out Pepper’s special kibble, designed for young kittens. She pours it into the steel bowl and sets it on the floor next to the water fountain.
“Okay. Let’s give her some space,” I say, laying a hand on Peyton’s shoulder.
“Okay.” Peyton bends down to stroke Pepper on the head. Despite all of the excitement, Pepper still seems to enjoy the petting. She squints her eyes and lets out a tiny squeak. “I’ll be back later, Pepper!”
The three of us slip out of the bathroom, careful to close the door behind us so that Pepper doesn’t escape. Then we head upstairs for dinner. Gabriel whips us up a few steaks on the grill and sautés some vegetables.
Throughout dinner, Peyton chatters excitedly about the kitten, already planning her next visit to check on Pepper before she goes to bed. “Do you think she’ll be able to sleep tonight? Or will she be too excited?”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Gabriel says dryly. I can tell he’s not talking about the cat.
“What if she eats all her food and then gets hungry?”
“Then she’ll have to wait until breakfast,” I say. “Just like you do!”
Peyton sticks out her lower lip in a pout. “Can I give her a treat tonight?”
“Maybe just one,” I say. “You don’t want to make her sick.”
“Come on, Bug.” Gabriel pushes Peyton’s plate toward her. He’s cut up her steak into bite-sized pieces. “Finish your dinner. The sooner you’re done, the sooner you can check on your kitten.”
Eventually, between me and Gabriel, we manage to get Peyton to finish eating. Once her plate is empty, she bounces up from her chair.
“Can I go now? Please?”
“Alright,” Gabriel says. “But no extra treats. Just check on her, then leave her alone again, okay? She needs time to herself.”
Peyton grabs my hand, pulling me after her as she makes a beeline for the basement.
In the bathroom, the little kitten is curled up on the blanket Peyton set out earlier. She looks up at us as we enter, letting out a tiny mewl.
“I told you she’d like it,” Peyton whispers happily.
“Looks like you were right.”
The little kitten shifts on the blanket, stretching out her paws and yawning. Peyton approaches her and begins to scratch her behind the ears. Pepper purrs contentedly at the touch, her eyes half-closing in bliss as she nuzzles into Peyton’s hand.
“She’s settling in pretty well,” I comment. “Seems like she’s making herself at home.”
“Good,” Peyton declares. “Because she is home.”
“Why don’t you tell her goodnight and we can head back upstairs?”
“Okay.” Peyton touches her nose to Pepper’s fluffy head, then gives her a kiss. “Goodnight, Pepper. You’re the best kitty ever, and I’m going to take really good care of you. I promise.”
Oh my god. I feel like my heart might explode.
“Do you think she’ll sleep in my room one day?” Peyton asks.
“Probably,” I say. “For now, let’s give her some space to settle in.”
“Yeah. I’ll turn off the light.” Peyton stands on her toes to reach the switch, then hesitates. “Wait! What if Pepper gets scared of the dark?”
“She’ll be okay,” I assure her. “Cats have night vision.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means she can see in the dark. So having the lights off won’t bother her at all. In fact, she’ll probably be happier.”
Peyton looks thoughtful for a moment, then nods, reassured. “Okay.” She flips the switch, and the room goes dark. With a final, quiet “goodnight,” she tiptoes toward the door, and I follow her out, closing the door behind us.
Back upstairs, Gabriel is waiting for us in the living room. “How was Pepper?” he asks.
“She’s great!” Peyton says, enthused. “She meowed at us when we came in! And she was sleeping on the blanket we got her!”
“That’s amazing, Bug,” he says, giving her curls an affectionate ruffle. “It’s pretty late, though, and it’s been a long day. What do you say we get ready for bed, huh?”
Peyton frowns. “Already?”
“What do you mean, already? It’s past your bedtime.”
“But—” Peyton starts, but Gabriel is already shaking his head.
“I don’t mean to be the bad guy, but you’re going to be tired tomorrow if you don’t get some sleep. Don’t you want to play with Pepper in the morning?”
Reluctantly, Peyton sighs and nods. “Okay, Daddy.”
Gabriel holds out his hand. “Let’s head upstairs.”
“Wait,” Peyton says, brightening, “can Alexis put me to bed?”
For a moment, Gabriel looks taken aback. He blinks, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. My heart skips a beat at Peyton’s words. I’m surprised and honored, but also concerned.
I haven’t forgotten the conversation Gabriel and I had a long time ago, shortly after the wedding. The one where he told me that he wanted to keep the lines clear for Peyton. Keep things simple, and keep me a passing presence in her life. Nothing more.
I meet Gabriel’s gaze, searching his eyes for any signs of doubt or reluctance. But his expression is warm. Proud, almost.
He gives a small nod and smiles at me. “Of course. Go ahead.”