just peachy

Once she had recieved the text from Sovran that they were heading home, Jymaiyri gathered up all the kids (and Nathan) in the main living room of the house, to welcome Yeonaixho and his new service dog back from guide dog school.

Reactions among the kids were expectadly mixed, given the great variety of personalities among them. Nathan was adopting his usual air of cool disinterest. Zora was outwardly beaming with excitment, but clearly trying to hide it with a veil of eldest-child responsibility. Nora, whom Jymaiyri had never known to be even slightly capable of masking her emotions, was visibly nervous with anticipation, twirling a strand of hair in her fingers. Albanes was sitting quietly in a corner, deeply engrossed in a book Jymaiyri was pretty sure was about dog facts. Minerva was strutting around the room- fidgety with excitement, and playing her new favorite game (fashion show judge). Two-year-old little Eliana was toddling after her, giddy to even be involved.

Jymaiyri let out a sigh as she looked over her possee. Six years ago, she would not have imagined this would be her life. I should get a van, she thought, with a bunch of bumper stickers that say '#momsquad'. I deserve it.

"And of course!" Minerva proclaimed as she led Eliana back over to Jymaiyri's side. "The doggy will have the best fashion in all of Paris." Jymaiyri didn't know where Minerva had become so focused on Paris in the first place, nor why she pronounced it with an exaggerated French accent. "Because I will be her talent agent, and she will like me best. Mama, can we do fashion shows with the doggy?"

"Min, I think the doggy's gonna like Baba the most, because he's gonna be her person." Jymaiyri patted her daughter's shoulder. "And, remember what I told you- the doggy is here to help your Baba get around and know where he is- not just for playing games."

Minerva pouted, and complemented this answer. "But how will we do fashion shows with no models?"

"We'll figure out a way. Maybe Papa can model some of your fashions." Jymaiyri suggested. She knew Sovran would love a chance to model for Minerva's little show. Minerva seemed to like the sound of that, and smiled mischeviously.

Eliana looked around with her big, curious dark eyes, clearly looking for something- or someone. "Baba here?" She asked, looking up to Jymaiyri. Yeonaixho had been away at the guide dog school for a while now, and Eliana was clearly wondering where he had gone.

"Soon, Pepita. He'll be back very soon, and Papa will be here too." Jymaiyri leaned down to Eliana, and cupped her little cheek. "And, they're going to bring home a doggy! Isn't that exciting?"

Eliana, who had been read many dog-themed stories in preparation for today smiled. "Doggie says woof woof!" She proclaimed.

"That's right!" Jymaiyri beamed, making sure to dole out the praise. Eliana was picking up her language skills faster than Minerva had- Jymaiyri had a feeling she was going to be even more of a talker. "Good job, Eliana."

Beside Jymaiyri and her two youngest daughters, her two eldest were nervously confiding in one another. "But…" Nora was saying in a quiet, nervous voice. "What if… the dog doesn't like me?"

"I'm sure she'll love you! Dogs are very friendly." Zora pointed out. "And the guide dog people would pick out a very nice dog for Baba to match him."

Albanes looked up from her book. "Plus, you made that cute bandanda for her." She pointed out to Nora. "She's gonna like you because you're giving her such a nice cute gift."

"I guess that's true…" Nora thought.

Jymaiyri wasn't sure how much a dog would appreciate a bandana, but Albanes's firm, logical way of thinking about things was useful for grounding Nora, and that she appreciated. She was about to turn to Nathan and ask if he had recieved any more updates, when the door opened.

Sovran walked in first, holding the door open for Yeonaixho and the dog. At long last, after much anticipation, the family finally got to see what Yeonaixho's guide dog looked like. She was an adult golden retriever with a long, fluffy coat, currently holding her mouth open in a goofy, doggish smile. She really looked a lot like Yeonaixho himself, once Jymaiyri considered it.

The dog was currently strapped into a teal blue harness with a long handle to accomodate for Yeonaixho's height. Jymaiyri had honestly expected him to get a bigger dog, but she knew the guide dog center matched for personality more than anything. Given the way the dog guided Yeonaixho along, and the way she seemed to match his disposition just as much as his look, Jymaiyri wagered this was a good match.

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you all to my new service dog, Peach!" Yeonaixho held the harness, and gestured to the dog- newly dubbed Peach. Sovran must have informed him there would be a big reception. "She's here to help me get around and find where things are- but she's also here to be a normal dog. Whenever she has this harness on, it means she's working. Ok?"

A chorus of murmured 'okays' followed. It seemed all the girls were taking Yeonaixho's cautions and instructions very seriously, and none wanted to distracted Peach from her very important duties. Jymaiyri was proud of them, and how much restraint they were all showing. Even little Eliana was holding Minerva's hand, staying dutifully still.

"Well, I bet Naixho wants some time to get his pup all settled in." Nathan sad, after a moment of pause. "Ya girls want to come get some snacks with me?"

Snacks were always an agreeable pastime among the girls, and they excitedly followed Nathan off to the kitchen, leaving Jymaiyri alone with Sovran and Yeonaixho.

"It's really great that you've gone through with all of this, Yeonai." Jymaiyri kneeled down to the same level Yeonaixho was at. Peach was alert and focused, and Jymaiyri didn't want to pet her or cause any sort of distraction, so she looked up to Sovran. "Sov, don't you think he would've gotten a bigger dog?"

Sovran laughed. "I can't say the thought didn't cross my mind. But I think he and Peach are a good match."

"Mhm." Jymaiyri agreed. "You two look alike."

Yeonaixho laughed. "I've heard that. I guess that means we'll make a great team. I think I'm gonna show her around the house- get some navigation practice in a place I'm already familiar with. That's what the people at the center suggested when we first got home. Get me and her both comfortable with the process."

"Sounds like a plan." Jymaiyri hummed in acknowledgement as she and Yeonaixho both stood up. "Before you set out, though- I just have to say it. That is the least peach-colored dog I have ever seen. At least from a color perspective, the name doesn't fit."

Sovran poorly masked a laugh as Yeonaixho took hold of Peach's harness again, and gave a proud smile before delivering what was surely a well-rehearsed line. "Well, then it's a good thing I can't see!"