Page 116 of Skylar

When Elena returned, she carried the dog, which had gained even more cuteness now that it was filled out. “Everything ready to go?”

Skylar told her which outfit they wanted, then Aiden gave her the box. Working quickly, Elena inserted the box into the back of the dog, then showed them how it operated and how to change the battery and the message. Next, she put the outfit on the dog, then handed it to Skylar.

“This exceeds my expectations,” Skylar said. “This has been so much fun.”

Elena smiled. “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it.”

Over the next few minutes, Elena rang up the purchase—which came to a bit of an eye watering total—but Aiden didn’t blink an eye as he handed over his credit card to pay. Skylar had intended to pay half, but she wasn’t going to fight about it in front of Elena.

Aiden had added a special carrier as well, so that when Shiloh left the hospital, she had something to carry her in. Once the dog was all ready to go, they thanked Elena and left the store.

“That was an excellent idea,” Aiden said as he pulled away from the curb to drive them to the hospital. “I think she’s going to be thrilled with it.”

“I think so too,” Skylar said. “And I’ll pay you for half of it when we get back to your house.”

“I’d tell you you don’t have to do that, but I’m not in the mood for an argument,” he said.

“I appreciate that. Since it was my idea, if only one person was going to pay, it should be me.”

“Halfsies is fine,” Aiden told her.

Skylar had been braced for an argument, so it was kind of nice to not have that happen.

When they got to the hospital, Aiden parked, then they crossed the parking lot together to reach the entrance. It was bustling inside, and when they reached the elevator, there were several people already waiting.

The bell above the elevator doors dinged as the elevator arrived. When the doors slid open, a bunch of people filed out of the car.

Aiden rested his hand on Skylar’s back and guided her into the elevator. As more people joined them, they shuffled to theside of the car, and Aiden stood close to her, keeping himself between her and the others in the elevator.

Skylar held the carrier containing the dog tightly in her hands. She couldn’t wait to see what Shiloh thought of it.

“This is our floor,” Aiden said, then led Skylar from the elevator.

When she and Aiden found Shiloh’s room, Charli greeted them with a smile. “Hey, you two.”

Getting up from the chair she’d been sitting in beside Shiloh’s bed, Charli came to give them each a hug. She had an open book in one of her hands.

“Hi, Auntie Sky.” Shiloh gave a little wave. “Hi, Uncle Aiden.”

They approached the bed where Shiloh sat, her face wreathed in a smile. Skylar looked over at Charli and said, “Can we hug her?”

“Yep. Go right ahead,” Charli said, waving towards the little girl.

Skylar set her bag on the chair, then bent to give Shiloh a hug. Though she wanted to hold her forever, she let go of Shiloh so that Aiden could hug her.

When he straightened, they exchanged a look, and Aiden nodded.

“We have someone else who would love a hug from you,” Skylar said as she brought the carrier over to Shiloh.

“What’s this?” Charli asked as she leaned close to Shiloh on the opposite side of the bed.

Skylar helped her hold the carrier so Shiloh could reach in and pull out the ice skating dog.

“Oh, wow!” Shiloh’s eyes went wide. “A white dog, Momma. Look!”

“There’s something special about this puppy,” Skylar said, then showed her how to press the dog to play the recording they’d made.

Shiloh and Charli listened as the song played, a little tinny sounding, but Skylar thought their voices were recognizable enough.

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