23I sat down in one of the chairs around our oak table and flipped open the newspaper in my hands. I scanned the pages, looking for anything interesting when I heard a girly squeal. I smiled to myself as I glanced out the window, seeing my little girl. Kiwa or Kiki as we liked to call her was running around as Rylee chased after her. I watched as Kiki's long silver hair trailed behind her. I put my paper down and got up, walking outside to my wife and baby girl.
"Daddy!" Kiki squealed, running toward me and grabbing ahold of my leg.
I reached down and pulled her up into my arms, holding her tightly. Kiki had on a pale sundress that had been stained with mud at the hem. Rylee smiled, walking over to me. She kissed me lightly.
"Did you just get home?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, short day today, and what about you, sweetheart?" I asked, tickling Kiki.
She squealed, thrashing around in my arms.
"I saw a…dinosaur!" she exclaimed between squeals; her crystal blue eyes twinkling.
"Oh and where did you see this mysterious dinosaur?" I asked, smiling.
"We went to a museum, and they had replicas of dinosaurs," Rylee said.
She laughed as Kiki reached out for her. I gave her over to Rylee and smiled at my two beautiful girls. It's pretty hard to believe that six years ago I was fighting for my life and Rylee's. Love had finally triumphed over evil or at least that's how I saw it anyways. As I thought back on that year, I frowned remembering the three lives that had been lost.
"Daddy, what wrong?" Kiki asked, reaching out a small hand.
She touched my cheek lightly.
"Nothing, sweetheart," I said, feigning a smile.
"You sad?" she asked, looking up at me with her big blue eyes.
"Not anymore, sweetheart," I said, pinching her cheeks lightly.
I smiled for real this time as I saw Kali in her eyes; she was finally happy and free. I wished it had been under better circumstances though. She had her whole life ahead of her then it was gone like dust in the wind. I looked over at Rylee; she smiled at me, her emerald green eyes gleaming in the light. Life had finally become…normal. It was weird to think about everything that Rylee and I had gone through, some of it I still didn't quite believe.
I mean seriously, who would believe me if I said my soul was transported into the body of a white fox. Everyone would surely laugh and think I was either crazy or on drugs. I at least had Rylee on my side, forever and always.
"Daddy, look, a dog!" Kiki said, pointing toward the woods.
There in the woods sat a white fox, not just any white fox, this was the fox that I shared a body with. I was surprised to see it as this was the first time spotting it since six years ago. Its crystal blue eyes stared at us from across our yard. No, wait, it wasn't staring at us, it was staring at Kiki.
"No, darling, that's a fox not a dog," Rylee said, looking down at her then she looked over at me.
I could see the question in her eyes. I shook my head; I didn't have the answers. I didn't know why the fox was here, or why it was staring at our child.
"Doggy, here puppy!" Kiki called, squirming in Rylee's arms.
As if it understood, it slunk closer. Its belly touched the ground as it crawled toward us. I stood there, unsure of what to do. It seemed unusual but that just seemed to be how my life went. Of course I couldn't have a normal life, not after the body switch six years ago. Well, I had a normal life for five years at least; I should have known it wouldn't last.
The fox stopped a few feet away from us and sat back on its haunches, its tail wrapped around its paws. It sat there and just stared, like it was waiting for something or someone. We stood there, staring at it, for a while until Rylee spoke up.
"Come on, darling, let's get you cleaned and into some clean clothes."
"No!" Kiki screamed, "I wanna play with the doggy!"
Kiki thrashed and kicked, screaming. Rylee looked over at me, her eyes pleading for help. I sighed.
"Sweetheart, you can play with the doggy later, but right now we have to get you all squeaky clean."
"Okay!" Kiki said smiling, showing her baby teeth.
Rylee glared at me; I knew I would pay for this later. I sighed again; I could never win it seemed. Rylee took Kiki back into the house to get her cleaned up. I closed my eyes, rubbing my face with my hand. I opened my eyes and noticed the fox was gone. I sighed in relief. Suddenly I heard a yelp. I jumped in surprise; the fox was right in front of me, staring with its crystal blue eyes. Its eyes were the same color as Kali's and Kiki's. A chill went down my spine, this was no coincidence. It yipped at me then looked toward the house. I shook my head.
"No, I am not letting you in my house or near my daughter."
It whined, flattening its ears. I felt like I was turning down a stray, but I knew better; this was a wild animal. I turned away from it and walked back inside. I felt bad, but I knew it was for the best. I was met by Rylee's piercing glare and an excited Kiki.
"Play with doggy now, right daddy?" she said, smiling, jumping up and down.
I kneeled down in front of her. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but the doggy ran off."
Kiki's lower lip trembled as tears formed in the corner of her eyes.
"B-But daddy said I could play!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face.
"Look what you did," Rylee said, accusingly.
I sighed; somehow it was always my fault.
"I WANT TO PLAY!" Kiki screamed, stomping and flailing her arms around in a fit.
I felt Rylee's glare, it was like daggers stabbing at my head. I just couldn't seem to get a break. Kiki stomped and pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. She was just as stubborn as her mother.
"I know I said you could play, sweetheart, but the doggy ran off. Maybe when it comes back you can play with it," I said, earning another glare from Rylee.
"Do you promise?" Kiki said, giving me puppy dog eyes.
I knew I was digging my hole deeper, but I couldn't refuse. She was daddy's little girl, how could I say no?
"I promise, sweetheart."
"Okay!" she said, turning to Rylee, "I get to play with the doggy when it comes back, mommy!"
"That's great, darling," she said, shooting daggers at me again, "come now, let's see what we can find to eat."
She picked up Kiki and walked away, her long brown hair swaying behind her. I was left to stand there and watch them leave. I stood up and ran my hand through my hair. How was it that I always seemed to get on Rylee's bad side; was it because we were married? I had known the marriage life wouldn't be easy, but I had thought maybe I could get through it. I just hadn't expected the accusations and glares when or if I did something wrong. Marriage is complicated.
"Daddy!" Kiki called as she ran toward me, "Daddy, it's back! Can I go play?"
Before I even had a chance to say a word, she cut in. "You promised!"
I sighed. "Alright, you can go play with the doggy. I'll be watching to make sure nothing happens, okay, sweetheart."
She nodded her head vigorously; her eyes lit up as a toothy smile appeared. She ran out the open door back into the yard. I followed after her, watching cautiously. The fox was in the same spot that I had left it. Its ears perked up as soon as it saw Kiki; it yipped and ran toward her.
"Doggy!" she squealed, giggling as it licked her.
I smiled as I stood in the doorway. Despite being a wild animal, the fox was acting like a dog.
"Can we keep?" Kiki asked, looking at me with her big eyes.
"I don't know, sweetheart, we need to ask your mother first," I said, knowing she would never agree.
"Mommy, mommy, mommy!" Kiki yelled, trying to get Rylee's attention.
Rylee came up behind me. "Yes, darling?"
"Can we keep?" she asked again.
Rylee sighed. "Oh alright, we can keep it. We always did want a dog; I guess it's almost the same."
I was surprised that she had said yes. Now it seemed we had a fox for a pet. I wondered how that would turn out. I wrapped an arm around Rylee's waist and pulled her close.
"I love you," I whispered in her ear.
She smiled. "I love you too."
Okay, so I decided to write an epilogue though I'm not sure if it's any good. I would love feedback, please and thank you! =)