Prompt's for 2015 - 3. Here comes Trouble.

“Where did all that come from?” Jamie wondered in dismay as he surveyed the mess of the lounge. There was toilet paper everywhere. It had been ripped into small pieces and strewn all over the furniture, carpet, and TV like confetti.

Barking drew Jamie’s attention to the hallway and before he could take more than one step a bundle of fur flew at him and he caught it at the last minute.

He looked down into sparkling eyes full of mischief. A very wet tongue bathed him from chin to forehead and the bundle let out a happy yip.

“Where are you? Puppy, here, Puppy.” Andrew appeared in the doorway looking harried, annoyed and carrying a leash in one hand.

As soon as he saw Jamie he froze. “Ah.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked at the mess. “You’re home early.”

Trying to keep his face away from the small dog in his arms, Jamie glared at his mate. “Where did this ball of energy come from?”

“Um, Jackson wanted to give Lizzie an early fifth birthday present. He dropped the puppy off on his way to work this evening. I only turned my back for a second to sort out the accessories Jackson left—food, bowl, and such—and before I knew it the rascal was in the bathroom. The more I chased him the more he shredded the toilet roll. I didn’t expect you home yet and I was hoping to get this cleared up.”

The bundled of fur in Jamie’s arms wriggled until he set the puppy on the floor, keeping a tight hold on the collar around its neck. “What’s its name? And more to the point I suppose, is it a boy or girl?”

Andrew laughed. “It is a he, and he hasn’t got a name yet.” He handed Jamie the leash he was holding and Jamie clipped it in place.

“Well, he looks like trouble to me,” Jamie grumbled, surveying the mess again. He looked at his watch and cursed. “Lizzie will be home soon and we can’t leave this mess.”

Thinking fast Jamie started muttering under his breath. A soft chiming noise echoed through the room and in the blink of an eye all the toilet paper had disappeared and two full trash bags had materialized in the middle of the carpet. Jamie only winced slightly at the masive use of his magic.

Right on cue, the front door crashed open.

“Da, Pa, I’m home!” Lizzie called as she ran into the room. “A PUPPY!”

The puppy jolted at the noise and managed to pull free of Jamie’s grasp. Seeing the young girl now kneeling on the floor the furball made a beeline for her and she scooped him up nuzzling his fur.

Jamie shook his head and, picking up the trash bags, headed out into the kitchen.

***

Dinner was nearly ready to serve and Jamie was just about to call everyone to wash up when a crash sounded from the lounge.

Running into the room he froze in shock in the doorway.

Sitting in the middle of a broken glass lamp was the puppy, tongue hanging out as he panted—or more likely laughed. He was also covered in mud.

Looking around Jamie took in the devastation of the room—again. Muddy footprints marked the couch and armchairs. Muddy smears and long rips showed where the puppy had skidded across the carpet—how Jamie didn’t know. The coffee table was on its side, as was the side table that had held the glass lamp.

“Puppy,” came Lizzie’s voice as she ran into the room. Before Jamie could move she tripped over the still panting puppy and rammed into the couch, which in turn knocked over the remaining side table and smashed the other glass lamp.

The noise seemed to unfreeze Jamie. “TROUBLE!” he bellowed and the puppy slinked under the couch.