Chapter XXXIV: And last
"But what about me?" Aran wondered aloud. "You said that a couple of your co-workers had their doubts when you accepted me as a charge."
"I really wanted to be your caregiver, because you're essentially a runaway."
"Like your son?" the wolf continued.
Jennifer nodded.
"Did you have a special motivation for me as well?" Gina asked.
"Somehow I did, although I didn't realize so at first. Jordan saved you from taking your own life, effectively giving you a second chance. My son, however, had no such luck. With the two of you, I've proven to myself that I_can_ be good mother figure, even though Aran still has quite a way to go," Jennifer replied, then turned to Aran. "Little one, my own puppy is dead, but it's not too late for you yet. Please give your mother a chance to have her son back."
The wolf took a deep breath. "Now that I know all this, I'm sure, Jennifer. I_do_ need to become a better person, and I think it's best for both of us if I stay here, with you. I can't promise that I won't resist any part of my treatment anymore, but I'll try my best to be good."
"Thank you, Aran, that's very kind. Besides, acceptance of your treatment will stimulate good results. We cannot change you, only you can change yourself. Look at Gina, she could only become the beautiful vixen she is today because she chose to accept our treatment."
"And in hindsight, I don't regret a single second of it," Gina seconded.
Jennifer smiled. "I talked to Kaiser on the phone, before we had lunch. He'll come to pick you up in ten minutes. I suggest that you go to your nursery and change into the clothes you were wearing when Jordan brought you here. I've put them on the chair next to your crib."
"Can I... keep my diaper on, please?" the vixen asked shyly.
The collie nodded. "You more or less need them by now. Besides, like Joseph wrote, we'll supply you with some more so you won't have to worry about waking up in a wet bed. Speaking of sleeping, Farani is yours to keep."
"Really?"
"Of course, dear. I'm not going to deprive a kit of her plushie, not even when said kit has grown up. Farani will be a physical reminder of your treatment. The same goes for your tiara, by the way."
Gina got up and tightly hugged her caregiver.
"I love you, Jenny. Thanks for everything you've done for me."
"You're most welcome, princess. Now go change, you're excused from the table."
Gina went to do like her caregiver suggested. A few minutes later, she returned, wearing an outfit that was far more appropriate for her physical age. Meanwhile, Jennifer had cleaned the table and had put Aran in the playroom. The vixen went inside for one last time, leaving the door ajar.
"So, that's as far as the two of us go, I guess?" she said.
The wolf looked up from his sketchbook and stopped doodling.
"At least for a while. I think it won't hurt if we talk some more after my graduation. That might take a couple of months though, judging by the amount of time_you_ needed. I won't be surprised if I need to be here longer."
"You'll be fine. Over the past two weeks, you've shown me the 'real' Aran, and I'm far from disappointed. You've got quite a journey ahead of you, though."
"I know, but I've got Jennifer to show me the way."
Gina grinned.
"Like I said, you'll be okay. Thanks for showing that you can be nice to me, that really helped me."
"You're welcome. I guess I should thank you as well, for not holding a grudge against me."
She looked down.
"Forgiving you is one of the hardest things I've ever done, but in the end, it was satisfactory."
"Well, I guess this is goodbye then?"
"Kaiser will be here any minute now. You know, I'm really eager to see my mom and dad again. In proportion as I made progress in the program, Jennifer's affection increased my desire to return to my parents. Do you think that's childish?"
Aran frowned. "Isn't the question of being childish somewhat irrelevant when you're asking someone that is dressed up like a big puppy?"
The vixen then realized the irony of her question, and they both laughed. She then hugged the wolf and went back to the living room, where Jennifer was waiting for her. Aran was left alone with his sketchbook and his thoughts. Gina's words made him think of his mother. Would she be eager to meet her son as well after his change was completed?
His train of thought was disturbed by the sudden ringing of the doorbell, followed by a short conversation between Kaiser and Jennifer. Lastly, the caregiver asked Gina to smile for the camera as she snapped a picture of the vixen, and then the Doberman took the graduate with him.
With the sound of the front door being closed, Aran realized that he was now Jennifer's only charge, and would be as such for at least the next month. A part of him was really looking forward to that, but he had his doubts as well.
To which extent would he be like Gina, at the end of his treatment? She didbehave at least a_little_ childish in some situations, but on the other hand, Gina enjoyed being treated like Jennifer's puppy. Part of it was probably a form of play, while other expressions were genuine.
The wolf shook his head. Time would tell what changes he would have to go through. Just before he wanted to continue doodling, Jennifer slipped into the playroom and sat down next to him.
"There, she's gone. It's just the two of us now, pup," she said, petting his back.
"It's okay, I'll live," he joked.
"You know what I like most about you, Aran?"
"Dunno. Tell me?"
"Your sense of humor tends to throw me off, in a good way. Like when you said your plushie wasn't complaining about you not sharing some of the fun you had, I really didn't see that coming. You never fail to surprise me in the spare occasions when you're in your puppy mindset."
"My puppy mindset?" Aran asked, cocking his head.
"Yush, that's when you've agreed with yourself to let go and be the little wolf I pretend you are. When you let the pup inside you off its leash, that's when you can be yourself, and when you can be truly happy, and creative."
"You think so?" he asked, still a bit confused.
"I know so. I even have a drawing on my fridge to prove my point. You drew that when you were not thinking of your past life, or anything dark, for that matter."
"Maybe you're right," he said with a faint smile.
"Good puppy," Jennifer praised.
"What? I'm good for saying that you're right?"
"No, it's because you were smiling. I like to see you happy, Aran. That's what this is all about. Regressive therapy helps you to learn and understand the simple joys of life again. Starting with that fundament, we'll build you up and help you shape a new 'you'. First Wesley, now Gina... neither of them were smiling when they first entered this house. You were far from happy as well, but I intend to change that."
"So do I. As much as I might dislike most of this whole puppy thing, I'm willing to go wherever you'll take me. You've shown that you don't intend to hurt me, so you've earned my trust by now."
"Thank you, Aran. Coming from you, that's a big compliment."
"You're... welcome, I guess," the wolf mumbled, looking down. Apparently, he was struck by the confrontation with his trust issues.
"Little one, why are you so sad all of a sudden? I'm here to help you overcome your difficulties, right?"
Aran nodded.
"Good, then show me a happy little wolf again. Or do I need to tickle you again?"
"Try me," he defied, crossing his arms with a grin on his muzzle.
The collie did not leave such a challenge unanswered. She tackled the wolf and started tickling him all over his belly. Soon, Aran was nothing more but a hysterically laughing ball of lupine fur. When Jennifer was satisfied, she let him catch his breath and waited for her charge to calm down again.
Still lying on his back, holding his arms up like a feral wolf, he smiled at his caregiver, wagging his tail.
"I might have been a terrible person, but I'm sure that you can help me return to what I should be," he said.
"Whatever it takes, little one. Whatever it takes."
Aran smiled and thought back to how he lived his life in the previous month. When Mike asked him what he wanted for his twentieth birthday, this was not what he had in mind. No, the wolf got something more radical and valuable than anything else: a new chance at life.