Too Little Too Late (Max)

Krystal sighed and stood craddling her son. She had lost their second child after her accident out on the wagon ride. She wasn't sure if Max knew about the lose of their child seeing as she didn't let the doctor tell him anything about. But, also she had plans tonight with Rachel. She was hoping Max could keep a close eye on their son for her seeing as he was learning to walk. James was asleep right now in her arms. Shooter was out in the bark yard playing with Buddy's old basketball. She didn't even really have plans with Rachel at all. She was meeting someone she was seeing behind Max's back.

Max walked in and smiled. He went to Krystal and looked at their sleeping son. He looked at Krystal and gently kissed her forehead.

"Hey, Max. You do remember that I'm meeting Rachel tonight, right?" she said. She rocked James in her arms. He was sound asleep right now. She moved and kissed his cheek gently.

Max nodded. "I'll keep on eye on James." he said smiling

"You better. He's already starting to walk. Who knows what he'll get into," she said. James woke up and looked at his dad. "Hi, Daddy," he said quietly.

Max smiled. "Hey, buddy. Ready to hang out with your daddy?" he asked

"Yeah, but mommy doesn't leave until after dinner. It's only three o'clock," he said. He had become so smart thanks to Krystal starting to teach him to read and tell time. She smiled and moved to Shooter. The dog was still sore from protecting Miley the other day. She still wondered why Miley wouldn't go near Shooter since that day.

Miley was resting with the puppies and she whimpered sadly. She looked at Shooter. Max smiled and nodded

"Max, also if Shooter isn't better by tomorrow we might have to take him to a vet. He's been struggling with his wounds since that wolf almost attacked Miley," she said. Shooter whimpered and groaned. He wasn't liking the pain. James looked to Miley. "My Miley okay?" he asked his dad.

Miley looked at Shooter and made room for him. Max nodded and looked at James. "Miley's okay. She just woried about Shooter." he said

"Can I see my Miley?" he asked. He wanted to pet and hug Miley. Krystal helped Shooter up and walked him to Miley. Shooter laid down next to her and curled into a ball.

Max looked at Miley. "I think she wants to be with Shooter now." he said. Miley nuzzled her face closer to Shooter's face and whimpered softly

"Okay. Can we go see Buddy's grave?" he asked. He still missed Buddy very much even if he only knew the dog for a day. Krystal had gone outside to the grave and knelt down. She dug a small hole and put a dog treat there along with fresh flowers. Shooter whimpered softly and curled against Miley. He moved and gently liked her face saying he loves her.

Max nodded and carried James to Buddy's grave. Miley gently licked Shooter back telling him that she loves him too.

Krystal looked at Max seeing him bringing James over. She knew Miley always came out here once every day to sniff and lay on the grave. "It's still hard not having him around," she said. Shooter curled more against Miley and fell asleep. James looked at his dad and then the grave. He had something old of Buddy's in his hand.

Max nodded. "Yes, it is. " he said softly. Miley fell asleep and so did the puppies

"I still worry about Miley missing him. I hope she doesn't stop coming out here every day because of Shooter. She normally comes out here sniffs the grave and lays on it. It's normaly. I guess it helps her move on," she said. James looked at his dad and then to the grave and his mom. "Daddy, can I put something in the dirt of the grave? It was Buddy's," he said. In his little hands was the tuxedo collar of Buddy's from Krystal's dresser.

Max nodded and gently put James down. He took Krystal's hand

Krystal got up and moved to wrap her arms around Max's waist. She then felt her phone vibrate on her hip and moved to answer it. "Sure, I'm on my way there now," she said. She looked at Max. "Max, I need to go meet Edward and Rachel at the hospital. Rachel has gone into labour a month early," she said. James dug a hole on the grave and gently placed the tuxedo collar in it. Be covered it before moving to his dad and whiping his hands off.

Max widden his eyes and nodded. "I'll stay here and keep an eye on James and the dogs." he said. Max looked at James

Krystal leaned up and gently kissed Max's cheek before going and getting into her truck. James smiled up at his dad. "Did mommy say that he friend is having another baby? Does that mean a new friend for me?" he asked. Shooter woke hearing Krystal leave in her truck. He whimpered and curled more against Miley. He just wished he hadn't of gotten so hurt.

Max nodded. "Yes, it does. But remember that Briteny is still your friend." he said. Miley woke up and gently licked his face.

"I know she's still my friend. I like her. Maybe she can stay over here one night. It would be fun," James said. Shooter suddenly felt weird and got up and moved away from Miley. He curled up on his blanket and groaned. He was getting worse.

Miley lifted her head and gently barked. Max picked up James and went inside. He put James down near Miley and went to Shooter

Shooter groaned and barked in pain. His insides were hurting. He didn't want to die. He eyed Max hoping he'd know that he needed his pain medication the vet sent home with him. James moved to Miley and petted her head and gave her a little hug. He felt bad for her.