Victoria was never allowed to have pets as a kid. They were considered too messy, too loud, too much. It was a distraction. If she wanted a pet that bad, she could get one when she was successful and living out in the world.
Cassie was raised with the most loyal pitbull a person could imagine. She was devastated when he passed away. As such, she raised Harrison around all kinds of animals -- hell, Harrison has a ferret and a snake in his room alone. She takes fantastic care of them all, has read all the articles and forums on caring for these critters.
Victoria takes a while to adjust to these animals. Some are more welcome to her than others, but Harrison loves them, so she does too. Reluctantly.
One night, she and Cassie are in bed, conked out. Victoria is grateful to every force in the universe that she decided to at least put one of Cassie's shirts on tonight when she is shaken awake by a frazzled Harrison.
"Vic..." His tone communicates that something bad has happened.
"Hey, bud, you ok? Lemme wake up Cass-"
"No! Don't do that. Um... my... Todd is missing."
Which one was Todd? She sorts through all the animals and, finally -- the fucking spider.
Victoria hates spiders. But Harrison looks so terrified for his little baby, for fucking Todd, that she steels herself and gets up. They search through the whole house, and when Victoria has started to search the bathroom once again, she feels it. Something inching up her leg.
She looks down -- fucking Todd.
Harrison is thrilled and relieved. Cassie laughs when Victoria tells her while scrubbing herself down six times over in the shower the next morning.
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