Page 12 of The Baby Dragon Bakery (The Baby Dragon #2)
L avinia went to work at the Animal Hospital the next day. She had her internship three times a week and lectures every weekday. She had been interning there with Dr. Quan since last summer, and she loved it.
During that time, there had been other interns as well, but most of them stayed for a few months to get a little bit of pediatric experience before moving on to shadowing other vets in the field.
Not Lavinia. She enjoyed pediatric work, and enjoyed staying in one place.
She had built relationships with many of the patients and loved seeing them.
The Animal Hospital was where the babies were brought, while the grown animals received house calls.
Lavinia liked dealing with the babies, and she hoped to eventually work at the Animal Hospital full-time, rather than do house calls.
Hopefully, they would offer her a full-time job when she graduated from veterinary school.
She had different appointments and paperwork to do throughout the day, which kept her busy. Around midday, she had another appointment, one she was particularly looking forward to.
“Shall we?” Dr. Quan asked, standing by the door of their shared office. He was a slender man with thick black hair and a clean-shaven face.
Dr. Quan had been a pediatric veterinarian for over twenty years, and as such, he knew everything there was to know, his knowledge and experience vast. He was an excellent mentor to Lavinia, and just as wonderful with the magical animals, patient and gentle.
Even the most chaotic babies tended to calm down around him.
“Yes,” Lavinia said, taking off her glasses and setting aside the papers she had been reading through.
She stood, following Dr. Quan toward the patient rooms down the hall.
When they arrived at the correct room, Dr. Quan pulled the file from the folder hanging on the door.
He entered, and Lavinia followed behind him.
In the room, Saphira was waiting with Sparky.
The baby dragon lit up when he saw Lavinia, immediately coming over to rub his nose against her torso.
“Hi, Sparky,” she said, scratching his scaled chin. He flapped his wings happily, and wind blew Saphira’s hair back. The vet rooms were big enough for the biggest baby animals, so there was plenty of room for him here.
She recalled when he had come in for his first appointment last year to get shots—how little he had been. How quickly time passed; how quickly things changed!
Lavinia petted Sparky, then waved happily at Saphira. She refrained from hugging her friend, as that would be unprofessional, and she needed to be on her best behavior in front of Dr. Quan, as well as maintain some workplace standards of decorum for herself.
“Hello Saphira, hello Sparky,” Dr. Quan said, giving them both a smile. “How are you both doing today?”
“We’re doing well, thank you,” Saphira replied brightly.
“Is there anything pressing I should know?” Dr. Quan asked. Saphira shook her head. “Wonderful.” He turned to Lavinia. “Lavinia, why don’t you begin?”
“Of course.” Lavinia began the visit, running through the usual check-ups. She took Sparky’s vitals and numbers, Dr. Quan watching. When she was done, she reviewed her notes, then turned back to Dr. Quan.
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” she said. She turned to Saphira. “Everything looks great.”
“Wonderful,” Dr. Quan replied. “Lavinia, I think you can handle it from here.”
Saying goodbye, Dr. Quan left, and Lavinia took over the rest of the visit.
“Everything is truly good, right?” Saphira asked, fiddling with the sleeve of her chunky cardigan. Gold bangles jingled on her arm. “Nothing to worry about at all?”
Lavinia laughed. Saphira could be a worrier, especially when it came to her baby.
“Yes, our little munchkin is perfect,” Lavinia reassured her, scratching Sparky’s chin.
He hummed, then licked her hand. “He’s a basalta dragon, so he is a bit bigger than other baby dragons, but perfectly normal for his breed.
He is a bit more mature, I would even say, but I am sure that’s due to your expert training. ”
Saphira smiled, pleased, holding her left hand to her heart. Her massive engagement ring sparkled, the diamonds around the basalt stone catching the light.
Lavinia was sure Sparky’s maturity also had to do with the fact that the Sterlings had the cream of the crop when it came to their basalta dragon eggs. Aiden’s father was on the Dragon Council as the basalta representative. There was one representative for each of the four breeds of dragons.
“Good,” Saphira said, releasing a breath.
She came over to Sparky’s other side, and Sparky nuzzled against her side, sitting by her feet.
Saphira absent-mindedly stroked Sparky’s head.
“I’ve discussed this with the Sterling caretakers, but I want your opinion as well,” Saphira said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
“Do you think I can saddle Sparky? I was thinking after his second birthday next week.”
Lavinia had a good idea of the answer, but she checked Sparky’s records and charts anyway, just to be sure.
“That will be fine, especially if it’s only your weight that he’s carrying with the saddle.
Of course, when dragons are fully mature, they can carry two to three adults, plus dead weight like luggage, but you’re not doing anything like that. ”
“No, no, definitely not,” Saphira said “And yes, it’ll just be my weight. He’s eager for me to ride him, and I’m just as excited.”
“And you’ve discussed it with the Sterling caretakers?” Lavinia asked. The caretakers would know more specific information regarding the egg Sparky came from and his family history.
“Yes, I did, and they also said it was okay,” Saphira replied.
“Then I don’t see any issues at all,” Lavinia confirmed.
“Yay!” Saphira clapped, excited, and Sparky flapped his wings, catching onto her energy. He bounced, and the ground lightly shook. Luckily, the patient rooms were equipped for rowdy baby animals, so nothing fell over or broke. Lavinia laughed.
“Alright, alright, don’t get too excited,” Lavinia said, scratching under Sparky’s chin. “We still have to give you your vaccine.”
It was a yearly vaccination shot for Sparky’s immune system. At the mention of a shot, Sparky’s happy mood dimmed. He scowled, glancing back at Saphira with betrayal.
“I know, but it’s only a little shot!” Saphira coaxed. “Only a little one! And my golu-molu is so brave,” she said, speaking to him in her baby voice. Sparky wasn’t happy, but he acquiesced, settling down.
Lavinia administered the shot quickly and, while Sparky wasn’t the happiest baby dragon about it, he was a long way from how upset he had gotten during his first visit. Saphira, too, was much more confident and secure.
“See? That wasn’t so bad!” Saphira said. Sparky gave her what could only be described as a dirty look before bumping his head into her hip. Saphira stumbled. “Hey!”
That seemed to amuse Sparky, and he cheered up. His mood improved further when Lavinia gave them both lollipops: a big one for Sparky, and a small one for Saphira.
“I can chat for a few minutes, then I have to bounce, but tell me! How are things?” Lavinia asked.
“Good!” Saphira replied. “So good!”
“How has it been, officially being moved in with Aiden?” Lavinia asked.
“At first it was a little weird, even though I have obviously been at his place so much, but to properly move?” She sucked on her lollipop.
“It’s only been two days, but it’s been so much fun!
It’s like having a sleepover with your best friend every day.
It’s just such a joy—to know that he’s always around.
And even when he isn’t, to know that he’ll be coming home to me, or that I’ll be coming home to him. ”
“Aw.” How sweet. She loved that. She loved love! Even so, loneliness echoed through her, a dull ache. She yearned for that desperately.
“Sparky loves it, too, of course,” Saphira said, petting her dragon’s black scales. “He was getting too big for my old apartment, anyway, and now he doesn’t have to worry about that.”
“Sparky is such a good boy,” Lavinia said, petting him. “Aren’t you?” He cooed in response, pleased.
“What about you?” Saphira asked. “How’s school—and Biter! The picture you sent me yesterday was too cute!”
“She is adorable!” Lavinia replied. “I love having her around. And it’s good practical learning for school, as well. You know—I should be getting extra credit!”
After chatting for a few more minutes, Saphira and Sparky left, and Lavinia returned to her work. At the end of the day, when she checked her phone she saw that she had a new message from Calahan.
Excitement fizzed through her. She opened the message.
“What do you call a dog magician?” she read aloud to herself before responding with a few question marks. She watched her phone screen, waiting for a reply until a new message appeared: a labracadabrador .
Lavinia laughed out loud, then texted back: stop that was horrible!
His response was immediate: Noooo, i’ve been working on that all day, please tell me you at least giggled.
Only a little, she messaged back, smiling to herself.
The rest of the week passed with classes and interning and assignments and notes, and she found professor jokes to send Calahan, while he sent her veterinary jokes. She was setting the stage, planting the seeds, etc., though she did detest the mechanics of the modern dating scene.
Then, finally, it was Saturday, the day she would be at the Baby Dragon.
It was time to commence Operation Calahan.