When Keegan learned that you were pregnant, he went absolutely crazy. Any PTO or vacation he had, he used and went house hunting while making you prop your feet up. Most of Keegan's time was spent at home. A lot of people thought he retired.

The house Keegan settled on was in a peaceful neighborhood, the crime rate was extremely low, and it was close to a school. It was a beautiful two bedroom, one bath, and you especially loved the spacious dining room. Watching you waddle around and explore your new home gave the man a new type of satisfaction. He was providing for a family now.

Keegan set up the nursery for you, letting you sit in the rocking chair and order him around for where you wanted things. He couldn't count on one hand how many times you had him move the crib. And when your daughter, Ayla, grew up, the both of you upgraded her room.

It was a beautiful day, lightly cloudy. You sat on the front porch, watching Ayla and Keegan's retired military dog, Riley, played in a little kiddie pool. The five year old giggled and squealed as Riley bit the water, always careful not to bite the child.

Keegan was inside relaxing and watching TV, fresh home from another long deployment. It was a little routine when he came home: the reunion, of course, and welcoming him home. But, for the next day, you and Ayla let Keegan relax and wind down. It made everything smooth. So you sat on the porch chair, crochet project in hand as you watched your toddler and dog.

You had only looked down for a second, long enough to count two stitches. Ayla was squealing happily, but it was Riley's vicious bark that made you look back up. The neighbors dog, a chocolate lab, was across the yard.

"Keegan!" Your scream was desperate as you dropped everything, nearly falling down the porch in your rave to your baby.

Riley, that beautifully trained German Shepard, he was already between Ayla and the other dog, protecting her.