Secret Santa Fic for Kayesoob: A Very Furry Christmas
Title: A Very Furry Christmas
Author: mak62184
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: G
Summary: Callie and Arizona help Sofia bring Christmas cheer to some special friends.
Disclaimer:All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
A/N: This fic was written for the Secret Santa for kayesoob. Her prompt was for anything happy. I hope you enjoy it. And Happy New Year!
It was a couple of weeks before Christmas and Callie was sitting in the kitchen planning her Christmas shopping. She had to be quick at the moment because she suspected that Arizona would be back with Sofia from school soon. Sofia was in first grade and was learning to read and write. While Sofia could write some words very well, her reading needed some improvement. Callie was hoping to find a gift for her that would help her, but be fun at the same time. None of the catalogs Callie had were giving her ideas. And right on cue, her wife and daughter walked through the door. Callie hid everything as fast as she could.
“Hi mommy!” Sofia greeted her. She went over to immediately hug Callie. “I love you and you are the best mommy in the whole world.”
“What do you want, Sofia? And how much is it going to cost?” Callie smiled, but knew her daughter's antics a little too well.
“I want to read to cats.”
“What?” Callie thought her daughter's request was a little odd.
“It's a program through one of the local animal shelters,” Arizona explained. “It's where children go in and read books to some of the cats. It's a way to get kids to read and socialize the animals at the same time.”
“And I would really like to do it, mommy.” I think mama already thinks I should do it.”
“I said it was a fun idea,” Arizona admitted. “ But, I told you I needed to talk to mommy first.”
“Okay, you two talk while I go upstairs.” And Sofia was gone in an instant.
“So, what do you think?” Arizona asked Callie for herself.
“I think it sounds like an interesting idea,” Callie admitted. “I was actually trying to come up with an idea for a Christmas present to help Sofia with her reading that isn't boring. But, this is something I never thought of. I'm just worried about a cat mauling Sofia though.”
“I spoke to Sofia's teacher. She told me that they only let a maximum of three cats with the child at once. And they only choose ones that they know will be gentile. And one of us also has to be there with her at all times.”
“Okay. How will this be beneficial though? I'm still not sure of how this works.”
“Sofia would bring a book into the shelter and read it out loud. The idea is that the cats are a good audience because they may listen, but most importantly, they would won't make fun of the child. It's a less intimidating way to get kids to read out loud with no pressure or peers to make fun of them if they mess up or need help.”
“And Sofia really wants to do this?”
“Yes. It was all she talked about in the car. She said Santa doesn't have to bring her any gifts if we allow her to participate.”
“Oh, then I guess I will have to throw out my list then,” Callie teased.
“Don't,” Arizona said. “I know Sofia says she doesn't need anything now, but that will probably change. Remember, she is only six. And I think we should get some stuff for the animal shelter.”
“Like what?”
“They can use cleaning supplies, toys, food, litter, towels or blankets,” Arizona read off a list that she pulled from her purse.
“You sound just as excited about this as Sofia,” Callie just smiled and giggled at her wife.
“Well, it is a great idea. And I think you need to say yes.”
“Okay. If you think Sofia will benefit from this and she really wants to do it.”
“Yay!” Arizona went over to kiss Callie. It was turning into an interesting holiday season.
A few days later, Callie was again waiting for her wife and daughter to get home. It was Sofia's first session at the animal shelter and she was anxious to hear how it went. She and Arizona had also gone shopping the day before for shelter supplies. While they had only planned to buy a few items, they soon went overboard. It was for a cause their daughter loved and they were feeling extra generous for the holidays. Arizona was only able to bring half of it this time, which meant the rest would have to wait until the next visit.
“We're home!” Arizona called out. She entered the living room with Sofia behind her.
“How did it go?” Callie asked.
“It was great, mommy. I got to read to two kitties named Ariel and Cookie Monster. Cookie Monster got his name because he loves his treats. He also sat in my lap.”
“What did you read to them,” Callie was really curious and interested.
“The Cat in the Hat. They loved it. I want to read them a Christmas story next time.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Arizona agreed with Sofia. “Why don't you go to the kitchen for a snack while I talk to mommy right now?”
Sofia nodded and did as she was told.
“How was her reading?” Callie wanted to know.
“She did fine. I had to help her with a few words, but it was good for her. And I think Sofia has found some friends for life.”
“Oh, so you want to get a cat now?”
“Why not? We live in a house now and having a pet would be fun. Cats are also not a lot of work.”
Callie thought for a moment. “Can we think about this first?”
“Absolutely. We started this for Sofia's education, which should come first. Oh, and I have to work next week. So you will have to bring Sofia and the rest of our donations to the shelter.”
“Fine. And I will show you what self control is when it comes to animals.”
Little did Callie know what she was getting herself into.
A week later, Callie walked through the animal shelter with two huge bags and Sofia behind her. The place was more inviting than she imagined.
“Hi Sofia,” a woman greeted the two of them.
“Hi, Jessie,” the little girl replied. “This is my other mom,” She introduced Callie. “Can I read to Ariel and Cookie Monster again?”
“Of course you can. Let me just put them in the visiting room. And thank you for all the great donations, Dr. Torres. We really appreciate the generosity of you and Dr. Robbins.”
“You're welcome. We are glad to help and love that Sofia enjoys reading to the cats.”
“And we just love having Sofia here. Are you going to sit in with her today?”
“I guess so. I was under the impression that I had to. But, I can help her if she needs it.”
“Fantastic. Let me just get the visiting room all set up.”
Soon after Callie and Sofia were in a quiet room with two friendly cats. Ariel was a brown tabby and Cookie Monster was black and white. It wasn't so bad, Callie thought to herself. She even liked both cats.
“Aww, Cookie Monster likes you, mommy,” Sofia observed him rub up on Callie's leg before jumping into her lap. He stayed with her for the whole visit. Ariel stuck by Sofia. Callie loved the visit. Arizona was right. Even though Ariel did not understand exactly what Sofia was reading to her, she still acted like she cared. And Cookie Monster was just content. The interactions had Callie make a bold decision.
Christmas Eve came and Callie could not wait to share her gift with her wife and daughter. It was a joint one, but she knew they would be happy. Everything else would be from Santa the next day. It was after dinner and the little family was watching The Grinch and eating popcorn. Everything was going well until a sound of a door opening startled the three of them.
“What was that?” Arizona wondered.
“Is it Santa?” Sofia was really interested and excited.
“You have to be asleep first,” Callie reminded her. “I'll go check.”
“But it could be an ax murderer,” Arizona said out loud.
“I doubt it. I'll be fine,” Callie got up. She remembered the guest room door did not always close tightly and she had a feeling she knew what happened. And soon they did not have to wait to find out they were not alone.
“Is that Cookie Monster and Ariel?” Arizona noted of two cats entering the room.
“Yes,” Callie confessed. “I was hoping to keep it a surprise until the Grinch was over. I guess they couldn't wait.”
“So we're going to keep them?” Sofia went over to pet her friends.
“Yes. You were right Arizona. They were wonderful with Sofia. And I knew you liked them.”
“Now I can read to them all the time,” Sofia said being even more excited.
“This is a nice surprise,” Arizona agreed. She lifted Ariel to sit between her and Sofia. And right on cue, Cookie Monster jumped into Callie's lap. She smiled and was glad they got the cats.