A/N: I am having really bad PTSD symptoms right now, I had to write something to distract me. This isn't my best, but it is something. My next few stories will probably be dark, just a warning. This is nothing but fluff. Please review.
A dog. Of all things, why did Henry want a dog for Christmas? She had begged and pleaded with the child- anything but a dog; but the strong willed five year old had remained persistent. He had sat on Santa's lap and described the perfect dog, one that would play fetch with him and go running with his mom!
"Henry, I am not sure if a dog is a great idea." JJ had tried to convince the child, holding his hand as they left the mall.
"Why not, mom?" He asked, shining a grin up at her. "I'm big now, I can take care of a dog." He skipped along, "Oh mom, it would be the bestest gift ever!" He stopped and looked up at his mother and it suddenly clicked with little Henry. "Mom, are you afraid of dogs?" He whispered, taking her hand in his own.
"Henry.." How was she going to explain the reason he was not going to get what he wanted most, was because of her own stupid fear?
"Mom, you chase bad guys everyday, you carry a gun and a badge. And you make sure that the good people don't get anymore hurt." Henry began. "You are the bravest person I know!" He threw his hands up in the air for emphasis. "Maybe getting a dog can make you even braver?"
Her son had outsmarted her, the kindergartner had outwitted her, and JJ couldn't be happier. She knew he was smart, but this just proved it. So, mustering all her strength on Christmas Eve, while Henry was at his dad's, JJ entered the humane society.
"C'mon peaches!" Garcia had squealed and nearly skipped into the kennels. Her best friend had been ecstatic when JJ had called and told her about her plan. Garcia completely agreed with Henry, the small family needed a dog.
"Garcia, I don't think…" JJ felt her heart rate picking up with panic.
"No! Don't you dare.. you are a big tough FBI agent!" Garcia stomped back towards her.
"And we are adopting a dog for that adorable son of yours! No excuses! When you're gone, I will doggie sit!"
Garcia grabbed JJ's hand and before the blonde knew what was happening, she was lined, side by side with dogs. Puppies and dogs, big and little, all colors, some were barking, others sleeping, and a few were jumping at their cage doors for her attention.
"Pick out one, JJ!" Garcia instructed then wandered over to where she saw a tiny kitten.
"Just pick out one, JJ" JJ mocked her friend. "It's easy.." She strolled up and down the aisle looking for a dog that appeared friendly. And then out of the corner of her eye, she knew she had found the dog.
Henry ran into his mom's apartment, excited to show her what Santa had brought him the night before. He had shown her his football and new video game when he spotted it out of the corner of his eye. "Mom!" His jaw dropped as he pointed to a set of dog dishes on the ground. "Mom, did Santa.." He whispered.
"Go look." She gestured towards his room, laughing as the boy ran down the hallway. She caught up with him just in time to see the boy and dog crash into one another. The five year old boy who had instantly fallen in love with the senior dog who had been dumped at the shelter in exchange for a puppy.
"She's so big!" Henry stood back.
"She is! Her name is Stella, and she's a Mastiff." A gentle giant. Stella's face was what had caught JJ, the white and grey against the tan. And then her eyes, the dog seemed lost, as if she was searching for something.. her family.
Now, Stella's eyes were bright, her tail was wagging.. the depressed expression no longer apparent.
"Mom!" Henry laughed. "Mom, you did it! You were so brave and Santa knew it! He gots us a dog!"