Deputy Skids slowly tip-toed down the stairs into the living room. Peeking around to make sure nobody was watching him, he ran through the dark room with the aid of a few colorful lights. Kneeling down in front of a large, decorated pine tree he rubbed his hands together and grinned. Grabbing a small wrapped box he held it close to his perked up ear and shook it softly. Running through guesses in his mind, he put the box down and reached for another one when a voice called out, causing him to drop it and duck down. "Babe, I hope you weren't thinking of opening presents without us!" a dark pink cat slowly made her way down the stairs and smirked at the lime green dog. "Aren't you a little old to be sneaking downstairs to open Christmas presents?"
Placing the orange wrapped box down under the tree, Deputy pushed it back with his foot and smiled. "Listen, if thirty-six is too old to enjoy Christmas, then I don't want to call myself a Toon." walking over he wrapped an arm around his wife, dipping her and leaning in for a kiss.
"Yeah, yeah. But it's Rosie's first Christmas! I want her to get all of the excitement and thrills and colors and sugar that come with the holidays! How can she do that if dear old dad gets started without her? the cat sat walked over and sat down on the couch, crossing her legs she stuck her tongue out. "Listen, my dad is going to be here in an hour. Why don't you try to keep yourself distracted and go make some hot chocolate or something while I go upstairs and get her ready. I really want to see her in that cute little reindeer outfit I bought her!"
Deputy smiled. Growing up in a household that didn't celebrate Christmas, the magic had not been lost on him. he walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling out some milk and started mixing it in a pot with the chocolate. Peeking over, he noticed that Susie had still been upstairs. Placing it onto the stove top, he quickly made his way back into the living room. Grabbing the orange box he ran back into the kitchen and placed it into the counter. Checking on the boiling liquid, he grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the counter and dragged a chair and sat in front of the present. "So Mr. Gift, eh? What are you hiding?" prodding the bow a few times, he narrowed his eyes. "Don't want to talk then? We have ways to get you to talk." Placing the pot on a non-heated burner, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a pair of scissors. "I guess if you won't talk we'll just have to get the truth one other way!" leaping forward he stopped in his tracks at the pink cat shaking her head. She was holding a lime green cat dressed in a dark brown reindeer costume.
"Sorry Deputy, you don't have a warrant for this arrest. Come back in a couple of hours and maybe the judge will change her mind. Now, can you hold Rosie for me? I need to go hide this before you get too excited again." gently handling the sleeping baby to Deputy, she confiscated the scissors and present and walked back into the living room. Pinching her cheeks, he giggled softly. It seemed too good to be true. Walking over he poured two cups of hot chocolate and with one arm pinned the two glasses to himself as he slowly waddled out of the kitchen, still balancing Rosie in his other arm.
Nearly dropping the mugs, he clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth as Susie was attempting to open a large pink present. "For shame, hon, for shame." the cat blushed as she was caught. "I guess you caught me Officer. I guess I've been naughty this year. What is my punishment?"
Deputy gently placed Rosie on the couch and walked over to his wife. "Open that box and you'll find out." he winked as she giggled. Before he could continue, a knock on the door. Scooping up Rosie, he followed Susie to the front door and grinned. Opening the door, an older dark pink holding hands with a black cat wearing matching blinking Santa hats.
"Merry Christmas!" the black cat cheered.
"Dad! Reessess! You guys made it, come in, come in!" Susie nodded and led the pair inside.
The older pink cat looked at Deputy. "Hey buddy, can't believe you guys haven't started opening gifts yet." walking over he gazed at the still sleeping green cat. "She's adorable. I bet she's going to have a blast." slapping his forehead he jogging to the door. "Be right back, I forgot the gifts!"
"So, Reessess. How was the trip to Valentoonia?" Susie inquired, taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
"Oh, fantastic! I got to meet the Queen! She's actually a lot kinder in person! Look at this picture!" pulling out a camera they flipped through some pictures.
Sitting down in front of the tree, Deputy pulled a smaller yellow present labeled "Rosie." Whispering to his daughter, she stirred awake and yawned. "Good morning, sweetie. Merry Christmas!" he smiled as the toon reached a small hand up and pawed at his face. Taking her hand he rubbed slowly. As he did, the front door quickly opened, blowing in a small brush of snow and cold air.
"Hey, could I get some help with these?" the Toon could hardly be seen behind a gargantuan stack of presents.
"Oh my gosh, dad. I think you went a little overboard with those, don't you think?" Susie laughed.
Deputy jiggled with excitement. "Professor, you know just how to liven up a party!"
Slowly lowering the gifts to the floor, Wiggles wiped his brow and sat next to Reessess on the couch. "Well it's not every day that your first born granddaughter celebrates her first Christmas, is it! Well I guess not, that would be a little weird. Anyways, it looks like she's awake. Let's get started!"
"Can I hold her?" Reessess quietly asked. "I've - I've never held a baby before.
Susie walked over and grabbed Rosie who was now awake and smiling at the sight of all of the colorful lights and familiar faces. "Absolutely Reessess." handing her over, she watched the black cat's eyes widen.
"Oh my cog, she's so precious!" Reessess shrieked. Looking sadly down, she sighed. Maybe someday I'll get to experience this feeling. Jabbing an elbow at Wiggles, she handed the baby back.
"I think Wiggles is right. Let's get started!" Deputy cheered out. Grabbing the yellow package from earlier he placed it on the ground and watched as Susie placed Rosie in front of it, encouraging her to open it. The small green cat reached out and grabbed the thin paper. Eventually tearing a small piece off with the help of the others, she giggled as the paper quickly came undone. Deputy helped her pull open the box revealing a small stuffed toy.
Hours flew by as the small gathering told stories, joked around, and enjoyed each others company. Deputy had received several new t-shirts, a brand new video game console, and a propeller hat. It was amazing. Yet it all paled in comparison to watching everybody else open their gifts. Deputy was the king of Christmas. He had gotten Susie a coffee maker that could make frappachinos and a custom made dress. For Professor and Reessess a cruise vacation to the newly opened Retroville. But the best part was watching Rosie. Regardless of what she got, it was all an amazing experience to her. Eventually, an early evening had taken over and Professor and Reessess had taken an early leave to go see Reesess' family. Rosie, tuckered out after a long day and a lot of sugar, was asleep in her crib that Reessess had bought. Deputy laid his head down on Susie's lap and she gently scratched behind his ears. She knew exactly where he liked it. Watching a generic Christmas movie, the two sat in silence, exhausted but thrilled after an amazing day. "Hey honey, do you want to switch? I can rub your back for you?"
"What's with the sudden consideration of me?" Susie teased. "I'll chalk it up to all of the sugar." Standing up, she let Deputy take her place and laid down, resting her head on a pillow. Purring as he reached under her shirt and gently scratched her back.
"Look at her sweetie. She's perfect." the two smiled watching as the young Toon rocked back and forth in blissful sleep. Deputy grabbed the remove and switched off the TV. "I still can't believe it's real."
Susie looked up sadly. "Me too, Deputy. Me too."
Deputy's eyes widened. " Wait. What?"
"Haha, I'm just kidding. Me either, babe. This has been the greatest day of my life." Susie snuggled into Deputy's lap and the two closed their eyes, comforted knowing they had many more Christmases ahead.