Disclaimer: I own no part of the Southern Vampire Mysteries universe.

A/N: So my only excuse for the slow updates is a stressful year so far. I started writing this before DR, and will now post it assuming that the mess with the Queen of Oklahoma eventually gets resolved. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

Theme 23: Cat

POV: Sookie

Rating: K

Green-eyed Monster

Walking downstairs late on Christmas Eve, I wasn't that surprised to find Eric sitting in my living room. We had made plans for the evening and he usually let himself in, although he then usually sought me out right away. Even his staying in the living room wasn't unheard of, though.

What did surprise me was the very simple cardboard box that he was holding, undecorated except for a single red bow at the top. This surprised me for many reasons. First, I hadn't been sure that Eric was even aware that it was Christmas Eve. Being a vampire, who had not been a Christian in life, he had no real reason to acknowledge the holiday. Second, when Eric did give me gifts, which let's face it, is way more often than he probably should, they are usually much more elaborately wrapped.

I raised one eyebrow at him in a silent question, but he merely grinned at me in response and beckoned me closer. As I got near the sofa on which he was sitting, I noticed something else about the box. At the top, surrounding the red bow, were several small holes. Now I was even more curious, and a little nervous. I didn't really need to discover any more supernatural or mythical creatures tonight, thank you very much. Still, I trusted Eric not to get anything dangerous for me, so I reached out to take the box.

As Eric watched me move to open the lid of the box, he seemed as excited as a child on, well, Christmas morning. I removed the top and peeked inside. Looking back at me, with eyes in the middle of changing from blue to green, was the cutest little calico kitten I had ever seen. It was also my favorite gift I had ever received from Eric. My eyes filled with tears as I glanced back up at him.

Now it was his turned to quirk an eyebrow, "Why are you crying, Dear One? I thought you would be pleased."

"Oh, Eric," I replied, wiping my tears and reaching for the kitten, "I am pleased. This is the best present ever."

Eric roared with laughter, "I offer to buy you jewelry or a car and you yell at me. If I knew I cat was the way to win your affection, I would have done so a long time ago."

"You managed to win my affection, anyway. The cat would have just helped you reach your goal a little sooner," I told him, teasingly.

"I remember once you told me you had a cat that was killed around the time we first met. And even with Bob, who was only in cat form, you seemed to find comfort in the animal presence. Not that I was pleased by that in that particular situation. But I thought, since this is a special holiday for you, maybe it was time you received a daytime companion who had nothing to fear from me."

I had to laugh at his reasoning, "Well, not matter why you got her for me, she's absolutely perfect. Thank you."

I turned back to my new pet, "You need a name don't you, Little One? I know it might not be very original but I think I'm going to call you Callie."

I sat and played with Callie for a few minutes before I began to feel Eric's intense gaze on me. When I looked up, he had an unusual expression on his face, so I questioned him about it.

"I was thinking," he informed me, "that this might not have been my best idea ever. It seems I am learning, though I will deny it if you ever repeat it, that I am not above being jealous of a cat."

A/N: Next theme is "No Time".