A New Addition

"So did you get him?" Fate asked busily shoving papers around on her desk while holding her phone next to her ear.

"Her Fate. It's a girl."

"Sorry. Anyway what breed is it?"

Nanoha smiled watching the puppy stare at her while wagging its tail. "She's a husky. Fate she's so cute! She's got gray fur on her back and white fur on her stomach and legs. She also has the prettiest blue eyes!"

"Ok, ok stop gushing babe. Remember she's a present for Vivio not for you."

She knelt down and watched the puppy run around on the kitchen floor in a circle before stopping and jumping up to lick her face. "But Fate she's SO CUTE!

"Did you name her?"

"I was hoping you would pick the name. I mean getting her a puppy was your idea remember?"

Fate sat down at her desk and sighed. "You're right. Hmm…name for a puppy…how about…Snowflake?"

"Hmm…what do you think?" Nanoha asked addressing the puppy. "Do you like that name?" The puppy excitedly barked in response.

"I think she likes it Fate."

"Cool then Snowflake it is. Do you remember the plan?"

"Of course I do," she said peeking out of the window. "Vivio will be home around 3:00 so I'll hide her in our room."

"Don't you dare show her until I get there!" Fate cut in. "I want to get a picture of her reaction. She's been dropping hints for months now that she wanted a pet."

"Oh don't worry about that. When Vivio sees her she'll hit the roof!"

"That's if you can contain your excitement."

"BUT FATE SHE IS SOOOOO CUUUTTEEEE!" Nanoha shrieked.

"Ok Nanoha calm it down. I'm bleeding from the ears here."

"Sorry. Just hurry home ok Fate? I can't wait!"

Fate leaned back in her chair. "I already told you I can't get out of here until 2:00. But I will race home I promise. And remember do NOT let Vivio see her until I get there!"

"Understood ma'am!" said Nanoha jokingly before hanging up.

"She's so silly," Fate said to herself. As she closed out the call there was a knock at her office door. "Come in."

"Excuse me Miss Harlaown?" Signum peeked her head through the door.

"Hey Signum. What can I do for you?"

"Could you look over this for me?" She handed Fate a folder.

Taking it and opening it, Fate's eyes widened in surprise. "Signum…this is-,"

"How is it? It's my first time trying it so I wanted to get your opinion."

"Well all of the numbers look right," said Fate as she flipped through the papers. "As far as I can tell you did a good job. Nicely done."

"Thank you that means a lot coming from you."

"No problem. Anything else you need?"

"No that was it. By the way how is Takamachi doing?"

"Nanoha? Oh she's great. She's all hyped up today because we got Vivio her first pet."

Signum smiled. "That's great. What type of pet?"

"A little girl husky. Here Nanoha sent me a picture earlier this morning." Fate opened the picture on her computer and turned the monitor to show Signum.

"She's adorable. I'm sure Vivio will love her."

"I hope so. I actually want to get out of here soon because I really want to be there to see her reaction. But I've got to finish this stuff first and get it all in by 2:00."

"Oh forgive me. I'll leave you to your work then."

"Thanks have a nice day Sig. I'll see you later." She waved casually to her as Signum left. "Now I have to get this stuff done."

Back at home Nanoha was busily going about the house while being followed by the puppy. Every once in a while she glanced at the clock to check how much time she had until Vivio's arrival. As she stood in the kitchen washing dishes the puppy sat at her feet and barked.

"What is it girl? You can't be hungry I just fed you."

The puppy barked again this a bit louder.

Nanoha dried her hands and knelt down. "What do you need? Water? You want some water?"

The puppy ran over to the carpeted area of the living room and started sniffing around.

"Oh crap you have go out!" Moving quickly Nanoha grabbed her and headed for the door. She slipped on her pair of sandals sitting by the door and headed out. "I totally forgot you aren't house trained yet." Making her way downstairs and to the grassy area in front of their building, she sat the puppy down and watched her sniff around. Her phone then started ringing. She reached into her pocket to answer it while keeping an eye on the puppy as she roamed around. "Hello love," she said sweetly.

"Hey babe," answered Fate. "I'm on the way home now. I just got everything done. How's Snowflake?"

"She's fine. I'm letting her go to the bathroom outside right now."

"Remember house training her is Vivio's job."

"I know. Don't worry our little scheme is going-,"

"Mom what are you doing?"

Nanoha turned around quickly to see Vivio standing there with her backpack on her back and staring curiously.

"Vivio?! W-what are you doing here?"

"I got a ride home from Mina's mom so I didn't have to take the bus. Why are you outside?"

"Uh…I was…waiting for you! I was going to greet you…when you came home! Look, I have Fate on the line and she wants to talk you!"

Vivio took the phone. "Hey Fate! Yeah school was good! Are you going to work late tonight? Really?! Then can we play some games tonight? Awesome! Then I'll see you when you get here! K bye!" She handed the phone back to Nanoha. "Here mom. I'm going up to put my stuff down." Vivio excitedly darted upstairs leaving Nanoha alone again.

"You are my hero," Nanoha said to Fate.

"I had to cover for you somehow. Now hide Snowflake until I get there!"

"Right the puppy!" Nanoha turned around to see Snowflake no where in sight. "Uh Fate…I'm gonna have to call you back."

"Nanoha what did you-," she was cut off as Nanoha closed the call.

"Ok you've couldn't have gone far!" She headed around the building searching the bushes for the puppy. "Come here girl!" She finally made around back but there was still no sign of her. Searching all around, Nanoha finally decided to check near the garbage cans. As she neared them, she noticed something moving in the bushes near them. "Snowflake!" she called out. The puppy jumped out the bushes and ran to her excitedly. Nanoha scooped her up in her arms breathing a heavy sigh of relief. She headed back around and inside but stopped at the door. "I've got to hide you from Vivio. But she'll see me if I just take you in…," Hearing the sound of a vehicle, Nanoha looked down to see Fate arriving. "She is really is my hero."

"Hey sweetie! What are you doing outside?" she called out as she got her stuff out of her car.

"Nothing! Hey can you go in first and run interference for me! I need to hide the puppy!"

"I'm on it. But I want to know why you hung up on me earlier."

"Bad signal," she answered nuzzling the puppy to her face.

"You said you'd call me back."

"Details Fate. Anyways go on in and I'll sneak in while you distract her and hide."

"Alright, alright." Hoisting her back over her shoulder, Fate went on inside. Vivio was sitting in the living room in front of the T.V. playing one of her games. "Hey munchkin," Fate said putting her things down.

"Fate come and play! I bet I beat you this time!"

"Honey there is no way you can beat me in this game. Last time the score was 4 to 0. My goalie completely shut you out."

"We'll see about that!"

Nanoha peeked in to see them both distracted and carefully but quickly slipped past them and into the kitchen. She held a hand over the puppy's mouth to keep her from barking as she then moved towards the bedroom. A few more minutes when by until Nanoha came back and joined Fate and Vivio. The two were still playing so Nanoha sat down and watched for a while. After the game was over the 3 headed to the kitchen to rummage for whatever was available for dinner.

"Say Vivio," Fate smiled at her. "What would you say if I said we had a surprise for you?"

"What kind of surprise?!" The young girl's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Well me and your mom talked it over and decided that you were old enough to start learning some responsibility."

Her excitement immediately dropped. "My surprise is responsibility?"

"No honey. We've gotten you a really cool surprise."

"Where is it?"

Fate looked to Nanoha. "You're mom has got it."

"Is that why you were acting so weird today?"

Nanoha grabbed her daughter and playfully messed with her hair. "I was not that weird."

"I thought you were going crazy mom," answered.

"Oh yeah? Well just wait." Nanoha left the room and returned shortly afterwards holding something behind her back. "Ready?"

"Ready!"

She revealed the puppy that barked happily. Vivio immediately grabbed her out of Nanoha's arms. "A PUPPY!"

"Do you like her?"

Vivio nodded. "It's a girl?"

"Yep. Her name is Snowflake."

"Snowflake huh? I like it."

"Now she is your responsibility Vivio. You have to remember to feed her and walk her as well as house train her. Understand?"

"Yes I understand! But I'm gonna go play with her now!" She ran off into the living room.

Fate and Nanoha stood next to each other watching her play with the dog. "Isn't that cute? She's so happy."

"Yeah it is. By the way Nanoha…,"

"Hmm?" she said smiling at the scene before them.

"Great job almost losing the puppy."

"What?!"

Hello all. So here is another little short. I'm glad I was able to get one in before Christmas lol. I would have done holiday themed one but I already have so here is just a little something that hit me. I plan to have another for new years though so look out for it. Anyways you know the drill, enjoy and reviews are welcome!