Boys Only

A Family's Christmas

Louis' POV 

This year there was one big present that I wanted to surprise the boys with. I was slightly nervous on how it would go, but I was confident that I could handle anything now. Ed and I had been planning for a while now, but we wanted to get the boys a pet. A cat, it's something my boys have always wanted and I really want one too. 

Ed found a lot of shelters online that are near to us, and we plan on visiting them today after we open presents. Once all my boys were up (before 7:00 for heaven's sakes...) we decided to open regular presents. Everyone was very thrilled with what Ed and I had chosen out for them, but they had no idea what was still to come. 

Ed brought four bags out from the back room as our final 'big family gift'. As always, youngest to oldest, seeing as younger people have shorter attention spans. Harry opened up his bag, and found a mouse toy. He became completely enamored, and started playing with it immediately. I let him, there's no need to stop him. He and the kitty can share. 

Next, Zayn. He opened his present, which was two metal bowls. Niall looked at me, seeming very confused as he pulled a canister of catnip out of his bag. Liam pulled out a large bag of cat litter, and started laughing. "Gee dad, I'm touched." Ed and I stood and waited for our kids to understand and put the pieces together. 

Niall was the first to get it. He looked at Ed and I with a huge smile plastered across his face. "Really?!" He asked, starting to squirm and bounce and wriggle about in utter excitement. He leaned over and whispered what he was thinking into Zayn's ear, who started to get excited too. Liam snapped his fingers, finally understanding, and smirking at myself. 

Harry looked around, and swished his tail confusedly. "Daddy? What's really? What's so exciting? It just looks like some new toys?" I smiled and pointed to Ed as he left the room. I can just picture Ed getting the car keys, telling the kids for sure that we're going to a shelter to rescue a cute little soul and take it home with us. 

When Ed walked back in with a box, it wasn't just the boys who were confused anymore. I wrinkled my eyebrows with Ed, then gasped when I heard the box meow. "Edward Tomlinson, you didn't." My brother smirked a devilish smile and handed the box to me. I felt the weight of the box and gasped a little. "Did you adopt an elephant?!" I squealed, starting to open the box. 

"I really liked her, and.. we need a lady around the house. She's pretty, and she's such a queen. Louis, you've got some competition, because you're about to meet a little one who's just about as sassy as you. We can change her name, but as of right now, this is Cali!" I opened the box, and out peeped two beautiful, striking green eyes. 

She meowed sassily, and blinked at me. I set down the box and reached my hand in slowly. I retracted it quickly when she swatted at me. "Um... it also said she doesn't like many people. But she kind of likes me, and once she warms up I'm sure she'll love everyone!" Ed re-assured, as Harry backed away a little. I considered that Harry might not like another cat in the house, but I didn't think it'd be too bad. 

"Come say hello!" I encouraged, watching as Niall and Liam crawled over slowly. Cali jumped out of the box and walked past both the boys that came to greet her. I watched cautiously as she walked over to Zayn. She sniffed at him, as he stayed as still as he possibly could. She meowed in a manner that seemed happy, before nuzzling against him. "Well look at that! You'll have a reading buddy." 

Zayn nodded before reaching up to pet her head. She purred, and snuggled further into him. Harry crawled over slowly, and put his hand out to her. She was interested, but not as much as she was in Zayn. It appeared that she didn't quite pick up on the fact that Harry is part cat. That could actually be useful, seeing as we don't want any more fights than usual around here. 

Niall opened up his container of catnip, and instantly he got more attention. This cat is going to be so loved, I can already tell. It seems treats will be a must-have in the house, and perhaps we'll get some special blankets for her. She's long-haired, so there's going to be a lot of maintenance with her. But of course it'll be worth it in the end. It's always worth it. 

Merry Christmas! Don't forget your furry friends this time of year! If you're cold, they're cold too! If you don't have a four-legged companion, think about adopting one! They're fantastic! Oh yeah, Cali's a real cat, and she's fantastically hateful. I love it. Happy Holidays!