Cleo adjusted the last of the presents under her miniature tree and straightened. It wasn't as impressive as a big tree would have been, but the size of the tree doesn't matter, as long as the Christmas Cheer is there, and the small pine sitting in it's oversize pot was no less bedecked than the one in Rockefeller Plaza. It filled Cleo's already overflowing heart with Christmas cheer to see it. Finding a real, live Christmas tree in New York had been difficult, but sometimes the connections of a supermodel came in handy.

She looked next to the tree and saw the large, black bag that had been left at her doorstep earlier that day. She opened it up and made certain that all the packages within were safely stowed and packed to avoid damage. She had volunteered to help the local Toys for Tots run and these gifts were meant for the children's ward at Brookdale University Hospital. All she needed now was someone to help her carry the oversize satchel.

Just then, there was a knock on Cleo's apartment door. With a grin,she scampered over to answer it. She stopped for a moment to straighten her dress in the full-length mirror. She was wearing an elegant, faux-fur trimmed short dress made of green sateen. Around her waist was a wide, black belt with a golden buckle. Her legs were covered in long, green and white striped nylons. As she moved, the golden bells on the edge of her dress and the green choker around her neck jingled merrily.

As Cleo fluffed up her tuft, the knock came again at the door. "I'll be there in a second!" she called. Giving her dress one last tug, Cleo skipped over to the door and threw it open. The sight before her caused her to giggle out loud.

Bron's form filled the doorway, as it always did. Rather than his normal tan jacket and black jeans, however, today he was wearing a bright red, fur trimmed overcoat and red pants held up by a wide, black belt like hers. Hanging from his chin was a white, overstuffed fake beard. He still wore his trademarked aviators over his eyes. "S Rozhdestvom, dorogaya Cleo." He said in that semi-formal manner he always used with her. "Are you prepared to leave?"

"I sure am!" she said excitedly. "The bag of presents is right over there."

Bron ducked under the lintel of the door and walked over to where the sack was laying. It had taken Cleo all her strength to drag the bag off her doorstep with both hands. With barely an effort, Bron lifted the bag with one hand and flung it over his shoulder. He turned back to Cleo. "Do you not need a coat to go out in this cold, milaya?"

"No, I'll be fine." Cleo said. "My fur's a lot thicker than most people think. I do think we're going to have to get you a hat before we get to the hospital, though. C'mon, let's go."

Cleo let Bron duck under the doorway before turning and locking her apartment. Then, together, they walked downstairs and out into the Christmas Eve snow.
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A beautiful Christmas commission from  Evonallure, featuring my OCs Bron and Cleo (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8267329/ , http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8410359/ )

Characters by  hentairo
Art by  evonallure