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Birthday story for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sinadino
Okay...here ya go Sina...sorry it took us so long. I hope you like it.
Title: Surprise!
Author: elfcat255 and sams_ceara
Pairing: Jo/Tara
Rated: G
AN: yup it's a Sina and Chion story...*grin*
The beeping noise of another text message came from inside the back pocket of the woman bent over the darkroom sink. With her hands full at the moment she ignored the sound until she could check her phone. After hanging the print she’d been working on up to dry she wiped her hands on a towel and reached into her pocket for the phone.
Scrolling through the menu she found her mailbox contained not one but five new text messages, all from her girlfriend. “She knows I have a full day today; what in the world could she want?” The tall woman mumbled as she opened the messages.
Reading through them Jo scratched her head in confusion. “Okay these make no sense. Let me call her back and find out what’s going on.”
Placing the call she waited as Tara’s phone rang and rang then went to her voicemail. ‘That’s odd,’ thought Jo. Shaking her head Jo dialed another number and was soon rewarded with her girlfriend’s voice. “English department, how can I help you today?”
“Hey, pretty lady, you want to explain the cryptic text messages you’ve been sending me all morning?” Jo replied to the greeting.
“Text messages…what text messages? I accidentally left my phone at home. What kind of messages are you talking about?” the younger woman asked.
“Oh, things like did I remember the balloons…did I get the cake…did I finish wrapping presents, things like that,” Jo told her.
“Cake, balloons and presents? I don’t know sweetie but you certainly have enough time to get all that together before my birthday,” Tara said sweetly.
“Oh, I’m ready for your birthday. Is there another one I’m supposed to be remembering?” Jo asked.
“Not that I know of. But if I left my phone at the house….” Tara’s voice trailed off.
“Two little critters have taken control of it,” Jo continued the sentence.
There was a pause on the other end, which meant the shorter woman had taken a moment to think. Finally, she replied, “Jo, do we know when Sina and Chion’s birthdays are?”
“Uh…I have no clue. Maybe we should call Auntie M,” Jo answered. “But I’m scheduled to go up in an hour for an aerial shoot, and I have to get ready. Could you call her?”
“Sure,” was the quick response. “You go do what you need to do, sweetie. I’ll take care of it.”
“Okay, call me back in a few hours and tell me what’s going on,” Jo said. “If I do need to stop and buy these supplies, let me know.” Then she added in low tones under her breath, more to herself than Tara, “And I think I’m gonna hurt two little critters when I get home.”
Tara laughed but told her girlfriend goodbye and ended the call. She had a phone call to make.
*
A few hours later Jo stood in front of her locker as she removed her flight suit. Hanging it inside the locker, she grabbed a towel and was shutting the locker to head to the showers when the ringing of her phone stopped her action. Fishing it from her pants pocket, she flipped it open and answered, “Well, has the mystery been solved, my dear?”
She distinctly heard soft giggling in her ear. “Mm-hmm,” Tara answered with an amused tone.
“So, what did Auntie M tell you?”
“She said she was surprised Sina and Chion didn’t tell us, but they both have the same birthday,” Tara answered. “And apparently it’s today.”
Jo snorted. “Hell, we just found out they could talk not too long ago.”
Tara giggled again. “I know, I said the same thing to Auntie M. But in any case, I’m guessing those text messages were their not-so-subtle hints that they want a party in their honor tonight.”
“Okay, I guess we can give them a party, but can you pick up a cake? I can get the rest of the stuff here on base.” The photographer paused, switching ears as her cell phone was starting to get hot. “What about presents?” she asked thoughtfully.
“It’s kind of short notice, Jo. What do you think they’d like? I may be able to pick something up on the way home.”
Jo thought for a minute, then answered, “Well, considering they have a penchant for black ops, maybe I can find something on base they’d like.”
“Sounds good,” Tara responded. “Anything else you’d like me to do?”
“No, you just get the cake, and I’ll get everything else. I’ll be home around six,” Jo informed her.
“Okay,” her girlfriend replied cheerfully. “I’ll see you then. Good luck finding presents!”
“Thanks. Bye, sweetie.”
“See you later, beautiful.”
*
Later that day, a blue jeep pulled up into the driveway of the house shared by the two women. Jo exited from the vehicle and opening the rear hatch, gathered up the two large bags and the cluster of balloons. She set one of the bags on the ground and closed the hatch. Picking up the bag she made her way to the front door where she used her forehead to knock on the door, not wanting to let go of the bags and balloons again.
After knocking again the door opened to reveal Tara flanked by the dogs. “Where are the birthday girls?” she asked her girlfriend.
After a quick kiss hello Tara took one of the bags from her girlfriend and replied, “They’re in the hidey hole at the moment. I gave them some cookies I picked up at the bakery.”
“Good, that will give me time to wrap up their gifts. While I do that can you get the cake ready?” Jo asked as she walked quietly towards the bedroom.
Following Jo to the bedroom Tara set the bag in her hands down and then replied, “Sure, I can get the foodstuffs ready. How long will it take for you to wrap the presents?”
“Give me twenty minutes and then we’ll surprise them,” Jo answered.
“Okay, sweetie,” Tara said and turned to leave the room.
Before she made it out the door Jo spoke, “Could you close the door, just in case they finish with the cookies and start nosing around?”
Tara smiled and with a nod closed the door, leaving Jo to wrap whatever it was she found to give the two animals for their birthday.
*
Twenty minutes later Jo exited from the bedroom. In her arms she carried several packages, each wrapped in bright colored paper with a balloon attached to it. She walked down the hallway, shooing cats out of the way as she made her way towards the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen she placed the presents on the bar and then surveyed Tara’s work. The table had been set with colorful plates and glasses. Beside each of the place settings stood a party hat and a noisemaker. Jo laughed, picturing the two animals in the party hats already.
Tara stood next to the counter dishing ice cream into bowls. When she heard Jo laugh she turned around and asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Those hats…cute hats, sweetie,” Jo replied still chuckling.
Grinning, Tara remarked, “What’s a party without hats?”
“I have to get a camera. Give me two seconds,” Jo said quickly and disappeared down the hallway. She ran back into the kitchen, camera in hand and took a picture of the set up.
She gave Tara a grin and holding out a hand to the younger woman said, “Okay, let’s get the girls.”
Moving to the hole that Jo had accidentally made in the wall what seemed like ages ago, the two women peered inside to discover the two small critters sleeping soundly. Turning to the smaller woman, Jo raised her eyebrows as her lips twisted upward in an amused grin.
Squeezing her head partially inside the opening, the taller woman chuckled softly to herself before opening her mouth and yelling, “Wake up!” loud enough to startle not only Sina and Chion but Tara as well.
“Where’s Tara’s phone?” Jo asked.
Sina’s blonde hair stood on end as the critter slowly pushed the cell phone to the front of the hidey hole. Jo laughed at the now porcupine looking animal and took the phone in her hand. Chion cowered behind the larger blonde animal and slowly peeked her head out.
“We’re sorry,” she squeaked.
“Front and center you two, we need to have a chat,” Jo told them.
Both animals slowly crawled out of their den until they were sitting on the floor in front of the two women. “We didn’t mean to cause trouble,” Sina said meekly.
“Trouble? Trouble?” Jo repeated, “Follow me,” she told them.
The two women moved towards the kitchen with the animals following close behind. Both the blonde and striped animal carried their heads and tails low as they slunk towards the kitchen. When they reached the table both Tara and Jo suddenly yelled out, “Surprise!”
This made the two furry critters jump about two feet off the floor and then stare up at the women in shock when they landed.
Jo laughed. “Well, don’t just sit there. You have cake and presents waiting on you!”
Before the two birthday girls could move the doorbell rang and Tara went to answer it. Opening the door she revealed the figure of Auntie M, her arms loaded with presents.
“Am I late?” the woman asked.
“No, you’re just in time. You did miss Jo freaking them out though,” Tara said laughing as she took a couple of the presents and led Auntie M into the kitchen.
The older woman smiled at the two critters who had moved to sit on the tall stools next to the table. “I heard you two caused some confusion today,” she said to them.
“We didn’t know how to tell them,” Chion spoke up.
“It was Chion’s idea to use the phone,” Sina added quickly.
“Enough talking, the ice cream’s melting,” Jo said in a amused voice.
With that said everyone sat down to enjoy cake and ice cream.
*
Sometime later as the three humans sat on the couch enjoying their coffee Tara shook her head and giggled. “I can’t believe you got them those things,” she said to her girlfriend and then looked at Auntie M, “or that you bought them new ones.”
“What? At least this way they stay away from my credit cards,” Jo replied with a smirk.
“And I thought they could use a change in wardrobe,” Auntie M added.
Still laughing softly Tara called out, “Alright you two, let’s see what you look like.”
Slipping out of their hidey hole the two animals proudly strolled forward to model their new adventure outfits. They both wore green camo vests with little walkie talkies attached to them and each had a pair of tiny binoculars around their neck.
They sat proudly showing off their gifts and Jo gave them a serious look. “Now that we know when your birthdays are I won’t have to scramble for gifts next year,” she told them.
Both Sina and Chion flashed toothy smiles at the women and scurried towards the back door. “We’re going to go test out our new things,” Sina called out.
“Stay out of trouble!” Tara called back.
The sound of the pet door creaking open then shutting was all they heard and Jo muttered, “Like that will happen.” Which caused her companions to burst out laughing.
Title: Surprise!
Author: elfcat255 and sams_ceara
Pairing: Jo/Tara
Rated: G
AN: yup it's a Sina and Chion story...*grin*
The beeping noise of another text message came from inside the back pocket of the woman bent over the darkroom sink. With her hands full at the moment she ignored the sound until she could check her phone. After hanging the print she’d been working on up to dry she wiped her hands on a towel and reached into her pocket for the phone.
Scrolling through the menu she found her mailbox contained not one but five new text messages, all from her girlfriend. “She knows I have a full day today; what in the world could she want?” The tall woman mumbled as she opened the messages.
Reading through them Jo scratched her head in confusion. “Okay these make no sense. Let me call her back and find out what’s going on.”
Placing the call she waited as Tara’s phone rang and rang then went to her voicemail. ‘That’s odd,’ thought Jo. Shaking her head Jo dialed another number and was soon rewarded with her girlfriend’s voice. “English department, how can I help you today?”
“Hey, pretty lady, you want to explain the cryptic text messages you’ve been sending me all morning?” Jo replied to the greeting.
“Text messages…what text messages? I accidentally left my phone at home. What kind of messages are you talking about?” the younger woman asked.
“Oh, things like did I remember the balloons…did I get the cake…did I finish wrapping presents, things like that,” Jo told her.
“Cake, balloons and presents? I don’t know sweetie but you certainly have enough time to get all that together before my birthday,” Tara said sweetly.
“Oh, I’m ready for your birthday. Is there another one I’m supposed to be remembering?” Jo asked.
“Not that I know of. But if I left my phone at the house….” Tara’s voice trailed off.
“Two little critters have taken control of it,” Jo continued the sentence.
There was a pause on the other end, which meant the shorter woman had taken a moment to think. Finally, she replied, “Jo, do we know when Sina and Chion’s birthdays are?”
“Uh…I have no clue. Maybe we should call Auntie M,” Jo answered. “But I’m scheduled to go up in an hour for an aerial shoot, and I have to get ready. Could you call her?”
“Sure,” was the quick response. “You go do what you need to do, sweetie. I’ll take care of it.”
“Okay, call me back in a few hours and tell me what’s going on,” Jo said. “If I do need to stop and buy these supplies, let me know.” Then she added in low tones under her breath, more to herself than Tara, “And I think I’m gonna hurt two little critters when I get home.”
Tara laughed but told her girlfriend goodbye and ended the call. She had a phone call to make.
*
A few hours later Jo stood in front of her locker as she removed her flight suit. Hanging it inside the locker, she grabbed a towel and was shutting the locker to head to the showers when the ringing of her phone stopped her action. Fishing it from her pants pocket, she flipped it open and answered, “Well, has the mystery been solved, my dear?”
She distinctly heard soft giggling in her ear. “Mm-hmm,” Tara answered with an amused tone.
“So, what did Auntie M tell you?”
“She said she was surprised Sina and Chion didn’t tell us, but they both have the same birthday,” Tara answered. “And apparently it’s today.”
Jo snorted. “Hell, we just found out they could talk not too long ago.”
Tara giggled again. “I know, I said the same thing to Auntie M. But in any case, I’m guessing those text messages were their not-so-subtle hints that they want a party in their honor tonight.”
“Okay, I guess we can give them a party, but can you pick up a cake? I can get the rest of the stuff here on base.” The photographer paused, switching ears as her cell phone was starting to get hot. “What about presents?” she asked thoughtfully.
“It’s kind of short notice, Jo. What do you think they’d like? I may be able to pick something up on the way home.”
Jo thought for a minute, then answered, “Well, considering they have a penchant for black ops, maybe I can find something on base they’d like.”
“Sounds good,” Tara responded. “Anything else you’d like me to do?”
“No, you just get the cake, and I’ll get everything else. I’ll be home around six,” Jo informed her.
“Okay,” her girlfriend replied cheerfully. “I’ll see you then. Good luck finding presents!”
“Thanks. Bye, sweetie.”
“See you later, beautiful.”
*
Later that day, a blue jeep pulled up into the driveway of the house shared by the two women. Jo exited from the vehicle and opening the rear hatch, gathered up the two large bags and the cluster of balloons. She set one of the bags on the ground and closed the hatch. Picking up the bag she made her way to the front door where she used her forehead to knock on the door, not wanting to let go of the bags and balloons again.
After knocking again the door opened to reveal Tara flanked by the dogs. “Where are the birthday girls?” she asked her girlfriend.
After a quick kiss hello Tara took one of the bags from her girlfriend and replied, “They’re in the hidey hole at the moment. I gave them some cookies I picked up at the bakery.”
“Good, that will give me time to wrap up their gifts. While I do that can you get the cake ready?” Jo asked as she walked quietly towards the bedroom.
Following Jo to the bedroom Tara set the bag in her hands down and then replied, “Sure, I can get the foodstuffs ready. How long will it take for you to wrap the presents?”
“Give me twenty minutes and then we’ll surprise them,” Jo answered.
“Okay, sweetie,” Tara said and turned to leave the room.
Before she made it out the door Jo spoke, “Could you close the door, just in case they finish with the cookies and start nosing around?”
Tara smiled and with a nod closed the door, leaving Jo to wrap whatever it was she found to give the two animals for their birthday.
*
Twenty minutes later Jo exited from the bedroom. In her arms she carried several packages, each wrapped in bright colored paper with a balloon attached to it. She walked down the hallway, shooing cats out of the way as she made her way towards the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen she placed the presents on the bar and then surveyed Tara’s work. The table had been set with colorful plates and glasses. Beside each of the place settings stood a party hat and a noisemaker. Jo laughed, picturing the two animals in the party hats already.
Tara stood next to the counter dishing ice cream into bowls. When she heard Jo laugh she turned around and asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Those hats…cute hats, sweetie,” Jo replied still chuckling.
Grinning, Tara remarked, “What’s a party without hats?”
“I have to get a camera. Give me two seconds,” Jo said quickly and disappeared down the hallway. She ran back into the kitchen, camera in hand and took a picture of the set up.
She gave Tara a grin and holding out a hand to the younger woman said, “Okay, let’s get the girls.”
Moving to the hole that Jo had accidentally made in the wall what seemed like ages ago, the two women peered inside to discover the two small critters sleeping soundly. Turning to the smaller woman, Jo raised her eyebrows as her lips twisted upward in an amused grin.
Squeezing her head partially inside the opening, the taller woman chuckled softly to herself before opening her mouth and yelling, “Wake up!” loud enough to startle not only Sina and Chion but Tara as well.
“Where’s Tara’s phone?” Jo asked.
Sina’s blonde hair stood on end as the critter slowly pushed the cell phone to the front of the hidey hole. Jo laughed at the now porcupine looking animal and took the phone in her hand. Chion cowered behind the larger blonde animal and slowly peeked her head out.
“We’re sorry,” she squeaked.
“Front and center you two, we need to have a chat,” Jo told them.
Both animals slowly crawled out of their den until they were sitting on the floor in front of the two women. “We didn’t mean to cause trouble,” Sina said meekly.
“Trouble? Trouble?” Jo repeated, “Follow me,” she told them.
The two women moved towards the kitchen with the animals following close behind. Both the blonde and striped animal carried their heads and tails low as they slunk towards the kitchen. When they reached the table both Tara and Jo suddenly yelled out, “Surprise!”
This made the two furry critters jump about two feet off the floor and then stare up at the women in shock when they landed.
Jo laughed. “Well, don’t just sit there. You have cake and presents waiting on you!”
Before the two birthday girls could move the doorbell rang and Tara went to answer it. Opening the door she revealed the figure of Auntie M, her arms loaded with presents.
“Am I late?” the woman asked.
“No, you’re just in time. You did miss Jo freaking them out though,” Tara said laughing as she took a couple of the presents and led Auntie M into the kitchen.
The older woman smiled at the two critters who had moved to sit on the tall stools next to the table. “I heard you two caused some confusion today,” she said to them.
“We didn’t know how to tell them,” Chion spoke up.
“It was Chion’s idea to use the phone,” Sina added quickly.
“Enough talking, the ice cream’s melting,” Jo said in a amused voice.
With that said everyone sat down to enjoy cake and ice cream.
*
Sometime later as the three humans sat on the couch enjoying their coffee Tara shook her head and giggled. “I can’t believe you got them those things,” she said to her girlfriend and then looked at Auntie M, “or that you bought them new ones.”
“What? At least this way they stay away from my credit cards,” Jo replied with a smirk.
“And I thought they could use a change in wardrobe,” Auntie M added.
Still laughing softly Tara called out, “Alright you two, let’s see what you look like.”
Slipping out of their hidey hole the two animals proudly strolled forward to model their new adventure outfits. They both wore green camo vests with little walkie talkies attached to them and each had a pair of tiny binoculars around their neck.
They sat proudly showing off their gifts and Jo gave them a serious look. “Now that we know when your birthdays are I won’t have to scramble for gifts next year,” she told them.
Both Sina and Chion flashed toothy smiles at the women and scurried towards the back door. “We’re going to go test out our new things,” Sina called out.
“Stay out of trouble!” Tara called back.
The sound of the pet door creaking open then shutting was all they heard and Jo muttered, “Like that will happen.” Which caused her companions to burst out laughing.
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