Calico was sleeping soundly enjoying a dream about Hercules and sharing an adventure when the alarm went off at 7:00 a.m. She reached over and smacked the snooze button and snuggled back down into the warm cocoon of her bed.
"Oh no you don't," a masculine voice says softly in her ear, "its time to rise and shine." Calico springs up quicker then the speaker expects and her head collides with a hard chin.
"Ouch!" the voice exclaims as she jumps off the bed away from the man in her room.
Calico slips toward her bedroom door and flicks on the light switch as her hand reaches it. She looks back and abruptly stops her exit. "Hercules?" she asks, astonishment evident in her voice. "What? How?" Hercules stands up, rubbing his chin. "It's part of your birthday present from the forum. We're going to spend the day together before the big birthday bash later. You have a hard head."
Calico can't help herself. The sight of Hercules standing in her bedroom rubbing his chin is too much. She starts to giggle and it turns into a full-blown laughing fit. "Hey it's not funny," Hercules claims but soon he is laughing with her.
When the two stop, Hercules walks over and plants a gentle kiss on her lips. "You get ready for a day out and about. I'll get breakfast on." Calico agrees and heads towards her bathroom as Hercules heads to the kitchen.
Showered and dressed, Calico descends the stairs, the most delicious aromas wafting up towards her. "Everything smells great," she comments as she enters the kitchen. Hercules finishes pouring the coffee. "Thanks, sit and eat. We've got lots of ground to cover today."
"What's on the agenda?" Calico asks. "A little of this and a little of that," Hercules replies vaguely. She wants to ask more but the food is delicious and she decides to just enjoy her breakfast. After they finish up, the two of them fall into a comfortable rhythm as they clean up. Soon the kitchen is spotless and Calico is ready to start.
"So where are we going again?" she asks Hercules. He chuckles, "I didn't say. But that was a nice try." He gathers her into his arms and claims her mouth in a searing kiss. "A little birthday surprise is in order for the beautiful birthday girl," he teases her as he ends the kiss. Hercules leads her out of the kitchen to the front door. Always the gentleman, he helps her on with her coat. Calico grabs her purse and out they go.
Hercules opens the door of his fire engine red caddy. The two are off, down the road, a couple of turns to the highway. Along the way, Hercules entertains Calico with stories of Ancient Greece. The drive seems quicker because of it. But soon Hercules exits the highway. Looking to see where they are, Calico can't believe it. The Caramello Mall.
"I've wanted to come here and shop since they opened," Calico tells him. The Caramello Mall is only a year old or so. Inside are over 500 stores and shops. Not to mention restaurants and a food court. A person can spend all day there and still not see everything.
"Where do you want to start?" Hercules asks her. "We'll hit whatever stores you want." Calico smiles up at him. "All of it!" she exclaims eagerly. "Then we better get moving," he chuckles as they set out. The couple spends the day going from store to store, stopping at one of the nicer restaurants for lunch before starting again.
At a little boutique, Calico tries on a gown of shimmering purple silk. The lines are classic and elegant. Though she tells him not to, Hercules buys for her. Calico tries again and again to get Hercules to leave as she didn't want him buying her anything else, but he keeps insisting and giving her that look that melts any resolve she has. And if the look didn't work, Hercules was very much willing to kiss her senseless. Not that Calico was complaining about that.
The sky outside is darkening as they leave the mall. Hercules arms are loaded with packages and bags. Calico couldn't believe how fast the day seemed to go. The ride home was just as entertaining as the ride to the mall. Calico's cheeks hurt from smiling so much and her sides ached from laughing. Hercules was in rare form and the stories he told were quite hilarious.
They reached Calico's home and unloaded the packages from the car. Glancing at the clock, Calico sighed heavily. "What's wrong?" Hercules asked. "I really enjoyed our day today, Hercules, but we're suppose to be at the party in 10 minutes. I think the guest of honor will be a little bit late."
Hercules just smiled and walked up to her, the look in his eyes causing her knees to melt. "That's not necessarily true," he says as he pulls her against his hard body and lowered his lips to hers. Once again all her cares and worries went away as Hercules kissed her. When they parted, he turned her around and she could not believe the image in the hall mirror.
Her hair was perfectly styled. Her new gown clung to her in a purple wave of silk. Hercules was looking very dashing indeed in his tux, standing just behind her. "Family connections," he says in answer to the question in Calico's eyes. "Happy Birthday, My Calico," he hands her a brightly wrapped package. He nibbles a little on her neck as she opens the gift. Inside is a pair of amethyst earrings and matching necklace.
"Thank you Hercules," she says breathlessly, whether from the gift or the nibbling she's not sure. "Let me help you put them on," Hercules offers. She fastens the earrings on and he clasps on the necklace. The dark purple gems match her gown perfectly. "Thank you Hercules. They're beautiful."
"I'm glad you like them. Now close your eyes for a moment." Totally trusting in the demigod, Calico closes her eyes. "Open them." Hercules and Calico are now outside the ballroom where her birthday bash is being held. "Family connections?" she asks. "Family connections," he confirms.
Hercules takes her arm and opens the door. The band begins to play and the forum family starts to sing.
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday Dear Calico!
Happy birthday to you!
Calico and Hercules enter into the ballroom amid the sound of clapping and whistles. The forum family does love its birthday bashes!
@ a2z's montage 
I love the calico cat 
sorry 
