Adopting
By Dragonreaper

	Tom sat at home watching TV. He lived alone, and had done so since he was 19 when his parents passed away. Leaving their house, and their assets to him. Tom was a 24 year old otter, just starting to get past his prime in life. Though looking at him one wouldn't think so, after all he made a habit of staying in shape. Going to the gym severel times a week helped dull the boredom of his life. He didn't work, and as a result he had nothing but free time. His parent's didn't leave a huge fortune, most of what he got was out of life insurance policies which he used to buy several houses to rent out. He wasn't raking in the dough, but what he got from the houses payed for all his bills with plenty left over to put to the side.

	It was late at night, while Tom was flipping through the channels once again bored out of his mind, and wishing he had someone to share his life with when he came across a news special. Usually he didn't pay any attention to these things, mostly because they never really pertained or mattered to him. This one was different how ever. It had been filmed earlier in the day outside of a large red brick building with a gated off playground, and yard to the side of it. The feline reporter seemed to enjoy being there, even with the six or seven kids gathered around her. His ears perked when he heard the word adoption. The perverbial light bulp flipped in his head as he sat up in his seat. That's what he should do, adopt a child. Flopping back against the couch with a grumble as he realized he didn't want to adopt some snot nosed little brat. The idea floating off to the sidelines until he heard the reporter mention that there were children that ranged from the ages of one all the way up to sixteen and seventeen. His ears perked once again as he smiled as the idea came flooding back. Once the special had ended he went back to flipping through channels, not nearly as bored as he once was while he thought about what kind of cub he would be adopting tomorrow.

***

	Tom sat in the office of the head of the orphanage. His tail hanging over the arm of the cushy seat he had made himself comfortable in and flicking. He had been sitting there for nearly twenty minutes when the door opened making him quickly stand to his feet and smile and the young otter pup. "Sally, I would like you to meet Tom Lancaster." the head of the orphanage said. Sally smiled, and gave him a little curtsey. She wore a long pink dress with white frills allong the edges. It was obvious she didn't like it, but she put up with it anyways. It wasn't the same outfit he saw when she was playing outside. She had been wearing a yellow t-shirt with a star pattern on the front, and a pair of blue jean shorts. Running around with her friends playing tag, he couldn't help but pick her over the rest. It also helped that she was the only otter pup in the entire place. When he learned she was only eleven he smiled, and thought to himself "perfect".

	After the introductions were made, a confused but eager look on Sallies face, and all the proper paper work signed. The head mistress smiled, and looked at Sally. "Ok Sally, Tom is now officially your new daddy." With that Sally squealed and nearly nocked him, and his chair over onto the ground as she pounced into him. Hugging around his neck tightly while he laughed and hugged back. "Ok, go get your things, and I'll meet you in the front." She gave a quick nod and dashed out of the room, yelling out "I'm adopted!! I'm adopted!!" making the two adults she left behind laugh.

	It took a little while for Sally to get down to the front, once again dressed in the close he saw when she was playing with her friends. Next to her was one of the older boys who was carrying a red suitcase. He smiled at Tom as he sat the suitcase down "Ok, all her things are there. Careful cause it's pretty heavy." Leaning over to act as if he was going to whisper to Tom "I think she packed some of the orphanage pricks". Sally over heard his comment and swatted at him "Nuhu!" she protested making them both laugh. "Alright, well hop in and we will go shopping for your new stuff." Sally was in the car before he could even finish, buckling her seatbelt as she called out "Hurry up before the stores close!!" Tom shook his head as he took the suitcase and put it in the trunk. Already enjoying the first moments of being with her he was looking forward to spending much much more time with the young girl.

	They soon arrived at the home furnishings store, having headed there right after picking up Sally. Parking the car they headed into the store, with Sally running on up ahead of him making him call out to her "I think I'm going to need a leash for you, now come back over here". Sally quickly ran back to him, grabbing his hand and dragging him into the story "Hurry, hurry!" she exclaimed as they went through the doors. Once inside she looked at everything with in eye sight. Analyzing all the different beds, and bedroom sets before she spotted something "Found it!!" she cried out before dragging him over to the set.

	She pointed at the bedroom set she had spotted and smiled "I want this one!!" she said with a little hop. Tom looked over the set and smiled. It was a rather nice set, a double bed with a pink comforter over it that had pictures of ponies on it. Next to it was what looked to be a cheap flimsy cardboard nightstand that was also pink with ponies. A chest of drawers sat on the other side of the bed, this to was decorated in the same fashion. Near the foot of the bed was a small pink desk that was pressed up against the wall of the fake bedroom. "Are you sure? That's allot of pink.." he said as he looked at the set. Sally quickly nodded "Yep! I love pink!" she spat out, the comment making her remember what she had on when she first met him. Turning her head and grumbling "But I hate dresses". The comment made him look down at her and chuckle. "Ok, I guess we can get it then." The words made her cheer in excitement, her tail swishing around the entire time he made the purchase, and had it set up to be delivered to his house.

	The two of them ran around town most of the day, Tom enjoying every minute of it, and Sally taking advantage of as much as she possibly could. They had visited shoe stores, clothing stores where Sally tried on a few items before not getting them. Accessory shops, and even a toy shop, with several trips to the car between shops. They ended their day with Tom taking Sally out to a high end restaurant. She was impressed by everything, having never been in such a classy place she was afraid to touch anything. They talked, and laughed as they got to know each other a bit better. Enjoying their meal, and laughing more as Sally tried in vain to use chopsticks. Before long it was time for them to head home, the idea of finally getting to see her new home for the first time seemed to open up a backup tank of energy.

	They pulled into the drive, and into the garage. Before he could even put the car into park she was jumping out ready to run inside. "Hold it!" he said making her stop just a few inches from the door. Getting out he looked at her and pointed to the other side of the car "Shut the door" he told her, watching as she reluctantly went to go shut the door. "Ok, now I'll show you around. Taking her by the hand he guided her into the house. Going through the front door they immediately entered the large kitchen. It had a decently sized island with black marble cover it. Around it was more black marble counter tops with dark wood shelves and pantry next to the silver fridge. The sink was positioned back in the corner, and a microwave sat on the counter next to the thin pantry. The walls were of a vanilla color, making the room seem a little bit brighter. Continuing on he showed her the living room, a large couch against the wall that divided the kitchen and the living room. A couple of reclining rocking chairs on either side of the couch, and a large home intertainment center tucked into a dark wooden unit that sat against the wall. The wall on their left was made up of four sliding glass doors with a larger pane positioned in the middle. It looked out onto the backyard which had a very lush garden, a large pool and a fountain that ran down into the pool. Sally could barely contain herself when she saw the pool. Tom stopped her from running out though to show her the rest of the house. Taking her upstairs he opened the door to what would be her room. The room just empty, with a light brown carpeting and more of the vanilla color on the walls with a white ceiling.

	"This will be your room. The stuff we ordered today should be in tomorrow. Then we can get everything you got unpacked and set up." He said with a smile before letting out an umph as she pounced into him again to hug him tightly. His arms wrapped around her and hugged tightly as he looked down at her. Sally lifted her head with a big smile "Ok daddy" she said before nuzzling into his chest.

To Be Continued.