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I usually post pics in the order I get them, but this is timely for the most cookie-focused holiday there is (unless there is a Cookie Day I have been totally missing out on these last few decades).

Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/34113872

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"Mmm, is that fresh gingerbread I smell?"

Zephra stepped softly into the kitchen, purring curiously at the activity within. She was definitely not wrong, as the island carried a pile of gingerbread men, all cooled and frosted at the ready. The red tigress would have leapt toward the cookies immediately, but she caught sight of their snow leopard creator, paws on his hips as he looked across the room.

"Why, yes, Zephra, that is! And before you ask, you can have those right there. I have a couple other batches baking right now, so no worries. I never thought cookies by the hundred would be too few, but after that meeting with your parents...and sisters...and brothers...I definitely upped my production!"
"More cookies for more kitties!" Zephra quipped in return, grabbing the plate and walking up to the baker before her. "We have a few more days before the party, but I guess we need all the time we can to bake enough, right?"
"Of course...and we're talking about the cookies, I take it?" the snow leopard gently nuzzled Zephra while placing a paw on her large white belly.
Zephra let herself lean more into him, belly pressing into his paw and his front, a light blush across her cheeks. "Yes yes. You know these muffins have a bit more baking to do...they won't be ready for this holiday. You do the baking here, and I'll keep baking for a little longer yet," she giggled and waddled into the living room.

As each Winter day moved along, the weather grew colder, and the days shorter. For Zephra, however, her middle grew larger. The doctor was happy to see each of her cubs grow big and strong, a wonderful first litter with Oslo. She could tell he was taking to it alright, but it had been a rough few months, especially as she filled out so quickly. While her family could not be more proud, she hoped he and his family would be okay with the situation. This was not going to be the only litter...and knowing her sisters, this would not be the biggest, either.

"Any reason you chose the blue sweater, hun?" Oslo called out while prepping his next batch of cookies. "Not for nothing, but you outgrew it back in the Fall easy."
"You got it for me last Christmas, and I wanted to wear it while I could. It's not like I'm going outside today. Been too busy wrapping presents, eating my weight in food, and just being a loafy kitty today,"
"If you need help with the presents, let me know. I can work on it while the next batch bakes,"
"Nah, you need to relax, yourself, fluffy! You have been working in the kitchen for the last four hours,"
"Five, actually, today. You're right. I'll be in there shortly."

By the time her snow leopard decided to take a break with her, Zephra was hovering next to her large cushion seat. The room was calm and still carried the warm scent of baking cookies, and with a long inhale, the tigress lowered herself down onto the plush seat. Her shorts tensed around her body as she got more comfortable, and without much more of a thought, the tigress began to feed her children, one gingerbread person at a time.

She took in the first couple frosted beings with little quick chomps, and she mewled outward in delight as the taste buds caught up to the festive treat. The tigress shifted more into the cushion to maximize comfort, and she realized that her rounded middle took up some space in her vision. She giggled appropriately and placed the plate on her middle. If the kids knew what was good for them, they'd avoid kicking or squirming too much, and at the time, it seemed the treat was keeping the cubs occupied.

Another cookie munched, the tigress closed her eyes and took in the warmth of the sunlight and the sweater together, even if the latter just covered mostly her chest and arms. With a good few more cookies left to her, Zephra took her time to relax and savor the sweetness. Each little bite had a twinge of spice, held together by a crunchy-yet-soft texture of molasses and brown sugar. The richer frosting helped to bring it all together, while the ginger flavor remained present once each piece was gone. Zephra could only imagine a more festive feeling if she heard sleigh bells or some choirs in the background.

Instead of a choir, however, she heard the clatter of another plate nearby, and she opened her eyes toward the table beside her. Sitting at the chair next to it, Oslo nodded with a delightful purr of his own. His cookies were less festive chocolate chip, but certainly they could be as delicious. Taking a sip from his coffee, the snow leopard stretched out his legs.

"I take it the cookies are good?"
"Oslo, if they were not going to the family Christmas party in a couple days, I would devour every last one."
"I'm not sure the doctors would want to hear that one, but the babies would love it, I bet,"
"You know it! But then there wouldn't be any room for dinner,"

Oslo's eyes bugged open. "Oh gosh, I hadn't thought about dinner! I still have so many cookies to bake, I'm not sure if we could make anything tonight."

The very pregnant tigress shuffled in her cushion and took another cookie in her hand, despite still chewing down the latest gingerbread delight.

"That's okay hun. I think tonight would make for a lovely pizza night."
"With a cookie pizza dessert?"
"Don't make me a promise you can't keep, baker boy!"
"Okay okay, hehe. Pizza sounds good, though!"

Zephra let out a soft oof as a kick pushed out the side of her belly.

"I think they agree! More gingerbread cookies and then a good pepperoni pizza...or two."
"Sounds like I'm spoiling all of my kittens today," Oslo smirked and stood up.
"Aw, back to work already?"
Oslo walked up to Zephra, but he stopped and lowered himself to her front. The large cat kissed his lover's cheek, rubbing her belly slowly where she could not reach. The tigress purred happily while the snow leopard grabbed a cookie from her plate.
"Actually, I think I can keep the break going for a few minutes more."

Hopefully the cookies wouldn't burn!

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Happy Holidays everyone, and maybe one day you'll see Oslo lol!