Ta muchly to everyone who's taken the time to read and review, 'tis much appreciated. Nice to know there's still an appetite for Galex out there after all this time. :)
Anyway, without further ado …
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xxxxx
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Christmas Day
The doorbell rang dead on the dot of midday and Molly leapt up, almost tripping and fallling in her eagerness to answer it. She'd been in high spirits since her mother informed her that DCI Hunt would be joining them, and Alex decided that maybe her instinct to include him in their festivities had been a good one. After all, she could hardly leave him to spend the day alone in some dingy pub when they had more than enough food to go around and he'd been solely responsible for Molly's safe return. Or so she told herself, the butterflies fluttering low in her stomach.
Aware that her hands were shaking slightly, she took the carrier bag he was offering and opened it to find a couple of bottles of expensive-looking Bordeaux and two more of Bollinger champagne. Bolly … She blinked, her mind grasping at some vague memory before she recovered herself.
"Gene, that's more than generous in exchange for turkey and a few vegetables."
He smirked at her, clearly pleased with the reaction.
"A nice juicy bird with roasted spuds an' sprouts an' proper gravy? Deserves a decent tipple in my book. And don't forget the Christmas pud!"
She smiled, feeling a little less jittery as she handed him a corkscrew.
"In that case, make yourself useful …"
xxxxx
Christmas dinner proved to be just as enjoyable as the previous night's supper. Despite the inevitable distraction afforded by six feet of handsome DCI, Alex had managed to prepare a surprisingly good roast dinner and Gene had been full of compliments, tucking in like he hadn't eaten a square meal in years. Much to her amusement he'd even been persuaded to wear a silly hat after much wheedling by Molly. Alex watched the two of them, now deeply engrossed in a game of poker, smiling with pride as her daughter laid down a full house and took the hand. With a twinge of regret she saw all too clearly what was missing in her life: a nuclear family, companionship, a significant other to share her life with. It was tough being a single parent even if Pete was finally facing up to his responsibilities, especially as she didn't even have work to distract her at present.
Sighing, she stood to clear the table, declining Gene's offer of assistance.
"No need. The tough ones I'll leave to soak for a while, the rest go straight into the dishwasher. Besides which I'm enjoying watching my daughter, the card sharp."
Molly giggled and Gene feigned mock-annoyance, his lips twitching with amusement.
Five o'clock came around all too soon, and Alex wound a scarf tightly around Molly's neck before pulling her into a bear hug.
"Make sure your father drives extra carefully, won't you? The conditions aren't great out there."
Molly huffed and rolled her eyes.
"Stop fussing, mum. It's only a bit of snow! I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."
She tripped down the steps and then turned back, a cheeky grin on her face.
"Have a nice time with Gene tonight."
With a final wave she was gone, and Alex's nerves returned full force. A nice time with Gene … She shivered, but whether from the cold or anticipation she really couldn't be sure.
….
Later as the two of them sat together, feet up on the coffee table, champagne glass in hand, she decided she was too nicely mellow to worry about how the evening might progress. She also decided that if he made a pass she certainly wouldn't turn him down. The thought brought on a fit of nervous giggling.
"What's tickled you, Lady Bols?"
Lady Bols … there it was again, something niggling at the edges of her mind but always annoyingly out of reach. She furrowed her brows.
"Just something on the TV. And why did you call me that?"
He shrugged, pouting thoughtfully.
"Dunno. Yer a posh bird an' we're drinkin' Bollinger. Seemed appropriate, somehow."
She flashed him a tipsy grin and proffered her glass.
"No problem here, as long as you keep it coming."
They were watching some festive pop nostalgia programme and when the first notes of "It'll Be Lonely This Christmas" filled the room, she got unsteadily to her feet and proffered her hand.
"Dance with me, Gene."
He narrowed his eyes, the now familiar pout becoming even more pronounced.
"The Gene Genie does not dance."
Gene Genie … Lady Bols … She shook her head to try and clear it, fluttering her eyelashes at him in what she hoped was a 'come-hither' manner.
"Awww, pretty please. I promise not to tell anyone, cross my heart and hope to die."
He huffed his disapproval but took her hand anyway and then she was in his arms, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder.
It'll be cold, so cold … without you to hold … this Christmas.
Alex nestled in closer to his solid bulk, losing herself in him, absorbing his quiet strength. They mirrored one another's movements as though they'd been dancing together for years and she buried her face in his neck, breathing him in, taking comfort from the steady 'thud, thud' of his heart. As the final chords faded away they continued to sway in a rhythm all their own, his chin resting on the top of her head, her body flush against his, until the next song began.
Baby, if you've got to go away … don't think I can take the pain … won't you stay another day …
Not the most profound of lyrics but she suddenly found herself overwhelmed by emotion, tears pricking her eyes as she moved to thread her fingers through his hair. He pressed his lips gently to her forehead, his warm breath fanning her skin.
Oh don't leave me alone like this … don't say it's the final kiss … won't you stay another day …
"Gene …"
Alex raised her face and gazed into his eyes, seeing the intensity of her own feelings reflected in their silvery blue depths. She held her breath, certain he was about to kiss her, and then the moment passed and he stepped out of her embrace leaving her confused and bereft, already missing the warmth of his big body.
"Think its about time I made tracks, luv. Thanks for a lovely day, though. Beats the pub any time!"
His attempt to lighten the atmosphere failed to raise even the glimmer of a smile and she followed him into the hallway with a sinking heart, desperate to hang on to him just a while longer. He shrugged into his coat before turning back to her.
"Give me regards to Molly. She's a credit to you, Alex."
Faced with the prospect of watching him walk out of her life, all pride went out of the window and she grasped his lapels, her eyes searching his.
"Don't go, Gene. Stay, even if it's only for tonight …"
For a moment he hesitated, clearly torn, but then he sighed and shook his head, his expression filled with regret.
"Can't luv, it's against the rules."
She furrowed her brow in confusion.
"Rules? What rules? I don't understand."
Reaching up, he tucked a stray curl behind her ear, the gentle brush of his fingers over her skin raising goosebumps.
"Long story …"
Snow was still falling heavily and the cold blast of air as he stepped outside made her teeth chatter. She reached to tug on his sleeve forlornly.
"Wait … will I see you again?"
He flashed her a rare smile.
"One day, luv. An' there'll be a chilled bottle of Bolly with yer name on behind the bar, all ready an' waitin'. Scout's honour."
She swallowed, the see-saw of emotions suddenly too much for her as a tear escaped and trickled slowly down her cheek.
"Don' cry, Alex. Yer a tough old bird, yer'll be fine. And Molly needs you."
He cupped her face tenderly in his hands, his eyes filled with a mix of desire and compassion, and then he seemed to come to a sudden decision.
"Sod it, no harm in bendin' the rules occasionally. Bye fer now, Lady Bols. Take good care of yerself an' the little lady."
As he bent his head, her eyelids fluttered closed in anticipation. At long last his lips brushed hers, breath gentle, and she was suffused with an overwhelming sense of peace and joy unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. Lost in the moment, it took her a while to realise she was all alone again.
"Gene?"
Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself, gazing up and down the street, but there was no sign of him. The blizzard had continued throughout the evening and with a jolt Alex realised that the garden path was now covered in several inches of pristine snow, sparkling brightly in the soft glow from the street lamp. There was no evidence of any footprints whatsoever.
"Oh. My. God."
I go where I'm needed. Her hand went to her chest where her heart fluttered like a caged bird beneath her ribcage. Not so much an avenging angel as a guardian angel, it seemed. Slowly she raised her eyes heavenwards, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"Merry Christmas, Gene. I'll be seeing you …"
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xxxxx
Hope you enjoyed. A bit angsty for me I know, but that's what the muse dictated and in the end I felt it was a suitably fitting conclusion. We know they'll be making up for lost time eventually, but that's a whole other fic! Meanwhile, Merry Christmas and God bless us, one and all! I'm still hoping to find the Guv under my tree this year, but Alex may have other ideas … ;)
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A/N. For anyone still following, I promise to finish If Loving You Is Wrong (based on Phil's ep of The Vice) once the festive season is out of the way.
Also busy with my own original stuff at present – two more short, smutty historicals should be available to those with a Kindle (or app) early 2015 , plus another one to follow later.
Its no secret who my inspiration is, so if the idea of a tall, blond, blue-eyed pirate, knight and/or soldier appeals, keep an eye on my homepage for further info!
