The months flew by, and soon—the holidays were upon them again. Justin just whistled as they got everything ready—he hadn't forgotten the announcement Brian had made to hold the Christmas party there!
Brian hadn't forgotten, either. Now he rushed to get the decorations up—as opposed to last year, when, without Justin there, his heart just wasn't in it. He was alive—with his new husband by his side—and that was all that mattered.
"Now this looks like a celebration!" Michael said, as everyone came in.
"The place looks great!" Lindsay said, looking around. "You guys have done wonders with it!"
Ham, stuffing, cranberries, green bean casserole—one by one the food came out and was set at the table. Only the best wine would do, they knew… for not only was it Christmas, there was more to celebrate as well!
"I'd like to propose a toast," Brian said, getting up, "to all of you—for seeing me—no, us—through the past year. To life!"
"To life!" was the response, as all glasses were raised and clinked.
"I'm just glad he's vertical!" Justin chimed in, to which everyone laughed and applauded, for they were, too.
"So," Michael couldn't help asking, "what did you get each other for Christmas this year?"
In the midst of Brian's trauma and recovery, Justin realized that was the one thing they overlooked, and he glanced over at Brian, panic-stricken.
But Brian just laughed and hugged him. "We got the most important thing of all," he reassured them. "We got each other."
"After all," he added, turning to Justin, grinning, "all I wanted for Christmas was you."