December 24th 1900 Hours
Dean, Seth and Roman along with several other people from the DXS that did not have family in the local area were gathered at Rori's house for a Christmas Eve get together. Rori had wanted to spend the holiday with her guys, and then she invited Hunter. Roman had mentioned a few other guys that didn't have family in the area and Rori insisted they be invited as well, not able to tolerate anyone alone at Christmas.
Roman sat on her couch, listening to the holiday music playing in the background. Rori's dining room table was covered in food from holiday cookies to appetizers and she had made a huge ham with trimmings- stating it had been her father's favorite. Her house was decorated for the holidays and several people were milling around, eating and talking.
"Have you tried the glaze with the ham? I am in love." Seth sat down with a plate of food.
"That is your third plate; you are going to get sick." Roman chuckled.
"It will be worth it. This is so good." Seth chuckled.
Roman looked over at a card table that had been set up as the make shift bar where John Cena was acting as bar tender. Several of the guests had been drinking and Roman was making sure no one got too rowdy, although everyone seemed to be in the best of moods. He noticed Dean sitting across the room with Rori in his lap as they talked to Cody Rhodes.
Since Dean had decided to stay in Virginia, he and Rori had worked everything out and were practically inseparable. Each of the three men had begun their new positions in the DXS and seemed to be enjoying them. Rori was still working at the pharmacy. The case with AJ was about to be closed as of the New Year. The court appointed psychiatrists had concluded that while AJ was most likely suffering from histrionic personality disorder, she was able to make conscious decisions including accepting the plea agreement. Her final hearing was set for after the holidays.
The house phone began ringing. Rori got up from Dean's lap and walked into the bedroom to answer it, so she could have some privacy.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Rori, hi it's Nick." Nick said on the other end.
"Hey Nick, Merry Christmas." She smiled.
"Thank you and same to you." Nick said. "I just wanted to call and thank you for the Christmas card you gave me."
"Oh Nick, that was no big deal. You are welcome." She said. "Are you alone tonight? I am having a get together."
"No, my family came in to spend the holidays with me. Mom really wanting to be here for me with…all that has happened." Nick said.
"I am glad you are not alone." She said.
"Rori….thank you for not being mad at me for what April did. I don't know why she thought there was anything between you and me. But I still wouldn't have blamed you if you hated me." Nick said.
"Nick, we have been over this. April's actions were not your fault. I know this has been rough on you. You were expecting to be married in a few months and that was all ripped away from you in a horrible way." Rori said.
"I know, I think I am starting to come to terms with everything. I will let you get back to your evening. I just wanted to thank you." Nick said.
"You're welcome Nick. Enjoy the time with your family." She said.
"I will, bye Rori." Nick hung up.
Rori hung up and walked back out to her guests. Ric had drunk just a bit too much and was apparently telling some story about his days in Europe, but Rori was amused that he was strutting while telling it. She noticed Dean sitting on the arm of the couch near Seth and Roman. She made her way over to them through the crowd.
"Everything okay?" Dean asked and wrapped his arm around her.
"Yeah, that was Nick thanking me for his Christmas card." Rori smiled.
"How is he doing?" Seth asked.
"Better I think. I know he feels betrayed and questions how he never realized what AJ was really like." Rori said.
"Whooo!" Ric yelled across the room, still telling his story!
"Ric has had a few." Hunter joined them with a chuckle.
"What did you get me for Christmas?" Rori asked Dean.
"You'll find out tomorrow." Dean smiled.
"What did you get me?" Seth looked up at him.
"A stocking full of coal." Dean rolled his eyes.
"You must've been a bad boy." Rori giggled.
"Me? Dean is the bad boy….if the noises coming from his room is any indication." Seth protested.
"That's a good kind of bad." Rori giggled.
"Rori, you're under the mistletoe." Ric held some over her head.
"Did you bring that with you? Mine is hanging over doorway." Rori chuckled.
"Ambrose, don't get jealous, I am gonna kiss your girl." Ric took her hand and pulled her up. "Sweetheart you are in for a treat. Ladies all over the world would give their right arm for a piece of me."
Rori chuckled as Ric leaned in and quickly pecked her on the lips.
"Whooo!" he yelled. "You are by far the prettiest redhead I have ever kissed."
Ric took off with his crazy strut as Rori stood laughing.
"Sorry about him." Cena joined them.
"Oh no. I love that crazy man. I want a few more just like him." She laughed.
"I am not sure we could deal with more than one Flair." Hunter said. "There wouldn't be enough Cialis to go around."
"Oh be nice." Rori said, cuddling back on Dean's lap. "By the way, I saw you flirting with the boss's daughter at the DXS Christmas party last week."
"Ambrose isn't the only one in the DXS with a good game." Hunter smirked.
"By the way, mom is coming in for New Year's and she wants to see all of you." Rori said.
"Wouldn't miss it." Dean smiled.
"Rori, is your mama as pretty as you? I hear she is single." Ric wandered over.
"Oh dear." Rori giggled.
December 25th 0100 Hours
Rori rolled over in bed to find the spot next to her empty. She opened her eyes and looked around seeing Dean nowhere in the room.
"Jon?" she called out.
She climbed out of bed and threw on a robe. She walked down the hall of her house and found Dean sitting on the couch in her living room, looking at the Christmas tree.
"Jon, you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah baby. I was just thinking. I couldn't sleep and didn't want to wake you up." Dean said as she sat down with him.
"Something wrong?" she asked him.
"No, everything is right. I just can't believe it." Dean said. "I got to stay here in Virginia, I love my new job training assassin teams, and I got you."
"You're not starting to worry about losing it all again are you?" Rori asked.
"No, nothing like that." Dean took her hand. "I just can't believe how much my life has changed since October."
"I know what you mean." She snuggled against him.
"I never dreamed when we went to get our assignment, that it was going to change my whole life." Dean rubbed her back.
"I feel very blessed. Instead of being harmed, I gained two brothers…some interesting friends, and I got you." She looked up at him.
"Been a hell of a ride." He kissed her.
"I am sure we got many more ahead." She smiled.
Author's Note- I just wanted to thank everyone who read, reviewed, favorited, or followed this story. My readers are very special to me. I have plans for a few more stories in the works but with the holidays coming I make no promises as to when they may be posted. Just keep an eye out.
