Christmas Eve
Detective Jessica Angell loved Christmas, she loved everything about this time of year. She loved everything from decorating the tree, wrapping the gifts; she even enjoyed the dreaded Christmas shopping. She especially loved the way New York looked this time of year. The way the Christmas lights showed up around the city, the way they sparkled and the colours just danced around. It was Christmas Eve and she was just finishing up the last bit of paperwork that belonged to her last case.
Detective Don Flack walked up from the locker room and glanced down at the bullpen. It was christmas eve, so the bullpen was almost empty. Most had already left to spend Christmas with their families, His eyes fell on Jess. They had been dating for almost six weeks. They had been friends for years but had finally taken their relationship to the next level. It was new and steamy but they were also comfortable with each other. Being friends first made their relationship stronger.
He walked down the stairs and entered the bullpen and wandered over to her desk. He leaned against his desk which was right next to her's.
Jess looked up from her paperwork feeling eyes on her. She smiled seeing it was Don "Almost done?" he asked
"Pretty much" Jess replied.
"Me too," Don said looking at his chair "I must have left my jacket in my locker."
Jess laughed at his absent mindedness. "I'll be right back" Don said
"K I might even wait for you" she teased
"Very funny," Don said, walking out of the bullpen and back down to the locker room.
"Hey Angell," Benton said, wandering over to where she was working. Jess smiled at her old partner.
They chit chatted for a few minutes and the conversation turned to Christmas plans. "Going to Jersey?" Benton asked Jess.
"No, Dad and Sherry are going to Philadelphia to Mike's for Christmas. It's Shelby's first Christmas." Jess replied "I only got tomorrow off and didn't want to spend it driving"
"You aren't spending it alone?" NIck asked her. "Because there is always room for you at our table"
Jess smiled "Thanks Nicky and as much as I love Vanessa's cooking. I won't be alone. Few of us are going to Lindsay's and I'm going to meet Ryan after that. He has to work most of the day" Jess replied.
Jess glanced over and saw Don come back upstairs.
She couldn't help but smile at him.
Nick laughed "or are you spending your Christmas with a certain blue eye,dark haired handsome detective."
"I didn't know you thought I was handsome" Don grinned "and it's a bit creepy you've noticed my eye color"
Jess tried not to giggle but it wasn't working.
"Haha" Benton replied "I've listened to the girls too much"
"Don't look at me" Jess said "I don't gossip plus I think Benton has a crush on you"
NIck rolled his eyes "remember when I was your training officer and you were shy. I miss those days"
Jess laughed "I was shy?"
"Briefly" Benton laughed
Jess just rolled her eyes. "Well Merry Christmas, you two" NIck said
"Merry Christmas, Nicky" Jess said
"Merry Christmas, Benton" Don said as Nick heading out of the bullpen
"Think he knows?" Don asked once they were alone.
"It's Nick so anything is possible" Jess replied "he could have been joking or he may suspect. But that's all it is, is suspicions. I never told him anything"
It didn't bother Don if people knew but he knew Jess was a private person who liked to keep her life private. Plus, he outranked her. They reported it to their Captain so they were covered. Otherwise, their personal business didn't need to be around the bullpen.
"Ready?" Don asked
"Yea" Jess said "Sure you got everything now?" she grinned
"Benton was right. I miss those days when you were shy" Don laughed
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Jess and Don walked hand in hand through the streets of New York. The snow was lightly falling and it was a beautiful cold,crisp night. Perfect for Christmas Eve.
Jess took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh air. It was a beautiful night and she was enjoying their walk. "Lets go to the park and look at the lights" Jess suggested
"But it's cold" Don said
"You can wear my jacket" she bantered
Don rolled his eyes at her "you are such a wiseass" he replied
"Please, Donnie" She said looking at him with those big brown eyes. "I love the lights"
"Dammit I can't say no to you" he said
Jess smiled and wrapped her arm through his. "I know"
They walked towards the park.
"You really like Christmas" Don stated
"I really do" Jess smiled "it's my favorite time of year"
Don stopped and smiled at Jess. He turned to face her and leaned down letting his lips brush against hers. She made him happy and he knew he was falling hard for the sassy, kind hearted detective.
Don felt the opposite towards Christmas. He hadn't had a real Christmas since he was a kid. He hadn't even put up a tree in the past five years.
They broke apart and started to walk again. They made a left and entered the park. They walked for a while in silence. Jess enjoying the lights. They eventually came to their bench. It was a bench they always sat on during their morning runs. "So scrooge, what do you have against Christmas?" she asked. She could tell he didn't like Christmas but had been trying for her.
"You picked up on that huh?" Don asked
"Yeah, you don't have a tree, you are always the first to volunteer to work christmas day, and you didn't want to go to Linds" Jess said "so are you the grinch or scrooge?"
"My mom died right before Christmas when I was 12. Never liked it since Don said "my dad isn't the warmest person but he did his best for us. So did Grammy and Aunt Penny but without her, it wasn't…. " he let his sentence hang
"It was never the same" Jess said feeling awful about the teasing
"Don't feel bad," Don said "you didn't know. This Christmas, so far has been the best I've had in years. Might have something to do with you"
Jess blushed and leaned in for a kiss but instead got a snowball smashed on top of her head.
She looked at Don in shock. "Oh I will get you back for that."
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Jess sat on her couch curled up in her devil's throw. The fireplace was glowing and her tree was lit. It was peaceful and cozy.
Don came into the living room with a mug of hot chocolate for Jess. "Calling it truce" He laughed, passing her the mug.
She took the mug "I accept your peace offering but this is not over. I will get you back" She replied
He chuckled at her and sat on the couch allowing her to snuggle into his arms. "I think I need to get you a new blanket with the colors red, white and blue" he tease
"I will never cover up in a rangers blanket" Jess said
"I really not sure how this relationship is going to work" Don teased
"It's not if you think I'm going to use a rangers blanket" Jess replied with a smile on her face.
Don smiled and they fell into a comfortable silence. Enjoying holding each other. Jess finished her hot chocolate. Don got up "I'll be right back, need to get something out of my jacket."
Jess nodded. He was only gone for a second and was back holding a small box wrapped in green shiny paper with a bow on top. They had agreed no gifts. They hadn't been dating that long and didn't want to put that pressure on their relationship.
Jess looked up "thought we said no gifts?" she asked
"Yea, but I didn't listen," Don said, passing her the gift.
Jess took the small box and placed it on the couch. She got up and went into the bedroom. She was only gone a second and came back with a box wrapped in gold. "Guess neither of us is very good at listening," she said, passing him the gift.
Don and her both sat on the couch "open yours first"
"If it's a rangers blanket we are done" she teased again ripping the paper of the box. She opened the box to reveal a bracelet. It had black and brown beads with a brown strip on top bringing the bracelet together. It was very simple and so Jess.
Don took the bracelet and placed it on her wrist and pulled the string together pulling it tight "it's beautiful" Jess said
"I got it when I was in Asia years ago. There were three young girls selling them in the market. Kept saying buy it for your girlfriend. Of course, I was single but they look so desperate that I figure I just give it to Sam or Brianna. When I got back I decided I would keep it for a special girl."
Jess smiled "well thank you, I love it"
"There is more" Don smirked
Jess looked under the tissue paper "you're an idiot" she laughed pulling out a pair of ranger socks.
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The glow from the lights outside was the only thing that could be seen in her apartment. The couple lay cuddled together underneath the blankets in her bed. The bracelet was the only item either of them wore.
Don looked over at her clock. "Hey Jess" he whispered
"Umm" she mumbled as her eyes started to drop. "Its after midnight" Don said "Merry Christmas"
"Merry christmas" Jess replied
Don leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips. "Thanks" he said
"For?" Jess asked still falling asleep
"Making this the best Christmas I had since I was 12" Don replied
Jess smiled and cuddled into Don's chest. "anytime , detective"
**Should I continue? Originally this was supposed to be one shot but I was thinking maybe doing Christmas day. Thoughts/opinions?