Mistletoe
S: Street takes Molly as her date at a team event for the first time.
Crisp air carried Christmas music all along the Kay's neighborhood. Leaned to his bike, Street let the sun caress his face and calm his nerves; waiting had never been his strongest suit, but for Molly, he would do this and more.
It was still early in the Christmas countdown, but Annie had not lost the occasion to organize this branch all the same. Their kids, Deacon had told the team when he'd delivered the invitations, needed some new happy memories in that house after what they went through just a few months back. For that, knowing that 20-David would be on shift on Christmas Day this year, Annie had obliged them to an early celebration.
Street drew a deep breath. Once Molly would finally arrive, they could make their entrance together—she'd insisted upon it. Everyone inside the house already knew he was dating the commander's daughter. Still, this would be the first time he and Molly would make their appearance as an official couple in front of his friends.
His stomach rumbled. The eerie tension he felt had not affected his appetite the slightest. Street's eyes inspected the perfectly decorated line of houses up and down. Deacon's home didn't disfigure at all. How did Annie manage that while her husband was always so busy with work? Then his look shifted to the horizon, hoping to spot his girlfriend's ride. Why was he so anxious? Commander Hicks would be there too, Street remembered with a shiver. This could be either a disaster or the closest thing to a family Christmas he'd ever experienced.
Finally, a car approached. Street narrowed his eyes, spotting his girlfriend's on the back of her Uber. His jaw dropped at the sight of her long legs wrapped in black leggings, graciously peeking out from the car. Her tight-high red dress underlined her body in all the right places; her makeup made her smile even brighter, and her silky hair dropped on her shoulders, perfectly braided. No wonder she'd refused to come here on his bike, but now Street hoped she would consent to leave with him later.
"Sorry I'm late," Molly said, reaching up and kissing him on the cheek. "I had some paperwork I needed to turn down before tomorrow and—"
"It's okay. I've not waited long," Street lied. Gosh, she was brighter than the sun, he thought.
"Ready to get in?" Molly took his hand, and Street's heart started pounding like he was a teenager.
She guided him—she loved taking the lead—to the Kay's front door, then turned to look him in the eyes. Street started to think that planning to go in together instead of casually meeting inside had been a bad idea. This was all too official for his tastes, but here he was. Now it was too late to change his mind.
He withdrew his sweaty hand from Molly's, trying to smooth the shirt under the leather jacket before ringing the bell. However, Molly took both his hands and looked at him longingly.
"Look up," she softly said.
They were standing under the mistletoe; it meant just one thing.
Molly threw her arms around Street's neck and leaned to him. The pungent smell of pine-three of the Christmas decoration all around got overpowered by her sweet scent. Her soft lips grazed Street's temptingly, and he couldn't refrain from kissing her with intention. All his worries and insecurity disappeared at once. She was warm and intense, testing like Christmas. They deepened the kiss, her hand on his chest, his caressing her arm. She tasted like home.
If someone had asked him what he wanted as a present this year, Street would not have had an answer. He already had all he desired right there at his fingertips.
It was a clearing of the throat that broke the magic and made the happy couple break apart. Commander Hicks in person was standing on the doorframe, scowling at Street.
"Commander," Street felt all warm and dazed but managed a smile—probably a stupid and goofy one. "Happy Christmas..." he added tentatively.
Before any of them could say another word, Molly hugged her father and murmured something to his ear. She then dragged Street along inside the Kay's home to pay their respects to Annie.
Street turned back to Hicks, who was standing half-stunned in the entrance, just in time to see a warm smile peak on the commander's face.
This Christmas tasted just like family should taste.