Horatio & Josie: Happy Christmas
Chapter 7
December 24 – Christmas Eve - after the snowball fight
"Horatio!" Jo stood stock still as the man she had been wishing to see this Christmas Eve wiped the snow from his hair in her front yard.
"Dad!" Kyle hurried over to his father, the snowball in his hands falling to the ground. "You ARE here! Dad! Merry Christmas!" For the second time in the space of an afternoon, Jo swallowed back tears as father and son embraced each other. The swirling snow and twinkling colored lights lent a Christmas card-like scene to the emotional greeting between the two men.
"It is so good to see you son," Horatio murmured, closing his eyes for a moment to blink back sudden tears. He and Kyle had missed so much, any time they could be together was special. And now Kyle was here with him at Christmas. It was almost enough for Horatio to give the Christmas holiday hype another chance.
Liam and Kieran came running across the yard to see what had suspended the snowball fight. Noticing their favorite Miami Lieutenant both were about to bolt over to greet him, but Jo and Jasper managed to stop them in time. "Yes, it's Lieutenant Caine, but let's give him and Kyle some space for a bit, okay boys? Kyle hasn't seen his dad for months, so he would probably like a few moments alone with him. What do you say," Jo turned to where Roxie was prancing just outside arms' length, "you help me get Uncle Jasper's four-legged furball and Jezebel in the house? Then we'll make hot chocolate for everyone before we get ready to go to Christmas Eve Mass. I am so looking forward to hearing you both play carols with the band during the service."
As the three adults turned the boys back to the house, Kieran asked, "Uncle Jasper, will you come to Mass and listen to us play? We've been practicing like almost every day!"
"I wouldn't miss it, Kieran!" Jasper patted his nephew on the shoulder and whistled for Roxie. The five humans and two dogs were walking up the steps, Jo bringing up the rear. She turned on the last step, a small smile on her lips as Horatio and Kyle gave each other one final embrace before slowly heading toward the house, one bright head leaning slightly toward the other as they shared something from the long months apart.
Once inside the house, Jo sent the boys and Jasper down the basement to hang up the wet snowpants and jackets while getting all the wet boots near heating vents to dry. "Anne, can you help me with the hot chocolate?" Jo weaved her way through the dogs into the kitchen. "I'll get this started," she pulled out a pot and grabbed the milk jug from the fridge. "Would you find enough mugs and put together a plate of Christmas cookies? And maybe peel a few of those small mandarin oranges and slice an apple or two? It will be a while before dinner with Mass at 5:30. You are going with us?" The younger woman colored slightly as she reached up to the top shelf of the cupboard for the mugs with red and blue snowflakes adorning the outside.
"I wouldn't miss it Jo," Anne murmured, setting the crockery on the counter. "I … wasn't expecting the Lieutenant and Kyle and your brother to be here. Are you sure you still want me to stay here for Christmas Eve? My mother is probably going to stop at the bar on her way home from work and she'll be passed out by the time we finish here. I can go home. You'll have a house full. And, I'm sure you want some time alone with the Lieutenant."
"Don't be silly Anne." Jo waved the young woman's worries away with her hand. "I want you to stay and," she paused with a smile, "I know you want to spend time with Kyle. And, Kieran and Liam are really looking forward to having you here for Christmas Eve and opening presents with them on Christmas Day. I think they consider you an almost-sister." Jo turned her attention to whisking in the milk to the cocoa and sugar mixture she had in her pan. "I would really like it if you would stay as well," she added quietly. Anne's shy smile and nod were enough and by the time the boys came up from downstairs, the cocoa and snacks were ready.
Forty-five minutes later, cups were being loaded onto the empty cookie and fruit trays to be taken to the kitchen. Roxie and the doxies, who were now toasty warm and full of homemade cookie bones, snuffled around the tables looking for the odd cookie crumbs that might have made it to the floor. "Thank you Kyle," Jo handed the young man the tray of empty cups and directed him to leave it on the counter by the sink. "You and the Lieutenant will be joining us for Christmas Eve Mass at St. John's tonight? Kieran and Liam will be playing Christmas carols during Mass with the children's band." When he nodded, she continued, "Excellent. Now could you do me a favor and run next door with Anne so she can grab her clothes for Mass and her overnight bag? Her mother isn't home yet, but I'd rather not have her be caught by the live-in boyfriend or her mother should they come home early. You should be enough of a threat just waiting outside on the steps."
"Yes Ma'am." The young soldier nodded and went in search of Anne. Jo was loading the mugs into the dishwasher, intent on getting everything cleaned up so she would have time to get herself dressed for Mass as well as make sure both boys wore their dress pants, white shirts and Christmas ties. She heard footsteps on the ceramic tile floor, and said without looking up, "You can leave that tray in the sink if it's empty. I'll rinse it off when I'm done here."
"Ok Sweetheart, but I think Anne already brought that tray in and you took care of it. What I was wondering," Horatio hesitated for a moment before slipping his arms around her waist, gently turning her from her task at the dishwasher, "is why you've been avoiding me since I arrived? Other than smacking me with that snowball of course." His tone was light but his blue eyes were serious. "Everything all right?" he asked quietly, his eyes carefully studying her face. Jo smiled, enjoying the warmth of his hands on her waist. Resting her hands on his forearms, she looked up at him, her blue eyes serious.
"I wasn't avoiding you, Lieutenant. I wanted you and Kyle to have time together, that's all." Hesitantly, not taking her eyes from his, Jo slid her hands to his waist. "And I'm really sorry you got hit with my snowball. It was meant for Kyle. I guess my aim was a little off."
"A little?" Horatio raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Judging by the direction of the first two you threw and the one that hit me, I'd say your aim leaves much to be desired. You should work on that Sweetheart or you will never win a snowball fight."
"Are you volunteering to be on my team next time, Lieutenant? Or, maybe you could give me some pointers? But I should warn you," Jo smiled cheekily, enjoying this exchange with him. "Jasper says I throw worse than a girl. I once clonked Jezebel square on the top of the head with a rubber Kong toy while she was swimming out in the lake. It ducked her under and she wouldn't come near me the rest of the day."
"Hmmm … sounds like that might be a dangerous assignment then. I'll need to give that some thought. For now, I don't think I want to wait until I find you under some mistletoe to kiss you Jo." She felt him pull her closer to him, their bodies barely touching. Jo sighed as he leaned down, his eyes on her mouth. She felt his breath feather her lips and her lashes fell as she waited for his kiss.
Kieran burst into the kitchen. "Auntie Jo! Auntie Jo! Roxie opened some of the Christmas presents!"
TBC