One more Chapter after this ... hope I have time before christmas ... yikes. Alex still has to open her present. Thanks to all that have been reading. Happy Holidays to all!

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CHAPTER TEN: SANTA AND HIS SHADOW

Bobby Claus

While Alex was out shopping, Jackson called from Ladder Company 101.

"Hey Goren, we need you down at the station tonight to play Santa. I wasn't going to bother you but our Santa got arrested last night."

"You're kidding me!?"

"Nope, drunk and disorderly."

"You sure can pickum Jack."

"Yeah, well … you the man Bobby. What da ya say?"

"I told you I would do it … no problem."

Alex and Liz went out to finish their Christmas shopping. They both agreed that the triplets didn't really need anything other than rattles and teething rings, so they concentrated on Nate and the rest of the family. They had lunch and made plans on how to get Bobby down to Lewis's garage on Christmas eve.

"Jimmy and Angie are planning on stopping in around five … they're making the rounds. Captain Ross and the boys will be coming by around the same time."

"Did you get them anything … they're Jewish aren't they?"

"Yeah … I bought them a holiday present … well, gift cards to the movies. They both have girlfriends …Bobby thought that would be a good gift, you know for date night."

"Sounds perfect."

"Mike and Carolyn will be by around eight or so … ya know what … we could use them."

"How? What do you mean?"

"Mike knows about the car. We could have him call Bobby for a ride … tell him that his truck broke down at Lewis's and to come pick him up."

"No … wouldn't work. Why wouldn't Lewis just drive him? Lewis is coming over too … right?"

"Right."

"Let's go talk to Lewis."

They go back to Lewis's and devise a plan. Alex drops Liz off and goes home. She goes downstairs in the basement for the first time since she broke her ankle and she finds the things that Bobby bought on "black Friday" with Lewis. She looks at the baby swings and the "Deluxe baby gym." Wow, my husband did alright! Santa really is coming.

She sneaks back upstairs, not wanting to spoil Bobby's surprise, opening the door to the basement a crack, and peers out of the door.

"So, when did you get home?"

Alex jumps at the sound of his voice.

"Jesus Bobby, what are doing sneaking around the house?"

"Who's sneaking?"

"I wasn't sneaking … I was just …"

"You were just?"

"Putting my gifts downstairs … things I bought for you wise guy … I didn't know you hid things down there."

She walks up to him and puts her arms around him.

"I love what you bought the trips … you did good babe." She looks up at him. He gives her that smile … you know the one I mean. Heavy sigh.

"Lewis came with me … it was the day I bought the laptop. He wanted me to buy you a Glock."

"Ooh … did you?"

"No … if you want a new gun, you can buy it yourself."

"You have one."

"I don't carry one. I want to get you a romantic gift not a gun. What's so romantic about a hunk of metal that can kill a human being … NOT an appropriate Christmas gift for my wife."

"You know what I could really use?"

"What?"

"A carburetor."

Bobby put his hands up in surrender.

"I give up … I'll get a .44 Magnum … how's that sound?"

"You've got to ask yourself one question, Do I feel lucky?"

"I don't know … will I get lucky if I buy you a gun?"

"That was a Dirty Harry line Bobby."

"Who's Dirty Harry?"

"You're kidding me right?"

Bobby walks off into the kitchen laughing at the absurdity of their conversation. Every cop … even Bobby, knew who Dirty Harry was. He just kept laughing. After all their time together, Alex still didn't really know Bobby … she thought all he ever did was read. He watched TV too … usually not Christmas Vacation and never Christmas movies period. He looked forward to watching all those kiddie movies that his mother never let him watch when he was a child … flying reindeers were evil.

"So Alex … Jackson called … they need me tonight at the 101. I have to play Santa for the Widow's and Children's Christmas swap tonight … I'm handing out gifts and doing the Santa thing … Okay?"

"Oh … do you think I can bring the trips and have their picture taken with you?"

"Yeah, I guess. I'm sure Jackson won't mind."

"I'll call dad and ask him to come help me."

Ladder Company 101

The NYFD since 911, especially, runs this particular Christmas event every year. They go all out. Bobby looked like a king never mind Santa Claus. The suit itself was top notch and his beard was real, he just made it a little whiter. As a Santa, he was very believable. Jackson was not only impressed but touched at Bobby's enthusiasm.

"Goren, you look fantastic, the kids are gonna go nuts over you. Thank God that drunk bastard got arrested last night."

"Thanks and this chair …was it Julius Caesar's or something?"

"Yeah, it's great huh? One of the guys is a carpenter and furniture upholsterer. He did an awesome job."

"Yeah, really great!"

Dozen and dozens of kids came. They truly thought that Bobby was the real deal … not one of those Santa helpers because the real Santa was busy at the North Pole. Alex and John came by with the triplets and could hear the kids and the parents talk about the real Santa being there and how Ladder Company 101 had real pull at the North pole this year … the camcorder was rolling.

When it was time to shut down, Alex had Bobby hold the triplets and they had their first picture taken with Santa. Then Jackson had her get in the picture for a family portrait. Then just her and Bobby … Santa's naughty little elf.

"What would you like for Christmas little girl?"

She whispers in his ear.

"I want my husband to have the best Christmas of his life Santa … could you arrange that?"

"I think you already did that … you don't need Santa's help. I love you Alex."

"I love you too Bobby … Claus."

Christmas Eve

Alex was busy wrapping and Bobby had one more errand to run. He wasn't satisfied with just buying the laptop for Alex so he wanted something under the tree for her to unwrap. When he returned home, he ran downstairs to hide his gifts. He peaked to see what Alex bought him … Hmm … I don't see anything … Nate … the babies … nothing … that's okay, the trips are my presents. He heads back upstairs.

They both head to the kitchen and start cooking for their friends and family that planned on stopping by that evening.

Bobby starts checking his watch.

"What time are the Deakins coming?"

"Anytime now."

"It 5:15 … where are your parents?"

"I don't know."

They continue cooking. He checks his watch again.

"Als, it 5:30 … where are they?"

"Bobby, it's Christmas Eve, cut them some slack."

The babies start to fidget.

"Bobby, I got this, do you want to take care of the trips?"

"Yeah, sure … okay."

He changes, feeds and coochy coos the babies, all the while checking his watch … the phone rings. He jumps up.

"I got it. … Hello."

"Bobby … you need to come down here man … I just got the Shadow man … you need to come see her!"

"Lewis, it's Christmas Eve, people are coming over … including you and Laura. You're gonna lose that girl man if you don't get your head out of the hood of that car!"

"Bobby G. You have to come see this car!"

"Honey, what's going on?"

Bobby covers the receiver. "Lewis just got the car I ran the VIN number on. He wants me to come see it."

"Let's go."

"Alex, we have a houseful of people coming."

"It will take us a half hour. We'll leave a note … they're all late … come on … lets go."

"What about the babies."

"We bundle them up and pack them in the SUV. Come on, Lewis is all excited … lets go."

Everyone was at Lewis's waiting for them. Jimmy and Angie. The Eames clan. Captain Ross and his two boys and their girlfriends. Mike and Carolyn … the future Mrs. Logan and Laura not quite the future Mrs. Lewis. Nate was once again bouncing up and down. Matt had to work on some things , so he wasn't there. They were all hiding inside Lewis's house which was attached to his auto body shop … if he saw them all before Alex could tell him the car was his he would figure it out … he was a detective.

They finally arrive and unload the triplets. Lewis went over to help and John called him Mama … he backed up.

"I told you it wasn't a fluke … our son is a genius."

"Are you sure you're a Detective Alex … because I'm nobodies Mama!"

"Lewis, the point is, he said mama."

"Okay … what ev … come look at the Shadow … when the kid can rebuild your carburetor before his first birthday, then we'll call him a genius, until then … come look at the new toy!"

He takes them out back and uncovers the car … Bobby's eyes light up. John Eames is watching from around the corner … after all, he invested in this present too.

"Wow! Lew … this is a keeper … pop the hood."

Lewis glances at Alex and they share a smile. He goes over to the car and take keys out of his pocket and unlocks the hood locks and pops the hood.

"Who you tryin to out run?"

"Ah, those words warm my heart Alex … it was the day I fell in love with you."

"Excuse me, that's my wife you're talking to."

"Yeah, you waited long enough dummy!"

Bobby examines the car. He has the look of love on his face. Alex is amused. He still hasn't noticed the license plate. He sits behind the wheel … the keys are in the ignition … he points …

"Can I start it Lew?"

"It's all yours Bobby."

Alex and Lewis share a laugh.

Bobby starts the car and it and he come to life. Everyone has found a spot to watch Bobby and can see the expression on his face.

"He just had a freakin orgasm."

"Michael!"

"What? I just did!"

Bobby is now yelling over the engine noise.

"Lewis … this is fucking mint man … you have to keep this!"

Alex gets into the passenger seat and everyone enters the garage … Bobby finally notices. She produces another set of keys … it has the picture taken the day before at the firehouse of Bobby, Alex and the triplets on the key ring.

"Merry Christmas Honey."

It doesn't register. He holds the keys in his hand and looks at the picture, then at Alex. He looks up at all the smiling faces of his friends and family, he sees Nate bouncing up and down, then he looks back at Alex. She takes the registration out of the glove box and hands it to him … he sees his name on the registration and the plate "TRIPS". He looks at the keys in his hand, at the registration, then back at Alex.

"You bought me this car for Christmas?"

She nods her head. "My parents too."

"Why would you do something like this for me … this is a ton of money."

"Why? She smiles Because you think I've given you your life back or made your life better but look what you gave me … love like I've never felt before in my life and these three beautiful babies. You've given me so much more than a car Bobby … I just wanted you to have something that would make this year … the bad part, go away. I just want the good to stay in your memory … you have enough shit locked up in there. No more … okay. Just us, you me and the Trips."

He has tears that refuse to fall … too many people to witness the big guy crying … old habits as they say. He just keeps shaking his head. He pulls her towards him.

"Do all these people have to come over tonight?"

"Yes Robert, but when they leave … will you put the Santa suit back on?"

Jimmy Deakins peers in the window and says …

"I'm so glad I thought of putting you two together."

"Yeah, about that Cap … It's working out."

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Thanks for reading ... Merry Merry ... Happy Happy!