All Jeff wants for Christmas... Part III
It was late by the time that Ethan headed back to his own place that evening. After the film had finished on the television, it would have been quite easy to just have taken his leave then, but Jeff had discovered another show that was worth watching; on top of that, it would have been cruel to disturb a sleeping Caleb by getting up. Then Nick had brought out a box of assorted savoury biscuits and a selection of cheeses, and of course, Ethan was a big fan of a good cheese. That had been followed by coffee, with another plate brought our laden with mincemeat pies, and slices of rich dark fruit cake, covered in marzipan and white icing. It would have been rude to have refused to eat any of it, and Dalton had left him well mannered. It would also have been rude to have then refused to join them in singing along to the old Christmas tunes that were being sung in an old Judy Garland Christmas Special that was being shown. That of course made them all reminisce about the show that the New Directions had done for television back in Ohio, which seemed like a lifetime ago. That lead to Nick and Jeff singing Let it Snow! accompanied by an approximation of the dance that Kurt and Blaine had performed to that song in that recording…
He had finally managed to decide it was time to leave when there was a Skype call from Trent to the boys, and it wouldn't have been right to leave then either. Trent was not surprised to see Ethan there, and they all ignored the sound of Rory cursing that he had lost his bet over Nick and Jeff's Christmas plans. Other than that, the two of them were in good spirits, having a great time in the company of Séamus and Becca, not to mention everyone else. The Bernsteins knew how to celebrate Christmas without calling it such, and for Trent and Rory the day had been every bit as enjoyable as it would have been back home, filled with good food and singing. They made small talk for a while, but then Nick asked the inevitable question - "The big question on our minds here is this; how has the day been for Flint?"
Trent and Rory glanced at each other, and then the former spoke. "Mrs Wilson is an interesting and I'm sure lovely lady, but if I never see her again… For a start, she wasn't all that happy about the whole Christmas vibe, even if there was no mention whatsoever of the actual word… She was also very shocked that they had allowed their other daughter to marry an Irish Roman Catholic without insisting that he convert first, which offended Becca and Séamus. Then she went on to make a nuisance of herself in the kitchen - which was also when she managed to cause Becca's mom great confusion when she started to ask her about her mother's matzo balls…."
Ethan suddenly burst out laughing when he heard that, earning himself a look from both Nick and Jeff. He managed to stop, then explained. "Flint's family dread every special occasion because his mother makes really horrifically awful matzo balls. Last Thanksgiving, when Izzy made him take her to Kansas, she solved the issue by offering to make them to her 'Grandmother's recipe.' Only, it wasn't; she had taken it from a magazine. I'm guessing that she had not mentioned that her subterfuge then to her mother…."
"Right first time. Izzy managed to avert a disaster by telling Flint's mom that it was her paternal grandmother's recipe, and fortunately her father was very quick to realise what was going on and back her up. Then over the main course, Mrs Wilson constantly nagged Flint and Izzy about when they were going to get engaged, and followed that up over dessert with constant talk about how much she would like grandchildren before she gets too much older. Just now, Flint looks worn out and on the verge of a breakdown. Izzy looks all sympathetic, but her folks just look mildly bemused by it all. Flint is going to need bucket loads of TLC over the next few days Ethan…"
"I will make sure that he gets it," came his reply.
"Good, because his mom did suggest that he brings Izzy and her parents with him to Kansas next year, and I think he is contemplating matricide…"
After the Skype call was over, Ethan got up and made his excuses. He was tempted to stay, and both his friends suggested he should, but he could tell that the two of them would appreciate a little alone time, and the chance to make the most of an empty house. As he let himself in his own front door a few minutes later, with a tin filled with mincemeat pies, cookies and cake from Nick, he no longer felt the pain and loneliness that had dogged him earlier. He had spent several hours in good company; he had eaten well, and he had laughed. Still, the house he now entered seemed quiet and calm in contrast to the one he had just left. He turned on the television, then the coffeemaker, before setting Nick's parting gift to one side. Instead, he found the box of handmade Florentines he had bought on a whim from one of the gourmet food stores near his work, and took them through to the living room with his coffee.
The television had switched on to the local news channel, and he let it show, not wanting anymore schmaltz. He checked his phone next, not finding any new messages; certainly not the one he hoped for, from Drew… He dismissed the thought, and quickly scrolled through his contact list until he found the number he wanted; he called it, anxious to hear a voice of reason.
"Hey Ethan! Seasons greetings and all of that stuff. How was your day?"
"It turned out a little differently than I had planned in the end, Thad. Honestly, I thought that I would be alone all day, sitting to one side in a corner at the Spotlight, before I headed home alone, but then Jeff cracked…"
Thad chuckled at the other end. "We all knew that he would, even Nick. He just craves company on days like this, and of course Nick would be busy cooking, and so it was inevitable…"
"It meant that I got to gorge myself on Nick's cooking though; honestly, he should be at catering college, not law school. Every bite was absolute heaven, and he gave me a tin stuffed full of cake as I left. Anyway, to change the subject, I would ask you how Mrs Thompson is, but I am sure that you don't know. After all, she is in L.A. with David. You just wanted a quiet day, didn't you?"
Thad sighed, then said, "Yes, I did to be honest. Everyone was inviting me to join them, which was very kind of them, but I couldn't be bothered. I had a good meal, got most of my marking done, and I have the lesson plans for next semester roughed out. Wes did come along and spent an hour with me, which was the highlight of the day… He couldn't stay longer, as it is a busy day for them up there. He knew what I needed. Still, I couldn't help but think what it would have been like if he'd still been around…" Thad's voice trailed off as he pictured Christmas Day with Wes in his mind's eye, and just how perfect that would have been…
"We can't change things I'm afraid, much as we'd both like to," replied Ethan quietly. "Still, we both know that things will come right in the end. Anyway, I was thinking, next year we should get together and have a singleton's Christmas together. Just sit around and say 'Bah, Humbug!' to all of it…" Thad chuckled again at the thought, and couldn't help but think that such a day would be no bad thing…
As Ethan continued to talk to Thad, Jeff had finally managed to achieve one of the things that he had planned for Christmas. He had headed upstairs more or less the moment that Ethan had left, telling Nick that he should come up and join him once he had Caleb settled in his bed for the night. He had delivered that line with a wink, and Nick had known at once exactly what his husband was implying; he had no objection to the idea whatsoever. Caleb was a bit surprised at how early he was being placed in his basket, but it had been a long day, and there was catnip, so in the end, he settled there. Nick had meanwhile made some hot chocolate, and had poured it into a thermos flask, so it would be ready when they wanted it. Then after a final check that everything was okay in the kitchen, he climbed up the stairs carrying a tray with the flask, two mugs, and a tin containing cake and cookies in equal quantities…
Now he lay in Jeff's arms, reclining on him as they sat together in a deep, hot bath, just relaxing in each other's company. Whereas many other people these days might have needed drugs of some sort to achieve the state of relaxation that they were both in, they had each other, and to them, that was the best drug in the world. This was one of the rare nights when Jeff was in the back; it had all began after all one night in Chicago, not long after they had moved there, when Jeff had been feeling a bit down. Nick had been washing his back for him, and it suddenly made more sense for him to climb in the bath with Jeff, and just hold him; gently stroking his fingers through his hair, and generally making him feel loved. Now it was just one of the many rituals they had between them.
"It's not been a bad day, all things considered," mused Jeff as he gently ran his fingers through Nick's hair. "True, it might not have turned out exactly as I had imagined it would, but it was the best day. We cheered Ethan up too, so that was a bonus. It was kind of selfish of me not to think about him when I was planning today in my mind though…"
Nick smiled, and replied, "When you planned today, you had no idea that Flint was going to be in Baltimore. The sad thing about all of it is the fact that Ethan didn't even have the inclination to go home and see his parents for the holidays. When you think about it, when did we ever hear of Ethan going home for Christmas? I know he didn't go home when he was at Dalton either… I know my father is a complete douche, but until I admitted the truth about myself to him, he always insisted that the family all be together for the holidays. Your mom and dad were exactly the same; Christmas was a family day…"
"The only time that I know of when he didn't spend the holiday at Dalton was the year that he went home with Drew. It was also the only time I ever saw him looking enthused about the whole holiday season…"
Nick nodded, then moved the conversation on. "I wonder how Beats, Elliott and the boys got on with their first Christmas together? I hope it was every bit as successful as ours…"
"Well, I guess they must have done. There was no sign of the fire department, so dinner must have gone okay too. No doubt we will hear all about it tomorrow; everyone will be telling the story of their day. I mean, I wonder how Dave and Sebastian got on in darkest suburbia…?"
"I wonder how Grace coped with hosting her first family Christmas? I should probably have called her up at some point to check, but it's too late now I suppose. Still, there were no emergency calls from her, so it must all have turned out satisfactorily…"
"We can worry about all of that tomorrow Nicky. Right now, I think that my dear, sweet husband needs to be shown just how much I love and adore him; after all, every morning that I wake up with you by my side, every day that I spend in your company, well, it kind of feels just like Christmas morning…"
Nick smiled, and replied, "Likewise, my beautiful boy." He turned his head to kiss Jeff deeply, then broke off to say, "I think though that we should take this elsewhere…"
The following morning did indeed see them hearing all about their friend's experiences on Christmas Day. Jeff heard all about Elliott's day as he worked side by side with him at the Spotlight; the older man got a little tearful as he described how wonderful it had been to wake up for Christmas with Beats curled up against him, then rouse him from his slumbers with a kiss; how fantastic it had been to see his brother sitting by the tree, smiling from ear to ear as he opened his gifts, so different to the floods of tears that he had been left in last year….
Elliott was much more himself by the time that Sebastian stopped by for a spot of lunch, having found nothing that was unfestive at home, and desperate for something normal to eat. He ordered a dish of the Spotlight's very own winter stew, then described to Jeff how Julian had gone in for total festive overkill, with every possible kitsch thing for Christmas either on display or on the table for eating. Even Isabelle had looked startled and bemused, but she had looked even more startled when he had handed her the ring box. Jeff's eyes lit up at that, but Sebastian just smiled and laughed.
"Oh, he didn't propose, it was just a promise ring. She did look a little sad about that. However…" Sebastian paused to look around, then leaned in and whispered in Jeff's ear, "…trust me when I say that he is serious about her, and now he is just biding his time. He says that when he finds the perfect ring, then he will make her the happiest woman on earth."
Back in the West Village, Mike arrived home just as a cab carrying a still traumatised looking Flint drew up. He insisted that he come inside with him for a coffee. Nick already had Beats and Ethan there, so it was no problem to pour an extra two cups. As they were drinking it, Flint told them one thing; he was never, ever spending a Christmas Day like that ever again. They had all laughed at that, until the moment that Nick quipped that he wouldn't have to spend a single day like that ever again, at least until his wedding day…
"Don't remind me! If yesterday was bad, then my wedding is going to be absolutely horrendous! I am telling you all here and now; my mother is not being allowed anywhere near it until the moment that the ceremony is due to start. If she does manage it, then trust me, there will not be a wedding, mainly because the groom will be in prison for murdering his mother!"
The friends that were sitting around the table all knew that he was being totally serious when he said that. "Yesterday, she managed to criticise the cooking of the meal, saying all kinds of things that she does that would have made it taste better. It took all of my self control and restraint not to just yell out that contrary to her claims, her chicken was usually dry and tasteless, and her gravy greasy - I think my dad guessed what was going on in my head as he just fixed me with a stare. She managed to upset Séamus by going on about his relationship with his parents, and how a good son would ensure that they were happy - thank God that Trent was using his own innate sense of calm to keep Rory silent, and his own mouth closed. I did hear Rory letting rip with a with a whole string on invective later though. Then she started going on and on about engagements, and how most of her friend's children had found someone, and how they had exchanged rings. This was followed by a rant about the liberal way of life on the coast, and how in Kansas they still believed and held on to the old values…"
"Like believing the earth is flat," Beats muttered in a deadpan voice, which made all of them chuckle, even Flint.
"By the time that dad managed to drag her out of the house to their hotel - and thank God she decided not to accept the Bernsteins invitation to stay - I was totally worn out. I was fully expecting at that moment to be asked to leave the family home, and be told never to darken their door again; to stay away from their daughter; to hand over my staff ID and never return to the office. Instead, I was pulled into a hug by Izzy's mom, who said she was so sorry for all that I must have suffered over the years. That was followed by her dad shaking my hand, and telling me that meeting my mother was one of the best comic experiences he had ever had in his life; he then asked me to give his mobile number to my dad, just in case that poor man ever needed someone to vent his frustrations to. I am more determined now than ever to marry Izzy, but it will all be on my terms. For a start, there is no way that my mom will get her number one wish. There is no force on earth that could make me get married in Kansas, just so that she can parade the two of us in front of the Ladies Circle like trophies!"
"Well, if she does ask, then you can truthfully tell her that you intend to get married in Manhattan," Nick pointed out. "It will just be this one, not the one in Kansas. Leave telling her that until the very last moment, and then there is nothing that she can do about it without looking like a complete idiot. She has to be at your wedding though; no doubt parts of the day will turn out as a result to be awful, but she is family, so there is nothing you can do…"
"I would suggest though that you have a finger buffet at the reception; that way, there will be no knives, so less temptation for you," joked Beats. Flint looked at his best friend, then howled with laughter. His mother would never change, but deep down, he did love her with all of his heart. He just had to ensure that she was kept under control…
Eventually all of those that were based in New York made it back home, and began to prepare for the start of 2017. It was a new year, but not one that held out quite as much of a promise as those before it had done. The new President did not inspire any of them to much hope; they could all see clearly that in the very near future they would have to make a stand, and be counted on certain issues. Mrs Duval said that much to her son two days after Christmas, when she and her parents came to lunch in the West Village before they headed home to Ohio.
"This country is going to be in turmoil for a while. That man is a danger, an accident waiting to happen, and so many people seem to be blind to that truth. You'd think that they would have had more sense, but as I see it, it's like a stranger offering a child sweets. You see the treats and you grab for them without considering what the implications might be. Fortunately, Sue will be taking our fight against his worst excesses to Washington. She will not just stand idly by whilst he tries to ride roughshod over everyone. She and Burt have been communicating a lot behind the scenes, and they have managed to identify the key areas that they both agree on. Neither support his stance on immigration, his stupid wall, or the dismantling of the healthcare system. She will not cast her vote along his lines on any of those things, thankfully. However, it won't just be in Congress that the work will need to be done. After all, our forefathers thought hard for the right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. There will be protests, and as long as they are non-violent, I will back them. Our aim is to ensure that he serves only one term, and if at all possible, much less than that."
Nick had to agree with the sentiment, but to him at the moment, the idea of an impeachment seemed a far distant prospect. Still, all of those rumours about Russia had got the world talking, and if there turned out to be any truth in them, then there might be a cause for rejoicing sooner rather than later.
There was no big gathering for New Years that year either; the Spotlight was the nearest that they came to it, with most of them being on duty there at the crucial time, so as to allow Michelle to spend the night with Ollie. Thad had been invited to come to New York and join them, but he had declined, and instead spent the night in the company of the Carmichaels and Jeff's cousin Dylan. By the time that the stroke of midnight came, all of their friends in town had made their way in, and they happily exchanged greetings and best wishes. There were no proposals made, in spite of what people had hoped, but neither was there any bad news, at least none that pertained to them. All in all, it made for a reasonably positive start to the new year. Now all that they could hope was that 2017 would not turn out to be quite as bad as they all feared….
