“There’re a lot of people in town who need help this year, and even more that are just lonely. This really was a great idea,” Isaac said. He carried the box that held the crockpot, cornbread, and a few other things we’d thrown in. “Hey, Mr. Atkins, you’re here early.” Isaac said as we shook his hand.
“I figured I’d give the rocker a break today,” he said before directing us where to take the food. The kitchen area was full of people either mixing something, cooking, or chopping. Isaac took the crockpot out and after greeting a few people we were ready to leave.
“I got you a little something,” he said to Mr. Atkins and handed him the small gift he’d brought with him. “Go ahead and open it.” We both waited while he carefully unwrapped the beanie Isaac bought him. “It has a headlight so when you’re wandering around town before the sun is up, you’ll be able to see. If you need a ride home later just give me a call,” Isaac said to Mr. Atkins who patted him on the back and slipped the knit hat on.
“Thank you, Isaac, that was very thoughtful of you,” Mr. Atkins said before hurrying back to the kitchen area. The snow had continued to fall while we were inside, and even though it wasn’t heavy it was starting to build up on the sides of the streets.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” I asked when Isaac stood at the door like he wasn’t ready to leave.
“I’m sure. Let’s go see what’s happening at the diner,” he said and took my hand. We drove the short distance, and I was again shocked at how many people were there.
“Is it normal for so many to be out on Christmas Eve?”
“No, it’s probably the snow.” The town tree was just down the street, and a few families were walking in that direction, bundled up against the cold while enjoying the snow that had now come two years in a row.
I looked around at all the lights and decorations that gave a warm glow to the small town I now considered home and tried to remember if I’d ever felt more at home anyplace else. Some might have been decorated more or had other activities during the season. But nothing would ever beat the people in Foggy Basin that made everyone feel welcome and never judged. Well, most of them anyway. There were always a few assholes anywhere you lived. But I felt truly blessed to find the man I love and a home all while finding some of the best friends I’d ever had.
“What sounds good?” Isaac asked, breaking me out of my thoughts and making me realize I’d been on autopilot since we’d left the fire station.
“Anything that involves you,” I said making him grin. He probably thought I was being funny, but I meant it. I meant every word.
Eleven
Isaac
By the time wefinally fucking got home I was ready to explode with excitement. “Do we have to wait to do presents?” I asked. Not sure why I felt so anxious other than I wasn’t used to opening presents with my boyfriend and I didn’t know how that worked.
“Hell no, we’re adults we can do what we want,” Tig said.
A sound came out of me that I hadn’t heard for years. But I was so excited I couldn’t help it and I didn’t have it in me to care. “Here, open this,” I said and handed Tig one of his gifts.
“Okay then, you open this,” he said and handed me one too. I tore it open without him having to say it again and gasped when I saw what it was.
“You got me gloves.” I had mentioned a few times I needed warm gloves but so far I had yet to get them for myself. Now Tig had taken care of me and surprised me all at the same time.
“You mentioned your hand was bothering you in the cold. Those are supposed to be very warm and they’re waterproof.”
They were blue, my favorite color, and when I tried them on, they came up a little past my wrist and were a perfect fit. “I love them, thank you,” I said. “Now open yours.”
He tore the wrapping paper off the box and after looking at it he smiled. “How did you know?”
“You mentioned you had a big Lego collection when you were a kid, but you didn’t know what happened to them. I thought it would be fun for you.” He stared at the Star Wars Lego kit before grinning and pulling me in for a kiss.
“I love it, and maybe we can both work on it?”
“Sure, I mean if you need help, I don’t mind helping,” I said making him chuckle. “Here, open this next.” This was the present I’d put so much thought into, and I hoped he liked it as much as I thought he would.
“Here’s one for you.” He handed me a box, but I watched as he opened his. It was small so it didn’t take him long, but whenhe opened it and saw a jewelry box, he paused and looked up at me.
“It’s not a ring I swear,” I said.
“Bummer,” he said and opened it. I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. He stared for a moment before lifting the leather bracelet out of the box. In the center was a silver badge with our initials intertwined.
“I designed that myself.” His head shot up at my words and his eyes locked on mine.
“It’s beautiful,” he whispered and his hands shook so badly he couldn’t clasp it.
“Let me help.” I fastened it and it was a perfect fit, just like I knew it would be. “I measured your wrist while you were sleeping and had the guy we talked to at the craft fair make it.”
