“We should get cleaned up,” he says eventually, and even though the last thing I want to do right now is move, I force myself to get up and let him lead me into the bathroom.
This is the point I’d usually go back to my own room.
Jerry must feel the same shift in our relationship as I do, because once we’re as clean as we’re going to get without a shower, he takes my hand again and walks us back to his bedroom. Neither of us speak as we climb into bed and pull the quilt over us.
Only when I’m tucked up behind him with an arm draped over his waist does he murmur, “This okay?”
I don’t think I’ve ever been more okay than I am right now. Before I can answer, there’s the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs, and soon enough we’re joined by Jen, Kyla, and eventually Frank.
Jerry groans as Jen stands on him before settling at the foot of the bed, and I smother a laugh against his shoulder, then finally answer his question. “Yeah, this is perfect.”
Christmas morning bringswith it a gentle dusting of snow. Enough that Jen can run about like an idiot chasing the falling snowflakes, but not so bad that it closes the roads.
We’re woken up by a FaceTime call from Sean and a very excited Vic, proudly showing off the ring on his left hand. After many congratulations and the worstsurprisedface I’ve ever seen from Jerry, we say goodbye and eventually get up.
A quick shower and mutual handjobs later, true to his word, Jerry makes Christmas dinner withall the things,and it’s themost delicious thing ever. So good that afterwards we’re both too full to do anything other than collapse on the sofa and watch whatever’s on the TV.
It’s not until later that Jerry takes my hand, studying my fingers in a way that makes me immediately pay attention to him. “All right?”
Jerry sighs before looking up. “I know we didn’t talk about Christmas presents...” He trails off and I sit up a bit straighter.
“Please tell me you didn’t get me one, because that’s going to make me feel like an arse for not getting you one.”
He laughs and shakes his head, and thank fuck for that. I know there’s something though, so I nudge his knee with mine. “What is it then?”
“Well...” He checks the time on his phone and curses softly. “I didn’t get you anything, but then I got a text this morning, and well... it seemed perfect at the time. But now I’m not so sure.”
I have absolutely no idea what he’s talking about but can’t deny I’m a little intrigued and excited. A present is a present, right? So it’s no surprise I’m smiling when I turn my head to face him. “Tell me.”
The doorbell rings, making us both jump. Jerry nods towards the door. “At this point, it’ll be easier if I just show you.”
Beyond curious now, I get up and follow him to the door. When he opens it, the hot vet from his clinic is on the other side, beaming at Jerry in a way that makes my teeth itch, but then my gaze catches on what he’s carrying.
A small cat carrier.
“Merry Christmas,” the guy says as he hands the carrier to Jerry. Then he’s gone before I think of anything to say, waving over his shoulder as he hurries back to his car.
Jerry shuts his front door, and then it’s just me, him, and a cat carrier. Oh and Jen, because obviously she needs toinvestigate the new arrival. “So...” Jerry scrunches his nose, when a tiny high-pitched meow fills the hallway.
I raise an eyebrow.
He sighs. “The cat and kittens they brought in the other week need rehoming. Mark took the mother and one of the kittens, and I thought maybe... um... well, Frank seems to like the company here, and I didn’t want him to be on his own when you eventually move into your own place.”
There’s a sudden lump in my throat.
I don’t know if it’s because that’s so fucking thoughtful of him or the fact that he’s already planning for when I leave, which is fucking ridiculous because I’m the one who’s been insistent that’s going to happen at some point.
“It’s no problem if you don’t want her, I can always keep her here,” he says quickly when I still haven’t said anything, and it spurs me into finding my voice.
“No, I’d love to take her. You’re absolutely right about Frank getting used to the company here.”
So have I.
I take the carrier from him and kiss him so thoroughly we’re both breathing heavily by the time I step back. “Thank you.”
He smiles this time, eyes crinkling at the corners, and I’m struck again by just how fucking lovely he is in every way. “I didn’t get you anything, though.”
Before I can start to feel guilty, he shakes his head. “This has already been one of the best Christmas’s I’ve had in a long, long time, Reed. I don’t need anything else.”
