Probably.
Tucker brought Ozzie’s mother, Gena, over to meet Tuesday, and Ozzie couldn’t help but smile as he watched everyone hovering around Tuesday like he was a famous movie star. He really wanted them to adore Tuesday as much as he did. Maybe if the whole family was behind him, it would be easier to convince Tuesday to stay.
Soon, it was time to eat, and Gena ushered them all to the dining room where a gorgeous dinner straight out of every Christmas movie ever was laid out for them.
Turkey, ham, rolls, mashed potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, and of course, several types of fruitcake.
Ozzie’s stomach rumbled with a mix of nerves and hunger as he took Tuesday’s hand and brought him to the side of the table he always sat on. He pulled out a chair for Tuesday, and his mother instantly squealed.
When he handed Tuesday the basket of rolls, his mother squealed some more.
Yup, that was going to be a thing.
His family cooed at every cute moment the pair shared throughout the delicious meal. He was grateful nobody interrogated Tuesday as he’d expected, instead happy to enjoy his company and how clearly enamored the two of them were of each other.
Other than a tiny game of catch with some of the rolls, everything was perfect. It wasn’t long before Granny was passingout plates of her horrible fruitcake, and everyone headed to the living room to avoid it and enjoy their yearly watch ofTrapped in Paradise.
It was a fun Christmas romp about a trio of brothers who rob the bank in a sleepy little town called Paradise. Shenanigans promptly ensue, and it was one of his family’s all-time favorite Christmas movies.
As much as Ozzie wanted Tuesday to enjoy it as well, he couldn’t wait another moment to talk to him.
He didn’t want Tuesday to leave, not ever, and he needed to tell him.
“Hey, baby.” Ozzie coughed and fidgeted. “You, uh, get enough fruitcake?”
Tuesday beamed, hugging his loaded plate to his chest. “The correct answer is never.”
“Right, well. Uh.” Ozzie fidgeted some more, blurting out, “You wanna come see the decorations in the back yard?”
Tuesday smiled. “Back yard, huh? They decorate there too?”
“Oh yeah, there’s decorations covering every inch of this place. Their holiday debauchery knows no limit.” Ozzie chuckled and took Tuesday’s hand, lacing their fingers together tightly. “Come on. I’ll bet there’s some mistletoe out there.”
“Mistletoe?” Tuesday squeezed Ozzie’s hand and set his plate down. “Ooo, are we gonna suck face again?”
“If you’re lucky.” Ozzie grinned, winking as he tugged Tuesday away from the rest of the family. He ignored Derrick’s playful gawking and his mother’s silent applause. Granny looked miffed that Tuesday hadn’t finished all the fruitcake yet.
This was fine.
It was fine.
He could do this.
His heart slammed against his ribs, and his throat closed on him as he led Tuesday out onto the back patio.
The backyard was a holiday scene of its own with a family of light-up reindeer grazing under his parents’ apple tree, an illuminated blowup mold of Santa, and a giant inflatable snow globe with a dancing snowman inside wobbled against its ties at the edge of the patio. Lights covered every tree in the yard, bathing the entire snowy scene in a colorful glow.
“Holy shit. You weren’t kidding!” Tuesday laughed in delight, snuggling against Ozzie’s side. “This is amazing, baby. Like Santa came right down here and puked everywhere.”
“That’s exactly what I tell them!” Ozzie snickered as he curled an arm around Tuesday to hold him close. “My parents are Christmas crackheads. They are on a holly jolly high from November to about February.”
“February?”
“Yup. Pretty sure they only take the stuff down ’cause Mom wants to put out all her Valentine’s stuff.”
“Wow. That’s incredible. And a bit concerning. Are they okay? Do they need help? Blink twice if I need to call a doctor.”
A delighted bark of laughter left Ozzie’s lips, and he hugged Tuesday even tighter. “Fuck, you’re perfect. You know that?” His cheeks ached from smiling so big, and as he looked up at Tuesday’s face he knew this was the moment.
