One year later
Teddy adjusted his mantle display, straightening the stockings and tweaking the lights, right as he heard the sound of the door and someone stamping off snow.
“You’re early,” he called. “Figured Beckett would talk you into bowling after your shift again.”
“I do enjoy my coworkers, but Beckett can have the bowling.” Nick’s laugh echoed from the hall. “Besides, one of his kids has a cold. I told him to call if he needs to switch shifts.”
“You’re a good cop,” Teddy said as Nick came into the living room. And he really was. He was probably the best officer on the Mineral Spirits force, not that Teddy was biased. But what was more important was how much Nick seemed to love his job.
“More garland?” Nick groaned as he looked around. “The little pieces it sheds are going to be hell on the vacuum.”
“I’ll handle it.” Teddy grinned at him. Honestly, he was less worried about the vacuum and more about the little black-and-white kitten he’d reserved at the humane society to put under the tree for Nick next week. “Do you like the stockings?”
“Love them. Tell your mom thanks.” Teddy’s mom had made them quilted stockings, each embroidered with their name. The sight of Nick’s name, right there on the mantle, a bold declaration that he was here, that this thing between them was permanent, made Teddy’s breath catch. And he knew that had been part of his mom’s motivation for gifting them—she was more than a little shameless in her campaign to fold Nick into the MacNally clan.
But Nick seemed to welcome the attention, attending every gathering with good humor, and even all the jokes at Thanksgiving about what Teddy could expect from Santa this year.
“They love you.” Teddy wrapped his arms around Nick’s uniform. Gone were the fatigues and medals. Here was the Mineral Spirits logo on his upper arm, another symbol of how much Nick belonged here now. “I have a feeling the stack of quilts and livestock is coming at Christmas.”
“They do seem determined that I make an honest man out of you.” Nick didn’t sound the least put out by this. “But we’ve got no place for a horse, let alone a cow.”
“Agreed.” Teddy surveyed their cozy living room. In the spring, his aunt and uncle had returned from Florida with an eye to working their land, and Nick had made noises about better insulation and two-car garages, and he’d become an expert on local real estate, finding a modern ranch over by the school with an open floor plan and view of the river. The tiny postage-stamp yard certainly wasn’t going to hold any farm animals, but that was okay by both of them as being able to walk downtown had its own set of perks.
And no, there hadn’t been any proposal before Nick signed on the mortgage, but it sure felt pretty permanent, painting together, shopping for furniture and turning the place into something that was unequivocally theirs. A new leather sofa sat in the middle of the room, flanked by Nick’s old recliner and Teddy’s board game cupboard. The tree occupied the place of honor in front of the big picture window, visible to all who drove by, along with the outdoor lights he’d talked Nick into hanging. Nick had grumbled about the things he did for love, even as he picked the ones with a ten-year warranty.
“My sister’s just as bad. Stacey sent me jewelry catalogs last week.” Nick shuddered. “I think it’s just because you’re better with the baby than me.”
Seeing Nick with his tiny nephew late summer had been one of the highlights of Teddy’s year. And even if Nick did tend to hold him like he might contain an explosive device, the cuteness overload had carried Teddy for weeks.
“Think we should tell them?” Teddy laughed because he knew they wouldn’t.
“Nope.” Nick held him closer. “Not a chance.”
“I love our plan.” In February, when Nick’s tolerance for winter would undoubtedly be waning, they were eloping to a Bermuda resort known for its deep-sea fishing tours. As much as Nick loved Teddy’s family, he really wasn’t the type for a big spectacle, and they figured they’d let his mom throw them a huge party upon their return, but something casual and unfussy. They’d hatched the plan at Thanksgiving, riding high on leftover pie and good sex, with the first blizzard of the year swirling outside.
Like most everything else with them, it was a compromise—a blend of what Nick needed and Teddy wanted and meeting in the middle. Like living here but taking frequent trips south—Teddy had become a lot more comfortable traveling even as Nick worked on putting down roots for the first time in his life.
“Let’s turn off the overhead lights.” Nick was already moving toward the light switch.
“Is this your way of saying you want to do it in front of the tree again?” Teddy’s laugh came out almost too eager.
“Maybe.” Nick tugged him over to the sofa. “Maybe I’m just trying to make the most of our time before the horde descends on us.”
“Hey, don’t blame me. You were the one who agreed to this.” Teddy arranged himself on Nick’s lap, working at Nick’s shirt buttons.
“Yeah. Doesn’t mean that I’m doubt-free though.” Nick’s good cheer wavered, so Teddy dipped his head to kiss him. Nick was nervous because Stacey and her husband were bringing the kids up for a real white Christmas. And Nick’s mother and her new husband were also coming. That was Nick’s main concern. She’d passed a year sober, and some of the ice had thawed between her and Nick over the last year, but it was probably never going to be the easy sort of relationship Teddy enjoyed with his own mother.
“It’ll be great. They’ll love the presents, and my folks can’t wait to take them out in the sleigh. And your mom will be fine too. It’ll be nice to have guests.”
“I hope so.” Nick sighed as Teddy succeeded in pushing his shirt off. “At least they’ll be here to help pass things out at the center. You can use the help what with your record-breaking year and all.”
Teddy’s skin heated at the compliment. “It’s all your fault, Santa.”
Nick had resumed the role again this year as Wallace Grace still wasn’t quite up to the rigors of his old gig and had graciously passed the Santa hat on to Nick. And with a great set of photos from Rhonda and some special events Teddy had cooked up, they had indeed had a banner year of fund-raising.
“Nah. I have a good elf, that’s all.” Nick nipped at Teddy’s neck.
“Well, if the suit fits…” Teddy winked at him, and they both burst out laughing. And to think, he’d once thought he might never see this man smile. To be able to fill this home—and it really was a home—with love and laughter and memories was a real gift, one he would treasure for a lifetime.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Nick captured his mouth for a slow, gentle kiss, and Teddy had to agree. This way—their way—really was perfect.
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