by Eli Easton
George sat up straighter. “Pretty much what Jim said. I’m ready for a change. I’d like to be closer to Mack and Gabe. And I’ve been feeling so good, maybe I can get involved in some youth projects again. I kind of miss that. And I’m still holding out on a nice woman to date. Mack?”
Mack glanced down at me. “I’m pretty happy with exactly where I am. So next year: same apartment, same job, same hot roommate.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop smiling.
“But I predict that next year, Gabe will fly home from some assignment just in time for Christmas Eve. And I’m never wrong.”
“That’s true,” Jim said. “Mack’s never been wrong.”
“Well, I’d be up for that,” I agreed. “Mama, you go next.”
“Me?”
“If you want to,” Jim hastily added.
“Okay, let’s see.” She chewed her lip thoughtfully. “I can’t promise to be here, because I’m hoping for a grandbaby soon. And if that happens, I’ll be at Loretta and Tony’s house.”
“If you think that’ll happen, you should state it as a fact,” I prompted.
She made a face and waved her hand. “Oye, no, that’s just wishful thinking. Okay, I have it.” She took a dramatic breath. “Next Christmas, all of us will be here again, but also John and Loretta and their spouses. They’ll both be married by next Christmas.” She studied Mack and me. “You two…? No, not yet. But the year after that, si.”
I gave Mack a wide-eyed look. “Oh, my.”
“It could happen.” Mack shrugged, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Whatever you do, though, don’t give me three weddings in a year because that would kill me,” Mama insisted. “Okay, I’m done.”
“Your turn, babe.” Mack dropped my hand so he could put his arm around my shoulder. We weren’t normally too demonstrative when we were out, but it was Christmas Eve and it was too damned cozy not to be.
“Okay….” I paused to give it some thought. “Next year at Christmas, we’ll all be here in the city again, and John and Loretta will be here for Christmas too. And—” I looked at Mack. “—my job probably will be different next year. And maybe I’ll be traveling. But the one thing that won’t change is Mack. We’ll be together next year and the year after that and the year after that. You’ll be here, being my home. Mi alma. My rock. My mountain.”
“Aw!” Mi mama put a hand over her mouth, her eyes soft.
Jim raised his cup. “Now we all drink. Salut!”
“Salut!”
Read Owen & Jordan’s story in “SUPERHERO” by Eli Easton (also available on audio).
If you enjoyed this Christmas novella, check out Eli Easton’s holiday story from 2016.
Love Happens Anyway by RJ Scott. Hiring a boyfriend for Christmas; what can go wrong?
Not Just For Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs. Ben has Christmas, cats, and mistletoe on his side…. Jason doesn’t stand a chance.
Yours for the Holiday by DJ Jamison. The best gift may just be the man he loves to hate.
Secret Santa by Jay Northcote. Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationship
