Title: The Christmas Wish
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRT
Summary: For once his Christmas Wish came true
~*~
Speed glared at Alexx, who ignored it and shoved him forward. “I am not having my picture taken with Santa.”
She eyed him. “I got pictures of my two kids with Santa and they didn’t complain.”
The CSI looked at the two kids who were trying not to laugh, “The point here is that they are kids, I’m in my thirties.”
“I want a picture of all my kids with Santa, besides you can tell him what you want for Christmas.” She smiled at him.
Speed stood his ground. “No.”
“Sir.” One of the cute elves smiled at him. “It’s just one…” Speed shut her up with a glare.
“Son…come on over here and tell Santa what you want for Christmas.” The Santa smiled at him.
Speed sighed and rolled his eyes at Alexx. “You so owe me.” He walked over to the Santa. He had to admit it was one of the better looking Santas. He was an older gentleman, with a bright, true smile, a real beard, and the suit didn’t need to be stuffed. “I’m not sitting on your lap.”
Santa laughed heartedly. “Sit on my foot stool and tell me why you don’t want to talk to Santa.”
Speed sat down with a sigh. “I’m a little old for this don’t you think.”
“No one’s too old for Santa,” the jolly old man answered. “I can sense you didn’t have a good Christmas experience as a child.”
The young man looked down at his feet caught in an old memory. “I wrote to Santa once.”
“Did you get what you wanted?” Santa asked with a smile.
“No, not even close.” Speed looked at him. “I was nine and really, really wanted this chemistry set. I was a geek, I admit it, but it was a cool chemistry set. I told my parents, showed it to them, even clipped out the ad for it from the paper. I wrote toSanta and everything.”
The older man frowned. “What happened?”
“It was the first and only Christmas I was up early and downstairs. I was so excited – a box the size of my chemistry set was under the tree.” Speed looked up. “It ended up being a baseball bat and glove. My parents signed me up for little league. Four months of humiliation and a broken arm later they figured out I wasn’t a jock. Next Christmas I got a sweater and once my younger brother showed up – I was lucky to get that.”
Santa frowned and sat back in contemplation. “I recall leaving a chemistry set at your house.”
Speed smiled. “If you did, knowing my parents, they hid it. My father was determined to make me into a jock.”
“I can’t change the past but I owe you, so tell me what you want,” Santa insisted.
“No harm and, as good as Santa is, you can’t give me what I want.” The younger man blushed. “There’s nothing I want, more of a someone.”
“What’s his name?” Santa leaned forward with a smile. He laughed at the younger man’s expression. “I’ve been around a while, son.”
Speed looked over at Alexx, then back at the Santa, and, in a quiet whisper. “Eric Delko.” He jerked when he heard the camera snap a picture.
The elf looked at Alexx and cooed. “That was perfect.”
Alexx had her prefect shot, Speed and Santa their heads together talking.
“You show that to the lab…” The New Yorker glared at her.
“Be good or Santa won’t bring you what you want.” Alexx ushered all of her kids out of Santa’s workshop. Speed turned and smiled at the Santa. He winked and laughed merrily in response.
~*~
“So what did you ask Santa for forChristmas?” Eric asked.
“WHAT!?” Speed yelped.
“The picture…” Eric backed up. “The one Alexx has hung up in the break room.”
The Trace expert’s jaw dropped then snapped shut. “I’m going to kill her.”
“No you won’t, she’s mom… besides she’s got a picture of Calleigh in an elf costume, Horatio dressed as Santa, and me…” Eric rolled his eyes. “In my choir robes from church.”
Speed snorted. “I need to go get some water.”
“Yeah, I bet you do.” Eric laughed. “Though what were the two of you talking about? You’ve got this smile on your face I’ve never seen.”
“My Christmas wish.” The New Yorker shrugged.
The younger man smiled. “I hope you get it.”
~ Christmas Morning ~
Speed yawned as he padded down the hallway towards the kitchen. He had to be at Alexx’s by one to help with dinner. He hadn’t celebrated Christmas since Andrew died, until he met Alexx. He still didn’t really celebrate. He never put up decorations, he just bought the gifts expected of him and went to Alexx’s for dinner.
So when he stepped into his living room and saw a fully decorated Christmas tree and a stocking hanging from the mantel he stopped and stared in shock.
He turned and looked back down the hall and then back at the living room. It was his apartment. He pinched himself, he was awake.
“Okay, what type of robber would break in and set up a Christmas Tree?” Speed wondered as he moved towards the tree. He smiled, it was a beautiful tree. Decorated very tastefully, classic; it reminded him of a tree he had seen once in a historical mansion when he was a child. He thought it looked beautiful, his mother thought it was plain and cheap. A note was sitting on the fireplace.
He picked it up, hoping it would tell him who went to all this trouble.
‘Timothy okay fine – Speed,
I’m sorry about the chemistry set, but I hope this makes up for it.
– Santa
PS: Turn around’
Speed turned around and stopped short, shocked twice in one morning. Standing in his dining room was Eric.
“Merry Christmas.” Eric smiled at him.
“What are you doing here?” Speed asked stunned.
“Hoping both of our Christmas wishes will come true.” The Russian-Cuban stepped up to Speed. “I saw that smile on your face in the picture and I wanted to see it again. I wanted to be the one to put it there.”
Speed eyed him and then ran a hand through his hair. “Look…you don’t have to do this, I mean…”
Eric grabbed Speed and took his mouth in a hard kiss, pushing him against the nearest wall. Speed reacted instantly, his arms slipping around the slim waist and pulling him close, grinding against him. Eric leaned against him, hands on either side of Speed’s head, panting. “Never doubt that I want you. I mean it Speed, I’m here because I want you. I’ve wanted you for a long time, but was too much of a coward to say anything. I saw that picture and I couldn’t get it out of my head. I wanted to see you smile like that – truly smile. And I wanted to be the one who caused it.”
Speed looked into the brown eyes. “I’m not the guy who gets the happy endings.”
Eric kissed him softly. “This time you get the sappy chick flick happy ending, hell if you want we can even get the white picket fence.”
Speed snorted. “Don’t go overboard.”
“As much as I would love to drag you back into your room and spend the rest of the day in bed…” Eric kissed him softly. “I promised my mother I’d bring you over for Christmas breakfast and then we have to be over at Alexx’s for Christmas dinner.”
The Trace expert blinked. “Your parents?”
“They’ve known for a while how I felt about you and kept pushing me. Hell, I thought my sisters were going to call you at one point.” Eric stepped back.
Speed looked at the younger man. “Your family is fine with this?”
Eric nodded and turned towards the tree. “Yeah, they just want me happy.”
The New Yorker closed his eyes against the emotion that suddenly overwhelmed him. “Speed…” He opened his eyes to see Eric looking at him with love in his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, its just…I can honestly say this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.” He blinked back the tears.
The Russian Cuban pulled Speed into his arms. “It’s the first of many.”
~ Delko Residence ~
“Momma…” Eric called as he entered the house.
Clorinda stood inside the hallway, her eyes searching the doorway. Her youngest son moved out of the doorway to show his guest. “My dear.” She moved past Eric and hugged Speed.
Eric looked at his mom, “Gee, I feel the love.”
She turned towards him and kissed him on the cheek. “Breakfast is almost ready so hurry and sit down, the kids are itching for the tree.”
Eric hung up their coats. “It’s a Delko tradition. Breakfast first then dive into the tree.”
“I don’t have gifts.” Speed started to panic.
“No worries.” The younger man pulled him close. “You’re here, that’s the most important thing.”
“Okay, love birds that’s enough, sit, eat… before I sic the twins on you.” Clorinda grinned.
“Twins?” Speed asked as they walked into the kitchen. He froze; his instinct was to run. The room was filled with family, kids, and pets.
“My oldest sister’s kids, the two are hell on earth.” He pointed out a set of dark haired boys. “They’re five and hyper…”
“Kinda like you,” Speed smirked.
Eric glared at him. “Just for that, you get to sit next to them.”
“ERIC!” Clorinda glared at her son.
Speed tried not to snicker, then whispered, “Tell me she and Alexx have not met.”
“And I plan to keep it that way,” Eric whispered back.
“Hi, I’m Pavel, Eric’s father.” An older man stepped up to Speed. “Since my son has forgotten his manners and failed to introduce everyone.”
“Tim.” Speed held out his hand.
“I thought it was Speed? I’m Marisol the third oldest sister.” She eyed Eric. “It’s always Speed this, Speed that.”
“My nickname.” The New York native tried not to blush.
“Where did you get it? I’m Maria the oldest. That is my husband John and our twin boys Matthew and Ryan.” Maria pulled him towards the table. “Matthew behave.”
“From his bike,” Eric answered sitting down.
“You ride?” John asked.
“What type of bike?” another man asked. Speed figured it was the middle sister’s husband.
“Paul…” She smiled at Speed. “Sorry, I’m Helena…”
“So what type of bike?” both men asked.
“Ducati,” Speed answered.
Both paused grinned and looked back at him. “So Speed is very fitting. I like him, better than those twit women you brought home.”
“Thanks.” Eric glared at them.
“He’s got better taste in rides that’s for sure.” John grabbed Ryan as he tried to run around the table. “Sit.”
“Though we should wonder about his taste in men.” Maria eyed her brother. “Are you sure you want him? I know some nice guys…”
Speed laughed lightly as he watched the siblings start teasing each other. “I’m sure, though I’ve also been known to do some insane things.”
The table laughed, easily accepting Speed into the family .
“Can I ride your bike?” Matthew asked.
“NO!” the whole table shouted.
~*~
“I don’t have anything for the family…” Speed turned towards Clorinda.
“Nonsense, you’re here, that’s what matters.” She patted his arm and moved into the living room.
“Told you.” Eric pulled Speed into the room, sitting them both down on the couch. “The rule is we all open one gift first, youngest to oldest, then its free for all.”
Speed nodded, just watching the activities. He had never experienced anything like this. Christmas at his family was formal. Each person had opened all their gifts in quiet and gave appropriate sentiments at the right times. He was a bit surprised when a box was put in front of him, a rather large box.
He read the tag. “Santa.”
“Everyone gets a gift from Santa,” Matthew told him matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, Speed everyone.” Eric smiled at him.
“Speaking of how did you get the tree in without me waking up?” he asked.
Eric looked at him confused. “Tree?”
“The Christmas tree,” Speed explained.
“It was there when I got there,” the younger man said, confused.
Speed blinked a few times shaking his head. “I….”
“Eric open your gift.” The three sisters grinned at him.
Eric paused fear coursing through his veins. “I don’t think I want to.” He looked over at his brothers-in-law. “Do you know what they are up to?” Both shook their head no. Eric carefully ripped the paper and once he got a good look at his gift, he blushed bright red and put the gift behind his back. “I’ll kill you all later and I know how to hide the bodies.”
The three sisters were laughing hysterically. His parents looked at him. “What did they do?”
Speed reached behind Eric and pulled out the gift. He blushed as much as Eric, but was snickering as he put it back behind Eric. “It’s a good book.” Which just got the sisters laughing even harder.
“I can’t believe you three did that.” Eric glared at them.
“We figured it would be helpful.” Maria calmed enough to answer. “And especially now since you finally got your head out of your…” She glanced at the kids. “Backside.”
“What book?” Clorinda asked, eyeing her girls. They were mischievous at best, down right sneaky at worst.
John reached over the couch and pulled the book out from behind Eric, ignoring his brothers-in-law’s cries. He looked at his wife and shook his head. “Its an instructional book, momma.”
“On?” Pavel paused, then blushed. “Never mind I don’t want to know.”
“Speed you’re up.” Eric tried to distract everyone from his predicament.
The Trace expert shook his head then took his package. He cringed at the written out ‘Timothy, from Santa’. He tore back a corner and gasped, slowly he pulled off the rest of the wrapping, and just stared at it.
“A chemistry set?” Eric looked at his mother. “Like he doesn’t have a whole lab to play with.”
Clorinda looked at her husband. “Honey, that wasn’t what we bought. I thought you…”
Speed set the package down and stood up. “Excuse me.” He moved toward the door, tears in his eyes.
Eric jumped up and followed him out the door. “Speed.”
“Did you do that?” he demanded.
“Do what?” Eric grabbed his boyfriend and pulled him close. “What’s wrong?”
“The chemistry set…” Speed looked up at Eric. “I… when I was nine that’s all I ever wanted. I even asked Santa…”
“I don’t understand…” he said.
The older man took a deep breath trying to calm himself down. “I never got it. My parents bought me a baseball mitt and bat trying to make me into a jock; they didn’t like the fact I was a science geek.” Speed looked up at Eric.” That photo with Santa. I had told him about the chemistry set and that after that Christmas I didn’t believe in Santa.”
“What did he say?” the younger man asked.
Speed laid his head onto Eric’s shoulder, “He said he couldn’t fix the past and then he asked what my Christmas wish was.”
“What was it?” Eric whispered.
“You.” He looked up and kissed him softly.
Eric held him close. “Your Christmas wish came true.”
“But the chemistry set, it’s the exact one I had asked for when I was child,” Speed explained.
The younger man paused. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “Did you put that tree up?”
“No.” Eric shook his head. “I thought it was yours, I was a bit surprised since you said you didn’t celebrate.”
“You don’t think…” Speed questioned.
Eric pulled him close and kissed him. “I believe in Christmas miracles.” Speed looked up. “What are you doing?”
“Isn’t this the moment in the sappy chick flick when it snows unexpectedly.” he asked looking around. Then frowned as small white flakes started to fall. He and Eric looked up to see the sisters pouring fake snow out of the windows.
“Just setting the mood,” Maria yelled out. “This is when you get on your knee Eric.”
“We just got together,” Eric yelled back up then sighed as he looked back at a snickering Speed.
“I prefer diamonds, nothing less than a caret,” Speed deadpanned.
Eric laughed, gave him a quick kiss, and then pulled him back inside. “Come on, let’s get this over with so we can enjoy more humiliation at Alexx’s.”
“Sure Alexx, that’s perfect, we’ll be over in an hour.” Clorinda hung up her cell phone.
“I thought you said they didn’t know each other?” Speed asked his boyfriend.
“Oh God we’re doomed.” Eric looked up and prayed.
Clorinda smacked him on the arm. “Speed, I hope the gift didn’t upset you…”
“No, it just brought back some old memories. I’ve always wanted one.” Speed assured her.
“No blowing up the lab.” Eric went and looked at the set. “Wow this dates back to 1983…” He looked up at Speed. “You were nine…”
Speed paused as did the household when the heard the distinct sound of sleigh bells. Everyone turned towards the sisters, who were staring at them equally shocked.
‘Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.’