Epilogue
Half an hour later, maybe two, or maybe far less than that, the carolers had wound their way back around the block. James lay on his back, Cillian draped halfway across him, in the bed they’d made their way to. Eventually.
He stroked Cillian’s collarbone idly. “We really need to put the tree up.”
Cillian made a vague noise. “Tomorrow. Busy now. You called your folks?”
James hummed.
“They all right with the delay?”
“I’d say so.”
Cillian chuckled, jostling both of them. “How much teasing did you take? Any comments like ‘took you long enough’?”
“ So much. And a few. Enough that me and my bruised ego aren’t doing anything else tonight except staying here with you. That’s my reward.”
Cillian made an amused noise as he rested his chin on James’ chest. “You think we should get a different tree tomorrow? I dunno why I picked that one. It’s all flawed.”
“You might have a thing for the flawed.” James poked him in the ribs, not tickling, just making him yelp a little. “We’re not getting another tree. I like that one because it’s flawed. Messy. So am I. So are you.”
Cillian sat up a little, resting on one elbow to gaze down at him. “For true?”
“For true.” James drew him back down for one more kiss. Maybe two. “And we seem to be doing just fine, now. All things need is a little work. Wait and see. It’ll be gorgeous.”
“Is that a promise? Not just about the tree, I mean. About us. D’you really think we can make it?”
“I don’t think either of us would be here if I didn’t, neither me nor you. So shush, and enjoy, and just you wait and see.” James drew an X over his heart, then Cillian’s, and was rewarded by the brightest smile yet, bright as a Christmas star. “This is only the start. I promise.”
It was a promise to himself, as well. He wouldn’t fail to keep Christmas in his own way, with Cillian, for as long they both should live.
And in the end, it was one he happily kept.