Chapter 10
Ten
Tig
I woke up and reached for Isaac. Normally he was wrapped around me but this morning his side of the bed was cold. I tried to remember noticing him getting up but apparently, I was more tired than I thought and slept far deeper. “Babe?”
“Hey, I’m out here,” he yelled from the kitchen.
After a stretch and throwing on a pair of sweatpants, I stumbled out to find him cooking something. “What are you doing?” I walked over and gripped his hips while looking over his shoulder.
“I’m making chili. I wanted to get it all going then it can sit in the crockpot until we’re ready to take it to the fire station,” he explained before kissing my cheek.
“You have a crockpot?” I asked because I sure as hell didn’t.
“Of course. I just haven’t busted it out for a while. It’s nice coming home to dinner already cooked.”
“Then we are definitely need to start using it. What time are we dropping it off?”
“Around noon. I want to make sure it’s there when they need it.
Plus, we can just leave it in the crockpot, and it’ll be ready when they are,” Isaac said.
“I’m excited to open presents tonight.” He lifted his shoulders in excitement before wrapping me up in his arms. “I hope you like what I got you.”
I knew he’d been stressing it, but it didn’t matter if it was a can of soup.
If it came from Isaac, I’d love it. Well, maybe not a can of soup.
All that really mattered was this was the first Christmas we were a couple and hopefully the first of many.
I glanced at the tree and grinned at how many packages were under it.
Many years I didn’t have anyone to give a gift to, and many more I just didn’t celebrate at all.
Not this year. This year was going to be great.
“I already love it, and I hope you like what I got you,” I said, and tried to hold back my smile.
Every time Isaac had mentioned he needed something the past month, I’d ordered it for him no matter how small or insignificant.
Plus, I had a few fun gifts I hoped he thought could be a little exciting. “What time are we doing presents?”
“Whenever you want. I thought we could eat at the firehall if there’s enough for everyone who needs it or we could go to the diner.”
“Let’s go to the diner, it’ll make it special,” I said and realized how much I liked that idea too. I wanted us to start building traditions and memories that we could share for a lifetime because Isaac was my everything and the more shared experiences the better.
“That sounds great, baby,” he said and put the lid on the crockpot.
“Now, how about some coffee?” I asked.
“It’s like you could read my mind,” he said and put some bread in the toaster while I made him his usual cup of decaf and started my cup of caffeinated heaven.
“We have a lot going on today and tomorrow,” I said and handed him his coffee. A light rain fell outside, but it was cold and I was still holding out hope for snow.
“Yeah, but we have the rest of the week off, so we’ll have time to be lazy and watch movies, and fuck whenever we want to,” he said.
“That does sound nice,” I said and took a bite of the toast he handed me. “And we’re probably not going to need to eat for a few days after tomorrow.” Last year there was plenty of food, but I had been nervous about being with Isaac and very preoccupied with him so hadn’t eaten much.
“Tig, look,” Isaac said and opened the blinds, pulling me out of my thoughts. Light flakes of snow had started to fall just like they’d predicted.
“Well, what do you know, they were right,” I said and the two of us moved closer to stare out the window.
“It’s going to be the best Christmas ever,” he said.
After packing up the chili, crockpot and all, we drove to the fire station. “Whoa, everyone is here,” I said because with how many cars were parked nearby, it looked like most of the town was here.
“There’re a lot of people in town who need help this year, and even more that are just lonely.
This really was a great idea,” Isaac said.
He carried the box that held the crockpot, cornbread, and a few other things we’d thrown in.
“Hey, Mr. Atkins, you’re here early.” Isaac said as we shook his hand.
“I figured I’d give the rocker a break today,” he said before directing us where to take the food. The kitchen area was full of people either mixing something, cooking, or chopping. Isaac took the crockpot out and after greeting a few people we were ready to leave.
“I got you a little something,” he said to Mr. Atkins and handed him the small gift he’d brought with him.
“Go ahead and open it.” We both waited while he carefully unwrapped the beanie Isaac bought him.
“It has a headlight so when you’re wandering around town before the sun is up, you’ll be able to see.
If you need a ride home later just give me a call,” Isaac said to Mr. Atkins who patted him on the back and slipped the knit hat on.
“Thank you, Isaac, that was very thoughtful of you,” Mr. Atkins said before hurrying back to the kitchen area. The snow had continued to fall while we were inside, and even though it wasn’t heavy it was starting to build up on the sides of the streets.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” I asked when Isaac stood at the door like he wasn’t ready to leave.
“I’m sure. Let’s go see what’s happening at the diner,” he said and took my hand. We drove the short distance, and I was again shocked at how many people were there.
“Is it normal for so many to be out on Christmas Eve?”
“No, it’s probably the snow.” The town tree was just down the street, and a few families were walking in that direction, bundled up against the cold while enjoying the snow that had now come two years in a row.
I looked around at all the lights and decorations that gave a warm glow to the small town I now considered home and tried to remember if I’d ever felt more at home anyplace else.
Some might have been decorated more or had other activities during the season.
But nothing would ever beat the people in Foggy Basin that made everyone feel welcome and never judged.
Well, most of them anyway. There were always a few assholes anywhere you lived.
But I felt truly blessed to find the man I love and a home all while finding some of the best friends I’d ever had.
“What sounds good?” Isaac asked, breaking me out of my thoughts and making me realize I’d been on autopilot since we’d left the fire station.
“Anything that involves you,” I said making him grin. He probably thought I was being funny, but I meant it. I meant every word.