Chapter 12 Bertie
BERTIE
“You’re not getting away without a holiday hug,” I say. Orion put on his mask again, damn it all, but his eyes crinkle in the most adorable way when he opens those long, hunky arms.
I savor the feeling for as long as it lasts, completely enveloped by my GingerGiant, trying to convince myself he holds me longer than is socially acceptable. Or maybe that’s me…I can’t seem to force myself to let go.
Hideo walks up and puts a hand on his shoulder, saying, “Always a pleasure, Orion.” Then he bends and ruffles the hair on a very tired puppy. “You too, Jake. You come back and visit us, okay? And bring your man with you, too.”
Then my GingerGiant is walking down the steps, and I have to sigh. No kiss.
No kiss, yet.
We join the others and Bob says, “We should get out of your hair too. We have a busy day tomorrow, off to see Carl’s brother, and kids, and grandkids. That’s always an adventure.”
“Sounds like great fun,” I say, and I know this from experience.
My sister also throws a big family Christmas celebration, although Hideo and I haven’t been able to carve out the travel time for it the last few years.
But that’s what online shopping is for. “I assume you’ll come laden with presents. ”
“Naturally, like all good guncles, but mercifully, our kitchen duties are finished for the holidays—she’s doing all the cooking.”
Pops adds with a stage whisper, “That’s what he says now.”
“I hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of Orion,” Bob says. “He’s a sweetie. So shy, but I bet he’ll be a handful when he comes out of his shell.”
“Seriously guys, mention the Beard Bash again,” Carl suggests. “He’ll love it.”
After the obligatory round of hugs, Hideo and I are left with a quiet, and very messy, house.
“Let’s put away the perishables and leave the rest for tomorrow,” Hideo suggests, and I’m all for that. I had more of the Prosecco than I care to admit.
The trio refused any leftovers since they’re heading to their family gig, so there’s more than enough left over for a Christmas Day feast. That will make things easy (and delicious) tomorrow. We usually use the day to unwind, doing absolutely nothing, far, far away from work.
“I didn’t get my kiss!” I complain as I’m packing up the remaining cookies, remembering Orion helping me cook, and sneaking treats to Jake, and braiding beards with Carl. I thought for sure I’d get my kiss when he left, but it all happened so fast.
“Let’s remedy that,” Hideo says, gathering me up and laying a juicy one on me. Such a nice holiday treat!
“Maybe another?” I suggest. “They wear off so quickly.”
His lips are warm and inviting, and I marvel, for the thousandth time, how perfectly we fit together.
This is the one place, here in his arms, where I feel truly comfortable, and safe.
But just the same, my mind strays to Orion, and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like with him.
Exciting? Definitely. Comfortable? I don’t know… maybe once he got past his shyness.
“Everything okay, BertieBear?”
“All good. I had a great time tonight. I’m just distracted.”
My hubby laughs and says, “Distracted by a certain giant with a ginger beard?”
He knows me so well, and that may be one of the main reasons we’ve been so happy together these many years.
“You caught me,” I admit.
He laughs even louder then, and says, “Ha! And I bet that kiss you were lamenting was meant for him!”
I feel myself flush. I know there’s no problem, but still, this wasn’t my best moment. I keep it light, but still have a tiny trace of worry. “You know I can’t hide anything from you. Guilty as charged.”
He pulls me in again and gives me a theatrical, lusty smooch, “God, I love you, BertieBear. Don’t be shy about it. He’s been on my mind all evening too, after you mentioned it. I didn’t get a kiss either, at least from him.”
So, we’re both on the same page after all. Maybe it’s time to step this up and make it happen, if it’s going to happen, and the holidays are the perfect time, custom made for good cheer and warm embraces. Then it hits me—it’s so obvious. The answer is right in front of us.
“Let’s invite him over tomorrow,” I suggest. “Just the three of us, rather, the four of us. Maybe some holiday magic will happen.”
I fall into bed after the minimal chores are done and watch Hideo as he strips off his shirt and heads into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
He’s so comfortable in his body, and still the most appealing man I’ve ever met.
When he first walked into the bakery, buying provisions for an important meeting at the clinic, I knew instantly he was the one for me.
Tall and handsome with a striking physique, and a face that approaches delicate while remaining profoundly masculine…
and that dark hair and beard. My fingers itch, as they always do, to explore.
The years are catching up with him, as they are rapidly with me, but I adore the way his sharp angles are slowly softening in step with the gentle currents of our life.
But it’s time to stir up those currents and see if life has some new excitement planned for us downstream. I grab my phone and get to work.
Hey Orion. Are you still up?
After a minute or two, I say, “I think we wore him out. He must be in bed.”
“I’m not surprised…it’s getting late,” Hideo mumbles, mouth full of toothpaste.
Then my phone chimes.
Just went to bed and reading. Jake is off in doggy dreamland.
Such a sweet pup!
That he is.
Whatcha reading?
Old SciFi.
Spill!
Samuel Delany.
Einstein Intersection?
Later.
Dahlgren?
Getting warmer…
“Oh, man!” I call to Hideo. “He’s such a tease!”
“What on earth are you guys doing on that phone?”
“Get your mind out of the gutter, at least for now. He’s a SciFi fan!”
“Ah,” Hideo says, slipping under the covers. “Now I know I’m doomed. Your turn in the bathroom.”
I hand him the phone and dash off. While I’m flossing, he laughs, then laughs louder. I knew I shouldn’t have given him my phone.
“Have you been gossiping about me?” I complain when I get back to bed.
“See for yourself,” he says, handing back the phone. He adds, “It’s so refreshing to text in full sentences.”
I scan through their conversation.
Hi Orion—this is Hideo—BertieBear is brushing his teeth.
Thanks again for inviting me and Jake. It was fun meeting your friends.
They are great. I think you just charmed my hubby.
Oh?
Yep. BertieBear is a big SciFi fan.
Thanks for the intel. I never guessed. BTW, I love that name for him. Fits him perfectly.
I agree. He’s eminently huggable. Do you know his nickname for you? It’s right here on his phone.
He has a name for me?
You have met him, haven’t you?
:)
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. And…?
I punch Hideo on the shoulder and say, “You’re giving away all my secrets!”
This is Bertie again. I see Hideo has been telling tales.
I’m still waiting.
If you must know, you’re GingerGiant in my Contacts.
I’ll take that. :) I am freakishly tall, and ginger head to foot. Thanks.
“I so, so, so want to kiss this man,” I say. Now I’m imagining ginger fur, everywhere, and I want to do a lot more than kiss. Ginger chest and ginger abs, furry ginger legs, bushy ginger pubes…augh! How am I going to get to sleep tonight?
“Go ahead—ask him over tomorrow,” Hideo says. “Maybe we’ll have a holiday miracle.”
As I’m trying to craft a non-threatening but flirty way to do this, I get another text.
I’m glad you texted. I wanted to ask you guys something.
Yes?
I didn’t finish my holiday decorations this year. Do you want to come over and help me put up my tree? I usually binge some Next Generation too.
Hideo is watching over my shoulder and says, “And there it is…you just got your present from Santa.”
I take a deep breath and force myself to type slowly, so I won’t make any mistakes.
We’d love to! We have tons of leftovers from the party.
Let’s call it brunch. I’ll make mimosas. Drop in when you’re ready.
I’m so ready.
:) Sweet dreams.
Holiday hugs.
“Hooray,” I cheer. “This is going to be great fun.”
“Hooray,” Hideo says, with considerably less cheer. “An afternoon in the Federation.” He’s not a SciFi fan, and he’s probably seen enough episodes to last the rest of his life. Then he brightens up and adds, “But I can always play fetch with Jake.”
As Hideo turns off the light, I ask, “Hidie-ho, could you lose the t-shirt tonight? I want to cuddle.”
“You know, I think it’s already Christmas Day. Maybe you’d like to unwrap me yourself?”