38
Christmas Miracle
Cosimo stretched out his arms, then rested them behind his head while he admired James as he stooped to pick up his clothes.
“Where are you going in such a hurry this morning?” he smirked at James, watching him slip on his previously discarded underwear.
“I thought since you cooked last night, and I don’t need to work today, I should take advantage of that fact, and cook you breakfast.” James beamed.
“Really?” replied Cosimo dryly.
“What? You think I can’t cook? Or are you worried that I might mess up your pristine kitchen?
” James arched his brow and put his hands on his hips.
Over the last nine months James had got used to Cosimo’s extreme tendencies towards perfection.
His home was immaculate and organised to military precision.
He found it surprisingly comforting, compared to his erratic and disorganised way of life.
“No, not at all.” Cosimo furrowed his brow, a little disturbed that James had voiced his exact thoughts.
“Good, so what do you fancy?” James asked haughtily, knowing full well Cosimo was lying so he wouldn’t hurt his feelings.
Cosimo raised his eyebrows lewdly and swept his gaze over James, twisting his mouth, his unspoken answer.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t try that move on me Cos. I’m talking about food,” he mock chastised.
“Spoilsport. Well, in that case, coffee and toast will have to do.”
James crossed his arms and scowled. “Seriously? Cos, over the last few months I’ve spent eighty percent of my time at your house.
The most I’ve ever done here is pour a glass of wine or help myself to a beer, maybe made a coffee.
This weekend is the first one I’ve had off since we’ve been together and I want to spoil you for a change. ”
Cosimo shuffled up so he was sitting in bed. “You do spoil me James,” he said earnestly.
“I don’t mean it like that. We never spend time at my place, so I can’t look after you. We’re always here and I…”
“Don’t you like being here?” Cosimo asked softly.
“I didn’t say that. Jeez. Cos, I love it here, you know that,” he sighed, unsure of whether he wanted to open up this conversation.
“I just can’t… “ James took a deep breath and waited a beat. “You know what, just forget it.” James shrugged. He didn’t want to argue.
They’d had such a great few days together, he’d finally met his family and he really didn’t want to spoil it.
“I’ll go and put the coffee on.” He smiled tightly and headed out of the bedroom leaving Cosimo staring blankly after him.
Cosimo shut his eyes tightly and fell back against the bed.
James was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
He put up with his long hours, he fell in with his plans and Lord only knew how many times he’d stood him up.
He had never demanded anything from him and was the kindest and most thoughtful man he’d ever come across.
The poor guy wanted to make him breakfast, where’s the harm in that? Cosimo chastised himself.
James was right, he practically lived here, and Cosimo couldn’t even remember the last time he’d been to his flat.
He thought it was weird that a landscaper didn’t have a garden but as James explained he had a multitude of gardens that he worked on and nurtured every day.
Cosimo chuckled to himself thinking back to when James had first seen his rather sparse garden.
Over the last few months James had transformed it into what can only be described as an enchanting extension of his home.
The whole area had been redesigned with vibrant green grass surrounding a square sunken seating area around an outside fireplace.
The plants and flowers were fragrant including an extensive herb garden that softened the otherwise urban design.
There was wooden decking and slate paving that connected the different levels of the garden.
The only original features left were a magnolia and two apple trees.
Cosimo swung his legs out of bed, quickly washed his face and brushed his teeth, then headed downstairs. If he wanted James to stick around he was going to have to bend a little.
By the time Cosimo had made it to the kitchen James had set the table and was checking on some croissants he’d defrosted and was warming up in the oven.
“Coffee’s ready and these need another five minutes,” James beamed.
Cosimo looked around his immaculate kitchen and dining room noting that James had opened the curtains, emptied the dishwasher and set the table.
The radio was playing softly in the background and James was humming along to a Christmas song, totally at home and at ease.
“You’ve been busy,” Cosimo said gently.
James shrugged and handed Cosimo his espresso.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I’m just stuck in my ways.” Cosimo arched his brow at James and he chuckled, knowing he was repeating his own words back to him.
“I know, its fine really. Just sit down and I’ll bring the croissants over, or do you still want toast?” he added dryly.
Cosimo pulled out a chair and sat down, continuing to watch James busy himself collecting jars of jams and the butter dish. He placed them on the table, then went back to place the croissants in a basket.
“No, croissants sound better,” he conceded, then added, “I want you to feel comfortable here James.”
“I do Cos, really. Just forget it, okay? You’re probably right, I’d make a right mess in here.
It’s a miracle I haven’t trashed anything up until now!
” he joked, determined not to ruin their time together.
Cosimo hadn’t really ever had a long-term relationship before and after so many years of being alone it was hard for him to change.
James smiled to himself. At least he’d met the family.
It was a big step for Cosimo and James knew that.
Cosimo’s brow creased and he played with the tie of his dressing gown.
The dressing gown James had bought him for Christmas.
Joining him, James put down the basket of hot croissants then his own coffee on the table.
He knew James was trying to make light of his previous faux pas, avoiding a confrontation and self-deprecation was his way of diffusing an awkward situation.
But the truth was, Cosimo knew he was at fault.
He wanted James here, wanted his company, his care, his easy manner.
His day always started better when he woke up next to James and on the occasions when he wasn’t around Cosimo felt like something was missing.
“There we are, I think that’s everything,” James said brightly.
“Thank you. This is perfect.”
They ate for a few minutes, the radio filling in the silence.
“I’m going to have to go to La Casa on New Year’s Eve.” Cosimo took a sip from his coffee and James nodded. “I’d really like you to come, if you’d like to that is.”
“Of course I’d like to.” James shook his head and grinned to himself. Breaking a croissant in half, he buttered it, then added a dollop of apricot jam. “Two family functions in a week. Are you sure Cos? I mean, I wouldn’t want to intrude,” he said wryly, stifling a grin.
“James,” Cosimo sighed, pausing for a moment. How could he explain that this was still too new for him and he wasn’t entirely at ease with this new development in his private life. “I wouldn’t ask you if I wasn’t sure.”
James nodded and reached for another croissant while Cosimo took another sip from his cup.
“I’ll need to go home today; I haven’t been since Christmas Eve. What have you got planned?”
“Not much, I was hoping we’d spend it together. Go for a drive somewhere.” Cosimo tilted his head to one side.
“Okay. But I still need to swing by my place.” James rose from his seat and headed to the kitchen. “Another coffee?”
“Yes, sure. Why do you need to go to your place?”
James started up the coffee machine and slipped the cups under.
“Clothes, I need to put washing in,” James muttered, he loved being at Cosimo’s but the logistics made it tiring. He needed to have enough of the right kind of clothes with him for any eventuality.
Cosimo shifted in his chair to look over to where James was leaning absent-mindedly against the kitchen counter.
“You can wash your clothes here.”
“I still need some stuff though,” insisted James.
Cosimo was about to suggest he brought more of his belongings over when he was interrupted by his phone ringing. He still couldn’t grasp how James seemed to be happy with very little, living out of a small holdall, with the bare minimum.
Arsenio’s name flashed across his screen.
“Hey Seni, how are you?”
“Good, well not that good actually. Scott followed Liz down to her mother’s and the trainer’s there too.” He didn’t see the point in beating around the bush. The situation with Liz was escalating and every day that passed by Arsenio felt more and more uneasy.
“You mean together?” Cosimo said clearly shocked, misunderstanding Arsenio.
Arsenio explained to Cosimo that she’d left on Boxing Day with the children and Jerome confirmed to him that she would be there until Sunday.
Jonathan had also gone down to Birmingham but had checked into a nearby hotel.
They’d spent a few hours together on Boxing Day and practically all day on Friday.
“Jeez, she really doesn’t care does she?”
“She’s a fucking bitch,” snarled Arsenio.
James quietly cleared up the kitchen as Cosimo continued to make arrangements.
“Are you free today? I thought we should meet up at my office with Paul, just so we can see how best to handle this. Scott and Gary have enough information now. I’ve told them to head back today. The poor guys have followed them all that way and didn’t have anything with them,” Arsenio huffed.
Cosimo’s gaze flitted over to James. He was hoping to spend the whole day with him. Maybe he could meet up with Arsenio while James collected his things.
“What time do you want to meet?”
“Well it’s nearly ten now, can you make it in an hour?”
“Sure. I’ll see you there.”