Christmastime at Papa Lee's Read online

  “I love you, son.”

  Casey couldn’t answer, but he nodded against his father’s shoulder as he wept. He felt his brothers lean in and also wrap their arms around him in a hug. After a moment, it got to be too much for him, and he pulled away from them and walked over to Marty.

  “Thank you for doing this for me. I’ll never forget this.”

  He could see the relief on Marty’s face when he answered.

  “I know how much you missed them. I needed to make today special for you.”

  Casey laughed and stepped back after giving Marty a kiss of thanks. He turned back to his father and stepbrothers and saw Astrid had come to join them. He smiled as someone turned on Christmas carols to float through the speakers overhead. The sounds of laughter came from the volunteer staff, and Casey cleared his throat.

  “It’s time to open the doors and show everyone what Christmastime at Papa Lee’s is all about. Are you here to help, or are you heading off to somewhere else?”

  “We’re here to help,” Astrid quickly answered. “We’re here to spend the day with you in your new life.”

  Casey couldn’t believe how happy those few simple sentences would make him feel.

  § § §

  Marty sat back as the day passed in a blur of food and the hungry. He watched as his lover interacted with the family he thought he’d lost, and he was happy, knowing he brought them here today. He had given his boyfriend the one thing his heart craved. He would have worried he was going to lose Casey to the family he once had, but the looks of love and the kisses each time Casey passed by told him he had nothing to worry about. Casey’s younger brothers, who both turned out to be a delight, won the hearts of many of the workers both family and volunteer, and it was obvious they adored their big brother with the same ferociousness Casey seemed to adore them.

  This was the reason he was going to be happy with whatever part of Casey he could have. Closing his eyes, Marty made a Christmas wish: he wished that the love he could see in his lover’s eyes remained there for the rest of their lives. He also wished Casey would come to see how much he was loved in return.

  If Marty could have asked for any one thing in his life, he would have to say he already had his wish in the form of the beautiful goth man standing across the room surrounded by both their families.

  Christmas this year was proving to be the best ever.

  About the Author

  NJ needs to write like she needs to breathe… It is an addiction that she never intends to find a cure for. When you don’t find NJ writing about the wonderful men in her stories you find her reading work by others… NJ lives in the SE of Qld, Australia with her family who all encourage her writing career even if she does occasionally call them by her character’s names… NJ thinks that anyone taking the time to read her stuff is totally awesome.

  Trademarks Acknowledgment

  The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Beetle: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Corporation Sleepless in Seattle: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, TriStar Pictures