"Fuzzy!" Ian yelled, trying to separate the dog from the ribbon it had entangled it self in. "Would you hold still for one second!"
But the dog yipped, and snapped, and wiggled, making it worse instead of better. Soon Ian would be tangled into the mess up to his elbows.
Cedric was unable to contain his laughter a moment longer.
"Oh, heavens," he gasped between bursts of laughter. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph."
"I know the personell to the Nativity story," Ian huffed in mock annoyance. "Some help, please?"
"Sit," Cedric said in a kind voice and the dog plopped on its butt.
"Why does he never does that when I tell him?" Ian asked exasperated. "It's like he isn't able to hear my voice or something."
A minute later, Cedric had separated ribbon, dog and man.
The dog got a pet on the head, the man a kiss on the mouth and the ribbon was neatly rolled up.
"It's time we get ready for dinner," Ian yawned, stretching his back until it popped. "I'm hungry."
Cedric smiled while he taped the gift wrap on an extra large pack of disposable cleaning gloves together. His accuracy had gotten him the job of wrapping everything in Christmas themed wrapping paper. Ian showed off unexpected talent at creating bows. But no lame one ribbon bows. They where multicolored and looked a bit as if a unicorn had thrown up green, red and golden frill over the parcels.
"Two pieces to go and we are done here," Cedric said, leaning over and kissing the sliver of skin showing under the hem of the shirt that was still sitting higher than usual thanks to Ian and his never-ending stretching sessions.
"Thank god," Ian moaned, a sound that gave Cedric a little thrill. He liked it how vocal Ian was in bed.
An hour later they went through the door at Carluccio's near Manchester Opera House. Cedric was sure that Ian spend most of his money on food. He wasn't picky and had a favorite kebab house as much as a favorite Italian place. With cloth napkins or only a bar to stand at, as long as the food was good, Ian was happy.
"You have to order the pasta melanzana," he told Cedric while they took their seats. "It's a Sicilian specialty and it's divine here."
The first time they went out together, Cedric wasn't sure of how Ian would behave outside his own home. It was his first homosexual relationship and Cedric counted on the affectionate little gestures Ian made a lot at home to be less and far between.
He had been wrong.
With Cedric being left handed and Ian right handed, they had been holding hands all during the meal on top of the table.
Ian had kissed his neck when he helped him with his coat, entwining their fingers on their walk home, nuzzling his cheek every now and then.
It had never been like that before.
Some of Cedric's boyfriends that been straight to the world, so going out wasn't ever a thing to be considered. Others had never understood why he would have the urge to hold their hand. It had made Cedric feeling like showing affection was wrong.
Now there was someone who loved to touch and caress as much as he did. It was stunning and something Cedric wanted to never lose again.
Tonight holding hands was impossible. Indian food you could eat with one fork. Italian was a different animal completely.
But they had fun, Ian making him laugh out loud with stories from the station.
And then it happened.
A man with gray at his temples and in his neatly groomed beard approached the table, a woman, Cedric guessed it to be is wife by his side.
"Good to see you, Ian," the man said, shaking Ian's hand after he got up.
"Sir," Ian said with a bright smile.
"This is my wife, Ronda," the man introduced the woman.
Ian shook that hand too and Cedric couldn't help himself but preparing for the moment he was introduced as a friend. He believed that Ian loved him and knew deep in his heart he wouldn't deny him in front of others, but... old habits and expectations weren't broken as fast as he sometimes wished they were.
"So good to meet you," Ian smiled pleasantly. "May I introduce you to Cedric, my boyfriend."
Cedric's heart skipped a beat. And after one beat another.
"This is Edward Rowland, my Area Manager with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service," Ian continued the introductions while Cedric got up himself, shaking hands and exchanging 'how do you do' s.
After a minute or two the Rowlands went on to their table.
The silence on their little table stretched and Cedric needed to attempts at laying his hand into Ian's that waited for him palm up on the table.
"You okay?" Ian asked softly.
Cedric nodded, needing a moment, not able to look into his lovers eyes.
Ian caressed his hand with a thumb and Cedric felt like he was trying to tell him a thousand things that way. Everything is fine. I'm here. Take your time.
"Thank you," Cedric whispered after a little while.
"For what?" Ian asked stunned, obviously having no idea what Cedric was talking about.
"Just, thank you," Cedric iterated a bit helpless, lost for words.
Thank you for truly loving me.
Thank you that you are not ashamed for me.
He would tell Ian later.
"If you want to thank me for not pretending we are just friends, then don't," Ian said in a soft voice and Cedric's head snapped up. "I love you," Ian went on when their eyes met. "I want the world to know. You are the greatest thing in my life. Even better than Fuzzy."
"So it's Fuzzy, then?" Cedric asked, swallowing hard against the stinging in his eyes. His smile surely looked a bit watery anyway.
"Yah, sorry, mate. It's decided," Ian smiled warmly. "I know a dog in Australia that is called Blaze already."
"You know that we are moving to New Zealand, right?" Cedric teased tenderly hardening his grip on Ian's hand for a moment, hoping he understood it meant 'I love you'.
"Sure, but Blaze is Miranda's dog and Miranda is my best friend, so we will see each other a lot."
The short squeeze back made Cedric's heart jump a little.
"Im going to tell my boss yes, tomorrow," Cedric said, losing himself in Ian's bright eyes.
"I have already contacted a friend that is also a firefighter who moved to New Zealand a few years back," Ian grinned, forking veggies into his mouth.
They finished their meal and went home, taking the dog for an evening walk.
Later, cuddled together under the covers, Cedric let out a shuddering breath.
"Do we have to go to that... blasted... Christmas Eve party tomorrow?" he asked into Ian's neck.
"Yes, we do. And not even a promise of rimming me into oblivion is going to change my mind," Ian confirmed.
"Because you know I'm doing it anyway?" Cedric whispered, his wide eyes meeting Ian's gaze that went nearly black in an instant.
"Would you?" Ian asked, his voice breathy, his heartbeat picking up under Cedric's hand.
"I would," he purred, feeling heat rising in his body only thinking about how Ian gave himself over when Cedric did it.
It didn't take him very long to coax these mewling moans from Ian that made the dog howl every time it was awake.
Cedric snickered under his breath.
His sense of humor was maybe a bit peculiar, but it was funny.
Every. Damn. Time.
Sorry, no time for prove reading at the moment, will come later :-)
Have to clean a bit and then I have to write at least the chapter for tomorrow :-D
Thank you again for still reading! We are head on diving into the fun of family Christmas tomorrow. You are astonished that I need 8 chapters to tell the story of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
You won't ask again, once I'm done ;-)
Thanks for all your votes and comments!!!
Love you all,
Lulu