Christmas Stars and Stripes - 1. A stripey gift

“I’ve got a Christmas present for you.”

“But you already gave me one.”

“Yeah, an official gift to be opened in front of parents. This one’s different.”

Eddie watched as Connor dug into his backpack and produced an oblong box wrapped in black and gold striped print paper. Oookay. Creative wrapping paper, if not very Christmas-y. Most likely another of the silly gag gifts Connor liked to present him with, although he rarely wrapped them so nicely.

“Hmm, is this why you dragged me up here?”

“Yes, and to escape our sisters arguing about what TV show to see, and perhaps getting a kiss or two.”

Eddie ignored Connor’s grin, opened the box and pulled out the gifts. Oh. My. God. He dropped the zebra striped... things back into the box. "Where the fuck did you buy this?"

“Duh, online of course. Why don’t you try them on? And you could wear them when we skype tomorrow.”

“My family is here! And they’ll be right next door at grandma’s house.” Eddie hissed. “What if they suddenly walk in?”

“That’s why I locked the door. Surely, you can do the same tomorrow night.”

“As if that won’t make them even more suspicious.” Eddie felt his face grow hot as he once more pulled the black and white striped jocks from the box. They weren’t too bad, even if they were made of some kind of satiny material. No, it was the thing underneath which had shocked him.

“I’m not taking a zebra-striped dildo with me to Houston. What if one of my nosy cousins finds it in my bag?”

Connor’s smile grew positively wicked. “Oh, you’re not going to use that. I am – but only if you wear the jock.”

Eddie gulped. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I’m ready to take the next step. Or I will be by the time you return.”

Eddie awarded him with a long smooch which left them both panting. Connor wasn’t exactly romantic, but he did make up for it by being a teasing but generous lover. And when those piercing blue eyes got all heated up with love and desire, Eddie felt like the luckiest guy in the world, in spite of the ridiculous stripey gift.

“I wish I could go with you, but I don’t want to desert Mom.” Connor ran his hand over the short blond stubble he’d decided to get the day before they moved in together at college. It suited him, but his boyfriend preferred the old look he’d fallen in love with. Connor was too stubborn, sometimes.

“I’m gonna miss you too, but it’s only five days. We’ll be back on the 27th and then we can spend the rest of the vacation together.” Eddie stuffed the jock deep into his backpack and gave Connor the box with a wicked grin of his own.

“At least we’ll celebrate New Year with each other.”

“And we’ll have next year together, and hopefully the future too.” Eddie pulled Connor closer for another long kiss, and the two guys stood with their arms around each other for a while.

“I know. I’m just being greedy.”

“Or needy,” Eddie teased.

Connor pushed him away with a mock scowl. “Shut up. Just because I had a little whine when Dad told me he and Richard would go on two weeks’ vacation. He’s always been there for Christmas, even after he and Mom got divorced.”

“Well, would you prefer a repeat of last year?” They sat down on Connor’s bed, and Eddie was surprised to see his boyfriend didn’t wince at the memory.

“I know it was mega awkward when Dad insisted on bringing Richard to the family Christmas. But even Mom admitted he was a great guest, once she got past the fact he and Dad were dating. He kept Lillibeth entertained with a story and games while we tidied up after the meal.”

“Did your mom know your Dad’s bi? Before he told her about Mr. Richard, I mean?”

Connor rolled his eyes. He was pretty sure his father was gay, but had bowed to society’s expectations and got married when he was twenty. Thank God he and Eddie didn’t have to pretend, but he understood why his dad didn’t dispute the bi epithet.

“I’ve never quite dared to ask, but I think he must have told her a while earlier. She took it very calmly when I came out to her at Thanksgiving.”

“Connor, your Mom would be calm if the roof fell in, or the Christmas tree caught fire.”

“Yeah, you’re right. My aunt’s Christmas decoration caught fire once, and Mom just grabbed the nearest blanket and smothered the flames before anyone else could react.”

“So your Dad probably knew she’d take it in her stride, when he asked about inviting his brand new partner for Christmas.”

“Well, he told me last month he’d given both of them a choice, after he found out Richard wasn’t going home to his family but was spending Christmas alone. They could go off together, or Richard could join our family celebrations.”

Both boys scowled at the thought of their favorite high school teacher not being welcome home for something he couldn’t help. Mr. Richard was a genuine good guy, a brilliant teacher, and the reason they had finally gotten to the point of admitting their feelings for each other. After being best friends for years they’d started to fall in love during their junior year, but kept it secret from each other.

When their teacher had instigated a new version of the traditional Secret Santa game, the two seniors had collaborated on embarrassing pranks aimed at the worst bullies and bigots. Planning to help other kids who were targeted as LGBT, whether they were or not, made it easy to come out to each other.

“Your Dad never hesitates to bite the bullet, does he? And you’re exactly the same.”

“Duh, just because I told you I wanted us to be boyfriends, the moment you came out to me.” Connor was pleased but not surprised their thoughts had taken the same direction. He’d never forget those anxious brown eyes as his handsome friend told him about being gay. The feeling of joy and relief had been huge for both of them.

“I admit I hoped that would be the case. I hadn’t expected you to kiss the hell out of me, almost before I said yes.”

“I’d already waited six months to kiss you. I wasn’t going to wait another damn second. Actions speak louder than words.”

“Yup, just like in the game.” They grinned at the memory of the tricks they had played on those schoolmates who used to delight in harassing others. Thinking of it, perhaps he shouldn’t have been surprised about the stripey stuff, considering Connor’s wicked sense of humor had shown itself in similar weird, but non-sexual ways at the time.

“I heard Richard had another successful go at it this year, but with less drama.”

“MmHmm, my brother said the same. But wait, you said your dad gave your mom a choice. Did she make a different decision this year?”

“No, Dad said he wanted to take Richard on a real holiday this year, to make up for the fact he couldn’t get away for more than two weeks in the summer. And don’t tell anyone, but I have the feeling they might come back married.”

“Wow, that’ll be a first for Eldorado. The gossip will be even more rampant than last year.”

“Don’t remind me. No one will ever forget that New Year’s party.”

They both fell over laughing.

“You know, I’ve sometimes wondered if your dad and Mr. Richard decided to come out as a couple to divert attention from us.”

“You still can’t get yourself to drop the Mr., eh?”

“I know he asked us to call him by his first name after we graduated, but it still feels weird. Anyway, you didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?” The blue eyes looked innocently puzzled.

“Jerk. Whether your dad staged his dramatic entry at his New Year’s party arm in arm with Mr. Richard in order to shut up the people who were saying stupid things about us. It all dried up after New Year. Nobody wants to get on the wrong side of your dad.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, but he’s never given any hint of it. I know he was proud to have such a handsome and clever man as his date. And you’ll have to admit it was a fast and efficient way to come out to the whole town.”

“God, yes, after the first stunned silence the gossip took off like wild fire. Talk about talk of the town. But they looked really great together, and so happy. I’d never seen our teacher smile like that before.”

Connor was silent while he pondered his boyfriend’s words.

“I hadn’t thought about it before, but it’s the same with Dad. He’s a lot more relaxed and happy, and they still look awesome together.”

“If you look as good as your dad when you’re his age, I’m not complaining.”

“Ditto, except you better not carry those extra fifty pounds around.”

“Nah, don’t worry, I’ll have a sexy husband to keep me fit instead of an Italian Mama cooking pasta and sauce all the time.”

“You bet.” Connor rolled on top of his laughing boyfriend and they had a quick wrestle and grind session which developed into slow making out.

Finally, Eddie pulled away and sat up to bring his hair and clothes in order.

“We better get downstairs before they call us or send my brother up to get us.”

“I guess you’re right. I’m surprised your parents and my mom left us alone this long.” Connor got himself together too and unlocked the door.

“I bet Dad is taking a nap while the moms are chatting. We have a long drive ahead, and we got up early to pack the last things.”

As the boys came downstairs, Eddie’s guess proved correct. Their sisters were watching TV, with Eddie’s dad snoring on the sofa and his brother engrossed in music or a game on his iPad. Their moms were in the kitchen with a laptop in front of them. They looked up and Connor was pleased to see similar expressions of approval and love on the faces of both ladies.

“Ah, Eduardo, bene. We need to get going soon. Your papa’s having a quick nap. We have a long trip ahead.”

“Yes, Mama. Do you want me to wake him up?”

“No, wait a bit. The girls will do it when their program ends. Sit down. We want to tell you something.”

Connor’s mom nodded and gestured at the chairs on the other side of the table. The two boys exchanged ‘What now?’ glances before sitting down.

“Connor, your Dad and Richard will get married while they’re in New York.”

“Uhm, OK. I did wonder, Mom….” he left the sentence open, not sure what she was getting at.

“I know he’s been keeping it secret, but Richard told me in confidence and asked me to talk to you. Both of you.” She nodded at Eddie, and his mom smiled and reached out to pat his arm.

“Mr. Donaldson wants you to be his testimone, his best man. He says you’re an admirable young man.” A tender smile and a tear followed. “Oh, bambino, I’m so proud of you.”

“Mama,” Eddie objected, turning red at the silly nickname and the praise. Luckily, Connor’s mom took over again.

“Richard said you’d be the perfect witnesses, and I know he’s right. Charles would want his son to be his best man. So I agreed to arrange for you to go to New York on the 29^th as a surprise for him, provided Edward’s parents approved, of course.”

Connor gaped at her. “But…but how?”

“Adrian will take you to Houston when he and Rose drive back on the 28th. You’ll meet Edward at the airport and fly to New York together. I’ve booked a room at the five-star hotel where Charles and Richard are staying. Take a cab there, because you’ll land around 10 pm. I have an envelope with instructions from Richard about where you need to be on the 29th and how to avoid being spotted by your dad.”

“That’s awesome, Mom, but what about afterwards?”

“It’s up to Charles and Richard. I could only get your hotel room for two nights, because everything is booked over New Year. You can fly back to Dallas on the 30th and spend the rest of your vacation at college.”

The boys looked at each other in dismay. While they didn’t have firm plans for what to do on New Year’s Eve, it would probably be easier to find a party in Eldorado than back at campus where few students were left.

“However, Richard has assured me the suite they’ve booked is more than large enough to accommodate all four of you. So if he and Charles are prepared to chaperone you on New Year’s Eve, you could stay in New York and fly back to Dallas on January 2nd. I’ve checked and there are flights available, if you’re willing to get up early.”

This time the look they shared was ecstatic. Spend New Year’s Eve in New York? Go sightseeing and maybe even clubbing? Have a hotel room to themselves for two nights, rather than having to snatch the rare chance for intimacy at home, even if Connor would have his dad’s house to himself after his older brother and his girlfriend left. Spending time with the two men who had been their staunchest supporters for the last year? And best of all, be part of their wedding ceremony.

Their moms laughed. “Looks like Christmas just arrived, boys,” Eddie’s mom said.

“Grazie mille, Mama, for giving me permission.” Eddie kissed her cheek, knowing she would appreciate both the thanks in Italian and the display of affection, even as it made her shed more tears.

“Thank you, Mom. This is the coolest Christmas present ever. You’re the best.” Connor copied the kiss, before he turned to give Eddie a high five. At the same time, the rest of their families entered the kitchen. While Connor wanted to kiss his grinning boyfriend, they tried to avoid explicit PDA in family settings, so he settled for a bro hug.

“Dude, New York! It’s gonna be awesome. Stars and Stripes!”

None of the others present understood why Eddie thumped Connor before they both broke down laughing. That stripey present would come in handy soon.

I guess this means I’ll have to do a final story from Charles Brady’s POV.