Happy Holidays!!!!
I am participating in the Rainbow Advent Calendar!
This is my free short. This Interlude features characters from Wicked Defense, Bonds of Justice, Book #4. If you’ve read Wicked Defense or my Bonds of Justice series, or even if you haven’t, I hope you enjoy this story. Enjoy!
Mine for the Holidays…and Forever
By Talia Carmichael
An Bonds of Justice Interlude
December 2019
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Bonds of Justice
Length: Interlude
Spencer exited his SUV, although he’d had the early shift it had been a long shift at the precinct he worked. With the holidays they had a smaller shift of people working and there were those also on-call. Usually he volunteered for the holidays since he didn’t have anyone waiting for him at home. Although this year was different he’d already switched shifts with someone else and didn’t want to back out. Thankfully his boyfriend, Craig had understood.
He looked at the building he was standing before where he was meeting Craig and smiled. It was just like Craig to volunteer his time to the center Spencer stood before. Spencer knew that Craig as well as the others that were in their circle of friends and family gave their time at the various centers around Hollisville. There had been quite a few events celebrating the holiday season at the various centers. Spencer had been able to attend some with Craig but not all. He was glad that he was able to come today after his shift to meet Craig. Afterwards they would spend the rest of the holiday together. It was their first holiday together as a couple and from how secretive Craig had been the last few weeks Spencer figured he had something special planned.
He strode towards the front doors noting the Christmas decorations on the outside and he smiled remembering the amount of fun they had putting them up as well as those inside the center. Craig had been so enthusiastic it had rubbed off on everyone giving them a festive air. Pushing open the door he went inside. As he entered he saw one of the volunteers for the center he recognized.
“Spencer… Craig has already left.” The man’s eyes twinkled as if he knew something Spencer didn’t.
“Okay. Did he leave any other message for me?”
The man shook his head and someone called him and he hurried away.
Frowning Spencer wondered where Craig could’ve headed off to and why hadn’t he texted him to let him know their plans had changed. The moment he thought it Spencer remembered he turned off his cell when he had went into a meeting with his boss. He pulled out his cell and turned it on. As soon it came on his cell beeped with the notification of a text. He glanced at the message and his heart raced.
I’m at Hollisville General Hospital.
What the hell had Craig done to end up in the hospital? He noted the time that he had sent the message was three hours ago. Spencer pivoted and headed for his vehicle. Once he was inside his SUV he headed towards the hospital Spencer took a breath and released it.
Please let him be okay.
He repeated that thought over and over in his head as he drove towards the hospital. He pulled his car in front of the emergency room and got out striding quickly towards the doors. Inside he went straight to the triage desk and the nurse there he recognized her.
“Spencer, you missed Craig.” She smiled. “He came by and did his yearly artistic Santa thing. The kids, terminal patients and staff gets a kick out of it.” She paused and studied him. “Ummm… you look a little weird. Are you feeling okay?”
Spencer nodded unable to speak as relief coursed through him. Craig wasn’t injured. He frowned. He didn’t recall Craig mentioning anything about coming to the hospital for some Santa artistic thing.
“Did he leave any message for me?”
She shook her head then paused. “He did say he needed to go kick someone’s ass.”
“Who?” Spencer knew that Craig despite looking very affable could kick someone’s ass and they would never see him coming.
She shook her head again. Spencer inclined his head then turned and headed back outside to his SUV. Sliding behind the wheel he picked up his cell to text Craig just as it went off in his hand. He clenched his hand on the steering wheel as he read the text.
I am at your precinct and they refuse to let me go without you bailing me out.
Spencer rubbed his thumb and forefinger along the bridge of his nose. He had no idea what Craig hadn’t gotten himself into this time. The rate the man was going Spencer knew he’d be grey before too long. Craig had a knack for getting in trouble even though he claimed it wasn’t really trouble it was just his living life. Spencer started the car and headed towards his precinct he had just left earlier.
Soon he pulled into the parking lot then got out the car and headed inside. When he entered the desk sergeant saw him and rolled his eyes.
“That man of yours is something else.”
“I’m even afraid to ask what he did.”
The desk sergeant laughed, “He and Mal got into it. “
Spencer lifted an eyebrow surprised. Mal who was also a detective like Spencer was and Craig got along very well with him.
“Christ, did he touch his hair?” Spencer knew that Mal was very touchy about anyone messing with his hair.
“That was just one of the things he did.” The desk sergeant laughed until tears rolled down his face.
Spencer glared at him waiting for him to calm so he could tell him how much trouble Craig was in.
The desk sergeant wiped his face. “It was very nice of Craig to come by and bring us a little Christmas cheer… The artistic way.”
Spencer stared at him confused on what he meant.
“He said since we were all stuck here over the holidays he wanted us to also have some fun.” The desk sergeant smiled. “And it was fun. That is until he and Mal got into it and then he became hilarious. Those two together are trouble. They were mock fighting with swords and everything. Craig is very fast and Mal is too so it was interesting to see who might win. There was bets going. But the captain locked both of them into a cell and left them. At least until one of them picked the lock and let themselves out. Neither would admit who did it because the captain threatened to really arrest who it was. They of course blamed each other.”
“So is Craig still here?” Spencer had a suspicion that he had once again missed him.
“His brother came and collected him.” The desk sergeant rolled his eyes. “That was a whole other set of issues since Dominic was just leaving for the day. And you know how he and Craig’s brother get along.”
Spencer winced. With the Sergeant making that statement Spencer knew which brother – since it had recently been found out that Craig had other family they hadn’t known about – he was referring to. Craig’s brother and Dominic a detective at the precinct had some issues with each other. Personally Spencer thought the two of them just needed to be locked in a room somewhere and get whatever the hell it was out of their systems.
“Thanks.” Spencer looked at his cell and not seeing any more messages. “Craig is turning out to be hard to pin down. I wonder where he could’ve gone?”
“Probably to spread more of his artistic Santa cheer.” The desk sergeant chuckled.
Spencer slid his cell phone back into his pocket before turning and going back out the door. “I don’t even know what that means.“ Spencer muttered as he went back to his car.
When he sat behind the wheel Spencer thought of where Craig could have gone. He knew Craig was with one of his brother’s and Spencer knew he had recently bought a place in Hollisville so had Craig’s other brother. He wondered if the siblings had all met up together to spend some of the holiday. His cell dinged again and sighing Spencer pulled out his phone wondering where else Craig would send him to.
I’m at home waiting for you.
Spencer smiled at the text and the selfie of Craig holding a very adorable kitten and puppy. Both were multicolored. Spencer wondered who they were for. He shrugged figuring it was probably Craig’s brothers.
Spencer turned on his vehicle and got on his way. As he went to exit the parking lot of the precinct he paused and thought of his text. Instead of making the turn to head towards Craig’s place Spencer went towards his.
A half an hour later he pulled into his driveway and seeing the lights shining through the curtains in his windows he smiled knowing he’d made the right decision. He quickly turned off the car and headed up the drive and then the stairs and to his front door. Spencer took out his key unlocking the door and stepped inside. He stopped in the doorway and hearing the music as well as the voices, he couldn’t define all of them. Spencer closed the door behind him and headed towards his living room.
He paused in the doorway and looked around the room filled with people and blinked. The room and beyond was filled with their various friends, others he recognized but hadn’t officially met – they had checked him out when he and Craig started dating although what the time he hadn’t been aware that was what was happening – and even more people he didn’t know.
Near the tree Craig stood with his brother’s, Gio, Brooks and a few others.
Spencer studied the man that had captured him. As if sensing him watching Craig looked up and met his eyes. A wide smile came across his lips then he strode toward him. The sensuous, lazy and laid-back movements made Spencer wish they were alone. Craig stopped right in front of him and put his hands on his chest. He lifted up on his toes and Spencer lowered his head and met him. The kiss was gentle yet thorough. Craig lowered himself back onto his feet and smiled up at Spencer.
“I’m so glad you’re home.”
“I would’ve been here sooner if someone hadn’t been playing holiday hide and seek with me.”
Craig chuckled. “That sounds like fun. Wish I knew we were playing. If I had I’d have made sure you caught me.” He leaned in and whispered. “And then we could’ve found someplace private. “
Spencer tucked him closer to him sliding his hand around his waist. “Don’t tempt me. You’re the one who seems,” he gestured to the room beyond. “To have invited a whole lot of folks. I didn’t know we were having a party.”
“I figured I’d move my usual holiday get together here to our home instead of my place.” Craig snuggled into him. “Maybe I should’ve let them go to my will place and came here by myself for some private time with you.”
Spencer kissed him on the nose. “Too late now.” A sound made him look down. Seeing the kitten and puppy from the earlier picture Spencer released Craig and bent to pick up the animals. He lifted them and studied them smiling.
“I’m glad that you like them. They’re going to make our home even better.”
He glanced at Craig surprised.” You bought me kitten and a puppy?”
“I bought us a kitten and a puppy.” Craig tweaked his nose. “They will make our home even better.”
Spencer studied him and knowing how Craig thought he smiled. “So when is moving in day?”
Craig smiled. “After the new year.” Craig turned and yelled. “I didn’t even have to seduce him to get him to know I was moving in. I didn’t even have to ask or tell him.”
Loud groans and catcalls echoed around the room. Spencer watched as money started exchanging hands. He made note of who lost and won.
“That’s what you get for betting against us.” Spencer chuckled.
He knew their friends well enough to know that was the reason they were exchanging money.
Focusing back on Craig he pulled him against him. “Next year, I’m going to be with you on the holiday so I can see this Santa the artistic way that you do.”
“That would be so great,” Craig hopped in place. “We’re going to have to get you your own costume.”
“Wait… no one said anything about costumes,” Spencer said. “Why do we need costumes?”
“To spread the Christmas artistic cheer.” He flung his hands out. “All of my elves have costumes. Right guys?”
There were murmurs of agreement around the room. Spencer was surprised how many there were.
“I had no idea what you did for the holidays.” Spencer glared at him sternly. “And you gave me quite a scare when you said you were in the hospital then jail.”
Craig frowned then it cleared. “Oh, I guess I should have made my text clearer.”
“Or you could fill me in before what you usually do on the holidays.”
“I could swear I did.”
“No you didn’t.”
“We’ll I don’t have to tell you I can show you.” He pulled Craig towards his chair. “We videotape it. But it’s only good for today because somehow miraculously every year the video gets corrupted or lost or some other excuse.” Craig glared around the room.
The various men shrugged and tried to look innocent. Spencer stifled a laugh knowing someone of them or all of them had made sure whatever video of whatever they did for the holidays disappeared. He sat and Craig sat on his lap.
“Get the video started,” Craig said. “This is another part of our tradition.”
Spencer nodded as the television came on. “I’m going to enjoy making holiday traditions with you,”
“Now and forever.” Craig said softly and kissed him.
Spencer held him close and deepened the kiss. Craig moaned and pressed against him.
“Come on I don’t need to see you and my brother like that.” Craig’s brother spoke from beside them.
Craig pulled back and looked at his brother. “Deal with it Isaac.” He flipped him off then looked at the rest of the room. “You know what, party is canceled Spencer and I have plans.”
“You can have sex any time.” Isaac said. “We’re not going anywhere.”
Craig pouted then glared. “Don’t you have a gift to give?”
Isaac smiled and wandered off.
“There’s going to be fireworks,” Craig said cheerfully before he turned and looked at Spencer. “Isaac got a kitten and puppy for the man who he likes to aggravate.”
Spencer looked towards Dominic and stifled the smile as Isaac set the puppy and kitten in his lap. Dominic held the animals gently while glaring at Isaac. He said something but Spencer was too far away to hear what words were exchanged. Isaac smirked and leaned against the chair Dominic sat in.
“You know just because it’s our party it doesn’t mean we can’t sneak away for a little holiday hide and seek.” Craig whispered.
Spencer pressed his lips against the side of his face close to his ear. “If you can figure out a way for us to get away without any of these people noticing I’m all for it.”
Craig scowled. Spencer couldn’t help but chuckle. The room of people they were in although he didn’t know what some of them had done in the past he knew what they did now was vastly different. They still had those skills from before and used them when needed. If Craig and he tried or even succeeded in leaving the room one of them or a few of them would notice or would come to find them. They liked to tease and outwit each other.
“Mine.” Craig said softly. “You’re mine for the holidays… and forever.”
“Yes.” Spencer kissed him.
They were each other’s for the holidays and forever. Spencer looked around the room and knew he would remember this first holidays they had together and the memories it created. Later once everyone was gone he would give Craig the gifts he had for him. And they would make even more memories.
Copyright © Talia Carmichael, 2019.
All Rights Reserved.
Want to read about how Spencer and Craig became a couple?:
Want to know more about the Bonds of Justice Series here is series page on Amazon.
And if you want to keep up with the Rainbow Advent Calendar, check out the rest of the calendar here.
#contemporary #mmromance #BondsofJustice #MM #LGBTQ #Romance #amreading
What is an Interlude? A brief scene that is after the end of the story that features a couple/some of characters from one of my published books/series.