DECEMBER 21, 2007

Comfort and Joy
by Jenna Jones

Before Ben, Jamie spent every Christmas Day for years at the cinema, trying to forget the day was a special one. Sometimes he was invited to a friend's Christmas dinner but he never went: he didn't want to intrude on other people's family time. Jamie bought himself presents but didn't bother to wrap them or put them under his tree, and only put up a tree if he were hosting a party before New Year's Eve.

Since Ben, holidays were good days. Their first Christmas--though they'd only been together in the loosest sense of the term--Ben had insisted Jamie join his family for Christmas Eve and Day; but this year, their first Official Christmas Together, they wouldn't join the Gallagher clan until Christmas Day.

Tonight was theirs. And from the look of Ben, flopped on the sofa with his feet up, they needed it.

Jamie knelt on the floor and began combing his fingers through Ben's hair. "Hi, sleepy."

"Hi." Ben didn't open his eyes.

"Did you have a very busy day?"

"Oh, yes. Mountains of cookies. Acres of gingerbread." He turned onto his side, into Jamie's touch. "And Christmas cakes. Pillars of Christmas cakes."

"Poor Benjie. I made something for you."

"Is is a Christmas cake?" Ben smiled at him, eyes half-closed.

"I'm afraid not--it's much more liquid." Jamie kissed his forehead and got up. "Stay right there."

"Yes, dear."

Jamie paused on his way to the kitchen. "You are not henpecked so you can stop the act."

"Yes, dear," Ben said with laughter in his voice.

There was a stockpot on the stove top, where Jamie had been brewing a drink for most of the evening. He ladled out mugs for them both and brought them back to Ben.

Ben had sat up, taken off his shoes and pulled off the denim shirt he wore over his t-shirt. "Oh, sunshine, that smells so good," he said as Jamie got comfortable on the couch next to him.

"Thanks. Should we drink to something?"

"With--" He inhaled the steam from the cup. "Spiced orange juice?"

"It's the spirit of the thing."

Ben smiled and clicked his cup against Jamie's. "To our first Christmas."

"The first of many." Jamie drank, and then laid his head on Ben's shoulder. "In a similar vein, I'm making you supper." Ben chuckled and Jamie added, "I admit it's just tomato soup from a can and toasted ham and cheese sandwiches, but--"

"I love anything you choose to make for me, Jamie," Ben said, smiling, and kissed him over their cups. "But don't leave just yet. We can stay here...watch the rain..." Jamie settled against him, looking out the window as Ben rubbed his back and kissed his hair. "Do you want to know what I got you for Christmas?"

Jamie said, "Can I be very sentimental and say that you've already given it to me?"

"Yes, you may."

"You've already given it to me." Ben laughed and Jamie said, "For the first time in years I don't know what films are playing tomorrow. I'm not planning to order in supper. I'm not waiting for this week to pass so I can get back to my normal life." He looked at Ben. "I'm enjoying the Christmas season."

Ben slowly smiled, and pulled Jamie to him to kiss his mouth. "I'll just return all that junk, then," he whispered and Jamie laughed.

"Don't you dare! I still want my presents." He kissed Ben and laid his head on Ben's shoulder again. "But you are the best one of all."

Russian Tea
Serves 20

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
2 cups hot water
2 cups orange juice
3/4 cup lemon juice
2 qts water
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp almond extract
1 pinch ground cloves

Preparation

Boil sugar and hot water for 5 minutes. Add rest of ingredients and bring to a simmer. Allow the spices to steep. Serve hot.

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Jenna Jones' Chiaroscuro will be on sale for 15% off until 12-24-07.