Comments: If you read And Then There Was Light first, part of this story makes more sense, but it isn’t necessary.
Disclaimer: If they were mine, I wouldn’t share them
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It was early December, and the two were in the barn doing chores before dinner. It was dark at 7 pm now that winter was upon them, and there was a cold blast of air rushing across the valley. After feeding the horses, checking the water and ensuring everything was secure, Chris turned off the light and the two closed the barn doors. “Christmas is in two weeks. I haven’t done much about it the past couple of years. What do you want to do?” Chris raised the subject as Vin hunched further down into his coat against the cold.“Get a tree, cook a big dinner, have the boys over, watch some football.” There was a sparkle in the blue eyes as Vin turned to face his friend. “That’s what I always dreamed that Christmas would be someday.”
Chris couldn’t help but smile, as he was continually amazed at the simple things that lit Vin up inside. “Then that is how it will be cowboy, as long as you do all the cooking.” Laughter followed them into the house.
The next weekend, the tree was up, but not decorated, and Chris told Vin at breakfast that they had company coming for lunch. “The team?” Vin asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Chris just gave him his sphinx smile and informed the younger man that he might want to put on khakis instead of his usual worn blue jeans.
“Nettie?” The blue eyes were fastened on the blonde, who was pretending to read the editorial page, but his laughter gave him away.
“Sorry, but it’s a surprise.”
Vin was curious but Chris would only smile and shake his head throughout the morning as Vin continued with his guesses while making a salad for lunch and picking up the living room.
At 11:30 Vin moved onto the porch with Chris as a blue mini van pulled in. His questioning gaze only resulted in a grin from the blonde. Later Vin would swear he had stopped breathing when the brunette stepped out of the van. His heart was caught in this throat for a moment and then he whispered, “Bonnie Jean.”
The woman smiled at him as she reached out to hug him. “Vin Tanner, just as handsome today as you were 20 years ago,” she said softly.
He embraced her tightly “Thank you,” he whispered in a shaky voice.
She squeezed harder for a minute more and then held him at arms length. Vin was speechless. He could only stare at the nurse who 20 years ago had tried to save him. She laughed as she ran a gentle hand over his face. “Ah Vin, I was so happy when Mr. Larabee called me. I’ve worried for 20 years about you. I tried to trace you…” she paused, her eyes glistening, “I made them change the law on single foster parents, but it took me three years. By then you had disappeared. I am so sorry.”
The lost eight-year old was replaced by the grown man in the blue eyes. “Nothing to be sorry for, “ Vin said gently, his blue eyes soft and warm. “You fought for me…reminded me I was worth something. Every time something bad happened, I would think of you and keep going. Figured if you saw something good in me, then it had to be there.”
She smiled and hugged him again for a moment. “There was and is so much good in you. I am so proud of you.” Vin beamed, his soul warmed by the fact that this woman, after all these years, still believed in him.
“Bonnie Jean, I want you to meet my friend, Chris.” Vin turned to his partner, who had stepped off to the side, his face alit with a warm, gentle smile.
After the introduction Bonnie turned to her family. “I want you to meet part of my family, Vin. I have four grown foster sons who have their own families now, and Brit and Michael have been with us since they were six and nine. My husband Bob and I couldn’t have kids, but we have never had an empty house.”
After a rowdy lunch, Vin took the boys out to the barn to meet the horses. “Bonnie Jean, Bob, I can’t thank you enough for coming here today,” Chris said as his eyes followed the three ‘boys’ as they crossed the yard.
“No Chris, you are the one who should be thanked. I have said a prayer for that scared and battered child every night for the past 20 ears. And when my sons ask why we open the house up to yet another child, I tell them about Vin. He has become a fine man, despite all the odds being against him. And to see him here, happy and healthy, well it is the greatest Christmas gift, I have ever received. Thank you.” She kissed Chris gently on the cheek and then left to join her ‘boys’ in the barn.
At 4 pm after a very long goodbye, Bonnie Jean and her family drove away. After the van was out of sight, Vin turned to Chris. “No one has ever done such a thing for me…I…I don’t think I can ever repay you for today.” His voice faltered and he stopped.
“Just thought I would remind you of why you are worth fighting for.” Chris smiled softly, his mind going back to the horrible night Vin had described his meeting with the nurse after a foster parent had broken his shoulder. He knew he couldn’t ease all the pain that lived inside his sharpshooter, but he was determined to work on it.
Christmas Eve the snow fell softly around the ranch. Vin sat on the couch, enchanted by the way the lights on the tree reflected around the room. The tree was simply done, glass ornaments, white lights and a string of popcorn and cranberries. Chris joined his friend and had to admit that the tree was a sight to behold. As they sat on the couch, a fire blazing brightly and drinks in hand, Van gave Chris a small box, carefully wrapped in gold paper.
“What is this?” Chris held the package up carefully, as though it might break.
“A Christmas present cowboy. Certainly you have gotten something besides coal for Christmas before?”
Chris cuffed the slighter man lightly and then opened the box. He found a silver ring with a braid of dark blue lapis running through it. He held it up to the light of the fire. “It is beautiful Vin.” His voice was soft as he slipped it on his left hand. “Beautiful.” Vin blushed, a shy smile on his face.
“Long as we are opening presents, take the one by the back of the tree, the big one.” Chris said, the fingers of his right hand playing with the ring.
Vin brought the gift over, sat down and began carefully unwrapping it. “Oh,” he sighed as he held up the framed photograph of the night sky. “It was taken over the corral.”
“It’s a map,” Chris said softly, “so if you ever get lost, you will know how to find your way home.” He smiled as he watched Vin lovingly run his fingers just above the glass, as though memorizing the stars.
The next morning Vin served Chris a huge breakfast, after which he insisted on dragging him out to the barn. “I keep telling you cowboy, I am too full to do chores.” Chris stopped complaining when he caught sight of the blood bay mare. “What the…” he uttered as he entered the stall. “She’s beautiful,” he exclaimed as he started running his hands over the mare. “Sixteen hands, flawless legs, deep chest.”
“She’s also pregnant,” Vin said waving a cigar at Chris. “Her sire is the same as Sassy’s and she’s due to deliver a colt by Legacy in three months…figured he might be the start of our stud program.”
“What’s her name?” His hands continued to run lightly over the mare, as she reached her head around and nuzzled the small of his back.
“Star Gazer.”
“Thank you Vin, she is amazing.”
It was a raucous afternoon with the team. They all ate until they were stuffed, opened presents, watched football. Through it all Vin wore a grin. Chris dragged everyone out to see the mare and she won rave reviews, only broadening the grin.
When the last of the team left and the clean up was done, Chris led Vin into the living room. “Let’s put the rest of the chores off. We should take a few minutes to enjoy what is left of Christmas.” After they were seated, Chris asked, “Was it how you envisioned the day to be?”
“No.” Vin smiled. “It was so much better. This has been one of the best days of my life, and I owe it all to you and the guys.”
“We can’t take all the credit. You made everybody’s favorite food, kept us all from being alone…you gave us the spirit of the day. I had forgotten how wonderful Christmas could be.”
Chris pulled a box from behind a pillow on the couch. “What do you know, one more present…and it’s for you!”
Vin opened it, and caught his breath. It was a small golden medallion on a gold chain. There was a picture of the sun rising on it. On the back it was engraved ‘Always C’. With shaking hands he put it on. Then he grabbed Chris’ left hand and slid the ring off. He held it up to the light. Chris smiled when he saw the engraving on the inside ‘Always V’. “This is taking that psychic thing a little too far.” He laughed as he put his ring back on.
He looked at Vin for a long minute. “Vin, there is one more thing, I just hope you won’t hit me.” Chris leaned forward, pulled the lean man toward him and kissed him. Vin was stone still but just before Chris pulled away, he returned the kiss. Vin’s arms wrapped around the blonde, and they held each other close.
“You sure Chris?” The question was asked softly as the blue eyes pinned themselves to the green.
“Never been so sure of anything before. Knew it the first time I laid eyes on you. Just couldn’t, or wouldn’t, admit it for a long time. But now, I am sure. And I want you with me always.” The blonde’s eyes conveyed the warmth and love behind the words.
He felt more than heard the sigh from his sharpshooter. “I’ve never… It has scared me for a long time, my feelings. I have no experience…with relationships.”
“Consider this on the job training. As long as we are together Vin, we can work anything out.” Chris pushed Vin back slightly so he could look him in the eye. “Just remember, this is about always. Just like those stars that guided you home. I will always be here for you.”
Vin placed a hand over Chris’ heart. “Whenever you feel lost, you know that I am here waiting for you.”
The two kissed again, slowly. After they caught their breath, Chris took Vin by the hand and led the way to the master bedroom. The two lay entwined on the bed for over an hour, with their shirts off kissing and touching, each savoring the feel of the man in his arms.
Vin’s right hand moved slowly down the other man’s chest, softly, gently moving back and forth as the hand went lower and lower. When his hand encountered the belt buckle, it did not hesitate. While his lips were locked with Chris’, he swiftly undid the belt. Chris’ breath hitched as he felt the hand continue its gentle exploration.
“Cowboy,” he half whispered, “you don’t have to…” he stopped as he felt the hand moving softly down his erection. All thoughts left him as he moved into the feel. It was heat and warmth and electricity. Vin continued to kiss his way down the broad chest, stopping to caress each nipple, lightly first, then with more conviction as the body beneath his began to moan. He was emboldened by the control he had.
He let go of Chris’ erection, making sure his partner was watching as he licked the pre-cum off his fingers. He then moved over on top of the hot, pliant body beneath him and moved himself down to waist level. His hands swiftly pulled the too tight black jeans off. The movement was met by a long moan from the top of the bed. The tight briefs joined the jeans, and Vin’s hand returned to its target.
Chris was on fire. Every nerve in his body was electrified. As his partner’s tongue began to lick his erection, he thought he would pass out. Vin’s left hand began to fondle his balls, lightly at first, then with more urgency. Chris’ hips came up off the bed and his hands sought out Vin’s head to push it further down. Vin pulled back slightly, his eyes almost black from desire. “Easy there cowboy. I will take care of you…promise,” he said as a finger gently pushed against the hole. “Be patient. I promise it will be worth the wait.” He licked his left hand before returning his attention to the engorged, erect member.
One finger gently invaded Chris from behind and he was at a loss as to whether or not to push his hips up or to push down onto the finger. His body was poised off the bed and halfway between the two positions, when Vin decided for him. A second finger joined the first causing Chris to push down into the welcome invasion. A second later, his hips pushed up as the suction on his erection became so intense he wasn’t sure he could breathe.
As a gentle hum vibrated off his member, and he exploded screaming Vin’s name as he came. Several minutes later, he found himself being kissed softly, gently by a tongue that held his own taste. He wasn’t sure if he had passed out or was simply too spent to move. The kissing continued as one hand playfully moved from one nipple to the other, nipping, scratching and pulling.
“God Vin, if I didn’t know better I would think you were trying to kill me.” His voice was deep and husky, and his right hand moved tiredly up to his partner’s lower back.
Vin stopped his exploration and moved back so he was face to face with his partner. “Not even close cowboy.” He reached down to kiss Chris again and found himself suddenly on his back, looking into a pair of dark green eyes full of passion.
“My turn.” Chris moved in for another hard, exploring kiss before placing soft kisses on Vin’s eyes, nose, and he moved to the neck. At the cleft of the neck, he could feel the purr from his partner and he nipped once, receiving a soft cry so he bit harder. Vin moved restlessly, trying to pull Chris back up, but the blonde was having too much fun.
Once he found the nipples, large, brown and tempting, he began to feast. He smiled to himself as he felt the body beneath him squirm. He blew gently across the left nipple, after tugging none too gently on it. “Chrissss.” Vin moaned, arching his back to push his nipples back into range. “Please.” It was a whisper.
“Please what,” Chris asked after he finished swirling his tongue around the right nipple. He raised his head and looked at his playmate. “Please what?” His question was more demanding now, and the blue eyes slowly opened. The pure lust in them made Chris shiver. He didn’t wait for an answer and dove back to the chest, moving his lips and hands swiftly, confidently down the body before him.
When he reached the soft worn denim, he pushed his warm mouth up against the material and breathed deeply. The hips came up hard and fast, pushing toward their torturer. Chris moved further down and started pushing his nose back and forth across the erection. He inhaled the smell that was pure Vin and thought he would pass out.
“Now.” A half moan, half plea came out as a mere whisper as the hips moved up again. Chris pushed the hips back and began pulling down the pants. They were an impediment and he couldn’t wait to touch, to feel, the rest of the strong, lithe body beneath him.
Once the pants and boxers were gone, Chris pushed himself up off the bed for a moment. Vin moaned in protest at the lack of warmth. Chris’ eyes moved slowly down the body in front of him. He was overcome with emotion for a moment. “You are so beautiful,” he praised, “so beautiful.”
He smiled at the soft blush that seemed to move up the body before returning to the task at hand. His tongue started work at the tip of the erection, taking in the sweet taste of Vin’s pre-cum. That is when he lost control. He swallowed the member whole, the only thought left in his brain to taste more. The hips moved wildly trying to push further into the mouth that was bringing so much pleasure. Just when Vin thought he was lost for good, the mouth left him. “Open our eyes.” Chris ordered. “Open them, I want to see you when I make you come.”
The blue eyes, dilated so they were almost completely black, complied. The warmth then returned, and Chris kept his eyes on his mate as he took him over the edge. Vin collapsed bonelessly while Chris, after grabbing the sheets and pulling them with him, moved himself up to the top of the bed.
They kissed, soft and long. Then Chris moved to the side and pulled Vin into him, so the sharpshooter’s head rested on his chest. He placed a kiss on the dark blond hair and hugged him.
“Merry Christmas cowboy,” Chris said softly as he felt Vin’s breathing even out.
“Merry Christmas.” Vin hugged Chris tight for a moment and then kissed the blonde’s chest before settling in for a long winter’s night.
END