{"id":185,"date":"2011-07-26T23:28:06","date_gmt":"2011-07-27T06:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.squidge.org\/patt\/?page_id=185"},"modified":"2011-07-26T23:28:06","modified_gmt":"2011-07-27T06:28:06","slug":"christmas-with-dad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.squidge.org\/patt\/?page_id=185","title":{"rendered":"Christmas With Dad"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas With Dad
\nby Patt <\/p>\n

\u201cYour dad has called me three times in the last week to make sure that we\u2019re going to make it to his house for Christmas dinner. Steven can\u2019t make it and he\u2019s counting on us to spend time with him. If I didn\u2019t know any better, I would say he\u2019s downright excited about us coming over. It\u2019s very weird, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Blair asked Jim as they were driving to the station. <\/p>\n

\u201cNot that weird, he has to be good now, so he can get into heaven,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n

\u201cOh man, that\u2019s bad. I think he just really likes us. I mean he always liked you, but he\u2019s used to it being \u2018us\u2019 now and I\u2019m glad.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim smiled at his partner. \u201cYes, he told me I chose my mate well.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHe did? Why didn\u2019t you tell me?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cI knew you would make a big thing out of it and it\u2019s nothing, really. My dad just happens to like \u2018us\u2019. I\u2019m glad he finally came around and it\u2019s going to be a nice family dinner. I\u2019m looking forward to it, believe it or not.\u201d Jim pulled into the parking garage at the station and pulled into their spot. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re excited about Christmas? I wish I had a tape recorder.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cChief, don\u2019t make me wish I didn\u2019t tell you.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Jim, I promise I won\u2019t bring it up again. Let\u2019s get upstairs and catch some bad guys.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cThere are bad guys in the station?\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat sure would make our job easier wouldn\u2019t it? They could come right to the door and say, I\u2019m ready to turn myself in,\u201d Blair joked happily. <\/p>\n

Both men laughed as they got on the elevator and didn\u2019t realize that their day was going to go downhill. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

Jim and Blair had been out of the bullpen all day, chasing bad guys and actually catching them. It was turning out to be an excellent day for both of them. Jim didn\u2019t have to run after too many suspects and Blair didn\u2019t have to rough anyone up. He always hated that part of cuffing someone. They both sat down at their desks and began to do the paperwork for both of their perps. Blair was working on the first one and Jim was working on the second one. <\/p>\n

Simon opened up his office door and called out, \u201cEllison and Sandburg, my office.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI hate when he says that,\u201d Blair complained. <\/p>\n

\u201cOh like I love it.\u201d Jim followed Blair into Simon\u2019s office and they both just stood there waiting. <\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, gentlemen, I have something to tell you,\u201d Simon said as he stuck a stinking wet cigar in his mouth and began chewing on it. <\/p>\n

Blair often wondered if anyone had the nerve to tell him how gross it was and how icky it made him look. Then again, he couldn\u2019t see anyone ever saying \u2018icky\u2019 to Simon. <\/p>\n

Both Jim and Blair sat down and waited for the bad news that they knew was coming. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really sorry about this, but you have a trip you have to make over the holidays for the Commissioner. Before you say anything, I fought for sending someone else, but he wanted the two of you to do it. So I don\u2019t want to hear any complaints,\u201d Simon barked. <\/p>\n

\u201cSimon, we have plans for Christmas. We can\u2019t just leave my dad at home by himself for Christmas dinner, can we?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cTake him with you. This is a pretty easy assignment. You can take him along with you. Make it a family road trip.\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair stood up and started to pace. \u201cWhere are we going and what are we doing?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no need to pace, Sandburg, it\u2019s an easy 750 mile assignment,\u201d Simon said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019ll fly there before Christmas and be back in plenty of time. I don\u2019t see a problem,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n

Simon chomped on his cigar a few more times and said, \u201cThere is a witness that needs to go to Los Angeles but he can\u2019t fly and we don\u2019t really want to put the two of you on a bus with him, so that leaves driving. The department is going to let you pick out your vehicle to travel in and you\u2019ll have a nice road trip. Ask your dad to go with you and you can celebrate Christmas on the road. There is nothing wrong with eating out on Christmas day or evening.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWho is this person you\u2019re talking about?\u201d Jim finally asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cBernie Mitchell. Don\u2019t make those faces at me. Both of you know what the Commissioner wants, the Commissioner gets. Mitchell\u2019s not that bad. He wouldn\u2019t hurt a fly. But California wants him right away. So that means you\u2019re leaving tomorrow. You\u2019ll drive five hours from here to Salem, Oregon and then stay the night and then the next day put in seven hours and you\u2019ll be in Los Angeles. You can stay the night there, because you\u2019ll have to do all of the paperwork and sign things before you leave. Bernie would be good company for your dad in the back seat while you two are in the front arguing about which way to go or not,\u201d Simon hoped his little attempt at humor might help. He was wrong. <\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, I wouldn\u2019t put Bernie in the back seat with my dad. So that would mean my dad would have to ride up front and Blair would have to ride in the back with Bernie. And wait a minute, who said I was inviting my dad?\u201d Jim asked sounding as confused as he looked. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would I have to ride in the back with Bernie? Why wouldn\u2019t you have to ride in the back with Bernie?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cSee Simon, this isn\u2019t working out already and we haven\u2019t even decided on it or not,\u201d Jim growled. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no decision to be made, gentlemen. You leave tomorrow morning. I would suggest you call your dad as soon as possible and make the plans work. Blair, you could ride in the back going there, and then drive coming back. Wouldn\u2019t that work?\u201d Simon stood back and waited for the next argument. He didn\u2019t have to wait long. <\/p>\n

\u201cBernie Mitchell? He\u2019s such a jerk. He\u2019ll drive my dad nuts, not to mention me and Blair.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying you don\u2019t think that you and Sandburg can handle the witness? Is that what you\u2019re saying, Ellison?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir. You know I can handle him just fine, I just don\u2019t want to,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n

\u201cSimon, probably all of the cool SUV\u2019s have been loaned out already at the rental car agency. What do you suggest we do then? We\u2019re not driving up in a small car and we\u2019re not giving in on that,\u201d Blair stated angrily. <\/p>\n

\u201cI would suggest you call right now. With any luck, you can get a nice comfortable conversion van and the ride won\u2019t be that bad. Pretend Bernie Mitchell is a family member. We all have family like him, right?\u201d Simon thought he was being funny again. Again, no one laughed. <\/p>\n

Blair walked towards the door and said, \u201cI\u2019ll call for the van or SUV. Jim, you get to call your dad and tell him the good news.\u201d <\/p>\n

They both walked out of Simon\u2019s office cussing and griping about one thing or another. Simon was amazed at how well it went. He expected more argument, especially out of Ellison. He wouldn\u2019t have anything to tell Joel Taggart that night when they went out for a beer. Joel loved to hear funny stories about Sandburg and Ellison. Well, he was going to have to be disappointed for a change. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

Blair found a place that had a beautiful conversion van that would seat 8 people and thought that sounded pretty good. He could sit in the back with William and play cards while Jim drove them. Jim wasn\u2019t going to be happy about it, but that was the breaks. Blair paid for the van with his credit card and walked over to see how Jim was doing. <\/p>\n

Jim was on the phone and didn\u2019t look at all happy. When he got off, Blair said, \u201cIs your dad disappointed?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHell no. He thinks it sounds like a fun trip. He can\u2019t believe we asked him to go with us. He said we\u2019ll have a great time and it doesn\u2019t matter where we spend Christmas, it\u2019s who we spend it with. I reminded him that tomorrow we would be with Bernie Mitchell, but he refused to let it dampen his spirits. He\u2019s all excited. He was packing while we were talking.\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair threw back his head and laughed. He needed that laugh and then Jim smiled when he saw how good the laugh made his partner feel. He needed to calm down and remember that this wasn\u2019t Blair\u2019s fault at all. It was Simon\u2019s and he would pay him back somehow. <\/p>\n

\u201cChief, we\u2019re going to get Simon back for this, right?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it, Jim. When he least suspects it.\u201d <\/p>\n

Both men finished up their paperwork and left for the day. They needed to pack too. The paperwork was given to them already for Los Angeles and they were due to pick up Bernie at 7:00 a.m. in the morning. <\/p>\n

The drive home was nice. Jim held Blair\u2019s hand almost the entire way home. He didn\u2019t say anything, just hung on for dear life. Blair loved those moments where Jim let him feel like he was really someone special. <\/p>\n

They parked downstairs and walked up to start packing. Jim thought it would be a long job, but Blair was actually pretty determined to get finished so they could have dinner and still have time for each other that night. <\/p>\n

When all was said and done, they got into bed at 10:00 and kissed for some time and then went to sleep. Both of them were tired and knew that they had a long few days ahead of them. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

Blair went into the station to pick up Bernie Mitchell that morning. Burt Miller was on duty and said, \u201cSorry, Sandburg.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t be helped, Burt. Someone had to do it. It\u2019s our job,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n

Burt smiled at Blair and handed over all of the paperwork from the files and then brought out Bernie. Bernie was happy about getting out of the cell and was smiling. <\/p>\n

\u201cGet that look off your face before we get outside, Bernie. Ellison isn\u2019t in a good mood today.\u201d Blair thought the least he could do was warn the idiot. <\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas to you too, Sandburg,\u201d Bernie spat out. <\/p>\n

Blair just ignored the man. They would be rid of him in two days. They could all handle two days. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

When Jim stopped at his dad\u2019s he walked up to the front door and knocked. William smiled when he opened the door. \u201cI\u2019m ready, Jimmy. Here is my bag and I brought some homemade goodies from Sally.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim smiled and realized he meant to do it. He loved Sally\u2019s baking. \u201cI\u2019m glad to hear it, dad. I\u2019m sorry again for having to do this. I hope Bernie won\u2019t drive you nuts.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim put William\u2019s suitcase in the back of the van and opened the front door for William to sit down. <\/p>\n

\u201cJimmy, I\u2019ll sit in the back with Blair. We can play cards, can\u2019t we? There are little tables and everything. This is going to be great. You just drive and don\u2019t worry about a thing, all right?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay dad, just don\u2019t get close to Bernie. He\u2019s rude and obnoxious.\u201d Jim decided he needed to warn his dad. <\/p>\n

\u201cOh I\u2019m used to rude and obnoxious, I\u2019ve been that way for years. He\u2019s got nothing on me,\u201d William said with a laugh as he climbed in the back of the Van. <\/p>\n

Jim started to drive off and heard his dad say, \u201cBlair did you bring cards?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I did, William. I figured it would give us something to do while Jim drives. Oh Jim, I made you four cassettes for the player. They are sitting on the front passenger seat. You\u2019re going to like them.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim smiled immediately. He loved when Blair did special things for him and this was special. Jim looked at the first cassette and saw it was Santana. He popped it in the player and didn\u2019t care if he could hear them in the back seat or not. He was a happy camper as he pulled out into traffic on the interstate. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

\u201cBernie would you like to play cards with Blair and myself?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, old man, I would rather die.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a grouch, he probably feels bad about whatever he did and can\u2019t wait to atone for it,\u201d William teased. <\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, William, I\u2019m sure that\u2019s it. Let\u2019s get this game started.\u201d Blair knew that they couldn\u2019t tell William that he was a witness to something, so instead Blair took the cards out of his backpack and started to deal them up. 5000 Rummy was one of his favorite games. William had taught it to them. He just wished that Jim was back there playing with them. He missed having Jim by his side. But Jim was doing what made him the happiest. He was singing like crazy along with Santana. <\/p>\n

\u201cBlair, I think that was a great idea. Jimmy seems to be quite happy with the music.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I had to give him something to keep him occupied so he wouldn\u2019t kill Bernie.\u201d <\/p>\n

The men laughed and began to play the game. Bernie tried to look bored but found himself trying to figure out why they were doing the things they were doing with the cards. It looked like an interesting game and wished he had agreed to play it. Instead he had to listen to the crazy cop up front sing Black Magic Woman off key and listen to the gurus of happiness playing cards. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

Two hours later, Jim said, \u201cAnyone need to stop?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m good,\u201d William answered. <\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n

\u201cI could piss,\u201d Bernie mentioned very casually. <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so no one needs to stop. Good.\u201d Jim continued on by the rest stop and Bernie said, \u201cI have to piss and if you don\u2019t want me doing it in this fancy van, you better stop soon.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim pulled over along side the road and got out. He opened up the back door and pulled Bernie out. \u201cYou have to pee so bad, then pee.\u201d <\/p>\n

Thankfully Bernie\u2019s cuffs were in front and he could unzip his pants by himself. Jim wouldn\u2019t have been happy doing that. When he was done, he zipped up and took off running across the field. Jim shook his head and said, \u201cI don\u2019t believe this. What an idiot.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cGet him, Jim.\u201d Blair was rooting from the doorway, laughing his head off. <\/p>\n

Jim tackled him and took him back to the van. \u201cWhat are you in need of special help or something? Only an idiot would take off while I\u2019m standing there.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI told them I was nuts. They wouldn\u2019t believe me. Maybe you could vouch for me,\u201d Bernie suggested. <\/p>\n

\u201cForget about it. I wouldn\u2019t do anything to help you. Get in the van, you moron.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim got him cuffed to the side of the seat and then closed the back door. As he was walking around the side of the van to get in, a police car came by. They pulled in front of Jim and got out. Jim stayed out of the van and wondered what the cop wanted. <\/p>\n

The cop walked back to the van and said, \u201cDo you have a good reason for stopping here, sir?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a police officer, carrying a witness for a case in Los Angeles and he had to stop for a break. If you know what I mean,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see your ID and we\u2019ll decide if I give you a ticket for stopping here without a reason or not.\u201d The cop took Jim\u2019s ID and went back to his car. Jim turned to the van and made a face at Blair and his dad. The cop came walking back up and said, \u201cOkay, I guess you\u2019re alright to go. Just stop at the rest stops from now on. Have a safe trip to California.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim walked back to the van, wanting to say something in the worst way, but didn\u2019t think it would do him any good, so he just shut his mouth. He got in and said, \u201cMitchell, you only think I was pissed, now I\u2019m really pissed off.\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair and William started to laugh as Jim started the van up and pulled back onto the interstate. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

When they arrived in Salem, Oregon, they found a nice motel to stay in and Jim went and got the rooms. He handed a key to Blair and said, \u201cThat\u2019s for you and my dad and I\u2019ll take Bernie.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we all need a separate room,\u201d William said. <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, dad we do. Now, let\u2019s take a few things in and get settled in for the night. I don\u2019t know about anyone else, but I\u2019m going to order something and have it delivered.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to us, too, Jimmy.\u201d <\/p>\n

They had an adjoining room, so it wasn\u2019t as bad as it could have been. At least Jim got to see his partner awhile before bedtime. They got to eat dinner together and had some time for just talking. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

Jim shut the door to their room when it was bedtime and said, \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear any noise all night long. So, if you need something in the bathroom, you had better do it now. I\u2019m not putting up with any crap, do you understand?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I understand, Ellison, do I look stupid?\u201d Bernie never should have opened that door. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs a matter of fact, you do look stupid. Weren\u2019t you the one that took off running today with me standing right beside you?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I thought you might not run after me, you\u2019re old.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not old. Shut up right now. Do you have to go in the bathroom or not?\u201d Jim shouted. <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I have to go. What do you think, I can hold it all evening and through the night too? And you call me stupid?\u201d Bernie headed into the bathroom and Jim wanted to abuse him in the worst way. But he knew Blair would frown on that, so he held his temper and got ready for bed himself. He was tired and couldn\u2019t wait to get to sleep. He wished he was sleeping with Blair. <\/p>\n

Bernie walked out of the bathroom and said, \u201cDo you know how hard it is to do things with handcuffs on?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cDo I look like I care?\u201d Jim answered as he undid the cuffs and cuffed Bernie to the headboard. <\/p>\n

\u201cMan, you\u2019re going to cuff me all night long?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am. Now, shut up and go to sleep,\u201d Jim snarled before he went into the bathroom. The bathroom was a mess and Jim was disgusted having to use it after Bernie. Instead he knocked on the adjoining door and said, \u201cBlair, can you watch Bernie while I use your bathroom?\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair smiled over at William and William started to laugh. \u201cHe never did like sharing bathrooms.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a pig, dad. You should see the mess he made in the little time he was in there.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cJim, go get ready for bed, I\u2019ll stay with him,\u201d Blair walked into the room and Jim walked into Blair\u2019s room. <\/p>\n

\u201cOh nice boxers, Sandburg. Did Ellison buy those special for you?\u201d Bernie loved to be obnoxious. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs a matter of fact, he did. Why don\u2019t you bring it up with him? He\u2019ll enjoy the special time he has with you while you\u2019re alone together.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHe better not doing anything freaky, that\u2019s all I\u2019ve got to say,\u201d Bernie said. <\/p>\n

Blair started to laugh when Jim came into the room and Bernie moved away from him. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Jim asked Blair. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was admiring my underwear. Wanted to know if you bought them for me,\u201d Blair explained as he walked back over to his room. Before he shut the door he said, \u201cNight, Jim.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim could hear William and Blair both laughing and that pissed him off even more. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling the lawyer that you were looking at a cop in his underwear, they might rethink the insanity clause,\u201d Jim said casually. <\/p>\n

\u201cWould you really do that for me?\u201d Bernie asked hopefully. <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, now get to sleep. We\u2019re leaving early in the morning.\u201d Jim got into bed and tossed and turned until he finally got tired enough to fall asleep. He was on alert the entire time though, so he didn\u2019t sleep that well. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

The next day they got an early start so they could make the seven hours before rush hour traffic in LA. <\/p>\n

Once again, William and Blair played cards and Jim sang with his cassettes that Blair made him. Today it was Rod Stewart. Jim was singing \u2018Do You Think I\u2019m Sexy?\u2019 and made both William and Blair smile. Blair wanted to shout out, yes, I think you\u2019re sexy, but didn\u2019t want to embarrass Jim. <\/p>\n

Bernie asked, \u201cDoes he have to sing? It would be different if he sang well, but he\u2019s tone deaf, does he know that?\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim turned the music off and asked, \u201cChief, am I tone deaf?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all, just ignore him. He has no sense of decency. He\u2019s just picking on you for tackling him yesterday.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure, because I don\u2019t want you and my dad to have to suffer with me singing?\u201d <\/p>\n

William laughed and said, \u201cFirst of all, Jimmy, he\u2019s nuts. Secondly, this is our holiday. You can do whatever you want to do.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what, dad? You\u2019re right. I\u2019m going to sing like there is no tomorrow. Mick Jagger is next. Thank you, Blair.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Jim. Now relax. Do you need me to drive for awhile?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cBlair, I\u2019ve only been driving for about an hour. I think I can handle it.\u201d Jim popped the cassette back in and started singing \u2018Do You Think I\u2019m Sexy\u2019 again. <\/p>\n

Bernie groaned and Blair said, \u201cEither shut up, or I start dancing for you.\u201d <\/p>\n

William burst out laughing and Bernie did shut up indeed. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

Breakfast and lunch went without a hitch. Everything was going smoothly. Finally Bernie asked if he could learn the game and the three of them were having a lot of fun. Jim liked hearing the laughter and the fondness in his father\u2019s tone. This wasn\u2019t turning out as badly as it could have been. <\/p>\n

Then Jim put in the next cassette and started singing \u2018Sympathy with the Devil\u2019 and Bernie groaned again. <\/p>\n

William started singing along and then Blair did and before long Bernie even sang. \u201cPlease allow me to introduce myself, I\u2019m a man of wealth and taste. I\u2019ve been around for a long, long year. Stole many a man\u2019s soul and faith.\u201d <\/p>\n

If someone would have been listening outside the van, they would have wondered what was going on. The four men were actually having a good time. <\/p>\n

Jim looked in the rearview mirror and smiled at the sight before him. Everyone was happy. It was Christmas Eve and they didn\u2019t care that they weren\u2019t home. It was almost time to turn Bernie over and Jim never even asked him what he was a witness to. He decided that it wouldn\u2019t be his business and just continued to sing along with everyone else. <\/p>\n

Jim looked down at the fourth cassette that Blair made and saw it was Christmas carols. Jim wasn\u2019t big on Christmas carols, but if ever there was a time to sing them, today was the day. He popped out Mick Jagger and popped in the Christmas one. <\/p>\n

The first song was Willie Nelson. This made Jim smile. They all sang each and every song on the cassette together. Before they knew it they were in Los Angeles. Jim couldn\u2019t believe how quickly it had gone by. He was glad he was with his two favorite people in the world. <\/p>\n

They found the police station and Jim pulled up outside of it and parked, got out and got Bernie ready to go. He took his few belongings and took him inside the station house. <\/p>\n

Jim was gone for about an hour when he came back he was smiling. \u201cPaperwork is all finished, so we can find a motel and spend the night and start off tomorrow morning.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIs Bernie alright?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was fine when I left him. It\u2019s not like he was some felon or something, he was a witness to a crime. He just had to remain safe until he could get to court. Don\u2019t worry so much, Chief.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWill someone please sit up front with me so I don\u2019t feel so lonely?\u201d <\/p>\n

William laughed and said, \u201cYou mean me?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI meant, Blair.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows you mean me. I\u2019ll sit up front until we find a hotel or motel. Which do you prefer, William?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cMotel is fine. I don\u2019t have to have fancy to be happy. I\u2019m happy with you boys in the van.\u201d William smiled and let them know he meant it. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re glad you\u2019re here too, dad. This has been a good year, hasn\u2019t it? We worked out our differences, you accepted me and Blair being together and now we\u2019re having our first road trip. Thank you for coming.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you, Jimmy and Blair. You\u2019ve made an old man terribly happy this year. I was shocked when I was invited.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, like we were going to leave you, home, William.\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you could have and I appreciate you taking me with you. I think we should stay here for a day or two and do some sight seeing. We\u2019ll get two separate rooms so that you\u2019ll have some time to yourselves. Does anyone think that is a good idea?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s an excellent idea, William. Thank you for suggesting it. Then we\u2019ll have a sing along road trip for the way home. It\u2019s going to be great. <\/p>\n

Jim pulled into a really nice looking motel and got out and got two rooms and came back to the van. \u201cI got the suites, because they have hot tubs in the room. So dad, we\u2019re going to be absent from the room after 8:00 tonight. I hope you don\u2019t mind. I want to unwind in the hot tub in the worst way.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cOh Jimmy, that\u2019s sounds perfect. We\u2019ll go have a nice dinner or order in whatever sounds good to you guys and then you\u2019ll have the entire night to yourselves.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cBut William, this is Christmas night. I brought presents to open,\u201d Blair said quietly. <\/p>\n

\u201cDad, did you bring presents too?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Jimmy, I did.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019re having Christmas tonight after dinner and then we\u2019ll play cards. Blair and I can hot tub in the morning if we want to. How does that sound to both of you?\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n

\u201cI love the sounds of having a real Christmas tonight. It\u2019s going to be fun,\u201d Blair confessed happily. <\/p>\n

The rest of the day they unpacked, put presents in the room and got ready for dinner. At 6:00, they went to the restaurant on the premises and they had a very nice meal. They all chose turkey and dressing for dinner and talked, laughed and ate until they were full. At 8:00, Blair said, \u201cI don\u2019t know about anyone else, but I\u2019d like to open a present or two.\u201d <\/p>\n

William smiled. \u201cI could open one.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right, I like presents too. I just seem like a Scrooge, I\u2019m really not.\u201d <\/p>\n

They walked back to the room and William met at Jim and Blair\u2019s room, carrying a ton of presents. Jim opened the door and laughed. \u201cDad, we\u2019re not kids anymore, we don\u2019t need a ton of presents.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to take them all back?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cNot even,\u201d Jim answered hugging his dad after he set the presents down on the bed. <\/p>\n

Blair brought all of the presents out that they had for each other and for William and they put the Christmas cassette in the player in the room and all sang as they opened each others presents. <\/p>\n

Blair looked at the two men from time to time and saw that they were happy and content. Blair was thrilled. He loved seeing his lover happy. He also loved his father-in-law, so this was working out great. <\/p>\n

At midnight, William took his leave. He was exhausted and had had a wonderful day and night. It was now time to catch up on some sleep. Jim walked him down to his room which was only three doors away, but Jim felt better doing it, so William let him. William hugged his son when they got inside his room and said, \u201cI love you, Jimmy.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, too, dad.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jim walked back to he and Blair\u2019s room happier then he had been in ages. When he walked in he saw a sight for sore eyes. Blair sleeping on the bed, curled into a ball. Jim loved when Blair slept like that. <\/p>\n

Jim stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed and pulled the covers over both of them. He didn\u2019t remember putting his head on the pillow. That\u2019s how tired he was. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

The next morning, Blair and Jim did have a nice hot tub experience before they got interrupted by the maid. Jim thought Blair had put the sign on the door and Blair thought Jim had. So the maid got a little bit more of an eyeful then she was expecting. When she left, they laughed and laughed and laughed. <\/p>\n

They got out of the tub, got dressed and ready to go down to meet William for breakfast. <\/p>\n

William was waiting when they arrived and said, \u201cIt\u2019s about time you young ones got up.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what dad? I\u2019m in the mood for home. How would you feel about leaving today and going home? I could drive straight through and we\u2019d be there in about 12 hours. We could do it. What do you think of that idea?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to get home too. I\u2019m a homebody, that\u2019s for sure. I didn\u2019t like sleeping in a strange bed last night. I guess you guys didn\u2019t either.\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll do whatever you two want to do. I\u2019m just along for the ride. I had a wonderful holiday and can\u2019t wait for our New Years Eve Party.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take turns driving, Jimmy. Then we can rest in the back of the van the entire way home. I\u2019ll drive the first four hours, okay?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, but I\u2019ll drive the first four, because I don\u2019t want you to have to deal with California traffic on the interstate. You can drive the second shift and Blair can drive the third.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good, Jimmy.\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair said, \u201cLet\u2019s get to our rooms, pack and get out of here.\u201d <\/p>\n

And that\u2019s exactly what they did. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

When Jim had finished his four hours, he climbed onto the sofa in the back and Blair said, \u201cIt makes into a wide bed, do you want me to lay it down for you?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if you\u2019ll lay here with me.\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair laid the bed down and both of the men got comfy on it. Jim pulled the blanket up over them and was almost asleep instantly. He loved being in Blair\u2019s arms. Blair always held him so tight and made him feel like his life was fantastic. That\u2019s because it was fantastic. His dad was in the front seat driving with the two boys on the sofa in the back seat and didn\u2019t mind at all. <\/p>\n

Blair woke up about three hours later and let go of Jim long enough to pull away from him. Then he got up and went to the front seat. He pushed his hair down, knowing it was probably a sight and William smiled when he saw him. <\/p>\n

\u201cI would have let you both sleep for a longer bit. The traffic has been great, so there\u2019s only about three hours left of our trip,\u201d William said. <\/p>\n

\u201cPull over so I can drive. Really, I\u2019d like to. Then we can say we all did it together,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n

William pulled over and got out and slid in the passenger side. Blair was now driving. Jim was still sound asleep. They could hear his little snores now and then making them laugh. <\/p>\n

Blair put in the Santana cassette and he and William sang all the way home to Cascade. Jim didn\u2019t wake up once. <\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n

New Years Day <\/p>\n

Jim and Blair left William\u2019s house on New Years day and Jim said, \u201cChief, I have to thank you for accepting my family and spending all the time we do, with them.\u201d <\/p>\n

Blair turned and looked at Jim to see if he was kidding. \u201cI love your dad, Jim. I don\u2019t like when he calls you Jimmy, but I do love him. Never worry about me spending time with the family.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI hate when he calls me Jimmy, too.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cSo tell him, that both of us hate it and we wished he\u2019d start to call you Jim.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, the next time we get together I\u2019ll tell him.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHave I mentioned how much I loved our road trip?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you have. I need to take you on more road trips if that was your idea of a good one. I\u2019d prefer one with just you and me. Know what I mean?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, next time, it\u2019s you and me, Jim. Just the two of us. Happy New Year.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHappy New Year, Chief.\u201d <\/p>\n

The end <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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