by Helena Stone
“Lead the way.” Jonah gave a mock bow, bending from the middle and making a grand sweeping gesture with his arm.
Nick chuckled and made a point of brushing his hand against Jonah’s when he walked past him as he set off for the start of the trail.
I SHOULD do this more often. Half an hour in the forest was more than long enough to remind Nick how much he loved being outdoors. Very little lifted his spirits as much as a good hike in the mountains.
“I can’t believe you don’t spend every free minute here.” One of the few things Nick did like, even more than walking, more or less gave voice to his thoughts.
“It always seems like a lot of effort when I’m in Sydney.” He smirked. “Of course, every time I actually make the effort, I realize it’s more than worth it.”
“I get that,” Jonah said. “I can’t remember the last time I went to the Dublin Mountains. And they’re closer to where I live than this place is to your house.”
Nick tried to ignore the joy those words brought him, torn between delight to have met a man who shared his enthusiasm for nature and frustration he wouldn’t be able to hold on to him indefinitely.
Their hike, so far, was nothing short of perfect. Jonah asked questions about birds, trees, and plants, some of which Nick was unable to answer. He was in awe of the view when they stopped at a lookout. Nick couldn’t wait to show him the waterfalls. Except….
He stopped walking and turned to Jonah. “Are you up for a bit more of a challenge?”
“Sure, what do you have in mind?”
“Let’s get off these prepared tracks.” Nick grinned. “Take the road less traveled.”
“Very funny.” Jonah’s attempt at a stern face was spoiled by the smile tugging at his lips. “If you know where you’re going, I’m happy to follow,” he added.
Nick led them away from the official path and into the bush. The flattened earth, combined with permanently pushed-back bushes, indicated they weren’t the first to take this unofficial route and gave Nick a direction to follow.
He reconsidered his decision when they came to a point where the path all but disappeared into the mountain on their left. The remaining track was barely one person wide, and since this wasn’t on the official route, there was no barrier to stop them from falling down the mountain.
“What’s wrong?” Jonah pushed close against his back and tried to peer over his shoulder.
“I didn’t remember it as being quite so… adventurous.”
“Doesn’t look too bad to me,” Jonah said. “Go on. Let’s live dangerously.” He gave Nick a small push in encouragement.
Deciding that if Jonah wasn’t concerned, there was no need for him to worry, Nick stepped onto the track. It wasn’t that bad, really. As long as they concentrated on where they put their feet, they’d be fine.
“Wow.” The stunning view opening up before him when the path curved around the mountain took Nick’s breath away and stopped him in his tracks.
“What…?”
Jonah bumped into Nick’s back.
“Fuck.”
Nick turned in time to see Jonah lose his footing, try to balance, overcompensate, and slip over the edge of the path. “No!”
Nick dropped to his knees and crawled to the spot where Jonah stood only a moment ago. His heart hammered in his chest, his breath came in short bursts, and his eyes stung when he forced himself to look over the edge, fearing the worst.
“Hi.” Jonah’s eyes were wide and wild, but he tried to smile. “Help me up?”
Nick’s voice failed him as he grabbed both of Jonah’s wrists and pulled. Panic still clawed at his stomach, making bile rise in his throat. He wouldn’t… couldn’t relax until he had his man safely in his arms again. Jonah emerged from the precipice, and still Nick continued pulling while moving backward himself. He didn’t stop until he felt the comforting solidity of the mountain against his back and he’d settled Jonah in his lap.
“I thought you were gone, that I’d lost you. I don’t want to lose you.” The words tumbled from Nick’s lips. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I thought… I thought.” He couldn’t do it. Even in his panic, he couldn’t verbalize his darkest fear.
Jonah pressed his lips against Nick’s. “Shhhh. It’s okay. I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere. It’s okay.”
At first Jonah’s words were little more than a buzzing sound in his ear, but slowly the meaning began to sink in. The solidity of Jonah’s body in his arms reminded him his worst fears had not come to pass.
He closed his eyes and pulled Jonah closer, reassuring himself all was well while trying to ignore the conflicting emotions bombarding his heart. The bone-deep relief he felt as soon as he discovered Jonah hadn’t disappeared convinced him once and for all he would be shattered when he would have to let him go for real.
Chapter Ten
JONAH KNEW something was different before he opened his eyes. Reaching out, he searched the space beside him, only to encounter nothing except a still-warm-to-the-touch sheet. The stab of disappointment was as unexpected as it was laughable. Sure, he hadn’t woken up in an empty bed since he moved into Nick’s room, but that was hardly a reason to worry about the fact that Nick had gotten up to do whatever it was he needed to do.
As he wondered whether he should get up and find Nick or stay where he was, he heard footsteps approaching the bedroom. Moments later Nick appeared in the doorway, stark naked and carrying a full tray.
“Now that’s a sight to wake up to.” Jonah allowed his gaze to roam over Nick’s glorious body. He had explored and caressed every inch of that beautiful skin with his hands, his mouth, and his tongue. His half-hard cock stiffened at the thought. Nick’s smirk indicated his arousal had not gone unnoticed despite the sheet covering Jonah’s lower body.
Nick approached the bed and placed the tray in the middle before carefully lowering himself and stretching out next to it.
Jonah studied the offering. It was an honest-to-God feast decorated with sprigs of evergreen and holly. Christmas! He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten. He glanced at the white envelope resting against a glass flute containing what looked suspiciously like—
“Is that a mimosa?”
Nick nodded, looking somewhat self-conscious. “Is it too much? I wanted to make something special, but if—”
“It’s perfect,” Jonah said. “All of it is.” He meant it. Nick had created a banquet. He saw bacon, poached eggs, and toast as well as fresh fruit, yogurt, and coffee. And that mysterious envelope. He tore his gaze away from it. Nick would tell him what that was about when he was ready.
The next ten minutes were spent in silence as they attempted to eat everything Nick had brought. It wasn’t until Jonah thought he might succumb to a food coma that he put his small plate back on the tray. “That was orgasmic.”
Nick grinned. “No. That part of the morning is still to come.” He winked. “But first….” He picked up the envelope and held it out. “This is for you.”
Jonah had no idea why his heart beat at double its normal speed as he carefully lifted the flap and extracted the folded piece of paper. “What’s this?”
“Have a look,” Nick said, sounding as nervous as Jonah felt.
He straightened the paper and studied, for long moments, what appeared to be a travel itinerary, still not sure what it meant.
“I thought….” Nick sounded hesitant. “If you feel like it, I wanted to take you on a trip after the play has finished its run and before you have to go—”
Nick got up and busied himself with picking up the tray and placing it on the table in front of the window.
Jonah was at a loss for words. He knew why Nick hadn’t finished his sentence. He didn’t want to think about the moment he’d have to go home either. Much as he loved Ireland and occasionally missed his family, he couldn’t imagine returning to a life that didn’t include Nick.
“A trip?”
“Yeah.” Nick came back to the bed, lay down, and
pulled Jonah into his arms. “To show you a bit more of Australia. There’s so much more to it than just Sydney.”
“I’d love that.” Jonah gave him a kiss. “Thank you. That’s the best Christmas present.” He gave a lopsided grin. “I still think it’s too hot for Christmas, but it’s good to see it’s not too hot for Santa. In fact, after this”—he waved the page—“I think I’ll call you Nicholas for the day.”
Nick’s smile expressed his relief with more clarity than words ever could. Then he sobered. “I hate that you’ll have to leave.”
“Actually—” Jonah had thought about little else those times when he wasn’t acting or enjoying Nick’s company and body. “I want to research what it would take for me to stay here… longer.” He reckoned it was too soon to imply he wouldn’t mind staying forever.
“We’ll figure it out,” Jonah continued. “Even if I have to go home for a while, we’ll come up with a way for me to come back. For good.” Fuck being sensible. If that word scares Nick, I need to know before I start turning my life on its head.
“You mean that?” Nick’s eyes shone. “You’d leave Ireland and your career there to be with me?”
Jonah smiled. Ever since his fall, things had been so much clearer for him, so much simpler. “First of all, I killed whatever career I had in Ireland, remember?”
Nick nodded.
“But yeah,” Jonah continued. “Even if I had job offers coming out of my ears, some things are more important.” He captured Nick’s gaze, wanting to make sure the truth of his next words came across perfectly. “You are more important. Life’s too short to give up on something that feels as if it’s meant to be.”
He wasn’t sure and would never ask, but Jonah thought Nick’s eyes glistened more than he’d ever seen before. He gave Nick a moment to gather himself before turning over and reaching for the small present he’d hidden beneath their bed the night before.
“This is for you.” He held out the small box wrapped in red paper.
Nick took the gift and studied it for a moment. He took his time peeling off the tape without damaging the wrapping paper. When he revealed the white box with a jeweler’s name displayed on top, he gave Jonah a questioning stare before lifting the lid.
Jonah crossed his fingers and held his breath, hoping he’d not made a huge mistake.
“That’s…. Wow.” Nick lifted the thick chain from the box and held it up. “A bracelet,” he said, stating the obvious.
“It is,” Jonah replied. “It’s okay if you don’t like it. I’ve never seen you with any jewelry, so maybe it’s not your thing. We can change it if you don’t like it.” He knew he was rambling but couldn’t stop himself.
Nick leaned forward and gave him a kiss. “I love it. Put it on for me?”
Jonah’s fingers trembled as he draped the chain over Nick’s wrist before bringing the two hands adorning the ends of it together until they clasped each other and closed the circle. “Your hands, saving me from falling off the mountain,” he whispered, fully aware it was a loaded and sentimental present.
“Our hands,” Nick responded. “As we hold on to each other.”
Joy surged through Jonah. He had no idea how they were going to do it, but in that moment, he was sure they’d figure out how to arrange his future… their future… together. He pushed Nick back until he stretched out on the bed and draped himself over him, claiming his mouth with a kiss he hoped expressed his feelings better than any words he could come up with.
“SO,” JONAH said as he opened the wardrobe. “What do I wear to a Christmas pool party?” He felt amazing. Their lovemaking had been both passionate and tender, leaving him sated and thoroughly satisfied. The subsequent joint shower had turned into a delightful water fight. He was ready to face the day and the guests who would start arriving in just under an hour.
“Swimmers and thongs.” Nick grinned. “And in your case, also a T-shirt and a shit-ton of sunblock.”
Jonah tried to give Nick a disgusted stare but knew he failed. He was high on happiness and incapable of hiding that sentiment. His heart skipped a beat every time he got a glimpse of Nick’s wrist and the silver surrounding it. He would never forget the moment Nick grasped his wrists, his fingers digging into Jonah’s skin as he pulled him up. Jonah had no doubt he would have badly injured himself, if not fallen to his death, if it weren’t for Nick. But it was more than that. It was in those few seconds, as he clung to the mountain, that he realized some things, some people, were too important to give up.
He followed Nick to the kitchen; he had a trifle to make. He could live with celebrating Christmas under a burning sun. If he were honest, he couldn’t imagine eating a full roast dinner in the Australian heat. But just because it was too hot for Christmas didn’t mean he couldn’t have at least one traditional dish that day.
Epilogue
NICK OPENED the oven door and checked its contents. Everything looked wonderful, and the aromas attacking his senses made his stomach rumble. He’d followed the recipes word for word and had to trust it would all turn out right. After all, he’d never attempted a meal like this one before. But there wasn’t a lot he wouldn’t do for Jonah.
He still wasn’t sure how it happened. Or rather couldn’t believe it happened at all. If he believed in Christmas miracles, he’d have said that was what he and Jonah experienced. The memories of that Boxing Day afternoon were as fresh as if it had happened only hours earlier.
NICK STOOD in the theater bar, waiting for Jonah to join him. The matinee had finished twenty minutes earlier and had been a massive success. Nick would have been ashamed to admit how proud he was every time Jonah’s lines or onstage antics triggered roaring laughter. Every single time his heart stuttered, and he’d had to restrain himself from shouting, “That’s my boyfriend,” more than once.
“Penny for them.” Jonah had managed to sneak up on him. Not for the first time, Nick resented that he wasn’t free to just take Jonah in his arms and kiss him senseless.
“Excuse me.”
Nick wanted to hit the man who’d interrupted his moment with his man. Jonah had no such qualms and faced him.
“What can we do for you?”
“My girl would like an autograph, if you don’t mind.”
Now that Nick actually paid attention, the man looked vaguely familiar. He was sure he should know who he was, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
“Of course I don’t mind.” Jonah was his charming self as he knelt until he was face-to-face with the cute little girl. “Do you want me to sign your program?”
Jonah’s endless patience with curious, excited, and shy fans amazed Nick. A short cough from the man Nick thought was probably the girl’s dad forced his attention away from his lover.
“You’re Nicholas Claseman?”
“I am.”
“And you represent him?” The man indicated Jonah with a nod.
“No. At the moment he’s under contract with me. But I’m not his agent or anything.”
“So who do I talk to if I want to offer him a job?”
Nick’s heart skipped at least one beat. “To Jonah himself, I guess.”
It was only after Jonah finished signing the program and answering the endless stream of questions from the girl that Nick discovered the man he’d vaguely recognized was a television producer.
NICK CHECKED the time. He’ll be home any minute now. Excitement churned in his tummy. Would Jonah like what he’d done? Had he gone over the top? The sound of his front door opening prevented his doubts from taking over.
“Fuck. Something smells amazing.”
Nick turned to find Jonah standing in the doorway, his raised eyebrows and slightly opened mouth betraying his curiosity.
“I haven’t encountered these aromas since I left home.” Jonah closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Nick’s waist. “What have you been up to? Because if I didn’t know any better, I’d say this house smells like….”
“Li
ke what?” Nick asked as he pulled Jonah closer.
“An Irish kitchen on Christmas morning.”
“Welcome to Christmas in July.” Nick kissed Jonah.
“That’s a thing?” Jonah asked as soon as they came up for air.
“It is.” Nick stepped back. “Now you go shower and leave me to my cooking.”
“Yes, sir.” Jonah jumped to attention, smirked, then turned on his heel and walked out of the kitchen.
Nick wanted to pinch himself as he did most days. He couldn’t believe how lucky he’d—they’d—been. That encounter in the lobby had led to an offer of a part in a weekday soap. Jonah was the first-ever gay character in the series. He both lamented that fact and embraced it. Nick understood. As wonderful as it was that gay had at last gone mainstream, he couldn’t blame Jonah for fearing he might be typecast for life.
Since they were both delighted they’d been offered the opportunity of a future together without having to battle embassies, visas, and appeals, it was a minor blip on the spectrum of their happiness.
If it weren’t for that stroke of good luck, Christmas magic, or Jonah’s talent being recognized—Nick wasn’t sure where to award the credit—he wouldn’t be battling with a turkey, a baked ham, roast potatoes, and half a dozen other dishes right now.
Nick glanced at the dining area, taking in the candles on the table, as yet unlit. He’d draped a string of Christmas lights over the curtain rails, and on the small cabinet in the back corner, he’d placed a small decorated Christmas tree.
Overhead the shower turned off. Nick’s heartbeat sped up. He approached the table and opened the small box sitting in the middle of one of the plates. He stared at the ring, hoping he hadn’t gone too far, that Jonah would appreciate the gesture. It was silver and displayed a crowned heart held by two hands. He’d stumbled on the design by accident one day as he was googling information about Ireland. The Claddagh ring matched the bracelet Nick hadn’t taken off since he’d received it last Christmas. The motif represented love, loyalty, and friendship, and the gift declared Nick’s.