The Sweet Tooth

by Margot Larson

  The fairly lights got plugged in before they went on the tree just to make sure they were working properly. Once confirmed Solomon left Mathieu to do the lights only offering suggestions on placement when Mathieu asked for help. The cord to the lights ended up on the side of the tree away from the wall and after looking in every drawer and cabinet there was no extension cord to be found. Turning the tree wasn’t an option because the bad side will show and Mathieu didn’t want to unwind all the lights and start again. If they wanted the lights on they were going to have to go out for a cord.

  Solomon put his hand on Mathieu’s arm as the Irishman reached for his shoes, “Wait here a minute first.” Solomon dug through the bags he brought back from the fair and held out a box to his partner.

  Mathieu took the box and turned it over. The Irishman laughed but before he opened the box of starfish ornaments he put it down and rifled through the bags he brought back. He handed Solomon a similar shaped box.

  Solomon turned his box over and laughed at the lighthouse shaped ornaments, “People would think we live at the seaside going by these. We don’t have anything to hang them with, do we?”

  “Oh, no. We should get something for the top too, an angel or a star.”

  “And maybe a blanket or whatever they call those things that go around the bottom to hide the stand.”

  “And more ornaments.”

  “We should make a list.”

  One quick run to the store later they were back and arguing over where the ornaments should be hung. Solomon accused Mathieu of hanging similar colors too close together (and no Mathieu it doesn’t matter that they’re different shapes or sizes) and Mathieu accused Solomon of being a control freak. They tried dividing the tree in half but then Solomon had too many of the same color too close together. Mathieu gave up with a huff and went to the kitchen to make them hot chocolate. Solomon finished putting on the hanging decorations but handed the angel to put on top to Mathieu with a “Happy Christmas, Baby.”

  The artist took the angel gently into his hands like he was afraid it would break if he held it too tightly. The brunette stood on his toes, Solomon’s hands around his waist to steady him and placed the angel on top of the tree. She was a beauty, blonde hair and blue eyes, white wings made of feathers, silver halo and white lace dress. One hand held a small silver harp and the other was in position as if to play. Solomon didn’t say because it was kind of sappy but she reminded him of his mom.

  They knelt on the floor to slide the tree stand closer to the wall before plugging in the lights. Solomon draped the red tree skirt over the stand and stepped back with his love to admire their work. The tiny white lights took on the colors of the ornaments hung next to them and gave the tree a bright multi-colored glow. It wasn't exactly the image Mathieu had in his head of his first tree but he said, “It’s perfect.”

  Solomon wrapped an arm around Mathieu’s waist, “I think so too. Just like you.”

  Mathieu tipped his head down for a kiss, “Happy Christmas, Solomon.”

  “Happy Christmas, Love.”

  CHAPTER 34

  “I just don’t see the point in going over it.” Mathieu’s mother sounded just like him when she whined.

  “It could help me understand why I have this disorder. Don’t you want me get better?”

  “Don’t try to guilt me young man. I’m your mother. If there’s something I don’t think you need to know then you don’t need to know it.”

  “But even my doctor thinks that the something that happened in my past could explain….”

  “I’ll think about it. I can’t promise you anything more than that.”

  Mathieu clenched his jaw, “Alright. Will you be coming to dinner?”

  “Are you sure you want me there?”

  “Of course,” Mathieu rolled his eyes, “I promise I won’t pressure you to tell me anything. You’ll get to meet Solomon and Anders and his friend Elise. Solomon’s friend Adrian may show up too.”

  “Should I bring anything?”

  “I don’t think so unless there’s something special you want to drink.”

  “Alright, if you’re sure.”

  “Mum, I told you, I’m sure. Solomon’s real excited to meet you.”

  Mathieu’s mom didn’t buy that for a second, “I’m sure he is, Sweetheart.”

  The artist could hear the doubt in her voice, “He is, really.”

  “Alright, Dear if you say so. I’ll talk to you more about it tomorrow, yeah?”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  Mathieu swiped the ‘end call’ icon to disconnect his mother and flopped himself down on the bed. The bed dipped down on either side of the artist as Solomon and Anders joined the Irishman. “Talking to her gives me a headache sometimes.”

  “Welcome to the club,” Anders laughed back. “It’s a mom thing.”

  “Solomon’s mom doesn’t give me headaches.”

  “She doesn’t give me headaches either,” Solomon huffed.

  “That’s because it’s a ‘your mom’ thing. Your mom gives you headaches, my mom gives me headaches. Solomon’s mom couldn’t give anyone a headache if she tried, she’s too nice.”

  “She loves you too, Anders,” the blonde playfully shoved the Englishman in the shoulder. “Come on, I’m starving. Let’s eat.”

  It was an unusual Thursday evening when Anders was available for dinner. What was even more unusual was for him to have off the Thursday before Christmas but his decision to promote a chef was really paying off giving him a lot more free, personal time. There were still a few details to iron out regarding Christmas dinner and Mathieu had offered to cook so Anders politely accepted. The Irishman had made Irish stew; cubed lamb, chopped onion, minced garlic, cubed potatoes, chopped carrots and peas which had been simmering in the Dutch oven and all Mathieu had to do was add the dried thyme, black pepper and Worcestershire sauce and thicken the sauce with flour and water then cook it for another two minutes.

  Solomon set the table while Anders fetched three beers from the fridge. Mathieu ladled helpings of stew into large bowls, carried two to the table then returned to the kitchen for his. He also brought out a loaf of crusty bread and a bread knife. Over dinner they finalized the menu for Christmas (they agreed to keep it traditional English), decided what time they should serve, what the sleeping arrangements would be and what would be served for breakfast the next morning.

  ***

  Friday, 22nd December

  “Tell me what to get you for Christmas,” it wasn't a demand but it was as close to one as Mathieu had ever heard.

  “I don’t need anything. You don’t have to buy me something, honestly. I’ll be happy if you just come to dinner,” Mathieu hadn't planned on getting his mother anything but if she got him something he’d have no choice. He couldn’t imagine what he’d get for her; maybe a sketch of himself and Solomon….no he always had a hard time drawing himself.

  “What about Solomon? What should I get for him?”

  “Please, mum. You don’t have to get either of us anything. We’re not expecting gifts. We don't want gifts. We just want you to come.”

  “Mathieu,” she used her ‘mom voice’, “Sweetheart, it’s Christmas. I have to get something.”

  Mathieu racked his brain….”How about wine? Solomon likes red wine.”

  “I was going to buy wine as a gift for the host. Do you think it would look funny getting the same thing for Solomon?”

  “No. It’ll be great. Solomon loves wine,” the artist hoped he wasn’t making his fiancé out to sound like an alcoholic.

  Mathieu asked, hoping to get a straight answer but knowing he wouldn’t, “What should I tell him to get you?”

  “Oh, no, I don’t need anything.”

  “Mum, you can’t do that. If you get him something he’ll feel bad about not getting you something. It’ll be awkward.”

  “Don’t be silly Mathieu, we’re all adults. It’ll be fine. I’ll call you Sunday, yeah? Maybe you and your young
man would like to come to mass with me.”

  Mathieu doubted it very much but he said, “I’ll ask him.”

  “Okay, Sweetheart. Bye now.”

  “Bye,” but she had already gone. Mathieu took a deep breath and sighed, he’d have to tell Solomon they need to get a gift for his mother. They had already sent Solomon’s parents their gifts, “Proud to be Irish” t-shirts and a hanging plaque that read “An Irish Blessing: May your troubles be less and your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door”. Mathieu couldn’t wait to meet the Kellys and was thinking about asking Solomon to go New Zealand in the spring, honeymoon or no.

  ***

  Saturday, 23rd December

  Mathieu and Solomon went back to the street fair early to see if they could find a present for Mathieu’s mom. The artist hadn’t learned much about her in their brief telephone conversations only that she did take a calligraphy class, joined a book club, started riding a bicycle everywhere, stopped knitting and crocheting and was thinking about becoming a vegetarian but didn’t think she could go through with it. She had gotten a job as an assistant in an office after taking some computer classes at the local college and was using the holiday time her company let her “bank” to be used when needed. She didn’t talk about her friends or when or why she had been to London before or why she was in London now.

  If she still crocheted he’d get her yarn. If she was going to go through with becoming a vegetarian he’d get her a steamer. She probably already has a bicycle helmet if she rode everywhere but he wouldn't buy her one of those anyway. They looked for special paper or pens for her calligraphy but couldn’t find anything that looked ‘special enough’. Solomon suggested books but Mathieu couldn’t really say what kind of genres she liked to read or who her favorite authors were.

  The last shop they went into was the bookshop Mathieu had his first attack in front of. The smell of the old, musty, leather books tickled his nose and even though the shop wasn’t dusty he sneezed. They browsed the crowded isles looking for anything they thought she would like; a hidden treasure amongst the used, hardbound, reprints. They found nothing suitable for her, but plenty of things they’d like for themselves, until they were about to walk out the door. Behind the wooden sales counter the word calligraphy caught Solomon’s eye. Solomon leaned over the counter and spied a set of calligraphy fountain pens, wood styluses, interchangeable nubs, five pots of colored ink, seal wax and sealing tools all stored inside a beautiful wooden box. He called Mathieu over so the Irishman could see if it was something he thought his mom would like. The shopkeeper came in then and they asked to see the box. They both thought it was perfect and their shopping was done.

  ***

  Sunday, 24th December

  There was no brunch that Sunday because Anders was with Elise at her sister’s house in Yorkshire for Christmas Evelyn-day breakfast before he had to go to the restaurant for the dinner service. Mathieu’s mother telephoned and wanted them to come to pick her up so they could all go to Anders’ together but Mathieu had to be there early to help Anders cook. Mathieu didn't want Solomon to be uncomfortable going to get her by himself so he managed to talk her into arriving on her own. The artist also told his mother that he and Solomon would not be attending midnight mass with her and if she was terribly disappointed it didn’t show. All the food was at Anders’ so there was nothing for them to shop for or bring. They had all agreed it was going to be a dinner to celebrate the holiday and their friendship so they wouldn’t be exchanging gifts (except for his mother). Mathieu had warned Anders that his mother would be bringing something for him as the host of the party.

  Solomon and Mathieu had agreed to exchange their gifts at random times over the two days prior to Christmas Day, leaving the “good gifts” for just before they left for Anders’. So far, Solomon had his scarf/hat set, film for his camera, a “kiss me I’m Irish” t-shirt, a new case for his phone and a pair of house slippers that looked like furry bunnies. Mathieu had the book about Bristol, a new set of watercolor paints, a larger sketch book, a new leather-bound journal and the extended edition of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on DVD.

  A Christmas Carol (starring Patrick Stewart) was on the TV while Mathieu was in his corner of the sofa sketching in his new book and Solomon was in his corner of the sofa cleaning and loading film into his mother’s old, camera. Solomon raised the camera to take a picture of his love, “Smile.”

  Mathieu saw the camera pointed at him and raised the sketch pad in front of his face, “Ugh! I look frightful.”

  “Come on, let me take your picture. You look fine.”

  “Only if I can take yours.”

  Solomon rolled his eyes, “Okay. Lower the sketch pad.”

  “No. Give me the camera first.”

  “Why? Don’t you trust me?”

  “Not in the slightest,” the artist made grabby hands, “Hand it over.”

  Solomon reluctantly turned the camera around and held it out but he jumped off the sofa before Mathieu could focus and take the shot. “Where are you going? Come back here!” The artist shouted after his fleeing fiancé.

  “Just a second. Hold on,” Solomon shouted back.

  When Solomon reappeared in the sitting room he was wearing his new ‘kiss me I’m Irish’ t-shirt, the new hat and scarf set and his bunny slippers. Solomon curled up on the sofa, sitting with his legs crossed in front of him, “Make sure you get the whole outfit in the shot.”

  “You look wonderful. You should model professionally,” Mathieu chuckled as he moved off the sofa and backed up a little to capture Solomon in the frame. The artist took several shots from several different angles to make sure he had ‘captured Solomon’s essence’.

  The artist sat back down on the sofa before handing the camera back and taking up his sketch pad. When Solomon didn’t make a move to take his picture Mathieu asked, “Well?”

  “I’m waiting for you to relax. I don’t want you to be too posed. Just sketch and I’ll take some candid shots.”

  That sounded good to Mathieu so that was exactly what he did. Every so often he heard the click of the shutter and he did his best to not look up as he sketched Solomon in his lovely, Christmas outfit.

  After dinner, reheated leftover Irish stew, they exchanged a few more gifts and snuggled on the sofa to watch “Elf”.

  ***

  Monday, 25th December

  Solomon wore his new apron with the different colored hearts as he cooked them Christmas breakfast; scrambled eggs cooked gently in melted butter, layered over lightly toasted white bread and topped with thinly sliced salmon. On the side he served bacon, fresh fruit salad, orange juice, tea and more toast with strawberry jelly. Mathieu sat at the dining table; the smell of the cooking bacon had drawn him out of bed; watching the blonde move back and forth between the stove, fridge and counter. He had his new chain around his neck and he was toying with the pendant with his fingers. They each had one gift left to give but they were saving them for just before they left which could be very dangerous as sometimes they have a tendency to not leave and instead fall into bed, when something unexpectedly good happened.

  Dinner was scheduled to be on the table at five so Mathieu wanted to be at Anders’ by twelve, latest. There were sides to prepare and dessert to make, table to be set and decorations to put up. Mathieu had wanted a plum pudding but once he looked at the recipe and its cooking requirements he changed his mind (maybe next year). The Irishman has decided on a chocolate Yule log instead.

  The breakfast dishes were washed, dried and put away. The couple sat facing each other on the sofa, grins spread wide over their faces. Each man held an envelope in his hand. “On the count of three, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “One…..two…..three.” Both men ripped open their envelope, took out the enclosed Christmas card, opened it and watched as matching sets of airline tickets to New Zealand fell into their laps.

  “How did you….? “

 
“Why did you….?”

  Blue eyes looked up to meet golden-brown but both men were speechless. All they could do was look at each other; love shining in two sets of eyes.

  Solomon was the first to break the silence, “I didn’t know you were thinking of going.”

  “I didn’t know you were either. This is kinda funny….in a good way.” Mathieu’s golden-brown eyes never left Solomon’s sparkling, blue.

  “It is. We’ll have to decide what we’re going to do with the extra set of tickets.”

  “Why don’t we go in the spring like we want, just for a visit and then go again for our honeymoon? We’ll just have to change the date on the other set.”

  “We’re being very calm about this, aren’t we?”

  “Yes,” the Irishman grinned, “Yes, we are.”

  They met, each halfway across the sofa and fell into a passionate kiss, “We have to get to Anders’.”

  “I’ve known him a long time, he’ll understand.”

  "I love you."

  "I love you too."

  Fingers undid buttons and zippers as shirts and pants were stripped off and Solomon pushed Mathieu down onto the sofa.

  CHAPTER 35

  The old manor house already smelled like roasting turkey when Solomon and Mathieu arrived a little after one all blushing and apologetic. Anders being Anders understood without hearing too many of the details and he was very happy for them (and maybe just a little jealous) that they were going to New Zealand in the spring. They hung their winter coats in the hall closet before the Englishman showed them to the guest room where they put down their overnight bags and took off their shoes before going back downstairs to help prepare for the evening.