Chapter Text
Two days later, Joe insisted that they all should get out of the safe house and get some fresh air. Nicky and Nile looked suspicious at both Joe and Booker when Booker said it was a brilliant idea with fresh air.
"Is a car drive," Nile said. "Your idea of fresh air?"
"Wait and see. I think you will love where we are going," Joe replied. "Right, Book?"
"Yeah, yeah," Booker replied. "The next time we go on a road trip, could we not agree on not taking the Morris Minor?"
Three hours later, Joe parked the car and told the others to follow him. It didn't take long before they entered a Christmas market. They made their way through the crowd until they stood in front of a merry-go-round. The merry-go-round was red and gold, with horses and music playing.
"Just so you know it, I understand if you don't want to celebrate Christmas this year," Joe said. "But I know how much Nicky loves a merry-go-round, so I thought that trying it maybe would give you all a break from the memory of what happened."
Nicky kissed Joe on the cheek.
"Thank you. I think it is a wonderful idea you had," Nicky said. "Right, Nile?"
"Yes," Nile replied. "Dips on the Mustang."
Nicky and Nile walked over to the merry-go-round, chatting.
"Great idea you had," Booker said. "Now, I will find something to eat while you enjoy the merry-go-round. I think I saw a stand with burgers."
"The burgers will be there when you have tried a round," Joe replied. "We do this together. As you promised me."
Before Booker could protest, Joe dragged Booker over to the merry-go-round.
"Come on, Book," Nile said as she pointed at a horse beside her. "I save this one for you."
"For the record," Booker replied as he walked over to Nile. "I have never seen a pink unicorn before in my entire life."
"Then you haven't been paying attention the last time you were in Scotland," Nile replied. "It's the national animal there."
Joe saw Booker mount the unicorn before Joe got up on a black horse next to Nicky. Then, the merry-go-round started moving.
"Thank you, Joe," Nicky said as he leaned against the pole. "I needed this. More than I thought."
Joe looked at the man he loved with his entire being. It was so good to see the joy back in his eyes again and a smile on his face.
"I know that," Joe replied. "And you can have as many rides as you want."
While Nicky and Nile enjoyed the merry-go-round, Joe and Booker got off after two rides.
"Let me guess," Joe said. "You're still not a fan of things that go around?"
"Very funny," Booker replied. "I'm getting too old for that kind of stuff."
"Sorry, what?" Joe asked. "You're not a day over 500. You can complain once you reach 1000 years."
Joe clapped Booker on the shoulders.
"Now," Joe said. "Let's have a burger."
Joe and Booker had just eaten their second burger when Nicky and Nile joined them.
"Instead of sitting here," Nile suggested. "Shouldn't we take a closer look at the Christmas market, Nicky? I think I saw a stall with Christmas cookies."
Nicky looked at Joe. It was not like Nicky needed Joe's permission to do things on his own; it was more their way of telling the other he was leaving but would be back again soon.
"I go with Booker. Andy talked about red wine, and maybe we can find some in town," Joe said. "See you back at the car in three hours?"
"Yes," Nicky replied. "But I think we need five hours."
"More than fine," Joe replied before kissing Nicky. "Love you."
"Love you, too," Nicky replied. "Have fun."
Nile took around Nicky's arm.
"I promise to keep your Hubby safe," Nile said. "No need for worries."
Nile dragged off with Nicky.
"You know what, Joe," Booker said. "This was a good idea."
"Thanks," Joe replied. "Glad you recognize my genius."
"I say what Andy always says," Booker replied. "Leave the jokes to Nicky. He is the funny one of you two."
When Joe and Booker returned to the car five hours later, Nile and Nicky were waiting for them with all their purchase plus two big boxes.
"Again, I ask," Booker said. "Why did we take the Morris Minor instead of the Jeep standing beside it?"
Booker looked at Joe.
"Maybe, and it is a big maybe," Joe replied. "I forgot to empty the Jeep for our weapons."
Booker then looked at Nicky.
"Leave me out of it," Nicky said. "I wasn't there when Joe arrived."
"Instead of talking about the ongoing saga of Joe and Nicky," Nile said. "Can we not get out of here? It's getting colder."
"Nile got a point," Joe replied. "And leave it to me; I know how to pack a Morris Minor."
Ten minutes later, they were on the way back to the safe house. Booker wasn't too happy about being cramped into the backseat of the Morris Minor with Nile on top together with the boxes.
"About your packing skills, Joe," Booker grumped. "This is worse than back in 1942."
"Are you talking about the train?" Joe asked. "Or the basement?"
"Don't remind me of the train or the basement," Booker replied. "No, I'm talking about you getting the idea of hiding me under the floorboards together with five boxes of dynamite. You also said you knew exactly how to pack the cramped space. For the record, you didn't because there was zero space for me to move around after you packed..."
Booker let out a groan when Nile elbowed him.
"Sorry," Nile said. "My arm cramped."
"No need to worry," Booker replied. "Could I ask you to move the box in front of me a bit?"
Nile did it, which earned her a grateful smile from Booker.
"When we get back," Nile said. "Could I hear the rest of the story from 1942?"
"Sure thing," Booker replied. "It is called a cautionary tale."
When they got back to the safe house, Booker could feel how sore his back was.
"Know this," Booker said. "I will..."
"Instead of killing Joe," Nicky cut in. "If I promise you can have the first batch of my Christmas cookies, will you leave Joe alone?"
"Deal," Booker replied. "But only because it is Christmas."
They got everything inside the safe house.
"Now," Nile said. "You leave the rest to me and Nicky."
"Fine with me," Joe replied. "Book? What about I beat you in Fifa?"
"Prepare to lose," Booker replied. "As always."
Because Joe and Booker as always forgot everything around them whenever they played Fifa, they didn't notice what Nile and Nicky were doing that night.
"Hi," Booker complained when Nile stood before the telly. "Why are you doing that?"
"To get your attention," Nile replied. "What do you say to what we have done?"
Joe and Booker looked around the living room, which was now decorated with Christmas ornaments, candles, hearts, snowmen, fake snow, and tinsel. And in the corner stood a decorated Christmas tree.
"It looks beautiful," Joe replied. "Right, Book?"
"Yeah," Booker replied. "We better tell Andy not to light a fire near the tinsel. Again."
They all laughed.
"Is that..." Booker asked as he took a deep sniff. "Nicky's Christmas cookies?"
"Yes, he has been baking and cooking most of the night," Nile replied. "Incredible you haven't smelled it before now."
Before Joe could get up, Booker pushed him back down into the chair with a big grin.
"Sorry, Mate," Booker said. "But Nicky promised me the first batch."
Booker ran towards the kitchen with Joe right after him.
"That might be," Joe replied. "But I'm married to Nicky..."
Nile smiled to herself. Somehow, she knew that the Christmas mood had returned to the safe house again, and it was something they all needed after the year they had had. Then Nile also joined the rest in the kitchen so she could have some of the Christmas cookies before Joe and Booker would have eaten them all. Something Nicky, of course, would try to prevent the best he could by reminding them all that they needed to save some of the Christmas cookies because Christmas wasn't over yet.