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The house is warm and festive as Keeley throws her annual Christmas party. There are fairy lights strung across the room and holiday music floating through the atmosphere as the guests mingle with each other. There’s a gorgeous white tree in the corner decorated with pink, rose gold, and white and black striped ornaments that really shouldn’t work for Christmas, but it does. Then again, he shouldn’t be surprised. This is Keeley he’s talking about here, and she has a way of pulling anything off.
The house is packed with players as well as some of Keeley’s friends from her firm, and while he’s never met them before, they seem lovely - they also seem to be getting on with Rebecca, and that makes him happy.
He knows Rebecca would never think Keeley was replacing her, but he knows firsthand how it can sometimes feel like that when you aren’t seeing your friend as much. He’s glad they all get along, that Keeley doesn’t have to split her time between her two groups.
He smiles as he sits on the couch, needing a minute away from the chaos to recharge. He loves people, yes. But there’s just so many he’s starting to feel a bit claustrophobic, and he’s not in his twenties anymore.
It’s nice, though, watching the interactions between everyone he loves. Keeley’s parties have always been a hit, and he’s pretty sure she’s the best party planner he knows.
Last year, it had been a bit hard to get lost in the energy of it all, having been away from Henry for the first time ever over Christmas. But he had his friends, and he had Rebecca, and so he made it through—if only just.
Rebecca somehow knew he would need someone to help pull him out of the darkness that had seeped inside his mind. His heart filled with so much love when he saw the message she left him on the sidewalk in tinsel.
They spent the whole day together, playing Santa’s elves to families that couldn’t afford Christmas. She even blew off Elton John’s Christmas party all so she could continue being with him.
They laughed, they brushed arms a lot, and they shared things with each other they normally didn’t. It was one of the best days of Ted’s life - all things considered - and it was something he thought about regularly. She cleared away the darkness from him that day, and he was forever grateful to her for it.
This year, however, is more manageable.
Michelle had agreed to let Henry come out for Thanksgiving for a whole week so long as Ted agreed to not ‘cause a fuss’ when it came to Henry staying with her for Christmas - which was unfair because he hadn’t ‘caused a fuss’ last year, but regardless of all that, he agreed without any complaints.
Of course he was still sad he wouldn’t be with his son physically on Christmas… again… but it was easier to cope. Plus, he knew it was better this way anyway. If he did have Henry for Christmas, he would have ended up spoiling the boy so much he’d have to fly back to Kansas City in Rebecca’s private jet just to get all his presents home.
This way was better.
And Henry and him had had a blast! They even had a Thanksgiving feast with Beard and the team and Rebecca. He wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
So now, this year, he could actually let go and enjoy the company of his boys—the same ones that kept thrusting drinks into his hand every time his glass got even close to empty, and because of that, he’s a bit tipsy.
The good kind, though. The kind where you feel warm and content with life and just happy. It definitely helps that once Rebecca had finished talking with Keeley and her friends, she found him in the middle of a dance battle with Dani and hasn’t left his side since.
He’s been tempted - more than once - to reach over and grab her hand. It doesn’t help that she’s practically sitting on top of him, but he blames the crowd for that, and he’s certainly not about to complain.
However, one could argue that every positive has a negative. In this case… the negative is a positive, but one he should not even entertain, thus making it a negative.
He shifts his gaze away from the boys playing beer pong, smiles at Rebecca, and then jerks his head towards her drink that’s almost gone. “Want another? You might not know this, but I make a mean cran-spiced martini.”
She smirked at him, a soft hum falling from her lips. “Oh, do you, now? Well, I would hate to miss out on the experience.”
His smile turns into a grin, and he thinks that maybe she might be flirting with him, but he also knows she’s not; that’s just the many drinks he’s had talking. Still, he takes her hand without thinking, tangling his fingers with hers because he has reason to take it now - he doesn’t want her to get lost in the crowd, obviously - and tipsy him is always so brave. He envies him.
He pulls her across the room and underneath the threshold to the kitchen—a threshold they have walked under many times that night, mind. Only this time, Jamie’s voice rings out over the soft music of “Santa Baby” - followed by whistles and whoops from the other players - and he’s not quite sure what that’s about until Jamie’s words make it to his brain, and he freezes.
“Oi! Coach! You gotta kiss the boss now!”
Ted blinks, his hand flexing slightly in hers, and he hopes she doesn’t notice. “Uhh…” his tipsy brain is having a bit of trouble understanding why Jamie said they had to kiss, all while screaming with excitement, saying ‘who the heck cares?’ as he throws all caution to the wind, grabs her waist, dips her, and kisses her like his life depends on it. “Why…” he says instead—so maybe tipsy him isn’t as brave as he thought.
“The stupid weed above your head,” Roy gruffs. “I’ve already had to kiss Beard and Higgins, so no fucking way you’re getting out of this one, gaffer.”
Both Ted and Rebecca slowly lift their eyes to the top of the doorframe, and sure enough, someone had taped a sprig of mistletoe there. Ted narrows his eyes at the offending plant. “Now, when did that get there?” he furrows his brow, looking back to Roy.
“Keeley put it up an hour ago. But rules are rules,” Roy shrugs. “It’s why I’m trapped in the kitchen. Not about to be kissing one of my players.”
Ted turns to look at Rebecca then, his eyes soft, and he just hopes she can’t see how badly he wants this. He thinks if she rejects him, it has the potential to destroy him because if she won’t kiss him because of a silly game, what makes him think she would kiss him for no reason at all?! She wouldn’t. “Up to you, boss. I would never force you into anything. Rules be damned!” he says firmly, though he’s pretty sure his face looks childlike and innocent. God, he hopes not…
Rebecca’s eyes briefly flick down to his lips before looking back at him. Instead of replying verbally, she grabs two fistfuls of the front of his jumper and pulls him in roughly.
It’s short, and fast, and quick. Just a peck of their lips, but it still takes Ted’s breath away. He vaguely hears the groans of disappointment from the team, the sound of his heartbeat in his ears far too loud to hear anything else, but then Rebecca grabs his hand again, as her free hand lifts up to his mouth, her thumb swiping over his bottom lip and he goes cross-eyed trying to look down so he can watch her.
“Sorry. Got some lipstick on you. There you are,” she hums and pulls her thumb away, squeezing his hand with the one holding it. “I think you promised me that drink?” she sings before she pulls him to the drink station.
And even though he still responds to her whenever she talks to him, and even though she stays by his side the rest of the night, and even though he still acts like good ole regular Ted - the same Ted that used to be blissfully unaware just how soft her lips are - his mind can’t stop thinking about her kissing him.
And if he’s honest, he doesn’t think he ever will.
~*~
Rebecca doesn’t miss the way the players keep giving her disappointing, sad looks when she walks into work Monday morning. She has no idea what that’s about, but she ignores it. The same way she’s trying to ignore the memory of Ted’s lips pressed against hers two days ago. If you ask her, she’d say she’s doing a pretty bang-up job.
Her door swings open the second she sits in her chair, and she can’t deny the disappointment in her chest when Keeley’s smiling face walks in. She had been hoping it was a certain moustachioed—Nope!
So maybe she’s not ignoring it as well as she thought…
“Keeley! What a lovely surprise. Late start at your firm today?” she smiles.
“No. I can’t stay long, but I have a favour to ask you,” Keeley bites her lip, giving Rebecca puppy dog eyes as she stands in front of her desk.
Rebecca sighs, knowing all too well the look Keeley is giving her. Whatever she needs help with, Keeley knows Rebecca is not going to like it. “With?”
Keeley takes a breath, “bantr is putting together a Christmas Holiday speed dating event, and I don’t have enough people—”
“Absolutely not.”
“You won’t even have to go on a proper date with anyone, Rebecca! I swear! I just need you there mingling during the game. Please! I’ve worked hard on this, they’re counting on me, and I’ve tried everything to get more sign-ups, but it’s not working. I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate,” Keeley clasps her hands together in front of her as she looks at Rebecca with pleading eyes.
Fuck.
Rebecca is silent for a moment before she groans in resignation. “Fine. But I’m not doing anything passed the event! I swear, Keeley. I’m only doing this to help you out, and it’s not for free, either. You owe me for this.”
Keeley jumps in excitement as she beams at her friend, a squeal escaping her tiny little body. “Oh my god. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise to make it up to you!!”
Before she can even reply, Keeley is already dashing out of the room. “I’ll text you the details at lunch and send over your questionnaire form for you to fill out! Sorry to dash, but I’m really so fucking late for work. Love you, babe!!”
Then she’s gone, and Rebecca’s left wondering just what she’s gotten herself into.
~*~
Ted leans back in his office chair, his hands clasped and resting against his stomach as he listens to Roy.
“Keeley has this thing Wednesday night, and she’s stressing because no one fucking signed up, and I want to look good, so you’re all fucking coming,” he grunts.
“Sounds more like you just want to get laid, mate,” Jamie snickers.
“OI!!!” Roy growls, lunging for him, but Isaac steps in between them, giving them both a look that has Ted shivering. Isaac’s bad side is not a place Ted would ever like to be; no, thank you.
Beard stares at Roy for a moment before sliding his gaze over to Ted, his head tilted slightly.
Ted nods once, and Colin makes a face, “hate it when you two do that.”
“Do what?” Ted blinks.
“Have conversations without talking,” Roy says for him. “It’s fucking weird, but not my business. Are you lot coming or not?”
Ted purses his lips as he wonders what event Keeley is putting on; though he’s not sure why it matters, they’ll be there to support Roy no matter what the event is. “Yeah, alright. Mind telling us what we’re gettin’ into, though?”
“It’s a speed dating Christmas event or some shit, but you don’t have to go on a date. Just need the numbers,” Roy huffs.
After hearing the second half of that sentence, Ted lets out a soft breath. He definitely isn’t in the market to date. Plus, it wouldn’t be fair to the women he got set up with if he had to. His mind was on one person and one person alone… as well as a particular set of lips pressed against his—No!
“That sounds fun, Roy! You can count on us!” Ted grins.
~*~
By the end of training, Ted already has the questionnaire sent to him up and ready to go. He fills it out as best as he can, despite knowing nothing will come of it. He’s doing this for Keeley and only Keeley.
He waits until later that night to fill it out, the telly on low as he sips a glass of wine, answering the many mundane questions about ‘what he’s seeking’ etc., etc.
What he doesn’t realise is how just across the green, the woman he can’t stop thinking about is doing the same thing.
~*~
Training on Wednesday goes by surprisingly fast, and he knows it’s because he’s nervous about tonight. He doesn’t know what to wear, or how to act, or what to say. He sort of feels icky for even going when he knows dang well he’s not going to be picking anyone up. Still, he just keeps reminding himself it’s for Keeley, and the thought eases him.
By the time he reaches the venue with Beard, his heart is pounding a mile a minute, and he wishes it would just calm down. He supposes that even if this whole thing is fake for him, it will still technically be his first date since Michelle, and because of that, it’s bringing up a lot of conflicting emotions.
The moment he walks into the venue and sees Rebecca standing next to a shimmering Christmas tree, he feels calmer, which is something he doesn’t want to dissect and answer at the moment. He just knows that with her here, he doesn’t have to worry as much, so he doesn’t.
She spots him immediately and smiles at him—the warm smile that seems reserved only for him, but he knows he’s not that special. She does meet him halfway, though, which is already loads better than Michelle and he was married to that woman. “Hi, boss,” he says softly. “Didn’t know you’d be here tonight. I must say, it’s a pleasant little surprise for me.”
Rebecca rolls her eyes, but it’s playful. “And I didn’t know you’d be here either. Perhaps tonight won’t be as painful as I initially thought.”
Ted feels his heart lunge in his chest, and he nods because he doesn’t know what else to say, but it’s not awkward or uncomfortable; it’s bliss—being with her.
He is glad of one thing, though, he’s glad that Roy didn’t invite Sam. Don’t get him wrong, he loves the kid, but having to see him interact with Rebecca in a ‘dating’ situation - even if it’s all in the past - is something he doesn’t want to go through.
It’s not long before Keeley hands everyone their numbers and tells the participants where to sit. Boys will be the rotating group, whilst the girls get to stay at their tables.
The rounds will last 7 minutes, and everyone has a small notepad and pen to take notes on what they liked or didn’t like about their matches. Unlike regular speed dating, this event gave the men a list of numbers to meet with and in what order. Those were considered their ‘matches’, and it was why they had to fill out a questionnaire in the first place.
It makes sense that it’s different, considering it’s organised by bantr, which is all about compatibility through questions. And while he doesn’t care either way because he’s always able to interact with someone, even if they have nothing in common, he is thankful that Rebecca most likely won’t have to endure dull - or worse, forceful - men.
And who knows… maybe she’ll actually find someone. The thought hurts, but at the end of the day, he just wants her happy.
His first match is with a younger woman. She’s blonde, thin, and bubbly, and he listens to her enthusiastic stories about breeding rabbits. Before he knows it, the bell is ringing, and he’s onto his next match.
Thankfully, the rest of his matches go by just as quickly. He doesn’t talk much like he usually would, and while he feels slightly guilty about that, he can’t bring himself to care. As he said before, there’s only one woman he cares about. Only one woman he would be more than happy to go on a date with. To be with.
But he knows it won’t ever happen, and he’s made his peace—sort of.
As the night dwindles, there’s only one match to go, and when he walks up to the table, his breath catches in his throat as he slowly sits down. He swallows slightly before forcing a sly grin to come to his lips. He figures he’s allowed to be flirty because this is a ‘dating’ situation. “Fancy meetin’ you here, boss,” he croons.
Rebecca rolls her eyes, but he can tell she’s just as pleased to see him. “You already knew I was here, Ted.”
He hums in acknowledgement, his elbow resting on the table as his hand rests against his cheek. “So I did,” he smiles softly. “Anyone in this room I needa rough up for ya? They all better’ve treated you like a lady.”
Rebecca laughs, shaking her head in amusement. “Making your accent thicker does not make you appear tougher. You wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
He shrugs, his eyes bright. “Mm, I think you’d be surprised. Put me in the right situation, and I’d burn this place to the ground - or I suppose it would be the wrong situation,” he frowns thoughtfully.
“You’re ridiculous, Coach Lasso,” she says fondly, and his heart soars.
They continue to talk for the remaining five minutes, Ted dropping the ‘flirting’ act because he doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable. By the time the bell rings, Ted feels as though he has just sat down, but that’s what talking with Rebecca did to him. She makes him feel like no time has passed. Like it’s just them.
Ted stands from his chair and waits for Rebecca to grab her purse. He’s glad she was last for him because he’s not sure he would have been able to continue pretending with the other women now that he’s been with Rebecca.
As they make their way back over to the Christmas tree, Keeley darts in front of them, clutching papers tightly in her hand whilst suppressing giggles.
Ted raises an eyebrow at her, his hand twitching to reach over and rest on the small of Rebecca’s back, but he keeps it by his side. “Something funny?”
Keeley snickers, waving the papers in front of their faces so fast he can’t even tell what they are. There’s a mischievous glint in her eye when she says her next words, and his stomach drops. “You two are so compatible! I mean, I knew you two got on, but Jesus… I’ve never seen such high scores on this! I find it amusing, is all.”
Ted doesn’t see the glare Rebecca shoots Keeley with, which is just as well because if he had, he probably would have misinterpreted the meaning. “Well, look at that, boss! Top of the class. I mean, I knew you’d be there, but”—he lets out a low whistle—“it’s an honour to be standing next to ya.”
Keeley grins as she glances between the two of them, but then her face melts into something more hesitant and serious, and Ted feels the hair on the back of his neck stand at what she’s about to say because he knows she’s going to ask something of him.
“So listen… because you’re so compatible, it’s gonna look terrible on my end if you guys don’t at least go on one date…” Keeley bites her lip, and Ted freezes next to Rebecca.
Rebecca’s face hardens, and Ted can hear her breathing pick up. “No. Absolutely not.”
Ted’s heart just about shatters into one million pieces, but he never expected anything more. He knows she cares for him, he knows she doesn’t mean it in a cruel way, but it still hurts. He rubs the back of his neck, a pained look on his face. “Doin’ this was one thing, Keels, but an actual date? That’s asking a lot…”
Keeley stares at them like they’ve lost their minds before rolling her eyes. “You two have dinner by yourselves all the time!! You can’t seriously be trying to argue this one with me!” There’s a slight whine in her voice.
“Well, yeah, but… they’re not dates!! Just friendly dinners, sometimes even work dinners…” Ted says weakly, but even he must admit she has a point. It’s not like someone would be there watching them, ensuring it was a date.
“Pleeeeaaaaassssseeeee!!” and this time, it’s definitely a full-blown whine. “I can’t put your success papers in the pile if you two don’t at least try! And things have been dicey lately… I really need as many compatible matches as I can get. I won’t even put your names on the success stories, and it’s just one date! It’s not like you have to keep dating.”
Ted stares at her for a moment before glancing at Rebecca, who gives him the tiniest nod, but her face is expressionless, and he doesn’t know what that means. “Fine!” he huffs out. “Fine…”
Keeley’s eyes widen in shock before she screams and wraps her arms around both of their necks, hugging them as tight as she can. “Oh my god, oh my god!! Thank you, Ted!”
Ted sighs, but there’s no heat to it as he takes his outer hand and pats her back, his fingers brushing against Rebecca’s, who had also placed her hand on Keeley’s back. He’s just glad neither of them can see the blush on his cheeks as he quickly pulls his hand away and places it lower. “I’ll walk Rebecca home, and we’ll figure out a date.”
They pull away then, and Rebecca adds, “for you!! Don’t be getting any ideas that your little test meant anything.”
Ted has a feeling there’s a story there he wasn’t privy to, but he isn’t about to ask.
Keeley nods rapidly, her eyes wide and soft as she thanks them again, and bounces away to attend to her other participants.
Ted lets out a low chuckle, his head shaking slightly. “And you think I’m the ridiculous one?” he snickers.
“Yes, well, perhaps I’m starting to rethink that. You’re very normal in comparison,” she smirks, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
And Ted beams.
“Want to stay longer? Or is it okay if you walk me home now? I’m a bit peopled out for today…” she says after a moment.
“Oh- if you want me to get you a cab, I can. We can figure out the details tomorrow or something. I don’t want to stress you out more than you—”
She reaches over and slowly grabs his hand, her eyes roaming over his face as she finds the strength to be brave. “You don’t count.”
Ted’s chest warms, and flips, and feels all squiggly inside as he gently squeezes her hand back. “Neither do you.”
~*~
They walk silently for the first half of their journey before Rebecca finally speaks. “So… when should we have this date of ours?”
Ted purses his lips in thought, his hands shoved into his pockets because he’s worried he’ll take her hand if they’re not. “Tomorrow night?” When she nods in agreement, Ted continues, “maybe we can have dinner at The Shard?”
She doesn’t look at him as she replies, opting to keep her gaze forward. “That’s a bit too romantic, I think. It’s… weird. I know we’ve had dinner together at more romantic places, but knowing it’s a date… just… I don’t know; I’m being silly.”
Ted looks at her, his eyes filled with nothing but understanding. “It’s not silly, Rebecca. I understand that. How about the pub then? Spilt beer all around, screaming crowds, drunken youngins. The exact opposite of romantic, I think,” he chuckles.
Rebecca smirks, a soft laugh escaping her as well. “That sounds perfect, but… would it be possible to go to a pub on the outskirts of town?” she asks him just as they arrive at her townhouse.
Ted walks her up to the front door and nods. “Anything you want. I would offer to pick you up, but I don’t have a car…” he furrows his brow.
Rebecca turns to look at him, a softness on her face that Ted can’t make out the meaning of, and then she’s hugging him, and he thinks he might melt. “It’s alright. My driver will take us. I’ll text you the time.”
She gives him one last squeeze before pulling away and unlocking her door. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Ted.”
Ted nods in return, unable to find his voice as she shuts the door, leaving him on the doorstep wishing he was a braver man.
~*~
Unlike the day before, work drags on and on. He’s so excited for their date that’s not a date, but it’s a date, that time doesn’t even seem to be moving. The second work ends, he darts out of the building so fast, missing the knowing glances Roy and Beard give each other.
Ted’s pretty sure he changed his outfit seven different times, changed his shoes maybe ten, and we’re not even going to talk about how many times he changed his underwear. And why the heck did he even do that?! Not like she was going to see them!
Even in a world where they hit it off and ended up dating at the end of this date, she still wouldn’t see them because he didn’t want her to think he only wanted that. He’d never jump into bed with her on a first date for so so so many reasons.
Still, he kept on changing it like it was the thing that was going to bring his outfit together.
He didn’t know why he was so nervous. It wasn’t like this was any different than before. It wasn’t like this date was somehow going to ruin their friendship. They were just going on one to help out a mutual friend. That’s all it was.
He flails when the buzzer to his flat rings out, running his fingers through his hair one last time and grabbing the bouquet of flowers he had bought on the way home from work.
He’s wearing a burnt orange jumper with his puffer coat thrown over it. He has on dark blue trousers and his Jordan 1 Low SB UNCs.
When he answers the door, she takes his breath away.
She’s wearing a boysenberry/white plaid button-down shirt. She has form-fitting jeans, which takes him back to last Christmas. And to top it all off, she’s wearing her tan trench coat. But what gets him going the most are the black Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s. It almost makes him pass out, but he doesn’t and even manages a smile. She looks beautiful, and he tells her such.
“You look… stunning,” he breathes out before he can stop himself. “Uhh… these are for you!” he says quickly, thrusting out the bouquet of biscuit box pink flowers, complete with roses, gerbera daisies, stargazer lilies, and white snapdragons.
He thinks he can see a blush dust her cheeks as she accepts them, but then again, it’s cold outside, so he doesn’t think it’s because of him.
She smiles and holds them close as she jerks her head toward the road where her car is waiting for them. “They’re lovely. I’ll make sure my driver gets them in some water after he drops us off. Ready to go?”
Ted shoves his hands in his pockets and nods. “Lead the way, Mary Kay.”
~*~
The ride to the pub was silent - and unfortunately, it was the awkward kind. Ted isn’t sure what’s wrong with him, but even now, sitting at the booth in the pub, it’s awkward.
There are bouts of silence, and when someone opens their mouth to speak, they end up speaking at the same time, both having decided that was the moment to break the silence.
They’ve been there for a half hour, have already had one pint of beer when Rebecca finally says, “what are we doing?”
And Ted feels his heart drop so low in his chest, feels sick to his stomach that he’s about to be rejected when this wasn’t even something they were trying for. “What do you mean?”
She gives him a look, her eyebrow raised. “Ted. You can practically see the tension between us. But… why? Keeley’s right; we do this all the time. So why is it that tonight is different? Why is it weird tonight..? It shouldn’t be.”
Ted feels the relief leave his body so quickly it almost leaves him lightheaded. “I dunno.” Maybe because I’d really like it to be one, and I know it won’t ever be, but that’s something he won’t ever tell her.
She lets out a sigh, a slight frown on her face. “Neither do I. Because it shouldn’t. It’s us.”
A slow smile spreads across his face, his foot tapping against hers from under the table. “Is it? I hadn’t noticed,” he snickers, softening his face when she gives him a playful glare. “Wanna share an English pork pie?”
And just like that, things return to normal.
~*~
Dinner had gone exceptionally. Far better than he ever expected, especially considering how the evening started. But once they acknowledged it, it was how it always was with them—maybe even better than usual? Ted could have sworn she was flirting with him, could have sworn there were lingering touches and knees brushing up against each other a lot more than usual.
Rebecca instructs her driver to drop them off about a half mile away from her home so Ted can walk her home, and he feels butterflies in his chest at the implication of that. She doesn’t want the date to be done yet, and he doesn’t either. He wants to stay with her forever, but that’s too much, and he refuses to be too much again, so he keeps it inside.
They walk in blissful silence, occasionally commenting on the fairy lights they pass or the Christmas decorations all strewn around. He’s just about bursting with happiness as he walks with her, his shoulder brushing up against hers occasionally.
They turn a corner into a plaza where a group of buskers are playing, and he stops. It’s not quite Christmas, but the feeling is the same. The memory of listening to the buskers last year with her, warming him in ways his coat can’t.
I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
Being with her, listening to the buskers on the street, remembering how she saved him from himself last year without even realising it… The fairy lights and decorations that light the plaza as people rush to get their last-minute shopping done. The song itself… make him feel brave. He slowly takes his hand out of his pocket and reaches for hers, tangling their fingers together as he leans closer, his arm pressing up against hers.
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
His heart is pounding at the possibility of rejection, but it doesn’t matter because suddenly, she’s resting her head against his, and he thinks he might be the luckiest man in the universe.
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
The snow starts to fall around them, and Ted almost laughs at how cliché it all is, but he’s not about to ruin this moment between them, and he’s always been a romantic at heart. In truth, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
Ted turns to look at her just as a snowflake lands lightly on one of her eyelashes. He smiles softly as he uses his free hand to reach up and gently brush it away with the back of his pointer finger.
What more can I do?
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you
They stay pressed up against each other, Rebecca resting her head back against Ted’s as the song plays.
When it finishes, Ted keeps his hand in hers as they start to walk again. Neither say anything as they journey toward her townhome. Ted’s far too caught up in his own head about what this all means—if it means anything at all. He doesn’t realise that Rebecca is thinking the same exact thing.
~*~
He walks her up to her doorstep, finally letting go of her hand so she can fish her keys out of her purse. The snow is still falling from the sky, absorbing the sounds of the world around them and making it appear quieter than it really is. It’s one of Ted’s favourite things - that and how nighttime during winter always seems brighter.
She pulls her keys out of her bag and fiddles with them for a moment. “I… had a good time, Ted.”
And for the second time that night, he feels brave. He takes a breath and leans in slowly, only stopping when his lips are a hair length away from hers. “Tell me if this isn’t okay…” he breathes, the lowness of his voice causing his chest to vibrate as his heart hammers away.
She closes the gap as a way of answering him, and he can’t stop the whimper that escapes him. Her arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer to her, and he smiles against her lips as he wraps his arms around her waist.
It’s even better the second time. This time there’s no one around. This time they’re both taking their time with each other, enjoying how their lips seem to fit together perfectly.
Kissing her warms him like the sun.
When they finally pull away, Ted rests his forehead against hers; his eyes still closed as he tries to catch his breath. It hadn’t even been a heated kiss, it was soft and languid, but he still feels like he ran a marathon—the things she does to him.
“That was… nice,” he says softly, a smirk on his face as he finally pulls away to look at her. “Far better than our last one,” he winks, and she rolls her eyes at him, but there’s a grin on her face.
She bites her lip then, her fingers playing with the fringe at the base of his neck. “Would you like to come in..?”
Ted groans, his head falling forward to rest against her shoulder as he breathes her in. “Heck. More than anythin’, Bec. I need you to know that. I want it more than you could possibly know, but… not tonight,” he whispers.
She smiles into his hair, runs her hands down his back, and pulls him closer. “It’s okay. I understand.”
She holds him like that for a moment before taking a breath. “I don’t want to admit this to Keeley… It’s nothing to do with you; it’s just…” she trails off and shakes her head. “Can we just keep this a secret for now?”
Ted gently pulls back to look at her better, his eyes searching her face as he worries his bottom lip. “Oh… I dunno about that. I don’t feel good lyin’ to her…”
“It’s not forever. Please, Ted. I know her… and I know how badly she wanted this to happen. It’s too much of a coincidence, even for her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she set it up!”
Ted’s face softens, a chuckle vibrating through him. “Alright. If that’s what you wish, we can keep it a secret as long as you’d like.”
By the time he makes it home, he barely even remembers how he got there. Far too caught up in the memory of her lips against his, for real this time, and the knowledge that she actually feels the same about him. Something he didn’t think was at all possible.
~*~
Keeley glides into her office the next morning, a grin on her face as she plops down on the couch, patting next to her. “Details. Now!”
Rebecca sighs but stands regardless and moves over to sit next to her best friend. “There are no details, Keeley. It was fine. Just two really good friends having dinner like we always do.”
Keeley narrows her eyes as she studies her, probably looking for signs that she’s recently had sex or something or another. She knows that Keeley wants to press her more, can see it in her eyes. She also knows she has to get to work. “Is that all? I’m sorry there aren’t any juicy details to share with you. We went over the new budget the whole time.”
Keeley pouts, but her eyes still narrowed in suspicion. “I suppose so. You’re lucky I have to get to work, or I would stay here all day wearing you down.”
Rebecca laughs, “in vain, I’m afraid. Considering there’s nothing to wear down.”
Keeley huffs and stands up, hugging Rebecca tightly when she stands as well. “Fine.” She pulls away then, her eyes soft. “But seriously, thank you, babe. So much. You saved my arse.”
Rebecca hums, “you’re lucky I love you. Now I’ll see you Sunday for our standing dinner?”
“Yep! Roy is making the perfect Sunday roast! Just you wait!!!”
“I look forward to it!” Rebecca calls as Keeley bounces out of the room.
~*~
The second Rebecca gets home from work, she kicks her shoes off, pours herself a glass of wine, and calls Ted, her heart flipping when he answers on the first ring. “How was your first day living a lie?” she snickers.
“Ohhh! Horrible! I tell ya, boss. I was not built for lying! Had to dodge both Roy and Keeley together and separately! But lie, I did. I’m not proud of it, and I may hate it, but I can lie my pants off if I need to. I still don’t understand why you don’t want to tell her, though. If this is something she’s wanted, won’t she be happy for you?”
Rebecca sighs, “she’ll be far too happy about it is the problem. I just know she’ll make a big thing of it, and I’m not ready to admit she was right years ago. I’m stubborn.”
She can practically hear the grin in Ted’s voice when he speaks.
“Years ago, huh?? Beard’s been sayin’ the same thing to me for just as long. Except I did come to terms with it a few months back…”
She laughs softly, playing with the stem of her wine glass. “So… I was just wondering… how long do I have to wait before I get you over here?”
Ted is silent for a moment, and she mentally curses herself. Randy Rebecca, her brain chants in Rupert’s voice, but Ted chases away the cruel thoughts with his following words.
“Is… now okay?”
Her heart stops, her breathing stutters, and her insides feel like she’s flying. “I thought you wanted to wait and take it slow…” she whispers.
“Sort of… I just didn’t want our first date to be that… but the truth is… Beard and Keeley are right. I’ve been crushin’ on you for years now, and Rebecca, I’m not gettin’ any younger.”
She smiles into her glass as she takes a sip of wine. “I’m free,” she says once she sets the glass back down on the counter.
“Okie dokie, artichokie! Give me ten minutes!!”
~*~
Ted rolls off her as she lays on her back, panting. “Jesus fucking Christ, Ted. Why the fuck have you been hiding this talent of yours?!”
Ted bursts into laughter as he cuddles up next to her. “Apologies. I wasn’t aware I was supposed to show off my moves to everyone I meet.”
“With moves like that? I don’t think anyone would oppose. Though, I will be opposing it now. I’m selfish and don’t want to share.”
Ted smiles and kisses her shoulder, nipping it once before chuckling lowly, “I don’t want anyone else but you. You don’t have to worry.”
She opens her mouth to reply right as her phone starts to ring. Ted kisses her shoulder one more time before reaching over to the nightstand, grabbing his and hers phones, and handing her the ringing one. “Keeley’s FaceTiming you. I’ll hide under the covers,” he winks at her, and she shoots him a look that tells him to behave.
Rebecca quickly throws on her shirt and sits up in bed before answering the phone. “Hi, love! What’s up?” she tries not to focus on how her hair is a right mess, and her makeup is slightly smudged. Maybe if she doesn’t focus on it, Keeley won’t notice it.
“I just wanted to talk more about the date- wait. Why do you look like you’ve been properly shagged?! Is someone over???” she narrows her eyes, flailing a bit as she looks closer at the screen.
Rebecca raises an eyebrow at her. “No… I was just sleeping. It’s been a long day, and I was tired.”
Keeley cranes her neck to presumably look at her clock. “It’s, like, only nine, babe. No way you were sleeping.” Her eyes drift to something off-screen before she says, “hold on one sec!”
Keeley stretches out of frame for a moment before coming back. Her eyes keep glancing down at her lap and back up to Rebecca. “Yeahhhh, I don’t buy it.”
“It’s called beauty sleep, Keeley. I don’t need to expl—”
She’s cut off by Ted’s phone ringing from underneath the covers. She can feel Ted wince as he mumbles, “oh, shoot.”
Rebecca smacks him.
“I FUCKING KNEW IT, YOU LIAR!!!!” Keeley screams, shaking the phone around so dramatically Rebecca has to look away from the blurriness. When she comes back into frame, she’s grinning. “Hi, Ted!!”
Ted slowly pokes his head up from the covers, his hair sticking out in different directions as he gives Keeley a sheepish wave, flipping his phone around to show Rebecca who’s calling him.
Roy.
Keeley lifts Roy’s phone up in the frame and glares at Rebecca for a moment, but it doesn’t last long before she’s squealing again. “Fuck! I should be livid with you two, but I’m just so happy for you both that I don’t even care!! I am, however, coming to your house tomorrow morning, and we’re talking about it for real this time!” she says firmly before waggling her eyebrows. “Don’t stay up too late, you crazy kids!” she winks suggestively and then gives them both air kisses before hanging up the phone.
Ted chuckles when Rebecca huffs. “That didn’t last long,” she mumbles.
He reaches over and gently grabs her face, pulling her in and kissing her softly, and she melts against him. He swipes his thumb over her cheekbone, a soft snicker vibrating through his chest, “I don’t think it was meant to, darling.”