Chapter Text
Usually, Nicky and Nile would be in a Christmas mood already in October, but when December came around, it hadn't happened. And Joe understood very well why it hadn't happened - the last six months had been hard with a mission that had gone terribly wrong from the get-go. Joe shook his head, trying to forget the mission, before he looked down at a sleeping Nicky. It was there Joe decided to do something for them all, something that might bring back the Christmas mood again. Joe tucked Nicky under the duvet before kissing him on the cheek. When Joe was sure Nicky was still sleeping, Joe, as quietly as he could, left the bedroom.
In the living room, Nile was sleeping on the sofa after falling asleep to what she called "Binge Watching". Joe took the laptop and closed it before he tucked Nile under a blanket.
"You're up early," Booker said when he came into the living room with a cup of coffee. "Or haven't you been to bed yet?"
"I have, yes, but I got too much on my mind," Joe replied. "Mainly the shit mission."
"None of us are to blame for the lack of intel," Booker replied. "So my advice is to move on and forget it. It's the best you can do, or else it will eat you up alive. I know it."
Joe nodded. He was glad that Booker had come to that realisation during his exile.
"Andy?" Joe asked. "Has she checked in?"
"Yep, she did that an hour ago," Booker replied. "And she told me she was expecting a big Christmas feast when she returned in ten days. And with better wine than the one we had in 1882."
Joe leaned up against the door frame with crossed arms.
"I am also worried it won't happen this year," Booker said. "Not when the two who usually are in charge of Christmas aren't in the mood for it."
"I might have an idea that could help," Joe replied. "But I need you to find something for me."
"I try," Booker replied. "What are you looking for?"
"I'll tell you in a moment," Joe replied. "But first, promise me you are going with us without any complaints. I think getting out of the safe house will do us all good."
"Yeah, fine," Booker replied. "I go, but only because I need a new laptop."