Work Text:
December 7th, 1952
“I wish we could spend our first Christmas together,” Caroline scooted closer on the bed, slotting her leg between Mary’s.
“I promised my parents I’ll come,” Mary sighed. “And you promised yours, remember?”
“You could go with me,” Caroline suddenly said. “My mother would love you.”
Mary considered the thought, just for a few moments. It wouldn’t be too suspicious if Caroline brought a friend on holidays, just for a couple of days. But then those couple of days would be a torture. They would have to sleep in different rooms, and Mary would have to hold back from kissing Caroline good morning in the kitchen, and holding her hand. After a few months of living together those small displays of tenderness have become her daily routine and she didn’t think she could give it up, even for a couple of days. Mary was pretending every minute of every day, except for those hours behind the safety of the closed door of their apartment. She couldn’t do it 24 hours in a row.
“Does anyone in your family know?” Mary asked. She knew Caroline’s parents didn’t, but if there was anyone, just one person who was on their side, it would be so much easier.
Caroline shook her head. “You know, it’s almost funny, because I don’t actually think they would hate me if I told them. Mom totally wouldn’t. Dad—he would probably try to marry me out, but he wouldn’t hate me, not really. But every time I want to tell them the truth, something stops me and there I am, lying to them about having a boyfriend.”
Mary understood. She didn't lie about having a boyfriend but sometimes she wanted to, only to stop going on dates her mother fixed for her. She almost asked her colleague Hawkins Fuller to pretend to be her boyfriend, but Fuller didn't need that. He was bulletproof without a fake relationship. More than that, he kind of had a fake relationship with Senator Smith's daughter without really doing anything for it. If only Mary had a friend who also needed cover, someone who would benefit from it too, so they were in the same boat.
She listed all her friends in her head. Luis was her age, but he was dedicated to the Church and hated lying. Caroline’s friend, Josh, was a bit older but he was too obvious. He couldn’t fool one person if they came to the party as a couple.
After listing four or five people she suddenly realized how many queer friends she and Caroline had. A community.
“We can’t spend holidays together but what if we threw a Christmas party a bit earlier here, at home?” She asked and rolled on top of Caroline, kissing her adorable frowning forehead. “We can invite some friends over, play charades, dance a little bit? Make our own celebration before everyone has to go to their families.”
Instead of hiding they would be able to touch and share kisses and dance together in front of people. The idea made Mary’s head spin.
Caroline was quiet for a few seconds, her eyes filled with something Mary couldn’t name. Warmth, but also surprise.
“Mary Johnson, I love you,” she breathed and pulled Mary down in a kiss. “It’s a brilliant idea, thank you,” she said into Mary’s lips between kisses. Mary’s heart raced at the words, even though she had heard them from Caroline before.
Giggling, feeling lightheaded from anticipation, Mary whispered, “I love you too.”