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Earlier in the week Chloe had asked Steve what his plans for the holiday were, but Steve had just shrugged saying something about catching up on some much-needed sleep and visiting his parents and his sister’s family. As of now, only DCC Wise is aware that he and Ted are involved in a relationship. Steve knew it would come out eventually, he or Ted would slip and it would be obvious to an office full of coppers and he was working on a way to tell Chloe. He was just waiting for quitting time although Chloe and Eldwick had left a few moments before. Knowing that he had a little while to wait until Ted came out of his office to gather him for the trip home, Steve began checking some match scores on his phone. He began reading an article about a potential trade the Celts were considering when he nearly flung his phone as a ringtone that hadn’t called him in a little while began ringing Not since she had visited him at work a couple of months back as Steve was trying to regain his feet under him…
”Kate! Whatcha up to mate?
“Not much, just wanted to make sure you had some plans for the holiday and wouldn’t be alone…”
”I won’t be alone…I will be giving my lease up next month though…”
”Things are going good between you and the Gaff…my former gaffer then?” Kate asked. She was still wrapping her head around the change in their relationship. She was happy for them both, but still, she had some concerns for Steve. He was like her little brother, she would be suspicious of anyone who had so obviously captured the wee fella’s heart. Even her former Gaffer.
”Yeah, things are going great,” Steve says as he looks up toward Ted’s office. He is still at his desk, busy typing something, “What do you have on the docket for the holidays?”
”I have to pick up a few books on the way home, apparently there is an Icelandic exchange student at Josh’s school that has him all fired up about this thing called Jolabokaflod… books are given on Christmas Eve and you spend the night having snacks and reading together. I would have suggested it earlier if that would have made Josh crave books like this…”
”Sure mate, let me guess this exchange student is a young woman Josh’s age?”
”Actually it is a young man, he and Josh became fast friends and are on the same after school soccer team. Anyway, I am thankful for it. We should get together soon, feel free to bring the Gaffer,” Kate invited.
”Sure, I’ll call you as I assume tonight is not good?”
”I’d love to, tonight but it is Christmas Eve and I have to find myself a good book, it appears…
“No worries, have a Merry Christmas Kate!”
”You too Steve, you and the…Ted. I really am happy for you two,” Kate said before hanging up.
Steve stared at the phone in his hand, an idea taking hold and spinning around his mind…He knew Ted loved to read and he loved curling up with Ted and if Ted could be persuaded to read to him…utter bliss… He had just the perfect…
”You ready to go fella?” Ted’s voice surprisingly close to his ear startled Steve from his reverie.
”Uh yeah… you know how we didn’t have anything particularly planned for tonight…other than your Mom’s Dublin Coddle you put in the crockpot this morning…I have an idea. We need to stop by my place first,” Steve asked as they made their way down to the parking garage.
”Sure Darlin’.”
Ted waited for Steve to give him details about what he had in mind, but Steve didn’t say anymore, in fact, asked Ted to stay in the car as he rushed into his apartment. They were still in the middle of packing everything although they had moved a lot of furniture into a storage unit. Steve’s TV had been brought over to Ted’s a couple of weeks ago. Both Ted and Morrigan were entranced by the humongous screen that took up half the small living room’s inner wall.
A few minutes later, out Steve comes with a small bag, tied up, in hand. Whatever it held, it wasn’t anything big. It reminded Ted of the small box he had been carrying for days but still hadn’t found the right time to give it to Steve, but it was more substantial than the small ring box Ted carried.
“Got what you needed?” Ted asked, inquisitively, trying to open Steve up a bit and give him a clue as to what he had in mind, but Steve just leaned over the gear shift and kissed Ted sweetly.
“All set, I can’t wait for tea, I have been thinking about your Dublin Coddle, and what you put in it, had me drooling most of the day,”
”Me too son, me too. I hope Muninn and Morrigan didn’t try to take the cover off!” Ted’s eyes furrowed at the thought, his foot pressing slightly harder on the accelerator to get them home.
The tea was safe, but both Ted and Steve were corralled by two very excited and hungry ravens upon entering the home.
As all four of them sat down for tea, Steve asked, “Have you ever heard of something called Jolabokaflod?”
“Can’t say that I have,” Ted answers, Morrigan looks over at Steve and mimics ‘Jola jola jola groooonk’, Muninn makes his own series of similar noises as he reaches for the serving spoon to nudge it, indicating he is ready for more. Eat now, talk later, Steve was able to read his intent and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Jolabokaflod is an Icelandic custom of gifting books on Christmas Eve, but most importantly reading with your family and sharing hot chocolate and snacks!”
”Snaaaaacks” Muninn quorked looking interestedly now at Steve.
”Yeah, and I thought maybe we could do something similar…I have this book, it was recommended by my phyiscal therapist. Says she knows the author and has read it and thinks I’d would love it, so she got me an autographed copy. I started it, but we could start it again tonight…well, we could gather our goodies and curl up in bed and you could read it to me?” Steve asked shyly as he opened the bag he had kept by his side since retrieving it at his flat. He takes out the book reverently and holds it out to Ted.
"Hmmmm," Ted hummed as he read the back cover. “This Broadmeadow fella sounds interesting and wee Danny sounds like a nice fella too. I would love to read to you, too, come here,” Ted said, leaning over to kiss Steve deeply. “You go get ready for bed. I’ll put the leftovers up. I’ll make us some hot chocolate and be right up to curl up in our bed and read to you.”
Ted came up the stairs, carrying some hot chocolate and raven-safe beef broth in cups, his heart doing funny things in his chest as he took in the sight of Steve in his pajamas, and the other members of his flock there too, ready for an evening curled up together, with him reading to them, safe in their own little world.