Christmas Wish
Christmas, 1967
After the team had begun working together they began a tradition of spending Christmas together. This year was different; three of teammates weren’t there.
With a drink in one hand and cigarette in the other, Rollin paced in front of the windows of his beach house. Cinnamon, Jim and Barney were away and had been due back yesterday. Overdue was never a good sign. He took another drag on his cigarette and looked out at the waves. Where was she?
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. They would normally gather together, no matter where they were to celebrate the holiday. If they were in town, they would gather at Cinnamon’s apartment. She would decorate a tree and have gifts for everyone. It meant a lot to each of them. It gave them a sense of family. Except for Barney, none of them had anyone so Cinnamon tried to give them that.
Never good at waiting, he needed to do something. He moved to the phone and dialed Willie’s number. His friend answered. “Will. No. I haven’t heard anything, either. Can you meet me at Cinnamon’s? ‘Bout an hour. Thanks Will. See ‘ya then.”
An hour later Rollin pulled up in behind Willie’s navy-blue corvette with a Christmas tree tied across the back of his mustang.
Willie walked up to the passenger side door looking at the tree. “What’s going on, Rollin? You playing Santa?” He asked.
Rollin smiled at his friend as he called out. “Yeah, Will, and you get to be an elf.”
Willie looked at Rollin. “I do?”
Rollin laughed. “Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve and we need to be ready.” Rollin said climbing from the car.
Together, the two men took the tree up to Cinnamon’s apartment and there they spent the rest of the day and into the night decorating the tree. With Rollin finally satisfied with their work, he assessed the refrigerator and decided some grocery shopping was in order. Willie was not of much help as his suggestions tended toward the more healthy ideas but they settled on a few selections of holiday foods that Cinnamon normally chose for the Christmas Eve get-together. They stocked fridge on their return and the two exhausted men collapsed on the couch.
“This Christmas decorating stuff is a lot harder than it looks.” Willie admitted.
Rollin assessed the shimmering tree with a smile. “Yeah, but Will, we did a good job.”
Willie nodded. “Yeah, it is pretty.” He sighed. “I just hope everybody gets to enjoy it.” He added sadly.
“They will.” Rollin said positively with a glance at his friend. “They will.”
Willie nodded. “You know it’s late. We oughta get outta here.” Willie said.
“Yeah. I’ll clean up. You know how she is.”
Willie smiled. “You want me…”
“Nah, I got it.”
Willie rose from the couch. Rollin followed his friend to the door. “Thanks for helping me, Will.” Rollin said, slapping Willie and the back.
“You can always count on me, Rollin.” He said shaking Rollin’s hand firmly.
Rollin shook his head as Willie closed the door.
Rollin put away the boxes of ornaments and lights they had used. Then he retrieved the gifts he had in the trunk of his car and placed them beneath the tree.
He called to see if there was any update on the team’s whereabouts. Still nothing.
He took a beer from the refrigerator and sat in front of the tree to enjoy
his accomplishment. He sat remembering the Christmas’ from his childhood in
a small
He made no secret about the way he felt about her. They’d been sleeping together for over a year. Barney and Willie knew about them. Jim did too. He just ignored it for the sake of the team because they were damn good together. They worked hard to keep their private relationship ‘off the radar’ of the company. He wondered how Barney had managed to have a real relationship. Of course, he hadn’t fallen for someone in their business. Paula was pregnant and probably crazy with worry. He should call her, but what could he tell her? He didn’t know anything either. Where were they?
Rollin set his empty beer aside and closed his eyes.
It was nearly
“Looks like you have your own Santa.” He said.
“I guess so.” She smiled. “You better get home to Paula.” She said.
He turned to leave. “Are we still getting together later?”
She nodded. “I’ll call you.”
He gave her a wink as she closed the door, locking it behind him.
She removed her wool coat and laid it aside as she walked around her apartment. All her Christmas decorations were up, just like every year. She looked down at Rollin where he slept. He must have done it in anticipation of her return. She knelt beside the couch and looked up again at the tree. It was beautiful. She caressed his cheek. “Rollin.” She called softly.
His eyes opened at his name. His smile came as he recognized her. “You’re back.”
She nodded. “Safe and sound.” She said.
He pushed himself up to sit on the couch and she kicked off her heels and moved beside him. “It looks like you’ve been busy.” She said.
“Don’t you like my present?” He asked, indicating the tree.
She smiled. “It’s beautiful. You did that all yourself?” She asked moving into his arms.
“I had a little help.” He admitted as he pulled her close.
She leaned against him. “Willie has a lot of talent with those lights.” He said.
She smiled. “Willie?”
He nodded. “I’m glad your home.” He kissed her.
“So am I. I’m exhausted.” She said.
“Let’s get you to bed then.” He said taking her hand and pulling her from the couch.
Cinnamon didn’t resist. She’d been traveling in various modes of uncomfortable transport for the past forty hours and she was ready to for a hot shower, soft bed and warm hands.
He turned down the bed. She came from the steamy bath to find him on the edge of the bed waiting for her. “I thought you might want a massage.”
“Sweetheart, as soon as my head hits that pillow…” She said.
He patted her pillow. “Time to sleep.”
She slipped underneath the sheets, relaxing into her pillow. He kissed her forehead and moved away.
“Where are you going?” She asked reaching for him.
“I thought you wanted to rest.”
“Come to bed.” She said. “I’m exhausted but I’d rather have you here.”
He rounded the bed, striped to his t-shirt and boxers and slipped in beside her.
She snuggled next to him. “Thank you for being here and for the tree.”
He kissed her softly. “Thank me later. You need to sleep. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
She moved into his arms and together they settled into a comfortable slumber.
He woke later that morning spooning her. It was nine-thirty and she didn’t stir when he moved from the bed. He watched her as he stood in the doorway to the bedroom, she looked peaceful. His stomach rumbled, he missed dinner last night and he wondered when she last ate.
In the living room, he turned off the Christmas tree lights. The
He went to the kitchen and started coffee. Then he began to create breakfast. Now he was glad he had shopped. He wanted it today to be perfect.
She was still asleep, when he took a tray in to her. He teased her with a cup of coffee. “Sleeping beauty…” He called.
She stirred slightly.
“Sweetheart…”
She opened her eyes. “Hi.” She stretched underneath the covers. “What’s all this?” She said of the ladened tray.
“Breakfast.” He announced. “Feeling better?”
“I think I could sleep for a week.” She said.
He smiled. “We don’t have to eat.”
“No, let’s eat. It’s been awhile.” She said moving to sit up against the headboard.
He set the tray across her lap then joined her on the bed. They shared breakfast and he was surprised to find out that her last real meal had been a day and half ago. She wasn’t forthcoming with many details, just that they encountered too many delays in getting out. He didn’t push the subject.
She finished her entire breakfast. “That was wonderful, thank you.”
“I think you would have eaten anything.” He laughed.
She smiled. “Almost.”
He shook his head. “Thanks.”
She took his arm as he moved the tray aside. “No… I didn’t mean… it was really good.”
He moved back to face her. “I make a pretty decent omelet.”
“How did all that find its way to my kitchen?” She asked.
“Elves.”
“Just like the tree.”
He nodded.
“You didn’t have to do all this.” She said taking his hand.
“I wanted to.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “It’s Christmas Eve. We’re supposed to all be together. I thought that’s what you would want.”
“You’ve made that possible, haven’t you?” She caressed his unshaven cheek.
“Only if you want to.”
“Are you going to you going to stay and help me?” She asked.
“What do I have to do?” He asked.
“Just help with a little preparation.”
“Can we call Paula? She likes to cook.”
“She’s four months pregnant, Rollin!” She slapped him playfully.
“It’s just a suggestion.” He defended himself.
She shook her head, chuckling. “I just get back and you can’t help me cook a little.”
He ran the back of his hand down her bare arm. “You know I’ll do whatever you want me too.”
She met his eye, “You could start by cleaning up the dirty dishes,” she said cocked her head toward the tray.
“Okay.” He sighed, hesitating momentarily before moving.
“Rollin.” She called after him.
He turned back to her.
“I didn’t mean right now.” She said with her infamous smirk.
He raised an eyebrow and moved the tray from the bed. Her smirk turned into a slow smile when she saw the mischief in his eyes.
“You’ve been gone for a week.” He crawled over her his eyes never leaving hers. “I think I can think of better things to be doing than dirty dishes.” He said coming to face her.
She looked up at him as he hovered above her. “What are you suggesting?”
He kissed her softly. “I think it’s time to thank Santa for the tree.”
She took his face between her hands and pulled him down to her. “What about his elf?”
“I wouldn’t worry ‘bout his elf.”
They spent the next hours teasing, enjoying, loving, one another.
The ringing of the telephone jarred them from their sleep. Cinnamon reached for the receiver. “Hello.” Came her still sleepy voice.
“You’re still not up yet?” Barney asked.
“I seem to recall some long hours on some very uncomfortable airliners, sir.” She retorted. “So I deserve to rest.”
Barney laughed. “Ok, point taken. As predicted, my lovely wife has a feast prepared and is expecting everyone this evening. I assume you will be able to make it?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Can you see that Rollin knows about it?”
“Sure.” She said, looking over at the tousled haired, unshaven actor and running her foot up his leg with a smile. “I know where to reach to him.”
“Seven-thirty.”
“See you then.” She said replacing the phone to its cradle.
“Barney.” He stated.
“Seems you get out of cooking.”
“Hallelujah.” He exclaimed.
She laughed as she moved from the bed, reached for her robe, slipped it on and moved for the bath.
She was back shortly having washed her face and brushed her hair. She took her cigarettes from the bedside table and lit one.
“What time?” He asked.
“Seven-thirty.”
He smiled. “Then we can do this again.”
“You are insatiable.” She said watching him.
“Only where you’re concerned.” He said reaching for her hand, pulling her back to the bed.
She sat on the edge of the bed, handing him the cigarette. “You know we have to go out to my place,” having a drag
“For?” She asked retrieving the smoke.
“I’ll need some clothes.”
“May I make a suggestion?”
“Sure.”
“Why don’t you go to your place, get your clothes and pick me up at six-thirty.”
“You trying to get rid of me?”
She crushed out the cigarette and caressed his cheek. “No.” She smiled. “I appreciate you being here and everything you’ve done, but I could use some time to myself.”
He took her hand in his and kissed her fingers, nodding. He knew she would want some time to herself after returning from the mission, she usually did.
He pulled her to him and kissed her softly. “I’ll be on time.”
“You’d better be.”
That evening he knocked on her door promptly at six-thirty. She opened the door.
He smiled broadly at her. “Fantastic.” He exclaimed seeing her attired in a green hostess gown.
She gave him a sly smile. “Thank you.”
He kissed her cheek as he stepped inside. “Something smells good.”
“I couldn’t go to Paula’s empty handed.” She explained, heading for the kitchen as he headed for toward the tree.
“I have a bottle in the car.” He admitted. “What are you making?” He called to her.
“Hors d’oeuvres.” She said bringing him one to taste.
He nodded his approval as he ate. “Would you like a drink?”
“A short one, please.”
He went to the bar to make them each a drink. He noticed she had packed the gifts from under the tree.
She joined him at the sofa.
“I see you have everything ready to go.” He said nodding at the bag on the coffee table as he handed her the drink.
“I didn’t want to be rushed.”
He unbuttoned his jacket and joined her. She reached for the cigarette box on the table and took one. He lit it for her. He reached for her caressing her shoulder. “You are looking especially lovely.”
She touched her chin to his hand. “You’re sweet.”
“I suppose we’ll have to play our game tonight.” He said.
“You always enjoy the challenge.”
“I enjoy being with you.”
“It’ll just be us.”
“And Jim.” He corrected.
“Who usually leaves early.” She reminded him.
“Why is that?” He asked.
“You want the truth?” She asked seriously.
He shook his head, no. He knew the truth. Jim didn’t want to get too close to them, just in case he had to ask one of them to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“I always liked to think it was because he had a girl stashed somewhere.” Rollin said.
Cinnamon smiled. “Maybe he does and she’s a well guarded secret.”
He reached for her empty glass, leaning close to her ear, “I hope so,” brushing his lips against her ear.
She laughed. “Careful, there’s that green-eyed monster.”
Rollin held up their glasses clinking them together. “Hear, hear.”
Cinnamon had to smile to herself. It was flattering to have a man jealous over her even though she knew it was unfounded.
“Shall we start for Barney’s?”
“Sure. They can’t start the party till we get there.” He grinned from the bar.
She shook her head as she went to the kitchen to gather her culinary contribution.
Barney greeted them at the door. “So the party team arrives.” He said cheerfully.
Rollin laughed and followed Cinnamon inside.
Paula had outdone herself decorating the house for Christmas. They found her putting the final touches on the canapés she made.
“Cinnamon! Rollin!”
“Hi Paula.” Cinnamon called. “A little something for your table.”
Rollin set his bottle of scotch on Barney’s bar. “For you, my friend.”
“Thanks, Rollin. I’m sure we’ll put it to use tonight.”
Willie and Jim arrived a few minutes later to complete the partygoers.
It was low key evening of close friends. They enjoyed Paula’s wonderful food and exchanged gifts. Cinnamon told them the story of the elves that had appeared at her apartment and brought her a lovely decorated tree. She kissed Willie’s cheek at the end of the story. “Thank you Willie, it was really wonderful of you to do that.”
Willie smiled shyly. “It wasn’t all my idea.”
Rollin watched from his perch on the sofa. Paula rested her arm on his. “I understood you were playing Santa.” She whispered to him.
“No need to advertise.” He replied.
She nodded. Barney had explained that Rollin and Cinnamon had to be discreet about their relationship.
The party broke up before
She smiled at him. “Let’s go upstairs.”
“Are we going to wait up for Santa together?”
“I plan on leaving him some cookies and milk.”
Rollin kissed her softly, opened the door taking her hand to help her from the car.
Upstairs, Rollin took her wrap from her shoulders and laid it aside. While he turned on the stereo to some Christmas music and switched on the Christmas tree lights which bathed the living room in a romantic hue, Cinnamon went to the kitchen to put back the plate she had taken to Paula’s.
Rollin shed his jacket and tie, laying them over the back of a chair and poured them each a cognac.
She came into the living room and he handed her a snifter. “Thank you.”
Together, they sat on the sofa. Cinnamon slipped off her heels and curled her feet underneath her. Rollin unbuttoned the two top buttons of his shirt and leaned back, relaxing. “This has been an enjoyable evening. I’ve never seen Willie eat so much.” He said, stretching his arm behind her.
“Paula outdid herself.” She added, moving into the crook of his arm.
“Yeah. Barney found the one.”
“She does fit right in, even Jim thinks so.”
He sipped his drink. “So what’s Santa going to bring you?”
She met his eyes. “I have no idea.”
He set his drink aside. His hand went to her chin. “You’ve been a good girl haven’t you?”
She smiled. “You tell me.”
He leaned forward. “I think you’ve been a very good girl.” He said kissing her softly.
Her hand went to his neck. They parted and his hand went underneath her hair. “I was worried about you.” He said, earnestly.
“I know.” She admitted.
She didn’t want to think about the mission or the danger she had faced or the danger she knew they would face again. She was home and she was safe. He was there for her and she was his.
“Come here.” He said. His hand went to her elbow and he pulled her from the sofa and drew her into his arms. The carols from the stereo played softly as they began to dance. Soon Rollin was singing softly against her ear. “I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me.” She smiled against his shoulder as they moved. She loved it when he sang to her, it was so sensual. As the song ended, he kissed her deeply.
“What’s your Christmas wish, Rollin?” She asked.
He circled her waist with his arms. “Sweetheart, you are my Christmas wish.”
She laid her hand against his cheek and looked into his blue eyes. “You’re mine, too.”
THE END
Elena Vorska
December, 2002