Repentance and Absolution by AE Lister

Author:AE Lister [Lister, AE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group
Published: 2022-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Merry Christmas

T’was almost eleven when we woke the next morning to a bright Christmas Day. I went to feed the animals and turn them out, while Oscar loaded wood into the stove and got out what I’d need to make him breakfast.

“You making me flapjacks like you promised, Jimmy?”

“Did I promise you flapjacks?”

Oscar frowned. “You said you’d make me flapjacks for breakfast on Christmas Day. You did promise.”

“Oh, that’s right. I remember,” I said. “But I want to give you something first.”

Oscar’s lips curled in a saucy grin. “Oh, I see. Well, I ain’t got no objections to a quick tumble.”

I rolled my eyes. “That ain’t what I meant. I got you a present.”

I opened the drawer and took out the small parcel I’d had the clerk in the store wrap up for me.

Oscar’s grin had vanished, and he peered at me with astonishment. “A present? For me?”

“Yes,” I said, my breaths quickening, hoping he would like it.

His eyelids fluttered as he gazed at the brown paper tied closed with a bit of string. “I ain’t got nothing for you, Jimmy. I didn’t know we were gonna get each other presents.”

“Oscar,” I said, sitting down on the edge of our bed and taking the fingers that toyed with the white string in my hand. “All I want is a kiss if you like what I got you.”

The grin came back, a little less saucy and more thankful. “Well, I can give you more’n a kiss…”

“Oscar, just open it, will you?” My heart beat a tattoo in my chest.

Oscar pulled his hand away from my gentle hold and pulled the string. The paper fell away from a navy cardboard box about the size of Oscar’s palm. The words ‘Waltham Watch Co.’ were pressed in gold on the top.

Oscar’s big brown eyes flashed upward for a second, then he carefully lifted the lid and gazed at what was inside as I held my breath. He stood still as a stone, staring at the contents of the container. The finest tremor of this fingers caused the box to shake.

“Fuck, Jimmy,” he whispered, blinking quickly.

“That’s yours. A pocket watch of your very own.” I ran a nervous hand through my hair. “Every man should have one.”

He nodded, but he didn’t look up.

“It’s fourteen carat gold. I figured you oughta have something gold, to make up for all them years you spent without in Dawson City—so near to all them riches but never havin’ any of your own.”

Oscar opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. He glanced up and held my gaze. I was almost felled by the raw emotion in his eyes. I had to look away so’s I could keep my composure.

“It’s our first Christmas together, after all,” I said, trying to explain why I’d got him something so extravagant when we were living off canned beans and bread for the most part and trying to save money.

He finally got his voice to work. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

His eyes gleamed with appreciation and emotion.

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