** ALLAN **

I LOVE CHRISTMAS. EVERY YEAR, MY MOTHER AND I have a lot of fun decorating the house right when December starts. When I was little, my father would pick me up for his mandatory visit on the morning of the twenty-fourth and mom would always have it coincide with her church Christmas party. That’s something sweet she’s always done, going to church as much as possible, but always during times when I wasn’t with her, mostly when I was at school. It made me learn the true value of commitment.

When I got older, I freed both my father and I from those visits and that was the end of it.

But the thing I loved the most was cooking the supper with my mother. Right from when I was three, she would already make me help her. This year I was extra excited, because for the first time I would make the whole thing myself! Of course she would supervise, but I had told her that I wanted to do all the work.

‘Just remember, darling,’ she said when we went through the shopping list, ‘you’re cooking half more what we used to make, because this year we’ll be three instead of two. By the way, have you talked to Brian about Christmas?’

‘A little. I haven’t approached this one specifically, because I don’t think he likes Christmas that much.’

‘Still, you’re not going to leave the poor child alone on Christmas! I raised you better than this, boy,’ she said the final part while smacking the back of my head.

‘Ouch! No! Why would I do that?’

So here I was, getting ready to admire that gorgeous black oak door a little before knocking, but I barely stepped out of the lift when Brian opened the door wearing a pink apron.

Only a pink apron.

‘I was watching through the window to see when you’d arrive. Come and kiss the cook.’

I loved that silly goofy and, as a good boyfriend, I did as I was told.

‘Please tell me you were not wandering about the flat with your bare ass,’ I said after kissing him, my hand already reaching underneath the apron.

‘Nah. Too cold for that. But you should’ve seen how fast I stripped. I impressed myself,’ he said through a wide and excited smile.

‘You never cease to amaze me, you know that?’

‘That’s the goal. Now, why don’t you come into the bedroom so I can really blow your mind?’

‘As long as it’s not just my mind...’

An hour later, we were cuddling naked under this very thick duvet. We’ve been doing that a lot lately. We didn’t complain, though.

‘Brian?’

‘Yes, love?’

‘There’s something I want to ask you, but I think I know the answer. But I still want to ask anyway.’

‘Allan, the only thing I believe you still don’t know about me is my bank password. I reckon it’s safe to say that anything you might ask is something you already know the answer to. Please, don’t let it stop you. I want to hear and answer all of your questions.’

‘Brian. You’re wrong. I already know your bank password. You told me two months ago when I had to go greet the delivery guy because you were stuck on the toilet, remember?’

‘I try very hard not to. Food poisoning is no joke.’

‘True, but you have to admit that seeing your boyfriend suddenly shit himself in front of you really works wonders in favour of intimacy.’

‘Whyyyyy? What have I done to you? Why do you hate me so much?’

‘Don’t be silly. It’s obvious we’re going to remember that day for different reasons, but for me it was awesome because I was able to believe I can actually take care of you.’

‘Allan, only you to take this awful memory and turn it into something sweet. But we’re drifting. What did you want to ask in the first place?’

‘Oh. That. What are you doing for Christmas?’

‘Allan. Was all that dirty memory talk a trick to get me vulnerable?’

‘How could it be? You’re the one who mentioned your bank password.’

‘I guess. Well,’ he sighed. Like I said, I knew the answer to my question, ‘I know how you love Christmas and I remember all the stories you’ve told me and, if my calculations are correct, you’ve already narrated to me all of your twenty-five Christmases, including the one you spent in the womb. My plan quite a simple one: to make sure you’ll feel happy spending Christmas with your mother again. I’ll just spend the night reading a book and playing the piano. I won’t feel sad, don’t worry. Especially because I know you’re happy.’

‘Brian? Are you finished with the drama? Do you really think that I could enjoy my favourite time of the year without you? Do you really think I would ever be okay with you spending Christmas alone? Above all, do you really think your mother-in-law would even consider allowing you to be alone on Christmas?’

‘Wow. I lost count how many words you emphasised there. Tell me, mister, what do you have in mind?’

‘The obvious thing, what else? You’re spending Christmas with us! It’ll a great opportunity for you to finally meet your mother-in-law.’

‘Allan, I know your mother. I actually met her even before meeting you.’

‘Nah. You know Margaret Allan’s mother. This time you’ll meet Maggie Brian’s mother-in-law, they’re two completely different people, I promise you.’

‘I hope I like Maggie as much as I do Margaret.’

‘You’re the sweetest thing, did you know that?’

‘I’ve been told.’

‘Oh! There is one more thing!’ I have to say I got more excited about this part than I should have. But it paid off, because Brian showed to be eager to hear. ‘This year … for the very first time … don’t-worry-my-mother-will-still-supervise-everything … I’m doing all the cooking!’

‘Oh’ he said with a smile. ‘Does that mean I’m supposed to take my own food?’

‘Mean!’ I pouted. He laughed.

‘Don’t worry, baby,’ he said with long kisses on my neck turning me on again. ‘I’ll be happy to eat your food. And, after all, you and I know pretty well that I can count on you if things don’t go well deep south.’

I decided to ignore the shade and pulled him over me. I held his hair back, taking in that handsome face so close to mine before kissing him. I’m not entirely sure what time we left his bed.