Page 37 of Bear Creek Christmas
“Sorry. I wasn’t expecting all those issues. Maybe I should have started working with them sooner. Nobody will like it, but I’ll have to extend the practices to ensure we’re ready. I know it will work out in the end, but directing adult volunteers is worse than my freshman students!”
Knox rumbled and kissed the golden head of hair tucked under his chin.
“I thought you handled it very well. I knew you weren’t happy, but I don’t think the choir noticed. How about the rest of your day?”
Levi ruminated for a moment and then recalled his lunch conversation.
“Eden stopped by today to ask if we’d like to join their family for Thanksgiving. We wouldn’t have to bring anything, and she doesn’t expect us to stay long. What do you think?”
Though Knox intended to reveal his surprise soon anyway, he figured now was a better time.
“It was nice of them to invite us. Sounds like fun,andit leaves more of the day free for you to relax. Besides, this would be our second celebration.”
Levi turned his head to look up at Knox.
“Second? What are you talking about?”
“Well, the first one will be in Ohio on the nineteenth with your family. Surprise! I have it all worked out.”
Levi got up to face Knox, confused by the announcement.
“I don’t understand. Thanksgiving isn’t on the nineteenth, and who says we’re going to be in Ohio?”
Knox hurriedly explained.
“I didn’t want you to miss the holidays with your family, so I called your mom and made some plans. Matt has your schedule covered for Friday afternoon, so we’ll leave around twelve o’clock and get there in time for supper. Since Christmas is probably out too, we’re going to combine the holidays and exchange gifts while we’re there for the weekend. It will be a short visit, but you’ll get to see the family and won’t miss anything.”
Levi stared dumbfounded at his clever boyfriend, brain desperately trying to catch up with Knox’s words.
“You called my mom? Both holidays? This is... wow, I can’t believe... you are the BEST!!”
Levi threw himself into Knox’s strong arms, followed by grateful kisses. Knox rumbled, pleased with the attention and glad his mate liked the idea. Levi stopped suddenly, his face scrunched up with worry.
“If we’re doing Christmas too, then I have to get gifts! I don’t even know what everybody wants this year. When will I have the time to shop? Who’s going to...”
Knox covered Levi’s mouth with a beefy hand and pulled out his phone with the other.
“No worries, mate. Your mom already sent me suggestions for the whole family. All you have to do is pick things out, and I’ll go get them. You might have to do the wrapping ‘cause I’m not very good at it.”
Levi snatched up the phone and eagerly scrolled through the list. He looked up at Knox with the brightest smile the man had ever seen.
“You thought of everything. This is going to be epic! I can’t wait for you to meet my family. They’re going to love you as much as I do!”
Knox’s eyes went wide when he heard the long-awaited “L” word, but he wasn’t sure Levi meant it that way.
“Wait... you... youloveme?”
“Of course I do, Knox. How could I not? Let me show you how much.”
Levi’s interactive demonstration kept them up much later than usual.
####
Friday, November nineteenth
Since Levi’s jeep got better gas mileage, they decided to take his vehicle to Ohio. Knox loaded the back end with wrapped gifts, their duffle bags, and some food items. A small cooler held the cranberries Levi had been saving for the Thanksgiving feast, and a large tote contained a wide selection of boxed candies fromDeliciousfor everyone to nibble on. On the way out of town, they stopped to pick up a carry-out lunch to eat on the way.
There weren’t any major cities past Wilkes-Barre until they came to Youngstown—only an hour from their destination. Without much to look at, the pair were left with conversation and music to keep them entertained. Levi, of course, brought along part of his extensive Christmas song collection. They listened for a while before Knox shared a surprising comment.
