Page 22 of A Beginner's Guide to Christmas Miracles
Beck gaspedwhen Nach tumbled off the counter. He ran around the kitchen island and kneeled down beside Nach, who had his eyes closed.
“Are you ok?” he asked urgently. Fuck, had Nach hit his head?
Although Beck should probably be wondering about his own head, because there were definitely words being written out of thin air on pretty much every surface in his kitchen. (He was a little afraid to check the living room or any other rooms in the house—dealing with the ghost writing in the kitchen was enough.)
Nach wiggled his nose, opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling, muttered, “Fudge,” and then slammed his eyes shut again.
And Beck suddenly made the weirdest connection in his head. He almost laughed out loud, except Nach did a lot of nose wiggling, and a lot of really great things had happened today. The lady in the store, the guy, the barista… even Alan’s mom.
Holy shit. Nach was a witch. Or maybe it was a genie? He always got those two 60s shows mixed up.
“Ohmygod!” Beck cried out, giving Nach a little shake. “You totally grant wishes! Or do magic! Because I can’t remember if nose twitching was onBewitchedorI Dream of Jeannie.”
Nach sighed and opened his eyes, but he kept them firmly on Beck andnoton the writing on the counters. And stove. And ceiling. And now also the floor.
“I’m not a witch or a genie,” he said morosely.
“Nach, there’s, like, magical writing appearing all over my kitchen. And I wasn’t the one who hit my head. And crazy stuff has been happening all day!” Beck insisted.
He knew it sounded totally crazy, but it was also true.
“Those weren’treallymiracles. Just little things to bring some joy, that’s all,” Nach muttered, but that still didn’t help Beck figure things out.
So he looked at the kitchen island, which helpfully also now had writing.
“Nachielus, Angel of Joy and Fulfillment, you are hereby ordered—” he began, only Nach’s hand covered his mouth before he could get anything else out.
He looked down at Nach, who looked frantic.
“Don’t read it!” he hissed. “If you don’t read it, then I can’t do it!”
Nach stared at Beck imploringly, and Beck nodded his head. Nach slowly removed his hand, and Beck kept his eyes on Nach.
“Nach?” Beck questioned softly. “Are you, like, really an angel?”
Nach sighed again, looking sad. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Beckett. We aren’t supposed to give that information out.”
Beck mulled that over for a moment. He was a little hurt that Nach hadn’t told him, but really, that wasn’t something you just came out with. Beck had made plenty of assumptions without asking questions, and he couldn’t blame Nach for just going along with things.
But what about whatever this thing was between them? Was he just some one night stand, some Earth-bound adventure, for the angel?
“So, what was, like, the plan? Were you just gonna disappear one day? Or just pretend they found your stolen stuff and give me a fake number to call?” Beck murmured, unable to meet Nach’s eyes at the thought.
“No!” Nach cried out loudly enough that Beck jumped a bit. Nach reached up and grabbed his face, looking him in the eyes. “No,” he said more softly. “I would never have done anything to hurt you. I would never have disappeared or lied to you.”
Beck swallowed thickly, because he saw only sincerity in Nach’s eyes. “Well, I hate to tell you, but you leaving at all would hurt me. I don’t want you to go. Not ever, Nach. I know that’s crazy, and I know we’ve only known each other for a couple days, but you mean something to me. You’re important to me. You make me happier than I’ve ever been. It’s like I feel you right here”—Beck pointed to his chest—“and ithurtswhen I think of you not being with me.”
“Oh Beck. I won’t leave, not if I can avoid it. I’ll do whatever it takes to stay with you, because I feel the same way. I have given joy and fulfillment to millions over the eons, but Beck, you aremyjoy. You fulfill me in a way nothing else ever has. Perhaps itiscrazy, but I love you, Beck, and I would do anything for you. I would give up immortality itself for you,” Nach confessed.
Beck leaned down and kissed Nach, their lips brushing against each other. It was soft and gentle and Beck felt the love deep in his bones, like he was finally warm after being cold for too long.
They probably would have ended up taking things further, because the kiss was getting a bit heated, but a loud chime interrupted them.
Beck leaned up, looking into Nach’s eyes. “I love you, too, Nach. My sexy angel.” He smiled. “But maybe we should get you off the floor, yeah?” he laughed, standing up and pulling Nach up by the hand.
When they were both standing, Beck looked out into the living room and realized the tv, the couch, and even the back doors were also now covered in writing.
Nach was studiously ignoring the writing and staring at Beck’s face. Beck kinda hoped he didn’t end up with writing all over his forehead since Nach wouldn’t look anywhere else.
