Page 28 of A Beginner's Guide to Christmas Miracles
Beck and Nach were snuggled up on the couch, matching pajamas on, Christmas carols playing, and the house twinkling with Christmas lights. It really was sort of magical, and Alan didn’t want to ruin what could be a really romantic moment.
Alan had his own matching pajamas, which was probably a little weird, but his roommate had insisted. Alan grumbled about Beck’s enthusiasm over Christmas all the time, but the truth was, he also kind of loved it. Beck was like the annoying younger brother he’d never had. Not that he was that much younger. Or his brother. But whatever.
“Of course not!” Beck cried out.
“You’re family! Why would we not want you here for Christmas morning?” Nach asked, seeming genuinely perplexed at the thought.
Alan smiled, grabbing the mug of hot cocoa Beck had left sitting on the kitchen island for him. He took a sip and sighed happily. Ah, Beck had spiked it with a little coffee, too. Perfection. He could smell the french toast casserole cooking that Beck had just put in the oven, the odor of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through the house, mixing with the pine of the tree.
Alan really did love Christmas morning, and he was so glad the two lovebirds hadn’t minded including him in everything. It was kind of funny, when Alan thought about it, that his Christmas obsessed best friend had managed to hook up with a guy who looked just like Santa Clause. Alan had a good chuckle over it pretty often.
Nach was really a great guy, though. He was a lot like Beck, in some ways. The two clearly loved everything Christmas related, and they were both such generous, kind people. Alan was beyond happy for Beck. He knew it was all pretty quick, but it just seemed sort of natural that Nach would move in with Beck. After all, Nach’s stolen possessions still hadn’t been recovered. Poor guy.
Nach had managed a bunch of odd jobs playing Santa at different stores, and he was in really high demand. Alan had heard him saying once or twice that he shouldn’t take money for the jobs, but most people insisted, and since the poor guy had to buy a new wardrobe, it was probably for the best. He’d done a ton of charity events leading up to Christmas, too—the guy really did have a heart of gold.
“You guys still good for coming over to my family’s later?” Alan checked.
“Yup! We’ll hit my mom’s and see my family—you’re still invited, you know—and then we’ll head over to yours,” Beck answered.
“Yeah, I know, and maybe I’ll do a quick drop in to say hi, but I really want to get over to Mom’s early,” Alan said, sitting down on the couch at the other end from the two snuggle bugs. They really were so cute together.
Nach patted his leg and Beck smiled at him, both of them offering him comfort over his mom. Alan had to look away or he’d end up choked up.
The health scare his mom went through had been really awful, and everyone still couldn’t believe that everything was actually ok. It seemed like a miracle that was too good to be true. She’d gone back for more tests, though, and it was like nothing had ever been wrong. Hell, her cholesterol was even down, and her knee that had been bothering her for ages seemed better than ever. The doctors were amazed over it, but Alan was just thankful beyond belief. He joked that he had gotten a Christmas miracle, and Beck and Nach always just laughed a little, probably thinking he was being silly, but it really did feel like a miracle.
Alan was so relieved and grateful this Christmas season, and he was even more happy that Beck seemed to have found his own miracle with Nach. It was kind of amazing how seamlessly the guy seemed to fit into their house. There was no weirdness and no awkward moments, and Alan never felt like he didn’t belong. It was like the three of them had always lived together, and Alan was honestly grateful to have Nach around. The guy was pretty awesome (even if he did really look like Santa, which was kind of weird sometimes).
He knew at some point they’d probably want their own space, and Alan was sort of dreading that, but for now they both seemed happy with him there. Alan didn’t love the idea of living alone, and since his own special someone didn’t seem to be popping up, he was just glad they had made him a part of their little family.
“Presents!” Beck called out gleefully.
Alan had gone out last night to hang out with his siblings and to give Beck and Nach their own private Christmas Eve celebration (he knew they didn’t mind him around, but he also knew they would want some alone time). He figured they’d already exchanged gifts with one another, because there were less presents under the tree, but he was really excited to exchange with them this morning.
He and Beck never went overboard on gifts, but he still always agonized over what to get, because he wanted it to be perfect. This year he thought he’d done okay though.
There was a flurry of unwrapping, and Alan was excited to have gotten the newest game he’d wanted (ok, so he was a nerd) along with some super cozy socks, a couple sweaters, and a funny mug. Beck and Nach seemed to enjoy his gifts, too, including matching aprons he’d found that said “Mr. & Mr. Clause.” They got such a kick out of those that he didn’t know if the two of them would stop giggling.
Then there was only one final present under the tree, and Alan handed it to them, feeling a little nervous. He thought he’d done well with this one. “This is for both of you,” he said, handing it over.
When they opened it and saw the hand-crafted ornament with “Nachielus & Beckett” written on it, they both marveled over it, and Alan thought he even saw Beck wipe away a tear. He smiled to himself, glad to have gotten it right.
“Oh my god, Alan, it’s perfect! It is our first Christmas together!” Beck gushed.
“The first of many,” Nach murmured to Beck, and then the two of them were kissing and staring at each other, and Alan looked away to give them some privacy.
What a Christmas. It really was an amazing year, and they were all so blessed. He was so thankful for Beck, and Nach, and his mom’s health, and just… everything.
His musings were interrupted when he thought he saw something else sticking out from behind the tree. He looked over at Nach and Beck, but they were still making goo goo eyes at one another, so he set his mug down and reached for it. It seemed like a scroll of paper with a thin gold filament holding it rolled up, and when he picked it up, the gold fell off and the paper sort of just unraveled in his hand.
“Hey guys, is this yours?” Alan asked, looking at it curiously. He looked over, but yup, those two were still kissing. It was sweet, though, so Alan didn’t mind, and they always kept it PG when he was around.
He read it to himself, but it made no sense and was really weird, so he cleared his throat, hoping to get the attention of the two Christmas kissers, and started reading it out loud.
Merry Christmas!
I am pleased to inform you that the unfortunate incident with management has been handled. No further issues with the leadership team shall arise, since the entire incident has been adjusted in their records. All paperwork concerning your topside visit and the ensuing incidents has been permanently deleted, and any sanctions from the team have been lifted. You are fully reinstated to your previous position.
However, I would strongly suggest keeping future endeavors to small matters so as not to once again call the attention of the leadership team. (Adjusting records is quite tedious work.)
