Smoke & Lightning: City Of Angels (10/?)
Title: Smoke & Lightning : City Of Angels (10/?)
Authors: eviltwin and bloody_adorable
Fandoms: Supernatural RPS AU
Pairing: Jensen Ackles / Jared Padalecki.
Wordcount: 5,728
Rating: Adult.
Summary: Jared and Jensen's vacation home turns out to be pretty busy.
Disclaimer: None of the following is true in any way, and no profit is made from this work of fiction.
MASTER POST
CHAPTER TEN
What the hell had they been thinking?
Jared stood amidst the sea of elementary kids, looking like a giant in Elf-land. The kids were on a high, excited about the trip, and ignored repeated attempts by the chaperones to quiet them. Jared met Jensen's eyes, an eyebrow raised.
What the fuck? he mouthed to him.
Jensen smiled, shook his head and put a finger to his lips, silently telling him to watch his language around the kids. The last thing they needed was for the kids to go home and tell their parents that Holly Morgan's brother said "fuck" in front of them all, followed by, "what does that word mean, Mom?"
Even the teacher seemed to be at her wits end. Normally, Mrs. Jameson was easy-going and the kids listened to her without a complaint. But today, not only did they have a substitute teacher for Mrs. Jameson's corresponding class, but they also had their parents there. Which meant, obviously, that they thought they could get away with more. Jared eyed the substitute teacher too. She looked like she was about ready to abandon the whole idea of trying to handle all the kids like this.
Jared decided that he couldn't take any more of the bedlam and yelling. He put his fingers to his lips and blew hard. He didn't see Jensen start, covering his ears and wincing at the sound of his sudden sharp, shrill whistle. Jared did see him turn, though, looking at him, a little stunned. Jared only smiled at him.
Instantly, the kids quieted. They all turned and stared up at the man towering over them.
"Okay," Jared smiled, clasping his hands in front of him with a quick smack! "I need Holly Morgan's group over there with my other half, and I need you there in three..." He held up three fingers on his right hand, "...two...one."
Stunned, Jensen watched as the kids assigned to Holly's group calmly picked up their backpacks and headed over to where Jensen stood. They didn't talk. They settled quickly around Jensen. And all of them reached him by the time Jared had finished counting. Eyes wide, Jensen looked over at him, watching him only smile and say a quick "thank you" to the kids.
While the rest of the children were still quiet the other chaperones finally were able to get a word in edgewise, and they spoke right up, directing the children where they needed to be. They were thankful for Jared's distraction. Jensen could even see a few of the Mom's eyeing him, yet he hadn't even noticed the women giving him a good once-over too.
Jared finally made his way over to Jensen.
"Whoa," Jensen lowed.
Jared looked at him. "What?"
Jensen glanced around to make sure everyone was busy doing something else. "That was kind of hot," he admitted quietly.
Chuckling, Jared raised an eyebrow at him. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Remember that later," he winked.
* * *
Jensen was in awe. Not just from Jared's authoritative display back at the school, but also how he handled the kids at the zoo. He had thought for sure that he, due to his experience, would be the one to do well with the kids. Thought for sure he would have the upper hand, and Jared would be the one left floundering.
Quite the opposite, however.
As soon as they got off the bus, Jared gathered up the kids -- they had twelve of them to contend with -- and took them aside. He explained to them that they had to listen to him and Jensen, and if they didn't that wouldn't be cool, because someone could get hurt, and then they'd never get to go on another field trip. Ever. The kids all promised to behave. Even the ones that Mrs. Jameson had warned were tough cases. Simply said, they were all riveted by Jared.
Jensen felt his heart swell with love when he watched Jared throughout the day. As they went from place to place, exhibit to exhibit, Jared held out his long arms. Each child held onto his arm, the space long enough for five each, and then one on each hand. That's how he kept them all together. And when it was time to go, it was a mad rush for the kids to get to his arms, to pick out a new tattoo to hold onto. Holly usually stayed down by Jared's hand, resting his palm against the top of her Texas Longhorn baseball cap. Jensen stayed behind them, watching for any stragglers, but he really didn't have to worry. They all adored Jared. Jensen couldn't really blame them.
By noon the kids were ready to sit down, and so was Jensen. Even at work he didn't remember walking so much. They made all twelve of the kids sit down at the tables and eat, rather than giving in and letting them run around on the playground. Jensen assured them that they would have plenty of time to do that later. The table was covered with different plates of chicken nuggets, fries, pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs. Jensen didn't see any sort of salad on the menu, so he opted for a burger and fries, which made Jared smile.
There were still plenty of things to see at the zoo, but the kids needed to run off a little energy first. Jensen and Jared sat down at a park bench by the playground and watched their twelve little wards go berserk on the swings, slides and other fun things.
"How we doing?" Jared asked, his arm draped along the back of the park bench.
"Amazing," Jensen answered honestly, trying not to snuggle in too close. "I just...I'm stunned, Jay."
"Why?"
"Well, I knew you were good with kids, but you've really managed to outdo yourself today."
Jared smiled and shrugged one shoulder. "It's for Hols," he admitted. "I'm not this good with all kids."
Jensen returned his smile, knowing very well that the man was lying. He was a natural born father. "You know..."
It wasn't exactly something they could talk about right then, with all the other kids and chaperones around. Jared looked into Jensen's eyes and needed no further words on the subject. "I know," he nodded. The idea of a child was still daunting, but Jared was slowly getting there. Of course, a decade ago, if you had told him that he'd be living like this, thinking like this, he would have deemed you certifiable and spun up dust in your face as he rode off.
Jensen just grinned and nodded, looking back to the playground. Another set of chaperones was there, letting their kids run around. Jensen waved to them, Jared just nodded. A few seconds later, Holly came running up to Jared, a smile upon her face. "Jay-jay?" she asked, sweetly. "Can you push me on the swing?"
"Ugh," Jared mock groaned. "I guess."
Holly clapped her hands and jumped up and down while Jared arose from the park bench to follow her over to the swings. Jensen watched, a bemused smile on his face. Jared was a victim of his own success. As he watched Jared push two kids at a time on the swings, he heard a ruckus off to the side of the park, where the other chaperones had been sitting on a similar park bench. Now they were crouched down and looking panicked.
"Help!" a woman screamed. "Something's wrong."
Abandoning their things on the bench, Jensen took off like a shot. His ER training instantly kicked in, and he surveyed the scene as he ran closer. A child was laying on the ground in front of them, his body limp and lifeless. Jensen skidded to a halt and went down to his knees.
"He's not breathing!" the woman chaperone cried. "I don't understand!"
"Was he eating on the playground?"
"No!"
"Does he have asthma?" Jensen asked, checking the boy's airway. He leaned down and listened as best he could without his stethoscope.
"No, I don't know!"
"Yes," the other chaperone said, as if suddenly remembering. "They gave us this." He pulled a plastic tube case out of his pocket with shaking hands.
Jensen nodded, taking the case from him. "I need you to calmly get on your cell phone and call an ambulance, alright? They'll ask you for some information. Stay on the line until they hang up."
"Okay," the man nodded. He took several steps away from the playground, digging his cell phone out of his pocket and punching in 911.
Jensen popped open the plastic tube, sliding out the Epi-pen that was inside. He knew them well; had prescribed these for some of his own patients. He jammed the pen against the boy's thigh, pushing down hard. There would probably be a bruise, but the epinephrine now rushing through the boy's system would save his life. Contrary to the movies, it wasn't an instant gasp back to reality. But the boy's breathing did become a touch easier as the medicine did its job. Jensen craned his neck around and looked for Jared. He could tell that something serious was going on, and had gathered up all of the kids that he could see, setting up an imaginary barrier. He explained that someone was sick, that a doctor was helping him right now. Holly's step-brother, as a matter of fact. Some of the kids continued to play. Others stood at the imaginary barrier and watched.
"He's breathing better," he announced to the chaperone.
"Ambulance is on its way," the man reported.
"Good." He smiled down at the child, who was just starting to open his eyes again. "Hey," he greeted. "How are you feeling?"
The little boy didn't smile, but he nodded his head just slightly. "Okay," he returned.
"Good," Jensen said. "My name's Doc Jensen. You're going to be just fine, okay?" He smiled at the boy's nod. "But we're going to have the ambulance take you to the hospital, just to be sure, alright?" The boy nodded again. "But there's nothing to be afraid of. And we'll call Mom or Dad to meet you there."
"Nonny?"
He chuckled. "Sure, we'll make sure Nonny is there too."
The zoo was right in the city, so it didn't take long for the ambulance to get there. The zoo staff opened the gates and let the ambulance drive up onto the grass to get closer to the boy. The paramedics talked with Jensen, when he identified himself as a doctor. He gave them the specifics they needed and the boy was whisked off.
Jensen consoled the two chaperones, and Holly's teacher. It wasn't anyone's fault. It could have been something in the air, it could have been an allergy to a food that the boy ate. They were lucky to have had the Epi-pen.
As his pulse returned to normal, Jensen sighed and walked back over to where he and Jared had been sitting. The kids had free reign of the playground now, the ambulance sirens fading in the distance.
"Talk about hot," Jared said, leaning down enough to speak into Jensen's ear.
Jensen chuckled and looked up at him. "Remember that later," he winked.
* * *
Home hadn't ever looked so good. Jensen had had a longer day than Jared did. It was ridiculous. Here, he thought he was the one that was ready for kids, a hectic life. But he was nearly dropping off as they pulled Jeff's car into the driveway.
Holly had gotten rather grumpy by the end of the day and had hit Jared at one point, telling him he was mean because he wouldn't carry her backpack for her. Jared had told her, before they'd even left, that he and Jensen weren't pack horses, and that everyone needed to carry their own things. Jared had taken her aside, talked to her where no one else could hear what he was saying, and she had straightened up. Jensen had wanted to ask what he'd said, but he knew the man wouldn't tell him anyway.
By the time they got home, however, Jared was carrying both Holly and her backpack. She was sound asleep in his arms, her head rested against his shoulder.
"Hi," Stevie whispered. "How did it go today?"
Jared dropped Holly's bag down onto the floor, by the door, and then carefully leaned down to rest her upon the sofa, easing her Texas Longhorns hat off of her head. "It was fun," he said, his voice low. "She had a great time."
Jensen stepped into the house, carrying his own knapsack and two stuffed animals. A Bengal tiger for Corey, and a snow leopard for Holly.
"You look exhausted," Stevie giggled, nearing him. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and took the stuffed animals from him. "You two go rest for awhile. I'm making some dinner as we speak."
Jensen smiled and nodded, grateful. He dropped his bag by Holly's and started on his way out to the garage. When he tried to close the door behind him, he found that it wouldn't close. Jared held the knob and followed him out. "Let's go take a nap," he said.
"By nap, we mean nap, right?"
Jared chuckled and put his arms around Jensen, guiding him backwards towards the ladder that led to the loft. "Yes," he said. "Sleep."
Jensen, his eyes already closed, rested his head against Jared's solid, warm chest. He barely remembered climbing the ladder, and when he reached the bed, he fell atop the wrinkled covers, snoring in a matter of seconds.
Jared watched him for a few moments, laying next to him. He brushed his hand over Jensen's brow and leaned in to place a kiss there. He thought of whispering those three little words Jensen so loved to hear, but honestly, he felt that they didn't even scratch the surface. There wasn't any combination of words that could convey his love to Jensen.
* * *
The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and Jared, Jensen and Chris were dancing the night away. There were only a few more days left of their vacation, and the boys were making the most of it. Mickey's was a welcome sight after so many months away. The place hadn't changed much and Rock was still behind the bar, slinging drinks and cracking jokes.
"Hey, you ugly son of a bitch," Jared called to him. "Get me and my friends here a beer!"
"Come back here and get one yourself, you six-foot-four pussy."
Jared laughed, slightly drunk, and vaulted over the bar, being careful not to hit anyone with his booted feet as he swung his legs over the other side. He grabbed hold of Rock and placed a wet, noisy kiss on the man's cheek.
"Goddammit," Rock cursed, wiping off his face. "Get the fuck away from me, Padalecki."
Jared just laughed and got himself, Jensen and Chris another beer.
Chris and Jensen laughed, watching Jared's antics. The man hadn't changed much in that respect over the years.
Someone nearby apparently didn't think his joking around was all that funny. "Goddamn fags," the man said loud enough to be heard over the pounding music.
Jared raised an eyebrow and looked at Rock. "Well, goddamn," he cursed. "I go and leave you people for a few minutes, and you let the assholes of society back in here?"
Rock frowned at the disruptive customer and shook his head. "Button it up, man," he warned.
Jared laughed and wagged his tongue rather suggestively at the man.
"Fucking fag favoritism," the man snarled. "I came in here to drink and party, not watch some drunk homos go after each other."
"What the fuck?" Jared said, his voice high, his arms opened wide.
Getting annoyed, Chris turned and looked at the man. "You got a problem, son?" he asked.
The man met Chris's eyes. "What's it to you?" He smiled sarcastically and leaned in a little closer. "Fag." He set both hands to Chris's chest and pushed.
Jensen set a hand to Chris's shoulder, steadying him. Chris held his temper, just barely, and glared at the man. "Don't worry about it," Jensen encouraged. "Just ignore him."
"Yeah," Jared nodded. "Fuckin' loser."
"Come on, bitch," the man snarled. He shoved Chris again, this time nearly knocking over both him and Jensen.
"Keep your fuckin' hands to yourself," Rock snapped.
"No, no," Chris said, holding a hand up to them. "This guy obviously has something to say. I'd like to hear it."
"I said you're a bunch of drunk fags," the man repeated, standing up straight and tall. "And I think you should get the hell out of my face."
He was taller than Chris, but Chris didn't let that deter him. Smiling, Chris chuckled at the man. "You got some balls, son," he nodded.
Rock sighed and nodded to one of the bouncers by the door.
"What are you gonna do about it, pipsqueak?" the man growled, poking a long, bony finger into the muscle at Chris' chest.
Chris chuckled again, turning and looking at Jensen. Jensen didn't seem as amused, but Jared looked a little more sober. A little more angry.
"Let's just go back to our table," Jensen offered. He was a doctor. He didn't want to fight. If he got in trouble here, it could very easily get back to LA. He needed to be mindful of himself now.
"No, I know," Chris nodded, his eyelids drooping. In a flurry of movement, contrary to his words, Chris lashed out at the man at the bar. He punched him across the jaw, sending the man reeling backwards.
Jensen reached out to Chris, trying to pull him off of the man, but things just got worse from there. Jared leaped over the bar again and joined in the fight. Jensen lost sight of him as the crowds milled around them, encouraging the brawl.
He might've been smaller, but Chris was by far the stronger, bulkier of the two. He had the man down on the ground in three seconds flat, and was pounding his fist into the man's face.
"Jesus Christ," Jensen swore. "Chris."
The bouncers had finally pushed through the throngs of people. One pulled Chris off of the man and restrained him, while the other checked on the guy. Jensen knelt down next to him to help. The man tried to shove Jensen away, but he remained.
"I'm a doctor, asshole," he snapped at the man. "Suck it up and deal with it."
The man's nose was broken, and Jensen was pretty sure his jaw was too. He went outside with the man when the ambulance got there. Chris and Jared followed, seeing the man off.
Jensen stood in the parking lot, watching the ambulance head off into the distance. His hands were at his hips and he was doing his best not to be angry. But, when he turned and saw that they were alone now, just him, Jared and Chris, he just glared at them for a few seconds.
"What?" Jared finally said.
"What?" Jensen repeated. "What the hell was that?"
"That was a homophobic asshole getting his butt kicked."
"Yeah," Chris nodded. "He started it."
Jensen shot him a look. "I don't care who started it," he explained. "And where the hell were you?"
Jared held up both his hands. "I was trying to get people out of the way," he admitted. "Jesus."
"Well, I thought we were done with this fighting shit."
Jared and Chris glanced at each other, then back over to Jensen. "I'll fight anyone who badmouths you or Jay," Chris admitted.
"Yeah, me too," Jared nodded. "Only...you know, the other way around."
While he understood where the fight had come from, why it had happened, he didn't agree with it. But, Chris and Jared were only trying to protect him, their name. He reached up and pinched at the bridge of his nose. "Fine," he sighed. "But next time do it without a fight."
Jared nodded and, still a little drunk, saluted Jensen.
Chris followed suit, and Jensen felt his heart start. Chris's hand was bloodied, his fingers bent, some at odd angles.
"Jesus Christ," he breathed. "Your hand is broken, Chris."
"What?" He looked down at it. "Oh, wow. Yeah."
"God, this is the last time," Jensen said, inspecting Chris's hand. "This is the last time we get drunk and do this shit."
Jared hiccupped. "I'll call the cab."
* * *
"How's he doing?"
Jensen sat down next to Jared in one of the uncomfortable hospital waiting room chairs. Both of them had Styrofoam cups of coffee in their hands, and their slurred words were gone. Jensen sighed as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing at his eyes with his free hand. "He's alright," he answered. "They're talking surgeries and pins. I don't know. The pain's hit him now though."
"They give him anything for it?"
He shook his head. "He says he doesn't want anything," he said. "I think he's punishing himself."
"What about Lynn?"
"Oh, she's not happy," Jensen explained. "But she understands what happened, and the guy's at least admitted that he threw the first punch. Even though it is while he's under the influence of pain killers."
"Jesus, I'm sorry, Jen," Jared apologized. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen when I said we should go out tonight."
"It's not your fault," he assured him.
"Well, I wasn't doing what you were doing," he admitted. "I wasn't trying to get out of the fight."
"Yes, you were," he returned. "You tried to talk the guy down. And, well, let's face it. The guy was an asshole."
Jared watched him smile, and then returned the grin. "A little bit," he nodded.
Jensen let his eyes close, let his head tip until his forehead was resting against Jared's shoulder. Jared leaned in just slightly, and pressed a kiss to the top of Jensen's hair. "You're not mad, are you?"
He shook his head as best he could, still rested against Jared.
"Hey."
Jensen finally raised his head and met Jared's eyes.
"I'm really proud of you, how you helped that guy even though he was being such a jerk."
Jensen shrugged. "That's my job."
"Yeah, but I remember a scared kid who wouldn't have dreamed of doing that before."
Jensen smiled. "I'm a lot more secure than I used to be," he admitted. "Thanks to you."
Jared chuckled. The feeling was mutual. They'd both been good for each other. "Know what I think?"
"What?"
He smiled a little more devilishly. "I think," he began, setting his coffee down on the coffee table in front of their chairs. He took Jensen's coffee from him and did the same thing. "That we should find an empty bed. Because I'm gettin' a huge case of the hots for you, Doctor Ackles."
Jensen chuckled, his face reddening. He thought for a moment. This was where he used to work, so he knew the hospital well. "Will a storeroom work?"
Jared grunted, arching one eyebrow at him.
"Okay, come on."
It didn't take them long to find an unlocked storeroom. Then ended up going down to the basement, where two of the rooms were unsecured. "Wow, you have your pick," Jensen chuckled.
Jared set his hands at Jensen's waist and pushed him towards one of the rooms. He didn't even care.
Jensen made sure to lock the door behind them once they were inside. The place smelled like disinfectant and gauze. He could feel Jared's fingers underneath his shirt, pushing the hem up. He abandoned both his jacket and shirt at the same time, closing his eyes when Jared's mouth found his ear, his neck, his bare shoulder. He leaned into him, reaching back and holding Jared's mouth against his skin, adoring the feeling of chills covering his body.
Jared skimmed his hands down over Jensen's belly, tugging at the button on the man's jeans. He forced open the zipper and pushed his hands inside, curling around the already-growing erection there. He rubbed skin on skin for a few moments, listening to Jensen moan. He pushed against Jensen, to make him stand on his own, then pressed kisses all the way down the younger man's spine. He scraped his teeth over Jensen's backside before turning him around and covering the head of Jensen's cock with his mouth. He slid all the way down, letting Jensen hit the back of his throat. He closed his eyes when he heard that perfectly erotic sound escape the younger man's throat. That's what he loved to hear.
With his mouth agape, his jeans around his ankles, Jensen looked down at Jared, watching him. He carefully set his hand atop Jared's head, for a few minutes just feeling him move. Then, when Jared sped up the pace, added in some suction, Jensen's fingers curled into Jared's hair. But instead of encouraging him to keep going, harder, faster, Jensen pulled Jared up, away from him.
As he moved back up Jensen's body, Jared pressed nipping or wet, suckling kisses to the man's skin. He smiled as he kissed Jensen's mouth, feeling his jacket being pushed off his shoulders, down to the floor. He abandoned it, pulled back long enough to nearly rip off his T-shirt. Kissed Jensen again, harder this time. Jensen's fingers found Jared's nipple rings, and Jared's fingers found his. Soon, Jensen's mouth was tugging at one of the rings, his hands shoving Jared's jeans down below his waist. He only got the chance to stroke Jared a couple of times, squeeze the soft, dusky flesh between his legs, before Jared was turning him around again, making him face the storage shelves there. Jensen bent slightly at the waist, and gripped the shelves in his hands.
Jared took only a few seconds to wet two fingers in his mouth. He didn't take the time to tease and taunt like he would have at home. Instead, he circled Jensen only two times before pushing his fingers in. He clamped his free hand over Jensen's hips, holding him steady as he worked his fingers hard and deep. When he felt Jensen shudder, he held onto the man with both hands and positioned himself just so. With one hard push, he was deep inside, making him stifle a cry against Jensen's spine. He pulled out, then pushed back inside again, hard and deep once more. It only took a few seconds to find a fast, intense rhythm with Jensen, and before they knew it, they were both moaning, trying to keep their cries relatively muffled. Jared stroked Jensen in time with his thrusts, nipping at the man's shoulder when he felt him come undone, spilling warmth into his hand. He closed his eyes and felt himself follow suit with just a few more hard, deep thrusts.
Just the sound of their heavy breathing filled the room. Jared's forehead was rested against Jensen's back. Their jeans were around their ankles, and their shirts and jackets laying discarded upon the storeroom floor.
"Fuck," Jared breathed. His sticky hands traveled up Jensen's body, pulling him up to lean back against Jared's muscled frame. Jensen craned his head around and kissed Jared, holding Jared's hands at his chest, where the man's finger was tugging carefully at Jensen's nipple ring. "You know I love you, right?" he asked, in between kisses.
Jensen nodded. "I love you," he answered.
* * *
They were leaving for home the next day. They wouldn't be home for Christmas, and that broke both Jensen's heart and Holly's. She said she understood, but Jensen and Jared could see she was sad.
When it came time for bed, she lingered in the living room, looking as though she wanted to say something. They still had company; Donna, Rock, Kenzie and Phin still scattered about the house, talking.
"What's up, Squeaker?" Jared asked.
She poked at the living room carpet with her big toe. "I want a story."
"Okay," he nodded. "Go pick one out. I'll be up in a little bit."
She shook her head. "Not you."
Jared wasn't at all offended. He chuckled and eyed her. "Okay," he said. "Who?"
Remaining silent, Holly just pointed to Jensen.
It was Jensen's turn to laugh. He got up from his place beside Jared, on the sofa, and held out his hand. "Alright," he agreed. "Come show me which one we're reading."
Holly brought him upstairs to her room and picked out the story she wanted Jensen to read. "Twas the night before Christmas," she said, hopping into bed and settling under the covers.
Jensen sat atop her covers, up at the head of the bed with her. "Twas the night before Christmas," he repeated.
Holly clapped her hands excitedly.
"And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
Though she was happy she was getting her story, as the tale went on, Holly seemed troubled. Laying underneath her pink camouflage comforter, she listened to Jensen read the bedtime story, while simultaneously listening to the commotion downstairs. Mom and Dad, Aunt Donna and Uncle Rock were laughing and joking with Jared, Phin and Kenzie. The bedtime story was kind of a Holly-Jensen thing; had been for quite awhile. Jared always made out that he would read to her, but it always turned out to be Jensen in the end. And she didn't mind, but she had a question for him, and she was afraid to ask.
He opened his mouth, ready to continue the story, one of his holiday favorites, when Holly finally spoke up, interrupting him.
"Jensen?"
Leaning against the headboard with her, he paused and smiled. "What, sweetie?"
As he looked at her, his smile gradually faded, leaving a look of concern in his greenish eyes. She seemed truly miserable, and that worried Jensen. It was, after all, just a matter of weeks before Christmas. No child her age should be that upset before the Big Day. "Are you upset about us leaving?"
"No," she said honestly.
"Okay," he returned. "Then what is it, sweetheart?"
"Can I ask you something?" she said, her voice very grown-up and serious.
"You know you can, Hol," he told her.
She took a deep breath and sighed. Her eyes turned watery, as if she wanted to cry, but was doing everything she could to hold back the tears. "Is Santa real?"
Well, he was, kiddo. He was a real genuine hero a very long time ago. And even though he's technically not around anymore, the spirit of Christmas still lives, and that's what's important. That's what he wanted to say to her. That was the grown-up, intelligent answer.
But she was seven years old, sad, and in need of a little reassurance and imagination.
His smile returned to him. Chuckling, Jensen let go of the book with one hand, curling his arm around her. "What?" he said. "What are you talking about, sweetie?"
"Santa," she clarified. She looked up at him with those big, dark eyes, the perfect little curls bouncing around her head. His heart nearly broke as she stared at him. "Is he real, or what?"
He laughed softly, trying to lighten her serious mood. "Of course he is, Hol," he said. "Why are you asking me this?"
"'Cause," she sighed. "'Cause them Santas at the mall weren't the real Santa. He can't be in three places at once. He's not that good, Jensen."
He couldn't help but chuckle again, reaching out to touch her face. He couldn't possibly lie to that face. No, sir. "No, you're right about that," he said, touching the pad of his index finger to the tip of her nose. "See, Santa's a very busy guy. So, he gathers up all these people to help him."
She didn't look convinced, but instead rather annoyed with his story. "Come on, Jensen," she complained. "He's busy one day out of the year. You can't ess-pect me to b'lieve that."
"Oh, really, Miss Smarty-pants?"
She nodded her head, crossed her arms over her chest and wouldn't budge.
"Well, what does Santa do the rest of the year, hmm?"
Confused, Holly shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno," she answered. "Goes to Hawaii."
"Really," Jensen said, an eyebrow raised. "Who feeds the reindeer?"
"The elves."
"And who feeds them?"
She didn't answer.
"Who goes and gets groceries for them? Who gets the feed for the reindeer? Don't you think that'd be a little bit obvious, if people saw little elves running around everywhere? Santa's hideout would be snuffed out in an instant." He snapped his fingers at the last sentence.
Holly eyed him. "You're really weird, Jensen," she said.
He laughed and leaned in closer. "You have no idea, kiddo." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, loudly squeaking his lips there until she giggled softly. Pulling back, he looked down at her and nodded his head. "Trust me, Hol," he continued. "Santa's every bit real as you and me."
"Really?" she asked, hopeful.
"Really," he nodded. "He just has a big farm to run for the elves and the reindeer during the year."
"And has to get presents ready for the whole world?"
Jensen nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
Even if she didn't believe him, Holly seemed satisfied. "Okay," she nodded. "Them other people at the mall can help him if they want to, I guess."
"Okay, good," he chuckled. "Want to finish the story now?"
She nodded heartily, a bright smile upon her face. They snuggled down further into the bed and Jensen continued to read. By the time he got to Santa's big part in the story, Holly was fast asleep, almost snoring against Jensen's chest. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head and then carefully wriggled out from underneath her. He covered her up and flipped off her bedside light. "'Night, kiddo," he whispered softly.
Just before he closed her bedroom door, Jensen took one last look at her. He tried to think about what his life would be like if it had taken a different direction. Quite honestly, he didn't like the thoughts that flashed through his mind. He pushed them away and smiled at the little sleeping girl, then closed her door and headed downstairs with the rest of the family.
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