Part XX

Christmas Eve was a surprise for all concerned. Even though they'd been married to sisters for several years, Jack and Roy had never really just sat and talked to one another. Not only did they discover that they had a love for wood working in common, Jack found a kindred spirit in Johnny for getting out into the wilderness. Cathy didn't know whether to be pleased or feel outnumbered as the three men began talking about a joint camping trip for the seven of them. Joanne just gave her younger sister a pat.

"May as well decide to enjoy it. Besides, I have a solid rule. I do no cooking in woodland settings. And it is very peaceful. No ringing phones, no knocks on the door."

Hearing that last, Roy just grinned.

"No doors either."

Kim was happily arranging two of her dolls in her present from her father this year. It had taken him a good month to get it just right, but he'd made her a wooden pram, wide enough for 'twins'. Chris's present had been two-fold - a wooden model ship that Roy had put together for him and a model kit so that Chris could try his own hand at it.

"You're just about the age now that I was when my dad started letting me make things, so I thought you might like to try it. But remember - it's just a hobby. And like sports, some you enjoy and some you don't. If you give it a try and don't care to continue, it's not a big deal. We'll figure out another hobby that you do like."

"Like you and Uncle Johnny working on that old fire engine?"

"That's an example. Your mom like to paint. There's no wrong or right when it comes to a hobby."

Cathy chimed in then.

"That's true. Your Uncle Jack does macramé. He's really good at it too."

Kim's head was up.

"What's macramé, Aunt Cathy?"

In answer, Cathy held out one arm.

"See my bracelet? Your Uncle Jack made that for me back when we were dating."

"No fooling?"

That last was from Johnny who came over to get a better look.

"Wow. I never would have guessed that didn't come from a store. How did you work those beads in?"

Roy wasn't sure how exactly it started, but they all ended up sitting near the Christmas tree practicing some knots with cord that Joanne had managed to dig up. Kim was absolutely enchanted when her Uncle Jack made a simple bracelet for one of her dolls. Roy leaned his chin briefly on Joanne's shoulder. In her ear, his tone was a pleasing combination of contentment and amusement.

"Not exactly a Norman Rockwell Christmas scene, is it?"

"No, but you know what, Roy? I'd almost bet that this Christmas is going to one of those that the kids remember when they're our age."

The next day, Roy and Johnny rode together to their Christmas shift, a cake from Joanne to share with the rest of A shift held carefully in Johnny's lap. After role call, Cap called for fresh coffee to go with sampling the cake.

"A little caffeine and cake before I hand out assignments and maybe you guys will have the energy to knock out your chores."

Chet took a bite of the cake and closed his eyes.

"Man - all the good cooks are already married."

Getting a piece for himself, Marco just grinned at his friend.

"Aren't you after a pretty girl, Chet?"

"Oh, sure. But my Mom told me to always remember that pretty girls are a dime a dozen, but a good cook is priceless."

"Okay, twits - while you're stuffing your faces, listen up. Marco - sorry. Everyone was on time and you're up for rotation on latrine duty."

"Cap?"

"What is it, Kelly?"

"I'll take that. Marco pulled latrine duty for me last month when I had those stitches in my hand."

Giving Chet a nudge, Marco shook his head.

"Hey - I didn't mind doing that. Paybacks aren't necessary."

"I know I don't have to - I want to. Don't look a little Christmas spirit in the mouth, pal."

Captain Stanley just shook his head fondly.

"Twits. Fine. Chet, you have the latrine. John and Roy - dorms. Marco - clean up in here. Mike - you have the bay. Finish your cake and hop to it."

The guys exchanged looks. Marco was the one to ask what they were all wondering.

"Cap? You didn't assign cooking duty."

"You're right. I didn't. Get on it, guys. I'd prefer we get done before we get toned out."

When the tones did sound, it was just for the Squad. A drunk driving incident that they were relieved didn't involve any fatalities. Still, it took them awhile to get the injured treated and off to Rampart. By the time they were heading back to the station, both paramedics were starting to feel hungry.

"You think Cap is doing the cooking tonight, Roy?"

"Maybe. I sure wouldn't turn down a bowl of his clam chowder on a night like this."

"Me either. Wind's got a bite behind it tonight."

Backing the squad into its spot, Roy saw Johnny sniffing before he even had his door fully opened.

"That doesn't smell like chowder, but it sure smells good, whatever it is."

As his mouth began to water when the scent reached him, Roy had to agree. As they went to see what was smelling so good, they entered to see four civilians in with their shift-mates. Roy didn't really remember any of them, but Johnny recognized them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Medina! And, let me see if I can remember - Jorge and Eliana, right?"

Introductions were quickly made as Mr. Medina held his hand out to Roy. Before the hand could be taken, Mrs. Medina impulsively moved in to hug him.

"I am so happy that you are looking so well again."

Mr. Medina laid his free hand on his wife's shoulder.

"There aren't words enough to tell you what you did for us, but your Captain agreed to let us try to show you. We brought dinner for you and your co-workers."

"Wow."

The one word from Johnny was short, but expressive as he viewed the table. There was probably enough food that the next shift would be able to feast on the leftovers.

It didn't take much encouragement for the men to all dig in. It turned out that Mr. Medina was the co-owner of a small restaurant. After sampling the food, all of the men made note of it. They'd be paying visits to it in the future.

Eliana and Jorge stayed as close to Roy and Johnny as they could. Eliana was even more determined that she wanted to be either a paramedic or a doctor when she grew up. Johnny told her the story about when he first met Roy and how Roy talked him into joining the paramedic program. The parents hadn't been aware that Roy was actually one of the original six paramedics and seemed impressed, though Roy was a bit embarrassed. He did promise to send Eliana information on the program to look over though. Roy wasn't about to discourage someone who might well be one of the next generation of paramedics.

The tones stayed blissfully quiet while the men enjoyed the food and the company. Even after the Medinas had left for the night, they only had two calls, one of which ended up being a false alarm.

When shift change arrived, the oncoming shift was thrilled with the leftovers. Especially as it was the turn of one of their less talented cooks - the one that normally ended up serving grilled cheese and tomato soup every time he came up for kitchen rotation.

As Roy drove them back to his house, Johnny gave a contented sigh and laid his head against the back of the seat. Roy gave a fond glance over to his best friend.

"Far cry from where we were and how we felt this time last year, isn't it, Junior?"

"Sure is. Much as I like the guys at Rampart, a hospital is never going to be my first choice for where to spend Christmas. And this year, you didn't go home to nothing under the tree. I remember how bad that shook you up."

"Yeah. It did. I never would have guessed back then how things turned out now."

"Think your mother-in-law will ever come around?"

"Who knows? I hope so for Jo's sake. And the kids. I never got to know my own grandparents. I don't expect she'll ever even like me. But, you know? I'll be happy if she just keeps it civil in front of the kids."

"At least your other in-laws are pretty cool. Jack and Cathy seem to be really nice people."

Roy pulled into the drive and parked.

"Home again. Come on, Johnny. Let's go tell Joanne how well her cake went over with the guys."

"Think she'll mind me talking about how Chet looked with crumbs in his cheesy moustache?"

"Are you kidding? She'll be mad that you didn't take pictures."

Draping an arm across Johnny's shoulders as they headed for the door, Roy thought back on what he'd said to Johnny earlier. This really was a far cry from last year. He could remember all too well the dismal thoughts that had gone through his mind as he had tried to sleep on the couch in the dark, empty house. Now, he could see the warm light coming from the windows and hear the sounds of laughter.

It felt good to be home.