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My True Love Gave to Me
for the housekeeper
Author's Notes: Many thanks to sansets for a quick beta in my hour of need.
Ray Vecchio sighed as he made his way through the streets of Chicago. It had already started to get cold for the time of year. He turned to Fraser who seemed not to mind the cold as they walked along briskly. "Fraser, what are we doing?"
"Christmas shopping, Ray," Fraser replied in an unseasonably cheerful tone.
"Yeah, so you said, but...it's October, Benny," Ray pointed out. He hadn't believed Benny this morning when he'd revealed his plans and Ray still didn't believe them now.
"Yes, Ray."
"It's not even Halloween yet and you're thinking about Christmas."
"It's good to be prepared, Ray."
"Benny, there's being prepared and then there's dragging your lover out to do Christmas shopping in October."
"You did agree to come along."
"I know that but I didn't know we were actually Christmas shopping," Ray grumbled.
He would much rather they spend their day off doing indoor activities, at least until Benny insisted they take Dief for a walk. As it was Fraser had let Dief stay at Ray's house, probably because he was sure Dief would try and find out what it was he and Ray were getting him this year.
"I thought I told you last week what we would be doing."
"You didn't."
"Ah. My mistake."
"Well at least this way we're not going to run into Santa Claus robbing a bank," Ray said, trying to look on the brightside.
"It would be unlikely, Ray, although not impossible." Fraser paused. "I remember one year in the Territories, we had a man dressed as Santa Claus rob the local feed store."
"In October?"
"Yes Ray, although of course there was quite a bit of snow about, which might be why his white coat helped him blend into his surroundings."
"How could he be Santa Claus if he was wearing white?"
"It's a common misconception that he should wear red, Ray. Many put the red suit down to an early twentieth century marketing campaign by Coca Cola in which Santa Claus wore red. He has been known in the past for a green suit, and in some countries the figure we know as Santa Claus wears white."
"So, what, the robber was a traditionalist?"
"Apparently. Although his choice of clothing didn't help when we tried to find him the snowdrift."
"You're kidding me."
"Well, perhaps a little," Fraser smiled.
"Okay, so just don't go spotting any crimes."
"I'll try, Ray."
For a few moments they walked along without any direction that Ray could see, but he had to admit it was nice to be able to go shopping with Fraser. He realised how domestic that thought sounded. He was contemplating this when he decide to ask where it was they were headed to.
"So where do you want to go?"
"Wherever you'd like to, Ray."
"Ah, come on, this was your idea. Don't tell me you haven't got a plan."
"I do have a plan, Ray - to let you choose."
Ray gave Fraser an odd look. "Benny, I didn't come out to buy gifts."
"Ah."
"What?"
"I'm wondering, Ray it's not because of the lack of free promotional gifts is it?"
"You mean the bank account thing?"
"You used the promotions in the past for gifts. "
"Not this year," Ray replied, waving his hand. "Besides I give them the account too, sort of like a double present."
"Will I be getting one?"
"Oh no, you're getting something special."
"I look forward to it, Ray."
"Yeah, and it isn't a pumpkin either."
Fraser seemed puzzled. "Why would it be a pumpkin, Ray?"
"It was a joke; all these stores have their Halloween decorations." Ray waved his arm toward a shop window decorated with skeletons and pumpkins.
"Oh I see. I'm not getting you a pumpkin either."
"Thanks, Benny I appreciate that."
There was few moments pause before Fraser spoke again. "You're not going to ask me what I am getting you?"
"No."
"Last year, Ray you spent an hour asking me questions about your present, you're not doing that this year?"
"No, I'm not."
Fraser looked puzzled.
"I'm serious, Benny, I trust you. You've said you're not getting me a pumpkin so that's fine."
"Ah."
Ray grinned. "You're surprised."
"Well, yes, Ray."
Ray stated laughing. "I don't believe it. I stumped the Mountie."
"Ray!" Fraser regained his composure. "I'm just surprised you're not so curious."
"How do you know I'm not curious?" Ray countered.
"You are curious?"
"Yeah, - I mean, aren't you?"
"Well, perhaps a little, Ray."
"There you go."
"Go where? I'm not following you, Ray."
Ray slowed their pace down slightly. Fortunately the street wasn't too crowded, so they could take their time. "Look you're curious, right?"
"Yes."
"But you're not saying anything?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I prefer to wait until Christmas itself."
Ray's look was one of triumph. "Exactly."
"Ray?"
"I can have that kind of self restraint you know."
"I don't doubt it."
"But you did. You were convinced I was going to ask you what you're getting me for Christmas."
"I was not," Fraser retorted and picked up the pace again.
"Benny," Ray called as he caught Fraser up.
"Alright perhaps I was," Fraser said defensively.
"I knew it!"
"Why, Ray?"
"Why aren't I asking?"
Fraser nodded.
"Because it's you, Benny. Because I know you're not going to get me lousy sweater. You're not going to buy the same thing you have for the last fifteen years. You're not going to rush out on Christmas Eve to the bargain store to get me a last minute gift," Ray told him, remembering past Christmas disappointments.
Fraser was surprised. "That's happened?"
"Every year. But I know you're going to put some thought into it."
"I will, Ray," Fraser promised. This was their first Christmas together as a couple and Fraser was determined it would be extra special.
"Exactly, so I don't need to worry about what you're getting me so I can look forward to being surprised."
"You want to be surprised?
"By you, yeah, Benny, of course I do."
"That's, that's good to know, Ray."
A few moments of happy silence followed before Ray spoke. "So, who are you buying for?"
"Well, there's your mother, sisters, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews."
"You're buying for my entire family?"
"Not your entire family, Ray. I'm afraid I wouldn't have much idea what to get your Aunt Sylvania."
"But everybody else?" Ray asked well aware of the large numbers of Vecchios in Chicago.
"Just your immediate family, Ray," Fraser assured him. "They've been very good to me since I've come to Chicago and it's a time of year that I can pay them back."
"I don't think you have to do it literally."
"Ray, I'm happy to be doing it. As you've pointed out, they're your family and as we're together, as a couple, they are by extension, my family."
Ray couldn't help but smile at that. Things hadn't been easy since he and Benny had told the family about the two of them, but over the last few months things had improved to the point where Ray was looking forward to Christmas with them, safe in knowledge his choice of partner was a member of the family too.
"Okay, so who else?"
"Elaine, Lieutenant Welsh, Detective Huey..."
Ray interrupted the list. "You're buying for my co-workers too?"
"Not the entire station, Ray, just those people who I consider to be friends, and it is traditional."
"What is?"
"As a couple it's common for us to be buying gifts for each other's relatives and friends. It just happens that we share the same relatives and friends," Fraser reasoned.
"Lieutenant Walsh is your friend?"
"Perhaps that wasn't the right term," Fraser was thoughtful for moment. "He's made me welcome at the station - he's even allowed me to do some unofficial police work."
"Benny, you're so good he'd have to be crazy to not let you."
"Still I appreciate it."
"Okay so what about the Consulate?"
"Ah yes there's Turnbull, Jasmine and Constable Cooper."
"And the Dragon Lady?" Ray asked with slight nervousness, he wasn't sure how she'd react to a gift from a man she had wanted to pursue before he was taken.
"I'm not sure giving her a gift would be appropriate."
It was clear Fraser was thinking in the same direction as Ray but Ray knew Benny would never cheat on him and it wasn't fair to keep bringing up the issue.
"Okay, nothing fancy, just a little thing. You're buying for my boss you can buy something for yours." Ray seemed pleased with this reasoning. "It can be from the both of us," he added, just to be sure.
"Yes, Ray," Fraser replied seemingly happier.
"Anybody else?"
"I was wondering about some of the tenants in my building."
"What - everyone?"
"Well..."
"You can't afford that, Fraser," Ray pointed out. Deputy Liaison officers weren't exactly the highest paid members of the RCMP.
"Perhaps you're right."
"Of course I'm right. It's not like the exchange rate is being kind to you right now anyway."
"Ah yes, that's true." But Fraser didn't seem all that happy with the situation.
"You help those people in your building, you help clean up the neighbourhood - they're going to appreciate that a lot more than anything else."
"I should give them cards though."
Ray was happy with that idea. "Okay, so we're going to need to buy cards."
"Yes."
"You think they'll be stocking them now?"
"As you've remarked, Christmas seems to get earlier every year I'm sure we'll be able to find some."
"Yeah, next to the pumpkins."
"Very likely, Ray."
"Okay, I know a place."
"I was hoping you would."
"So you brought me to be tour guide."
"Your knowledge of the stores in Chicago is more extensive than my own, Ray."
"This from a guy who knows where to find coffee within a ten block radius of the station."
"And it's good to have your company," Fraser added.
"Well, thank you, Benny."
"And we are buying together this year," Fraser continued, a happy tone creeping into his voice.
"Yeah. It's a big thing for you this, isn't it?"
"I've never been in a position to buy gifts with anyone before."
"Well, you are now. So we're going to enjoy it, okay."
"I'm sure we will, Ray."
Ray led Fraser to a store he knew. It wasn't long before he'd located exactly what they needed and they were engrossed in picking out boxes of Christmas cards.
"I never knew buying Christmas cards could be so difficult," Fraser said.
"Are those reindeer or Caribou?" Ray asked noting the picture on the box Fraser had rejected.
"They seem to bear more resemblance to a moose. I confess I'm feeling a bit out of my depth."
"What, you haven't done this before?"
"Yes Ray, but I didn't take into account the various tastes of people. For example we're buying religious ones for the older members of your family, humorous ones for some of your colleagues and traditional scenes for others."
"Yeah, I know it means spending more, but I don't think Ma would appreciate a card with talking penguins on."
"Probably not, Ray. It's very thoughtful."
"You got it right last year," Ray pointed out.
"I suppose I did but I didn't put this much thought into it."
"Okay, I think we've got enough to cover everybody," Ray said his arms full of various assorted boxes.
"How much will it cost, Ray?"
"Does it matter?"
"I was just trying to calculate my share."
"It doesn't matter, Benny - couple, remember?"
"But still..."
"Okay, if you want to, we'll do it later. Right now let's just escape the budding wizards and witches."
The store was now filled with children eagerly picking out hats, capes and fake fangs. It was rather overwhelming and Fraser looked relieved when they left, especially after he nearly tripped over a young Dracula look-alike.
Of course, the cards had only been one part of it. They had spent hours trying to find the right presents for everyone. They had gone to every section in all of the department stores. They'd gone up and down the shopping mall only to find what they wanted was in the first store they'd visited. By the end of it Ray's head was spinning.
He was feeling a slight headache coming on by the time they reached the Riv and deposited their purchases in the trunk. Fraser made a special effort to conceal Dief's gift elsewhere, where he wouldn't be able to sniff it out. Ray had already agreed to hide it at the Vecchio family home.
"Guess we're done," Ray sighed in relief as he slid into the front seat of the Riv.
"Yes, Ray. It's a good feeling isn't it?"
"To know I won't be battling with the crowds in December? Yeah it is." Ray closed his eyes and smiled. "We should do this more often, Benny."
"I think once a year will be sufficient, Ray."
Ray smiled. "Yeah, you're right. Let's go home."
Ray knew he would need a lie down when they got back. He wondered if he could persuade Fraser to give him a massage.
Two Months later...
It was Christmas Eve and Fraser to admit the time had flown by. He was glad to be taking it easy, well relatively there was still work to be done at the consulate; at least he wasn't battling the Christmas crowds. He'd never been good at that. Now he was waiting for Ray to pick him up and then take him back to his apartment. They'd decided they'd spend the night together, exchange gifts and the join the rest of the family in the morning. Diefenbaker had been pacified with some cookies.
Fraser was waited patiently in the cool December air. He didn't mind working on Christmas Eve, it meant he'd have the next few days off. He hadn't seen Ray all day, not even for lunch, so he was looking forward to them spending some quality time together.
Ray kept quiet as he drove them to Fraser; apartment, well quieter than usual. Fraser himself was excited about spending the holidays with Ray's family, despite the stories Ray told about the chaos in the Vecchio household. It was a new experience and Fraser was looking forward to it very much. .
As they got to the apartment door Ray gently stopped Fraser.
"Wait a minute, Benny."
"Ray?" Fraser was confused.
"Look, there's something I want to you see inside, but it's a surprise, okay?"
"Okay."
"So I want you to close your eyes."
Fraser was not convinced.
"Come on it's Christmas, humour me."
"Alright, Ray," Fraser agreed and closed his eyes.
Gently Fraser felt Ray take hold of his hands and lead him into the apartment. He heard the door open and close. There was a moment of silence then, still holding one of his hands, Ray spoke, "Okay, now you can open them."
Fraser blinked as he opened his eyes. There was more light than he had expected; in fact there were more lights than he had ever expected. "Ray? It's..."
"Your apartment."
"It's decorated," Fraser said in awe as he looked around.
There was a large Christmas tree in the middle which had been decorated with lights, baubles and tinsel. It even had a selection of parcels placed beneath it. There were fairy lights in the windows and strung all the way around the apartment. There were candles dotted about. Some were fragrant; Fraser could tell from the pleasant aroma. Others were novelty ones. There were various ornaments placed around too and white sheets and cotton wool all over, to represent snow, Fraser presumed. Over all it was very tastefully done.
"I did have some decorations," Fraser mentioned as he took it all in.
"What six fairy lights and a potted plant?"
"This is...how much did this cost?"
"Benny, it not about cost. Do you like it?"
"Yes, Ray I...I love it. I would never have thought to..."
Ray grinned. "Well, this is your Christmas present part one."
"Ray, you didn't need to get me anything more."
"Benny, it's not about need, it's about doing what I want to do, okay? And I wanted to do this."
"Thank you, Ray."
Fraser was led by Ray to the tree. Ray picked one of the packages underneath. From the labels a lot of the other gifts came from Ray's family. That was enough to Fraser to know people cared that much and that was very moving. Taking Ray's lead he knelt down next to the pile of gifts.
"Now, this is your next present," Ray said handing Fraser a medium, but well wrapped, package.
Fraser carefully opened it. At first he wasn't sure what it was but eventually he discovered it was a box. Opening that he discovered it was a toy bull dozer, the kind he had hoped to receive over thirty years ago for his birthday.
"What do you think?" Ray asked.
""It's just what I always wanted, Ray," Fraser replied. The fact Ray had put this much effort into the gift. It didn't matter it was a child's toy - it symbolised much more than that.
"Ray, I feel inadequate you've done all this and the gift I got you..."
"Look whatever you give me is going to be great, Fraser."
"Even if it's a pair of socks?"
"You didn't?"
"No, Ray I didn't. I spent a long time thinking about to get you and in the end, I thought that there were two things I could give you."
Fraser got up and went to the closet. He had hidden Ray's presents under some blankets, but it didn't take much effort to find them. He brought out the two packages and went back to the tree and sat back down next to Ray.
"This is the first of my gifts to you," Fraser said as he handed Ray the smaller of the two packages.
Ray was less delicate in his unwrapping, but Fraser didn't mind.
Ray's face lit up at what was inside. "It's a compass!"
"Yes, Ray. One that works. Look on the back."
Ray turned it over to see the message. He read it out loud.
"Love from BF. Awww geez that's the sappiest thing I ever read."
"It's only three words, Ray."
"Yeah, well, I still love it."
Fraser smiled at his friend's obvious happiness. "I'm glad, Ray."
"It looks really expensive," Ray commented.
"As you said yourself it's not the cost that matters."
"Benny!"
"This next present didn't cost me much at all if it helps you feel better," Fraser said as he handed over the larger gift.
"It's big though, Benny."
"Big doesn't mean expensive, Ray. The raw materials were actually quite cheap."
"You made this?"
"Yes. I wanted to give a gift from the heart and this seemed the most appropriate gift to give you."
Ray tore the wrapping off and then stayed silent. It was the first time for a long time Fraser had seen his friend speechless.
"Ray, is it okay?"
Ray ran his fingers over the wood.
"Wow it's...it's really beautiful, Benny. It looks just like your father's cabin."
"It's a scale model, Ray. I'm not sure entirely of the proportions relative to the cabin itself. I was working off memory."
"This must have taken you years."
"Years would be an exaggeration, Ray. It took my eleven months and sixteen days."
"That's practically a year, Benny. I can't believe you made this for me."
"There's no-one else I would make it for. It's symbolic."
"What of? I mean the cabin was where we..."
Fraser cleared his throat. It had been in the cabin where they had first forged their friendship and where hints of something more had begun. "It's also symbolic as a home."
"A home? Benny, that cabin didn't even a toilet."
"It would have had one installed if we'd managed to rebuild it."
"You know why I wanted to rebuild that shack of your Dad's, don't you?"
"I do, Ray and as we haven't been able to get there, yet, consider this a promise that perhaps next year we'll have a vacation..."
"And rebuild it with plumbing?"
"Yes, Ray."
"Thank you, Benny."
Fraser didn't have time to reply before Ray was kissing him. He'd made the right choice he decided. Ray's gifts this year had certainly been appropriate. Ray seemed to think so and that was what counted for Fraser. As they parted, holding each other in a loose embrace Fraser noticed something hanging on the tree out of the corner of his eye.
"Ray, is that a pumpkin on the tree?"
"Well you did take me shopping in October."
"Ah yes, it' very appropriate."
"Thank you, Benny. Now I think we should move onto gift number three."
"But I don't think have anything left to give you, Ray."
"You do, Benny."
"I do?"
"There's new sheets on your bed, Benny," Ray whispered.
"Ah, in that case would you like to go over to my bed and unwrap your gift, Ray?" Fraser asked standing up and offering Ray a hand.
"I would," Ray replied taking Fraser's hand.
"Merry Christmas, Benny," Ray said as they started kissing."
"Merry Christmas, Ray."
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