Christmas Tree Wishes

Chapter 6

It was three days later before Sam saw Jackson again. Sam was just trying to decide how he was going to open the door of the cafe and not drop his arm full of presents when Jackson showed up.

"Hey, Sam! Here, let me help you." Jackson opened the door and took a few of the presents from Sam's losing-strength arms. He should have caught a taxi instead of walking but he had just been down the street. As Jackson lifted some of the burden from his arms, Sam felt his heart warm to see Jackson again and have him so close.

"Hey. Thanks, Jacks, you really saved me. Wow, that was getting heavy." Sam huffed a laugh.

"No, problem, Sam. Quite an arm load you have there." Jackson chuckled, helping Sam arrange his bags and boxes at the corner table. "Did you forget anyone?"

"Ugh, I hope not." Sam groaned. "Can I get a coffee? I am in need of some caffeine."

"Of course, coming right up! Are you expecting anyone to join you? Should I be grabbing two coffees?" Jackson questioned.

"Nope, just me." Sam leaned forward to catch a box from falling.

"Oh, ok. That's good." Jackson smiled, heading for the corner.

Sam looked up to watch him walk away. Jackson had appeared to be happy that Sam was alone today. Hmm, interesting. Sam was glad he was all decked out for his shopping today in his straight legged jeans and light blue button up with the top two buttons cleverly undone. Plus he was wearing his gray vest, which Lexi says makes him look like a chic business man. All of this was topped off with this light brown overcoat and blue scarf. He felt gorgeous today.

"Here you go." Jackson had returned with two coffees.

"Oh, sorry it's just me today." Sam nodded towards the second coffee.

"I know." Jackson sat down in the only other free seat at the table with the extra coffee. "I hope this is okay?"

"Oh, yeah, that's okay." Sam smiled, feeling a blush lightly creep up his neck.

"So how are things? Get the rest of your apartment all decorated?" Jackson asked, blowing on his coffee to cool it down.

"Yup, finished it the other night. You should stop by and see it." Sam felt his blush creep more at his casual request for Jackson to come over.

"Yeah, sure." Jackson's face lit up a bit at Sam's invitation.

"You know, if you're free, I could use some help getting all of this stuff home and I was planning a holiday movie night with takeout and some Irish coffee. If you're interested. No worries if you have plans already," Sam quickly added, surprised at his own boldness.

"That sounds like a lot of fun. I'm in!" Jackson beamed.

"Great! So I was thinking of watching The Holiday or Die Hard. Do you have a preference?" Sam loved both movies and made a point of watching them each year at Christmas time. Plus it wasn't Christmas until Hans Gruber fell from the Nakatomi tower. It was like ringing in the season.

"I don't. I have never seen either," Jackson said sheepishly. "Do I lose brownie points for that?"

Sam laughed. "No! I will enjoy introducing you to both of these. Maybe if we have time, we can watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as well."

"Now that I have seen. It sounds perfect." Jackson grinned over his cup at Sam, making him fall a bit more for the man. Who needs Brian or the white knight when Jackson was right here in front of him. Though he was still not sure if he was straight, bi or gay. Maybe pan like Lexi? Might be a good idea to figure that out. Until then, at least they seemed to be friends. Right?