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"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present,
hope for the future." - Agnes M. Pahro
Mike smiled softly as he looked around his apartment. He'd agreed to host the annual holiday party for the squad, and so far, the evening was going great.
The atmosphere was warm, and there was even an actual fire crackling away in his fireplace. There were smiles interspersed with laughter.
Even Matt and their father were enjoying a civil conversation between each other.
It was pretty close to idyllic--Noah, Jesse, Zara and Gil were off playing Wii in the den--avoiding the boring, adult conversations according to Zara.
Sonny had an arm wrapped around Barba's waist, hugging his normally acerbic A.D.A. boyfriend close to his side as they both sipped on their respective drinks. Olivia was all smiles as she listened to Sonny regale them with the latest antics of his niece and nephews.
Tucker and Fin were by one of the windows, but with the two stoic-faced men, Mike could only guess at what they could've been talking about.
George was listening in on the different conversations as he moved through the room, occasionally poking his head into the den to make sure the kids were behaving. If the kind-hearted doctor ever had kids of his own, Mike was sure that he'd be an amazing dad.
He shook his head as he spotted Amanda and Nick cuddled in one corner of the couch, kissing each other every now and then, and sharing a mug of eggnog.
The whole night would've been perfect, but someone was missing.
He sighed, the only person he really wanted to see this Christmas was halfway around the world putting her life on the line so everyone in his apartment could enjoy a worry-free Christmas.
Jennifer was supposed to have been home a week ago, but her unit had been called out on a mission and she was somewhere doing something undoubtedly dangerous.
Mike knew it was selfish of him to be upset about the whole thing. About her not being home for Christmas and him not being allowed to know where she was. Jennifer was serving their country in ways that no one would ever know about.
But if he was being honest, he just really wanted his fiancé home.
Looking up from his musings, he smiled at his brother came over to him.
"You're pouting." Matt pointed out, slinging an arm around Mike's shoulders. "What's up? Someone give you bad off nog?" He questioned teasingly.
Mike shot him a half-hearted glare. "Ha. Ha." He deadpanned. "Sorry...guess I'm not being much fun."
"You miss Jen." Matt stated, eyes turning sympathetic as he regarded Mike. "I thought she was supposed to be home this Christmas."
"Her unit got called out on a mission." Mike sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I guess I'm not hiding my disappointment as well as I thought."
Giving him a small smile, Matt squeezed his shoulder. "I'm sure she'll be home as soon as she can."
"Thanks..." Mike shrugged, looking around the room. "Where'd Dad go?"
"Downstairs. Said something about needing to make a phone call." Matt explained, hiding his grin behind a glass of sparkling cider. "Man can't stop working...even on Christmas."
Chief Dodds paced around the lobby of his son's apartment building, checking his phone every minute. He'd gotten a call from one of the officers giving Jennifer a ride that they were ten minutes out.
He turned towards the glass doors as two squad cars with lights flashing slowed to a halt and a young, blonde woman in Marine Corps fatigues climbed out.
"Thanks for the ride!" Jennifer smiled as she slung her bags over her shoulders and entered the lobby. "I'm pretty sure we broke about twenty traffic laws on the way here."
William chuckled, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. "I wouldn't worry about it." He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I'm so glad you're here. Mike's been pouting all evening. Not that he'd ever admit it."
"Aww...I told him people would start comparing him to a Labrador if he keeps it up." She shook her head, hazel eyes shining from her under the brim of her hat as she smoothed out her uniform. "You sure Matt'll keep him distracted?"
"Matt will keep him plenty distracted." William assured her. "He won't even notice us coming in."
Jennifer smiled brightly as they headed to the elevators and rode up to the fifth floor. They stopped just outside Mike's door, listening to the muffled sounds of the party.
"Here, give me your bags so you can slip inside." William suggested, extending his hand. "Come on, you know you're dying to get in there."
She glanced at him, lips quirking up at the corner. "Not such a hard ass after all, are you?" She chuckled lightly. "I always knew you were soft on the inside."
William snorted softly as he hefted her duffle bag and backpack over his shoulder before easing the door open. "No one will ever believe you."
"Oh, I know." Her eyes glinted in amusement as she gave him a knowing look. "It'll be our secret, Chief."
"Whatever you say, Captain." William quipped as he gently set her bags down, catching Matt's eyes over Mike's shoulder, communicating a silent message.
Matt grinned widely, gripping Mike by the shoulders to stop him from turning around as he cleared his throat. "Can I have everyone's attention please!" He spoke loudly, drawing the attention of the others as the kids emerged from the den. "As I'm sure you all know, something very special is happening tonight."
Excited laughter filtered through the room, followed by poorly muffled giggles from the kids.
Mike frowned, clearly confused by the whole situation. He wanted to know what everyone was looking at, but Matt's grip on his shoulders prevented him from turning around.
"What's going on?" He questioned, looking around at his squad mates. "You guys are hiding something. I know it."
"Yeah, yeah... Hold your horses." Matt sympathized sardonically. "Now, we all know you've been pouting ever since Jen told you that she couldn't be home for Christmas."
Mike shot him a look, narrowing his eyes slightly. "I haven't been pouting." He insisted, crossing his arms over his chest. "You'd be upset too if your fiancé couldn't be home for Christmas."
Matt rolled his eyes and sighed. "You know what? I was going to make this all dramatic and touching, but I've changed my mind. Here." He spun Mike around, listening to the gasp his brother released.
"Jennifer?" Mike breathed incredulously, eyes wide as he stared at his fiancé. "How did--? When? Who?" He looked between Matt and his father. "Did you do this?"
Jennifer smiled, a warm laugh slipping from her lips. "My mission turned into a bust--bad intelligence and all that." She explained. "I knew you were bummed that I couldn't be here, so I had Matt and your dad help me coordinate."
Mike shook his head disbelieving before sweeping Jennifer into a crushing embrace. "I'm so happy you're home." He breathed into the junction of her shoulder. "I was worried."
"Aw babe..." Jennifer murmured, moving to kiss him loudly as the others 'oohed' and 'awed' while the kids cheered. "Merry Christmas!"