Christmas Tree Wishes

Chapter 5

Sam was not only incredibly angry but very embarrassed to have had everyone in the cafe witness their fight.

"Sorry, I would be the selfish queer." He raised his hand to Jackson before dropping his head into it. This is not the way he wanted Jackson or all of the cafe to learn that he was gay. Not that he was in the closet but he didn't like to advertise either.

"What a jerk!" Jackson huffed, dropping into the chair next to Sam. "Are you okay?"

Sam looked up in surprise. "Yeah, mostly. Was that as horrible as it felt like it was?"

"Yeah, that was a bit rough. Do you need anything? A muffin to go with your coffee? On the house?" Jackson offered.

"That's sweet, Thanks. I just need- You know I don't know what I need." Sam sighed, taking a sip of his coffee, taking his time to look at Jackson for the first time today.

Jackson's hair was less slicked back today, instead it was shaggy and curling around his ears. Sam wondered if it was as soft as it looked. He wore a tight fitted, scoop neck, off-white tee and his jeans were artfully torn, fitting him like a glove. Sam had to stop himself from drooling a bit at the sight.

"Well, if you decide on what you need, you let me know. Okay?" Jackson chuckled, starting to stand.

It was a beautiful deep chuckle and Sam didn't want him to leave, he was enjoying Jackson's company. He found himself reaching out a hand to stop Jackson from standing up. "You know what I need, I need a tree!"

"A tree?" Jackson questioned.

"Yes, I need a tree, like right now." Sam stood, pulling on his jacket. "What are the chances you are free and want to help me pick out a Christmas tree?" Sam couldn't help the excitement in his voice.

"Well, I'm at the end of my shift, I could be persuaded. Are you getting a real tree?" Jackson questioned.

"Yup." Sam checked for his wallet and phone.

"I've never picked out a real tree before," Jackson remarked.

"What? Really? How can that be? Where are you from?" Sam asked, moving towards the door.

"New Mexico mostly."

"Wait, they don't have real Christmas trees out there?" Sam racked his brain to remember if they did or not.

"I'm sure they do somewhere, we just never got one," Jackson stated plainly.

"Let me get this straight. Are you telling me you have never had a real tree for Christmas?!" Sam can't imagine Christmas without the smell of the pine. "That settles it. You are coming with me. Get your coat!"

Jackson laughed again. "Okay, hold on to your butt, I will be right back."

"Jurassic Park quote, really?" Sam giggled.

"Oh, sorry. Half the shit I say is a movie quote." Jackson shrugged with a laugh as he headed to the back.

"It's not a bad thing," Sam called out, hoping Jackson wouldn't change his mind while he was back there.

Jackson returned wearing a brown bomber jacket and a dark blue scarf around his neck. Sam tried not to stare and led the way out of the building instead. "So what brings you to the big city?"

Jackson walked beside him, their arms brushing every few steps. "Oh, you know, what brings everyone to the city that never sleeps." Jackson shrugged.

"In my case that would be a great nursing school that accepted me." Sam laughed. "You?"

"Nursing school? That's awesome. For me that would be the draw of excitement and freedom." Jackson shrugged again, bumping his shoulder into Sam's.

Sam hadn't flirted with this much since his first time at a gay bar when Lexi took him out during first year. He really liked Jackson and the gentle bond forming between them.

"Ah, here we are." Sam grabbed Jackson's hand to turn him into the tree lot on the corner. He had been so excited to pick out a tree that he forgot he was still holding Jackson's hand as they moved through the pine trees. "Oh, look at this one!" Sam pulled Jackson, laughing, towards the tree he saw.

When they stopped in front of it, Sam looked over to see if Jackson was enjoying this as much as he was. There was a sparkle in Jackson's eyes and he gave Sam an amused look.

"What's that look for? Aren't you having fun?!" Sam pulled at the hand of Jackson's he still held. He had gotten quite comfortable quickly around Jackson. It was barely an hour into their first time hanging out and Sam felt like he had known Jackson his whole life already. This could be very good or very bad.

"You are just so full of holiday cheer." Jackson chuckled.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Sam giggled, bumping his shoulder against Jackson's. "So what do you think about this tree? Is she perfect?" Sam asked.

"She? Are all trees she's or just pine trees?" Jackson laughed.

"All trees of course!" Sam loved hearing Jackson laugh, it made him want to join in. "Let's get her! Come help me." Together Sam and Jackson got the tree paid for and headed for Sam's apartment. Riding the elevator with a spiky pine tree between them had them both giggling the whole way up.

Getting it in the apartment and set up was also a trip, but an enjoyable one. Sam was enjoying watching Jackson with his very first tree. The man was as lit up as the tree itself.

After all was said and done, Jackson sat on the couch, drinking the last of his hot chocolate, which Sam had insisted on per Christmas tree decorating tradition. There had grown a comfortable silence between them as the evening drew to a close. Lexi was out with friends, leaving them shortly after the tree was done.

Jackson cleared his throat, causing Sam to look over at him. He was so gorgeous in the soft Christmas lights. "I want to thank you for letting me be part of today." He said as he set his cup down on the coffee table and stood.

Sam smiled, following him. "The pleasure is all mine. I love the holidays and I enjoyed watching you with your first tree, a lot." Sam felt a blush creep up his cheeks as they stopped by the door for Jackson to put on his coat.

"Yeah, I noticed that. Well, thanks again and I'll be seeing you. Goodnight." Jackson smiled softly before walking out the door.

"Night." Sam shut the door quietly behind Jackson, before leaning his forehead against it. What a day... What happened now? Would he see Jackson again? Not just at the cafe... He should have gotten his number. Ugh...