notes/disclaimers
At the Last Minute aka Thank you Kindly, Ray Vecchio
by Innusiq
Throughout the drive across town in his Buick Riviera, Ray couldn't believe
that the big day was nearing. The day that every person in the city if not
the world began planning for the day after that very day the previous year.
Cruising through the city streets, Ray viewed all his fellow Chicago city
dwellers rushing around in an effort to get that last minute shopping done
and being that it was two days before Christmas, that was all the shopping
that was going to be done, last minute.
Ray was quite certain no one ever planned to do all their shopping at the
last minute but some how, for some reason that is just what happened for some
people - including himself. The only excuse Ray had for his lax attitude
towards the holiday season was his current caseload and general life ordeals
that came with being associated with Benton Fraser of the R.C.M.P. First
there was the death of his friend and colleague, Louis Gardino and the hunt
for his murderer. Next Fraser, his best friend and partner, and his
neighbors were nearly evicted from the one place Fraser had called home since
arriving in the city. And most recently there was the trade delegation in
which once again Fraser had risked his life for the good of the people.
Ray should be use to all that by now but he wasn't. Maybe it was because
when something strange and life threatening happened to them, he always
assumed that would be the last time. Or maybe it was because he thought
nothing could get any worse than that but somehow, in some way Fraser always
managed to push the next incident to that next level. In any case, with
Fraser as his partner, there was no getting use to the never-ending death
defying moments and Ray didn't care. Strange as it may seem, as long as they
were together, battling against death side by side, death never had a chance.
The Christmas season wasn't one to celebrate death but life and it was a good
life Ray was living for a change. A life he wouldn't change for the world.
He had a family - a big family - that loved and depended upon him as much as
he loved and depended upon them. He loved his job and was slowly getting the
recognition he deserved with the help of his "unofficial" partner. His
unofficial partner was not only his partner but also his best friend who
became so out of the blue. As much as Ray wasn't looking for someone to be
his best friend he was grateful for Benton Fraser's presence in his life.
There was nothing he would change in his life - nothing.
Did he mention he was head over heals in love with the Mountie?
Ray pulled the Riv up in front of the consulate just as his partner and best
friend was exiting the official building. When he had dropped Fraser and the
wolf off that morning, Fraser had been wearing the red serge uniform but now
he was dressed in a pair of jeans, a flannel shirt, brown leather jacket and
in his hand he carried his Stetson. The Mountie was also wolfless.
"Where's Dief?" Ray asked as Fraser opened the passenger door to get into the
Riv.
Fraser placed his Stetson on the dashboard and promptly buckled his seat
belt, as the law required. Even though he was off duty for the day and was
wearing his civilian clothing, the Stetson still accompanied him as if it was
a third party - or fourth when the wolf was present.
"Willie dropped by earlier to pick him up. I didn't think Dief would enjoy
being with us this afternoon - he would only make a spectacle of himself,"
Fraser replied.
Ray nodded his head agreeing with his friend. "You're probably right. Okay,
you ready?"
Fraser turned his head to look at Ray and simply replied, "Yes."
With that said, Ray put the Riv back in gear and headed out on their mission
or more his mission. The mission in question: to get all his Christmas
shopping done in one day and in one stop.
"Are we going to the bank?" Fraser asked as he removed his hat from the dash
and set it in his lap.
"The bank? No, I stopped before I picked you up."
"Then we aren't going to any banks today?"
"No . . . do you need to go to the bank or something?"
"Ah . . . no . . . it's just that last year - and the year before that . . ."
Ray help up his hand to silence his friend before he continued explaining
himself and Ray's thoughtlessness in the previous years. "Those years were
different. I wasn't in much a Christmas spirit but this year . . . this year
is different. This year I am and that means you and I are going shopping."
"Ah . . .Oh dear . . ."
Pulling the car to at stop at the next light, Ray turned to Fraser and said,
"Ah Benny, don't worry. It can't be that bad. It's the middle of the day in
the middle of the week - how many people could there be?"
"I can't believe how many people are here," Ray exclaimed as he and Fraser
tried to squeeze their way through the mall's entrance. Behind him, Ray
could hear Fraser apologizing to everyone they passed.
"Well Ray - excuse me - it is two days before Christmas - pardon me."
"Yeah and that's my point. Shouldn't these people have been out earlier than
this? I mean it's not like they didn't know this day was coming. We've
known about this day for the last 365 days," Ray explained.
Fraser gave Ray a look, questioning his rationalization.
"What?"
"Ah, well I don't mean anything by this but you've waited until today to do
your shopping."
"Well, yeah but that's me."
"And you are different from them - how?"
"Are you saying I'm like all these crazy people out here?"
"You are the one trying to do all of your Christmas shopping in one day,"
Fraser responded only in the truth. "How many people do you have to buy for?"
"Fifteen," Ray replied sounding like it wasn't such an absurd or unreasonable
task.
Fraser shook his head in response.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Oh no, no - it's something now what is it?"
"It's just - I don't understand how we are going to be able to get all that
shopping done in just one day."
"Let me explain something to you Benny - first, I only have to buy for the
adults because I've got all the kids done - that's the hardest part and two -
we don't stop until we're done. That is how we're gonna get this done in one
day."
Fraser sighed as the two men came to a stop outside of a large department
store. "Where is our first stop?"
"You mean our one and only stop," Ray corrected.
Fraser gave Ray another disbelieving look before he responded. "Yes."
"Sears," Ray said, gesturing towards the department store in front of them.
"There's something for everyone and when we're done - to the mall's customer
service center where they are offering free gift wrapping for the season."
"And where do I fall into this plan of yours?" Fraser asked curious as to why
he was being dragging into this mission of Ray's.
Ray grinned devilishly. "I knew you were gonna ask that. You are too smart
for your own good, ya know that Benny."
"I don't know if I would call it that - I think I just may know you that
well."
Ray grinned even bigger at that last comment.
"And?" Fraser pressed.
"Well, I figure you and I could split up the list. Ya know, cut the job down
in half. We may even be able to finish in time for dinner. What do you say?"
"I can't deny being a bit hesitant but, alright." Fraser's acceptance was
rewarded by another fetching smile from Ray.
"Thanks Benny, here ya go," Ray said handing Fraser his list of family
members to buy for.
"Ray?"
"Yeah, Benny?"
"Why do I have all the female members of your family?"
"What? Oh, will you look at that, I didn't even realize . . ."
"Ray." The stern sound in Fraser's voice warned Ray to give up the innocent
act that he seemed not able to get away with as much as Fraser.
"Okay, okay, look Benny, you are always so thoughtful and seem to know what
everyone wants or needs. Me, I haven't a clue. Guys I can do cause they're
just like me but women - even when I was married I didn't know. Please, just
do this for me. I'll make it worth your while."
"How?"
Ray leaned in and whispered into Fraser's ear. What he said made the Mountie
blush.
"Is it a deal?"
Fraser nodded when he replied, "Most definitely."
The two men turned their attention back to the entrance of Sears watching the
hustle and bustle of the other last minute shoppers entering and exiting the
department store - all of them on the same mission as Ray.
"Well, you ready for this Benny?"
Fraser turned to look at Ray and said, "I can't say as I am but I really
don't have a choice now, do I?" He was somewhat bewildered by the sheer
volume of people in the shopping center and how oblivious they were to every
other shopper there.
"Benny . . ."
"I'm fine Ray, truly I am." Fraser was trying to reassure Ray as much as
himself.
"Okay, here," Ray said handing Fraser a small, plastic card with the store's
name boldly written across it. "Use this to pay for whatever you buy."
Fraser took the credit card from Ray. He had only seen this particular card
once before and that was when Ray had received it in the mail after opening
the new account - adding Fraser as one of the signers. Ray had Fraser sign
the card and that was the last he had seen of it since he refused to use it
for his own personal use. Fraser couldn't help the smile that donned his
face knowing what the joint account symbolized.
"Is there a limit you are trying to keep under?" Fraser asked.
"Benny, you know me, the sky is the limit . . . within reason. I trust your
judgement to know when something is too much. As long as I get my shopping
done today - I don't care how much you spend."
This was a much different Ray than the one Fraser knew during his first
Christmas in Chicago. He had come a long way from taking the easy way out -
or the cheap way out.
"Alright Ray, whatever you say."
"Good, now let's set up a time to meet - say three o'clock, out here, okay?"
Fraser took a look at his watch confirming the time frame he had to work with
and the amount of time he had to spend on each person on his list.
"I believe three house is ample time enough for our task at hand."
"You do know I love you Benny, right?" The conversation transition came from
out of the blue but Fraser was use to that from Ray.
"Yes, as I love you too."
The two men smiled at each other before heading into Sears in unison. Once
inside the store, they immediately veered off on their own separate
directions to do Ray's last minute Christmas shopping.
**
Three hours later, the two friends met up again outside the mall entrance to
Sears. Both men were loaded down with bags but each had a happy - goal
accomplished - grin on their face.
Ray sat down next to Fraser and asked, "So Benny, did you have fun?"
"Amazingly so, yes. I'm usually one to make my own gifts for people but I
have to say I experienced a certain . . . pleasure . . . in buy your
Christmas presents."
"A pleasure? This was a pleasurable experience? How did you pull that off?
I had to fight tooth and nail just to get what I got." Ray stated as he
thought back to his confrontation in the electronics department.
~~
"Hey listen pal, I had my hand on that first."
"Oh yeah, well I didn't see your hand."
"Yeah, well it was there," Ray said as he grabbed the small electronics item
out of the stranger's hand and walked off satisfied that he had one more
person done.
~~
Fraser cocked his head to one side not understanding the volatile nature of
Ray's.
"Everyone I encountered was pleasant and very helpful," Fraser commented as
he thought back to his own experience in the woman's wear department.
~~
"Oh, excuse me," Fraser said as he and a female shopper both grabbed for the
same sweater at the same time.
"It's quite alright . . ." The woman stated - getting the dear caught in the
headlights look when she got a look at the beautiful man before her. "Here,
you had it first."
"Oh, no, no, no - I couldn't. You take it, please."
"No, I insist. It's not my mother's color anyway," the woman lied as she
released her hold of the sweater and smiled at Fraser.
Fraser returned the smile and said, "Thank you kindly."
He draped the sweater over his already burdened down arm. "Merry Christmas,"
Fraser said as he turned and walked away, leaving a very disappointed woman.
~~
"Hmmm . . . " Ray made the sound a bit disgruntled but he wasn't angry or
annoyed.
"Are we going to have these gifts wrapped now?" Fraser asked.
"Hold it Benny, I would like to take a few minutes to relax it you don't
mind. I have been shopping for the last three hours straight and that was
two hours and fifty minutes too many in my opinion."
Fraser smiled at the comment knowing Ray truly didn't like shopping unless it
involved clothing of the Armani kind. "Yes, Ray."
"So, Benny - what did I get the women in my life for Christmas?"
"Well Ray, for Francesca you purchased a cappuccino machine; and for Maria a
new sewing machine; for your mother, a new mixer. And for your various
aunts, bathrobes and for your various cousins, sweaters."
Ray was beaming when he commented, "I taught you well." Eyeing the packages
that were gathered around Fraser's feet he asked, "Do you have all that stuff
here with you?"
"No, the bigger items are waiting at customer pickup. They will be wrapped
too - so that will save us some time."
"You are a good man Benny. Thanks for helping me out today."
"As I said before, it was my pleasure. I enjoyed myself actually."
"Yeah, you enjoyed spending my money, as you always do."
"Now Ray . . ."
Ray put his hand up to silence Fraser. "It's okay, I don't really mind - I
was only joking."
"I mind," Fraser stated quietly.
"Benny, we've been over this a million times already. You and I are a couple
and in being a couple my money is your money and vise versa. I thought you
understood that?"
Fraser nodded his head. "Yes, I understand the words and their meaning but
it seems your money is my money more than my money is yours." Fraser knew he
was sounding a bit petty but that fact bothered him time and again.
"Listen, think of it as in the exchange rate. It takes more Canadian dollars
to equal the same American dollars so I have more dollars to spend than you
do. In the end we come out even."
Fraser gave Ray a look that told him he wasn't buying the shit he was
shoveling (well, not in those particular words) and Ray found that thought a
little humorous. Ray was quite certain Fraser would have tasted the "shit" if
it had been a clue in a case they were working on.
"What do you want for Christmas?" Ray asked trying to divert the conversation
to more stable ground.
"What?" The transition took Fraser by surprise but he adjusted to the turn
quickly.
"You heard me, what do you want for Christmas?"
"Well . . . there really isn't anything that I can think of that I need."
Fraser replied.
Ray rolled his eyes. "Benny, I didn't ask you what do you need - I asked you
what do you want? There is a difference ya know?"
"Yes Ray, I know," Fraser responded as he turned his head in the direction of
a young couple out doing their own Christmas shopping. The young man and
woman were holding hands while pointing in the window of a jewelry store.
The woman was beaming with happiness when her husband, as the ring on her
finger signified, kissed her temple. The couple then moved on carrying their
packages equally amongst themselves.
"Benny . . . Benny . . . hey - are you still with me?"
Fraser didn't answer Ray but merely asked him a question. "Ray, do you see
that couple over there."
Ray had picked up Fraser's sights long before he realized he had lost
Fraser's attention. "Yeah?"
"They're doing the same thing we are."
"Benny, everyone here is doing the same thing we are. What's your point?"
Fraser turned back to Ray and seeing the confused look on his lover's face,
he sighed audibly. "It's nothing Ray. Let's go have these gifts wrapped."
Ray stuck his hand out, grabbing a hold of Fraser's arm and halted him from
standing up. "Hold it there - you don't get to go all melancholy on me and
then not expect me to wonder why. What are you trying to say?"
"It's just . . . they are a couple like you and I and on Christmas day, when
their family open their gifts, those gifts will be from both of them and no
one will question it. When your family open these gifts we bought today, the
gifts will be from you and then they will open the gifts I have made for
them. We are like that couple over there and yet we aren't." Fraser took a
deep breath and released it slowly. "That is all I was saying."
And that simple fact Fraser pointed out - a fact Ray tried to ignore himself
- made Ray frown. "I'm sorry Benny. I wasn't thinking about that but I
thought we agreed . . . "
Fraser interrupted Ray's reasoning, "We agreed not to tell anyone just yet,
yes I know and I'm not asking you to tell your family. I was only making an
observation. I apologize . . ."
"Benny, don't apologize for thinking or feeling. I think about that all the
time, too. When the time is right - we will tell my family and anyone else
you want to tell but until then, you and I are it. You, me and Diefenbaker -
as long as the wolf doesn't rat us out."
That comment received a small laugh from Fraser.
"Heck, when the time is right I'll yell it from a mountain top or write it in
big letters across the sky, 'I love Benton Fraser.'" Ray said that last part
while swiping his hand through the air in front of them as if he could see
the words spelled out right there.
Fraser was looking towards that space and he could see the letters as if they
truly existed. The thought made his heart pound a few beats faster.
Fraser turned his attention back to Ray and said, "Thank you Ray."
"For what?" Ray asked when he met Fraser's eyes.
"For loving me and understanding me. For allowing me to love you and for
just being you." Fraser wanted to kiss Ray right there and then but he knew
better not.
Ray turned away from Fraser, feigning embarrassment. "Ah Benny, now you're
gonna make me blush."
Fraser laughed as he said, "I highly doubt it."
Ray laughed along with him as he stood up. "Come on Benny, let's get these
things wrapped, pick up the other presents and go have dinner - my treat."
"Ray . . ." Fraser said trying to protest against Ray paying for another meal.
"Come on Benny, it will be my thanks to you for helping me out today. Think
of it as payment for a job well done and not as charity."
Fraser bowed his head in acceptance and then stood up himself, gathering up
his packages. The two men then headed towards the customer service center
located in the middle of the mall and stood in line for another hour while
they waited their turn.
After the years spent growing up in this house, Ray knew better than to
bother his mother on the days leading up to Christmas, especially when she
was practically shut up in the kitchen, preparing for the Christmas
festivities to come. Ray knew better and yet he had no other choice but to
interrupt her routine for a few words of advice and the encouragement only a
mother could offer.
Ever since his conversation with Fraser in the mall earlier that day, the
majority of Ray's evening was consumed with thinking about the thoughts he
never realized Fraser thought about. Was he being selfish in keeping the
true nature of their relationship secret or was he just being protective -
over protective and who was he being protective of, himself or Fraser? These
were all questions he needed answers to and a resolution for to make things
right for Fraser and himself.
When Ray entered the kitchen, the three Vecchio women were busy with their
chores. Francesca and Maria were on cookie duty while Mrs. Vecchio was busy
preparing various dishes for the meals to follow in the next couple of days.
Not one head turned in his direction, acknowledging his presence when he
entered and that only made him more nervous.
"Ma?" Ray called out hesitantly.
"Yes Raymondo," Mrs. Vecchio answered, turning her head slightly to look at
him. Realizing he was there, she handed him a bowl and ordered, "Stir this."
Ray took the bowl and did as he was told. "Ma - I need some advice."
The two other Vecchio women who were absorbed in chatter between them dropped
dead silent at their brother's declaration, both turning their heads in his
direction.
"Certainly Raymondo, what is it?" Mrs. Vecchio asked as she wiped her hands
on her apron and gave her son her full attention.
Ray cleared his throat and set the bowl he had been given down. "Ah, it s
eems I have inadvertently . . . hurt someone I care about and I don't know
what to do about it."
"What did you do that hurt this person?"
Ray cleared his throat again. "I didn't do anything and I think that is the
problem."
Mrs. Vecchio pursed her lips in concentration, not understanding her son's
evasiveness. "Well, I would have to say if you have wronged this person, you
must make it right and then ask for forgiveness. Does this help you, Caro?"
Ray was staring at the mixture in his bowl, quickly weighing the pros and
cons or making it right. Pros: no more hiding, full honesty with the ones
he loved. Cons: total alienation from his family, friends, co-worker and
the general public. It was a tough choice to make but there really wasn't a
choice at all.
"Ma, I need to tell you something. Actually, I need to tell you all
something."
All three women gave their full attention to Ray and he felt like bolting
from the house right there and then. The only thing keeping him there was
Fraser - who wasn't even there physically but spiritually in his heart.
"Yes, Caro?"
"Ah, maybe you three should sit down first."
The women of the Vecchio home all looked at each other with trepidation but
did as Ray requested with no questions. Whatever it was seemed important
enough for Ray to bother then on one of the busiest days of the year.
The last time he made an announcement of this magnitude, it was the day he
told his family that he was getting divorced. The reactions he received that
day were not good - at least from his mother who took to her room for three
days before she would talk to him. Ray couldn't handle that kind of reaction
again and prayed that God would help his mother through this.
Ray began pacing once his sisters and mother were seated. Pacing helped him
think. It at least helped rid him of the energy running through his body
that he didn't know what to do with. He could do this - it was the right
thing.
"I am going to say this once and one time only," Ray announced, his body not
stopping once. "There is a person I care about very much that I've hurt and
the only way I can make things right between us is to tell you guys something
that you might not understand."
Maria and Francesca exchanged looks and then they both turned to look at
their mother. Mrs. Vecchio wasn't fazed once by her son's words.
"Go on Raymondo - we don't have all day." She smiled at that last part and
her smile relaxed Ray a bit but only by a fraction.
"I'm in love."
The three most important women in Ray's life didn't say a word. They
continued to sit in silence, waiting for him to elaborate. Their silence
caused Ray to stop his erratic pacing and take a seat at the kitchen table
across from where they sat.
"Okay, here's the deal. I'm in love with someone and amazingly, that someone
loves me too! This may sound crazy but I think I've loved this person from
the moment we met but we've only been together - as a couple - for the last
three months." Ray stopped for thought.
Mrs. Vecchio couldn't help but notice the happy grin on her son's face. This
was what she had expected.
"Caro, that is wonderful news," she exclaimed as she stood up to give her son
a hug and kiss. "I am happy for you."
Ray accepted and relished the comforting acceptance his mother was offering
over this admission but he was certain it wouldn't last. He knew his mother
loved him as only a mother could for he loved her as only a son could but
sometimes love was not enough.
"Ma, you need to sit back down cause there's more," Ray suggested as he moved
to help his mother take the seat she had vacated.
She was reluctant to do so but Mrs. Vecchio allowed Ray to lead her back to
her chair. "Caro, what more is there to know. You are in love and that
makes you happy, yes?"
With his back to his mother, Ray nodded at the simplicity of her words.
"But it's not that simple, Ma. It's not so much the fact that I am in love
but who I am in love with."
Mrs. Vecchio smiled at her son. "I am certain you have made a good choice
and that this person is a good person."
Turning back to his mother, Ray asked, "How can you say that? How can you be
so sure?"
Ray's mother made a motion that ordered him to her side and he obeyed. When
Ray was kneeling at his mother's side she stroked his cheek and answered,
"Because I know you Caro, and I know Benton."
Shocked, Ray looked from his mother to his sisters and then back to his
mother. "You knew?"
Francesca laughed out loud and commented, "Ray, we would have to be blind not
to know."
Maria just laughed a happy laugh and said, "I'm glad you finally told us."
Ray looked back at his mother and asked, "You knew?"
Her mothering touches never stopped when she admitted, "Yes, I knew. A
mother always knows."
It was a half sob and half laugh that escaped his lips before he could ask,
"And you're okay with it - with us?"
Mrs. Vecchio wiped her son's tears and said, "Although it will take some
getting use to and I must admit to a being little worried for you, I have no
choice but to accept this choice of yours. You are too happy for me to deny
this being the right decision in your life. You are my son and I love you
unconditionally. Benton has been like a son to me since you brought him home
that first day and now he is even more so."
This wasn't the reaction he expected from his mother and he was grateful that
he didn't receive the one he thought was only possible. Ray took his mother
in an embrace and whispered, "Thanks Ma."
Mrs. Vecchio returned the embrace if not a little tighter knowing Ray needed
her comfort, support and strength.
**
A year had passed since their first Christmas together and their friendship
had been tested a few times. If Ray didn't believe their friendship held a
strong bond between them before, he surely knew it now. The first test
wasn't a simple one either. No, it was a test that no other friendship would
have endured but theirs had survived and grew into something stronger than
Ray or Fraser ever thought possible.
Victoria was the first person to challenge their friendship. Ray never would
have guessed the past revolving around that woman and Fraser and for his
friend to be in love with a criminal, Mr. Straight and narrow, Super Mountie,
it was unheard of. Victoria proved one thing though. She proved that the
Super Mountie wasn't perfect as Ray had thought he was. She proved that he
had faults just like Ray and every other human being on the planet. She
showed Ray that Fraser was human, capable of making mistakes and this was a
duesy of a mistake that nearly cost Fraser his soul. It also nearly cost him
his life.
Looking out the living room window at the snow covered world, Ray shivered at
the thought of a world without Fraser or more his world without Fraser and
the snow outside made him feel even colder. The thought of his best friend
dying, dying by a bullet from his own gun, a bullet meant for someone else
caused Ray to shiver again as he wrapped his arms around himself to shake the
chill.
He would never let himself forget about that fateful day on the train
platform. The day his world nearly stopped spinning. He never realized how
much Fraser meant to him until that one bullet nearly took him away. He
never really let himself think about it until it was almost too late and
think he did.
Fraser had such a profound effect on his life from day one that he couldn't
understand how he ever lived without him. Fraser helped Ray to see the world
through an optimist's eyes and after years of his own father's negative
influence, that was a hard feat to accomplish.
Ray couldn't resist Fraser's goodwill to help all. Yes, he did complain but
he never refused. He was always there to lend a helping hand even when it
was his own life on the line. Whether it was drowning in the trunk of a
piece of junk car, freezing to death in a meat locker, ignited while drenched
in gallons of flammable liquid, a plane crash in the Canadian Wilderness,
drowning in a bank vault or even taking a bullet to save the life of his best
friend, Ray was there for Fraser. These were all incidences Ray had
complained about but never refused to help or stick his neck out on the line.
He just couldn't say no to the Mountie, no matter how hard he tried.
Ray shook his head and laughed to himself. "Ray, he's got you so wrapped
around his finger . . . it's not even funny. Him and that damn wolf," but he
laughed again because Ray knew he wouldn't want it any other way.
"Caro, what do you find so funny?" Mrs. Vecchio asked as she entered the
living room and took a position next to her son.
Ray turned to regard his mother. "Nothin' Ma, I was just thinking that's
all." Ray turned back around to look out the window again.
"It must have been a good thought to have you laughing so." Ray didn't
respond to his mother out of sheer lack of words to describe what he was
thinking. "Are you going to pick Benton up?"
"Yeah Ma, I was gonna leave shortly to get him and Dief." Ray turned his
head to smile at his mother.
"Good, I want to have both my boys here for the holiday." Mrs. Vecchio
leaned closer to her son in an effort to kiss him on the cheek. Ray leaned
down to receive his kiss. "Now go, go . . . I don't want to be late for
church."
"Yes Ma." Ray pulled his mother to him and gave her a hug. "We'll be back
shortly . . . I love you, Ma."
"I love you too Caro . . . now get," she said shoeing her son towards the
foyer.
"Have you seen my son?" A regular from the shelter asked Fraser. He smiled
at the elderly woman as he helped her to a chair.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Criswell but I haven't see him today." Once she was seated,
Fraser proceeded to retrieve a tray of food for her. When he returned,
Fraser found Mary Criswell talking with Diefenbaker.
"Buffy, you're such a good doggie," Mary said as she pat Diefenbaker on the
head. "Nice doggie."
"Here you go Mrs. Criswell," Fraser said as he placed the tray of food in
front of her.
"Thank you son. You are a good boy you know?" Mary started eating the food
given to her before Fraser could respond and all he did was motion for
Diefenbaker to come with him, leaving the woman to her meal.
It was a tradition for Fraser to come to the shelter and help out. Even if
this was only the second Christmas season he had been in Chicago it was the
second year in a row he had offered to help out and that constituted as being
a tradition to Fraser. Back in the territories, after his grandparents had
passed away, volunteering was the only thing that got Fraser through the
holidays. It always made him feel good to know he was helping out those less
fortunate and it was no different in the wilds of Chicago. But then again,
it was different because now he seemed to have been adopted by an Italian
family and he had a place where he belonged even if he still didn't feel
totally comfortable in their presence.
The door to the shelter opened and in walked an elderly man being escorted by
a younger gentleman. Fraser observed them, as the older man was lead to an
empty seat. A smile donned the younger man's face as he began to laugh at
what seemed like a joke told by the other.
"That was a good one Frank," Ray said as he patted the man on the back.
"I'll be right back with your food." Ray walked up to the food line and
began collecting a tray of food for the man he helped through the doorway.
Fraser was no longer stunned by this act from his friend. When it first
happened, yes, Fraser was surprised by it but since it had been six months
since Ray had also started helping out at the shelter, it was just another
day. After Ray delivered the tray of food to Frank, he returned to the line
and headed towards Fraser. "Hey Benny, you ready to go?"
Fraser nodded his head and smiled. "Yes Ray, Dief and I both are ready."
"Ray, I truly enjoyed the service. I was surprised to see how involved the
children were with the proceedings," Fraser commented as they entered the
Vecchio home.
"Fraser, I told you we were going to the 'children's' mass, what did you
expect?" Ray asked as he shrugged off his coat and waited for Fraser to do
the same.
"I don't know what I expected Ray but I truly enjoyed it," Fraser said as he
removed his leather coat and handed it to Ray.
Ray proceeded to hang their coats in the closet. "Well, we never use to go
to that mass but ever since Maria's kids were old enough to take part in it,
Ma insisted we all attend," Ray said as closed the closet door.
"I must say Ray, that is a wonderful tradition." Fraser smiled when he said
that, happy that he was now included in that tradition.
"Tradition, hey, I never thought of it that way. I like it." Ray started
walking further into the house and out of the foyer when Diefenbaker
excitedly greeted him and the Mountie.
"Down boy," Ray warned as he stooped to apologize to the wolf. "I'm sorry
Dief but they don't allow wolves in church. If they did you would have been
the first one there."
Diefenbaker huffed.
"No they wouldn't have made an exception, especially on this night." Ray
ruffed the back of Diefenbaker's neck then stood back up leading the way to
the dining room where the rest of the family was waiting for dinner.
There was a huge dinner set before them on the table and it only gave a hint
of what to expect on the following day, Christmas Day. Mrs. Vecchio loved
cooking for her family and in a way, it was the one way she had to show how
much she cared for them. In her life, family was everything and without
family, you had nothing.
That was one of the main reasons it was so easy for her to adopt the Canadian
into the fold of her already overflowing family for he had no one. Fraser
had no family in or out of town to take comfort in and that was no way for a
man, no matter how old he was, to live. Everyone needed family - whether
they were blood-related or not and she was happy to have him included in her
brood. Her need for mothering over ruled the ingrained church beliefs she
lived her entire life with.
Even though it had been two years of Sunday dinners and any other night Ray
could drag Fraser home for a meal, the man still approached each with the
same reserve as he did on that first night. He sat quietly watching and
listening and never commenting except to Ray. He only spoke when spoken to
and when he did speak, his answers were short and to the point. If he were a
child, he would have been the most perfect child seated at the table and
technically, to Mrs. Vecchio, he was the most perfect child sitting there.
Her children could learn a thing or two from him and in the same breath,
Fraser could learn a thing or two from her children.
Mrs. Vecchio knew in due time, Fraser would fit in just like the rest of her
children. He had only two years of experience where her children had their
entire lifetimes. It was just going to take some time and they had all the
time in the world.
It was the coldest night of the year and the chill in the air made Ray shiver
as he crossed the room and climbed under the covers. Once he was settled the
warmest heating blanket came to life and wrapped itself around his chilled
body and Ray sighed at the contact. His heating blanket sighed too.
"Merry Christmas Ray," Fraser said in the dark once their bodies were
adjusted to each other, which was an effortless task since they were made for
one another.
Ray wrapped his arms around the ones that circled his waist. "Merry
Christmas to you too, Benny. This is nice, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Having you here, in my room on Christmas Eve," Ray explained.
"Well Ray, I was here last year," Fraser said stating the obvious.
"Yeah and last year you slept on the floor."
Fraser laughed at that truth. "Yes, and last year, you would've hit me if I
had done this," Fraser said as he place a kiss on the nape of Ray's neck.
"Or this," Fraser continued, placing a kiss right behind Ray's exposed left
ear. "Or this," Fraser concluded as he rolled Ray over onto his back and
sealed his lips with his own before parting them gently with tongue.
Knowing with a house full of nosey Vecchios that they couldn't go any further
than that, Ray pulled away reluctantly yet satisfied. "Okay, I admit I
probably would have socked ya one but I would've been sorry."
"I know you would have been and I would have forgiven you."
Ray wrapped his arms around his lover as Fraser moved to lie against him with
his head on Ray's chest. "This is nice Ray."
"Didn't I say it was? Now go to sleep cause I have it on good authority that
someone has been a good boy this year and Santa is gonna be very generous to
him."
"Is that Santa of the Northern kind or of the Italian kind?" Fraser
questioned, teasing Ray.
"Ah, how 'bout a little bit of both. Now go to sleep."
"Good night, Ray."
"Night Benny."
The morning dawned a little bit earlier than the adults of the house would
have liked it to but it was normal for Christmas morning. The children were
already gathered around the Christmas tree that was cluttered with more
presents than their own dreams could conjure up and they were fidgeting. It
was hard enough getting the children to sleep the night before and it was
even harder having them wait for the rest of the elders to wake up and come
downstairs. Maria, Francesca and Mrs. Vecchio were doing a superb job at
keeping the children's attentions averted from the gaily wrapped gifts just
screaming to be ripped open.
Once everyone was present and accounted for, as in mealtime, it was every man
for themselves and the paper started flying. Fraser was trying to keep up
with the ongoings but found it hopeless with nearly twenty presents being
open at once. He was so engrossed in what everyone else was opening and
receiving, a pile of gifts for him began collecting at his feet unbeknownst
to him.
Fraser mainly wanted to see what everyone thought of the gifts Ray had gotten
them and when it seemed that all the presents were opened, he frowned
noticing that he didn't see any of them. When Fraser turned to ask Ray a
question, he only noticed then that he was gone.
From the kitchen, everyone could hear a jolly "Ho-ho-ho," preceding Ray and
Tony coming through the kitchen doorway carrying the heavy burden. Ray was
wearing the hat and scarf Fraser had crochet for him.
Fraser moved to get up and Ray saw that, insisting, "No, Benny, you just sit
there. You are the guest after all."
Fraser obeyed Ray and watched as he and Tony set the presents down.
"Okay," Ray began, "It just didn't seem like these would fit under the tree
so - Frannie, this one is for you from Benny and myself," Ray said handing a
festive holly leaf print wrapped package with red and green bows to his baby
sister.
Fraser's attention went immediately from the package he recognized to Ray who
wasn't paying any attention to him. He was too busy passing out presents to
his family.
"And this one is for you Maria - huh - also from Benny and myself." Ray
handed the gold and silver package to his eldest sister with a smile and a
wink.
Ray continued passing out his gifts or more the gifts it seemed to Fraser's
surprise that were from both himself and Ray. Fraser was so overwhelmed by
the turn of events he missed the reactions to the presents being opened and
he didn't come back to the present until Ray plopped down next to him.
"Hey Benny, cat got your tongue?"
Fraser turned to look at Ray and was speechless.
"I take that as a yes," Ray said.
"What have you done?" Fraser asked confused not even noticing that no one was
even fazed by the obvious meaning behind Ray's actions.
"I think I just gave everyone our presents - I think that's what I've done.
Yes?" Ray panned the room and everyone was agreeing with him.
Fraser then panned the room and the eyes staring back at him were the eyes of
the people who had become his family and loved him. There was no hatred or
fear or animosity only understanding and tender looks of concern over his own
confusion.
"Ray . . ." and that was when Fraser's breath caught in a sob he couldn't
control.
Ray pulled Fraser into an embrace and made a motion with his hand instructing
his mother to round up the troupe and take them to the dinning room.
It was easier said than done but she managed to get them all there with the
promise of a good meal and that the kids could take one small toy with them.
The toy of choice for them all, the wooden Yo-yo's Fraser and made for each
of the children.
"Why is Uncle Benny so sad?" Rosanna, Maria's second youngest, asked as she
tugged on her mother's bathrobe.
Maria stooped down to her daughter and answered, "Uncle Benny is not sad,
he's happy."
"Then why is he crying?"
"Because he is very happy."
Once everyone was out of the room, Ray whispered into Fraser ear, "Merry
Christmas Benny."
Fraser pulled away and asked, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you do it?"
Ray shrugged his shoulders. "Because it's what you wanted - this is my gift
to you."
"But I didn't ask for it. You didn't have to do this. A sweater would have
been sufficient."
Ray laughed. "Yeah, well that's in that box there," Ray said pointing to one
of the many unopened gifts next to Fraser. "Benny, I know you didn't ask for
it and I also know you never would have. That is how I knew it was the right
thing to do, not just for you but for me. I did it for us."
Fraser reached up and pulled down on the hat he had made for Ray and adjusted
the matching scarf. "Thank you kindly, Ray Vecchio."
"You're welcome kindly, Benton Fraser." Ray hesitantly leaned in and placed
a chaste kiss on Fraser's lips. It was given in a promise of the days,
months and years to come of being loved and accepted by a family who loved
him just as much as he loved them.
"Now, let's see what Santa brought this good boy for Christmas," Ray
suggested as he picked up one Fraser gifts, shaking it gently.
Ray helped Fraser open his gifts and once every last one was investigated
thoroughly, they joined the rest of their family for Christmas breakfast that
would eventually lead to the mid-afternoon nap that had become a tradition
among the adults but not the children. It was yet another tradition Fraser
was happy to be a part of.
The End.
Title: At the Last Minute aka Thank you Kindly, Ray Vecchio (1/3)
Author: Innusiq
Ratings: PG
Genre: slash
Category: Romance, holiday (Christmas), Episode Related
Pairing(s): Fraser/Vecchio
Spoilers: Pilot/VS/JIB/Edge/OGMakaTYKMC
Teaser: Their first Christmas as a couple.