Interlude: First Noel (The Executive Office #1.5)

by Tal Bauer

“Take us to the underground entrance, Agent Collard. If you please.” A long, silent moment. Jack watched Ethan as Ethan counted down the seconds until they were back at the White House. “Respectfully, Mr. President,” Scott buzzed back. “No shit.”

“I want to be with you,” Jack whispered. “Really with you, Ethan. Like this isn’t a scandal. I want you by my side in those photos I just had to take. I don’t want you hanging out in the corners. I don’t want you to be my dirty little secret.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes as they kept dancing, their foreheads resting together, and traded soft kisses in between smiles and gentle giggles.

“Merry first Christmas, love,” Jack whispered into his ear. Ethan pulled back. “First?” “Our first together. More to come.” He said it like it was a declaration, a promise, something Ethan could cling to and build a future on. “Merry first Christmas, Jack.”

Ethan watched him read the words Ethan had agonized over for days: J, All of my hours and all of my minutes now belong to you. ~ E

There was something in each photo of the two of them. Something special. Something electric. Something hidden and raw, like there were secrets in the depths of their eyes, in the touch of their hands.

“You’re wonderfully male,” he said, his voice rough-edged, too deep. “I could never confuse you for anything else, Ethan. You’re the man I fell in love with.”

Once, Ethan had seen a movie that spoke about four great kisses in the history of the world. Step aside, he thought. This is the kiss of the ages.

“Hard choices require hard love. The kind of love that sometimes hurts it runs so deep. You have that kind of love for the world, Jack. And for everybody.” Ethan’s voice had dropped, rougher and deeper. “You are a good man.”

“Ethan…God, I’m so glad you’re coming. I need you right now.” “I love you, Jack. And I’m with you all the way.”