The Importance of Meaning - Patt
The Importance of Meaning - Patt
"Hey, Simon, where's Daryl?" Blair inquired wearing an enormous grin.
"He's with his mom. Remember, I had him at Thanksgiving? Have I mentioned lately how much I hate Christmas?" Simon grumbled as he walked back into his office.
Blair, suddenly feeling a little blue himself, finally found Jim flirting with Trish, from Records, again and pulled him away.
Knowing it was a lost cause, he still had to say it, "Chief, I was going to get lucky. I could feel it."
"You're already lucky. Now I have something important to tell you."
"More important than getting a hot date?"
"How do you know she's hot?" Blair finally asked.
"Rafe might have mentioned it."
"Oh man. And you're going to ask her out just to get lucky. Jim, it's Christmas. Couldn't you wait until next year?"
"What's your problem, Chief?"
"We need to invite Simon over tomorrow for dinner. He's all alone and doesn't have Daryl. He was really down earlier."
"He didn't even mention it when I was in there an hour ago." Jim was bothered by that.
"Did you ask him why he seemed blue?"
"I didn't even notice he was blue."
"You're pathetic, Ellison... So are we going to invite him or what?" Blair crossed his arms across his chest, showing he meant business and Jim burst out laughing. Not exactly what you hoped for, eh, Sandburg?
"Yeah, I'll go and ask him right now. I bet you he turns us down, in which case, I'm going to ask Trish over." Jim started across the room and Blair caught him.
"No way. I purposely stayed dateless for the holidays because I know what's most important. It's you and everyone in the Bullpen."
"Okay. I won't ask her. But while I'm in asking Simon, I want you to ask everyone else in the Bullpen if they have plans. We can have a huge meal. Everyone can bring their favorite dish and we'll be set." Jim beamed with happiness at coming up with a good idea.
"Great idea, man. Okay, you go smooth it over with our boss. I'll take care of the rest." Blair took off for Joel's office first thing.
He knocked and heard Joel holler, "Come."
"Hey, Joel. Do you and Ashley have plans for the holidays?" Blair asked.
Joel looked sad for a moment and then smiled again, "This is our first year with none of the kids home. They're all away and didn't want to spend their off time with mom and dad."
"Simon's alone too and we've asked him over to our house. Would you and Ashley like to come?"
"I think we would. I have to ask her, of course, but she's been really blue."
"Why didn't you talk to us, Joel? We love Ashley. We would want to help." Blair gave Joel a quick hug and said, "Next time, you talk, or we beat you up."
Joel burst out laughing and said, "Count on us. Should we bring a dish?"
"Geeze, Joel. You need two. What would you eat on?" Blair teased.
"Seriously, what should we bring?"
Blair thought a minute and said, "How about a Pumpkin Pie and some type of dressing?"
"Sounds good to me," Joel said as he wrote it down.
"See you tomorrow at 4:00, then." Blair left Joel's office feeling pretty darn good.
He walked up to Conner's desk and immediately saw she was down. Shit... Didn't we notice anyone?
"Hey, Conner."
"Hey, Sandy."
"How would you like to come for Christmas Dinner tomorrow night? I know it's late notice, but I was a little down and Jim thought this might cheer me up."
"You were down, Sandy?"
"Yeah... But it's okay. Anyhow, Joel and his wife are coming so far. Probably Simon. And then I'll ask Brown and Rafe. You on?"
"Yes, what do I bring?" She looked much happier, suddenly.
"We need you to bring the turkey, already cooked, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and butter and pecan pie. Got all that?" Blair asked and began to laugh when he saw the go-to-hell-look on her pale face.
"Conner, are you all right?"
"I'm fine. I was lonely and sad. But I feel better now. Thanks. What do I really bring?"
"Fruit Salad and rolls. How is that?" Blair was bouncing. This is going to be so much fun.
"It's tomorrow at 4:00. Be there or be square." Blair winked and walked off. I can't believe I just said that. I must be old.
Conner watched this wonderful man and realized she didn't even know how sad she was until she talked to him. He was a god-send.
Jim walked out of Simon's office and glared at Blair. "I'll get you when you least suspect it."
"What?"
"He was crying. I hate crying. You know that."
Blair giggled and said, "Buck up, little camper. Joel, Ashley and Conner are coming. Is Simon?"
"Yes. I told him you had been down and it was in your behalf. He really likes you, Chief."
"I know he does. What did you tell him to bring?"
"The turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, salad and dessert." Jim laughed all over again.
"So what is he bringing?"
"Mashed potatoes and gravy. Did someone already get assigned that?"
Laughing, Blair answered, "No, we're safe. Now we need to ask Brown and Rafe and we'll be set. Well, you'll still have to clean the loft a little more." Blair took off running with Jim close behind.
"Chief, can I ask Trish?"
"Do whatever you want..." Blair walked off very disappointedly.
"Don't do that. I hate when you do that. If you don't want me to invite her say no. Tell me why."
"Because Rafe told you about her, and you're thinking of seeing her because of that. You're using her, man."
"Chief, you use women all the time."
"Whatever..." And Blair was off again.
"Come on, it won't be like that." Jim tried to explain.
"I wanted Christmas to have some meaning this year and it was looking like it would. But now you're asking me this and I wonder if there is any importance of meaning."
"For crying out loud, I won't ask her. Geeze." Jim walked up to Rafe and said, "You're invited to Christmas Dinner at our place. You coming?"
Jim heard everyone laugh and Blair said, "If you would like to come, you could bring a vegetable platter and an olive platter."
"I would love to come, Sandburg. And that's fine by me. I love to make up platters." Rafe was beaming with happiness.
Jim growled, "I asked you."
"But he asked me nice. So he got my version of the thank you." Rafe teased.
"I give up."
Brown walked by and asked, "You're just now giving up?"
"Oh that was so funny, I almost laughed." Jim smacked the back of his head.
"Henry, would you like to spend Christmas afternoon and evening with us. So far Rafe, Conner, Joel, Ashley and Simon will be there. And if Jim behaves himself, he might get to stay also. It just depends on how hard he works on the loft tonight."
Everyone laughed but Jim. "Jim, I'm kidding."
"Well, they don't know you're kidding." He went back to finish the paperwork on his desk.
Blair walked over to him and said, "Remember what I said about things being important. Well, that would be you. You're the most important person in my life. You're my partner, my best friend and you're a lot of fun to make fun of. Seriously, I'm glad that we're friends. Thank you."
"I'm glad too. Thank you for reminding me of what is important. I like to make fun of you too." Jim pulled Blair into one of his famous hugs and everyone in the Bullpen smiled.
Jim said, "Ready to go home and get ready for tomorrow?"
"You betcha." Blair was keeping up with Jim, every step of the way.
To Blair, Christmas wasn't just the meaning, it was the entire importance of meaning that counted to him. Jim now saw that, and Blair was going to have a very meaningful holiday.
The End.
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Author's Acknowledgments: Thank you Mary, for the quick beta.