Christmas in Grimsburg

 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1—Getting Ready for the Gala

Chapter 2—Caught Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 3—Secret Santa

Chapter 4—Isn’t it Ironic, Don’t You Think ?

Chapter 5—Christmas Trivia

Chapter 6—A Toast

Epilogue

 

 

 

Chapter 1—Getting Ready for the Gala

                Rubi was unexpectedly cheerful.   She was like everyone else even if she was monitored constantly through her anklet, so courteously provided to her by her ultimate nemesis, Mavin Flute.    Mavin and Harvey had remarried and were still ardent lovers, preparing to welcome another life into the world.   Neither of them had prepared for a second baby, but Harvey thought Mavin looked spectacularly sultry in maternity wear.  

                ‘Don’t get to used to this honey bear.’, she said in a tempestuous growl.   Harvey grabbed her from behind and lightly nibbled her neck to give her a bit of a hickey. 

                ‘Sos as to anyone at that party thinking they’ll have a chance, I’ve marked you.’, he said, playfully, patting her tuchus.   Mavin turned to face him and French kissed him until Rubi interrupted them.   

                ‘To think the two of you are going to find every possible nook and cranny to have sex in makes me envious.   I won’t be alone though.  Rufis will be at that shindig, and I am going to look my best even if it is in this orange atrocity.’, Rubi said, twirling around much like a ballerina.   

                ‘How do you keep getting inside my house ?’, Mavin questioned, genuinely concerned, since no one knew where she kept her house key hidden and only Rubi knew how to pick locks when it counted.  

                ‘Never mind, I already know the answer.’, she shot back before Rubi could open her mouth in witty repartee.    Stella had come running as soon as she had heard Christmas music and wasn’t really shocked to see Rubi there.   At this point, she might as well have been part of the Flute family with how often she showed up unannounced.  

                ‘Are there going to be presents at the gala ?   I bet Stanley’s going to be there too ! It’s a pity Ms. Flesh went away for good, but since I have Stanley’s friendship, I prefer actual people as friends rather than whatever Ms. Flesh was.’, Stella confessed.   

                ‘I’ve got gifts as well as charcuterie.    I learned how to slice meat professionally not long ago.  I’m sure the others will be impressed.’, Harvey boasted.  Mavin smirked temptingly and trailed her fingers along the edge of Harvey’s beard for a moment.

                ‘God, you’re a sexy beast.’, she said.    As much as they wanted to go into the basement and do the horizontal tango, they had a gala to attend.

 

Chapter 2—Caught Under the Mistletoe

                At least crimes were down in Grimsburg.   The spirit of the season put people in a less murderous mood and most residents of the Colorado town were filled with Christmas glee.   Despite Mavin’s pregnancy, she was looking very fashionable and beautiful, but her cravings were leading her straight to the hours du ‘erves, sweets and punch.   

                Everyone’s gifts were put on a table and arranged in a glittery display.   Each person had been chosen earlier as a secret Santa.   No one knew who had bought a gift for the other, so seeing them piece together information and small clues was like solving a case.  If anyone was going to be the victor of the ‘Christmas mystery’ game this year, it would be a toss-up between Mavin and Marvin, but Stella and Stanley were probably close in the running, too, since those kids were peculiarly smart. 

                After finding something to gnosh on, Mavin swayed gently to the Christmas music playing on the stereo.    Marvin walked up to her and lightly kissed her on the cheek, which made her blush.  He pointed upward.

                ‘Mistletoe.’, he said, with a wink.   Mavin never entertained any naughty thoughts of Marvin any longer.   If she, by some unusual slip of fate was designated a case with Marvin, she would work by his side but in a professional manner.   Any sort of desire she had for him had completely faded.   All of it had turned into admiration and respect.   Marvin couldn’t say the same, but he had to recall that his wife and son were counting on him.   They still had a marriage to save and even though he had his flaws, Harmony loved him, warts and all.  

 

Chapter 3—Secret Santa

                John was able to calm the clamor and chatter in the room by sounding one singular air horn.

                ‘May I have everyone’s attention please !’, he said, in his typical deadpan way.

                ‘I wasn’t expecting an airhorn.  Probably was keeping it hidden in the parka.’, Rufis murmured to Greg who stifled a laugh despite himself.    Rubi caught Rufis’ eye and it was obvious the two were undressing each other from either side of the room, waiting for the chance to find a closet to enjoy seven minutes of heaven in.   

                ‘Festively displayed in front of you on the table are presents from your secret Santa.  Each gift is labeled to the person to whom it belongs.   Your task is to deduce who sent it and the clues you used to arrive at your conclusion.  The first one to solve the Christmas mystery wins dinner at their favorite restaurant, gratis.’, John said, and sounded the airhorn again before the guests began clamoring (albeit in an organized way) towards their presents.

 

Chapter 4—Isn’t It Ironic, Don’t You Think ?

                To no one’s surprise, Marvin solved the mystery first in guessing that Mavin was his secret Santa.   It seemed a bit coincidental, but it had all been luck of the draw back in November during their Thanksgiving dinner that they had all printed their names on paper, tossed them into the Lieutenant’s ball cap and drawn each other’s names.  

                ‘I recognize your handwriting anywhere.  You had forgotten you left the label on this rad coffee mug, which, by the way, was an excellent choice.’, the detective boasted.   He showed off his prize mug which read ‘World’s Greatest Detective’, and Mavin definitely believed it.   Her gift had come from Marvin.   It was a box set of Lower Decks, which she secretly didn’t want to admit she loved watching.   It was one of her comfort shows, being a lifelong Trekkie.  That hadn’t been hard to deduce, due to the fact that she had dressed up very convincingly as Tendi, one of her favorite characters.   

                Everyone opened their presents with berserk abandon.    Even Stella and Stanley marveled at how their parents and adult friends were reduced to childlike glee if only for a few more hours of the day. 

 

Chapter 5—Christmas Trivia

                Then came a holiday tradition that Grimsburg P.D. always savored, trivia time.   It was actually done for the less fortunate and streamed to the public so people could fund the ‘contestants’ and put money back into the community to help those who were less fortunate.  

                Stanley and Stella weren’t playing trivia, however.  They were outside galivanting in the snow as children often do.    He built a snowman that was a perfect likeness to his dad.

                ‘Woah, Stan, that is really incredible !  I didn’t know you could sculpt so well.’, Stella complimented.   He used to build forts and castles all the time growing up and he had developed a talent for capturing the human likeness to a T even in subzero temperatures.

                ‘Why don’t you take a selfie ?  It’ll last longer.’, Stanley quipped, making his best friend laugh.   Every so often Mr. Flesh would hang about and check on his boy, but it seemed his summoner didn’t need him.   It brought bloody tears to his eyes, but it seemed his boy was growing up to become a fine young man, and one with a clearer, more resolute, and less diabolical mind.   

                Stella stood by her friend, and he snuck a kiss from her.

                ‘What was that for ?’, she said, blushing.   She had known that Stan had been harboring a crush for her ever since they met not so long ago.   Someday, she had a feeling that she would be walking down the aisle and pronouncing herself Mrs. Flute, which would be odd since Flute was her given name.                   

                ‘Just a little reminder that I care about you quite a lot, Stel.’, Stanley said, sweetly.  The two gave each other an endearing hug before they said their goodbyes to each other and vowed they would stay in touch over their MMORPG as well as virtual tennis.   They would miss each other before they were able to play together again, but at least they had video games to keep them close for the time being. 

 

Chapter 6—A Toast !

                Marvin rang his silver spoon against a flagon of champagne.   It glistened in the light of the room, and everyone leaned forward, hanging upon the silence momentarily.  

                ‘I just wanted to thank everyone firstly for coming tonight and celebrating.  I couldn’t have asked for a better team.   I know it’s a bit tricky getting used to a new boss, but honestly, I think we’re all happier and more efficient thanks to her no-nonsense policies.’, Marvin began.    He then requested a song for karaoke, and it was Thank You For Being a Friend.   The team couldn’t help but sing along and there were some moist eyes in the room once the song ended.   The only people that couldn’t be found were Rufis and Rubi, but it was obvious that the two had experienced more than their share of rumpy pumpy that night and were still riding the ecstatic high as they were taken back to their secure facilities. 

 

Epilogue

                Mavin felt her offspring bouncing in utero, celebrating to the festive music.

                ‘Little gal or fella really loves music.  Might grow up to be a dancer !’, Mavin laughed.   She sang a little lullaby to calm the baby inside her down as Harvey swayed with her.  He nuzzled her neck and crooned,

                ‘I love you entirely.  Honestly, I can’t wait to meet our new baby.  I bet Stella will love them too.’, Mavin said as she turned and embraced Harvey.    They went to check on Stella in her room. She was cuddling her favorite teddy bear and sleeping soundly.   

                ‘Merry Christmas, honey bear.’, Mavin said sweetly to Harvey as the two walked hand in hand back into the bedroom, crawled into bed and he held her tightly in the protective spoon position as they both slept that lovely wintery night away.

 

The End