Page 61 of A Little Christmas 4: Jamie
Daddy Spencer broke into a grin so wide it made Jamie laugh. “You’re incredible,” he said, pulling Jamie into a hug. “We’re celebrating. Fancy dinner. No arguments.”
“What’s in that envelope?” Jamie asked.
“This came from Tom. Sorry, but I opened it first, and it’s good news.”
“From him?”
Daddy Spencer handed him the envelope. Jamie saw a nine by twelve picture of his brother Ben in a Marine uniform. There was a short note for Jamie. He unfolded the note slowly, the paper soft and creased like it had been handled with care. His eyes scanned the words, and for a moment, everything around him faded into a quiet hum.
Jamie,
I found your brother Ben. Enclosed is his email address. Currently, he is serving overseas as a Marine in Germany. His tour ends on September 30th.
Wishing you the best of luck with your rock star cowboy. He’s a great singer and guitarist.
—Tom
Jamie’s breath caught. Ben. His brother. The one he hadn’t seen in years. The one he’d thought might never come back. His heart thudded hard against his ribs, and he blinked fast, trying to keep the sudden wave of emotion from spilling out.
He stared at the email address written neatly at the bottom of the page, like it was just another line, but it wasn’t. It was a lifeline. A connection. A chance.
“You’re getting all the good news today, aren’t you?”
Jamie nodded, but his voice was stuck somewhere in his throat. He held out the note, eyes wide, lips parted like he was still trying to process it.
Jamie finally exhaled, a shaky breath that felt like it had been waiting years to escape. “I forgot I’d asked Tom to find him, and honestly didn’t think he would.”
Daddy Spencer stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Jamie’s shoulders. Jamie leaned into him, letting his warmth and steadiness ground him. “As much as I hate Tom, he has redeemed himself by finding your lost brother.”
“He’s coming home,” Jamie whispered. “September thirtieth.”
Daddy Spencer kissed the side of his head. “And when he does, he’s going to see how strong you’ve become. He’s welcome to stay here with us too.”
Jamie nodded, still clutching the note as if it might vanish. Inside, he felt a mix of hope, fear, and something close to joy. Outside, he looked calm, but his heart was racing with the possibility of reunion, of healing, of finally filling in the missing piece of his story.
That night, they went to a sleek rooftop restaurant in West Hollywood, the kind with velvet booths and menus that didn’t list prices. Jamie wore a blazer Daddy Spencer had picked out for him, and his daddy looked like a rock star in black jeans and a vintage tee. They toasted with champagne, and Jamie couldn’tstop smiling. It felt surreal, like all the hard stuff had led to this moment.
Later, they met Nathan and Alfie at a gay bar downtown. The place was packed, music pulsing through the floor, lights flashing in every color. Jamie danced with Daddy Spencer, their bodies close, laughter spilling between them. Alfie twirled Nathan dramatically, and someone handed Jamie a glow stick he didn’t ask for but happily waved around.
They danced until their legs ached, until their cheeks hurt from smiling, until the night blurred into joy.
Jamie looked at Daddy Spencer under the neon lights—his daddy, his boyfriend, his anchor, his future, and whispered into his ear, “This is what love feels like.”
Daddy Spencer lifted Jamie off the floor and spun them around. “I feel our love too.”
The End
