December 7th- Christmas Magic by Stargirl66

Hutch pulled the truck in front of a festive looking shop on Main Street. Between the snow falling and the holiday decorations, it was truly looking like Christmas in Minnesota. He glanced over at his partner who was busy looking at the window of the shop where a huge train display was set up and running.

It had been six months since he had almost lost his partner once again at an ambush on the pier in Bay City. They were called there on a report of a woman screaming. After they pulled up and approached a group of dock workers, all hell broke loose. Starsky was hit and down before Hutch had time to draw his weapon. He cursed himself for not paying attention to things that day. Starsky ended up with two shots in the upper arm that went all the way through. Nothing was damaged but there was some physical therapy involved for a couple months. He was back on the job soon after therapy ended.

Starsky jumped from the truck and went to the window. “This is terrific! Look at all this.” He pointed at the glass. “Wow. Let’s go in.”

Hutch smiled at his loving, curly haired Imp. “Sure thing.”

As soon as they entered the shop, Starsky went over by the display. He was trying to read the side of one of the train engines. He then went to a wall that had all the separate train pieces for sale. He picked up the same Engine that was running in the display. “I’m getting this for my train set.” He smiled.

Hutch shook his head. “It’s Christmas Eve, Starsk. Don’t you want to wait and see what Santa brought you?”

“Santa never brings me trains.”

“Maybe this year you will get a better surprise.” Hutch tousled Starsky’s hair. He saw the look of disappointment on his lover’s face. “If you really want this, you can get it. But I think you might just like what you get from me more.” He saw Starsky squint his eyes at him as if he didn’t know if he should believe him or not. “Starsk, your presents from me are under my mom and dad’s tree all ready. We are going to open them in the morning.”

“Okay.” Starsky put the train back. He walked to the door, looking at the display as he passed.

Hutch tried to hold in a smile but a small grin escaped. The shop owner smiled at him and Hutch waved to the shop owner as they went out on the snowy side walk. The sun was beginning to set and all the lights were lit on Main Street.

They went to a few shops and walked past looking at all the decorated windows.

“This is what I really missed.” Hutch smiled.

“I thought you never were a ‘Christmas’ kind of guy when you were younger.”

“I wasn’t. My grandmother use to take me shopping on Christmas Eve every year. She said it was a magical time to shop. She never bought anything really. I’m pretty sure she had everything already. I think she just really liked the atmosphere here around the holidays. So did I.”

Starsky smiled. “Your grandmother was right. It really is beautiful. I don’t know about magical.”

Hutch grinned. “Aw Starsk, can’t you feel it? First snow of the season, the smell of wood in the air. The people running around to finish shopping and head home to wrap their gifts.”

Starsky could not help but smile. Hutch looked so happy and seemed to have a glow about him. “I do know one thing; I love the way you look right now.”

Hutch smiled and looked down as they continued walking. “The shops still have about an hour before they close. Let’s go over to the pavilion and get some hot chocolate and listen to the caroling.”

Starsky followed him over and they both sat under the pavilion by the fireplace and enjoyed the evening’s festivities. Two men came up to them. Hutch smiled as they approached.

“Kenny!” The blond embraced Hutch as he stood up. “It’s been way to long!”

“Rodger. How have you been? Hey, this is my partner, Dave Starsky. Starsk, Rodger and I went to school together.”

“Nice to meet you.” Starsky was standing and shook his hand.

Then Roger said, “I want you to meet my friend, Dan. We were doing some last minute shopping.”

Hutch smiled. “I wanted to show Starsky what Main Street looked like at Christmas. We were just hanging out here for a while.”

“We’re headed home now. Looks like the snow is really going to hit, like they say on TV. Well, maybe after the holidays we can get together?” Roger smiled. “We just bought a place a few streets over from here.”

“We will probably be heading back to Bay City after a few days here. Duty calls.” Hutch smiled.

“That’s right. You’re a cop, I forgot.”

Starsky smiled, “And a damn good one, too.”

Hutch seemed to blush as he looked down.

Roger cocked his head to the side and grinned. “Partner in every sense of the word, huh?”

Hutch smiled. “Yes.” He took Starsky’s hand.

It was Starsky’s turn to blush.

“Us too. I don’t know what I would do without Dan in my life. We need to be getting home; we have lots to do. Well, you two have a great Christmas.” He hugged Hutch and then smiled and hugged Starsky. “It was great meeting you.”

Roger and Dan walked away.

“He seems nice.”

Hutch smiled. “Yeah, he is. We did some crazy things when we were kids.”

“I don’t even want to talk about what I did as a kid.” Starsky chuckled.

“I already know what you did when you were a kid.”

“How do you know, except for the little stuff I told you about?” Starsky asked in mock protest.

“Your mother told me everything on her last visit. I know every little detail of your juvenile delinquent life.” Hutch tried to suppress a grin.

“I wasn’t a juvenile delinquent!”

Hutch pulled him close and kissed his forehead.

Starsky realized he had been had. He smiled and hugged Hutch close.

“Why don’t we take a walk in the park and look at the lights.” Hutch smiled and kissed Starsky.

“Shouldn’t we be getting back because of the snow?”

“It won’t get bad for another couple hours yet. Besides, we have my dad’s truck. That will plow through anything.” Hutch took Starsky’s hand. He led him to a small park at the end of Main Street. All the trees and bushes were lit up with bright colored lights.

“Hutch, this is really nice.

“I’m glad you like it.” Hutch stopped and pulled Starsky into a deep kiss. “I love you, Starsk. I wanted this trip to be perfect for us. I knew you would like this place; that’s why I wanted to bring you here.”

“Anyplace is perfect with you, Blondie.” Starsky smiled and fell back into a kiss.

“Starsk, sit down here a minute.” He pulled him to a bench that was under a big tree. He brushed off the thin layer of snow that coated it. They both sat down.

“Uh oh. This sounds serious.” Starsky looked at his partner with concern.

“Nothing like that.” Hutch grinned. “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about us. We’ve know each other forever. We’ve come close to losing each other way to many times.”

“Hutch, we would never…”

“Let me finish, babe.” Hutch held Starsky’s hand. “I could not bear it if I ever lost you. The last time was not that bad, but the Gunther hit was. I thought I would never get to tell you how much I loved you again. Life is way too short. I decided that I want to live my life to the fullest. I want to live it with you in it.” He took a shaking breath in. “Starsk… David, will you marry me?”

Starsky looked down. He felt his emotions running wild. He looked up into his partner’s watery eyes and ran a hand through his soft blond hair. “God, Hutch. I’d never leave you like that. Yes, yes, babe. You say when.” He smiled and choked back tears.

Hutch took him in his arms and gave him a long sensuous kiss. “I love you so much.” He continued kissing him until they had to come up for air.

When Starsky could finally speak, he said. “You know? Your grandma was right, this place is magical.”

“Grandma was always right.” Hutch hugged his partner close. He noticed the snow was falling faster. “Maybe we need to be getting back. Santa will be coming soon.” He smiled.

“I got my Christmas gift already.” Starsky gave his lover a kiss.

Hutch got up and pulled Starsky to a standing position. “Well, Santa might have a few little extras for you under the tree.”

Both men walked out of the park and down the street. The shops were all closed and the street was almost deserted. The glow of the display windows was lighting their way to the truck. Hutch smiled and took his partner’s hand in his. This truly was a magical place.