December 9th- Will you… by wightfaerie

Starsky skipped out of the Pits, kissed the envelope in his left hand and then stuffed it into the inside pocket of his jacket. Huggy had come through for him–them–again. This was going to be the best Christmas ever. Hutch was gonna get the surprise of his life. The Blond Grinch would never hate Christmas again.

“What are you so happy about?” Hutch asked as Starsky climbed into the passenger seat of the battered Squash. Hutch scrubbed at his forehead.

“Headache getting worse?” Starsky enquired. He was more than a little concerned that the pills Hutch had been popping all day didn’t seem to be making any difference. At least the pain had stopped Hutch following him into the bar.

“Nope. Just wish it would go away.” Hutch fired the car engine to life. “It’s easing some but, you know.”

Starsky didn’t know, but he nodded anyway. “Want me to drive?”

“Nope.”

“You sure?”

“Yep.”

“Should you really drive after…?”

“Starsky. Will you quit it,” Hutch snapped. “I’m fine, really,” he added in a softer tone. “I want to get home, and you hate driving this heap as you call it.”

“True.” Starsky barely noticed the drive back to Hutch’s apartment. He fingered the envelope, warmth spreading through his chest. Excited as he was about the contents, the surprise could wait until the morning. Hutch needed to rest tonight.

“Home, sweet home,” Hutch announced, pulling over to the curb.

Starsky was out of the car before Hutch had fully stopped. Starsky yanked open the driver’s door. “Out you come, buddy. Let’s get you tucked into bed.” He watched appreciatively as his long-legged partner uncurled his sexy body out of the car. In one smooth move, he manhandled Hutch across the pavement, slamming the car door with his foot.

Hutch stumbled over the doorstep. “Hey. What’s your hurry, Starsk? I haven’t locked the car.”

“I’ll do it. You wait there.” Starsky grabbed the keys from Hutch’s hand. “Not that anyone will want to steal this thing,” he mumbled.

“I heard that,” Hutch said. “You’re being really weird tonight. What’s wrong?”

“That’s my line. You’re the weird one in this relationship, pal.”

“Not tonight, I’m not.” Hutch walked up the staircase slowly.

Starsky almost salivated at the butt wiggling at eye level in front of him. How had he gotten so lucky? Hutch was a great partner, a great friend, and now a great lover. He’d soon be so much more.

Starsky rested his head on his right hand. He loved watching Hutch sleep. His partner had a calm and serene look on his face that Starsky rarely saw when Hutch was awake. Except when they were making love.

Hutch opened his eyes and gave Starsky a lazy smile.

“Morning, beautiful. How’s the head?”

“Hey, yourself. Good as new,” Hutch responded, glancing over Starsky’s shoulder at the clock. A horrified look crossed his face. “Damn, Starsky. Why didn’t you wake me? We’re going to be late for our shift.” He threw the blankets off his body.

Starsky grabbed his arm. “Shush, babe. Lie back down. We’re on vacation. Dobey got Simmons and Babcock to cover the holiday period this year. They owe us.”

“But they’ve got kids. We always let the guys with kids have Christmas off,” Hutch sputtered, shrugging off Starsky’s hand and getting out of bed.

“Not this year, babe.” Starsky patted the mattress. “Sit down a minute.” He leaned over and plucked the envelope from his jacket pocket. “Here,” he said, shoving it into Hutch’s hand.

Hutch closed his fist around the paper, and sat down. “What’s this?”

“Open it.” Starsky could barely sit still. He put his chin on Hutch’s shoulder.

Hutch turned the envelope over. Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, he tore at the flap.

“Hurry up, slowpoke.” It took all of Starsky’s will power not to snatch the thing from Hutch and rip it apart.

“If you stop digging your jawbone into my flesh, I might be able to move my arm more.” Hutch rolled his shoulder, making Starsky bite his tongue.

“Ow.” Starsky stuck his tongue out. “Is it bleeding?”

Hutch smiled sheepishly. “No, you’ll live. Sorry.” Hutch kissed the end of Starsky’s tongue. “All better.”

“I’m not two, you know,” Starsky protested, even though he found the gesture endearing. Hutch was the gentlest, and the toughest, man that Starsky knew.

“I know,” Hutch said quietly, before turning his attention to the open envelope. He took out the single page booking sheet, and the two tickets. His lips moved as he read the typed letter.

“You can say the words out loud, you know,” Starsky prompted. God, he was sounding more like Hutch every day. It seemed like their roles were reversing, or they were becoming more like each other now they were a couple. Either way, he couldn’t be happier.

“Round trip tickets for two to Kalkona Island. Dated today! What, how?”

Starsky pulled Hutch backwards, flattened his body to the mattress, and silenced him with a kiss. Lips still stuck together, Starsky maneuvered himself so that he was straddling Hutch’s hips. Starsky broke the kiss. “The how is that Captain Dobey has given us Christmas off this year. So Huggy got us a villa on his uncle’s private island retreat for a week.”

“Huggy has an uncle rich enough to own his own island?” Hutch asked incredulously. “Do you really believe that?”

“How can you doubt Huggy? He always comes through for us.” Starsky bounced on Hutch’s pelvis. His groin was getting ideas of its own in this position.

“And we’ve also been on the wrong end of some of his relatives’ shenanigans.”

“Look in the envelope; there’s a picture of the island. It’s an uncle by marriage. Something to do with plantations and slavery. He did give me a history lesson about the place being handed down from generation to generation. But, well, you know me.”

“You got bored halfway through and stopped listening. The candy machine was calling you?” Hutch laughed, or tried to.

“Yeah, somethin’ like that.” Starsky rolled off Hutch. Picking up the envelope, he took out the picture. “Looks very exotic.” He held out the photo to Hutch.

“I ask again, where is it? Do you even know?” Hutch looked at the image and grinned at Starsky.

“Of course, I know. And so will you when you check the tickets?”

Hutch scooped up the tickets from the bed. “Honolulu. So Hawaii then.”

“Somewhere near there. Huggy said we have to take a boat. His cousin will meet us at the airport, and take us to his boat that will be moored nearby. Then it’s a couple of hours to the island.” At least he thought that’s what Huggy had said. Their friend sometimes worked on Jamaican time, and things took longer than first imagined.

Hutch took another look at the ticket. “Shit, Starsk. We have to be at the airport in three hours. And I haven’t packed yet.” Hutch fell over his own feet in his hurry to get to the closet.

“Calm down, Hutch. All taken care of.” Starsky scrambled over the bed and swung open the closet door. Two suitcases sat in the bottom of the closet. “I’ve been up since 4 am.”

“You did all that without even waking me? Do we need to go to the bank? What…” Starsky could see the panic of the unknown in Hutch’s eyes. His buddy was a plan-for-all-occasions type of guy. He liked to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s.

“It’s all inclusive,” he interrupted Hutch’s panic. “Whatever we need is included in the cost. All you need to bring is a suitcase, and that sexy ass.” Starsky slapped Hutch on his left cheek.

Clarence, the stocky porter assigned to Starsky and Hutch by Rashay Raboteau–or Rab to his friends–Huggy’s uncle, led them to their villa. “Here you go. Number Three, quietest, most secluded property on the island. Huggy said you guys would enjoy this place, out in the middle of nowhere.”

Starsky surveyed the area. Yep, this would suit Hutch and him down to the ground. Lots of plants surrounding the building, and not another villa in sight.

Hutch inhaled loudly. “Perfect.” He took the steps up to the door two at a time. Standing on the porch, he looked back at Starsky lovingly.

“Once each for the front door,” Clarence said, the keys pinched between his stumpy fingers. He dropped the keys into Starsky’s left palm. “All public buildings are open 24 hours. These areas are staffed from 6am to 10pm, any other time; help yourselves to whatever you want. I can be reached by dialing 07 and staying on the line, any time, day or night.” He bowed to Starsky. “She’s all yours. Enjoy.”

Starsky ran up the steps and unlocked the door. “Here you go,” he said, throwing Hutch one of the keys.

Hutch caught it in his big hand. “Do we really need a key each?” he asked, walking into the living area.

Starsky followed him and dropped onto the L shaped couch. “Jeez. Thought we were never going to get here.” As he’d suspected, the couple of hour’s boat journey had turned out to be at least three hours.

“We’re here now,” Hutch said, settling down next to Starsky.

Starsky smiled, lacing his fingers into the hair at the base of Hutch’s skull. Yep, we’re here. Phase two of his plan was about to start. Hutch was going to get the surprise of his life. Starsky just hoped that Clarence had done everything Huggy had asked Rab to do for him. He glanced into the kitchen area. The coffee pot was bubbling away; his excuse to move. “Want some coffee?” he asked, getting up without waiting for an answer.

“I’d rather just sit here and cuddle for a while,” Hutch responded, grabbing at Starsky’s arm as he walked by. “We haven’t had much alone time since I woke up.” Hutch actually blushed a little.

Although Starsky was tempted by Hutch’s unusually coy advance, he had an agenda. And a time frame. The journey here had taken longer than Huggy had stated, and they were on a tighter schedule than Starsky wanted. He headed for the first drawer in the kitchen island.

“If you would rather have coffee than me, I think I’ll unpack.” Hutch’s tone had a hurt lilt to it. He crossed the short distance to the bedroom in three long strides.

Starsky opened the drawer. Yes! Good old Rab and Clarence. He snagged the contents.

“What the hell?” Hutch’s surprised voice resonated from the sleeping quarters. “I think Clarence showed us to the wrong villa.”

Starsky crept into the space between Hutch and the door. He looked in the direction Hutch was facing. Damn. He’d told Huggy to make sure that Clarence put those in the closet. “Hutch!”

As Hutch turned around, Starsky dropped to one knee. Opening the box, he asked, “Will you marry me?”

Hutch looked from Starsky to the ring box. “But, we, we can’t, Starsk. It’s not legal.”

Starsky rubbed the two platinum bands with his right index finger. “It is here. Rab’s island, Rab’s rules. I know we can’t be a married couple in the eyes of the law anywhere else. But I want you to be my husband. For us; not for the rest of the world.”

Hutch grinned. “And you’re not the soapy one!”

“Well, will you marry me?” Starsky repeated. “If saying I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you is soapy, then, yeah, where you’re concerned, babe, I’m the soapy one.” He shifted his position slightly, suddenly worried that Hutch might say no.

That one-hundred kilowatt smile of Hutch’s appeared. “Yes, I would be honored to marry you, Starsky.” He pulled Starsky to a stand, kissing him with so much power it took Starsky’s breath away. As quickly as he’d pulled Starsky to him, Hutch pushed him away. “The white wedding dress is for us!” A look of horror crossed on his face. “Is that for me? You see me as your wife?”

Starsky laughed, and pushed the dress to one side, revealing another one underneath. “No, there’re two. One pink and one white. Huggy thought it would be fun for us to wear wedding dresses, and in a crazy moment, I agreed.” Now it didn’t seem like such a good idea. Would this make Hutch change his mind? “There’s also two tuxes behind the dresses. Up to you, blintz. We both wear a dress or both wear tuxes.” He hugged Hutch. “Neither of us are the little woman, though you do like doing all the cooking.” He ducked as Hutch swung at him. “Let’s sleep on it.” He pulled Hutch onto the bed.

Hutch wriggled out of Starsky’s grasp. “When were you planning on this wedding happening?”

“Tomorrow morning, ten a.m. Christmas Day.”

“Okay,” Hutch said slowly.

Starsky wasn’t sure he liked the look on Hutch’s face. He could see the cogs turning in Hutch’s brain.

“Out,” commanded Hutch, pointing to the other room. “We can’t sleep together the night before the wedding. I’m old fashioned like that.”

“Where am I going to sleep?”

“On the couch, cowboy. Go.” Hutch bundled Starsky into the living area.

“You’re serious?” Starsky couldn’t believe Hutch was shutting him out of their bedroom.

“Yep. If we’re going to do this, we do it right.” Hutch pushed the door closed. “And close your mouth,” he said through the wooden barrier. 

Starsky stared at the blocked entrance incredulously. It took a few seconds for him to follow Hutch’s direction and close his mouth. He punched the air. Yes, Hutch said yes. They were getting married tomorrow. Who cared if it wasn’t legal in Bay City? It would be legal to them. Total commitment to each other.

He lay on the sofa. Elation was taken over by the memories of a previous commitment. The last time Starsky’d considered marriage. Terry! He wiped his eyes. Terry had told Hutch to look after him and Ollie. She must’ve figured out their true bond before they did. She was the only girlfriend who ever truly understood their friendship, their need for each other’s company. Starsky shut his eyes.

“You have my blessing, David.”

“Huh.” Starsky almost fell off of the settee. He opened his eyes and looked frantically around the dark space. He was sure he heard Terry’s voice. What did she say? He had her blessing! A peace drifted over him. Yes, he had her blessing. “I will always love you, Terry. But Hutch is my future. Thank you.”

Hutch was right. Starsky was getting soapy in his old age.

Starsky inhaled. Bacon! Was he dreaming? He opened his eyes, staring directly into those sexy baby blues of his partner.

Hutch hovered over him, wafting a piece of meat under his nose. “Good morning, Starsk.” He placed the food on a plate on the coffee table. “I ordered breakfast for us.”

Starsky rolled onto his side, coming face to face with a stack of pancakes and a mountain of bacon and scrambled eggs. Two mugs of coffee and a fruit platter completed the feast. “Don’t tell me, pancakes and bacon for me, scrambled eggs and fruit for you.”

“Nope. I think I’ll go crazy and have some pancakes with a side of everything today.” Hutch nudged Starsky’s legs so that he could sit down. “Eat up, it’s almost eight a.m.” Hutch piled food on a white plate and handed it to Starsky.

“Lemme sit up first,” Starsky sputtered, trying to maneuver his legs around Hutch. Finally in a relatively upright position, he took the plate. “Hmm, this is good,” he said, cramming a fork full of pancake dripping with syrup into his mouth.

Hutch merely picked at his plate of grub.

“You’re not hungry?” Starsky said with a full mouth. Please don’t be changing your mind, buddy.

“Not really.” Hutch set his plate onto the floor. “I’ve been thinking.”

“Oh,” was the best that Starsky could muster.

“About the dresses, dummy.” Hutch ruffled Starsky’s curls. “It’s an outrageous idea, but nothing is conventional about us.” He paused. “Why the hell not! You get the pink one, I look better in white!”

“You look better naked.” Starsky dropped his empty plate and clutched the edges of Hutch’s dressing gown, forcing it off of his shoulders.

“Later,” Hutch said, dragging the robe back around his body. “We need to figure out how to get into those things.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” said a deep voice from the screen door to the villa. “Can I come in?”

Starsky squinted against the sun streaming through the opening. Clarence, that voice, that silhouette, it couldn’t be anyone else. “It’s open.”

Clarence stepped inside; his bulk seeming to fill half the space in the room. “Huggy said you’d be game. Not many men have the guts to wear dresses. Rab and I did. Mine was red lace and his was black satin.”

“Huggy didn’t say that you two were a couple,” Starsky said.

“That’s why I stayed on the island.” A man, about half the size of Clarence, appeared from behind the porter. His coffee colored skin was a sharp contrast to Clarence’s black coloring. “I’m Rab. I apologize for my tardiness in introducing myself to you. I’ve been on the mainland, buying supplies and arranging your wedding.”

Hutch stood up and extended his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

Starsky quickly followed Hutch’s lead.

Rab shook hands with them both. “Clarence and I grew up here. We formed a bond very quickly. His family worked for mine, and, well, I’m sure Huggy filled you in on the history.

Starsky and Hutch both nodded.

Starsky could barely remember what Huggy had told him, and Starsky had told Hutch even less, but Hutch was too polite to ask for details.

“Long and short is,” Rab continued, “that we like our relationship in the open. We can be ourselves here. And so can others. Obviously, I expect people to follow the criminal laws of the state, but unconventional relationships, with both parties over the age of consent, are freely allowed here. This is where I married Clarence, and now perform ceremonies for other like-minded adults.” He turned and waved. “I must go and check on the preparations. See you in an hour.”

With a lot of wriggling, giggling, and expletives, they were finally in the dresses.

The pink one was a little long on Starsky.

“I’ve got just the thing,” Clarence announced, disappearing out the door.

“I think you should have worn this one, Hutch.” Starsky kicked at the material bunching around his feet.

Clarence burst back in carrying a pair of the oddest, pinkest, footwear that Starsky had seen. “Sit down. I’ll put these on for you.” Clarence thrust Starsky’s feet into the shoes, and fastened that straps around his ankles.

Starsky stood up, teetering in the platform sandals. “I’m not sure I can walk in these.”

“You’ll soon get the hang of it. These are yours.” Clarence handed Hutch a pair of white boots. “That dress is the right length on you.”

Hutch grinned at Starsky as he put on the ankle length boots. “You look lovely, darling,” he teased, standing up.

Starsky looked down at Hutch. “These make me taller than you,” crowed Starsky. Not that he was bothered that Hutch was taller. He felt ridiculous and just wanted something to say. Maybe now was the time to change into those tuxes.

Plonking a red beret on Hutch’s head, Clarence said, “You both look amazing. Time to go.”

He ushered them out of the villa before Starsky could suggest the alternative clothing.

Clarence led Starsky and Hutch down a rambling path to the beach. Between the trees and sand stood a small white church with arched, double oak doors. Standing in front of them, Clarence said, “You have a choice of how you would like to do this. One of you can stand at the altar and one walk down the aisle. Or you can walk down the aisle together.”

Starsky looked at Hutch, and said exactly at the same time as him, “Both walk down the aisle together.”

Clarence flung open the doors, and they stepped inside.

Hutch stopped dead. “Starsk, did you know about this?” he hissed.

The seats in the small building were filled with their family and friends. Hutch’s parents and sister; Starsky’s mom and brother; Huggy; the Dobeys; Minnie; Kathy; Molly and Kiko. Everyone who knew the true nature of their relationship.

“Nope.” This had to be Huggy’s doing. Hutch was probably going to kill one or both of them.

“I can’t imagine what they’ll think about us wearing dresses,” Hutch continued, talking out of the side of his mouth.

“One foot in front of the other, babe. Smile.” Starsky sounded more confident than he felt. He almost dragged Hutch down the aisle. Hutch’s fingers dug deep into Starsky’s flesh. “Relax, Hutch,” Starsky said as they reached the altar, and stood side-by-side facing Rab.

“Family and friends. We are gathered here today to witness the declaration of commitment between David Michael Starsky and Kenneth Richard Hutchinson.” Rab glanced around the congregation. “This ceremony is legal and binding only on this island and in the eyes of David and Kenneth, and yourselves. Please face each other,” he said, addressing Starsky and Hutch.

Starsky turned toward Hutch.

“Do you have vows prepared?” Rab asked. “Or shall I continue?”

“Continue,” said Hutch.

Starsky had vows, but obviously Hutch didn’t. “Continue,” Starsky said. His vows could be said another time.

“Please repeat after me, David. I take you, Kenneth Richard Hutchinson, to be my husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”

Starsky smiled at Hutch. “I take you, Kenneth Richard Hutchinson, to be my husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”

“And Kenneth. I take you, David Michael Starsky, to be my husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”

I love you, Hutch mouthed. “I take you, David Michael Starsky, to be my husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”

Rab held out his book. “Please take the rings, and repeat, this ring I give you, in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.”

Starsky took the larger of the two rings and placed it on Hutch’s middle finger of his left hand. “This ring I give you, in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.”

Hutch took the other one. “This ring I give you, in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.” He placed the ring on Starsky’s middle finger.

“I now pronounce you bound to each other for life,” Rab declared. “You may express your commitment before these witnesses.”

Starsky gave Hutch a quick kiss. The rest could wait until later.

Applause accompanied the end of the ceremony.

“If you would all like to follow me and the happy couple, the reception is in the main house,” Rab announced, leading Starsky and Hutch down the aisle.

The guests followed closely behind them.

“Let’s go back to the villa and get changed,” Starsky suggested as he and left the church.

“Just what I was thinking,” Hutch said, grasping Starsky’s hand. He pulled him off the path and through the trees to their villa, leaving Rab to escort the party to the main house. 

Hutch started tearing at Starsky’s dress before they reached the bedroom.

“Hutch, we have guests,” Starsky protested, tugging at Hutch’s clothing in the same caveman way.

“So,” Hutch said; his voice husky with want. “We’ve just got married. Let’s consummate this liaison.” He flung Starsky onto the bed, almost ripping the delicate material in his lust. The pink creation ended up in a heap on the floor. The white outfit quickly followed.

Climax came quickly. “Hutch,” Starsky cried out as his world exploded. He clung to the hard body of his lover.

Hutch shuddered to his own nirvana, gripping Starsky in a bear hug.

How long they laid entwined, Starsky didn’t know. “We ought to move, Hutch,” he said finally. “People are waiting for us.”

“I know.” Hutch propped himself up on one arm. “I’d rather stay here, with you.”

“Later, babe.” Starsky jumped up and got two wet wash cloths from the bathroom. He threw one to Hutch, and cleaned himself with the other. He went to the closet and pulled out the tuxes. “For the reception?” he asked.

Hutch smiled. “Gladly.”

Starsky handed one suit to Hutch, and donned the other one. He watched, appreciatively, as Hutch dressed. The black suit clung seductively to all the right places. “Beautiful,” Starsky mused.

Huggy was waiting at the door to the main house. “Where have you guys been?” He smiled knowingly at them.

“Getting changed,” Hutch said, pushing past Huggy. “We need to talk.”

“Captain America ain’t digging the season?” Huggy asked as Starsky walked by.

“What do you think, Hug?” Starsky patted Huggy’s arm. “We weren’t expecting company.”

“Eloping is for losers.” Huggy stuck out his chin. “People want to share your joy, my man.”

“Tell Hutch that later.” Starsky pushed Huggy into the reception hall.

“Over here.” Rab waved at Starsky and Hutch from the end of a long table. “You two sit here. Everyone eat, before it gets any colder.”

Starsky dropped into one chair, Hutch took the other.

Smiling faces stared at them. “Speech,” someone shouted.

“After the food,” Starsky countered, picking up his spoon and plunging it into the bowl of soup.

Course after course was placed in front of the guests, as quickly as each dish was devoured, another one replaced it. The last course was the champagne.

Huggy held up his glass. “Raise your glasses to the happy couple, Starsky and Hutch.”

“Starsky and Hutch,” the guests chorused, along with whistles and shouts of happiness.

Hutch grabbed Starsky’s hand. “Thank you, everyone. Today was a big surprise for me, and some of it was a surprise for Starsky. We are grateful that our family and friends are here to share this with us. Cheers.”

“What he said,” Starsky said, raising his glass.

Finally, the tables were cleared, and the room set up to party. Time to mingle with their guests.

Starsky’s mom and Hutch’s parents were seated in a corner, just off the dance floor. Starsky followed Hutch over to them.

“Aww, it was a lovely ceremony,” Starsky’s mom, Dorothy, said.

“Waste of my time,” groused Nick. He ducked to avoid Dorothy’s swing.

“Be nice to your brother,” Dorothy chastised.

“I’m so glad for them.” Hutch’s sister, Mary, sighed. “Ken, David, over here.” She waved at Starsky and Hutch.

“Congratulations, son.” Hutch’s dad, Richard, shook his hand. He turned to Starsky. “I had my doubts, but I can see how happy you make him.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Hutch’s mom, June, hugged Hutch. Tears ran down her cheeks. “I’m so proud of you boys.” She grabbed Starsky’s hand.

Hutch swallowed, tears welling in his eyes.

Starsky squeezed his arm. “Hey.”

Hutch composed himself, “Hey, yourself.”

“Starsky, Hutch.” The typhoon that was Molly launched herself at them. Hutch caught her in mid air.

“Careful, spitfire,” he laughed, hugging her.

Starsky joined the hug.

Kiko stood to one side, grinning.

“Kiko, little brother.” Hutch guided Molly into Starsky’s arms. “Good to see you. Where’s your mom?”

Kiko moved forward a little. “She’s with Mr. Brown, over there.” He pointed to the opposite corner of the room. “Giving him some recipe that he wants for the bar. Expanding his client base, I think he called it.” Kiko screwed up his face. “Something like that.”

“Hutch. This way.” Starsky pulled him over to the bar, where the Dobeys and Minnie were standing.

“Congratulations, Starsky, Hutch,” Dobey and Edith said in unison.

“Thank you for sharing this day with us,” Hutch smiled. “Where are the kids?”

“Cal is skiing with friends, and Rosie is staying with my sister,” Edith said, taking Starsky and Hutch’s arms. “They would have loved to have been here, but plans had already been made when Huggy called us.”

Dobey slapped them both on the back. He looked like a proud father.

“Capt’n,” was all Starsky said, choked up. He couldn’t believe how emotional seeing his family and friends here, in what he’d assumed would be a quiet, secret ceremony.

“Well, my trashy boy is no longer my boy,” Minnie said sadly, looping her arm through Starsky’s.

“I’ll always be your boy, Minnie.” Starsky smirked at Hutch. “Hutch will have to share me with you.”

“Never.” Hutch beamed at them, tapping Starsky’s face gently. He hugged Minnie.

“Hutch.” Kathy wandered over, drink in one hand, shrimp in the other. “Starsky. You dark horses. Well done.” She wrapped herself around Hutch, then Starsky. “I’ll see you boys in Bay City soon.”

Hutch yawned.

“I think it’s time I put someone to bed,” Starsky said in Hutch’s ear. “Let’s slip quietly away, and face the music in the morning.”

“You read my mind.” Hutch raised his arm and the guests’ chatter died as people turned to listen. “Enjoy the party. It’s been a long few days for us. See you all in the morning.”

“Goodnight.” Starsky saluted as they jostled each other to be the first out of the door. “That’s not what I call quietly, blintz.”

Laughing and pushing each other along, they reached the villa in good spirits.

“Now we have a problem,” Hutch hiccupped, pointing at the door.

“What?”

“Who carries who over the threshold?” Hutch snickered.

“Don’t matter. We came back after the wedding, didn’t we?” Starsky unlocked the door. “Get inside, husband.” He heaved Hutch through the gap and wrestled him to the floor. “Happy Holidays, Hutch.”

Hutch kicked the door shut. “Best Christmas ever, Starsk.”