Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lyrical titles #9
Author: PattRose
Title: Cuts Like a Knife
Album Name: So Far So Good
Song Title: Cuts Like a Knife
Artist: Bryan Adams
Fandom: The Sentinel TV
Word count:
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Slash and language
Summary: William invites Jim and Blair to his house for Christmas dinner. Blair is super excited to be asked—that is, until Naomi shows up.

Jim watched the news while Megan and Blair finished a report in the office. The phone rang and Jim got up to answer it.

“Ellison…”

“Hi, Jimmy. This is your Dad. I wanted to invite you and Blair to Christmas dinner this year. We have a lot to celebrate, and I didn’t want you to think I forgot about the two of you. Sally will be gone, but Steven is coming with Sue so that we can make a nice dinner between us all.”

“That’s great, Dad. We will be there. What can we make? Please give us a list of things. Then no one has to do it all.”

“How about the potatoes and gravy and asparagus?”

“And some pie’s too. We’ll make them from scratch,” Jim said happily.

“That would be wonderful. Are you off on Christmas?”

“Yes, it’s our first big holiday off. I thought about having you over here, but it’s too small.”

“We would have more room at my house. Don’t worry, everything will be great, Jimmy.”

“Thanks for inviting us, Dad. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye, Jimmy.”

“Bye, Dad.”

Jim hung up the phone and went into the office. Now that they were done printing out the report, they were smiling.

“My dad just called, Blair. And he invited us for Christmas dinner. He said we all have a lot to be grateful for this year. It’ll just be us, Steven, Sue, and Dad.”

“But Jim, Naomi said she might pop in for a visit.”

“I’ll ask Dad if she can come. I’m sure it’s fine.”

“That would be great. Megan, do you have plans?”

“No, but don’t worry about me. I’ll find somewhere to go.”

“I’ll ask him about you, too.”

Jim dialed his dad’s number and heard, “Hi, Jimmy.”

“Dad, Megan Connor has nowhere to go for Christmas, and Naomi might be here.”

“Bring both of them. Sue would like to meet Megan anyhow.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’m going to have Megan bring crescent rolls. We’ll see you in a week.”

“It’s at 3:00. Bye, Jim.”

Jim hung the phone up and started for the office once again. “Megan, you have an official invitation. What time do you get off that day?”

“I’m off on Christmas. So, you tell me the time.”

“You’re bringing crescent rolls, so that’s all you need to worry about. Come at noon and we’ll head over to Dad’s at 3:00.”

“It’ll be nice seeing Naomi, too. I bet you’ve missed her, Blair.”

“It will be. She wasn’t taking our news well a month ago, but she should be used to it by now. Besides, if she wants to spend Christmas with us, she'd better get on board.”

“We’ll see what she says, Blair. When is she coming?” Jim asked.

“In five days. We have time to plan for it.”

“Chief, we usually don’t plan much while she’s here. We’ll be all hers except for Christmas Day.”

“Sounds great, Jim.”

Megan put on her jacket and said, “Sandy, thank you for helping me with that report. It was a doozy.”

“You are most welcome. Come anytime.”

Megan looked at Jim and said, “Are you cussing inside, Jimbo?”

“No, we like it when you come over. Stop worrying.”

Jim walked her downstairs because it was dark, and he always worried about her. He didn’t need to; she was a pretty tough cookie.

Five Days Later

Naomi got there when she had said she was coming. Jim was in court all day, so Naomi was thrilled to have him to herself.

“Mom, how are you doing?” Blair asked.

“I’m doing fine. I would be doing better if you weren’t with Jim. I think you rushed into it.”

“Mom, we didn’t rush into anything. We’ve lived together for four years. It took us forever to work this out. We’re both slow on the uptake.”

“It’ll be nice that you and I can cook Christmas while Jim works.”

“Oh, change in plans. We’re going to William’s for dinner. Even Megan Connor is going.”

“I’m not going…” Naomi looked annoyed.

“Well, you are if you’d like to have Christmas dinner.”

“Was this Jim’s idea?”

“What difference does it make whose idea it was?”

“Must have been Jim’s idea.”

“Mom, do not ruin this holiday with your hateful attitude. We’re eating at 3:00 on the 25th, so if you’re going, you must be ready.”

“I see. Would both of you leave me here like I’m nobody? I insist that you spend Christmas Day here, with me.”

“I’m not, Mom. I’ve said all I’m going to say about it. We’re having a wonderful meal at William’s house, and he’s anxious to see you. Why, I don’t know.”

“I’m leaving and won’t return until you break up with Jim. He’s very controlling, and I can’t believe you’re giving in to his every need.”

“Then, I guess this is the last time I’ll see you. Have a good life, Naomi. Merry Fucking Christmas.”

“Don’t you talk to me like that. Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“I’ll talk to you anyway I want to. Now, get your things and leave before Jim comes home. He’ll be so upset.”

“Why would he be upset when you’re not?” Naomi wondered.

Blair walked over to the door and yanked it open. He just stood there waiting for her to get her luggage. She stormed off to grab her luggage and stormed back out again.

She just glared at him as she walked out the door. Blair was distraught but wouldn’t let his mother know he was.

Blair slammed the door and sat down on the sofa. He couldn’t wait for Jim to get there and calm him down. Jim would blame himself, but it wasn’t Jim’s fault at all. It was only Naomi’s fault.

When Jim got home at 5:00, Blair was upstairs lying down, taking deep breaths to calm down. Jim had seen Naomi in the parking lot and asked her to come back upstairs and talk with them. She told Jim off and said they had a lot of thinking to do.

Jim walked upstairs and lay on the bed to hug Blair. He knew Blair needed it. “I’m sorry, Chief. It’s not our fault, it’s hers.”

“Thank you for not blaming yourself. This fucking cuts like a knife. She was so cruel.”

“She told me she hated me and hated us being together. I tried to talk to her about things, but she told me to get away from her or she’d call the police.”

“Oh, that’s rich. Now, they’re the police instead of Pigs? She’ll be back someday, but I hope it’s a long time from now. I don’t have any forgiveness in my heart right now.”

Jim pulled Blair into his arms, and they lay like that for the next hour. Finally, Blair said, “I’m done. Let’s make dinner and watch the Jags. They’re on tonight.”

“Sounds like a plan…”

“I love you, Jim.”

“And I love you, Blair.”

They knew it would be a hard Christmas, but they also knew they would be there for one another for the rest of their lives.