Title: Coming Home: A Christmas Story
By: kheranriel
Fandom: CSI: Miami
Pairing: Speed/Eric
Rated: PG-13
Summary: Eric learns something new (vague enough for you?)
A/N: This is a little bit of holiday fluff, sorry it's a little behind schedule, but hey, it can never be too late for Christmas, can it?

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**December 24th 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time**

Timothy Speedle, Speed to any-and-everyone who knew him, pulled his bike into it's parking space, dismounted, and pulled his helmet off. There was nothing like racing down the freeway with only his work clothes and a jacket to keep him warm on the 24th of December to make him love Miami. Running a hand through his untamable mess of black curls he grinned up at the sky. Most people would never believe that the cynical CSI could even produce such a grin, much less over something as small as warm night in Miami. Speed stamped down the urge to twirl around, no reason to completely destroy his reputation, but after weathering New York winters for the first twenty-odd years of his life, every winter with temperatures in the 70s made him inordinately happy. He'd really never seen the appeal of a snowy Christmas, or a snowy anything really. He couldn't quite resist whistling Jingle Bells as he walked to his front door, but he figured it was fine since there was no one around to hold it over him.

"You didn't tell them, did you?" Speed asked upon entering his apartment and finding his lover slumped dejectedly in the chair by the phone, his good mood evaporating almost instantly. Eric was all dressed up for Christmas Eve dinner at his parents house, a dinner he had originally invited Speed to as a sort of meet the parents meal, but first Eric was actually supposed to come out to his parents. He'd been putting it off for months now, but had sworn up and down that today was going to be the day. Judging by the look on Eric's face that hadn't ended up happening.

"I tried, I really did, but every time I mentioned your name my mom would just change the subject and talk about how nice dinner was going to be. She seemed so happy and I couldn't-I just couldn't tell her. She's so"¦so Catholic, and I know she's not going to take it well," Eric put his head in his hands, he felt like an utter bastard, both for lying to his mother and disappointing his lover, "God, I'm really fucking this up, aren't I?"

Speed shook his head slowly and walked over to where his lover sat. Even though he had really been looking forward to meeting Eric's family he wasn't going to add anymore guilt, judging by the dull look in his lover's usually vibrant eyes he figured Eric already had enough. Kneeling in front of the chair and gathering Eric's hands in his own he replied earnestly: "No, you're not. I won't lie and say I'm not a little disappointed that I won't get to meet your family, but I will not force you on this, understand? You'll tell them when you're ready, this is a huge step. But, I think you'll be surprised with how they handle it."

"How can you say that? Your parents threw you out when they found out about you!" Eric asked, starting to get agitated. He loved Speed, and nothing in the world could change that, but he was terrified that his parents would react like Speed's had. Eric's family had always been so close, they were the reason he had decided to stay in Miami rather than starting out somewhere on his own. He honestly didn't know how he would handle being rejected by his family.

"Eric, that was a long time ago, and my parents were never like yours. All they ever cared about was what the people at the country club were going to say. As soon as it became a fad to have a gay son they welcomed me back with open arms, until they found out that I decided to go into law enforcement rather than become a lawyer. You're parents aren't like that, they've stood by you every step of the way. They aren't going to throw you out just because you like men." Eric reached out and cupped Speed's face with his hand, running his thumb gently over the other's man's cheek.

"I wish I were as sure of that as you are. I'm so sorry I didn't tell them. I-I-"

"It's fine, Eric, it really is," Speed cut him off gently, turning his head to place a small kiss on the Cuban's palm, "You should go, or you're going to be late."

"I don't want to leave you here all alone on Christmas Eve," Eric said, the misery evident in his voice.

"It's not a big deal, we never did anything for Christmas Eve in my family. It won't be the first time I've spent it alone."

"That doesn't make me feel any better! You shouldn't have to be alone just because I'm such a coward," Eric snapped. Speed sighed and shook his head; his lover could be downright impossible when he wanted to be.

"Eric, love, it's just one night, it isn't the end of the world. I'm a big boy, I can fend for myself. I'll probably just crash on the couch and watch "It's A Wonderful Life." Now go, before your mother strangles you." Eric got up from the chair, grabbed his jacket, and walked to the door. He paused with his hand on the doorknob, then turned around and walked back to where Speed had settled on the couch. Speed just raised an eyebrow in curiosity and waited for his lover to speak.

"Why are you so patient with me?" Eric questioned plaintively. Speed sighed again and pulled the younger man down onto the couch with him. He was quiet for a moment as he tried to put his feelings into words.

"When I was younger I learned that if you're smart and sarcastic enough before anyone gets a chance to know you people tend to leave you alone, and for a long time that was what I wanted. And after awhile that changed, but I was so used to acting like a smart ass that I almost forgot how not to just automatically dismiss everyone I met. You were the first person in a long time that called me on that shit and didn't take off as soon as I started acting like a dick. You kept at me, hell you still do, and I know I'm far from an easy person to get a long with most of the time, but you stick around. So you're scared to tell your parents that you've committed yourself to a man, there's not a person who's ever had to do it that wasn't terrified of what might happen. You'll tell them eventually, when you're ready. Until then, I think you've more than earned a little patience." Speed leaned in and kissed the Cuban man's full lips gently, then pulled back and ran his hands through his lover's silky black hair. Eric gave him a watery smile and sniffled softly.
"Yeah, I guess you are sort of a bastard, aren't you?" Eric teased.

"Brat," Speed replied affectionately, then gave him another kiss. Eric buried one of his hands in Speed's curls and held his head still as he deepened the kiss. Speed groaned deep in his throat when Eric ran his tongue along Speed's slightly chapped lips, then dipped between them to tangle their tongues playfully. Eric's free hand had just started sliding down Speed's chest when Speed pulled back and pushed Eric off the couch, sending him to the floor in an ungraceful heap. Eric looked up at his lover, his chocolate brown eyes wide with astonishment.

"Tease!" Speed said, by way of explanation. Eric stuck his tongue out at the smaller man and pushed himself up off the floor.

"I really do have to go now," Eric said reluctantly.

"So get! You're making me miss 'It's A Wonderful Life'," Speed replied, reaching around Eric to grab the remote off the coffee table. Eric laughed as walked to the door.

"Hey Eric," Speed called right before Eric shut the door. Eric poked his head back in, "You know I love you, right?" Eric smiled, it was rare that Speed actually said the words unless Eric said them first.

"Yeah, babe, I know. I love you too," Speed returned the smile, then turned his attention back to the TV. Eric shook his head, still grinning, and shut the door behind him.

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Eric's Christmas cheer expired approximately thirty-eight seconds after pulling his car out of the driveway and leaving the only person he'd ever really loved alone watching TV on their first Christmas Eve together.

'Stupid, stupid, stupid!' he chided himself in his head. 'How could you just leave him sitting there? Idiot! What could your parents possibly say that could make you feel worse than this? You love him, you should be proud of that, be proud to bring home a man like him, not secret him away in a tiny little apartment watching old Jimmy Stewart movies while you go make merry with the very people you're to scared to come clean with!' His internal voice sounded an awful lot a certain blond, southern CSI of his acquaintance, which made him chuckle despite himself. He knew he should tell his parents, and it wasn't because he was ashamed of Speed, but he'd never been a relationship this serious before and he was scared. Telling his parents made to whole thing real in a way that it wasn't yet. If he told his parents and then things went wrong with Speed then he wouldn't be able to hide it, to pretend it never happened. Everyone who mattered to him would know and if they didn't accept this then he would be left all alone. He didn't honestly think that things were going to end with Speed, he was in it for the long haul, but if his parents rejected him and Speed left him then he'd lose everything.

'But how would you feel if you were in Speed's place?' the Calliegh-voice questioned, 'He's told you before that he's not going anywhere, and you still won't even tell your family about him. How much can you really think he's worth if you won't even take this risk for him? If you're willing to leave him all alone just to protect your pride?' Eric parked the car at the curb in front of his parent's house and resisted the urge to bang his head against the steering wheel. He took a deep breath and swore to himself that tonight he would, without fail, tell his parents about Speed. If it went well then he'd bring Speed to Christmas dinner tomorrow. If not, well then at least he knew his lover would be waiting for him tonight. He got out of his car, walked to the front door, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

As soon as he set foot in the house he was tackled by his niece, quickly followed by her mother, Eric's oldest sister Michelle. Before he could do more than give his sister a hello kiss, his mother and other sister Marisol came out of the kitchen. His mother, Clorinda, looked around the entrance way as if she were missing something, then narrowed her eyes at Eric. Eric felt his stomach drop at that look, one he hadn't received since he was sixteen and had managed to wreck his father's car.

"Michelle, why don't you take Becca and go play in the living room. I need to have a word with Eric in the kitchen. Marisol, I think you have something to go pick up, don't you?" Michelle picked her daughter up and went back into the living room with her. Marisol shook her head at Eric and gave him a disappointed glare as she brushed past him and out the door. Clorinda turned on her heel and headed back into the kitchen. Eric followed her, knowing that this was somehow about Speed, there was nothing else his mother could be so upset about. But how had she found out? He searched his memory, trying to come up with a time that maybe he had been overly affectionate with Speed in public and it had somehow gotten back to his mother, but he couldn't come up with anything. 'Well, at least now you know whether or not they approve, I guess Speed was wrong about them being all right with it,' he thought, wishing that he were anywhere but here.

"Sit!" Clorinda pointed at one of the kitchen chairs. When he sat down she came to stand in front of him, "What were you thinking? I thought I raised you better than this! Of all the careless, selfish, thoughtless things to do! Did you learn nothing from me growing up? Do you have no respect for others? And on Christmas Eve of all days, Eric Delektorsky, you should know better than this!" She shouted at him and Eric couldn't help the tears that welled up in his eyes. He'd known this could go bad, but he honestly hadn't expected this.

"I'm sorry, mama, I didn't mean to disappoint you! It's not like it was a choice I made, it's just the way I am!" Eric was proud of how little his voice wavered as he said that, but his mother seemed unimpressed.

"The way you are is a selfish brat, Eric? And what do you mean it's not a choice? Of course it's a choice! You didn't have to act like this. If you'd given any thought to anyone's feelings but your own this all could have been avoided! And it's not me you have to worry about disappointing; I'm not the one who is going to be hurt in all of this! He is!" Eric opened his mouth to reply, but then closed it again in confusion. Who was his mother talking about?

"Who is 'he'?" Eric asked.

"What do you mean who is he? Are you really that"¦" She trailed off seeing her son's confusion. Then understanding dawned and her voice softened as she asked: "What do you think I'm upset about, Eric?"

"Well, that I'm"¦you know"¦gay," Eric whispered, hanging his head. Clorinda let out a heavy sigh and pulled a chair up next to Eric's and reached out to take her son's hand.

"Oh, mijo, no. It's not that. I couldn't care less about that. Did you honestly think I would be upset with you for that?"

"You mean you already knew?" Eric asked with astonishment.

"Of course I knew, a mother always knows. And it didn't hurt that Marisol saw you and Timothy together at the beach a few months back."

"You even know about Speed?" Clorinda rolled her eyes at her son.

"Si, mijo, I know about Speed. He's why I'm so upset. How could you just leave a nice boy like him alone on such a special night? I raised you better than that."

"I know, momma, I know, but I just"¦I couldn't bring myself to tell you. I thought"¦I don't know what I thought, I was scared, and I know I screwed this up. I just didn't want to disappoint you." The tears that had been threatening finally spilled and rolled down Eric's cheeks. His mother reached out and wiped the tears off his face and pulled him into a warm embrace.

"Oh, Eric, you're father and I aren't disappointed. We want you to be happy, and if Timothy is the one who makes you happy then that is who you should be with. I already have two daughters of my own I don't need a daughter-in-law," Clorinda put her hand under her son's chin and tilted his head up to look at her, "Listen to me, Eric. What's important is that you are happy and that you know that you never have to hide who you are from your family. We love you, we always will, no matter what." Eric sniffled softly and wiped at his eyes.

"I know, momma, I know," Taking a deep breath he stood up and said, "Now I need to go pick up my boyfriend for dinner, if that's alright with you."

"Oh, I don't think that's going to be necessary," Came a very familiar voice from the doorway. Eric whipped around to find Speed leaning casually against the door frame holding an expensive looking bottle of wine, "Merry Christmas, Clorinda, I brought something for dinner," He said as Clorinda stood up. Speed walked over and gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, then handed her the wine. Eric watched the whole scene play out with his mouth wide open in astonishment.

"Well thank you, Timothy. You're such a well-mannered boy, not like this one over here," Clorinda said, gesturing at Eric who was still doing his best impersonation of a fish, "He can't even get up and say hello. And close your mouth, Eric, you're going to start catching flies!"

"You two know each other?" Eric finally managed to ask.

"Of course. I need to know who it is my son is seeing, especially if he's not going to introduce us!" Clorinda replied as Speed smiled at his befuddled lover.

"She came to see me two months ago, she got my address from Horatio, who also knows about us, by the way. We had a nice long chat about you and our relationship, we've just been waiting for you to get with the program."

"You had a"¦what? How? And Horatio knows?" Eric asked in a tiny voice.

"Well, we didn't want to pressure you into doing something you didn't want to, mijo," Clorinda said, "But it was starting to get ridiculous, and I wasn't about to let Timothy spend tonight alone just because you weren't done being an idiot yet. And now I am going to go get the table ready and let you two have a little chat," She declared as she left the room. Once she was gone Eric stood up and walked over to Speed.

"So, two months, huh?" Eric asked softly.

"Yeah, about that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but we really wanted you to be comfortable with them knowing. I really didn't mean to hide things from you."

"I know, I'm not upset, just surprised. And relieved, so incredibly relieved. I love you, ya know, and no matter what they said I wouldn't' have left you. And I was going to tell them tonight; I decided that on the drive over. I was so miserable without you, and I felt horrible leaving you there."

"I know, babe," Speed reached up and started stroking the smooth skin of Eric's cheek, "But now you don't have to worry about it, I'm here and they know and everything's fine, the world didn't fall apart."

"Nope, and now we can celebrate! Christmas always was my favorite holiday," Eric grinned and leaned down to kiss Speed. It was loving and warm and despite the fact that he was standing in his mother's kitchen Eric felt no reason to end it quickly. Speed hummed contently into the kiss and suddenly Eric knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that everything was going to turn out all right. Speed broke the kiss and returned Eric's grin before grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the door.

"Come on, we should help your mom with the table," Speed said. Eric nodded in agreement and kissed his lovers' cheek. As they walked into the dining room they found that everyone was already seated at the table. Eric paused for a second, just watching his family, which now included the man he loved, then squeezed Speed's hand and went to sit down with them. And, for the first time since he had been a child, Eric really felt that everything in the world was just as it should be.

The End

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