LYLBTB Advent Event 2013 : LB Gregg
Snow Fell in Staten Island
by L.B. Gregg
Using a pair of borrowed work gloves, I grabbed the nine-foot Douglas fir by its crudely shorn trunk and heaved that roped bastard up the first of three measly steps. My arms stained from the effort.
“He’ll want a big one,” I’d stupidly told the guy at the tree farm this morning, thinking—as one does— that bigger meant better. Poppy had snickered very Poppy-like beside me, her eyebrows dancing above an unsuitably delicate cashmere scarf and, as usual, she’d encouraged me with an elbow to the ribs. “Who doesn’t want a big one, right? I know I do.”
So the guy in the lumberjack coat had handed me a hacksaw, pointed toward the ‘big ones’ and, after explaining what a hacksaw was and how to use it—which I easily could have guessed by its size, shape, and name— sent us into a well ordered forest of Long Island pine trees.
I’d never bought a tree before, or cut one down, or even uttered the word ‘hacksaw’ before today’s outing with Poppy. My family had a store-bought blue spruce that collapsed into a few easy pieces and fit snuggly inside a ten-year old Macy’s box, which we then stashed in the basement—the Romano way.
Going to a tree farm and sacrificing a live tree, apparently, was the Albright way.
Five hours later and a hundred and fifty dollars poorer, it occurred to me that my lame expression of affection could have been bought, cut and delivered from the Episcopalian tree sale just down Dan’s street. I’d be in the house, feet up, with a cocktail and a plate of something hot by now.
Dan’s bountiful Christmas tree and I thumped up the next step. Big like our love, I’d said to Poppy, who rolled her eyes and ditched me on the lawn.
Snow sizzled, nipping my nose and shrouding the neighborhood. All along the quiet stretch of Staten Island, houses were hung with happy icicle lights. Christmas trees twinkled in multi-colored madness from picture windows, and fat Santas sat on lawns. In the distance, the orange hue of Manhattan glowed through the thickening snow.
Honestly, his street felt like home.
As soon as I lugged his present into the house, and fancied it with tinsel, and washed my hands, I’d pour myself the biggest Christmas cocktail ever seen. Something with flavored vodka and chocolate liqueur and peppermint schnapps. And peppermint sticks.
I heaved the tree up the last step, fueled by the promise of sugar and alcohol. I didn’t waste a second. Time was flying by, so I stuck my key in the lock—
And the front door swung open.
“Oh my God,” I yelped in surprise. Fast as ever, Dan grabbed my parka before I slipped and fell over the tree and down the steps.
“Gotcha.”
Warmth spilled from his snug house and I blinked at Dan’s crooked smile. His square jaw was peppered in stubble, and powdered sugar hung above his lip. He was home, I thought stupidly, and dressed in his faded Wagner sweatpants—as if he’d been home the entire time.
“What the hell are you doing home?” I squawked.
“I’ve been watching you from the window for the last fifteen minutes, Ce. That’s a pretty big tree. You could have asked for help.”
“Help? But…it’s a surprise. And you’re not supposed to be here. You said six. It’s five thirty. I thought you were gone.” I slapped his hand away and glanced in dismay at the tree choking the front steps. It seemed ridiculously large now. Too much. Too wet. And sort of foolishly impractical.
Doubt gripped me.
“I said six, because I’m working on something, too. I ran into a…hitch, so I thought like a Romano and I’m having a doughnut.“ His easy voice allayed my anxiety. He shook his head ruefully and his self-depreciating smile warmed me. “Actually, I’m on my third. These are good.”
I blinked. Did he just say doughnut? A third one? I sniffed the air and what I smelled was eggnog. Either Dan had a new aftershave, or he was holding out on me. Naturally, my stomach growled. “Are there any left? I could use a little something right about now.”
“No kidding. And yes. I bought a dozen. They’re cheaper and more effective than roses.” He winked and stepped aside. Belatedly, I noticed the pine needles. They poked from his thick hair and coated his shearling slippers and stuck to his sweats.
“What the…”
A path of eco-debris led into the house. I shook the snow from my hair and followed pine needles like they were a trail of breadcrumbs.
“Working, you said?” I glanced in confusion to the street. “Wait Were those pine needles there already?”
“Yeah. Those are mine. You just added to the collection.” Dan shut the door. He took my coat and threw it over the painted banister as I shucked off my boots. His mouth twitched when he got a look at my new reindeer socks.
“A gift from Poppy.” I said primly and wriggled my toes. “They’re quite warm.”
“Sure. Come on. You may as well see the mess I made.”
In his homey living room, where photos of Dan’s beloved Green grandparents hung on the wall and a holiday movie flickered on the massive TV, a towering bush filled the corner. Reaching robustly to the ceiling, full and green, and clearly an evergreen, its crown had been hacked off— flat as a pancake.
“Oh. My. God.” I snorted. And then I snorted again. “Wow. That’s,”—snort— “nice. Did you…uhm…intend to behead your tree?”
“It was an accident.” Dan flipped the lid on a white bakery box. It sat in a place of honor on the coffee table. “The tree top snapped when I stood the damn thing up.” He shrugged. “I tried to salvage it.”
“By turning it into a topiary?”
“Hey. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
I grinned at him. “Hey. You sound exactly like me.”
“Well, it was bound to happen, baby. People stay together long enough, and they pick up each other’s best traits.” Dan selected the chubbiest, most sprinkled doughnut in the box and handed it to me. My heart absolutely flipped over. “Merry Christmas, Caesar. I decapitated a tree for you.”
“My hero.” I bit into the doughnut and sweet cherry jam filled my mouth. That man loved me—no question.
Dan slipped his hand into my free one and tugged me down to the couch.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when Poppy dumped you on the lawn with that tree. I thought you’d bugged the house with a nanny cam. I mean, how in hell did you know exactly what I needed? The truth is, you’ve always been a step ahead of me, even when you think you’re behind.”
“And that’s okay with you?”
“More than okay.” He squeezed my fingers before settling deeper into the cushions.
“So we have two trees. Yours is broken and mine won’t fit in the house.”
“As long as I don’t cut the top off this one, we’re golden.” He licked the sugar from his wonderfully sweet lips, and then he pulled me close and licked the sugar from mine. “We’re golden, Ce.”
copyright 2013, l.b. gregg
… note from Barb, this coda features Ce and Dan from the Romano and Albright series – these books are amazing! LB has this knack of writing perfect comedy – it is never forced, never too much, just the perfect amount of can’t-wipe-this-smile-off-my face humour!
About the Author
L.B. Gregg (Lisabea) began writing in the spring of 2008 at the encouragement of friends and family. She never looked back.
L.B. is passionate about travel, wine, skiing, biking, visiting friends, reading, writing, and all things New England. She hates to cook; she loves to eat; and she enjoys container gardening. L.B. lives†in the rolling Connecticut hills with a lazy dog, three above-average children, and a smoking hot husband who, thank the Lord, loves to cook.
You can also find LB at :
Good Luck! And thanks for stopping by!
thanks so much for that – it was so nice to see a bit of Ce and Dan again !! They still rock, and so do you 😀
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Thanks so much for inviting me Barb! I was a little nervous…
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Awww, I loved this!!
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Ah Caesar. And Dan! I love those boys and I loved this coda. Can’t wait for the next Romano and Albright. By the way, Poppy is right. Who doesn’t want a big one. 😀
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Felix–Poppy would tell you that she’s always right. 🙂 Thanks so much! I love those boys too.
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thanks for the giveaway 🙂
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Pingback: The 2013 Advent Event : LYLBTB and friends | Live Your Life, Buy The Book
Thank you, thank you! This was such a charming glimpse at Ce and Dan.
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Thanks so much faye! Kind of hard to write the future without giving too much away, but Poppy HAD to make an appearance somehow. 🙂
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I haven’t read this series yet. Loved the excerpt! Too funny!
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you have such a fun read ahead of you!!!
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They’re fun books, and a little different from my other stories–and very hot. **fans self** Dan Albright has a bit of dirty mouth. And on that note, Happy Christmas. =D
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Don’t enter me in the draw, since I’ve read both of those wonderful books, but I wanted to say how much I enjoyed this Christmas Coda! I miss those guys and it was nice getting a glimpse into their Xmas 🙂
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I miss them so much! This coda is based on a real life events. Actually, there are a few incidents in Caesar Romano’s life that are based on RL events. 🙂
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I love these guys. I love your writing. I’m so glad you’re back at it. I’m seriously looking forward to their next book. In the meantime, Merry Christmas.
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Merry Christmas to you, too, Carli! 🙂
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LOL funny, thank you! When can we expect the next book? No pressure >:)
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There will be another book, I’m just finishing a few other projects first. I’m not sure when Ce will be back in your hands–but I have blocked a few months to work on their story. Hopefully it’ll get finished in time for a 2014 release. Thanks so much everyone!
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That was wonderful. Thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
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Big smiles, love this series!
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**grinning back** Thanks!
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New to Ce and Dan, but did enjoy them in Catch Me if you Can
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Catch Me If You Can was sheer joy to write. Man. That was a lot of fun. Thanks so much Suze!
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suze294 – CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS !! You are the winner *\o/* please email me via the link on the side bar and tell me your snail mail address for the signed book, as well as your email address for the audiobook! Thanks for commenting!
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Hi Barb, thanks! I also got an email from Pip so have replied to her. Cheers!
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Ah, thank you for this coda – what a great couple! Perfect Christmas gift – thank you L.B. Gregg, Merry Christmas to you & Merry Christmas Barb! – LE
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I love them, too. They’re so perfectly balanced–and they’re fun. And funny. I’m thrilled that Barb asked me to participate. Thanks!
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and I am still pinching myself !! so happy you agreed 🙂 MeRrY ChRiStMaS to you tooo LE ❤
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I just discovered LB’s work this weekend, and I’m eager for more…
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Trix–I have a new Men Of Smithfield slated for June from Carina…if I finish on time. YIKES! And then it’s Ce and Dan…and then…who knows!
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They *are* golden! I can’t wait for more of them, either. Thanks so much for this wonderful little gift.
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Denise–you are very welcome. And thanks for keeping up with my guys.
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That was wonderful LB – thank you! The guys tree struggles kinda hit close to home here as well…LOL! Merry Christmas 🙂
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I have a feeling Dan’s not the first person to ever lose the top of the tree. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
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I love these guys and I am so incredibly happy we got to see more of them! And you’re doing more of them? I am ecstatic! 😀
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At least one more… and thanks trishaharry!
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Yay! That’s great news. xD
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Lb sure knows how to make a person smile. Thanks for the wonderful coda.
Wondering if the guys will ever make it to Audio format?
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That’s an excellent question! I’m waiting on an answer from my publisher. And waiting…and waiting… I’ll send them another poke after the New Year. I really want these in audio!
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I haven’t read this series yet, but it’s on my list and I loved this, so I’m going to have to read them soon. Thanks!
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Thanks Antonia! If you like to laugh, and you’re not afraid of clowns, and you like dirty talking, and German Soap Stars…oh my God. My books sound like a lunatic wrote them! 🙂
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I loved the little story, I’ve got the books but haven’t had a chance to read them yet. Have to read them now!!!
ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
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I hope they move to the top of your list! Thanks so much Shirley Ann!
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That was so good!!! Thank you so much! I miss Ce and Dan…
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I miss them, too. Whenever something outrageous happens in my life, I think, this would only happen to Ce.
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I’m new to this series, but Ce and Dan sound like a lot of fun.
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They are a ton of fun! And a bit different from a lot of other m/m stories.
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I skipped the coda because I haven’t read these books yet. I actually own the first one and didn’t realize it till I took a scroll thru my kindle. Guess, I’ll have to come back here and read it later. 🙂
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Come back! And get crackin’ on those books! Happy Reading, Starbrites.
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The authors and books you come across when you visit blogs! I’m so excited to learn more about this author and her books. Thank you for the story (which I’ll read when I’ve caught up) and the giveaway.
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You’re welcome! And thanks for stopping by!
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Perfect holiday story!
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Thanks so much for the Christmas coda! I love and miss Ce and Dan…they make me laugh so hard!
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Well I’m reading this way after it was published but hey – I can never get enough of Ce and Dan, LB.
“Merry Christmas, Caesar. I decapitated a tree for you.”
That’s right, nothing says I love you like a good decapitation. 😉
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I *love* these guys! Thanks much for the glimpse and the update of a possible 2014 installment!
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I just visited your site because I was hoping to hear about another Romano and Albright book in the works. I was so happy to see this story. Thanks so much!
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Wasn’t it just wonderful? LB gives such good Christmas 💙
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Dawn,
I searched for her website for the same reason! Glad to hear there will be another Albright book in the series. Those two crack me up! 🙂
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