The sound of bells announcing the opening and closing of the front door drew Buffy's head out of the oven. Setting aside the turkey baster, she wiped her hands on her apron decorated with a sexy Santa Claus/stripper--a gag gift from Dawn the year before--and pushed open the kitchen door.
"Hi."
"Hey." Oz flipped her a smile as he stripped off his coat and scarf, revealing shaggy green hair and a wind-reddened face.
"You look like Christmas."
"Fitting." He rubbed his cold hands before taking hers and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Smells great."
"Eau de Turkey?" Buffy grinned, squeezing his hands before heading back into the kitchen. "Want some tea? I just put on a pot to steep."
"Sure." Oz followed her into the cheery kitchen and fetched a couple cups and saucers as Buffy prepared a plate of cookies.
"So, how was Dartmoor?" Buffy joined him at the table and poured the tea.
"Dreary. I got the book Giles needs, though."
"Good. He seems to think the world is ending in the new year...again..and this book is all that stands between us and apocalypse number thirty six b."
Oz grinned at her light-hearted attempt at dealing with their crazy lives and took a sip of his tea. "Did you make the cookies?"
"God no. I've mastered turkey and potatoes. Baking is beyond me. Luckily all the little old lady Watchers think we'll starve without them."
"Have to keep the premiere team stoked." He took a second chocolate cookie and smiled. "You look cute in that apron, though. Very matronly."
Buffy arched an eyebrow and snatched a cookie for herself. "Someone want to sleep on the couch?"
A grin was her only answer and she laughed before rising to put the water on for the potatoes.
*****
Oz was just finishing setting the table with Giles' grandmother's china when the door to the flat opened again to the sound of the bells Buffy had hung from the handle. Giles walked in, shaking snow from his hair. Spying Oz, he smiled in delight.
"You made it home."
"Wouldn't miss Christmas Eve dinner." The two men embraced, then Oz helped Giles from his coat. "It's snowing?"
"Just started. It's not sticking to anything but me so I doubt we'll have a white Christmas."
Shrugging, Oz went to the window to pull up the blind and look into the oddly silent street. All the shops across the way were closed early. Even the pub on the corner was closed, and only a few cars passed. The snow drifting down was silent and beautiful.
Buffy exited the kitchen and greeted Giles with a smile and a kiss. "Hard day at the council of intransigent idiots?"
Giles smiled and ran one hand over her hair. "Dickered over the translation of a prophecy with Henderson for several hours, then did the traditional all office gift exchange and heavy drinking of single malt Scotch for fifteen minutes. I got a scarf."
"You always get a scarf." Buffy grinned and unwrapped the new navy wool scarf from his neck. "At least this year's isn't hand-knit and sparkly purple."
Giles kissed her upturned smiling lips, then rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Dinner smells delicious. I'm starved."
"Just need two strong men to carry everything in for me. Know where I can find some?"
With a leer that sent a shiver of desire through her, Giles grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her off the floor, making her squeal.
Oz turned from the window and smiled at the sight. How the three of them had ended up together was still a bit of a wonder, but looking at the happiness on Buffy's face, the youth on Giles', and feeling his own joy, Oz knew it was right.
"Later, you two. Food first, then other festivities."
"Stilton and port before the fire?" Giles suggested, setting a giggling Buffy down.
"I was thinking of something else before the fire," Oz replied with a lusty grin.
"I'm thinking if the turkey gets dry no one's getting anything before the fire."
Chuckling, both men followed Buffy into the kitchen to fetch the bowls and platters for their holiday meal, libido set temporarily aside for sating another appetite.
End