Commitment of A Lifetime
The Collective Planning Snippets
by kyanoswolf
Happy Birthday, Chief
Commitment of A Lifetime The Collective Planning Snippets
The loft was softly lit and a CD of Blair's favorite music was playing low
on the stereo. The table was set with fine china, and candles. Jim was
putting the final touches on dinner just as Blair came in the door.His partner had spent the day in court and was obviously tense.
"What's all this, Jim?"
"Thought you might like to celebrate. Heard that they put Jenkins away
for life. Besides, isn't today your birthday?"Blair's first major solo collar since graduating from the academy was a
nasty piece of work named Harold Jenkins, a murderer with a taste for
young girls. Blair had been the lucky one to catch the son of a bitch.
Jenkins had finally been tried and the case had ended on of all days,
Blair's birthday."Thanks for remembering man. But you didn't have to go to all this
trouble. We could have called out for pizza.""Not a chance. Wanted this to be special. Go get cleaned up."
Blair went upstairs to their room and put away his weapon, hung up his
suit and put on a robe before heading to the bathroom for a shower.
Twenty minutes later he was sitting down to a candlelit dinner.It was obvious Jim had something other than the delicious meal on his
mind. Finally over the white chocolate mousse, Blair forced the issue."Okay, Jim. What is on your mind? This is more than just a celebrate the
court victory, or even a 32nd birthday party.""We've been together for years. I would be honored if you would wear my
ring. I know that Washington doesn't recognize same sex marriages, but I
would like to have a committment ceremony."Jim held out a blue velvet box. Inside were twin gold bands.
Tears began to roll down Blair's cheeks. He launched himself at the
Sentinel and hugged the older man fiercely."How did you know what I wanted for my birthday?" he whispered several
minutes and thorough kisses later."I've always been told that the best gifts are things that you want for
yourself. Happy birthday, Chief."May, 2001
Blair lay in Jim's arms in their bed.
"How big of a ceremony did you want to have?"
"All the guys at the station. Your friends from the university that you
still keep in touch with Dad and Stephen. Naomi, of course. By the
way. Who's going to give you away? Simon considers you a son.""Give me away? Since when am I the bride?" Blair turned over,
threatening to tickle his Sentinel."Well, I proposed." Jim caught Blair's questing hands and flipped the
Guide onto his back. He nuzzled Blair's neck."Naomi would look lovely as the mother of the bride," Blair agreed as
Jim began an all out assault. "I think I'll wear blue."Jim raised his head from a wet, pebbled nipple, shaking with laughter
now."Neither one of us is wearing white."
"Seriously, Jim. The first thing we have to do is tell everyone that
there is going to be a ceremony.""I vote for sending out formal invitations after we find a location."
"You just don't want to talk to your Dad. I remember how he reacted to
finding out we were lovers.""I don't want to us to star in a remake of "Guess who's coming to
dinner". Dad make's a horrible Spencer Tracy. And we don't have anyone
to be Katherine Hepburn.""That movie ended happily for the couple."
"I'll call Dad. We'll tell the guys at the station."
"OK. Now where were we before the giggle?"
"Giggle? I do not giggle."
May, 2001
With Friends Like Ours
Jim slammed his way into the loft and stalked to his favorite yellow
chair.Oh no, Blair thought as he followed him in closing the door and picking
up the keys that had missed the basket."We'll that clinches it. Your sense of humor is definitely not
enhanced.""Our commitment ceremony is serious."
"Jim. They are our friends. They are happy for us. Besides, you knew
that Megan would have to get some kind of dig in. You two have been
verbally sparring since she came to town. Offering to give you a bridal
shower was not gay bashing. It was just more of her efforts to get your
goat. You should have taken her up on it. We need stuff."Jim sniffed. And a trace of a smile began to touch his sullen face.
"Damn. I missed a perfect opportunity, didn't I?"
"Well, there's always the bachelor party." Blair leaned over the back
of the chair and put his arms around Jim's neck."There is no way I'm letting the guys give us a bachelor party. They'll
hire some stripper and get us drunk and we'll be too hung over to enjoy
the ceremony.""Speaking from experience?"
"I know H."
"Yes, you do. H. has been one of our strongest supporters since we came
out at the station. He isn't going to do anything to ruin our
ceremony. Besides H. wouldn't know which sex stripper to hire. Face
it, Jim. You are just being paranoid because we are having dinner with
your father.""You're right."
"So stop sulking and let's take a shower together and I'll see what I
can do about cheering you up before we go to dinner.""It's a plan."
May, 2001
Dinner with Dad "Did he have to pick the snootiest restaurant in town?" Jim fussed with
his tie while he waited for maitre d' finish with the group ahead of them.Blair looked exceptionally debonair in his charcoal grey "court" suit, but
Jim wished that he'd left his hair down. There was something "corporate"
about Blair all tarted up this way."You're the one who won't go back to the country club."
"The valet insulted my truck."
"It's just as well we took a cab tonight," Blair muttered as Jim dealt
with the maitre d'."I heard that" Jim muttered back as they were being shown to the table
where William and Stephen Ellison waited.William Ellison stood and held out a hand to Blair.
"Good to see you, Blair. Great work on the child murder case."
Jim look sharply at his father. The last time they'd met William had
barely spoken to Blair. Since when did he keep up with Blair's cases?"Thank you, sir."
"I hear we have something else to celebrate," Stephen said after they were
all seated and the waiter left to get their drink orders."Yes, son, you were going to tell us about the commitment ceremony weren't
you?"Jim looked at Blair helplessly.
"How did you find out?" Blair asked. "Jim only asked me on my birthday.
We didn't tell anyone until this afternoon. We called you both to have
dinner to tell you."William smiled. Blair knew immediately where Jim got that devilish grin.
"I have my spies." Jim didn't doubt he did. "Boys, I know I've had my
doubts about your relationship, but the two of you have proven that you
can withstand even my interference." He waited for the waiter to put down
the drinks. He raised his glass to them. "Here's to your future. Now
have you thought about where to have this ceremony?"Jim swallowed the lump in his throat.
"I don't want to wait. But we can't do this any place formal at short
notice.""What about the gardens at the old homestead, Dad?" Stephen suggested.
"The roses should be in full bloom in a couple of weeks."We couldn't, " Blair stuttered. The Ellison house?
"Of course you can. I even know several caterers you can check out."
Blair looked to Jim. Jim nodded.
"Thank you, Dad."
May, 2001
Seriously, Jim, What Kind of Ceremony Do You Want to Have? 
When Jim made love to you, Blair thought, you held on for dear life,
because someone was going to end up sweaty, sticky and thoroughly
debauched. Blair was glad that he was on the lifetime plan.Pushing damp hair out of his eyes Blair observed Jim and decided the time
had come for a serious talk. Jim was doing the jaw clenching thing and
they had both just had mind blowing orgasms. Blair rolled over and
planted himself on Jim's chest."Talk or I start lecturing."
Jim gave Blair the evil eye but answered anyway.
"It's the ceremony."
"You don't want to marry me."
"No, that's not it. It's just Dad and Stephen want to give us a formal
garden wedding. They had caterers for us to call, photographers, places
to rent chairs, even.""And that's not what you had in mind."
"Not really. I just want a celebration of our commitment. Something a
little less...""Like what you went through with Carolyn?"
"Exactly."
"We don't have to invite that many people. Just our close friends and
family. We don't need a big catered affair. It's not like I don't
know that it's forever for us. I knew that about the time you threw me
up against the wall of my office.""I'm not wimping out of this ceremony."
"I never thought you were. You just got glassy eyed when William and
Stephen tried to turn this into something out of Town and Country. You
just have to tell them what you really want.""I want to elope."
"We don't have to elope. We're already living in sin."
"Oh, yeah."
"Besides, I want to smush cake in your face."
May, 2001
Are You Nuts? Give Jim Ellison a Bridal Shower? "Come on, Conner what's with wanting to give the guys a wedding shower?
Do they even do that sort of thing in Australia? And calling it Jim's
"bridal" shower was taking your life in your own hands," H waved half a
donut at Megan in the breakroom."In the time I've been loaned to Cascade PD, I've been invited to the
showers of at least eight officers and ten clerical people. Granted all
of those people were heterosexual, but the point is that their friends
organized showers for them whether the bride or the groom was the one
that worked at the precinct. Sandy and Jim deserve the same courtesy."H had the grace to be embarrassed.
"Can we at least do something --"
"I am not turning this into some sort of bachelor party. We're having
that at Simon's. I don't want any part of spoiling Jim's day.""They are planning to do this in a couple of weeks. They don't have
time for a registry and they have everything.""What's the one thing those two are always complaining about?" Megan
asked."Hot water!" they said together.
"A shower with the gift of new hot water heater from all of us," H
nodded. "Not bad, Conner. But can we at least have this shower as a
poker night?""Of course. You don't think I'm going to ask Jim to play some silly
game where he has to make words from his and Blair's names do you?"May, 2001
Wakeup Jim, You're Having a Nightmare William and Stephen Ellison had spared no expense to make this the
perfect day for Jim and Blair's commitment ceremony. Jim suspected that
his father had even had words with local clergy regarding the weather
demanding special dispensation. Jim wasn't sure that the church was
sympathetic to their cause.The garden looked as if professional landscapers had arranged for the
roses to bloom perfectly on cue. Rows of padded chairs were all
arranged so that no one was sitting in the sun. The buffet tent was
ready and the caterers were ready to serve immediately after the
ceremony. A beautiful 7 tier cake (with raspberry filling) with two
grooms on top waited to be cut.The photographer and videographer had a perfect day with perfect
lighting. There was even a dance floor and a band that covered Santana
very well.And where was Blair?
Currently he was being held between Garrett Kincaid and Lee Brackett who
were arguing over who knew how to use a man like Sandburg best.A BMW crashed through the buffet tent splattering cake across its
windshield. It came to a screeching halt. It's four doors opened and
four members of the Moral Majority descended upon the garden.Jim screamed in frustration and surged forward.
"Wake up, Jim, " Blair shook the distressed Sentinel awake. "Come on,
man, calm down. You're having a nightmare."Jim looked into the rumpled, yet adorable face of his guide and realized
that none of it had been real."That's it, Blair. I'm calling Dad and Stephen and explaining exactly
what we want for this commitment ceremony."Blair smiled at Jim gently and settled down to soothe Jim back to sleep.
Just as he though he had the older man settled, Jim startled him again.
"By the way, I'm having a least two armed guards on you at all times
until we get on the plane for the honeymoon."May, 2001
Arranging the Perfect Ceremony Jim loved it when the "professor" version of Blair came out of hiding.
He laid back on their bed and sighed in happy contentment watching Blair
in his wire frame glasses (and nothing else) going over the final
arrangements for the commitment ceremony, the reception and what little
Jim would tell him about the honeymoon."You must have put the fear of God into that wedding planner that
Stephen brought to that meeting you had with your father. This is
exactly the kind of ceremony we should have.""It was an interesting meeting," Jim agreed, deadpan.
Blair looked over his glasses.
"Okay, what did you do?"
Jim tried to look innocent and failed miserably.
"I just told the little Town and Country clone that I was not interested
in her fantasy bridal schemes. I told her that I had been through that
with my ex-wife and the marriage was over before her parents had
finished paying the bills.""And what did you tell your father?" Blair asked gently as he put the
paperwork aside and tucked his glasses into their case."I told my Dad that I appreciated all his enthusiasm for the ceremony,
but that we didn't need a society wedding. I think he was disappointed
that I cheated him out of another opportunity to control a chapter of my
life.""But he agreed to all of the plans?" Blair stretched out next to Jim
and began nuzzling."Every one of them."
"I am still amazed at how quickly you've put all this together." Blair
stepped up his teasing strokes."I'm not above using Dad and Stephen's money and influence to make these
arrangements." Was it getting warm?"I knew there had to be some flaw in your otherwise perfect character."
Blair leaned down and gently bit Jim's nipple.Jim was tired of talking. He palmed Blair's ass and pulled his Guide on
top of him."Speaking of perfect things --".
June, 2001
Discussion at a Bachelor Party "How did you find Naomi and get her here in time for the ceremony?"
Simon asked Jim.Jim reluctantly tore his eyes from his Guide who was dancing with Megan.
"That was easy. I contacted her before I asked Blair to marry me. I
started tracking her down months ago using Blair's address book and the
email accounts we have for her. When I finally got an answer, I
formally asked for Blair's hand.""I bet that went over well."
"You have no idea. She didn't think that "marriage" was appropriate for
her son. She didn't object to Blair sleeping with me, mind you. She
just didn't think the he should tie himself down.""You and Blair have been together for how long now?"
"I mentioned that."
"Did she bring up the cop thing?"
"For once she didn't mention the fact that I turned her son into a pig."
"She tends to forget her part in that change in profession, doesn't
she?""Conveniently. But she is here and she will be at the ceremony just
like my father.""He looks happy, Jim."
Blair had been flitting about the room all night talking to everyone
about the ceremony, complaining that Jim wouldn't tell him where they
were going on their "honeymoon". How was he supposed to pack if he
didn't know where he was going?"He has been great while I've been planning this ceremony. He's better
than prozac," Jim leered.Simon frowned at his detective and friend.
"Too much information, Jim."
"I'm going to claim my little anti-depressant and take him home. We've
got a big day coming up and we need our rest."Jim snagged Blair and pulled him away from the rest of the partiers.
"Say goodnight, Blair"
Blair looked up at Jim appraisingly and considered it. He smiled and
turned back to Simon's guests."Good night, Blair!"
June, 2001
Where There's A Will Jim knew that Blair had something on his mind. He wasn't exactly sulking.
But he had that "I'm thinking about lecturing you." look on his face.
Jim wanted to avoid the lecture. He tried to pull Blair into a cuddle.
Cuddles usually forestalled a lecture."I knew that somewhere you had some buried hostility toward your father."
"What has updating my will got to do with my father, Chief?" Damn,
lecture started."It's the timing. All of the planning for the commitment ceremony and
suddenly, we meet with your lawyer to make sure that all of our legal
paper work is up to date. Didn't we do this after I graduated from the
academy?""So?" Maybe if he nibbled on an ear?
"We have all the legal paper work that the state of Washington allows same
sex couples. Why did you change your will?" Nibbles didn't work. Let's
bring out the big guns. Try something mushy."I wanted you referred to as my life partner, not just by name."
"Oh." Score! Blair cuddles started.
"The new paper work is completely legal, but it also is a bit more open
about our relationship." Direct hit. Blair kisses!"And it has the added benefit of tweaking your father." Ooops. Lost
points. Be contrite."It does." Forgiveness nuzzles. You are so bad, Ellison.
"Did I ever tell you that I love it when you use this method to get me
into bed?" Huh??"I'm not clueless." Blair pounced and took what was his.
June, 2001
Wedding Breakfast "Wake up, sleepyhead. You have a big day ahead of you." Blair batted at
the thing teasing his nose. It was way too early."Come on, baby. I made coffee." A cup of fragrant brew was wafted near
his nose. Blair opened one eye and glared at Jim."Who are you calling "baby?""
Jim pouted.
"Seems to me, someone is forgetting what today is?"
Blair's eyes opened wide.
"What time is it?"
"Relax, Chief. It's only 7:30. I thought we'd have breakfast in bed,
which I've made." Jim indicated a laden tray on the night stand. "Then
we can have a leisurely shower before we head over to Dad's. The wedding
planner has everything under control. We just have to show up on time in
the proper attire. Our clothes for this afternoon are hanging in the
guest room.""You've spoken with Miss T&C this morning?" Blair was scrambling out of
bed and heading for the bathroom."Of course. I got her out of bed just on principle." Jim called after
Blair. Today was going to be wonderful.Blair returned to bed and examined the contents of his wedding breakfast.
He smiled."Scrambled eggs and toast."
"Same breakfast you made me that first morning."
"You called it a courtship ritual."
"I was right wasn't I?"
They shared a kiss across the tray.
June, 2001
William Ellison and Naomi Sandburg were sharing a glass of scotch while
Jim and Blair were getting into their clothes for the ceremony."Dutch courage, William?" Naomi asked.
"I could ask the same of you."
"I have no objections to my son being with another man."
"But you object to the cop."
"And you object to the man who made your son accept himself as a Sentinel."
William chuckled.
"We're still trying to protect them aren't we?"
"They are our little boys. Our babies."
"Do you think that Jim would ever believe that?"
"I think so. I've watched him with Blair. He needs to control things
himself to protect Blair. Blair handles it better though. He doesn't let
Jim get away with it.""Jim doesn't let me get away with it anymore, either." They put down
their glasses.Naomi linked her arm with William's and led him away from the liquor
cabinet and out into the garden that was simply laid out for the ceremony.
The wedding planner was with Stephen checking on final arrangements.
William had wanted a fancy reception but the boys had other ideas.The members of Major Crimes had arrived and were seated with Jim and
Blair's other friends. Simon Banks was helping Jim and Blair get dressed. Last
William heard, that help consisted of a lot of shouting.One thing William wouldn't budge on was the photographer. William wanted
more than a newspaper clipping of this ceremony.June, 2001
Jim and Blair stood before their friends and family dressed in their best
court suits. Blair was wearing his hair down and earrings in one ear.
Simon and Megan were standing as best people, similarly attired in suits.
An interfaith minister was the officiant."Jim and Blair are here to make a public declaration of their private
commitment of their lives to one another. Jim," the minister turned the
ceremony over to them. Jim took Blair's hands."Several years ago, we met and we each found something that we were
looking for," Jim began."And more than we ever hoped for, " Blair answered.
"We worked together, lived together, played together."
"And grew to love together."
"We've faced our share of demons."
"And found our own angels."
"We tried life separate."
"But we are no good apart."
"Today, as we have always been, we are one," they said together.
The minister took the rings from Simon.
"Jim and Blair have chosen to wear an outward symbol of their commitment."
He handed each of them a ring which they slipped on the other's left
hand.Jim looked into Blair's eyes.
"Take this ring as a promise and pledge of my love. I will protect you
all the days of my life and to listen to your guidance for you are my
heart and my soul."Blair repeated his own vow.
"Take this ring as a promise and pledge of my love. I will guide you all
the days of my life for you are my heart and my soul.""These two have pledged their commitment to one another before you.
Ladies and Gentleman, Jim and Blair," the minister concluded.June, 2001
Dancing The reception was not the formal party William Ellison had in mind. If
anything this resembled some crazy luau! But everyone was having a good
time. Stephen was still with the wedding planner. Interesting. Didn't
think she would have been his type.Jim and Blair were enjoying the rare opportunity to slow dance together.
William watched them dance by and hoped that they were always as happy as
they were today."I'll have you know I'm only allowing you to lead because you're taller,"
Blair pouted."Of course, dear."
"Who picked the music for this party?"
"I did, dear."
"Are you humoring me?"
"Yes, dear."
"You still won't tell me where we're going on our honeymoon?"
"No, dear."
"What about packing?"
"You don't need much. Just something to wear on the plane. A robe to
greet the room service waiter. Lube, condoms, massage oil...""Headache tablets." Blair deadpanned.
Jim laughed. He kissed Blair thoroughly to the delight of the
photographer who was still snapping candids."Yum. You still taste of smushed cake. Don't worry. Everything is taken
care of. I packed for you. We're going someplace safe and warm. No
terrorists, no earthquakes, no volcanos, good weather predicted, excellent
hotel, hot and cold running room service, all of our enemies are accounted
for, our case load is up to date and Simon promises not to call.""So, we're going someplace with phones?"
"Give it up, Chief."
"So when do we leave?"
"As soon we've danced to some Santana. I know you were the one who told
the DJ not to play any.""Would I do that?"
"Yes, dear."
June, 2001
"How did you pick this place for a honeymoon?" Blair asked as they
checked in after their first class flight and limo ride to this very
expensive hotel. Their luggage had been sent ahead."That's the Presidential Suite, Mr. Ellison. Your luggage has already
been taken upstairs. Everything is as you requested," the desk clerk was
most respectful. "Alan will show you to your suite." A smartly uniformed
young man answered the desk clerk's summons.Jim waited until they were on the elevator before answering Blair.
"I threw a dart at a map."
"You left the choice of our honeymoon to the throw of a dart?"
"I'm very good with darts."
"So, this is where you wanted to come?"
Jim glared at Blair.
"You know what I mean."
Jim didn't say a word.
They followed the bellman off the elevator to the suite.
The bellman unlocked the suite and stepped back.
"Thank you," Jim dismissed the young man and tipped him generously.
Blair was impressed with the suite, but was still a bit miffed over the
whole honeymoon issue."What's all of this?" Blair checked out the array of supplies that were
arranged in the dressing room."Just your basics for two weeks for survival for the two of us. First aid
kits, that sort of thing.""We aren't planning to leave the room, Jim. Why to we need survival
gear?""I'm playing the odds, Blair. I know our luck."
"I understand."
"What else does this suite have?"
"A very big bed. A jacuzzi tub big enough for both of us. Full bar.
Room Service twenty-four hours a day. The maid only comes when called.
Did I mention the bed?" Jim snuggled up behind Blair and wrapped his arms
around him."I hope you remembered to bring lube."
Jim stiffened.
"You did remember lube?" Blair's voice cracked.
Jim laughed.
"Would I forget to bring my own lube to Little Rock, Arkansas?"
June, 2001
The French Quarter
"And you laughed at me for the four Moral Majority members in the BMW!"
Jim was nearly hysterical over Blair's dream of their adventure in Little
Rock. "The Presidential Suite? Oh give me a break."Blair lay back on the sinfully soft 250 thread count sheets and fluffy
feather pillows and sipped his French champagne."I had no idea where we were going. We were on a private jet with a bed.
I fell asleep after being initiated into the mile high club. By the way,
just where did you get the money for this honeymoon? I thought we were
honest cops?""We are honest cops. Why do you insist on ignoring the Ellison money?"
"It's your Dad's money."
"Actually, it's mine."
"Huh?"
"Trust fund. Decided to use the insane amount of money Grandpa Ellison
gave me when I was born.""Oh," Blair was speechless.
"Don't worry, I only intend to spend it on things you can't resist like
those dusty old books we saw in that antique bookstore this afternoon and
spoiling you rotten. We wander around the French Quarter in New Orleans
and we still end up in a bookstore! You could have at least taken me to a
good gay bar.""You are the one that wanted to leave a four star hotel suite and go
sightseeing," Blair said coyly.Jim took the champagne flute away from him and set it on the bedside
table."The sights in this room are all I want to see." He kissed Blair tasting
the wine and Blair's own unique flavor. Blair moaned, wanting this man
yet again.Jim's hands stole down Blair's naked body. Blair arched toward Jim.
"This is the way all my dreams should end," Blair whispered.
"End, Chief? This is just the beginning."
THE END
Dedicated to all of my Senad Listsibs
June, 2001