NED

"We won't take up much more of your time," Ned said, remembering how late it was and how she had probably been on her way to bed. "Thank you for talking to us."

"Yeah, thank you so much," Sam agreed.

Jeanie just grinned, still holding The Gregor with bright shiny eyes. "No, I should really be thanking you. This is... well, this is the most wonderful Christmas gift I could've ever received. I wish I had something—Oh! Wait here!"

She disappeared inside and Sam leaned over to whisper, "Are you okay letting him go?"

Ned nodded. "I told The Gregor I'd take him home and I did."

"How does it feel? To be done?"

"It feels strange..." Ned didn't know how to describe it. He was having so much fun. This journey was one of the most exciting times of his life and with it being over meant it couldn't continue. All the laughs had been had. The romance had been created. It was all encapsulated now and he couldn't go back to experience it for the first time again. Ned smiled a little. "It kind of makes me eager for the next adventure."

"Me too." Sam nudged him.

"It's not much!" Jeanie said, arriving back at the door. She handed them a candy cane each. "But it's all I have. Merry Christmas, boys."

"Merry Christmas," they said, and Ned hugged her goodbye. She watched them walk down the path towards their parents. Ned glanced back as she was waving goodbye. Ned waved to her, but his eyes caught the reflection in The Gregor's sunglasses. He waved goodbye at the gnome for the final time too.

They arrived back at the cars, noticing the crowd had dispersed. It was just their two families again. Just like it was at the very start. Ned gave Sam a smile before he let his hand go. The air turned serious as he faced Sam's mom, trying to tough up his skin. He said, "Um, Mrs. Hayes—"

"Not tonight, Ned," she said, holding her hand up to him. "We'll talk, but not tonight. I just wanna get my kids home."

Ned swallowed his comment and just nodded. He watched the Hayes family pile into the family car, his eyes trained on Sam. It didn't feel like a goodbye forever this time. He was more confident than ever to watch him go, knowing they'd be together again soon. Ned's mom appeared by his side and patted his back. He met her eyes, and it was comforting to not see disapproval like usual. The gesture alone was enough.

Margaret however didn't immediately go.

Tucking her hair behind her ears, she approached John. "Um," her voice quieter than Ned had ever heard. He didn't even know she had the capacity for softer tone. "Thanks John. For um, everything. It was fun. Kind of. Well, not terrible."

John smiled brighter than the streetlamps. "You're welcome, Margaret."

"Maggie," she mumbled.

"Hm?"

"Maggie."

"What did you—"

"MAGGIE!" She shouted and Ned thought this made more sense. "You can call me Maggie, okay?! Whatever. I'm leaving. Bye John." Her entire face burned the brightest red color that Ned had ever seen before.

John laughed and waved. "Bye Maggie!"

She nodded and scurried into the back of the car with Sam, who looked at her like he knew exactly what was going on. They drove off and Ned waved at Sam looking through the back window. He was watching his boyfriend. His boyfriend. Sam Hayes was his boyfriend.

"Can we go home now?" Ned's mom asked.

"Let's go," Ned agreed and took a step for John's car, but his mother snatched his hoodie and tugged.

"You're riding with us. We have a lot to talk about."

Ned didn't argue. He needed to save his strength. He got into the car and they talked the entire way home and a few more hours after that, until Ned realized he would officially be up twenty-four hours from Lena forcing to get up and jog with him yesterday.

The punishment was not severe.

And they even granted Ned the liberty of leaving the house the next afternoon.

#

Ned stood at the bottom of the Hayes family porch, staring up at the door. He already made it here. No going back now. Ned climbed up the stairs, every body part sore from yesterday. Even his skin ached.

He walked up to the front door.

And knocked.

Holding his breath, Ned quickly tried fixing his clothes and his hair. He might look like a mess, but he was confident in his mind. He was sure about how he felt.

Margaret opened the door, still her pajamas. She raised a brow. "Wow. That was quick. Do you want me to get Sam?"

"Um, no." Ned took a deep cooling breath. His face was already hot. His palms sweaty. He just had to breathe. "I'm actually here for your mom."

"Oh." Her brows raised. "Hold on..." She actually left the door wide open. Ned's curiosity got the best of him as he leaned to the side to catch never before seen details of the Hayes's house. It looked more normal than Ned had always imagined. Family pictures freckling the wall. Fresh flowers on console table.

Strolling down the stairs, Sam's mom appeared, freshly showered and like she didn't get nearly enough sleep last night. She didn't say anything until she arrived at the door and crossed her arms. "Hello Ned."

"Hi, Mrs. Hayes..." Ned smiled awkwardly, unable to stop himself from fussing with his hands. "Can I talk to Sam?"

"You're not messing with him?" She posed.

Ned opened his mouth to quickly answer. He was ready this time, but from the top of the stairs there was a loud bang and the house rattled as Sam came running down the steps. He stopped dead in his tracks, wide-eyed at his mother and Ned at the door. His mother didn't flinch, still watching Ned.

Ned looked her right in the eyes and shook his head. "No, ma'am. I promise to take good care of Sam."

Sighing, Mrs. Hayes leaned against the doorway. "You flipped pretty fast. You gave him up and then, you immediately started dating again? Sam told me everything. If I were him, I'd feel a little dizzy from that whiplash."

Ned laughed nervously, but quickly got serious again. She had to hear it, how much this meant to him. How much Sam meant to him. Ned wasn't a good enough liar to fake being sincere. She had to know. "I guess it wasn't long, but I knew the second I let him go that I never wanted to do that ever again and um, I don't think that makes me special. I feel like if anyone lost the greatest thing in their life, they'd do anything to get it back too."

"I still don't like your mother." Mrs. Hayes's grimace deepened.

"That's fair, but I'm not her."

She looked at him a few moments longer before moving to the side. She walked deeper into the house, telling Sam as she passed. "Go talk to him. You're still grounded, but you two should talk."

#

SAM

Grinning, Sam jumped the last few steps and ran after his mother, throwing his arms around her. "Thank you!"

She sighed but hugged him back. "Love you, baby."

"Love you too!" Sam didn't test his luck. He dashed through the front door, slamming it behind him and in the same motion, snatched up Ned's hand. On instinct, he started for the lawn, so they could talk in private, but Ned pulled him back.

They stood on the steps.

Sam looked up at Ned.

Ned looking down at Sam like he was a present underneath the tree.

Ned said, his voice sweeter than honey. His thumbs rubbing the rise and fall of Sam's knuckles. "Thank you. Despite everything. For everything. Just everything."

"I should thank you," Sam said, grabbing the end of Ned's jacket and pulling him to stand just a little closer. "I found your present for me, The Phantom Tollbooth."

"Oh!" A blush slapped across Ned's cheeks, and he was suddenly too flustered to make whatever grand speech he had planned. He rubbed the back of his neck, shrinking into something as sweet and small as a little mouse and Sam just cheesed wider. "Uh, it's just something I wanted to do. I know you hate Christmas, but um I wanted you to have it."

Sam smiled. "It's the best. I love it. I don't think I'll ever read from another copy."

Ned smiled back. He leaned down and kissed Sam. Sam raised to his toes as he brought his hand around Ned's neck for more kisses.

Sam had grown tired of lying.

Because what was the point of having a boyfriend if you couldn't tell him absolutely everything. Sam loved Ned Flowers with all his heart.

He loved Ned's mind and the way it complicated everything, bringing tiny details out much larger stories and making them matter. He loved the way Ned's hair fell and how he barely had control over his noodle arms. Sam loved the way Ned Flowers made him feel. This was everything Sam ever wanted and maybe more.

#

THE GREGOR

This story was essentially about Ned who got stood up.

But essentially, this story was also about everything before, about everything in-between, and everything at the very happy end. It was about the people who love us. About friendships and families and the people we sometimes kiss in bathroom stalls. It was about misunderstandings, second chances, and being a human disaster.

More importantly, it was about me.

A little lawn gnome who had no business going on such a grand adventure.

And Ned didn't know it, but this adventure was not over. It even extended to next Christmas, when Gregory Hines came home to find a familiar friend sitting on his mother's mantel piece and after all this time, I finally got to see that smile again.

I take everything I said about Ned Flowers back.

With whatever lasts of my magic, I hope Ned Flowers leads a charmed life. 

AUTHOR'S NOTE

IT'S OVER 😭😭😭😭

I can't believe it. On May 13th 2022, I have finally updated the last chapter of NED GETS STOOD UP. I pitched it as Love Actually meets Take Me Home Tonight. I wanted to write a madcap queer romcom that was something fantastical and fun. I hope you all had a good time reading. 

It ends with a POV from The Gregor and I have nothing but questions for you all! Did you have a favorite moment while reading? Who was your favorite character? Your favorite couple? I must know! 

Also, I have plans to Edit this book and keep rewriting it, so if you have anything you'd like to see worked on or changed or expanded let me know! 

And! If you liked this book, check out my other two! This means all the books on my profile are completed!! LOOK OUT TOMORROW FOR MY NEXT BOOK: THE MONSTER MASH