“Can I dance naked to ‘Good King Wenceslas’?” Felix demanded, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Whatever makes you happy, baby.” Claybourne swayed them from side to side.
“Best. Christmas. Ever!” Felix said, snuggling close to his mate.
Felix knew that they would have ups and downs, but he also knew he would never again doubt the love of the man in his arms. He would never doubt this gift ever again.
Chapter Four
Damian
Dec 22nd Morning
“Everyone is at the diner avoiding you,” Damian said crossly, as he watched his best friend pick at imaginary lint.
“That’s a mean thing to say,” Rian argued.
“It’s true! You’re driving everyone out of the house, including Sebastian who could give birth any day now.”
“I need everything to be perfect.”
Damian’s eyes went to the stockings hanging on the fireplace mantel. The names written in childish handwriting seemed out of place with the elaborate decorations.
“Rian, no matter what, our families aren’t coming back. When are you going to accept that?”
“Never!” Rian turned his back to his friend.
“I’m heading to the diner to be with my friends and grab lunch. I hope you take this time alone, in your perfect world, to think about what matters most.” Damian slammed the door behind him when he walked out.
Rian collapsed to the floor and stared at the room before him. Itwasperfect. From the drapes to the table runner. If it was so perfect, why did it feel so wrong? It was quiet. It had been a long time since the house was this quiet. Back when Liam’s father ran the pride it was a common occurrence, but not recently. Not his with his misfits living here. He didn’t like it growing up and he didn’t like it now.
He got up and looked around the room. He couldn’t put his finger on what was missing. He had made sure that the napkin rings matched the candelabra. The punch bowl sparkled. Thelights in the chandelier dimmed. The tree was a work of art, each bulb perfectly spaced apart.
Throwing up his arms in frustration he went to sit down on the sofa and remembered last minute he had just vacuumed it. In his effort to preserve his slip cover he missed the sofa and hit the floor. He looked up and grinned, only to realize he was alone. There was no one there to razz him. He finally figured out what was missing. His friends.
He jumped to his feet and grabbed his coat. You could have the most beautifully decorated house in the world, but that is all it would remain. A house. What made it a home was friends and family and that’s what he wanted most. A home. He hoped that his friends would forgive him for the way he had been acting lately. Smiling, he headed out to the diner to eat lunch with his family.
Chapter Five
Sebastian
Dec 22nd Afternoon
“Hey, Doc, how are the newest citizens of Arkadia?” Sebastian asked when he saw Doc and Felix walk in the door the next morning. From Felix’s glow he figured that the two of them had worked things out. He felt relieved. He had hated seeing his best friend so hurt.
“The boys are doing well. Both mother and babies are just fine,” Doc assured everyone.
“I can’t wait to see them!” Rebecca said, enthusiastically before turning to Madison.
“Say cheese!” Rebecca grinned and snapped a picture before turning to Connor. “Your turn.” Connor grinned at his sister and Sebastian heard the click of the camera.
“Rebecca, what in the hell is up with all the pictures?” Felix asked.
Sebastian listened in, because he was curious too.
“Not tellin’.” Rebecca turned to Rex and Talon. Both men hammed it up for the camera. Rebecca giggled and asked them to flex. Laughing, the men complied. Aleks growled from the counter.
Sebastian laughed and then groaned as the pain in his back tightened.
