A Christmas Coincidence - 5. Chapter 5

Trevor walked into the living room and stood gazing at Brett and Vincent. He could feel their blossoming love for one another, and a hopeful joy overflowed his heart with thoughts of the promising and prosperous future for the two men, Julie and himself. He softly chuckled, and his youthful, love-filled eyes sparkled with playfulness as he said, "Wow! Hey, Brett, don't you think you should start with a handshake when meeting someone for the first time. And for Pete's sake, don't just stand there like a statue with the door open, heating the outside. Do you think I'm made of money?"

The red and dark-haired men's response of two erect middle fingers while maintaining their embrace had the younger couple holding their stomachs while laughing like hyenas.

"I'm sooo tickling the crap outta my brother," Brett whispered while giggling.

"Julie's totally due for some tickles also. I can already tell I'm gonna love having Trevor as a little brother," Vincent whispered into Brett's ear. "Babe, my heart is soaring right now."

"So is mine, Vin. It's joined with yours in the clouds, and I feel the same about Julie."

The older couple held hands as they walked inside, followed by Julie, who shut the door. The Wakefields shed their coats and pulled their boots off, leaving the winter wear on the railing and at the coat closet door.

The eldest two of the three men looked at their beloved siblings, then after a synced head nod, Brett and Vincent said, "Trev, Jules, this is my boyfriend, Brett, Vincent." Next, they faced each other and said, Babe, this is my little brother, sister, Trevor, Julie."

Julie and Trevor began coughing from laughing so much at their brothers' antics, after which the four adults opened their arms and embraced the one who wasn't their sibling and partner. They moved to the family room, with Brett and Vincent on the love seat and Julie perched on Trevor's lap in one of the armchairs. The couples fell into a comfortable and leisurely conversation, sipping coffee, sharing stories with various degrees of embarrassment, and laughing as the ones not related started getting to know each other.

"Okay, you two, out with it,' Brett said as he gazed at and pointed to his brother and Julie.

"Yeah, you goofballs cooked up this plot to get all of us together. When did it dawn on you that your older brothers were in a relationship?"

"I put it together when Brett sent me your pic," Trevor said.

"And, what's up with the rings you're both sporting,' Brett asked.

"Don't either of you think of lying," Vincent said with a smirk. "Your big brothers have built-in bullshit detectors, and we can hold the two of you down and tickle you until you give in."

"Oh, yeah? That's big talk. You two are no match for me and Julie," Trevor shot back at the older men while giggling.

Julie grinned and said, "Babe, your delivery needs work. Threats are so much more effective when there's no giggling." She kissed her giggly mate and continued, "Trev and I can sooo kick both your old asses all the way to Vermont and back."

Vincent's eyes narrowed as he grinned, then dove onto the floor in front of the armchair the couple sat in, wrapped his arm around his sister's and Trevor's ankles that were side by side, and rapidly strummed his manicured nails up and down the sock-covered soles.

"Hey, that's not in the rules," Trevor hollered as he squirmed in the chair, laughing while his toes curled inside the cotton socks.

"Not the nails," Julie squealed. Her high-pitched laughter blended with her fiance's as her hands hit the arms of the chair, and her leg struggled to get free.

"Just proving a point, dear siblings," Vincent said, chuckling. He stopped tickling and returned to his seat.

Brett said, "Now, you two wanna try answering again? Next time, both feet get tickled by your brothers."

"I love your brother,' Julie and Trevor said to each other as they giggled and kissed.

"Aww, you two are adorable," Vincent said. "Now, out with it before Brett and I are forced to pull out the big noogie guns."

"I proposed to Julie last week."

"It wasn't planned this way, but you two are the last to find out."

"Grandma, Grandpa, Mama, and Papa Wakefield were already acquainted, and your parents absolutely love having Ben for their first grandchild, and he's taken to them just as quickly."

"We're overjoyed for you two, and welcome to the family," Brett and Vincent said as each one hugged and kissed their future in-law, then switched to their birth sibling.

"We're planning a wedding between June, July, or August," Trevor said.

"After New Year's, Trev and Ben are moving into the Victorian with me. That's part of why we'd love it if our brothers came home. Brett, you and Trevor already own this house and the cottage out back, and Vince, you could either live in the cottage or in the house with Brett," Julie said.

Trevor got up, went to the kitchen, opened a bottle of white wine, filled four glasses, and handed them out before sitting in the unoccupied chair.

"Bro, you'd make your nephew the happiest boy alive by moving home. Ben loves you and was so excited about your visit that he woke me up at six. When I tried to get him to leave, the little prankster threw the covers off of me and tickled my feet until I trapped and tickled him into giving in. Guys, he's already thirteen and won't be a kid forever. Do the two of you want to wake up one day asking where the time went and why you weren't there for the big and little events that shape a young person's life? Also, there will be future children who will love their uncles just as much as their big brother."

"Holy fuckin' guilt trip, Batman," Brett and Vincent exclaimed. Their chuckles mixed with their brother's and sister's giggles.

"Just so you know, if either of you don't make the right decision, you'll both be tackled, hogtied, and your feet will be tickled while we sing "The Twelve Days Of Christmas," off key and out of tempo," Julie said with a grin.

"With socks," Brett asked.

Trevor licked his lips and said, "Without socks, and we're not above using Sonic toothbrushes and hairbrushes."

Vincent and Brett gulped as they visibly shivered and squirmed.

"Well, Babe? What's your thoughts?"

Vincent pulled his boyfriend back against his chest and played with the soft red locks. "Honestly, Brett, I don't see any reason to stay in Boston. I'm a self-employed physical therapist, and you've got your own tax business, so there's nothing professional keeping us there."

"The idea of being with our growing and blended family is most appealing, and I don't want to miss any more of my nephew's life."

"Let us know when you move, and we'll start the process of coming home," Vincent said after getting a smile and nod from his mate.

Cheers and laughter filled the room as the rims of glasses clinked together.

"Let's go check out the cottage. I'm interested in seeing it because it wasn't here when I left," Brett said.

Close to an hour later, the guys and Julie walked back into the main house, brimming with ideas for decor and excitement about the near future. Everyone got another glass of wine. Julie and Trevor set out a plate of meats, crackers, and cheeses as they settled into the family room for more talking and bonding time.

"Other than his feet, does Vinnie have any other ticklish spots?"

"Don't you dare, Jules," Vincent playfully growled.

Trevor and Julie laughed when Brett covered his boyfriend's mouth with his hand. They laughed even harder when the redhead jumped and yelped because Vincent licked his palm. The playful brunette also caused the thirty-year-old man's boyish squeals and giggles when he tickled his spine.

"C'mon, big bro. I'll answer your man's question, and you can reveal the same thing to Trev."

"But that's not fair because the info's not equal in quality," Vincent whined.

"Brett, Vin's actually pretty ticklish just about everywhere."

"What? How's that? I've constantly tried spots on his entire body."

"The catch is that the reaction time is very short and depends on how distracted he is. My brother can resist laughing when tickled as long as he knows it's coming. If he's not expecting it or is distracted by one or more things, he laughs and squirms like crazy, but only until he can focus and block the ticklish sensation. However, his feet are the only exception because he's never been able to keep from reacting when he's tickled there."

"Looks like I'm gonna have some fun planning for future attacks, my sexy boy," Brett said. He giggled and kissed his blushing guy's cheek.

"Trev, unfortunately, her feet are my sister's only known tickle spot. Unless you've been able to discover other spots, not able to be tickled in public like your brother's found on me." He glared at Julie, who suddenly became excited and smiled. "No! You will not be told what spot Brett discovered."

"That's okay, Bro. I'm not interested in your private ticklish spots. I think it's cute that your sexy mate's found one."

Brett giggled and said, "You'd think it was even cuter if you saw this burly guy's boyish reaction when his secret spot is accessed."

Their brother and sister shook with laughter when Brett's shrieking laughs filled the room because his stomach and belly button were under a massive tickle attack orchestrated by Vincent.

"Alright, person I don't know, tickling Uncle Brett. Who are you, and what are your intentions with my ticklish and giggly uncle?"

Everyone turned and giggled at the sight of Ben, standing behind them with his hands on his hips and a stare drilling a hole into the brunette male he didn't know.

"Wow! Trev, where did you find this young man," Julie asked as she stood up and embraced the teenager. "He's handsome enough to be a GQ model." She smiled and said, "Ben, the guy tickling your uncle is my brother, Vincent. He and Uncle Brett are boyfriends."

Ben walked up to Vincent, looked him up and down, and said, "We'll see about that. First, he's gotta get my approval. I'm the Uncle Brett protector."

No one could stop laughing.

"Okay, Mama Julie's brother and my future Uncle Vincent. Are you planning on loving my Uncle Brett? Will you give him all the hugs, kisses, and tickles he requires to maintain the healthy lifestyle he leads? Do you think you'll ever cheat on him, abuse him, or make him wear a neon pink leotard with bright purple leg warmers and orange ballet slippers? If the answer is yes to the leotard and legwarmers, I'd love a picture."

Brett growled as he tried to grab his nephew.

"Nope, no roughhousing with the Ben. Not after I took so much time to get myself looking decent for my engagement tonight."

Vincent was laughing too hard to respond. Finally, when the laughter subsided, he said, "I love your Uncle Brett. There may be times when we'll both accidentally hurt one another's feelings, but none of those times will be caused on purpose. As for cheating on or abusing Brett, the answer is no. I'd never do anything like that to cause my beautiful mate such unbearable pain or sorrow." He chuckled and added, "The leotard and legwarmers are negotiable."

Ben nodded, then opened his arms and said, "The last test is seeing if your hugs are filled with enough love to keep Uncle Brett and your future nephew happy and feeling loved."

Vincent stood up and engulfed the teenager in one of his most loving and heartfelt bear hugs that lifted the giggling boy off the floor.

"How'd I do, great protector of Uncle Brett?"

"You're totally my new Uncle Vincent."

When he was back on his feet, Ben wrapped his arms around Vincent and stood on his toes to kiss his cheek. Next, he embraced and kissed Brett, followed by his dad and Julie. His phone alerted him to a text message, and after viewing it, he said, "That's my ride. I'll be home later tonight. I love you guys."

Trevor and Julie smiled as they embraced Brett and Vincent and kissed their cheeks.

"We love you guys," Trevor said.

"Why don't you two take advantage of an empty house," Julie asked. "Trevor and I are going to my place to have some time together before we take you two to dinner."

"Wait! I don't have anything suitable to wear for dinner," Vincent said.

"Don't worry, bro. We'll be back in time to bring you something to wear," Julie paused and chuckled. "I promise, it won't be a pink leotard with purple leggings."