A Christmas Coincidence - 11. Epilogue

***The Last Week Of August***

Julie looked like she could deliver any day now and would tell you she also felt like it. As planned, Trevor and Ben moved into the Victorian manor a couple of weeks after the first of the year, and they pampered the castle's queen.

Brett and Vincent were all settled in the Cape Cod. Before moving in, the couple decided to throw caution to the wind and see what living together full-time would be like. After all, either one could move to the cottage if they discovered they weren't ready. It turned out that their move was delayed due to a flood in the townhouse's lower level when a pipe burst while Brett was spending the weekend at Vincent's. So, instead of February, they moved back to Newport between May and June.

The blended family eagerly awaited the birth of the twins, a boy and a girl, who were to be named Nathan Elijah Morgan-Wakefield and Julia Autumn Morgan-Wakefield. Shortly after learning of the pregnancy, Trevor and Julie told their family they decided to be married at city hall by the presiding judge because they wanted to hold off on a formal wedding until after their babies were born and have an extravagant ceremony in the Summer of the following year.

Sunday morning, just as dawn broke, illuminating the sky, Brett carefully walked up the steps to the master bedroom, carrying a tray with Vincent's birthday breakfast. He quietly opened the door, set the tray on the dresser, then opened the curtains and windows to let the early morning warm, late Summer breeze in and chase away the night's stale air. Next, the smiling redhead stepped over to the bed, leaned over, and softly kissed his boyfriend's forehead. "Time to rise and shine, my handsome birthday boy," he said in a light sing-song tone.

Vincent remained asleep on his side, cuddling his mate's pillow.

Moving to the foot of the bed, the slightly older man knelt down on the oriental rug, then lightly grasped the pair of ankles resting on top of the bed sheets and gently pulled the legs straight so the soft, pale soles faced him. The slumbering brunette's toes twitched. The left big toe lightly scratched along the ball joint of his right foot, causing him to squirm a little and softly giggle. The broad of Brett's warm tongue slowly licked up and down the creamy bare soles while his fingertips lightly stroked along the edges and tops of the wiggly feet and toes. Then, leaning on the bed, the redhead licked his lips and began suckling each toe and slipping his tongue between them. Giggles and squeals floated into the room from Vincent's mouth as his eyes blinked and his senses awakened. He squirmed, and his legs pulled against the hold his lover had on his ankles.

"Good morning, birthday boy. Time for you to face the first day of your third decade on the planet."

Vincent was about to respond, but instead of words, vibrant, high-pitched laughter came out of him because his boyfriend's fingernails lightly strummed up and down the length of his soles, and after another minute of tickles, he cried out, "Ok! I'm up. Uncle!"

Brett released his giggling mate, crawled onto the bed, and kissed Vincent's soft lips.

"I love you, babe. Happy Birthday!"

Vincent wrapped his arms around the smiling man, pulled him into a warm embrace, and returned the kiss.

"I love you more, my amazing lover."

The pair separated, and when Vincent returned from the bathroom, Brett placed the tray with his breakfast over his lap.

"Aren't ya gonna join me, babe?"

"Nah, not this time. I've gotta get back downstairs and make sure everything's ready for when everyone gets here in a few hours."

"What did I ever do to deserve you?"

"Not sure, but it must've been awesome, and I must've done something equally impressive to deserve you, my beautiful guy."

When the family arrived, Vincent was showered with love-filled hugs, kisses, and wishes for a happy birthday. His boyfriend gave him two presents that tied for the second most meaningful. The first of his presents was the teddy bear in the picture that was now on their end table in the living room. Brett found someone who specialized in restoring old stuffed animals to their former glory, then preserved them in a decorative box so they could be displayed. The second present was an engagement ring and proposal, which, after shedding a river of tears and remembering how to form words, he wasted no time in accepting.

Julie was the one to give him the most meaningful gift anyone could ever give him in his lifetime. After the cake was eaten and gifts were given, her water broke, and six hours later, the newest family members were born.