Cards on the Table - 59. Chapter 59 Christmas Cards

Cards on the Table

 

 

Chapter 59

 

 

Kendall was startled awake by a shrouded figure silhouetted in the murky darkness of the room. “Nate?”

“Yeah… sor… sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I was just... never mind,” a faltering voice whispered back.

“What's going on? I thought you were sleeping on the other side of your uncle. Are you okay? Nightmare again?”

A groan from Michael preceded Nate’s response.

“No… not… no nightmare. I couldn’t sleep. Um… what time are we getting up? It’s… ah, it’s Christmas Day, remember?”

“Nate, what are you doing? We know what day it is, now get back in bed or go to your own room,” Michael grumbled, his words thick with sleep. He raised his head and peered past Kendall. “It’s still dark for Pete’s sake, and we said daylight when you asked yesterday.”

“I know. Sorry, but there is some light out now.”

Kendall chuckled and then yawned. “That doesn’t count as daylight.”

“Yeah, it does, but you have to get up and look out the window to see it.”

Kendall held back from asking whether this had to do with their promise he could see Bodie later that morning, upon detecting the sad and childlike tone in Nate’s voice. He’d wondered how the boy would feel on his first Christmas without his parents and sisters, and now he knew. “Move over, Michael.”

“Huh?” He had laid his head back down.

“Move over so Nate can fit in.”

“What’s wrong?” Michael shifted and started to rise up again.

“Nothing… nothing’s wrong,” Nate quickly answered. “I’ll just….”

“Michael, move over and go back to sleep. “Nate, get in.”

“I’m okay, Unc. I’ll go to my room and wait. I won’t get up until Grams does.”

“Nate… I told you. Get. In.” He pulled open the covers, and Nate, after a slight hesitation, slid in, still wrapped in his blanket. “Okay, talk.”

“About what?” he said in a barely heard voice.

“Anything. Your mom and dad. Lacey… Kelsey?” Kendall waited.

“I hope Kelsey’s ears are all right. It would suck if she couldn’t enjoy Christmas, and sometimes her infections return right after she gets better. Last year she was so funny to watch, opening her presents and running around. Ah, I should stop talking… I don’t want to wake Uncle Mike again. He’s grumpy.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’s sound asleep. Once he knows there’s no crisis, he can sleep through anything. You know it’s okay to be thinking of your family and missing them, right?”

“I know. It’s weird, though, not to be waking up with them today. Lots of my friends… my ex-friends… they couldn’t stand being around their little brothers and sisters, but mine are pretty cool. Lacey’s only nine, well, ten soon, but we could talk sometimes. She’s really funny once she gets going.”

“What would you talk about?”

“Oh, just stuff. Movies, music, video games… she’s getting pretty good with one-shooter games, although Mom doesn’t know she plays them, and I don’t tell on her. She got bored with her kid games a long time ago. She’ll be better than me one day.”

“That’s easy. I’m better than you.” Kendall felt the boy’s shoulders shake, and he smiled in the darkness.

“No way. You suck big time.”

“Yes, he does,” Michael muttered, before sighing and turning over.

Kendall sighed too, a long one. “Ignore him.” He’d caught Michael’s meaning, but hoped Nate hadn’t.

After a few seconds’ silence, Nate’s giggles dashed his hope. “Not in front of the child, Uncle Mike.”

Nate’s admonition was met with a grunt.

“I give up.” Kendall reached over and ruffled Nate’s hair. “So, did you eat breakfast first, or open your presents?”

“Eat breakfast, except for one year. Kelsey was crying because she wanted the doll she saw in the living room, so Mom let us all have one present before we ate. Kelse was only a baby then. Dad always gets the fire started in the wood stove when he goes downstairs, and then we’re allowed to go straight by the living room and into the kitchen. My mom shields the doorway so we can’t peek. It’s fun. You haven’t seen Kelse for a while, but man can she talk… and talk… and talk.” He giggled again.

“It shouldn’t be all that long before we see them again. The time is going to fly by.”

“I know. And I’ll talk to them in a few hours. For sure they’re still sleeping.” Nate yawned and the last part trailed off. Kendall smiled when his breathing evened out. The boy was fast asleep. He eased himself sideways and wrapped an arm around Michael. A hand gripped his forearm, and that connection was all he needed to join the other two in slumber.

 

“So, what was that about?” Michael’s breath tickled the back of Kendall’s neck.

“I think you know.”

“Yeah, I do. He misses them.”

“It’s his first Christmas away. He didn’t really want to get up… he was just restless and needed to talk. It made him feel closer to them.” Nate had left their room a few minutes earlier, after a couple more hours of solid sleep. Colleen could be heard in the kitchen. “We should get moving.”

“Yeah, we should. Merry Christmas, Deuce.”

Kendall spun in Michael’s embrace. “Merry Christmas, Ace. Love you.”

“Ditto. You realize next Christmas we’ll be dealing with diapers and bottles and stuff.”

“Um hmmm. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too. He’s going to get a lot of attention from our families. Maybe we can avoid the diaper part.”

Kendall chuckled as he stared into deep dark blue. “Wake up, Sunshine. You’re dreaming.”

Michael grinned, still looking sleepy. “My guess is I’ll have to move fast to beat you to it.”

“More than likely,” Kendall admitted before he kissed his fiancé softly. “But I’ll try to leave at least some of the worst messes for you.”

“One more.”

“One more what?”

“You know. Kiss me… longer this time.”

“Well, seeing how it’s Christmas,” Kendall teased just before he did as asked. When he pulled a few inches back, Michael’s eyes were closed, and he watched a tongue swipe across his upper lip. Kendall closed the distance one more time, still marveling that he was able to do this anytime he wanted. This one became quickly passionate, and he pulled back with a sigh of satisfaction.

Michael’s eyes slowly opened, a grin appearing at the same time. “It’s always Christmas for me, Babe. You give me gifts every single day.”

“And you return them.”

“We’re in a different place than a year ago, aren’t we?”

“I’ll say. I wasn’t happy… not deep down. Not like this. I used to put so much effort into trying not to show it.”

“I’m sorry… I know… no more apologies.” Michael claimed another quick kiss. “Neither was I, but I didn’t even know what real happiness was supposed to feel like. Now I’m filled with it every minute of every day, thanks to you.”

“Boy, you’re pretty sappy this morning… I like it.”

“I’m sappy every morning, before I even open my eyes, and I love it. You know I listened to you and Nate.”

“Yup. I do.”

“You were awesome to have figured out what he needed. You’re going to be the best dad.”

“We’re going to be the best dads. Speaking of which, we have two little girls named Lily and Rose to go visit today. We should get up and get the day started.”

“But, I have an erection.”

“When don’t you? Tonight. I promise tonight I’ll take care of it… well, unless Nate shows up,” Kendall said as he peeled their comforter back and sat up.

Michael sighed. “The joys of being a parent… hey, you have one too.”

“Uh huh. Come on. Shower.”

“I’m right with you. Is it tonight yet?”

“Horndog.”

“You know it… so, is it?”

“Maybe we have time for a quickie.”

“Yes! But we’ll still have tonight, right?”

 

“Where are your sweaters, boys? I thought we had to wear these stupid things all day?” Big Mike asked with an obviously fake scowl.

Kendall stood, jaw dropped as he surveyed two of the most ridiculously funny sweaters he had ever seen. Beside him, Michael laughed outright. Pop was wearing one that had Santa sitting on a toilet. Over the knitted picture were the words, ‘Damn Cookies and Milk.’ The rest of the sweater was covered in candy canes and snowflakes.

Kendall switched his attention to Colleen, and this time it was him who laughed the loudest. “Oh, Mom, you look adorable.”

“I look stupid. I’m not going anywhere wearing this.”

“I think we should walk around town and show these off… it’s a nice day out,” Big Mike asserted, looking semi-serious.

“You are not going out in a sweater that has Santa sitting on a toilet. What would everyone think?”

“Since when do you care what people think?”

“Yeah, Mom,” Michael echoed. “I think you look cute, right, Babe?”

“Yup, I like it… it suits you. Merry Christmas, Mom.” He winked at Pop.

“Merry Christmas, beautiful boy. I saw that.”

“Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad.”

“Merry Christmas, bonnie boy. Give me a hug, the both of you.”

They complied and surrounded Colleen in a four-armed embrace, smiling at each other over her head. Kendall struggled to curtail his laughter, but it was hard. Colleen’s sweater was an elf’s body, superbly done, with her head where the elf’s head would be. It was complete with curled-toe slippers and striped stockings, and was almost long enough to be a dress. The elf’s belt even had a big ‘C’ on it. He was tempted to suggest she wear an elf’s hat, but thought better of it… she really did look cute as could be… the colors were brightly in-your-face, but the Christmassy pattern on the arms looked reasonably sensible.

“I know you boys are enjoying this, but I need to get back to making breakfast, so stop making fun of me up there and let go of me.”

“We weren’t making fun, Mom.”

“Oh, Michael, of course you were. I must admit on someone else it would make me laugh too.” She smiled as she pulled each head down to kiss their cheeks.

“Well, you do kind of look like one of those bobble head thingies,” Michael teased.

“That’s what I said,” Big Mike commented. “Hey,” he said with a quick glance at his wife, “the woman looks good in anything.”

“Thank you, dear,” Coleen said while rolling her eyes. “I must remember to call Miranda Cavanaugh and thank her. But next year I think I’ll be picking my own ugly sweater.”

“What about Miranda?” Nate asked as he entered the kitchen wearing his sweater. This time Colleen was the one who began giggling first. Nate’s sweater was the brightest green imaginable, and the pattern showed a little dog with his leg cocked on a snowman, and a big patch of yellow at its base.

“Oh, my, nephew. That is quite the look,” Kendall said with a grin. There were numerous yellow bands on each arm that matched the puddle of pee.

“What… I like it. It reminds me of that tee shirt of Brian from Family Guy. The one with the fire hydrant. How come you guys aren’t wearing yours?”

“We forgot. Come on, Ace. I put them in the dresser last night. Let’s see what Miranda picked out for us. We’ll be right back.” He grabbed Michael’s arm and herded him back towards their hall.

“I’m picking the one I want.”

“No, you’re not. Our names are on the wrapping, so you’ll wear whatever she chose for you. That’s the deal.”

“Fine, but if Bodie had a hand in this, I’m going to get the worst one.”

Laughter followed them all the way to the bedroom.

 

Minutes later they stood for inspection, Michael with a scowl, and Kendall with a little smile. “Well, what do you think?”

Big Mike started guffawing. “Oh God, Kendall. That’s priceless. I’ll trade you.”

“No, you will not! Oh my goodness… you can’t wear that out in public,” Colleen said as she let loose her patented giggle. “Michael, yours isn’t so bad.”

“Mother, I’m wearing a big-ass turkey, and I think Kendall’s is awesome. I’d wear it, but he wouldn’t trade.”

“The turkey suits you,” Nate said, but his eyes were on Kendall’s sweater. Two snowmen were facing each other, and one of them had its carrot sticking out, but not from his face… it was below the waist. That snowman was smiling, but the other one was frowning, with a downturned mouth.

“I like it. It’s better than that one,” Kendall said, pointing at Michael’s.”

Michael grimaced.

“Well, I think the turkey is beautiful, and it’s in good taste. The rest of the sweater is pretty ugly, though.” Colleen shook her head and put her hand over her mouth as her eyes returned to the snowmen.

“Ah, Mom, it’s just a carrot. Turn around, Ace. Let them see the back.” He heard the loud sigh as Michael did as asked.

“Go ahead, laugh.”

Everyone did, at the exposed turkey backside. A large fan of feathers surrounded a plucked turkey butt perched on two large turkey feet. Nate ended up on the floor, he was laughing so hard.

“Michael, why is there a fried egg on the bottom?” Colleen asked.

Nate’s laughter turned to squealing.

Michael spun back around, glaring at Nate, which only made him convulse more. “It’s not a fried egg… it’s a pile of turkey crap.”

“Oh… Oh! Oh my. I see it now.” Colleen’s giggles, try as she might, were not to be stifled, and Kendall enjoyed her reaction. “Turn around again, bonnie boy. Let me see.”

He grinned ruefully at Kendall, and gave them another view. “You should have traded me. Look at that idiot on the floor,” he muttered.

“And miss this… no way. I love you, but I’m not stupid. I’ll wear my carrot with pride.” He put his arms around and pulled him close, kissing his whiskered cheek.

“You’re holding me so they can laugh some more, aren’t you?”

“Yup… I am. Merry Christmas, turkey.”

“Very funny. I know this was Bodie’s doing. He’s going to pay for this.”

Kendall rested his head on Michael’s shoulder, and mouthed ‘take a picture’ to a still snickering Nate. In a flash, his phone was out and the click of the camera was followed by a groan from Michael.

“You can let me go now. I’m going to dunk that little traitor in some snow.”

Kendall laughed as their nephew bolted from the room. “I’ve got to send this to my mom and Bodie… I need a minute, Unc,” he shouted as he was heard pounding up the stairs.

“You got it, Nate.”

“Et tu, Babe?”

“Yup… we’re letting the kid have his fun… he’s connecting with his mom right now.”

Michael chuckled. “You’re my hero, you know that, right?”

“Of course I know that… feeling’s mutual.”

“Good. You can let me go now. I’ll let the little bugger live. At least till after breakfast.”

Colleen was smiling from ear to ear, staring at the two of them, and Kendall saw a sheen to her eyes.

“What?” Michael asked upon seeing her.

“Oh, bonnie boy. For a long time this house has been too quiet. Now, it’s so full of life again, like it was before Megan moved away. We have our three boys here, and soon Mark, Megan, and the girls will be nearby. I couldn’t ask for a better Christmas. And next Christmas will be even better because we’ll have a baby.”

“We were just talking about that after we woke up,” Kendall said. “You’re right, next Christmas will be even better, and my first one with my mom and dad in years. We’ve got lots to be thankful for, and lots to look forward to. Want another hug?”

“Yes, I do.”

Big Mike pushed off the counter and joined them. “Merry Christmas, boys.”

“What’s going on?” Nate asked as he peeked around the corner of the doorway.

“Come on, you little pissant. You’re safe for the time being.”

“Aw, you know you love me, Uncle Mike.”

“Yup… I do.” He wrapped an arm around the giggling, over-sized boy and pulled him into the group hug.

 

“Now where have we seen that color before? Someone was trying to match your eyes, nephew,” Kendall commented on the cardigan Nate had just unwrapped from his boyfriend. “Is that…?” he reached over and felt the knit. “Jeez, lucky you. That’s cashmere.”

“It is? Is that… expensive?”

“Yes, dear. It is a rather expensive gift for a boy Bodie’s age to be giving.” Colleen looked a little uncertain, and Nate looked questioningly around the room.

“Is it, like a hundred dollars?”

“More like three,” Michael chimed in. “I don’t know… what do you think, Babe… is this appropriate?”

Nate looked stricken. “What do you mean appropriate… why is it so expensive? Maybe he got it for fifty bucks. It’s beautiful,” he said as he held it up. Large black buttons set off the deep blue perfectly, and Kendall couldn’t help thinking it would look great on Michael.

“Nate’s right,” Kendall said. “We don’t know what he paid, and judging by the Cavanaugh’s home and furnishings, he’s used to quality things. Nothing wrong with that.”

“Okay,” Michael said with a grin directed towards Nate. “Try it on, Nathanial.”

Nate stood up quickly from his place on the carpet, and started tugging off his pee pee sweater, as Michael called it. He stopped with the sweater up over his head and spoke through the knit. “I thought we weren’t allowed to take these off all day?”

“I’m sure Miranda didn’t mean that literally. You can’t try on the blue one over that thing,” Kendall answered.

At his encouragement, the ugly one dropped to the floor, and the four adults exchanged amused looks as Nate handled the gift reverently. He looked at the tag and his eyes widened before pulling the cardigan on. It fit him perfectly, with that slightly bulky look that Kendall really liked. A collar started halfway up from the bottom, and spread out over the shoulders with a rolled look.

“Hey, I want one of those,” Michael exclaimed. “Wow. The kid has good taste. What does the tag say?”

“It says Ralph Lauren. Does it look good, Grams?”

Michael whistled, and Kendall squeezed his leg, shaking his head to ward off any more fuss over the expense.

“Oh, goodness, yes. It’s lovely, dear.”

Nate beamed. “It’s got big pockets too. This will be great for school.”

“It might be, but you wouldn’t want to leave that in a classroom,” Kendall cautioned.

“Oh, no… I wouldn’t ever do that. What is cashmere anyway?”

“It’s the very fine wool of a goat that comes from India. Highly prized stuff,” Big Mike informed him.

“A goat? So I’m wearing goat… and Uncle Mike is wearing turkey?”

“Do I have to come over there and straighten you out, young fella?”

“No roughhousing near the tree,” Collen warned from her seat on the couch.

Nate’s tongue made a quick appearance. “Yeah, Uncle Mike, no roughhousing….”

“Put your tongue back in and shut it… and finish opening your damn gifts.”

“Language, Michael.”

“Sorry, Mom.

“Can I keep this on?” Nate was fingering the soft blue yarn.

“Until we leave, yeah. Now finish off. Open the big red envelope next,” Kendall insisted.

“What’s this?” Nate asked when he pulled out the folded paper.

“That’s a picture of the bedroom suite for your new room at the stone house. It’s going to be delivered the morning we move.”

Nate unfolded it and squealed. “Double bed?”

“Queen,” Michael answered. “You keep growing every day, so you need a big bed. You like it?”

“Heck, ya. It looks awesome. Do both those dressers come with it?

“Yup. And the end tables… it’s all solid maple. It suits the house without being too fancy. How about the color?” Kendall asked.

“I love it… it’s dark, but not too dark… my single bed at home is red metal. Never had anything this nice before. Oh, I need to take a picture of this to send to Mom and Dad.”

“Whoa, young fella. You do know this stays in your bedroom at the house, right?”

“Yeah, of course I do. You said it will always be my room even when I’m back with my parents.”

Michael nodded. “That’s right. Just making sure. Now you can go do your photo thing.”

“Okay, oh wait. Your gifts.” Nate went to the back of the tree and pulled out two large presents. He handed one to his grandmother and grandfather, and one to Michael and Kendall. “Um, these are from Bodie and me. He did all the work.”

When Kendall did the honors, at Michael's insistence, and tore the gold paper off, he found himself staring into the faces of him and Michael. It was a painted rendition of his favorite photo in the whole world… the one of them with their arms around each other, heads touching, after Canada had won the Olympic hockey gold in Vancouver. He glanced beside him to see Michael was equally entranced. The painting was superb… richly detailed, and the likenesses were perfect. Their joy on that day was unmistakable. It was better than the photo in that Bodie had given it the intimacy Kendall had always felt when he looked at it, like they were the only two people in the world. The boy had captured what he had only imagined was there.

“Babe… this is incredible… that’s my favorite photo of the two of us.” He looked up at a still-standing Nate. “How did you get this?”

“I saw it on Unc’s phone and asked him to send it to me. I thought it was a great picture of you guys, and…”

A sniffle came from Colleen that got their attention. “Grams? Do you like it?”

She leaned over and grabbed a tissue to dry her eyes. “It’s beautiful, Nate.”

“God, that boyfriend of yours has talent,” Big Mike added, looking a little misty himself.

“Let us see, Mom.”

Kendall was stunned when she turned her painting around. The subject was Nate, and Bodie had captured the man/boy he was. There was an innocence and a vulnerability to go with the mischievous hint of a smile… in other words, it showed the complete Nathanial Grant. It was painted by someone who obviously cared for the subject… it practically radiated love. “Wow.”

“It’s really good, right?”

“Jesus, Nate,” Michael uttered.

“Language, dear.”

“Sorry, Mom. But, holy crap. Bodie’s a freaking Rembrandt. God, Nate, that couldn’t be more you if it was a photograph. It would take at least three photos to get all of that. Seriously.”

Kendall nodded his agreement.

“It’s not better than yours, though, is it?”

“No, no… not better, but there’s a lot of feeling in the one you gave Grams and Gramps. It’s pretty special, nephew. We love ours, don’t we, Ace?”

“Hell… heck ya. Sorry, Mom. I think it’s going to look great in our new house….”

“Right over the fireplace,” Kendall said with a nod. “The perfect spot, and the perfect size. How in heck did he do these so fast, Nate?”

“I don’t know… he says once he starts, it just flows out of him. He had mine pretty much done the next day. It was the same with the box he made me. He’s very talented,” Nate said proudly.

“That’s an understatement. Were these your idea?”

“Um, yeah. He said he wanted to paint me, and I said I would love to have a painting to give to Grams and Gramps for Christmas… I said you were such a softy, Grams, and you’d love it,” he said with a little giggle so like hers. “Bodie said he could do it in time, and that he could do one for you guys too if I wanted.”

“So that’s why you asked for the photo off my phone?”

“No, I just wanted it. He was going to do a different painting of me for you and Uncle Michael, but I showed him the picture and said I would love to have it as a painting for you guys one day… he said no problem… he could have it ready. I really didn’t think they would be this big or this good. Um, like I said, Bodie did all the work, but I paid for the canvas and the frames. He picked them out.”

“I love the frame… it really sets off the painting. I didn’t see you put anything in the truck yesterday. How…?”

“Mira boxed them up and took them to Gramps at his business.”

“And I stashed them in Bodie’s room,” Big Mike said with a smug grin. “I had no idea what they were, though. Pretty special, my boy.” He walked over and took the other painting out of Michael’s hands, staring at it. Shaking his head, he looked up. “Any idiot could see you guys loved each other in this. God, you two were dense.”

 

It was a different kind of December twenty-fifth. The last three Christmases there had been chilly temperatures and snowfall. Today, the heater wasn’t even needed in the truck because the bright sun was doing the job. And of course their ugly sweaters aided in keeping them warm.

Kendall looked in the rear view mirror. “That was a great Christmas morning, eh, Nate?”

“It was awesome. It would have been nice to have Mom and Dad and the girls here, but talking to them was a lot of fun. I told you Kelse could talk, didn’t I.”

Michael started laughing as he twisted in the seat. “Yeah, you weren’t kidding.”

“Hey, I told that to Uncle Kendall while you were sleeping.”

“You only thought I was sleeping. I… hear… all,” Michael said with a smirk and a deep voice. “I’m a cop, remember. Anyway, I can’t wait to see the girls again. All that squealing was hilarious. Kelsey said she loved me ‘the whole world and back.’”

Kendall chuckled as they turned south on Highway 48. “We know, Ace. We heard her, and you’ve said it three times now. I think you’re in full dad-mode.”

“What… I can’t wait to see our nieces. Hearing their voices this morning made me miss them. I think I like them more than our dumb nephew.”

“No, you don’t,” Nate said confidently from the backseat.

 

They pulled into the Cavanaugh’s driveway to see Bodie standing with Dinah and Rufus on each side, waiting. The puppies could be seen in the run, little bodies wriggling with excitement at the appearance of visitors. Bodie’s sweater had Kendall gawking. Not just because of how ugly it was… and it was ugly, but because of the picture of a huge fruitcake, complete with a big red bow, on the front of it. FRUITCAKE was written over the top of the garish, bordering on putrid, knitted cake.

“Is that some sort of statement?” Michael asked with a grin as he stared through the windshield.

“I don’t”—Bodie raised his hand, waved, and turned his back to them—“there’s your answer, Ace. Wow. Good for him.” On the back of the sweater was written ‘AND PROUD OF IT'.

“I knew there was a reason I liked that boy. I’ll even forgive him for picking this damn turkey atrocity for me.”

Kendall snorted. “What do you think?” he turned and asked the boy sitting behind them. A smile was present on his face, along with something else. Pride?

“Isn’t he amazing? You guys don’t know what… unlock the doors, Unc.”

Michael laughed at the eagerness of his demand. “Are we going to see a slow-motion run when we let you out?” he asked with a snicker.

“What are you talking about?”

“Never mind… go wish the boy Merry Christmas… and no tongue.”

“You’re gross,” Nate said, but he turned and gave them a wink after he leapt out and started heading for his boyfriend.

Kendall snorted.

“Cocky little bugger.”

“He’s a far cry from that kid who fell apart in the kitchen, isn’t he?” Kendall’s attention, like Michael’s, was on the young pair as they greeted, kissed, laughed, and embraced. He stepped out of his side of the truck and met Michael at the front of Beauty, taking his hand. “And for the record, I don’t think you’re gross.”

“Thank God for that.” Michael’s gaze lingered a few seconds more before he turned to his fiancé. “For that reason alone, I love the blond kid. They give each other strength and pride in who they are. Wearing that sweater is icing on the cake.”

Kendall groaned. “Oh, now that was perilously close to gross.”

“Hey, I thought it was pretty good.” He pulled Kendall into their own embrace. “Let’s go visit Lily and Rose before they chew through that chain-link. Those two over there don’t need us old fogies around. Still want to go for that walk?”

Kendall planted a kiss on Michael’s nose. “You bet. We haven’t really seen the whole neighborhood, except in driving by. I’m looking forward to it.” Hand in hand they approached the kennel with the two boys following behind and the older dogs now up beside them, collecting their greetings.

“Hey guys,” Bodie called out when they caught up. “Merry Christmas. Thanks for delivering my gift.”

Nate beamed when Bodie help up his hand.

“You’re welcome to the pain in the ass. He has no respect for his favorite uncle,” Michael said as he stuck fingers through the chain-link fence while one hand rested on Dinah’s head.

“Hey, that’s not true. I respect Uncle Kendall.” Nate dodged behind his boyfriend when Michael made as if to reach for some snow.

“See what I mean? It’s constant abuse.”

“And see what I go through?” Kendall asked plaintively. “I have two children to deal with. The paintings are beautiful, Bodie. Both of them. Michael and I thank you… our whole family does.”

“It was Nate’s idea, but thank you. I loved doing them.” Red-stained cheeks got redder.

Michael turned from the two excited girls. “Yeah, kid, they are something pretty special.”

“Thanks. Oh, my parents wanted me to invite you in for a coffee and some fruitcake.” It was an obvious attempt to change the subject.

“I don’t know… I’ve kind of gone off fruitcake,” Michael said, shaking his head as he looked pointedly at Bodie’s sweater.

“Yeah, it is ugly, isn’t it?” Bodie asked with a proud look on his face.

“Stop picking on the boy, Ace.”

“What… I’m not….”

“Anyway,” Kendall interrupted, “can you give your parents a raincheck for us? We don’t have much time, and we want to go for a walk and check out the area on foot. We don’t want to waste all this sunshine.”

“Sure thing. I’ll tell them. Do you want the puppies out?”

“Oh, yeah. We have to play with our girls on Christmas day, and we’ve kept them waiting long enough,” Kendall answered, letting his fingers be licked through the fence. “You’ve been very patient… yes you have,” he crooned to Rose and Lily.

Thirty seconds later, the gate was open and two fat little bundles claimed their dads. Lily went straight to Michael and Rose went straight to Kendall. Both men ended up on the ground giggling at the onslaught of attention. Kendall laughed when Michael complained about being slipped the tongue.

“Oh, God. She did it again. She appears to have your talent, Babe.”

“And Rose seems to have yours,” he responded as he tried to dodge mouth-aimed doggie kisses. The rambunctious little whirlwind finally, after a few minutes, settled on his lap and looked around. As if it was an agreed-upon plan, the puppies swapped places and the same robust greetings were repeated. Their parents sat back, sedately watching. Nate and Bodie were next on their list, attacked as soon as they knelt down. Kendall took the opportunity to get up, swiping at the snow coating his jeans.

“Come on, Ace. I hate cutting this short, but we’re on a schedule. Remember, Nathanial, your grandmother expects us back for dinner in a couple of hours.”

“I know, I’ll be ready when you honk. I won’t forget.”

“And you, mister,” Michael said while standing up beside Kendall. “I know you had a hand in picking out my sweater.”

Bodie looked up with a grin. “Why would you think that?”

“Because there’s a big bald turkey ass and a steaming pile of bird crap on my back, as if the front wasn’t bad enough.”

“I’m innocent, I swear,” Bodie said unconvincingly as his boyfriend laid back in the snow giggling.

“Really? Are you going to stick to that story… remember, I’m a cop, and Nate, you’re pushing it.”

“Okay, well, my mom did ask my opinion, and I may have said that one. In my defense though, the other choice was two humping reindeer. My dad’s wearing that one.”

Nate chimed in with more laughter.

“So… you trying to tell you were doing me a favor?”

“Um… no.” He glanced around at Nate and they both completely fell apart.

Michael shook his head in mock disgust. “Babe….”

“I know. Come on, my little turkey, and stop harassing the children. I happen to love your sweater. Let’s go park Beauty at the house. I want to check it out before we go for our walk. Ignore those two,” he said, winking at Bodie and hiding his grin.

“Wait. We should put Lily and Rose back in so they don’t follow.”

“They won’t,” Bodie said, sitting up and wiping away the laughter tears. “Sit,” he commanded, and they both sat. Dinah and Rufus complied as well. “Stay.”

“That’ll work?”

“Of course. See for yourself.”

Kendall looked back when they got to the truck, and saw neither puppy had moved an inch, even though they were watching them intently. All four dogs were.

“Wow,” Michael said from the other side. “Can you believe that? They’re still so young.”

“Impressive. Our girls are smart.”

“That’s for sure,” Michael said as they climbed in. “Listen to us… two proud dads bragging about our kids. I hate leaving them.”

“I know what you mean, but we’ll soon have them home with us, and we’ll be able to see them every day.”

“Yeah, that’s true. It won’t be long. Something tells me we’ll see their trainer every day too.”

“That’s okay. Young love is a beautiful thing.”

“You talking about them or us?”

“Both.”