Chapter 1
Avery
Skipping ahead of Jace, Avery waved to the Santa on the street corner, the Santa ringing a bell and smiling. Santa gave a jolly ho-ho-ho making Avery break out in giggles.
“You need to slow down, boy,” Jace called out. “I don’t want you to slip and fall.”
Avery spun to return to Jace’s side when his feet went out from under him. Crying out, he braced himself for a fall when strong arms grabbed him. Avery grinned up at his Daddy.
“I told you to be careful.” Jace’s tone was stern but his eyes remained gentle as always.
“But you caught me anyway.” Avery had no doubt in his Daddy’s abilities to take care of him.
Jace shook his head while helping Avery regain his balance.
It was almost Christmas and Jace insisted they had a few last-minute items to pick up.
With the amount of presents already under the tree, Avery couldn’t imagine what was left that Jace hadn’t already bought.
Still, it was fun to be out in the middle of all the Christmas chaos.
“You sure you didn’t get hurt? Twist your ankle?” his Daddy asked in concern.
Avery patted Jace’s chest. Such a worrier. Okay not really. Avery was the actual worrier but when it came to Avery, Jace could give Avery a run for his money. “I’m fine. I swear.”
“Hold my hand. I don’t want you running off again.”
Like it was a hardship to hold Jace’s hand. Avery slipped his glove-covered fingers into Jace’s hold. Winter had always been his least favorite season. Avery’s old apartment had been so cold and the heater in his car hadn’t worked. Now he had a nice warm home with Jace and a brand-new SUV.
Christmas was just around the corner and Avery had never been happier in his entire life. Jace took excellent care of his every need and, for the first time, Avery had friends. Real friends.
“Daddy? Do you think we’ll have time to stop at Hayley’s shop?”
“I spoke to Mac earlier. Jayme is running the store today. Mac and Hayley are finishing up their own Christmas preparations.”
“Oh.” Darn, Avery had been hoping to see his friend.
Hayley had come over a few times to play in Avery’s nursery.
He couldn’t wait to go to Hayley’s house.
Hayley was living with Mac, a hitman, a killer.
No one had wanted to tell Avery about Mac’s past, but Avery’s Daddy and friends finally decided Avery needed to know in order to keep an eye out for trouble.
He couldn’t tell anyone about Mac’s past, though.
If that was what it took to protect Hayley and Mac, Avery knew how to keep his mouth closed.
Mac was a little grumpy, sometimes, but he was super-duper sweet to Avery.
And Mac doted on Hayley, spoiling Avery’s friend rotten.
Avery didn’t care what Mac used to do for a living.
His past was just that, in the past. Avery had practically been homeless when he’d met Jace.
He’d not thought himself worthy of someone like his Daddy.
Both Mac and Avery had more in common than others might think.
Pasts were in the past for a reason.
“We’ll see them in a couple of days,” Jace told him, probably picking up how disappointed Avery was.
“For Christmas Eve dinner,” Avery said, excited again. He was going to see all his friends soon, all together, at Hayley’s house. From what Caleb told him, Hayley had a huge house. Plenty of room for all of them to celebrate. Avery was even going to get to open presents!
“That’s right,” Jace said. “But we need to finish our list if we’re going to get everything done before Christmas Eve.”
“What’s left?” Avery questioned. He’d already helped Daddy wrap all the presents for his friends and their Daddies.
“One more gift for Byron. I had a leather briefcase customized for him. And Grant asked if we could stop by the post office to pick up a package and hide it for him.”
Giggling, Avery danced as he walked beside Jace. He loved Christmas and getting to surprise all his friends. The memories of cold and lonely Christmases before were going to be long gone. They’d never happen again. Avery had family.
“Let’s go in here.” Jace pulled him to a halt and pointed to a candle shop.
Candles. Avery scrunched up his nose. There was nothing fun about candles.
“Come on.” Jace tugged on their joined hands.
Avery allowed himself to be led into the store. It was busy. All the stores were. A few days before Christmas and the whole town was trying to finish up their last-minute shopping.
Jace strode through the crowded store to the back wall. It appeared he knew exactly where he was going. Avery hated the press of bodies against his in the busy store, so he clung to Jace’s hand with both of his. Jace stopped in front of a wall of ornaments and pointed. “Which one?”
Avery squinted at the ornaments. They had already decorated their tree, so he didn’t know why… Oh. Oh! The ornaments all said ‘Our First Christmas’ and he and Jace didn’t have one of those.
Right away, Avery knew which one he wanted. To the far right. The last one of its kind. It had a Christmas tree, fireplace, with a yellow Labrador in a Santa hat. ‘Our First Christmas’ was written right under the dog.
But maybe Jace should decide. It had been his idea.
“Choose, baby boy,” Jace told him quietly. “These were the ones I liked best so whatever you choose will be perfect.”
Avery pointed.
“I knew you had a good eye,” Jace said. He reached up and pulled down the ornament Avery really wanted. Jace handed it to Avery who immediately cuddled it to his chest. It wasn’t a real dog, but it was so wonderful.
Avery didn’t notice the rest of the shoppers as Jace ushered him to the register. He had to give the ornament to Jace for his Daddy to pay for it. Then the nice saleslady wrapped it up in tissue so it wouldn’t get broken. He couldn’t wait to get home and put his new treasure on the tree.
“Careful, boy,” Jace advised when they were back on the sidewalk. “Remember it’s slippery.”
“I’ll hold your hand.” Avery wouldn’t let go of his Daddy’s hand.
“Thank you, baby,” Jace responded. “We don’t want anything bad to happen. You wouldn’t like a broken arm.”
“No. Hayley said it hurt,” Avery replied. “I never want a broken bone.”
“Good boy.” Jace walked slowly and carefully.
It was hard to not hop and wiggle around, but Avery really didn’t want to get hurt. Then Christmas would be all messed up and it would be his fault.
“You wouldn’t be able to work either if you broke your arm.”
“That’s right. And Axel and Sarge and Bella would all miss me.” The dogs he cared for and had started training were so wonderful. Avery loved his new job and was going to miss the dogs while he had a few days off to celebrate Christmas.
The others, the guys who’d started the training center for working dogs, lived on site. Avery had offered to come in, but they’d insisted he enjoy the holidays with his family. Even though Avery was super excited for Christmas, he couldn’t wait to get back to work.
Christmas first though. Christmas was going to be amazing!
* * *
Caleb
Caleb hummed along with the Christmas music playing from his phone as he slid the last tray of cookies into the oven. He danced back over to the counter where he continued to decorate the cookies that had already cooled.
Possibly he’d gone overboard, and six dozen cookies was too many.
Especially after the coffee cake, pies, and numerous sides he’d already made.
Caleb wasn’t in charge of the entire Christmas Eve dinner, but he’d insisted on helping Hayley.
Even if Hayley and Mac decided to order most of the main food.
Still, there were just some things that were better homemade.
Like desserts, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole.
At least that was what Caleb’s culinary instructor said.
This was the first Christmas meal he’d ever attempted. And he wanted everything to be perfect.
Caleb knew that putting this much pressure on himself was a recipe for disaster. Grant had told him to slow down and not stress, but Caleb couldn’t help it. As soon as his Daddy had left for work that morning, he’d started baking.
He was almost finished too. If Caleb could get these cookies decorated, then the ones in the oven finished, Grant wouldn’t even know—
“Something sure smells good in here.”
Squealing, Caleb jumped, sending frosting onto the cabinets in front of him.
Grant strode forward and grabbed his hips, pulling Caleb back against his stiff cock, the hard ridge pressing the silk of Caleb’s panties and robe into his crack. “Why’re you so jumpy, baby?”
Caleb shook his head, his heart rate refusing to return to normal. He was probably going to be punished. Looking around the kitchen counters full of goodies, Caleb knew he’d done more than gone overboard. He’d freaked out and his Daddy would know.
“With the number of cookies and containers on the counter, I’m guessing you’ve been baking since I left?” Grant asked softly. He didn’t sound mad.
“Noooooo.” It wasn’t a complete lie. “I showered, went to the store, and played with the babies outside.”
“Then started cooking and haven’t stopped.” Dang! That wasn’t mad…it was worse.
Caleb sighed. He hated disappointing his Daddy. “I…”
“You’re nervous, and baking relaxes you.” Grant finished for him.
Caleb put down the knife and frosting to lean back against Grant’s wide chest. Caleb didn’t have to explain.
Grant knew him well. Knew how Caleb was feeling without the words having to be spoken.
“This is a big Christmas for all of us. The first Christmas for us boys with our Daddies, being friends, getting to really celebrate the holiday.”
“And everything is going to go fine. I know you want things to go perfect, but we’ve talked about how that just stressed you out,”’ Grant said.
“I know.” Caleb knew it in his head. He just couldn’t control the anxiety sometimes especially when he was alone with his worries. The chores and lists that Grant left helped.
“If something goes wrong, it isn’t your fault,” Grant reminded him.