Chapter 4
Caleb
Caleb winced as he bent to check the ham in the oven. He’d been at Hayley and Mac’s house for a few hours, and everything was almost perfectly done. Luckily the ham just needed warming up. He hadn’t had to cook that monster.
“Everything okay, baby?” Grant asked, cupping Caleb’s bottom as he stepped up behind him.
Caleb turned his head to smile at his Daddy. “Perfect.” He really did feel good. His body was pleasantly sore, but Caleb was still floating on air.
“Glad to hear it,” Grant said, patting Caleb’s butt. “I’m going to help Mac set up things for exchanging gifts tonight. Call if you need me.”
“Okay. Where’s Hayley?” Caleb hadn’t seen his friend in almost twenty minutes. Hayley had tried to help, but it had been Mac who’d been Caleb’s sous-chef. Hayley didn’t have much experience in the kitchen and Mac enjoyed it.
“Cleaning.”
“Of course he is.” Caleb laughed before checking on the potatoes one last time. Mac hired a cleaning service, but that didn’t mean that Hayley wouldn’t and didn’t find things that just needed to be done. The potatoes were ready to be mashed. Dinner was just about ready to be served.
“I suspect Mac will put a stop to it pretty soon. He’s distracted right now, but we know he doesn’t like Hayley to exert himself.”
Caleb laughed as Grant left the kitchen. Grant was the exact same way. He hummed along with the Christmas music Mac had set up for him. Mac and Hayley’s kitchen was a dream to cook in.
This was the first Christmas dinner that Caleb had ever cooked.
Hayley and Mac had planned on ordering the dinner for them, but Caleb couldn’t allow that.
He had to contribute. At least he’d allowed the main staples to be ordered.
Since he’d started cooking courses at the community college, Caleb found the best way to show his love was through food.
Cooking this dinner was a big deal for him.
He wanted to show his friends that he appreciated the support and love they’d shown him this last year. He’d been so alone for so long.
When Grant had set Caleb in his lap that first night, Caleb hadn’t realized how much his life would change.
For the better. Caleb had been humiliated and on the verge of never leaving his house again.
Forget ever making friends. Grant had done more than just love Caleb.
He’d opened Caleb’s eyes to what he’d been missing. To what Caleb deserved.
Not only did he have a man who loved him, but Caleb had good friends. People who liked him for just being him. Caleb hadn’t had to buy their friendships. They chose him.
Caleb was worthy of Grant’s love and his new friends.
It was a mantra he repeated about a hundred times a day.
Sometimes he even believed it.
Caleb finished the potatoes just as the bell dinged that the ham was done.
“Hey, Caleb.” Hayley entered the kitchen. “Do you need any help yet?”
“I do,” Caleb replied. “Can you put these potatoes into that serving dish?” He pointed with the spoon in his hand. “I need to get the ham out.”
They got to work, both singing Frosty the Snowman, when it came on, until the doorbell rang.
Hayley was practically vibrating.
“Go.” Caleb shooed him.
“Come with me,” Hayley ordered. “You can take a little break.”
He really could. Caleb wiped his hands on a towel. “Okay.”
Hayley grabbed his hand before yanking him from the kitchen.
Caleb didn’t even have time to remove his apron.
Not that he wanted to. Caleb loved the pale pink ruffled apron that his Daddy had gotten him.
It even said I’m my Daddy’s Pretty Baby.
He didn’t know where Grant had gotten it, but Caleb absolutely loved it.
They ran through the hall, trying to get to the door first.
“No running!” Mac and Grant yelled.
“Sorry!” he and Hayley shouted back.
“And check the security monitor,” Mac ordered.
Hayley rolled his eyes at Caleb. “Yes, Daddy!”
Caleb giggled. Grant had put in a new security system at his house, although it was not as extensive as the one Mac had. But Caleb had overheard Mac giving his Daddy pointers on weak spots. Caleb expected he’d have an upgraded system before the New Year.
Hayley pushed a button on the monitor and the camera came on. Avery was bouncing around on the porch with Jace trying to hold him still. They both laughed as Hayley unlocked and opened the door.
“Avery!” Hayley shouted.
“Hi!” Avery barreled forward, hugging Hayley. Then he pulled Caleb into the same hug as well.
Caleb liked that he was always included. It didn’t matter if he was with his friends one on one or in a group. For the first time in his life, Caleb didn’t feel left out. Not since these wonderful people came into his life.
“Merry Christmas!” Avery yelled into his ear.
“Merry Christmas,” Hayley said, just as loud.
Caleb winced.
“How about we shut the door, so all the warmth doesn’t leave the house?” Jace suggested.
They unwrapped themselves from the hug as the timer in Caleb’s apron pocket started to ring.
“Be back,” he said. Then ran off.
“No running!”
Caleb slowed. He wasn’t even sure who had said it this time. But he knew it wouldn’t be the last time that phrase was yelled.
* * *
Hayley
Hayley hung up Jace’s and Avery’s jackets before banging on the door made him jump. He knew that knock. Hayley had been hearing it all his life.
He yanked the door open and frowned at his brother. “Really?”
Jayme grinned back. “Did you miss me?”
“It hasn’t even been a full day,” Hayley told him. He glanced behind Jayme’s shoulder. “Hi, Mitch. Hi, Byron. Come in.”
“You didn’t tell me to come in,” Jayme complained.
Hayley grabbed his brother and held him tight while scooting back.
“Is everything okay?” Mac asked, coming up behind them.
“Jayme needed a hug,” Hayley responded.
“Hug!” Avery grabbed Jayme’s hand and pulled him into his own arms.
Avery was adorable in full little mode. Just what his brother needed. Hayley could still play host and not have to worry about his brother.
Mac helped Hayley collect coats and hang them before he led the group into the living room. The tree sparkled and the presents had been separated into piles. Grant was missing, but he was probably helping Caleb finish up dinner.
They settled around the living room. The boys sitting on the floor while the Daddies sat on the couch or chairs.
The fireplace warmed the room, giving it an intimate feel, and making him feel special.
This Christmas was the first one that didn’t include the chaos of his family.
Hayley thought he’d miss his parents and brothers, and he did, but he wasn’t sad.
This was a new type of family.
A family of his choice.
They’d found each other in the crazy world. Their kinks and needs joining them in a tight bond.
Hayley leaned his head against Mac’s knee.
“Okay?” Mac asked quietly.
“I really am,” Hayley responded. “Happy.” Even Jayme was fitting in with their group.
Mac rubbed Hayley’s neck as everyone talked. Hayley enjoyed just sitting back and watching. Peace filled him.
“I’m going to check on Caleb,” Mac said. “Do you want to come?”
“Yes, please.” Hayley got up, accepting Mac’s hand.
He loved how Mac never hesitated to touch him.
A simple hand on his shoulder or a full-on hug.
Mac showed Hayley every day how special he was.
Hayley knew Mac had to work at touching as it didn’t come naturally.
That meant even more to Hayley. They walked into the kitchen and Mac cleared his throat.
Hayley had to cover his giggle. Grant had Caleb backed against the fridge, kissing him.
It was pretty heated. Even after making their presence known, Hayley and Mac had to wait until Grant slowly released Caleb.
“We were just coming in to see if we can help with anything,” Mac said.
“I was about to put the rest of the food on the table.” Caleb motioned toward the glass dishes.
“We’ll help,” Hayley offered. He picked up a big bowl filled with green beans and started to the formal dining room.
This was the first time either he or Mac were using the formal area. They usually had their meals at the smaller table in the kitchen. Hayley had to order a table just for the room since Mac had left it empty originally.
It had been fun buying whatever furniture he wanted. They didn’t have to worry about money, so Hayley splurged and got a table that sat twelve. It also came with inserts so he could make it even bigger.
Mac hadn’t thought they needed a table that big, so Hayley had to remind him that Hayley came from a big family.
His Daddy had gone a bit pale at that reminder.
Hayley loved the stunning red and gold decorations for the formal dining room. At the last minute, Hayley had decided he needed a tree in there. Instead of getting mad or bitching, Mac had gone right out and gotten him another tree.
This one was white, with clear lights, red bows, and gold ornaments. It looked sophisticated and beautiful.
Hayley really was a spoiled boy.
He set his dish in the middle of the table before moving to the side for Mac to set down the two he carried.
“Will you light the candles, Daddy?”
“Of course.” Mac lit the long red candles around the centerpiece. Hayley straightened a few placemats as Caleb and Grant entered.
“We’re ready to eat,” Caleb announced. He’d removed his apron to reveal his long red dress. His sparkling red slippers peeked out. He was as beautiful as the room.
Hayley wore his best pair of black slacks and a red sweater. He had on tiny sexy red briefs but only his Daddy knew that.
“I’ll gather everyone for dinner,” Mac said.
Hayley ran to the other end of the room and checked to make sure everything was ready. Then he dimmed the lights. It was still bright enough to see their plates and one another, but it was also romantic. He was beaming with pride as the rest of his friends joined them.
Avery’s gasp was loud in the room. “It’s so pretty!”
Hayley beamed. That had been the perfect reaction.
Mac sat at one end of the table while Grant took the other. Hayley settled to the right of his Daddy.