Chapter 24 #2
“Daddy wanted to take advantage of sleepy baby,” Alex said, grinning.
King Krythar leaned over and glared at his son. “TEE-EMM-EYE.”
Alex chuckled. “Payback’s a bitch, Pop.”
The king grumped at his son before turning to eye Kenji and Qylar. “Morning.”
“Morning, Dad,” Qylar said.
King Krythar looked over his shoulder. “Don’t press your luck.”
Qylar chuckled, but when he placed his hand on the king’s shoulder, the man placed his hand on top of his newly adopted ward’s.
No words were shared, and Kenji sensed the weight of the moment, but kept it to himself until later, when he and Qylar could be alone.
Kenji followed Qylar through the tidal wave of packages that hadn’t been there the night before.
Apparently there really was a Santa for some kids.
He curled up on a corner of the sectional beside Qylar and watched the kids open gift after gift.
One thing he did have to say, the children were very appreciative of what they were given, thanking and hugging whoever had given it, if they were there.
“Well, those are the last of my gifts and I really should be heading back,” King Krythar said, rising. “I can’t believe I took two days off this time. I’m terrified what I’m walking back into, though.”
“I’m sure Aken has been doing a wonderful job covering for you,” Alex said. As soon as his father turned away, Alex winced.
“He’d best have, or he won’t get this chance again,” the king said. He gave Zaadi and Ael hugs and then pressed a kiss to a sleeping Xan’s forehead. “Until we see one another again. Safe travels.”
The king hugged Alex and headed out.
Once he was gone, Alex clapped his head. “Now it’s time to pick the four or five things that you really, really love and want to keep.”
“They don’t keep everything?” Kenji asked, fighting a smile.
“He gives too much,” Alex said. “So I have the kids go through and pick the few things they’re most excited about. And what do we do with the rest, Zaadi?”
“We give it to little boys and girls who don’t have presents under their tree and need toys,” Zaadi said as she hunted her pile for what she really wanted.
“Have you thought about asking him to stop?” Kenji asked.
Cryss scoffed. “Repeatedly.”
“This way, our house isn’t a cyclone of toys, the kids get a reasonable amount, and kids less fortunate get something for Christmas. I store everything in one of the upstairs bedrooms and cover it with a dust cloth—and then come back around September or October to add to a toy drive.”
Kenji smiled. “I love that you do that. There are a lot of kids this can help.”
Alex nodded.
“Do you think your dad knows what you do?”
Alex winced. “Zaadi kind of spilled the beans earlier this morning. Either he didn’t hear her or didn’t care.”
After another few minutes, the kids had a few toys around them to play, and the pile was placed near the stairs to take up. Alex sighed and turned back to the tree. “Now we can open Papa, Daddy, and Uncle presents!”
Kenji watched all of the exchanging, settling back and not expecting anything—but Cryss handed him two boxes. One from Alex and Cryss and one from the kids. “Oh, you guys didn’t need to get me anything.”
“Why not? You got something for us,” Alex said, showing a box.
Kenji eyed Qylar as Cryss returned to the tree. “I got them something?” he whispered.
“We did,” Qylar replied.
“You shouldn’t have included me. But thank you.”
“Next year, you’ll know them better and can contribute ideas,” Qylar murmured. He pressed a kiss to Kenji’s forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
Alex laid two gifts on the seat where Qylar had just been sitting.
Kenji slid the small present he’d ordered at the last minute from his robe pocket and slid it under the other two.
It was almost more a joke than a gift, but even with a million dollars in the bank, he wasn’t great at spending money frivolously.
The scent of coffee filled his nose, and he sighed with delight.
Qylar reappeared a few minutes later with two mugs in his hand. He glanced at Alex and Cryss as he passed. “Made a pot.”
“You’re a god, Q,” Cryss said before heading to the kitchen.
Qylar handed him a mug that had a string hanging out of it.
“Tea?”
“You’re pregnant,” Qylar said, grinning.
Kenji whimpered but took the mug. He tried a sip and had to admit, it wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t a delicious cup of coffee, either.
Once Cryss returned with cups for him and Alex, it was explained that they went one by one and everyone opened their gifts.
The kids did theirs first. They got an outfit each, socks, a toy, and a book.
Kenji had to smile. He’d thought the kids were being spoiled rotten, but Alex was clearly not going to allow his kids to be turned into entitled brats.
He needed to take notes, as the man was a genius.
After the kids, Alex turned to him. “Okay, Kenji—as the newest adult here, you go first.”
Kenji sunk in on himself, not accustomed to gift-giving or receiving. “I’ll give it a go.”
He opened the first from the kids and smiled when he found an assortment—a bag of trail mix and a cocoa mix the kids made themselves, homemade cookies, and a drawing each child made of him.
“Those are really sweet, thoughtful gifts,” Kenji said, hugging both kids. “Thank you so much.”
“Yummy cookies,” Ael said, waggling his eyebrows.
“That’s Ael speak for—if you don’t like those cookies, he will be happy to take care of them for you.”
Kenji chuckled. “I’ll let you know later, Ael.”
Ael waggled his brows some more.
The next gift from Alex and Cryss had a nice, thick robe and a leather-bound journal in it.
“I highly suggest you write down all the weird pregnancy things that happen and when—like be thorough—because they do not have a playbook for us half-humans yet. If you decide to have another down the road, it might be a lifesaver,” Alex said.
“None of my pregnancies have been exactly the same, but there were a lot of similarities. Reading my old notes helped me sometimes, if I was feeling nervous about something.”
“Good idea,” Kenji said. “I’ve already got some things to add. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Alex replied.
“How did you know he planned to keep them?” Qylar asked Alex.
“I didn’t,” Alex said. “But journals are great for everyone. Can’t go wrong either way.”
Kenji smiled, suddenly realizing there wasn’t a gift from Qylar.
In a way, he was relieved. He’d expected a big deal compared to his little gift and the potential for embarrassment.
But it was also weird the way that he’d been adamant about having something under the tree for him and there being nothing.
“Who’s next?”
“Qylar?” Alex said, frowning.
“Oh? Me next? Okay,” Qylar said, grinning.
He opened the two boxes from their family first. Then he got to the thin package wrapped in colorful tissue and saw it was from Kenji.
“It’s probably really silly and stupid, but I thought it might make you laugh,” Kenji said.
Qylar tore through the tissue and lifted the t-shirt out. He read it, but said absolutely nothing, his face blank.
Panic ran through Kenji. Had he completely missed the mark with his cheesy, little gift?
“I love it,” Qylar said quietly before leaning over and pressing his lips to Kenji’s.
Kenji stared up at him and then noticed a shine to Qylar’s eyes. He hadn’t expected that.
“What’s it say?” Alex asked. “You’ve got to show everyone.”
Qylar’s face seemed to grow a bit red. He unfurled the large, dark blue t-shirt emblazoned with glittery planets and the words ‘Universe’s Greatest Dad’ and showed it to his friends.
“It’s stupid, I know,” Kenji said. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“It’s perfect,” Qylar said, his voice raw.
“I like the glittery planets,” Zaadi said, smiling at Qylar.
“Me, too, princess.”
“You should put it on,” Zaadi told him.
Qylar’s cheeks grew red, but he slid out of his robe and pulled the t-shirt on. It was a perfect fit. After another kiss, he slid his hand into Kenji’s and squeezed it.
Alex and Cryss opened their gifts next. After, Cryss rose. “Let me go check the brunch casserole.”
“Oh, hold on,” Qylar said. “I missed a gift.”
He slid onto the floor on one knee in front of Kenji and pulled out a small velvet box.
Kenji’s eyes widened. “No… no, no, no…”
Qylar frowned.
“I gave you a t-shirt. You cannot give me—” A ring. He knew it soul deep as soon as he saw it. “Whatever’s in that box.”
“This isn’t a competition,” Qylar whispered. “And I happen to love this shirt, thank you very much. Now everyone will know I’m the best.”
Kenji sighed. “I feel terrible.”
“Don’t,” Qylar said. He popped open the box and a diamond encrusted gold band sat in the middle. “Kenji Gibson, mate of Qylar, House Qlr—will you be my husband?”
Kenji covered his mouth with his hand, tears filling his eyes.
Qylar watched him.
Zaadi stepped beside where Qylar knelt and peeked around to check out the ring. She smiled at Qylar and gave him a thumbs up.
“Zaadi,” Alex whispered hotly. “Get over here.”
After Zaadi scampered over to her fathers, Qylar leaned closer.
“You just asked me last night how one became husbands, and I feared you were about to ruin my plans—please don’t leave me hanging.”
“How would I ruin them?”
“If I said too much or got weird, you might’ve figured it out.”
“I didn’t.”
Qylar smiled. “I know. But if you don’t give me some kind of answer soon, things might start getting weird.”
“I got you a t-shirt,” Kenji whispered again, so ashamed.
“I know,” Qylar said. “I love it. I’m going to wear it every single day.”
“I bet all those one-nighters will get a kick seeing him in that,” Alex whispered to Cryss.
“No chatter from the peanut gallery,” Qylar said without taking his eyes off Kenji. “Well? Will you wear my ring?”
Kenji nodded, reaching out and wrapping his arms around Qylar’s neck. “Yes.”
Qylar sighed with relief and dragged him close. They kissed deeply. Qylar slid the ring on Kenji’s finger before another few kisses.
“Now, I’m checking the brunch casserole,” Cryss whispered, rolling the little bassinet with Xan inside with him. “Congratulations, guys.”
“Congratulations,” Alex said, picking up Ael and coming for a better look at the ring. “It’s gorgeous.” He turned to Zaadi. “Ready for Christmas breakfast.”
“Yeah,” Zaadi said, bouncing into the kitchen alongside Alex and Ael.
Once they were alone, Kenji looked up at Qylar and spread his palms over the silly t-shirt.
“Kenji, I never thought I was going to be a father,” Qylar said, his voice low.
“You came into my life and made it possible. It’s not just a t-shirt.
It’s the family we’re about to become. That is a gift that no gold or diamonds could ever surpass.
” He pressed a kiss to Kenji’s lips. “It’s not silly, and it’s not stupid.
” He glanced down at his shirt before giving him a wink. “And it sparkles more than the ring.”
Kenji chuckled, wrapping his arms around Qylar’s midsection. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Qylar whispered.
“Merry Christmas,” Kenji added.
“Merry Christmas.”