Thawed Out (Merry Everything #4)

Chapter 8

8

I t never ceased to amaze Kiren how resilient his children were. Daddy and Dad-Mom weren’t happy and were living separately for a while, and now they were happy again and everything was good.

Done. Accepted. Moving on.

At least for now.

Jasper had squinted at them until they confirmed that Flynn was actually staying for dinner and would definitely make them breakfast in the morning, and then that seemed to be that.

Jasper was in the shower now, and Flynn had just finished giving Cassidy a bath. He was listening to her giggle and Flynn’s deeper chuckle as he combed through the presents they’d bought on their way to his parents’ house.

“Well, this certainly is nice, having everyone here again for Christmas.” His mother never missed a beat. She knew he was alone so she could ask all of her questions.

“It is, right? And it will be a typically long night of wrapping.”

“I still worry.”

“Mom. We talked about this already.”

“Yes, but what did he say to convince you?”

“He said—well, what he said isn’t important. He didn’t have to say anything, Mom. You saw him. And that’s after me feeding him and making him sleep for three days.” It was going to take a while to undo everything their separation had done to Flynn.

“Yes, but I want this to be more than you feeling sorry for him. I want you both to be happy.” Mom adored Flynn, so it felt like she was looking out for both of them.

“I know. I love him. I don’t feel sorry for him; I was worried about him. It’s not pity; it’s love. I forgot all the reasons I married him in the first place, you know? He’s been reminding me.” And it wasn’t perfect yet; they both had work to do still. He knew that. But it felt like work worth doing now instead of something he wanted to give up on.

“Well, good then. This whole thing was stupid. You two are amazing, and giving up when things get hard is ridiculous.”

He stared at his mother. “What happened to you’re both so stubborn’?”

“You are.” She winked at him. “But he makes you smile. He always has.”

He rolled his eyes. “I suppose that’s better than ‘I told you so’. I tossed the paperwork in the fireplace. I just couldn’t take it, seeing him hurting like that. He was desperate to see the kids, but I’m glad we had a few days to talk and just be together.”

“We’d be happy to babysit once a month to give you time to reconnect.”

He smiled because that offer was both selfless and selfish, and they made him equally happy. “Thank you. I think we’ll take you up on that.”

“Good. He’s a hard worker, a good provider, a great dad, and he loves you.” Mom kissed his cheek. “And so do I.”

“Yeah, yeah. I need to help tuck the kids in. Do you feel like wrapping?” He grinned at her, knowing she’d say yes even if she didn’t really feel like it. It was Christmas after all.

“Of course. Then I’m going to pour a glass of wine and put on White Christmas .”

“Sounds great. Thanks, Mom.” He kissed her cheek and went to find Flynn. The kids had spent so many nights here they were comfortable, and it had been a tradition for Santa to visit here instead of home, so he was glad that nothing was changing for them this year.

Flynn was rocking Cass, singing carols with her and Jasper, the low voice sweet and slow.

He sat with Jasper and joined in, putting an arm around their son. When the song ended, he squeezed Jasper’s shoulders and whispered, “Bedtime, guys. Santa can’t come if you’re not asleep.”

“You’ll both be here in the morning?” Cass grinned when Flynn nodded.

“I’ll be here for Santa, and then we’ll have the day here before we go home tomorrow night, cool?”

“Cool.” Jasper hopped up and moved over to his bed.

Kiren loved this room. It had been his as a kid, and now to have his children in it just made him happy. He tucked Jasper in, and then switched places with Flynn. “Goodnight, Cass. Sleep tight.”

“Merry Christmas Eve! It’s going to be the best Christmas ever!”

“That’s right. The best ever.” He kissed her forehead, glad to be here and not stuck in that cabin anymore. He went to Flynn and took his hand as they left the room together. “Feeling better?”

“Mmhmm. It’s good to see their baby faces.” Flynn squeezed his hand and leaned in, taking a quick kiss.

“I know, right? Next up bicycles. Mom is wrapping the stuff we bought for us. Should we go help her first?” They probably should, but really, he wanted a glass of wine.

“Whatever you want. Is she mad?”

“Mom?” He laughed. “No, baby. She’s very happy. She apparently had more faith in us than we did.”

“I do like her.” Flynn bumped their shoulders together. “Almost as much as I like you.”

“I’ll keep her. She’s a free babysitter after all.” He was going to keep her offer to take the kids once a month to himself so he could surprise Flynn and take him out. Kiran thought his husband—his husband, dammit—would be thrilled with a date night.

They hadn’t done that in a long time.

Maybe New Year’s Eve when Flynn’s parents were visiting and could watch the kids. That could be a lot of fun.

He kept hold of Flynn’s hand as they went back downstairs. “You want a glass of wine while we build those bikes?”

“Oh, we are living dangerously, are we?” Flynn chuckled but nodded. “Why not? We’ve earned a glass.”

“We’ve earned a whole bottle, but the bikes might not be safe to ride if we go there.” He pulled Flynn into the kitchen and found an open bottle on the counter. “Dad beat us to it.”

“You know he’s waiting with the power tools, and Mom’s got one eye on the stairs making sure Jasper doesn’t cheat.”

He had to grin because he was sure Flynn was right. “You know them so well.” He poured two glasses and handed one to Flynn. “Let’s go rescue Dad.”

“Sounds great. We’ll pretend we can read instructions, he’ll pretend he knows everything, and Mom will roll her eyes.”

“Instructions? What are instructions?”

When they got to the garage, Dad was already there, wine on the workbench and reading glasses on his nose. Dad glanced up at them. “I think we can handle this.”

“I hope so, because they’re the big Santa gift.” Flynn rolled his eyes, but the grin was wide and happy. “Hey, you. It’s good to be here.”

“Good to have you back.” Dad shook Flynn’s hand and covered it with his free one for a second before letting Flynn go. That was honest affection from his father, and he knew it wasn’t lost on his husband.

“I say we start with the small one.”

“You start with Cassidy’s little one. Flynn and I will work on Jasper’s.” Dad handed Flynn a box cutter and that was apparently that.

He managed to meet Flynn’s eyes long enough to give him a playful wink.

Flynn waggled his eyebrows, and it felt so good, to play, to be relaxed.

Relaxed for a few minutes anyway. Cassidy’s bike didn’t even have pedals, but it was still complicated to assemble. He did get it done though, and before Dad and Flynn had finished Jasper’s.

“You men need any help?” he teased, reaching for what was left of his wine.

“You hush. We’re bonding. You go…tie a ribbon.”

Flynn cracked up at Dad’s word, just chortling.

“Oh ho. I see how you are. I will do just that.” He went back inside to find ribbon for the bikes and found Mom sitting at the bottom of the steps, right where Flynn said she would be. “Go to bed, Mom. It’s late.”

“You sure? I’m barely keeping my eyes open…”

“I’m sure. Santa is almost done, and then we just have to put things around the tree. Dad is having a great time with Flynn.” He helped her up. “Thank you so much.”

“I love you. Tomorrow is going to be an amazing day. I can’t wait to see the kids’ faces when they wake up.” She stood and hugged him tight.

He held on just as tight for a second then watched her go. “Merry Christmas, Mom. I love you too.”

He needed to find some ribbon. And maybe he’d refill their wine. Why not? It was Christmas.

It was late when they crawled into bed, and they were toasty—not drunk, but silly and giggling like children as they snuggled in together in a real, wonderful, comfortable bed.

It didn’t even matter that they were at Kiren’s folks. Flynn was over the moon, a little horny, and warm.

“Are you feeling all bonded with Dad now?” Kiren tugged the covers up over them.

“Oh, yeah. I’m super bondy boy.” He snorted at himself, tickled as shit.

Kiren was giggling in the darkness. “If we had gotten divorced he’d have thrown me out and had you over for Christmas dinner.”

“We’re not getting divorced, though. Not at all.”

“Nope. Not now, not ever.” Kiren blew a raspberry under his collar bone. “How naughty can we be and still have Santa show up?” Kiren circled a nipple with his tongue. “Never mind, I don’t care if there is coal in my stocking. I have you.”

“You’re better than any present, babe.” He dragged his fingers through Kiren’s thick hair. “Better than anything to me.”

“Good. Then I’m going for very naughty.” Kiren pushed his underwear down and let him kick them off, then rolled him over and grabbed his ass. “Mmm. Can’t mess up Mom’s sheets though.”

“No. No, that would be embarrassing.” Not that he wouldn’t strip all the beds before they left. It was only nice.

Kiren slid down and nipped at his ass. “Yelling too loudly would be too.”

“Be good!” That was, at best, a stage whisper. Flynn pulled the covers over his head.

“Nope. Coal in my stocking.” Kiren spread his cheeks with a dark chuckle.

“So fucking hot. You make me crazy.” He was going to lose his mind.

“Good. I want to make you crazy. I’m not going to let you forget how much you turn me on ever again.”

“Swear it.” Flynn spread wide, his cock aching, his balls heavy with need.

“I swear. I better than swear.” Kiren covered his skin with biting kisses, then bathed his hole with a hot tongue.

He shoved his fist in his mouth, muffling his happy cry.

After that, Kiren didn’t let up, teasing his hole and stroking his balls with one hand.

The slick sensation drove a line of need from his ass to the base of his skull, and he couldn’t think, he couldn’t see.

All he could do was pray this was real.

The ache in his balls was real, the scent of his cock leaking was real, and the fingers that pressed in just a little, but nowhere near enough to give him the burn he was craving were very, very real.

“More,” he whispered. “Please, love. I want you. I need you. Please.”

He realized that Kiren had planned this when he heard the pop of the lube bottle. Those fingers pulled away but came back cool and slick, and this time they pushed in slowly, giving him a taste of what he really wanted.

He groaned, covering his mouth with his fingers. So fucking perfect. So good.

“You didn’t want to get any sleep tonight, did you?” Kiren whispered back, twisting those fingers deeper inside him.

“Uh-uh. I can sleep later. I swear. I can sleep any time.”

“Me too.” Kiren moved again, and his husband’s heavy cock pressed against his hole, nudging gently, asking permission like Kiren always had. Always, even after they were married. Even though he’d never said no. Kiren was always careful with him.

“Please. I need you more than breath.” Flynn was more than willing to beg.

“Fuck.” He heard Kiren stifle a moan as that cock pushed slowly inside him. “So good. Missed you. Fuck, baby.”

“Every day.” This was exactly what he’d needed, to feel his lover buried deep inside.

He could feel Kiren holding back, trying not to rush, and it was gratifying that his husband seemed to be losing that battle. So he bore down, squeezing with all his might, and Kiren swallowed back a soft scream.

“Bad. Coal for you too,” Kiren said in a slightly strangled voice before rocking into him hard and picking up a steady pace.

“Uh-huh. Coal. Good. All the coal.” Did that even make sense?

“So much coal. Fuck, baby.” Kiren was a little on the loud side there; hopefully they weren’t waking the house up.

He dragged Kiren down into a kiss to shut them both up. Last thing they needed was to wake Cass up now.

“Yeah.” Kiren nodded into the kiss and pulled out long enough to let him roll onto his back, then dove back in, hips driving against him. Much better. He could see Kiren’s face this way.

Kissing was easier on his neck too.

He grinned, imagining himself explaining how he’d strained himself overnight.

Dad would love that. He could see the grin— oh fuck . The only thing he was seeing right now was stars.

His eyes crossed and he gasped on Kiren’s skin, seed spraying out of him.

Kiren bit his shoulder to muffle his groan, and it wasn’t another few seconds of wild thrusting before Kiren followed him over the edge, sucking in air and letting out with soft grunts.

“Mmm…” The whole world was swaying. It made him feel ten thousand feet tall.

“Uh-huh.” Kiren kissed him again, even though neither of them had caught their breath yet. “Crazy and mine.”

“All yours. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas. Best present I could get this year. The best.” Kiren slid away carefully and came back with a washcloth. “Mom’s sheets.” He grinned and scrubbed them clean enough.

“I’ll strip them and the kids’ tomorrow. Be a great son-in-law…”

“Brownie points. Mom’s going to want us to stay another night. I’ll make excuses. I want to take you home.”

“I want to go home with you too.” He had to think about getting another job and all, but not now.

“I put the tree up, and the house is all decorated. I will admit that I didn’t put up that inflatable dancing Santa you like; I put up a Santa in a bathtub instead. He has a rubber duck.”

“Well…next year we’ll have both in the yard. Together. Ducking and dancing.”

“Maybe.” Kiren winked at him and climbed back under the covers. “Man, it’s so much warmer in this house. That cabin can get cold.”

“Yeah. It’s not meant for winter use. I was just in a bad space.” He was so much better now.

“I hope you’re in a better one now. I know I am.” Kiren pulled him closer. “The kids were happy to see us I think. Funny how easy going they are.”

“They want us to be happy. They want us to be together and a family.” Especially Cass.

“They want what we want. Parenting is a lot of pressure sometimes, huh?”

“Tons.” He took a soft kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you. Merry Christmas. We should get a couple of hours in before the pitter-patter of feet on the stairs wakes the whole house up.”

“Mmhmm. I have been charged with making cinnamon roll pancakes. I need sleeps.” He chuckled at himself.

“Damn right. It’s a tradition.” Kiren yawned and he felt his husband relax, sinking into the pillows. “Good night, baby.”

“Good night, lover. Thank you for everything.”

Kiren nuzzled him and that deep, even breathing started right away. Kiren had always fallen asleep easily.

He cuddled in, snuggling into Kiran’s throat. Perfect.

This was perfect.