Page 76 of One More Yule Log
He jumped in the shower super quick while Gray filled the garden tub, but soon enough they were in the bath, Gray’s back snuggled up to his chest, both of them bubbling.
“Oh, this is good for tense muscles, huh?” Gray sighed, leaning back against him. “Love you.”
“I love you. Happy Yule, love. Thank you for bringing a new kind of light back to my life, even if it is the darkest night of the year.”
“Thank you for giving me a family and a new year to look forward to in a huge way. I feel totally energized.”
Ben loved that they were exchanging Yule log promises and blessings. He kissed the top of Gray’s head and held his lover tight.
“It’s the perfect night for a new love of my life.”
Epilogue
Yule Night—Two Years Later
“Liv?Kiddo? Can you come open the oven door for me? The roast beast is ready to come out.”
“You got it, Pop.” Olivia came out of the front room where she’d been lounging on the sofa. “It smells great in here. Did you use a lot of garlic in the roast?”
“I did. You want to help me pour the Yorkshire puddings once the oil is hot?” She was getting so grown up. He adored her completely.
“Sure. Totally. When are Nana and Pap-pap coming? Christmas Eve?” Liv loved having more grandparents.
“I’m here, and I brought that layer salad you like, Gray.” Frances came in, stomping her boots clean. “And that cranberry salad you like, Olivia.”
“Aunt Fran! We’re about to make yorkie puddings.”
“Eek.” Fran winked. “Poor Yorkies.”
“Ew!” Liv wrinkled her nose but went to help Fran carry.
“Hey, lady. And yeah, they’re coming up Christmas Eve.” He’d called his folks just over a year ago and asked them to come to his wedding, told them about Ben and Olivia. His new family had made it easy to forgive, and to ask.
They’d been tickled to death. Sometimes, it was still complicated, but it was good now.
“Where’s Ben? Is he in town?”
“Nope. He’s upstairs in the nursery putting the babies to sleep.” Liv chuckled softly, shook her head. “And then he’s going to come downstairs and pretend to watch TV through his eyelids.”
“Twins will do that to you.” Fran grinned and winked at Gray.
“God, yes. Even with us all on duty, they run us ragged.” He offered his cheek to Fran. “Sit and have a glass of wine?”
She kissed him happily. “After I go see Frick and Frack upstairs. I’ll send Ben down, so pour two glasses.”
“You got it.” He slid the roast on the counter, then tented it with foil. He got the oil in the oven for the puddings, letting it get hot.
Christian and Penelope had been born the weekend before Thanksgiving, and Frances had been a lifesaver, watching newborns while Ben helped at the bakery, ran Liv around to dance and choir and art lessons, not to mention the huge gingerbread house competition, which she had won, thank you very much. The shop was closed now, and they had two weeks of vacation to rest and enjoy the kids and sleep.
Maybe when Mom and Dad came, he and Ben could go out for a movie or a drink. They would dote and fawn over Liv and the babies, and Alice had offered her now upstanding teenager to help too.
“Where did I put that bottle of red?”
“It’s on the table, Pop. Do you think Daddy’s going to get me a phone for Christmas?”
“Maybe. If you promise not to be a jerky tween and make him take it away.” Actually, Liv had a new friend named Anna, and they rode into school together a lot because Anna’s mom worked near the school. He and Ben had decided Liv needed a phone just in case something went wrong and no one else could call them. There would be strict rules, though.
God, he’d become a dad. Like a dealing with tears and first periods and diaper rashes and two a.m. feedings dad.
