Chapter Eleven

Brandon

There was an entire mountain of presents under the tree. So many presents. More than Brandon had seen in his entire life. His name, Ezra’s, Dom, Annabelle’s, and even Lake’s names were printed neatly on the tags.

His fingers twitched with the need to shake the big brightly wrapped gift that was from his Daddy.

“You boys had better not be by the presents again!”

Brandon gasped as he looked at Dom then Ezra.

“I swear he has eyes in the back of his head,” Dom whispered.

“He’s not even in the room!” Ezra said in awe. “How does Remi know?”

“He’s a witch!” Dom declared.

Brandon giggled. That could be it. Since Remi was in the kitchen baking, there was no way that he knew they were by the tree.

“Who wants to lick the batter from the spoon?” Remi called.

“Me!” Brandon scrambled up. Dom and Ezra fought to beat each other to their feet. Brandon was not waiting on them. He took off.

“No running!” Remi yelled.

Oops! Too late. Brandon hit the kitchen tile and slid at least four tiles in his socked feet. He grabbed the closest counter to keep from falling.

Dom and Ezra were pushing each other as they entered behind him.

“Stop fighting,” Remi ordered.

Ezra and Dom immediately stopped.

Remi held three large mixing spoons with white batter. “There’s plenty for everyone.”

Dom moved fast. Wow. He grabbed his spoon first. The one that had the most batter. Not fair! Brandon hurried to get the second spoon.

He licked at the batter. Oh! That was so good. He shoved the spoon in his mouth. It barely fit.

“Wow, this is good,” Dom complimented.

It really was!

“This is a dialysis-friendly cherry cheesecake,” Remi supplied. “It’s for our Christmas dinner tomorrow so you boys leave it alone.”

Brandon sucked his spoon clean. Huh! Daddy would have been proud of that suction. Brandon snickered to himself.

“I think Brandon is getting dirty with his spoon,” Ezra teased.

Brandon didn’t stop licking his spoon. “Don’t be jealous of my skills.”

Remi snorted a laugh as the back door opened.

Dane, Eric, and Maverick strolled into the kitchen from the yard.

Mmm, his Daddy was looking good covered in a light dusting of snow, in a dark flannel and tight jeans. The spoon in his hand was forgotten. Brandon could think of something else he could be licking.

“What’s going on in here?” Dane asked while crossing the kitchen to him.

Brandon held the big spoon up in front of his mouth before sticking his tongue out and licking it slowly.

Daddy’s eyes widened comically.

“Brandon’s being naughty,” Ezra tattled.

“I think he’s being a good boy,” Dane corrected. His hands cradled Brandon’s hips.

Brandon moaned as he twirled his tongue.

“I don’t need to see this,” Eric bitched. “Why is this happening in the kitchen?”

“Daddy!” Ezra said. “Remember when you—”

“Do not finish that question!” Eric ordered.

“Wait? What did you do in this kitchen?” Remi demanded.

“We cleaned up afterwards,” Eric retorted.

Dane was nuzzling his neck so Brandon really didn’t care about the conversation that was happening around him. Not when Dane’s erection was brushing against his hip.

Suddenly Dane lifted his head. “Is Annabelle still napping?”

“Yeah,” Remi replied. “Should be down for another half hour or so.”

Daddy grinned. “We’ll be back.”

Remi snorted.

Leaning forward, Dane whispered. “Uppies?”

Fuck yeah. “Uppies, Daddy.”

Dane lifted Brandon off his feet before striding out the kitchen. Remi snatched the spoon from Brandon’s hand as they passed.

“I have no idea how spoons ended up being so…” Remi started.

“Sexy!” Ezra helpfully supplied.

Halfway across the living room, Dane kissed him.

Brandon opened his lips to allow Daddy the access he wanted. Brandon sucked on Daddy’s tongue before Dane drew away.

“What were you eating? Tastes good.”

“Cheesecake batter,” Brandon supplied. “It was good but it reminded me of something else thick I could be licking up.”

Dane squeezed Brandon’s cheeks hard. “So you were being naughty.”

“You said I was a good boy,” Brandon reminded him.

They reached the bedroom. Dane strolled through the doorway before setting Brandon on his feet.

“Knees now, baby.” Dane closed and locked the door.

Brandon dropped where he stood. He peered up through his lashes as Daddy turned with his hand already on his belt.

“Open your mouth for me, baby. Stick out your tongue.”

He was happy to obey.

Dane had his belt undone and his jeans open in seconds. He pushed the jeans and underwear past his ass then grasped the base of his cock.

Shuffling forward, Dane stopped in front of Brandon. “Safe word?”

“Green, Daddy. I want you to fuck my mouth.”

“That’s just what I’m going to do to you. I’m going to pound your throat so hard that you’re going to have trouble talking.”

He wouldn’t really but the fantasy was fun.

Dane brushed the head of his cock over Brandon’s lips, letting the precome from his dick paint a trail.

Brandon licked his lips, catching the tip of Dane’s erection.

“You ready for Daddy?” Dane teased.

“Yes, Daddy.” Brandon tried not to move. He wanted to reach for the cock in front of him.

Dane was in control this time though.

He had to be a good patient boy.

Brandon could do it.

“Pull your pants down to your knees,” Daddy ordered. “I don’t want you making a mess in your new Christmas jammies. Then you couldn't wear them and match the other boys.”

“Undies too, Daddy?” Brandon scrambled to get his pants down.

“Undies too, baby boy.” Dane watched with his dark heated gaze.

Brandon shivered.

His Daddy was really turned on.

“Mouth wide. Let Daddy do the work,” Dane commanded.

“K.” Brandon tried to stay still.

Dane flexed his hips, the tip of his dick brushing against Brandon’s mouth again. Closing his lips, he tried to keep that hard member inside.

“No,” Dane said softly. “Daddy is in charge.”

Brandon released the cock from between his lips. “Sorry, Daddy.”

“That’s okay, baby. I know you love my cock. I’ll give you the chance to show me.”

Dane’s left hand caressed Brandon’s cheek before he grabbed the hair at the back of Brandon’s head. “Color?”

“Green.” Fuck! This was hot.

With his dick in his right hand, Brandon’s hair in his left, Dane pushed his cock into Brandon’s mouth while shoving his head forward.

The head of Daddy’s cock hit the back of his throat and Brandon gagged.

“Good,” Dane praised. He pulled his dick out of Brandon’s mouth before running the tip over Brandon’s lips again.

Brandon sucked in a breath.

Dane’s cock went back into his mouth. His head was pushed forward again. He choked. Dane withdrew.

They did this over and over until Brandon had tears falling from the corners of his eyes and his own erection bobbed.

“Such a good boy for Daddy,” Dane praised as he gave an extra-hard shove.

The tip slipped down Brandon’s throat.

Dane held himself in place.

“Swallow around my dick!” Dane ordered.

He tried.

“Good boy.” Dane withdrew his shaft.

Brandon coughed then sucked in a ragged breath.

“Again,” Dane ordered.

Brandon braced himself.

A powerful flex of Daddy’s hips.

A cock down his throat.

Brandon’s lips stretched wide around the member in his mouth.

Daddy stayed with his cock trapped.

Brandon couldn’t breathe. One. Two. Three. Four.

Daddy drew back again.

“Faster,” Dane ordered.

He was ready.

Brandon closed his eyes. Dane rammed his cock deep. Brandon didn’t even try to breathe any longer. He let the head of Daddy’s dick rest down his throat. Sucked when Daddy pulled back.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Brandon’s own dick hurt with how much he needed come.

Dane continued to use his mouth. Praising him. The hand in his hair no longer tugging but petting.

“Gonna. Gonna come this time,” Dane warned.

Brandon nodded. He couldn’t see through his tears.

Dane pushed in hard. The first squirt of come made Brandon choke but Dane held his face tight against his groin.

Brandon came hard. Silent. Unable to move or even make a sound.

“Good boy,” Dane snarled.

Brandon couldn’t even swallow his tasty treat. Not until Daddy pulled back. Dane wiped his own seed and Brandon’s come across his lips and chin before dropping to his knees in front of Brandon.

Daddy cupped Brandon’s softening dick. “You did so good. I know you wanted to play like that. Was it okay?”

“So good, Daddy.” Brandon leaned his weight against his Daddy’s shoulder. That had been better than Brandon had even imagined. He’d never been afraid. Brandon knew that Dane would never hurt him. Not for real.

Blinking open his eyes, Brandon pulled back to smile up at Dane. “I love you.”

Dane laughed but happiness shone in his eyes. “I love you too, baby boy. But how about we tell each other again when we haven’t just come all over each other.”

“K, Daddy!” Brandon glanced down. “I didn’t make a mess on my clothes.”

“No, you saved that for my foot.” Dane winced. “It’s probably safe to say that I do not have a foot fetish. I’ll grab the wipes and get us cleaned up.”

He laughed as Dane crawled away from him. Brandon ended up on his bare bottom then fell back. He wiped his hand over his mouth, feeling the stickiness. Yeah, they definitely needed to clean up. It was almost time for presents!

* * * * *

Dane

He didn’t know who was more excited about opening presents, the boys or Annabelle.

Eric wore a Santa hat as he passed out presents. The boys had made a semi-circle around the tree. Annabelle at Ezra’s side. Remi was next to the tree, handing off the wrapped gifts to Eric, who then presented them to a very excited boy or an equally excited Annabelle.

Maverick watched the happenings from the safety of his new dog bed beside the couch.

“Remember we’re saving some of those to open with Lake and Jesse tomorrow,” Dane advised.

“I already moved those to the back,” Remi replied.

Brandon was sitting between Dane’s open legs and peered up at him. “Why can’t Lake come now?”

“Remember that he had to go to his parents’ house. It was hard enough for him to work out coming here tomorrow instead of going home,” Dane said.

“But he is coming later?” Brandon questioned.

“To spend the night,” Dane assured his boy. “After he’s done at dinner with his parents and brothers.”

“Slumber party!” Ezra cheered.

They had already moved a couple of air mattresses into the living room so the boys could have a slumber party in the living room. Dane wasn’t happy about not having his boy in his arms for the night, but he could make a sacrifice for one time. Once a year. But that was all.

Dane was glad to see that he wasn’t the only one who’d gone nuts with gift buying. Each boy and Annabelle had a pile in front of them. The bottom of the tree was still covered with more presents when Remi called it enough.

“Can we open? Can we?” Ezra asked.

“Open!” Annabelle repeated.

Remi moved closer to Dom, who appeared a little overwhelmed with the amount of presents for him. From the wrapping paper, most looked to be from Remi. Of course, Remi’s presents were perfectly done. Dane had about thrown the tape and paper out the window when he’d spent the few hours it took to wrap the presents he’d bought. Sometimes Dane wanted to mess up Remi’s perfectly ordered world.

Watching Dom hiss and complain at Remi might be enough now that he thought about it.

“Let’s do this!” Eric clapped. He settled behind Annabelle but close enough to Ezra to help if needed.

Dane picked up the closest present to him and handed it to Brandon.

As Brandon started to tear at the paper, Dane adjusted the gifts in a pile of what he knew was what. There were two presents sitting on their bed that Brandon hadn’t seen. They also didn’t need to be opened in front of other people or a little girl. Instead, the safe gifts would be opened in the living room but that didn’t mean Dane couldn’t have his own fun.

Brandon huffed as he finally got the thick paper off the plastic bag.

He ripped into the bag and several pairs of cute socks fell into his lap. They had dogs like Maverick all over them.

His boy squealed and gave a little dance before throwing the socks in Dane’s lap. Guess it was Dane’s job to keep up with them. He handed Brandon the next present.

Even with the Christmas music playing softly in the background, the sounds of laughter and teasing were what Dane listened to. This was what he’d missed out all the years that he’d either held himself apart from others or had been drunk on Christmas Eve because he’d been alone.

It might have started with Eric and Remi but the life he hadn’t known he wanted hadn’t been imaginable until Brandon had looked at him with those dark scared eyes that very first time.

Brandon had asked if Dane wanted to try to call his father for the holiday. He’d been embarrassed admitting that he didn’t even know if his father was still alive. Dane hadn’t thought about his parent in so long. If he was alive, Dane doubted that his father had ever moved from the house that Dane had grown up in. Probably would have been too much hassle.

He hadn’t made a decision yet. Maybe not now but it was something to consider for the future.

His boy had wanted to call his own parents. Eric had been nervous. Dane wanted to sweep Brandon away so he wouldn’t get hurt. In the end Brandon made the call, with Dane, Eric, and Ezra all by his side. The call on speaker.

If Brandon’s mom was surprised to hear from Brandon and Eric, she didn’t show it. She had been getting ready for a party so hadn’t talked long but listened and made appropriate noises as Brandon updated her on his and Eric’s lives.

The lack of warmth had surprised Dane.

This was the woman that had carried two children inside her for months but didn’t seem to care that it had been years since she’d heard from them.

Dane couldn’t imagine ever not wanting to know every small detail about Brandon’s day. It was hard enough being apart when they both had to work. Dane hated Brandon and Eric’s parents more than he did his own. It was a powerful emotion that he struggled with.

He kept passing his boy the presents to open as the night went on.

There was a definite theme to the gifts. Dane hoped they had enough space in the playroom. And Annabelle wasn’t lacking in any way either.

He’d bought Annabelle a pink tutu and crown since her current favorite movie was a Barbie as a princess. Brandon had bought her both ballet and tap shoes. Dom had gifted her with a new Barbie and pink car. Remi kept up the Barbie theme with a Barbie house. Eric and Ezra had been a little more responsible getting her new clothes, coloring books, and a few toys. Their big present to her was a play kitchen that would go in her room. Dane knew that Lake and Jesse’s gifts would be the plastic food and dishes that would be opened the next day.

So far in his lap were Brandon’s socks. More onesies. A few pairs of lounge pants all in fun designs. A couple of gay romance books from Dom. A new Kindle from Remi. Puzzles, toys, and Play-Doh from Ezra and Eric. He was currently finishing opening up the ones from Dane.

Walkie-talkies for all the boys. A new night-light in the shape of a superhero Brandon liked. More makeup so he could practice on Dane.

Brandon’s smile was huge.

“It’s your turn, Daddy,” he said quietly before passing over a box.

“Me?” He took the box and noticed that Eric and Remi were also opening their own presents.

Dane hadn’t thought about him getting anything. He should have. He’d bought for the others including Eric and Remi. Huh. Dane had been excited about giving gifts instead of receiving them for the very first time in his life.

“We wouldn’t forget about you.”

“I know you wouldn’t, baby boy.” No, this had been on him. Sometimes it was hard to remember he had a family again.

Remi had gifted him with a pair of ice level hockey tickets. Eric had given him a new hockey jersey. Ezra and Annabelle had wrapped up a dark frame that held a picture of the five of them. Dane, Brandon, Eric, Ezra, and Annabelle. Family.

Dane had never been one to decorate his desk at work but that picture would be front and center from now on.

“These are from me,” Brandon handed over three more wrapped gifts.

“I’m sure I’ll love them.” Dane leaned forward to capture Brandon’s lips. He kissed his boy slowly.

“You would know if you opened them!” Brandon said once Dane drew back.

He laughed but tore at the paper. Little snowman dancing around. Cute. Brandon also seemed to have gotten the wrapping down. Maybe he’d have the boy wrap all the presents from now on. Except his own. Dane planned on bribing Remi for that.

The first present from his boy was a coffee mug that said Best Daddy Ever .

“I really do love it!” Dane praised. And it was the perfect large size for how much Dane needed in the mornings. A lot of mugs were just too small.

“Next one!” Brandon bounced in place.

Dane got the paper off before opening the shoebox.

He quickly closed it back up before looking around for Annabelle. This was not for little eyes.

Brandon snickered.

He lifted the lid back up, making sure he blocked the view from anyone else.

Annabelle was jumping around as Eric struggled to get her new Barbie out of the package. Ha! Dane would be teasing his friend about that later.

Nestled on top of green and red tissue paper were several bottles of lube, a butt plug, and a blindfold.

Dane ran his fingertips over the soft silk of the blindfold. He looked up to meet Brandon’s gaze.

Brandon was rocking side to side as he bit his lip.

“Are you sure, baby?”

“I’m sure about you,” Brandon said. “I think I’m ready. I know that I only want to try with you.”

He closed the box carefully and set it to the side before he pulled Brandon into his lap. His sweet, sensitive, brave boy. Dane kissed Brandon gently, enjoying the feeling swarming inside him.

This was what home meant. What having a family provided.

“There’s one more thing for you,” Brandon said.

Dane couldn’t think of anything he didn’t already have. He still accepted the package.

Brandon remained in his lap as Dane tore the paper down the middle. A matching frame to Ezra’s gift. This time the photo inside was one that he didn’t recognize.

They were in the backyard sitting on the grass. Dane’s back to the tree with Brandon in his lap. Maverick lay in front of them chewing on a bone as Dane and Brandon kissed.

“Baby—”

That had to be the most powerful photo he’d ever seen. His entire world all in one place.

“My brother took that picture,” Brandon said. “He showed it to me and I knew that he’d managed to capture the most perfect moment. Of my family.”

Dane found himself tearing up. “Exactly.”

Brandon leaned close to his ear. “We’re not covered in come right now.”

He barked out a watery laugh. “No, we’re not.”

“I love you, Dane. My Daddy.”

Dane set the frame down on his lap before he cupped Brandon’s face. “I love you, Brandon. My baby boy.”