Santa belted out the song.
Liam screamed.
And Nicky nearly pissed himself laughing so hard. He staggered over to Law’s side of the couch and was pulled close until he was sitting on Law’s knee.
“That wasn’t nice at all,” Law admonished, but there was laughter in his voice.
Jude had run over and picked Liam up while soothing him.
Turning, Nicky turned his face into Law’s neck to hide a yawn. Christmas Eve had gone off without a hitch. Actually, everything had gone better than Nicky could have ever done on his own. The real celebration would be the next day, when the rest of their group arrived. This smaller get-together was just him, Law, Jude, Liam, and Josh. Dinner had been delicious, they’d gotten to open one present, and played games for hours.
Nicky might have cheated just a little when they’d allowed him to be the banker, against Liam’s warning, and he had totally won Monopoly.
If this was what the holidays would be like, then Nicky looked forward to many more in the future. With Law with him, of course. It had only been a couple weeks since they’d started dating but Nicky was falling fast for the man that treated him like he was something precious.
Law rubbed up and down his back. “It’s almost midnight. Are you about ready for bed?”
Nicky lifted his head. “But we still have to put out milk and cookies for Santa.” Law had made the sugar cookies earlier that day and once they cooled, Nicky and Liam had decorated them. It was the most fun that Nicky had ever had in the kitchen. Of course, that wouldn’t be true if Law would let Nicky eat food off his naked chest like Nicky had tried to talk him into.
“Let’s get Santa’s snacks set out then.” Law groaned. “I’m getting too old to stay up this late.”
Nicky giggled. “But it’s ’bout to be Christmas, Daddy!”
“Not if you don’t get to sleep,” Law warned.
“That’s right,” Josh said as he also rose and stretched his arms over his head. “Santa doesn’t come until everyone is asleep in the house.”
Nicky rolled his eyes. That was a ridiculous rule.
“What about the reindeer?” Liam asked quietly. “They’re the ones working hard. Do they get cookies?”
That was a good question. Nicky bounced. “Carrots! We can leave them carrots.” That was a wonderful idea.
But Liam shook his head. “What if Santa doesn’t take them the carrots.”
“I am not putting carrots on the roof,” Jude said firmly. “I’d probably break my neck.”
Liam sniffled. “But, Daddy—”
“How about on the front walk where the reindeer can see them as they fly over,” Josh suggested.
Liam clapped.
Nicky nodded his agreement. “Good idea, Unc Josh.”
Josh’s eyes shone as he looked over at Nicky. He seemed so pleased with the pet name that Nicky thought he might start crying. He walked over and kissed Nicky’s forehead before turning and holding his arms out for Liam.
Liam jumped from his Daddy’s arms to Josh’s.
Josh easily caught Liam then held his hand out for Nicky. “Let’s find some reindeer food.”
Nicky threaded his fingers with Josh’s and tugged him from the room.
Josh might not have a boy of his own, but Nicky and Liam could make sure that they gave him the best uncle treatment. And if Nicky came across a little that was looking for a Daddy, then maybe they could add another friend to their group.
It didn’t take long to leave a long line of carrots out the front door and across the sidewalk. Okay, maybe it didn’t take long since it was freezing. They weren’t exactly dressed for the cold in the matching pajamas Nicky had bought for him and Liam.
Inside, Nicky bounced, trying to warm up.
