The others laughed as Mark ripped off the wrapping paper like an excited child. The small box was polished wood with a hinged lid. Mark carefully opened it. He stared at the item within, a smile on his face.
“What is it?” Micah leaned across the sofa cushion.
Mark lifted the gift from the box, revealing a rustic style compass made of brass, attached to a brass chain. “Eli…” he looked at the boy, his smile stretching. “I love it. Did you pick this out all by yourself?”
“Yep.” Eli grinned. “It’s like in the pirate movie.” He rested his elbows on Mark’s leg and peered at the compass. “It’s so you don’t get lost and can find your way home.” He smiled up at Mark. “This home, with us.”
The boy’s sweet innocent sentiment brought tears to Micah’s eyes—and Mark’s as well.
Mark swallowed thickly and hugged the boy. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten,” he whispered with a catch in his voice. “I will cherish it always.”
Micah turned away and cleared his throat, discreetly wiping his eyes. He wasn’t alone. Nick and Wendy both were choked up with emotion.
“I swear,” Micah murmured. “Kids will get you every time.”
∞∞∞
Micah also opened a gift from Eli—a gold Superman pendant on a matching chain.‘Because I think you’re super,’the boy had exclaimed with glee. Micah couldn’t be more pleased with his gift. Right now, tonight, he did feelsuper.In fact, he felt like he couldfly—so the necklace was perfect and appropriate.
Once the gift-giving was finished, Mark and Nick hijacked Micah and took him into the den.
“All right,” Mark said. “No more evading the matter at hand.”
“Yeah.” Nick smiled wryly. “Tell us once and for all—were you naughty or nice today? Santa wants to know.”
“And so do we.”
Micah took a seat at the mini-bar. “Can’t a man beboth?”His smile formed slowly, turning up the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, my Lord.” Mark touched his fingers to his lips. “You deflowered that boy, didn’t you?”
Nick looked at Mark then burst into laughter. Mark joined him.
Sighing, Micah chuckled. “First of all, I’m pretty sure he isn’t a virgin. And second—no,I didn’t. We haven’t…gone there yet.”
“But you wentsomewhere,didn’t you?” Nick prodded playfully. “You better say yes.”
“Maybe a trip to the Southern border?” Mark rocked his brow.
“Oh, my God.” Micah shook his head and laughed. “What’re we in high school?”
“Hey,” Mark teased. “Because of this guy, I don’t get any lovin’ for Christmas. You owe me, my friend.” His eyes sparkled with pure playfulness, his happiness for Micah shining through unencumbered.
Micah glanced at Nick. “What’s your reason?” He grinned. “You’re not even gay. Why’re you so interested in myextra-curricularactivities?”
“I just want to know that this new guy is taking care of my boy.” Nick smiled.
Ducking his head, Micah scratched his temple and chuckled. “Heis, no worries.” He looked at his watch. “Speaking of which…I need to be heading back over there soon for our date.”
Gusts of wind pummeled the house. Nick looked uncertain. “You two aren’t going to be out driving in this weather, are you?”
“Yeah,” Mark murmured. “It’s building up pretty fast out there.”
“No,” Micah said, quickly alleviating their concerns. “We decided to stay in tonight. We’ll save our firstoutdate for New Year’s Eve.”
Relieved, Nick smiled. “Good.”
“So…whatever will you do with yourselves all cooped up for the night?” Mark smirked.
