“What are you doing?” Nick and Drew asked as they strolled into their friend’s house.

“What does it look like?” Jeff returned, glancing up from the pile of parts he had laid out in front of him, “Care to give me a hand?”

Both men threw their arms in the air and Nick replied, “Sorry man. You know we’re about as good at that stuff as we are at dancing.”

“Why don’t you just wait til the Nsync guys get here? Lance said that JC’s really good at this kind of stuff. Said he had Briana’s toys all put together for Joey in an hour.” Drew stated, walking past Jeff into the kitchen.

Justin comes in from the kitchen, “Why exactly are they coming over anyway? We haven’t hung out with them in years.”

“Oh get over it Justin,” Nick sighs. He plops down on the couch, grabs the remote and turns the tv on. “You’re just sore cuz their Justin gets all the girls and you don’t.”

“What? What ever. I was just wondering.” Justin strolls back into the kitchen. “Hey Drew?”

“Yeah man?”

“Why are they coming over here again? What the devil is going on around here and why wasn’t I faxed, emailed, or copied on it?”

“Cuz you aren’t Lance,” Jeff smirks. “I give up on that damn thing.”

“What does Lance have to do with anything? Man, you all are just confusing me.” Justin whined.

Drew rolled his eyes and gave Jeff a knowing grin, “So when they supposed to be here?”

“Alyssa will be here late tonight, she’ll probably already be asleep when she gets here. JC and Lance will be here in about an hour, the rest will filter in later, Lance didn’t know exactly when.”

“Cool. Wish Alyssa could get here earlier but at least it gives you some time to get those toys put together. What all you got out there anyway?” Drew asked.

Jeff sighed, “There’s a tricycle and a bunch of other stuff that my mom and dad dropped off. I haven’t even drug that stuff out here yet. It’s all still up in the spare room.”

Drew gave Jeff a smirk, “So is he staying?”

“Who?” Jeff ducks his head into the fridge, “You want something to drink.”

“You know who. Lance. You said he and JC hadn’t made hotel arrangements the last time you talked to them.”

Justin stood from his seat at the table, “On that note, I’m outta here. I’ll be with the Neanderthal.”

“Ok. I don’t know if they arranged something or not. Lance didn’t say last time I talked to him.”

“But you offered, right?”

“Why? Why do you care if they’re staying here or not?” Jeff met Drew’s hazel eyes, “Yeah, I offered. Now will you leave me alone? I still have the decorations and tree to put up. With Neanderthal and Dumbass out there, it’s gonna take a while.”

“Ok. I’ll drop the topic for now. What can I do to help?”

“Can you cook?” Jeff asked with a sarcastic tinge in his voice, when Drew shook his head no, “Then not much. I sure hope one of the Nsyncer’s can. Otherwise this is gonna be one scarry Christmas dinner we’re gonna be having.”

“Why aren’t they all going home for Christmas? I still don’t get that. They’re off, but not? What’s that all about?” Drew puzzled.

“No clue, but don’t even start talking about it unless one of them brings it up first. Ok? Lance seemed a bit ticked off about the whole thing.”

“K. Won’t mention a thing. You think they’ll stay?” Drew asked again.

“Why? You got something to tell me Andrew?” Jeff quirked an eyebrow up.

“Nope, you already know everything you need to know.” Drew smiled. “Oh and if I’m not mistaken, JC and Joey can both cook. Don’t know how good, but they can.”

“Good, so we won’t starve, just die of food poisoning.”

Drew walked back into the living room just in time to open the door as someone knocked, “Hey. You finally made it.” He stepped out of the way as JC stepped into the house. “Where’s…”

Drew was cut off when a pair of lips met his and then pulled away, “I’m right here baby.”

“What the hell?” Came the voice of Nick Lachey. “Since when…”

“Shut up, you knew I was bi so don’t even say it.” Drew growled.

“Yeah,” Justin replied. “But what we didn’t know was that you were dating him.”

“Is that a problem?” JC asked stepping between the two lovers and the other three men in the hallway.

Jeff walked up to JC and placed a hand on his arm, “Not in this house it isn’t.” He turned and glared at the other two men, “Is it?”

The two hurriedly agreed that there was no problem and wandered back into the living room, taking up their vacated seats on the couch. Drew and Lance wandered into the living room as well, making small talk and catching up.

JC and Jeff made their way into the kitchen, Jeff still holding on to JC’s arm. Once they reached the kitchen Jeff spins around, “Please tell me can cook?”

Taken by surprise, JC takes a step back and then smiles brightly. “Yeah, a bit. You want good Italian though you might wanna sucker Joe into cooking for you. Chris isn’t half bad either but don’t let Lance or Justin anywhere near the kitchen or they’ll burn the place down.”

“Good. I was a bit nervous we’d all be starving for Christmas dinner.” Jeff smiles.

“Nope. Got a couple cookbooks in the car. Lance said that Drew told him none of you could cook. He suggested I pick a couple of them up on the way.”

“So you guys find a place to stay?” Jeff blushed.

“No, but Lance said he was staying with Drew anyway. Kinda left me hanging in the wind. Joe’s staying with his family. Justin and Chris both have other arrangements.”

“Good, you can stay here then. Invitation is still open. I got three extra rooms so don’t even try to get out of it.”

“I don’t wanna be in the way. You need to spend time with your daughter man.” JC attempted.

“I said, don’t bother. I’ll get plenty of time with her. Her mother gave me custody, starting today. Speaking of Alyssa, you think you could give me a hand with putting a few of her toys together?” Jeff leads JC down the hallway and opens a door. “Gramma and Grappa got a bit carried away.”

“Yeah, I can see that. When does she get here?”

Jeff smiles and he gets a far away look in his eyes, “Tonight. I can’t wait.”

JC watches the man in front of him then reaches out, placing a hand on his shoulder, “She’s a lucky little girl. You must make one hell of a dad.”

JC’s touch brings Jeff back to reality, “Yeah. I guess.” He looks up into the blue eyes watching him. “What?”

“Nothing. Just amazed at how much the love you have for her just radiates from you at the mere mention of her name.”

Jeff blushes, “K. So you think you can help me with this stuff later?”

JC smirks, “Piece of cake. Shouldn’t take that long. Couple hours at most.”

They make their way back down the hallway, “If you wanna go get your stuff, this will be your room while you’re here.” Jeff opens a door into a beautifully decorated room.

JC steps into the room, looking around, “It’s perfect.” He turns and smiles, “Thank you for letting me sponge off you.”

“Yeah, I heard it through the grapevine that you do it all the time to your bandmates. Figured I’d give them a bit of a break from you.” Jeff teases and walks off down the hall.

JC heads out to the rental car he and Lance had brought. Jeff plops himself into a chair in the living room, letting out a deep sigh.

“Man. Why don’t you just tell him how you feel?” Lance asked. “I know for a fact that he likes you just as much as….”

Lance stopped mid sentence as the front door opened to JC and his suitcase in one hand and several bags in his other. “A little help would be nice.”

Jeff jumped up and grabbed several of the bags, “What is all this stuff?”

“Christmas presents.” JC replied with a tone that clearly asked ‘What do you think they are?’

Jeff took the bundle of bags and placed them in the dining room, on the table, then went into the living room, “Alrighty then. Time to get the tree up. You (he points at Nick) come with me. You and you (points to Drew and Lance) keep your hands to your selves and no traumatizing Justin or JC.” He and Nick left the room and JC returned.

“I miss anything?” JC breathes and he flounces onto the couch where Nick had been sitting.

“Nope, but I do have a question for you.” Drew states.

“What’s that, little one?”

“Who you calling little, I could take you with one arm tied behind my back.” Drew replied.

Lance leaned in and whispered, “But could you take Jeff after he saw what you did to his boy?”

Drew smirks, “Good point. Ok, so my question is. Why the hell are you two him-hawing around? Why don’t you just tell that man you’re in love with him?”

“That’s none of your business,” JC states. He gets up quickly and leaves the room.

The three men left look from one to the other, “Ok. What the hell did I miss this time?” Justin asks.

“No clue, but you weren’t the only one that missed this memo.” Lance states.

************Later that night***************

“Thanks guys for helping me with the tree. It looks great. Alyssa is gonna love it.” Jeff steps back from placing the last ornament on the tree.

“You wanna put the angel on now or wait and do it with Alyssa man?” Nick asks.

“No that’s her job.” Jeff smiles.

“K, so when we eating dude?”

All eyes turn to JC who’d just come into the room from the kitchen, “What? I’ve no idea. Joey took over in there. He’s got stuff in the oven, pans on the stove boiling and the man even has stuff in the microwave. I figured after I set the table that it’d be safer out here with you guys than in….”

JC was cut off by a gruff Italian holler, “Chasez! You better get you’re skinny ass back in here. Now!”

JC blushed and promptly turned back around, “Coming master.”

Jeff stood and watched the retreating back for a few minutes until he felt a presence at his side, “You really should tell him.”

He looks to his left and rolls his eyes, “God not you too, Nick.”

“Yeah, we can all see it. You two are so caught up in trying to keep each other from noticing how you feel you forgot to worry about the rest of us.”

Jeff just smiles and walks down the hall to his room. He grabs the presents he’d stashed there and came back to the living room.

Joey came out of the kitchen with a flourish, “Dinner, is served.”

“Finally,” Chris and Justin T. yell streaking to the dining room.

“You think they were hungry,” Drew asks Lance as the rest of them made their way into the dining room.

As Jeff comes in from the living room, JC comes out of the kitchen with the last of the food. Two sets of blue eyes meet and then quickly dart to another part of the room, both men blushing profusely. Jeff steps back to allow JC access to the table then takes a seat at the head of the table.

JC hastily glances around the table and realizes that the only open seat left is the one next to Jeff. He ducks his head and smiles to himself then sits down. A short prayer is said and then the feasting begins. It’s not long before JC feels a knee press into his. He glances around the table, making sure no one else at the table is paying attention and then glances towards Jeff with a small scowl on his face. He moved his leg a bit, waited til Jeff scooted down in his seat, then brought it back towards himself, fitting it around Jeff’s leg.

Once everyone is finished they all retreat back to the living room except for JC, Jeff and Justin J. Jeff looks at Justin, “You can go relax if you want. JC and I got it.” He picks up some more plates from the table and takes them to the kitchen.

Justin raises an eyebrow but says nothing as he walks into the other room.

The two men work in a companionable silence until the doorbell rings. Jeff looks at JC who smiles and nods his head. Jeff makes his way to the door. When he opens it he’s met with a blonde bundle of energy.

“Daddy!” the bundle squeals from it’s place wrapped around his leg. “Daddy, miss you.”

Jeff settles a comforting hand on the little girl, then looks to her mother. The woman says nothing, just hands him the diaper bag, suitcase and box of presents. She walks away before the little girl even has a chance to notice.

“That was a bit cold.” JC states, as he walks into the hallway.

“Yeah, even for her. Come on sweetie, all your uncles are here.”

“All of them?” Came the muffled response.

JC kneels down next to her, places a gentle hand on her arm and whispers, “All of them. Even Uncle T.” He falls to his butt as the child pushes past him and streaks into the living room yelling for Uncle T as she goes.

Jeff reaches out to help JC up, “What did you tell her to get her to let go?”

“Told her Uncle T is here. That’s what she calls our Justin, that way she doesn’t get so confused.” He keeps a hold of Jeff’s hand for a few minutes, relishing the feeling, before letting go and making his way into the living room. “I see you found him huh?”

“Yep. Thank you for making my Christmas wish come true Uncle C.” Alyssa smiles from Justin’s lap.

“No problem sweetie.” JC smiles as he takes a seat next to Justin T. The little girl climbing into his lap.

“Love you Uncle C.” She whispers into JC’s chest.

“Love you too Lys.” He looks up to meet Jeff’s watchful gaze then back down at the little girl. “You wanna open one present tonight sweetie?”

This caused the bundle of energy to begin moving again, this time directly for the tree. “Yes!!”

Jeff grabs her around the waist and lifts her up, “Not so fast there speedy. Only one and ‘I’ get to pick which one it will be. Go sit back down with Uncle C and I’ll bring it over to you.”

Nick and Justin J. watched the three with confusion playing on their faces, while the rest of the room was wondering why the two men didn’t just get together and put themselves out of their misery. It was so obvious to everyone that they were in love with each other.

Jeff handed a square box to his daughter and then grabbed the camera off the mantle. Alyssa tore into the package as soon as she had it in her little hands. She pulled out the toy and looked at it, then jumped off JC’s lap and ran down the hall to Daddy’s room, Jeff following close behind her. The rest of the men filtered into the hallway when they heard a loud squeal and then a fit of laughter from the girl. JC remained on the couch with a smile firmly planted on his face.

The men quickly moved out of the way as a ball of fur, followed by a bundle of energy came barreling back down the hallway. Jeff quickly followed shooting a quick smile at JC before reaching down and snagging the black and brown ball of fur and gangly legs. “Alyssa. You need to thank Uncle C.”

The little girl climbed back up into JC’s lap again, hugging him tightly. “Thank you soo much.”

“You’re most welcome baby girl.” JC wrapped one arm around her as she got comfortable again, then reached up and took the puppy from Jeff with the other arm, gently placing it in the little girl’s lap. “Now you gotta be easy with him til he gets a bit bigger ok? You don’t wanna hurt him.”

“Ok, I be careful.” She pulls the puppy’s head up and plants a big kiss right on the end of his mouth. The puppy, in response, licks her face and reduces every man in the room into gushing fools.

Once the little girl had settled down a bit and began to nod off Nick, Justin J. Chris and Justin T. made their excuses, picked up their gifts and left. Joey soon followed, stating that he needed to get home to his baby. Lance and Drew stuck around for a bit, the four men talking about the coming tours and what it was gonna be like to tour together again.

Finally Drew stood, reached out for Lance’s hand, “It’s been fun and we’ll see you guys tomorrow. Who all’s gonna be here?”

“It’s just gonna be the four of us and Lys,” Jeff states, smiling towards his daughter who is sound asleep in JC’s lap.

“That’s good. I think we all need to have a talk. Oh and Justin T. asked if it would be ok if he crashed our get together, seems Miss I’m Too Busy To Leave LA can’t make it to town after all.” Drew states, snidely.

“Yeah it’s cool. He staying with you guys?”

“Yep. Gave him the extra key cuz he and the guys were gonna go out and try to find a club that’s open on Christmas Eve.” Lance smiles.

“Well, I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow. Think it’s time to put someone to bed.” He looks back over his shoulder and smiles.

“Yeah, they both look like they need to crawl into a warm bed.” Lance smirks.

“Night guys.” Jeff closes the door as the two men make their way to Drew’s car. He walks over and takes his daughter from JC. “Come on sweetie, let’s get you to bed.”

“Unca C sing me?” She mumbles, reaching behind Jeff for JC.

JC rises up off the couch, “Of course sweetheart.” He leans in and places a gentle kiss on her head, then meets Jeff’s gaze and smiles.

The three of them make their way down the hall and into her bedroom, followed closely by the puppy. Jeff places her in the bed and tucks her in. JC places the puppy on the bed next to the little girl then kneels next to the bed and asks, “What would you like to hear tonight, my dear?”

“E’eryday.” She mumbles.

JC begins to sing the Christmas song when he gets to the chorus Jeff joins him, harmonizing in a soothing blend.

***
If Everyday could be Christmas,
What a wonderful world this would be
We could carry
This feeling within us
All through the year
If everyday could be Christmas ***

They look down and see that the small girl and the puppy are both sound asleep. They make their way down the hall and into the one bedroom in the house that had been locked up the minute the little girl had walked in.

“Now time for the fun part of Christmas,” Jeff sighed as he opened the door.

“Relax sweetie. This won’t take that long, I promise.” JC whispers as he wraps his arms around Jeff.

Jeff leans back into the strong arms and closes his eyes, “I hope not. We don’t have that much time til we’re gonna have to be up again. If we don’t get up before her, she’ll have all the presents open before we get a chance to tell her no.”

“Well let’s get to work then.”

They quietly work on the toys for a while. When they are done putting all the little riding cars, tricycles and other toys together Jeff looks around the room, “God. How many tricycles does one little girl need?”

“Come on, let’s get these under the tree and then get to bed. It’s gonna be an early day tomorrow, remember?” JC smiles, grabbing two of the four tricycles they’d put together.

They put all the stuff under the tree and JC quickly slipped a small gift into Jeff’s stocking while he wasn’t looking.

Jeff turned a tired smile on JC, “Lets get to bed, I’m beat.” He grabs JC’s hand and they casually walk down the hall, holding hands.

They get to JC’s room and walk in. Jeff sits on the bed while JC goes into the bathroom and changes into flannel pj pants and a black wife-beater. When JC comes out of the bathroom he smiles at the site that meets his eyes. Jeff is curled up on the bed, facing the bathroom, sound asleep. “Hmmm. Guess he wasn’t kidding about being tired.” JC walks down the hall, grabs the comforter off of Jeff’s bed and returns to his room. He crawls onto the bed, wraps the comforter around Jeff, drapes it over himself and then spoons Jeff, settling his hand on Jeff’s stomach. “Night.”

When Jeff wakes up in the middle of the night, he’s a bit disoriented. He feels the warm body pressed against his body and promptly remembers what happened and just exactly ‘who’ is pressed up against his back. He slowly wakes up, desperately trying not to wake his sleeping angel. He watches JC sleep for a few minutes before he gives in to the overwhelming urge to touch this gorgeous creature.

Jeff slides his hand over the high cheekbones, down the strong jawline, to the graceful neck. He freezes when JC moans and slowly rolls to his back. Once JC’s breathing has returned to the steady, rythum that indicates he’s dead to the world, Jeff’s hand continues its admiration of the body displayed before it.

He slowly ran the hand down JC’s chest relishing in the feel of the soft skin stretched tightly over strong muscles. He brought his lips down upon one of the entrancing nipples and gently licked it. Finding a keen desire to see just how far he could take this before JC would wake up Jeff continued his travels down JC’s lean body. Leaving a kiss on this muscle and sucking on that rib. “Guess they weren’t kidding in that interview when Chris said you could sleep through anything.” He whispered into JC’s navel, then dipped his tongue in, earning a slight moan from the sleeping man under him.

He slid down further until he came face to face with his goal. “Now lets see how long you can last before you wake up baby.”

Jeff lavished JC’s cock, licking up and down the shaft, stopping at the tip and cleaning up the precum before slipping back down and starting the whole routine again. When he came back up he slowly let JC enter his mouth, he’d only done this a few times and always with JC so he was a bit nervous about hurting this wonderful man. When he felt the hand slip down his cheek and gently pull him up and off the shaft he whimpered a bit.

JC pulled Jeff up until he was face to face with him, “Now that’s a great way to wake up. But you know you don’t have to do that?”

“Yeah, but I really wanted to.” Jeff smiled down at JC. “You taste so damn good and it’s been so long since we’ve been…well since we’ve been together. I’ve missed you.”

JC laughed, “Well then by all means, don’t let me stop you.” He kisses Jeff’s nose then lays back, closing his eyes in anticipation.

Jeff smiles down at the way JC just offers his body up, showing just how much he truly trusts him. He slips back down JC’s body and resumes his ministrations to JC’s cock. He takes the shaft into his mouth and wraps his lips tightly around it, applying just enough suction to send JC’s body into a writhing mass of bones and moans.

JC’s hands slip into the brown spikes of his lovers hair, “Ummm, God Jeff…so…Oh yes, don’t stop…feels so good.”

Jeff slips up the shaft and flicks his tongue over the slit before sliding back down. He relaxes his throat and allows the shaft to go as deep as possible. As he does this JC shouts and cums violently.

Jeff slips back up the plaint body beneath him and nuzzles JC’s neck, “May I make love to you Josh?”

JC reaches down to where he’d dropped his bag near the nightstand. When his hand comes back up he hands Jeff a condom and lube, “I don’t think Santa would consider you a good boy if you didn’t. I’m pretty sure you’d end up on that Naughty list.”

Jeff takes the condom, but is so nervous he can’t seem to get it open. JC reaches up, rips it open and slips it onto Jeff’s erection. He then pours some of the lube into his palm and grasps Jeff firmly, slipping his hand up and down ensuring a thorough lubrication.

Jeff leans in and kisses JC passionately. He slides his hand down and caresses JC’s ass for a few minutes, just brushing across the tight ring of muscle. After a few minutes of teasing he slips a finger in and begins to tease JC with his finger, sliding it in and out but taking care not to hit his prostate, just brush past agonizingly close. He then slides in another finger, now he can’t help but hit the sweet spot and send a tingle through JC’s body. JC reacts to this tingle by lifting his hips causing Jeff’s fingers to brush against his prostate again. JC’s body mourns the lose of the fingers for all of two seconds before Jeff’s cock is pressing against his ass, seeking entrance.

Their bodies glide together as if made for this purpose alone. Jeff thrusts into JC’s body, each stroke bringing the men closer to the euphoria that they’ve been missing for so long. Jeff reaches between their bodies and grasps JC’s erection, stroking him in time with his own powerful thrusts. They climax together, their voices joining in a passionate harmony.

Jeff’s arms give way causing him to melt into JC’s chest. They lay this way for a few minutes before JC whispers, “Baby, we should probably get cleaned up. It’s almost daybreak and you know Alyssa isn’t gonna sleep much later once the sun comes up.”

“I just wanna lay here in your arms for ever.” Jeff whispers, “But you’re right.” He pushes himself up and severes the physical connection they’d formed. “Love you Joshua.”

JC smiles at his lover’s back and watches him make his way into the bathroom.

When Jeff returns to the bed he notices the smile plastered on JC’s face. “What is that for?” He gestures to JC’s smile.

“Because we are here, in this house, together. I’m the luckiest person alive right now.” JC jumps up from the bed and slips his boxers on. “Stay right there. I’ve gotta get something before the baby gets up.”

Jeff sits on the edge of the bed and watches JC make a hasty departure from the room.

JC comes back into the bedroom carrying three overflowing stockings, “Figured I’d bring hers in here, that way we can distract her when she wakes up.”

“Good thinking. I knew there was a reason I loved you.” Jeff smiled as he took his and Alyssa’s stockings from JC. “But why are we doing our before she wakes up?”

“Oh, WE aren’t. Give me yours for a second.”

Jeff cocks his head to the side with a puzzled look on his face but hands it over reluctantly.

JC reaches into the stocking and feels around until his fingers come in contact with the soft covering. He pulls it out and sets the stocking to the side, taking care to keep the small box concealed. “Do you trust me?”

“What? Of course I do. What’s this all about Josh?”

“Close your eyes and hold your left hand out for me?” JC asks with a slight catch in his voice.

Jeff notices the nervousness but decides not to comment on it. He closes his eyes and holds his hand up. “There. Now what?”

“Patience baby.” JC opens the small box and pulls the ring out of it.

When he slips the cold metal band onto Jeff’s finger Jeff’s eyes fly open. First he looks down at the ring and then up to the most amazing blue eyes he’d ever seen. “Josh?”

“I know we can’t legally get married, but this is to show you just how much I really want us to be more than a casual thing. I love you Jeff. I have for a long time now. Will you please accept this ring as a symbol of the heart that you now own?”

Jeff reaches behind JC and grabs his stocking, “On one condition.” He reaches into JC’s stocking pulling out an identical satin box as the one JC was still holding. “If you take mine as well.” Jeff pulls the ring out of the box and places it on JC’s hand.

The two men lean into each other, lips meeting in a loving kiss. They pull apart and JC looks down at the man in front of him, “As much as I love looking at your body, I think you might at least want to put something on. I think the puppy was awake when I came down the hall, that means Alyssa’s gonna be up soon.”

He’d no sooner gotten that out than a furry mass and a blonde streak came flying into the room. The girl was up and onto the bed in a flash, thankfully Jeff’s reflexes were quick and he’d flipped the comforter over himself before she hit the bed. The girl settled between the two men, the puppy whining on the floor. Jeff reached down and pulled him up onto the bed with them.

“Merry Christmas Daddy, Unca C.” Alyssa smiled and hugged each man, “Come on. We gotta see what Santa brought us.”

JC grabs the girl around the waist, “Hold up there girl. You gotta see what’s in here first.” He reaches behind the pillow where he’d hidden the stocking.

“Wow. Santa finally came. Yay.” The little girl clapped her hands together then held out her hands for the stocking. When JC handed it over she tore into it, pulling everything out before stopping to look at it. When she had everything emptied and onto the bed she looked up to Jeff and then JC, “Where you stocking? Santa no bring you one?”

They reach underneath their respective pillows, “Yep, he brought Daddy and I something baby. What did he bring you sweetie?” JC asks as he settles next to Alyssa and smiles over her head at Jeff.

“Look Unca C, look at all the stuff I got. Cany, toys,” She picks up a small box, “what this?” she looks up to Jeff.

“That’s a box of cards baby. They have pictures on them, you lay them down and then have to try to match the pictures up. Why don’t you have Uncle C show you how while I take a shower?”

“Come on sweetie,” JC picks the girl up. “We gotta put the puppy out in the backyard to go potty anyway.” He smiles down at Jeff then takes the puppy from Jeff’s outstretched hands.

“Thanks Josh.”

JC and Alyssa make their way down to the kitchen. JC seats the small child on one of the stools at the counter across from the stove, “Ok, you lay all the cards on the counter like this.” He takes a couple cards and lines them up on the counter, face down. “Make sure you don’t peek at the picture, ok.” He makes his way around the counter and starts to pull out pans, eggs, bisquick, milk and other breakfast fixings. “You know we have to wait til Uncle Lance, Drew and T get here before you can open any of your presents right?”

“They gonna be here soon? I don think I can wait vewy long.” She looked up at JC.

“Well, I’m not sure when they’ll be here pumpkin, but I’m sure it will be soon. We still gotta eat and get you all dressed pretty. You wanna wear a pretty dress today?” He laughed as the little girl nodded her head enthusiastically. “Ok then, you play with your cards and let me get us some breakfast made. “You like pancakes and bacon?”

Jeff walked around the corner and spotted the two in what seemed to be an interesting conversation. JC would reach out and pick a set of cards, Alyssa would flip them over and the two would giggle for a few minutes. He watched for a few minutes then decided it was time to join them, “Mmmm, something smells good.”

JC looks up, “Hey.”

“Unca C is makin pancakes Daddy.” She smiles as Jeff walks over and sits next to her. “He not so good at game do. He got no match yet.”

Jeff looks up and meets JC’s gaze, “I’m sure Uncle C has a lot on his mind right now sweetie. Why don’t we go get you in the tub and when we’re all done those pancakes should be ready to eat.”

“K,” Jeff lifts her from the stool and they make their way back down the hall.

“So what you wanna wear today?” JC hears as they leave. He smiles and turns his attention back to the task at hand.

In no time the two are returning to the kitchen. JC takes a plate from the microwave that has two pancakes cut into small pieces, each piece having a drop of syrup on it. He places the plate in front of Alyssa who smiles up at him, “Thank you, Dadda.” She quickly looks around the room and clamps a hand over her mouth.

JC smiles at her, “You’re welcome sweetie.” He meets Jeff’s eyes, “I think it’s time she knows Jeff.”

“I already told her. Thought it would be better if she heard it straight from me. I don’t want her being confused. This situation is already confusing enough for her.”

“Well, now that she knows, we’ll have to make sure to tell the others today. It’ll be better than if they hear something like that, without any knowledge of what’s going on.”

“And what exactly is going on?” A deep voice asks from the doorway.

Both men jump and look to the doorway, “Lance. Drew. What? How long have you been standing there?” JC stammers.

“Long enough, Dadda. Now what’s going on here?” Lance asks, with a hint of amusement in his eyes at the uncomfortable expression covering both men’s faces.

“Damn, Lance. You’re scarring the crap out of them. So how long has this been going on?” Drew asks as he approaches Jeff. “Hmmm?”

“Ummmm. About 3 years now.” Jeff states confidently.

“So you in love with him?” Lance asks, making his way around a very nervous JC.

“Very much so.” JC states with conviction. “With all my heart.”

“And you?” Lance questions, looking to Jeff.

Jeff looks up to meet JC’s gaze, “With all my heart.” He confirms.

“Good.” Lance pulls JC into a hug, “I’m happy for you Jayce. You have no idea how worried we were you were never gonna tell him how you actually felt. You guys are good.”

Drew pulls Jeff into a hug, “You’re the luckiest guy I know man.”

“Why’s that?” Jeff mumbles around Drew’s neck.

“Cuz you got someone that loves you more than anything and is willing to go through anything for you and the most beautiful little girl in the world.” Drew pulls away from Jeff and walks over to JC, “You hurt him and I’ll come after you. You got that?”

JC smiles and looks at Jeff, “I’ll never hurt him. It’d kill me.”