Seth’s Perspective
I was asleep in bed with Zach on Christmas morning when I heard something out in the hallway. I opened the door a crack and caught Freddy sneaking back to his bedroom. It was obvious he couldn’t wait and snuck downstairs to see if Santa had come. “I thought we told you to stay in bed until everyone got up” I said to the sneaky little guy.
“I… um…I…” he didn’t know what to say, he was caught red handed, I couldn’t help but smile at him… he was so damn excited. I could tell he was trying to figure out what to say, then he just blurted out in a loud whisper, “SANTA CAME. He really came, and he found all of us Daddy Zeff.”
‘Daddy Zeff’ he called me that when he was trying to cute his way out of trouble (FYI it usually worked). I laughed a little and said, “I know it’s hard pal, but can you wait just a little more? It’s almost time.”
“K” he sighed, “but c’mon and see” he said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me down the steps to show me all the presents Santa had brought.
I let out a breathy “WOW!” Freddy’s excitement was contagious.
“What are you guys doin’ up” Zach said from the top of the steps, he caught us sneaking around.
“HE CAME” Freddy shout-whispered again. “And he left stuff for everybody… even Ali!”
I looked at Zach and smiled, damn, Freddy was just the most kindhearted kid I had ever met. He was so worried that Santa wouldn’t find Ali. He had never had a real Christmas before, and he looked at all those presents and his first thought was about Ali. God, how could you not love a kid like that. That moment made every damn penny we had overspent on Christmas worth it. We were so damn lucky that those kids found us.
“Oh my god lookit all that shit” Zach said without thinking.
Freddy giggled then totally busted him, “oooooo you said a bad word. You’re lucky Santa already came” We couldn’t help but laugh, Freddy was NOT amused.
I was standing behind Freddy with my hands on his shoulders, “Hey bud, I know this is hard, but can you wait just a little longer?”
He looked up at the two of us with those big brown eyes and a disappointed look on his face, but then he smiled. “K. But it aint gonna be easy.”
I rubbed his hair and chuckled, “c’mon, you can sleep in our bed.” Then we went up to our room and all got into the big bed, Petunia came with us and slept on our feet, and Freddy fell asleep between us. We decided to put him out of his misery about a half hour later. Zach went to wake up the other two kids and I woke Freddy saying, “okay, NOW we can go downstairs.” He jumped outta bed and ran like a bat out of hell down the stairs and into the living room. I followed him, then Zach came down carrying Ali and holding Izzy’s hand.
Izzy was still sleepy but her eyes opened all the way when she saw the presents, “Santa comed, I a good guro” (Izzy to English translation: Santa came because I was a good girl). She ran over to the presents and Freddy told her which ones were for her (He had obviously scoped out everyone’s piles of presents when he was downstairs earlier).
Ali’s eyes were wide with wonder and all he could say was, “wow” in a breathy tone of disbelief making us laugh. I set him down in the middle of his presents then ran upstairs to get the ugly Christmas sweaters from Kelly and brought them down for the kids to put on.
Zach told the kids, “Grandma Kelly will be here any minute, you can each pick one present and open it before she gets here, but then you gotta wait.” By the time they each opened one gift, Grandma Kelly, Uncle Eli, and Aunt Riley showed up. Grandma brought homemade cinnamon rolls… they were a gigantic hit. Freddy remembered that his mom used to make them on Christmas morning, and right on time Nathan called in with Karen at his side. The kids were so excited to see her on the screen, and they talked to her like she was sitting on a chair in the living room with the rest of us (and someday maybe she would be). Our situation was an odd one, in many adoptions the biological parents play no role, but Zach and I talked about the subject to exhaustion. Karen had done some… well let’s just say stupid shit. She endangered both kids more than once and we both agreed that they were better off away from her care, but not away from her love. Those two kids (especially Freddy) were very attached and loved their mother, her complete disappearance would be tragic. Nathan felt there was a real chance that she might be out of jail in just a year or two, so that would mean she would probably be around. We wanted her to be a part of their lives, but agreed we needed to be the parents and she needed to be… well, kind of a distant relative. I know it sounds harsh, but she wouldn’t be in a position to provide for them, and frankly the decision of parenthood had already been decided by the courts. Karen’s release from prison would pose some new challenges and could cause major issues, it could also provide another loving adult in the lives of our children. We’d have to address the situation sooner or later, so it felt like kind of a little cloud over us. We took it all day by day, but THAT day was Christmas and Karen was joining us.
I was worried that it might be too overwhelming for the kids or for Karen, but it turned out great; the kids were happy to see her on the screen and she seemed happy to be part of it all, even if it was only virtually. When Grandpa Nathan returned later on Christmas morning, he confirmed that she was genuinely happy to be part of it all, and he felt that his visit gave her some hope and helped make Christmas in jail a little more bearable. He was on a mission to help her.
In addition to the possibility of Karen being released in a year or two, there was another cloud of uncertainty hanging over our little family, the future of Ali. In the eyes of the law he was currently an orphan as far as we knew, but there was still the possibility that a relative might be found; his future was uncertain. And there was zero doubt that our family loved the little guy… even Izzy.
By the time Nathan returned home, the kids had opened their mountains of gifts and were playing with their well-deserved booty. They were excited to have fresh meet (Grandpa Nathan) to show all their stuff too, within minutes, grandpa was crawling on the floor playing with all the new toys. The sheer number of presents was overwhelming… yeah me and Zach spoiled the hell out of all three of them (what’s a little more debt), but then add gifts from Eli & Riley, the rest of my siblings (via UPS), Grandpa Westin, Mom and Pop Nicholl’s, Max and Brody, Kev and Randy’s family, other friends, etc. etc. and of course…. Grandpa and Grandma left no toy store untouched and no gift was off limits. Kelly claimed that between the three kids she and Grandpa had missed a decade of Christmas’s and birthdays so they were just making it up. Ugh… my kids were spoiled rotten!
While the kids played, the adults opened our gifts, like I said, the bulk went to the kids but the adults had plenty to open. The best gift I got was a painted tie that Freddy made for us in art class with Uncle Brody. It was the ugliest damn thing in the world, and Zach got one too. “Uncle Brody said you could both wear them to work every day” Freddy said with pride as we opened the heartfelt gifts (thanks Uncle Brody). “Well maybe not every day” I said.
“I don’t want to ruin it by overwearing it… it’s my favorite tie!” Zach said with all the diplomacy of a true father. All the gifts under our giant tree were given with love and greatly appreciated. Zach and I decided not to exchange gifts, we weren’t struggling financially (Zach’s massive bonus and new partnership didn’t hurt, that’s for damn sure), but we were far from rolling in it. God knows we took on a shitload of expenses since we moved to NC and we were doing our best to watch spending, pay off debts, and put money away for our future and the kids.
We pitched in with Eli and Riley to get the Hall’s a patio set for their villa, all we had was a picture of it but of course Kelly and Nathan loved it.
Our final gift came from the Hall’s, it was two nights at a hotel on the water in Charleston (about 3 ½ hours away) for New Year’s Eve and the night before, and tickets to a big New Year’s Eve party. “Your Dad and Best chipped in too, Seth. It comes with overnight babysitting for three” Nathan said as we read the details.
“Max and Brody got the same thing from their parents” Kelly added.
“So did Gina and Dylan” Nathan added.
“Well, screw that! We got left out because we don’t have kids” Riley said jokingly.
“Give me some damn grandbabies and find out” Kelly barked (kinda) jokingly.
Freddy cackled from the corner where he was playing with his new toys. “Grandma said “damn”” He laughed louder, “That’s a bad word!” At six years old, the most hilarious thing in the world was adults swearing. Zach tried to correct Freddy, and did his damnedest not to crack up.
“So, all six of us are going to Charleston for New Year’s Eve while the grandparents babysit?” I asked. Kelly nodded and confirmed. “Are y’all sure about this?”
“Oh stop! You know there’s nowhere else I’d rather be on New Year’s Eve than here with my babies” Kelly Said. I DID know it, I’m sure she carefully orchestrated it so she could have the kids to herself. I just had to laugh about that, she loved the hell out of those kids.
“Thank you, Mom and Dad,” Zach said, and I echoed the sentiment.
“So, is this going to be an annual thing?” Eli asked. “Because if it is, then next year…” then he looked at Riley and they both grinned.
That’s all Kelly needed, “Don’t you kids dare tease me” Kelly said as she looked at her daughter and son in-law who both just kept grinning. Eli was sitting on one of the overstuffed chairs with Riley on the floor in front of him with her back between his legs, they were holding hands on her shoulder. “OH MY GOD!!”
“What?!” Freddy yelled from his corner.
Riley and Eli shook their heads giving Kelly the saying that they weren’t ready to share the news. “nothing, sweetie” Kelly yelled back, “just grownup talk.”
Kelly hugged Riley with a quiet squeal, then Eli… we all congratulated the couple, the kids were oblivious to it all and just kept playing under the tree.
“When are you due?” Kelly asked in an excited whisper.
“Mid-June” Riley said. “But we’re not ready to go public yet.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll keep my mouth shut, but it won’t be easy” Kelly said before hugging Riley again. “Oh, a combination Westin-Hall baby running around” Kelly lamented. Zach and I exchanged looks, we were both thinking the same thing… that our kids didn’t look like either of us. That made them NO LESS WESTIN-HALLS as far as we were concerned, but it apparently mattered a bit to Kelly. It kind of bothered me, but at the same time I knew she was just excited and didn’t mean anything by it… she loved our kids and had never acted otherwise towards them.
I got up to get another cup of coffee, Nathan followed me into the kitchen. “Don’t take that personally” he said coming up next to me and holding his mug out for me to refill.
“Take What personally?” I asked playing dumb.
“I saw the way you and Zach looked at each other when Kelly made the comment about having a combination Westin-Hall baby running around. You know she didn’t mean anything by that” My father in-law said. “She loves those three kids more than life itself.”
I sighed, “I know, but thanks for saying something, Dad. You know I don’t give a flying fuck if our kids look like us or not. We found out last night that Ali is technically being considered an orphan and that we may have a chance to adopt him in the future” I confessed.
“And will you?” Nathan asked with a knowing smile.
“We haven’t discussed in depth yet, but damn we both love that kid” I said.
“We ALL do” Nathan said. “Things will work out as they should, and you know we’re behind you whatever may happen” Nathan said. “On that note, I had a good conversation with Karen this morning. I see why you want to help her.” Then we discussed her case and his plan to move forward, he also reminded me that we might be opening a can of worms. We had a good conversation before we joined the others again.
The rest of Christmas Day was family time. Kelly, Riley, and I made a great dinner, while the others played with the kids and all their new toys. It was fun to watch my brother on the floor playing with Izzy and her new “Bowbie Dweam House,” and stacking building blocks with Ali. Then right before dinner he helped Zach but together the Soccer Goals that Santa brought Freddy and the three of them (and Petunia) kicked the ball around the yard while Freddy sported his new Westin-Hall Jersey with pride. My brother was gonna be a father… and Zach’s little baby sister Riley was gonna be a mother… Seriously, we never saw that relationship coming, but I’ll be damned if they weren’t right for each other.
We all sat down to a beautiful Christmas dinner. While we ate, Zach held my hand under the table and I looked over at our three kids (yes, three) adoringly and thought: Best. Fucking. Christmas. Ever.
That night in bed, Zach and I talked about everything. First, we talked about what an awesome Christmas it had been for (and because of) the kids. Then we talked about Eli and Riley’s news and Kelly’s comment which we agreed to write off as excitement and ignore. Then we talked about Karen and how excited the kids were just to have her there virtually and of course we discussed the challenges ahead when she got out. Then we had a serious talk about ALI, we both knew things would move slowly because there still might be family… but “what if?” What it they couldn’t find family? What if he needed us long term? What if he was available for adoption and needed us permanently? Then the questions moved to “Are we ready for three?” “Can we afford three?” Etc. Etc. Etc.
“Hey, we got each other and the two of us got enough love for a million of little shits” Zach said then kissed me. Then he suggested, “And it’s not like you’re going to accidentally get knocked up with one of our own” and grabbed my junk through my PJ’s. I snickered and grabbed his back while we kissed, that didn’t last too long before Zach threw back the covers, pulled off my pajama bottoms, and was between my legs giving my stuff the tongue bath of a lifetime. He started by licking my inner thighs (damn, he knew that drove me nuts), it only took a few licks to get my toy soldier standing at full attention. I could feel the blood pumping through my manhood as he teased all around it, giving it the occasional flick of the tongue. The first lap of his tongue hit the underside of my balls and sent an amazing sensation through me that made my toes curl in anticipation. Next there were a few warm laps to my pole and I felt the skin on my shaft tighten. Finally, his warm mouth engulfed my head. I grunted in appreciation as he teased my cockhead moving it in and out of his mouth before taking me further into his mouth, his tongue twisted and turned around me making every nerve tingle. He subtly shifted positions so that he was on all fours, sucking me from the side, he grabbed my hand and moved it to his groin tempting me to play with him while he worked me into a creamy froth. I groped and stroked for a while and then moved so my fingers were tempting his tight, sweaty pucker. In the heat of the moment, I couldn’t resist removing my fingers and taking a whiff to take in his musky scent… FUCK! His scent ALWAYS did it for me and made it difficult to just lay back and enjoy the pleasure he was giving me, I needed to get out of the stands and join the game. I smacked his perfect ass and told him to straddle my face. No surprise, but it took zero convincing and within seconds his asshole was covering my mouth, and my nostrils were filled with his musky magnificence. Merry Christmas indeed.
I snaked my hungry tongue into his tight, pink, manhole. The stray blond hairs twisted around my tongue as I rimmed him out with excitement and vigor. He leaned forward in a sixty nine, pulled my but cheeks up to his lips and started eating my hole with just as much tenacity as me. I wrapped my legs around his neck and pulled his face deeper into my ass, god it felt amazing and we imbibed for a good long time, moaning, groaning, lapping, and licking. I fucking loved it!
“Okay Daddy Zeff” Zach said, “Let’s test my theory that you can’t get pregnant” he laughed as he pushed himself off me, spun around and positioned himself between my legs. He pushed my knees to my chest and entered my naturally-lube hole with a forceful push. He moved forward until his blond bush hit my ass, he quickly pulled out and pushed back in, he was going to breed my ass or die trying. Zach moved harder and faster in and out, he was on a mission.
“Breed me daddy” I said in the throes of passion doing my best not to laugh at myself… ‘daddy’ ha-ha, the only time I ever called him that was in front of the kids… it didn’t exactly feel ‘sexy’ but hell, I was in full lust mode, so I kept the façade going, “Breed me Daddy, yeah, that’s it put a baby in me.” He was fucking me hard but we were both snickering a bit at first, but he kept going, fucking my harder and with more fervor as he reached between me and stroked my cock in rhythm with his fucking.
“Fuck yeah” he groaned through his heaving as he continue to pummel me.
“Harder. Fuck me. Breed me” I commanded with my eyes locked to his. Those eyes. That face. Those dimples. He was a god, and he was breeding me.
“I’m gonna shoot” He panted.
“Gimme your baby batter” I begged… that did it. We both started laughing just as he started to cum inside me. Our laughter didn’t stop him from pumping his seed into me and using it as a natural lubricant as he continued to fuck me, it felt incredible.
He continued to stroke me and I shot my load between us, “fuck yes” I panted as I shuddered in ecstasy. Zach fucked me until he tired out and collapsed on me… we were a gross, sticky mess.
“Come on Daddy Zeff, let’s take a shower” Zach said with a kiss. We took a shower in complete darkness, our wet bodies writhing up against each other intimately. We dried off, got into bed and ach whispered in my ear, “is it too soon to pee on the stick” and we both laughed. God, I loved him! Zach spooned to sleep. It was a wonderful, intimate end to a perfect Holiday.
The next morning, I woke before everyone else. I pulled on my sweats, went into the kitchen, and made myself a cup of coffee, then grabbed my laptop and went onto the porch to write in the chilly, December, Carolina air. I had most of the week off… yeah, I needed to go in and host The Village’s annual board meeting at BroMax Candle Co. on the 29th, and then participate in the BroMax Candle Co. annual meeting on the morning 30thbefore we headed to Charleston (Zach and I were both on the board). But other than those two meetings, both of which I had already prepped for, I was off for the week. Zach was off too, I planned on spending the week watching and playing with the kids (including Teddy), and writing when I could. I had just started writing when a tiny voice asked, “Why are you out there Dad? it’s cold.” It was Freddy. I had left the monitors in the bedroom and didn’t hear him come down and open the door. ‘Dad’ I liked it, he usually called me ‘Daddy Zeff’ in fun, or would call Zach and I ‘Dads’ collectively, but this was the first singular ‘Dad’ and I liked it.
“I’m just writing” I answered. “It’s too cold, get back inside.”
“Can I put my coat on and come outside with you?” He asked.
“Sure” I answered happy to have some alone time with my son. “I’m going to get another cup of coffee. Do you want some hot chocolate?”
“Yeah!” He said excitedly and followed me back into the house. We got our drinks, he put on his coat and we went back out onto the porch and sat on the double Adirondack chair with the built-in table between the two seats. I closed my laptop, set it on the table, and decided to take advantage of the alone time with Freddy.
“So, did you have a good Christmas, bud?” I asked.
“The best” he said as he blew on his hot chocolate.
“What was your favorite part?” I asked.
“Guess” he said with a sly grin.
Without hesitation I answered, “Your new bike!”
“Nope” he giggled then excitedly blurted out, “Guess again” as he sipped his hot chocolate with the pile of whipped cream on top sticking to his nose. God, he was so cute.
“Your soccer jersey and soccer goals?” I asked.
“Nope. Momma” he answered with conviction.
“Ahhhhhh” I replied. “It was pretty awesome of Grandpa Nathan to go see her so she could call us.”
“Yeah, I love him” he said like it was no big deal.
“And he loves you, we all do” I said as I warmed my hands on my hot coffee mug.
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I love it here” Freddy responded as he mimicked my motions and warmed himself on his mug of hot chocolate. His tone was so natural and real, he was just sharing facts. I sat on the porch and had a rare one-on-one conversation with our “little man,” that’s what Karen had called him. Although it was a good description it made me a little sad that he hadn’t had a chance to just be a kid… he would now!
The air was cold but my Freddy warmed my heart. It had been a great Christmas and I was looking forward to spending the rest of the year at home with my family.
To be continued…
