“You guys ready to do this?” Jake studied his nephews to make sure they were truly okay with what they had planned for the day.
Dylan immediately nodded his head. “Yeah, we have to make it our home. Me, Nick, you, and Eli.” A warmth spread throughout Jake’s chest every time one of them said something like that. He looked across the table at Eli, and the love reflected back at him was overwhelming.
Jake looked at Nick and patiently waited for his answer. Nick shrugged his shoulders and stared down at his bacon and eggs. “We said goodbye to them again last night.” The boys had asked to sleep in their parents’ bed one last time, and of course, Jake agreed they should have that time to themselves. “We know they’re not coming back, even if we leave everything the same. So, I think…” he pushed the bacon around his plate with his fork. “I think we have to. Because if we don’t, we’ll never really stop being sad, ya know?”
The kid had matured so much in the last couple of months. Jake hated the reason why, but he was so damn proud of him. He reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “I know.”
It had been a week since the hearing, and the number of things that had changed in the course of that week was unbelievable. Again, he looked at Eli across the table and couldn’t believe they were actually sitting here like this—like a family.
Both he and Eli were going to spend time with the boys sorting through what would be kept and what would go. “So, we have today to pack up most of the stuff. We have to get everything out of the master bedroom because I’m gonna paint it tomorrow, and the carpet is being installed on Wednesday. You guys can decide what you want to keep. Then, next weekend, the guys are gonna help me and Eli switch out the furniture.” Jake was donating the headboard, footboard, and bedding in both the master and guest bedrooms, but getting rid of the mattress and box spring in only the master. With the prime location of his condo, it made more sense to rent it out, but he could figure all that out after the New Year.
The family room had warm colors he already loved; although, there were some feminine touches that he’d be removing. Those decisions would be hard, but he had to just keep reminding himself that they didn’t need those things to remember Maggie. Just like they didn’t need all the law books in the office to keep Kevin’s memory alive either.
They cleaned up their breakfast plates and made their way upstairs. Jake had piled a bunch of empty boxes and bags in the master bedroom throughout the week. The four of them stood inside the master bedroom and looked around, taking in one last time the way it had looked when Kevin and Maggie were there. Jake figured the only way they were going to start was if he went first. He crossed the room and began taking the bedding off the mattress. The sheets were thrown in a pile on the floor to be washed, and the bedding was put in a bag to go to the cleaners before it was donated.
One-by-one, the others spread out around the room and began opening drawers. Jake kept a close eye on the boys, making sure they were okay and that this wasn’t too upsetting for them. When Nick opened the closet door and froze in the doorway, Jake stopped what he was doing. Eli came over and took the bag containing the comforter out of Jake’s hand, tilting his head toward Nick.
Jake nodded in understanding and walked up behind his nephew. “You okay?” Jake asked, as he placed a hand on Nick’s shoulder.
“Yeah, it just…smells like them.” He looked up at Jake with unshed tears then took a deep breath and stepped into the walk-in closet.
Jake grabbed two bags, handed one to Nick, and they both began the task of taking the clothes down. They worked in silence for about fifteen minutes when Jake realized Nick was no longer standing beside him. Instead, he was sitting on the floor, holding something.
“This is what I want,” he whispered as he wiped away a tear. He looked up at Jake, and the raw emotion in the kid’s eyes was insurmountable. Jake nodded his head as he looked at the Yankees jersey in Nick’s hands. Jake swallowed the lump in his throat, remembering all times Kevin had worn that old jersey.
“That’s a good choice,” he agreed, and so as not to make Nick even more upset, he resumed taking clothes off the hangers and folding them. Eventually, his nephew began putting clothes in the bag again. Jake put aside a couple of Kevin’s pullover sweatshirts for Dylan and Nick, some ties for Avery, and a few T-shirts for himself. He wasn’t sure what to put aside of Maggie’s until he came across a couple of men’s graphic tees he remembered her wearing a lot.
“Guys look what I found,” Dylan called out and both Jake and Nick went out into the room. “I found our baby blankets.” He held up a box with two small blankets inside. Dylan took one out that had Nick’s name embroidered on it then took the one out with his own name.
“I remember these.” Nick took his, opening it to look at the whole thing.
Jake took the blanket from Dylan’s hands and ran his fingers over the stitching. He vaguely remembered the boys using them when they were younger.
Nick started laughing. “Remember when you were sick,” he said to Dylan, “and you puked all over Dad and your blanket?”
Jake quickly opened his hands and dropped the blanket to the floor, wiping his palms on his jeans as the boys and Eli cracked up. “Gross!”
“Mom washed it!” Dylan yelled through his laughter and picked the blanket back off the floor. He smelled it, shrugged, and added, “It doesn’t smell like puke.”
“It doesn’t smell like puke, he says,” Jake repeated, shaking his head. “Get over here, brat.” Jake picked up a hysterically-laughing Dylan, tossed him over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold, and announced, “On that note, it’s lunchtime.”
Nick and Eli followed behind as Jake made his way to the stairs, still holding Dylan.
“I’d be careful,” Eli warned. “You’ve got a dangerous weapon right by your face.”
“Butt blaster!” Dylan and Nick both yelled. Jake couldn’t get his nephew off his shoulder fast enough.
The rest of the day went by as smoothly as it could. They’d kept any jewelry and small trinkets that the boys might want when they were older. Any feminine accents like pillows, decorative towels, silk flowers, and little scented soaps were bagged up. Jake figured he could ask Nina if she wanted any of that before he donated anything.
By the time the next weekend rolled around, they were ready to move Jake’s furniture into the master bedroom. Eli could tell Jake was exhausted and was ready for a night in his own bed. Jake, Eli, Nick, and Dylan stared at the four empty walls that morning. It was an odd feeling because the room no longer looked like Kevin and Maggie’s, but it didn’t look like Jake’s yet either.
“I think you should hang your old surfboard on your wall. That would be cool,” Dylan suggested.
“Yeah, and you can put your bed right there,” Nick pointed to the far wall then pointed to the opposite wall, “and your TV there.”
Eli looked at Jake over the kids’ heads and smiled. In their own way, they were telling Jake this was his room now.
“That’s a good idea,” Jake agreed then looked down at his phone. “Time to head over to the condo and meet the guys.
“Sounds like a plan.” Eli left the room, and the others followed behind.
It took less than ten minutes to get to Jake’s place. Ryder, Parker, and Avery were already waiting out front when they got there.
“Took you long enough,” Ryder grumbled as soon as they got to the door. “I’m missing my beauty sleep to help you guys out.” He clasped his fingers together under his chin and fluttered his eyelashes.
“Like a few more hours of sleep can help with that,” Avery mocked as he pointed to Ryder’s face.
Ryder narrowed his eyes at the man while everyone else snickered. “Laugh it up.” Ryder waited until the kids were inside with Jake, leaving only Parker and Eli to hear him say to Avery, “If you want to see what I look like in the morning, that can be arranged.”
“I think I’ll pass.” Avery pushed past Ryder. But as he walked by Eli, he mumbled, “Been there, done that. Don’t need to see a sleeping Ryder again. Asshole.”
Ryder went up to Eli. “What did he say?”
“You sure you don’t already know him?” Eli chuckled, gripping the back of his neck.
“How the hell would I know him?” Ryder snapped.
Eli held his hands up in defense. “Hey, just asking.”
“Damn, Ryder, he’s really getting to you,” Parker mocked.
Ryder huffed and walked through the door. “Whatever, dude.”
Parker and Eli looked at each other and busted out laughing. They followed Ryder to the elevator and took it to Jake’s floor. Eli heard the commotion going on in Jake’s place as soon as they stepped off the elevator. The door to his condo was propped open and some empty boxes were in the hall. Eli walked in to find Jake telling the boys what they could help with.
“Dylan, just toss all my clothes in bags. I’ll sort them all out later. Okay, bud?”
“Got it.” Dylan grabbed the bags from Jake’s hand and ran down the hall to the master bedroom.
Jake turned around. “Okay, Nick, can you start boxing up movies and books?”
“Yup.” Nick went to the hall to grab some boxes.
Jake glanced at Eli across the room and smiled before looking at the other guys. “Everyone else, let’s start taking apart the bigger stuff.” He walked down the hall to his bedroom, and they all followed. Jake faced them once they all got to the room. “We’re definitely taking my bed because Eli’s is too small.”
“My bed?” Eli furrowed his brows.
“Yeah, I need at least a king.” Jake, obviously clueless, missed the looks he was getting from not only Eli, but Ryder, Parker, and Avery too. “I think we should use your dressers though. Mine are a bit beat up. Are you bringing the rest of your clothes now or later?” Finally, Jake must have seen the confusion on Eli’s face. “What?”
Eli stared at Jake and debated how they were supposed to have this conversation in front of the others.
“Um…” Avery started, “I think Nick needs our help in the living room.” As he started to usher everyone out, Ryder walked backwards toward the door and whined, “Oh, come on. I want to watch the show.”
Avery put his arm across Ryder’s chest, his voice deep and firm when he ordered, “Out.”
Ryder waggled his eyebrows. “I like when you tell me what to do.”
“You’re relentless.” As Avery closed the door, he rolled his eyes but was doing his best to keep from cracking a smile.
Jake looked completely dumbfounded. “What just happened?”
Eli sat on the end of the bed. “Did you forget to do something?”
Jake thought for a minute then shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
Eli pinched the bridge of his nose and chuckled. “Jake, you’re asking me if I’m bringing my clothes now or later and deciding what furniture of yours and mine to bring to the house.”
“Yeah, so?”
“So, I know the boys have mentioned it a few times, but we still haven’t actually discussed me moving in. Not permanently.”
Jake stood in front of Eli. “Oh. I didn’t think about that.” He gripped the nape of his neck. “I guess I assumed…shit. I’m sorry. I—”
“You really want me to move in? Because that’s a huge step, for us and for the boys.”
Jake made Eli stand up, gripping his neck as he pulled him in for a kiss. He nipped Eli’s bottom lip before saying, “Okay, are you listening? Because I’m about to get really fucking sappy, so I’m only gonna say this once.”
Eli chuckled as he nodded his head.
Jake took a deep breath and released it. “Here goes… The boys and I want you there. Every day. I’ve gotten used to you sleeping beside me. I honestly don’t know if I could even fall asleep without feeling your warmth next to me. I don’t even want to try.”
“Damn, that was good,” Eli teased.
“It was, wasn’t it?” Jake said proudly then added, “I’m getting good at this romance shit.”
Eli barked out a laugh, shaking his head. “What have I gotten myself into?”
Jake kissed Eli again, sliding his hands down over Eli’s ass then spoke in a husky voice. “I’d rather think about what I can get myself into. Think about how often that could happen if you move in.”
“Oh, bringing out the big guns.”
“It is quite impressive,” Jake replied smugly.
Eli laughed. “You’ve gone from romantic to corny in seconds.”
Jake chuckled, leaning his forehead against Eli’s. “Eli, will you move in with us?”
Was it too soon? Was that what was best for the boys? What would he do with his condo? Eli could drive himself crazy with all the questions, or he could simply say:
“Yes.”
They managed to move all their things over the next couple of weeks and settle into the house by Thanksgiving. Nina had invited everyone over for the holiday, including Ryder, Kenz, Parker, and Avery. It wasn’t going to be an easy one, but Jake made sure to include Eli, Nick, and Dylan in the decision. They’d decided unanimously to spend the holiday, which was the next day, with Nina and Stan. They’d still be close enough to home if it got to be too much.
Jake sat in his boxer briefs at the end of the bed. He watched Eli brush his teeth in front of the mirror in their bathroom. Eli had a towel wrapped around his waist from the shower he’d just taken. He’s mine. How is this my life now?
Jake couldn’t help but feel that tug of guilt again. “Are you sure you don’t want to spend Thanksgiving with your family?”
Eli stopped brushing his teeth, rinsed his mouth out, and flicked off the bathroom light as he walked over to Jake. He stood in front of him, smelling of mint and soap, and ran a hand through Jake’s hair. “I am spending Thanksgiving with my family.”
Jake’s heart stuttered hearing those words from Eli. “We obviously want you with us. I just feel bad. I mean, we probably could’ve gone up there, but the boys—”
“The boys need familiar this year. I get it.” Eli continued running his fingers through Jake’s hair, making him lean in to his touch. “Maybe next year they’ll be ready to make the trip. We’ll spend tomorrow with everyone next door. My parents understand that I need to be here with you this year for the holidays.”
“We’d understand if you wanted to go there for Christmas. We wouldn’t like it, but we’d understand.” Jake pulled on Eli’s thighs until he was standing between his legs.
“Let’s worry about that when the time comes, okay?” Eli tilted Jake’s face up and kissed him. He caressed Jake’s tongue with his own then sucked in a breath as Jake ran his hands up the back of Eli’s thighs until he had each cheek of his firm ass in his hands, massaging each side. He dipped his finger in between to tease Eli’s hole. Eli dropped his head back and groaned, gripping Jake’s hair tightly. His dick hardened under his towel, slowly peeking out as Jake slipped his fingers up further, making the terry cloth open and fall to the floor.
Jake resumed his gentle brush of fingers over Eli’s entrance. “You sore?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” Eli pulled Jake’s face closer to his leaking cock.
Jake snaked his tongue out, grazing it over the slit in the tip, listening to Eli sigh. “We could switch things up.” They rarely did; they each had their preference when it came to take or be taken. It had always worked for them, but occasionally, one or both of them would want to mix things up.
“Or…” Eli pushed Jake back on the bed and yanked his boxer briefs off. As Eli climbed onto the mattress and over him, Jake pushed himself back toward the headboard. As soon as Jake settled back against the pillows, Eli shifted, turning his body around until they were in prime sixty-nine position.
“I like the way you think.” Jake ran a finger over Eli’s sensitive opening. He felt the wet warmth of Eli’s mouth surround his cock and got lost in the sensation. With a wiggle of Eli’s ass, Jake pulled himself out of the fog of pleasure enough to grab on to those firm muscles, lift his head up, and swipe his tongue over Eli’s opening. Eli was breathing heavily through his nose, clenching his muscles with every lick. All the while, he kept the pace up on Jake’s shaft. But when Jake stuck his tongue inside him, Eli arched his back, letting Jake’s cock slip from his mouth.
“Oh, fuck, that’s good,” Eli hissed, rocking his body back onto Jake’s tongue. Jake proceeded to do everything that drove Eli wild because Eli was his, and he knew exactly what his man loved. He grabbed the lube off the nightstand, slicked his fingers, and pushed them into Eli as he shimmied down enough to drag his tongue over Eli’s taint and balls and take him back in his mouth. Every time Eli tried to wrap his mouth around Jake’s cock, Jake would brush over his prostate, loving the little sounds he was making. Eli pumped his hips a few times then warned, “I’m coming,” before releasing into the back of Jake’s throat. His body jerked and his muscles clenched as he leaned his forehead down on Jake’s thigh.
Jake let Eli’s dick slide from his mouth and chuckled, smacking Eli’s ass. “I win.”
“Oh, you think so, huh?” Before Jake could register what was happening, Eli flipped himself around, grabbing the lube off the bed. He stood on the floor between Jake’s legs and sucked him into his mouth. Slick fingers played over his hole, one pushing in then sliding back out.
Jake felt the burn as Eli added another finger—and saw fucking stars when Eli curled those fingers up and brushed over his prostate. “Jesus…fuck.” Warmth tingled in the bottom of his spine all the way down to his curled toes. Eli didn’t let up, but instead, increased the pace of both his wicked mouth and tongue and those talented fingers. The feeling was intense and Jake moved his hips in an attempt to gain control.
Eli, apparently, wasn’t having it.
He pressed his strong left forearm over Jake’s lower abs, holding him down while keeping the incredible suction on Jake’s cock—and brushing his wicked fingers over that gland repeatedly. “Oh fuck…oh fuck…” Jake kept saying over and over again. He gripped the sheets, his muscles straining, his skin slick with sweat as Eli worked him closer and closer to orgasm. “I can’t… I’m gonna…” It’s too much… It’s not enough… I need to fucking co…
Blinding, white light blurred his vision, his head tilted back, mouth hanging open with no audible sound escaping. He fisted the sheets even tighter as his back arched, and his body let go from the most intense orgasm he’d ever had. Eli continued to suck, continued to move his fingers, and Jake was sure he’d never stop coming. The white light faded to black, his eyelids too heavy to keep open. He could hear Eli chuckle, letting Jake’s exhausted dick slide out of his mouth. Slowly, Jake opened his fists, releasing the sheets from his grip.
Warm, soft lips pressed against his mouth as Jake panted, trying to catch his breath. “What was that about you winning?” Eli teased.
“Can’t…talk…” Jake licked his dry lips, opening his eyes halfway. “You broke me.”
Eli barked out a laugh. “Just say it. ‘Eli, you won.’ It’s easy. Here I’ll start you off… Eli, you—”
Jake tackled Eli back onto the mattress, silencing him when he crashed their lips together and drove his tongue into Eli’s mouth. He kissed him until they both were breathless, slowing to little nips and licks. He pulled his head back slightly. “Pretty sure we both win.”
Eli reached up and ran a hand through Jake’s hair, tugging until Jake took his mouth again. When they broke apart, Eli whispered, “Yeah, think we do.”
They all knew Thanksgiving wasn’t going to be easy, but Eli felt helpless watching Jake and the boys go through the motions. They tried to pretend they were okay with fake smiles, but every now and then, Eli would catch one or all three of them staring off absently. Kevin and Maggie were on everyone’s minds. Even Ryder and Kenz seemed to be thinking of them, and they hardly knew them.
When they sat down to dinner there was an awkward silence. They’d put two tables together to make one long table with Stan sitting at one end and Nina sitting at the other. Jake and Eli sat on one side with the boys between them. On the other side sat Avery, Ryder, and Kenz. Ryder, of course, made sure to plant himself right next to an annoyed Avery. Eli got the impression that giving up a family Thanksgiving wasn’t a hardship for Avery. He’d made it clear he wanted to be here with them. The only empty seat was reserved for Parker, who would be joining them for dessert.
“I know this isn’t easy for anyone.” Nina glanced solemnly at everyone. “There’s an absence at this table we’re all feeling, but…” She looked at Jake and the boys with such compassion in her eyes. “I’m hoping through our sadness, we each can find one thing we’re thankful for.”
Jake gave Nina a small smile and nodded his head.
With a smile in return, Nina squeezed Jake’s hand. “I’ll start.” She looked around the table. “I’m thankful each and every one of you are here. I never imagined we’d have such a full house for the holiday.”
Stan gazed at his wife across the table. “Since you stole mine,” he winked at her, “I’m thankful to have neighbors who are more like family.”
“I’ll go next,” Kenz said in a rush, as if she just wanted to get the all-eyes-on-her moment over with. “I’m thankful that you all invited me to be a part of your holiday.”
Jake looked at Eli over the boys’ heads and smiled. “I think ours is the same and pretty obvious.” Eli nodded, reaching behind the boys’ chairs to take Jake’s hand. “I’m thankful none of this was taken away from me.”
Eli added, “I’m thankful you finally came to your senses.” The whole table laughed, but Jake just nodded his head and mouthed me too, and Eli could feel the love coming from him.
“Great. How do I follow that?” Avery shook his head and sighed dramatically with a chuckle. He looked across the table. “I’m thankful to still be a part of Kevin’s boys’ lives and for new friends.”
Dylan and Nick were whispering to each other before Dylan nudged his head at his older brother. Nick nodded at Dylan then looked at the rest of the table. “We’re thankful we didn’t have to move to stupid Connecticut.” Dylan smiled and added, “And we’re thankful that Uncle J and Eli wanted us.” Eli’s gaze shot down to Dylan then back up at Jake.
“Always, kid,” Jake responded. “You’re stuck with us.” Both boys nodded their heads as Dylan leaned toward Eli for a hug, and Nick did the same with Jake.
“What cologne do you wear?” Ryder randomly asked Avery as he took an exaggerated whiff.
Avery’s eyebrows pulled together. “Prada, why?”
Ryder announced, “I’m thankful for Prada and candied sweet potatoes with tiny marshmallows.” Avery groaned and hung his head, but couldn’t conceal his laughter as the rest of the table joined in. Eli didn’t miss the subtle wink Ryder sent Jake. He’d obviously wanted to lighten the heavy moment. It didn’t look like Avery missed it either, his eyes softening as he stared at Ryder. Ryder’s eyes shifted toward Avery, and he gave a crooked smile and a small shrug. Eli wondered if anyone else had caught the moment between the two men.
Eli looked around the table and took in the love, banter, and delicious aromas. This was exactly like a Taylor Thanksgiving.
One day Jake and the kids would be a part of that.