Zach’s parents lived in a cute little house on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t quite a farm, not enough land to have a lot of crops or livestock on, but there was still a large sprawling yard around the house and a small old barn on the corner of the property. Perhaps it had, at one time, been a true homestead, but the land had been sold off to surrounding farmers. Now the yard was filled with flowers and kitschy country art. There was a scarecrow standing up among a few square bushels of hay that currently had a Santa hat on and was holding a sign reading “Welcome Y’all!” Christmas lights were strung up on the house as well, despite the country road not getting a lot of regular traffic.

It was no wonder Zach loved going overboard with the decorations. He’d probably inherited it from his parents. 

Zach pulled his car into the long driveway, where there were already a few other vehicles parked. He looked over at Shane and smiled. “You ready?” 

“No? Yes? Maybe?” Shane smiled nervously. “You sure they’re going to like me?” 

“They’re gonna love you. I’ve no doubt,” Zach assured, reaching over to squeeze his hand. 

“Okay, but… have you told them I’m black? Because I’ve dated enough white chicks to know that the parents don’t take that well if it’s a surprise.” 

Zach blinked, caught off guard briefly, but then smiled more gently. “Yeah, I mentioned it to my mom when I told her that you were gonna come with me. She was cool with it.” 

Shane nodded. That was reassuring. The last thing he wanted to do was cause some drama on Christmas Day, and he’d learned by now that acceptance of one’s sexuality didn’t always mean an acceptance of race. Or vice-versa. 

Zach didn’t bother knocking. He pushed the door open like he’d never left home, holding the dish containing potato salad under his arm. “Hellooo!” he called out. “Guess who’s here!” 

There were some cries of excitement from the kitchen, and soon Zach and Shane were surrounded. It was a little overwhelming to be mobbed by the Caltons at first, but soon he was being pulled into hugs and vigorous handshakes, being told Merry Christmas and “Glad you could make it”s. He couldn’t help but relax when it became obvious he was in fact welcomed. Hell, he was being treated like some long lost relative. 

Zach was grinning ear to ear as he watched, and when everyone had gotten in a greeting he stepped in to put a hand on Shane’s shoulder. “Everyone, this is Shane Howard. My boyfriend.” 

That was the first time Zach had ever said that word out loud, much less in front of a crowd. It left him off balance for a second, while his heart thundered and butterflies fluttered about in his stomach. He leaned into Zach’s side, and he was pretty sure he also was smiling like an idiot now.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” he said, and meant it. 

“Well, it sure is nice to meet you too,” a plump older woman said, her eyes bright. It looked like she once had the same color hair as Zach, but the blond had started to turn more of a silvery color. She was wearing a fabulously ugly Christmas sweater with knitted and blinged out dancing reindeer on it. “I’m Martha, Zach’s mom. He’s told me so much about you, sweetie. I’m just tickled pink that you’ve come to spend Christmas with us.” 

“I heard that you make the best cranberry cornbread in Hidden Creek, so there was no way I was gonna miss that,” he replied with a grin. 

“Oh, gosh.”  She fanned herself, though didn’t bother denying the compliment. “Well, you’ll just have to see for yourself. We’ve got plenty.” She stepped forward and snagged his arm to pull him further into the house. “Let me introduce you to everyone and show you around. Zach, you can put that in with the rest of the food.” She waved a hand at her son to shoo him off. 

“See? She’s already trying to steal you away,” Zach lamented, but then grinned and slipped off into the kitchen. 

Shane watched him go nervously, then looked back to the family now crowded into the living room. Martha introduced him to each one: Dave, Zach’s father, who turned out to be just as tall as Zach, with salt and pepper hair and a friendly face; Annabelle, Zach’s sister, who preferred to just be called Annie; then there was Annie’s husband and her three year old son, named Arthur, the latter of which mostly hid behind his father’s legs shyly. Eventually Shane managed to draw him out for a little handshake after making some funny faces. A handful of cousins had come in from around Hidden Creek and outside of it too, but that didn’t stop them from being any less friendly. 

Every once in a while he would glance over to watch Martha and Dave together. It was obvious the couple were still very much in love and that they adored their children and family. Martha was fussing over them all, and Dave was spending his time talking and joking, keeping everyone entertained. Shane was going to have to up his dad joke game to keep up with that guy, at this rate. 

It was heartwarming to see the family together. But sometimes it felt like he had a strange sense of déjà vu, making him feel a brief pang of loneliness. He couldn’t remember any Christmas Days before his family died—not in any detail, at least. Seeing Zach’s family made him try to think back to before the foster homes, to try to recall what it had been like. Some things felt familiar. How Martha made sure everyone was fed before she even picked up a plate. How Dave sat back in his favorite recliner with Annie’s son in his lap, humming a Christmas carol to the toddler to keep him smiling. He could almost grasp onto the memories of his parents’ faces, but it always slipped away between his fingers like smoke. 

Would bringing Zach to meet his parents be like this, if they were still alive? 

Zach must have spotted Shane’s thoughts drifting, ‘cause after dinner he drew him aside, his hand settling onto Shane’s lower back comfortingly. “How are you holding up?” he asked softly. 

“I’m good,” Shane replied, giving a slow nod as he leaned into Zach’s arm. “It’s… a lot. But good.” His smile turned a little sadder. “It kind of brings back memories. Or at least feelings. It’s hard to remember. Kind of like déjà vu, you know?” 

His lover’s lips twisted with sympathy, and he opened his arms to pull Shane into a tight embrace. “Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” 

Shane closed his eyes and rested his cheek against Zach’s chest. “You’re already doing plenty. I’m all right, I promise.”

“You know…” Zach started, his voice softer and nervous. “This could be your family, if you wanted. I know it’s not the same—I know nothing will replace them. But I love you so much. And they think you’re amazing, too. And not just because they’re happy I’m with someone who isn’t a manipulative jerk—they really like you.”

“You think?” Shane glanced up to meet his eyes. 

“I know it. My mom hasn’t been this excited in a while.” Zach smiled warmly. 

Shane looked down the hallway and into the living room, where everyone was crowded around the large, brightly lit Christmas tree. Presents were starting to be pulled out from underneath it, stacked up and organized by who the gifts were for. Arthur was practically jumping up and down with excitement, and had to be held back by Annie to prevent him from tearing through them all. Martha was overseeing everything like a conductor, making sure everything was in the right place. 

They were a pretty amazing family. 

Then Martha pulled out another couple of presents and set them down beside another before calling out down the hallway. “Shane, I’m putting your presents here beside Zach’s.” 

Shane blinked in surprise, his brows raised. “Uh, thanks,” he called back, before looking back towards Zach. “They got me presents?” 

“Of course,” Zach said, squeezing around his middle. “You’re a part of Christmas while you’re here.” 

He liked to think he wasn’t a material person. He’d never had much in his life, and while he was proud of all that he had earned, he wasn’t caught up in the little things. Being given a Christmas present or not shouldn’t be a big deal. But right now, it was. 

Zach’s parents had cared enough that they hadn’t wanted Shane to feel excluded. They wanted him to feel like part of the family. 

Shane smiled back at his boyfriend. “You know, I think Christmas might become my new favorite holiday.” 

“That’s a good thing, or else I’ll be driving you insane with my Christmas obsession.” Zach’s lips quirked. “You ready to go back into the lion’s den and open some presents?”

“Yeah,” he breathed. “I’m ready.” 

He slid his hand over Zach’s, their fingers lacing together. A perfect fit.

Zach was right. They would never replace his parents. But as Shane settled down beside Zach, surrounded by a family that loved and welcomed them both, everything felt right. It felt like he had finally found a home he could cherish. Not just with Zach’s family—but with Zach himself. He could see a happy, laughter-filled life stretching out before him, one he never wanted to stray from.

It was the best Christmas present he could have ever gotten.