December started with an early winter snow. It never seemed to end, with January bringing even more of the fluffy white stuff. The blanket of it was pretty—especially since Gray didn’t have to get out into it.

Never prone to looking backward, Gray oddly found himself thinking back to the previous year when he’d spent Christmas with Scottie and the twins. It had been the start of their relationship in many ways. He thought it seemed ages ago—not just twelve months.

After a massive holiday rush of reservations, Ruck had been closed for a two-week break. Gray planned to enjoy the most of it. He didn’t expect his cottage to be invaded almost every day by Alice and Alex.

“What the fuck are they doing?” Scottie joined him at the living room window looking out over the front garden. “They’ll freeze their fingers off.”

“They’re attempting to create a snow biker. They made their family of snowmen in the backyard. Now it’s time for something new in the front.” Gray had allowed the twins to borrow a spare jacket and helmet—both had been damaged, so a little snow wouldn’t do further harm. “Alex’s idea.”

“Naturally.” Scottie laughed before handing a cup of coffee to Gray. He took a sip from his own mug. “Silus and Zippie are going to help me sort out the rest of my stuff next week. They should be back from Portsmouth after spending the holidays with Remi and Sarah.”

After over a month of thinking about it, Scottie had decided to give his flat to his brother. Silus initially refused, but after a third break-in at his own place he’d changed his mind. With most of the furniture staying in the apartment, it wouldn’t take much to get Scottie completely moved out.

And in with me.

Not that we haven’t been living together for months anyway.

Gray turned his attention away from the frolicking autistic twins to a box sitting on the mantle over the fireplace. He’d set it there a few weeks ago, teasing Scottie, who wanted to know what it was. “Get the present, kitten.”

“What?” Scottie slowly pulled his gaze away from the window to follow Gray’s pointing finger toward the fireplace. “Ah. Now? You’ve made me wait how long?”

Gray took the box from Scottie when he retrieved it. “You’ll learn patience, kitten, one way or the other.”

“Bastard.”

“Yes.” Gray discarded the top of the box and allowed Scottie to see the bracelet inside. “You’ll note the clear absence of a ring.”

The bracelet was made out of surgical stainless steel and shaped as a handcuff. Subtle enough not to disturb anyone who might be offended by alternative lifestyles, the cuff fit perfectly around Scottie’s wrist. Gray secured it, running his fingers along his submissive’s wrist.

They’d discussed a variety of ways to declare their relationship, including a bracelet. Gray had never been fond of permanent methods—tattoos or piercings. He’d known a number of both submissives and Dominants who’d deeply regretted getting an inked reminder.

“Mine.” Gray tugged hard on the bracelet. “If we didn’t have visitors, you’d be on your knees showing your appreciation for my gift.”

“Just send their arses home.” He shifted his body forward as if wanting to drop to the floor. “They can walk. Or crawl.”

“And get lost in a snowdrift?”

“Character building. Isn’t that what you marine bastards call it?” Scottie dropped a hand down to tug on his shaft through his trousers. “Someone’ll pick them up.”

“Kitten.” Gray shook his head at Scottie.

“Fine.” Scottie glared at him before turning to head toward the door. “Well, if I’m not getting a good fuck, might as well freeze my arse off with them.”

Resigning himself to a day in the cold, Gray followed Scottie outside. The twins seemed surprised and excited to see them. Their snowcycle appeared a bit more like molten plastic than anything else.

Scottie solved the problem by tackling Gray into the lopsided sculpture. Alice and Alex stared at them for a second before pelting them both with snowballs. I’m too fucking old to fight in the cold. But if they start it, I’m going to win.

“You’re taking fire.”

Gray glanced up from where he’d crouched behind his new SUV to find Aled and Wyatt watching him. “They decided to gang up on me.”

“Tactical retreat?” Wyatt snickered at him. “Aren’t you jarheads supposed to be made of sterner stuff?”

“Going to help me, or do you plan on talking shit?” Gray peeked around the edge of the vehicle to see if any of his three opponents had snuck up on him. “You’re giving away my position.”

Wyatt put two fingers in his mouth to whistle sharply. “Hey, blond squared. He’s over here.”

“Earp?”

Wyatt glanced over as Gray got to his feet. “Yes?”

“Run.”

With Aled snickering behind them, Gray took off after his old Navy SEAL buddy. Wyatt dodged and weaved, trying to use anything at his disposal to block Gray’s path. He caught up to him, sweeping his legs to knock Wyatt face first into the snow.

He came up spluttering with a snow beard. “Dickhead.”

“No one likes a whiner, Earp.” Gray kicked snow at him. “Fuck it’s cold out here. Time to head inside before we run the risk of losing our fingers.”

Inviting Wyatt and his husband to join them, Gray threw another log on the fire. He moved into the kitchen to get some hot chocolate going. The Brits might want tea, but he preferred a rare sweet treat to warm up his insides.

“Saw the bracelet.”

Gray ignored Wyatt, who’d followed him into the kitchen. “Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?”

“I saw the bracelet.”

“I heard you. I simply chose to ignore you since it’s none of your damn business.” Gray got the milk going on the stove for the hot chocolate. “I can feel you glaring—stop before I give in to my urge to dig your eyes out with a spoon.”

“You’d try.” Wyatt leaned against the counter, reaching out to steal a piece of chocolate. He yanked it back when Gray smacked his knuckles with a wooden spoon.

Gray decided to deflect the conversation about his relationship before it could start. “How was France?”

For the holidays, Wyatt had taken his husband to France to see his parents. The twins had been in and out checking all of Aled’s precious plants for him. He figured the trip would be a safer topic for them than his relationship.

“It was French.” Wyatt shrugged. “Did you know Voodoo introduced Yara to his parents?”

“I did.” Gray tensed, waiting for what Wyatt had to say next. “I haven’t seen either of them with Ruck closed for vacation. Yara texted Alice to say it went and I quote, ‘so brilliantly, his mum’s a gem.’”

“I hope you appreciate my efforts in bringing all of you to a place where you could find love. You’d all be sad and lonely without me.” Wyatt managed to steal another piece of chocolate while Gray focused on finding enough mugs. “Going to say thank you?”

Deciding the question didn’t deserve an answer, Gray ignored it. He had to guard the rest of the chocolate against the invading SEAL. They eventually managed to get warm drinks ready.

True to form, Alice and Alex took their hot chocolates down the hall. Gray had set up one of the guest rooms into a quiet space for them. Among other things, it had bunk beds for them to sleep in if they stayed over.

Aled slid across the couch to sit closer to Gray while Wyatt and Scottie started an argument about rugby and American football. “They talk about you.”

“Your plants?” Gray couldn’t help teasing.

“Americans. Always with the jokes.” Aled brought his legs up to sit cross-legged on the couch. They’d all abandoned their damp shoes by the door. “The twins. You’ve been more of a father to them than anyone else. Alex always talks about how much you’ve taught him about engines.”

Gray kept an eye on Scottie and Wyatt, knowing the debate could get unnecessarily heated. “They’re good kids.”

“Agreed.” Aled nodded. “But, you’re a good man, as well.”

Trying to deflect the conversation with a shrug, Gray shifted the topic to how Aled’s plants were handling the frigid temperatures. Botany went right over his head. He tried to appear at least mildly interested since he’d been the one to ask in the first place.

“Beard guy?”

Gray sent a glare at Wyatt for snickering at the nickname before turning to find Alex hovering by the end of the hallway. “More hot chocolate?”

“Not more chocolate.” Alex drew patterns in the air with his fingers repeatedly. “My class next week has a family day.”

Seeing how nervous Alex was, Gray tried to smile encouragingly when his courage clearly faltered. Alice rushed up to join her brother. She hovered beside him without touching him.

“Doyouwanttocome?” Alex asked, speaking so fast the words blended together. “Please?”

Aled sent a pointed look toward Gray as if to say “what did I tell you.”

Gray ignored him, focusing on Alex who seemed to have stopped breathing while waiting for an answer. “Of course, I’ll be there. Just tell me when and where.”

“Oh, good. You said yes.” Alex beamed brightly at him before rushing away, flapping his hands excitedly.

Family is what you make of it.

Gray stretched his legs out in front of the fire to warm up his toes more. “Are you two staying for lunch?”

“Have I ever turned down a free meal?” Wyatt slipped his arm around his husband’s shoulders to draw him closer. “Besides, I’m not going outside until my socks are dry.”

“Shouldn’t a Navy SEAL be less affected by dampness?” Aled smiled up at Wyatt, who tugged on his long hair in retaliation. “Can we help with fixing the meal?”

“Not if he wants it to taste even remotely edible.”

“I’m not that bad.” Aled threatened his husband with his teaspoon. “I order takeaways brilliantly.”

With the twins hiding out with their music to relax after a morning of being social, Gray continued to enjoy the warmth of the fire. His plans for lunch required a minimal amount of work. He hadn’t intended to have four extra guests, but it didn’t really matter.

“Why the hell do people have kids?” Scottie asked out of nowhere. His fingers wrapped tightly around his mug. “Got fucking frostbite playing with those two.”

Gray watched Scottie out of half-closed eyes. “I’ll see if I can’t warm you up a bit later.”

“We’re still in the damn room.” Wyatt threw a damp sock at Gray’s head. “Keep it in your pants, marine.”

“My house. My pants. My fucking room.” Gray caught Scottie by the collar of his T-shirt to drag him over into a hard kiss. “You can always leave.”

“What? And miss dinner and a show?” Wyatt applauded. “Encore.”

“I’ll encore you upside the head. Get your ass in the kitchen. You can peel potatoes for me.” Gray released Scottie and slowly stood up. He snapped his fingers at Wyatt, who saluted him. “That’s what I like to see—respect.”

“Yeah, only because you’re older than Methuselah.” Wyatt trotted after him into the kitchen. “I haven’t peeled a potato in years.”

Gray set several of them on the counter. “Here’s your chance to practice.”

“Don’t you have a slave to handle this?”

Gray carefully set the carton of eggs on the counter before turning to address the slightly flippant remark. “A submissive is not a slave.”

“Just a joke.”

He narrowed his eyes on Wyatt. “Behave yourself, Earp. I’d hate to demonstrate how easily I can kick your ass in front of your husband.”