Chapter 38

12/24/2041

Luca woke up around 6 that morning because the twins were awake and kicking. He got up and waddled to the bathroom.

"Are you alright, love?" Tyree asked.

"Yea," Luca said. "They were kicking and kept hitting my bladder," he said.

"Maybe they're excited about Christmas," Tyree said.

"They didn't need to start this so early though," Luca grumbled, heading back to bed.

"Well, why don't we get dressed and wrap these presents?" Tyree asked.

"Might as well since we're up," Luca said.

The rest of the morning, they wrapped presents and put them under the tree. Whatever was too big to wrap, they hid in the garage. The photos were put away in a box for safekeeping until a frame was picked out. Luca took a deep breath and returned to the bedroom.

"Are you okay?" Tyree asked, as Luca lay down on the bed.

"Yea, I just need to catch my breath," Luca said.

"You rest," Tyree said. "I'll finish up," he said.

Tyree finished everything up while Luca rested. With the pregnancy nearing its end, Luca easily grew tired. They weren't planning to bake cookies until later, so Tyree lay down with Luca and rested. He had heard that carrying multiple babies is risky, which made him a little concerned for Luca and his unborn children. Tyree pushed the thought to the back of his mind and focused on his sleeping lover. Tyree felt the twins move slightly under his fingertips.

"Settle down," he whispered. "Your momma is tired," Tyree said. The movements stopped instantly. "Thank you," he said, softly.

When Tyree woke up, he noticed that it was 6 pm. He had slept through the afternoon. Tyree turned his head and found Luca still asleep.

"I must have been as tired as he is," Tyree thought to himself. Tyree got up and headed to the kitchen. He sat down at the table and glanced over the recipe. When Tyree heard padded footsteps, he looked up from his phone.

"Hello, sleepyhead," he said, as Luca sat down beside him.

"I woke up and found you gone," he said.

"I am reading the cookie recipe," Tyree said. "I just woke up," he said.

After he finished reading the recipe, Tyree went to find Alicia. He found her in her bedroom playing with her toys.

"Are you ready to help with the cookies?" he asked.

"Yes, Daddy," she said, nodding her head. She got up from the floor and put her toys away. "Is Mommy going to help?" she asked.

"He's in the kitchen waiting," Tyree said. Alicia smiled and followed Tyree into the kitchen. Luca was up getting everything ready.

As they went step by step, Luca did the hard stuff while they let Alicia do the easy jobs. Tyree preheated the oven and lined the baking sheets with parchment paper. Alicia handed Luca the ingredients that needed to be whisked. Tyree added ingredients to a large bowl and mixed it up. Luca and Alicia filled the sheets with dough. Once done, they were put into the oven and baked for 10 minutes.

"Don't touch them," Luca said, as he took the cookies from the oven. "They need to cool down," he said.

Once they were cool, the cookies were put onto a plate. "May I have one?" Alicia asked.

"We all can have one," Tyree said. "The rest goes to Santa," he said.

"Okay," Alicia said and grabbed a cookie. Luca and Tyree each grabbed one as well.

"Time for little ones to be in bed or Santa won't come," Tyree said. Alicia was gone in a flash and into her bedroom. After setting the plate onto the table in the living room, Luca and Tyree checked on Elena then headed to their bedroom.

Tyree noticed that Luca was quiet when they were lying in bed. "What's the matter, babe?" " he inquired.

"I forgot to get you a gift," Luca admitted.

"You've given me the best gift any man could ask for," Tyree said. "It's a second chance at love and a family," he explained. "That's why I adore you," Tyree explained.

"I love you as well," Luca added. "I would have given up on myself a long time ago if you and Alicia hadn't appeared in my life," he said.

12/25/2041 Christmas Day

"Mommy, daddy, wake up," Alicia said, as she crawled onto the bed.

"What is it, baby?" Luca asked groggily.

"Santa came," Alicia said, gleefully.

"Give a few minutes, hon," Tyree said. Alicia nodded her head and got off the bed. She headed back to her bedroom. Luca slowly got out of bed with Tyree's help and got dressed.

An hour later, there was a knock on the front door. Tyree opened it and found Ken and the others on the other side.

"Merry Christmas," Ken said.

"Happy Christmas," Tyree said. "Come on in and make yourselves comfortable," he said. Ken and the others followed Tyree to the living room where Luca sat on the couch and held Elena in his arms. Luca stood up as his father entered the room.

"Merry Christmas, son," Carl said.

"Merry Christmas, dad," he said. "We've got a present for you and the children," he said. Adam and Thomas entered carrying a large box.

"Can't have children without a playpen," Adam said.

More gifts were brought inside the house. Two cribs, two high chairs, and strollers sat in the hallway.

"Tyree, you don't have to say yes if you're uncomfortable," Ken said. "I'm offering alpha status and giving you the option to lead my pack," he said.

"You won't need to live on the land," Carl said. Luca glanced at Tyree with shocked eyes. Tyree saw Luca nod slightly.

"I'll accept only if Luca becomes my Luna," Tyree said. "Plus, our house still needs to be paid off," Tyree said.

"That's been covered," Ken said. "We paid the rest," he said.

"Thank you," Luca said with a wide grin.

Presents were opened and Christmas music filled the sitting room. "Ty, help me get the gift from the garage," Luca said.

"Let Thomas help," Tyree said. The two men left the room and entered the garage.

"Alicia, cover your eyes," Luca said. Alicia nodded and put her hands over her face. Tyree and Thomas returned to the room. Luca linked to Tyree and said, "Take it to the playroom," He nodded and headed down the hallway.

"Alicia, keep your eyes closed and I'll guide you," Luca said.

Luca led her to the playroom and came to a halt at the door. "Open your eyes," Luca instructed. Alicia opened her eyes to see her father standing next to a frozen themed dollhouse.

Tyree said, "Merry Christmas, baby."

"Daddy, I adore it," she exclaimed.

"You should thank Luca because he paid for it," Tyree advised. Alicia turned and hugged Luca around the neck. After everything was in place, family and friends gathered for a Christmas lunch. The house was filled with laughter and joy.