“God, I love you so much.”

“Not as much as I love you.”

“Impossible.”

* * * * *

Hayley sat cross-legged on the end of the bed. Riley had Connor, and Jack held Lexie. This was their Christmas. Max was happy in his room with his new Thomas toys, and they had made sure to keep everything calm. Thankfully Hayley understood, and Riley was a bit sad that his daughter didn’t believe. Never mind he could be pretend-Santa to Lexie and Connor.

“Can I open Lexie’s present from you?” Hayley asked. She’d already opened Connor’s Santa sleep suit. The twins were nearly at the point of sitting, and Riley resolved to get a photo of the two of them in amongst any remaining unwrapped presents under the huge, slightly tilted tree. He could use presents to prop them up, or something. Lexie was still ahead of Connor, even now she sat up and bobbled her head, Connor was happy to lay and stare at the ceiling. Although, he was now the louder of the two and Riley was convinced he would be the first to talk.

“Go on, then,” Jack said. He helped Lexie sit, and she batted at the brightly colored present that Hayley waved in front of her.

“What is it, Lex? What is it?” Hayley teased. Then she carefully unwrapped it to reveal a sleep suit similar to Connor’s. “Ooooh,” she said exaggeratedly. “You gonna be a twin with Connor.”

“We need to get up for the family,” Jack said with a glance at the bedside clock.

Riley knew his husband was right, but he was warm and comfortable here and he’d just spotted someone hovering outside the door.

“Max?” he called carefully. “Look,” he added. He held up the James toy that lived on his side of the bed and waggled it. Max would come in and touch his Thomas to James. Riley was finding ways to communicate with his son.

Max hesitated, then came into the room, and with Riley’s help he clambered up on the bed and settled next to Hayley. He leaned on her arm and held out his Thomas for Riley to touch James to. Riley didn’t disappoint his son and added a smile to support the action. Apparently repetition was good.

“Hello, Max,” Jack said softly.

“Hello,” Max replied. Then he pulled at the nearest gift lying on the bed. One of Jack’s, a squishy present from his mom, probably a sweater. Carefully Max opened it but when he was halfway through, he wrinkled his nose and poked at the wrapping paper. Then he pushed the whole thing away. Riley considered the paper. It was red with silver stars, just like any paper, and Max hadn’t touched the sweater inside.

“Is the paper too crinkly?” Riley asked carefully. Then he spotted the tape that was holding everything together. Maybe it was that. He eased out the sweater and passed it Max who immediately scrunched it up and buried his face in the softness. Autism was a strange thing at times, and it was an incredible learning curve.

“Here’s one from me.” Hayley handed a parcel to Jack who turned it over in his hands. Riley knew what it would be. It had kind of become a tradition of sorts. Carefully Jack unwrapped the box and pulled out this year’s ornament. Every year was different. This year it was in the shape of a dummy and had pink glitter on one side and blue on the other. Riley peered closer. On the top was a tiny painted Thomas sitting on a capital ‘H’ for Hayley. Yep, she’d included everyone.

“It’s beautiful,” Jack said reverently. He held it by the string and it spun as he offered it to Riley.

“Beautiful,” Riley agreed. “Let’s go put it on the tree.”

Twins in arms, Hayley chatting, and Max carrying both Thomas and the small James, all six ended up in the front room in front of the tree. With ceremony Hayley hung the ornament next to the ones for the last few years. Riley felt absolute utter peace.

A knock on the door and the arrival of Donna and Neil was enough to break that peace. Josh and his family, followed closely by Sean and Eden, adding to the Christmas chaos.

Riley picked up Max and sheltered him from the noise that was happening around them. Max burrowed in and sighed against him. Jack looked over from the sofa he was perched on the edge of. Donna had Lexie, Josh had Connor, and he crossed to Riley and Max. Leaning in he whispered.

“As soon as everyone is asleep I have your present to show you in the barn.”.”

Riley laughed softly. “Is it something to do with all the wood and the hammering? Did we finally get a door?”

“Maybe,” Jack teased. “I’ll show you later.”

“I’m intrigued.”

“I love you, Het-boy.”

Riley turned his face a little so they could exchange a quick gentle kiss. “Love you too, cowboy.”

THE END

RJ Scott

RJ Scott lives just outside London. She has been writing since age six, when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies and was told to write a story. Two sides of A4 about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born. She loves reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror; however, her first real love will always be the world of romance. Her goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and more than a hint of happily ever after.

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