“Ladies, let’s go help finish dinner. Boys, wash up, talk some shit, and then set the table,” my mother calls out, dragging Isabelle away from me. Like a kid losing his favorite toy, I grumble under my breath, ready to stomp my foot.
Isabelle turns around and then comes back. “Just so you know that pout is so freaking sexy.” She kisses my cheek and runs off with all the ladies.
“So is that smile permanent?”
“I sure hope so, pops. I’ve never been so damn happy.” My father stands and pulls me into his arms.
“Ti amo, figlio mio. She’s wonderful and I’m looking forward to little ones.”
It feels like an eternity, but every time I try to sneak into my own kitchen, I’m shooed away. Finally, my future sister-in-law comes out and says dinner is ready to be served.
I would sit Isabelle at the head of the table, directly across from me, but I want to keep her by my side, so I allow my dad to take that spot and to begin cutting the turkey.
“Today has been a wonderful Christmas. We’re glad to spend it with all of you. And to see my son smiling for the first time in years does this old man good. Now, let’s eat because I’m sure we all want to hit the hay early.” We normally open presents on Christmas morning, and although we don’t have any small children with us, we still do it for each other. Even at my lowest, my family held out hope that I’d welcome joy into my life again.
I stand and raise my glass. “Thank you, Father. Honestly, I can’t wait for the next few Christmases to come, but I’ve gotten the best present ever. Thanks, Fabio. Thank you for forcing my hand and giving me no way to avoid the rejection I feared.” I turn to Isabelle. “I wish I hadn’t wasted those two years, but I promise to make it up to you, my darling love.” I drop my head down and kiss her lips, causing everyone to cheer again. She blushes so prettily that I want to toss her onto the table and do every dirty thing I can, but that will have to wait until we don’t have any guests.
I sit down before everyone can see my cock fighting with my zipper. We pass the food around, and finally, when everyone’s plate is full, we hold hands and say grace.
“Thank you, Franco.” She kisses my cheek.
Everyone starts digging in and talking. Dinner never looked so beautiful, and the food was terrific, too. “I’m the one who should be thankful.”
Isabelle runs her hand over my thigh, and my cock jerks against my slacks. I can’t wait for dessert. The time ticks by and I inhale her fabulous meal, but I don’t even remember it.
Chapter Twelve
Isabelle
A round of Merry Christmases and good mornings go around the room. Franco and I sit on the loveseat together, cuddling as the Christmas tree takes center stage. When we do, I lift up his injured leg and gently massage it. “You don’t—” His protests are cut off by a moan.
“I want to. It’s nothing, really.” I kiss his cheek, loving the scruffy beard beginning to grow. He returns the kiss. “I love you,” I whisper and continue my ministrations, making sure to keep my hands low so we don’t become obscene.
“Coffee, anyone?” Anabelle calls out, pulling us from our private little moment. I sneak a glance around the room, and everyone’s coupled up except Soren and Mia.
Everyone shouts out a yes, so Fabio and Anabelle head into the kitchen.
“I’m going to get the morning donuts,” Mia cheers, getting up off the floor.
“Donuts?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s a tradition. Coffee or milk with donuts.” That explains all the ones I saw in the pantry and the reason that Rita served them yesterday. She’s chilling with the guard that arrived last night. He seems like a nice man and he’s clearly interested in Rita.
“Wow. That sounds awesome!” I rub my belly because I’m starved. We burned off so many calories last night that I need nourishment. They come back with trays of coffee and donuts on a cart. Once we’re all settled in with our drinks, they pass around the gifts when Fabio drops a couple in my lap. “What are these?”
“I’ve been buying you a gift every year,” Franco says. He turns to Fabio. “Thanks for bringing them out.”
“I can’t believe you did that,” I cry as I kiss him. I don’t know what he picked out, but it doesn’t matter. “I love you so much.”
“This is for you,” I say as my sister hands a gift box to Franco.
“You got me a present?”
“Well, I knew I was coming here to cook, so I thought I’d hide it under the tree before I left, but since you aren’t planning to let me go, you can have it now.” He opens his gift first, revealing a copy of Beauty and the Beast on Blu-ray.