In the car on the ride home, Jack smiled at Seraphina completely passed out in the backseat. "You guys did wonderfully tonight. Thank you again for agreeing to go. It meant a lot to me."

"You are my future fiancé. I should be ingratiating myself with my future family."

"I know. But you didn't have to do it with such grace. I would have understood if you were grouchy about it."

"But that wouldn't have made you happy."

"No, but I would have understood. My family can be a lot to take in sometimes."

"They were nice. I understand where you get it from."

"Where I get what from?"

"Everything that makes you charming."

"And where did you get your charm from?"

"My parents and jolly, old England."

"Ah. Well, remind me to thank them. Your charm is quite exquisite."

"If you want a kiss, all you have to do is ask," Pitch teased.

"I always want a kiss. Not while you're driving though."

"When we get home, my lips are all yours."

"I was planning on that." Jack chuckled. His eyes shifted to watch the snow slowly drifting down outside.

"It's strange remembering that just last Christmas it was just me and Seraphina."

"Agreed. Since college it's almost always been just me and the animals on Christmas. It'll be nice to have some company of the human variety this year."

"Someone to exchange presents with, someone to kiss under the mistletoe, someone to hold while drinking cocoa and watching Christmas specials."

"Exactly." Jack smiled at the thought. "My sister has always invited me to stay the extra day, but I guess I felt like I would be intruding on their little family time."

"Christmas can be a little lonely." Pitch reached over, lacing his fingers with Jack's. "Spend it with us. Don't be lonely anymore."

"I plan on spending every Christmas from now on with you guys if you'll have me."

"This is a trial, Mr. Frost. You'll have to prove you're good Christmas company."

"A trial? Oh, I'll have to make sure I'm on my best behavior."

"You should. Plenty of kisses, plenty of sweet words, and maybe I'll keep you."

"I promise to try my best. I wouldn't want to disappoint you and Seraphina."

"You won't. I know you won't."

Jack brought their hands up for a kiss. "Is it weird that in less than four months you've made me love you so much it feels as if I've loved you for fifty years?"

"Well, we have loved each other a little longer than three months. But I don't think it's weird at all."

"You know what I mean. It's not exactly normal for adults to come together like we did and fall so hard so quickly."

"It's normal enough that it's written about. Love at first sight is rare, but glorious."

"So we're just that one in a million? Lucky us."

"I certainly think so. Someone else could be dating you right now, and that would make me very unhappy."

"Very true. And you could have found someone else and been married again by now. Very lucky indeed."

"I promised myself after my wife died that if I couldn't find you, or you were married or happily dating or whatever, I would remain single."

"That's an awful lot of faith you had in a childhood relationship. What if I had changed more from who I used to be?"

"You were such a confident child. I felt that you liked yourself too much to change."

"True. I don't know if I'd say I was confident. I was usually just too busy goofing around to care much what other people thought."

"Exactly. You wouldn't have changed. You would still be just as dear as you were back then."

"I think I understand now. I guess I really haven't changed as much as I thought," Jack chuckled.

"Not really." Pitch reached over and slid his fingers through Jack's hair. "The changes have only been physical ones."

"Like my freckles?"

"Yes, honey. Like your freckles. Have I changed very much?"

"In certain ways. You used to be a lot more quiet. You'd almost always be reading at recess and didn't really socialize much. Now you have a sense of confidence in you."

"I guess so. I've never really thought about it. I still prefer reading to socializing."

"But now you're a little less awkward if you do have to socialize." He nudged Pitch with a grin. "You also grew up physically, obviously."

"Obviously. You grew up too." Pitch gave him a smile. "Your body is so very lovely," he whispered, bringing Jack's hand to his lips.

"So you've said. Many times. Your features hardened up with age. You used to be so soft and child-like. Now your face is all hard lines without a hint of baby fat."

"Sharp cheekbones run in my family."

"Looks like Seraphina was spared though." He smiled. "I like your cheekbones."

"I know. You always kiss them after we've made love."

"They make you look sexy. Can't blame me for it."

"If it makes you continue to do the things you do when we're in bed, then I'm grateful for them."

"It's the same as you kissing my nose and hands all the time."

"That's just to show affection. It's your neck I can't resist."

"I see. No wonder you're always burying your face there."

"Mmhmm. I love to drag my teeth along the veins and feel you shiver beneath me. You love when I suck at your neck."

"It feels good. Of course I love it."

"That's why you beg me to keep sucking. You can't get enough of it once you have me there."

"Stop it with all the bedroom talk. We still have a good chunk of driving ahead of us."

"My apologies, dearest one. I'll refrain from teasing you until you can do something about it."

Jack laughed. "Thank you. That's all I ask."

"But as soon as we get home and put Seraphina to bed, I am carrying you into my bedroom and you will not leave it again unless I say so."

"Your bedroom? I thought it was ours now."

"That's not the point."

Jack's arms crossed over his chest. "It's a good point to me."

"The point is that as soon as I'm able, I plan to make continuous, passionate love to you."

"See…I'm not sure I want to do that with someone who isn't willing to share ownership."

"Fine. As soon as I'm able, I plan to make continuous, passionate love to you in our bedroom."

"I look forward to it." Jack grinned.

Pitch smiled in satisfaction. "No objections?"

"None at all."

"So as long as it's in our bedroom, you're up for anything?"

"Mhmm. I've already expressed my trust in you. I know I'll like whatever we do."

"Your faith in me is adorable."

"Should I not put my faith in you?"

"You should. I only want to make you happy."

After making sure the road was safe, Jack leaned over to kiss the driver's cheek. "Love you too."

"I would do anything for you, Jack. All you have to do is ask."

"I don't plan on asking too much of you. I like us how we are. I don't want anything to change."

"There is only one thing you will ask of me."

"Which is?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Of course. I forgot about that. I will ask that of you when the time comes."

"I know."

"But besides that...don't expect many requests other than for kisses."

"Those are my favorite. You know, you get the cutest look on your face after you ask me for a kiss. You'll say it with such passion and then your eyes change."

"Oh?" He quirked an eyebrow with a laugh. "I'm glad you find it cute. It obviously works in getting me what I want."

"You look so uncertain when I'm about to kiss you, as if you're afraid. As if you still don't believe I'm about to kiss you."

"I think there's still a tiny part of me that's afraid this is all a dream. And when I wake up you'll be gone, just like when we were kids."

"Not this time." Pitch gave him a smile. "I plan on spending the rest of my life with you. You're mine, Jack Frost, and I'm yours."

"I might need you to keep reminding me I'm not dreaming."

"I will remind you every day until I slip my ring on your finger. After that, I'll remind you every second."

"That sounds like it might be the perfect amount of times."

"And all I ask in return is your love."

"I can do that. I'll happily do that."

"Do you promise?"

"I swear on my love for you."

"You are so cute, love."

"Pitch," Jack whispered as he kissed the man awake. "Time to wake up, my love."

Pitch hummed and wrapped his arm around Jack's waist, pulling him close so he could nuzzle against his neck. "Jack Frost, it is too early to be waking me up."

"It is the perfect earliness to be doing so," he chuckled. "I've made you a special Christmas breakfast. And I heard rustling in Seraphina's room on my way in here, so I think you'll be getting attacked soon. I wanted to get a few kisses in before that."

"Oh, really?" Pitch smiled. "Then come here, Mr. Frost, and kiss me."

"Yes, sir." Jack leaned in with a grin to give him a kiss.

Pitch slid his fingers into Jack's hair and held him close. "You look beautiful today, my love."

"I look exactly as I always do. Except I'm in my extra warm PJs."

"And you look extra beautiful."

"Thank you. So do you." He gave Pitch a last kiss before sitting up. "Now come eat before your breakfast gets cold."

"I'd much rather kiss you."

"Do you really want to be caught kissing by Seraphina? I can hear her in the hall now."

"Fine. But you owe me a date under the mistletoe."

"I'll see you there," Jack chuckled.

"Now get out of here, and let me get dressed in peace."

"Of course, love." Jack headed back out to the kitchen, laughing when Seraphina darted into the room right after he'd left.

"Sweet Jesus Christmas, can a man not have peace and quiet in his own home?!" Pitch's voice was muffled by the door as it closed

Jack set up the table in preparation for the Black family to join him. Three plates, glasses, silverware, a bottle of syrup, and a plate piled high with chocolate chip pancakes in the center of the table.

Pitch stumbled into the room, his mouth open wide in a yawn as Seraphina giggled from her perch on his shoulders. "I found Daddy!"

"I see that. Thank you for delivering him to breakfast." He lifted the little girl off her father's shoulders.

"He was trying to go back to sleep," she giggled.

"Traitor," Pitch mumbled, kissing Jack's cheek.

"How am I a traitor? I gave you a warning at least."

"Not you, darling."

"I see. Well, I hope the food will make up for your daughter's nearly unforgivable behavior."

"I hope so, considering my sweet dreams of you were interrupted for it."

"You have enough of those dreams that losing out on five minutes won't be missing much." Jack filled up his boyfriend's plate with snicker.

"Any lost dream with you in it is devastating," Pitch whispered in Jack's ear. "I love you that much."

"Good to hear, love." He kissed Pitch's cheek before taking the seat next to him. "How did you sleep, Phiphi?"

"Good, Mr. Frost. I dreamt that you made it snow and it was a snow day and I stayed home and we played in the snow all day long!"

"That sounds like a pretty fun dream." Jack took a bite of his syrup-drowned pancakes. "It is snowing outside, it's Christmas so there's already no school, but I can't take the credit for it."

"But you're in the Guardians book." Seraphina looked at Pitch in confusion. Pitch smiled, putting a forkful of syrupy pancakes into his mouth.

"You got me there," he laughed. "I promise this snow day is all natural, though. No meddling from me involved."

"I highly doubt that," Pitch whispered, winking at Seraphina.

"Okay. Maybe a little bit of meddling."

"Told you he was magical," Pitch teased Seraphina, earning a giggle in response.

"Alright. So what do we have planned for today?"

"Play in the snow!" Seraphina cried out, holding up her hands in two fists.

"And then get warm in front of a nice fire as we drink cocoa and watch sappy Christmas movies," Pitch added.

"With all that fun, where will we fit in the presents?"

Pitch smiled and slid a small package in front of Jack. "How about right now?"

"Breakfast first," he laughed.

"Come on, I know you're curious. What present could your new, infatuated boyfriend have gotten you for your first Christmas together?"

"I'm extremely curious as to what you got that could possibly top everything you've already given me. But I also don't want the food to get cold."

"Suit yourself." Pitch smiled knowingly and went back to eating.

"Don't you give me that look. You weren't the one up at the crack of dawn fretting over making the perfect Christmas breakfast." Jack smacked his arm.

"It is a very perfect Christmas breakfast." Pitch took Jack's hand and kissed his knuckles. "Thank you."

His cheeks heated a little. "I'm glad you like it."

"I do. So far you have made this a very happy Christmas."

"I'm trying my best. This is only the trial run, after all."

"Oh love, I think you'll pass with flying colors. You're mine now."

"Perfect!" Jack grinned. "Just what I wanted for Christmas."

"Stop being so cute, or I might just have to kiss you."

"Why do you always say that like I wouldn't want one?"

"Then how about you lean over here?"

"Thought you'd never ask." Jack leaned over with the tiniest of smirks.

Pitch smiled and gave Jack a tiny peck. "I'll give you the rest when you meet me under the mistletoe."

"Can't wait." He stole another kiss before shoving a big bite of pancake in his mouth.

"You are such a brat," Pitch purred affectionately.

"I know." When he finished his stack of pancakes, Jack gathered up his dirty dishes and Seraphina's. He pointed at Pitch's plate. "You all finished? Or are you going in for thirds?"

"I'm finished. Thank you, love."

"You're welcome. Glad you liked it." As Seraphina excitedly ran off into living room, Jack cleaned up his breakfast mess and started on the dishes.

"Don't you start opening presents without us!" Pitch called out into the living room. He walked up behind Jack and brushed his hair aside, pressing a kiss to his exposed neck. "Leave those. Come open your presents."

"Alright, alright," he chuckled. Jack leaned back against him with a happy sigh as he dried off his hands. "Present time."

"I'm glad you see things my way." Pitch pressed his lips to Jack's cheek.

"You just love to always get your way."

"Only because I have an extra special present for you."

"Oh! I wonder what it could be!" Jack's eyes lit up with excitement.

"I hope it's something you'll enjoy."

"I'll enjoy anything from you. You know me almost better than myself sometimes." After grabbing a frilly wrapped gift from under the tree, he plopped down on the couch and held it out to his boyfriend.

"Nice wrapping," Pitch teased but took the gift. "The blue one is for last. That's the extra special one."

"So the other ones are free game?"

"Yep. Go on, you greedy thing. I know you're excited."

"Very much. I'm like a kid, remember?" Jack grabbed a brightly colored gift. "You're rather good at wrapping, sir."

"Years of practice." Pitch carefully worked on opening the wrapping paper on his gift.

"It shows. Almost too pretty to tear. Almost." He shredded the paper off the box with a grin.

"You are such a child." Pitch looked down at the ugly Christmas sweater in his lap. "Damn it, you know I love these things!"

"It seems we both wanted to keep each other warm." Jack laughed and pulled the thick coat out of the box. "This'll be perfect for riding my bike in the cold months."

"Sorry, I know you hate practical gifts."

"I never said that. Practical gifts are great too."

"Keep going. I promise the rest aren't as boring."

"Take your next one too. Try this one." He picked up another gift for each of them.

"Thanks." Pitch slowly opened his.

"That new brush set I wanted?" Jack's jaw dropped. "You didn't have to do that, Pitch."

"You've been eyeing that thing for weeks. I had to."

"It was pretty pricey though."

"The look on your face is worth it."

"Love you." He crawled over the discarded pile of wrappings to kiss him.

"Just wait. I've saved the best for last."

"What is it?"

"You still have a few more presents before then. Be patient."

"Well, it's hard to be patient when you're flat out telling me it's going to be great." Jack grabbed a small box and tossed it to Seraphina with a smile. "This one next, Phiphi."

The little girl squealed, delighted in having so many presents. Pitch smiled. "Please behave. I want to save the best for last."

"Relax. It's Christmas. Let her have a little fun." He winked at Pitch.

"I trust her to behave. You, not so much."

"I'll behave too. Wouldn't want to get my gifts taken away, after all."

"I wouldn't take them away. I'd just be...disappointed?"

"Can't have that either."

"Good. Now open your next one."

"Yes, sir. Here's your next too." He tossed another gift over to him.

"I should have gotten you baseball or softball lessons. You could have worked on that pitch."

"Oh, shut it." Jack turned and chucked the nearest couch pillow at him.

Pitch moved his head and easily avoided it. "Whoa there, A-Rod. Almost knocked my head off."

"You could lose a few inches and be fine." He sniggered.

"Brat."

"Love you too."

"I do love you, cutie. You know that."

"I know."

"Finish opening your presents, and then you can have the special one."

"Alright." Jack made his way through the rest of his presents, pausing to share Seraphina's excitement and to steal a few kisses from his boyfriend. When there was finally only the one gift left, he sat there looking between Pitch and the beautifully wrapped gift.

Pitch lifted the gift and put it on Jack's lap. "I had to call in a few favors, but I got it."

"I wonder what it could be…" He took his time slowly opening the wrapping.

Pitch watched Jack intently as he revealed his present. "Pride and Prejudice, a signed first edition. Oh, and signed by Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth."

"You-" Jack sat gaping at the book. "How-?"

"Do you like it?"

"That is a severe understatement."

"You really do like it?"

"Yes!" He launched himself at Pitch with a laugh. "How did you get it though?"

"I have my ways," Pitch chuckled, holding Jack against him. "Friends in high places, you know."

"One of the perks of dating a bookstore owner, I guess."

"Especially a British one."

"I'd say it's definitely the best gift I've ever gotten. Thank you."

"You're welcome, love. I'm glad you like it."

"I'm sorry my gifts are a little lackluster. Compared to something as amazing as this, nothing I could possibly get you could hold a candle to it."

"I have you. I have your heart, your mind, your body. I have your promise that I won't ever have to be without you again. That's all I could ever want to make my Christmas a happy one. You and Seraphina."

"Best. Christmas. Ever."

"I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far."

"I think you're the master of understatements today." Having finished opening his own gifts, Jack settled in against the man with a satisfied smile.

"Then correct me, darling love," Pitch purred, leaning his head on Jack's.

"This is the most wonderful Christmas I've ever had, and I'm ecstatically happy I get to spend it with you and Seraphina."

"This is the first of many. I promise. Very soon, you'll spend Christmas as Mr. Jack Black-Frost, my husband."

"I can't wait." Jack's smile grew at the thought.