Mergers and Acquisitions

by Touchstone67

When Edward pays for a night of harmless fun, he didn't expect to get the purchase of a lifetime. Will his nights in Seattle change his whole life in Chicago? Full length story for the second place winner in the Slash/Backslash Contest. Rated M, J/E

25. Christmas in Oz

Disclaimer: S. Myer owns all, but what I wouldn't give for a Jasper of my very own-sigh.

A/N- Many people have read this outake thinking it is the eventual outcome of M&A. IT IS NOT. This is NOT a futuretake outtake, it is just pure fluff we did for Xmas. These events in NO WAY affect the main storyline of M&A.

As always huge thanks to OfTheDamned for her beta on this, especially during a busy week!

"**~~**"

Jpov

"I can't believe how fucking cold it is," I complained as I pulled my leather coat tighter around me. When the wind crept through my scarf, I flipped up the collar to protect the back of my neck. Bringing my hands up to my mouth, I cupped them and exhaled a long breath to thaw them out. It helped for about three seconds and then they were fucking cold again. "Most wonderful time of the year my ass. More like fucking coldest time of the year."

I'd been living there in the north for well over two years but it had not prepared for the brutality of winter in Chicago. There was snow everywhere and the wind just did not fucking stop.

It was like hell…only colder.

Standing next to me in his long Ralph Lauren wool coat, Tommy Hilfiger scarf, and leather gloves, he shook his head, ignoring my ranting. Instead, he took my hands between his and rubbed them really fucking hard. It worked, they warmed up and I could actually feel the tips of my fingers again.

"Thanks," I smiled at him and he nodded.

"I told you to dress warmer. I specifically recall saying 'don't forget your gloves, Jasper'," he reminded me and I shrugged. I had lived on the streets for two years and never had gloves, but apparently my body had adjusted to the balmy seventy degrees we kept the apartment set at and was no longer tolerant of the anything colder.

"Please tell me you got me a trip someplace tropical for my Christmas present?" I hinted with a slight smile. I'd been trying to get him to tell me what he had gotten me for a few weeks. I had even seduced him, asking right in the height of his passion what my present was, but he never divulged. He would just mumble something about being very good at keeping secrets.

I had to agree.

After all, he'd hidden his sexuality from all but two people for his entire life.

However, the not knowing what the present was killed me. I was so damn curious, I watched him all the time, more than usual even, to see if he would give anything away. He would catch me and just shake his head and kiss me, then say 'you know what curiosity did to the cat'.

Actually I didn't.

He flashed me a knowing crooked grin at my tropical trip comment. "Seeing you in nothing but a bathing suit for a week would be nice."

"Who said I'd wear a bathing suit? I want to sunbathe nude."

Just as my mind started to wander to Edward's sun-kissed skin and moonlit beaches, he tugged on my sleeve.

"Which one?" he asked as he surveyed the dozens of evergreen trees lined up against the makeshift wooden stands. I bounced up and down. Now it was my feet that were cold, my cowboy boots were nothing against the snow and bitter wind.

"Baby, they all look the same to me," I chuckled.

Seriously, they did.

Every fucking last one of them. They were all green and had branches, did they need anything else? I decided to ask.

"What else do they need?"

He sighed, exasperated with my lack of knowledge when it came to Christmas tree selection. "They need that something…extra, ya know? Something that just makes you look at it and go 'that's the one'."

"Ummm…okay," I said seriously. I really did want to learn how to pick out the right one. After all, it was a new experience for me and I was sharing it with Edward. I'd hadn't had a tree since my dad had piled up some branches in the corner of our house and declared it our tree.

Even though he hadn't had one in his own apartment in years, he was letting me pick out our very first Christmas tree.

"Let's do this," I said, holding out my hand. With a proud grin, he took it and we walked hand in hand up and down the rows, stopping every few trees to inspect one more closely. Christmas music piped through the outside Musak system and I swore I heard Edward humming along with it.

"Deck the balls?"

"Halls," he corrected as he looked at one tree more closely.

"Oh, that makes more sense, but who is Holly and what are her boughs?" I asked him seriously. He chuckled, but failed to answer my question. I wasn't sure I would ever understand Christmas songs.

I stopped at the end of the second to last row and pointed to a tree in front of us. "What about that one?"

Releasing his hand, I jogged over to the tree, as if I had to beat the rest of the crowds there on Christmas Eve to get it. There were only two other people crazy enough to be tree hunting on a frigid Christmas Eve with us. We had passed them a few times, apparently they hadn't found the tree that spoke to them yet either.

I reached into the center of the tree, gripping the trunk. When standing straight, it was about my height. "So, what do you think, baby?"

Tilting his head, he eyed the tree with a practiced skill. I fluffed the branches, primping them for his inspection. Edward walked around the tree, looking at up and down. I watched him as he checked it over. Maybe it was the moonlight beaming down on him or the colored lights hanging above us that gave the extra sparkle to his already beautiful eyes, or maybe it was the cold that provided the flush to his cheeks, but whatever it was, he looked positively breathtaking. His breath escaped from him, meeting the cold air in frosty swirls.

"Love, you know this is a Charlie Brown tree, right?"

I smiled at the endearment. He'd been saying it in public for a few months now, but it still warmed me every time he let the world know I was his.

And he was mine.

"Charlie Brown? Who's he again?"

"The short, bald boy with the white dog," he reminded me.

"Oh, right, and the bird."

"Woodstock," he supplied. "Charlie Brown had a tree that looked an awfully lot like this one."

He pointed to the areas where the branches were missing and a few on the bottom were completely bare of any needles. The top was scarce of anything other than a few stubby branches. It was nothing compared to the seven-foot full trees that surrounded us but it had that something extra Edward had been trying to tell me about.

I sensed it.

"There are dozens of trees here, Jasper. Why this one?" he asked me, curious.

"Because no one else will take it," I answered quietly. "If we don't give it a home, no one will and it would be a shame to be a Christmas tree and not have a home."

Leaning up, he kissed my cheek. "You're amazing," he murmured in my ear. "I love you."

They were words I had heard before. Actually, several times a day, but for some reason they never got old. Hearing him say them so freely, openly and with others nearby, heated my chilled body.

"I love you too, baby," I whispered back, tilting my head against his for a second. "Can we get the tree?"

"Of course."

Grinning, I called over the attendant. He came running over in his heavy canvas coat and Santa hat.

"We'll take this one," I told him proudly.

"You sure? I was going to run that one through the wood chipper tonight."

What exactly was he trying to say? He was going to destroy our tree?

"No! We want it," I said firmly, my hand gripping the trunk just a bit tighter. I could already feel the pitch between my fingers. "How much?"

Edward stood back, letting me barter for the tree, hands in his pockets as he swayed back and forth to the music.

"Well, it was fifty, but considering it's Christmas Eve and that is a pretty shitty looking tree, I'll give it to you for twenty-five."

"Done," I said, not bargaining any further. Reaching into my pocket with my free hand, I pulled out my wallet and then handed it to Edward. "Can you get the money out, baby?"

He took my wallet and pulled out two twenties and handed it to the man. "Do you need any help loading it into your car?"

"No, we've got it," Edward said as he put the change into my wallet and handed it back to me.

"Have a merry Christmas," the attendant said before walking off.

"You too," we called out after him. Smiling, I looked over at Edward and found him staring intensely at me, his breaths quicker than usual as his tongue ran languidly along his lower lip.

"What's wrong?"

"You're beautiful," he said simply.

Even though he told me that almost daily, I still blushed at the way he said it so openly, so honestly.

"Thanks," I smiled, cheeks still flushed.

"Even more beautiful when you blush," he teased. "Let's get it to the car."

I laid the tree down, ignoring the sound of the needles as they fell to the ground, and grabbed the bottom of the trunk. Edward grabbed the top and we lifted it and headed for the navy blue Mercedes parked near the fence.

"Now what?" I asked, looking from the tree to his too small car. "Baby, this won't fit in the backseat."

"It goes on the roof," he chuckled. Popping the trunk, he pulled out some twine and a blanket, and then directed me to the side of the car. I dragged the tree over and waited for him. He opened the door to the car and stood on the floor of it as he spread the blanket over the roof. "Protects the car," he answered without me asking. "Can you lift it up?"

Bending over, I gripped the tree and heaved it onto the roof. Then he threw the twine over and showed me how to put it through the doors and around the tree so it stayed tied down. I was concentrating on tying a knot when I felt Edward move behind me. I was standing on the floor in the open door, his hands on my hips steadying me unnecessarily. It was just an excuse to touch me and I loved it. I tugged on the end of the rope to make sure it was tight and then leaned back into him, letting him guide me down. Turning in his arms, I found his lips pressed to me in a brief, but public kiss. Just as my tongue went to search for his, he pulled away.

"Love, it's snowing," he whispered. Looking up, I saw the small white flakes falling by the millions from the sky. It was light, probably just a flurry, but it was magical all the same. They fell everywhere, on the streets and buildings, but they looked the most beautiful on Edward's hair.

"So pretty," I sighed. I would never get tired of seeing the snow. Well, at least not until the next day when snow banks blocked my path on the sidewalk and I had to walk through the brown slushy mess on the streets. It was too bad it couldn't stay a perfect blanket of unmarred white.

"Come on, let's get home and decorate it. The maybe we can rock around it," he chuckled to himself.

"Rock around what?" I asked as I got into the car and closed the door. He put the key in and started the car. "Heat, heat, heat," I said, rubbing my hands and he turned the heat on full blast.

"Brenda Lee's song Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?"

I just stared at him. He broke into song.

Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Let the Christmas Spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
and we'll do some caroling

"Baby, that was lovely, but I can think of way better things to rock around than a tree." He quirked a brow at me. "Just saying."

"Do we need to stop for anything on the way home?" he asked. "Hot chocolate to warm up?"

"Mm, sounds good."

He expertly pulled out into the busy Chicago traffic. He had offered to get me driving lessons so I could get my license but after living in the city for a few months and seeing the way they drove, I had decided to let him drive me everywhere. I had told him he could be my new Aro.

I missed Aro.

He called every few weeks to check on me, make sure I was doing okay. Wanting to give me privacy, Edward would usually leave the room when I talked to Aro. We would talk for a few hours and catch up on the latest gossip at the Service, but the conversation would usually turn to Peter at some point. Aro would see him around town at different events and told me that Peter always made a point to talk to him, and that Peter was never alone, there was always an attractive boy on his arm at every event.

As much as I missed Aro, I missed Peter more.

He had been such a presence in my life and I felt his absence. He had taught me, loved me and showed me what life could offer me if I was brave enough to chase after it, but while Peter had offered me the world, it was Edward who I wanted to see it with.

More than either Aro or Peter, I missed Riley. I couldn't believe it had been four months since he'd-

"Love?" Edward interrupted my thoughts. "You okay?"

I reached for his hand and entwined our fingers. "I'm perfect."

"You miss him, don't you?"

How did he always know? Sometimes I would be sitting on our couch staring out the window and he would come sit next to me, wrapping his arms around my middle before whispering in my ear that he missed him too.

"Yeah, sometimes I just expect him to show up at the most unexpected moments, just like he used to," I sighed.

"I know, me too. Remember the time he walked in on us when we were in the shower?"

I began laughing. "And then he said he needed to get clean too and proceeded to tell me I needed a bigger shower built for three."

Picking up my hand, he kissed it.

"We'll put something special on the tree just for him, okay?" he promised. We stopped at the coffee shop a block from our building and Edward ran inside to grab us two hot chocolates. When he returned, he handed me my cup and then pulled back out into traffic.

Minutes later, we reached our building and got out, leaving the car running for the valet attendant. Edward cut the twine and I pulled the tree off while he put the blanket back in the trunk and tipped the attendant. We lugged the tree through the lobby and into the elevator. When the doors opened, Edward stepped off holding the top of the tree while I followed behind him. He led us down the corridor to our place. After unlocking the door, he pushed it open and walked inside.

"Where's Toto?"

"Over there," he said nodding to the sleeping cat on the couch.

Edward and I had been walking around the city one day about a month after I'd arrived and had somehow ended up at the local animal shelter. Next thing we know, we were the proud owners of a Siamese mix with light blue eyes and the softest fur. She quickly became an important part of our lives; we even fought over whose lap she got to sit on while we watched TV. She had remained unnamed for about week while Edward and I tried out different names to see which one fit. We finally settled on Toto.

I kicked the door closed so Toto wouldn't escape and then followed Edward over to the huge wall of windows. Before we had left, he had set up the tree stand so we just had to put the tree inside it. Standing the tree up, I lifted it and guided it into the stand while Edward slipped off his jacket and pulled off his cashmere sweater. Then he lay down on the hardwood floor and reached under what was left of the bottom branches.

"Fuck," he grunted. "Fucking screws are hard to turn."

"What festive language," I teased him. Growling at me, he continued to turn the screws into the trunk until they held the tree up. "I have to admit, I like the view from up here."

Edward's legs were slightly parted, one straight while the other was bent, pulling his pants tight across his crotch and pressing on nicely on his cock.

"There," he said, standing. Then he sighed. "Jasper?"

"Hmm?" I stepped back from the tree next to him.

"It's crooked."

I angle my head to the left. "Not if you tilt your head this way."

He tried to glare at me, but when he saw my grin, he couldn't help but return it. "Before we start, let's get a fire going. Oh, and music. And we need dinner. Suggestions?"

I walked over the fireplace and crouched in front of it. "Pizza."

I knew he would know why I wanted pizza. It was the food that always reminded me of Riley and if he couldn't be with us, I wanted to remember him anyway I could.

"The usual?" he asked as he picked up his phone and I nodded. I heard him ordering while I stuffed some paper under the logs of wood in the fireplace. I grabbed the lighter and held it to the edges of the paper until they caught. Blowing on the flame, I waited for it to spread and a minute later, the logs were smoking and beginning to burn. Standing, I straightened the two velvet stockings that hung from the mantel and then went to the Bose stereo and turned on the Christmas CD we'd bought few days before.

"Come on, let's get the lights," Edward said as he put the phone down.

Over the next hour, while we sipped our hot chocolate and hummed to the songs while Edward showed me how to check the lights before you put them on the tree. He claimed he learned that lesson the hard way. Then we strung them around the tree, weaving around each other and laughing when we got tangled.

It was foolish and childish and utterly perfect.

After the lights were on the tree, he handed me the plug.

"You do the honors." He turned off the overhead light.

Bending over, I plugged the tree in and immediately saw the glow of hundreds of twinkling lights.

"Wow," I said, staring at. I had seen decorated trees in the shops we'd been to, but ours was so much prettier. "It's beautiful."

Even if it was a little bare and crooked.

He moved behind me, putting his chin on my shoulder and I leaned back into him, letting my head fall back against him.

Life couldn't get any better.

I was warm, safe, and standing in the arms of the man I loved in front of our first Christmas tree.

"Ya know, there was a time I never thought this was possible," he admitted quietly. "I thought I'd lost you forever."

We had been through so much to find each other.

Edward was true love.

Turning my head, I kissed his jaw. "I'm here now, baby, and I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

He nuzzled my neck, his tongue licking the same spot he'd marked so many months ago. Over time, his possessiveness over me had lessened, but there was still the occasional flare of jealousy. Honestly, I found it fucking sexy as hell when he would get domineering. I loved when he brought the side of him that he usually saved for the boardroom into our bedroom. The way he would tell me what to do and throw me around.

"I love you. You know that right?" he reminded me again.

"I do. I love you, too. Now, what's next?"

"Garland, then the ornaments." He released me and got the box of garland. Carrying it over, he opened it and handed me the gold trim. "You start."

Turning, I began to string the garland at the top and worked my way down in the same pattern we had done the lights. Edward followed me around the tree, holding the bunched gold string in his hands, reaching out every now and then to grope my ass or kiss my cheek. We had just finished hanging the garland when 'White Christmas' began to play. Edward grabbed my hand and pulled me into his arms.

"Dance with me," he demanded softly.

I placed my hand on his shoulder like he'd taught me, and then let him lead me in a waltz around the lit tree. It was sweet and romantic as he guided me around, the lights giving us both an ethereal glow. I was still new to dancing and was proud of myself for only stepping on his toes once. The feeling of his hand on my waist, the gentle stroking of his thumb through my shirt, made my heart soar.

It still amazed me how the simplest of his touches could bring my body such pleasure, such comfort and release.

The song ended and he drew me in for a lingering kiss, his velvet tongue entering my parted lips just as I moaned to beg for more. I released his hand and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in closer until our bodies were flush and pressed head to feet. His hands were in my hair, buried in the curls at the nape of my neck, and he angled his head to deepen the kiss. Our lips met repeatedly, our hands desperate to find something to hold onto, to tether us even more than we were. It seemed I could never get enough or close enough, and each time I tried, I only wanted more. He pulled away first, his breaths shallow as he rested his forehead to mine.

"We need to finish the tree," he sighed. With one last kiss, I broke free of his embrace. "The ornaments are by the couch."

While he caught his breath and adjusted his pants, I got the boxes of ornaments. Edward and I had bought them together a few weeks earlier when he had taken me shopping. As soon as we saw them, we knew we had to have them. They had been expensive, but the meaning behind them was priceless. I carried the boxes over to Edward and put them down on the chair near the tree.

I went to open the first box and the doorbell rang.

"Food," Edward grinned and headed for the door. He buzzed the delivery person up and paid for the pizza. When he returned, he set the pizza down on the table and went to the kitchen for beer. It had been a busy day of shopping and tree hunting and I was starving. Unable to wait, I opened the box and picked up a slice of sausage and onion.

Riley's favorite.

Edward came back into the living room just in time to find me moaning and licking sauce off my lips.

"It's really good," I mumbled around the bite in my mouth. He handed me my beer and we clicked our bottles before taking a sip. We always toasted before drinking, and it was always the same toast.

"To finding each other," he whispered.

"To finding each other," I smiled and then downed half my beer in one long gulp. We each inhaled a slice before starting on the ornaments. Edward opened the box and pulled the first one out. Holding it up in front of the tree, he grinned.

"These are perfect," he said as he searched the tree for just the right spot. We continued to hang the ornaments, finding the perfect spots for the different shapes. Edward opened the last box and then looked up at me as I hung the small dog on a branch.

"I think you should hang this one," he said as he picked up a heavy ornament. Taking it from him, I walked around the tree, settling on a branch near the top where it would be seen by everyone, maybe even Riley himself. I stepped back and stared at the perfect rendition of the Witch's flying monkey, complete with little gray and blue hat and wide wings.

The flying monkeys fucking freak me out. Monkeys with wings are just not right.

I couldn't help but smile.

Every ornament on the tree was from the Wizard of Oz. There were glass bulbs with images from the movie on them, and others were porcelain, handcrafted and painted exactly like characters and scenes from the story. There was Glinda, the Lollipop Guild and of course the Wicked Witch of the West and her soldiers. Also hanging from the branches were the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and Lion, Dorothy, her ruby red slippers and Toto too.

But it was the flying monkey that made a tear roll down my cheek.

I felt Edward behind me and I leaned back, knowing he'd be there to catch me, just like he always was when I missed my friend. I closed my eyes and let the tears fall as he kissed each one away with his soft lips.

"I didn't mean to make you cry," he apologized and I shook my head.

"It's okay. I just miss him sometimes." I gazed at the tree, perfect in its imperfection. "I think it's the most beautiful tree ever."

"It is, because it's ours," he murmured. "C'mon, let's sit and eat and enjoy our time alone before tomorrow."

He led me to the bedroom where we changed into some flannel pajamas. Edward's had little reindeers all over them while mine had little dancing snowmen. When I'd had seen them at the store and squealed with delight, Edward rolled his eyes but indulged me by buying them for us. After he'd paid for them, he shook his head mumbled something about how he 'was wrapped around your damn finger'. When I kissed him, he then mumbled that maybe being wrapped around my finger wasn't so bad. I had assured him that being anywhere near my finger was a very good place.

Shirtless and with bare feet, we went back to the living room and Edward brought the pizza over to the couch before getting more beer. I turned off the overhead lights and put more wood on the fire and then we sat on the couch eating pizza by the glimmering glow of our tree. The reds, blues, yellows and greens lit up the room in a dim rainbow. The city sparkled through the windows behind the tree, but Chicago's lights paled in comparison to the ones in our living room.

After a few more slices of pizza each, Edward moved back on the couch, patting the couch between his parted legs. I leaned my back against his chest, resting my head on his shoulder, my hands on his calves. After kissing my hair, he wrapped his arms around my chest and laid his over my heart. As soon as we were comfortable Toto jumped onto my lap and I moved a hand from Edward's leg to scratch her head. The fire flickered warmly to our left, the sounds of the crackling wood cutting through the air.

"This the best Christmas Eve ever," he said softly. Leaning to the side, I looked at him.

"You must have had some pretty good ones," I assumed. After all he had a picture perfect childhood.

"I did," he admitted, "but none of them compare to having you here with me, in our home and in my arms in front of our own tree."

"I love you," I purred as I nuzzled his neck, my tongue licking along the tender flesh. I felt him shudder and his breath hitch.

"Love you, too," he barely finished before his lips were covering mine, his tongue tasting the pizza and beer. "Delicious," he said as he pulled away. Settling back against his warm body, I stared at our tree, and felt my heart swell so much it hurt.

It was so much more than a crooked Christmas tree.

It was our struggle to find ourselves and each other.

It was the friends and lovers that were gone from our lives.

It was a love so pure and true, we couldn't deny it.

It was hope and joy for a long future together full of laughter.

It was making love and connecting in the most special way two people could.

Sighing, I covered his hand over my heart, swearing it was the only thing that kept it from bursting through my chest. After all the pain and ache it had endured, Edward had healed it. He'd healed me and my life.

He had been my savoir.

And I had been his.

"So, have you been a good boy this year, Jasper?" Edward chuckled in my ear.

It had been early December when we had run into our first Santa Claus on the streets begging for spare change. When I asked Edward to tell me about Santa, he took me into a coffee shop and proceeded to tell me about the man in red and his list of those who had been naughty and nice. I had known only a little of Santa Claus as child even though we had received a few presents each at the Home, they were from the workers, not Santa. My parents had told me about him, and I had remembered the red suit and that I had to behave all year in order to get presents from the large man, but I had forgotten about the reindeer and sleigh and the elves that helped him make the toys.

As Edward sat across the table from me, holding my hand, he explained it all thoroughly. My eyes grew with each new thing he told me and when he was done, I blushed and looked down at our hands.

"What?" he had asked.

"Do you believe in him?" I had asked shyly. Because I was beginning to think he was real, and that finding Edward had been my early Christmas present. Maybe Santa was making up for all those years he'd missed when I was a child.

"Define good," I returned with a smirk while my fingers laced with his on my chest. "Baby, when did you discover that Santa wasn't real?"

I felt him sigh and then he rested his cheek against the side of my head. "I think I was eight or nine. My parents had taken Alice and me to a party at my uncle's. While the grownups talked, Alice and I played hide and seek with our cousins."

"The game where the person that's it has to get everyone before they get back to base?"

"No, that's tag. Hide and seek is when everyone but one hides and that person has to find everyone else."

"Oh, right."

"So we were playing hide and seek and the house was huge but certain rooms were off limits. Of course, I wanted to win, so I tried to find the best place to hide. I went into their basement and hid in this little alcove under the stairs. I bumped into some wrapped presents and being the curious kid I was, I read the tags."

"And?"

"They were addressed to my cousins and they were from Santa."

"Maybe they were?"

"It was two weeks before Christmas."

"Oh."

"Yeah, it sucked. I was so shocked I just walked back upstairs and told my dad I wanted to leave. I never told him why."

"I'm sorry, baby."

"It's okay. I was sad and it made me look twice at those presents from Santa I got a few weeks later, knowing my parents had bought them all along. Do you remember finding out?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I had been told some stories about Santa from my mom and I studied my list every night to make sure I was asking for just the right things. I changed my mind a lot."

"What did you ask for?"

I sighed. Over time I had told Edward about my dysfunctional childhood, exposing everything from the drugs to the rape. He knew it all. Being held in his arms made the memories easier to bear but they still ached.

"Cans of soup and a jacket."

"Aw, love," he sighed and kissed my cheek. "I'm so sorry."

"The soup was a good choice because I could hide the cans under my bed in my room and I could eat them without having to heat them up. I asked for a jacket because even in Texas, it can get cold and all I had were some tee shirts. I had been good all year, I had gotten really good grades in school and helped around the house. I had done everything I thought I was supposed to and when I went to bed the night before Christmas, I put the list next to my bed with a half eaten cookie. I had gotten hungry and had eaten some of it. I even put that in the note. When I woke up the next morning, I was so excited but then I saw the cookie and list still on my table. I went out the living room to our tree and…it was empty. There was nothing under it. I cried because I thought I'd done something bad and then I remembered the cookie and I thought maybe he was mad at me because I'd eaten it."

I felt him tense, I knew he the anger was building in him, anger toward my parents for steeling my childhood from me.

"When my dad woke up and saw me crying, he asked what was wrong. I told him what had happened. He just stared at me and then he left. He came back a few hours later with a carton of eggnog and doll he'd found on the streets. He tried to tell me Santa dropped it outside our house but I hadn't asked for a doll."

"I'm going to make it up to you, Jasper. I swear, I am going to make up for every last bad memory you have, replacing them all with good ones," he vowed into my ear.

"You already have, baby," I assured him. I felt my body relax into him even more, letting his arms hold me tighter as my head lolled to the side and my lips found his neck and jaw, leaving light kisses along them. "Thanks for listening."

"Jasper, I hope I don't ever meet your parents because I will kill them." His tone had deepened, taking on an ominous timbre and I felt his body begin to tremble as the anger in him grew.

"It's was a long time ago." I turned his head and kissed him on the lips. "I have you now."

"Yes, do you."

Once he had calmed under my touch, I lay back down and pulled the fleece blanket off the back of the couch and covered us with it. Toto moved on top of it, still between my legs. Edward's fingers ran lightly up and down my arms, over the heavy watch I still wore every day until I was almost asleep. I heard A Christmas Song playing softly as my eyes fluttered closed and I burrowed into Edward.

"Baby?"

"Hmm?"

I could tell he was close to sleep as I was.

"What the hell are chestnuts?"

His laugh rumbled under me and his hand moved to my hair. "I'll show you tomorrow."

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you," I said with a warmth and joy I only felt with Edward.

"I love you, too."

It was the last thing I heard before I drifted off to sleep, free of nightmares just like they had been since I had been back in his arms.

"**~~**"

"Shouldn't we get going?" I asked as he locked the door behind him.

"No, they aren't expecting us for a few hours and I wanted to spend Christmas morning with just you," he said with a beaming smile. He took my gloved hand in his and we headed for the elevator.

After falling asleep on the couch, I had woken up at about midnight and shook Edward awake. We both stumbled sleepy-eyed and yawning to the bedroom where we fell into bed. I curled my body around Edward's, slinging a leg over his and breathing onto his neck as I fell back asleep. In the morning, Edward had woken up first and I opened my eyes to my cock in his mouth. Threading my hands into his hair, I moaned and thrust up into his perfect mouth until I was crying out. When I had caught my breath, I returned the favor, enthralled with the way he writhed under me. Eventually we crawled out of bed and made breakfast, Edward cooked the eggs while I did the toast, coffee and set the table. We ate in our pajama bottoms, our feet touching under the table as we leisurely ate our eggs and toast.

"Where are we going?" I asked when we exited the building and didn't ask the valet for our car. The snow had fallen through most of the night and there were still some flakes falling, adding to the six inches already on the ground.

"I want to take a walk with you in a winter wonderland."

Our hands were clasped between us, as they usually were when we walked around the city. Edward was bundled up in his long coat and maroon scarf while I was in my leather jacket and wool hat, the ends of my hair sticking out from under it. We received a few questionable looks from others, but nothing Edward hadn't begun to grow accustomed to. Almost everyone we passed smiled and wished us a merry Christmas and we greeted them the same way. Edward led me across the street and then into the park. We strolled down the snow covered paths, hand in hand, stopping every now and then for a kiss. Edward's nose and cheeks were a deep red and I told him he looked a lot like Raindolph.

"Rudolph, love."

"Right," I nodded and then thought. "And how many again?"

"Eight, excluding Rudolph.

"Got it," I smiled. We stopped at a manmade ice pond and watched a few kids ice skating in their new Christmas presents. "Have you ever thought about having kids?" I asked Edward as he watched one little boy fall down.

"Not really. I know my mother wanted me to have them. I was expected to carry on the Cullen name, but I never thought about actually having any. What about you?"

"No. I don't think I could ever have children."

"Why not? I think you'd make a great dad," he said, nudging my side.

I shrugged, leaning against the wooden fence surrounding the ice rink. "I had such a fucked up childhood, and hell, even my adulthood, that I can't possibly be a good influence on a kid. What kind of stories would I tell? How I fought off a guy trying to hurt Riley or how much meth my parents bought instead of buying me food? There are just some things best left in the past."

"I understand, love." He leaned his head on my shoulder.

"Should we head back?"

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked me with a raised brow.

"Definitely. How bad can it be?"

"That is a loaded question," he scoffed. He kissed my cheek and then took my hand again. "Can we walk really slowly?"

I laughed and then swung our hands. "Come on, baby, do it with me."

"No, Jasper, not in public," he said lowly as he looked around.

"Please," I begged, pouting my lips the way he couldn't resist.

"Jasper, no," he said again, less firmly. He was beginning to cave. I pounced.

"Baby," I whispered in his ear. "Please, baby, just a little bit. It'd make me really happy."

He sighed and rolled his eyes. "You play dirty, Jasper Whitlock."

"Duh," I laughed.

He looked around for witnesses. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

Practically bouncing in excitement, I grinned. "Okay, which one are you?"

"Scarecrow," he mumbled, but I could see the corners of his lips turning up.

"Why am I always Dorothy?"

"You look better in a dress."

"Good point. Okay, ready?" I stood next to him, our hands together between us.

"As I'll ever be."

"One. Two. Three!"

With perfect synchronization, we moved forward, skipping just like Dorothy and Scarecrow. Our feet kicked up the snow and we laughed so hard my sides hurt, but we kept going until we reached the street where Edward slowed to a walk. Bending over, he gasped for breath.

"I can't believe I did that in public. I feel like an idiot."

"Much more room here than in the apartment," I said, laughing as he stood up straight. Reaching out, he curved a hand behind my neck and pulled me to him for a kiss. I fell against him, my hands landing on his chest for balance as our lips pressed together. His breaths were warm when I felt them wash over my lips as we parted.

"Jasper," he choked out and I saw the emotions in his eyes. The love that he had for me, the passion and desire, the need and want, it was all there in the shades of emerald green. Bringing my hand to his face, I cupped his cheek.

"I know, Edward. Me too," I whispered before kissing him again. "We should go." I took his hand and without skipping that time, we walked slowly back to our building, the snow falling steadily around us as we reveled in our time together.

At our apartment, we changed and then packed up a few bags and carried them down to the lobby where we waited for the car to be brought around. We stuffed the bags in the trunk and then got inside. Edward put on some Christmas music and we headed north.

We pulled up ot his parent's house about thirty minutes later. I had been there every few weeks since arriving in Chicago. Edward and I usually making a point to eat dinner with them a few times a month, but we hadn't been there since early December. We usually preferred to hang out at home rather than go out a lot, but my tuxedo had been well used in December with all the parties we attended.

The outside of the Cullen house was covered in holiday cheer. Wreaths were hanging on every window and door, lights lined the front of the house and a few of the bushes near the porch. Someone had already shoveled the walkway up to the steps.

"Ready?" he asked me as he shut the car off in the driveway.

"Yep," I nodded. We got out and unloaded the trunk, lugging the bags up the steps of the huge porch before Edward set his down and opened the door, holding it while I walked in.

"Mrs. C, we're here," I called out and immediately heard her footsteps as she ran from the kitchen through the dining room and into the foyer where Edward was closing the door and stomping the snow off his feet.

"Jasper, merry Christmas, how are you?" Before waiting for my reply, she pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek. As I stood up straight, she reached up and rubbed the lipstick off my face.

"Merry Christmas," I finally got out. I stepped aside and she repeated the process with Edward, brushing the snow from his hair. Mr. Cullen came around the corner, then paused and called back into the kitchen.

"Yes, they're here, Em." Mr. Cullen came over and hugged me. "How are you doing, son?"

"Very good, sir."

He sighed. "Jasper?"

"Right, sorry, Carlisle," I corrected. He nodded at me and then embraced Edward.

"Merry Christmas, boys," he said. "Emmett has been here since eight, chomping at the bit for you two arrive."

"Why?" Edward asked as he took off his coat and hung it up on the coat rack near the door.

"I have no idea. You know Emmett."

Edward helped me off with my coat and hung it up for me. Carlisle picked up our bags and motioned toward the living room. Edward took my hand and we followed Esme and Carlisle into the living room.

Their house was decorated like it was going to be on a postcard or in a magazine. There was a huge tree in the corner by the fireplace, covered in ornaments and lights and velvet bows. Live garland curled around the banister of the large staircase and poinsettias sat on almost every table. Above the fireplace was a large berry wreath with thick white candles lining the mantel under it. Hanging from the wood mantel were five stockings, each with a name on them; Alice, Bella, Emmett, and hanging next to Edward's on the end was one that said Jasper.

When I saw it, I felt my heart skip a beat. Edward sensed it and squeezed my hand. "You okay?"

I nodded and returned his squeeze.

They had thought of me.

It had been less than five months since I had showed up unannounced on their doorstep and kissed their son in front of them. Being welcomed, accepted into their family had meant more to me than I could have ever imagined. It was like I had parents again. They cared about me, about how I was, what I was doing. Esme would buy me random things when she was shopping, and Carlisle had even offered me a job at his company.

I hadn't taken it, but he had offered.

Carlisle ushered us all into the living room and then emptied our bags, putting our presents under the tree and Esme scurried back to the kitchen to finish whatever she was working on. Edward and I stood in the threshold of the living room and I felt him tug on my hand.

"Look up."

I did and saw some green ivy with red berries hanging from the archway. When I looked back at Edward, I saw him smiling.

"Mistletoe. It's a symbol of peace and love. You're supposed to kiss under it."

"I like that tradition," I murmured just as I leaned toward him for a kiss. I assumed it would be chaste, but Edward's fingers wound into my hair and I felt his tongue tracing my lips, encouraging them to part. I could never refuse him, so I let him in and then moaned when his moist tongue flickered along mine.

Fuck, the things that man could do to me.

Wrapping an arm around his middle, I pulled him closer and groaned when his fingers tightened in my hair.

"Get a room," a deep voice boomed.

"Keep going," a smaller, lighter voice challenged.

I liked her suggestion and tilted my head more, chuckling into the kiss when I heard Emmett sigh. Edward began laughing and pulled away.

"What's wrong, Em?"

"I think you two should move and let us straight guys have a chance. Bella?" He held his arms out.

"In your dreams," she smirked as she pushed passed him. "Merry Christmas, boys." She hugged us both, holding onto Edward just a bit longer.

"You didn't fly home for Christmas?"

"No, my dad's working anyway. I'll see him in a few weeks. Besides, how can I miss a Cullen Christmas?"

"Edward," a high pitched voice squealed. She came bounding down the stairs and practically jumped into Edward's outstretched arms. "I've missed you!"

"You too, sis. How's college?"

"Same sh-"

"Alice!"

"Sorry, dad. It was good," she settled and then turned to me. "Jasper!"

She might have been as tiny as a mouse, but she was as strong as an ox and crushed me in a hug.

"Hey, Alice, merry Christmas," I said as she released her death grip on me.

"You too." She turned to Emmett. "I'll take Bella's place under the mistletoe."

"No, you won't," her father chided from where he was crouched on the floor straightening out the presents. Once everyone had greeted each other, we all found seats in the living room and while Esme finished up in the kitchen, we all talked.

Edward sat on the couch and I sat on the floor in front of him, leaning between his parted legs. I often felt his fingers lightly twisting my hair or his hand resting on my shoulder. His subconscious touches were affectionate and open. There was no more shame in who he was and what I was to him. He was proud to be sitting behind me and call me his boyfriend.

Emmett sat in leather chair to our right and Bella in a smaller chair next to him. Alice folded her legs up under her on the floor by the tree and began to look through the presents Carlisle had just organized. When he was finished, Carlisle moved to a loveseat across from the tree. Reaching to the tray on the table next to him, Edward picked up a small, almost round, brown nut.

"Chestnut," he whispered and I nodded. They definitely didn't look like anything I'd want to roast on an open fire. Give me S'mores any day.

Esme came in with a glass of wine and offered us all some spirits while we opened presents. Edward, Emmett and I each took a beer while Bella opted for the wine. After the crackers and cheeses and dips were set out, Esme sat next to Carlisle, giving him a quick kiss.

Edward held his beer toward mine. "To finding each other."

"To finding each other," I repeated, tapping my bottle to his.

"You two are adorable," Alice sighed. Edward's laughter was muffled as he brought the bottle to his lips.

Carlisle sipped his wine. "So, Edward, enjoying your week off?"

Edward nodded and grinned. "It's been wonderful. We've slept in late every day, have done a ton of shopping and last night we got our tree."

"Oh," Emmett chimed, "so is it true that gay men decorate their trees with nicer balls?"

I snorted and then started giggling no matter how hard I tried to stifle it. Carlisle almost spit his wine all over his wife and Bella reached over and slapped Emmett's knee.

"What?" he asked, looking around. "It's true, right? They decorate better? Some extra chromosome or something."

"Yes, the Martha Stewart gene is in the DNA of all gay men," Edward smirked and Emmett rolled his eyes. Edward took out his phone and passed it around to show everyone a picture he'd taken of our tree. When the phone got to Emmett, he stared at it and tilted his head.

"Huh. I guess it's not true," was all he said.

"You know, Jasper, Edward hasn't taken a day, much less a week, off from work since he began over two years ago."

"Wow," I leaned to the side and looked up at Edward. "Really?"

"I had no reason to," he smiled down at me.

Alice sighed. "Are we ready yet?" she almost bounced in eagerness to get the presents started. While holiday music played softly in the background Carlisle handed us all our stockings and I held mine between my legs, completely unsure what to do. I looked around and watched as Emmett and Bella began to open their presents. Edward squeezed my shoulder and leaned forward.

"You can open them, they're for you."

Nodding, I pulled out the first of many small presents. As I opened each one, I grew more astonished. The presents ranged from gold cuff links to tickets to a Chicago Cubs game. When I was done and my presents were piled next to me, I looked up at Carlisle and Esme.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "That's the first stocking I've ever had."

Esme smiled but I saw her dab her eyes and Carlisle just nodded at me with smile of his own. "You're welcome, Jasper. It's the first of many stockings with us. You're part of our family now."

I nodded and lowered my head, overwhelmed with their thoughtfulness they had for a former whore and homeless kid. Never had I felt so loved by so many people.

Behind me, Edward finished opening his presents. Among other things, he received a pair of cufflinks that matched mine and tickets to a Bears game. I'd never been to any sporting event, although Emmett had dragged us to the bar to watch them enough and had been very patient about explaining it all to me, even if he had gotten exasperated a few times. When our stockings were done, we hung them back up on the mantel and then Alice began to dig through the pile of presents under the tree. She handed one to everyone and they each opened them one at a time. Bella received a cashmere sweater from Carlisle and Esme while Emmett got an autographed photo of the Bears quarterback. He was so happy I thought he might actually cry.

"HOLY SHIT!" he exclaimed and Carlisle just laughed, saying the quarterback was a friend of a friend. Alice opened a book she wanted, Carlisle opened a pen set, and Esme a bottle of rare wine. Edward opened his and I turned to watch. He peeled back the paper to reveal an ornament. It was in the shape of a Christmas tree with two faces on it. Each face was wearing a Santa hat and on the white of the hat was written our names. He laughed and held it up for everyone to see.

"It's great, thanks, Alice. We'll hang it on our tree when we get home."

She grinned and then told me I had to open mine. Biting my lip, I unwrapped the box and lifted the lid. Inside was a pair of soft black leather gloves that matched my jacket perfectly.

"Wow, thank you, Esme," I said as I lifted the gloves out and tried them on. They fit like they were custom made, the expensive silk lining caressing my skin. "They're beautiful."

"You're welcome, Jasper."

Alice handed out the next round of presents and Edward tapped my shoulder when his parents started to open our gift to them. Carlisle let Esme open it and when she lifted the cover off the box, I heard her gasp. Inside the tissue paper was an eight by ten thick silver framed photo of Edward and me. The photo had been taken about a month before at one of their dinners. Edward and I were helping decorate the banister and Bella had been walking around taking pictures. When she called our names, we turned and posed. Edward's arm was around my shoulders, our heads tilted toward each other and we were smiling. My dimples even showed.

The picture showed the pure joy we felt.

At the bottom of the frame was an engraving.

There's no place like home.

She ran her fingers over the words and smiled. "Boys, this is incredible, thank you."

"It's a great picture, Edward," his father agreed.

"You look so happy," Bella smiled when Esme held it up for everyone to see.

"Because we are," Edward replied before leaning down and kissing me. It still surprised me when he felt so free to give kisses in front of his parents, but never once did he hesitate. Alice continued to hand out the gifts to everyone and soon there was a pile of presents in front of me larger than I could have ever imagined as child. Each gift was thoughtful and from the heart. Bella had given us a gift card to our favorite restaurant and Emmett got us Bears jackets to wear the game we had gotten the tickets for.

When I held up my jacket for everyone, he chuckled, "I was going to get you a lap dance the gentlemen's club, but that'd just be a waste of money." Bella promptly slapped his knee again. If Emmett kept it up, she was going to bruise him.

"Not if it was the right kinda club," Edward quipped.

"Alice, give Jasper that present there," Edward instructed her. She handed it to me and I read the tag.

It was from Edward.

Biting my lip, I looked up at him and he grinned. "Just open it."

The box was small and I unwrapped it quickly, tossing the shiny red paper aside before opening it. I pulled out a note card with Edward's handwriting on it.

"Read it," he said.

Taking a deep breath, I began. "My dearest love,"

Already there were sniffles and aws.

"As we celebrate our first of many Christmases together, I wanted to give you something meaningful that we would remember forever.

I love you always,

Your baby, Edward."

I set the note down and pulled out the picture under it. It was a small photo of Dorothy and the Scarecrow, under it were the words 'Now on Broadway' and behind that were two first class airplane tickets.

Confused, I looked up at Edward.

"A trip to New York city and two tickets to see The Wizard of Oz on Broadway on Valentine 's Day weekend."

My lip began to quiver and I couldn't stop it as I put the box down and turned around. Kneeling I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to me in a long kiss.

"Thank you, baby," I murmured when we parted. "I love you so much."

"Welcome, I love you too," he whispered in my ear but I knew everyone heard our declarations.

After wiping a stray tear from my cheek, we finished opening presents. Or so I thought. Carlisle stood up and got one last present from the back of the tree.

"Merry Christmas, Jasper and Edward," Carlisle said when he handed it to me.

"Do you want to open it?" I asked looking up at Edward.

"You open it."

I didn't know if he knew what it was or not, but I ripped the paper off and took the top off the box. Inside was an envelope and some brochures for a place called Turtle Island. I had no idea where it was but I could tell from the photos of a sandy beach and aqua water that it was tropical.

"Open the envelope," Esme encouraged. I glanced at Edward and then did as she said. There were two plane tickets inside. The departure date was in early March and the return date a month later. Stunned, I lifted them and showed them to Edward. He looked them over and then turned to his parents.

"A month in Fiji?" Edward asked, his voice betraying his surprise. Fiji? Where the hell was Fiji? I had some Googling to do.

"Yep," Carlisle grinned. "We rented Turtle Island for you. It's yours for a month, the staff is yours, all your food and activities are included. It's very private and the cottages are right on the beach, completely open."

"Wow, Carlisle and Esme, I don't know what to say…" I glanced at Edward for help but he was just as surprised as I was. "I've never…"

"Jasper, we waited a long time for Edward to find someone special and now that he has found love, he has some lost time to make up for. He's never taken any time off work, it's about time he relaxes and enjoys himself…and you."

Edward stood up and went over to his parents, hugging and kissing them both. "Thank you so much."

I followed him and did the same thing.

"You make him so happy," Esme whispered in my ear.

"I guess you got your wish of a tropical getaway," Edward chuckled to me.

"So Jasper, what did you get Edward?" Emmett asked. Edward looked at me with curious eyes.

"I got him something very special, but I'll give it to him later," I replied coyly.

"I bet you will," Emmett snorted, wiggling his eyebrows and Bella whacked his knee again.

"Is that all you ever think about?" she scolded.

"Hell, yeah. I'm a young, healthy, virile man who is always looking for a way to get la-"

"Emmett!"

"Sorry, sir," Emmett apologized.

"I need to go finish a few things in the kitchen," Esme said standing up. Bella and Alice offered to help and followed. Emmett turned to Edward and me.

"Snowball fight?"

"Hell, yeah," Edward replied. Carlisle shook his head.

"Boys will be boys," he sighed.

"Even gay ones," Emmett added.

Edward went to get his coat and I grabbed his wrist and shifted my weight back and forth. "Baby, I don't know what to do in a snowball fight."

"You just hit Emmett with snowballs. I'll show you how to make them," he replied softly and without judgment. Sometimes I thought he would get frustrated with me and having to explain the simplest things, but he never did. He always explained them respectfully and with adoration in his eyes.

We got our coats and gloves on and went outside with Emmett. After Edward showed me how to make a hard packed snowball, they allowed me a few test throws. When my first snowball smashed against a tree trunk, I felt oddly satisfied.

"Ready?" Edward asked, grinning. The cold had flushed his cheeks and his eyes were bright and clear.

Perhaps it was my street smarts, or my innate ability to survive, but I kicked their asses in the snowball fight. After my last snowball smacked Edward, he stood up, brushing the snow off his coat, and laughed. Emmett eyed me suspiciously and asked if I'd ever had any military training. Bella appeared on the porch in her jacket and hat.

"Got room for one more?" she asked and Emmett laughed.

"Bella, snowball fights are a boy's game. You go back to the kitchen," Emmett laughed. Bella promptly hit him in the head with a snowball. Emmett stopped laughing, and eager for revenge on me, said we should do teams.

"Me and the Major against boss and employee," Emmett suggested.

"No way, Jasper and I are a package," Edward argued.

"Fine, you and the Major against me and Bella," Emmett agreed. Bella looked me up and down. "Don't let his gayness fool ya, Bella, he's lethal."

Bella laughed and we made up some new rules and safety zones. After a good sport handshake, Edward and I took off for the side of the garage. The snowballs flew back and forth for a few minutes, Emmett hitting us from his spot behind the woodpile next to the porch while Bella ducked behind Edward's car in the driveway.

"Don't hit my car," Edward growled at me when I step out to throw. When I took cover behind the garage, I nodded toward Emmett.

"His backside is weak, if we flank around this way I think we can get Emmett here," I said as I drew a diagram in the snow to show Edward where to go. "Bella will probably take cover about right here," I pointed to another spot. "But if I come up from here, it'll be her blind side and she won't expect me. I'll cover you while you go for Emmett."

Satisfied my plan would work, I looked up to find Edward staring at me.

"What?"

"Where the hell did you learn this? You can't even blame it on too many action movies."

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"I knew there was a reason I loved you."

Before he moved, I palmed his dick and whispered in his ear. "Protect your cock, baby, you're going to need it to fuck me later."

His entire body shuddered and I hear a soft moan escape him.

"Are you trying to distract me?"

"No, I need you to focus," I said.

"Come on out, boys," Emmett challenged.

"Okay, got your balls ready?" I asked Edward as I peeked around the corner at our enemy. Edward started laughing.

"Yes, love, my balls are ready anytime you are." I raised an eyebrow. He kissed me. "Good luck, love. If I don't come back, I love you," he smiled right before he took off. Stepping out behind him, I covered him with snowball after snowball to keep Emmett and Bella hidden. The plan worked perfectly, Edward executed it just as I had showed him and we had Emmett and Bella begging for the pummeling of snowballs to stop. My boardroom whiz sexy boyfriend had an arm on him, repeatedly pounding Emmett with snowball after snowball. When they had had finally surrendered, Edward and I kissed in victory.

Emmett looked down at Bella. "We should kiss too."

Tilting her head back, she looked up at Emmett. "Maybe if we'd won."

"Damn it," Emmett huffed.

"How about a snowman?" Edward suggested with a mischievous flare in his eyes.

"I'm in," Emmett said, rubbing his hands together.

"Me too," Bella agreed. After arguing over the best way to start the snowman, Emmett and Bella worked on the bottom ball while Edward and I rolled the other two. We laughed, giggled, teased and joked, Emmett's dirty mind entertaining us all. With Edward and his family and friends, I felt a completeness I'd never known before, an acceptance for who I was. In the Cullen's front yard, my cheeks reddened from the cold and my hair damp from the falling snow, I had realized I was leading a life I had never known existed or had dared to dream of.

I was in love.

I was loved.

We were almost done with our work of art when Esme appeared at the door and called us in for dinner. Still laughing over Emmett's placement of the carrot in the snowman, we walked inside and took off our coats. After shaking off the snow, Bella and Emmett headed for the kitchen. I went to follow but Edward grabbed my wrist.

"Wait," he murmured just before dragging me under the mistletoe and pulling me in for a kiss. With his long fingers fisting my hair, he brushed his lips across mine. Our lips met again and again, each kiss building in intensity. Finally, I pulled away and stroked his cheek with the back of my fingers, his skin still cooled from the winter air.

"You don't mistletoe as an excuse to kiss me, Edward," I reminded him. "You can kiss me anytime. I'm yours."

"Mine," he sighed.

"Boys!"

Smiling, he freed my hair and took my hand to lead me to the dining room. It was as decorated as the rest of the house, elaborate centerpieces sat in the middle of the table surrounded with platters and bowls of food. Edward and I sat down next to each other with Bella, Alice and Emmett across from us while Carlisle and Esme were at the ends. There was more food on the table than I'd ever seen in one place. Turkey, potatoes, stuffing and just about every other side dish I could imagine were spread across the heavy oak tabletop. We ate and drank, the wine and bourbon pouring liberally. Because he was driving, Edward only had one glass of wine, but finally being of legal drinking age, I indulged in a few glasses. The conversation started off innocent enough, but somehow led to Edward's time in Seattle and how he'd met me.

After coming out to his parents, he had admitted to having an affair with a man in Seattle. However it wasn't until I showed up on his door and he introduced me to them that they knew who I was. We'd been living together in Chicago for a few months before we sat his parents down one night and told them everything. Well, not quite everything. We left out details of my years at the Home and living on the streets. They thought I'd left Texas and gone right to being an escort for Tanya. It was better that way.

Edward was surprisingly calm about telling them. He told me that if they didn't accept me for whom I was, then he'd walk away. He was going to choose me over his family, over his career. Gripping my hand tightly, we had walked into the Cullen house and told them.

They had taken the news rather well. Being the businessman he was, Carlisle had immediately started actions to make sure my former career path never came to light. He said it was no one's business and he wanted to make sure that Edward's and my relationship wasn't dragged through the press simply because I had been an escort. Whatever he did worked, the well known PR firm that Carlisle had hired had somehow managed to keep our secret quiet.

He had done his job and done it well, just like he promised he would.

"So," Esme said as she brought her fourth glass of wine up to her lips. "Jasper, how are you adjusting to Chicago?"

"Yes, it's different from Seattle. Colder, more crowded, but the lake is amazing."

"It's the best reason for living here," Alice chimed in and Bella agreed.

"Nah, best reason for living in Chicago is the women," Emmett added.

"How's work going, Jasper?" Carlisle asked as he served himself another helping of potatoes.

"Really well. I enjoy it a lot."

"You won't have a problem getting the time off for the trip will you?" he asked, a bit concerned.

"Not at all. My boss loves me," I smirked. Edward's hand rested on my thigh and he squeezed it. "He'll give me whatever time off I need."

"Good to know," Carlisle nodded. "Are you still in the PR department?"

"Yes, it's the place I'm most comfortable," I answered and took a gulp of wine.

"I bet," Emmett snorted.

"Emmett!" Bella shoved him and he raised his hands. Blushing, I looked down at the table, I wasn't embarrassed or ashamed about my work, but it still surprised me when it was discussed so openly. I still felt like it was something we should be hiding and I had to keep reminding myself that they all knew. Esme cleared her throat and when I looked up at her, I saw her eyes were starting to glaze over and her cheeks were pinker than usual.

"So, Jasper," she began in a loud whisper. "What's the kinkiest thing you ever had to do?"

"Esme," Carlisle sighed but a smile teased his lips.

"I don't mind," I told him before turning back to his wife. "Kinkiest?" I asked and she nodded. "Well there was this one time I had to dress up in a kilt and ja-…mast-entertain someone."

"Anything else?" she hedged with raised brows.

Well, if she really wanted to know.

"Actually there was this one couple. The guy liked to tie up his wife and then make me have-"

"Anyone want anymore turkey?" Carlisle interrupted with a deep blush on his cheeks.

"Hell, no," Emmett said, leaning forward toward me. "I want to hear more."

"Me too," Alice quipped.

"Me too," Esme raised her hand.

"Another time, perhaps," Carlisle stopped their fun with a shake of his head and they all looked crestfallen. The remainder of dinner went well, we finished desert and then enjoyed a few more glasses of wine before Edward rested his head on my shoulder and asked if I was ready to go home.

Home.

It still sounded strange to say that word. For the first time in my life, I actually knew what it meant to have a home.

"Ready to go, baby?" I knew he was getting tired and I wanted him fresh for his present later. The things I'd had planned for Edward….

"Yeah, I think so," he yawned. I finished my wine and then we packed up our presents and loaded them into the car. We hugged and kissed everyone goodbye, promising to go to dinner with Bella and Emmett the next night and brunch with Carlisle and Esme the following weekend. Finally, we got into the car and Edward backed out of the driveway. In my pocket, my cell phone vibrated and my heart halted, but I ignored it. I knew exactly who it was.

"I think your mother has a kinky side to her," I grinned.

"Ew," Edward said, rolling his eyes. "If she does, I don't need to know about it."

He drove slowly through the barren streets while I stared at his profile.

He was truly beautiful in every sense of the word.

"So, what did you get me for Christmas, love?"

"You'll see when we get home."

"Mmm…" he moaned and my cock twitched.

I had been planning his present for a few weeks, it had been more time consuming than I had thought but in the end, I knew it would be worth it and that Edward would love it. I had taken great care to keep it a secret from him and never once gave into his begging and pouting for hints.

We pulled up in front of our building and unloaded our presents before giving the keys to the valet. As we stood in the elevator, I was amazed at how nervous I was. My heart literally pounded in my chest when the doors opened and we stepped off. When we reached our door, Edward put his bags down to get his key out and I stopped him.

"Let me do that," I said, taking the key from him. He eyed me warily as I unlocked and pushed the door partially open to shoved our packages inside. Then I turned to Edward.

"Do you trust me?" I asked quietly.

"Of course, Jasper," he replied just as quiet, gazing at me openly. He didn't fear my question, he was curious about it.

Stepping behind him, I cupped my hands over his eyes.

"Okay, you can go inside," I whispered in his ear.

My heart skipped and raced and pounded as he blindly pushed the door opened and stepped inside. I hoped Aro was right.

I hoped it was only one party that Peter would have to attend without his beautiful boy on his arm.

"**~~**"

Epov

"Hello, beautiful."

The rich, teasing voice hit my ears and my mouth fell open immediately after, my heart pounding furiously in my ears as my cock twitched in anticipation. No matter how long it had been, I would know that voice anywhere. With a smile stretching across my face, I reached up and grabbed Jasper's wrists, pulling them away from my eyes so I could look at the boy I knew would be in front of me.

Fuck me.

He was already naked.

And mostly hard.

"What are you...I can't believe you're..." I stuttered, unable to form coherent sentences as I gazed at his slim, toned, very naked body. He had been beautiful when he was underweight and dirty from living on the streets but now, healthy, clean and relatively fit thanks to the personal gym he had twenty-four -seven access to, he was nothing short of breathtaking.

"You're naked," I finally managed to state the obvious and I heard Jasper chuckle in my ear.

"And hard," Jasper piped up from behind me, his hands resting possessively on my hips. "Did you use my laptop to look at porn, again?"

"Oh, please." Riley rolled his eyes, literally sauntering over to his us, completely comfortable with the fact that he was naked while Jasper and I were still fully clothed. "I didn't need fucking porn when I knew you two would be coming home. I just thought of all things I'm going to be doing to your boyfriend." He finished with a smirk.

"Merry Christmas, baby," Jasper whispered, dropping an open mouth kiss to the back of my neck, just above the collar of my coat.

Confused, I looked back at him, feeling butterflies appear in my stomach when I saw the mischief his eyes held. When I looked back at Riley, he simply winked at me, leaning forward to kiss my neck as well.

"This is my Christmas present to you. A night with Riley," Jasper confirmed.

Moaning, I tilted my head instinctively when Riley's tongue licked a thick stripe up to my ear.

"Really?" My voice was octaves higher than usual, unable to contain my excitement and arousal as the possibilities flooded my mind.

"Best present ever, right?" Riley chuckled, pulling back to look into my eyes with a smile. "As much as I'm ready to get to that," he looked at down at his hard cock for emphasis and then back to Jasper, "can I get a fucking 'hello' first? I haven't seen you five in months."

Instantly, Jasper's hands left my hips and he moved from behind me, stepping to the side before wrapping his arms around Riley's waist and pulling him flush against his body. I watched as Riley's eyes glazed even further, his arms encircling Jaspers neck as his entire demeanor instinctively and immediately shifted from the dominate top to the submissive bottom.

"Hey," Jasper murmured huskily.

"Hey," Riley returned as he unconsciously leaned forward, waiting for Jasper to capture his lips in a searing kiss. I watched as their mouths met and met again, tongues flickering to tease and taste, before Riley tightened his hand around Jasper's neck and deepened the kiss. When I saw Jasper's hand leave his waist and travel down to grope Riley's bare ass, I moaned. Watching them so intimate, so comfortable and casual with each other was one of the fucking hottest things I'd ever seen. My cock, which had twitched when I'd first seen Riley, was completely hard as I watched them kiss. I could hear their moans and pants and I shifted my weight.

I wanted some too.

"I thought you were here for me," I pouted breathlessly.

Reluctantly, Riley pulled away from Jasper's lips and they stared into each other's eyes for a long moment before Riley finally looked to me with a smirk curling his lips.

"No worries, beautiful, there is enough of me to go around."

He'd barely finished before he was kissing me so deep, so forcefully, that my knees weakened and I felt my body give way and I would have fallen to the floor if Jasper hadn't moved behind me for support. It seemed Riley's hands were everywhere. I felt them skimming and grazing over every inch of me, I felt them under my jacket, in my hair, on my ass and running up my sides. Behind me, Jasper's hands returned to my hips to steady me as Riley continued to tongue fuck me. I tasted the beer from our fridge, along with the mint of toothpaste, as his tongue explored my mouth as thoroughly as he had Jasper's. I let Jasper support me while my arms went around Riley's neck and I bucked my hips toward his, already desperate for what I knew he had to offer.

He still had the same affect on me.

Jasper had always teased that Riley was the best when it came to the art seduction, and though I had felt that Jasper was better, there was no denying that Riley was quite skilled in every way.

He had the ability to make a person feel like they were the only one in the room, hell, the only one on the planet. That he couldn't breathe without them, he needed them to exist, and there was nothing more powerful than that.

We continued to kiss until our hips were rocking erratically against each other, my cock hard and throbbing as Jasper used his position behind me to help push my body further into Riley's and I could feel Jasper's own erection pulsing against my ass even through our layers of clothing.

I was literally trapped in between two of the most skilled, attentive lovers known to man. I was never going to survive, let alone hold off my orgasm. As enthralled as I was, one question wormed its way through my lustful haze. Dizzy, I braced my palm against Riley's chest, pushing him away gently, but not far enough to lose contact.

"Wait," I panted. "What about Peter?"

Jasper laughed softly behind me. "You don't really think that Peter could stand in the way of Riley getting something he wants, do you, baby?" His voice was teasing, airy puffs of warm breath bathing my ear as he slowly rubbed his hard cock against my ass.

"Well, no, but..." I shrugged, frowning as I tried to picture Peter willingly sending Riley off to fuck another man.

Two men, actually.

I may not have known Peter well, but I knew that he had a possessive side to him, one that I was sure would make an appearance in an occasion such as this one.

"Beautiful," Riley sighed. "For one, why the fuck are you worried about my boyfriend when my hands are touching you? For two, Peter knows how long I've wanted you, and like Jasper is doing for you, he is doing for me. Giving me a night with you is one of his gifts as well. He also knows that, while I'm going to fucking love everything that happens tonight, I'll be going home tomorrow. Home to him."

Jasper must have already heard Riley's speech, or he just understood it on a level that I never could. Riley had the same ability that Jasper had, to keep sex separate from emotions.

One of Jasper's hands had found its way to my ass, kneading and groping while the other was under my shirt, teasing my nipples.

"Besides," Riley continued with a smirk. "Jasper's right. Do you really think anyone could stop me from getting something I want?"

"No," I smiled.

"And I want you. Right now. So are we done with the talking?"

I nodded and took his and Jasper's hands, tugging them through the living room and down the hallways to the bedroom, eager and all but bouncing with anticipation. Riley's sexy chuckle made me flush with embarrassment as I pushed opened the door to our room, quickly flicking the on the light beside the bed. It was a sparsely furnished room, the biggest piece of furniture being the Eastern king size bed against the far wall. Opposite the bed were our dresser and a flat screen television hanging on the wall above it. A chair was in the corner next to the walk-in closet and small table that matched the ones on either sides of the bed stood next to it.

"Damn," Riley exclaimed. "Got a big enough bed?"

"More room to fuck on," Jasper said dryly.

"Good point." Riley turned to me. "Ready to test it ou-"

His reply died in his throat when I wrapped my hand around his still hard cock, stroking him smoothly from base to tip. He reached down and gripped my wrist in his palm, guiding my hand along his length as he captured my lips once more. His other hand was at my waist, undoing my belt and popping open the button to my jeans. While Riley worked on my jeans, Jasper slipped my coat off my shoulders and laid it over the chair. When he returned behind me, he wrapped his arms around me started undoing the buttons of my shirt, letting it fall open before slowly sliding it down my shoulders. He kissed along the exposed skin, murmuring something I couldn't understand.

"You taste so good," Riley mumbled.

Once my jeans were undone, Jasper kneeled behind me, tugging my pants down over my ass, quickly followed by my briefs, guiding them both down to my ankles. While Riley supported me with his hand on my back, I toed off my shoes and held up one foot at a time for Jasper pull off my pants.

"Let me go," Riley murmured against my lips as he tugged on my wrist of the hand stroking him. Confused, I let Riley remove my hand, then felt Jasper sliding my shirt down my arms and to the floor. Riley promptly grabbed my hand and put it back on his cock. They worked together, silently in tandem to undress me.

Jesus, they hadn't even me and I could already feel my legs shaking, threatening to collapse under their attentions. Kneeling behind me, Jasper kissed along my lower back and the curve of my ass and my hips couldn't decide if they wanted to thrust toward Riley or move back to seek out more of Jasper's lips.

Suddenly, Jasper was standing, kissing long the nape of my neck just as Riley drew me to him, pressing our bodies together as he moved his lips along my jaw line. Dropping my head to Jasper's shoulder, I let my eyes drift closed. There was a cool brush of air where Jasper's warmth had been and I opened my eyes to find him stepping backwards away from Riley and me. At first, I thought he was moving to undress, but he turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?" I asked nervously. I didn't know if I could do this without him.

"I'm going to give you two some privacy."

"Don't go far," I pleaded, stretching my hand toward him.

"Yeah, don't go far," Riley added, winking.

Jasper quickly returned to me, his fingers skimming over my bare chest as he leaned in and kissed me, lightly, tenderly, lovingly…possessively. When he pulled away, he looked at Riley.

"Mine," was all he said.

Riley nodded, "I know, I know."

Jasper looked back at me, his blue eyes so full of me, I could see myself in them. "I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered.

He squeezed my hand and then turned to leave, not pausing when Riley cleared his throat, but instead calling out over his shoulder. "Love you too, Rile."

"I knew it," Riley chuckled.

As I heard the bedroom door shut with a quiet click, I turned in Riley's loose embrace, I kissed him with the freedom Jasper had given me.

"Just the two of us, now, beautiful," Riley grinned evilly when he pulled back.

Goosebumps broke out over my entire body from the promise in his voice, letting me know that this was definitely going to be the best Christmas present I had ever received. Walking me backwards, he pushed me down onto the bed and covered my body with his, rubbing our hard cocks together deliciously, the precome we were already leaking allowed our erections slide against each other effortlessly.

"Feels so good," I whispered, licking the side of his neck.

"Fucking right it does."

He braced himself on his palms above me and I took advantage of the distance and attached my mouth to his nipple, teasing it with the flickering tip of my tongue. He gave a throaty groan and bucked his hips harder into mine, seeking friction. Shaking, he grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head, grinning down at me.

"Think Jasper will be pissed if I mark you?" he asked, leaning down to run his nose along the column of my throat, inhaling deeply as he did so. When I arched my head to the side, encouraging him to mark me, he sank his teeth into my neck. Not hard enough to leave a bruise, but enough to make me want more. "Better not risk it," he sighed against my moist skin. "He can be a possessive ass sometimes."

My laughter turned into a whimper when he bit me again, a little harder that time, before letting go of my arms and sitting up.

"Turn over. Give me a chance to truly appreciate that delectable ass of yours that I've heard so much about."

Flushing from embarrassment and arousal, I obeyed his command, even being so bold as to spread my knees a little wider than necessary and arch my back a little more.

"Holy fuck," he sighed and I felt his lips on my left cheek.

Soon, his tongue and his teeth joined his lips, lavishing attention to every inch of my flesh. I felt fucking worshipped. Then his hands joined, kneading my ass, gently slapping at my damp flesh.

"Fuck," I gasped, my entire body jerking forward.

"So God damn sensitive," he exclaimed, nipping at my ass. "I bet you loved being rimmed, don't you?"

I hoped he didn't actually expect me to answer because a strangled whimper was all I could provide. That whimpered turned into a loud, pleading moan when his tongue swiped over my hole lightly.

"That answers that question," he chuckled.

Before I could reply his tongue was back at my ass, flicking over the sensitive nerves quickly while I arched my back and dropped my head to the mattress. His hands were on my inner thighs, spreading my legs further before one gripped my cock and began to rub and tease insistently.

"Oh, God," I cried when his tongue entered me.

Slowly, confidently, he fucked me with his tongue. Sure movements and perfected technique mixing together to create the most wonderful sensation, leaving me panting and pushing back, silently begging for more. Heavy breaths soaked the tender flesh of my ass as he licked and lapped. When he darted the slick muscle in and out quickly, I quickly became a jumbled mess of incoherent words and needy sounds, writhing on the bed and blindly reaching for my cock to relieve the ache that had settled there. My balls were drawn up tight as the tingling began to slowly work its way up my spine. As soon as my hand met Riley's, we began stroking my cock together, bringing me to the edge as he fucked me with his tongue and I fucked his hand. My body was once again torn between thrusting into our joined hands or pushing my ass toward his skilled tongue.

"I'm gonna come," I yelled, feeling my stomach tense in anticipation.

Immediately, everything stopped. His mouth left my ass and his hand fell away from my dick and I had cried out in protest, trembling as my orgasm receded, the sweet fire returning to teasing embers.

"You won't come until I'm fucking you," he told me and I heard the desk drawer on the nightstand slide open, followed by the welcomed sound of lube popping open and the tearing of a condom wrapper. The bed dipped as he position himself behind me.

"Ready for me, beautiful?"

Unable to answer, I only nodded, my head hanging low.

"Say it," he requested and I knew exactly what he wanted to hear.

After all this time, he wanted to hear those four words I had longed to say. Lifting my head, I looked over my shoulder at him, my eyes only half open under heavy lids, my cheeks flushed and my lips bruised from the kisses. In the dim light of the bedroom, Riley looked amazing with his long hair brushing long his jaw, eyes as lust-filled as mine and his cheeks even darker.

"Please fuck me, Riley," I moaned.

"Jesus," he groaned long and loud. "About time, beautiful, about fucking time."

I felt the wonderful burn as the head of his cock pushed at my hole. I felt the delightful stretch as he pushed himself deep into me in one smooth motion.

I felt everything.

And it was fucking phenomenal.

With a growl, he slapped my ass with an open palm, cursing when my inner muscles clenched around him response. For what seemed like hours, he stayed still, simply holding himself inside me.

He was as overwhelmed by our joining as I was.

I knew that he was waiting for me to adjust to his size but I knew it was also so he didn't lose control and pound into me too quickly. I could tell by the strain his breathing and the way his hand was clamping repeatedly on my hip.

"Wanted this for so fucking long, beautiful" he breathed, draping himself across my back. I could feel his chest heaving.

"Me too," I admitted, arching my back almost painfully to convince him to move. I needed to feel him pounding me, making me his in the only way he could. The only way that could be possible for us. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he pushed himself back up and gripped my hips tightly.

"Even better than I imagined," he whispered, slowly pulling out of my body, keeping the same pace as he pushed back in.

After each push and pull, he would still inside me, holding himself deep within me until he started to

shake and whimper. Only then, would he begin the cycle again. I was already trembling as well, struggling to keep myself from collapsing to the bed under the onslaught of pleasure. Eventually, he picked up the pace, not by much, just enough to heighten the experience without pushing us over the edge too quickly.

It was our one and only night together; he was going to make sure it lasted.

Riley being inside me was something I had imagined often and openly. More than once, Jasper had described it for me while I had jerked off but I had never actually expected it to happen. Not with all of the history between all the parties involved. It was something I would never forget and while the emotional bond and connection Jasper and I shared was absent with Riley, the chemistry and intensity rivaled my lover's.

His hands left my hips, one sliding up my bare back to grip my hair with the other reached under me to toy with my pebbled nipples.

I knew by the time the night was over, my throat would be raw from screams of pleasure.

Just as he established a quick rhythm, he pulled out of me. "Turn over, beautiful. I want to look at you."

Moaning at the brief loss of his cock, I quickly flipped onto my back and threw my legs over his shoulders, completely unashamed at my overly eager state. I wanted him to take me, to have me and fill me, and I didn't care how desperate I looked.

"Much fucking better," he mumbled as he pushed back in and we both groaned in unison.

Our bodies rocked, moving together in a beautiful rhythm every time we joined and separated. We caressed and stroked and petted, his fingers playing close attention to my nipples, pinching and tweaking, while I gripped his hips to guide him into me over and over me. Parted lips moaned and groaned, calling out our mutual desire. Riley clenched his eyes and lolled his had back as he began to fuck me harder. Sweat beaded on my skin as the knot in my stomach pulled tighter and tighter, making my muscles clench with the need to come. Riley must have been close too because suddenly his fingers dug into my thighs hard enough to leave bruises and he stilled completely, panting above me.

Slowly, his eyes opened, dark and glazed, and he stared at me for the briefest of moments before they rolled back and he bit into his bottom lip.

"Too close," he breathed, "too soon."

Reluctantly, he pulled out of me once again and I sat up, wrapping my hand around the back of his neck to guide his lips to mine. My fingers found purchase in the damp hair on the nape of his neck, fisting it while our tongues met repeatedly. As we kissed heatedly, his fingers found my hole, thrusting two into me quickly and finding my prostate. I had to break the kiss, letting my head drop back as growls spilled from lips.

"Stop, Riley. I'm close too," I warned, barely managing to stop my hips from rolling to meet his hand.

"God damn, I knew it'd be good but...fuck," he gasped with a look of awe on his beautiful face.

"I know," I agreed breathlessly.

Long minutes passed with his body next to mine as we collected ourselves. We continued to kiss and caress each other softly, keeping the connection even though he was no longer inside me. Eventually our bodies were quivering, each brush of our hands bringing us back to the heated passion and I once again found myself begging for him to fuck me.

"Ride me, beautiful. I want to see you on me so I can remember it forever," he pleaded in a low voice. Moving from me, he turned over and lay flat on his back. After drizzling more lube on his sheathed cock, I straddled him enthusiastically. When our bodies were joined again, he sighed happily and I moaned. I fell forward, my chest on his, my hands holding his above his head as his lips sucked and nibbled on my neck. Hitching my hips slightly back and forth I was able to ride the head of his cock as it slipped in and out of me without having to risk losing the feel of his mouth on my neck.

"More," he pleaded, his hands gripping mine tightly as he fought his own natural instinct.

Wanting it as much as he did, I planted my feet flat on the bed and lifted myself up, grunting when gravity took over and fell back into his lap. Throwing his head back, he moved his hands to my hips. Untouched, my throbbing erection bounced and swung as I bobbed my body up and down on his cock.

"God damn," he said through gritted teeth, digging his fingertips into my flesh.

His reaction made my cock twitch, so I did it again, feeling the power I held over him shoot through me with every needy sound I forced from him. Before long, he was rising up to meet me, twisting his hips just the right way to hit my gland, making me gasp and shudder powerfully.

It was fucking amazing and altering and so much more than I could have ever imagined, even with Jasper's descriptive words. Feeling Riley move under me, feeling his body want and need mine with an intensity that neither of us could control, made me come undone in just about every way. I forced my eyes open to watch him, every lick of his lips, ever twist of his mouth and shake of his head. When his eyes met mine, I showed him everything, all that I had wanted and needed from him for so long. All those months we had danced around each other, prevented from exploring what might have happened by our mutual loyalty to another. Letting go of my hip with one hand, he reached up to my face and brushed the back of his fingers along my heated skin.

"Me too, beautiful, for so long," he whispered.

"Riley, I'm coming," I cried, slamming down onto him one last time before every muscle tensed and locked in place. Without either of our hands on my cock, it pulsed and erupted.

"Fuck, yes," Riley growled when the first spurt of my cum landed on his chest.

Jerking involuntarily, my back arched further and further as each burst of cum shot from my sensitive cock, the coil in my belly slowly loosening as my powerful orgasm washed over me, leaving nothing untouched. Before the last bit of pleasure rolled through me, I heard Riley growl and thrust up into me quickly three times before I felt his cock jerk deep inside me as he finally came. Pulling me down, our teeth mashed together as I kissed him through his orgasm, swallowing his moans of completion. Gradually, our bodies returned from utopia while our lips were still pressed together.

Breathing heavily, I rolled off him and curled into his side, neither of us bothered by the fact that we were covered in sweat, lube and cum. Resting my head on his shoulder as the tension left my muscles slowly leaving me utterly stated. The only movement was Riley pulling the filled condom off his softening cock and tossing it onto the table.

I hadn't thought of him once while Riley and I were together. My mind and body had belonged to Riley during our time, but it was then, when I was lying quietly with Riley, that I closed my eyes and let the fog of happiness shroud me, wanting for nothing except for Jasper.

While I fit perfectly and easily into Riley's side, I needed Jasper's warmth surrounding me, his hard body pressing into mine to be completely comfortable.

Of course, Riley sensed it.

"Let's go check on our boy, yeah?" he murmured, kissing the top of my head.

Nodding against him, I lifted myself up onto my elbow and gazed down at him, noting the often mischievous look in his dark eyes had changed into a glaze of satisfaction. Sweat slickened hair stuck to his forehead and I pushed it away, exposing his eyes even more clearly.

"Thank you," I told him quietly.

A gentle smile formed on his face and he nodded, picking his head up to place a sweet kiss on my lips before he took my hand in his and pulled us from the bed. Wrapping his arms around my body one last time, he kissed my shoulder.

"It was better than I imagined, beautiful," he whispered. "Don't tell Jasper, but before tonight there were times I was tempted to risk our friendship for the chance to be with you."

Dropping my head to his shoulder, I nodded.

"And I would have done it in a second if I didn't…"

"Love him," he finished for me.

I lifted my head. "With everything I am."

"I know, beautiful, but that doesn't change what happened in here. How special and rare it was."

"Rare?"

"I've been with a shitload of men, and what you and I have, this," he motioned between us with his hand, "undeniable chemistry, is pretty fucking rare. I've only felt it with three people."

I knew eventually I would share what had happened in the bedroom between Riley and me with Jasper, but for awhile longer, I wanted to keep it, and him, to myself.

We shared a lingering kiss one last time before he walked us to the door. My body was still relaxed, but I felt the burn in my ass with every step I took.

"Should we clean you up?" I asked, pointing to my drying cum on his torso.

"Why bother? I plan on being covered in a lot more of your cum before I'm done," he replied.

The entire house was silent except for the padding of our bare feet as we walked hand in hand down the hallway and into the living room and I was unable to keep the goofy smile off my face.

As I soon as I spotted Jasper, though, the smile faded.

Sitting on the couch, he stared blankly at the fire he must have started, digging his teeth into his bottom lip while his fists were clenched in his lap. I could practically see the lust and need pouring from him, seeping out of every inch of his tightly coiled body. His hair was mussed from his hand constantly tugging at the ends and at some point he had removed his shirt. His arousal so strong, his nipples were hard and he was already slightly damp with sweat.

I wanted to lick every inch of him.

"Holy shit," Riley chuckled lowly. "Ummm, Jas? You okay?"

Jasper finally turned his head toward us, giving Riley and I a hard glare for a brief moment before his eyes raked over us, drinking in our bare, sweaty state and a thick, husky groan left his lips. Slamming his eyes shut, I watched as his hips rose from the couch repeatedly, chasing a release that he seemed to be on the edge of but couldn't quite grasp. Walking toward him, I could hear a string of profanities spilling from his lips, jumbled with other words I couldn't quite make out. I didn't want him in control though; I wanted to see him come. To give him what he had just allowed Riley to give me.

Straddling his lap, I carded my fingers through his hair and scratched lightly at his scalp, cupping his cheek in my other hand. Opening his eyes slowly, he looked into mine and forced a smile on his face even his hips rose to meet mine.

"Hi, love," I whispered.

"Hey, baby. Have fun?" he asked in a deep voice, rolling his jean covered cock into my bare one, quickly renewing my arousal.

I nodded and kissed him lightly, letting my lips skim over his. "I did. Thank you so much."

"God, you sounded so good. I could hear you moaning...pictured you writhing on the bed and begging. Oh God, so hard," he whimpered, thrusting up erratically.

"He was definitely begging and writhing, Jas. You could've joined us, you know," Riley said, taking a seat next to us on the couch.

"Please," Jasper rasped, ignoring Riley's comment. "Need you so bad, baby."

"What do you want, love?" I asked and then glanced at Riley when he snickered.

"I can give you hint," Riley teased.

Looking back at Jasper, I watched as he glanced at me, then back at Riley, then back to me again, a pained expression on his face. I barely bit back my smile when I realized that he was trying to figure out who he wanted first. While I was thoroughly enjoying his indecisiveness, I decided to put him out of his misery. Leaning into his ear, I teased his earlobe with my tongue for a moment before whispering just loud enough for Riley to hear.

"I want to watch you fuck him."

"Fucking great! You just had to say that shit, didn't you?" Riley groaned, looking deflated and extremely horny all at once.

Confused, I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"

Riley sighed. "Beautiful, I only got permission for you. Him," he pointed at Jasper with a jerk of his thumb, "I would never get permission for. I wouldn't even ask, tempting as it is."

So apparently there was a limit to Riley's power.

That's when it dawned on me. He was literally my present, not Jasper's. I should've known immediately that given Peter and Jasper's history, he would've never allowed Riley to do that. I wasn't exactly sure of the reason, but I understood it.

"Why do you two suddenly look depressed? I don't actually mind fucking my boyfriend, you know?" Jasper piped in, looking incredulous.

Riley snickered, "Please. I just pounded your boyfriend into the mattress for the past two hours. He's fucking lucky he can walk." He finished with a wink in my direction and I rolled my eyes in response, even though I knew it was true.

Without being prompted, I slid to the floor and positioned myself between Jaspers legs, skimming my fingertips up his thighs until my hands rested at the waistband of his pants. When I freed his cock, I heard dual moans come from him and Riley. Thick and pulsing, his erection slapped against his bare stomach as he lifted his hips so I could slide his pants down his legs and off, throwing them across the room to join his shirt.

"I'm not going to last," he whispered, looking down at me with hazy blue eyes.

"I love you," I told him simply.

Vaguely, I noticed Riley's hand wrapping around his own semi-hard cock. His stamina would never cease to amaze me.

With my hands braced on Jaspers knees, I leaned forward and took his balls into my mouth, nipping at the wrinkled skin before smoothing my tongue over them, smiling when Jasper's hands immediately flew to my hair and a greedy moan left his lips. Lapping at his heavy sac, I let my tongue trail up the underside of his cock, flicking repeatedly at the sensitive spot just under the bulging ridge. When he tugged impatiently at my hair, I gave in and let him stick his cock between my lips, creating a slick tunnel with my mouth for him to fuck. I fought back the strong urge to gag when he thrust a little too eagerly into the back of my throat.

"Fuck."

He and Riley swore in unison, one a breathy approval and the other a throaty praise. Wasting no time, Jasper fucked my face quickly, groaning and growling as his hand slid down to the back of my neck to get a better grip.

"Almost came. Just from...just from listening to the moans coming from...the bedroom. Almost came hands free in my pants. So fucking hot. Wanted…so bad…watch," he babbled and gasped, tightening his hand on the back of my neck every time I deep throated him. "Oh God, baby, gonna come just thinking about it. Stop. Stop, stop..."

I slid off Jasper's cock with a slick popping noise and looked up at him with a smirk on my face as my fingers steadily fondling his balls. Glancing at Riley, I moaned lowly when I saw his dark eyes so filled with lust that the dark brown looked black. Jasper laid his head back against the back of the couch, his eyes clenched, his chest heaving as he tried to regain what little control he had over himself. One of his hands still on my neck and the other rested on Riley's thigh. Flushed from his cheeks down his chest, Jasper looked absolutely stunning as a bead a sweat dripped down from neck to slide in between his pecs. I couldn't resist the urge to lean forward and lick it off, letting my tongue travel over to tease his hard nipple, making him gasp and shudder.

"God, fuck, you are going to kill me," he groaned, pulling me up to smash his mouth to mine.

I felt Riley's hand slide up my back to my neck, gentle fingertips grazing along my damp skin as Jasper and I kissed. When we were both breathless, I pulled back, resting my forehead against his while I cupped his cheek in my palm.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you, too. So much."

Suddenly, Riley cleared his throat loudly and his hand fell away from me, making Jasper and I both look toward him. "This is sweet and all that shit, but I'd really like to see you swallow his cum now."

With a soft chuckle, I slid back down Jaspers body, letting my tongue trace a path along his sweaty skin, enjoying his heady flavor. I licked away the precome that was dribbling along the thick vein on the underside of Jaspers cock before sucking the head back into my mouth, moaning when he thrusts his hips toward my face impatiently.

Feeling Jaspers passion, hearing his want for me spill from his mouth and pour from his body always brought me the most pleasure. Knowing that I could make him insane with lust and dizzy with need even after all the men he had been with made me feel powerful, and no matter how many times we were together, I would never tire of it. It would always have the same affect on me. That feeling was heightened by Riley's grunts and growls mixing with my lover's whimpers and moans, leaving me with an aching cock and a full heart. Along with my suckling noises, I could hear Riley's hand sliding along his cock, his hand pumping quickly as his heavy gaze made goose bumps pebble my skin.

Closing my eyes and breathing deeply through my nose, I swallowed Jasper to the base, sealing my lips tightly around him the way he liked. I held him there for as long as I could before I had to pull back to take a breath, only to plunge down on him once again.

"Fuck, fuck. So God damn good," Jasper panted, his hips arching up minutely.

"Fucking looks good, too. Such a good cocksucker, isn't he. Shit, I'm gonna come," Riley growled.

Shivering under their praise, I gripped my cock in my fist and started pumping wildly, suddenly desperate to release the tension that had been building in my belly. Bobbing my head, I sucked Jasper's cock hard and fast, wanting to bring him pleasure before I reached the brink of my own. However, Riley and Jasper's constant encouragement made it difficult for me to hold off. It didn't matter that Riley had fucked me so hard I forgot my name and had come not even thirty minutes earlier, sucking on Jasper, bringing him the pleasure only I could, was enough to have me on the edge of another climax no matter how had I'd been fucked.

"Yeah, beautiful, suck his cock."

"Love you. Mouth is so perfect. Never get enough."

"Wish I could take his place right now. Feeling that hot mouth swallowing me whole. So fucking sexy, beautiful."

"I'm getting close, baby. You're so good."

Feeling their eyes on me, hearing their whispered, dirty words combined with Jasper fucking my face and tugging my hair, I couldn't hold off any longer. My scream of completion was muffled by Jasper's cock. Cum shot from my cock and onto the plush carpet beneath me as the strong waves of pleasure rolled through my veins. Jerking, my muscles twitched repeatedly as my orgasm rushed through me until, finally, I felt the last few dribbles of cum slide over my fingers. During my orgasm, I had sucked hard on Jasper's cock and he lifted his hips from the couch erratically.

"Fucking coming, baby. Oh shit," he groaned.

The words had barely left his lips before I felt his warm release flooding my mouth, hard bursts hitting the back of my throat so forcefully that I struggled to swallow it all. Growling, he continued to fuck my face through his orgasm, pulling my hair hard.

"Yeah, fuck," Riley grunted, signaling his own climax. With Jasper's cock still in my mouth, I watched Riley's body give way to his orgasm, his cock pulsing hard in his hand right before it shot a load of cum in thin streams onto Riley's chest and stomach and hand.

When I felt Jasper's body fall limply to the couch, I let his softening dick slip from my lips, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Riley was breathing almost as heavily as Jasper, his head thrown back as his hand still slowly stroke his softening cock, whimpering quietly as he prolonged his own pleasure. I crawled into Jaspers lap, curling into his chest and burying my nose in his neck, inhaling deeply.

I loved the way he smelled after sex.

Sated and exhausted, I closed my eyes and sighed happily, smiling when Jasper finally regained enough strength to wrap his arms around me. As I drew lazy circles on his chest, his fingers toyed with the hair that was matted with sweat to the nape of my neck.

I had never felt so happy.

"I love you," I whispered in his ear, kissing the lobe lightly.

"Mmm. You too, baby. You're amazing," he said lazily, still in his haze.

The room was void of words as we all caught our breath, the crackling of the fading fire creating a soothing backdrop as the lust finally dissipated from the small space. I could feel my body sticking to Jasper's with a natural glue of sweat and cum, but I didn't mind, I was too comfortable and relaxed to be bothered with cleaning up. I wasn't sure how long we stayed silent, just enjoying our embrace with our dear friend, now lover, only inches away from us.

Eventually, I heard Riley groan and I lifted my head from Jasper's neck to look at him. "God, that was fucking hot," he exclaimed.

We all laughed.

"Yes, it most definitely was. Shower?" Jasper asked.

"Is it big enough for three?"

Sighing, Jasper rolled his eyes behind his lust-laden lids. "Yes, Rile, it's big enough for three."

Standing, Riley twisted and turned, working out the kinks in his well used muscles. "Cool, but I'm fucking starving, so food first. What do you have here? I don't want any of that fancy tofu and caviar shit, either."

"Left over pizza in the fridge," I told him, leaning my head on Jasper's shoulder and admiring Riley's ass as he walked toward the kitchen.

"Did you enjoy your Christmas present, baby?" Jasper whispered, staring into my eyes with so much love and happiness, it almost took my breath away.

"I definitely did, love. He was amazing. Thank you so much."

I kissed him softly, a gently pressure against his lip while his arms tightened around me. When he pulled away, he gave me a smile.

"But I'm still better, right?"

"Without a doubt," I confirmed before leaning in for another kiss.

"Jesus, don't you two ever stop, like come for fucking air or food or something?" He flopped back onto the couch, his legs parted, his cock hanging used between them. When he opened the pizza box his eyes widened. "Oh, my favorite!"

Jasper lolled his head to the side and watched Riley pick up a slice and took a bite. "Tell me you washed your hands," Jasper said motherly.

"I'm not a fucking Neanderthal," he mumbled with his mouth full. "I have fucking manners."

"I can see that," Jasper chuckled.

"Fuck you," Riley said, taking another bite. "Want some?" He pushed the box toward us. Jasper picked up a slice and held it in front of me. Leaning forward, I bit the end off and then Jasper took a bite.

"Jesus, you share food too?" he teased. "Nice place you got. Not as nice as mine, of course, but still nice."

"Gee, thanks," I laughed.

Riley glanced over his shoulder at the tree. "Nice tree too," he teased.

"Shut the fuck up," Jasper shot back.

"It was his first time," I whispered to Riley, as if that explained the bare, crooked tree.

"Maybe he should stick to fucking," Riley smiled. "I can't believe you have a flying monkey ornament. Things are creepy as hell."

Jasper grinned. "We got that just for you, babe. Don't you like it?"

"Yeah, fuck you. Oh, and your cat scared the shit out of me when I got here, wrapping around my legs and meowing and shit."

"How'd you get inside?" I asked, pulling Jasper's hand to me for another bit of pizza.

"I have my ways." Riley shrugged and I raised an eyebrow. "Jasper gave me a key," he admitted.

"You've seen him?" I looked at Jasper accusingly. "You were missing him last night and you had seen him?"

"Aw, you were missing me?" Riley sniffed with a smirk. "How sweet."

Jasper glared at Riley for a second. "I didn't see him, I've talked to him. I sent him the key. We've been planning this for weeks, baby."

"Weeks?"

They both nodded.

Riley tossed his second piece of crust into the box and sat back. "I think I'm ready for that shower now."

"You're staying, right?" I asked, suddenly nervous that he would be leaving too soon.

"I'm your present for the night, beautiful, the entire night. My driver won't be here until late tomorrow afternoon. I need to catch a flight to JFK, then we're off to Paris for the week."

Slowly, we all stood and Jasper led us to the bathroom, where we washed and lathered and kissed under the dual shower heads. It was quiet except for the occasional whimper or moan as we moved around each other effortlessly. When we were done, we all got out and dried off. Riley tossed his towel in the hamper and took my hand.

"Ready for bed, beautiful?"

Taking his hand, I nodded. Riley leaned toward me, his lips at me ear as he spoke again.

"Just so you know, I love middle of the night fucks," he whispered and I shivered at the feel of his breath in my ear and his hint that there would be more fucking to come. We took a few steps before I stopped him. Turning, I held my hand out to Jasper, who was standing there watching us leave.

"Coming, love?"

I was surprised when he shook his head slightly. "No. Your present was Riley for the night. Alone."

Glancing at Riley, I found the answer to my unasked question. I knew he wouldn't mind, not after what he and Jasper had been through together. But I also knew that having Jasper naked in bed next to him would test his loyalty to his boyfriend. There was an undeniable chemistry between Jasper and Riley, one that went beyond their bodies, to their mutual suffering and survival. Asking either of them to resist the other was like telling them to not breath. When they were together, they fell easily in stride with each other, their bodies so familiar and needing of the other's. It was something I'm not sure either Peter or I would ever understand.

Riley gave me the slight nod I needed and I turned back to Jasper.

"We want you with us."

"Are you sure? I don't want to get in the way, or make you uncomfortable."

He was so sweet, wanting to make it so that I didn't feel awkward getting fucked in front of him. Although, I'm sure part of his answer was for his own peace of mind. Hearing your boyfriend getting screwed was one thing, actually witnessing it was something else.

"I promise, you won't. As long as you're okay with it, then I am too," I told him honestly. I really did feel that I could be myself with Riley, as needing as I wanted to be even with Jasper lying next to me.

Riley sighed. "Stop your fucking whining and get your fucking ass over here right now."

Jasper moved faster than I ever thought possible, and his hand was suddenly clasping mine.

Hand in hand in hand, we walked to the bedroom. Riley turned on the light and looked at the large bed against the far wall, then looked up and down my body with a hungry as hell stare.

"This is going to be so much fucking fun," Riley smiled as he tugged us both toward the bed.

"**~~**"

Merry Christmas and thank you for reading~

Again, this is NOT a future take chapter, it is just some fun.

Wizard of Oz ornaments: http:/www DOT ornament-shop DOT

Turtle Island (can't you just see the boys relaxing on those hammocks?) http:/www DOT turtlefiji DOT com