I'm sorry for the long wait, I left my memory stick 200 miles from where I was living. Not my best moment but here you are.

Chapter 25

Christmas had arrived all to soon for some people, apart from Ryan who was starting to dislike being pregnant, a week ago he was finally forced to go on leave because his stomach stopped him seeing into the microscope, and Rick had said that it was health and safety issue, but being at home meant that Ryan was around for when the news reporters phoned to get a story, they all wanted to be the one with the story of the pregnant man, he sighs.

"Maybe I should phone Erica, give her the story," he mumbled under his breath as he lay looking out at the Miami skyline, he was resting on the settee, the room was decorated slightly in a nice silver and red theme.

"Don't even think about it cachorro," came Eric's rough voice as he walked into the house after fighting through the news reporters outside, he had to call Patrol to come and move them out the way. Ryan looked up at him.

"But it would get them off the door, and stop clogging up our phone line," he said as he struggled to stand, once he made it he kissed Eric's cheek, "Welcome home by the way."

Eric smiled and pulled his lover to his side, pressing his own lips against Ryan's soft ones, his hands running down Ryan's back to his backside, massaging the cotton covered flesh slightly. Ryan moaned into his mouth, before air became apparent, both men had to pull back.

"I miss you being at work," confessed Eric as he pulled Ryan to lean against his chest.

"I knew it! you miss my sparkling intellect and snappy comments," smirked Ryan, laying his head against the muscular chest and closing his eyes slightly, Eric's chest moved as he chuckled.

"That and looking at your sweet ass all day,"

Ryan chuckled as well, but he was content to lean against his lovers chest, listening to his heartbeat. It was now Christmas Eve, the doctor had predicted that the baby would need to come out at the end of this week, and Ryan was pleased he would be able to spend Christmas with the family instead of being in a hospital room.

"Come on cachorro we should get ready to get to momma's, she's made up the spare room for us" rumbled Eric but he made no movement to move from Ryan's arms. A few moments later the two finally moved apart from each other, Ryan had packed everything while Eric was at work, he had cleaned the house, made sure all the presents where in the right bags, and packed everything they would need, so Eric didn't feel the need to check it all.

The two men moved to the door, Ryan stepping out smiling at the patrol officer coming towards them, telling him the news that he had moved the reporters along, and he was willing to head them off so that they wouldn't follow them, Ryan took the offer as he headed to the lift, Eric coming up the rear with the bags. Both men enjoyed the comfortable silence that filled the small box that took them down to the next floor, each thinking about the next day with the family.

Eric had a small wistful smile on his lips as he thought about the past Christmas' at his family home, the smell of cooking and Christmas trees, with the sound of laughing, joking, running and screaming and that was just the adults. Ryan was having his own thoughts, this was going to be the most different Christmas he had ever had, he would be in a house full of people when at most it used to be him and his Uncle.

Ryan looked down at the multicoloured bag that he was holding, the one he had been allowed to carry which housed all the presents that they had fort through the Christmas Crowds for, his mind went back to the day.

"Do we really have to do this, I mean its just so full and dirty, and busy," came the whining voice that had been grating on someone else's nerves since they had started this stupid trip to the mall.

"Yes Eric we have to do this, now suck it up before I tell Santa you haven't been a good boy," snapped Ryan, before he smirked at the comment that had come out of his mouth, The Cuban looked at his lover his own downcast face broke a smile at his comment.

"You know your very sarcastic when your tired baby," he said slowly as he held his lovers hand as they entered the shopping centre in front of them, the noise temporary defended them as they walked through the doors.

"You think it's funny now, wait till we're walking out of here," Ryan said half in warning, half joking before he took a breath and pushed into the crowds, Eric held his hand tightly so they wouldn't be split up.

Hours later they where sat on the settee in a Starbucks as they sipped their drinks.

"How can their be so many pink tops?" mumbled Ryan as he looked at the shop they had just come out of, they had been looking for a top for one of Eric's sisters, Ryan had been completely out of his league, not having women in his own family he never had to find girls or women presents. Eric just struggled he looked as tired as Ryan as they looked at each other.

"Well hopefully the one we got will be okay," said the Cuban as he swing his coffee, smiling at the caffeine that rushed through his veins. Ryan turned to glare at him

"Yes after making me stare at a sea of pink, that reminded me of Erica in collage, you decided on a black sweater," he accused as he rubbed his head, closing his eyes slightly. Eric shrugged defensively.

"Well it will look better on her," he said in his defence as he kissed Ryan's cheek, getting his attention "I brought you a fruit smoothy though didn't I?"

Ryan opened one of his eyes to glare slightly at him "Yes you old romantic you, and I bought it."

Eric had the decency to look abashed as he linked his fingers with Ryan's before pulling him to lean against him, he didn't care about the looks they where get, this was Miami they should get used to it, "Come on baby, let's head home."

Ryan shook his head "We still have to find gifts for your mother, my uncle and Horatio," Ryan moaned and looked up at him, "What the hell do we get Horatio?"

"Er…new sunglasses?" tried Eric, the rest of the day was filled with the useless suggestions from the Cuban at what to get the three people they had left.

Ryan had decided from that moment on that any present shopping would be done by him and him alone, Eric would have the twins for the day. They stepped out of the elevator towards Eric's car, Ryan was more relaxed now that the car park wasn't filled with reporters all trying to get his attention.

Eric smiled as he looked at the house his parents still lived in, the warm inviting house just oozed family, the garden was well looked after with a few children's toys around, the picturesque fence around the edge held that safety to the children was top. Ryan looked at the warm terracotta building and smiled as children ran out screaming Eric's name.

"Unca Eric!" came the screams as the Cuban was swamped with children, all in the same olive skin and black hair. Ryan stepped back out the way, blinking as he felt arms around his leg, he glanced down to see one of the smaller ones looking at him.

"Hola Ryan," came the small voice, Ryan moved to his knee's the child's arms wrapping around his neck in a hug.

"Hola little one," he replied hugging back slightly before looking at the little boy as he placed his hand on Ryan's stomach.

"Ryan big..." he whispered before the babies moved against the little hand, the young boy's eyes widened and called his brothers and sisters to come over as well, all placing their little hands on his stomach, all with looks of wonder across their face's.

Eric couldn't help but smile at the look on his lovers face, he looked so content, but as the minutes past he had to stop it, slowly he helped Ryan stand.

"Come on you lot inside," he called, and the group of children all rushed inside, Ryan leant against Eric slightly as standing had made him go light headed. "You alright?" asked Eric his voice filled concern as Ryan leant heavier against him, he heard footsteps and Horatio was next to him helping to support his lovers weight.

"Just got up a little too fast" mumbled Ryan as he started to come back to himself, standing on his own feet, blushing slightly. Eric shook his head before nodding at Horatio.

"Thanks H," he said, the red head just nodded before moving to help with the bags, leaving Ryan in Eric's care.

Corrinda was looking at them as they came up the path, a look on her face that meant something was wrong and was going to get it. Eric opened his mouth to deny anything before she waved him off, her eyes where on Ryan.

"You haven't eaten yet have you," she said, Ryan's eyes widened as she looked at her.

"Of course I have," his voice hitched as he lied, before looking down to fiddle with his cuff. Eric's eyes looked as his lover before helping him inside, he wasn't gonna leave Ryan to face his mother's wrath alone. Corrinda folded her arms, as she followed them, once he was sat down she glared at him full force, "Okay okay, I wasn't hungry, I just didn't feel like it."

Once he had confessed Corrinda's eyes softened as she tipped his chin up to look at him, nodding at the truth in the green orbs, before she was gone, fussing about getting something for him to eat. Ryan let his head drop back, this was going to be a long couple of days