Chapter 23: Christmas Surprises

Kyle smiled as he watched scary bolt up the stairs excitedly, pulling Jill along with her. He was glad that Carly was so happy. He was also thankful that everyone was going along and keeping her childlike wonder alive for a little while longer.

They entered the house. Everyone was moving around already getting ready for the gift opening. Kendall smiles as Carly ran up to him, hugging him tightly wishing him a merry Christmas. Jill gave him a hug as well. The two then ran over to Miri and Jenny, who were eagerly waiting to open presents as well.

Once everyone had arrived and had found a spot around the living room, presents were passed out. Kendall and James sorted the gifts and Carly and Jill passed them along to everyone else. Once every present was passed out, everyone was given permission to open their presents.

"Hey, did you rewrap the presents that I wrapped," Jared asked Kyle as he watched Jill open her presents.

"No, I wanted to but I didn't," Kyle replied. He glanced over at Jill and noticed the wrapping paper had changed.

"Is this what your sister meant when she said to ask your dad?" Jared asked quietly.

"Probably," Kyle said.

He turned his attention to his own presents. Once he reached the bottom of his pile he saw a small present left. He grabbed it and saw his name scribbled in a messy scrawl that could only belong to one person. He looked up at Jared who was smiling at him.

"I wonder who this could be from," Kyle asked with a grin.

"Just open it," Jared replied, nudging the blonde lightly.

Kyle chuckled and unwrapped the box and opened it. Nestled inside the box was a gold key. He looked at it confused before he looked up at Jared shocked. Jared was smiling at him.

"Is this-are you-" Kyle stammered. He wasn't sure what was going on right now. Was he really giving him a key? What was it for? Did he find a house? He had so many questions right now.

"That is a key to the house I bought for myself, Jill, and Carly, I was hoping you'd join us," Jared said, biting his lip nervously.

"I already assumed that I was," Kyle replied as he leaned over and captured the older man's lips in a sweet kiss. "I mean we practically live together already."

"You don't know how happy that makes me," Jared said quietly.

"Oh I'm sure I do," Kyle said, "thank you, I can't wait."

"Me either, and I already talked to your dads and everything. We are gonna wait to make it "official" until after your birthday," Jared said.

"You've thought of everything haven't you," Kyle asked as he scooted closer to him. He rested his head on his shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jared replied with a goofy smile.

Across the room, Noah and Roldy were sitting together opening their presents. Noah was so happy that everyone was having fun. Keeping Santa alive for Carly was fun. He grabbed another present and opened it. It was a box. Inside the box was clothes and a note. Noah grabbed the note confused. He unfolded it and read it; Due to production time, your Christmas present isn't expected until August.

Noah read the note again. He wasn't sure what was going on. He looked down at the box in his lap. There was a small piece of clothing that read; Our greatest adventure begins! He picked it up and saw that it was a baby onesie. Noah gasped as it all clicked.

"Oh my god," Noah cried jumping up. He looked down at Roldy who was grinning and nodding his head. He stood up as well. "Are you serious?"

Everyone was looking at the couple now. Noah didn't care. He grabbed Roldy and kissed him hard on the lips. Everyone was very confused. Matt jumped up and grabbed the note from Noah and read it out loud.

"Are you guys pregnant," Jake asked.

"Yes," Roldy said smiling.

Everyone was so happy for the couple hugs and congratulations were given. Noah couldn't stop smiling and had a hand on Roldy at all times. He was excited. Everyone knew how bad his baby fever was.

"So, it was Ro?" Jared asked Kyle quietly as they sat back letting everyone surround the couple.

"If I say yes will you drop this?" Kyle asked.

"He didn't tell you did he?" Jared asked.

"I had no idea about Roldy, but please just drop this. I can't say anything, I made a promise," Kyle replied.

Jared put his hands up in surrender. Kyle was thankful for that. He had been bugging Kyle ever since the wedding for him to reveal who took the pregnancy test. Kyle had held true to his word and kept silent. He wasn't going to break that trust.

"Well Ro I guess that makes two of us," Matt said holding up his gift from Penelope. It was a baby bib that read Daddy's Favorite.

"What?" Noah asked looking at Penelope shocked.

"Does this make us pregnancy buddies?" Roldy asked. Penelope laughed and nodded her head.

"That one I knew about," Kyle said nudging Jared.

Another round of congratulations was given to Matt and Penelope. Baby talk was initiated and everyone was excited about the two couples. Noah and Roldy took most of the spotlight, Matt and Penelope were a little quieter about it.

Kyle moved over to Jill and Carly. They both started showing him their haul. They had a lot of cool presents. Jill got a lot of art projects. She was so happy. She loved art and was happy to have more supplies. Carly had gotten slime kits galore, and some soccer equipment. She was really into slime lately, much to Jared's annoyance. They both got some new clothes as well.

"Having fun?" Kyle asked.

"This is so cool, Santa knew where to find us," Carly said excitedly.

"I told you sending that letter would help," Jared replied with a smile. Carly grinned as she started to show him more of her presents.

-Happy Mistakes-

Logan led Carlos away from all the noise in the living room. Everything had quieted down after presents were open. The kids were happy and everyone was content. Logan had a plan of his own. He led Carlos out to the back patio, he was sure to grab their jackets.

"What's this all about?" Carlos asked.

"I just wanted to get away from all the noise in there," Logan said, "and I wanted to give you this in private." He pulled a small box from his pocket. It was wrapped in bright green paper.

"You got me a gift?" Carlos asked taking the box from him. He unwrapped it and opened it. Inside the box was his wedding ring. He looked up at Logan confused. "My ring? I thought I lost it."

"I know what you're thinking, but hear me out," Logan said quickly as he took the ring from the box. "I know we still have a ways to go, but I'm ready if you are."

"I am so ready," Carlos said quickly.

"I guess what I am saying, it Carlos Mitchell will you marry me again," Logan asked.

"Of course," Carlos said taking a step forward and pressing their lips together. "I'd marry you a thousand times. I am ready to move on from this and get back to normal."

"Me too, I want to come home," Logan said.

"Good, I want you home. I think we can work this out," Carlos said nodding his head. He took a few steps closer and pulled Logan into a kiss. He smiled as they parted. "I can't believe that you stole my ring."

"I didn't, Layla did," Logan said.

"You had our daughter in on this?" Carlos asked shocked.

"Both of them," Logan replied.

"The boys too I bet," Carlos chuckled.

"No way, Miles can't keep a secret to save his life," Logan said. "It was Lilly's idea and Layla helped me steal the ring. We worked together on this."

"This is it though, no more running away. I want to stay and work this out. I know we both messed up here. I'm willing to put in the work here," Carlos said.

"I'd do anything for you Los, you know that," Logan said, "remember I almost dropped out of med school for you."

"I never would have let you," Carlos said.

"I came close, after everything with Lucas," Logan said thoughtfully.

"What did he say?"

The pair turned and saw Kendall and James peeking out the back door at them. Logan chuckled and shook his head. Those two were ridiculous.

"They knew too?" Carlos asked.

"I had to tell Kendall, he's my best friend, who can't keep secrets apparently," Logan said.

"Logan we've known each other since the third grade, are you really surprised at this point?" Kendall asked as he strutted over to the two.

"He tells me everything Logan," James said.

"Not everything," Kendall shot back, "there are somethings I don't tell."

"Like what?" James asked eyeing the blonde suspiciously.

"Well like what Logan and I-" Kendall started.

"Are you really going to fall for that trap Ken?" Logan cut the blonde off.

"Maybe," Kendall said turning to Logan with a smile. "You almost had me there."

"I said yes by the way, in case you're still wondering," Carlos said making himself known to the group once more.

"Good, about time," James said.

-Happy Mistakes-

Matt watched as Penelope and Roldy as they talked with Jake, Adam, Damien, and Cooper about babies. They were all excited. Having a baby was an exciting thing. It was a big change.

Matt, however, was not as excited as they were. They had been so careful. He wasn't ready to be a dad. He had even talked with Penelope about this. She was on birth control. She had agreed that kids were not a part of her plan right now. He wanted to know how this happened.

"What the matter Matty?"

Matt turned to face Jared as he sat down beside him. He arched a brow at Jared confused.

"Come on Matt, do I look stupid, I can tell you're not happy about this," Jared said.

"It's not that, it's just a surprise," Matt sighed as he sank back in his seat. "We were just talking not that long ago about how we didn't want kids right now."

"I get that, but these things happen," Jared said.

"I know, I know, I just wasn't expecting this," Matt said.

"Besides you've got No and Ro going through this too," Jared said.

"I just have to let my head wrap around this," Matt replied.

"It's a big adjustment when I first found out about...well you know," Jared said looking down at the ground a frown forming on his face.

"I know Munroe," Matt said knowingly. He knew talking about Sophie was a hard subject for Jared and Kyle. "I'm happy in the way that she's gonna have my baby, but the timing is what's upsetting me. What does this mean for the band? For our tour this summer?"

"We will cross that bridge when we get there," Jared said.

"I just need to wrap my head around this," Matt said, shaking his head. The news still hadn't sunk in completely.

"Just give it time," Jared said, patting his knee.

Penelope approached the pair. She smiled as she held a hand out to Matt. "Can I borrow you for a minute."

"Busted," Jared said as he jumped up and walked away.

"Let's go for a walk," Penelope said.

"Are you mad at me?" Matt asked as she led him out to the hallway.

"No," Penelope said.

She grabbed her coat and slipped it on. She grabbed Matt's and held it out to him. He took it and slipped it on. They exited the cabin together.

"I'm sorry I'm not as excited as Noah," Matt said as they walked along the driveway.

"I knew you weren't going to be that happy. Honestly, I shouldn't have given you that gift that way," Penelope said.

"Pen," Matt sighed.

"I know this isn't ideal. I avoided telling you as long as I could. Hell, Kyle convince me to take another test and we even went to a walk-in clinic the other day. I wanted all those tests to be negative," Penelope said.

"Kyle knew?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, he caught me puking the other night. I told him that I was scared that I was pregnant. He convinced me to take another test. I just wasn't ready to tell anyone else. The other day he cornered me and told me I had to tell you, but I wanted to have a doctor confirm it before I told you," Penelope said.

"I'm not mad, I'm just in shock is all," Matt said. It was the truth. The shock hadn't worn off yet. "We just had the talk about babies and how we weren't ready for all that a few months ago."

"I know, and with my graduation coming up and your tour, I wanted those tests to be negative. I am not ready to be a mom yet," Penelope said.

"You think I'm ready to be a dad?" Matt asked, stopping on his tracks. They both stared at one another before they burst out laughing.

"Can we be scared together?" Penelope asked.

"Yes, we are totally unprepared for this," Matt said nodding his head.

"Completely unprepared," Penelope added.

"Well, there is no one else I'd rather do this with," Matt said taking Penelope's hand in his. "I'll be by your side the whole way."

Penelope smiled at him. She gave his hand a squeeze. "There's no one I'd rather face this with than you Matty."

Matt pulled her close and gave her a kiss. He rested his forehead on hers. They stood there a moment letting this all sink in. This was going to be an adjustment, but with her by his side he could do anything.

—Happy Mistakes—

Jake woke with a start. He heard Eli crying through the baby monitor. He stared at the monitor. He could not bring himself to get out of bed. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was after midnight. Jake just laid there staring at the monitor. He wasn't sure what was wrong. He didn't feel the need to get up and check on the baby.

He felt Damien start to stir. He sat up and looked over at Damien who was rubbing his eyes.

"Eli is crying," Jake said.

"I got it," Damien said sitting up. "Go back to sleep, I got this one."

Damien got out of bed and left the room. Jake sat there staring at where he had left. Damien hadn't realized that he had been awake already. Or had he?

Jake felt a knot form in his stomach. He wasn't sure why, but the sound of Eli crying didn't make him worry. He didn't feel anything for his baby. He didn't have the connection that Damien had with him. He felt like a failure of a parent.

He listened to Damien soothe Eli through the monitor. A wave of guilt washed over him. That should be him soothing his baby. He should want to hold his son. He should want to be near his son. Why was it that he didn't feel connected to him at all. Every time he held Eli, he felt nothing. Eli would do nothing but cry when he held him. Nothing Jake did worked to calm the baby down. He didn't love his own baby.

Soon Damien returned. He crawled into bed next to Jake. He cuddled up next to him. He looked surprised to see him still awake.

"What's wrong?" Damien asked.

"I was waiting for you," Jake said, forcing a smile. He pulled Damien closer. Damein smiled and pressed his face into Jake's neck. "Love you."

"Love you too Jake, now get some sleep," Damien said. He hugged Jake tighter, pressing a kiss to Jake's cheek.