25th Christmas
"Right, I do not know who is to blame so I am considering closing down Christmas so no one wins" Walt was enraged as he looked at his two sons, the little girl having the sense to hug Cutis's legs from behind and pretend she was invisible as the room full of confetti still wafted around them, well .. not really confetti … more like … shredded paper.
Ben glanced at Penny who looked like he was going to cry and then he sighed, "Me. I did it. Was a silly game. I'll go to the step."
Penny's face betrayed the lie, moving to stop his bother "No. It was me. You know it was … I will go to the step."
Curtis sighed as he watched the two boys fight over who would be punished for opening the few gifts under the tree already, little hands tightening their grip. He looked down "Gracie? Want to say something poppet?"
She looked up with huge eyes. He knew and looked at her patently "Baby? Was it you? Did those massive hands do bad things before you cold sop them? Hmmm … the terrible twos."
She sighed theatrically as she inspected her hands and nodded "Yeah. Sowwwwy. Dey bad."
"Well … the step waits. Good thing you don't know where Santa left the real ones then" Curtis said and her face changed to one of shock. "what. Think he's never encountered a Gracie before? Oh no. When he dropped off the sack in the night he put it in our room so it would be safe. He told me little two year olds sometimes do weird things. He thought it was funny."
Walt smiled, the Santa in question had a distinctive welsh accent as well as the most kicking three inch heels on while imparting wisdom in his Mrs Claws outfit that had Curt gaping openly with shock. Seems she had been caught peeking at the other house too but Ianto had an eagle-eyes gift protector who had gently steered her away. Toninator sees everything!
"Come on … timeout, then we have breakfast …. Then gifts. I think the wait knowing they are there will be more than punishment enough really. Fibbing gets the step too, even if it was for a noble cause like protecting your sister" Walt clapped his hands at the kids who all moved to the step, the little girl settling on Ben's lap as he cuddled her protectively.
"For a child who is never naughty, when she decides to break with tradition she goes all out, doesn't she" Curt whispered as he started to crawl around on all fours picking up pieces of wrapping paper.
"Babe, go get the spare washing basket and put it to one side for the wrap. Lots more will hit the floor today. Wait until we go next door … Tad will have it immaculate even if Sam and Fen's place will be worse than ours."
"I just hate the thought of mess" Curt sighed, Walt feeling a rush of affection for his husband as he drew him in for a kiss.
"With you my love … it is never a problem. You make it all perfect, really."
"Sappy Mister Harkness-Jones" Curt sniffed, his face glowing with love as he took another kiss "So sappy. You know … I bet your Dad is telling your Tad the same thing right now!"
"Nah. Tad will be scolding him for paying on the floor with the babies instead of helping clear away the wrap. Dad probably has at least one bow in his hair and robbing around his neck. They will have been up at the sparrows fart with Ton on the case, already putting the Turkey in the oven."
"Mmmmmmmm. I love Christmas dinner at your parent's" Curt smiled, kissing Walt and slapping at his arse before moving away "Gotta check if the jellies set. I am on dessert this year!"
Walt hummed as he got the broom to sweep things to one side, then got the sack of stuff.
As per usual … Tad had called the madness.