Hardest chapter so far; there are too many Klaine references that I have to change. I miss them.

"When someone truly cares about you, they make an effort; not an excuse."

"Okay… uhmm..." Connor thought a question for Oliver as the couple lounge in the living room. "Am I a morning or night person?" he glanced at his husband who was sitting next to him; head resting on the back of the couch while his husband's legs were propped on the coffee table.

Oliver's fingers were drumming on the bulge of his stomach as he thinks of his answer.

Progress had been made between Connor and Oliver; it had been days since the incident in the office happened, but neither of the two mentioned it afterwards. They settled for shy smiles and stolen glances; neither acknowledging the dynamic shift in their relationship. They were comfortable with their relationship slowly but perfectly blooming.

It's Christmas eve, but the couple opted to celebrate it within the four corners of their apartment. Connor and Oliver already greeted their respective families when they could not join their humble celebration. Gemma have to attend a Christmas Party hosted by her husband's company, Kathy had to take double shifts during Christmas, and Connor's parents went to Italy to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

The newlyweds had already finished their dinner, which was thankfully done by Oliver. They decided to eat the dessert in the living room when Connor came up with a game where he could discreetly gain more information about his husband.

"That's a trick question," Oliver finally decided as he pushed himself up in a sitting position. He took a bite of his Nutella dipped mochi before explaining. "You are neither a day or night person; you do your work base on your mood, not on the time," he stated as a matter of fact.

"No I'm not," Connor denied. 'How do you even know that? I didn't even notice it.' Even Oliver knew more about him than himself.

"Yes you are, Connor. You do things depending on your mood. You have to get comfortable first before you started working, and read those long cases," Oliver stated smugly, and brought the mochi in his hand toward Connor's mouth. "Now eat up, Walsh." He teased him.

Apparently, if one guessed the wrong preference, they would have to eat the food they hate the most. Ironically, Connor admitted that he never liked eating mochi.

"Why is there no dip?" Connor complained, wanting to cover the taste of mochi with the chocolate dip.

"Punishment for you, cheater," Oliver replied and waved the mochi on his husband's face again. "You thought I couldn't answer that, huh?" he asked smugly then removed the mochi from Connor's mouth, deciding a better punishment for him. "Wait! On second thought…" he then scooped his yogurt from the table and dipped the mochi. "Say ahhh…" Oliver instructed as he repositioned himself to feed Connor.

Connor eyed the snack in front of him. "No way! No way am I going to eat that!" He protested, moving Oliver's hand away from him. "No way! Hampton! You eat that."

"Come on Connor. You lose, you have to eat. I drank that Oolong tea you made me," Oliver whined, and placed the food right at Connor's lips. "Open up."

Connor smiled when he remembered Oliver's face when he drank the bitter tea. One thing Connor knew about his husband was that Oliver cannot live without his Caramel soy latte, but since he was not allowed to drink any caffeine while he was pregnant, dipped Mochi were his substitute. Connor finally opened his mouth when Oliver swiped the pickle on his lips; smearing the yogurt down to his chin. He took a big bite to satisfy Oliver's demand and accidentally bit Oliver's fingers.

"Connor…" Oliver whispered; his fingers were still inside Connor's mouth.

Connor made no movement when Oliver called out to him, he just stared back at Oliver. After a few seconds of tasting a tidbit of Oliver, Connor slowly dragged his lips away from the finger; eliciting a silent pop in the process.

"Connor…" Oliver whispered again when he felt Connor moving closer to him.

"Ollie…"

*RING RING RING*

The moment was over when Connor's ring tone resounded in the apartment.

Connor averted his eyes away from Oliver and groaned in frustration. 'Why am I so angry about it? Damn it Walsh! Stop being a pervert! You've just started being friends, don't ruin it.' He calmed himself first before crawling over the coffee table and grabbing his phone. He was just about to accept the call from Gemma when the ringing stopped. He shrugged, not bothering to return the call and resumed his previous position.

The two sat beside each other facing the television, elbows brush as they moved awkwardly in their seats. "So…" Connor prompted and scratched the back of his neck.

"So… am I a Top 40 or classic?" Oliver asked hopefully; dismissing the sudden tension around them.

Connor chuckled to Oliver and answered him seriously. "Classic. Definitely the Classics," he answered proudly.

"How can you be so sure?" Oliver challenged Connor.

Connor knowingly shrugged. "I assumed. I heard you singing the other night." He admitted shyly. He didn't want to invade Oliver's privacy when he saw him sitting on the rocking chair, which was bought by Connor when he found out that it helped in the carriers' blood circulation. Oliver was rocking himself into sleep while rubbing his palms to his bare stomach; having his shirt ride up below his nipples.

Connor knew watching Oliver sleeping was kind of creepy but he couldn't help himself stare at the beautiful image of his husband. "I only heard snippets of it but I think it's from…"

"King and I," they said in unison.

Oliver smiled when Connor guessed it correctly. "It was my mother's lullaby to me when I was little… and I think she wanted me to do it with Mochi, too."

"Can you… uhmm… can you sing it?" Connor asked shyly, he really wanted to hear Oliver properly sing.

"I… don't know." Oliver hesitated, he never sung with an audience before. "I'm not really good," he reasoned out, but nodded afterwards when Connor begged him again. "Fine… fine…" he coughed and repositioned himself comfortably. He faced Connor, closed his eyes and started singing.

I have dreamed that your arms are lovely,

I have dreamed what a joy you'll be.

I have dreamed every word you whisper.

When you're close,

Close to me.

How you look in the glow of evening

I have dreamed and enjoyed the view.

In these dreams I've loved you so

That by now I think I know

What it's like to be loved by you.

I will love being loved by you.

He finished his song and when he opened his eyes, he was surprised when Connor's face was mere inches away from him. "Oliver… that… that was beautiful…" Connor sobbed and slowly leaned forward. He stopped an inch away from Oliver face and deeply looked at the pale man's eyes; silently asking for permission to continue.

Oliver didn't make any movement, just closed his eyes again as an answer to Connor.

Connor was relieved when Oliver allowed him to move forward. He slowly grabbed the back of Oliver's neck, tilted his head and just as their lips were just barely touching, the doorbell rang; disrupting the couple from the much-awaited kiss.

"The fuck now!" Connor complained loudly, making his husband giggle. Oliver was quite glad seeing Connor's reaction when they were interrupted. It just means that Connor really really wanted to kiss him right?

Connor angrily stomped across the living room to answer the door; frustrated that they were once again interrupted. He slammed the door open and revealed the person he didn't want to see yet.

"What are you doing here?" Connor asked incredulously.

"Way to greet your big sis," Gemma ruffled Connor's hair and greeted him, but Connor only left the door wide open for Gemma and did not greet her back. Gemma might have heard his brother grunted a 'Fucking cockblocks' as he left her standing there.

"Merry Christmas!" Oliver greeted her, not able to stand up from his position since he was already squeezed against Connor's chest, but he didn't mind it one bit.

"Merry Christmas to you." Gemma responded as she bent forward and gave Oliver a kiss on the cheeks, and situated herself in the vacant chair. "That's the proper way of greeting, Squirt. Learn from your husband," Gemma lightly scolded Connor.

"If you weren't being a cockblock I would have done so," Connor mumbled to himself. "What are you doing here, Gemma?" he asked, still annoyed at his sister's timing.

"I came bearing gifts," Gemma answered excitedly. "The twins was supposed to do bring you the gifts, but they were so exhausted from the party. They are still sleeping inside the car with George, I just don't want to wake them up, cause it will be a bitch to make them sleep again. I just really wanted to drop these," she said cheerfully and thrusted the paper bags to Connor.

"Oooh… Oh yeah!" Oliver suddenly remembered his gift for Connor, hidden under their couch. He wanted to wait until 12 midnight to give him the gift, but decided differently when Gemma came barging in with their own. He slightly bent over and blindly patted the floor to look for the small box he kept under the couch. "Here it is!" Oliver said, revealing a rectangular red box. "It's for you, Connor. Merry Christmas." He gave the box to Connor and in the moment of bravery he leaned over to kiss Connor on the cheeks.

Connor blushed both to the kiss and to the gift. He didn't expect Oliver to give him a gift after the way he treated him; he hadn't even apologized properly to his husband. He also didn't expect a silver-plated bookmark would be inside the box. The bookmark is shaped like a sword; the handle is embroidered with elegant design, with three crystals in the middle. The body is light and thin with "Tomorrow" encrypted on it. It is sophisticatedly beautiful.

"Uhmmm… I designed it myself."

"Wow! I… uh… Oliver, wow."

"I don't know if you would remember but TOMORROW—"

"I remember," Connor answered for him. "I remember Tomorrow." He smiled mischievously and took his gift from his breast pocket. "Merry Christmas!" He then copied Oliver by kissing him on the cheeks, longer and nearer to Oliver's lips this time.

Oliver opened the box and found a silver locket inside it.

"Open it." Connor gestured.

"Connor… Connor… oh my god! thank you." Oliver sobbed as he saw his father's picture on the left side of the watch. He knew that picture, it was his favorite photo of his father, but it was ruined on the house fire before. "How?" Oliver asked his husband as he inched himself towards him.

Connor once again ignored the question, keeping all his sources to himself, and asked Oliver to turn it around.

Oliver gasped as the word 'Tomorrow' is engraved at the back of it. "You remembered," Oliver said as he looked up to his husband.

"I remembered," Connor nodded, gazing at Oliver.

"So… tomorrow is your thing… or what?" Gemma asked them curiously. She couldn't help but think how adorable Oliver and Connor were together.

Connor and Oliver were startled at Gemma's voice, seemingly forgotten that they had visitor in their home. "Yeah… it's ours," Connor responded as he let Oliver lean against him. His hands were automatically placed on top of his husband's stomach.

Oliver smiled and gave a loud yawn. "Sorry…" he mumbled and situating himself comfortably against Connor. "Too much emotion."

"Sleep baby," Connor whispered and gave Oliver a kiss goodnight on the forehead. He smiled when he felt Oliver even out his breathing—they had been in this situation before for Connor to know that Oliver was already deeply asleep.

"Connor, I'm just gonna go," Gemma whispered as she adored her brother and her brother's husband. "Merry Christmas."

Connor nodded stiffly, afraid to wake Oliver; one of the researches he found was that pregnant men needed more sleep and rest than women did. "Thank you. Merry Christmas, sis. Let yourself out, I'll just bring your gifts on the New Year's Party," Connor quietly said when Gemma left their gifts on the coffee table.

"They're here!" Gemma shouted over her shoulder. "Come on… get in!" She accustomed the newly wed to her home. "They're waiting for you two!" she teased and hung Oliver and Connor's coat on the hanger beside the entrance.

It was the annual Walsh New Year's Eve Party which was being held in Gemma's penthouse. The loft was filled with people that were one way or another related to Connor. Oliver may have identified a few of them from his wedding but most of the people were new to his eyes.

Connor must have felt Oliver's discomfort because he wrapped his arms around his husband and whispered, "It's okay baby, they won't even talk to you… they are just here to kiss up to my dad…" Oliver had met Connor's dad on his wedding day.

Eric Jonathan Walsh, Connor's father, was the polar opposite of Amelia, silent and patient. He was the typical strict uptight lawyer who had made a lot of enemies, but he was the kind of father who was always there to support his family. Granted that Oliver didn't receive the warmest welcome from him, Oliver was still glad that he and his child were even acknowledged as part of the Walsh's.

Connor felt Oliver's tension lessen as Gemma ushered them inside her extravagant living room. "Well, except for my cousins, but you'll be alright, I promise," Connor added when he saw his cousins huddled up in a corner.

Crowded places were never Oliver's scene and he was hesitant to attend this party, but he never voiced his opinion because he thought it would ruin his relationship with Connor if he made any objections. "Do you want to leave?" Connor asked when he saw Oliver's uneasiness. "We can go if you want," he offered Oliver.

"No, I'll be alright. I'm just not used to being in crowded places, that's all," Oliver answered.

Connor nodded and proceeded to help Oliver get situated on the empty Burgundy couch. "Connor, where are you going?" Oliver asked when he looked up to see Connor still standing.

"I'm just gonna go do something first, okay? You'll be alright," Connor said and motioned for Gemma to accompany Oliver in the meantime. "Gemma will be with you, don't mind the others. Enjoy the party," he encouraged and went to the kitchen after he saw Gemma starting a conversation with Oliver.

Connor had been to the couple's penthouse plenty of times and knew where the house' temperature meter was situated. He increased the meter and then placed the paper bag he brought from home on the kitchen counter. He took out the Mongo flavored Mochi from the box and turned around to get a plate from the cabinet when the kitchen door opened.

"It's fucking hot out there!" Asher complained. "Who the hell turn up the temp? Fuck!" Asher shouted when he saw the meter's degree higher than usual. His hand was slapped away from the meter when he tried to adjust it. "The fuck Connor? What did you that for?" he asked incredulously as he cradled his hand.

"Don't touch that Asher! Oliver cannot get cold!" Connor shouted back and returned preparing the Oliver's snacks.

"What are you talking about, Con?" Asher asked and walked towards his best friend, eying the small black buns, which was definitely not part of the menu. "What the fuck is that?"

Connor sighed first before explaining to Asher. "Oliver should always be kept warm," he started as he continued putting the snacks on the plate. "One of the pregnancy books that I've read said that we should avoid going out at night or to chilly places," Connor said like it was normal for him, not noticing his friend's shocked face. "So I've been keeping the car and the apartment warm so it won't affect Oliver's health, so don't change that." Connor finished with a glare towards his brother. "And these are mochi."

"I thought you hated Mochi." Asher stated obviously.

"It's not for me, idiot. It's for my husband," Connor answered him with a grin plastered on his face. "He likes eating Mochi and I assumed that there won't be anything here so I had this special ordered for him," Connor said proudly and lifted the platter to Asher's stunned face. "What?" he asked him when he saw his friend's mouth hanging open.

Gemma shook his head before standing up straight and patting his brother on the shoulder. "Nothing bro, just get back to your husband," he said, stretching the word husband to tease Connor, but Connor didn't get it and just left Asher alone in the kitchen.

'You're already whipped Connor!' Asher thought as he watched Connor from the distant, giddily running back to his husband.

"60…. 59…. 58…."

The countdown for next year began as all the relatives left behind in the penthouse watched the live broadcast of the ball drop in Times Square.

"45… 44… 43…"

Oliver didn't expect to have so much fun at the party. He loved talking to Connor's cousins about his pregnancy, they even cooed at the couple when they addressed the baby as 'Mochi'. He loved listening to Amelia and Gemma gossip about Connor's childhood. But the highlight of his night was when Connor gave him the special Mongo Mochi, it is very rare to see that flavor nowadays. He heard a lot of discreet 'whips' from Connor's cousins and he momentarily panicked that it would embarrass Connor, but fortunately Connor didn't hear—or ignored—it and just sat beside him while he enjoyed his new favorite snack.

"31… 30… 29…"

Now it's just plain awkward; they had just established their title as friends and it's a new year. It's FUCKING New Year's Day. Yeah, they're husbands to the others, but they are still in the process of fixing their relationship. The office kiss and almost kiss last Christmas was never mentioned, silently conceding as a lapse of hormonal sanity. But now they were in front of their family, and you are expected to kiss your husband on New Year, right?

"11… 10… 9…"

Still seated on the Burgundy couch, Connor couldn't help but cup Oliver's cheek when he heard '3' shouted from his relatives. He knew there was sexual tension between them for the past couple of days, and he thought that by kissing Oliver tonight would dispel it, so they can now work more on their friendship.

"2… 1… Happy New Year!"

Connor didn't hesitate to put his lips on Oliver's when he saw Oliver closed his eyes, anticipating Connor's chaste kiss. Connor moved his lips on Oliver and was glad that Oliver was reciprocating. He parted his lips so he could take Oliver's lower lip between them, eliciting a small groan from the pale man. And that did it to Connor, he grabbed Oliver's neck to pull him closer and he felt Oliver's hand rubbing on his back. He parted Oliver's lips with his own and plunged his tongue inside his mouth, tasting every bit of Oliver, he tasted like Mochi and cream and just plain Oliver.

They didn't hear the wolf whistle or 'hot damn' their families were shouting at them. They were too busy staring at each other's lips to notice them.

"We're going home," Connor announced, locking his eyes on Oliver's to be sure he knew what he had meant. When Oliver gave him a shy nod of his head, he frantically helped Oliver to stand up and retrieved their coats from the closet.

"Happy New Year everybody!" Connor shouted happily over his shoulder as he ushered Oliver to the exit, ignoring the shouts of 'Get some Walsh!' 'Wanky' & 'Damn that boy is lucky' from his perverted cousins and 'Make me more grandchildren, Connor' from his mother.

They had been about to enter the apartment when Connor turned Oliver around and kissed him passionately, tangling their tongues together. Oliver then wrapped his arms around Connor's neck as they enter the loft, never breaking their kiss as they quickly stripped each other's clothes off on their way to Connor's room. Things became hazy when he felt Connor's warm hand grab his naked erection and stroke it slowly. He felt the hands move under his thighs as he was being lifted from the floor, depositing him on the bed. Oliver wanted those hands back where they had been, caressing his needy cock once again.

He was naked on the edge of Connor's bed, feet slightly touching the floor, while an extremely gorgeous naked Connor was humping him while sucking his nipples.

"Connor… Connor…" Oliver moaned as he felt his erect cock rub against Connor's. "Connor please…" he pleaded.

Connor knew what Oliver wanted and crawled over him to reach over to his nightstand to take out the bottle of lube. He didn't expect for Oliver, positioned beneath him, to suck his dick.

"Baby… baby…" Connor was now doing the pleading. He stayed in his position where he was almost straddling Oliver's head as Oliver suck on his cock. "Fuck, baby!"

Oliver continued to suck Connor's dick until it was fully erected. "So good."

"Baby stop… I want to fuck you right now… nghhh… I can't do that if you're going to suck me… arghhh." Connor explained between gasps. Thankfully Oliver stopped sucking Connor and let him get back to his previous endeavor.

Connor kissed Oliver's lips before going back to his previous position. He was standing on the floor while his knees were leaning against the edge of the bed. He grabbed both of Oliver's knees to bend him upwards and slowly entered Oliver. This was the best position they could ever think of so they wouldn't squeeze Oliver's belly as they fuck.

"Move… Connor... please…" Oliver pleaded as he tried to reach Connor's biceps. "Harder… more…"

"You're so tight." Connor said as he thrust deeply into Oliver, trying to find the little nub of happiness. "Say my name baby, say my name."

"Connor! Connor! faster! Connor!" his voice getting louder as Connor's thrust was gaining speed.

Connor smiled smugly when he found Oliver's prostate. "There! Connor! Harder! Please!" he shouted and couldn't help but move his hips rhythmically with Connor's thrust.

That night the sounds of Connor's bed slamming on the wall, skin slapping on skin and the shouts of pleasure from the two lovers resounded the apartment.

"Good morning." Connor greeted his husband and brushed a strand of hair away from his eyes. He then smiled as he took in his husband's body glowing from the sunlight.

"Morning," Oliver returned the greeting and raised his hands over his head to stretch his arms. Mid-yawn, he realized that he wasn't in his room and wasn't wearing any clothes. He froze and slowly glanced at himself then lay sideways to face his husband. "Hi," he said when he saw Connor's bare chest.

"Hello." Connor said, still testing the waters. "Are you… uhmm… sore?" he asked because they were pretty rough yesterday and he needed to find out if Oliver was fine.

"Yeah… little sore," he said truthfully but regretted it immediately when he saw Connor's worried look. "Good sore. Definitely good sore," Oliver said to reassure his husband.

"Definitely good sore?" Connor asked with one brow quirked. "It was that good?" he teased.

"It was great." Oliver said smugly instead of being embarrassed.

Connor grinned and inched forward to give his husband a morning kiss, but his lips were met with the backs of Oliver's hands.

"Morning breath," he explained to Connor's confused look and pushed Connor from him, grabbing the blanket to cover his body and ran towards the bathroom.

Connor chuckled at Oliver's antics and lay there naked as he revisited last night's events.

"We need to talk."

"We have to talk."

They said it simultaneously. They were in the doorway of the apartment as Connor prepared to leave for his office, even though he wanted to stay home - being the boss also has its disadvantages sometimes.

"Okay," they now said in unison. The two men chuckled before Connor stepped closer to Oliver.

"After work?" he asked flirtatiously.

"After work," Oliver agreed then beamed at him as he brushed invisible thread from Connor's jacket.

"I never got my morning kiss…" Connor half-heartedly complained and pouted at Oliver.

Oliver pecked his pouty lips and patted Connor's chest. "Off you go now."

"How about my goodbye kiss?" Connor asked again. Oliver rolled his eyes and leaned over to give Connor another peck, but Connor was adamant about getting a proper kiss so he grabbed his husband's neck and took advantage of Oliver's open mouth by pushing his tongue inside it. A simple goodbye kiss turned out to a make out session.

"You have to go now," Oliver said when they pulled apart for air, but couldn't help giving another firm kiss to Connor's mouth.

"I'll see you later." Connor grinned and opened the door, thinking happily. 'Things are getting better.'

…Or so he thought.

He didn't expect to have an arm full of Julian when he opened their apartment's door. He was completely frozen when Julian cradled his face, kissed him and greeted him a happy new year. And he didn't even hear him when Julian asked who was the guy behind him.

But his frozen state melted when he heard his husband answered. "I'm his housekeeper."

Title Reference:

-The Help – reference for Oliver's answer when he asked who he was

Story Outline:

-dress up for party (deleted)

-Gemma teasing Connor for being whipped

-fierce granpa liking Oliver (deleted)

-misteletoe kiss (modified to new year's)

-20 with wine and chocolate (modified to rather be)

-sex

-goodbye kiss

-Julian returns

Scenes Included:

-"courage" engrave in locker

-Connor knowing about pregnancy facts

Chapter Reference to:

- King and I is the broadway musical that Conrad did. His character is Lun Tha.

I don't really know how to write a love scene so pardon me guys.

Trivia: The story outline was written ages ago, so I didn't know that the Christmas chapter will also be published on real life's Christmas week. I swear guys, it's just pure coincidence.

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