A/N: For some reason, when I start writing Hector and Mark, I can't stop, so this is a two-parter. Also, 'A Mother's Lament' will be last. I fiddled with it.

The True Meaning of the Season, Part I

Mark's POV

"Everything OK?" Nikki asks.

"Yeah." I'm flipping through the channels. I'm stuck in NYC overnight and I'm bunking in Javi's on-site apartment with Mack and his sons. Mack's staring at me and I have to admit, his pissed off face is pretty impressive. I'm keeping a close eye on his hands. I've heard about his fondness for shivs. "Why?"

"Because Hector had a completely shit day and I know you're there in NYC. I got worried."

My girlfriend is wonderful. This is the best part of my day: talking to Nikki. Nikki's no nonsense attitude cuts through the bullshit and minutiae to get straight to the point. She's sanity when everything around me is insane.

I'm beginning to see why Mando worships Mari (besides the obvious): Mari is the same with Mando. I used to wince listening to her dissect what was going on. Now, with Nikki, I'm in awe of that skill and grateful someone's willing to use it on my behalf.

I hand Mack the remote and walk into the kitchen. "I narrowly avoided being fired today." I hear a snort from the living room.

She sucks in a breath. "Why?"

I chuckle and pour myself a large glass of water. "Get comfortable, baby. Let me tell you the full story."

—oOo—

"So, you acted like a prejudiced, sexist ass to her when she first started and she chose to keep you in your position instead of firing you?"

I moved to Javi's office for this confession. Mack didn't want to let me in, but Javi OK'd it when I told him I needed some privacy. I'm staring out into Brooklyn again, grateful I'm leaving on the first train back to Boston.

"I prefer jealous and paranoid ass."

Nikki laughs then grows quiet. "She's better than me. I would have fired you in a heartbeat."

"Thanks."

"Sorry, but I don't deal with disrespect well. I have a son to take care of and his mommy needs to keep her job. Now, that stuff you told me. Is that really her background?"

"Yes."

"Wow."

"Yeah."

"And she was Hector's partner?"

"Yes."

"Why?! My cousin is paranoid about staying alive. I don't get it."

Thank you! "Neither could anyone else. It was a complete fucking mystery."

We're both quiet for a moment.

"Well, the fact that he kept her as a partner should've been a signal to the entire company that she couldn't be as bad as the rumors. Hec refused to take a partner for five years then he partners with Stephanie? No, there was more to that move."

"I'd love to know what it was."

She snorts. "It's Hec. We may never know."

Again, we're quiet. The lights of Manhattan are twinkling at me. This is one of those iconic views of NYC that inspires people to move here and, at times like this, I can almost understand why people move here.

Then I walk outside and I remember why I'd rather not.

"Hector is joining us for Christmas."

"I know. He asked."

"He asked?"

"In that way that only your cousin can."

She laughs. I smile. I'm starting to like Hector.

When he isn't going out of his way to terrify me.

—oOo—

My return to Boston is heralded. My men are relieved to know I wasn't fired and they're tempted to throw a party. Pat and Rod are thrilled too, but I pull them into my office and let them know that my demotion will be announced soon.

They both collapse in my chairs stunned. The knowledge that Junior, from Trenton, is coming to oversee the office for six months does not help. Trenton leadership still despises us and there's no getting around that.

Junior calls me Friday afternoon to tell me that news of his arrival will hit the day after Christmas. He would appreciate some of my time between Christmas and New Years to learn the office, the men, and whatever he needs to know to take over.

"And my status?"

"I've heard nothing yet."

Then who does know? "Fine. As XO of Boston, I want to make this perfectly clear: You are free to dislike the Core Team as much as you want, but don't dare take an attitude with my men. They haven't earned it and they don't deserve it."

Junior is silent for a long time.

"I don't visit the sins of the father on the sons."

"Thank you. I'll find you a corporate apartment if you send me a list of your needs."

"Thanks." Click.

I think about it and call Tank.

"Sir?"

"Mark."

"When do I need to report to Miami, sir?"

"January 2nd. We're still making arrangements."

"I intended to put my house on the market in the New Year."

"Do that."

Ranger.

"Sir?"

"Shut down your life in Boston. You won't return there. Tell Victor so he can decide if he's coming with you or staying there." Click.

I spend the rest of the afternoon looking out of my window.

I'm going to miss Boston. I never thought I would.

—oOo—

"So, you're still employed, you were demoted, but you have no idea what you're going to be doing in Miami?"

Victor is on his fourth brandy. I'm still chewing on the ice from my first. Vic was supposed to be off today but I told him I needed to talk to him ASAP. I decided to get the pain over with all at once and called Mando too. I'm joining his office as a regular RangeMan. He should know.

"Yeah."

He stares out of my window contemplatively. Mando is on speaker, in shock.

"No." Vic and I stare at the phone. "No, Ranger has something else in mind, bro."

"Mando—"

"He said you were no longer the XO for Boston, correct?"

"Yeah."

"He never said you were demoted. He just said you were no longer XO for Boston."

"Sounds like a demotion to me." I finish my brandied ice cubes and ignore the tears.

"That's because you don't know how to parse a sentence," Vic says, smiling. "Mando's right. You forfeited your bonus check, you're no longer XO for Boston, but he didn't say you were demoted. He said he was going to give you a chance to redeem yourself. What do you think, Mando?"

"I think Mark had better start learning how to run a bonds office. I think he's going to have you run Miami, where he and Les can watch you."

I'm gaping at the phone. "You're insane."

"No, that's what Steph did. Even after all the shit you did, she left you in your position to rebuild your office. The only office that needs a rebuild now is mine. He'll be back in March, Les is going to be in Miami, Stephanie has moved to Miami so Hector will be there, basically you're going to have a lot of eyes on you. You're moving to Miami, buckeye, to take over. Ranger wants to see you in action so please don't fuck up my office."

We need to assess you as you assessed the CO.

Holy … could they be right? In charge of Ranger's home branch? With Les watching me?

"Damn, I'm going to miss shoveling snow," Victor says, looking gleeful. Finally! After five years in 'Siberia', he's headed back to Florida. He's thrilled.

These two are insane. After how badly I fucked up? No way will Ranger do something like that.

I pour a second brandy and allow myself a moment's hope that he will.

—oOo—

I hire a maid service to get my house clean on Friday. I bribe Jen to help me buy sheets and pillows for the house on Saturday.

I'm a bachelor. I have two sets of sheets, two towels, and basic amenities. I pretty much live at RangeMan. Nikki's home was the epitome of comfort. I'd at least like her to think I'm civilized.

Jen comes over to survey the house before we go shopping and I hold Dani while she makes her lists. Pat's daughter is beautiful. Her big brown eyes and curls make me smile. She seems to enjoy trying to grab my nose. What is it with babies and noses?

"Mark, you're sad," she says, checking my closets. "OK, so there's your girlfriend, her son, and the cousin?"

"Yes."

"The girlfriend is sleeping with you, I guess."

"Yes." I hope so. In my bed, very little sleeping. That's my plan.

"You want to get a real bed for your guests or are you going to really make them sleep on this futon?" I give Jen a look. She laughs. "You're thirty and your home looks like a college student's apartment."

I'm thirty and have nearly three million dollars in liquid and non-liquid assets. I was saving for a partnership. Anything I didn't need to buy I didn't. Every bonus, every raise, every spare penny went to putting myself in a position to purchase my partnership someday.

Jen tsks over my pantry (basics), linen closet (Oh, is that what that is? Seemed like an ideal place to put a gun cabinet.), and bedrooms. It's a small two bedroom, two bath house in Medford that I purchased my home from my parents, who bought this house in '98 for $33K. I bought it for $100K and now you can't buy in this neighborhood for less than half a million. If Zillow is anything to go buy, I can comfortably put this house on the market for $450K. My only luxury is my car. I own a Volvo XC90, in Flamenco Red (OSU for life!) and it's probably the flashiest thing about me.

Jen convinces me to buy a real bed for Manny and Hector to sleep on and we purchase a small fortune in sheets, pillows, and towels. I leave Jen at my house and hit a grocery store to purchase everything I need for a week's worth of meals. Nikki and Manny are supposed to arrive Sunday and stay until Saturday night. Hector will arrive Monday and leave Saturday.

I'm really looking forward to having guests who will do something besides get drunk and play poker. Or, in my parents' case, snoop into my life.

A few gifts arrive by mail and I put them in my bedroom until I get a tree. By Saturday night, my house looks ready for guests and I'm ready to see Nikki and Manny.

I stocked up on condoms and crayons.

—oOo—

"Mark! Mark, Mark, Mark!"

Manny spots me at baggage claim and immediately runs for me. I pick him up and twirl him in the air, delighted to see him again. I really like this little boy.

And his mother. Nikki's gotten a haircut, she's wearing square frames, and a beautiful white cable knit sweater. She looks like an advertisement for winter fun. I like to have fun.

Logan is not the place to have an erection, Mark. Calm down.

"Had enough of sitting still on the plane?"

"Si! It went up in the air and Mommy made me eat a sucker and my ears popped"—he rubs them. I try not to smile.—"and we flew for a long time and look! The lady gave me wings!" He has a pair of flight wings pinned to his shirt and is looking around everywhere, his eyes big. He's taking in everything about Logan and I turn slowly to he can see.

"You must have been a great flyer! They only give those to kids who are good flyers." I wonder how Nikki would feel about me taking him up in my plane.

"Really?" He turns to Nikki. "Mommy! Mark said I'm a good flyer! I like to fly, Mommy. Can we fly more? Are we gonna fly home, Mommy?"

Manny's questions are rapid-fire and I smile at Nikki. She rolls her eyes and pulls me closer for a kiss. Manny still doesn't like kisses and wiggles out of my arms and slides down my body. Nikki tells him not to move and he holds on to my pants leg, making 'icky' noises from the vicinity of my knees.

"Hey."

"Hey."

It's amazing. I've never known anything like what I feel for Nikki. I want to pull her beside me and protect her from the entire world. I want to be a hero to her and Manny. I want to wipe her tears and make her laugh and feel better. I want to make her smile.

I want to get her naked and wet as fast as possible. We don't have a lot of time together. I'd like to make it count.

"Missed you too," she murmurs, stroking my chest. She glances down and I can feel my ears heating up. "The sight of me?"

"It's gotten a little more urgent in the last few minutes." She laughs. Manny's holding onto my leg, Nikki's stroking my chest, it's just the right moment.

"Mark?"

For my ex-fiancee to show up. Is it possible for anything to happen in my life in the right way? I stiffen, not really willing to turn around and acknowledge her, but Nikki peeks behind me then lifts her eyes to me, as if to say You intend to speak to her?

No. I really don't want to. She's part of my past and I want to leave her right where she is: behind me.

"Well, well, well. It is you! You managed to leave the RangeMan building long enough to …"

Brenna stops. I finally turn around to see why and notice she's not staring at me. She's looking at Manny and she's doing the math. Her cool blue eyes lift back to me in a fury.

"Well, now I finally see why you never had time for me."

"No, actually you still don't," I reply coolly, picking Manny up. "Let's get the suitcases, huh?"

"Yay!" He wiggles around until he can see the baggage belt. I take Nikki's hand and tug gently. She follows without a word until we get into a good position at baggage claim.

"Ex?"

"Yes."

Nikki laughs and curls into my arm. "She thought Manny was yours?"

"I guess so."

"Says a lot about her."

"Another reason I'm glad I didn't marry her."

—oOo—

Nikki's assessing my house. I'm waiting on the verdict.

Manny's running at full speed, investigating everything. It occurred to me, late last night, that Nikki had childproof locks on nearly every cabinet, so I stayed up late childproofing everything. Good move; Manny's tried to get into every cabinet at his level that he could. God, he amazes me. He wants to know. Watching him makes me smile.

"Cute."

"It's not as nice as your place."

She laughs, looking through my kitchen cabinets. "My place is too big. I'd prefer to live in a house this big." She puts the hot chocolate mix on the counter and Manny's eyes go to it immediately. He abandons his attempts to open my lower cabinets in favor of standing in front of the hot chocolate, his head barely reaching the top of the cabinets, and jumping in place to keep his gaze fixed on the container.

Nikki and I share a smile at his single-minded interest.

"I love your townhouse."

"Cindy has the mindset 'Buy once and buy right.' She sees me living in that house for the rest of my life."

"Not a bad idea."

While Nikki takes a shower and unpacks, I make the hot chocolate and search for a good healthy snack for Manny to enjoy. I hold up the baby carrots and he nods so that's what we have. Nikki joins us in tight leggings and a tank top and I pass her a mug of chocolate.

She takes a carrot and chews thoughtfully.

"I saw the stash."

I know my ears turn red. "Stash?"

She gives me a saucy smile. "His N-A-P is in thirty minutes."

"Is that an invitation?"

"Well, if you like."

I glance down her top. "How long is that N-A-P?"

"Nap," Manny mutters, dunking his carrots in the hot chocolate. "I don't wanna take a nap. Mommy, I don't wanna take a nap. Naps are for babies. I don't need a nap."

Nikki and I smile.

Manny is asleep thirty-five minutes later.

Nikki and I are naked and writhing five minutes after that.

—oOo—

I spend most of the day is a sex-tinged haze. Her body is so beautiful, all curves and dips and soft skin to stroke, that I'm addicted to seeing her naked. Having her naked in my sheets? I'd love to take some pics of this, to remember how beautiful she looks with her hair spread across my pillows, her body flushed and dewy, her smile encouraging me to take her to ecstasy again. Nikki's aggressive in bed and I love it. I love that she's not just lying on her back waiting for me to do everything. We have fun in bed and I know when I'm hitting it just right. She leaves me in no doubt of her pleasure.

And that encourages me to keep her happy and screaming for me.

Eventually, Manny wakes up and we're forced to scramble for our clothes and be adults, be … parents … again. I follow her lead and try to learn more about this little boy who already has a special place in my heart. I learn that he's curious about everything. He wants to know. It's a hunger in him, more than any other child I've ever seen. Nikki does a great job of trying to answer his questions but I can see that Manny easily taxes her patience. He has more questions than she has answers.

My parents would love him. They'd ask him just as many questions as he'd ask them, which makes me laugh inside.

Nikki puts Manny on the phone with Hector and I have the unique experience of listening to another man parent a child. I've watched all the fathers in my branch, especially men like Mike and Rod, who are great Dads. I've tried to learn as much as I could, especially lately. I love my Dad, but being a research subject didn't exactly endear me to be … open … with him. I've learned that listening is half the job and, listening to Hector, the lesson is reinforced. Hector asks questions but he mostly listens to Manny talk. The conversation goes all over the place and I can barely follow along.

I learn something new every day.

"How does Hector do it?" I whisper to Nikki.

She's half asleep. "Hell if I know," she replies. "Hector and Manny have always had a special connection, ever since he was a baby. Hector was my primary babysitter during Manny's first year."

"Why?"

She yawns and curls up in my lap. "I was a college sophomore when I got pregnant." She blushes.

"I didn't say anything."

"I know. Anyway, Hector refused to allow me to quit. I was too smart, he said, so he moved to Atlanta and took care of me. He'd just started at RangeMan."

I remember that. Everyone had heard about the Hispanic hit man Ranger had hired and no one knew what to think about that. Then men started meeting him and the word went out: Hector Gutierrez is scary as hell! Don't fuck with him!

"So I had Manny and Hector took care of us and forced me to go to class. I thought he was a bastard. I'd just had a baby. I wanted to stay home with my baby!" She yawns again and gets comfortable, which seems to mean 'grind my butt into Mark's lap and make him pant'. "The most he'd allow me to do was cut back my hours, but he made me take a full load and go to class every semester. He took care of Manny and he was Daddy. Manny's daddy? Asshole."

"So he's Daddy." Grind one more time, Nikki, and Manny's getting a sibling.

"Yeah. He's never allowed Manny to call him Daddy, not since he learned to speak, because Manny had a daddy and he didn't want to overstep." She smiles as if she heard that thought and grinds again. I grit my teeth and pull her close.

"But Daddy is dead."

She lifts her head. "You say that as a statement."

I raise a brow. "I heard he died."

"Yeah, he did."

We both ignore the obvious elephant there. We both know how he died and I, for one, do not blame Hector one bit.

Nikki falls asleep, having ground me into a state of furious wanting, also known as 'blue balls'. Tease.

Eventually, Manny falls asleep and I pick up the phone.

"Hector?"

"Mark?"

"He's asleep."

"I assumed so."

"Where are you?"

"Richmond. Halfway there. I'm stopping soon."

"OK. We'll see you tomorrow."

"Right. I should be there around noon." Click.

I cover both of my guests, the newest, most important people in my life, with blankets and get started on some RangeMan work.

—oOo—

After a nap, and a quick snack, Manny's back at it. Books, questions, his energy is back in force. I take him to the park in my neighborhood and we play tag and make more snow angels. I give him a rudimentary lesson on where snow comes from and how it's made then stop him from licking it. Yes, it's water from the sky but that doesn't mean it's clean!

We troop back to the house, where Nikki meets us with a smile and hot drinks. I sit on the couch, Manny in my lap, and listen as he reads me a story from his books. Nikki curls up next to me, her soft brown hair on my shoulder. I stroke the side of her breast absentmindedly and she slides her hand up the back of my shirt and strokes right above the waistband of my pants.

I have to concentrate on my breathing to keep from attacking her on the couch.

By the time we get Manny in the bed for the night, I'm ready all over again. So is Nikki. The sheets are off my bed and we're both panting when we hear the cry from the guest bedroom at 0100.

I throw on my sleep pants and jog to the spare bedroom. "Manny?"

I turn on the bedside lamp and Manny's sitting up, huge tears rolling down his face. He launches himself into my arms and cries harder.

Nikki walks in, in my robe, and takes Manny in her arms. "What's wrong, Mijo?" He shakes his head and buries his face in his Mommy's chest. "Bad dream?" No. She pats the bed. "Well, you're a big boy. The bed is still dry." He hiccups and tries to smile.

"Lonely?" I ask. He nods and I glance at Nikki.

"I think our night is over." I stand and stretch. "I'll clean our bedroom."

"You sure?"

I kiss her forehead. "This would be my life, right?" She nods. "Well, I'm not running from it."

I leave and put fresh sheets on my bed. Nikki walks in and we put Manny between us. He's asleep in minutes.

"I just realized that whenever he's slept in a new place, either Hector or I slept with him. He's never slept alone in a new house," she whispers.

I stroke his curls back from his forehead and sigh. "Ah."

Hector will be here tomorrow. I wonder how thin my walls are.

—oOo—

I agreed to wait until Hector got here before buying a Christmas tree, but Nikki actually measures how much space I have. "I love trimming the Christmas tree. This, and tamales, signaled Christmas for me as a kid," she says, writing down her measurements. I pull my box of newly acquired trimmings over and she starts digging through.

"So, how big can we go?"

"Eight feet high. About two to three feet wide." She sounds disappointed.

"Doesn't sound that big."

"Your house was built when?"

"1950s."

"Yeah. The ceilings aren't high enough for a big tree. I could probably get a ten to twelve footer in my townhouse. It'll still seem like a huge tree to Manny and it'll just reinforce how big you are." She smiles. "The giant in his world." I laugh. "But, I have to give you a thumbs up on the decorations. These are beautiful." She lifts a glass bulb and smiles.

"Thanks. My family usually does gingerbread and candy canes on the tree too." I smile, remembering how great the tree smelled. "That way, Mom baked her gingerbread, but it didn't go to waste in a gingerbread house that tasted like cardboard and was held together by a frosting that could double as spackle."

Nikki laughs. "Does this mean you'll teach me to make gingerbread?"

"I think this means you and I can try to replicate the recipe I had my mom email."

"Mommy! Mommy! It's Tio! Tio's here." Manny streaks by us and right out of the door before either of us can catch him. I wonder if my ears are going bad because I look out of the window and he's right; Hector's just pulling into the driveway. I never heard him approach.

"Told you. Special connection," Nikki says, tugging me outside.

Manny's the most effective alarm system I've ever seen. Over the course of the morning, I heard about a dog in my front yard, the mailman, a cat, a bird (the bird kept flying at the window. Nikki and I snickered; the word 'birdbrain' now makes total sense.), another dog, and the snow. I spent an hour outside with Manny trying to build a snowman while Nikki took pictures and mocked us.

We threw snowballs at her. It was two on one and Manny's good at dive bombing his Mommy.

Hector opens his car door carefully, picks Manny up and twirls him around, listening to him squeal. Nikki and I walk over to say hello.

Hector's eyes immediately land on our hands and he seems to mentally roll his eyes. "Mark. Nikki."

Nikki gets a kiss; I get a pointed look.

"Hector. Welcome to my home."

"Thank you. Merry Christmas, Mark."

"Merry Christmas, Hector."

Manny has Hector's computer bag and Hector has his suitcase. Manny's telling his Tio all about the tree and all the animals he saw and his snow angel and reading and the scary noises he heard last night. They woke him up. Mark has monsters in the house and they're gonna eat him. He's scared. Mark and Mommy let him sleep in their bed but he's scared the monsters will try to eat everyone tonight.

I'm sure I'm brick red. Nikki's red too. Hector looks at both of us, then Manny, and barely holds his composure.

"Mijo, I'll check for monsters, I promise. Now, were they loud scary monsters? Did they make growly noises? Did—"

"Enough, primo," Nikki mutters, embarrassed.

"What? I have to know what kind of monsters I'm fighting! I don't want them to eat my precious Mijo!" Manny's eyes are wide. "Don't worry, Mijo. I'll never let them eat you or Mommy or Mark."

Manny takes Hector's hand and drags him into the spare bedroom. Hector makes a great show of checking under the bed and in the closets, every nook and cranny, to find the 'monsters'.

Nikki and I ignore Hector as he expands his 'monster' search all over my house. I look down at Manny, at his anxious little face, and remind myself that he didn't know he'd given his Tio a perfect reason to go snooping in my house. Thankfully, Hector is respectful and limits his search to things easily seen once he leaves the spare bedroom.

"Nice home."

"Thank you."

"Mijo?"

"Yes, Tio?"

Hector crouches down to Manny's eye level. "How about this? I'll sleep in the bed with you tonight and if there are any monsters, I'll scare them off. OK?"

Manny looks toward the bedroom apprehensively then looks back at Hector. "OK, Tio."

"I won't let them get you. I promise."

"OK." He heads back to my living room to look out of my window.

I wait to hear what Hector will say.

"I bought a white noise machine and earplugs, just in case." Nikki and I stare at him. "Keep it down and Manny and I won't hear you."

"Thanks, primo."

He walks in the spare, closes the door, and laughs. No, there's laughing and there's what Hector's doing. Nikki and I stare at each other.

"I feel guilty we scared Manny but I don't feel guilty about what we were doing."

"Same here."

"But if your cousin doesn't stop laughing—"

"I can't wait for him to get Manolo laid." She shakes her head in annoyance. "I'm waiting on that day."

"I'll make sure to add some soundproofing inside the walls." I'll need to add some to whatever apartment I take in Miami too. Monsters?

"Good idea," Nikki says, pursing her lips. "Still, Cousin Cockblock needs more to do at night."

Hector walks out wiping his face. "Thanks. I needed that. Anyway, you're still selling?" I nod. Nikki looks at me in concern. "You'll have a roommate in Miami."

"Yeah. Les. I know."

"Les won't be there most of the first month. He's headed to the Bahamas."

"Oh."

Nikki starts laughing. "Ay Dios! The two of you under one roof? Does Les have insurance?"

I glance at Hector in horror. He smiles.

"And at some point, Les will join us."

I leave and walk into my kitchen. I need a brandy for that news.

No man should have to hear that sober.

—oOo—

Hector's POV

Monsters! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

They'll never live this one down. I'll make sure of it.

I've snooped into Mark's background and past as much as I dare. What I've learned is … reassuring.

His record at RangeMan (minus his asshole treatment of just about everyone until four months ago) is excellent. Whatever anyone wants to say about him, he grew the company and Boston for five solid years. He's no idiot. His parents are widely respected child psychologists and he's an only child. Honor student in high school and college and Ranger says his military record was superb. Mark's intellectual abilities are far better than his 'emotional' ones except where children are concerned. Kids seem to love him.

Well, an explanation for him and Nikki and him and Angelita. Nikki's wonderful when it comes to understanding people emotionally, but Angelita is the master. No wonder each found something in Mark to like.

Mark's definitely put himself in a good financial position too. His only debt is his house and he took out a fifteen year mortgage to pay for that. He's nearly done, ahead of schedule and he pays for most things in cash. Not bad. He definitely lives well below his means. Engaged once, but it was broken off and now he's involved with Nikki.

And they're clearly in love with each other.

I've been watching them for an hour and they're affectionate and considerate. They tease each other and smile at each other regardless of who is in the room. He's stocked his fridge with her favorite yogurt, OJ, and cereal and he has her bath gel in his shower (a new bottle. I checked.). He cleaned out room in his closet for her to hang things and she's comfortable doing things in his home as if it's her home.

He childproofed his home for my son.

I checked; every cabinet at Mijo's level is locked and there are outlet covers over every outlet. Mijo has definitely been trying to investigate. I'm watching him, amused, as he tries to get into the kitchen cabinets. No success and my son is definitely frustrated. Mark makes snow angels and listens to Mijo read and lets him 'help' as he and Nikki make tamales for Christmas.

I almost feel like a third wheel here.

But I honestly don't know where else I might have gone for Christmas.

—oOo—

"What about this one?"

"Too scrawny."

Nikki's very picky about Christmas trees and we've been looking for the last half hour.

"This one?"

"Hmm…" It's not bad. Nikki nods and that's our winner. Mark pays and he and I haul it into the back of his SUV.

A Volvo. I'd snicker except I checked the safety ratings. Good call. My son will be safe in this.

Mark climbs in and turns to face Mijo. "I have a little surprise for you."

"Me?" Mijo looks intrigued. "What is it?"

"Who's your favorite monkey?"

"George! George is my favorite monkey!"

"Wanna go visit him?"

Mijo's eyes are wide. Mark chuckles and points to his seat belt. "Put that on and we'll go."

We travel to Harvard and Mark's telling Nikki about the area. I couldn't care less. I want to see this store.

I was obsessed with Curious George at Manny's age.

I still have all my books. They're tattered now, the pages grimy with tiny fingerprints, but George and I had many adventures. If they have a Babar the Elephant store, I'll lose my shirt.

So I'm just as excited by this trip to 'The Only Official Curious George' store as Manny is. I know I'm going to end up buying the entire store out.

Mark parks, laughing triumphantly. "That's a miracle. Parking around here requires an act of God." He turns. "Ready?" Mijo's bouncing in the seat. Mark unlocks the doors and quickly catches Mijo before he tries to dart across the street. I set the child lock on the door, reminding myself that Mark wouldn't think of that. Mark takes one hand, Nikki takes the other and we walk over. I'm trying to hide my excitement but Nikki knows me.

She had Barbie. I had George.

"Do I need to hold your wallet?" she whispers.

I pass it over. Smart thinking, Nik.

—oOo—

Nikki's POV

I love this man. Oh my god, I'd marry him tomorrow!

He's funny and sweet and warm and loving to my son and my cousin. And he's just made Hector's and Manny's Christmases!

Hector takes Manny's hand and they disappear from view. It's busy and crowded today with shoppers trying to purchase Curious George items at the last minute. Mark moves to shield me from a man who isn't paying attention while I try to look around.

I'm glad I took Hector's wallet. He'd leave here broke. Mi primo is the only man I know who would proudly sleep in Curious George jammies and I think they have them in adult sizes.

"Mark?"

"Hmm?" He turns and I lay one on him. People around us catcall while others chide us as 'inappropriate' in a children's store.

"I love you."

Mark blushes. "I love you too, Nikki."

"This is perfect. This is absolutely perfect." I look around. "I know you know Manny loves George but do you know why?"

Mark raises a brow. "No way," he says quietly.

"Yes. A stuffed George was his first stuffed toy to Manny. Three days old and I have no idea where he got it, but that was Manny's first toy from his Tio."

Mark smiles. "So I got this right?"

"If Hector doesn't fall in love with you because of this, he never will."

—oOo—

Hector has a small mountain of things. Books, toys, games, and Manny's wearing the big yellow hat. It's so big I can barely see his little face.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look! Tio found the best things!"

"Tio found everything," Mark mutters and we try not to laugh.

"I thought this book was out of print," Hector says from somewhere under the pile. I see a hand waving a book and I grab part of the pile while Mark grabs the other.

"Got everything you wanted, Mijo?"

He shakes his head. "That's Tio's. Me now." He quickly disappears from view and I try not to panic. He's chipped; we'll find him.

I look over at Hector, who blushes. "What?" He disappears after Manny and Mark and I look at each other. My wonderful, absolutely fabulous boyfriend is trying his best not to laugh at my cousin, who just reverted at least twenty years.

The store employee smiles. "We can hold some of your things at the register."

I hand her my pile. "Hold everything. I promise you, my cousin will buy it." She takes my pile and Mark's away and we stare at each other again.

"Barbie, right?"

"Not a chance, buster."

"They have a Barbie Collector store is Worchester."

I sniff. "I'm not going to get excited by that."

"You want to go?"

"I'll think about it."

—oOo—

Mark's POV

I can't see Manny's face under the big yellow hat.

I can't see Hector's either.

"Had fun, Mijo?"

"Uh huh." He's sleepy now. Too much excitement. Weirdly, Hector looks sleepy too.

We get back to my house and, while Nikki carries Manny inside, Hector and I pull the Christmas presents out of Hector's car. I grab all the colorful wrapping paper Jen reminded me to buy and we have a quiet wrapping party, complete with hot chocolate and cookies.

I stop halfway through the pile (I would love to be Manny tomorrow! Hector and Nikki bought him everything!) and grab the Christmas tree out of my car. I set it up in the living room, in front of the window, and Nikki 'fluffs' the branches.

"OK, we'll decorate this tomorrow morning."

Hector nods, cursing at the instructions to put Manny's new bicycle together.

"I thought he had a tricycle."

"He did but one of my neighbors ran it over." Nikki shakes her head. "You should have seen him cry. They did a job on it and Hector didn't trust the frame anymore. Plus, we think he's ready for a big boy bike now, with training wheels."

I drop down on the floor to help Hector and, between the two of us, we finally get it built. We put the presents in my closet and lock it before finally falling into bed.

Nikki and I attempt quiet sex with my hand over her mouth. We lie back, satiated and happy, when her phone beeps.

Not bad. I could barely hear you over the white noise machine.

—oOo—

Hec's POV

Christmas Eve. I have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to pray for.

"Where's the closest church?" I ask quietly.

My question catches Mark off guard. "St. Francis of Assisi, I think." We walk in the house and I grab my iPad to check online for a schedule. We're in luck: the Christmas Mass is at 1600. The Children's Choir will sing at 1530. I'd like to hear that.

I hear Nikki sigh heavily. "Manny?"

"Mommy?"

"We're going to Church today."

"Noooooo…."

"Tio wants to go to church. What time is Mass, Hector?" She calls. "And are we staying for the choir too?"

I walk into the dining room, astonished. Mijo pouts at me but I'm struck by what just happened.

Nikki was right. We do ESP because Mark and I were outside when I asked. Nikki and Mijo are in the dining room, in the back of the house. Mark looks as astonished as I do.

"Yes. Choir at 1530"—she glares—"3:30 and Mass at 4:00."

"OK. That's plenty of time to decorate the Christmas tree and get ready." She and Mijo leave, Mijo pouting. My son hates sitting still, like his Tio.

"Hector?"

"Hmm?"

"Would you like to attend services at Holy Cross?" Mark asks, staring at his phone.

"Why?"

He shrugs. "It's the seat of the Boston Archdiocese. They have a Spanish service at 1800 and they're doing midnight Mass. And they have Latin Mass at 2130." He passes me his phone so I can look. "It's been years since I've been there, but … there's something about that building …"

Let's see. Two bodies this year, one of whom was my son's father. Multiple men injured and wounded. I'm bathed in blood.

And I'm still gay.

Hearing Latin Mass can only help.

—oOo—

Nikki's POV

I can't believe Mark thinks it's a good idea to sit through six hours of church! Six!

"Why?" I whisper, slipping on my stockings. "Hector's still gay and you and I have been bonking like rabbits! None of us are fit for the Eucharist." I watch as he finally slides into his pants. The handjob I gave him twenty minutes ago laid him out for a few minutes. "I'm really not prepared to confess that having sex with you is a sin then come home and sin some more! Are you trying to impress Hector?"

He kisses me hard and I really wish Hector was not such a fan of church service. Describing a man is beautiful seems weird, but Mark's body is beautiful. Narrow waist, six pack, broad sexy chest … he looks like an Abercrombie ad right now. We're not out of condoms yet. I'd love to lick his six-pack right now.

"Yes and no. First, Hector backed me and saved my life and my job and he didn't have to. Honestly, I need to thank God for that. Second, you and Manny are in my life. Tell me honestly: Hector wants Manny to have the same faith he does, right?" I nod, rolling my eyes. "OK, so that means I need to learn to haul my ass out of bed and take Manny to church. So let's go as a family, you, me, Hector, and Manny. And it's not six full hours. We can duck out and get dinner at one of the restaurants in the neighborhood, then go back for midnight Mass."

"Hello! Manny's mommy is really not a fan of church, especially when the church is going out of its way to condemn men like my cousin!"

"What about me?"

"What?"

"Murderers."

I freeze. "What?"

Mark frozen, his face a solemn and sad. "I've killed, Nikki. I've killed and participated in the killing of other men. I'm a murderer and guilty of spite, envy, pride and lying and let's not even get into the sexually based sins." I blush. "I'm a walking mortal sin dictionary and I can't remember the last time I went to confession—"

"You went to Catholic school as a kid, didn't you?"

"How can you tell?"

"Only survivors of Catholic education know all the sins."

I'm kissed gently and lovingly. "Yes, I survived Catholic education but it's not about that. It's about giving Manny some faith. His uncle has it. His … maybe someday step-father has rediscovered it." I smile at his hesitance there. "Besides, I usually attend midnight Mass with my parents when I'm home, so this isn't anything new for me. The only new part is I'll be holding your hand instead of my mother's when midnight strikes."

Outvoted two to one. Fine. I hand him my dress to hold while I wiggle into it. "So we'll go to Mass then come home, put Manny's presents under the tree and sin some more?"

He kisses the back of my neck while sliding my zipper up. "I never said I was a good Catholic."

—oOo—

Mark's right; this building makes hearing Mass special.

I managed a dispensation from Hector; if we were going to sit through Latin Mass, then either the midnight Mass or the Spanish service was a no go. Manny and I cannot sit still for six hours. Hector gave in and we skipped the Spanish service and went to dinner downtown.

Hector's swallowing hard, so I know he's thinking about all the sins he committed this year. I squeeze his hand and wipe the tears from his cheeks. My cousin. So loving and giving to everyone. He'd hate for anyone to think he's a 'sensitive soul', but he is. Manny sees Hector's tears and climbs into his lap.

"Don't cry, Tio. I love you." He gives Hector a big hug. "I'll even let you kiss me," he says brightly.

Manny. Hector and I grin at him and Hector kisses his forehead and resettles Manny in his lap.

I'm trying not to think of the sins I'll (happily and enthusiastically) commit over the next few days. Contraception, pre-marital sex, masturbation (mutual, I'm sure), perhaps some pornography … watching, not making. I'm in church and listing the sins I intend to engage in.

I need help.

Mark's holding my hand tightly, his face a careful blank. No idea what he's thinking.

Manny's drowsy. My poor baby. Having to sit still, breathe incense, listen to singing, and not move is putting him to sleep. I pull a small coloring book and two crayons out of my purse and he perks up. He grabs the crayons and flips the book open to start coloring. Hector frowns but I glare at him.

He's three, Hector. It's either coloring or sleeping.

Hector sighs, which lets me know he got the message, and concentrates on the sermon. I look over at Mark.

He kisses my temple. "Mommy extraordinaire," he whispers.

Thanks. Sometimes, I barely feel I know what I'm doing. I'm glad you and Hector are deciding to take charge of Manny's religious education. If left to Mommy, Manny would never go to Church.

—oOo—

Hector's POV

Mark was right. It was a beautiful Mass.

The smell of the incense and the illumination of the windows made the sight of the choir sound like a chorus of angels truly come down to earth. No one could listen to that and not be moved, even Nikki, who finally had a tear in her eye. It was beautiful and I wondered how many services I'll have like that. My son sitting in my lap coloring until he went to sleep. My cousin and her boyfriend sitting next to me, Nikki probably listing all the sins she intends to commit and Mark trying to recall the translation of what's being said. Me praying for my soul, wishing I could be cleansed of my sins, wishing I could repent them all.

Manolo is definitely anti-church. He said he's had enough of organizations trying to make him feel guilty for who he is.

That's not the point, Manolo. The point is that there's a covenant between man and God and each time we commit mortal sins, we break that covenant. It's like lying in a marriage. Every lie weakens it. I'm a liar and hoping that God still loves me, even though I won't confess and won't repent.

But midnight Mass on Christmas Eve always makes me feel as if I should try. I should try to confess my sins and repent, because I know what it's like to give my life over to a child. I don't worship Manny but he's my baby and I want to do what's best for him, what's right, and show him the right way. I want to teach him to be the best man possible and do the best he can, but I'm not the best example. I'm human, mortal and fallible. I make mistakes. I get things wrong. I've sinned.

The man whose birth we're celebrating is the right example. He's the shepherd to follow, the messenger to listen to.

I won't go to heaven. I have too many sins to my name for that.

But I want to try to get it right. I want to do my best for my son. I want to teach him what's right and show him the path to follow. I want him to be a better man than me, a better man than his Tio.

—oOo—

Nikki's tucking the third pillow on my belly to fatten me up. I make a terrible looking Santa. We've used almost every pillow in the house to make me look jolly but I'm too short and too thin.

"Maybe I should just take a bite out of the cookies and leave it at that," I mutter, looking at myself in a mirror. Maybe this was a bad idea. Mark would make a better looking Santa.

"Mark has the camera ready and we'll blur the picture. Promise."

I waddle my way to the living room and put on the fake beard and cap.

"Ready?" Mark's trying not to laugh and I glare at him.

"You're doing this next year." Did I really just say that?

He's startled for a moment before smiling. "With pleasure."

I roll Manny's new bicycle in place next to the tree and put his little gifts of fruit and toy trucks into the stocking. Mark's taking plenty of pictures and Nikki's laughing. We fake a picture of me climbing in through the window, a laundry bag full of sheets slung over my shoulder, and I pretend to place presents around the tree.

Someday, Mijo gonna look at this and laugh his butt off.

I finally hand each of them a cookie, we all take a bite, and I take the fake beard off.

"OK, I'm done. Time to go to bed."

—oOo—

Mark's POV

"Santa came! Santa came!"

I bolt upright in the bed, startled, but Nikki puts her hand on my arm. "Calm down," she mutters sleepily. "He's awake and he's excited."

"New noise in my house." I check the time. 0609. I got four hours of sleep. I fall back against the pillow and try to relax as I hear Hector trying unsuccessfully to calm Manny.

The pillow muffles her laugh. "Welcome to parenthood. There's a new one each week."

Manny come running in the room and jumps on the bed between us. "Mommy! Mommy! Santa came! I got a bicycle, Mommy! A big boy bicycle! Mark, come look! Santa brought me a bike!" He hops off the bed, yelling the same message to Hector, and I laugh.

"What's tradition?"

"This is the first year Manny's really been old enough to understand the idea of Santa. Last year I was more excited than he was and he played with the boxes all his presents came in. And he flat out refused to sit on Santa's lap."

"So we're making tradition?"

"Yup." She yawns and finally opens her eyes. I kiss her and she swats me.

"I have morning breath," she mutters, trying to hide her face.

"I can deal." I slip out of the bed and grab my robe. "I'll start breakfast."

She sits up and stretches. "I'll take pictures."

We leave the room to find Hector with Manny in the bathroom. Manny's crying and Hector's pointing at the toilet. "The presents aren't going anywhere, Mijo. Wash your face, brush your teeth, and then we'll go play all morning. Come on, use the potty."

Manny wipes his face. "Tio!"

"Pee."

"Mommy!" he whines.

"Do as Tio says," she replies without stopping. I head to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee and pull out the cinnamon rolls I made Saturday. Into the oven they go and back to my bedroom I go. Nikki's had a shower and is pulling on fleecy bottoms and a tank top.

"This reminds me of my Christmases as a kid."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Get clean first then play all day."

She smiles. "Sounds like we'll keep this tradition then."

A blur passes the door, shrieking, with Hector walking calmly behind him. I keep listening and the shrieks are laughter. "Go take pictures."

"Hurry up." She grabs the camera and sprints to my living room.

I take a quick shower and clean up then head back to the living room. Manny's tearing through the wrapping paper and squealing over everything Hector and Nikki bought him as Nikki takes pictures and Hector films. It looks like a confetti factory exploded in my living room but I've never seen such pure, naked happiness on anyone's face.

I motion for the camera and Nikki hands it over, opting to sit on the floor with Manny and help him with his presents. He's adorable, still in his new Curious George footed pajamas, his hair sticking up all over the place. He's crowing over all the books and toys his Mommy and Tio bought for him, loudly announcing everything to the camera his Tio is holding. Nikki points to a mug and I sip coffee and wait, anxious, for him to finally find my present.

"From Mark," he reads for the camera. "This is for me?" he says, a hopeful look on his face.

"That's for you."

He wastes no time ripping it open. "Look Mommy! The Cway … ola Ma … ma …"

"Magnetic Double-Sided Easel," Nikki reads, smiling. "This is wonderful! OK, Manny, all your coloring has to be done on that, right? No more coloring on Mommy's walls. Mark bought you a wonderful gift!" She beams at me and I'm pleased I got it right. "What else is in the box? What does that say?"

"Co … color Won … wonder markers. Mark bought me markers, Mommy!"

"That's right! Color Wonder markers! Let's see … Won't color on skin, furniture, or fabric. Excellent! Sounds like you'll have a lot of fun with this, Manny!"

"You didn't look bad as a Highlander," Hector mutters, laughing slyly.

"Ignoring you."

"What do you say to Mark, Mijo?" Hector says to Manny.

"Thank you, Mark!" Manny launches himself at me and I pick him up and hug him tight.

"You're welcome. No more painting me but we'll draw together, OK?"

"OK."

I head off to the kitchen and pull the cinnamon rolls from the oven. I'm slathering them with the cream cheese frosting and starting another pot of coffee when I hear another happy shout.

"A plane! A plane!" Manny comes running in holding the remote control plane I bought him. He hugs my legs and I have to rock for a moment to keep my balance. "Does it fly? Can we make it fly?"

"Yup, it flies. We'll take it outside after breakfast and make it fly, OK?"

"OK!"

He runs back into the living room and Hector walks in.

"Not bad," he mutters.

"Thanks." I'd like to make his mother my wife someday, I think, and I like him. I really like Manny, so I'd like him to remember his first presents from me as something really good. "I'd like to take him up in my plane before he leaves, if you and Nikki are OK with that?"

He frowns. "Is that safe?"

"I'm a good pilot."

"That's not what I asked."

"I wouldn't suggest it if it weren't safe."

He stares at me before nodding slowly. "If Nikki agrees." He smirks. "You're not quite a father yet."

"Why's that?"

"First question any parent asks: is it safe?" He passes me an envelope. "Feliz Navidad. From Ranger."

I'm stunned. This is the first Christmas … anything I've ever gotten from Ranger. I open it and read the contents twice, leaning against my counters.

-o-

Mark,

Feliz Navidad.

Yes, you fucked up. Big time. But you've been punished. Big time. Boston is back on track and, when the Hospitality profits are added back in, Javi will have to scramble to keep his position.

I'm both angry and proud. Angry because you disappointed me for months and you fell for a trick. Proud because I understand why and your actions, although unapproved and incorrect, came from the right place in your heart. Plus, once the new lines of business are counted, you and NYC will be neck and neck. Amazing, and excellent work.

No, you were not demoted. I'm sure Victor's told you that by now.

Beginning January 1, you are the Interim CEO of RangeMan.

Yes, CEO. I need someone I can trust to handle the company while I start another division. You're it.

I've not respected your service in the past. I've been shown the error of my ways. Les will help you and I'm putting plenty of support around you to help you carry out your duties. Tank and Bobby will also be ready to provide assistance, as needed. Call on their wisdom. I do, constantly.

When I return, we'll discuss how we go forward.

R

PS. "Party hats." Please. I can't deal with an angry Hector. And you're moving in with Lester in Miami. Hector's moving in with Steph (although I'm sure he told you otherwise, just to fuck with you.).

Good luck.

-o-

"Breathe."

I take a deep breath, still in shock. Hector's reappeared beside me.

"Did you know?"

His eyes are boring into me. "What do you want to know?"

"Why?" I keep rereading the letter and I don't know which emotion to feel first. Happiness? Embarrassment? Nervousness? Fear? Gratitude?

"Why?"

I stand straight up and realize, for the first time, that I tower over Hector. I have at least six inches on him. He always seems huge, larger than life. "I screwed up. I expected, had prepared for, a demotion. Instead he's giving me a promotion? I don't understand."

Hector snorts. "He's not giving you anything. He's acknowledging what you've earned in the past, which is his trust, and putting you in a position to re-earn his trust again."

Hector pours himself a cup of coffee and adds milk as I continue to stare at him.

"You need to stop thinking about Ranger's moves and consider that your move to CEO had to be approved by five men, not one. Five men are acknowledging the trust you've earned, not one, and we're all giving you a chance to reearn our trust. And the woman you're replacing agreed you were the right man for the job."

My face flames as Hector walks out.

Thank you, Hector. I … I don't know what to say, but thank you.

—oOo—

Nikki's POV

Manny's out for the count by 10 am. All the excitement, plus the sugar from the cinnamon rolls, and he couldn't contain himself. I'm grateful; my son's energy was draining me.

Mark's looked pale for the past two hours. I keep catching his eye and raising a brow, trying to ask, silently, if everything is OK, but he has his blank face in place. I'm not getting a response and I know he understands what I'm trying to ask. Hector's also been very conspicuously quiet.

I'm suspicious. I thought they were getting along. I thought they'd come to an understanding.

Hector takes Manny off to the spare bedroom, claiming he needs a nap too, and Mark and I start trashing the wrapping paper and stacking Manny's toys neatly.

"Mark?"

"When we get in the bedroom."

OK. We finally get the living room cleared, put the cinnamon buns away (god, he's a great cook! Those were delicious!) and enter his bedroom. My present to Mark is a set of boudoir pictures I had done in Atlanta a month ago, right after he left town. Cindy and I met up and decided it would be a fun, creative gift for the men in our lives and a moment to enjoy how great our bodies look. After two kids (her) and one child (me), we're pretty certain this is the best our bodies will ever look.

I'm glad I agreed. Mark's zero to hero in about one minute after looking at the first one.

"Merry Christmas to me every day," he murmurs, looking at the one of me sucking a lollipop, cleavage popping out everywhere. "Did you just know what I wanted?"

"You like?"

He rolls his eyes and motions downward. "I think my body's giving you a standing ovation."

I grab a condom. "Let's see if I can get an encore."

—oOo—

I'm recovering, sweaty and exhausted, when Mark straddles me and pulls a long gift-wrapped box from his nightstand. "Merry Christmas, beautiful."

I'm touched by the unexpected compliment. "Merry Christmas to you too," I reply, kissing him softly. I open the box carefully, wondering what he might have bought.

"Mark …"

This man knows me like no other. He bought me the Michael Kors double wrap leather watch I was eyeing. Even better, he got the studded version that looks like a metal-studded leather bracelet. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect.

"Yes?"

I sniff, overcome. "Perfect."

His smile is beautiful and relieved. "I worried."

"You shouldn't have."

"I wanted to."

"No, I mean, you shouldn't have worried." I laugh a little. "You always seem to get it right."

He chuckles. "Only with you, Nikki. I try hard to get it right." He opens the box and hands me the watch. I slide it on and admire how wonderful it looks. This is a beautiful watch.

"Anyway, I'd like to take you out tomorrow. Just you and me." I stare at him and he smiles. "I like being … Daddy"—I smile. Hesitant again.—"but Mommy needs some attention. We need some time alone."

"Hector's babysitting?"

"He agreed."

"Where are we going?"

"Surprise."

"You get better and better." He laughs. "So what's going on between you and Hector?"

He sighs and lies back, staring up at the ceiling.

"I told you he backed me in saving my job and my life, right?" I nod. "As of January 1, I'm the CEO of RangeMan."

I sit straight up, shocked. "You?" He nods. "After everything you did?"

"Yeah." He sighs heavily. "I asked him, last week, why he backed me at the management meeting. Why he joined Stephanie in saving my ass with Ranger and he said it was because I was a lot of things, but stupid wasn't one." He clenches his jaw. "I didn't understand at the time and I doubt I'll ever really understand, but I think he and Stephanie convinced Ranger not to punish me any further. I got my ass handed to me, my branch lost the number one position, and I was embarrassed, humiliated, and humbled in front of the entire company. What could you do worse to me?"

"And this translates into you becoming CEO how?" I feel both proud and sick. Proud because Mark got a promotion! My man got a promotion! Sick because I knew, I just knew, they would replace Stephanie with a man. I just never expected it to be my man. Damn, I can't be fully happy or fully pissed!

"Hector just told me that Ranger didn't give me anything. He's acknowledging the trust he's always had in me and giving me a chance to reearn his trust, but I needed to understand that my move to CEO wasn't just Ranger's decision." He finally looks at me. "I've never had a good relationship with Tank, Lester, or Bobby because of the way I treated them. I ignored and marginalized them because I idolized Ranger. I wanted to be just like him. I saw in my commander a man who was straight-forward, no bullshit, excellence only. He's saved me from myself in the worst moments of my life and I never looked beyond him to recognize that Ranger? Ranger operates in a team. He's a team man and I spent years insulting his team.

Because I insulted his team, I never realized that I needed to operate in a team if I was going to emulate him. I pushed away everyone thinking I didn't need them and that's what Stephanie's punishment really did for me. She forced me to put a team around me. I needed the XOs behind me to save my job. I needed Vic behind me to save me from myself and I needed to respect the advice of my Core Team and listen to what they had to say instead of pushing them to follow me against their better judgment." He rolls my nipple between his fingers and smiles at the way I shudder. "My move to CEO had to be approved not only by Ranger, but by his team. Tank, Lester, Bobby, Hector and Stephanie. They all had to agree to this." He hands me the letter and I skim it.

"So, if I read between the lines here, the team will be watching you? And based on what they think, Ranger will make his decision then?" I unroll another condom down his shaft and straddle him. The chemistry between us is perfect. This is slow, easy lovemaking. No rush. Gentle. Loving. Comforting.

"Exactly. I have to win over Ranger's team. Maybe I'll keep the position. Maybe I won't. But .. if the team doesn't think … I'm worthy … oh God, Nikki … Ranger is done with me."

He shuts his eyes and grabs my hips, forcing me to slow down. I'm doing Kegels on top of him, learning new tricks to make him cum faster. I learned from Black Friday. I was moving like an arthritic old lady by the end of the day and that's not an option when you have an active three year old.

I kiss him gently and sigh, deciding to be thrilled for my man today and angry about the unfairness of the world tomorrow. "Then you need to think about how you intend to work with the team," I whisper. "My cousin will help you." It'll take some time for Hector to actually show it, but I can tell Hector likes Mark now. Whatever their professional issues, the personal ones have been taken care of.

We haven't gotten a single text message today.

"I know." He swallows hard and spends some quality time on my nipples, licking and sucking, before sliding his tongue down my chest. We're moving in sync, the orgasm within reach. "The hardest one … to win over … will be … Lester. That's why … they're making me … move in with him. Les … will want to … watch me … like a hawk."

"You need to add one more person to your team."

"Who?"

The orgasm hits me before I can answer and I ride it out. Mark cums on the tail end of mine, flipping me over and thrusting so hard I have to brace myself against the headboard. He finally collapses on top of me and I wrap my legs around him. I love the feel of him, heavy and sweaty, on top of me. A real man, not a boy, not some thug playing at being a man. He's still thrusting shallowly as I kiss his chest, happy to be in love again.

Happy to be in love with someone worth loving. Someone who isn't selfish. Someone who cares.

"Who do I need to add to my team?"

"Me."

"Nikki, you are number one on my team, the best part of my team."

—oOo—

Hector's POV

I have earplugs in to ignore Mark and Nikki.

Those two go at it like rabbits. If I were three, I would think they were monsters too.

I'm jealous. Nikki and Mark are so in love it's barf inducing. Manny's curled up next to me, fast asleep. I put little earplugs in his ears so he can sleep in peace, ignoring his Mommy's practice at giving him a sibling.

The things I never wanted to know about mi primo. I've seen more of her body than I ever wanted to. Now I know she's loud in bed.

My phone suddenly flashes and I check the display. Manolo.

"Hello?"

"Merry Christmas!"

"Feliz Navidad to you too. How's Cali?"

He laughs. "Sunny, warm, and we're headed to the beach. How's Boston?"

"Freezing."

"Manny?"

"Asleep." I glance down. "He had a busy morning."

"Santa was good to him?"

"Santa was great to him. Somehow, I have more stuff to drive back to Atlanta than I arrived with."

He laughs. "Did you get my gift?"

"What gift?"

"Check under the tree. I had it shipped to Mark Phillips's house. Tank gave me the address. Well, Lula did."

I slide out of bed carefully and walk into Mark's living room. Under the tree, next to the wall, there's a wrapped gift. I check; my name on it. "Just found it." I open it carefully, determined to save the wrapping paper. There are three pairs of gloves, two leather and one knit, with silver thread at the fingertips. "Gloves?"

"With conductive thread at the fingertips," he adds. "My sister gave me a pair last year. She sews and she heard about this thread you could sew into just about anything that would allow you to keep your gloves on but still use touchscreen devices."

"Oh. I heard about those. I heard they didn't work that great." It's not stopping me from trying these on though.

"Yeah, the commercial ones don't, but I did those personally. That's why nearly the entire fingertip is sewn in."

It's true and these gloves work great. "I see. These do work great. Thank you."

"You're not just saying that?"

"No, they actually work." They really do. I'm typing a thank you text with no problems. "This is a great gift. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I feel kinda silly, getting you some gloves. I got the iPhone lenses. They're soooo cool! I've taken, like, a hundred pictures today, just trying them out. My Instagram feed is, like, ridiculous."

I check it out. He's had way too much fun with the fish-eye lens. "You sounds Cali."

He groans. "My sister. I get around her and start sounding Valley Girl again. Well, look, I'm headed to the beach. Just wanted to check in and see how you were. I'm glad to hear that Manny had a great Christmas and you sound happy. Everything better than last week?"

"Much better." It's true. My partner and my brother are in love, everyone's talking and not angry anymore and time with my son makes everything wonderful. The world is right again. "And you don't know how useful these gloves are right now. Like I said, freezing cold cold here." I check the leather ones. One pair is lined with cashmere and the other in Thinsulate. I can never lose these gloves!

"Well, I'm glad you like them. Feliz Navidad, Hector."

"Merry Christmas and thank you." This is different from his usual … speech. "Family nearby?"

"Yes! Thanks for asking."

Ah. "They don't know?"

"They do but …"

"The idea of boyfriend is a bit much for them?"

"Very true."

"Thought you didn't hide who you are?"

"It's not nice to give Abuela a heart attack at Christmas."

I grin. Well … what did Tank say? Everyone has their hypocrisies? "Ah. In that case, just listen. Merry Christmas from the man who longs to tie you down and make you beg. I'll see you soon."

His end is silent. "Promise?"

"Oh yeah."

"I'm going to make you keep that one."

"Please do. Thank you for the gift and for calling."

"Bye!" Click.

I smile at my phone. These gloves are great and they remind me: I have someone special too.

—oOo—

"Don't let go, Tio!"

"I won't. I promise."

I'm running behind Mijo as he tries his new bicycle for the first time. Even with the training wheels (and helmet and pads), I'm nervous. Mark is about fifty feet away, bundled up against the cold and waiting for Mijo to peddle to him.

My son is hunched over the handlebars, peddling furiously as Nikki runs alongside him and takes video. Mijo on his very first bicycle (with training wheels): It's a moment to capture forever. He's doing a great job and I see Mark start jogging backwards as Mijo, true to his nature, picks up speed and sails right by him. Nikki and I start laughing as Mark races to catch him.

My son. Speed demon. The future Lance Armstrong (minus the drugs).

Mijo finally stops after biking into a hedge. "Did you see me, Mommy? Did you see me, Tio! Mark? I went fast!"

"Yes, you did," Mark says, laughing. "You went so fast I couldn't keep up!"

"Excellent job, baby." Nikki kisses his forehead. "Let's go back to Mark's, OK?"

Mark stays where he is and Mijo has the time of his life biking between us over the next hour. Back and forth, back and forth, he learns how to turn on his bicycle and really starts giving me and Mark a run for our money going up and down side streets and back alleys. We look like an old slapstick movie, the kind my mother loved watching when I was a kid, trying to catch him and cut him off. Nikki's laughing at us as Manny peddles around us furiously.

He's three! How does he manage to outsmart two smart adults?!

"The pool, his bike, his futbol, life in general, I'm finding new ways to exhaust my son before bedtime."

I stop, panting. "What's that law of thermodynamics? Energy increases over time?"

"Oh god, I'll never win," Nikki says, watching him. Other children in the neighborhood are also out and I see a big snow fight brewing. I think Manny's a little young for that and I want him away from the action before they start tossing snowballs.

"Nope. Can you imagine him as a teenager?"

"I'm putting him into every sport I can think of."

Mark walks over, holding his side. "I can run fucking marathons but I can't catch a three year old. What's wrong with me?"

"Same thing wrong with me," I reply, still trying to catch my breath.

Mijo finally bikes back. He has to go potty. I grab his bicycle and walk him into the house.

"Two modes: full speed and full stop," Mark says as he walks in behind me.

"I told you." She kisses him. "You said you were OK with it."

"He'll never allow me to get old, that's certain."

Mijo goes potty and grabs a candy cane off the Christmas tree. He occupies himself over the next hour by testing the validity of the Crayola Marker claims before finally confining himself to the paper on the easel.

We're all thankful. Three adults brought down by a three year old.

"Don't sell this house," Nikki says.

"Hmm?"

"Don't sell. Rent it."

"I agree." Mark looks over at me. "This is a great little house in a desirable neighborhood. Rent it."

"I thought about it but I'd hate to be an absentee landlord."

"Then hire a management company. I have one. They manage the rents and maintenance in exchange for a fee." I sit up. "Let's talk business here. You're moving to Miami permanently, but Boston has one of the hottest real estate markets in the country and this isn't your only piece of property."

Mark stares at me. "I'd ask how you know but that would be stupid."

"It would. I wondered how you amassed the assets you had in such a short time. Who taught you?"

"My grandfather."

I nod. Nikki looks astonished by this discussion. "How? How did you do it?"

Mark shrugs. "I bought like a fiend when the housing market collapsed. Anything in Boston that lost more than 50% of its value and that was in a good area, I snapped it up at auction. I lived here for a while as a kid and my parents remembered which neighborhoods were the best and where I should buy. We have a family real estate trust and I keep an eye on this market for them."

Her mouth has dropped and she looks at me. "That's what I did. You know what happened in Atlanta."

"Yeah …"

"Ranger taught me how, using his properties in Florida. I was in a race with Bobby half of the time. I learned to be sneaky. Bobby has more money."

Mark chuckles as Nikki shakes her head. "Tank?"

"Lots of land in Texas and especially Louisiana."

"Les?"

"Miami and Newark." I turn back to Mark. "Don't sell this house. Rent it."

"Why don't you want me to sell this house?" he asks Nikki.

She blushes. "I don't want you to sell because ... Manny's first real Christmas was here."

"I like the bird but he keeps flying in the window," Mijo says, peeking around his easel. "Can we keep the doggy? He looks nice."

I smile. I keep forgetting my son is now old enough to follow and respond to the adult conversations around him.

Mark looks thoughtful. "I'll think about it."