AN: So this turned out a little different than first expected but hopefully you enjoy what I've put these two dorks through next. :)

Alastair had never thought of himself as one for the domestic life. His childhood had been completely ruined and for the longest time he'd lived alone once taking his place at Kingsman. And with that, he had always focused on work, never giving any thought or time to other activities. The rare moments where he'd thought of what it would be like to have a domestic life had been fleeting and he'd usually settled on the idea that it was dull and purposeless.

Now, he had to say he rather liked it.

Perhaps he had always been wrong in his ideals, or more likely it was simply James, but Alastair deeply loved the days that were now away from work, that could be lazy and calmer. Or perhaps odd and unorganized was a better word. The point was that on days where he could remain with James without having to worry about duties had officially became the highlights of each month.

He'd grown fond of Vincent as well, even if Roxy seemed to incite the wildness out of the usually shy kid. And his mother was alright as well as the conversations he could have with her were certainly interesting and unusual.

And Lily, of course Lily was a constant seeing as she was James' best friend. Sometimes she could be a bit much but as Alastair had once said to James, he could only handle one impossibly happy person and in all truth, James and Lily good be siblings what with their similarities.

But since he introduced her to his father all but ten minutes ago, he had to say that he was surprised with affect she had on him. Usually shy and aloof, his father was really invested in his conversation with her and truly gave large, heavy laughs that Alastair couldn't remember hearing.

Alastair decided the only reason James hadn't been able to drag it out before was because if there was one difference between Lily and James, it was that she lacked caution. A quality that in most cases, was quite important but just this once, apparently wasn't needed.

This was the first Christmas Lily had come over to his family's home but that wasn't the only thing. Nnenna and Kenton were also there and for the first time in a while, neither James nor himself had to be out on a mission. Vincent and Christina had also just arrived making the gathering complete as for once, everyone was together.

The table was set and everyone was almost ready to sit down and begin eating. The presents had been placed under the tree. Everyone had been given drinks.

Then the butler came in, a carefully neutral face on his.

"Mrs. Morton is currently at—"

"Are you honestly trying to ask their permission for me to enter my own home?! It's still mine you know!"

Everyone in the sitting room froze, even little Vincent who had no idea who the woman was.

"I don't remember inviting you," Kenton said, being the first to say anything as he approached her. "Actually, I think I've talked to you once since you choice your own ego over your family so let me ask, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Just finally decided to sign the divorces papers. Thought I'd bring them over," she replied a smile and squinty eyes. She glanced over everyone in the room, lingering longer on those she'd never seen before. "Is this a charity party?"

Having a look less of hatred and more of just annoyance, Kenton grabbed her ear and, ignoring the ows, dragged her back to the door. "Everyone here knows you came just today to bring the attention back to you. Maybe you were hoping we'd have pity on you."

Then Kenton's voice dropped so that no one else in the room could here. Whatever he said caused his mother's face to go white as she stuttered out, "But you can't—"

"Oh but yes I can," he said earnestly as he waved the divorces papers in his hand. "If you remember correctly, you signed these which means this property no longer belongs to you which also means I have the legal authority to call the police and charge you with trespassing. Now, I would say go back your bags but you did that months ago so…bye-bye."

The realization that she was honestly being thrown out of her life seemed to finally hit her as her lip trembled and she said, "Are you really-is this really—"

"Oh don't try to pity party me. Everyone here gave you more than one opportunity to accept things as they were. Except of course Nnenna and Chinstina and Vincent and Lily. They've never met you before which, honestly, good for them. So, uh, yeah. Bye, hope we never see you again."

The crowd watched as the look of sadness changed to one of utter hatred, truly showing what was on the inside. "Fine! What do I care!? You can all go to hell for all I care!"

Christina just barely managed to put her hands over Vincent's ears as the woman stormed out, marking the last time that anyone in that room would see her.

In a rather large shout, as his ears were still covered and he didn't realize that everyone could hear him just fine, Vincent yelled out, "I didn't like her! Is she coming back!?"

James laughed as Christina removed her hands. Vincent blinked, as if somehow it was his eye sight affected, and looked around curiously, waiting for an answer. "What?"

"No, she's not coming back," James replied as he ruffled the kids head. "And now that it's over, how about we sit down to eat?"

"Sounds good to me!" cried Roxy as she led the group into the dining hall.

The jovial feeling quickly came back and thoughts of the woman slipped away from the crowd. The only passing comment was made by Nnenna who remarked, "I am terribly glad she wasn't at our wedding."

Everyone stuffed themselves though instead of finishing it all there, it was quickly decided that it would be a great idea to bring it back to where the tree and presents were and to being unwrapping those. Grabbing their own plates and dishes of food with the help of servants, the group moved back to the sitting room except for James who waited until everyone was gone and moved over to where Alastair stood in the corner.

"Not in the mood for festivities?" asked James as an opener once he was next to him.

"It's not that," muttered Alastair softly. He didn't look upset, just put off.

"Do you need me to—"

"No, no you're fine. It's just…I know I was elated during that lunch, when you and Kenton and the rest of my family backed me up, but now I…it's like that same feeling has returned but it no longer feels temporary. I feel fully alive, not just partially and not just the shackles but even the scars have faded. I actually feel free now," muttered Alastair.

He then quickly turned and kissed James.

Grinning against his lips, James pulled back and asked, "Now why is it that whenever I throw random kisses at you, you always yell at me?"

"Because we were in the middle of a gunfight!"

"All relative depending on who you ask," James said with a flip of his hand.

"Rela-there were bullets flying past our ears and you thought it was a prime time to distract me and kiss me!"

"What can I say? I know how to pick a moment."

Alastair rolled his eyes with an exasperated sigh.

James laughed, his face softening as he teased, "I'm glad that you finally feel completely free. That means I get you all for myself now."

"Even if you don't like all the parts?"

"You really have to ask that? I love every part, from your beautiful eyes to your silly scowl when something isn't right, to the very…tips…of…your…fingers," James finished as he nipped at the very tip of Alastair's index finger which he had slowly brought up to his lips as his speech slowed.

It had the desired effect and Alastair turned bright red. "You are retched."

James chuckled and replied, "I try. Hey, and you want to know something funny? I think your skin finally matches Old Saint Nick's suit!"

"Oh shut it!" growled Alastair as took his hand away and rubbed at his face, as if he could wipe away the blush.

Laughing only deeper and longer, James grabbed the hand back and remarked, "I don't think I ever said I was done."

"James, honestly. The others are probably wondering where we are."

"Maybe but Roxy is pretty smart and knows how to come up with a story on the spot," James replied as he slowly began to suck on one of Alastair's fingers, adoring how he could see the other just slowly unraveling.

"I'm being quite serious James," Alastair tried to get out, his voice shaking just the slightest. "We really should—"

James stopped him with a deep kiss as he pushed him up against the wall. "Aw come on, just a little while. Ever done it on a dining table?"

"You're horrid you know that!" Alastair replied, trying to sound angry and annoyed but honestly trying to keep from laughing. "You realize I'd never be able to step foot in this house again, right?"

"Fine, we'll find a proper bed. Now come on," James replied as he dragged Alastair out of the room. "They'll be fine without us for a few hours."

"Hours? What exactly are you planning?"

"Let's just say this is my way of saying Merry Christmas and thanking you for putting up with all my shit," James said with a grin.

"I only do it because you put up with mine."

"Glad to hear it. So…are you coming or are you really going to just go back and open presents with everyone?" asked James suggestively.

"I think I'd prefer opening the present in front of me."

"That's the spirit!" James laughed and then pulled Alastair down the hall and away from everyone else to find some privacy.