Colby had been tossing and turning for what seemed like eternity and still hadn't been able to sleep, maybe because that day he had slept throughout the whole morning. He sat up in bed looking around at the dim room but not seeing much. The brown-eyed man couldn't help thinking how weird it felt being so close to the man he loved yet so far, they still loved each other but they were not together - he understood why that was happening but he liked to lead his own life the way he wanted to… everyone has flaws, his biggest flaw was being impatient... and jealous. After awhile he manage to fall asleep

Colby sat on the couch and buried himself in the knit throw pillows enjoying the comforting sound of crackling fire coming from the fireplace. Joelle entered the living room and ran to the couch where he was sitting "Daddy, hurry up!" She yelled to her father who was in the kitchen making hot cocoa while the two of them waited for him to open the presents. "Colby" She called, now whispering "Do you think his going to like it?" The little girl wanted to know.

"He's going to love it, kiddo" Colby tickled her "You're a little artist"

"Come on, dad!" She yelled

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Joe walked in with three hot mugs in his hands and put them on the coffee table, then he let himself fall back on the sofa and laid his arm over Colby's shoulders "Okay, presents, go" As she heard those words she jumped off of the couch and knelt beside the Christmas tree examining the gifts underneath it

"Let's start with... mine!" Said Joelle excited she raised a present above her head "This one's for you daddy!" Joe stood up and went to her

"You made me a present, Jojo?" He asked surprised and she nodded vigorously. It was a small book made from paper sheets folded in half with drawings of them together "You little artist! Come here, I love you sweetheart" He hugged her

"I love you too" Said Joelle "Now, this one is for you, Colby" She handed him a small package. He opened it and inside was a black and blue bracelet

"You made this, kiddo?"

"Yup" she smiled

"It is amazing! Way to go" he raised his hand and she gave him a high-five

"Well, you might wanna check the kitchen… there might be something for you there" Joe announced and she ran to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Colby stood up on his feet and grabbed a gift from under the tree

"I got you something as well… here" he gave him the present. Joe opened it, looked at Colby and then back at the gift and started laughing "Just so we're clear, you are going to wear it whether you like it or not" He warned him

"This is awesome" Joe held his new Seth Rollins t-shirt in front of him "You're awesome" He laughed

"I know… It's impressive, I'm so awesome I should be illegal"

"Your modesty stands out" said Joe in a giggle "Well, I also got you a gift" He held out a rectangular box with an envelope on top. Colby opened the envelope first, inside was a hand written letter.

"A love letter? How lame of you!" He teased. He read it once, but once was not enough

"Yes, lame, 'cause I'm the one smiling at it, right?" said Joe. The brown eyed man shot him a quick glance and a sideways smirk as he snatched the box from the other man's hands carefully unwrapping it.

"An apron. Thanks." He took the see-through apron out of the box confused "Well, I wasn't expecting this-"

"Just in case you feel like cooking…" Joe explained "Naked" He coughed.

"Oh, now we're talking" Colby chuckled stepping closer to his lover. Joe caressed his face, hands gliding along the contours of his jaw "Too bad we don't have a mistletoe" Colby sighed.

"Use your imagination" the gray eyed man whispered bringing Colby's face closer to his until their lips touched

The next morning Colby woke up to the sound of the front door opening. He jumped out of bed as he heard voices inside the house, familiar voices. "What surprise?" he heard. The brown-eyed man walked toward the living room from where the noise was coming. Joelle was by his father asking him what the surprise that he had promised her in the car was, while Joe hanged her pink jacket "Tell me, tell me, tell me!" She begged pulling his shirt. He turned around to meet her gaze and he saw Colby entering the room, Joe hid a smile.

"Good morning" The younger man greeted smiling from ear to ear. The little girl whirled her head surprised to hear his voice and ran to hug him.

"Uncle Colby!" she yelled as she hugged him tighter

"How's that for a surprise?" Joe chuckled

"I was hoping for a puppy" she commented with her arms still around his neck

"Woof woof?" He looked at her with puppy eyes

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Joe asked heading the kitchen. Colby shook his head in response "It's almost time for lunch… you had been sleeping this whole time? Are you sick or something?"

Well, it's your fault "Nah, I'm just lazy" He replied drawing his attention to the little girl next to him "What are we gonna do today?" he asked as he tickled her neck

"Homework" The gray eyed man answered before his daughter could "Unless you want mommy to kill me… you are doing your homework" He commanded cutting a grapefruit in half. Joelle folded her arms, but the pouting didn't last long, Joe gave her a look and she sighed and frowned "Don't look at me like that, I know it's boring, but I don't make the rules… Ask Colby if he wants to help you" He handed the grapefruit in a plate to the other man and made a signal with his eyed for him to eat. Colby nodded in appreciation. Jojo rolled her head to face Colby once more, forcing a wide smile "Will you? Pretty please!" She begged between her teeth

"I can't say no to you, Jojo! It's not fair!" He winked at her and she gave him a quick hug in response before running to her room.

"I told you she'd be happy to see you" Joe commented as he leaned against the kitchen counter right in front of where the other man was eating "Seriously, when did you start being good with children!?" He chuckled

"I've known you for how long now?" Colby joked. Both men shared a look and shyly looked away

"Come on, uncle Colby, hurry up!" They heard. Joe smiled, he couldn't hide his happiness, having the two people he loved the most in the whole world loving each other as well was utterly wonderful.

"When you trip over love, it is easy to get up. But when you fall in love, it is impossible to stand again."

- Albert Einstein