Christmas descended fast upon the Munson household. It felt like they had barely put the decorations up on the first of December before Charlie bounced around excitedly on Christmas Eve, determined to stay up and catch Santa in the act. She was fast asleep by ten, though, full of warm milk and Steve's gingerbread treats and curled into Eddie's side on the couch. He had to carefully carry her to bed, praying she wouldn't wake the entire time.

Once she was secured in bed and the door shut, he texted Chris to bring the presents over, and they arranged them under the tree. Charlie was going to be ecstatic in the morning when she saw all the presents. Eddie had worked a lot of overtime to get her the miniature cupcake oven she'd been begging for since she'd started school. He had half a mind to bill Steve for the payment since it was his fault she wanted it.

It was all worth it, though, when Charlie bounded into the main room in the morning, still rubbing sleep from her eyes, and burst into tears at the sight of it. Eddie had only put a giant bow on the top since it would have taken several rolls of wrapping paper to cover it. Not that it mattered. Charlie didn't seem to notice as she hugged him tightly, her bright smile making the extra hours and sales all worthwhile.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"I expect cupcakes every weekend, babygirl," Eddie told her in mock seriousness, cracking a smile when she nodded eagerly. "Go on, unwrap the others. Santa will get upset if you ignore his ones."

Chris rolled her eyes when Eddie joined her on the couch to watch Charlie ripping through the paper. "You're spoiling her."

"She deserves it."

"True." Chris sipped her coffee slowly, dark circles apparent under her eyes.

"Didn't sleep?"

"Nervous about later. Do you think Wayne will like Robin?"

"He'd be stupid not to. And we both know Wayne isn't stupid." Eddie patted her knee reassuringly. "He'll like her. As soon as he sees how you look at her, he'll know."

"How do I look at her?"

"Like she hangs the stars in the sky."

Chris scoffed, hiding her smile behind her mug.

"What time is Robin coming over anyway?"

"A couple of hours yet. She wanted to spend the morning with Steve. It's a shame he couldn't make it, though."

"Yeah." Eddie ignored her knowing smile. He was still dealing with the fallout of his relationship with Princess, and although he would miss Steve's company, he was also slightly relieved. He wasn't up to flirting or much else, if he was honest.

Several times over the last weeks, he'd been close to messaging Princess but had chickened out each time. Princess had been very clear that it was over when he'd walked away, and Eddie wasn't sure what magic combination of words could make him change his mind. Maybe some Christmas spirit would help. He had all day to come up with a plausible message.

Putting the Princess dilemma to the back of his mind for now, Eddie refocused just in time to catch a present Charlie threw at him. It was a pair of Garfield socks from Charlie, which he quickly pulled on, much to her disgust when he wriggled his feet in her direction.

Present unwrapping had just finished when Robin turned up with more bundled under her arm. Steve had gifted them with some chocolates for the occasion, and Eddie was grateful Charlie had so many other treats to occupy her because they were divine. He would have to make good on his promise of an apple pie in thanks since the taster had been such a hit. It would be nice to offer food instead of taking it for once.

Charlie was immediately occupied with the giant stuffed unicorn Robin had apparently won a few weeks ago at a carnival. She'd seen Charlie eyeing it up and had gone back, determined to win the thing. Eddie was touched and felt a lot warmer towards Robin after she told him, not that it was needed. He liked Robin and hoped she'd be sticking around. She was the first girlfriend Chris had introduced to Wayne since they were teenagers. Their family was growing.

As amazing as it was, it made the ache in Eddie's chest all the more apparent.

Wayne wasn't far behind, knocking on the door barely an hour after Robin arrived. Charlie answered it and threw herself in his arms, causing him to drop the bag of presents he was carrying. "Good morning, babygirl. Having a good time?"

"Uh-huh. Daddy got me the cupcake machine I wanted. Do you want some?"

"Maybe later. Let's get inside first. I need to sit down." Wayne sat on the couch with a groan, gratefully accepting a hug and coffee from Chris. He looked from the miniature over to Eddie, raising an eyebrow. "Fancy gadget."

"Yep. Don't ask how much it was, or I'll start crying."

They were distracted by Charlie dragging the bag of presents over, looking hopeful. Wayne helped her sort through them, a surprisingly heavy one landing in Eddie's lap. It turned out to be all his old songs, scrapped or unused, carefully stuck and preserved in an album. He had to fight back tears as he hugged Wayne extra hard.

With all the presents unwrapped, Eddie got roped into cooking duty with Chris and spent the next few hours poking and basting the turkey until he was sure even Gordon Ramsey would be proud. Charlie, of course, wanted to help mash the potatoes, and Eddie had to make sure all the lumps were gone once her back was turned.

He found it very amusing watching Robin with Wayne and her nervous diatribes about everything from his dogs to the Pacer's status in the league. She had really done her homework. It was nice, having their little family grow bigger, if only by one person. The table felt a lot fuller when they finally sat down to eat.

Eddie could help thinking about Princess, the idea of him being sat at his side. It was, in equal parts, a wonderful and gut-wrenching thought. Because it wouldn't happen now they had broken up. Eddie was still undecided on how to approach him or if it was already too late.

The leftover gingerbread and chocolate treats from Steve were all finished after Christmas dinner, and even Wayne was impressed with them, asking Robin to give Steve his thanks. It was a shame Steve hadn't been able to make it himself, but he had other plans. Eddie felt his missing presence when everyone settled to watch Christmas movies, full and sleepy from dinner. Chris and Robin were curled up together on the couch, and Charlie was snuggled into Wayne's side, which left Eddie alone. Not that he'd been planning to cuddle with Steve, but it would have been nice to have someone to talk to.

For the first time in forever, Eddie felt lonely. It was a horrible, stifling feeling that he couldn't shift, and halfway through the first movie, he needed to get the hell out and breathe. He patted Charlie's head and whispered, "Be back soon," before leaving as fast as he could without seeming suspicious.

Outside, he took a deep breath of the cold air and felt it clear his head, the oppressive feeling starting to recede. Impulsively, he got in his car and drove off with no destination in mind. For a while, it was just the empty streets and the quiet rumble of the car. Eddie had just driven into the nicer part of Chicago when he spotted someone stumbling along the street, either drunk or high.

Slowing to a stop, Eddie watched the person curiously. Something about them seemed familiar, and his heart leaped when he realized it was Princess. It was a good thing he'd stopped because a moment later, Princess threw a bottle across the street, barely missing Eddie's car as it shattered.

Eddie stepped out, approaching Princess slowly as he rubbed at his face in a confused gesture Eddie was all too familiar with. How much had he drunk? The smashed bottle on the road was empty, so it was at least that. Once he was across the street, Princess started to laugh. Not his normal, bright one, but something unhinged that had him doubling over and gasping after a moment.

"Princess? Hey, what's wrong?" Eddie asked, trying to keep his voice calm and not betray the panic he felt at seeing Princess come undone like this. Tentatively, he reached out and placed a hand on Princess' shaking back. "You know you can talk to me, okay?"

Gasping now, Princess got out in a weak voice, "Talk to you? You wanted to stop."

Guilt hit Eddie so hard that he had trouble speaking. "Right. Yeah."

"I'm fine."

"You're drunk."

Princess waved that away and tried to stand up but ended up stumbling over his feet. Eddie was prepared for this and caught him before he could hit the ground. His heart ached when the smell of Princess' familiar cologne assaulted him, grip tightening around his shaking body.

"M'fine," Princess told him petulantly, struggling upright again.

Eddie didn't let him go, though, just in case. He guided Princess back to the safety of the sidewalk. "Trust me, you're not. Where were you going?"

"Home."

"Which is…?"

"Home," Princess laughed, poking Eddie in the cheek. "You need to shave. Letting yourself go."

"Yeah, well, breakups tend to make you feel shitty."

Princess stopped so abruptly that Eddie stumbled. "It wasn't a breakup if we were never dating."

"Feels like one though, doesn't it?"

"Yeah."

Eddie sighed, trying to ignore the heavy weight that had settled in his stomach at the loaded exchange. Instead, he focused on getting Princess in the car and buckled in securely. "I'm sorry for being such a shithead to you. You didn't deserve that. And you're right; I should have treated you with more respect. So I'm going to take you home, okay? No objections. Where are we going?"

The smile he got was far too pretty, and Eddie could feel his cheeks burning. He busied himself with the heating because Princess was trembling, and once he felt back under control, he looked up again expectantly.

Instead of an address, Princess asked, "Why are you out here?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's Christmas. Why are you driving around instead of home?"

"Why aren't you at home?"

Princess scoffed and folded his arms, looking out of the window pointedly. If they were on better terms, Eddie would tease him for having such an adorable pout. Well-versed in the I'm-ignoring-you-but-don't-ignore-me attitude, he caught the surreptitious glances shot his way and had to fight not to smile.

Finally, after about five minutes, Princess said roughly, "My parents are in town. Trying to get me into the family business. Made me an offer."

"What kind?"

"Leave Chicago, go back to New York with them. My father would train me up so I could take his place one day. Never have to worry about money again. Anything I want at my fingertips."

"Sounds too good to be true."

"It is. I don't need the money, and I'm doing fine on my own. I love my job. I love my place and living with my best friend. I love my life. I don't wanna lose all that to be some plaything for my father to mold into the perfect son. Marry the pretty girl, give him a grandson to start on." Princess shivered despite the warm air blasting. "That's not me. I want someone to love me."

Eddie considered that, guilt returning but also, surprisingly, relief. He was glad Princess didn't want to go and had momentarily been disarmed by the idea. It only served to show him the truth; this thing between them was no longer casual. If Eddie was being honest, he doubted it ever was.

Was that what Princess wanted? He thought so, given the phone call that had spiraled out of control and landed them in their current predicament.

How different would it be if they hadn't stopped? Eddie thought Princess might be more friendly, probably handsy too. He wouldn't be curled against the passenger side door, barely acknowledging Eddie's presence.

For the first time in years, Eddie longed for something more. He wanted Princess to stay, to be there when he woke up in the morning with that bright laughter and warm kisses. But it wasn't just about him. He had Charlie to think about. Eddie sighed, hands tightening around the steering wheel. If it were just him, he'd roll the dice. He had to take it slow and feel it before introducing or mentioning Charlie.

"Princess?"

Princess jumped, seemingly lost in his thoughts, too, and looked over at Eddie in confusion as he pulled up by the park from their last outing. Taking a leap, Eddie reached over to cradle his cheek, and Princess' eyes fluttered shut as he let out a long sigh, hand coming up to cover Eddie's.

"I meant what I said. I'm so sorry about how I treated you. I should've been better. I can do better." Eddie smiled when Princess looked at him in surprise. "If you want to try again? That's if you don't go to New York, of course. But maybe I'd just follow you there and keep trying."

"I can't do casual," Princess warned him softly.

"Yeah, it didn't end so well." Eddie sighed, frowning as he contemplated Princess, thumb dragging across his cheek almost thoughtlessly. "I'm not saying it's going to be easy. Letting people in is… hard. I guess you know how that feels. I want to try, though, if you'll give me a chance."

"I want another rule."

"Yeah?"

"Don't sleep with anyone else. Not while you're with me. We're monogamous until we stop."

Eddie could help feeling smug about that and teased, "I'm that good, huh?"

He got a smack in the chest for it, albeit gently. "Shut up. I mean, you are, but that's not why I'm asking."

"I know. But you should know I haven't slept with anyone since I met you. Or a long time before that. A lot of this is new to me." He was willing to try, though, because Princess was worth the effort, and Eddie didn't want to hurt him again. The least he could do was try and be honest, be open, and hope Princess wouldn't hurt him. "Look, I've never done this before. Relationships have never been my forte. I'm taking a shot in the dark here and hoping it hits. That date you mentioned, wherever you want? I'd still like to go."

For a moment, Princess just stared at him blankly, but then he broke out in the most beautiful smile. "I think I'd like that too." He laughed as Eddie relaxed. Before he could say anything, Princess leaned over to kiss him.

Eddie jerked back before he could stop himself, hurrying to explain, "Sorry. You taste like wine. How much have you drank?"

"Uh, almost that whole bottle you saw me smash?" Princess replied sheepishly, blushing when Eddie laughed.

"That's what I thought. Come on, you need to sleep it off. So where are we going?"

Finally having a destination, Eddie started driving again. They were quiet for a while, Princess twisting his seatbelt so much it was making Eddie anxious. "You never answered my question."

"Which one?"

"Why are you out driving?"

Well, since he was being honest.

"My cousin introduced her partner to our family. I mean, it went well, which is great, but it felt… stifling? I needed to get out of there before I started screaming or something. Guess I was kinda lonely, and it made me think of you." He risked a glance at Princess, laughing at his stunned expression. "What?"

It was only when Eddie refocused on the road that Princess said tentatively, "There's always next Christmas."

Eddie thought about it. The table was full again, and Princess was by his side, Charlie laughing at something Wayne said. It was such a nice image, and he couldn't help smiling. "It's a date."

"How about we start with a first date?"

"I'd like that." He pulled onto Princess' street, slowing to a stop about halfway down. Taking one look at him fumbling with the seatbelt, Eddie got out and hurried around to help him out. "Where to?"

He walked Princess to his door, which had one of the largest Christmas wreathes Eddie had ever seen. Princess laughed at his expression as he fumbled with his keys. "Holly and mistletoe. It's a project my roommate and I have. We make it bigger every year."

"I can see."

Finally, Princess got the door unlocked and then hesitated on the doorstep, looking at Eddie almost shyly. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed him, quick but firm, leaving Eddie's lips tingling. "Goodnight, Kas. Call me?"

"Tomorrow morning," Eddie promised, squeezing his hand. "As long as you don't fly off to New York?"

Princess shook his head adamantly. "Staying right here."

"Good." Eddie caught his hand and leaned down to kiss it. "Drink some water and sleep it off. We can talk more when you're sober."

Blushing, Princess went inside. Eddie hurried back to his car to escape the cold, even though it had been worth it—a second chance with his Princess.

He paused, buckling his belt, and watched in the rearview mirror as a car slowly rolled out from a driveway and continued its course across the street, where it bumped into the opposite wall. He flinched when the alarm started wailing and got out to check. He'd barely taken five steps when a man rushed out from the walled house, waving Eddie back good-naturedly. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh yes, it's just Doris. She always forgets her handbrake. This happens at least once a month." he fished a set of keys from his pocket, and Eddie watched in bemusement as he drove the car back up the opposite driveway and parked it, handbrake presumably on. "Not from around here, I take it?"

"No."

"I suppose it must seem strange to you then."

"A little." Eddie smiled as the man chuckled. He was surprised when he stuck his hand out but shook it regardless.

"Name's Ted."

"Eddie."

"Well, Eddie, nice to meet you."

"You too."

Ted nodded agreeably and let him go. "I'll let you go now. Not every day someone stops to help, so thank you."

"Anytime."

Eddie returned to his car, still confused but oddly warmed by the interaction. Princess was surrounded by good people, it seemed. It was better than what Eddie had heard about his family, anyway. Thank god Princess didn't want to leave. The idea was almost heartbreaking. Pushing that depressing thought away, Eddie went home.

Charlie greeted him at the door with a sleepy smile and held out her arms, so he picked her up with a grunt, settling her on his hip. "You're heavy today, babygirl. How much candy have you eaten?"

"Not enough."

"Save some from tomorrow." He wiped at a chocolate smear on the corner of her mouth, kicking the door shut behind him.

Chris and Robin were settled close together on the couch as Wayne snored in the armchair beside them. Some Christmas movie was playing in the background, Gremlins, Eddie recognized after a moment. He sat down beside Chris, allowing Charlie to get more comfortable in his lap so she could watch the movie.

Once Charlie was engrossed, Chris whispered, "Where'd you go? It's been ages."

"Just for a drive. Needed to clear my head and found a Princess in need of rescuing." Chris' eyes widened in recognition, but Eddie shook his head. "Later." He focused on combing out Charlie's curls, tangled from the day's excitement, and even found a hidden carrot. Charlie giggled when he dropped it on her lap and delicately placed it on the table. At least she didn't throw it on the floor or eat it.

With the movie finished, Eddie got up carefully to take the half-asleep Charlie to bed. She objected with a whine as she was set down, holding out her arms to him. "Stay."

Well, who was he to say no?

Settling on the bed, he grabbed The Return of the King and waited until Charlie was settled against his side to find their place. Clearing his throat, he began, "Sam roused himself painfully from the ground. For a moment he wondered where he was, and then all the misery and despair returned to him…"

Charlie was asleep after two pages. Still, it took Eddie a while to leave, content to stay with his babygirl a little while longer. Chris eventually poked her head in, beckoning Eddie to come out, so he slipped himself free to join her.

"Tell me what happened," Chris whispered in the hallway.

Eddie glared at her, shutting Charlie's door carefully. "We talked. I'm going to call him in the morning."

"And?"

"And see about a date." He couldn't help smiling as Chris gasped excitedly, clapping her hands together. "Okay, okay, let's go before you wake Charlie up."

Wayne was awake now but still sluggish in his chair, and Eddie patted his shoulder on his way by, getting a grunt in response. There was a warm pot of coffee waiting in the kitchen, courtesy of Robin apparently, and he made two mugs, bringing one back out for Wayne as he settled on the couch. It was quiet for a while, the two girls disappearing to Chris' apartment, leaving them alone to their drinks and thoughts. So, of course, Eddie was thinking about Princess.

"You got that look on your face again," Wayne said knowingly. "Thinking' about that boy?"

Eddie hummed noncommittally.

"I'll take that as a yes."

After another long pause, Eddie said, "It's more serious now. At least, I think it is."

"And Charlie?"

"I am considering it." Sort of. He was considering mentioning it to Charlie, which was far more than he'd originally planned. "Guess you were right, Wayne."

"I always am."

Eddie scoffed but didn't challenge the statement.

Since it was late, he offered his room to Wayne and quickly changed the bedsheets before retiring to the couch for the night. He didn't mind since it meant Charlie would be happy to see her Papaw in the morning. Sure enough, he was woken early by Charlie wriggling under his blanket, and she beamed at him when he opened his eyes. "Papaw's asleep."

"So was I."

"I'm not sorry."

"You will be." Eddie tickled her sides, laughing when she squealed and wriggled free. "Brush your teeth!"

Chris and Robin brought them fresh bagels from down the street, and after breakfast, Wayne got up to leave. First, he had to pry Charlie from his legs, though, as she clung to him, pouting. "I'll see you soon, babygirl, I promise. Maybe your daddy will let you stay with me for the weekend. You're a big girl now."

"Can I?" She asked Eddie excitedly.

"I'll think about it."

"Don't worry. I'll convince him," Chris reassured as she pried Charlie away, Wayne finally getting out the door. Charlie hugged Chris instead, looking upset. "Come on, sweetpea, let's try out that fancy new oven."

"Yeah!"

As she ran back inside, Chris asked, "Can you take Robin home?"

"Only if you save me a cupcake."

"Deal."

Robin looked tired, barely offering him a smile as she slid into the car.

"Late night?"

"Something like that," She yawned. "Do you know where you're going?"

"Nope."

Instead of giving him an address, she became a very annoying satnav. Eddie couldn't even tell where they were going, and it was a relief to finally stop because of a commotion. "I swear to god, is that Doris again?" Robin got out of the car, grumbling as she went to investigate.

Eddie, however, sat frozen behind the wheel. He hadn't recognized the street in the daylight, but sure enough, he noticed the same car abandoned on the road. How many places had forgetful women called Doris who left their handbrakes off? His eyes sought out Princess' front door with the bright wreath of holly and mistletoe. Did Robin know Princess?

Robin returned, making Eddie jump when she opened the door and leaned in. "Don't worry about it, Eddie. I can get home from here."

Was she pointing at Princess' house?

"You sure?"

"Yep. Thanks for the ride." She beamed at him before shutting the door and walking away.

Eddie watched as he turned the car around, apprehensive for some strange reason, but he breathed a sigh of relief when Robin went to a different door. Shaking his head, Eddie drove away. For a moment there, he'd thought that maybe Princess was Steve.