Counting

Chapter 24

by Tux


This is all fantasy fiction. None of the events are real.

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This story is an original work of fiction ©Copyright 2022 Tux - Please do not copy or post without permission.


Hey guys it's Tux and I can't express the joy that I have that you all love reading my story. I wasn't really sure in the beginning but working with Andrew, he built my confidence and I wrote my story down. I'm so excited to keep writing the story and bringing you more emotional connection, drama, and victories for young AJ and Zack. After writing so far into the story, I've become very attached to AJ and Zack, more than I thought I was going to be able to, and I look forward to sharing the rest of his story with you.

I appreciate all the emails, suggestions, offers, and support that I get and for those who haven't emailed yet and are waiting or don't feel comfortable or safe emailing let me, let me express my gratitude for reading my story and tell you a little bit about my story. I've been reading nifty for many years about two months ago I just decided to start emailing people and let them know how much I appreciate their stories. I got replies almost instantly. The responses were supportive, encouraging, and some even held spoilers. I struck up a friendship with Andrew and it grew with my confidence and now Andrew is my most trusted editor. I cannot do this without him. Other authors like Lucas and Eric Murphy offer advice and support with my stories and it means the world to me. So, take a leap email an author and tell them how you feel, did you like the story did you not like it, all opinions matter to the author. Do you have suggestions on where you think the story could go, all suggestions interest the author. So take that leap and email your favorite author, you can change his day for the better, and might even influence or change the story. Thank you to all those that were supportive to me and I can't wait to show you the rest of... Counting.


Chapter 24 - Merry Christmas

AJ

It was the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse... well, not yet at least. I begin to stir, counting down the minutes till I'm sure that Zack is deep asleep. We had so much Christmas sex a few hours ago, he passed out. It was great; I got to wear an elf costume. He didn't even bother brushing his teeth, yuck! His strong-arm wraps around me, and his soft hand gently cups my genitals as if to lock me into place. The trick here is to pull his hand away from my dick without waking him.

Moving each finger from around my balls is tedious, but for this to work, I must get free from underneath his arm. Slowly, ever so slowly, I slide from under his embrace, and the covers slip from my naked form like water off a duck's back. The cold room's air shrinks up my balls now that they don't have Zack's loving protection, so only my hard-on swings like jingle bells. I quietly pull out the dresser drawer that I seldom use, the pajama drawer. It's freezing walking about the house after midnight, and I'm going to be up for a while.

I get out one of my new Christmas-themed PJs and slip them on as fast as I can. They're a red onesie covered in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's head which is turned every which way. My feet fit in, and the rubber soles almost seem to lock into place. I grab my phone and put it in my pocket, then tiptoe up to Zack's nightstand. I put on my glasses, this whole plan doesn't work unless I can see him. I take my hearing aid from its charging cradle and head to the bedroom door, hooking it around my right ear as I walk. If I turn it all the way up, I should be able to hear that fat man tiptoeing across the floor. I tell myself I'm almost ready.

As quietly as I can, I move down the stairs while I snap up the front of my PJs. After getting past mom's room, which is now referred to as mom and dad's, I peek in to make sure they didn't hear me sneaking down the stairs. It looks like I'm good; the mission is a go. Zeke and Lana keep their doors shut, so I don't have to creep past them. I stop at the top of the stairs just to take in the breathtaking view.

The room is lit by a million or so Christmas lights of all colors and shapes. Sure, the Christmas tree is magnificent with its 3000 multicolored lights twinkling in the once-dark room, but what upgrades its look is the decorations that reflect the light, sending it in all different directions. At the top is the star that shines the whitest light possible. The starlight cascades down the tree, connecting with the 475 glass ornaments that are hung with care. At the bottom is the train set that my grandfather gave my mother when Lana was born. White puffs of silky smoke are released into the air by the little black train engine, which is used to pull three distinctly different cars with three children's names on them. This year, though, two identical cars were added with Zack and Zeke's names, and now the little engine works even harder but makes it around the base of the tree with the faint sound of small wheels on train tracks.

Every window is traced with 200 little white lights so as not to outshine the splendid tree. The mantle of the fireplace is outlined in 100 of the same little white lights. Four stocking spotlights shine down on four unique stockings, highlighting the stitching of each of our names with our Christmas iconic figure. Mine is Rudolph. Mom ordered the twin's new stockings from the same New York shop she got ours from so that way they would all match.

Christmas garland outlines the outer edges of the stairs, and the runner was changed to a theme that was appropriate to the season. Getting down to the living room, I check under the tree, and he hasn't been here yet, so I haven't missed him. "Yes!" I whisper with quiet glee, and I head to the kitchen to get one of the mag-lights off its charger. Checking that it's still good, I click it on and off, sending a beam of light across the room and instantly turning night into day. When the time comes, I want a good, strong light so I can see the man in red. "Hmmm, where should I sit? Where is the best angle of the tree?" I quietly think out loud to myself. I decided to wedge it in between the entertainment center and the wall. To complete the hiding place, I use a blanket off the couch, so I look like just some randomly thrown cover.

I'm ready.

It won't be long now.

"I'll get a picture of you this year for sure, Santa," I say with a yawn.

14 Hours Earlier

"Man, I'm so excited!"

"AJ, you're so gross. Stop talking with your mouth full of Cheerios," Lana says with a little disgust. "You're spitting little pieces and milk all over the bar."

"Sorry," I apologize and wipe up my mess with the sleeve of my PJs. Zack giggles, and Zeke just rolls his eyes at me.

Lana takes my mostly empty bowl and tells me to hurry off and change clothes. "Something nice, I don't hang out with hoboes," she adds, and I smile and giggle. Sliding off my stool, I hurry to my room with Zack on my heels.

"It's so nice of Lana to take us shopping," Zack says breathlessly.

"Yeah, she's so much nicer since Missy moved back with their dad. I'm surprised, honestly, that she didn't go also," I say as I finish counting the balusters on the bedroom wall.

Zack has his pajama bottoms off by the time he walks past me, and his dick and balls are swinging back and forth as he walks. I rush past him and swat at his ass with a loud `SMACK' and he spins around, grabbing me by my waist. "You think that's funny!" he growls, and body slams me on the bed as I laugh and beg for mercy. He tickles me till he thinks I've had enough, then lays next to me. "Zeke told me that dad told him that when Lana and Missy's dad heard your mom enrolled her in that attitude correction school for troubled girls, he went ballistic. But your mom wouldn't budge and said Missy was endangering the people in this family. Until she learned not to do that, she had to stay there. So, her dad pulled her out of that school and moved her in with his family. Lana told him no; she was happy here and she barely remembers him."

"Wow, I didn't know all that," I said, tugging on my PJ bottoms, trying to get them off my legs. Zack pulls them off for me. Resting on my elbows, I spread out my legs, and he lays in between them. His finger begins to roam around my naked form, settling on my boy bits, causing me to gasp slightly. As he traces the little wrinkle on my family jewels, that's what the lunch table boys call them, and it's the nicest name I've heard from them. Everything else just seems... crude. Anyway, Zack lightly breathes on them, sending shivers up my spine, and I lean my head back, moaning. It's gentle, loving, and sexual. It feels wonderful, but not in a `fuck me now' way, and I groan as he slowly traces down my crack, then back up it, and tickles just under my balls, sending pure joy through my body.

Then, ruining my blissful moment, he flicks my hard-on really hard, then says, "Come on, you don't want Lana to change her mind, do you?"

"Owe! Did you have to flick Mr. Stiffy?" I say holding onto my genitals with both hands to protect them from further assaults. Zack laughs as he pulls out some nice clothes for me.

After pee breaks, taking medicine, listening to mom worry about me getting lost if I don't stay with Zack, making sure I have my phone, making Zack go change his shirt, and then double-checking everything I've mentioned, we leave.

After a forty-five-minute drive, we make it to the mall. It's crazy here. We've been looking for a spot to park for twenty minutes, and Lana has been cussing for ten of those. After the first ten minutes, we started playing alphabetical license plates. You start with A, obviously, and when you see an A on a plate then you call it out. Then B is the other person's turn. We are on O. O is so hard, but every parking spot is full, so lots of choices. O can look like a zero, so you need a good look. Then, as we turned a corner, a minivan pulled out, and Lana pulled in before someone else took it.

"Wow, I can't believe it's so crowded. I didn't know we had so many people here in Cut Bank," Zack says as he holds my hand.

"It's like it's back at our old home in New York," I tell him with a cute little shrug. "What should we get mom and dad?"

Lana stares at her cell phone texting someone or tiktok'ing something. It's amazing how she doesn't walk into traffic. "Don't worry little bro, I got her something from us. You and Zack can pick something for Jack, and I'll make sure you have the cash," she says, never taking her eyes off the cell screen.

We get to the front doors and are waiting for our turn to enter, and Lana instructs us, "Okay, I have someone I need to meet. You do what you want to do and meet me here at the front doors in an hour." Then she pulls out a wad of cash and hands Zack a hundred-dollar bill. "This should cover what you want to buy. Zack is in charge of you. I'm not kidding, if I hear about you running off away from Zack, I'll whip your ass and then tell mom so she can spank you when you get home."

Yikes, the look in her eyes tells me that she's not messing around. I nod and grip Zack's hand a little tighter.

"I want to hear you say it, AJ. Say you understand," Lana puts down her phone and stares coldly at me.

"I do; I understand"

Lana looks at Zack and gives him a nod. "One hour, Zack, don't be late. Don't lose AJ. You're not too old for me to whip either." Then she heads inside and turns the opposite way we are heading. It's shoulder to shoulder in here, and Zack and I make it to the Tack Store. This store is for those who live with their horses. Everything horses... you can take the most businessperson and have them shop here, they would walk out a cowboy, hehee. "Why are we here?" I ask Zack because he seems to know what he's after.

"Zeke and I thought it would be nice to get a plate for dad's saddle with all of our names on it," he says as we get to a glass case full of different-sized plates, but all the plates are blank. They are in hundreds of different shapes: fifteen circles, twenty-two squares, eight shields, three ovals, nineteen stars, etc.

I watch Zack's eyes shift from one plate to another, looking for whatever he has in mind. "Do you know what you want?" I ask him, completely lost on why dad would want a bunch of blank plates.

"Zeke and I were thinking of a four-inch halter plate with his horse's name on it and a big one for his stall door." He looks around till he sees a silver one about five inches long and tells the man at the counter. "The big one and the four-inch one need to say, `Buddy' please."

"And the two-inch by five-inch plate?" Asks the counterman.

"Best Dad, Love Zeke, Zack, and AJ. And if you can also etch a sunset above our names. And a cowboy hat next to Buddy's name, please."

The man writes it all up. Zack signs it and pays him. "Look, just enough for us to grab a soft pretzel on our way to the front door," Zack says, and we both get close to the counter to watch the man etch the silver plates.

A man that's leaning on the shop window turns and watches the man etching also, but out of the corner of my eye, I see his face, and I know I've seen him before. My attention is squarely on the man as I try to remember. He's wearing a dark blue Jean jacket, far too light for the weather here in Cut Bank. He's wearing a New York Yankees hat and a black COVID mask. He looks nervously back and forth, giving me a small glimpse of his face to feed my curiosity. Then he turns, and our eyes meet. His eyebrows flicked up in horror, as did mine when I recognized him.

"Zack, Zack," I shout and yank on his coat, watching the man mix in with the thousands of others walking around the mall.

"What?"

"That was the man from the grocery store, remember the day before Halloween?"

"Where, which one? What's he wearing?"

"He has on a dark blue light jean jacket and a New York Yankees baseball cap and a black COVID mask and..."

The shop clerk hands Zack the gift box, and Zack says his last thanks. "Come on AJ, ninety percent of the men in this mall are wearing denim jackets of some type. That was three months ago, how can you be sure it's the same guy?"

"Because it's him, okay! It's him!"

The store guy makes his way around the counter and asks, "Hey, are you kids in trouble?"

Zack addresses him, "No, my brother thinks he saw someone, that's all." He grabs my arm and leads me out in a rush. "AJ, what is wrong with you?"

We weave in and out of the crowded mall and I plead for understanding, "Zack, don't be mad, please. I'm not lying. It really was him."

"Are you lying, AJ? Sometimes I can't tell." He spins me around and kneels in front of me. Looking into my eyes, he says, "You're safe. Zeke and I are safe. The man who tried to kidnap you was arrested, and I promise you he isn't getting out. It's Christmas, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

I suddenly feel like everyone is looking at me. Looking around I don't see looking though, except one man. It's quick, and he's gone as soon as someone walks by him. Turning back to Zack, I apologize for my outburst. "Can we go?" I ask, unsure if we are alone or not.

Getting outside the mall, we see Lana with a small white box with a red ribbon and bow. She quickly puts it in her oversize white and yellow dotted purse when she sees us. "You two ready, is there change?" And Zack digs what's left of the hundred dollars and hands it over. She takes it without counting it and dumps it in her purse. "Come on, mom texted to say to meet them downtown at the ice festival; we'll have lunch there."

We leave the mall, and the car ride is quiet. We all seem to have something to do; Zack pouting and looking out his door window, Lana driving and talking to her boyfriend, Tyler, and me. I'm watching out the back window, looking for cars that may be following us. Once we get across town, we pull into the parking garage. Lana drives slowly, stopping here and there for families in winter jackets to walk by. After a few minutes, she finds a parking place that is a squeeze to get into, but she works the little blue car in. Lana and Zack have to skinny out, but I move freely. Joys of being small, I guess.

"Okay, AJ, same rules. You'll hold Zack's hand, and if he loses you, I'll beat him. Everyone understand?"

Zack and I nod, and I grip his hand a little tighter. We can hear the goings-on of the Ice Festival while we walk down the parking garage ramp. We stop at the bottom to my distress. Silly Christmas songs, laughter, little kids screaming on rides, and vendors hollering about candy apples, cotton candy, and hotdogs fill my soul with the excitement that's being anticipated. Then I see it... and I can't control myself.

Zack

I'm looking at my phone, waiting for Zeke to reply, when I feel AJ let go with his hand, and with a burst of speed, he breaks my hold and runs towards a huge ice sculpture. It's at the entrance of the festival, over the ticket taker. It is completely out of ice with the phrase "Welcome to the Ice Festival" carved into it. I suppose if I were nine years old, from New York, and had never seen this kind of thing before, I would have been enchanted too, but... now's not the time.

"AJ! What are you doing!?" I yelled, alarming Lana and bringing her attention to AJ running off to look at the ice sculpture.

"Hey, what did I just tell you!? What did I tell you!?

As Lana and I close the gap on my overly excited little bro, but not before a man runs up and grabs AJ by the waist and tosses him in the air, spinning him around. AJ's face goes from pure fright to laughing glee in the instance it takes to recognize our dad.

"Where do you think you're going, my little cowboy?" He asks the question not needing an answer. He catches him and hikes him over his shoulder, displaying AJ's cute little butt for everyone to see. "Now, AJ, what has your mother told you about running off on your own?"

Lana and I arrive about the same time. Mom walks up to us and greets us, asking, "Was he like this the whole time?"

"No...," I quickly answer, worried that Lana will exaggerate AJ's behavior, "mom, he is just excited, that's all. At the mall, he was good."

AJ rests on dad's shoulder, with the occasional jab from dad's finger causing him to squirm and giggle. "Well, that can't happen here. Why don't I just hold onto you for the time being?" Then dad gives AJ's butt a swat, and I can see from his expression that it hurt just enough to warn AJ not to argue with dad's compromise.

Dad takes AJ, spins him around, and sets him on his shoulders. One of AJ's hands rubs at, what I am sure, is a stinging butt cheek.

I poke at his butt cheek with a finger, and he jumps a little then turns and says, "Hey!"

"Does it sting?"

I poke it again, and he swats at my hand with a half begging half laughing, "Please stop." Zeke and Parker join us, as they were walking a lot slower than mom and dad for privacy, I would imagine. Mom and dad talk to us kids, and except for Lana, the rest of us must be in twos.

Zeke speaks up in a hurry in an embarrassed voice that cracks, "Parker can come with me!"

Zeke blushes and looks at Parker. He smiles back and agrees, "Sure, I'd like that."

I can see AJ's eyes roll perched on top of dad's shoulders, and I giggle.

"Come on, everyone that wants food follow me," dad says with a bounce in his step making AJ fidget about. We walk under the large ice archway, and AJ drags his fingers across the ice, amazed by its construction.

AJ

Outside heaters are placed around the eating area, and we all sit at a picnic table waiting for mom and Lana to come back with hot dogs, farm fries, and hot chocolate.

After cold hot dogs and fries, we got them hot they just got cold, and three cups of hot chocolate, I was ready for some ice sculptures. These are so cool, excuse the pun, hehee. Mom and Zack went one way; Lana went with her boyfriend Tyler, yuk. Zeke and Parker went to ride the rides, and dad and I went by ourselves. Well, it's more that dad is going where he wants and I'm along for the ride. Ice sculptures are awesome, I've only seen them once when I was younger. They do this every year here in Cut Bank! The first display was the Avengers running toward Thanos, very epic. The second one is of a huge monster truck with fangs and fur on it.

We look at about four sculptures, and dad takes us to an ice gazebo with ice benches. He lifts me off his shoulders with his strong arms and sets me next to him, but on the opposite bench. My eyes flip back and forth at the rides that are after the sculptures.

"AJ, can I talk to you for a minute?"

My head moves with the need to see everything, and as I slide my butt around on the ice bench, I nonchalantly say, "Sure, dad. What's up."

"I'm going to need you to pay attention, eyes on me."

That's an odd thing for him to say. Sure, mom says it all the time, but dad never says it. I sit forward and wonder if I did something wrong. "Did I do something wrong?" I meekly ask.

Dad looks surprised. "What? No, no, you're a good boy, AJ. I'm always proud of how you handle things. No, I wanted to talk to you alone about... huh, I didn't think this was going to be that hard." Dad chuckles to himself and then pulls my hat down over my eyes in a playful manner. "Listen, kiddo, your mom is pretty great..."

I lift my cowboy hat so I can see dad's blushing face, "...yeah?"

"Well, she treats my boys like her own and has even taught me a few things about parenting." He chuckles again, like a treasured memory interrupts his thinking, and then his mind switches back on track; he takes a deep breath and speaks. "I guess what I'm trying to say, AJ, is that she is important to me, and I care for her very much-,"

"-as much as you love me?"

His eyes go wide, and he gives me a funny look like he's seriously thinking about my question, "You know I love you very much, but I love your mom in a very special way. You've become a very important part of this family, and I just don't think I could move forward with it without asking you for your permission?"

"My permission. My permission for what?"

Zeke

Parker is about six inches taller than me and has hazel eyes instead of blue like mine. I'm built solidly for a thirteen-year-old, and I don't mind bragging about it, but Parker is defined. Of course, now he's all bundled up, but at home, when I see him in his t-shirt, I feel weird inside. I mean, I just need to touch him, but I don't dare. He turns and catches me adjusting my hard-on for the hundredth time this morning. I freeze and smile.

Parker giggles and smiles back. His smile seems to add to his already golden-skinned cheeks. "Did you find what you're looking for?" He asks and nods toward my pants. Pulling out my hand from inside my pants, my face changes red, and I'm so embarrassed. He lightly `bro' punches me in the shoulder and says, "You're cute when you're embarrassed."

"Really... you think so?"

He hangs his arm around my shoulder and responds, "Yup, I mean, you're cute, but when you blush like that, it makes me smile. Come on, let's get this one over here.

He thinks I'm cute. Thoughts swarm my mind, and I don't even notice that he's led me to a ride called `The World of Ice Horrors."

The ride is in a building that is meant to be broken down and moved to the next fair. Today it's a mixture of blues, whites, and blacks in a picture of an ice cave. There are eyes painted in the blackness of the cave, and a huge yeti that watches the riders from behind a large ice stalactite. Two doors are hidden in the paint display, and the two are connected by a rail that a car is hooked to. Once it's our turn the door on our left slams open and a light blue and black painted car creeps out and stops. The previous riders get out, and Parker and I jump in.

The car crawls towards the other door, and the doors on the cave open inward, and the darkness swallows us up. I can barely see five inches in front of me, and I sit in anticipation of the next jump scare when Parker takes my hand. I turn to look at him, and our eyes meet. His killer smile is there, and it steals my breath away.

"Is this okay?"

I open my mouth, and it's suddenly so dry that I barely can speak. My mind is going soft, and I manage to squeak out, "...yeah. It's nice." Yetis, mad reindeer, crazy Santas with axes, and falling icicles happen all around us. I can hear them move about on their cords or rails, but our eyes stay locked. Then Parker closes his eyes slowly and tilts his head. Wait. What is he doing?! I let go of his hand and stood up, but was immediately struck in the head by a support beam.

I collapse back in the car, and Parker rushes to check my head as the doors open, flooding us with sunlight and blinding us momentarily. Laughing and talking drown my cussing that I'm muttering.

"Are you okay? Zeke?"

"Yeah, I think so," I answer, and I flash him a little smile. "I'm not sure why I stood up. I think one of the yetis moved by the door and scared me."

"I am... I didn't mean to upset you?" He apologizes and turns away from me with flushed cheeks.

We hop out of the car, and I take his hand, turning him around. Our eyes meet, and suddenly I can't think. I can't breathe. My mouth can't form complete sentences, "...was sweet. I like... hands."

He looks confused, but also like he's trying to talk himself into something. The uncomfortable air between us suddenly becomes more than he can bear, and he leans in and kisses me. Warm, soft lips lay on mine. The kiss is simple and takes its time. Our lips become one, and there is just the faintest feeling of wanting to go farther, but I'd never ruin this moment. Our lips pull apart, he forms a smile, and I exhale slowly with my eyes still closed. "That was nice," I whisper, finding myself leaning forward toward him.

He takes my hand and says, "Let's ride the Ferris Wheel!" And he takes off, pulling me behind him.

AJ

After our talk, dad and I meet up with mom and Zack. Not being able to contain myself, I hurry over to my mother and embrace her with the best hug I can give. "Whoa, what is this all about?"

She looks to dad, who shrugs with a smile that he does know. Looking up at her, I tell her, "Nothing, I'm just really happy for you."

"Well," she says, like she is not sure what that means, "I'm happy for you also." I look to dad, and he motions me over. I run to him and leap into his arms, and he puts me back on his shoulders. It sure is nice being small sometimes, hehe.

The day went on and on, and we did the sleighing contest and the city snowball fight, and now we're at the live music and fireworks display. I'm so tired I can barely stay awake for the show, but I manage to keep my focus... and then... in my dad's arms... I fall asleep.

Zack

We're all exhausted when we enter the house at about 10:30 pm. My limbs feel so heavy because I've been on my feet since ten this morning. AJ is dead to the world, and I mean dead, that boy has been snoring since we left town. Once we get his winter jacket and snow pants off, dad carries AJ up to our bedroom. I follow them with only one thing on my mind, sleep.

We enter the room, and I turn the light switch on for dad and then quickly count the balusters on the wall. Dad looks at me from the corner of his eye, and I catch him. "What?" I say with a little grumpier attitude.

"Nothing," he whispers, "I just didn't know you were counting also."

"I was... just waiting for you to move, that's all."

"Okay, sure," dad says as he takes my boyfriend's pants off. I start to undress, and dad picks up the naked AJ and lays him on his side of the bed. I take off my pants and boxers at the same time and grab AJ's, tossing them toward the dirty hamper. Then crawl under the blankets, snuggling right up to AJ. My hardening cock seems to fit perfectly into the space between AJ's legs and under his balls. Dad watches me get comfortable and smiles when I give him an `I'm ready' nod to pull the covers over us. He leans over and kisses AJ's forehead, then mine.

He watches us for a few seconds and says, "I'm so proud of you boys. I love you all so much."

I manage to mumble, "I love you too, dad," and then drift off to sleep.

Jack

Coming down the stairs, I see Alice in the kitchen. She's still dressed in her jeans and red top that she's had on all day. "Zeke's asleep, and I put Parker in Zack's old room."

I kiss her gently on the lips, then say, "Thanks, those kids tire me out. Zack and AJ are out like a light. I was going to get a few hours of sleep before playing Santa."

"Sounds good," she responds, covering a yawn that escapes. "I'm worn out."

3:00 am

MEEP...MEEP...MEEP goes to the alarm. I would have thought the sound was in my dream if it wasn't the third time, I hit the snooze button. Alice rolls out of bed and heads to the bathroom. I turn off the alarm and get up, put my blue pajama bottoms on, and head over to the closet to get the bags of presents. When Alice comes out of the bathroom, she kisses me with a little warm peck on my cheek. She takes hold of three brand new snowboards that the boys wanted, and I wrestle the bags over my shoulder, then head downstairs. Putting the presents under the tree I keep in mind the faster I do this the faster I can go back to sleep.

We are about halfway down when Alice stops me and holds her finger to her lips. I listen and soon become aware that there is a faint snoring coming from the tv. I give her a grin and sneak over there to find, under a blanket, a sleeping AJ dressed in a tight red onesie. He has his cell phone in one hand, with the camera app open, and a mag light in the other. He looks so cute and comfortable, it's a shame to move him. I take the phone, close the app, and the flashlight and give them to Alice. Then, ever so carefully, I carry him back up the stairs to bed. Then softly, very quietly, AJ asks, "Santa, why'd you come back?"

I smile and don't want to fully wake him, so I answer, "You should be in bed."

He snuggles his head on my shoulder and whispers, "Can I have your photo?"

"Awe, AJ, shhhh," I reassure him and rub my hand on his back in small circles, just above his medicine injector. "Merry Christmas, little one."

7:45 am

Our bedroom is still, and Alice and I are cuddled up next to each other just enjoying our time alone before... then it happens; the door bursts open and three buffalo trample through the bedroom, jumping on the bed, hollering about Christmas presents and the sun is up, and the need for us to hurry up. Sigh...

I grab the first boy I can reach and pin Zeke down, tickling him and causing the other to jump on me to save their brother. Alice escapes while I sacrifice myself to the herd. Zeke gets away, and the three of them rush through the door, heading back to the living room, leaving me laying on the bed. My smile seems to always be on my face nowadays. I work at trying to keep this memory forever. The soft sheets and the warmth from where she was laying, the laughing of the boys downstairs so full of joy and promise, and the faint smell of coffee drifting up the stairs. It can't get any better than this.

AJ

We finally get mom, dad, and Lana down here in the living room to open presents. Mom and dad are in the kitchen and are on their way back to us. There is a tray of hot chocolate and sticky buns sitting on the coffee table for the rest of us. Parker and Mr. Hoss come into the house and take off their coats. Parker hurries over to sit next to Zeke, grabbing a hot chocolate on his way by. Dad gives Hoss a cup of coffee, and they all find a seat in the living room.

"Before we get started with this Christmas tradition of handing out the gifts, I would like to start with one of my own," says dad, and he heads to the tree to get a little box hidden behind it. He turns to my mom, takes an audible breath, and gets on one knee in front of her. Mom immediately covers her mouth with both hands to stop herself from crying.

"Alice," he goes on, "you moved here not long ago, and I understand that it hasn't been long, but I've never felt the way I feel about you. You're perfect for me. You're strong, sensible, and beautiful. God, you're so beautiful," everyone giggles or laughs a little along with mom. "I can't see myself without you by my side. Alice Docker, will you marry me and become Alice Colter?

"Yes"

We are all very happy and cheer while mom opens the little white box with the red ribbon tied in a bow. The ring is gorgeous and twinkles in the morning sunlight. Lana and mom stare at it and take social media pictures of it, of mom by herself, and of mom and soon-to-be real dad. For the better part of thirty minutes, we all forgot about presents and talked amongst ourselves about Zack and Zeke becoming my real brothers and how cool that is going to be. I am excited about sharing Zack's last name... AJ Colter sounds so cool.

After the congratulations wore off and the coffee cups were refilled, Lana passed out presents. Gift paper, ribbons, and bows are ripped and torn apart to reveal surprises asked for and some that were not. Dad and mom pass the camera back and forth as they open their gifts, filming everything that happens. Dad loves his nameplates and says it was the best gift ever. Lana got mom some binoculars, a book on birds and one on plants, and a framed picture for her study with a lot of birds on it, and true to her word, she put all our names on them. As for me, I got: a snowboard, PS5 games, books, clothes, underwear, and socks, a drone, and some rodeo gear; It is a great Christmas for me.

"What's this back here?" Asks Lana, and she pulls a large backpack from the very back. It's made with soft brown leather with four pouches on the front, a drink holder on the side, and two heavy-duty shoulder straps, each with nine studs placed evenly down them, adding up to eighteen studs. The tag says, `To AJ, From Santa.'

I look at mom and dad, who look at each other strangely. I get up and hurry to get it from Lana. It's big enough for all my schoolbooks. I open it up, and the inside is lined with dark brown fur. I rub my hand through it and thoughts of Maxwell flicker in the back of my memories. "Wow, the inside is furry like Maxwell!"

Zack and Zeke rush over to look at it and then dad asks, "AJ, son, bring it here let me see it."

I obey my new father and bring it to him. He looks it over as I wait impatiently for dad and mom to inspect it for some reason, and then they head to the kitchen with my backpack.

I follow them in, and they seem upset, whispering back and forth, "AJ, honey, go back in the living room, please."

"Ok-ay..," I answer with a strange wary in my voice.

"AJ, come play this board game with us," says Parker, and I rush to my spot on the carpet.

Jack

"I don't know; I didn't buy it," I tell Alice. "It looks custom though. The backpack lies on the bar, and she comes over to look at it.

"Well, if we didn't buy it and Lana didn't, then where did it come from?" She seems to be getting upset about the pack.

"Zack, Zeke, come over here," I call out to my boys. They hop up from the carpet and head into the kitchen.

"Yeah, dad," says Zeke, and Zack gives him a questionable look.

"Did either of you buy the backpack for AJ?"

They look at each other, then at the same time answer and ask, "Nope, what's wrong with it?"

I look them over and search for the tattle tail signs that they are lying or not. "Okay, thanks. Nothing is wrong with it." They say okay, and when they turn to leave, I see on their faces they both know something is wrong.

I look to Alice who looks almost in tears, and I walk over and hug her tightly. "It's a nice backpack. Someone must have accidentally put it in our stuff, and it was added to the rest. Don't get upset."

"No, there is something off about that pack. It reminds me of someone."

Then from the living room, I hear, "...He is too. Santa is real! Look I have his picture!" I let go of Alice and walk slowly to the living room to see what the fuss is about. The twins and AJ are arguing about if Santa is real or not.

Zeke sees me watching them and grabs AJ's phone, "Dad, AJ has a picture of Santa! Is it real?" He brings me the phone, and the other boys come to hear my thoughts on the subject. The picture on the phone is of a man in a red poofy jacket, pants, and black boots. His face isn't shown, but he appears to be bending over and picking up the blanket that covered AJ last night. In his left hand is the Backpack!

Glacier County

Cut Bank International Airport

The airport is pretty dead on Christmas morning, and I sit by myself reading the newspaper. I turn the page of the New York Times, and I hear on the other side of the paper, "Excuse me, excuse me, Santa."

I lower the paper slowly to see a little boy about six years old. He's no taller than my son, and his long golden curls snake from under his cowboy hat. He stands in front of me staring at me, studying me, and with a confused look on his face. "How can I help you?" I ask him with a stern look.

"Are you Santa?" He responds to my question with another question.

"No, sorry. Why do you think so? Do I look like him?"

He climbs up next to me in a cold black airport chair and asks with the most innocent eyes, "Why are you wearing Santa's clothes then?"

I chuckle to myself as I look at my red snow jacket and pants, and I have to admit, I do look like him. "Well, I guess it's a funny story. I came here to take my son home with me, and I was so excited that I didn't wear warm enough clothes. So, when I landed, it was apparent that I need something warmer, so I bought the only outfit that store over there had," I say, pointing to a Winter Outfitter store.

The little boy follows my pointing finger and sees all the red winter coats and matching red snow pants hanging on hangers. "So, you're not Santa?" He asks just making sure I'm telling the truth.

I answer with another chuckle, "No, sorry."

The little cowboy begins to swing his small legs back and forth and seems to be relentless with the number of questions, "So, where's your son? Aren't you taking him home with you?"

A sudden tear slowly builds in my eye, and I wipe it off before it falls. I smile at him and tell him, "Sometimes, you, as an adult, have to make decisions for kids that maybe they don't understand or maybe you don't really want to," my tear is replaced by many more than I can wipe away or hide. "My son, AJ, is better off here in Cut Bank."

He picks at a button on his jacket, visually uncomfortable with a grown man crying, and asks, "Then why did you come to get him?"

I smile and tell him, maybe more to tell myself, "I guess...," I look into his small green eyes and realize that maybe, "...I just needed to see it for myself."

End of Counting - Chapter 24 - Tux


I just wanted to take this "End of the Year" moment to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. This has been a crazy ride for me to write this story and put myself out there to be judged and criticized for this story. There is a lot of me in these chapters. I am in many ways, AJ, and like they say... write what you know. But the reaction to this story was amazing from you guys and I am so happy and feel so accepted. I will be ending this story in about ten more chapters. I hope you really enjoy them as we plan the wedding of the century, and some other craziness.


You can buy me a coffee here after donating to Nifty: https://buymeacoffee.com/foxfire3737 or Click Here


Edited by Andrew Thomas

Some of Andrew's stories

Andrew's Misplaced Trust Gay: Adult/Youth https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/andrews-misplaced-trust/
Andrew's Trust Gay: Adult/Youth https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/andrews-trust/
Boys of Grizzly ValleyGay: Adult/Youthhttps://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/boys-of-grizzly-valley

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