The ones in the sparkle paper are from our friend Cami. I don't think you've met her yet, but she couldn't come today so she sent some presents ahead.
[Some of those sparkle boxes are addressed to Aiden and Josh respectively, but most of them are for Erroll. He nudges Josh towards the stack of gifts that they got for each other.]
[Aiden does have a specific one in mind, picking a rectangular box off the stack for Josh and passing it over to him.]
Open this one first.
[As he goes to peruse the ones with is name on it, the sparkly paper gives way to reveal a Lego set from one of Erroll's favorite movies.
In Josh's present is a framed set of photos. It isn't as though their walls are bare - they've been together long enough that they have a collection of art as well as their wedding pictures. But now that their family is getting a little bigger, Aiden thought it was a good opportunity to expand.
In the pictures are their family. Cami, Josh and Davina from Cami's wedding. Josh and Davina from her birthday a couple years ago. A candid of Aiden and Josh Cami took. An old one of Jackson and Aiden, when Aiden was a scrawny teenager. And the center piece of it all is one of the three of them - him, Josh and Erroll - sitting on the couch and smiling at the camera on the day to the adoption was finalized.
One of their first pictures as a family, now centered with the rest of their family.]
( Josh takes it, gladly, before going against his earlier decision and handing his husband a modestly sized box.
"Wow, can I built this today?" Erroll asks, looking back and up at his dads. )
We'll see, buddy. We have company coming.
( Taking a seat, he works at the wrapping paper, tearing it methodically, liking the anticipation that comes with it. He looks at the candid of the two of them. That must be Cami's doing, from what they're wearing. He marvels at a young Aiden - and Jackson - gone, but not forgotten. He takes all the different pictures in and then his eyes settle on the middle one.
He runs a finger down it, before looking up. He doesn't cry, not easily, but there are tears in the corners of his eyes.
The gift he gives his husband is twofold. One for him, and one for the both of them. First, a eucalyptus sleep-mask. He knows how restless he's been since Muir Woods (and just how light a sleeper and how hard it can be to fall asleep) - and the next is a sound machine that doubles as a speaker. Anything to help him get the rest he needs.
There's been something different about him, a fretting Josh hasn't mentioned. But, he chalks it up to the adoption and its' challenges. He hopes this contributes to a more restful husband and one that feels cared for and loved. )
Scott seems like he might be a Lego guy, though, so maybe he'll help you.
[Aiden works on getting the wrapping paper off, before looking with a smile at it's contents. The more he's slept on the things that happened at Muir Woods, the more he's realized that this whole life may not be real.
It's real enough when he's in it. But the moment he gives himself too long to think, he finds him remembering things that don't match. But he refuses to make it anyone else's problem, to let Josh in on the fact that there may be a world where they're not together.
As far as he's concerned, even if this is a delusion, he's fine to remain in it. But that doesn't make him easy to live with.
He leans back towards his husband and kisses him softly.]
( Josh grins, because, there is something about Scott that feels world-weary but perpetually - young. Like, he's the smart kind of dumb wolf that he would swear is a were-retriever of the golden variety. And as long as he treats Davina right, he supports them. )
You, too. What do you say? Pancakes?
("Pancakes!" Suddenly, energy shoots out, and that's the Erroll they know as he flies into the kitchen and peers under the paper towel.
He sets the open box and paper aside, hurrying to his side. )
Hold up there, Err, we need plates. And forks and knives.
We'll have to remember to grab a picture for Cami later.
[Hopefully with Scott and Erroll putting the Legos together. But with that said it doesn't take long to get the table set for a delicious breakfast, before they can return to the presents and turn their living room into a wrapping paper tornado.
And with that, they will do what they need to to get the apartment back into tip top shape.
As they're finishing up, Davina climbs out of the car with Scott, reaching for the two bags of presents - one bag fully for Erroll, while the other with gifts for Aiden and Josh.]
Do you think I may have gotten Erroll too many gifts?
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Hey, buddy. Merry Christmas. Are you hungry?
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He nods, head scrunched against the slightly open doorway, glasses pressing against.
Josh leans back, too.
"Buddy... Come on out here," he says. "Merry Christmas." )
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[He doesn't try to crowd him, just gives him space to come over when he's ready.]
And after we eat, there are some presents waiting for you.
[Presents may also be a helpful bribe.]
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A whole carton. Without the pulp.
( He considers. It's very serious thought. But the conclusion is inevitable and he leaves his open door behind, stopping by Aiden's legs.
"Maybe a present first?" )
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[Aiden glances over to the tree.]
Maybe we each open one before breakfast? But just one. We don't want the pancakes to get cold.
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( He sets aside the plate of pancakes. Pulling and tearing a paper towel square to cover it.
Hands coming to his husband's shoulders, he eagerly walks them into the living room as Errol picks a few boxes, shaking them each. )
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[Some of those sparkle boxes are addressed to Aiden and Josh respectively, but most of them are for Erroll. He nudges Josh towards the stack of gifts that they got for each other.]
Do you have one you want me to open first?
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One that has your name on it.
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[Aiden does have a specific one in mind, picking a rectangular box off the stack for Josh and passing it over to him.]
Open this one first.
[As he goes to peruse the ones with is name on it, the sparkly paper gives way to reveal a Lego set from one of Erroll's favorite movies.
In Josh's present is a framed set of photos. It isn't as though their walls are bare - they've been together long enough that they have a collection of art as well as their wedding pictures. But now that their family is getting a little bigger, Aiden thought it was a good opportunity to expand.
In the pictures are their family. Cami, Josh and Davina from Cami's wedding. Josh and Davina from her birthday a couple years ago. A candid of Aiden and Josh Cami took. An old one of Jackson and Aiden, when Aiden was a scrawny teenager. And the center piece of it all is one of the three of them - him, Josh and Erroll - sitting on the couch and smiling at the camera on the day to the adoption was finalized.
One of their first pictures as a family, now centered with the rest of their family.]
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"Wow, can I built this today?" Erroll asks, looking back and up at his dads. )
We'll see, buddy. We have company coming.
( Taking a seat, he works at the wrapping paper, tearing it methodically, liking the anticipation that comes with it. He looks at the candid of the two of them. That must be Cami's doing, from what they're wearing. He marvels at a young Aiden - and Jackson - gone, but not forgotten. He takes all the different pictures in and then his eyes settle on the middle one.
He runs a finger down it, before looking up. He doesn't cry, not easily, but there are tears in the corners of his eyes.
The gift he gives his husband is twofold. One for him, and one for the both of them. First, a eucalyptus sleep-mask. He knows how restless he's been since Muir Woods (and just how light a sleeper and how hard it can be to fall asleep) - and the next is a sound machine that doubles as a speaker. Anything to help him get the rest he needs.
There's been something different about him, a fretting Josh hasn't mentioned. But, he chalks it up to the adoption and its' challenges. He hopes this contributes to a more restful husband and one that feels cared for and loved. )
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[Aiden works on getting the wrapping paper off, before looking with a smile at it's contents. The more he's slept on the things that happened at Muir Woods, the more he's realized that this whole life may not be real.
It's real enough when he's in it. But the moment he gives himself too long to think, he finds him remembering things that don't match. But he refuses to make it anyone else's problem, to let Josh in on the fact that there may be a world where they're not together.
As far as he's concerned, even if this is a delusion, he's fine to remain in it. But that doesn't make him easy to live with.
He leans back towards his husband and kisses him softly.]
Thank you.
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You, too. What do you say? Pancakes?
( "Pancakes!" Suddenly, energy shoots out, and that's the Erroll they know as he flies into the kitchen and peers under the paper towel.
He sets the open box and paper aside, hurrying to his side. )
Hold up there, Err, we need plates. And forks and knives.
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[Hopefully with Scott and Erroll putting the Legos together. But with that said it doesn't take long to get the table set for a delicious breakfast, before they can return to the presents and turn their living room into a wrapping paper tornado.
Aiden glances down at his watch and frowns.]
What time is Davina supposed to be here?
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( There are now dishes in the sink and a pile of discarded wrapping paper, plus all the open presents. )
I'll work on the dishes?
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And with that, they will do what they need to to get the apartment back into tip top shape.
As they're finishing up, Davina climbs out of the car with Scott, reaching for the two bags of presents - one bag fully for Erroll, while the other with gifts for Aiden and Josh.]
Do you think I may have gotten Erroll too many gifts?
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( Why should they punish Erroll for rightfully and already being spoiled?
Pushover werewolf logic comes from the driver side, Scott having offered to drive, as he looks up at their modest home. )
Do you need help?
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[She will pass him one of the bags before giving a small shrug.]
I just don't want to overwhelm him. Sometimes when you're not used to having a lot, suddenly having so much can be ... disorienting.
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Maybe if we see him... orienting, we can focus on one thing. I don't want to overwhelm him.
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[And if it's too much, she'll save some for his birthday.]
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( He wasn't as a kid, but he also didn't have the access. He also didn't need it. This feels nice to be able to give him something. )
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[So up to the front door they go, and she shifts her bags to knock on the door before gently pushing it open.]
Merry Christmas!
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Josh sets one last dish aside in the rack.
"Merry Christmas...!" he says, drying his hands and coming around from the kitchen. "Buddy, look who it is!" )
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[She gives a small wave as she makes her way inside.]
Do you remember my friend, Scott?
[She's at least something of a local celebrity and has spent enough time around the wolf packs. Scott probably hasn't just yet.]
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"It's okay, Erroll. I remember you, too. And, I helped Davina pick out a few things..." he says, holding up the bag in his hand and shaking it.
Erroll jumps up and down, turning to his dads. "Can I open them now?" )
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I got some stuff for you two as well.
[Aiden shrugs. "Sure, why not? Can I get you guys anything? Drink? Egg nog?"
Davina nods as she starts unloading some of the presents from her bags.]
I'll take some.
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