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Gene feels it first, the vibration coming down the hallway. He braces himself as the giggles grow louder and the jingling of dog tags become clearer. Babe is beside him, somehow blissfully unaware of the chaos about to be unleashed. He looks over at the clock that reads 5:30 am, with a sigh he closes his eyes and waits for impact.
“Daddy! Daddy! Wake up! Santa came, we have to go see!” Bri was on top of Gene shaking him, her little fists gripping his shirt with more force than a 6-year-old should be capable of. Gene cracked an eye open to see the little girl staring down at him with a look that said “Time is of the essence”. Babe was being piled on by Collin and at least two dogs so by all accounts Gene got off easy.
He took the opportunity to sit up and scoop Bri into his arms, peppering her face with kisses and relishing the delighted giggles he earned from that.
Still holding onto her, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. The little girl wriggles herself free and hits the ground running out of the room and down the stairs excitedly. He looks back at the bed where Babe is still being bombarded but now fighting back, laughing right alongside their son as he tickles the daylights out of their little boy.
“Well are you slowpokes coming? We got presents to open!” Gene says, patting his thigh to signal the dogs out of the room as well.
“Santa came? Why didn’t you tell me Collie?” Babe asked, pausing the peels of laughter from him. He let the child who was barely out of his toddler years crawl onto his back to be carried down the stairs.
He pauses in front of Gene, “Merry Christmas,” he says, pecking Gene on the lips. Collin kicks his legs on Babe’s back, signaling that he wants them to move.
“Ok ok ok, Santa time!” The trio jaunt down the stairs, into the living room where Bri was already studying the piles in front of her trying to decipher what belongs to her. Babe dumps Collin on the couch and he wiggles down onto the floor to toddle around the piles with his sister.
“Can we open them now please?” Bri asks, her best puppy impression in full force. Babe and Gene look at each other, feigning like they were actually deciding to or not. Bri grows noticeably distressed while Collin obliviously examines the pile in front of him.
“Of course, Brioche we were just teasing.” Babe assures her and that's all she needs to start tearing into the shiny paper. Collin get the cue and picks up his own box. Babe slides onto the floor to help the little one who still doesn’t quit get the concept of opening things.
Gene joins them, and 20 minutes later after all the excited chaos, the presents have been opened and thoroughly examined to their full potential. Collin yawns and climbs onto the couch to fall back asleep and Babe looks at Gene letting him know is taking him back to bed.
Bri looks a bit sleepy as well but toughs it out, her new drawing tablet more important than sleep ever could be.
“Do you want coffee now?” Babe asks when he comes back down the stairs. Gene accepts and follows him to the kitchen to let the dogs out into the backyard.
He slides up behind Babe and wraps his arms around his middle and resting his chin on his shoulder as the other man prepares their coffee. When he is finished, Gene reaches to bring Babes face towards his own planting a sweet, full kiss on his lips. Babe smiles against his mouth and kisses back.
“Good morning to you too.” He says suggestively. Gene nips at his lips one more time before releasing him and taking the waiting cup of coffee.
“What time is company coming back?” Gene asked as he let their pack back in. Babe took a sip from his cup before answering.
“I told them 9:30 so we can expect them by 10 probably.” He said with an eye roll. Gene snorted and followed Babe into the living room where low and behold the little trooper had also succumbed to waking up too early. Though she did not even make it to the couch, instead she was sprawled out on her new oversized teddy bear.
“I got her, I’m gonna put her with Collie in our bed.” Babe explains, hoisting the child up as gently as possible. Gene took the opportunity to clean up the carnage from less than an hour ago and to prepare his gift for Babe, as their tradition was to exchange gifts privately on Christmas morning.
When Babe comes back he sits right down on the couch and flops backwards, the late night blurring into the early morning.
“Ok, me first.” He says suddenly, crawling under the tree to find the box he marked for Gene. Gene smiles as he hands it to him, the other man's excitement evident.
Inside the box was a collection of first edition 45’s from some of his favorite artists. It had to have been more than a hassle to track them all down, nevermind actually buy them. Gene was speechless, he can’t imagine how long Babe would have had to have been looking to find as many as he did.
“Oh my god, thank you Edward, this is amazing.” Gene says sincerely, looking at Babe in awe. Babe blushes, instead of speaking he opts to lean in and kiss Gene chastely.
“Ok my turn!” He says, bouncing in his spot lightly. Gene smiles nervously and hands Babe the little box. Babe gasps when he opens it.
“Shut the fuck up, no fucking way!” He says, looking at Gene with eyes as big as saucers.
“I put in early enough so I got the week of Valentines off and I figure we were due for another trip to Paris so…” he says with a shrug. Looking at Babe he could see he was remembering the first and only time they have been there, and the memories they created. It was time to make even more.
“That's… oh my god holy shit. Gene! I love you, you are fucking amazing.” He says and Gene laughs. He was glad Babe was accepting of the surprise, it's hit or miss with him sometimes.
“Anything for you, cherie.” He says sweetly, leaning in to offer a kiss of his own on his waiting lips.
“Well a very merry Christmas, wouldn’t you say?” Babe asks and he stands, offering his hand so Gene could stand as well. He keeps Babe’s hand in his and grabs the other one, wrapping them around his neck and pulling him in close. He nuzzles into Babe’s neck and sighs happily. Very merry indeed.