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Abby sighed and stretched out in bed, suddenly realising she was trapped in place and a smile spread over her face as she looked at the arms weighing her down. David’s arms were wrapped tightly around her and she couldn’t help the warmth flourishing in her chest at him always being here to wake up to. It had only been 5 weeks since they moved into their new home together, just in time for them to decorate the house together for Christmas, for them to put their first tree up in the living room.
She had enjoyed every second, more overwhelmingly in love than she had ever been in her life, especially every time David asked if she thought Kevin would like it. Abby had giggled every time and he’d gruffly mumbled something about trying to be a good Dad and her stomach had done a wonderful flipping thing at that prospect. A Dad. He’d always been a good Dad to his Foxes, but now he got to put more time into his biological son who he had unknowingly taken in a few years ago.
She felt the steadfast and reassuring depth of his breathing behind her and snuggled in closer to his warm body, letting the feeling of safety surround her. Never before had she felt so lucky and so entirely loved by someone, and she couldn’t wait for their first Christmas in their new home together. Especially with Kevin bringing home Jeremey and Jean as his boyfriends this year, even if it was something David was excessively nervous about. He’d spent so much time asking Abby what was appropriate to say in different situations, situations which would most certainly never actually happen.
“Morning’ darling” David’s voice grumbled in his husky morning voice as he pulled her in impossibly tight.
“Morning, baby” she replied softly, loving that she could call him this in private and that he actually liked it. “I was just thinking about Kevin arriving in an hour” she whispered to him.
“Oh… Oh I need to get up immediately” David muttered in a panic and stood up from the bed making Abby burst into giggles. “What?” He asked.
“You’re so crazy about this. You normally don’t care what you look like when he gets here”
“I’m not having his boyfriends think his Dad is scruffy” he gasped out defensively as he started going through his drawers for clothes, even though he’d picked an outfit the day before.
Abby bit her lip and watching him, not even bothering to stop the absolute adoration in her eyes as she shook her head at David.
“I love you” she told him.
He grinned at Abby then, stopping in his tracks to turn back to her and take her face gently into his large hands and she melted into his grip. David was so strong, so big and yet with those he loved, he was so delicate, kissing her with that deep well of emotion he seemed to retain for her.
“I love you too” he mumbled against her lips as he pulled back before immediately kissing her again, making her hum into the kiss.
“Merry Christmas by the way” she said with a chuckle when he moved away.
“Merry Christmas, Abby” David said back.
“Also, you picked your jeans and Christmas jumper out a few days ago, it’s on the chair” she told him with an amused smile.
“You’re so right, I don’t know what I’d do without you” he quipped and headed to the en-suite.
“I’m making breakfast for the boys arriving, come down when you’re ready” she called and pulled on her leggings and her ‘Happy Exy-mas’ jumper, smoothing it down as she headed downstairs.
Immediately she put on a pot of coffee and played Christmas music on the stereo before preheating the oven for the turkey. Afterwards, she started making a full cooked breakfast for the five of them, going through the timings in her head of when she’d need to prepare the other ingredients. David’s heavy footsteps came down the stairs and a grin automatically came across her face, comforted by his constant presence now they lived together. She poured their coffees, adding syrup, milk and whipped cream to her own, then holding the black coffee out to David who entered into the kitchen then.
“You spent awhile getting ready” she said, stopping her giddiness at how excited yet nervous he was to see Kevin.
“I, uh, wasn’t sure if it was a good outfit” he said, looking at the outfit he’d picked out. “But I wasn’t sure what else to wear”
“It’s perfect” Abby assured him and turned back to cooking, getting the food that was ready piled onto plates so that David could carry through to the dining room.
“Jeremy likes sweet things, right?” Abby asked and David shouted back through, “Yeah, the other boys just will have black coffee”
“Perfect” Abby agreed, making the same coffee she’d made for herself and shook gingerbread sprinkles onto Jeremy’s coffee, adding a small gingerbread biscuit. She’d chosen a gingerbread house mug with a candy cane patterned handle and she quickly took hers and Jeremy’s coffees to the table, putting him next to her. She placed Jean’s coffee across from her seat and Kevin across from David who was placed next to her.
There was a knock at the door and her eyes instantly found David’s as she said, “Let’s get the door together”
He nodded silently before she made her way to the door, feeling him follow her, his nerves clearly radiating off of him and she quickly took his hand to squeeze it. David offered her a small smile and then dropped her hand as they got to the door, so he could swing it open.
“Hey guys, come in” David told them, voice steady and back to normal.
“Merry Christmas boys” Abby greeted.
“Hey Dad” Kevin said and hugged him before turning to Abby and wrapping her in his arms. Jean was already shaking David’s hands so Abby turned to Jeremy, meeting his sunshine expression with her own beaming smile and folded him into her arms. He sighed softly into the hug, and she stroked his back as he said, “So lovely to finally meet you properly. Merry Christmas”
“You too Jeremy. I feel like I know you after years of hearing Kevin speak of you and from seeing you play” she said and when he shifted away, there was a pink blush high on his cheeks as he fondly scrunched his nose at her. Jeremy went to shake David’s hand and greet him as Jean came face to face with Abby.
“Hi again, Jean. Would I be able to hug you?” She asked with a reassuring smile and he nodded as he held his arms out to her with his own shy smile. Moving into his arms, she hugged him closely in greeting and he held her fiercely, like he was trying to express everything that was never spoken between them.
“I’m so glad you’re joining us. I’ve got a full cooked breakfast is and on the table waiting”
“You’re a star.” Jeremy grinned.
Jean hummed appreciatively. “Thank you, Abby”
They all followed her to the dining room and Kevin took her elbow softly, “I’ll help grab the juice” and she gave him a questioning look but went with him.
She rounded onto him, an eyebrow raised at him covertly coming to the kitchen to get juice.
“I got you something” he said shyly.
“Oh Kevin, my dear. Thank you” she told him tenderly.
“It’s okay if you don’t… If you don’t want this kind of gift.” Kevin cleared his throat and handed her a Christmas gift bag that she took from him.
There was a present in tissue paper that she took out and heard Kevin’s sharp breath in as she unwrapped it and her heart dropped. It was a fox key ring with the word ‘mom’ on it and she blinked up at him, unable to form words as the lump in her throat hitched her breathing.
“Kevin” she gasped and he looked at his feet nervously.
“You don’t have to use it, me and Jeremy were just doing some Christmas shopping and I saw this and thought of you, you know because you’ve been the Foxes Mom. I guess also just like my Mom? Not a replacement but like an extra Mom because-” Kevin rambled until Abby grabbed his bicep and his eyes met her for the first time.
“Thank you, it’s perfect. I love it, Kevin. I love being your extra Mom” Abby reassured him softly and put the gift down to wrap her arms up around his neck to hold him tightly. His whole body relaxed and he leaned down into her, sighing out happily as he hugged her back.
“Let’s go eat” she told him and gestured to the two jugs on the side as she took off her apron and popped it on the side before following Kevin into the dining room. They all sat down and automatically Jeremy went into a spiel about the Christmas cup and how good the coffee was and Abby fell in love with him instantly. His hand on top of hers as he spoke and David reached under the table to squeeze her thigh and she could feel how pleased he was that the morning was already going so well.
“So boys” Abby said when there was a small lull while the four men tucked into their breakfasts and was greeted by eyes on her as their forks kept shovelling food into their mouths. “When we moved in, we settled on the second biggest room for Kevin. Now I know you won’t be here all the time, but we wanted you to have your own space and we’ve managed to fit a super king bed in there. We wanted you boys to have all the room you needed when you all stayed here”
She saw David stare harder at his food in her peripheral and watched all three men blush deeply as they blinked slowly at her.
“That’s so kind, Abby” Jeremy chimed with a big smile, recovering first out of everyone. “It is always nice when we have enough room for all of us to be stretched out”
Jean only blushed harder while Kevin choked on his coffee, and Abby glanced slightly confused at David who just smiled at her gratefully for bringing this up.
“Tonight we’ll probably fox pile” Kevin said. “We’ll bring some duvets and pillows down to the living room for it”
“Absolutely fine! Well your room will be ready for you all tomorrow, and you can take your bags up after breakfast”
Jean whispered something in French to Kevin who uttered back in soft French and patted his hand gently on top of the table. Jeremy had a small frown of concentration on his face as if he was trying to translate in his head and then Jean chuckled at him, which made Abby laugh into her cup. Their dynamic seemed effortless and it was nice to finally see it play out in front of her eyes, instead of snippets from Kevin himself or accidentally overhearing his phone calls.
After breakfast, she cleaned up and started immediately on dinner, enjoying the Christmas music and bustle of the four men in and out of the kitchen as David took up his drinks duty. For a short time, Jeremy came to sit on the counter side to chat away and ask about the house while her and Jean chopped and she felt completely at peace. The boys flowed back into the living room to watch a game that David had switched on and then there was a ruckus at the door and she grinned. She quickly checked all her pots and trays in the oven were okay and wiped her hands on her apron, preparing for everyone arriving.
“Merry Christmas!” Nicky yelled into the house followed by laughter and the sound of Jeremy and Nicky loudly chattering, and she realised she should have assumed they would get on well.
Andrew and Neil made their way straight to the kitchen and each hugged Abby, wishing her a happy Christmas as they did. Neil held out a gift wrapped present to her.
“We thought you’d want it before you finish cooking. This is from all the Foxes, but mainly me and Andrew” he stage whispered and she playfully tutted and took it, opening it and unfolding the material unveiling an orange apron that had The Foxes’ Mom embroidered on it.
“Oh boys, it’s perfect. Thank you so much” she cooed, bringing them both into a hug together.
“I went to pick Bee up too, so she’s just saying hi to Coach” Andrew told her.
“Grab some drinks then, I got a hot chocolate station set up in the living room for you all”
“Thanks Abby” Neil said and pulled Andrew with him towards the living room, just as Bee squeezed past to run over and hug Abby.
“Merry Christmas, my dear” she crooned.
“Merry Christmas” Abby replied in a singsong voice as she held her friend close. “God I’ve missed you”
“Oh gosh, me too”
“Wine?” Abby offered and Bee quickly accepted, helping get the glasses while Abby opened the bottle.
Nicky and Renee joined them to greet Abby and wish her a Happy Christmas, and Abby felt whole having nearly all her people under one roof. She was missing Aaron but he’d gone to spend Christmas with Katelyn and her family so knowing he was happy made her heart still feel full.
Betsy stayed in the kitchen with her, helping as she cooked, and Jean came back in later to ask if he could help, seemingly wanting to, more than just being polite. She remembered Kevin mentioning it was one of his favourite hobbies, and she was more than willing to have some assistance, especially after seeing him at him lowest. Now he was glowing, smiling at Abby and seeking out conversation with her as they cooked, even comfortably keeping Bee included despite their clinical relationship.
Later on, with the help of a few of their group, Abby served dinner at the dining room table, amused at the tight fit but loving having so many guests over. They all pulled their Christmas crackers, loud whoops and inevitable disagreements between the kids over who actually won ensued. Afterwards, David rushed around getting everyone drinks while Abby sat down and smiled lovingly at everyone, waiting for him to sit next to her before saying, “Right, Merry Christmas Foxes, getting eating!”
Everyone dove in, Neil taking turkey with his hands and just as she was about to chastise him, Jean slapped his hand, albeit not as harsh as she knew other Foxes usually would.
“Excusez-vous, enfant capricieux. You are feral. Sois plus poli, Neil” Jean snarled, and a vicious and wild smile spread across Neil’s face as he dropped the turkey on Jean’s plate.
“Dieu! You miserable wretch. Shoo shoo” he growled and shooed Neil away with a dramatic gesture of his hands. Jeremy and Kevin descended into giggles, heads bowed together like it was some sort of secret and Abby thought she’d never seen Kevin look so at peace, so happy.
Abby laughed and began eating, relishing in listening to the bickering and happy chatter of her little family that had been granted to her by David always taking in their little foxes. As she ate, she gently placed her hand on David’s thigh and he smiled widely at her, that beautiful smile that he usually only reserved for their private moments. It was perfect and she couldn’t believe how lucky she’d gotten to be sat with so many wonderful people at her table eating Christmas dinner.
After dinner, she made all the boys help with dishes and they all started grabbing the plates and dishes to obediently take everything into the kitchen. As she started putting everything in to soak and load the dish washer, Andrew and Neil started quietly disagreeing over something until it escalated.
“Fuck off” Andrew said, gently shoving Neil who bared his teeth slightly.
“Go stab someone” Neil huffed.
“Go run somewhere” Andrew sniped back.
“Go eat your ice cream”
“Go shove your Exy stick up-”
“-Jesus, you boys fight like you’re brothers” Abby tutted.
“Eww” Andrew replied pointedly.
“You said there was nothing between you two” Abby retorted with a challenging raised eyebrow.
“Neil is nothing” Andrew said and Neil beamed at Abby as if it was the greatest compliment in the world.
“And I kiss that mouth, so please don’t refer to him as my brother” Neil chimed in and Andrew shot him a glare that made Nicky chuckle from the other side of him.
“Neil told all his secrets and now he can’t keep his mouth shut” Nicky joked.
Neil scoffed in indignation, “Don’t think I ever had an issue with speaking”
“Just nothing honest” Andrew muttered, but he looked pleased with his slight against Neil and Neil kissed his cheek before darting out of his reach with a manic laugh.
Shaking her head, Abby ushered the rabble out of the kitchen and back into the living room, getting them all sat down on (and in front of) the sofas with their presents. She watched Neil and Andrew exchange presents; Andrew giving Neil fox themed clothing and accessories while Neil gave Andrew a hot chocolate kit with accessories. Kevin got mostly Exy related presents, including the latest Trojan jersey, plus a collection of historical biographies, while Jeremy had a variety of crop tops and a new version of ‘Barkbark’. He had to explain to the group the history of the dog standee, and he was very excited that this was a completely different version. Jeremy officially named him Woofwoof, much to Renee and Nicky’s delight who took turns patting the fake dog with vigour.
Jean’s presents were an assortment of crafting materials and gift certificates, which he looked quietly pleased about and kept running his fingers over all of them.
Nicky had gift cards for a few German places and some joint sentimental pieces for Nicky and Erik’s new home that they’d be moving into in the Summer. Renee received a cross from Jean and then lots of rainbow items which delighted Renee as she opened them, while Betsy got many bee and fox themed stationery for her office. David got plenty of the more expensive bottles of liquor, a fox themed whistle and clipboard, and Abby was emotional to find most of her presents were ‘mom’ related.
By the end of it, Abby was holding back her tears at how sincerely comfortable everyone seemed to be with each other and how cheerful everyone talked. Abby looked up at David and found him looking right back at her with such a fond look that her heart pounded in her chest under his gaze.
“Thank you for making today so special, darling. I love you” he whispered into her ear before kissing softly just behind her ear, making her shudder.
“I love you too, today has been perfect” she told him and then looked around as everyone started to quiet naturally.
“Right!” She announced. “Hot chocolate time” she told them and Betsy joined her at the hot chocolate station to help make everyone’s festive drinks. They handed them out and watched all her Foxes gleefully comparing their drinks, lips covered in whipped cream as they giggled like little children.
“It’s good to see you all together” Neil said, slapping Kevin on the shoulder, taking a moment as they both smiled at each other with a brotherly love that had goosebumps raising on her skin.
“Who do you think tops the most?” Nicky asked Neil, a little louder than he maybe intended and Neil scoffed in return while Kevin turned round to punch Nicky in the arm.
“Shut up” Kevin grumbled but Abby was pleased to see Jeremy giggling, clearly comfortable in the room with everyone. Jean blushed, eyes flicking to Abby and David before shushing Jeremy and whispering something to Kevin, looking panicked. The whole situation just made Jeremy laugh out loud, head thrown back like pure sunshine and grabbing at Nicky who was laughing in equal volume. They dissolved into unstoppable giggles as they held hands and Kevin and Jean couldn’t stop rolling their eyes and huffing at the other two men.
David was choking slightly on his hot chocolate still and trying not to cough to bring attention to himself and Abby couldn’t help but teasingly elbow him. He shot her a glare, but there was no heat about it and the tops of his ears were red with his embarrassment at the topic currently being broadcast. She rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled in to watch the film that was on the TV, enjoying his arm coming around her to tug her in closer.
At the end of the movie, Bee and Andrew stood from the sofa and Abby turned her attention to them, watching as Neil naturally stood too, eyes solely for Andrew. Her heart fluttered at the love in his eyes.
“I better be going, Andrew and Neil are going to take me home” Betsy announced and started saying her goodbyes to the group, big hugs for everyone as she made her way around the room. Abby drew her in to a warm sisterly hug, humming happily at their closeness and how incredible today had truly been for them to see their Foxes so happy.
David topped up drinks and Abby put a children’s animated Christmas film on, overjoyed by how invested all of her little family looked as they watched. Abby cosied into David, head on his shoulder, relaxing into the side of his body as she watched the film along with everyone else, her eyes feeling heavy already.
Once Andrew and Neil returned, they curled up together on the sofa next to David and Abby, the calm of Christmas with family settling them enough to get comfortable. Neil sat against the side of the sofa arm while Andrew curled up with his head on Neil’s lap, Neil’s fingers running through his blonde hair and along his neck. Nicky was pressing closely against Renee on the other smaller sofa, his head on the top of hers with his arm around her shoulder, stroking softly along the top of her arm.
Jean was sat on the floor, head on Renee’s knee, letting her fingers softly comb through his black curls as his fingers were interlaced with Kevin’s own. His other arm was up on the sofa’s side, his long arms reaching easily, and Abby was intrigued to see that Neil’s free hand had stretched to be lightly pressed against Jean’s. Not quite holding, but grazing. On Kevin’s other side, Jeremy had his head on Kevin’s shoulder, his big brown eyes rarely leaving Kevin’s face, gazing lovingly up at Kevin like he was his whole world.
Abby was the most content she had ever been and she moved her own hand into David’s, holding it securely, his thumb rubbing over the back of her hand.
After the movie ended, everyone went to get their duvets and pillows and David followed Abby into the kitchen with empty cups and glasses. They stacked them together and he put the dishwasher on, then turned to her and grabbed her waist to yank her into a deep kiss, making her gasp softly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer and when they drew apart, she brought her hand to his face, stroking his cheek.
“A good day” she said quietly.
“A great day. Thank you, you’ve been amazing” he told her and gave her another head spinning kiss, pushing her against the counter with a pleased sound in his throat. Totally breathless, her eyes met his as he stepped back slightly.
“I’m going to go up to bed, don’t stay up too late. I’ll clean properly tomorrow” he said and pressed a kiss to the corner of her upturned mouth.
“I’ll be up soon” she told him but saw his hesitation. “I swear I won’t be long, baby” she promised and watched him leave the kitchen with a calm feeling washing over her.
Abby finished clearing down the surfaces from dinner and the preparation they’d done earlier, then walked down the corridor towards the staircase ready for bed. David was already upstairs waiting for her in bed but she hovered in the doorway to look over her Foxes with a warmth filling her heart as she listened in to their conversation.
“Uhm, Andrew. I know you’re okay with everyone else but would Jean and Jeremy be okay to join the Foxes tonight? We’ll sleep in the middle” Kevin asked nervously as he fidgeted with the hem of his pyjama top A all endearingly unusual to see on Kevin Day, who normally is bold and bordering arrogance.
“Yeah, whatever” Andrew said back and her heart felt fit to burst, because for Andrew that was borderline enthusiastic.
She watched as they all pushed the furniture apart and laid out their duvets and pillows with a precision of it being done previously. Kevin, Jeremy and Jean settled in the middle on their pillows and Abby idly wondered what the principle of the centre of the fox pile was.
Neil was next to Kevin, with Andrew pressed from chin to feet up against Neil’s back, his back firmly to the couch. Andrew nuzzled into Neil’s hair as he rested his hand on Neil’s hip with a comforted sigh that made Abby’s breath catch. She wasn’t accustomed to seeing Andrew comfortable, she had come to love Andrew like a son and getting to experience this version of him felt like a dream fulfilled.
Glancing to the other side, she watched Renee press her face into Jean’s back, and Jean’s hand came around to pat her face gently, gaining a giggle from her. Afterwards his hand moved to Jeremy’s stomach, crossing over the arm of Kevin’s that was already there and Jeremy relaxed, his eyes fluttering closed. Both Kevin and Jean leaned in to kiss over Jeremy and then each pecked his cheek softly, gaining them a wide smile and a murmuring of French from the blonde. Abby was so pleased she had got to meet Kevin’s boyfriends today, so endeared by the brooding yet helpful Frenchman and enamoured with the wildly animated Jeremy.
A hand on her shoulder alerted her to Nicky behind her and she turned her head to him and saw the grin on his face - she knew he felt exactly how she did.
“We did good with the kids” he whispered and kissed her cheek and she tried to fight the tears welling in her eyes as she kissed his cheek in turn.
“You did especially well with your boys” she told him, taking his hand and squeezing it once. “Erik will be proud… I’m proud”
Nicky gave her his usual charming smile and went to join the others, cosying into Renee, who grabbed his arm to bring around her, gaining a soft chuckle from him.
She watched her little fox pile of children and knew this had been the most wonderful Christmas she’d ever experienced; she bit her lip to stop the emotions spilling from her. Blowing them a silent kiss, she turned to head up to David, but paused to look over her shoulder to take in the image of them one last time and whispered, “Merry Christmas, my Foxes”