Chapter 19
November
Chapter List
Greg rested his chin on Nick's shoulder and snuggled in as close as he could. The alarm had already gone off twice before Nick punched the off button hard enough for Greg to add new alarm clock to the mental list he was building in preparation for a day of 'Black Friday' shopping with the three mothers in the house. He had managed to snag the night off, thanks to Tanya from swing shift offering to stay his shift, her plans having fallen through at the last minute. That was a good thing because Cindy had balked at the thought of going in to work on Thanksgiving night. Nick, unfortunately, still had to work that night. Greg planned on getting all his Christmas shopping for the Texan in then. Hopefully.
Nick tightened his arm around Greg's back and sighed heavily as he turned onto his side to face Greg, "I don't want to get up, but that smell is driving me crazy."
"Smells good, doesn't it? I think we did good."
Nick leaned in and pressed a kiss to Greg's lips, allowing it to deepen before pulling away, "Yeah, but there's still a few more things to do before the turkeys are done and we can finally eat."
Greg glanced at the clock over Nick's shoulder, "How long do you think we have before Elijah comes bursting in?"
Nick ran his hands up Greg's back and leaned in to lick the pale neck, "Not long enough to do what I want to do..." He trailed off and leaned back to look in Greg's eyes, "Shower?"
Greg's smile was decidedly devilish as he answered, "Shower."
Both men scrambled out of bed and raced for the bathroom, laughing as Nick slammed the door shut and pressed Greg up against it, "Geez, Nick, in a hurry?"
Nick nipped at Greg's jaw line as his fingers danced teasingly around the elastic band of Greg's boxers, "Mm, let's just get in the shower G."
"Would if you'd get off me!" Greg laughed and pushed at Nick's biceps ineffectively as Nick braced himself long enough to place a suckling kiss to Greg's adams apple. Once he managed that, he allowed himself to be pushed away from Greg and towards the large shower stall.
Once they had the water going and underwear removed, Nick picked up where he left off at the bathroom door. This time, Greg was a much more active participant and by the time the water started to cool, Nick had Greg lifted off the ground with his legs wrapped around Nick's waist as he pressed the lab-rat into the shower wall for added balance.
"God...do this..." Greg gasped as Nick shifted him and the familiar shock waves began their traveling along the nerves of his body, "more often." He groaned and grabbed Nick's hair with one hand, pulling the Texans forehead off his shoulder so he could kiss him. Tongues delved deep and danced together, Greg making sure Nick kept away from the roof of his mouth.
Nick pulled away for air and trailed kisses down Greg's throat as his fingers tightened their grip on the hips he was grasping, "Do what?" he asked, changing direction to bite Greg's earlobe.
"Geez, Nick. Oh..." Greg tilted his head to the side to give his lover more access, "Shower sex...hot..."
Nick chuckled and began to work them both in earnest, one of Greg's hands sliding down to join his in working on bringing him to climax. Nick managed to hold on to his control until Greg had resumed breathing before he let go with a grunt, his teeth sinking into the soft skin at the base of Greg's neck.
After a moment of heavy breathing, he lifted his head and relaxed the grip of his fingers. He raised an eyebrow as Greg started giggling. It was a sound he had never heard Greg make before but it was decidedly enduring, "What?"
"You thought it was stupid to keep condoms hidden in the shower caddy."
Nick urged Greg to drop his legs before pulling out and disposing of the protection. He stepped back into the stall and turned the water heat back up before replying to his still giggling lover, "What do I know? Come here, I'll wash your hair."
"Only if I can do your back." Greg said, wiggling his eyebrows before he snorted and started laughing again.
"Are you drunk?" Nick asked, grabbing the shampoo bottle, "'Cause you are awfully giddy."
Greg shook his head with a sigh and let it tilt back so Nick could start massaging in the shampoo, "I don't think there's any blood left in my head."
"If having sex while standing up is going to do this to you, maybe we should limit ourselves." Nick said and urged Greg under the shower spray, gently washing away the suds before they could reach Greg's eyes.
"Nah, you like me like this. Admit it. You think I'm funny."
Nick ran his thumb along Greg's jaw line, a move that had Greg opening his eyes to meet Nick's, "I love you high on life like this and I'll do whatever I can to keep you this way too."
Greg's eyes softened and he leaned in to kiss Nick, "I love you." He sighed out as he wrapped his arms around the strong neck.
"Love you too."
Their shower went fairly quickly after that and Nick even took the time to help Greg blow-dry his hair afterwards. He went off to get dressed, however, when his lover forbid him to go anywhere near his locks with the mousse and gel. Greg met up in with him in the bedroom soon after and they went downstairs together, taking deep breaths of the fantastic smelling turkeys.
The house was oddly quiet as they made their way into the kitchen, but soon found out why when they reached it. Everybody had congregated out on the outdoor patio and were laughing and talking as they watched the kids play in the yard.
Greg sighed and leaned against Nick as arm's slipped around his waist. They stood there watching the mingling families before Greg smiled, "You know, they look like they're having fun out there. Maybe we could sneak back upstairs and have some more fun of our own."
Nick nuzzled his nose into the hair behind Greg's ear, "You still not satisfied?"
Greg turned around and caught Nick's lips in a kiss, "Me? I'm a perpetual horn dog. Sara and Catherine could tell you that."
"They don't need to. Got the proof of that just fine." Nick said and pulled away, "As much as I would love to drag you back upstairs, we have now been noticed."
Sammy pulled the door open and stuck her head inside, "What took you two so long? I thought you were going to be up at three?"
Greg smiled and stepped away from Nick, "We got, um, sidetracked. Sorry."
Sammy looked them over and smirked, "I'm sure you did. How about you two checking the turkeys? They should be done soon."
"All right." Both men walked over to the double ovens and peered inside, "Oh yeah, they're done. The little thermometer thing's popped up on this one." Nick said, indicating the turkey in the top oven.
Greg nodded in agreement, "This one too." He stepped back and went to start pulling casseroles out of the fridge while Nick pulled out the turkeys.
"What's the temperature needed for the rolls?" Nick asked, looking over at Greg.
Greg pulled a package out of the door and rattled off the number before setting the package on the island. Once all the things were out that needed to be warmed, he shut the fridge and went down to turn on the other oven, "At least they got the potatoes going." he said, glancing into one of the two large pots sitting on the burners.
"That's a good thing." Nick said, pulling out a couple of cookie sheets.
It wasn't long before everyone had moved inside and began helping. They had the food on the table in no time and when Nick and Greg brought in the two beautifully browned turkeys and set them on the buffet, everyone clapped. Before Nick could start carving the first, however, Maddox piped up about giving thanks.
They went around the kids table first, all the adults smiling when both Elijah and Trixie echoed the same sentiments about being together again. The adults were similar as well, being thankful for everyones health and being together. When they reached Greg, he paused and looked at Elijah, before looking around the table, "I'm thankful for Elijah and all the unconditional love he gives and I'm also thankful for my parents and grandparents and all the help they've given. For new friends and family," He grinned at Sammy and Kieran, "and I'm thankful that one of the most important people in my life is alive and healing." He looked at Nick, who smiled at him.
Nick's parents knew about Crane but only in the vaguest of details so everyone at the table knew who Greg was talking about, "I'm thankful that my parents could be here today as well as Sammy and her brood. I'm also thankful for the two men in my life who are always keeping me guessing." Nick smirked at Greg's pout, "All right, can I carve the turkey now?"
He was motioned to go ahead and soon everyone had full plates, Greg and Sammy pausing long enough to fill the children's and cut the turkey to bite sized pieces for them. Everyone practically inhaled their first plate and went back for seconds before slowing down long enough to actually enjoy the food.
Jillian was the last to finish and she pushed her plate away with a happy sigh, "That was fabulous and it was so nice not having to cook and not to worry about clean-up afterwards."
Nick, Greg and Sammy all winced at her comment. The kitchen was a mess and they also had to pack up the leftovers, "I take that to mean I'm going to miss kick-off." Nick said, piling his plate on top of Greg's as he referred to that night's football game.
"Nah, pancho." Bill said, reaching for the last roll in the basket, "You can still watch kick-off...from the kitchen."
~~
A knocking at the door jam had Nick pushing himself up onto his arms and glaring at the door, "What?"
"Still not a morning person, I see."
Nick glanced at the clock over a still sleeping Greg, "It's three o'clock in the afternoon, mama."
Jillian snorted and stepped a foot into the room, "Hardly matters. You still just woke up."
"Actually, I've been awake for about half an hour." Nick cast a fond look at Greg before looking back at his mother, "What do you want, anyway?"
"Your father and Dave are arguing about the outside lights that Greg bought this morning. It would be helpful if the two of you could get up and come mediate."
Nick felt Greg shift and looked over to see a bleary, half opened eye peeking over an arm and trained on Jillian, "They're ignoring you and mom, aren't they."
Jillian threw her arms up into the air in exasperation, "Yes! Well, me anyway. Jan's too busy trying to keep Olaf from climbing the ladder."
Greg shook his head as he pushed himself up into a sitting position, "I don't know why she tries. He does home repairs and stuff on his and nana's house all the time. It's not as if she doesn't know that."
"Olaf is rather spry for his age." Jillian said in agreement as she turned to walk back out of the room, "Your mother just worries. I'll see you two downstairs. Soon, please." After throwing them a knowing look over her shoulder, she shut the door behind her.
Greg shifted his head so he was looking at Nick, "You'd think she didn't trust us."
"Well, we were a bit late coming down yesterday." Nick replied with a laugh. He leaned over and kissed Greg before pushing himself over so he could sit up, "Might as well get moving."
Greg's response was to groan and shove his head under the pillow.
With the thought that Jillian might come back in at only moment spurred them into action quickly and they were out of their room in under ten minutes. It was weird to be woken up and not be greeted by a bouncy toddler, but Rayne had taken Elijah to Lauren's that morning to play with Summer, Lauren's daughter, while they did some minor housework.
Both silently took in the scene before them as they stepped out onto the front porch. Jillian had been right about their fathers arguing, but from what they could see it was mostly in jest. Jan was standing next to a ladder that was leaning against the house, shaking a finger at Olaf who was standing three rungs up with hooks and a hammer in his hand.
"All this over lights. Kind of amusing."
They turned to see Krista sitting there in one of the living room chairs, knitting away at what looked to be a scarf. She smiled at both of them before nodding her head at their fathers, "Dave found someone who enjoys bickering. Enjoying it very much."
Greg nodded, "Nana, who brought the chair out for you?"
"Dave. Hope you not mind. I find it more comfortable than deck chairs you own."
Greg shook his head as he shrugged, "It's fine. I'm going to go see if I can get mom to leave papa alone."
Nick watched Greg leave the porch and suddenly felt at a loss. He didn't see the point of helping his mother with his dad and Dave nor did he want to get on Jan's bad side by helping Greg. He turned back to Krista, "Would you like anything?"
Krista shook her head, "No, no, I am fine. Have water right here." She patted the arm of the chair and Nick saw the cap of a water bottle sticking up next to her leg, "Go help."
"All right." Nick went down to his parents and Dave, "What are you arguing about?"
Bill turned to him, "Where to put the lights. Greg bought both icicle lights as well as regular white ones and we can't agree what should go where."
Nick looked over his shoulder at the front of the house. Taking in the arches as well as some of the little hidden nooks above the porch and between the main windows of the second story he said, "Well, how about we hang the icicles from the front porch and line the main windows with the regular lights."
Dave laughed and clapped Nick on the shoulder, "Glad you agree. The regular lights would outline the doorways of the decks nicely."
Nick wasn't done, "I want to hang lights above the porte cochere too since the porch pretty much starts right off of it. Oh, and maybe the icicles around my den window since that area is rounded."
Bill looked down at the boxes piled around their feet, "There will be enough to do that."
"What did you want to do?" Nick asked his father, wondering what it was he had disagreed with Dave about.
"I was thinking about outlining the three triangle points, but I'm thinking now that that would be overdoing it. Not to mention it would be a bit difficult getting to that high one tucked away up there."
"Always have to go the difficult route." Jillian said, adding her own input, "Go with Nick's plan. He is the one that lives here after all."
All three men nodded and set to work unpacking lights in preparation of testing them out. Once satisfied that all were in working condition they set to work. Nick stood back as Greg climbed the ladder to put the lights above his den windows. He could feel his heart work its way into his throat and stay there as Greg balanced himself on the roof of the porch.
Greg managed to hang the lights without slipping and Nick let out a sigh of relief once his lover was back on solid ground. It was around this time that he noticed Olaf had disappeared, "Where'd your grandfather go?"
Greg looked around with a frown, "I have no idea. Wasn't he just here?"
"I'm not really sure. I kept my eyes on you the whole time you were on the roof." Nick admitted.
"Worry wart." Greg muttered in amusement, still looking around for his wayward papa.
"Ah, G, I found Olaf."
Greg's head snapped around to look at Nick before following his line of sight. Olaf was up on the balcony off of the playroom, hanging the lights around the doorway and the two pedestal beams next to it, "Well," Greg said after a moment, "At least mom can't yell at him for that."
TBC...
Chapter 20