My Home From Home - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

As the early hours of Christmas morning descended upon them, Henry felt consciousness gradually creep over his tired eyes. He wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with Thomas, to stay safe and warm under the covers and sheathed from the world, from the cold, from the unyielding winter. But instead he chose to be pragmatic; slipping out of bed and slipping on his clothes from the night before as he turned towards the handsome blond in bed. He looked so at peace whilst sleeping; his dark blond hair messily strewn over his perfectly chiselled face. A smile crept over Henry's lips as he leant down and placed a soft, chaste kiss on Thomas' cheek.
"Happy Christmas, my love..." Whispered Henry, hoping the fair haired man wouldn't hear; for the reality of the matter was that Henry wasn't ready for him to hear. And with that Henry disappeared off into the corridor, creeping into his own cold bed to fall asleep alone with merely his bedcovers to warm him. Given how absolutely knackered he was, it only made sense that the wretched Henry should fall asleep nearly immediately, only to wake when he heard a little but furious knock coming from a little fist furiously.
"HENWY WAKE UP IT'S CHWISTMAS." Henry heard little Danny's voice coming from across the oaken door; the half asleep man rolling over with a groan, chuckling to himself at how utterly adorable it was. He practically dragged himself out of bed and slipped on his dressing gown; creeping over towards the door and running his fists over his tired eyes as he slipped his house slippers on his feet and creaked open the door.
"Happy Christmas, love." Henry knelt down and scooped Danny into his arms; smiling as the wee blond lad planted a kiss on his alabaster cheek with the lightest bit of dark morning stubble.
"Mewwy Chwistmas, Henwy!" Danny flashed Henry a wide grin whilst the dark haired Doctor kissed him lovingly on his cheek.
"Where's your Daddy?" Henry asked curiously.
"Daddy's making breakfast." Danny's soft blond hair bouncing as he spoke animatedly.
"Christmas breakfast! How exciting!" Gasped Henry with playful theatrics that he always found Danny to absolutely adored. "How about you and I go downstairs and see if we can help your Daddy with breakfast, sound like a good idea?" He asked sweetly, poking Danny's adorably pinch-able cheeks with his finger; watching as the little blond toddler nodded with enthusiasm. "Alright then! Come on, you!"
Henry carried Danny down the corridor and descended down the stairwell; the light aroma of a hot breakfast wafting faintly from the general direction of the kitchen. He could smell eggs, sausage, bacon, and pancakes with maple syrup; a hearty breakfast by the smell of it. As they turned the corner into the kitchen, there he was in all his glory, Thomas, standing coolly at the oven in his dressing gown with an apron over top. There was something almost tantalising about seeing Thomas' back working hard at the oven though Henry didn't know why; lately he felt as though everything Thomas did was unnaturally alluring to him.
"Oh! There you are! I was wondering when you two sleepy heads would wake up." Beamed Thomas, flashing those dimples that made Henry weak in the knees; he had an attractive amount of stubble and a bit of a gruff morning voice that drove Henry mad. "Danny, bud, go look in the living room, Santa was here!"
"Santa!" Danny wriggled within Henry's grasp, prompting the man to set him down onto the hardwood floor with a smile creeping across his amused face.
"But just look, kiddo! We'll open presents after breakfast, okay?" Thomas called out as Danny disappeared off towards the drawing room. Thomas smiled and shook his head in amusement as he ensured the wee lad was clear out of the room before marching straight up to Henry with a cheeky smile. He snaked his arm around Henry's waist and pulled him in; smirking as he watched a tinge of rouge permeate across the raven haired boy's alabaster cheeks. "Merry Christmas, Doctor." Thomas said softly, leaning in to land a gentle kiss on Henry's lightly parted lips.
"Happy Christmas, Constable." Henry replied hollowly; his mind hazy like a school boy in the arms of the boy he fancied.
"Daddy, daddy!" Thomas and Henry jolted to attention; both their bodies springing back away from each other hastily as Danny bolted into the room. "Daddy can we open presents?!"
"You know the rules, buddy. No presents till after breakfast." Thomas walked up, to his little son and play scolded him; scooping the toddler up into his arms whilst Henry walked up to the crib in the kitchen and picked up little Alfie to give him his bottle. Alfie made little baby noises as Henry cradled him in his arms, his hands tiny reaching out a grabbing onto the silk fabric of Henry's mauve dressing gown.
Henry kissed Alfie's cheek as he rocked him gently; though in that moment he could feel a pair of eyes on him, a gently feeling like he was being watched by a soft welcoming pair of eyes. Henry's gaze shot up to see Thomas' warm brown eyes locked in on his; a smile creeping across his handsome face as the dimples on his cheeks seemed to waver. They felt like a family, they looked like a family... But they weren't one, and could never be on paper.
They sat down for breakfast; Thomas cutting up Danny's food with a knife and fork while Henry fed Alfie his bottle. They took turns between feeding the boys and eating their own breakfast; and though it might sound terribly inconvenient, they didn't find it so. Not even in the slightest. Unbeknownst to Henry, though he had no true legal nor blood relation to these boys, he felt as though they were in a way, his family.
"Alright, buddy now we can go open presents." Thomas shot Danny a smile, watching with a warm paternal look about him as the little blond boy slipped out of his chair and took off towards the drawing room. "Shall we?" He asked Henry, earning him a smile from the young Doctor as he put down his knife and fork, dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin and got up to put his plates in the sink.
They went back into the drawing room whilst Thomas rekindled the fire and Henry brought two glasses of mulled wine for them to share and mugs of spiced apple cider for the boys that seemed to waft it's glorious aroma through the air and add to the Christmas spirit. He felt a warm sensation permeate through his chest, watching little Danny enthusiastically ripping through the wrapping paper of each present, tapping his father on the shoulder to ask him to read whom each was from.
Danny and Alfie both got new knitted signature Burberry tartan jumpers that Henry had had sent in from London, a teddy bear each from Thomas and little wooden toys from Father Christmas. There were other little toys from the town's people, some gifts that the town's people gave Thomas and Henry; odds and ends from knitted toques, a leather-bound diary, a quaint little desk calendar, and more. They were down to the final two boxers, one rather large and the other rather small. Thomas picked each up and read the card on the wrapped present; smiling as he glanced up to lock eyes with Henry; one was from Thomas to Henry and the other from Henry to Thomas.
Henry lowered his gaze bashfully, feeling a warm sensation spread across his cheeks as Thomas walked over with both of the presents and sat down next to him on the couch.
"Shall we open them together?" Thomas asked softly, giving Henry the bigger box whilst he took the smaller one
"Yes, do lets." Henry smirked cheekily, internally feeling his heart race as he prayed that Thomas would like the gift he'd bought him. Henry carefully unfolded the wrapping paper to reveal a pale blue box; Thomas doing the same to reveal a blue velvet jewellery box. Both men locked eyes for a prolonged intimate second before blinking back down to the boxes in their laps.
Henry went first, opening the lid off the pale blue box to reveal a beautiful set of suede leather ice skates; dark brown in colour with a sheepskin inner lining and lustrous blade.
"Thomas, they're... They're beautiful." Henry gasped breathily as he gazed up to see Thomas smiling softly down at him.
"I thought we could go skating one of these days." Thomas said at a normal volume, prompting Henry's sapphire blue eyes to dart towards Danny, only to feel a sigh of relieve wash over his body as he noted the boy was all too busy playing with his new toys.
"I should rather enjoy that." Henry blinked his gaze back towards Thomas' warm brown eyes; filled to the brim with a look Henry could only describe as contentment. "Well, go on then! Open your present." Henry bounced giddily as an excited smile crept across his pretty pink lips.
Thomas glanced down and gently creaked the hinges of the jewellery box open; his smile slowly dropping as he caught glimpse of perhaps the most beautiful wristwatch he'd ever seen; it was gold with a dark leather strap, diamonds in place for the numbers, and the word 'Cartier Paris' engraved upon the almost iridescent looking mother-of-pearl watch face.
"Henry... I..." Thomas stared up towards him with a dazed and confused expression on his handsome face.
"I do hope you like it." Henry flashed him a wide, excited grin. "I had them all parcelled in from London. I was terribly worried the wouldn't make it here in time, but luckily had done."
"Henry, I love it." Thomas said with a sigh, pursing his lips into a tight lipped smile. "But I can't accept this, none of us can. It's far too much."
"Nonsense! It's the least I can do." Henry scowled playfully at him, placing a hand on his upper thigh as he. "For the people I... Care for..." He said softly, locking gazes with Thomas and in that moment they felt as though they were the only two people in the world, though of that reality they'd be soon reminded.
"Henwy!" Henry was jolted from his momentary love-lorn trance as he glanced to his side to see little Danny stuck in the jumper and clearly trying to put it on; his arms over halfway through the sleeves and his head barely near the collar seem. Henry chuckled, shaking his head with a look of amusement and endearment in those sapphire blue eyes; he reached over and helped pull the jumper down over Danny's head. It was a bit large, but that was how Henry intended for it to be so the toddler could grow into it. "Comfy!" Danny said, hugging the extra loose wooden fabric into his body.
"Well, don't you just look absolutely adorable." Henry pinched Danny's fair cheek, earning him a cute little giggle from the little lad. "Heavens is that the time! We need to get ready for church."
Henry and Thomas took the boys upstairs and got ready; Henry with Alfie and Thomas with Danny. Henry bathed Alfie, put on a fresh nappy, slipped on his little trousers, a button down shirt, a tiny little bowtie and black braces over his shoulders. Thomas doing the same with Danny, and somehow getting the energetic little toddler into his stuffy little suit, in which he looked simply adorable; though he absolutely loathed it. And once the boys were ready they got ready themselves; Henry wearing his black formal dinner jacket and perfectly tailored black formal trousers while Thomas wearing a well pressed red serge tunic and blue riding trousers with the yellow stripe town the sides of the legs.
Henry crept up towards Thomas' room, peeking in to see the handsome young Constable standing in front of the full body looking glass as he did up the uniform's gold gilded buttons. A smile creeping across Henry's pretty pink lips, he tiptoed into the room and snuck up behind him, though Thomas could see him clearly though the looking glass as the dark haired man gently snaked his hands up the dashing young Constable's uniform and embraced him from behind; resting his head on Thomas shoulder as the taller man simply gazed down over his shoulder with a contented smile.
"I've brought you something." Henry's voice muffled as he spoke into Thomas' shoulder.
"Oh?" Thomas cocked an amused brow at him, watching as the boy raised his gaze up, confidently stepping towards thomas' front and pulling a jewellery box out of his dinner jacket pocket; the same jewellery box he'd gifted him earlier. He opened the box and pulled the watch out, taking Thomas' hand and putting the watch on his wrist. He looked down at it victoriously as his dark shiny fringe fell into his eyes; a proud smile admiring the gift he'd given Thomas. "I made certain to have them send a gold one... to match the buttons on your uniform."
"I love it..." Thomas smirked lovingly down at Henry, reaching his hand up to push the mess of raven black hair up and out of Henry's deep blue eyes. "Thank you." He said taking Henry's hand in his own and giving it a loving squeeze before bringing it up to his lips and placing a chaste kiss on the back of his soft, supple hand.
"We should really be off." Whispered Henry as he felt a heat come over his cheeks. He turned on his heels ready to leave the room, but was stopped in his tracks as Thomas held onto his wrist.
"I have another present for you." Thomas leant in and whispered into Henry's hear; the feeling of his breath on Henry's neck sending his heart into a tailspin. "But it'll have to wait until after the boy's are in bed..."
"Cheeky..." Henry turned towards Thomas with furrowed brows.
"Not that kind of present, though I wouldn't be opposed to it." Thomas said huskily, snaking his arms around Henry's front and pulling him close into his body. "But it's something else and for that you'll have to wait."
They set off down the road to attend the Christmas morning service at church and were back home with time to spare for Thomas and Henry to finish preparing Christmas luncheon. A traditional Christmas roast with turkey, stuffing, parsnips, potatoes, and Brussel sprouts, all finished with the main event; the brandy soaked Christmas Pudding set ablaze and served with a heaping helping of custard.
After they'd cleared the table and done the washing up, they did has they had done for the past few weeks; with one of the boys each cuddled up in their laps, Henry and Thomas sat by the fire and simply enjoyed being together. Though he couldn't've possible imagined spending Christmas Day a better way than being nestled by the fire with the boys and Thomas, Henry's curiosity was absolutely eating at him from the inside. He simply couldn't wait to find out what Thomas' surprise was and though he hated to admit it, he couldn't get the boy's tucked into bed soon enough.
"Right, get your coat on and meet me down outside by the back entrance." Whispered Thomas as they creaked the boys' bedroom door shut having completed the boys' nightly bedtime routine; a bath, warm milk, clean pyjamas, and a bedtime story. Henry nodded as a wide grin crept over his pouty pink lips; practically running towards his bedroom though his strides were quiet to keep from disturbing the boys. Thomas maintained a cool, nonchalant exterior whilst on the  inside absolutely giddy with excitement for the raven haired lad to see what his present was.
Henry couldn't't get his coat on fast enough as he rushed down the stairs with a spring in his step, glancing around the back exit of the house that lead out into a small garden area and the stables; he wasn't sure what Thomas had planned but he was doing a jolly good job at keeping the suspense of it all.
"Thomas?" Gasped Henry, feeling what felt like some sort of silk fabric come down over his eyes to hinder his vision; Thomas shushed him softly, his manly hands using one of his silk neckties as a blindfold to sheathe over Henry's eyes.
"Do you trust me?" Whispered Thomas; a satisfied smile blossoming across his lips as he watched the blindfolded raven haired lad nod silently with absolutely no hint of hesitation or apprehensiveness.
He took Henry by the shoulders and gently stepped him out towards the door, down the wooden steps that lightly crunched with the remnants of rock salt meant to keep it from freezing during there bridges. The couple were sheathed by darkness; only the creaking whines of the wooden planks that made up the patio betrayed them with each pace they took.
Together they crept down the wooden stairs and into the back garden, Henry taking blind stride after blind stride with all his trust placed in the man whose hands guided him. It wasn't long before the crunching of snow breath Henry's boots transitioned into the light rusling of hay as his weight shifted over it. He was indoors by the feel of it; the air still crisp, yet somewhat sheathed from the cold winter.
"Give me your hand..." Thomas said huskily into Henry's ear, taking Henry's supple hand in his own; Henry relaxing his limbs to give Thomas full control. All he felt was Thomas raising his hand up when suddenly he felt it in contact with something wet and slippery; a tongue.
"Thomas!" Gasped Henry, slapping his hand over his chest and prompting Thomas to rather unsuccessfully stifle a cheeky chuckle as he reached up and removed the blindfold off of Henry's eyes.
The dark haired lad blinked his English Channel blue eyes open, gasping in surprise as he caught glimpse of perhaps the most majestic black horse with a clean white blaze on his snout and white socks above his hooves. He had perhaps the silkiest black mane Henry'd ever encountered and eyes that looked so innocent yet alert. Henry absolutely adored horses; he'd been riding since he was a child and though his enthusiasm ebbed and flowed since childhood, riding had nonetheless comprised a rather substantial part of it. He enjoyed riding about the grounds with his Papa or Edward, though conversely he absolutely loathed riding when it came to grouse and pheasant hunting.
"You always talked about how you missed horse riding back home." Thomas said with a wide smile, a smile so genuine and true that Henry almost questioned if he'd ever seen anyone truly smile before that moment. "Believe you me, it's been a struggle to keep him a secret. I hope you like him-" Thomas recanted giddily, but was cut off by Henry practically pouncing on him and tackling him down into the hay; repeatedly kissing Thomas' cheek before hugging him tightly by the waist.
"I absolutely love him, he's perfect" Henry's voice muffled against Thomas' chest.
"Really?" Thomas asked hopefully, gently tilting Henry's head upwards to look into his sea blue eyes; feeling a sense of contentment as he watched the raven haired boy nod against his chest. "Well, I had an idea... If you were up for it. The weather is meant to be nice tomorrow, I thought we could go ice skating. A proper date."
"A... date?" Henry asked, his heart swelling ever so slightly in his chest. He'd never been properly courted before; that wasn't exactly how the lives of men like Henry tended to be. Most only wanted fake love for a few hours, not real love for the long term; and why should they, when their love was only meant to be for the shadows of dimly lit corners, shut doors, public loo cubicles and bleak and heavily wooded areas. "I'd love that..."
"Great. Then it's a date." Thomas cupped Henry's face in his palm, allowing his fingers to graze over his soft supple skin. "I've wanted to take you out on a proper date for you since we started well, courting..." Rambled Thomas nervously like a bashful schoolboy, only to be cut off as Henry's present neighed at them.
"Awww." Henry chuckled, reaching over and stroking the beautiful black horse's head; leaning in to kiss him on the the white blaze between his eyes.
"I hope you like him. I reckoned it was time you had a horse." Thomas scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "As much as I love taking you places, I know it'll be best for you to have your own horse. I mean, don't get me wrong, it makes me happy to take you, I hope you don't feel I did it because I didn't enj-" Henry rolled his eyes playfully at Thomas' rambling, leaning in to crash his lips onto Thomas' for a deep, living kiss.
"I absolutely love him." Henry whispered, his eyes deeply connected with Thomas' as they stayed locked in one another's gaze; and in that moment it was as though they were the only people in the world. As though the world beyond those stables ceased to exist.
"Merry Christmas, Henry." Thomas smiled into another soft peck.
"Happy Christmas to you to, Thomas."