For Keeps

55. Miyo-manitowi-kîsikanisik is Merry Christmas in Cree.

{Jon}

Jon woke up on Christmas morning with a jolt of excitement in his belly about the day for the first time in years. He wanted to see his family's faces when they opened Kurt's extravagant gifts--he wanted to be enveloped by a hug from his mom--he wanted to take Greta for a walk and get to know their furry new housemate. But most of all, he wanted to watch Kurt's blue eyes light up over all the things, starting now.

Jon slipped out of bed to shower and brush his teeth in a hurry and then slipped back between the sheets to cuddle into Kurt's warm, sleeping body.

Kurt woke up with a 'yelp.' "Jon--you're freezin'! You been doing cold showers again?" Even as he said it, Kurt's arms were pulling Jon against his body, pushing him over to make a little spoon to his big one.

Warm me up," Jon said, laughing, snuggling in and drawing Kurt's arms tjght around his chest. He put a kiss in the palm of Kurt's hand, slipping Kurt's index finger in his mouth to suck on it suggestively.

Behind him, Kurt's body responded immediately. "Is that how it is," he chuckled and hooked his chin over Jon's shoulder to nuzzle his cheek. "You smell good," he murmured against Jon's neck. "You been using my body wash?"

"Maybe," Jon murmured back. He met Kurt's eyes, feeling like his smile was a warm light shining right through his skin. "Happy first Christmas, Kurt Visser-White."

It really felt like they had all the time in the world to stay in bed. Jon did not normally lay in, but there was nothing he needed to get up for: no emails, no school work, no shift at the house. He almost fell back asleep after, so loved up that his body felt warm and gooey as freshly pulled taffy.

Kurt did fall back asleep, arms and legs flung in a starfish over the bed. Kissing the dip below Kurt's collarbone, Jon untangled his legs from Kurt's and climbed out of bed to pull on some comfy weekend clothes and make coffee.

Jon was just sitting down at the kitchen table with a steaming cup of creamy maybe passable brew when a text message chimed.

<Dusty wants to show you his presents>

<do you Facetime>

<also miyo-manitowi-kîsikanisik is merry christmas in cree>

Jon had forgotten that he'd given Jordin his personal cell number last summer on their camping trip in case of emergencies. Without giving himself time to worry or second guess, Jon tapped,

<Merry Christmas *sparkly tree emoji* yes to Facetime!>

The call came immediately. Jordin's face appeared and then the camera jostled and Dusty's grin and big shining brown eyes filled Jon's screen.

"Pops!!" The boy's voice sounded far away through the phone. "Guess what I got for Christmas?"

Jon laughed quietly, his chest squeezing. "What?"

"Hold this Jordi," Dusty said, and there was a scrambling sound while the phone stayed stationary, evidently in Jordin's hand. Jon could make out a Formica table top and in the next room, a big squishy couch with a crocheted blanket of colourful squares over the back. In the background, he could hear adult voices talking, and a deep throaty chuckle. Kokum was a great laugh-er.

Dusty loomed back into view, hands clasped around the tiny chest of a kitten that was mostly black and white fluff and big gold eyes. It's paws stuck up beside its ears in Dusty's grip. "I gotta kitten!" Dusty crowed.

"Don't hold him like that," Jordin snapped. "Kokum said be gentle, Dusty."

"He's so cute," Jon said as Dusty gathered the kitten into a more comfortable ball against his chest. "We got a pet for Christmas too."