High on Zipping into Love

High on Zipping into Love: Chapter #21

Two Weeks Later: December 31st

Olivia looks at the grandfather clock and then squeals excitedly. "It's almost time for daddy to call!"

This makes Zeke run in and join her on the couch with the laptop in their laps. "We gotta wish them a Happy New Year's," he says and then scrunches his nose. "Do they have that in New Seal-Land?"

"It's New Zealand," Erica says with a smile. "And yes. They have it there too."

The two kids wait for the chime of the video call with infectious enthusiasm. Erica and Boyd exchange a look. Isaac and Cora are in the kitchen making some snacks and the rest of the pack is scattered throughout the house.

"It's time!"

The chime of the video call comes in, both Stiles and Derek's faces appearing on the screen. "Hey kiddos!"

"DADDY!!" Olivia and Zeke cry out, carefully hugging the laptop.

Zeke pokes the screen where Stiles's nose is. "We miss you guys lots and lots and lots."

Stiles smiles. "We miss you too. Have you been extra good for the pack?"

Olivia nods. "We were so very good daddy. We helped make the apple pie cause that's Isaac's favorite."

"We also got to taste test the chicken and it was so yummy my tummy needed more but Auntie Cora says I have to wait," Zeke relays with a little pout.

Derek and Stiles can't help but melt a little. Derek speaks up next. "Well it's a good thing you were extra good."

Olivia tilts her head. "Why?"

"Because..." Stiles trails off and then there's a knock on the front door.

Cora goes to open it and in steps Derek and Stiles. Erica quickly snags the laptop when both kids race over to their parents. Stiles scoops up Olivia while Derek scoops up Zeke, peppering their children's faces with kisses.

Zeke looks at them confused. "You're here? We were gonna tell you Happy New Year's on the computer but you're here. How do we do it now?"

Olivia giggles. "We do it all together like a family." She looks at Stiles and sniffles. "We really did miss you but what about New Seal-Land?"

"What about it, angel?"

"You went to have honey. Did you get enough honey or do you have to go back?"

Derek snorts but tries to cover it with a cough as Stiles begins to blush. "Well we did have plenty of honey but one day we might go back for more. However, we wanted to be here with you and the pack."

Erica, meanwhile, is not hiding her interest or amusement at all. After all, she was the one who, the night of the wedding, said, 'GO! We've got the cubs and you know you'll call every day even if we tell you not to. Go be your sexy selves together and have all the sex. Then you know, come back and tell me all about it.'

Zeke taps Stiles's arm and tilts his head. "Can we have honey too, Tatuś?"

That makes Stiles and Derek both turn red and Derek clears his throat. "Not until you're older, kiddo. The honey that Stiles and I had is just for adults and because we love each other so very very much."

Cora chuckles, taking pity on her brother and brother-in-law. "Should we get the tv ready to watch the ball drop?"

"Do we get to stay up and watch it, Tata?" Olivia asks, giving Derek a wide-eyed hopeful look.

Derek smiles and nods. "Of course but then you have to go to sleep."

"But you just got back. Can't we stay up a little longer after that?"

Stiles shakes his head. "No budging on bedtime kiddo. Tomorrow we were thinking of doing some ice skating but that's only for the ones who go to bed when they're supposed to."

The kids perk up at that and after being set back down they claim their spots on the couch. Stiles and Derek each take a seat next to their kids laughing when they end up with laps full of excited cubs. Olivia climbs into Derek's lap while Zeke climbs into Stiles's lap.

Erica and Isaac crowd in near Stiles while Cora and Boyd crowd in near Derek. Kira, Allison, Jackson and Theo take up places on the floor while Talia and Peter each take one of the armchairs.

Originally Stiles and Derek had planned to be gone a month for their honeymoon but as the end of the year drew closer they realized that they didn't want to be gone that long. They loved having eighteen amazing days to themselves but ultimately came to a decision that home is where they wanted to be.

Unbeknownst to their children, they have plans to take them to a Broadway show in New York to celebrate a belated Christmas. They'll leave after they get done ice skating and Erica has already packed bags for them. It's why Stiles and Derek didn't unpack when they came in.

The husbands glance at each other as they relax into the embraces of their pack and can't help the soft smiles that adorn their faces. This is family. This is pack. This is home.

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

"Eight!"

"Seven!"

"Six!"

"Five!"

"Four!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!!"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!"

Derek and Stiles each get a kiss to their cheek from Olivia and Zeke. Then with a few catcalls from the pack and a few giggles from their kids, the newlyweds share a passionate kiss full of promise.

"Happy New Year," Stiles whispers when they pull apart.

Derek smiles, brushing their noses together. "Happy New Year."