Caution to danger (manxman)

Christmas joy (41)

A.N we have sadly reached the end of the book. I enjoyed writing this book so much. It's bitter sweet watching this book come to the end of its journey. We have watched Derek mature, and come to terms with his past and future. I want to thank you all for your constant show of support. From endless votes, comments and messages you have shown this book, and I immense love. Luckily, there are more stories to tell. The poll of who's next is still open. So far it seems like Walker is in the lead. Disregard of danger will be about his time spent in the military, and the adjustments he has to make coming home. As well as dealing with his damaged past. Of course, his love interest will be there to help him overcome his past and create a future. I will start whichever book ends up winning as soon as I post this, and get to at least the tenth chapter in appreciation of danger. I will update both books at the same time, on the same schedule as usual. Love you all, and thank you for enjoying my books so far. N xoxo

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It's been a month since the court hearing, and life has finally settled down. There are still moments where I am reminded of my past. For example, loud noises or being startled.
Darren thought it was best to visit a counselor, so I've been doing so since a week after the trial. At first I was hesitant to talk about that day, but Darren came with me every appointment and soon I opened up. The counselor helped me come to terms with the fact that it wasn't my fault that it happened, or that my mother no longer accepted me.
My father filed for divorce, and he recently moved into a house not far away from Megan's house. So he could be a part of his grandsons life. I haven't heard from my mother since, but my sister says that she took it hard, and has resorted to joining more Christian clubs then before. Including one against the LGBTQ+ community.
Parker is still being taken up on charges as more victims come forth, and slowly but surely, his sentence increases. I've received a letter from his roommate apologizing for not knowing. Saying that he should have looked further into his roommates belongings when the first conviction came up. I have written back to him, telling him that he had no way of knowing how dark Parker truly was and that he shouldn't feel guilty.
Darren and I have become nearly inseparable. His worry is still there, causing the Dom in him to come forth. He messages me every hour. Requesting where I am, and who I'm with. All in which I'm fine with, it shows that he cares about me. He just has an odd way of showing it.
Kendall and I have finished our training, and I could tell by the way that Monroe looks at him, he is very proud. So was Darren. We all frequent the club nearly every week, and it's become a second home.
Orion and I have become closer as well. Seeing as he bought the local paper, seeing him everyday at work made going easier. Seeing as I actually have a friend there. My internship ends at the end of May, and my manager has already expressed her interest in hiring me when it's completed. Seeing as they've published numerous articles of mine.
"Baby, I think you've washed that dish enough." Darren startles me as he reaches over and takes the plate out of my hands. Playing it in the rack beside me.
"Sorry I was caught up in my own world." I say with a blush. He just chuckles and pushes me aside. Quickly finishing up the job.
"Is there anything on your mind? If it's Christmas I already told you that I have everything under control. We decided to have the dinner at Monroe's new house." Darren tells me, even though that wasn't what was on my mind.
"That's great, I should start cooking the Desserts for it now." I say, thinking of what to make. Kendall has been on a harsh diet recently since Monroe found out about his lack of eating. So he won't be as picky this coming Christmas like last year.
"I'm taking that that wasn't what you were thinking of?" He guesses. Unplugging the sink and turning his undivided attention to me.
"I was just thinking of how fast things have settled down." I tell him. He nods his head in agreement,
"Everything is the way it should be. Well kinda anyways." He says, winking at me. Causing me to raise an eyebrow at him.
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"You'll see." He says vaguely. I only sigh and give up at the moment. Knowing that Darren is too stubborn to tell me.
"When are we leaving tomorrow?" I ask him. Changing the subject, making him grin in satisfaction.
"The dinner started at six, but Kendall wants us there earlier to help set up." He tells me. Walking up to me and wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
"Did we wrap every bodies presents?" I ask worriedly. Knowing that everybody will be there. My family, Monroe's family, Aidan and his boyfriend, Orion and the rest of our friends from the club. Sadly, Darren's family won't be attending, seeing as they don't want to be associated with gays. Which is too bad, seeing as I wanted to meet the people who raised the love of my life. I could tell though that Darren prefers it this way.
"Yes sweetie, we wrapped those weeks ago. Don't stress too much, you know that Angie wouldn't be happy about that." He says, referring to my counsellor.
"It's hard not too. This our first Christmas together." I tell him. Dropping my head to his shoulder,
"That's why you shouldn't worry. This day will be perfect, just by being with you and the others." He whispers into my ear soothingly. I look up at him with a smile.
"You're right." I respond. He smiles at me before pressing his lips to mine softly.
"I'm always right." He says, making me smack him softly.
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I'm woken up my am excited Darren the next day. His expression reminding me of one of a six year old. He places a tray full of breakfast food before pecking me on the lips. Sitting beside me. We eat together happily, swapping child hood memories. Mine slightly more happier then his. It seems like he loved his grandparents very much, and they tended to spoil him on Christmas before they passed a couple years back.
"I know you said that you didn't want anything for Christmas, but that just goes against my code of conduct. So this is one of the many presents that I've gotten you." Darren says as he places a medium sized box on my lap after we finished eating.
I look at him with a playful glare before ripping into the gold wrapping. A gasp escapes my lips as I take in the vintage looking type writer.
"Before you say that it's too much, no writer should go without their own type writer. It's just not right" he tells me, pecking me on the cheek. I just shake my head at him, placing the box on the ground beside the bed before humongous on top of him. Peppering his face with kisses. Making him laugh deeply. I pull back and smile at him brightly. Bouncing up and down on top of him.
"I got you something too." I admit. Looking away from him as he sets his curious gaze on me. "Wait here, it's in my bag." I tell him before jumping off of him and running to the living room. I remove the long box from my bag before rushing back into the room. Finding that Darren has sat up and now has an excited expression on his face. I jump back on his lap belfry nervously handing him the wrapped present. He shakes it, putting his ear next to it. Making me chuckle softly at his antics. He slowly unwraps the present, watching for my reaction. I ring my lip between my lips in nervousness. He finally opens the box and pulls out a long black silk baggy covering the present. He looks up at me curiously belfry removing the bag. His eyes widen as he looks over the flank, which I had customized so when he smacks me on the ass, his name transfers onto it. He runs his hands of the raised wood before placing it beside him and pulling me down. Taking my lips in a heated kissing.
"Thank you baby. It's perfect and I can't wait to use it." He says as he pulls back.
I blush under his heated gaze, and nod my head.
"Now come on let's get up and get ready for the party. It will take us awhile to get there in this snow." He tells me. Lifting me up with him as he gets off of the bed. He then carries me into the shower where we fool around and get ready.
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Two hours later we reach Kendall's new house, which he completely fell in love with. We open the door to find a maniac Kendall running around the house. Yelling at Monroe to get things in order. Judging by Monroe's face, he can't help but be amused by his boyfriends antics. Kendall is rarely like this, only when it's a holiday does this Kendall come out. It honestly always makes my day. He stops on his tracks when he notices that we arrived. Bearing tons of presents.
"Finally, you guys are here. You can place the presents under the tree in the living room. Then Darren you can help Monroe set up the table. Derek come help me in the kitchen." He demands. Shooing us off in the direction of the living room before rushing off to do God knows what. After sorting out the presents, we are joined by Aidan and his boyfriend. Who we've briefly met before at the club. Aidan and I make away to the kitchen to find a bustling Kendall putting pies in the oven. He turns around and quickly puts us to work.
In a few short hours the cooking is done and everybody has soon arrived. All bringing plenty of presents. The living room is bursting with gifts, and my nephew has been eyeing them since they got here. He just learnt how to crawl, so my family has been chasing him around trying to keep him from breaking things and getting in trouble.
Now we all sit at the massive dinner table. Which is filled with food that Kendall made and stuff that everybody brought. Everybody will be going home with tons of left overs.
Once we all finish dinner we all move to the living room to open presents. We go around the room and separately give them out. Kendall made artwork for everybody as well as other smaller presents. Little Jackson got absolutely spoiled since its his first Christmas. So did Avery, Monroe's little brother since he's the second youngest in the group.
Soon it's my turn to open presents and numerous times I felt like tearing up at the thoughtful presents that I received.
"Oh my god." I hear Kendall whisper. Making me look over only to notice Darren down on one knee. My hand flies to my mouth in shock as he pulls out a small black box from his pocket. Opening it up to reveal a shinning simple engagement band.
"Derek, since the moment I met you on that boardwalk I knew that you were it. I imagined moving in with you, watching comedies and laughing with you. Experiencing the good and bad together. Over the months we've been dating, that fantasy has become reality. Now when I look at you, I see a strong man who I've fallen deeply in love with, and continue doing so every moment that I'm with you. Now that I have you, I don't want to let you go. So I ask you, will you be my husband?" He asks me. Tears streaming down our faces. I'm shocked. So much so that I can't talk, so I nod my head. He gets up and places the ring on my finger. Kissing it before taking me into his arms. He picks me up and swings me around. Kissing me repeatedly. "Thank you for being my world."