Growing Love

16

Freddy

I clapped as the couple was swarmed by well wishers, and happy loving family members. I looked to my family, and smiled. My new father holding my godson/nephew. My new brother holding my brother in law. And my little brother 'secretly' holding what I hope will also soon be my new brother's hand. I turned to look at my beautiful girlfriend, but noticed she seemed paler than normal.

"Babe? You good?" She looked up to me, and then quickly to Marcus. I noticed Marcus give her a nod, and that seemed to help calm her down. She took a deep breath, and took me by the hand. We sat down at a table that was still close to the others, but far enough to have privacy.

"I wanted to give you an early present. I hope you'll be excited when you see it." I took it from her shaky hands. It was a blue box with a little pink bow.

"I'll love anything you give me." I didn't miss her silent 'I hope so'. I ignored it for now, and opened the present. Inside was smaller boxes with numbers from one to three. I got out box one, and inside was a blanket with a bear. I thought it was cute, but I didn't understand why she would give me a bear blanket. The second box had a shirt that said bid daddy. It was starting to make sense, but the last box would answer my unspoken question. With shaky hands, I opened the box, and I swear my world stopped for a moment.

"Freddy? Baby, say something." I looked to Izzy, and her beautiful tear stained face. My eyes focused on her stomach, that I didn't realize everyone was staring at us now. I placed the box on the table, and dropped to my knees crying. "Freddy please, say something." I quickly got up, and pulled her to me. I kissed every inch of her face before I dropped to my knees again, and held her by the waist.

"Thank you! Thank you so much Isabella!" I cried so much, my tears stained the waist line of her red dress. But I held on to her as if she would disappear from my side.

"Freddy, son what's wrong?" I felt my dad place a hand on my shoulder. I look up at him, and the others, and smile so big with tears still falling down my face. I stand and hold Izzy's hand tight in mine.

"I'm gonna be a dad!" Everyone starts cheering once again, and I pull Izzy for a deep passionate kiss. I kiss her stomach, and smile at the thought of my baby, our baby, being inside there. "Please come soon. Daddy can't wait to play with you, I love you." And I mean it. All my life I have wanted a big family like this, and now I get to start my own. I get to add a bigger part of me into this already insanely huge family. And I couldn't have done that without my treasure. "I love you so much Izzy."

"I love you too Freddy." Magical words that I will treasure forever.
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Michael

I watched and cheered with the others. On this one night, I got to meet so many loving and wonderful people. I got to witness two lovers take a step towards a new future, and my dear brother make our once small family larger once again.

"Michael, are you okay?" I looked up to see James' worried expression. Then there is him. I barely know this man, and yet he is already special to me. I don't fully understand my feelings for him, but I know they are very important. Almost like the feelings I have for my brother, but more.

"Y-y-yes, I-i-I'm okay." He wheels me towards my brother, and I am enveloped into a hug. I haven't seen Freddy cry so much before. But I know they are tears of joy. "C-c-congrats." I'm sad I can only say so much. But any more and I would take forever.

"Mickey, thank you." I see Izzy tug on his shirt, and he stands up so she can whisper something to him. I see a big smile spread across his face as he nods. He then looks at me and James. "James."

"Yeah?" I look between James and my brother. I'm not blind. I know there is some tension between them. Mainly on James' side. I just don't want to make anything worse by asking why?

"I know you and I have a bit of a rocky relationship, but. Me and Izzy want to know. If you would be the baby's godfather." James stared at my brother in shock. His green eyes becoming more noticeable from how big he was making them.

"Are, are you serious?" Freddy nodded, while Izzy took his hand.

"You're a great guy, and very protective. You're a brother to Carter, and also now one to me too. I see how you care for my little brother. I want you to be my baby's godfather." I watched in silent shock at the events happening in front of me.

"Y-yes. Yeah, definitely!" They hug, and the rest of the night is spent in pure happiness. Carter sits 'calmly' with Ethan while Nick plays with Richard. Marcus and Jenny are trapped in their own little world. Freddy has gone full daddy mode, and won't let anything 'harmful' come near Izzy. My new dad is talking with Alastor, Val and the guest. And everyone is just busy having a good time. "Are you having fun?" I take the cake slice that James brought me. I love chocolate cake.

"Y-yes. I-i-it's v-very l-l-loud."

"Would you like to go inside for a bit?" I nod my head, and he wheels me inside the house. It's so warm compared to outside, so I don't need my scarf. He takes us to the sitting room that has the other Christmas tree in it. I look at it in awe. Growing up, I never got to see a Christmas tree this big in person. Only in movies. This whole scene looks like something out one. The beautiful tree, the warm chimney with a warm fire. Stocking with everyone's names, including mine. And lots of presents under the tree. I couldn't help but get a little emotional.

"S-s-sorry." He took the hand that was wiping my eyes, and held it in his warm ones.

"Don't be." He was quiet for a moment, looking at the tree. I took this moment to admire him again. Strong features, light chestnut hair, hazel eyes that look more green. In a word, he was beautiful. "Michale." The way he says my name still sends butterflies to my stomach, and makes the blood rush to my head. "I want to give you something, but I'm scared you wont like it." The thought of a gift for me from him made me excited, I started bouncing in my chair. It caused him to laugh that rich warm laugh of his. "So I take it you want it?" I nod my head fiercely, but he places a hand there to make me stop. I love when he pets my head. "Close your eyes."

"O-o-okay." I close my eyes, and I wait for his surprise. It doesn't even feel like a second has passed, before I feel his lips connect with mine. I don't dare open my eyes, for fear of all of this being a dream. But once I do, I am happy to know this isn't a dream. It's real. He's real.

"Merry Christmas Michale." In that moment. As I look into his hazel eyes, illuminated by the glow of the burning fire. Even I know what it is that I feel for this man, this beautiful knight in shining armor. It's love.

"K-k-knight."

"Night?" I shake my head as he turns to look at the window.

"K-k-knight i-i-in, shining ar-ar-armor." He smiles that smile I have come to love so much. He places his forehead to mine, and kisses the tip of my nose.

"If I'm a knight, and you are my king." Since I was little, I have wished for the same thing. For someone to take me, and give me a happy life with my brother. I guess, after so many years. That wish has finally come true. I guess Christmas really is the time for miracles. And I just got mine.