Mishy (Scomiche)

Christmas

It's been a while, huh? Hope this makes you guys a little happy. I'm sorry that Mishy updates will probably be infrequent. I miss this AU but I've had little motivation to write for it. Maybe this will spark some Mishy inspo inside me! Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and vote and comment!!

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Scott has always loved Christmas.

His daughter's excitement has yet to fade with age. In fact, he thinks she almost loves Christmas more now that she's a pretty double-digits. He's still pretty overwhelmed that she's ten already, but he's loved watching her grow, and he knows he'll love watching her blossom for the rest of his life.

They both wake up early on Christmas. It's a habit that Mitch hasn't quite adapted to, yet. Scott slithers out of bed, reluctantly relinques his hold on his sleeping husband and slides into his slippers. Bailey's room is still dark, and the house seems to be in the same state. Scott starts some coffee and contemplates making breakfast, but then he remembers they're all heading to Aunt Kirstie's to have a big Christmas breakfast and decides he'll just wait until then.

He thinks he's only up for about half an hour when he hears Bailey's bedroom door open. Her footsteps patter down the hall and then she's rounding the corner, a wide smile stretching her cheeks.

"G'morning, Buttercup!" Scott realizes his voice still sounds heavy with sleep and he clears it.

"Dad!" She says happily. She launches herself toward the couch. "Santa brought a lot of presents."

Scott smiles. He's pretty sure she's at the age where she's suspecting Santa isn't real, but he's grateful she's pretending for his sake. She's growing up, but he isn't sure if he's ready for her to be that grown up. "He did. You must have been extra good this year."

"Duh," she says. Her eyes haven't left the tree, tracing over the wrapped packages. "When can I open them?"

"When Mitchy wakes up."

She nods, finally turning her bed-head toward him. Her lip is worried between her teeth.

"What's wrong, honey?"

She swallows, looking down at her hands. "I'm nervous. What if he doesn't-"

"He's gonna love his gift." Scott wraps his arm around her, tugging her into his side so he can press a kiss to her temple. "You shouldn't worry."

Bailey smiles softly. "Yeah, you're right."

"Of course I am. I'm Dad."

She rolls her eyes at that, standing up. "Can I wake up Mishy?"

Scott glances at the clock. It's still pretty early, and Mitch has never been a morning person, but... Bailey has the best luck of being received well out of the two of them.

"Sure. Just be extra nice when you do it."

She laughs, turning and heading down the hall to her dads' bedroom.

Mitch and Bailey emerge shortly after. Mitch's hair is tousled and Scott thinks it's adorable. He and Bailey are talking quietly and Mitch makes a detour for the kitchen to grab himself some coffee while Bailey kneels by the tree, ready to open her gifts.

"Can I now, please?"

Scott glances toward the kitchen entrance, hears the fridge opening. He nods, "yes, go ahead, Buttercup. Don't open any gifts from Mitchy until he's in here, though."

She grabs a big present from Santa and tears it open. By the time she's done with it, Mitch has reentered the living room. He nestles himself onto the couch with Scott, presses into Scott's side until he's being held, sleepily resting his head on Scott's shoulder. Scott loves the warmth, especially the heat that's spreading through his chest.

Eventually, Bailey finishes opening her present, wrapping paper discarded into a big trash bag and her toys and boxes stacked under the tree. She thanks Mitch and Scott for all her gifts, gives them both a kiss on the cheek, and then settles back down on the ground. She pulls out a few wrapped gifts, slides them to Scott.

"These are for you, Dad."

He smiles, grabbing the gifts from Bailey. She's made a little scrapbook - with the help of Mitch, she admits - and Scott thanks her tearfully. He grabs Mitch's gift, a bottle of expensive cologne that Mitch always swears he loves on Scott. He kisses Mitch softly, rolls his eyes when Bailey says ew!

When they pull away, Scott grabs the box decorated with a bow - Mitch's gift.

"This is for you." He says, placing it in Mitch's lap delicately. "Bailey and I both went in on it, but I want to emphasize that it was her idea."

She smiles proudly when Scott gestures to her, and Mitch looks skeptically at the simple box.

"If you guys make me cry, I swear..."

Mitch's slim fingers pick at the ribbon, pulling it until it unravels and shimmying the lid off the small box. There's tissue paper and he pushes it to the side, his brow furrowing as the papers inside are revealed.

"What... what is this?" He asks quietly, fingers reaching for the stack of paper, pulling it carefully out of the box.

Scott looks to Bailey, nods for her to speak up.

"They're adoption papers."

"What?" Mitch's eyes flick up, wide as he scans Bailey's face.

She nods, looks a bit nervous now. "I want you to adopt me."

It's time for Scott to tear up now. He's known, of course. Bailey had talked to him about wanting Mitch to adopt her, be her real dad, and Scott had suggested they use the forms as a Christmas gift if the timing worked out. But watching Mitch open the present, hearing Bailey ask his husband to be her dad makes his whole chest feel like it's about to burst. He sniffles, can't help it, and Mitch's gaze turns to him. His own eyes look a bit glossy, and Scott can tell he's on the verge of tears himself.

"You guys did this? You both want this."

Scott nods, swallows his tears and the joyous sobs ready to escape. He rubs at his nose. "It was her idea, but of course I want it, too."

Mitch presses the papers back into their box, breathing shakily. He sets the the gift down on the end table, reaching for Bailey. He pulls her into his arms, hugging her tightly.

"I would be honored."