Strings Attached (lashton, editing)

Eighteen.

Ashton had been home an entire week and Luke missed him like crazy. He was counting down the days until the hazel eyed boy was back, until he could kiss and hug him again. Never in Luke's twenty-three years had he found a mere two weeks to be the longest wait of his life. 

It was also Christmas Day, Luke's absolute favourite day of the year. It marked exactly a week until Ashton would be back home, but that was besides the point. For the entire week Luke had been obsessed with baking cookies and cakes all Christmas themed and forcing Tim into watching a hundred and one Christmas films with him. 

Christmas always made Luke feel good, he loved being able to have all of his family around and to be able to give gifts. Luke was always the best at gift giving in the Hemmings family, so it was no surprise when he showed up to his parents house the next morning with Tim on his hip and a suitcase jam packed with gifts for his entire family. 

"Tim! Oh I have missed my favourite little grandson," Liz gleefully smiled and hugged Tim, taking him from his father and walking into the house. 

"Nice to see you too mum!" Luke called after his mother as she marched away, knowing she would steal Tim away for most of the day. Walking into the living room Luke smiled to see his brothers and their wives already sitting there. "Hey Jack, Ben. Long time no see."

"Yeah long time no see, what's this about you getting yourself a little boyfriend?" Jack asks, pulling his little brother into a tight hug. "Why is it I always have to find things out from everyone else?"

"It's new, I didn't want you to embarrass me," Luke smiled back, putting down his bag and hugging everyone in the room. He loved having his family around. 

"He's met mum and dad, it can't be that new," Ben pitched in, also slightly offended their little brother hadn't told them he was seeing someone. 

"Technically he's only been my boyfriend for two weeks. So...new," Luke shot back, glaring at his brothers for the teasing he knows he's about to get from them both. Luke loved both of his brothers, but anytime he had ever introduced a boy to his family they had always made sure to embarrass him. 

"Leave him alone," Liz scolded as she walked back into the living room, with Tim now sporting a Santa hat on top of his blonde curls. Running to his father, Tim wraps himself around Luke's legs and pulls him down to the ground so he can climb into his lap. 

Luke spent his morning taking all the teasing his brothers gave him and watching his family give and receive their presents. He enjoyed all the food his mother shoved down his throat, no matter how old he got Liz would always make sure her sons were well fed in her house. 

"So, has he met Tim?" Jack asked Luke over top of his Christmas dinner.

"Yeah, he has. Ash loves Tim," Luke smiles back, glancing down to his son who is struggling to fit whole vegetables in his mouth. Luke leans over to cut up all the food on his son's plate so it can easily fit in his little mouth. 

"Tim, tell me. What is daddy's boyfriend like?" Jack directed his question to Tim this time, hoping the young boy will tell all about Luke's love life. 

"Ashton? I like Ashton, he plays all the games with me and when Michael got mad he cooked pancakes and gave me and dad lots of hugs," Tim smiled, looking up at his family who were all staring at him knowingly. "He also likes to watch the Lion King with me."

"Does he now?" Ben asked, smirking up at his little brother. "He cooks pancakes, plays with your son and fights off angry ex-boyfriends. And how old did you say he is? 19? Damn, Luke."

"Shut up," Luke whines, hating the looks his family are giving him. "This is why I didn't tell you a thing, all you're gonna do it tease." 

"We're your brothers, Luke. It's what we're here for," Jack laughed at his brothers beet-red face. "When he's back I expect an introduction." 

Luke rolled his eyes at his brothers persistent teasing and snooping on his life. He loved his family, they had always supported him through everything and made sure he had everything he needed when he was pregnant with Tim. However, they loved to snoop and tease and Luke hated to share.

Sneaking away from the dinner table, Luke walked into his childhood bedroom to find his phone filled with texts from his boyfriend telling him how much he was missed. Not taking a moment of hesitation, Luke was quick to bring the phone to his ear and patiently wait to hear Ashton's voice. 

"Luke, hey," Ashton spoke excitedly on the other line. "Merry Christmas, I miss you."

"Ash," Luke smiled, sitting down on his old bed settling himself in for what he hoped would be a long chat. "Merry Christmas to you too. I miss you too, Ash. How's home?"

"It's good, great actually," Ashton smiled through the phone. "Mum keeps asking why I didn't bring you home with me."

"Thats good, I wish I could've come."

"Well, actually, I'm coming home early," Ashton paused and laughed a little. "Mum cancelled by flight and said she's gonna drive me back because she and my siblings deserve to go away for a few days. But I really think she's just using it an excuse to come meet you."

Luke laughed lightly in the phone, closing his eyes at the thought of seeing Ashton sooner rather than later. "Well, I won't be complaining. It just means I can give you your present early, plus Tim is with Mike next week."

"Really? Are you sure? You don't have to-"

"Ash, stop. I'd love to meet your family," Luke stopped his boyfriend, wanting him to know that this is something he really wanted. "I've been getting told off all morning for not telling my brothers about you, though I think Tim has told them enough about you that they're in love with you."

"I'm flattered," Ashton laughed back into the phone. "I miss the little man."

"He misses you too, I miss you more though. What day are you home?" 

"I'll be there Wednesday," at those words Luke felt his smile grow even bigger than it had been all day. "My grandparents are about to walk in our front door, I'd better get going."

"Yeah, okay. I'll see you soon," Luke smiled again into the phone beforeexchanging another goodbye and I miss you with his boyfriend. 

After he joined his family again in their living room, where everyone was now sitting lazily nursing their food babies, Luke smiled to himself feeling the best he had in a long time. He felt confident in what he was doing with his life and the people who were in it. He didn't doubt his decisions or actions, he knew his life right now was the life he'd been waiting for. 

--

Luke is gonna meet Ashton's fam!

Thoughts on Jack and Ben teasing Luke?

Them asking Tim about Ashton?

Tim saying he likes Ashton?

Luke and Ashtons phone convo?

Ashton bringing his family to meet Luke?

Let me know what you think and give it a vote if you like it! 

- Grace x