Once Geoff was out of the kitchen, Teddy turned to Ciaran. “So, what happened?”
“We talked about whether we moved too fast,” Ciaran answered.
“And what did you decide?” Teddy wondered, smiling.
“It wasn’t too fast, and we’re happy.”
Teddy kissed Ciaran softly. “I’m happy, too.”
Ciaran was curled up in Geoff’s lap with Teddy cuddled into Geoff’s other side while Geoff ran his fingers through Ciaran’s hair. The large meal was still settling in their stomachs. Teddy had put the leftovers in the fridge and decided that cleaning the kitchen and dishes could wait until the morning.
“This has been the best Christmas I’ve had since I was a child,” Ciaran announced.
“There’ll be more to come,” Geoff said.
“I know we’re going to be happy,” Teddy claimed.
They sat cuddled together and listened to music. Three men brought together by a chance avalanche and a snowstorm. None of them would have it any other way.
Epilogue
CIARAN
Ciaran had just finished washing the dishes when Teddy called for him to join them in the living room. He walked in, still drying his hands, to find two older men standing with Teddy and Geoff. One of them had hair that was a mixture of chestnut and white, his beard speckled with white. The other had salt-and-pepper hair, which matched his beard. Both men were thickset and had broad smiles.
“This is Bernard and Rory. They had their wedding here a few years ago.” Geoff pointed to each man in turn. “Guys, this is our partner, Ciaran.”
Ciaran held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rory said with a Scottish accent.
“Hello,” Bernard greeted him.
“It’s so good to be back here,” Rory told them. “We would have come in the spring, but we decided to take a trip to Scotland to visit my dad and his husband.”
“Your dad’s gay?” Ciaran asked.
“He’s bi,” Rory said. “I found out twenty years ago. He never mentioned it. Now he’s living happily with his husband, Angus. They’re a wonderful couple.”
Ciaran wanted to ask about Rory’s mom, but thought it would be a touchy subject.
“We’re going to head over to our room,” Bernard said. “Then we’re going to head into Thistle for lunch.”
“Nonsense,” Teddy said. “You’re going to have lunch with us.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Bernard said. “Besides, we don’t want to make the other guests jealous.”
“We have one couple and a single bear. I don’t think they’ll notice you’re spending lunch with us, since they’ll probably be in their rooms or down in Thistle for lunch,” Geoff said.
“That’s true,” Rory said. “What do you say, sweetie?”
“Okay. We’ll join you for lunch,” Bernard agreed.
“Great,” Teddy said. “We’ll see you at eleven-thirty.”
They all hugged, and the men headed to their room.
“You don’t usually invite guests,” Ciaran said. “Bernard and Rory must be special.” He waggled his eyebrows at them.
