“Really?” Aiden’s smile returned, his eyes brightening once again.
Dean grinned. “Really. Aiden, I want us to do this every year. I want to spend more time with you. I want this to be a place you can come to whenever you want. Would you like that?”
Aiden threw his arms around Dean, nuzzling his neck. “Yes. I would like that very much.”
“Good. We’d better call Colton. The guys will be here soon.”
After a short FaceTime with Colton, where Aiden had to display and demonstrate every gift he received, Dean beaming with pride in the background, they began preparing for their Christmas celebration with the rest of the crew.
In anticipation of everyone’s arrival, Dean hit play on the holiday playlist and left the front door open, so everyone could enter the loft freely.
Dean was preparing a traditional southern holiday feast with all the trimmings; roasted turkey, sausage dressing, potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream.
Aiden helped by cleaning up around the Christmas tree before washing and drying the dishes. Dean’s heart was full to bursting as he futzed around the kitchen with Aiden, preparing for their family holiday celebration. He wished his grandma could be there. She would have adored Aiden.
The elevator dinged and the uproarious sounds of Dean’s boys tumbled into the loft. Sean, Jax, Harry, Nelly, and Justin rumbled through the door, with David and Jordan bringing up the rear.
“Merry Christmas!” Dean shouted from the kitchen as they corralled themselves into the entryway. Many of them had never seen the loft and they stood there with their mouths agape until Dean ushered them in, gave them a whirlwind tour, and introduced them to Aiden.
He had already sent out a group text explaining who Aiden was and that he was going to be with them for Christmas, warning them to be on their best behavior, but proper introductions for Aiden's sake were in order.
Knowing his boys, Dean could only smile and hope for the best.
Everyone placed their gifts under the tree and gathered around the kitchen island, helping themselves to wine, cocktails, and finger food.
“Damn, Dean, it smells amazing in here!” Jax exclaimed, sniffing the air.
Dean beamed. “Thank you. I’m serving all the traditional southern favorites.”
Everyone hummed in approval. “I’m gonna be in a food coma for two days.” Nelly chuckled.
“That’s the plan!” Dean winked.
“Oh my God, Dean, I love your sweater!” Sean giggled. “Where the hell did you find that?”
Dean smirked. “I found it on Etsy. Isn’t it gloriously hideous?”
“Honey, hideous is definitely the right word,” Harry quipped. “But I do like that you’re acknowledging Santa’s Ho’s.”
“Right?” Aiden chimed in. “You know Mrs. Claus’s old ass ain’t keeping Santa jolly all year long. Those Ho’s deserve some recognition!”
Everyone looked to one another in bewilderment for a moment before the boys all erupted in a roar of laughter.
“Aiden!” Dean chastised, trying to hold back a smile.
“What?” He innocently batted his eyes. “This ain’t my first rodeo!”
“Oh my God, Dean, we looove him. Can we keep him?” Jax mussed Aiden’s hair as Aiden grinned proudly.
Dean rolled his eyes. So much for being on their best behavior. But he chuckled on the inside.
Aiden was going to merge into this family perfectly.
“Wait, Dean, Colton isn’t coming today?” Nelly asked, and everyone turned to Dean inquisitively.
“Oh, no, he’s with his own family today.” Dean shrugged and poured a glass of cabernet sauvignon.
“But he was here the night before last,” Aiden interjected. “And they exchanged…gifts.” He waggled his eyebrows.
