Chapter 16
Almost Christmas

It was four days until Christmas Eve, and Mikey was in the grocery store, spending enough money to make people twice his age have a stroke. However, it was all needed for the annual brother's Christmas Eve gathering and the Family get-together on Christmas Day. This year, both were at his and Dakota's house. The brunet softly hummed as he walked to his forest green Nineteen-Ninety-Seven Ford Explorer. Mikey found the truck at a police auction in almost new condition. Once the weather got colder, the twenty-two-year-old let his corvette rest until the warmer weather returned. He finished loading the food into the back of the vehicle, then placed the cart into one of the corrals, got into his Explorer, and headed home. While he was at a stoplight, Mikey's phone started ringing. He smiled when he saw his Dad, Bryan's name, on the caller id. "Hey, Daddy."

"Hey, Mikey, how's it going?"

"I'm great, on the way home from the store. I've just about gotten all the food I needed."

"You're not holding the phone while driving, are you?"

Mikey chuckled as he turned onto the ramp for the interstate. "Of course not, Daddy. I'm being a good little boy." The brunet giggled as the older man's laughter joined with his. "So, is this just an I miss my baby boy call?"

"Sort of, it's also an I've got a proposal for you call." Bryan excused himself momentarily to thank the courier.

"A proposal? Sounds interesting." Mikey made sure no one was behind him as he merged onto the exit ramp, five minutes from his home.

"I don't know if I mentioned it with everything that's been happening, but I'm at the end of my term on the council. I've got to start looking into the person I'm endorsing to take over my spot."

Mikey carefully pulled into an abandoned service station's lot and parked the Explorer so he could give Bryan his full attention. "Daddy, I've just pulled off at the old gas station. What's this all about?"

"I want you to run for city council. I think you've got the political clout to pull this off. I know you're on the young side, but you're old enough, not to mention you've got the perfect platform. You're all about literacy and education. Also, you're one of the biggest hearted people I know. You'd make an amazing councilman."

Mikey was glad he'd pulled off the road cause he dropped his phone out of surprise and shock. He reached down and picked the device back up. "Daddy, I'm not sure I'd even want to do that." The brunet paused. "What about Barefoot, my job at the library, and all of my charity work?"

"I'm aware of everything you do, and that's why I thought of you first. You're an almost perfect candidate. You were adamant that the officer who gave you the speeding ticket when you got your corvette did his job. Anyone else in your position would've thrown names and relationships around to get out of it. Not only that, but you then went and held the judge to his oath and asked for what was fair. I've never seen anyone your age or older who's done that. Mikey, your brothers, they look up to you and consider you a moral compass."

Mikey closed his eyes and thought a moment. "I'm not giving you an answer yet. I need to talk with Kota and my brothers before deciding either way."

"Of course, I'd expect nothing less from you, son. You've always made the entire family very proud of you, Mikey. I love you, baby boy."

"Thank you, Dad. Our four parents have been the perfect role models. I love you too, Daddy." Mikey ended the call with Bryan and sat in contemplative silence for a few minutes. Finally, he was ready to finish the drive home.

The brunet pulled into the garage, shut off the truck, and closed the automatic door. After opening the passenger's side back door, he put the extra frozen items in the second freezer. Next, Mikey brought in the turkey and the packs of chicken for Christmas Eve. The brunet started making a list of the snacks, drinks, and the other various items he needed to buy for the family gatherings. Because Sean's parents finally came to terms with his sexuality, he and Duncan decided to split the holiday between their two families. Usually, Sean would be at Mikey's for Christmas. Will was already out of state with his family. Mikey was looking forward to sharing the tradition with his soulmate. A smile came across his face as he thought about Dakota while putting everything away.

He poured a glass of merlot and got a plate. Mikey put some crackers and sliced cheese on it, then set them on the side table. He walked over to the altar with his mate's parent's urns on it, lit a candle, and sat in the chair facing them. "Hey, Mama and Papa. I just wanted to sit and have some quiet time with you guys. Thank you again for sending my brave warrior to me. I love Kota more than I could ever verbally express." Mikey paused and wiped his falling tears. "I wish you two were physically here so I could actually embrace you guys. My Daddy Bryan asked me to run for his place on the city council. He made some good points and arguments for why I should run. It would be a great learning experience, but I've got a lot that I do already. Well, I'm kinda hungry, so I'll chat again later. Thanks for listening, and I do know you both are listening. I can feel it in my heart. You've helped to bless this house and relationship. I can never thank you enough, Mom and Dad." Mikey leaned over and kissed the top of the urns. "I love you both." He lightly blew the candle out, then went to eat his snack and sip his wine.

Dakota stopped by Barefoot's building after his shift. He called Adam and Jai when he pulled into the parking lot, letting them know he was outside. The half Cherokee got out of his SUV and walked up the stairs to the penthouse's door. "Hey!" He called from the doorway.

"Kota, come on in." Jai smiled and boyishly giggled as he was given a bear hug that lifted him off the floor. The brunet laid his head on the older man's shoulder and wrapped his arms and legs around the half Indian's neck and waist.

Dakota chuckled and kissed Jai's cheek, then let him down. He was about to ask where Adam was when he was tackled facedown on the floor. His boisterous laughter and screeches filled the penthouse as his other brother tickled his sides and into his pits. "Addddaaaammmmm" He squealed as his fists and legs kicked and pounded the floor.

Adam giggled and ceased his playful attack. He wrapped his arms around Dakota, hugging and kissing him. "Hi!" The brunet chuckled, got to his feet, and extended his arm to help the older man to his feet. Adam yelped and wriggled in Dakota's arms when he got pulled into his brother's lap. Adam's screeching laughter rang through the room as his armpit hollows were tickle attacked. After a minute of playtime, he squealed out his surrender.

Dakota giggled and wrapped his arms around the younger brother as he kissed and hugged him. "How are you two?"

Jai chuckled and shook his head at the two men as he helped them off the floor. "We're good, Kota."

The trio shared another hug, and Adam brought three beers handing one to his older brother. After clinking bottles, the young men sipped their drinks and relaxed. "Dakota, how happy are you with police work?" Adam asked.

Dakota sat his beer on the coaster and picked off a piece of lint from his sock-clad big toe. "It's not what I ever thought it would be, but I like it, for the most part. Why are you asking?"

Adam and Jai looked at one another, and they held hands. "We haven't told Mikey this yet, but Ty's leaving at the end of this month." Jai leaned his head on Adam's shoulder.

Dakota's eyes widened. "Wow! That's sudden. What's up?"

"His Dad died years ago, and it's just been his Mom living back in his home state. Earlier this week, he got a call informing him that she's got cancer." Adam wiped his tears and kissed Jai's cheek.

"Fuck!" Dakota got up to sit beside Adam and cuddled him with Jai on the other side.

"He's moved back home, for the most part. He's coming back after Christmas to work the reopening and try to help us find someone." Jai stated after sipping his beer. "Lance came up with the idea of asking you to be our head security guy."

Dakota's jaw dropped as he gazed into his younger brother's eyes. "Me?"

Adam and Jai were doubled over in laughter at the older man's reaction. "Yes, you. You'd be perfect. You've got experience on the force, you're our brother and Mikey's soulmate, we know you'd train your team right, and you'd kick some serious ass if anyone tried anything with anyone at Barefoot." Adam hugged Dakota as Jai sat on his lap and laid his head on the Cherokee man’s shoulder.

Dakota smiled and kissed the younger men's cheeks. "I guess you've gotten used to having an older brother, huh, Ad?"

Adam smiled and nodded with his head on the Indian's shoulder. "Yeah, you're a keeper, and most importantly, you've made my brother the happiest I've ever seen him." He giggled and squirmed when Dakota's fingers lightly kneaded his ribs.

"I'll have to talk with my angel boy before giving you an answer."

"Definitely, trust me, you don't want to face the wrath of Mikey's pout if you make a decision like that without his input." Adam's statement caused the men's boisterous laughter.

"So, what's the brother's gathering for Christmas Eve? Am I gonna have to be dressed up?" Dakota asked as he finished his beer.

"Yes, a fluorescent pink Tootoo and neon stiletto six-inch heels are required," Jai stated with a momentary straight face before the three men started laughing like hyenas. The youngest brunet squealed as he was pulled across his brother's and future husband's laps. His squeals became high-pitched laughter as Adam tickled his armpits and blew raspberries on his exposed stomach, and Dakota slipped his ankle socks off, tickling his soft bare soles. After everyone calmed down, the trio was again enjoying cuddling each other. Dakota smiled and let himself get lost in the happiness he felt about not being an only child anymore. Adam and Jai seemed to pick up on the older man's feelings and kissed his cheeks.

"Are you nervous about Christmas Eve, Kota?" Adam asked as he gently massaged his brother's shoulders.

"Not really nervous, maybe a little unsure of what happens." Dakota loved the gentle massage. He slightly jumped when he felt Jai, giving his sock-clad feet the same attention Adam gave his shoulders. "Damn, you're both awesome at that." The half-Irishman complimented.

Adam and Jai giggled and continued helping Dakota relax. The couple did their best not to tickle the big guy this time. "It's all fun and games," Adam assured his brother.

"Yeah, we don't do anything different except Mikey cooks his ass off. We have playful wrestling and sparring matches with each other. Have food fights and pillow fights. If it's snowing, we have snowball fights. We enjoy cuddling, ticklish fun, and strengthening our bond as brothers." Jai added.

That's awesome and sounds fun." Dakota giggled and squirmed when Adam tickled his sides, and Jai got his feet. 

"We usually make it a two or three-day event, depending on our schedules and when Christmas Eve is. I think this year, we're making it three days. Lance is usually the first one to get there. He does a lot to help Mikey get ready." Adam said.

Dakota smiled. "Sounds like I'm gonna have a good workout over the holiday. Which will burn off a lot of calories." The men shared another hug and kiss before Dakota left to head home to his lover.

Mikey was outside stringing more lights when he heard the alarm at the end of his driveway, letting him know someone was driving up. He smiled and got excited, thinking it was his mate coming home. The smile changed to one of wonderment at who drove up and was parking. Mikey slipped inside the window, opened the top drawer of his bedside table, retrieved his Glock 17, then the brunet grabbed his shoulder holster and holstered the weapon before going downstairs.

The doorbell rang right as Mikey reached the bottom of the stairs. "Yes, who is it?"

"My name is Crandle Dyson. I'm with the Times-Dispatch. I was wondering if I could speak with Mikey Carter."

Mikey opened the door, making sure the man saw he was armed. "I'm Mikey Carter, and if you're truly from the Times, then you should know I don't give unscheduled interviews, and certainly not from my home. You also passed at least five no trespassing signs, easily seen and posted on both sides of the driveway." The alarm sounded, interrupting Mikey's interaction with the reporter. "Now, you have two choices. One, you can leave and don't come back." Mikey paused when he saw Dakota's Cherokee park and his lover getting out of the car.

Crandle was clearly thrown off his game and having trouble regaining his ground. The seasoned reporter was not used to this kind of no-nonsense welcome. He realized he'd definitely underestimated his subject. "What's the second option?"

"You get arrested by Officer Buckingham, Crandle Dyson." Mikey smiled.

The gray-haired man let loose with a gut-busting cackle. "Look, kid, I'll be gone before this...Officer Whathisname even gets on the road. So, unless you want to be vilified in print, you might as well give me an exclusive. I know who your family is. You don't want to see both of your Dad's names or your name dragged through the mud, do you? A story can go either way. If you cooperate, you and your family will come out at the end smelling like roses. Fail to do so, and I will paint you guys in the worst possible light. Your choice."

"I've heard enough. Crandle Dyson, you're under arrest for trespassing and extortion." Crandle's smirk changed to an expression of disbelief as his arms were pulled behind his back and cuffs were placed on his wrists. Dakota proceeded to read the stunned man his rights as he put him in the backseat of the Cherokee. "This is Officer Buckingham. I need a squad car at…"

"This will never stand up in court. I'll fry your entire family in print, Carter."

Mikey just shook his head. "You've been given the right to remain silent. I suggest you take it because everything has been recorded visually and audibly by my security cameras. The security camera signs are beside the no trespassing signs."

Crandle finally heeded the read rights and shut up as they waited for the squad car, which arrived ten minutes later. The reporter was moved to the cruiser as Mikey and Dakota thanked the officers for responding quickly. Once they were alone, the smaller, brunet boyishly giggled and squealed when his mate bear-hugged him, lifted him off the ground, and threw him over the broad shoulder.

"What trouble did you get into this afternoon? I'm starting to wonder if I can ever leave you alone, my sweet a chuja."

"Kota-Bear, I've been just an innocent happy Mikey-Pup today." Mikey giggled and squirmed as his ass was playfully smacked. "Hey, that's police brutality." The brunet's legs kicked, and his high-pitched squeals sliced through the afternoon air when Dakota's fingers kneaded the trapped man's inner thighs.

The half-Indian giggled. "And, that's a police tickle tactic." Dakota carried his mate inside and closed the door.

As soon as Mikey was on his feet, the playful brunet jumped back into his man's arms and kissed him. "I missed you, babe."

"I missed you too, my beautiful angel."

"I've gotten a proposal." The couple said in unison before falling prey to boisterous laughter.

"You first, brave warrior." Mikey poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Dakota. Over the next thirty minutes, the men sat beside each other, sharing the proposals and ticklish foot massages.

That night, Dakota and Mikey lay head to foot on the bed. The younger brunet's toes twitched while his soft bare feet wriggled. His light giggles wafted through the bedroom as his mate's tongue licked across the bases of his toes and slipped along each crevice between them. Mikey's cock was hard and dripping precum. Dakota was in the same soft, giggly aroused state as his younger soulmate. The older man locked eyes with his bedmate and licked his lips as Mikey nodded. Dakota reached over he pulled a condom and tube of KY from the bedside table drawer. The half-Cherokee applied a generous amount of lube to his hot wet ass, then after slipping the rubber on his mate, he coated Mikey's perfectly sized and protected cock with gel. The men positioned themselves with Mikey on top. After some passionate kisses and slowly working their bodies into each other, they settled into a comfortable rhythm as the room filled with the pleasured moans and encouraging words about their being the perfect lover.

Lance pulled up to Mikey's house before sunrise and parked in the garage. "This should be fun." The giggling brunet thought to himself as he quietly entered the house and entered his code into the alarm system. The twenty-year-old slipped his shoes off at the kitchen door, and his sock-clad feet padded up the stairs. Lance put his ear up to the bedroom door and stifled his giggling as he silently entered the room. Lance tiptoed over to the bed, then, without any warning, he roared and jumped onto the bed. The jovial brunet started giggling as he got tangled up in the bedsheets. It was then he realized the bed was empty.

"Get 'em!" Mikey shouted as he and Dakota jumped out from the closet and pinned the younger brunet to the bed.

"Shit!" Lance screeched before drowning in a sea of hysterical laughter as his older brothers wrestled with him. "Fuck! Kota, not my toes." Lance squealed as his socks were removed and the eldest of the trio's fingers tickled the cackling brunet's toes and bases.

"Good morning, baby bro." Mikey giggled as he tickled Lance's armpits while blowing raspberries on his stomach and cuddling his brother.

"How'd you guys..." Lance asked between his giggles and panting after the two ticklers gave him a break and cuddled him.

"We were already up. Mikey heard the ding, and then he saw your headlights." Dakota said. He hefted the youngest brother into his lap, kissing his forehead and laying his head on Lance's shoulder.

"Well, I was right." Lance giggled and kissed his brothers.

"About what, baby boy?" Mikey asked as he massaged both Lance's and Dakota's feet.

"I told myself this would be fun, and it was."

To be continued...