“What do you mean you won’t be home?” Adam cannot help his whine. He’d been looking forward to this for months. He even made cranberry sauce by hand.

A heavy sigh drifts over the line. “I’m sorry I really am. I tried, Adam.”

He can tell Ayden is tired. He can hear it in his lover’s voice. Berating himself for making Ayden feel like a failure Adam swallows the bitter taste of disappointment. “I know, I know I’m sorry. It’s just tomorrow is Christmas… shit, honey I’m sorry.” Shutting the oven Adam wipes his hands on a dish towel.

“I’m really sorry, love. You know I’d come home to you and the kids if I could. It kills me being away from my family. Are they asleep?”

Pinching the bridge of his nose Adam tries to sound normal. “Michael is down for the night. Amy is finishing up her art project and Samuel is watching a documentary he needs to take notes on and turn in tomorrow morning.” He completely failed in the normal department.

“Love, I’m sorry.” Ayden apologizes again.

“It’s ok, honey, I understand.” Tossing the towel Adam leans heavily on the counter.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Blinking several times Adam looks at the phone. His home screen glares at him.

“You know because it’ll make this surprise so much more worth it.”

Whirling around Adam gawks.

Ayden stood in the entrance to the kitchen from the family room looking delicious in his Marine’s uniform. A large military issue duffle hung over one shoulder casually. “Ayden?”

The decorated Marine smiles at him filling him with a sense of home, “Surprise, love.”

“AYDEN!” Running Adam launches himself. His marine easily catches him with one arm. “What the fuck?!” Hugging Ayden’s neck Adam buries his face in the crook of Ayden’s shoulder and neck.

A deep chuckle vibrates in his Marine’s chest. A loud plop fills the kitchen as a rather large duffle smacks the kitchen tile floor. “I had to come home to you, love.”

Clinging for dear life Adam lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding as another arm encircles him, holding him close. “I’m so happy to have you home.” Adam sniffles. He’s not crying. He’s really not.

Oh fuck he is.

Taking a few steps Ayden sets him down on the kitchen counter. “Don’t cry, love,” his Marine kisses his temple, “I love you.” Ayden whispers.

“Fuck you.” Adam sniffles. “I love you too.”

Ayden feels so good laughing in his arms. “Do you still keep lube in the upper cabinet? I don’t know about you love but I’m dying to be balls deep in your ass.”

Pulling away Adam blinks all of three times at Ayden before jumping down dragging his Marine upstairs.

“Hey dads! Be quiet! Michael is sleeping!”

“Samuel take your notes!” Adam warns.

A teenage chuckle barely registers in Adam’s lust filled head.

His Marine is home and right now all that matters is getting his Marine naked.

Now.