The snowflakes were not some prelude of white deluge and when the two men woke the following morning, it was to a mere dusting of snow. Therefore their drive back to the city was a mostly unimpeded one. Ryota lingered for the remainder of the day in Yori's home as his lover sat at his table hunched over his laptop, his mind completely focused upon his writing to the exclusion of everything else. He came out of his creative daze a few times to find that he had been presented with a sandwich or a glass of water. No coffee was forthcoming as Ryota's talents in that area could be scored in the negative, but Yori paid this no mind. It was the first time he had felt so relaxed and contented in another's company. Not even Keko's cafe could he let his barriers fall so completely and lose himself to his work in the presence of another. Ryota did not mention once the lack of attention he received while in his lover's company. Instead, he felt honoured that Yori had revealed this side of himself to him. However, as evening approached, he admitted to himself that he felt a little neglected and took it upon himself to remind Yori that he was still here. The opportunity arose when Yori rubbed at his neck after almost an hour of sheer concentration upon a tricky chapter. Two strong, warm hands began to kneed and massage the aching spots causing Yori to groan in appreciation. As the calloused thumbs pressed firmly along the back of Yori's neck, the omega realised that he no longer had any will to write, so saved his work and closed down the laptop before succumbing completely to Ryota's touch. After that, they cooked a simple meal together, a mildly spicy curry and a heated serving of rice. Their chairs at the table were pressed closer than necessary as they ate their meal with small talk and casual brushes against each other. After cleaning away the mess in the kitchen and stowing their dishes lazily into the dishwasher, Ryota gave a hefty sigh and stated that he should probably think about returning to the hotel. He had to return to work in the morning. With heavy, slow steps, Ryota made his way reluctantly to the front door with Yori silently stepping in his wake, the latter equally discontented that Ryota had to leave. He watched with an aching heart as Ryota tied his shoes and reached for his coat. Inwardly, he smiled wryly. How easily could he become dependant on this man? As easily as he had fallen for his sway and charm? They shared a sweet, chaste kiss, but one that was still filled with longing, before Ryota left Yori's house for the bitterly cold night air. Yori shut his door with a sigh, feeling suddenly downcast. He placed his forehead against the door for a moment, before taking a breath and pushing away from it. Despondently, he dragged his feet to his staircase, thinking he might as well go to bed for an early night. Just as he took his first step onto the first stair, there was a knock at the front door. Peering through the peep hole he shook his head and opened the door. Ryota rushed back in and slammed the door behind him before picking up a laughing Yori in his arms and climbing the stairs to the bedroom. ***** Yori was facing a slight dilemma. Christmas was fast approaching and he'd been invited to spend the holiday with people. Actually, that was not an entirely new experience. Uncle Himura usually requested an invitation each year, although he just wished for an excuse not to be bombarded with his many family members, who suddenly remembered him and his wealth at this time of year. If he was at Yori's home, those relatives would not be able to find him. For several years, Keko and Aisha invited Yori to spend Christmas with them and their families, not wishing that anyone be alone on this holiday, though Yori had not actually done so yet. This year was no different in regards to these invites, however this year both Ryota and Yori's brother Hideaki had called him to share the holiday with them as well. They were not making it easy with Hideaki mentioned that he wished to share good news with his baby brother on top of this being the first holiday to be celebrated since they had been reunited and Ryota said that he wanted to spend the day with his boyfriend. More so, Ryota had decided to add that this would be his first year taking Christmas and Boxing Day off since he had taken over the hotel as manager. "I've allowed my assistant manager to take these days as holiday for all these years," he had stated. "I feel that it is more than a little fair for him to cover me this time. It is not as if he'll be the only person working over the holidays, such is the hospitality business." Yori felt his best option was to discuss the invitations with Ryota and decide from there. In the end, with agreement from all family members, it was decided that the couple would accept Hideaki's invitation for the 25th and invite Ryota's family for the 26th to the hotel, while Uncle Himura was invited to spend time with Yori at the hotel's restaurant on the 27th. Ryota had caused the restaurant nightmares when attempting to book at such a late stage, but somehow they managed to reserve a table for the V.I.P's. Hideaki was absolutely thrilled to see his brother and felt the same stirrings as he had when he was a child and wanting to meet the baby Yori for the first time. He was also welcoming to Ryota who clearly adored his brother and the two couples sat down to an intimate meal in the apartment above the florist's small dining room. "So what news was it that you wished to tell me?" Yori asked as he stroked the tartan scarf's angora wool between his fingers, the first gift from his brother in twenty six years. He didn't still have the very first, sadly, that childish drawing had been lost to time. He hadn't been sure what gifts to purchase them and had decided on a designer pen for Hideaki and a pretty silver bracelet with flower charms for Eiko. Hideaki and his wife shared a look and a warm smile. "Eiko is expecting our baby," he said excitedly. "I'm going to be a father! You're going to be an uncle." "Congratulations!" Ryota said to Eiko, who blushed and thanked him. "How far along?" Yori asked curiously. "Um, actually seven weeks," Eiko said, still a little flushed of face. "Give or take." The couple instinctively felt that their little one was a honeymoon baby, but couldn't confirm this until they went for the scans. "That's wonderful news," Yori told her warmly. Yori stayed the night at Ryota's apartment atop the hotel and woke a little achy, but it didn't seem to prevent him from floating happily about the kitchen as the pair began to prepare a homemade meal for Ryota's family members. There was a tense moment as they realised the turkey just barely fit in the oven, Ryota had chosen a splendidly large bird to serve. They peeled, shaped and cut a variety of vegetables, before preparing various trimmings and then abandoned the mess for a while to curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand. Ryota brushed the flour off of Yori's cheek and their beverages became abandoned for a while as they savoured each other's taste and sharing breath. Their kisses slowly became more heavy and intimate as they lost themselves together, brought back to reality only when an alarm went off. It was time to baste the turkey again. Yori laughed as Ryota rose from the sofa grumbling. Just as Ryota was removing the turkey some hours later, freeing up the oven so they could oven cook the potatoes and root vegetables, the doorbell rang. Yori was up to his elbows in soapy bubbles as he cleaned up some of the equipment they had used so far, so while Yori dried his hands, Ryota moved to answer the door. Aisha and Keko came in first, the latter showing a few signs of weariness, but the beaming smiles upon their faces told Yori that things were generally well with both. He released the sigh that he did not know he was holding. Behind them came Keko's parents, who Yori, for all the time that he had known the girls, had never actually met. Ryota kissed the small, dark-skinned woman upon her plush cheek and shook the hand of her tall husband. It was clear who Keko took after the most from her prominent cheekbones to her imposing figure. Her father had the same proud bearing. The older couple chatted with Ryota for a while, thanking him for arranging them and their three foster children a suite in his lovely hotel. They mentioned that the children, who ranged from ten to fourteen, were having a blast using some of the child friendly facilities and were currently in the room watching movies with dinner delivered by room service. Having not been yet noticed, nor expected, Yori quietly approached and softly coughed when he was close to Ryota's side. The girls looked startled. "Yori!" Aisha exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" But Yori didn't answer, just glanced at Ryota, who's face broke into a huge smile. "Mum, dad," he addressed the couple who had fostered him through his teen years with warmth. "I want you to meet Yori, my boyfriend!" "It's nice to meet you," Yori smiled and offered his hand, while inwardly amused by the shocked glances upon the girls faces. The older couple greeted Yori, while openly curious about this stunning young man before them. Aisha punched Yori's arm. "You didn't tell me!" She pouted for a moment before her eyes began to twinkle, mischievously. "And didn't you tell me that you were never going to date an Alpha?" "I dated you," he pointed out in retort, his arms crossed over his chest. "I don't think that counts," Aisha laughed considering what they had could hardly be considered dating. Her giggles were suddenly broken as she and Yori found themselves dragged into their respective green-eyed lovers arms. Yori inwardly rolled his eyes, it seemed this brother and sister did not need to be blood related to share the same possessive traits. Still, this was a side of Ryota he hadn't really witnessed before and he couldn't say that he didn't like it. So he glanced up at his lover and smiled, before mentioning that they should probably concentrate on finishing cooking dinner or they would be ordering room service, just like the foster children!