Page 16 of Christmas Trouble

“Merry Christmas,” Hunter added.

“It’s rare that so many of us get together like this,” Dave said. “I’ve already taken the liberty of thanking Jacob and the Brick brothers for their help, and now I want to personally thank Mason for your generous donation that will help build our new facility. We really need a place like this to keep our young adults safe. Plus a place we can train new members as well as any of the younger generation who want to join us,” Dave finished and took a sip from his glass.

“You’re very welcome,” Mason said, lifting his mug of coffee.

“Here, here,” Hunter said and tapped a glass of sparkling cider against Seven’s glass.

Every adult tapped their glasses with someone nearby and took a sip. Some of the older teenagers followed their example.

The facility Dave envisioned already had plans drawn up and would be located deep in the wilds of Colorado.

“And just so you all know,” Mason said with a smile after the noise ofthank yousdied down. “Gage and I and the kids are moving out here to Colorado to live.”

Stunned expressions were accompanied with wide smiles on the faces around the table.

“It’s going to be a blast,” Travis said, earning a smile from Joshua.

“I want to live here too!” Tyler jumped in.

“You’ll need to speak with Eagle and Link,” Dave told the boy.

“They won’t say no.” Tyler smiled. “They never do.”

Dave, along with others, laughed at the sixteen-year-old’s confidence.

It was true though. To date, Link and Eagle had given Travis the world.

“Not me dude,” Boston said around a bite of food. “I’m staying in California. It’s too cold out here. You?” Boston asked a silent Azrael.

“Yeah, I have a home.” Azrael said, keeping his eyes on his plate, poking at the eggs.

“I’m staying in California,” Beck said. “At least for now.”

“The facility will be here if you ever change your mind,” Dave told the boys. He’d hoped that they would come but knew that it couldn’t be forced.

“You know, I heard about a facility like that in Nevada,” Echo said.

“Me too,” Hunter chimed in.

Everyone turned and looked at Dave.

Silence.

The fact that Dave said nothing was more telling than any words could ever be.

Christmas Eve Day.

Encased in one of the thick brown armchairs that sat next to the roaring fire, Dave watched the scene of joy unfolding in the great room on Christmas Eve.

Dave would give anything to have more moments like these and not only on holidays. Perhaps they’d make it an annual thing. Dave knew that most of his specialty team operatives had families of their own. Hunter’s family was back home and Parker, Hunter’s older brother, had volunteered to stay home with Oliver and spend Christmas Day with their two moms.

Dave glanced over at Gage and Mason. Those two had a huge family and had forgone spending Christmas with them to join him here. Of course, making arrangements to celebrate with their family on New Year’s Day had worked as an alternative for Gage and Mason.

Dave was glad because he needed Gage’s input on the new facility. He also needed staff to accomplish such a huge task and having Gage and Mason move out here was icing on the cake.

Right now with the food put away, fireplace lit, and little ones busy playing in the game room, it was peaceful.

Most of the men had either settled on the large sectional or on the floor. Holiday music floated through the room and a game of Cards Against Humanity was in play.

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