Page 19 of Christmas Trouble

“Don’t be so sure about that.” Joshua held his other hand out flat and shook it for emphasis. “I was shaking when we got back.”

Travis was quiet for a few moments as if thinking that over and then the boy tossed the remote and folded his arms against his chest.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“About?” Joshua said.

“I want to stay here and help Dave run the new facility.”

“Okay.” Joshua wondered where that left them.

“And I want you to stay with me.” Travis sighed. “I don’t want you to join the Navy.”

Joshua clenched his teeth and released his hold on Travis’s ankle.

“But I also don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want,” Travis said before Joshua could blow his top. He knew how much Joshua hated to be controlled.

“It’ll only be for a few years,” Joshua said softly. “By the time I’m back, the facility will be built and functional.”

Travis bit his lip to keep from begging. “You’re right. I want you to be happy.”

“I’ll come back every chance I get.” Joshua promised.

“I’ll be here.” Travis said, making sure to keep his voice non-combative. He didn’t want them arguing during what could be their last holiday together for a long time. Travis grinned and jumped to his knees on the bed and tackled Joshua.

The other boy fell back to the mattress. Joshua could have flattened him with their size difference, but the bigger boy laughed and played along—rolling them on the bed until they toppled off the side and onto the floor.

Travis sprawled over Joshua and leaned his head down to press their lips together for several long moments.

“We good?” Travis asked, lifting his head.

“Always,” Joshua promised and hugged him tightly.

It wasn’t long before Joshua sat up and pulled Travis to his feet. The pair wandered out of the room and into the great room where the fire roared, their friends waited, and holiday music piped overhead.

Cookies, apple cider and hot cocoa had been placed on a side table and Joshua stopped to get him and Travis some of the goodies.

Travis went over and squeezed between Boston and Beck on the sofa.

Joshua needed to follow his heart. Seven had taught him that. And while Travis did have his love, the Navy was where he wanted to be.

Joshua didn’t want any tension between him and Travis about him going into the military. Earlier, Travis had said the words that he supported him, but Joshua knew that Travis didn’t really mean them.

But Joshua also knew that when a person didn’t follow their dreams, life had a high chance of causing bitterness.

And as young as he was, Travis was old enough to know that bitterness was a disaster for any relationship.

He had seen it with his own mother.

Christmas Morning

Someone knocked on the lodge door just before dawn, drawing Azrael’s attention from his book.

Azrael was the only one awake so far, but that could be because it was twenty minutes after five in the morning.

There was only one person who would knock on the door this early.

It had to be Real.

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