"I don't understand why I have to keep my eyes closed," Sey grumbled as Declan led him into the living room. "I mean, it's not like I haven't seen a Christmas Tree before. I even helped decorate it, for Pete's sake."

"Well," Declan replied smoothly, "there've been one or two additions since then."

"Additions?" Sey nearly shrieked. "What did you do to my tree? It was *perfect!*"

Declan hid a smile, even though his partner couldn't see him. "Not to the tree itself, Sey. I just…tweaked…the room a bit."

"The room? What was wrong with the room?"

"The atmosphere, then. I wanted something a little…warmer."

"Warmer?" Sey echoed, swaying slightly as his lover pulled him closer. He could feel Declan's breath on his lips.

Suddenly he wanted nothing more than to be kissed. He grazed Declan's mouth with his, but Declan moved back, preventing him from taking full advantage of their proximity to each other.

"Not yet," Declan whispered, his long, elegant fingers playing with Sey's hair.

"Why?"

"It's a surprise."

"When can I open my eyes?"

"In a moment."

Declan slowly guided Sey to a sitting position on the floor. Sey reached out with one hand and touched the carpet. But instead of carpeting, he found his hand filled with the softest of down comforters. "Oh, that feels nice."

Declan shook his head, his nearly waist-length red hair pouring over his shoulders like molten fire. "That's not the surprise."

"It's not?"

"No."

There was a click and then lushly romantic Christmas music filled the living room. The room was dimly lit except for the flashing lights on the tree and the gaily-colored flickering image on the television.

"Open your eyes, baby."

Sey complied, only to gasp. "You remembered!"

"How much you wanted a fireplace? Aye, I did. I'm only sorry it's not a real one."

Sey gave Declan a heart-stopping smile that melted Declan from head to toe. "I know we can't have a real one, Dec. Being on the third floor and all. But this is…ingenious."

Declan handed a glass of champagne to his lover and sipped delicately from his own, wrinkling his nose when the bubbles tickled. "TV's finally good for something."

Sey put down his glass, taking care not to spill any liquid on the comforter. "Where are the kids?"

"Out."

"On Christmas Eve?"

"Okay, downstairs."

"You bribed them to stay away?" Sey asked with a chuckle.

"Not necessary. Sasha and Emmy are *in love*."

"Mmm…so are we," Sey responded, nipping gently at Declan's mouth.

Declan opened his mouth and deepened the kiss, his agile fingers working the buttons on Sey's shirt. Sey sighed contentedly and plunged both hands into Declan's hair.

Gradually pressing his lover back into the comforter, Declan laved the side of Sey's neck. When he could move no further forward, Declan buried his face against the base of Sey's throat, snuffling against the warm, wet skin he so lovingly caressed moments ago.

"Are we going to make love?" Sey whispered, his fingers still tugging on Declan's long red curls.

"Always…" Declan kissed him again before laying his head on Sey's chest.

"…and forever?" Sey asked, trembling in his arms.

Declan raised his head to stare silently into his lover's dark chocolate eyes. "And beyond, acushla."

Sey's breath caught in his throat. There was so much love in Declan's eyes, warming him, welcoming him. Since the moment he had fallen in love with him, they had rarely been apart.

And now they never would be.

"I love you, Dec."

"I love you, too, Sey."

Sey's mouth slowly curved into a grin. "You only forgot one thing. The mistletoe."

This time it was Declan's turn to smile. But the blinding intensity of it left Sey breathless. "What?"

"I don't need an excuse to kiss you, acushla."