Hongjoong groans in frustration as he digs in his bag of candy to find more strawberry flavored candies, but only coming up with blue raspberry, cherry, and watermelon. He tosses the bag aside, sighing heavily as he debated getting the secret stash of cigarettes out of his pocket, but knowing better he leaves them there.

He hasn't smoked for a month now, and with it being Christmas Eve tonight and having dinner with his grandmother and Seonghwa and Jongho, he didn't want to ruin it by getting in an argument with Seonghwa about the smell of smoke. He really wanted to quit for Jongho and Seonghwa, he really and truly did, but no one understands how hard it is to quit an addiction to the feeling of something traveling through your veins.

He hears footsteps and someone sitting beside him back behind the restaurant he works at, the man sighs, "You got a light?"

"I'll do you better," Hongjoong answers, "I got a light, and more cigarettes," he cleans his pockets, handing the co-worker Chan his stash and lighter.

"Hey, thanks man," Chan smiles, his Australian accent thick as he lights a new cigarette and takes in a deep breath, "I thought you quit?"

"No, I'm trying to. I thought I better give you those before I try smoking again," Hongjoong sighs, "I just ran out of strawberry candy so that's going to be rough."

"I've got some strawberry gum," Chan holds the cigarette with his mouth while he digs in his pockets, pulling out the pack and handing it to him, "Keep it, that gum is quite disgusting."

"This gum is the best man," Hongjoong laughs, "You're weird."

"No, I'm Australian. And strawberry flavored candy is gross," Chan laughs.

Hongjoong chuckles, "Well, I have grown quite accustomed to it and have grown to fall in love with it."

"How? It doesn't even taste like actual strawberries?"

Hongjoong shrugs, "It reminds me of home. Where my boyfriend and his son are."

Chan hums, leaning back and breathing in more nicotine as he looks down the street, "So, you're dating Seonghwa right?"

"Yeah," Hongjoong clears his throat, "have been for seven months now."

"Nice, he's got a kid?"

Hongjoong hums, chewing two pieces of gum from the packet before putting it in his pocket. Chan nods, "How is it? Raising a kid that's not yours?"

Hongjoong laughs, "I'll tell you what," he stands, noticing his break was done as he grabs his bag of candy, "it's the best damn thing in the world. Raising and being an influencer to that little baby is the best and scariest thing I have ever done in my entire life. That and ask Seonghwa to go on a date with me and eventually be my boyfriend."

He pats Chan on the arm before heading inside, finishing his shift and then drives home to his loved ones. When he enters the house, he sees Seonghwa sitting on the floor with Jongho standing in front of him, he was holding his hands with his own.

He smiles, "Hey babe! How was work?"

"It was work," Hongjoong hums, coming over to Seonghwa and kissing him gently before Jongho grunts cutely, waving a fist at him before falling into Seonghwa's chest.

Seonghwa laughs, "Do you not want Daddy to kiss me?"

Jongho looks up at him with a grin, Hongjoong chuckles before kissing the baby's chubby cheek and picking him up. He whines, reaching for Seonghwa but Seonghwa stands and kisses his cheek as well, "It's time for bed baby, we have to wake up and open presents tomorrow from nana and mimi! You want to open presents!?"

Jongho whines again, pouting cutely and releasing a cry. Hongjoong hands him over, and once he's in his mommy's arms Jongho cuddles into his chest and hums, nuzzling his face in the oldest's chest. Seonghwa kisses the top of his head, "Let's nurse you real quick and get you to bed. The sooner you get to bed, the sooner you can get up and open presents from Santa!"

Once the baby is fed to sleep, Seonghwa burps him even when he's sleeping and puts him in the bed between the two. Eventually, they all fall asleep cuddled against one another and Hongjoong giving Seonghwa a good night kiss before they slept.

When they woke up, thanks to Jongho, they all ate breakfast first before opening gifts. Hongjoong's grandmother, was excited as she handed Seonghwa and Hongjoong their presents, even more excited to hand Jongho his. As soon as Jongho grabbed them, he tore into them and tried to eat the paper.

Seonghwa gave up trying to stop it after the forth time.

When it was their turn to exchange gifts, Hongjoong gave everyone's but Seonghwa's. The blonde didn't mind, he knew money was a struggle for his boyfriend, until Hongjoong holds a gift box in his hand and sits close to the oldest. Seonghwa looks at him from under his lashes, "I appreciate the gift, but you didn't have to spend money on me."

"Well you spent money on me," Hongjoong laughs, "It's only fair."

Seonghwa rolls his eyes, taking the box and opening it, coming face to face with a gold chain and a strawberry charm. He gasps, taking it out and studying it, "Hongjoong, please tell me you didn't spend a whole lot of money on this."

"I spent a little, but you're worth every penny," he smiles, wrapping his arm around Seonghwa and taking the necklace. He puts it on Seonghwa, latching it away from his hair and letting it fall gracefully. Seonghwa smiles, looking at his boyfriend with love, "I love you."

"I love you more," Hongjoong kisses Seonghwa, Jongho screaming and crawling towards them. He stands himself with the help of Hongjoong's knee, pushing Hongjoong's face away and kissing his mommy in his place.

Seonghwa laughs as the baby places open slobbery mouth kisses on his nose, cheeks, and some on his lips. He wipes his mouth with a giggle, "Baby boy you're going to have to learn to share Mommy."

Jongho grins, hugging his mommy close while grinning at Hongjoong. Hongjoong laughs, leaning in and kissing both on the foreheads, "My two little strawberries. I love you both."

And what they don't know, is the grandmother is sneakily taking photos of the little family and saving them for later.

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A little short and sweet chapter before we get into the big drama filled shit.