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Hawkeye's inner alpha was purring with pride. It was Christmas and his entire pack was in his house. Peripheral pack and all. Even his dad was here.
Trapped sat on the couch next to him and put an arm around him. His hands were cold from taking the dogs out. Waffles, a large orange cat, jumped into his lap.
The other cat, Jam, a gray tortoiseshell cat, was hiding in Becky’s room.
Hawkeye leaned into his omega and watched his other omega try to hand out stockings without dumping everything that was packed inside of them onto the floor.
Each of the stockings were handmade or had elements that were done by hand. Some were knitted by Hawkeye, some were quilted by Peg, some were sewn by BJ, and some were decorated with cross stitch by Margaret. And each one was filled to the brim with candy and stocking stuffers.
As BJ handed them out he raised his voice to be heard over his three daughters, Mulcahy's daughter, and Sidney and Sam's two sons, “Alright, you can see what's inside, but remember, only one piece of candy.”
The kids all nodded but clearly weren't really listening.
BJ then distributed the rest of the stockings to the adults.
Hawkeye pulled things out and put them on his lap. He pulled out an ornament that looked like a martini glass with an olive, a pair of thick socks, a small notebook and two pens, a skein of blue alpaca yarn that he couldn't wait to make a pair of mittens out of, a set of coasters, and easily a pound of candies and chocolates.
When everyone had opened their stockings Trapper got up with Dr. Sam Pak and Francis to go finish making breakfast for everyone and Radar made a round to make sure everyone had coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for the kids.
Erin ran over to Daniel Pierce with a big smile on her face, “Grandpa! Look I got a kit for friendship bracelets!”
“Hey! That's great kid! Come show me what's in it!” He pulled her onto his lap.
AJ was quietly laying out the small make up kit, four bottles of nail polish, and assortment of hair clips and bows that she got and couldn't stop smiling.
Becky nudged her, “hey, you want me to help you put some of that on before breakfast?”
AJ nodded shyly, she had been practicing with Becky and Kellye but still wasn't confident in her makeup skills.
Becky smiled and began gathering up her things, which also included a new makeup set and some nail polish.
Once both of them had their stuff they disappeared upstairs.
BJ flopped into the space that Trapper left and kissed Hawkeye's cheek. “How are you doing?”
Hawkeye smiled, “amazing, I can't believe everyone is actually here!” He saw something out of the corner of his eye and turned his head to say, “Flagg, I swear to God, don't spill ink on the carpet. It's just a pen! I swear! Stop taking it apart!”
Colonel Flagged looked up from where he was tucked against Margaret's side and inspecting a pen, “I know that that is what you believe, but I have to make sure that is the actual truth.”
“I bought it at Macy's from a shelf where there were twenty other ones that were exactly the same. No one knew I was buying it and no one knew I was giving it to you.”
“Oh, someone knew. Someone knew.” He continued fiddling with the pen.
Toby, Sidney and Sam's youngest looked up, “Santa didn't bring that for him.”
Hawkeye internally cursed himself, “not that pen. I gave some of the grown ups a few things because Santa didn't totally fill their stockings. He mostly focuses on the kids you know?”
Toby nodded and went back to playing with his silly putty.
Soon everyone was called to breakfast. The table in the dining room was set up for the adults and the one in the kitchen was set for the kids and the kitchen counters were set with the food for everyone to serve themselves.
There was bacon, a potato hash, scrambled eggs, and cinnamon rolls.
After breakfast the kids all but dragged their parents to the living room where the tree was set up with presents spilling out from under it.
There weren't as many places to sit in there so they brought a few dining chairs in as well for the adults to sit on, though Radar found himself on the floor with the kids so he could play Santa and help hand out gifts.
Once all the gifts were handed out it descended into chaos. Wrapping paper was torn and bags were opened and “Thank yous” and “I hope you like its” were yelled out across everyone.
When it was all finished the kids managed to completely disappear and leave the clean up to the adults.
Once the trash was all picked up and thrown out every one settled in different parts of the house to chat or begin enjoying one of their presents.
At some point Margaret and Daniel set out some food for people to nibble on until dinner.
BJ let the dogs out of their crates and let them into the back yard.
When they came back in, Luna, a black lab who didn't realize how big she was, tried to climb into Hawkeye's lap while he was talking to his dad.
Runner just curled up on his bed by the fireplace and watched Radar, Kellye, Sam, and Flagg play cards.
Sidney helped Peg and Louise prepare everything for dinner. The main thing was the turkey, some of the sides still had to be made but most were already made ahead of time and just needed to be heated or placed in a serving dish.
Finally, everyone was called to the meal, and mostly out of habit than anything else Francis led them all in a prayer.
Trapper gave Hawkeye the carving knife to cut into the turkey, “best cutter I know.”
Hawkeye smiled and began carving.
Once everyone had their food, Hawkeye stood and clicked his fork against the glass. He cleared his throat, “I don't remember the last time all of us were in the same place. Actually, in the nearly eleven years since this pack began, I don't think we have ever all been in the same place at once.” He smiled, “So, I thought I should mark this occasion and say something. It might be the only time I can get you all to listen to me anyway.”
“Who says we are?” Sidney grinned.
Hawkeye rolled his eyes, “Anyway. I know I'm not the most traditional pack alpha, but we aren't the most traditional pack, so I guess that's why you put up with me. So, here's to us, most of us found each other in the worst of places and made the best of it, and then brought the best home with us.” He raised his glass and everyone else did too and they all clinked their glasses. “Now, let's eat before it all gets cold!” He sat back down and they all dug in.
After dinner they cleaned up and actually got some of the kids to help this time.
Hawkeye bundled up and took the dogs for a quick walk and when he got back the pies were all being set out.
The adults all gathered in the family room after dessert and played a few party games while the kids mostly went upstairs.
Hawkeye couldn't breathe, he was laughing so hard at watching his dad try to mime “I Love Lucy.”
Toby fell asleep in Sam's lap during a game of twenty questions. Sam stood, “I'll be back in a bit. Just to get this one to bed and try to get Andy to start thinking about it.”
BJ checked the time and stood too, “yeah, I should see if I can convince Erin to go to bed too.”
Sam shrugged, “If she goes to bed, Andy might not put up much of a fight.” He and BJ began heading for the stairs.
BJ laughed, “that assumes Erin won't put up a fight of her own.”
After a few more hours of games and drinks and catching up people started flagging.
Peg said, “well, I'm pooped, Lou, you ready to go?”
Louise nodded, “yeah, it's definitely past our bedtime.”
They stood and Hawkeye, Trapper, and BJ all stood to see them out.
Louise looked over at Margaret and Flagg, “We'll leave the back door unlocked for you.”
Margaret shook her head and stood, then helped her mate stand as well, “No need. I think it's time we head back too. We'll all just walk back to your place together.”
Hawkeye and his mates showed the two couples to the door and thanked them for coming.
Peg kissed their cheeks and smiled, “of course. Merry Christmas.”
BJ smiled softly, Peg was his ex-wife, but she was still one of his best friends, “Merry Christmas.”
Once everyone else headed to bed and Hawkeye made sure they had everything they needed, he made his final round around the house, making sure the doors were locked and everyone was safe. When he was satisfied, he was able to join his mates in their bedroom.
He settled into bed and with a yawn said, “Merry Christmas.”
BJ smiled, “Merry Christmas to all!”
Trapper added, “and to all a good night!”