Will would often get work through many holidays throughout the year giving most of them little to no importance. This was not the case with Christmas. His grandfather expected the entire family at his estate in Bagshot. In the family patriarchâs words, if he could make time to spend with the family, so could and should everyone. No one dared contradict him, either. When Will suggested Josef to join him, he did so because he knew how rare it was for him to take such a long period of time off and he would really, truly regret not spending any of it with the lawyer. He didnât give the fact that it would mean heâd be introducing Josef to his entire family too much thought at first but when Josef asked if he would do so as his boyfriend, it all sank in. They hadnât really discussed it in depth, what it meant for them and their relationship, but after a quiet second, agreed. As his boyfriend.Â
To say his family was delighted to have another guest was an understatement. His mother particularly, as well as his sister. It was the first time Will included anyone in their family holiday whether he had been in a relationship before or not, so there was truly a part of him that was also nervous about this trip even if he didnât share that with Josef. He knew Josef was nervous enough as he was, turning to look at him with an amused smile in his face as he folded the newspaper he had been reading and letting it sit in his lap as Josefâs hand found his. Brining his knuckles to his lips in an effort to ease his nerves.
âYou really donât need to memorize all of our given names.â Will joked lightly with a shrug. âWeâre going to my grandfatherâs estate, George. My grandmother died when my father was young around this time of year and Christmas was always her favorite holiday, which is why my grandfather will not have any of us missing it. Itâs like a rite for our family, almost in remembrance of her, to spend some time together around this time. Heâs definitely the one person you need to make sure not to piss offâbut I think heâll like you. I think, youâll find, you have a lot in common.â Will smiled, pursing his lips. âMy parents, Jasper and Ailis, like Billie Eilish. She is Irish, but much to my grandfatherâs relief, Northern. Donât take it personal if my dad seems a bit reserved. I get that from him. My mum will want to know everything about you. Please donât feel like you have to entertain her. Iâll come save you when sheâs being too much, but if you let yourself be dragged and out my sight, then youâre on your own.â He wasnât sure if Josef would get the jab but it made him chuckle quietly. âLetâs just hope he can overlook you being American the same way.â He was teasing, of course, but there was a little bit of truth there. âMy brother is alright, for the most part, just donât call him Georgie unless he tells you to first His wife likes to boast about pretty much everything. I find her quite boring but to each their own. My sister is the best, though, Molly. Sheâs the best one out of all of us, a sweetheart, and she cannot wait to meet you. Youâll be fine, Josef, I promise.âÂ
Will tried to reassure him, giving his fingers a light squeeze. âThere is one thing, however, that I may have forgotten to mention.â Pressing his lips together, he offered Josef an apologetic look. âYou will have your own quarters. We can sneak you to my room, or I can sneak to yours, but letâs just play along when we get there and donât freak out when they do take your things somewhere else. Itâs ridiculous, I know, but apparently, since we arenât married, mum wonât have it any other way.â He tried to find the humor in his own words, really. His mother wasnât even that old to be so antiquated. âAnd⌠you may be asked to join my grandfather for a hike, or early morning hunting. By early I mean, very early. He does this often. He likes conversing with people at the break of dawn. Itâs a thing. Iâd say you donât have to but, you might want to.â It didnât really occur to him just how specific his family was because he was so used to it all himself but Will knew they were not exactly ordinary either. âIf it makes any of this better, I really, truly am excited youâre coming with me, as my boyfriend. I promise, after weâre done here, we can just relax. We donât have to do it again⌠until next year, that is, if my family doesnât scare you off.â
"Yes, I do. I donât want to make a bad impression!â The last thing Josef wanted was to accidentally call someone the wrong name. He was good at memorizing things, whether it was case laws, grocery lists - or in this case, the members of Willâs family. Nodding, he quietly takes in his boyfriendâs descriptions, making mental notes with each little fact he presents. âAlright, got it. Donât be left alone with your mum or else I may end up telling her my entire life story.â Josef chuckles, grateful that Will was humoring his request. Out of all of Willâs family members, he had heard about Molly the most, smiling softly at the mention of her name. âI hope so. I want your family to like me.â Not that they needed Willâs family to approve of him or their relationship, but it would certainly help. Josef really, really wanted this trip to go smoothly.Â
âSeparate rooms, got it. Iâm going to get lost in the hallways, arenât I? Oh god.â Josef groans teasingly, shaking his head. âItâs fine, babe...really. Whatever your family wants. I do kind of like the idea of you sneaking into my bed at night though.â He points out, a smirk flickering over his lips, though it quickly fades at the mention of hunting. âAny way you can convince him to go for a hike instead of hunting? Actually, either sound like I could accidentally on purpose fall off of a cliff or get shot, so...â Josef jokes, amused at the thought. âIf he asks, Iâll go. Donât worry.â Leaning over, he presses a kiss to the side of Willâs head, humming quietly when his boyfriend says that he was excited that he was coming along for the trip. âI am too. Next year Iâm bringing reinforcements though. My momâll have my back!âÂ