Jason bends down with an exaggerated groan as he scoops the three-year-old up into the safety of his arms. He finds himself wondering, heart stuttering painfully, when exactly Evette stopped being a baby while, with one hand, he helps the eager toddler carefully put the star on top of the decorated tree. Her breathing hiccups on excited giggles as the ornament slips onto the top branch, and as always, Jason feels himself fall more in love with this little princess.
Back when he'd been killed and resurrected, damaged goods no one wanted anymore, Jason doubted he had much room left in his heart for anyone, and now he can't stop loving his family more and more every day.
When the star is up - a little crooked, but he'll fix it when Evette is asleep in her warm bed - Jason spins her around. Her giggles becoming louder, and soon morph into excited squeals. He grins, breathless, when their spinning comes to a slow stop, and there Evette lies, bones heavy and elated, in his arms. She's grinning too, aquamarine eyes glimmering they're so damn happy.
Looking into her eyes, they're so adoring and so trusting, Jason promises himself he'll only ever make her happy.
A loud squeal followed energized laughing breaks the spell. Jason tears his gaze away from Evette, barely has time to move out of the way when his son, Javed or Darin, Jason can never tell, comes running by with his twin hot on his heels.
The boys chase each other around the living room, running in circles, the tinsel they're covered in turning them into figures of red and green. There's a very displeased, "hey!" from Malik when the two little hyperactive boys stumble over wrapping paper and red ribbons. He's sitting cross-legged on the floor with Damian, happily wrapping up presents for the extended family while having a conversation in Arabic that is simply too fast for Jason to catch more than a word or two.
The twins giggle through an apology, but seem intent on continuing their game. Or they would have, if Damian weren't so much faster than them. When one of the boys is scrambling up to get away, Damian is already reaching for him, grabbing the boy and pulling him into his lap. There's a renewed wave of giggles as Damian wraps his arms around the boy, and goes about peppering kisses all over his face. The boy soon begins squealing, resisting only because it makes the game more fun, but loving the attention being showered on him by his baba.
His twin doesn't simply stand there watching for long. Soon Damian has another boy spread over his lap, howling with happy laughter while in his arms.
Evette observes the playing for a minute, curious, before she too begins struggling in Jason's arms, eager to get in on the action. Jason reluctantly lowers her to the floor and watches, still grinning, as she waddles over and lunges herself at Damian and her two brothers.
"Oh, I see how it is!" Jason calls after her. "I'm not even my own princess's favorite!"
Jason's indignation isn't serious and they all know it. There are few things Jason loves more than watching how wonderful Damian is with their kids. He adores seeing the kindness and warmth only they can ever really bring out of his husband and mate.
"Don't worry, Jay," Malik laughs as he comes to stand beside Jason, having given up on wrapping presents while his younger siblings play with their baba, "You're still my favorite."
"I better be, kid." Jason replies, grin broadening so much his cheeks actually begin to ache. He pulls the teen into an embrace and loves how easily Malik melts into his arms, like he'll never get tired of hugging Jason.
Damian looks up at him with a smile settled on his gorgeous face. His husband looks so at peace, here in their home with their family. Jason will never really know how they managed to get here, but he's so grateful that they have.
