A/N: Hello everyone! We've officially made it to the final chapter of Christmas Beautiful!

Before we get started, I would like to thank everyone that read last chapter and this story in general. I would also like to give a huge thank you to Guest, Side1ways, winterschild11, and RainbowDiamonds for reviewing! I also have to give a special thank you to RainbowDiamonds whose story Magic (which if you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it) was a big inspiration for this story. :)

I hope you all enjoy!

James tugged at the French cuffs on his white dress shirt and then checked his cufflinks again, while Dak fussed in the mirror with his tie. The man didn't look nervous in the least. In fact, it was like he was buzzing with excitement. But he got it. Jett was pretty damn fantastic and he fit Dak perfectly. James didn't have a single doubt that they were going to be incredibly happy together. The wedding was just one little hoop to jump through in Dak's mind that got him a step closer to claiming Jett in front of the world.

"Do we need to have the talk?" James asked dryly.

"Talk?" Dak's hands froze just above his tie and he furrowed his brow at James' reflection.

"About the birds and the bees. I am your best man after all, and I-"

"Fuck you," Dak said with a chuckle. "If I don't have that stuff figured out by this point, there's no helping me."

"I'll agree with you on that."

"Trust me, Jett and I have got the sex down to an art. We-"

James groaned and put up both hands in surrender. "Enough, Cassanova. Have pity on those of us going through a dry spell."

His friend just laughed as he continued to fuss with his appearance.

It was the first day of the new year and James was sadly lacking in a hangover-a first in too many years. He'd crashed at Dak's family's mansion and drank, in moderation, with Dak and his family and some select friends as they rang in the new year. Then they were up early for one last rehearsal before an elegant brunch was served. The conclusion of the brunch saw them dressing for the wedding that was going to be held in the Zevon ballroom, which would be followed by an early dinner.

It all sounded wonderful and Dak's mother, Annie, had gone out of her way to make sure that he felt included in this family event, but there was no shaking the feeling that something was missing. And James knew exactly what, or rather who, that was.

Kendall.

Fuck, he missed Kendall and Lizzy. Dak, Jett, and the rest of Dak's family were doing everything they could to keep him busy and moving at all times, but his mind still drifted to the man who had walked away from him for a second time.

He needed to let go, move on. Some small part of him wanted to say fuck it and drink and fuck his way through Cincinnati until the aching finally stopped, but deep down he knew that would never work. This was worse than their separation five years ago. In Denver, he'd been able to actually tell Kendall he wanted more, that he'd cared for the man, that he wanted to be a part of his life with his daughter. But none of that was enough for Kendall.

But now wasn't the time for wallowing in his own misery. He had plenty of time ahead of him after the wedding to think about what he could have done differently to win over the man.

Dak turned away from the mirror to face James. They were both dressed in black slacks, white shirts, and dark blue vests. Jett wore a lighter blue vest and had disappeared not too long ago to help Dak's sister Veronica with something mysterious.

"Do I look good enough to marry?" Dak asked with a smirk.

"Well, not enough for me to marry, but I think Jett will approve," James said, then grinned. "Lucky for you, Jett's got much lower standards."

Dak smiled back, but as he stood there, watching James, his expression grew softer with a touch of worry in his eyes.

"Thanks," he murmured. "Thanks for being my brother when I was away at college and always being there when I was a grumpy ass."

"Don't do this, D," James grumbled, trying to ignore the growing tightness in his chest. He did love Dak like a brother, always would.

"I've gotta say it. I love you. I'd do anything for you."

James grabbed Dak's shoulder and pulled him into a rough bear hug, not caring if he wrinkled their shirts or messed up Dak's dark hair.

"Love you too, asshole," he mumbled. "The only thing I need from you is to be happy."

With a couple thumps to James' back, Dak released his friend and stepped back. "I think we've got the happy covered, but I'm hoping to give you a little something to make you happy."

"I don't-" James' words were cut off by a knock on the door to the bedroom they were using to prep in.

Jett stuck his head in the narrow opening and grinned at them. "Oh good, you're dressed. I've got someone here who'd like to say hi to you, James."

James arched one brow at Jett, but he wasn't able to get any words off his tongue as Jett opened the door a little further and Lizzy came running into the room dressed in a long, puffy dress, a tiny tiara in her hair, and Wonder Woman sneakers.

"James!" she squealed and thew her arms open as she ran to him.

Dropping to one knee, he immediately scooped her up and swung her around once as he stood before pulling her tight against his chest. She smelled of flowers and sugar. Her slender arms wrapped tightly around his neck, threatening to choke him, but he didn't care. He just couldn't believe she was there.

It was only when he felt her pushing against his shoulder that he relaxed his hold so that he could look her in the face.

"Do you like my dress? It's a princess dress," she asked.

"I love your dress. You look just like a princess. I didn't know you were going to be here today."

Kendall's voice carried across the room, "Dak and Jett invited us."

James' head snapped up to find Kendall standing near the door with Jett. His heart stopped and then started beating so hard and fast that he was sure it was going to break out of his chest. Instinctively, his hands tightened on Lizzy, tucking her against his chest as Kendall met his eyes and then looked away. The man was nervous and unsure-there was no missing it, even from across the room-but James was sure that no one had ever looked better to him.

"How about we take the princess down so she can help up inspect the cake?" Jett suggested, but it was only when Dak took a step forward into his line of sight that James seemed to snap out of his trance.

At the mention of cake, Lizzy wiggled and James carefully set her back on her feet. As he straightened, Dak grabbed his shoulders and smiled. "The wedding is in ten minutes. If you're late, I'm sending my mother up to fetch you."

"Dak…" James whispered in a strained voice. He didn't know what to say. For the first time in his life, he was faced with a man he wanted and didn't know what to fucking do. Kendall had walked away from him twice now. He'd played all the cards he had in Denver, laid it all out for Kendall, and he still lost. What was he supposed to say?

"You got this," Dak murmured back, giving his shoulder a squeeze before dropping his hand to offer it to Lizzy."

"Are you Mr. Zevon?" the five-year-old asked, taking his hand.

"I am."

"I made you a wedding card. Would you like to see it? I put it on the table with your other gifts. Do you need help opening those? I'm very good at opening gifts."

Dak chuckled. "You know, I think Jett and I could use a hand with those."

James kept his eyes on Dak, Jett, and Lizzy as they left the room hand in hand and shut the door. And then he was left alone with Kendall.

Taking a deep breath, James lifted his chin and looked at Kendall. He looked good. Better than he wanted him to look. But then, he'd never seen Kendall in a dark, charcoal gray suit and sharp red tie. His hair was slightly styled and shadows under his eyes looked darker than when they'd been in Denver, but then Jo could have left him with more sleepless nights over her latest stunts.

And that's when it hit him. Kendall wasn't there for him. Jo had finally stepped over the line and he needed the name of the lawyer he was friends with who handled family cases. The hope that had started to bloom in his chest shriveled up, leaving his chest feeling painfully empty and hollow.

"If this is about Kelsea Stanton, you could have just texted me," James grumbled, shoving one hand into his pocket as he turned away from Kendall to look for his jacket. He had only a few minutes before the wedding, and he had no desire to be left alone in a room with Kendall longer than he needed to be.

"Kelsea Stanton? Who's that?"

"Family lawyer. I mentioned...before." He stopped and swallowed. He didn't want to talk about Denver. "I'm guessing that Jo is back and causing problems."

"Yes, Jo is back, but not causing problems. Well, at least not yet. But that's not why I'm here."

James froze as he reached for his jacket and looked over at Kendall to find the man staring at the floor, his hands opening and closing at his sides. When Kendall finally looked up at him, a nervous smile lifted one corner of his mouth.

"I really thought getting in to talk to you was going to be the hard part," he muttered.

"How did you get in exactly?" James asked, dropping his empty hand back to his side.

"Dak and Jett. I managed to find the wedding announcement for them. I contacted Jett at his consulting business on Friday, who got me in contact with Dak yesterday, who had a few choice things to say before inviting me today. He promised I could have ten minutes with you."

James threw his arms out to his sides. "Well, you got your ten minutes, though I can't imagine what you want from me. You've made it clear both five years ago and less than a week ago that I don't have a place in your life."

"I want a do-over."

"What?" James squawked, his mouth hanging open for a second before he snapped it shut. He grabbed his jacket and gave it a hard shake. "I don't have time for this bullshit."

"I'm serious. I...I want to go back and try again."

"From a week ago-"

"No, five years ago." Kendall swore and took a step closer to James. "Just...bear with me for a few minutes."

"I think you're down to less than seven," James snarked.

"Fine. For six minutes, pretend it's that night outside my shop. Do you remember what you asked me?"

"Yeah. I asked you, "What the fuck is going on? Why are you avoiding my calls?' And you told me-"

"I know what I said," Kendall interrupted and swore again under his breath. He closed a little more of the distance between them and James could see that his hands were shaking. "What I should have said, what I really wanted to say that night, was, 'My ex is pregnant. I'm going to be a dad soon and I don't know what that means. I haven't the slightest clue as to how to be a dad. I don't remember mine and I'm terrified of fucking it up. Plus, my shop is struggling. If things don't turn around, I'm going to have to close it. How can I be a good dad if I don't have the money to take care of my kid?'"

A lump grew in James' throat as he looked at the man standing in front of him, more than five years older and wiser, but he could also see the young man struggling under the weight of trying to get his business running and figuring out what it even meant to run a business when he was suddenly thrown a massive curve ball-a baby.

And then there was James, demanding a place in Kendall's life that was thrown completely into chaos. They'd never talked about tomorrow or what they meant to each other. Every secret meeting had been couched in terms of fun and pleasure. No promises. No commitment.

If he cared for Kendall then he should have taken a chance, spoken up well before things became dire.

"I…" James paused and cleared his throat. "I would have told you that you've got nothing to worry about." Kendall snorted, but James pressed on. "I'm serious. I've never met anyone more responsible, more level-headed and driven, than you. You might not know what you're doing, but you'll figure it out. And even if the shop fails, you'll still figure it out and you will give your child the best life because she will never doubt whether she's loved."

Kendall lifted his shiny green eyes to his face and shook his head. "I would have told you that the thing that scares me the most isn't the baby or losing the shop."

"What-"

"I'm terrified of you waking up one day and realizing that you can do so much better. That you don't want to be stuck with some single-dad grease monkey who's still coming to terms with the fact that he likes dick."

"I would have told you that I'm not fucking going anywhere. I would have said that I think I'm falling in love with you and I want the chance to see if maybe you could love me, too."

Kendall pinched his eyes closed, his lips pressed into a hard, thin line as he dragged in a ragged breath through his nose. "Fuck, Jay. Five years...five years wasted. If I'd just told you the truth that night…"

James took the last few steps separating them, cupping Kendall's cheeks with both of his hands. "Then let's not waste any more time. No more pushing me away."

"My life is crazy. Lizzy, the shop, Jo-they're all pulling me in different directions."

"I know," James said, brushing his lips against Kendall's. "I'm not going into this blind. I love your brand of crazy. I love Lizzy. For you and her, I'll even learn to tolerate your ex."

He could feel Kendall's lips twitch against his as they started to pull into a smile.

"But you have to know that my family is crazy and, at times, evil," James continued. He paused for a second, gathering his strength for one last punch. "And you need to know that if we're in a relationship, we're out. I want to be in public together as partners. I want to go on dates with you and hold your hand where other people can see us. I want others to know that you're mine. We never did that before. I've always worried you'd have a problem with it."

Kendall leaned back just enough so that he could look James in the eye. "Does that mean I get to claim you as mine?"

"Yes," James replied, the single word coming out slightly broken in the back of his throat.

Sliding his hands around James' waist, Kendall pulled him close. "Then I'd be proud to be out in public with you. You're mine, Jay, and I want the world to know it. I want you in my life and I trust you with my daughter. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth. I'm so fucking sorry. I hurt you and I wasted all those years-"

James stopped his words with a rough kiss that allowed him to swallow down Kendall's moan of relief and pleasure. Kendall's strong arms wrapped tightly around him, one hand settling on his hip while the other grabbed his shoulder, pulling him in as if Kendall wanted to put James inside his chest next to his heart. Fisting his own hands in Kendall's soft hair, he slid his tongue along Kendall's. This was what he wanted. Not regrets or apologies. He wanted Kendall in his arms, on his lips, his moans in his ears. He wanted Kendall in his life forever.

Sadly, they only had a few seconds in each other's arms before the door was thrown open again.

"All right, boys. Let's bring it back down to a G-rating. We've got young eyes," called Dak's mother as she swept into the room. James looked up but didn't release Kendall as Annie entered followed by Jett who was holding Lizzy's hand as she skipped beside him.

"You're cruel, Mrs. Zevon," James teased. "I've waited five years for this."

"And you can wait one more hour," she countered, completely unperturbed. She walked over and placed one hand on each of their shoulders. "Kendall, dear, I'm sure you're a lovely man and I look forward to doing proper introductions, but if I don't get these boys married right now, they're going to slip away and get married by an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas."

"Mom, if Jett and I eloped," Dak called as he entered the room, "we'd have to leave the country. Otherwise, you'd track us down."

"Damn right I would," she replied with a wide grin.

James threw his head back and laughed while Kendall could only shake his head.

"Okay then. Let's get this wedding underway," James said then looked at Kendall. "Will you wait for me?"

"I'm not leaving this house without you." Kendall leaned in and gave James one last, quick kiss before releasing him. With a wink, he took Lizzy by the hand as he led her out of the room. Annie paused long enough to give James, Dak, and Jett one last kiss on the cheek before leaving as well.

Jett pulled on his jacket and buttoned it as he walked over to Dak. Jett had the same glow about him as he looked at his husband to be. "You ready to do this?"

"I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for this moment. I have never been more ready for anything. I love you."

"I love you, too," Jett replied, his voice growing rough. "See you down there."

As Jett left, James pulled on his jacket and straightened it before looking over at his best friend. "I'm happy for you."

Dak smirked as he tugged at his sleeves. "And it looks like I've got a reason to be happy for you."

"Yes, you do," James said before pulling Dak into another hug. "Thank you so much."

"Anytime, Jay. But fair warning, if he hurts you again, I'm going to kill him."

"Duly noted." James chuckled as they broke apart.

"Oh, and another warning." Dak cocked his head to the side, his eyebrows scrunching as if he were confused about something. "Kendall's daughter had Veronica looking for mistletoe. She was saying something about needing it so she can have two daddies."

James chuckled. "She's not going to need mistletoe to get that, but I really like where her mind is at. Let me see what Kendall and I can work out."

Three Months Later

"Keys!" Kendall shouted as he stomped out of the bedroom, dodging a stack of boxes in the hallway on his way to the living room. He'd be so happy when they finally got all the packing completed and the move over with, but that wasn't for another two weeks. He was tired of all the boxes. "Have you seen my keys?"

They needed to get on the road if they were going to make it to the game on time.

"Kitchen table," James called back. "You left them there when you got back from the shop."

Kendall pivoted on the balls of his feet and cut through the kitchen to find that James was, in fact, correct, because his keys were sitting right in front of his customary seat at the table in the small kitchen. He'd arrived home in time to find James and Lizzy sitting at the table, finishing up a healthy lunch before she darted off to get dressed for her soccer game.

Strong hands settled on his waist from behind before sliding up and across his chest, pulling him into a hug.

"Breathe," James whispered into his ear as he held Kendall. A long, slow sigh slipped from Kendall's parted lips as he let himself sink against James. The man had become his rock over the past three months. He was the steady, calming influence that he'd longed for without even knowing it.

Chaos seemed to lurk around every corner in Kendall's life, but no matter what blew up, what went wrong, James was always ready to jump right into the mix of things. He surveyed the situation with a critical eye and had a suggestion on how to tackle a situation when Kendall got flustered. He also learned quickly when to step back and let Kendall take the lead, ready to support him at every turn.

Together, they'd survived Jo's flighty weekend visits, Lizzy's bout with the flu that turned into Kendall's bout with the flu, gymnastics competitions, dance recitals, a sleepover at the aquarium, and a visit from James' mom when she'd demanded to know more about the man in James' life. They took turns cooking dinner and reading bedtime stories. Within their first week together, James copied Kendall's detailed schedule of events and appointments. He kept copies on his phone and in his planner at work. The man had even given a copy to his assistant so she could help keep him on target.

"Are you freaked out about this move? Like, at all?" Kendall murmured softly. He could feel more than hear James' answering chuckle.

"How could I freak out about having us all in one place with room to spread out a bit?" James said, pressing his nose into Kendall's hair. "I've been sleeping here more nights than at my own place. At one point, I had more of my clothes here than at home. I'd happily move in here with you and Lizzy if it would make you happier, but it'd be a bit cramped."

Cramped was an understatement. His apartment worked for him and Lizzy, but just barely. There was only one tiny bathroom, which meant that both him and James couldn't get ready at the same time in the morning. The closet in the master bedroom wasn't big enough to handle both James' and his wardrobes. And Lizzy's room was slightly better than a walk-in closet. They needed more space and he'd been intending to start looking for a new place before he started dating James.

When James had asked him and Lizzy to move in with him, it seemed like a perfect solution. They'd get more space since James had a three-bedroom house that was way too big for one person, and they'd be able to see each other each morning and each night. But it also meant that James wouldn't be able to escape them. He and Lizzy would always be underfoot.

"Are you sure you don't need your own space?"

James released him and stepped back so that Kendall could turn around. A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth when he took in the bright green polo shirt with the name of Lizzy's indoor soccer team emblazoned across his left pec. It turned out that James had played soccer along with hockey all through high school and on an intramural team through college. When it came out that Lizzy's coach needed help with all the little girls, James immediately volunteered. Now they were a lean, mean goal-scoring machine.

"Is this too fast for you?" James asked, snapping Kendall's gaze back up to the man's worried face. "Do you want to hold off? Find a place for just you and Lizzy?"

"I...I just...worry…" Kendall struggled to find the words to tell James that it wasn't fast enough for him, but he was forcing himself to take it slow so that James could get accustomed, so that he could decide if this was what he really wanted. He didn't want to scare James away. He wanted James in his life forever, but to get that, he told himself that he needed to take it slow.

James' grin returned and the tension slipped away as his shoulders slumped. "That's what you're good at."

"Gee, thanks." But he couldn't argue. He was damn good at worrying.

James leaned forward and brushed his lips across Kendall's. "We're not moving fast enough. I know what I'm getting into and moving you into my house just puts you in my lair."

"Lair?"

"Oh yeah, move in with me, and you and Lizzy are going to be officially stuck with me."

"Never stuck. We're damn lucky to have you."

"You know I'd be here whether it's just hanging out with you on Saturday or making lunches and coaching soccer for a bunch of bloodthirsty little girls."

"So you don't mind that you went to that major meeting with the CEO last week with grape jelly on your tie?"

James snorted. "I told him I made lunch for a sweet little girl. He reminded me to flip my tie over my shoulder next time. He's got four kids and seen it all, he says."

"James-"

"Not. Going. Anywhere." James punctuated each word with a kiss. Then smirked. "Well, first we're going to soccer, but I'm not going anywhere without either of you."

"Good," Kendall said in a sigh of relief as he pulled James back in for another kiss. He would never get enough of his man, the feel of him in his arms, the taste of him as his tongue explored his mouth. Wrapping his arms around James, he pulled the man flush against him, his hands running down over his-

"Dad!" Lizzy snapped, sounding thoroughly exasperated as she came into the kitchen. They broke apart to find the little girl in her soccer uniform, shoes in each hand and a mutinous look on her face. "We have to go!"

"Sorry, Speed Racer," he said, reluctantly James. "Dad needed a kiss."

"You can get a kiss in the car. I don't want to be late."

"Then let's get moving," James said. He threw a wink at Kendall that held dirty promises for later that night and then he was following Lizzy into the living room so they could get their bags and coats.

Scooping up his keys and shoving them into his pocket, Kendall followed behind them, glancing at the calendar on the wall. He swore and then winced because he was usually better at censoring himself around his daughter.

"I forgot the drinks and the snacks for the team. We'll have to stop on the way to the sports center."

"Got it. Already in the car," James announced, holding up Lizzy's coat as she stuck her arms into the holes.

"But…"

"Got it," James repeated with a smirk.

"God, I love you," Kendall said with a heavy sigh.

James' head snapped up and he stepped in the middle of pulling on his own coat. He looked stunned by the words that had slipped from Kendall's lips. He hadn't meant to say it. Well...he hadn't meant to say it like that for the first time. He'd certainly thought it plenty of times over the past several weeks. He'd wanted to wait, save the words for a romantic moment where it was just the two of them, when he could tell James exactly how much he meant to him.

But standing in his living room cluttered with toys, his daughter anxious to head to her soccer game, on a day filled with random errands and appointments before they finally collapsed in their bed that night exhausted, there wasn't a more perfect time. James just fit in his life, filling in all the holes and smoothing out the edges as if he were born to do it. And he just couldn't wait anymore.

A soft smile spread across James' face. "Love you too, Soccer Dad. Let's get the little one to the game. We can talk about this more tonight." He leaned over and quickly kissed Kendall before taking Lizzy's hand as they headed out the door.

Yeah, he was definitely looking forward to that "talk" and many more they would have over the years ahead of them.

Done! So, they finally got their happy ending are a happy family!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the chapter and story in general, as well as if you happened to have any favorite parts/moments!

Again, I hope you all enjoyed! Thank you all so much for joining me on yet another ride. And Happy New Year! I have no idea what this year has in store, but I'm looking forward to it and hope that you all have an amazing year as well. :)

-Epically Obsessed