Page 24 of Club Royal: Calendar Collection

Oscar

Oscar’s hands shook as he held the tray, carrying the various drinks across the road to Windsor.

He could’ve had someone else take them over, but as he’d left Hilary to close up so he could be with his family for the Christmas gift exchange, he thought he’d save them a job.

But taking across two trays, one on top of the other, totalling twenty-four drinks, while carrying a bag full of treats, hadn’t been such a good idea. However, he was almost there.

As soon as he reached the gates, the guards rushed to take the drinks from him, but he stopped them. “I’m okay as long as I concentrate. Can someone please help me along the route, please? I don’t want to trip over something.”

“Of course,” one said and led the way across the car park.

When he finally arrived at the receiving room, the guard knocked on the door and waited for an answer. Blessedly, it didn’t take long for someone to open it and then swing the door wide for Oscar to enter.

“Thank you, Barney!” Oscar called behind him to the guard heading back to his post.

“You’re very welcome, Your Highness.”

“What is all this?” Christian said, grabbing the top tray from him. Patrick took the second tray, and Eddie took the bags.

Oscar shook out his hands. “Well, we have to keep our energy levels up!” he announced. “It’s gift-giving time!” He punched his hands in the air, the ache making itself known, and everyone laughed.

“Yeah, Christian,” Douglas said. “It’s gift-giving time. Didn’t you know that?”

Oscar grinned and, when Christian had placed the tray down, jumped into his husband’s arms. “It’s nearly Cwismas, Daddy,” he whispered.

Christian pecked his cheek. “It nearly is, Ozzie. Are you ready for some fun?”

“Yes, pwease.”

“Do you want to be little or grown-up right now?”

Oscar sighed and dropped his feet to the floor. “Grown up,” he sighed.

Christian smoothed Oscar’s hair down. “You don’t have to. You know this is a safe space.”

Oscar nestled into his chest and sighed again. “I know. I might slip in and out,” he admitted. “I’ve been doing it all week, but Hilary, Jonas and Wally kept me safe.”

Fingers slid beneath his chin and lifted his head, but he didn’t want to meet his Daddy’s eyes, knowing what he’d see. But he had no choice. His shoulders eased when he didn’t see disappointment, only confusion. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I kept meaning to. Honestly! But when I got home each time, we’d start talking and I’d get distracted. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry, Oscar.” He kissed his lips. “I’m a worrier. Always have been. I know you’ll be looked after. And I know you’re so excited for the big day.” He grinned. “And so is the big lug over there.” He tilted his head in the direction of everyone else, and Oscar glanced over.

“Oh, he looks so sweet.” Oscar smiled at Oreo, who was snuggled up on the sofa with his head in Kieren’s lap, his ears being stroked while Kieren talked with Robert.

“He’s spoilt, is what he is,” Christian said, and Oscar giggled, his hand covering his mouth.

“Is everyone here?” George asked.

Christian led Oscar to a sofa and sat down, pulling him onto his lap. Oscar rested his head against him and closed his eyes. It was one of his favourite positions and could easily have him asleep in seconds if he hadn’t been so wired.

“There are sixteen of us and another sixteen guards,” Douglas called.

Oscar distantly heard that and smiled, but then shot up, knocking his head against Christian’s. “Oh no!” he said, scrambling to get off his Daddy’s lap.

“What’s wrong?” Christian asked, but Oscar couldn’t stop. At least until Christian grabbed his arms and held him tightly to get his attention. “What’s wrong, little one?”

“I didn’t bring enough drinks! I only brought twenty-four! That means eight people won’t have a drink! I didn’t count everyone properly!”

“Oscar…” Christian said his name, but he couldn’t stop trying to get free. “Oscar!” He shouted, which stopped him in his tracks. His Daddy never shouted unless it was necessary.

“Yes, Daddy?” he mumbled.

Christian nodded to Felix, who said, “Hilary sent over some more drinks after you. She said there was another tray, but she didn’t want you trying to carry that one as well. I came up behind you with it. There’s enough, Oscar. I promise.”

Oscar let out a long breath and deflated. “Thank you, Felix.”

“My pleasure, Your Highness.”

Oscar fell into Christian’s arms, his entire body shaking. It wasn’t often that he had those moments when he was so stressed it affected him physically, but it did happen on occasion. Those were the rare times Christian had to shout because it was all that would pierce his bubble.

“Sorry, Daddy.”

A hand rubbed circles on his back. “It’s okay, little one. Just breathe for a few minutes.”

And he did. A little while later, George got their attention. “In true royal fashion, we have the gift exchange!” he sing-songed. “Who’s ready for some fun?”

Oscar wriggled around until he settled beside Christian, still right up against him, but where he could see what was going on more easily.

There was an enormous tree in the corner of the room, under which were what looked like hundreds of presents.

Oscar’s stomach fluttered, and he chewed on his bottom lip, almost bouncing in his seat.

He couldn’t wait to see what everyone was going to get.

George stood before the tree. “So, the idea is that everyone takes turns to grab a present and pass it to whoever it belongs to. It doesn’t matter which present it is, just pass it on.

” He clapped his hands. “And this year, we have included some extras…” He winked. “Oscar, would you like to go first?”

He jumped out of his seat and was across the room faster than anyone could say his name again. Everyone laughed. He looked at the presents and, seeing a sparkly one, grabbed it and read the label. He grinned and spun around, shouting, “Felix!”

Felix stared at him, mouth gaping. “What?”

Oscar moved around everyone and raced over to his bodyguard. “It’s for you, Felix!”

Felix took the gift and stared at it. “Um, thank you. I wasn’t expecting…” He cleared his throat.

“That’s the extras,” George said. “Dig in, everyone!”

The Sutcliffes rummaged around, handing out gifts to whoever they found, and before long, everyone held a gift. Oscar held his, barely stopping himself from shaking it in case whatever was inside would break. What could it be?

“And now, open it!” George said.

Oscar ripped into his wrapping and paused.

“Oh my,” he whispered. To someone else, it probably wouldn’t have been exciting, but to Oscar…

the box of fabric plant leaves and trees was extremely exciting.

“Rex can have his own dinner now instead of eating mine!” he said, holding it for his Daddy to see.

Everyone chuckled, breaking him out of his fog, and his cheeks heated when he realised he’d said it far louder than he’d meant to.

“Yes, he can. And that means you’ll have to eat the peas all by yourself.”

Oscar froze, eyes wide. “Maybe he could have some peas?” he said. He didn’t like peas very much. Only with mashed potatoes.

“Maybe.”

Oscar smiled and looked at his gift. It was so nice. He looked over at Christian. “What did you get, Daddy?”

“I got a dog mug with a spoon that looks like a bone.” He held it up, and Oscar giggled.

“That looks funny. How will you drink out of that?”

Christian shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’ll give it a try.”

Oscar glanced over his shoulder. “What did you get, Felix and Brett?”

Felix held up his box. “A five-litre metal water bottle. I highly approve.” He grinned.

“Brett?” Oscar asked, kneeling on the sofa and resting his hands on the back of it so he could see him.

“I got a set of coffee mugs with different phrases on them. Thank you all.”

They went around the room, everyone saying what they got, and then they started chatting with each other. It didn’t take long for Oscar’s eyes to feel heavy. He rested back against Christian again, who slid his arm around him, and dozed.

He woke when Christian rocked him gently. “Time to wake up, sweetheart. There’s one more present to go.”

Oscar’s eyes slammed open, and he sat upright, closing his eyes again when he went dizzy for a second. “Another present?”

Christian smiled. “Yes, but you have to get ready for bed first.”

He pouted but nodded. “Okay, Daddy.”

He didn’t want to, but his Daddy was clever, and he knew best. And if it meant he got a present, he wasn’t going to complain.

Christian

Christian almost carried Oscar to the room and helped him get changed into his pyjamas. Ozzie had already sunk into his little frame of mind, eyes wandering around the room while Christian moved him into the positions he needed to get him dressed.

“Right, little one…” he said.

Ozzie looked at him, eyes wide. “Pressie?” His hands clenched and released by his side, and Christian barely withheld his grin.

“Yes, it’s in the playroom, but—” he said before Ozzie could scramble off, “you need to wait for me by the door. Do not go in yet.”

“Yes, Daddy!” Ozzie said as he raced away.

Christian chuckled as he picked up the discarded clothes and put them in the washing basket. He wouldn’t make him wait too long because it was Christmas after all, but sure enough, when he joined him at the door, Ozzie bounced on his toes as if he was ready to explode.

“Is it time, Daddy?”

“Yes, sweetheart. Close your eyes for me. I’m going to hold your hand and lead you into the room. No peeking until I say you can, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy,” Ozzie said, his voice breathless and weak. He was going to pass out if Christian wasn’t careful.

“Close your eyes then.”