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The smell of pine and earth wafts around the cottage, filling Lance’s nose with nostalgia. When he was younger, his family used to take vacations to snowy wooded areas to get a change of something different. As much as they loved the sun, sand and surf of Cuba, a wintertime adventure was always scheduled. The only year they had to cancel was when Marco and his wife had their baby.
Lance glances out the window, flurries of snowflakes dance in the wind. The sun is starting to set but he can see a few people playing in the snow a little ways down the hill. One of them gets pelted in the face and he snorts in amusement.
He can’t wait to take Keith out in the snow to build snowmen and have snowball fights and go ice skating. He heard there is an adorable ice rink a short walk from where they are staying.
Speaking of his husband, he should be back any minute now. He decided to take a snowboarding lesson today while Lance opted to visit the spa at the local ski resort. Lance tried to convince Keith to get a facial with him but Keith was definitely not into it. He was so excited to see snow for the first time that he refused to spend the day inside.
No matter though.
It actually worked out extremely well that Keith was coming home later than Lance because it gave him time to prep everything. Lance had received a very important phone call that morning and wanted to make everything perfect for when he told Keith the good news.
So he set about getting everything ready.
Ambiance music- check.
Nice cozy fire- check.
Hot chocolate- check.
Yummy tomato bisque soup with biscuits- check.
Snuggly warm blankets- check.
Everything is set, now all he needs is one beautiful, long-haired husband to come home.
*~*~*~*
As Lance is stoking the fire, the front door opens and a cold gust of wind blows through, sending a shiver up his spine.
“Lance.” Keith calls out as he takes off his boots and leaves them by the door. He hangs his coat and beanie on the coat rack. “In here babe.” Lance replies.
Keith heads towards the sound of Lance’s voice, walking into the living room to see the space all warm and cozy. He smiles and walks up to Lance, wrapping his arms around his husband as he stands up from tending the fire. Planting a soft kiss to Lance’s temple.
Lance immediately leans back into his chest, wrapping his arms around Keith’s.
“How was the snowboarding lesson?”
“Hmm, it was fun. I think I got the basics down but I definitely have bruises on my butt.” Keith explains as he nuzzles his nose into Lance’s neck.
Lance snorts and reaches back with one hand to tap Keith’s ass as he says, “Poor baby.”
Keith lets out a small hiss, wincing as Lance turns around in his arms.
“Oo sorry babe,” but the smirk on his lips says that he really isn’t, “How about you go change and then we’ll eat dinner and cuddle.”
“Sounds great.” Keith pecks Lance on the lips and takes off towards their room. When he returns he is wearing the matching pajamas Lance gifted him for Christmas. They are cheesy as all hell with reindeer and snowmen on them but Keith wears them like a champ knowing they mean a lot to Lance. His are blue while Keith’s are red.
Lance is already on the couch and Keith joins him, accepting his thermos full of soup. A plate of biscuits sits between them to share. They enjoy their dinner as Keith gushes about his lessons. Mentioning that the instructor was impressed with how much progress he had in just one session.
With their dinner done, they settle under the blankets on the couch. Keith leaning into Lance’s chest, lounging between his legs, as they sip their hot chocolate. The fire cracks and hisses, sending out small sparks every once in a while.
The atmosphere is calm and warm. Keith is on the verge of sleepiness, wrapped up in their cocoon of blankets as Lance strokes his hand in soothing motions when Lance breaks the silence with a whisper.
“I got a phone call this morning.”
Keith hums in response, his eyelids feeling heavy and his belly feeling full.
“It was foster care.” Lance nuzzles into Keith’s midnight hair.
He goes stiff in Lance’s arms, eyes flying open in shock. He immediately turns to face Lance.
“Wh-what did they say?” He breaths out, hesitant and low, a little afraid of what the answer might be.
Lance beams at him with glistening eyes not even trying to hide the elation he’s feeling. “We got approved.”
Keith tackles Lance into the couch and clutches him tight, sniffling into his chest.
After a few seconds, Keith leaves the safety of Lance’s chest, gazing into his husband’s eyes.
“We get to foster Aurora.” It’s said almost like a question but mostly like a statement. Like Keith needs to say it out loud in order to believe it. Pouring all his hopes into his words.
“Si mi amor.”
Keith surges forward to capture Lance’s lips, it’s searing, burning, all-consuming. It takes a few minutes for them to realize they are both crying. An intense euphoria carrying them on the same high.
“We’re gonna be dads.” Keith breathes out across Lance’s lips.
“Hopefully. This isn’t the final step...but it’s the first. We get to pick her up once we get back from this trip”
Keith leans his forehead against Lance’s. “With how well our visits have been going, I have a good feeling that we’ll get to keep our little light permanently.”
“I feel the same way.” Lance cups Keith’s cheeks and he turns to plant a kiss to his palm. “Happy New Year love.”
“Happy New Year to us.” Keith’s smile is blinding and Lance kisses it. Their new year looking bright and beautiful.