The noise is deafening as they enter the Gallagher house on Christmas morning, Ian immediately depositing himself on the couch and handing gifts out to his siblings, Freddie, Franny and Tami. Mickey bypassed the whole scene and headed straight to the kitchen where there was a hot pot of coffee with his name on it. This was way too fucking early for him. Ian had woken him excitedly at 7am, insisting that they open their presents so they could get ready to come over here. As much as he grumbled at the early start, he loved seeing his husband happy, so sue him.
Mickey walked back into the living room with 2 mugs of coffee and handed one to Ian. You could hardly see the carpet for wrapping paper everywhere, and the 2 youngest members of the family were playing happily with a musical instrument set Santa had brought. From the look on Lip’s face as he yawned and rubbed his eyes, Mickey had a feeling that the mini drum set and tambourine might find themselves in the garbage before too long.
Liam was excitedly opening a new Star Wars game that he and Ian had got him and it made Mickey smile to see him acting like a real kid for a change, he had way too much to worry about for an 11 year old.
“Woah this is awesome, thanks guys!” Liam jumped up and gave his big brother a huge hug, followed by hugging Mickey round the waist before running to the tv to put the game on.
“Been waiting so long to play this! Who’s gonna play with me, it’s 2 player?”
Lip slapped both his knees before standing up and giving Liam a tired smile.
“Sorry bud, gotta get a start made on lunch, that veg won’t peel itself!” he replied as he wandered into the kitchen, ruffling his little brother’s head on the way. Liam looked a bit downcast but immediately turned to face Ian and Carl, however Ian had been roped into colouring with Franny and gave Liam an apologetic smile .
“Maybe a bit later Liam?”
“Yeah, sure” he mumbled back. Liam glanced at Carl however decided not to bother trying to interrupt him; he was clearly engrossed in messaging whichever girl he was in love with this week. Liam turned back to the tv ready to play alone when he heard Mickey pipe up.
“Ay Liam, sling me one of those controllers will ya? Anything to drown out the noise of that fuckin’ tambourine” as he threw himself down on the couch next to his husband, who was beaming at him whilst being hit on the arm by Franny for colouring over the lines. Liam grinned at Mickey as he passed him a controller, then sat on the floor next to him.
*********************
They all sat round the extended table in the living room, having shoved one of the couches to the side. Someone had got a Christmas playlist up and Mariah was currently telling everyone how all she wants for Christmas is you; people were talking loudly across the table at each other and Liam was pretty sure Debbie and her girlfriend were arguing at the other end.
“Hey Lip, can you pass me the carrots?” Liam tried, however Lip clearly couldn’t hear him over Freddie wailing in Tami’s arms next to him.
“Hey Carl, can you just pass the carrots down?” he tried again, but Carl was busy cutting Franny’s food up for her whilst she regaled him with the story of how she got in trouble at school for punching a bully.
Liam decided he didn’t really want carrots anyway as his brother-in-law appeared at his side, spooning the veg onto his plate.
“Yo man, this enough? Don’t know how you can eat this nasty shit anyway. Want some more stuffing? Know you inhale that like a motherfucker”
Liam nodded and smiled up at Mickey, who threw him a wink and a grin before he sat back down next to Ian. Ian, who was gazing at his husband like he hung the stars and moon. He saw Ian give Mickey a kiss on the cheek and whisper something into his ear, causing his cheeks to redden. Ian looked up and caught Liam’s eye, smiling at his little brother as he dug into his carrots.
