Title: Starting A Tradition Author: Jules Part:1/1 Pairing:JoNi Rating:G Feedback:Yes Please - mailto:slash_me_baby@yahoo.com Disclaimer:This is for entertainment purposes only. I don't know either of these men nor their sexual orientations. Notes:I don't know how old Brianna is and am waaaay too lazy to do any research. So for all intensive purposes, she's old enough to say words and string them together loosely... So please, suspend your willing suspicion of disbelief and play along. It's muchly appreciated. Starting a Tradition by Jules It wasn't that he had anything against Christmas per se. It just didn't hold these fantastic, wholesome, extravagant memories for him. It was a time for family, and well Nick felt that the less time with his family, the better. Except for Aaron. He definitely didn't get to see him enough. But that was mostly Jane and Bob's doing. They always did see him as a threat to their relationship to their youngest son, so any prolonged visiting between the two of them was banned. Every year he found something to do to occupy the time. He'd visit friends. Go skiing. Or just hole himself up in a hotel somewhere and sleep, disappearing from the 23rd to the 27th at least. Just enough time to resurface for New Years plans. This year found him in New York. Nick honestly didn't know who would be in town. In fact, he hadn't really thought about it. In the back of his mind, as he sat on a bench in Central Park, freezing his ass off on December 24th, he had a vague memory of someone saying that Joey Fatone was in town. He had finished his stint on Broadway just a few weeks earlier, and at the thought of the older man, Nick felt a physical reaction throughout his body. Just as he was wondering silently if Joey was indeed still in town, the man in question's voice rang clearly in Nick's ears. "Well, if it isn't Nick Carter." Nick turned around on the bench to see Joey Fatone standing behind him. He had a smile on his face and a small girl in his arms. The sight of the other man probably shouldn't have put butterflies in his stomach or a twinkle in his eyes, but it had. Nick refused to think too much about it. "Well if it isn't Joe and Brianna Fatone." Nick stood, not knowing what else to do. He extended a hand as if to shake Joey's, but instead ended up with an armful of Brianna. She moved fluidly from her fathers' arms to Nick's, as if he'd meant for it to happen all along. Joey's eyes softened instantly and Nick's lips curved into a giant smile. "Well hello there beautiful." Nick cooed, trying to convince himself that Joey blushing and slightly embarrassed wasn't the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. He received a giggle from Brianna as she tightened her arms around his neck, making herself completely comfortable. "I'm sorry about that." Joey moved to take her from Nick's arms and Brianna squealed, only holding on tighter. Nick shook his head, indicating that it was okay. She was fine where she was. "It's okay. It's kind of ...nice." And it was. Him holding Joey's baby girl. As if it were something they did all the time. Only, usually it was in his dreams. The non XXX ones anyways. "Thanks Nick." Joey smiled and both men looked away, trying to relax. "She's usually only like that with the guys. With people she knows and is comfortable with. She must really feel comfortable and safe with you." "Good. I'm glad." They sat in silence, watching countless people walking in the park, off to celebrate Christmas ..or whatever else they were off to celebrate. Neither bothered to ask what was on the others' mind, simply enjoying the company. About 10 minutes passed before Joey turned his head to look at Nick. He was surprised to see Nick watching him and their eyes met. "What are you doing sitting alone on Christmas Eve in Central Park?" Nick shrugged and averted his eyes. "Seemed as good a place as any." He jumped slightly when he felt

		Joey's hand cover his on the bench between them. Both men shivered as an electric current flowed from Joey's hand through to Nick's. Straight to their hearts. A million emotions lingered in their gaze and it was at that moment Nick realized that these feelings that he'd been harbouring for the older man were not one sided. Hope sparked in his heart. "What were you two doing here in Central Park on Christmas Eve." Joey laughed as he reached over to tug on Brianna's scarf. "Well ...I'd just put dinner in the oven and she wanted to come to the park. She just HAD to go for a walk." Nick looked down to see the girl in his arms staring up at him, awe in her eyes. She reached up to touch his face with an innocence that only a child could possess. Her averted his eyes to look at Joey, shocked to see the same look in his eyes. "Kelly let me have her for Christmas this year. Just me and my baby ...Right Bri?" Both men laughed as she scrunched up her nose, giggling sweetly. Nick felt something pull at his heart, realizing what he was missing. What he so desperately wanted but seemed as though he'd never have. Unconditional love. They sat until Brianna shifted in his arms, reaching up to hug him and place a kiss on his nose. "Home." She said softly to Joey, reaching for her daddy to pick her up. Nick chuckled as Joey obeyed her commands. "I guess we know who's boss here." He ignored the faint feeling of loss as Joey lifted her from his arms and stood up. "Well ...what my baby wants she gets. Right beautiful." Joey placed a kiss on his daughter's forehead, enjoying the simple act of hugging his child. "Love you daddy." She replied, hugging Joey tightly. Nick fought back the tears pricking his eyes. "Daddy.. HOME." She repeated again with more force, causing both men to laugh. "I guess that's it then. The boss has spoken." Joey looked at Nick, unable to say what was really on his mind. It was clear that they both wanted to say something, neither sure of what it was. Thankfully, Brianna intercepted. "Nicky. Come." Nick's jaw dropped open, his eyes nearly bugging out of his head. She couldn't have just said what he thought she had. To prove her point, Brianna turned and extended her arm, indicating that Nick take her hand. "You come home." Nick looked up at the expression on Joey's face, happy to see him smiling down at him. "I ...I don't want to interrupt." "You wouldn't be. It's just Brianna and I. But if you've got other plans." "I don't." "Okay." Brianna wiggled her fingers impatiently and Nick let out a nervous laugh. "Are you sure?" "Positive." "Good." He stood, feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement. They walked in silence for a while, shoulders occasionally rubbing against each other. Joey stopped abruptly, turning to face Nick." "What's wrong Joey?" Joey shook his head, a smile on his lips. Giving Nick ample time to move away, he leaned in so that their faces were inches apart. Nick licked his lips in anticipation, their eyes locked the entire time. He closed the remaining distance, relieved when Nick sighed into the kiss. It was soft and warm, just the hint of tongue on the others' lips before they pulled away, almost breathless. "Just wanted to be clear. You know...so we're on the same page..." Joey exclaimed, blushing. Nick cupped Joey's cheek in his hand, stroking the stubbly skin with his palm. "Good." He leaned in, giving Joey his own kiss, sucking the older man's lip into his mouth sensually. They were broken apart by a giggling Brianna.

		"Daddy? Nicky?" "Yes baby?" Joey asked, laughing along with Nick, their foreheads touching. He couldn't remember the last time he was this happy. "Home." "Yes baby. We're going to go home now." Nick shivered at the tone of Joey's voice. The intent in his eyes. Maybe this Christmas would be different. Finis