Christmas Baby: Gay Holiday Romance

By Trina Solet

Travis is the cautious type, not ready to give away his heart to anyone except his new baby boy, Andy. But he keeps running into Vance, his brash, young neighbor he can't seem to avoid, and Vance considers Travis a challenge he can't resist. They end up hanging out so much that spending the holidays together just seems inevitable. Can Vance overcome Travis's caution and win his heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trina Solet
• Release date: Apr 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222091563

Book preview

Chapter 1

As he parked, Travis gave a stern look to the gray clouds that threatened to unleash rain any second. Not until I get the baby inside, he warned them. He managed to grab a parking spot that wasn't too far from the entrance to his building, but it was cold, windy and overcast, and he had a stroller, a baby, and a bunch of luggage to deal with. Getting caught in a cold, November rain was out of the question on the first day he was bringing his baby home.

The rain held off, and Travis made it safely to the covered entrance. He had bundled up the baby so well before he got him out of the car and into the stroller, he was surprised anyone could even see him. But there was his neighbor, Vance, gaping at him as he maneuvered himself into the lobby of his building, pushing the stroller, lugging bags, and not cursing because good dads didn't curse.

You were gone for like a week. How do you have a baby? Vance said.

Travis was surprised he noticed that he was gone at all, much less for how long. Vance was college age and effortlessly hot with his lean muscles, dark blond hair, and stunning green eyes. He made Travis gnash his teeth with envy and maybe some hopeless attraction.

Setting down the bags he was carrying, Travis unwrapped the baby a little, and Vance came over to lean down and peer at him with open curiosity. This is my son, Andrew, Travis said and felt an incredible surge of emotion flood him. There was pride, happiness, disbelief. This was the first time he was introducing Andy to anyone and it hit him hard.

Vance didn't notice how overcome he was. His attention was on the baby. Hi, there. A little son, huh, Vance said as he gave the baby a tiny wave though Andy was asleep. Vance now turned his pretty green eyes on Travis to continue questioning him. Where did he come from all of a sudden?

I adopted him. He explained patiently though Vance didn't necessarily deserve an explanation. My cousin had a baby. There was supposed to be an adoption, but it fell through. I was planning to have kids some day so I stepped in and decided to make it now.

Spur of the moment adoption, wow, Vance said.

Travis didn't like how that made him sound. He had been planning to have kids when he was in his thirties maybe. At twenty five, he was just a little ahead of schedule. It wasn't spur of the moment. I already knew I wanted kids.

This is about that guy you broke up with, Vance accused him.

Travis resented that even more and also wondered, What do you know about it?

I was seeing you with a cute, blond guy and then there's no cute, blond guy. It doesn't take a genius, Vance said, and again Travis was surprised that he had noticed anything about him or who he was with or wasn't. He probably just noticed Erick, everyone did.

It has nothing to do with that, Travis told Vance then eyed the mailboxes. He probably had an overstuffed mailbox to deal with too.

Want me to grab those bags? Vance asked.

I can manage, Travis told him and got his mail. He stuffed it into the pocket of one of the suitcases then went over to press the elevator button.

You, that stroller and those bags in that elevator. I'd like to see that, Vance said like Travis was about to attempt some dumb internet challenge.

Travis did have a lot. There were so many things he got for the baby though most of them would be delivered. It wasn't easy, but he managed to get into the elevator with all of it. And then at the last second, Vance squeezed himself in there too.

Good job, he said to Travis. You even left room for me.

That wasn't my intention, but I guess you're in here now. Travis pressed number 8 with more force than was necessary. He knew Vance lived somewhere below him, but he didn't press a button. You going to my floor for some reason? Travis asked while Vance just stood there like he planned to go along for the ride. Travis was going to let him know he wasn't invited, but Andy started fussing and he had to give him some attention though it was awkward in the small space.

The baby doesn't approve of your unfriendly tone, Vance scolded him.

When they arrived, Vance grabbed most of Travis's bags without asking. That did give Travis a chance to pick up Andy to try and quiet him once he got the stroller out of the elevator.

Oh, he's cute even when he's crying, Vance said as he made funny faces at the baby and Travis unlocked his door. Vance went in first without being invited, dropped the bags he was carrying in the middle of the living room and opened up the blinds. Your place is the same size as my gran's but it looks bigger. Not as cluttered I guess. Not as cozy and inviting.

Your gran? Travis said.

I'm living with her until I finish college. My parents kicked me out when I wouldn't let them preach anti-gay crap at me, Vance said evenly, not showing much emotion about it.

Oh, sorry.

Gran isn't too bad. Where's the baby's room? Vance said, changing the subject and poking his head first into Travis's bedroom then into his office.

Not that it's any of your business, but Andy and I will share my office for now. That way I can keep an eye on him while I work, Travis said.

The baby was calmer now that Travis was bouncing him, but he either needed changing or feeding, maybe both. Vance needed to be kicked out, but Travis decided to prioritize Andy and put him down on the couch so he could unbundle him a little.

Vance was still peering around his apartment like he was doing an inspection. Thanks for bringing in the bags for me, Travis said signaling to him that it was time to go.

This place isn't ready for a baby, Vance pronounced, ignoring the heavy hint that he should leave.

Maybe you want to help me put together a crib? Travis said hoping to scare him off.

Vance gasped in horror. You will not let a baby sleep in a crib the two of us put together! he declared and looked at Travis like he was the worst parent who ever lived.

I was kidding. Professionals will be putting the crib together. It will be here soon, he said and checked his phone to make sure he was right and the delivery was on time.

OK, good. That's a huge relief, Vance said with a huff. But this place is still subpar. For a kid, I mean. For a stuffy dude it's fine. He waved his hand at Travis like he didn't matter.

Would you give me a break? I just got here. Right after you, he said pointedly since Vance had barged into his apartment first.

So the next time I see this place, I can expect to see some color, some life in here, Vance said.

Next time? Travis said and didn't hide how he felt about a repeat visit.

God, you're unfriendly. I'm out of here, he said but actually came toward Travis then leaned over the baby. Bye bye, baby. Your daddy is probably not as mean as he sounds. Don't let the big meanie upset you.

With that Vance was gone and right away Andy started crying, and not just a little, crying full out even as Travis picked him up.

Oh, come on. You don't miss him? He's terrible.

Chapter 2

After coming back from a party late last night, the morning found Vance still in a stupor, dragging himself around Gran's apartment, sometimes groaning miserably to himself. Gran was already at work and the coffee in the coffeemaker had gone cold.

As he debated if he had the energy to heat it up or if he should just give up and drink it cold, Vance remembered seeing a light in all the windows of Travis's apartment. Why did he even notice that? Why did he even know which windows were his?

Oh, because they lined up with Gran's windows four floors below. That's all. It wasn't weird, his brain was just slow because the majority of his brain cells were murdered by alcohol last night.

It was a nerdy good time of drinking to Brian rehearsing for a physics presentation for some high school kids. Vance, Zola and Ives were helping him and toughening him up by acting like the most obnoxious high school kids and generally making fun of him. By the end of it, Brian was real tough and they were real drunk.

But then Vance had a quiet moment downstairs, in front of the building. Seeing Travis's windows all lit up while he swayed on the sidewalk, Vance pictured him up with the baby. Maybe Andy was crying, the poor little guy.

Or maybe Travis was the poor guy having to be up with a crying baby instead of having a nerdy, boozy good time. Vance then had the urge to go up and keep him company. Being drunk, he almost did, but had enough brain cells left alive to tell him not to.

But why did that thought even enter his head when he just wanted to crash out? Because Travis was tall, broad shouldered with dark hair and dark eyes. But he was so serious. Not Vance's type.

Whatever. He didn't go up there and bother him in the middle of the night. No need to analyze something he didn't even do. Plus he was drunk.

He wasn't drunk when he was coming back from his class and he stopped to look up at the windows on the eight floor. Maybe he was just curious about how Travis and his new baby were getting along. That must be it, scientific curiosity.

Instead of going home, Vance went to the store to buy some stuff to make dinner for his gran since she was working late. On his way back, he saw Travis and Andy in front of the building. Andy was in his stroller and Travis was looking up and down the street.

Going for a walk and you don't know which way to go? Vance said as he got closer.

Waiting for a delivery, Travis said in his usual terse way but then he frowned down at Andy. But I think we better get inside and wait in the lobby. It's too cold for a little guy like you to be out here. Now he didn't sound as terse because he was talking to the baby.

Vance could hardly see Andy, he was all wrapped up, but he was awake. What's the delivery? Something fun? he asked as they went into the lobby.

A changing table, Travis told him in a tone that said he liked disappointing him. But then Vance caught him eyeing his grocery bags and wondered what got his attention.

You eyeing the wine or the box of lasagna noodles? Vance wondered since those were the most visible.

Both, Travis confessed. Is that what your grandmother is cooking tonight?

Gran doesn't cook. She heats up conveniently packaged frozen blocks of food. Her freezer is stacked with them. I'm doing the cooking, Vance told him.

Travis looked surprised. Did Vance really look like someone who couldn't cook? People did often underestimate him, assumed he was dumb. Maybe he was dumb because in the next breath he was saying, Want to come over for dinner? I'm making lasagna rolls, not classic lasagna, and it will be vegetarian. Take it or leave it. It should be ready sometime after seven when Gran gets home.

Again Travis looked surprised but this time he had better reason for it. Why was Vance inviting him over for dinner when the man made it clear he didn't like him?

Come on, RSVP. I need to text Gran that we're having a guest for dinner. Two guests. Andy too, Vance said and smiled down at the baby.

I wouldn't mind a homemade meal and I'm curious about your cooking skills, Travis said but he sounded more like he was refusing not accepting. And he was definitely questioning Vance's claim that he could cook.

So it's the company that's making you think twice, Vance accused him.

Oh, no, you seem like you would be a gracious host. You won me over, Travis said sarcastically.

I'm not wasting my wit and charm on you, Vance said and rolled his eyes then he noticed a delivery van pull up in front. That's for you, I guess. They are bringing it up, right? You don't need help, do you? Because my hands are full.

"No. Thank you. And thank you for