The Most Valuable Gift

Rachel began to chuckle as she saw hers and Ed felt a little better but even her chuckle wasn't a laughter chuckle. He turned to Grace as she finally managed to get past the tape jail Ed had sealed her gift in. Wrapping presents was not his forte. Her locket was gold with a yellow cab in glittery stones. She popped it open and her eyes went wide when she saw the picture.

Ed leaned closer to whisper. "Why isn't anyone laughing? It's a gag gift! I thought everyone would think they were really funny!"

"Oh Ed! I love this!" Zoe purred as she devoured the picture in hers with her eyes.

"Oh my god! Are all the pictures different?!?" Carolyn gasped as she caught sight of the picture in Stephanie's locket which wasn't the same as hers. Suddenly the ladies were on their feet comparing pictures.

Ed looked at Victoria whose face was flushed. He thought he'd put a non-gag image in hers. He felt awful that he'd embarrassed her!

"I'm sorry they are dumb gifts! I'll take them back-"

"NO!" Victoria blurted loudly and the rest began to laugh. She looked around and saw they were laughing with her not at her so she gave them a shy smile and looked back at her locket with a grin.

"You can't have mine back either Ed!" Stephanie grinned wickedly. Soon all the women were jumping on that bandwagon and turned back to comparing the pictures.

Angie turned to Ed with an incredulous expression. "Wait a minute! You took these pictures in a photo booth at the airport?!? Ed, you're... naked in these pictures! You were naked in a photo booth in one of the busiest airports in the US? How on Earth did you manage not to get caught?

"When I was in the airport gift shop I saw so many gag gifts with shots of undressed male models posing in these... positions. I thought it would be funnier if I used pictures of myself in those same poses! And I'm not naked! I covered my important parts... mostly. I thought you would find them funny!" he said with a pout. "And the police lady thought they were pretty fun. She kept watch when I told her what I wanted to do."

Grace started to laugh and hugged Ed who just looked at her in surprise.

Mishka saw a close up of Ed's friendly smile inside her locket. She turned it around to show the others. "Mine seems tame enough."

Heather's had a similar smiling face picture and she showed it as well.

"Ah Heather, I mixed yours and Victoria's up," Ed said.

"I have to see it at least!" Heather bounced up to her feet and walked over to Victoria's side.

Victoria popped the locket open and showed it to Heather whose jaw dropped.

"Aw man! I want one of those too!" Heather moaned.

Isabelle was standing next to Heather with wide eyes. She looked at Ed and licked her lips nervously. "You know, if we mounted these images all side by side and scanned them we could make a really awesome collage."

"YES!" Angie cheered. "That's my daughter's artistic genius at work! How large would the final piece be?"

"Well, each is 2"x3" and there are how many images? Nine?" Isabelle said as she counted the lockets.

"Ten," Tristan said turning the locket she had which contained one of the beefcake pictures as well.

Ed hung his head then looked up at Tristan and Dale. "I'm so sorry! I thought I used one of the happy face images in yours. I must have gotten it mixed up with the outtakes."

The women went quiet and looked his way. "You have more of these?" Rachel asked with a happy grin.

"Just the bad ones."

"How many," Rachel pushed.

"About twenty. I spent a lot of money on that stupid booth as it kept taking pictures too quickly, catching me between poses. The police lady said she had to confiscate some as they were too risqué." Rachel exchanged excited looks with her friends and they all looked to Grace.

"We'll take a look at the pictures when we get home." Grace said as she gave them an amused grin.

"So... they aren't bad presents?" Ed asked Grace.

"No Ed, they're a big hit!" Grace said with a gentle smile which he returned.

"I like my gift very much too Ed, thank you!" Dale said holding up the package of whisky stones.

Ed saw them in the gadget shop in the airport and the salesman explained they were stones you froze and put in your scotch to chill it without watering down your drink. He thought they were perfect for Dale. He gave the man a happy nod.

Angie came over to kneel down before Ed and took his hands. "It was really sweet of you to get us all presents but you really didn't need to do that."

"You have all been so amazing to me and Grace this year I wanted to do something to show my appreciation." He caught the eyes of each of the women in his life now. "You've been so generous to me and I've done nothing in return," Ed said sadly.

"OH MY GOD ED! How could you think that?" Angie gasped in shock. "You came with me to New York to that award show! You protected me from Greg!"

Stephanie was next to chime in. "You showed up at our house dressed as Santa. You absolutely made Christmas for my kids that night! Then after a long day of work you came over to my place to assemble my new bedroom furniture." She bit her lip and looked at Ed with a sly smile as she remembered what else they'd done. Ed blushed as he remembered too.

"Ed discovered the secret to unlocking the language of my lost tribe!" Carolyn said and shocked faces swung in her direction. "I've been able to translate the tattoo based on the songs I recorded from them and the scarring in my tattoo. Ed discovered the pattern in the raised surfaces was music. He unlocked the tattoo and now I have two major publishing houses bidding on the rights to publish the new language with a world tour museum circuit, conferences, and interviews! There is significant money on the table and finally some recognition for the tribe!"

Carolyn received hugs from some of the ladies and congratulations from the others.

Rachel returned to her seat and looked over at Ed. "Edward, don't forget that you took me to the gala dinner with Dale and Tristan and you used a week of your vacation time to go to Barbados with me! That's a week I'll never forget! Even if you can't remember parts of it!" Rachel grinned.

"Some memories surfaced." Ed grinned back at Rachel and turned his gaze to Tristan who froze like a deer in the headlights.

"I won that drinking competition on the party boat!" he cheered and Tristan burst into nervous giggles. She calmed when Dale took her hand in his. Grace wondered at her odd reaction.

On her way back to her seat from hugging Carolyn Zoe stopped in front of Ed. "You brought my daughter back to me. We have a long way to go but when she broke down in the prison I reached her. For the first time in years we connected. I'll be forever grateful for that. On that very same night you saved my life. Luis Ramos was going to rape and kill me. Make no mistake that was his intent the moment he saw me. He'd raped me twice in the past and I barely managed to survive the beatings he gave me afterwards. If you had not done what you did that night, I would be dead today. The fact that you punished him so severely for his evil brings my soul a level of peace I never thought I would have. Again, I cannot thank you enough."

Ed was blushing and squirming but Grace had a hold on his arm.

"What... what did Edward do?" Victoria gasped breathlessly.

With a glance at Ed to receive permission she faced Victoria when he nodded slightly.

"Ed pulled his arms off."

Grace rubbed his back as he shuddered hearing the words again.

The room went silent as everyone absorbed that fact. It was the first time many had heard the story.

Dale watched Ed's reaction to the words and his eyes widened. It wasn't an exaggeration? He'd have to ask Zoe for details when Ed wasn't around.

Mishka also wanted details because questions were filling her mind. Mostly revolving around the exact nature of the injury and how it was treated.

Heather's, Victoria's, Stephanie's and Carolyn's reaction were far more instinctive. They wanted to get closer to Ed. Only Victoria could as she was sitting next to him. She subconsciously leaned in against his side. Ed smiled at her thinking she was just lending him her support.

"I have another reason to thank Ed and this time it is far less grim. The seasoning he provided for the steaks we serve in my restaurant has helped to boost our revenue thirty percent. It would have been higher but we don't have the space for more customers at our location. We're booked solid for months in advance now! We've been getting rave revues by all the food critics and everyone at the restaurant got a lovely bonus this Christmas because of Ed. You are a hero to the entire staff! My accountant worked out your share for this quarter, based on Rachel's brutal negotiations." She smiled back at the red head and handed Ed an envelope before sitting back down next to Rachel who gave her a hug.

Ed's eyes bugged out when he saw the amount on the cheque. This would go quite a ways towards finishing Grace's schooling!

"That's just for this quarter Ed. I'm also in negotiations with a major food distributor to bottle your steak seasoning and french fry seasoning for retail sales. That would mean quite a bit more money for you!" Zoe smiled and Grace gave Ed a big hug.

Rachel leaned forward to catch Ed's eye. "Edward, you give us the most valuable gift of all, your time. Without complaint or question, you are always there for us. Always ready to lend a hand or step in to make things right. I know we can be pretty demanding but you're always so patient and giving. Please don't think we haven't noticed! We love you!"

Ed was blushing but he held Rachel's eyes with his so she could see his love for her.

"On the message of love I have one more gift to give Ed." Grace said with a nervous smile.

Grace pulled an envelope out of her purse and unfolded it. She handed it to Ed biting her lower lip.

Ed grinned at Grace and opened the envelope. There was a folded piece of paper inside which he took out and unfolded. Grace's name was at the top of the paper and there was a black and white image printed on the page. He looked at the image and it didn't register. He just couldn't tell what he was looking at. His mind kept trying to see patterns in it but he couldn't. He looked blankly at Grace.

Victoria saw the image and made a squeaking noise before she slapped her hands over her mouth. Ed glanced at her in confusion then looked back to Grace.

"What is it?"

"It's an ultrasound of our babies."

"You're having a baby? My baby?" Ed said quietly as his ears filled with a rushing noise.

"Babies, Ed. Twins!" She was waiting for Ed's reaction and knew she'd have to give him a moment.

Squealing erupted from their audience and Rachel rushed over to hug Grace. She was followed closely by the others as everyone wanted to congratulate her and give her hugs.

Ed looked at the picture and tried to see the babies. The roaring was very loud in his head now and distracting but he did his best to ignore it. Now that he knew what to look for the picture snapped into sharp focus. "Wait! Did you say twins?" Ed blinked.

Grace had tears of happiness from the kisses and hugs from everyone. Everyone but Ed. Still she waited. Angie began to get frustrated with Ed's behavior but Grace just held up her hand to let her know they had to be patient. She nodded to Ed.

"I- I see- I see the... babies." He turned his head to Grace and tears of joy were running down his cheeks. "You're having my babies?"

Grace smiled and nodded. Ed took her in his arms and cried. He was thrilled! He was terrified! He didn't know how to react. He just held her and rocked back and forth.

Finally Grace pushed him back so she could look him in the eye. She lifted his chin and she saw fear there but he had a hard time looking her in the eye.

"Ed, talk to me. What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" Grace asked gently.

"Oh Grace, I'm so happy I don't know what to do with myself!" he replied quietly.

"But..."

Ed's chest was tight but he couldn't deny her. "I pray the triplets will have your smarts and not be simple headed like me!"

"The twins will be beautiful and a perfect mix of both of us," Grace said happily.

Ed held up the print. "I've never read one of these before but I see three babies."

"Wait, didn't you say you were on the pill?" Rachel blurted.

Grace bit her lip and gave Rachel a guilty smile as she took the print from Ed's hand to show him the twins. Rachel grinned and shook her finger at Grace.

"Here's the head of the first baby and here's the head of the second," Grace pointed out to Ed.

"And I think these could be the feet of a third baby," Ed said pointing to a dim part of the image.

Grace looked closer and the shape did look like feet. Feet that couldn't belong to the other two. Why hadn't she seen this before? "We'll have to ask the doctor to do another ultrasound. He was sure it was twins!"

"Do multiple births run in your family?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes, Shirley's mom was a twin." Grace said distractedly as she turned her eyes back to the picture.

"When are you due?" Angie asked.

"Sometime in June." Grace mumbled unable to look away from the possible little feet. She shook her head and tried to put the idea of triplets out of her head until they knew for sure. She'd barely prepared herself for twins. Her confidence broke. "How am I going to manage triplets and a career?" Grace blurted. "I don't know how to be a mother? Look at my own example!"

Rachel knelt by her feet and took Grace's hands in hers. "You are not alone in this! We will be there for you and Ed and the children!" She reached over and pulled Ed's hand on top of Grace's and wrapped them both in hers. "These children will be loved like no others. You have all of us for support."

Grace reached out and pulled Rachel into a hug and Ed hugged them both. When they pulled back eyes were dabbed to dry the happy tears.

Rachel was so excited! Having babies in her home was a dream come true! She knew she could rely on Angie and Zoe to help guide her in taking care of them. She was already envisioning the three of them going for walks with three strollers. She couldn't stop grinning and Grace looked so happy and relieved.

"I'm going to be a Dad!" Ed mumbled as the concept slowly seeped into his brain. He pulled Grace's hand to his lips and kissed her palm tenderly as he looked into her eyes. "I don't have an example of how to be one but I'll try to be the best Dad I can be." Grace pulled his hand to her tummy and his eyes followed.

"Just be who you are Ed. That's the best person a Dad could be." Grace smiled with tears in her eyes.

"Well this has officially become the best Christmas party I've ever been to!" Dale said with a wide smile and laughter broke out. He hugged his wife who was sharing a special smile with him as she held his hand over her own tummy.

The party went on for quite some time as conversation centered on parenting and childhood experiences. The cookies and cupcakes slowly disappeared as the tea and coffee was sipped.

Soon everyone was yawning but reluctant to leave. The desire to stay in the comfort of being with good friends was almost overpowering. They finally promised to get together for another party to celebrate New Years and the party began to break up. Isabelle went to collect Stephanie's kids as Stephanie hugged Grace and Ed walked her to the front door.

She looked up and saw someone had hung a garland of mistletoe on the hall light. Ed spotted it too and pulled Stephanie against his body with a grin. Her eyes widened and she giggled nervously. He took a kiss slowly and sensually from her mouth and she moaned gently as his lips caressed hers.

"Merry Christmas Stephanie," he said when he pulled back.

"Merry Christmas...Ed," she breathed as her whole body tingled.

He got her coat from the closet and helped her put it on as four sleepy kids trudged up the stairs with Isabelle. Ed gave them hugs before they followed their mom outside to drive home.

Arms wrapped around Ed from behind. He looked over his shoulder and saw it was Carolyn pressed up against his back. He turned and she looked up at him with a smile. He gave her a tender kiss and she melted in his arms. Afterwards she rested her cheek against his chest until her kids pulled her away from him when Isabelle brought them upstairs.

"We're tired and we want to go home Mom," Gregory said.

Ed just smiled at Carolyn's pout as he helped her on with her coat. He kissed her on the nose as he buttoned up her top button and that got her to smile. Ed hugged her kids with an exchange of Merry Christmases and off they went.

His leg was tired so he made his way back to the family room and met Dale and Tristan on their way out. Dale reached out to shake his hand.

"Merry Christmas Ed and congratulations on your family to be!" Dale beamed as he shook Ed's hand firmly.

"Merry Christmas to you both," Ed said with a big smile.

Tristan pulled Ed into a tight hug. Ed looked at Dale in surprise as he hugged her. Dale just smiled fondly at his wife.

She pulled back and Ed saw she was blushing and had tears in her eyes. "Are you ok?" he asked her in concern but she just nodded and kissed his cheek.

Dale gathered his wife up under his arm and led her to the front door where Isabelle was waiting with their coats. Ed made it to the Family room where Mishka took one look at him and directed him to a couch. He sank down into the cushions with a sigh and she sat down on the edge of the couch facing him.

"You need to stay off your feet for a day or so. That will give your leg time to get its healing underway. Then you can walk a little more." Mishka said.

"I go back to work on Tuesday."

Mishka smiled. "That should be fine but take it slow and rest when you need to."

Heather came up to stand before them. She looked at Mishka. "He hurt his calf, right?"

When Mishka nodded Heather quickly slid her ass onto Ed's lap as she beamed down at him. Mishka squeaked in protest.

"Relax! I just have a favor to ask Ed... for us." Heather smiled at her lover. She turned her face to Ed who was looking up at her in surprise.

"We will likely want to have a family of our own one day. I'd like you to be the donor." Heather smiled.

Mishka was about to protest once more but the image of having a family with Heather suddenly filled her mind and she realized she did want that. Very much! She reached out to take her fiancé's hand gently and pulled it to her lips.

Heather smiled tenderly at Mishka then her eye's widened as she felt something large pressing and moving against her ass. "Ooo! I think Ed likes that idea too." She rubbed her ass against him, feeling his cock growing and throbbing and her face became a little flushed.

"Babe, can you take me home now?" Heather said with a quiet voice.

Mishka grinned at Heather and nodded. She leaned forward and kissed Ed's cheek and Heather moaned as Ed throbbed under her.

"Mishka, please!" Heather's voice sounded a little desperate.

"Merry Christmas Ed and thank you," Mishka said as she stood and pulled Heather to her feet. Heather clung to her side but looked down at the bulge in Ed's pant leg. She pressed herself against Mishka and trembled.

Mishka finally managed to get them moving to the front door and Ed watched them go.

Victoria sat down gently next to Ed and smiled timidly at him. Then her eyes caught the shape of Ed's cock against the tight fabric of his pants. Her face froze as she realized his size. God, she wanted to see it, to touch it skin to skin... to taste it! She felt so wicked and... alive for the first time since Ed visited her house.

"You- you never finished your house call that day," she said quietly.

Ed looked at her and saw she was looking at his lap. She wasn't disgusted or fearful so he relaxed a little. "You're right. I should finish that this week," he replied.