“No!” he snaps.
I give Rhea a look, and she gives me a subtle nod.
“Mom!” Enzo whines. “No tree,” he repeats.
“No tree, Momma. Where will we put our presents?” Storm asks, her bottom lip pouting.
“Right,” Rhea says, closing the refrigerator door as she storms over to the guys, who are all lounging around on the couch watching sports. “Get up, get out, and don’t come back until you have a tree and some decorations,” she orders.
One by one they each turn and look at her like she has three heads.
I lean down. “Storm, go tell Daddy how upset you are that there is no tree,” I whisper in her ear. She nods and runs over.
“Daddy! There is no tree!” she cries out dramatically. “We can’t have Christmas without a tree.” She sniffs before she turns around and gives me a cheeky wink. Well, she tries to, but she ends up just blinking both eyes.
I smirk. That’s my girl. I’m so proud of her.
Ghost stands and scoops her up in his arms. “You want a tree, we will get you a damn tree,” he says before placing a chaste kiss on her chubby cheek. I fold my arms over my chest and shake my head at him. “What?” He shrugs. “My princess is right. We need a tree.”
“And where exactly are you going to get lights and decorations this close to Christmas while we are in the middle of nowhere?” Maggie asks him as she pops a popcorn in her mouth.
Ghost blinks. “If I have to drive miles out to get it, then I will drive out to get it.” He shrugs.
“Erm, babe. Not to put a downer on what you are going to do. I think it’s an amazing idea,” I state, smiling at Storm. “But it’s three-thirty in the afternoon, and you’re at least two hours away from any store that will still have Christmas stuff in stock,” I point out.
“Darlin’, we have tomorrow,” he states.
“Oh no, we have Christmas Eve planned, remember?” Josie states as she walks over.
“Yeah, we were all going to go ice skating, build a snowman, and go sledding,” Alina reminds him.
Ghost gives her a look. “If you think for one second you will get us in ice skates dancing around the ice, then you need a fucking cat scan.”
“I will have you know I am very light on my feet,” Hawk states as he walks over and wraps his arms around Josie.
“Ain’t no doubt with you, twinkle toes.” Ghost snorts. “Look, the kids want a fucking tree, so I am going to get them a tree.”
“Don’t say ‘funkin’, Daddy,” Storm chastises.
Ghost’s lips twitch. “Sorry, baby,” he apologises before kissing her cheek.
“I thought there was going to be a tree provided?” Maggie asks.
With that, Scar walks in. “I found the tree!” We turn to look at him holding up a three-foot balding plastic tree.
“Fuck that,” Ghost mutters. “New plan. The men will head out and get the tree tomorrow, while you ladies take the kids for a snow day. We will all be back here by four pm to put up the tree and sort Christmas music, food, booze, and all that other Christmassy shit.”
“I mean, it ain’t the worst idea.” Alina shrugs.
“Fine by me,” Maggie adds.
“It makes sense,” Rhea adds.
“Aww, I wanted to show Josie my pirouette,” Hawk mocks while attempting to twirl, but he ends up stumbling.
“You’re a jackass.” Ghost coughs a laugh.
Queenie walks in carrying boxes of food for the cupboard, and I immediately walk over and take them from her. “You should be taking it easy,” I chastise her. I realise I said it aloud for all to hear, so I think fast. “That’s what the men are for. This is your Christmas break, too,” I add, giving Queenie a wink. She rolls her eyes at me in frustration. I will apologise later. I turn and place the boxes on the counter.
