Gideon took another deep breath and blew it out audibly. “That is not happening. You are not sharing in the favors I shall owe. As long as I’m alive, it’s not happening. I’m turning it around on you.” He walked over and took my hands in his. A tingle shot through my body. Just his touch could undo me. “I love you. You’re my reason, along with Alana Catherine, for living. In no world that I inhabit will you owe any of the Demon’s favors. Ask me for anything else. Anything and I will give it to you, but not this. Please.”
I stared at the man who made me happy and feel whole. He made me a better person, and together we’d made the greatest gift either of us could have imagined—our daughter. Gideon trusted me to do my jobs as the Death Counselor and the Angel of Mercy. There were many times that he’d despised what I had to do. Watching me put myself into deadly situations wasn’t his favorite pastime. However, he had never once tried to stop me. Not one time. He respected me and my job. Who the hell was I not to respect him to do his?
“Okay,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head and smiled. It was a real smile, and it took my breath away. “Thank you.”
“No,” I said, laying my head on his broad chest. “Thank you.”
The silence in the room didn’t last long. “You guys gonna go upstairs and bang it out?” Candy inquired, as she slapped thebutter knife out of Shitty Ritchie’s hand and shoved the stick of butter into his mouth.
“No,” Gideon said with a raised brow. “I’m going to step outside and make some calls. I’d suggest all of you speak of lighter subjects. There’s a possibility that Jennifer can hear us.”
“Oh my god,” Tim gasped out, fluttering his hands in front of his face frantically. “Gideon is correct. We need to be upbeat and positive.”
June walked over to Tim and wrapped her arms around him. “I have an idea,” she said, glancing to Jennifer, her longtime friend. “Let’s play a game. The fact game. Jennifer loves that!”
“Yes!” Tim cried out, hugging June back. “Outstanding suggestion. Everyone must play!”
And play we did.
CHAPTER FOUR
An hour into the game,I’d learned more useless junk than I’d ever needed to know in several lifetimes. Shitty Ritchie was winning with the grossest facts of them all. Absolutely no surprise there. What was delightful was that Alana Catherine was all over it. Her facts didn’t make me want to hurl. Her laugh was medicine to my soul. Even Gram and Mr. Jackson were playing.
Gideon was right. Even if Jennifer couldn’t hear us, this was exactly what we needed. And if she could, she’d be proud. The Grim Reaper was still outside with Zander and Catriona making calls and plans. I had a feeling he’d stay outside until fun time was over. Gross facts were a little much for him.
“Okay,” Heather said, taking a turn to ensure that Shitty Ritchie didn’t take another. He’d been monopolizing the conversation the entire time. “Can’t really top most of the crap that’s been spewed, but this fact almost ruined one of my favorite movies. Ready?”
Her grin was naughty. Everyone yelled yes! I wasn’t as sure.
“What movie?” I asked quickly, before she dove in. With everything wrong going on, including the fact Shitty Ritchie hadshared that alligators have permanent erections, it would be devastating to destroy a good movie.
“Jurassic Park,” Heather said.
“Well, crap,” I said. “I like that movie.”
“But you’ve already seen it,” Heather pointed out.
“I have,” I confirmed.
“Soooooo,” she continued with a laugh. “It’ll still be a good movie with added bonus content next time you watch it.”
I wrinkled my nose and groaned. “Fine. Spit it out.”
My sister rubbed her hands together with glee. “Okay, my people, next time you viewJurassic Park… keep in mind that the raptor noises were created by recording tortoises having orgasms.”
“Shut the front door!” Gram hooted, throwing her ghostly hand in the air. “I ain’t never watchin’ that movie again! I mean, my goodness. I had no clue that turtles were so loud and randy.”
“That’s one way to put it,” June agreed with a giggle. “How about this? Neil Armstrong might have been the first man on the moon, but Buzz Aldrin was the first man to pee on it! Granted it was an accident when his spacesuit urine bag broke, but still…”
“Go, June!” Tim said, enjoying the banter while holding Jennifer’s limp hand in his. “I’d like to add that most toilets flush in the key of E flat.”
Charlie chuckled. “Is that true?”
“Yeppers,” Tim replied. “We can test it out if you’d like.”
“No,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’ll take your word for it.”
