Dead of Winter (Cold Case Psychic #15) - Pandora Pine Page 0,3
loved when Everly sang the snowman song from Frozen. She was a much better Anna than he was.
“Sure, how about Bad Santa?” Ten rolled his eyes. “While you and Queen E were out here playing, I was doing laundry and making cookies.”
Ten didn’t need to explain himself, Ronan was just yanking his chain. “Have you given any more thought to the Santa present?” Ronan’s mom hadn’t been big on presents from Santa. Every year for Christmas, he got one gift from the big man in the red suit and the rest were from her. They’d started the same tradition last year with Everly’s first Christmas.
“How about a BMW?” Ten asked with a grin. He grabbed a napkin to wipe smeared chocolate off Everly’s face before using the napkin to do the same for his husband.
“You’re King Wisecracker today, huh?” The Santa present was a serious matter. If Ten wasn’t going to give it careful consideration, Ronan would buy something himself, which could mean trouble.
“I don’t mean a real car.” Ten grimaced like Ronan was riding his last nerve. “Look at this.” Ten handed Ronan his phone.
“Oh!” Ronan laughed. It was one of those electric cars for kids. The model he was looking at was a baby-blue two-seater. All Everly would have to do is press the pedal and the car would zoom around. “It’s cute.” Ronan moved around the table to kiss Ten. He knew he was being a bit of a pain in the ass today.
“’Ith me!” Everly puckered her lips.
“Anything you say, princess.” Ronan pressed a loud kiss to his daughter’s forehead. She smacked a messy one against his cheek. Ronan had a feeling it was more chocolate than anything else.
Sure enough, Ten motioned to the side of his face while handing him a napkin.
Grabbing another cookie, Ronan fixed his husband with a serious look. “What are we going to do this afternoon?”
“You mean before or after you and Everly have your afternoon nap?” Ten snickered.
“I’m retired and the living is easy.” Ronan grinned and took a sip of his coffee. This was heaven. He’d known from the moment Everly was placed in his arms that he never wanted to go back to work as a sergeant for the Cold Case unit of the Boston Police Department. He wanted to be a full-time father, and thanks to his tireless efforts, he had enough time put in to hang up his detective shield and stay home with their daughter.
“We need a few things at the grocery store for the dinner party tonight. If you want to run out and grab those things, I’d appreciate it.” Ten batted his eyes at his husband.
Ronan had been looking forward to this party all week. Every Saturday night leading up to Christmas, a different couple hosted a dinner party. The kids munched on snacks and watched movies in the living room while the adults had time to relax together and discuss the upcoming holiday. “I can do that, after I thaw out a bit.” He leaned over to kiss his husband. “I’m warmer already.”
“You know, we still need to talk about what we’re getting each other for Christmas.”
Ronan had an idea. A big one, but he still wasn’t quite sure how to bring the idea to Ten. Maybe Jude or Fitzgibbon would be able to lead him in the right direction. “I don’t need anything, babe. I’ve got you and our Little Miss.”
“As much as I love to hear you say that, Ronan, it doesn’t help any with my shopping list.”
Ronan sighed dramatically. “If we’re going to get Everly a baby BMW, get me one too, so we can have races around the neighborhood.”
Ten burst out laughing. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“What about you? What do you want for Christmas?” He would never admit it, but he loved shopping for Tennyson. The way Ten’s eyes would get misty over his gifts meant the world to Ronan.
“You know, I have an idea, but I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet.” Ten wore a mischievous grin.
“Interesting,” Ronan had been on the verge of giving Ten shit over being so mysterious, but what if Ten wanted the gift Ronan wanted? The two of them being in perfect sync happened all the time, why not with Christmas?
“Bill ‘no-man. Bill ‘no-man,” Everly sang. She sported a hot chocolate mustache and chocolate chip freckles.
Ronan grabbed his phone and started recording Everly’s serenade. He couldn’t imagine life being any better than it was right now.