room. “Look at me! Look at me!”
After Holly sent another death glare at her father, she turned to her son. Aww, holy crapolie.
As Jimmy stood next to Ben, her heart did a flip. They were identical down to the bells on their toes. Holly’s heart warmed. Damn, screw Mildred. She was doing this for herself again. This picture was going up everywhere she could hang it. They really were going to be perfect Santa’s little helpers.
Holly’s eyes darted to her father again. That is if she could get him to stop bitching and just put on the damn thing.
“Ripley likes her costume too.” Jimmy bounced on his feet making the bells jingle on his toes. “She let me put it on her.”
Ripley trotted into the room showing off her lady elf costume. She even did a twirl making sure everyone got a good look at her fluffy skirt.
Holly couldn’t help but laugh as Ripley shook her tail making the bells on the skirt jingle louder. She was definitely cute as all get out. She even had on the matching hat that had pointed ears attached to it.
See, this was going to be the best Christmas card ever.
Holly: one.
Everyone else in the world, including Mildred: zero.
Holly dropped to her knees as Ripley ran over to her. “Who’s mommy’s little girl? You’re so pretty, Rip. Look at you.” She scratched her back making Ripley jingle the bells again as she danced. The dog then kissed Holly before barking in agreement.
“You know it too.” Holly nuzzled Ripley’s neck. “Now, where are your brothers?”
A toothy grin appeared on Jimmy’s face as he spoke up, “They’re hiding under your bed.”
“Of course they are.” Holly flicked her eyes up at the ceiling.
Henry made another annoyed noise in the corner, causing Holly’s attention to jump to him.
That’s it.
A person could only take so much.
“Put on the damn outfit or I’ll make you food and shove it down your throat.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“Try me. If I don’t have this photo uploaded to the site by midnight, we won’t get the cards back in time.” Holly narrowed her eyes on her father, daring him to defy her. “At this point, it’s about pride.”
“That’s not my problem,” he squared off with his daughter.
“It will be.” Holly shifted to Ben. “Get Peanut all dressed. I’ll be right back with the devil and his jester.”
Ben winked. “Sure thing.”
As Holly stomped out of the room, her elf feet jingled as she walked. She couldn’t help but curse herself as she still heard her father complaining and John laughing his ass off.
Why couldn’t things ever just be normal for once in her life?
Holly eyed the ceiling. Don’t answer that, Universe. I already know I’m here for your entertainment.
When Holly turned into her bedroom, she saw Waffles’ fluffy butt hanging halfway out from under their bed. “You know I can still see you, right? You aren’t invisible if you’re only hiding your head,” Holly groaned before looking to the ceiling again. Really, Universe?
Waffles barked as he tried to squash his fat butt further under the bed.
“I can still see you.” Holly tapped her foot, causing the bell to jingle again.
Waffles barked at her.
“Do not speak to me in that tone of voice, young man. I don’t get it. You wore your tux fine when your dad and I got married. Now, you see clothes and you run for the hills. What the hell happened? Is your old age creeping up on you? Why do you have to be so grumpy?”
Waffles grunted from under the bed.
“You will come out here right now, put this stupid costume on and have your picture taken.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Stop arguing with me.”
Waffles turned so Holly could see his side profile under the bed. She growled the moment she saw that little jerk was glaring at her.
“Get your butt out here now!”
He huffed turning back so Holly couldn’t see his face.
“Do not make me get you.”
Waffles kicked his foot out toward her. “Did you just try to kick me?”
The jerk did it again.
“That’s it.” Holly dropped to her knees before reaching for her dog. Before she could grab him, though, the asshole managed to wiggle his way out from under the bed. And now it was a game for him as he ran back and forth trying to avoid Holly.
“Stop moving.” She reached for him again only for Waffles to psych her out and run the other way.
“You’re wearing the elf costume. End. Of. Story.”
Waffles stopped dead in