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clarktooncrossing · 6 months

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Giraffe's Eye View: Christmas Specials Special | Klaus

Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost is nipping at your nose. Mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again. All the dogs in the neighborhood somehow learned to bark Jingle Bells in sync. Yet retail workers are still more annoyed with Mariah Carey. Snow is getting shoveled, tossed, and formed into sentient beings leading parades without permits. It makes for an excellent distraction as the Krampus abducts children for bad behavior. Fruitcake is exchanged only to find its permanent home in the garbage. Terrorists have hijacked the Holiday office party right before your boss can give you a Jelly of the Month Club membership as your bonus. And of course, the Turducken has returned to wreak its fiery vengeance upon an unsuspecting world! If all this doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, perhaps these following Holiday specials will!

Greetings people of today and robots of tomorrow! It is I, Santa Clark, your geeky giraffe friend with a deep love of Christmas! My obsession for the yuletide is rivaled only by Maleficent’s hatred for it, which is saying a lot considering she once teamed up with Mad Madam Mim to kidnap the literal Spirit of Christmas. Yes, that really happened. I know this due to my annual pilgrimage to the Island of Misfit Specials, home to obscure or nerdy festive media ranging from movies, TV episodes, and comics. It’s no easy journey. Constantly I find myself confronted by sinister snowmen, genocidal gingerbread men, and worst of all, crappy commercials. Getting stabbed in the foot by a candy-cane wielding cookie is one thing, but I swear I’ve seen that ad for Wilbur’s White Elephant Gift Emporium more times than I’ve seen Miracle on 34th Street! Sometimes at night I catch myself reciting that jingle. Wilbur’s White Elephant Gift Emporium: Where Christmas meets Convenience! Huh, maybe Maleficent had a point.

Nah, my deep-rooted appreciation for this time of year can weather even the most moronic marketing! It helps that most of the merry media I’ve seen have put me in the perfect Holiday mood! Examples include the time a Ninja Turtle found himself trapped in a truck full of stollen toys, a drunk department store Santa stumbling onto a wish-granting magic bag, Big Bird nearly becoming a popsicle, Gwenpool waking up in a world where Galactus took the place of jolly ol’ Saint Nicholas, a terrifying tree stump trying to slaughter some saps over a stupid ship war, and the year when Death gave the Little Match Girl the greatest gift of all. Needless to say, I thought I had seen it all. That is, until I took my friends on a trip to the Island, tasking them to find me new, strange, seasonal specials to review! Some of them were fair, finding me festive favorites as comforting as coco in front of the fireplace. Others were fiendish, wanting to feed off my misery like Gremlins after midnight. Regardless of how naughty or nice my companions were, I’ve compiled all of their suggestions into a makeshift advent calendar! So stay tuned everyday until Christmas to see how badly my buddies can shred what little sanity I have left.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my buddies gave to me...

Netflix has never made my Nice List. Even back in their Blockbuster killing days I thought they were overrated. After all, what’s so cool about an overpriced service that didn’t have Jurassic Park? Now that they’ve spawned steep competition, heightened their prices, and constantly cancel any popular series they produce, it seems the rest of the world is finally singing the same song. Welcome to the Netflix Sucks Club, everyone! However, in defense of the house Stranger Things built, they are running circles around Disney in regards to cartoons. Along with streaming sensational shows like She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, and The Dragon Prince, they’re also home to some equally amazing animated movies. Movies such as Nimona, The Mitchells vs the Machines, and of course Klaus. Their origin story for Santa came out at just the right time and has quickly become a seasonal staple for many peeps around the world. Including in Barcelona, home to the artistic android AN-D (Void-Android). So how did this flick become so instantly beloved?

For starters, it’s unspeakably gorgeous! Good lord, I’d be insane not to praise the phenomenal talent poured into every frame. The expressive characters, their energetic motion, all of the breath-taking backdrops enhanced by enriched lighting, this is easily one of the prettiest pictures of the past few years. Words fail in describing how amazing the art is. It’s right up there alongside Spider-Verse or Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Makes sense considering all three utilize a style combining the hand-drawn animation of yesterday with the technological trickery of today. Everything is so beautifully blended that I genuinely have a hard time telling where one method ends and the other begins. Which was the point. Director / Character Animator Segio Pablos theorized the reason 2D animation had yet to make a comeback was due to how it had failed to evolve. Features like Treasure Planet or The Princess and the Frog paired their riveting plots with visuals trying too hard to recapture the magic of the old days. So when Pablos formed his own studio, the cleverly named Sergio Pablos Animation, he was determined to make something special. In his own words, “It was important to me that the film did not feel like it could come out of any other studio, and that it had its own personality without losing the broad appeal that’s expected from a high-end holiday film.”

That’s a quote from Ramin Zahed’s Klaus: The Art of the Movie, a book I highly recommend reading. Not only are you treated to page upon page of fantastic behind-the-scenes concepts, but you also get to hear how Batman Begins served as inspiration. Honestly it matches up once you dive into the plot.

People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy. Or laziness, in the case of Jesper Johanson (Jason Schwartzman). He’s a millennial mailman so spoiled he nearly rivals the Kardashians. Key difference being Jesper’s genuinely entertaining. Furthermore, this brat has a father who actually cares about him, threatening to cut off his trust fund unless he delivers six thousand letters by year’s end. Should be easy given this takes place long before email was invented, right?

Wrong! Like any good parent, the Postmaster General knows his son will be forever doomed to fail if he doesn’t exercise some tough love. It doesn’t get much tougher than sending him to the small, northern island of Smeerensburg. Here the bitter chill of winter is rivaled only by the searing hatred between the town’s two prominent families; the Ellingboes and the Krums. Neither clan remembers how their feud started. Really, when did details like that matter? It’s tradition! What’s important is the disdain that divides them! A mindset later adapted for Twitter! It’s an ideology that’s sadly enforced onto their offspring, too. Snow will fall in Southtown, USA before they allow the spawn of their sworn enemies to mingle! Shun out those who are different from you, even if the only separating factor is their hair color! Wow, it’s so realistic it’s painful. They’re not even allowed to attend school together, much to the frustration of the local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones). Arriving eight years ago hoping to guide youths towards a bright, better tomorrow, now she’s selling fish so she can escape this dump. Getting away from this petty rivalry is all that matters. Both sides are firmly set in their ways, not letters needed to express any ire. Looks like our desperate protagonist needs a miracle!

Enter our titular Klaus, a bearded behemoth voiced by the legendary J.K. Simmons. Contrasting other cinematic Kringles, our initial impression of this legendary figure is that of a gruff, grumpy loner longing to be left alone. He’s a man living far out in the woods building birdhouses in memoriam of his long lost wife. Yup, Mrs. Claus is dead! Merry Christmas! Before the two had hoped to fill their house with happy children, the gentle giant filling his barn to the brim with hand-crafted toys in anticipation. With those dreams dashed, he has no purpose other than waiting to die. That is until Jesper accidentally drops off a depressed drawing swindled from a sad boy. Seeing someone in need, the weary woodsman wrangles the wormy weakling into helping him deliver one of his many toys; a wind-up frog. It’s while watching the kid playing in the window that we get our first glimpse of the good man inside. For the first half of the runtime, Simmons scarcely says a word. You’d be forgiven for forgetting he was in this at all! Yet like any great animated feature worth its salt, the visuals express everything. A spark can be seen in Santa’s eyes when he witnesses the happiness brought onto another. In that moment he’s given a reason to live again.

Lucky for Jesper, said reason is his ticket out of here. Turns out the kid had caught Santa staring through the window. Presuming his letter’s what led to a shiny new toy, word is quickly spread amongst his peers, all quickly forming a line around the post office. Seizing the opportunity, the courier convinces Klaus to donate more of his toys for tots, under the condition they do so in secret under nightfall. As more gifts are given out, legends of the mysterious merry man grow. Most of it predicated on lies and deception. It’s an aspect of the story that really bugs me, sad to say. Personally I prefer how Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town handled this detail, organically explaining how a humble toymaker became the mythical figure we know and love today. Sure, most of it is based in magic, but we’re talking about a guy who traverses the world all in one night on a sled led by reindeer. As I hope my earlier rant in the Flash made clear, logic need not apply here. Layering Batman in a grounded reality makes a strange sort of sense, not so much Papa Noel. For example, the reason Klaus swaps out his horse for reindeer in the first place is because Jesper doesn’t want to lighten the load of presents. More presents equals more letters! Worst of these fabrications is the Naughty List. One little snot found a clump of coal in his stocking, threatening to make like the Power Rangers and mutilate the mailman lest he get answers. Putting aside that it was in fact Jesper who pulled the dirty deed, he terrifies the tubby tike by stating Santa knows when he’s been sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. Only the ornery ones end up on the Naughty List.

Upon learning of the list, an unexpected domino effect triggers throughout the community. First the kids start behaving better, performing good deeds such as shoveling snow, painting over graffiti, cleaning clarinets, helping out with the laundry, picking berries, nursing a stubborn senior who broke his foot, even going to school at Jesper’s suggestion. An astonished Alva learns to love teaching again, going so far as to spend her savings to spruce up the schoolhouse. Now some may argue this is only happening because these brats want a reward. Fair enough, it’s not an unfair assumption to make. Provided you ignore the adults mirroring that attitude. Despite nobody giving them anything, they’re still acting neighborly towards each other. Why? Because kindness is infectious! It’s a mindset the cynics of the world will undoubtedly scoff at. Let’m keep their dour worldview. Humans are far more hospitable than given credit for. Klaus himself puts it best: a true selfless act always sparks another. Jesper himself scoffs at first, until he meets a sweet little Sami girl named Márgu (Neda Margrethe Labba). Look up ‘cute’ in the dictionary and there’ll be a picture of her. Those protesting otherwise may also expect clumps of coal in their socks! Good gosh, she deserves all the hugs! Although she’ll settle for a sled. Throughout the picture we see her ask Jesper for help in writing a letter to Klaus so she can receive one. Eventually he concedes, asking Alva to translate before helping Klaus build the sled himself. It’s when he delivers it and sees Márgu eagerly ride it that we see that same spark twinkle in the mailman’s eyes too. Perhaps his colossal colleague was onto something after all.

Do the clan elders care? Nope. Realizing their resentful lifestyle is fleeting, both agree to a ceasefire to cancel Christmas. Now that’s the true reason for the season: uniting under a common hatred! Joy to the world!

By then, Jesper’s forgotten about his selfish status quo, contempt with settling down in Smeerensburg. He’s ready to help his friend deliver more presents to the pipsqueaks, now aided additionally by Alva and Márgu’s Sami tribe. Imagine his surprise when dear daddy arrives to escort him back home. All six-thousand letters have been delivered, partially thanks to the malicious machinations of the elders. One would assume they’d burn the barn down due to its location being public knowledge, but then we wouldn’t be subjected to the liar revealed trope. Now in fairness to this classic cliche, How to Train Your Dragon demonstrated that it can work well to strengthen the story. Stoic is a stubborn man set in his ways, it makes sense that he’d ignore anything Hiccup has to say. Jesper's pals suddenly acting pissy doesn't. What, because everything he said was a lie? Okay, but he still changed all your lives for the better, so what does it matter? In her review, Cellspex proposes that Jesper’s friends should’ve allowed him to leave, a true selfless act that in turn would’ve prompted him to stay. That would’ve tied back to the thesis of the narrative while also feeling less forced. Otherwise it’s so obnoxious going through the motions. Inevitably Jasper returns to save the day, they partake in a chase scene minus Klaus flying on rooftops in a big, black tank, and all is forgiven. In the end the elders are forced to reconcile as two of their own fall in love, Jesper lives a happy life with Alva and their kids, and Klaus eventually dies. Merry Christmas! Or does he? As a man Santa is flesh and blood. He can be ignored, he can be destroyed, but as a symbol? He can be incorruptible! Everlasting, even. Jesper can’t comprehend what happened to him after that. He stopped trying to make sense of it a long time ago. What he does know is that once a year he gets to see his friends again. So long as love, generosity, and devotion still exist, so too does Klaus.

Overall, Klaus is a flawed masterpiece that’s earned its seasonal staple status. Artistically it shines like a diamond! Storywise is where the smudges are shown. Pablos accomplished his agenda in elevating the animated artform, but failed to do so narratively. Ironically it's the opposite problem he proclaimed most cartoon pictures once had. This feels like what happens when The Emperor’s New Groove, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Cars, and Batman Begins are all mixed in a blender. It’s a familiar flavor, though not a terrible one. If nothing else, it's a fun, festive film with vibrant visuals, a charismatic cast, and at least one sensational song. I sincerely hope more movies are made like this in the future, even if they end up on Netflix. The future of animation looks bright! Wait, that’s not the future. Some random Christmas carnival is on fire! Quick, throw cards at it!

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timerturtle73 · 2 years

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arebelredcarnation · 5 years

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Monster In Me - Part 1

"Hey, you okay? You kinda scared us yesterday. What happened?" My coworker, Jenny, asked when I came into the breakroom.

"Asshole customer decided that it was my fault he couldn't do a return three months late." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh. Gotcha." She nodded, her blonde fauxhawk swaying slightly. "Let me guess, he scream at you in front of people?"

"Oh, definitely." I nodded with a little grin as I dug in my bag for my employee badge.

"Some of us in cafe saw you leaving crying." She said, and I just glanced up.

"It's frustrating when you realize killing people is a crime." I simply shrugged and turned to put my shit in my locker. I grabbed a headset and went to clock in and do my job of dealing with customers around the holiday season. Fun.

We had a good number of people working at the registers with me already, so I busied myself at the phone and called people whose orders had come in today. Since it was the holidays, we had a lot of orders.

Six and a half hours here. I can get through this.

When I did finish with calls and was forced to ring people up, I put on my cheeriest smile and my sweetest voice.

"Hi! How are you today? I hope you found everything alright?"

One thing I liked about this job, and just working on registers in retail in general, is that you had a script. Not an actual script, but like a guideline of things to say to every single customer.

First, you greet them, then ask if they're part of our loyalty program, if not, convince them to be. Third, ask if they'd like to donate because it's Christmas and whatever else bullshit reason. Then back to the normal stuff, like paper or emailed receipt, gift receipts, would you like the receipt in the bag, blah blah blah... thank you, have a nice day.

I only strayed from the script (as did every cashier) when someone looked to be in a rush or already looked annoyed at the very first question. We know people get annoyed when they're asked so many questions, and we have a long ass script. We don't want to ask them either, but we have to.

Of course, there's been stories of customers loosing it and getting pissed from being asked so many things. I've even heard one of a woman who keeps refusing our loyalty program because someone was "too enthusiastic" about offering it.

I actually hate people. They piss me off.

I thankfully didn't have anyone that pissed me off too bad today, because I don't think my managers would be very forgiving if I had another screaming match with a customer only a day after the last one.

But scenes in public? People ate that shit up. It's entertaining as hell.

There's rumors of this one woman who's just a complete bitch to us employees. Everytime she has something on hold, people have her on a blacklist here to make a note on her hold to call a manager to ring her up. They can deal with her, and some of our tougher managers who don't take shit from rude people, they're happy to deal with her.

I was at the registers last week when she had a hold, and I was told to pass along the message to the other cashiers about her hold. The girl I was telling was a new girl, and she stared at the note for a moment before she said she wanted to be here when this was rung up, and I honestly had to agree with her.

Rude customers, I fucking hate their guts, but they amaze me. They all have a certain look to them. I don't know what it is, but they're so vastly different, and yet incredibly similar somehow. I just have this deep curiosity to know what each one looks like and how they act. What do they bitch about? What kind of scams do they try to do? What kind of shit do they try pulling? I need to know, and I think nearly everybody thinks the same.

I made it through the day with no outbursts, thankfully, and was dead tired when I got home that night. I ate lightly, took pills, cleaned my face, and went to sleep almost immediately.

Once again, I could feel my dream, and I felt familiar hands on my legs once again.

"My alarm better not even think about waking me up." I huffed and heard a deep chuckle.

"And here I was, worried that I was the only one hoping for that." The very same guy from last night said as I looked back at him. Dream guy was naked this time, and I was, too.

"How I'd love to take hours just exploring you, I'm afraid our time has become limited, my dear." He stroked my thighs, spreading them before he began to rub me with his fingertips.

"Time in dreams is bullshit," I sighed, working my hips against his hand for more friction.

"Perhaps we can find a way for it to match reality's time." He hummed.

"Oh, that'd be perfect." I moaned out, biting my lip.

"Yes, think of all the fun we could have in those hours." He hummed and slid some fingers into me, taking his time with working me until I was wet and loose enough. He came up to kiss me, and pushed himself into me, and my jaw dropped wide open at the feeling.

"There now, darling. Let me show you ecstasy." He murmured before he began to draw his hips out and push them back in. I rolled my hips to match his pace, and Dream Guy busied himself with kissing my neck and ear as he fucked me harder with each minute that passed.

This dream went on longer than the last, and for that I was thankful. I was even more thankful for when I got to come before I woke up.

I did wake after I had come, though, and I found that I didn't mind the stickiness in my underwear at all, as I lied in bliss.

#loki #loki fanfic #loki laufeyson #smut #fanfic #multi chapter #arebelredcarnation #loki x oc #loki (marvel)

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k-i-s-m-e-t · 6 years

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Secret Santa

TianShan Xmas Event: Presents (Day 2) Fandom: 19 days Rating: Mature Status: 1/2 Warnings: None Pairing: TianShan Words: 4,102

Summary: Based on this freaking hilarious & amazing prompt!! I hope you don’t mind that I ran with it. I’m not sure this is what you expected but hey lol enjoy!

When Mo took the volunteer job at the mall, he had done so begrudgingly. It was punishment after all, brought about by boiled-over frustration that had fueled the language he’d used to respond to his teacher’s inquiries about his tardiness. It was the third time that week he’d been late. Put on the spot, he didn’t know how to explain that money was always tight around the holidays and he’d been walking to and from school each morning in lieu of the train.

He was monopolizing any place he could cut some corners to save a few dollars. The allowance he got wasn’t much, but he saved as much of it as possible. This year he’d told himself he’d get his mom something good for Christmas. He hated seeing that overjoyed look on her face when she opened his handmade or cheap gifts. Like the “Mom of the Year” plaque he’d made in shop class last year that she boasted about having on her desk at the hospital, or the cheap earrings he’d bought at a stand she still wore proudly several times a week. A person like her deserved better, she deserved the world, and it frustrated him that he was just a broke high school student.

Getting a job was, “Completely out of the question!” she’d barked when he had off-handedly mentioned it. It was her duty to provide for him, not the other way around. If they needed to make ends meet, she’d work double shifts, he couldn’t afford to slack off on his studies.

Seeing his taken-aback expression, she’d softened instantly. “I know you mean well honey,” she’d said a hand cupping his cheek, “but we’re doing fine.”

The command to, “See me after class!” had been given on the spot and when the bell rang Mo hung back, dread setting in. He waited until the room cleared before even considering approaching his teacher’s desk.

Taking a breath, he stood and gathered his belongings, packing them up slowly, stalling for time. Sweat from his palms smeared along the cover of his history textbook as he fumbled with it, slick fingers shoving it into his bag. He nearly yanked the zipper off his bag when his name is called.

The walk to the front from his back-row seat seemed infinite, blood pulsing in his ears, each step forward magnified in the now empty classroom. But then he was there, hanging back a few steps as if proximity could diminish his impending punishment. He figured this slip-up would earn him a few days minimum in detention.

“What?” Mo spat standing uncomfortably in front of the teacher’s desk. Agitation amounting from anticipation.

The man looked up with a raised eyebrow.

“Watch your tone with me, that little outburst you had this morning coupled with your tardiness has you looking at a week-long suspension right now.”

“What the fuck!” Mo exploded.

The man slammed his open palm down on the desk. “Language!”

Mo flinched.

He pointed a finger level with Mo’s chest. “One more offense like that and we can finish this conversation in the principal’s office.”

Mo clenched his fists, seething, he could feel his temper flaring but he nodded. A week long fucking suspension? His mom was going to kill him.

“As of today you have been tardy 13 times! 13! And you don’t just show up five minutes late, oh no! Sometimes you stroll in here 20 to 30 minutes late. I need an explanation for this, it’s completely unacceptable!”

When Mo remained silent the man rubbed at his temples, trying to ease the tension gathered there, then sighed.

“Look Guan Shan, I’ve seen a significant amount of improvement in your schoolwork and behavior this year. I’m proud of you. I don’t want to see you start backsliding, got it?”

“Got it,” Mo mumbled.

“Look, let’s make a deal: The Humanitarian Club, which I lead, needs a few more volunteers for our Santa’s Workshop at the mall. We desperately need a photographer as our current one recently got sick with the flu and I know one of your electives this year was photography. I’ve seen your work and I’m pretty confident in your ability. You’d just have to take photos of the kids sitting on Santa’s lap.”

“I..” Mo hesitated.

“Don’t feel pressured to do it but.. I’ll be frank with you, it’s either this or suspension. At least this won’t show up on your record. Also, I’d need you to be able to commit to doing it for two weeks, just until our photographer gets better.”

An image of his mother’s disappointed face flashed through his mind, he sighed… but two weeks?

“Ok, when do I start?”

His teacher smiled, glasses glinting. “Today.”

That afternoon Mo found himself at the local mall, and as the automatic doors slid open he was immediately engulfed in a retail wonderland, Christmas style. He wandered around for a bit, window shopping, eyes drinking in the season’s assortment of clothing and trainers in his favorite shop’s windows.

Truth be told, he wasn’t exactly sure where he was supposed to meet for this volunteer job, he hadn’t really paid attention to the details. He been too relieved that he wouldn’t have to explain to his mother his suspension and could instead spin the situation in his favor, as doing some community service out of the goodness of his own heart, having caught the holiday spirit. Yeah… she was going to see right through that lie.

In the food court he made his rounds, filling up on free samples to stave off his hunger until dinner. As he exited the half circle of vendors he could see a Santa’s Workshop display near the children’s play area. Tossing the toothpick the last sample had been on, he shouldered his backpack and headed over.

The site was bustling and he could recognize plenty of familiar faces from school. A few eyed him warily given his delinquent reputation, but most were absorbed in their duties.

Amid the group he spied Zhan and felt his body relax, not realizing how much tension had built up. This might not be so bad after all, he thought. Zhan barely talked but neither did he, at least he knew someone here.

“You too?” He inquired as he approached, bumping Zhan’s outstretched fist.

“In a way, my mom’s part of the PTA,” he stated as if that explained everything. “Apparently they never get enough volunteers.”

“Where’s Jian Yi?”

“Why do you assume he’d be here? We don’t do everything together.”

Mo waited.

Zhan sighed. “He had clean-up duty after school & caught a later train, he should be here in a few.”

“Alright everyone,” a bespectacled girl addressed the group. Movement halted as everyone paused giving her their full attention.

“Last week was great and we had an amazing turn out!” Many in the group clapped and whistled.

“Let’s try to do even better this week,” she laughed. “You know your positions, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to talk to me. Let’s go out there and spread some holiday cheer!” A few whooped in response, Mo rolled his eyes.

They all drifted to their respective roles, and as the crowd thinned the girl’s eyes fell on him.

“Oh, it’s you,” she sighed in annoyance. Mo recognized her as his class rep from middle school. The same one that had demanded he stop playing cards on school time.

“Pleasure to see you too,” he quipped.

“Save it, come on so we can get you set up and out of my hair.”

Off to the side there was a trolley parked with several suitcases stacked on top, she pulled off the topmost one, resting it gently on the floor and unzipped it. Nestled between foam cushioning laid the nicest camera Mo had ever seen, let alone touched. She removed it from its casing and held it out to him.

“You’ll be shooting with this.”

Taking it gingerly from her, he cradled it carefully in both hands. The DSLR was a larger model, a Nikon D series, he tested its weight, pleased that it was nice and solid, felt good in his hands. He ran his fingers along the textured gripping on the side. The lens he could tell came standard but the depth it could shoot was still considerable. He’d be able to get plenty of clear, close up shots. Damn he was in love, he would in a few words, totally fuck this camera. It was sexy as hell and sensitive to the touch. Bringing it up to his face, he aligned the eyepiece carefully along the curve of his cheek and brow, lightly pressed the shutter release. The smooth click of the shutter opening and closing was music to his ears, like the purr on a nice sports car. He thumbed at the playback button to review the photo. It was displayed on the screen in crisp quality; a Christmas tree in a store front effortlessly preserved in time.

“Nice,” Mo breathed.

“The photos you take will save automatically & transfer immediately to that computer station,” she pointed “where we display them to allow parents to pick their favorite. There’s a tripod in that bag too that you’ll shoot from, you just need to set up in front of Santa’s chair. All I ask is, that at the end of the night you box everything up just how you found it.”

“Sounds easy enough, so all I have to do is take the pictures.”

“Yea, try not to fuck it up. Oh, also ruin that camera and I’ll kill you.”

“Noted.”

“Oh, one more thing.” She unfolded an elf hat, and held it out to him. “I need you to wear this.”

“I’m not wearing that,” Mo said dismissively.

A hand clutched his forearm and she looked up into his face, light obscuring her eyes behind thick frames, “Yes, you are.”

“Okay, okay!” Mo exclaimed. What the hell was wrong with these people??

To their left a child bounded down the roped off line, dragging his mother behind him.

She patted his arm. “You’re on.”

Once Mo set up the camera and tripod, which he would admit he struggled with, just a tad, things ran smoothly.

The first few kids, though excited, followed his instructions to smile and say cheese. The student playing Santa he was sure helped facilitate the process, the guy was really good with kids. He greeted them in a cheery manner and made them feel comfortable. He even calmed a watery-eyed little girl, wiped her tear streaked cheeks and got her to smile wide for the camera.

Mo couldn’t help but find himself chuckling at some of the jokes he could hear exchanged or Santa’s reactions to their wish lists. It softened his mood and he found himself greeting the parents and kids in similar pleasant manner. He was almost disappointed when 7:30 rolls around and they close-up shop for the day. Almost. Gathering up the camera and tripod he carried them both back to the trolley; unzipped the travel bag and folded up the tripod stowing it neatly in its compartment. Before packing up the camera he pressed the playback button, cycling through the images he’d taken over the past few hours, mentally making notes of where he’d succeeded and how he could improve.

“Nice work today,” a voice said and he was ashamed of the brief scream he emitted.

“Could you announce yourself.”

The class rep leaned back, a smirk on her face. “Where’s the fun in that? Anyways, I saw the shots you took, good thing your stay is only temporary or our current photographer would be out of a job.”

“I…”

“You’re talented, glad to have you on the team. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she clasped his shoulder briefly before walking away.

Mo soaked in her words, a newfound vigor guiding his actions as he popped out the camera’s battery and stuck it into a portable charger to power-up overnight. I’m… talented.

The words carried him afloat as he left, waving an honest goodbye to the few stragglers. Zhan was still hanging around the set and Mo moved to see if wanted to walk home together but the other politely declined. Mo could see Jian Yi cleaning up the and he gets it. No explanation needed.

The high got him through the sliding doors of the mall exit only to be knocked flat on his ass.

He was blinded for a few seconds as the stupid elf hat he forgot to take off is knocked askew covering his eyes. Rage ensued.

“Who in the mother fuck is looking for death?!”

He ripped the hat off and was met with an outstretched hand in his face. Genuinely confused he looked up as the owner of the hand chuckled.

Fucking He Tian, of course.

“Don’t you have a graveyard to lurk in?” Mo bit out irritably, and smacked away the offered hand.

“Are you implying that I’m the grim reaper? I like that,” He Tian purred.

“That wasn’t a compliment.” Mo got gingerly to his feet, dusted his pants.

“Why are you even here? The mall’s closed.”

“I was doing some shopping,” he gestured to the small bag dangling from his wrist.

Mo could tell by the bag’s logo it was from some pricey jewelry store. He rolled his eyes. “Fancy gift for one of your admirers, I’m sure.”

“Not quite,” He Tian said but didn’t offer an explanation.

“Anyways, I gotta get going so are we done here?”

“I can’t lie you look pretty cute in that get-up,” He Tian said, looking him up and down. “Why don’t you come sit on my lap.”

“Yeah, you’re about the 5th guy to spit that line today,” Mo remarked pushing past him. “Try again.”

“Hmm okay, you know you’re pretty cute when you’re wrapped up in your own little world.”

“The hell kind of comment is that?”

“I saw you walking, you looked content with yourself. A nice change from your usual mad at the world persona.”

“And for this you chose to knock me on my ass.”

“You bumped into me, actually.”

“Right.”

“Why don’t you let me walk you home?”

“How ‘bout no?” Mo said stalking off. Body tensed in anticipation of the strong arm he knew would swing around his shoulders and drag him off anyways but nothing came.

He glanced over his shoulder but He Tian was gone. Weird.

The next day wasn’t as easy as the first. It was, in short, mild chaos.

Mo bounced a screaming baby on his hip as the mother and Santa tried to console its twin. He looked down into her ruddy face, eyes squeezed shut, tiny fists balled as she opened her mouth, silent for a few seconds catching her breath, little body vibrating with the subdued rage she planned to unleash. Mo sighed steeling himself for another round of screaming.

‘Why are you crying? You have no real problems, fuck I should be crying.’

“Say cheese,” he dead panned as the mother finally stepped out of the frame, the other child momentarily consoled.

The baby looked surprised in the picture but at least he wasn’t crying. Good enough. Handing over twin number two to Santa, he glanced at the endless line of parents and toddlers.

“Let’s get this over with.”

Click!

The daily 15-minute breaks were heaven sent and he executed his usual system of hitting up the food court, stopping at every food place offering free samples. By the time he had reached the end, his appetite was comfortably sated. There was still about ten minutes left before he was due for the second half of his shift so he sat on a bench nearby, pulled out his phone to review his finances. The amount he’d saved up so far gave him enough bandwidth to explore several options but he still had no clue what to buy his mom for Christmas. After making this much effort it had to be good, memorable, but what do you get the woman that claimed she had everything she’d ever wanted. He rested his chin in his hand in defeat. Ughh, this shouldn’t be so hard. The bench jostled and he glanced to his left, surprised to see Santa sitting next to him.

“Hey.” the guy offered, voice muffled by the giant white beard that obscured most of his face. One hand shifted his belly so he could sit comfortably.

“Hey..” Mo returned.

“Nice job out there today, I didn’t know you were so good with kids.”

“Likewise man, today was.. something else.”

Santa cracked open a bottle of water, taking a few gulps. “Yeah we have days like that but it’s generally smooth sailing.”

They sat in silence for a bit, the soft murmur of the bustling mall and crinkling of the water bottle drifted between them.

“You.. can’t take the costume of?” Mo asked, breaking the silence.

“Nah, can’t risk one of the kids seeing me and realizing Santa’s not a chubby jolly old white dude. Imagine if they found out he isn’t only not real but a high-schooler.

Mo laughed. “They’ll find out sooner or later.”

“That’s cold man,” Santa said but his grey eyes twinkled behind the spectacles.

Mo shrugged, checked his phone. “Crap, breaks up. I’ll see you back at the workshop.”

Santa raised an arm in farewell. “See you.”

Mo jogged the short distance back, but couldn’t shake the odd feeling that he knew Santa. He couldn’t place why exactly, but the costume restrictions made it difficult to see what he looked like and his voice didn’t sound familiar. Whatever, he would ask him his name next time he had a chance.

As soon as he stepped back on site the class rep ushered him back to the camera, scolding him about tardiness being why he was here in the first place.

Face breaking into a scowl, all previous thoughts vanished from his mind as he double-checked the camera battery supply and adjusted the lighting. He’d just finished tidying up around Santa’s chair when the guy returned from break. Mo resumed his place at the camera as the line reopened and mildly subdued chaos ensued.

Two days down. A week and a half to go.

“Who the fuck are you supposed to be? Rudolph?” Mo addressed Jian Yi as he unpacked the camera and tripod for his shift.

“No,” Jian Yi sniffled, wiping at his vividly red nose. “I’m sick. I think I caught something from one of these brats.” He sneezed, open mouthed of course, snot and drool dripping.

“Gross dude, cover your mouth, you aren’t five,” Mo muttered hastily gathering his supplies so he could vacate the area asap.

Every day that passed without coming to a decision on what to get his mom was making him more and more irritable. Walking out to the set, camera at the ready, the sounds of crying increased the closer he got, an opposing battle cry.

Please, just take me now.

When his break came around, he found himself anticipating the arrival of Santa. It’s not like Mo was looking for the guy or anything. Yet meeting up had become almost an unspoken ritual, in the same vein as Mo forgetting to ask for his name.

The question was always at the forefront of his mind but the guy was hilarious and Mo became easily swept up in the conversation, usually not realizing he had again forgotten to ask until he arrived home that night.

This time the guy showed up with dumplings that keep Mo’s mouth occupied the majority of the conversation, as pickings were light in the free sample area. A few of the vendors had caught on to his scheme and conveniently weren’t handing out samples when he came by.

“Can you believe that last kid spat up on me? I’m never having kids,” Santa declared shaking his head in disbelief.

“Yeah sucks to be you,” Mo chewed thoughtfully. They were quiet for a bit.. “Hey,” Mo started “This is kind of random but what’s your name? I didn’t catch it the first time we talked.”

Santa paused, swallowed. “It’s uh Li Jie,” he said slowly.

“Oh.” Unfamiliar. “I guess I don’t know you after all, I know pretty much everyone at school.”

“I tend to blend with the crowd,” he shrugged, eyes focused on the waning dumplings.

“That’s cool,” Mo said, popping another piece into his mouth. “Me too.”

The week ended and casually spilled into the next. Mo had gotten used to the ebb and flow of the volunteer job, and could proudly say his photography skills had improved considerably. Li Jie and he were becoming good friends but there was something off about never actually having seen the guy out of costume, which Mo joked about. Actors like Li Jie, along with a few others who played Santa’s elves had to get dressed in the mall restroom or come already in garb. Li Jie had a habit of disappearing by the time Mo had finished packing up the camera equipment for the night. He had even invited the guy over for dinner one day but Li Jie had politely declined claiming he was behind on his schoolwork. Understandable, given the fact that they spent three hours after school at the workshop. He had promised to come by once the job ended, a week after Mo’s punishment. Mo had even vented to him about his struggles in finding his mother the perfect Christmas gift, asking him what he should get her.

“You know your mom best,” he had said. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate any gift you give her. Just remember it’s not about the price but the meaning behind it. If the effort comes from a good place, which I know it does, she’ll love it.”

It had brightened his mood at the time but he still wasn’t sure what to get her.

As much as Mo thought he understood life and might even be one step ahead, it had a way of knocking him back ten feet when he least expected it.

“10-4, we gotta brat,” Jian Yi muttered off to his left, pretending to be occupied with adjusting decorations on the set’s Christmas tree.

Mo twisted on his stool, turned his attention to the line, eyes widening as he watched a mother wrangle her screaming daughter into her arms and walk up to Santa’s chair. The girl had a handful of her Mother’s hair and was yelling for all she was worth, limbs flailing.

“Man,” Zhan whispered, “my sister was bad but never like this. “I hope this guy can handle her.”

Mo watched for a reaction from said Santa but it was hard to gauge anything given how much of his face the beard obscured.

The mother looked embarrassed and nervous as she handed the screaming child over to Santa. Mo had to give it to him, the guy was composed, bouncing the girl on his knee, cooing to her, easily calming the crocodile tears. The mother beamed at the turn of events, whipping out her phone to snap a few tear-streaked pictures.

Mo relaxed, relieved to see the situation easily diffused, his heart bloomed a bit in pride for his friend, which he quelled, brain cycling through the mental gymnastics of why he doesn’t actually really care.

Mo had to give it to the guy, he was really good, he watched as Santa leaned in, beard tickling the little girl in his lap, she giggled in response. At this point the lines were rehearsed and Mo could imagine him asking her what she wanted for Christmas. She pondered, tiny face scrunched up in clearly serious thought, then suddenly a tiny fist shot out and she yanked his bread down around his chin.

Mo was on his feet instantly, because no, no way, this couldn’t be happening.

“Ah shit,” he heard Zhan mutter off to his left.

Mo turned on him.

“You knew,” his voice cracked. Zhan looked pained.

“10-4 He Tian is fucking Santa!” Jian Yi whispered loudly behind them. “He’s fucking Santa, are you guys seeing this!”

“Who’s fucking Santa?” another student offered with a snicker.

“Guan Shan..” Zhan said, but Mo doesn’t want to hear it. He felt nauseous and too hot, his hands shaking, felt like couldn’t breathe as if all the air had been sucked out of the space. Mo bolted because fuck this, he would rather have suspension. He can’t believe how stupid he was, how oblivious he’d been, everyone must have known but him. What a fool.

Sorry not sorry to leave y’all on a cliff hanger but part two will come out on Day 5, so if you enjoyed this stay tuned, resolution come soon ;D

As always thanks for reading, your comments & tags give me life x

#19 days #tianshanchristmasevent #tianshan #he tian #mo guan shan #my writing #kis writes

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momscookingthebooks · 7 years

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Release Blitz ~ Book Review ~ Giveaway ~ Exclusive Excerpt

Today we have the release day blitz of Kavanagh Christmas by Sarah Robinson! Check out the release day festivities and grab your copy today!!

Book Review

Title: Kavanagh Christmas

Series: Kavanagh Legends #5

Author: Sarah Robinson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: November 7, 2017

Cliff Hanger: No

Add to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/…/show/33810417-kavanagh-christmas

4 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes and language intended for adults 18+

Synopsis:

The heartfelt holiday conclusion to the Kavanagh Legends family saga revisits all the couples that readers have fallen in love with throughout the series. An angsty and loving Christmas novella, it’s the perfect goodbye to these Irish MMA fighters and a glimpse into what the future holds for them. With the Christmas season fast approaching, the entire Kavanagh family is feeling anything but the holiday spirit. Commitments are questioned, relationships are tense, and bickering is nonstop. However, when a crisis strikes and the family realizes that they might lose one of their own, they’ll come together to remember the reason for the season is first, and foremost, love and family. With their own heartwarming HEAs, Sarah Robinson’s Kavanagh Legends novels can be read together or separately:

BREAKING A LEGEND #1 SAVING A LEGEND #2 BECOMING A LEGEND #3 CHASING A LEGEND #4 KAVANAGH CHRISTMAS #5 “Fans of Lori Foster’s SBC Fighters series will love the MMA atmosphere of [Sarah] Robinson’s Legends.”—Library Journal “This endearing story showcases Keira and Quinn’s easy banter, familiar warmth, and unquenchable heat.” – Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review, on Chasing a Legend “One of my favorite MMA books to date.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken, on Breaking a Legend “Those Kavanaghs really know how to make a girl swoon.”—New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans “Saving a Legend is a gripping and sexy MMA romance with characters you’ll be rooting for long after you finish reading. Buckle your seatbelts and get ready for one amazing and hot story from Sarah Robinson.”—New York Times bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, on Saving a Legend “Raw, sexy, and romantic, Becoming a Legend is another perfect, steamy read about the heartwarming Kavanaghs.”—Kate Meader, author of the Hot in Chicago series, on Becoming a Legend

My Thoughts:

What a wonderful way to wrap up a terrific series! If you haven’t read this series yet, go back and read every wonderful story and then top it off with this very heartfelt novella.

I fell in love with this family more and more as I read each book. This one though, wow! I laughed at all the banter and outrageous things this family says and does, I swooned as the brothers courted their wives, and I cried throughout the book. There are so many touching moments.

I hated to say goodbye to this series, but so happy I found closure for each and every member.

If you haven’t read any of the Kavanagh Legends books, then this isn’t the book for you. You will be lost. So, my recommendation is to read the books in order and savor every beautiful moment with the Kavanagh clan.

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Get Your Copy Today!

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2gFrfyj

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075DJMPNX/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B075DJMPNX/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B075DJMPNX/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1127062099?ean=2940154871638

Ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kavanagh-christmas/id1279336890?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/kavanagh-christmas

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sarah_Robinson_Kavanagh_Christmas?id=iRY0DwAAQBAJ

Other Retailers: https://www.books2read.com/u/bWZ12M

NOTE: This novella also contains a free short story, Rory & Clare, and two excerpts from other Sarah Robinson novels at the end. The holiday novella itself is 35,000 words.

Catch up on the Series Today: http://booksbysarahrobinson.net/my-books/kavanagh-legends/

BREAKING A LEGEND #1 SAVING A LEGEND #2 BECOMING A LEGEND #3 CHASING A LEGEND #4 KAVANAGH CHRISTMAS #5

Sarah Robinson Bio:

Aside from being a Top 10 Barnes & Noble and Amazon Bestseller, Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in forensic and clinical psychology. She is newly married to a wonderful man who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiasts as she is. Together, they own a zoo of rescues including everything from mammals to reptiles to marsupials, as well as volunteering and fostering for multiple animal shelters. Subscribe to her newsletter at www.subscribepage.com/sarahrobinsonnewsletter Visit the author's website for more information about Sarah and her books: http://booksbysarahrobinson.net/

Giveaway: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4cf78adb595/

Exclusive Excerpt: WARNING: May contain spoilers to the first 4 books in the Kavanagh Legends series.

Prologue Three Weeks Before Christmas

Dee Kavanagh

“You’re kidding, right?” Dee turned away from the stove to look at her husband of forty years. “Not in your health.”

Seamus grumbled something under his breath, putting the piece of bacon he’d been about to eat back on the serving plate. “One piece of bacon with breakfast won’t kill me.”

“Pfft. You’re mad.” She shook her head, and turned back to stirring the scrambled eggs she was making for her grandkids. “Plus, save it for the kids. They’ll be down for breakfast in a minute.”

Her oldest son, Rory, was away on a romantic weekend trip with his wife, Clare, leaving their two children, Murphy and Brontë, under the care of Seamus and Dee. Dee was, of course, thrilled. There was nothing she loved more than being a mother, and now a grandmother. She would spend all day every day with her grandkids if she could, and her heart was filled to overflowing to have so many now.

At the reminder, Dee gazed at the photo go her grandchildren in a homemade popsicle-stick frame on her kitchen countertop that Murphy had made for her. The photo inside was silly and sweet—all five grandchildren making funny faces at the camera. Well, four of the five. Shea was in the back looking stoically at the camera, which wasn’t unusual for the teenager with special needs. Shea was Kieran’s wife, Fiona’s, biological sister, and when their mother passed away, Fiona and Kieran had adopted her.

Dee didn’t care one bit that they weren’t related by blood. Being loved and part of their family didn’t have a DNA requirement, and that was something she’d raised all her boys to know.

Next to Shea in the photo was Rory and Clare’s two children, Murphy and Brontë. Murphy was crossing his eyes and Brontë was sticking her tongue out, laughing. Gavin was on the floor in front of them, his little arm around Ava’s shoulder as they both made faces at the camera. Gavin was Kieran and Fiona’s son, and the youngest of the entire group. Ava was Jimmy’s girlfriend Sophie’s daughter from a previous relationship, and had been embraced by the family when Sophie and Jimmy began dating.

“Have you checked your sugar yet?” Dee asked, plating the scrambled eggs and adding a serving spoon before placing it on the kitchen table next to the bacon and biscuits.

“Not yet.” Seamus pulled a blood glucose monitor out of a kitchen drawer and began swabbing his finger with an alcohol wipe. He barely looked up at her, his answers always as succinct as possible. He’d always been brusque, but this was different.

His recent diagnosis of diabetes had thrown them a major curveball, and completely changed their lives. It was a struggle, however, because the man loved his carbs and sugar. Changing sixty years of unhealthy eating habits had caused a lot of friction between them.

Wiping her hands off on a towel, Dee approached her husband’s side and watched as he pricked his finger and dabbed a drop of blood onto a testing strip.

“See? Healthy as all hell.” He turned the monitor towards her when it displayed his results, which thankfully were in a great range. “You worry too much.”

“I know. I can’t help it.” Dee sighed, and glanced toward the hallway to make sure the kids weren’t about to walk in. Returning her gaze to her husband, she placed a hand on his upper arm. “Seamus?”

He grunted. Forty years and he couldn’t even respond with a word?

“Next month is our anniversary.” She blinked quickly, taming the tears that wanted to flow. “I was thinking maybe we book ourselves a trip. Or a cruise. Get away and celebrate.”

He shrugged and then began putting away his supplies. “Fine.”

That’s it. “Damn it, Seamus!”

“What?” He turned bewildered eyes to her. “What’s wrong?”

“You, that’s what. You’re being a fecking asshole. I know that I’m being strict with this new diet, but the doctor said you’d die. You were nearly in a coma, Seamus. Your sugar was hundreds above where it should have been. Do you know what that was like for me?” Her voice was cracking, full of emotion as anger and heartbreak surged through her heavily Irish accented words. “I’ve spent more of my life as your wife than I ever was anything else. Losing you…shite. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t wake up every morning and not have you next to me. I—”

“Dee…” Seamus reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her to his chest and wrapping her in a hug. “Feck. I’m sorry. You know I don’t mean it. I’m a grumpy old bastard.”

“Such a bastard,” she mumbled into his shirt, sniffling, twisting her fingers in the fabric.

He chuckled, kissing the top of her head. “I know you’re just trying to keep me healthy. I’m trying, too. It’s hard, but I’m trying. I’d never do anything to shorten my time with you on this earth.”

Dee felt her heart soften again, the tension of their recent fiction sliding away. After almost forty years together, fighting was nothing new for them. In fact, it was one of the things they did best. He was an asshole, and she had known that the day they met, but he was also a wonderful husband and an even better father and grandfather.

“I love you, Dee.” He kissed her softly, and she felt the same flutter in her heart that he’d made her feel since the first time they’d laid eyes on one another. His voice deepened, developed a huskier lilt. “Maybe once the kids leave, I can show you how much.”

“Sweet talker,” she teased, whacking his arm before turning back to the table.

“Grandad!” Murphy came skipping into kitchen and tossed himself at his grandfather.

Seamus caught him just in time and swung him high above his head as the young boy’s laughter filled the air while he soared in the safety of his grandfather’s arms. “Hey, Murph! Did you sleep all right?”

“Eh.” Murphy shrugged and wiggled his way back down to the floor, turning his affections to Dee this time. “It’s okay. Hi, Nanna!” He squeezed her waist in a hug, his little head pressing into her stomach.

Dee picked him up and covered his cheeks with kisses. “Is my grandbaby hungry? Breakfast is ready!”

“Yes! Hey, Nanna, guess how old I’m going to be next week?” Murphy held up both hands, one with all his fingers up, and the other with only one. “Guess!”

“Hmmm.” She placed a finger on her chin. “I think twenty-seven, right?”

“No!” His laughter peeled out of him, warming her heart. “Guess again!”

“Thirteen?”

“Nope!” Murphy sat at the kitchen table, kicking his feet back and forth underneath him.

His little sister, Brontë, toddled into the kitchen, still holding her favorite blanket, her thumb shoved in her mouth.

“Hey, baby girl, do you know how old your brother will be next week?” Dee scooped up the young girl and kissed her.

“Six!” She burst out, her wet thumb popping from her mouth.

“Is that right? Six? I can’t believe it!” Dee feigned as Murphy vigorously nodded his head in agreement.

Dee sat Brontë in a booster seat at the table and filled both of their plates with eggs and bacon. A mournful expression crept over Seamus’ face as he stared at his bowl of oatmeal and pushed around the apple slices on top with his spoon.

Murphy held up both hands, six fingers raised. “Six, Nanna! Mama says I’m getting too big. She cries when I say that.”

Dee chuckled. “Well, mamas wish their kids stayed kids forever. We get sad thinking about them growing up.”

“Are your kids growed up?” Murphy asked, spooning a large bite of scrambled eggs into his mouth.

“My first kid is your daddy, baby,” Dee reminded him, sitting at the table between her grandkids.

“Oh, right.” Murphy looked deep in thought as he considered what she’d said. “That’s weird.”

Seamus laughed at that one then ruffled Brontë’s hair. She beamed at him, and offered him a piece of bacon which he only pretended to eat with loud, chomping noises that made her giggle. Dee loved watching Seamus with their grandkids—the love between them was so beautiful.

“Did Daddy look like me when he was your kid?” Murphy continued his line of questioning. Actually, his questions never stopped. The boy was a sponge, asking everyone a million questions all day long. She didn’t mind one bit, though.

“His hair was a bit darker, and he was shorter. A little stockier. You’ve got your mother’s height and slim frame. Very lucky, because your mother is beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful, too, Nanna.”

“Thanks, Murph.” She smiled. Kids were a goddamn blessing. “Do you like the eggs? You’ve only eaten one bite.”

He pushed some more around on his plate. “I think I’m not very hungry.”

“You said you were.”

The little boy sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I know. I changed my mind.”

Dee frowned, but squeezed his shoulder. “Are you feeling all right?”

He nodded. “Can I be excused? Grandad said I could play Xbox today!”

Seamus grinned, ignoring the look she shot him.

“Okay, but only for an hour. After that, no more electronics this weekend.”

“Whyyyy?” Murphy began to whine. “Just a little bit!”

“Hey, no whining,” Dee reminded him. “Santa’s coming in three weeks. We’ve got to be good to be on the nice list and get lots of presents.”

That reminder perked him right up. “I’m going to be the nicest boy on the whole list!”

“Good job!” she cheered, making a mental note to finish her Christmas shopping soon.

Murphy was already up and out of his seat, heading for the living room. They’d already made sure Rory set the games up before he left, so that the parental controls were on. For the life of her, Dee couldn’t figure out how to work the blasted machine herself.

Brontë smiled, her mouth full of food. “Nanna, can I have his bacon?”

“That’s my girl.” Seamus laughed, giving Brontë a thumbs-up. “My genes are strong.”

Dee rolled her eyes at her husband. “You can have one more piece, baby girl. Seamus, should I text Clare and tell her Murph isn’t eating?”

“Nah,” he replied. “I’m sure he’s fine. Let them have their romantic weekend in peace.”

“You’re right,” she agreed.

He lifted one brow, eyeing her. “You’re going to text her anyway, aren’t you?”

“Well, she’s a mom. She’ll want to know.” Dee was already pulling out her phone and scrolling to Clare’s name. “I’m sure she won’t mind.”

Seamus chuckled. “I love you, Dee.”

“Love you, too, baby.”

“I love you, both!” Brontë added herself to the conversation.

Dee smiled over her phone at the little girl, her heart overflowing.

#new release #novella #Kavanagh Christmas #Kavanagh Legends 5 #contemporary romance #Sarah Robinson #Hosted by InkSlinger PR

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