“And I want cuddles first.” Jack pulled her into him and looked at me.
I ran down the stairs and grabbed the Elf that was still in place from the day before. I had to think fast. I set him on the counter, took a bite of a cookie, and set it on top of him. Shit. I would have to look up ideas for this thing. Running back up the stairs, I climbed into bed.
“Where did you go?” Ellie asked.
“I was looking for my phone.” I tickled her, and she giggled.
“Come on, Ellie. Let’s get you some breakfast. I need a cup of coffee,” Jack said.
“Me too,” I said, climbing out of bed.
He picked Ellie up and carried her down the stairs. Setting her down, she ran around looking for the elf.
“Where did you put him?” Jack whispered.
“In the kitchen. God, I hate this. Why don’t you come up with some ideas?”
“No way. I hate that creepy thing,” Jack said as we walked into the kitchen.
“There you are!” Ellie spotted the elf. “Look, he’s eating a cookie.”
“Remember, you can’t touch him, or he’ll lose his magical powers,” I said, and Jack’s brows furrowed. I shrugged.
“You’re a silly elf for eating a cookie in the morning.” Ellie giggled.
Jack made us a cup of coffee while I made Ellie’s breakfast—scrambled eggs, an English muffin with butter, and blueberries that cost a fortune this time of year.
“Have you given any thought about dinner tonight?” I asked Jack.
“I’ll call Carmine’s. I know him personally. He’ll cater for us tonight.”
After Ellie finished her breakfast, she ran to the living room and played with her toys.
“I guess we should go out and look at bedroom furniture for her today,” Jack said.
“Good idea. Have fun.” I smiled, patting his chest.
“Excuse me? You’re coming with us. I don’t know the first thing about kid’s furniture.”
“And you think I do?” I cocked my head.
“You’re a woman. I’m sure your mind is filled with decorating ideas.”
“Don’t make me go out there,” I whined. “I had my fill yesterday.”
“You’re coming. End of discussion.”
I grabbed the elf from the counter and threw it at him. He grabbed it and immediately dropped it on the floor.
“That’s not funny, Sierra.”
“Yes, it is.” I laughed.
“You know I hate that thing. And now it lost its magical powers because you touched it.”
I couldn’t stop laughing. “That rule only applies to children, dummy.” I picked the elf up and set him back on the counter with the cookie.
We stepped inside Crate & Kids, which was massively decorated with Christmas décor and played soft Christmas music overhead.