Page 33 of A Crossroads Christmas

I ducked a second before the snowball hit the front window with a muted thud. “Oh, it’s on now,” I declared, setting my mug down as I chuckled. I rushed down the stairs, scooped up snow, and packed it into a tight ball. Before I could throw it, a snowball hit me in the center of my chest. Two more followed. Damn. My kids didn’t mess around.

“We’re not going easy on you,” Rev declared.

“Old man,” Thunder snickered.

My Reaper snickered and rose to the challenge. “Better get ready!” I shouted, laughing as they scattered.

All three scurried to make snowballs as I formed a big pile, waiting for everyone to finish. A snowball fight ensued that somehow morphed into a war with all three of my kids on one side and me on the other.

More laughter bubbled from my chest as we hurled snowballs, pelting one another until we had to take a break. More snow began to blow around, and the fat flakes disappeared as icy rain began to fall. Little needles pricked my skin when the frozen precipitation landed on my face.

“Inside, kids. Time to get warm.”

Gina opened the front door and shivered. “Hot cocoa is ready.” She smiled as I walked up the porch steps with Thunder. “You all look too cold. Come in and warm up by the fire.”

Rev raced inside, followed by Olivia.

“We’ll be right in, Babe,” I announced as she nodded, blowing me a kiss before closing the door.

“You okay, Dad?” Thunder asked, stomping snow from his boots.

“Yeah.” I rubbed my chest over my heart, feeling anxious. It was more the Reaper than me. Something was off. “Well, I don’t know.”

“What is it?”

“A feeling. I need to call Grim.”

Thunder understood. His keen senses picked up on these things as I did. Blood usually became the catalyst for me, especially with my work as a tattoo artist. For Thunder, his years of suffering and loss developed a sensitivity and awareness most people could never fathom.

The point was that I knew he felt it too. My Reaper confirmed it, but he didn’t need to; I already felt that Thunder became anxious about the same moment that I did.

“Then let’s call him.”

“D.J. IS FINALLY ASLEEP,” Mimi murmured as she joined me on the couch.

I slid my arm around her and hugged her against my side. “He always fights it like he doesn’t want to miss out,” I joked.

“Yeva used to do that, too,” she reminded me.

He did. “Yeah. He still plays until he’s too tired to keep his eyes open any longer.”

“It’s hard to be four,” she laughed. “God, I’m tired.”

“Take a nap, Sunshine. I’ve got you.”

“There’s so much to do,” she replied, stifling a yawn.

“What? Dishes? Laundry? It’s not goin’ anywhere, Babe. Rest.”

“Okay.”

And that fast, she relaxed, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep. Adorable.

I held her for a long while, not paying attention to the time. The silent house felt calm and peaceful, so when I felt my Reaper grow agitated, I knew it had nothing to do with my family. That was confirmed a few minutes later when I saw Chaos run up the steps to my front door and knock.

I tried to move quietly enough that I didn’t wake Mimi, but she stirred as I shifted underneath her, rising to my feet.

Chaos knocked again.

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