Page 33 of Havoc for the Holidays

“If that isn't a Christmas wish to die for, I don't know what is.” I scrunched my nose as his proposal flustered and exhilarated me in equal measure.

“God. You're criminally adorable.” He shoved me toward the passenger side and scurried around the front of the car. “I don't know how I got this lucky.”

His words warmed my heart as I slid into the vehicle. He might think he was the lucky one, but I knew that title belonged to me. I'd never known what I was missing till this brash, bold, beautiful man appeared in my life and set everything right. It was the best gift I could ever receive. Merry Christmas to me. Perhaps the merriest of all.

Chapter twenty

Ezechiel

New Year’s Eve

“Baby, I can't find my toothbrush.” Ollie’s voice carried down the hall from my bathroom.Mybathroom. I smiled to myself with giddiness. It was the morning after heandBecs had both spent the night. Ollie had spent quite a few nights here just he and I while his parents spent quality time spoiling the littlest redhead. This milestone was a first for us. It felt so impossibly right to have them both in my cottage, I was damn near ready toask him to move in straight away. Too bad we promised to wait six months. The first of June couldn't come fast enough.

“Medicine cabinet, love. Right hand side.”

“Found it!”

“Ez, is it almost pancake time?” The aforementioned fiery haired darling peeked up at me where we stood at the counter.

“Just about.” I smiled down at her with a wink. “Extra chocolate chips in yours.”

“You're the bestest.” She leaned in closer. “Second to Daddy, anyway.”

“I agree. Your Daddy is the bestest of the best.” I tousled her hair and returned to the task at hand. As it would happen, I was better at breakfast. Ollie’s dinners were divine spectacles of classic comfort food, but frankly, he sucked at breakfast. It was one of many examples of how we were perfectly matched.

“Laney’s daddy’s boyfriend makes cinnamon swirl pancakes. You get that recipe, okay?” Becs hopped across the kitchen and paused to squint at the fridge. “This is boring. I'm gonna make you pictures for here like at our house.”

“That sounds like the greatest idea ever, little love.” I watched out of the corner of my eye as she disappeared through the doorway and smiled even wider. Considering I was not a fan of children before moving to Windhaven, I was surprised at my one hundred eighty degree flip. All my students had grown on me, but Becs had truly managed to weasel herself into my heart. Not only did I have a boyfriend, but I also found myself with a built-in partner in crime, too. Dating a single father was a two-for-one deal that I was blessed to be the recipient of.

“Something smells divine,” Ollie murmured as he slid in behind me and propped his chin on my shoulder. “I didn't mean to sleep in so long. Was she too much trouble?”

I leaned back against his chest and exhaled in contentment. “Not at all. You looked too peaceful to wake when she camelooking for a glass of water. We ended up watching some cartoons. Ten out of ten, great way to start the day.”

“Oh God, did you get your first experience of Bluey?” He nuzzled my neck with a huff of laughter. “I don't know whether to apologize or laugh.”

“Um, excuse me? Bluey is awesome. I'm a convert now.”

“I'll admit… I sometimes forget to stop the stream after she's fallen asleep. I don't know if it's the accents or the low stakes action, but I get—”

“Sucked right in.” I finished his sentence with a laugh. “I could have kept watching all morning, but the little tyke was hungry.”

“You didn't have to do all this. I appreciate it.” Ollie stepped to the side as I moved to flip the last of the pancakes onto the platter.

“It's my pleasure. I love spoiling you both.” I nodded toward the small round table in the corner. “Becs helped by setting the table.”

“Goodness. All this pampering will go to my head.” He invited himself to the coffee pot and poured himself a mug. I was over the moon that he finally, finally did so without asking permission first. The fact that I kept his favorite coffee creamer on hand earned me another quiet thank you and a bright red blush. God, he was criminally adorable.

“Becs, breakfast,” I called out as I set the platter in the middle of the table. Her socked feet pounded through the house before she arrived in the kitchen with a flash of red and a merry giggle.

Only once we were all settled with our food did the conversation resume. It was a big day. One I never would have expected until my Oliver took it upon himself to spread the word about what the studio could offer.

“What’s the plan today?” Oliver peeked across the table at me with his fork poised in front of his mouth. “And how can I help?”

“Mom is going to head over to the inn at three and set up the room for the girls’ sleepover. We have to be there at four. Lessons from five to seven, and then the party starts.”

“Yeah, Miss Judy said it's gonna be like a Princess Party so I'm bringing the tiaras, okay?” Becs set her fork down to reach for her glass of milk with both hands. “It's gonna be great.”

“Yes it will be, my darling.” Ollie reached over to tuck a curl behind her ear. He turned his gaze back to me before continuing. “And your mom is feeling alright? It won't be too much?”

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