Holly instantly pushed his chest, flipping Ben onto his back as she straddled his waist. “I’ll show you a daily toy quota.”
“If you keep this up, Grace, you’ll be Head Elf in no time.” A wicked smile appeared on Ben’s lips as his hands went to her hips.
“That’s my goal.”
Chapter Seven
“I am not wearing that.”
Holly crossed her red and green striped arms over her chest as she tapped her foot on the floor, making the bell chime. She was already two seconds from having a major headache and her father was about to put her over the top. “Yes, you are, Dad.”
Holly foolishly thought since Ben had taken so strongly to the costumes that maybe it’d be an easy picture to capture. Then she could actually get this Christmas card out in time and prove Mildred wrong.
Because after her talk with Ben, that was her only goal now.
Holly had to prove Mildred wrong.
Okay, if she was being honest, there was a part of her that still wanted to make sure everything went smoothly for the holidays. But to see the look on Mildred’s face after she did get the cards out on time was numero uno on the list.
That old coot had won way too many arguments over the years and it was about time Holly finally won one.
“You are out of your mind if you think I’m getting in that.” Henry sneered at the outfit disgusted.
“Dad, get in the dang costume. You only have to be in it until we get the picture.”
“I ain’t letting you have evidence of me in that thing.” Henry shook his head. “No freaking way.”
“Grandpa, it could be fun!” Jimmy grabbed his elf outfit holding it up in the air. “We’ll all look the same.”
It turned out Jimmy was a lot more like Ben than Holly thought. When the package arrived while they were adding the finishing touches to the Christmas tree Monday night, Holly had come clean and told Jimmy what she’d done.
To her complete surprise, the kid was all for it.
He remarked how neat it would be to dress up like the elves he saw when they went to see Santa at their local mall. Jimmy even went as far as to mention he should send the picture to Santa himself and see if he wanted to hire him for next year. Since he already would have the outfit after all.
Go figure.
Holly and Ben had both looked at each other dumbfounded before laughing. Holly should’ve known by now nothing ever happened the way she planned it.
“There ain’t no fun in dressing up like an idiot.”
Okay well, maybe. Her dad seemed to be pretty annoyed with the idea. “You are wearing it for the card and that’s final.” Holly’s arm snapped to her waist, making her green puffy skirt flare out.
“I can’t take you seriously when you look like that.”
“I look adorable.”
“You look like Christmas threw up.”
Holly huffed as she took her dad’s outfit and tossed it at his head. “Put it on. I’m your daughter. I don’t ask for much.”
His good brow shot up. “You ask a lot.”
“I do not.” She glared at him. “Now, put it on.”
“You’re pretty demanding for someone who doesn’t ask a lot.”
“Dad, put on the damn outfit. We are making this card. Get over it.” Why is he being so difficult? Yeah, I originally bought them to annoy everyone, but now it was more than that.
“I ain’t.”
“You are.”
“And why the hell is he here? Didn’t I get enough of him over the weekend?” Henry jerked his head toward John who was on the couch laughing his ass off.
“I needed someone to take our photo.” Holly crossed her arms over her chest again, narrowing her eyes at her father.
“And you picked him?”
“He was the easiest. Now, come on, we don’t have all night. Put that damn costume on or I’ll force you to wear it.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
“This is the best holiday ever.” John burst into more uncontrollable hysterics causing Holly to snap her head to him.
“There is one in there for you too, buddy. Don’t make me get it out.” Her eyes hardened at John. Her headache was for sure making itself known now.
John instantly stopped laughing.
That’s right, buddy.
However, before he could protest, Ben walked into the living room, making Holly’s jaw hit the floor.
“I look good, don’t I?”
Holy shit, Head Elf indeed. Holly swallowed hard as she looked him up and down. How the hell he was pulling this off, she had no idea. Holly was absolutely sure of one thing, though. As soon as they could, they’d be dragging these out again for a replay of the other night.
Ben caught her eye before giving her the once-over. It was like he could read her mind as his eyes heated. She did think she looked rather cute in her decked-out costume.
“You look like an elf,” Henry grumbled at Ben shaking his head.
“A sexy elf.” He winked at Holly. “I’d have all the lady elves after me.”
“No, you wouldn’t.” John jumped up from the couch.
“Yes, I would.” Ben flicked the top of his ear. “I’d drive them wild.”
Something flashed on John’s face. “Not as much as I’d drive them wild.”
Holly rolled her eyes as it began. Why was it always a competition between the two of them?
“Holly said she got me one too, I’m gonna put mine on and we’ll see who looks better.” John reached for one of the other outfits staring Ben down.
“Oh no you don’t.” Holly stopped John. “You two can play after the picture.”
“But I wanna show him what an idiot he looks like and how I’d look ten times better,” John cried.
“You wish. I look fine as hell.” Ben winked at Holly once more causing her headache to turn into a full-blown migraine.
With an annoyed scoff, John puffed his chest out. “You know what, you’re lucky. Your wife just stopped your ass from being slaughtered.”
“No, my wife just stopped you from looking like a fool.”
“You’re all fools. Especially in that outfit,” Henry mumbled. “I am not getting into that thing.”
“Yes, you are.” Holly swung her attention back to her father.
“No, I’m not.”
Before Holly could say another word, Jimmy ran into the living 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.