~

 

“It’s hardly funny,” Owen said as he offered the stink eye to Jon.

“I think it’s funny,” Harvey chuckled as he watched Macy inspecting the new toy that her grandpa had given her.

“Well, you would because you’re a barbarian Neanderthal,” Owen offered back. He was unimpressed by the older man’s gift.

“But what’s it for?” Macy asked as she turned it within her small hands.

“Well,” Jon said as he tried to hold on to the chuckle that was threatening to escape. “It has two purposes. The first, it’s like a little insurance policy. The second, have you ever played pin the tail on the donkey?”

“Let’s not go there,” Owen gave a small shake of his head.

“Oh, let’s,” Harvey chuckled again.

“Do you really want to give the child nightmares?” Owen demanded.

“Macy is quite resilient,” Jordan said as she spluttered laughter at the vampire’s expense.

“It’s in poor taste,” Owen grumbled in disgust.

“But where is the donkey?” Macy asked as she looked around hopefully.

“That’s the donkey,” Jon said as he pointed a finger at Owen and the vampire grumbled something under his breath.

“I don’t understand,” Macy said as she looked to her mother for answers.

“And that’s a good thing,” Owen offered back.

“But, I thought grown up’s were supposed to tell kids things,” Macy said with a frown.

“Only things that you need to hear,” Owen assured her.

“But how are you a donkey?” Macy asked, refusing to let the subject go.

“I’m not the donkey.”

“But…” Macy started, but Owen cut her off.

“Chocolate. Cake. Ice cream. Tell me when I hit the right thing that will make you stop asking questions,” Owen stared at Macy, and she stared him right back in the eye.

“A dress,” Macy said.

“I think that’s a great idea. Owen would look great in a dress,” Harvey chuckled at the thought of it.

“A nice pink one with frilly bits and sequins,” Jordan teased the vampire. “And I can see him in a hat with a feather too.”

“Behave,” Owen warned.

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” Harvey grinned.

“Lying six foot under the ground with my patience,” Owen offered back with a bored tone.

“But you and Macy could get matching outfits,” Jordan teased him once more.

“Can we?” Macy was excited at the prospect.

“Not in this lifetime,” Owen shot back. Macy’s excitement dropped away, and Harvey growled at the vampire in annoyance.

“Keep it up, and you won’t get another one,” Harvey growled.

“Like this is my fault,” Owen shot back. He lifted his hand and pointed an accusing finger at Jon. “He started it.”

“Don’t point at my grandpa like that!” Macy scowled at the vampire as she lifted the stake that Jon had whittled for her and pointed it at Owen.

“She’s got the right idea,” Harvey said.

“I’d say she takes after her mother,” Owen muttered as he rolled his eyes back in his head and groaned.

“I’d say she’s going to be just fine,” Jon chuckled. “But, you can never be too careful.”

“I’m offended,” Owen lied.

“Good,” Jon grinned and the vampire did a double take at him as Jordan chuckled harder.

“But why is he the donkey?” Macy said again.

“A dress. Done,” Owen offered to the child in the hopes that she would let it go. Macy was silent for a moment as she eyed the vampire across the table.

“Mummy says you can’t buy a new dress without buying shoes,” Macy offered back.

“Extortionist,” Owen muttered. “Fine, shoes too.”

“And you can’t buy a dress and shoes without buying something pretty for my hair,” that time Macy offered him a mischievous grin filled with victory.

“Is this what my life has come to?” Owen grumbled. “Blackmailed by a child.”

“Looks that way, doesn’t it?” Harvey had no problem offering his friend a wide smirk.

“What next?” Owen rolled his eyes.

“A pony!” Macy squealed.

“No!” Owen frowned at the little madam as they stared off against each other. “Maybe — when you’re older.” Owen caved first.

“Sucker!” Jordan offered on a mutter that Macy couldn’t hear.

“In more ways than one,” Harvey added.

Owen took a moment to eye the child, and she gave him her best innocent pose, but she just couldn’t keep the smirk from turning up the corners of her mouth.

If he wasn’t careful that little madam would wrap him around her finger.

Hell, who was he trying to kid? She already had.

The end.