Page 44 of Dead Fun

Ezra clapped when he unwrapped the same toy. “Artooooo!”

“You’ve both got to take good care of R2. Make sure he’s fed nuts and bolts so he’ll grow big and strong.” Barb snapped pictures of the boys together.

“Thank you!” the kids yelled, running to Barb to kiss the baby bump.

Ten got up from his seat and headed for Ronan, who stood at the back of the gathering with Fitz. “This was so much fun.”

“Oh, yeah?” Ronan raised an eyebrow at his husband. “Our credit card is yelling uncle!”

Ten rolled his eyes. “I couldn’t resist buying all of those baby dresses. They’re so cute.” He pointed to a clothesline strung up over the gift table, where ten dresses hung, some with matchinghats and socks. Standing nearby was a pink suitcase for Barb to take everything home in.

Ronan wrapped his arms around Ten. “They sure are cute.” There was one question Ronan wanted to ask his husband. It was a sensitive topic, and he wasn’t sure if now was the time or place.

“No, David hasn’t responded to me yet,” Ten said, obviously reading his mind. “I was hoping to hear from him while River was here, but I don’t think I will.”

“I hate to say it, but David will get in touch in his own good time.”

“I know he will.” Ten sighed. “After learning Baxter Brighthouse killed his own father, I knew now was the time to forgive David and to see if we could get our relationship back on track.”

“Yeah, I had a feeling that was the case. I got a call from Major McKlusky at the State Police. Mary Lou agreed to a plea deal that includes the possibility of parole. She’ll plead guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, with Baxter and Walt both being charged with the murder of Kotter Brighthouse.”

“What about the money?” Ten asked.

“The statute of limitations on embezzlement is six years, which is long past.” Ronan shook his head. He wasn’t crazy about that small window of time, but that’s how the cookie crumbled. Win some. Lose some. “They’ll all be in jail for years to come. Thanks to their ages, Mary Lou’s and Walt’s sentences will equal life in prison. Baxter will get twenty-five to life, which means with good behavior, he’ll probably be out on parole in twenty years.”

“What’s going to happen to Fun-A-Rama?” Ten asked.

“It’s going to remain open through the end of the summer season, and at that time, the board of directors will decide what’s next. I assume someone will buy it and keep it open, just like Baxter Brighthouse wanted. You interested in buying it?” Ronan asked with a snicker.

“No, thanks. I’ve had enoughfunto last a lifetime.” Ten rolled his eyes.

“We’re only getting warmed up.” Ronan kissed his husband.

“Ew! Kissing!” the kids yelled.

Ezra toddled up to Ten and Ronan. “No kiss. Dada!”

Ronan scooped his son into the air. “How about I kiss you instead?” Ronan peppered his son’s head and arms with kisses, making Ezra laugh.

“Me too!” Everly wrapped her arms around Ten, who knelt beside her and kissed his little girl until she was giggling too.

Setting Ezra free, he ran back to Wolf, who was trying to get his toy out of the box. Everly was right behind him. She went for her doll and tried to pry the box open.

“I’ll go help her.” Ten pressed a kiss to the palm of Ronan’s hand.

With his eyes roaming over the family he and Tennyson made, Ronan couldn’t help but feel like he was the luckiest man alive.

THE END