Ransom Drysdale - Thorns 💛

Chapter 20

Rose grunted as she felt Sloane jump onto the bed. She heard Ransom groan in bed beside her as Sloane laid between them.

"It's Christmas mama! Wake up!"

Rose laughed, seeing Ransom sit up.

"What?! It's Christmas?!" He turned to her, tickling her sides as she squealed. He laughed, letting her go. "Why don't you go to the living room and see if Santa came."

Sloane stood up from the bed, "Santa isn't real Ransom."

He laughed as she rolled her eyes at him, "fine then. Go wait in the living room patiently while your mom and I get dressed."

Sloane sighed but nodded, "don't take too long."

He laughed, plopping back on the bed next to Rose, "she's something else."

Rose smiled, "she loves Christmas."

He nodded, turning to face her, "you could have told me she didn't believe in Santa."

Rose shrugged, standing up from the bed, "you think I want her believing in some fictional man that sneaks into your house while you're sleeping and only leave you presents if he deems you were good. What happens when kids go to school and one kid gets an Xbox from 'Santa' and another kid only gets clothes or a book? I hate the idea of Santa. You probably like it because you were one of the kids that got whatever you wanted from 'Santa'."

"Okay!" Ransom laughed, "so cynical and serious so early in the morning. No Santa, I get it."

She smirked, "I'm sorry."

He shook his head, resting his hands at her waist, "don't be. I love you Rosie."

She moaned softly as he kissed her neck, "I love you too Ransom. So much."

He smiled, "me too. Come on."

Once Rose was dressed, she came out into the living room, looking at Ransom, "you went a little overboard, didn't you?"

He laughed, "maybe." He watched Sloane starting to open her presents as he grabbed a smaller one, handing it to Rose, "this is for you."

Rose sighed, accepting the box, "thank you Ransom." She opened it to find a heart necklace engraved with an R with a tiny 2.

"R squared. Ransom and Rose."

She laughed at his grin, "I love it Ransom, thank you." She leaned over to kiss him, feeling him gripping her tightly as she tried to stifle a moan. She groaned as she pulled away. "You can't kiss me like that Ransom."

He laughed, "I know. I'm sorry. We'll have to wait until later."

🌹🌹🌹🌹

Rose looked back at Paul before they entered the Thrombey house. "I apologize in advance for whatever happens tonight."

Paul chuckled, "it's fine honey. I'll be fine."

Ransom grabbed her hand, "it'll be okay. I promise." He felt Sloane grab his other hand as he led them into the house, finding most everyone in the sitting room.

"Ransom! Rose! You're here!" Linda greeted them, standing up as they entered the sitting room.

Rose hugged her awkwardly, "thank you for inviting us." She motioned to her father, "I believe you met my father at the wake, this is Paul."

Linda nodded, "yes of course. I remember. I'm glad you guys are here. It's actually nice to have a kid around at Christmas for once." She nudged Ransom, "will there be more?"

Ransom laughed as Rose blushed, "eventually mother. Eventually. One thing at a time."

Rose felt Sloane pulling on her dress. She looked down at her, "what love?"

"I'm hungry mama."

Linda smiled, "there's a bunch of food set up in the dining room, help yourselves."

Ransom nodded, looking down at Sloane, "I'll get you something."

Paul grabbed Sloane's hand, going to sit down with her, leaving Rose alone with Linda.

Linda sighed, "I wanted to apologize for the last time you were here about Richard. Sometimes he doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut."

Rose smiled, "it's fine. I understand. But I'd love your son even if he wasn't Ransom Drysdale. With or without the money, he's just my Ransom. I love him as he is."

Linda grinned, "I know that. But it is nice to here. I noticed Ransom has been taking house listings. You guys looking to move?"

Rose sighed, "he just sold his condo and we are looking at houses. There is one I think we're looking at. He's been living at my apartment and it is getting a little cramped. Sloane needs her own space and if we do decide to have more kids, we want room for that."

Linda nodded, "and is that something you think will happen?"

Rose laughed, "like Ransom said, we just want to take it one thing at a time. We're trying to not rush anything. One step at a time."

Linda sighed, "fine then. I have something for you." She put her arm around Rose's shoulder, leading her into Harlan's study.

Rose watched her open Harlan's top drawer, pulling out a small box.

Linda handed the box to Rose. "I've been cleaning out the house a bit. These were my mother's. I wanted to give them to you."

"Oh Linda. You really didn't have to do that." She opened the box to find a pair a diamond drop earrings, "they're beautiful. This is too much." She closed the box, handing them back to Linda.

Linda pushed them back at her, "I want you to have them. It's fine I have so much jewelry already. And hopefully someday soon you'll be my daughter in law and you can wear them at your wedding. I know how fond Harlan was of you in such a short amount of time. He'd want you to have them."

Rose nodded, feeling her eyes wet with tears, "well thank you. I really appreciate that. And I was quite fond of Harlan as well."