Chapter 4
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“This is the second smile I’ve seen on your face this week,” Munch said. He smirked as he placed his latest file into Olivia’s in-box.
She rolled her eyes at him. “I still need your partner’s report too.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s done with it. I’ll ask her where it is if she ever returns with the eggnog coffee she conned us into.”
“Yeah,” she grimaced. “You can have mine. I’m not sure those two things should ever mix. Or that eggnog should even be a thing.”
“Tell that to Rollins,” he said. “So, if it’s not the festive drinks and other trimmings that she’s tried to introduce to the precinct that have you smiling, pray tell, what is?”
“Can’t I just be having a good morning for once?”
“At this time of year, frankly, no.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re a regular grinch this time of year. It’s an annual tradition.”
“I would have thought you’d be one of the last people complaining about anyone whose not buying into all of this forced holiday drivel.”
“The holiday drivel doesn’t bother me at all. Not even when I was a little thing in Hebrew school. I like the lights,” he said. “I also like all the peppermint chocolates.”
“Yeah, well, maybe I’m just having a good morning.”
Her phone’s text alert interrupted the interrogation as a picture of Noah popped up on her screen. He was smiling and reaching toward a toy train circling a mini-Cony Island.
“Well, isn’t that sweet and festive,” Munch said, watching Olivia smile at her phone.
“The, uh, fill-in babysitter, is just taking him out for a little air.”
“Benson, I’ve lived here even longer than you. Someone has taken your little tyke to the NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show.”
“Do you have a point?”
“One Benson is out enjoy traditional holiday activities. The other Benson is smiling to herself in her office. Santa must have come early this year.”
“Munch, I hate to tell you this, but their is no Santa. Santa is just another excuse for overindulgence.”
“So, you’re planning a Santa-less existence for the entirety of little Benson’s childhood?”
“Not if Cas-” she cleared her throat. “Not for lack of trying. You know, everyone seems very concerned about my son and my lack of Christmas spirit.”
“Who is everyone?”
“It’s nothing. I just don’t see why I should raise my son to believe in Santa.”
“No one said you have to, Liv,” he said. “But you know, I’ll take any reminder, any symbol, any excuse people need to treat each other better. To have a little hope in the world. Even if it’s just for a few weeks.”
“I really didn’t expect this from you too.”
“From whom else did you not expect it?”
She tried to stare him down.
“Who took Noah to the model train show?”
“A - friend, who is helping me out with Noah for a little bit, just until my nanny and babysitters are back from their holiday breaks.”
“You’ve known me how long? Do you really expect to let this go?”
“It’s Casey. Casey’s watching him for me.”
“Casey, our erstwhile ADA?”
“Yes, though currently she’s just my neighbor.”
“Casey Novak is filling in for your nanny.”
“Yes.”
“Did you have to pay her a retainer?” The mirth behind his eyes was unmistakable.
“She’s freelance right now. Think of it as moonlighting.”
“This is even better than eggnog coffee,” he said, twinkly in his eye.
“Munch, everything is better than eggnog coffee.”
“Nope,” he shook his head. “Even your annual misanthropy can’t tarnish this,” he beamed.
“She’s just doing me a favor,” Olivia said. She sighed and straightened. “Now, get out of my office.”
“I am filled with joy,” he said on his way out.
“Glad I could make your day, Munch.”