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"Do you think you got enough candy?" Derek laughed, his daughter in one arm and her bag of Halloween candy in another as they walked back from an hour of trick or treating. All of the older kids in their neighborhood were just starting to come out, passing them as they headed home. Leighton had begged him to stay out longer, wanting to show off her costume that she and her Grandma had picked out.

"I got so much candy Daddy!" Leighton exclaimed. "So much candy. I'm gonna have candy forever and ever!"

"Well you can't have any until you eat dinner though."

"When is dinner?" Leighton rest her head on her Dad's shoulder.

"As soon as Meredith gets here." Derek breathed.

"She's comin' over Daddy!" Leighton exclaimed, piercing her lips together like a fish and bopping her head around.

"I know." He chuckled. His daughter was excited, so he couldn't complain but in some ways, he was dreading her visit.

"Gotta get home!"

"We are."

"Good cause my toes are tired Daddy." Leighton sighed, even though her father was carrying her the whole walk home.

"Probably from all that dancing you did at every house."

"I said trick or treat...then they gave me candy!"

"Yup. That's how it works." Derek laughed.

"And I danced like a ballerina mouse!"

"You sure did. I'm very proud of you."

"Meredith!" Leighton's eyes lit up as she saw the woman sitting on the front porch of their home.

"Go ahead." He chuckled, putting his daughter down. She ran to Meredith the moment her feet touched the pavement.

"You came!"

"I told you I would." Meredith put the food bags down, lifting Leighton up as soon as she came up to her. Meredith couldn't help but hug the child tight.

"Do you like my costume?" The little girl pressed a kiss on Meredith's cheek.

"You're the best ballerina mouse I have ever seen!"

"Look at all the candy I got!" Leighton pointed at Derek as he approached the front steps.

"Hey..." Derek breathed, reaching over and fixing Leighton's coat.

"Hi." Meredith breathed.

"Can I um...Let me help you bring that all inside."

"I've got her." She avoided eye contact with him.

"Okay." Derek sighed, picking up the bags of food that she had brought over and letting them into the house.

"What did you bring?" Leighton asked, returning Meredith's attention to her.

"Chicken nuggets and fries for us...a salad for Daddy...your Dad."

"I love chicken nuggets!"

"Leighton, can you take your jacket upstairs so Daddy can talk to Meredith for a minute?" Derek requested.

"Okay Daddy!" Leighton replied, rushing out of the room before Meredith could stop her.

"Thank you...for coming." Derek breathed, taking the food out of the paper bags and placing it onto the table.

"Should I get her apple juice or has she already had a glass today?"

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