Her little hand was wrapped around his fingers. The lace under her dress was brushed with dirt and a free leaves were stuck to it. Matt reached down to fix the bow in her hair. She insisted on the costume since it came from the book he'd been reading at night time.
Slowly, porch lights were turning off for the night. Some families still walked the sidewalk with sleepy kids in tow.
Matt pushed the stroller forward, where inside Grayson was asleep. He was fussy, protesting against wearing his hat and bow tie. Matt looked over at you, with Cody against your chest, looking around at the world. Looking around, it was a testament to how things have changed. No longer were you throwing together costumes and going to a party where people were wearing enough makeup to make them unrecognisable.
Matt preferred this version better. The Dad version. Taking his kids trick or treating, bundling everyone up, putting on costumes and taking a family picture. Cody chewing on his costume and Grayson fussing being in Madison's lap, wanting to be on the floor. He didn't mind if it was cold and wet, the look of joy in Madison's eyes after each house was enough for him.
Matt leaned over and kissed your head, before kissing Cody's head.
"Hi" Matt whispered. "Warm enough?"
You nodded, tugging at the woolly scarf around your neck. "Babies are like personal space heaters" you said, rubbing a hand down your sons back.
Now, Madison was falling asleep. She was falling against Matt's leg and rubbing her eyes. Matt smiled and squeezed her hand.
"Did you have fun?" He asked, balancing her bucket on his arm as she nuzzled her face against his leg with a nod.
"Yeah" she mumbled, blinking slowly.
"Are you tired?" She nodded again. Matt smiled, shrugging off his jacket and wrapping it around her. "Come here" he whispered, picking her up and sitting her on his hip. "It's time to get home, isn't it?"
He kissed her forehead, smiling at the chocolate around her lips, from the piece she took. "Yeah" she mumbled into his neck.
"She'll sleep good tonight" you said, watching her fall asleep on Matt's shoulder.
Matt shrugged. "If my Mom doesn't sneak her anymore candy" he laughed, bouncing her on his hip.
"I'm glad we came here to take her" you looked around at the other families with small children. In a place this close knit and small, everyone knew everyone.
"Me too" Matt agreed. "It's nice to be home sometimes"
"Both asleep on their first Halloween" you said, looking down at the baby on your chest, before looking into the stroller.
"Too much fun for one night. Must be hard being ten months old" Matt joked, turning the corner to his parents street. He could see the lights his Mom made his Dad hang around the door every year and the pumpkins they carved earlier on the front steps.
"So tough, huh?" You cooed, stroking Cody's cheek.
"Trick or treat!"
MaryLou looked up from where she was standing at the door and smiled. "Hello!" She took in all sleeping children. "Looks like a success"
"Three sleeping kids and some chocolate is a good night" Matt laughed
Madison shifted in Matt's arms, rubbing her eyes as she looked around. "Hi, grandma!"
"Hi, sweetie" MaryLou held her arms out for Madison to go to her.
Matt set Madison down, before she took off towards MaryLou, bending down to pick up a stirring Grayson in the stroller.
