The Bank of Second Chances | Zarry

⚫️Epilogue ⚫️

8 years later

October 31st 🎃👻💀
5:18 P.M.

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Tonight was Halloween, a holiday that had become a family favorite over the years, and this one was shaping up to be their most memorable one yet.

In the living room, Harry sat on the couch, adjusting the round blueberry costume that encased his heavily pregnant belly. The costume was ridiculous, really—dark blue tights stretched over his swollen ankles, his face painted a matching shade of blue and the oversized, but comfortable blue berry top he had on—it was all part of the fun. After all, they had committed to the Willy Wonka theme this year, and Harry, ever the good sport, had agreed to be Violet Beauregarde, the character who famously turned into a giant blueberry.

Zayn, dressed as Willy Wonka himself, was fussing with his top hat in the hallway mirror. His costume was impeccable, as always—complete with a purple velvet coat, a cane, and the iconic top hat that Harry had insisted was "a bit too much" but Zayn had deemed essential.

"Baba! Baba!" Sunny's excited voice echoed through the house as she ran down the stairs, her chocolate candy bar princess dress bouncing with every step. She twirled in front of Zayn, showing off the sparkling chocolate wrapper-inspired dress that she had fallen in love with the moment she saw it.

"You look beautiful, Sunny," Zayn said with a grin, bending down to kiss her on the forehead.

Sunny giggled, her nine-year-old laughter infectious. "Thanks, Baba! Where's Daddy? I wanna show him!"

"In the living room, love. Go on, let him see how sweet you look," Zayn said, watching with a fond smile as Sunny dashed off to find Harry.

In the kitchen, Arlo was putting the finishing touches on his Oompa Loompa costume. At eleven years old, he was starting to grow out of the whimsical costumes he'd loved as a child, but he had agreed to this one for the sake of the family theme. His orange-painted face matched his vibrant green wig, and the brown overalls looked just right on him. He caught a glimpse of himself in the kitchen window and snorted.

"Looking good, Arlo," he muttered to himself, though the half-smile on his face said he didn't mind the silliness as much as he pretended to.

"Arlo, come on! We're going to be late!" Sunny's voice rang out from the living room, and Arlo rolled his eyes good-naturedly. She always worried about being late, even for trick-or-treating.

"I'm coming!" Arlo called back, grabbing his candy bag and heading toward the front of the house.

When he entered the living room, he found Harry on the couch, hands resting on his enormous belly, and Sunny twirling around him, showing off her costume. Harry's face lit up when he saw them both, his blue-painted cheeks crinkling with a smile.

"You two look amazing," Harry said, his voice full of affection. He reached out to play with Arlo's green wig. "You make a perfect Oompa Loompa."

Arlo grinned, shaking his head to make the wig bob. "Thanks, Dad. You're, uh, looking pretty round yourself."

Harry gave him a glare but laughed, with his son anyway. "Yeah, well, I've got a little help in that department," he said, patting his belly. "This little girl decided she wanted to be part of the costume, too."

Zayn entered the room, his cane tapping the hardwood floor. "And what a spectacular family we are," he declared, striking a pose as Willy Wonka. "Are we ready to make some Halloween magic happen?"

Arlo and Harry caught each others glances and burst into laughter at Zayn's antics. Harry glanced over at the clock on the wall. They had planned to meet up with Michael, Ainsley, and the Tatums soon so the kids could trick-or-treat together. Part of him wanted to stay home and rest—he was eight months pregnant, after all—but their family costume was too epic to miss out on. And besides, he couldn't deny the excitement for his kids.