chapter 56: halloween

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Third person pov:

On Halloween night, the streets were alive with laughter and excitement as Siobhan and Vivian guided their three little ones from house to house. Siobhan, with her blonde hair styled as a unique take on Morticia Addams, looked every bit the part with her long black dress, while Vivian, dressed as Gomez, held her arm gallantly and kept up her best Gomez accent, earning giggles from Jamie.

Jamie, the fearless pirate, clutched his candy bucket and marched ahead with confidence, eyepatch slightly askew. Hailey, dressed in her Elsa gown, twirled around every few steps, loving the way her sparkly dress caught the streetlights. And little Harper, as Snow White, held tightly to Siobhan's hand, her red bow bright against her dark curls as she gazed around in wonder at all the spooky decorations.

After a fun-filled night of trick-or-treating, Siobhan and Vivian decided it was time for the kids’ special visits. When they pulled up to Marjorie and Reece’s home, Harper immediately recognized where she was. The moment Marjorie opened the door, Harper let out an excited, "Mar Mar!" and practically squirmed out of Siobhan's arms, reaching for Marjorie with all her might. Her joy was contagious, and Marjorie couldn’t stop smiling as she scooped Harper up, the little girl’s laughter filling the entryway.

Next, they took Jamie and Hailey to Winter and Autumn’s. Jamie, barely able to contain his excitement, hugged Winter tightly the moment he saw him, chattering on about all the candy he’d collected. Hailey, on the other hand, was perfectly content as Autumn took her in her arms. She leaned in, relaxed and happy, as if she knew this was exactly where she wanted to be.

With the kids safely with their friends for the night, Siobhan and Vivian headed home to their quiet, cozy house. They changed into pajamas, prepared snacks, and curled up together on the couch with blankets. They watched horror movies, sharing popcorn and clinging to each other during the tense scenes, laughing whenever one of them jumped.

As the evening wore on, they found themselves lost in comfortable conversation, talking about their favorite Halloween memories with the kids and all the joy they brought. This rare, uninterrupted time alone made them feel even closer, reminding them of how special their connection was.

Finally, as the last movie ended, they both drifted off to sleep, still wrapped up in each other, thankful for this Halloween night—a perfect mix of family, love, and quiet moments just for them.

As they snuggled closer on the couch, the final credits of the movie rolled in the dim light of the living room, casting flickering shadows that added a cozy, spooky ambiance. Siobhan traced gentle circles on Vivian’s hand, savoring the rare quietness in their home. She looked over, noticing the small, content smile on Vivian's face, her eyes half-closed in relaxation.

“Tonight was perfect,” Siobhan murmured, squeezing Vivian’s hand. “All the laughter, the costumes, the kids’ excitement… I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Vivian smiled, turning to press a soft kiss on Siobhan’s forehead. “I couldn’t agree more. Watching the kids make memories like this—it's like reliving all the joy of our own childhood Halloweens. And then coming home to just us…” Her voice softened as she added, “It reminds me of all the reasons I fell in love with you.”

They sat in silence for a moment, letting the warmth of those words settle between them. The house was so quiet; it felt like they were the only two people in the world. Siobhan rested her head on Vivian’s shoulder, sighing happily as she wrapped the blanket tighter around them.

“I love these little moments with you,” Siobhan said, her voice barely a whisper. “Amidst all the busyness, it’s nice to just… be.”

Vivian nodded, closing her eyes. “Our family is everything I ever wanted. But this—just us—is something I’ll always cherish.”

After a few more quiet moments, Siobhan shifted and looked up at Vivian with a playful glint in her eyes. “Okay, one more horror movie?” she suggested with a grin.

Vivian laughed, shaking her head but unable to resist the idea. “Alright, one more. But only if you don’t get scared and cling to me the entire time.”

Siobhan laughed softly, snuggling even closer. “No promises.”

As the movie began, they held each other close, lost in the blend of spooky thrills and heartwarming memories that Halloween had brought them. For Siobhan and Vivian, this was a night to remember—not just for the scares and laughter, but for the love they shared, the family they’d built, and the rare moments of quiet that were truly their own.

As the opening scenes of the last movie played, Siobhan found herself drawn to the flickering light of the screen, her heart feeling light and full. Wrapped up in Vivian's arms, she felt an overwhelming sense of calm and gratitude, her fingers interlaced with Vivian’s in a silent reassurance. The horror movie was intense, filled with jumps and suspense, but every so often, they’d catch each other’s eyes and burst out laughing, the tension melting into shared glances and whispered jokes.

Halfway through, Vivian leaned over, brushing a strand of hair from Siobhan’s face. “I still can’t believe how amazing tonight was. The costumes, the kids’ excitement… did you see Jamie’s face when he met Winter at the door?” She grinned, a look of fondness crossing her face. “I don’t think I’ve seen him that excited in a long time.”

Siobhan smiled, nodding. “And Harper with Marjorie? I don’t think she’s ever let out a louder ‘Mar Mar!’ in her life. And Hailey was so happy with Autumn—it’s like she’s found her favorite spot in the world.”

Vivian laughed softly, giving Siobhan’s hand a squeeze. “We’re so lucky to have friends who love our kids as much as we do. And tonight…” Her voice trailed off, her gaze growing softer. “Tonight, we get to just be us.”

Siobhan looked up, meeting her gaze, and felt her heart swell. “Sometimes, I forget how important this is,” she whispered. “Time for us to just… remember who we are to each other, without everything else.”

Vivian nodded, her voice a quiet promise. “I’ll always make time for this. For us. No matter how much life throws our way.”

They both fell silent, basking in the moment. The movie faded into the background, the scares now secondary to the warmth of being together. After a while, Siobhan lay her head on Vivian’s shoulder, closing her eyes as she breathed in the familiar scent that always brought her peace.

“Thank you for tonight,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the faint sounds of the movie.

Vivian wrapped her arms around her a little tighter, pressing a gentle kiss to Siobhan’s forehead. “Anytime, my love. I’ll always be here.”

As the night deepened and the final scene of the movie played, they sat in the warm glow of the screen, feeling grateful and deeply connected. Halloween had given them the thrill of a little adventure, the joy of family, and, in the end, the quiet comfort of being in each other’s arms—exactly where they both wanted to be.

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