A Different Reality (Lasting Love)

Happy Halloween Birthday

"You guys look so cute!!" I take a picture of Ben and Kay all dressed up in their costumes.

"Momma!" Ben yells before falling forward and crawling over to me. I pick him up laughing and fix his costume.

"Are you tired of standing already?" I ask. He nods his head.  Justin takes him from me so that I can get pictures of them in their matching costumes.

Kay runs up to Justin's feet so that she can be in the picture too, because obviously she needs to be in every one.  He picks her up with his free arm and they all look towards me posing and showing off their Batman themed costumes.

"You should get in the picture." My mom walks up behind me taking the camera "You guys need a family birthday picture for Ben."

I walk over and hold Kay while she takes the picture. We take a few more of us doing random things before the party starts. Since it's Halloween, and he technically turned 1 two weeks ago, we're having a Halloween party but also celebrating his birthday.

The kids jump out of our arms and run over to where all the party stuff is, which has changed dramatically from alcohol and party games to toys and balloons.  Justin and I walk over to some of the adults to a different area.

"You guys want drinks?" Lisa asks "I brought orange and black colored alcohol."

"Sure!" Justin replies eagerly.  I shake my head no "I don't really feel like drinking, we gotta walk around with them to houses later anyway." She looks at me confused, but makes Justin's drink anyway.

Ben runs up to Justin crying a few minutes later and right away we look to Kay for the answer.

"What happened?" I ask noticing that she has his cape in her hands.

"Nothing, mommy.  It fall." She hands it to me. Ben has stopped crying now, so we let it go and I put it back on him.

"Do you wanna go play again?" Justin asks "Your toys need Batman to save them." He runs right back over to play.  Justin starts to drink, and the smells hits me.  It smells horrible.

The party starts to get better as more people come.  It's mostly a kids party, but we also have lots of things for the adults to do, they just have to do it without the kids seeing.

"Are you guys taking them out for candy?" My dad asks "You don't have any left and I need to steal someone's."

"I'm sure Ben will let you have plenty of his." I laugh "He's into sharing now."

"Yeah, I know, but there has to be somebody with a "take 1" bowl out. They'll never know what happened."

"So you're the asshole everyone complains about." I finally understand why he always loves trick or treating "Do not do it right in front of them. I don't want them doing that yet."

We leave with the kids, and my dad, a few minutes later.  Kay walks with me holding my hand while we keep Ben strapped in his stroller so he can't run off.

Kay, who apparently was sneaking our candy, is already bouncing around and excited the second we walk out our door.  She's probably the reason that we have none left at the house.  Justin and my dad point out different houses and we walk up to them.

"Aw, you guys are so cute!"  An older lady gushes over Kay and Ben as we stand at her door "Here, take a few pieces."  She holds out a candy bowl.  They get their candy and thank her before we move on. 

"Let's go to that house."  Justin points out one that isn't too scary looking "That way we don't have to pass the haunted one either."

"Where papa?" Kay asks.  We realize that my dad is no longer following us, and look around for him.  Justin points to someone walking with a mask on.

"There he is.  Maybe he got some candy."

My dad walks up to us a few seconds later with a bag filled with more candy than the kids have so far.

"Seriously?  You better share that with them. We didn't get to that house yet."  I stare at him in disbelief "You're ridiculous."

"Let's go!!!" Kay pulls on my hand not caring.  We all follow her across the street to the house.  She walks up with my dad and Ben ahead of Justin and I.

"Doesn't she look like that bitch from high school?" I ask Justin as we follow them "The one that kept trying to kiss you and hated me."

"Yeah, I think it is her."  He responds "We have to go up there with them though."  I cringe at the thought of it, letting my hatred of her get the best of me.

We walk up and right away the bitch, Amanda, recognizes us.  She hardly looks at me while she stares down Justin.  Of course, Kay and Ben are waiting in a line for their candy, so we can't leave yet.  A huge part of me wants to grab them and turn away, but that's not fair for them.

"Hey, Justin!"  She practically squeals.  I stand closer to him, holding his hand while watching the kids.

"Hey, Amanda." He says forcing a smile.  He tightens his grip on my hand, reminding me that I have nothing to worry about.

"You still look like you did in high school.  Really cute."  She compliments him before looking over at me "You look different."  No shit.  I actually grew up.

"Thanks, Amanda." I reply sarcastically "You still seem like the same wonderful person."

"So, Justin."  She ignores me "Which kid is yours?  I bet they look just as cute as you."

He points to Kay and Ben "The two dressed in the Batman themed costumes."

"Oh wow, they do look just like you."  She stares at the kids  making Kay uncomfortable.  She wraps her arms around Ben, 'protecting' him "The mothers must love it when you go to things."

"Daddy, who that?"  Kay walks over to him.  She puts her arms up so he can hold her "She weird."

"I can't believe you guys actually lasted outside of high school."  Amanda ignores Kay "I'm still waiting for the day you get divorced and I have my chance."

"Well, you'll be waiting for a while."  He fake smiles and turns towards me "Let's go."

We pull the kids away from that house and take them to a few more before they start to get tired.  They dump all their candy on the floor when we get home and Justin and I help them sort through it.