Over The Rainbow (COMPLETED)

Halloween

Year 2023, Faulkerson Residence:

R slips under the sheets beside M and cuddles his wife. It has been a long and fun day for the Faulkersons.

The kids dressed up in costumes for Halloween and went trick or treating around the village.

Charm dressed up as a fairy, Seb had a Pikachu costume and Thirdy, after much appeal from his parents, still insisted on dressing up as an original 8-bit Gameboy console.

M snuggles in R's chest and closes her eyes as her husband holds her closer to him and kisses her forehead before closing his eyes.

"Good night, Love. I love you." M whispers.

"Good night, my Mrs. Faulkerson. I love you more."

They were about to doze off when they hear faint crying from the other room. They immediately open their eyes and look at each other.

"That's Charm, Love." M says as she feels for the lamp switch beside her.

"Bakit kaya, Love? Okay naman siya kanina."

"I'm not sure. Ako na magche-check." She says as she starts marching to the door.

"Sama na ako, Love." R hurriedly follows his wife.

When they get to Charm's room, R and M see Thirdy already sitting beside his sister and wiping away her tears, trying to calm her down.

"Kuya, why are you still awake? Didn't we tuck you in already?" M asks.

"I was but then I heard Charm crying Mama. She won't stop." Their son answers.

M sits on the bed and Charm immediately climbs up on her lap and hides her face in her Mom's arms.

"Mama..." She sobs.

M holds their daughter close and rocks while she gently strokes the little girl's hair and back until her sobbing stops.

R sits beside Thirdy as they quietly watch.

After Charm calms down, M wipes their daughter's tears away and tucks her hair behind her ears.

"Okay, sweetheart, are you ready to tell Mama what's wrong?" M asks.

Charm nods her head. "Yes, Mama."

"Alright. Tell Mama what happened. Why were you crying?"

"I'm scared, Mama." Their daughter pouts. "I wemember the monsters we saw and the ghosts in the streets."

"Those were just other kids in costumes, my love. You don't have to be afraid of them." M says as she holds their daughter's little hand.

"Why do they have to dress up so scary, Mama?"

"It's what people are used to, sweetheart. On Halloween, everyone can dress up like anything they want. Sometimes, some people like to be scary." M explains.

"I don't want to be a scary monster." Charm pouts.

"And you won't be, sweetie. You're too beautiful for that." R says.

"I promise not to wear scary costumes for you, Charm." Thirdy volunteers.

"Thank you, Kuwa."

"And you don't have to be scared of those monsters anymore because I will take care of you." Thirdy bravely declares.

"But you're little like me, Kuwa." Charm frowns.

"But I'm bigger."

"What if the monster is bigger, Kuwa?"

"Then I will be braver. No one can harm my little sister and baby brother." Thirdy says.

"Like Ironman, Kuwa?"

"Yes. Like Ironman and Superman and Spiderman." Her big brother adds.

"What if it's a weally weally big monster?"

"Then you have Papa." R says.

"And Mama." M adds.

"Anyway, monsters aren't real, sweetheart." R starts. "And if they were, we should never be afraid of them because we have a God who is bigger, stronger and mightier than any monster. All we have to do is pray." He explains to his kids.

"He always watches over us and sends his angels to guard and protect us." M adds.

Charm smiles. "I won't be scared anymore."

"You know who else watches over you?" R asks with a smile.

"Who, Papa?" Charm wonders.

"Your Momsie. She's up there in heaven watching over us and praying

"Does she really, Papa?" Thirdy asks.

"Yes, buddy. Always." R answers. "I believe she's always been there, that she wished for me to find your Mama and have a beautiful family together."

R looks at M and she smiles back.

"Tomorrow we'll go visit her at Popsie's." M says.

"Are we going to light candles and pray like before Mama?"

"Yes, honey. We'll do that, together."

"Is it going to be scary, Papa?" Charms asks.

"No, sweetheart. We will all have a nice day praying for her and remembering her." R smiles.

"I wish Momsie was still with us." Charm sighs.

"We all wish that, sweetie. I think you will all be really spoiled by your Momsie." R says. "But things happen for a reason and we are still blessed to have beautiful memories of her to share with all of you."

R then takes Thirdy and tucks him in beside Charm.

"How about we all sleep here tonight so Charm doesn't get scared anymore?" R asks.

"I like that, Papa." Thirdy agrees.

"What about Seb?" Charm wonders.

"Right here." M smiles as she re-enters the room with the baby in her arms.

M sits beside R on the bed and smiles.

They then hold hands and pray together before finally falling asleep all cuddled on the bed with contented smiles.