New Beginnings ✅

12. Trick or Treat

The days following pass slowly. Liam begins getting antsier for the upcoming holiday and his motivation for school begins to dwindle. Somehow we make it through to the weekend but since Halloween was on a Tuesday this year trick or treat was on Saturday. "Mom" Liam exclaims as he rushes into my room and jumps on my bed making me groan. Sometimes I really missed being able to sleep in on weekends.

"What buddy?" I ask as I open my eyes and look up at him to see him already dressed in his costume. "What are you wearing?" I chuckle.

"My costume. Can we go trick or treating now?" he asks. I laugh, shaking my head.

"Trick or treat isn't until eight kiddo" I explain as his face falls. I sigh, running my fingers through my hair as I glance over at my phone. "Hand mama her phone" I insist. He climbs off of me and crawls over to the edge of my bed and grabs my phone before handing it to me. I sit up and open my text thread with Josh and hand my phone to my son. "Why don't you text Josh and see if he can come over early to hang out while mama gets ready" I suggest making a smile pull at his lips.

"Okay" he exclaims as he takes my phone. I smile as he composes a text before he hands it back to me. I look down at the message and giggle.

MAYA: Can u com ovr tday

"Good job buddy" I smile as I send off the message. "Can you get off mama's bed so she can go make some breakfast?" I ask. He nods and climbs off my bed before running off down the hallway. I wander after him to the kitchen and walk into the kitchen, opening the fridge. Since it's almost Halloween I decide to do something special for breakfast. I grab a pumpkin cookie cutter and the pancake mix and begin preparing pumpkin shaped pancakes when my phone rings. I wash my hands quickly before reaching across the counter to answer it. "Hello" I answer, balancing the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I whisk the pancake mix.

"Morning babe" Josh says brightly making a smile pull at my lips. "I got an interesting text this morning" he adds making me chuckle.

"Yea? Some girl?" I ask playfully.

"Totally. I'm a hot commodity" he teases making me roll my eyes playfully. "There's this one especially. She's blonde, has the brightest blue eyes, and don't even get me started on her body" he adds making a blush rise on my cheeks. "And she has this son" he says making a smile pull at my lips. "Most adorable kid ever."

"She sounds great."

"The best" he confirms. "And I think her kid likes me."

"How would you know such a thing?" I ask playfully as I finish whisking and grab my phone firmly in my hand as I lean my elbows against the counter.

"Because I think he may have invited me over for a playdate" he says making me burst into laughter earning a confused look from Liam. I quickly cover my mouth, composing myself. "Did you give the kid your phone or did he steal it?"

"I gave it to him" I explain. "He was bummed that we can't go trick or treating until eight and I felt bad so I suggested we invite you over."

"And he wanted me to?"

"So it seems" I reply happily. "I really do think he likes you" I add honestly. "I haven't seen him this taken with anyone since Dean passed away" I explain sadly. "My biggest fear about jumping back into dating was that he wouldn't like the person that I was with but" I trail off.

"I'm glad I passed the Liam test" he says proudly. "And I'd love to come over a little early. I'm actually having breakfast with some old friends but I'll come by afterwards if that's okay."

"Perfect" I smile as I turn on the griddle. "Just text me when you're on the way."

"Will do gorgeous" he replies. "I'll see you in a bit."