"Thomas Teller, get back here!" I call out to the young boy who's running up and down the aisles at the costume store. I look over to Abel who sighs, shaking his head.
"I've got it, mom." And with that, he chases his brother down the aisles, calling for him to come back so that we can find his costume for Hallowe'en. I look down to Melody who's holding onto my hand and smiling at my belly.
"It looks like you ate a bad jelly-bean, Mama." She tells me as she signals to my small, but growing belly. I chuckle at the little girl and shake my head before bending down and kissing the top of her head.
"Well thanks, Mel."
Abel comes walking back with his younger brother's hand clasped to his own. He gives me an apologetic look before staring down the growing boy. "What do you say, Tommy?" Abel asks his brother and Thomas begins to pout.
"I'm sorry, Mom." He tells me as his head lowers. I frown and bend down on my knees, letting go of Melody's hand. I look over to Abel and quickly thank him before running my fingers through Thomas' hair.
"You need to listen when we're out like this because if you run off somewhere, you can get hurt or lost, and we don't want to lose you, Thomas." I tell him, hoping that he'll listen to what I'm saying and be able to tell how serious it can be if he runs off without telling one of us. "I love you."
Thomas nods and leans in for a hug, "I love you too." He mumbles into my hair and I smile while rubbing his back and giving the top of his head a kiss. "Mama?" I look over to the growing boy and nod, telling him to continue with his question. "Can I be a zombie for Halloween?" He asks, "I wanna' look gross!"
I straighten out and chuckle before nodding, "You can be whatever you want to be. Did you want a mask or makeup for your grossness?" He holds onto my hand and begins to explore the endless zombie opportunities.
"Hey mom, I'm going to go and look at the boy costumes. I'm just going to be over there." Abel tells me as he points over to the wall organized with a variety of male costumes. I nod and watch as he walks over to the wall. Abel is growing into a mini-me version of Jax, and it makes my heart throb every-time it hits me. He's wearing a pair of dark wash bootcut jeans, Nike sneakers and a burgundy sweater along with his favorite LA Kings hat. His blonde hair is shaggy, he keeps telling me it's for hockey, but I have a hitch it's because Jax is growing his hair back out.
"Mel, let's go look at some costumes with Thomas." I tell her and she nods as we walk towards the same spot as Abel. "What did you want to be this year, Mel?"
Mel places her index finger on her chin, thinking about her costume choices. "Hmm." She begins to tap her foot and then she shoots up with a big smile, "A princess!" She cheers happily before running over to a rose-pink princess dress with a matching crown and gloves, "Mama, this princess!" She tells me and I chuckle before reaching out to the costume and giving it to the girl.
"You hold onto this and take real good care of it until Halloween. Can you promise me that?" I ask the young girl, and she eagerly nods before hugging the costume to her chest.
"Oh, Mama, I love it!" She cheers and I chuckle while looking over to Thomas who is holding a bloodied and torn zombie costume; his eyes wide with excitement and interest.
I walk over to the boy and he looks up at me with thrill. "I found the perfect one!" He tells me happily, "I'm going to look gross!" I laugh and give him the same instructions as Melody. I turn around and watch as Abel stares at the wall, not sure what he wants to be for Halloween. I walk over to the young man and give his shoulder a tight, yet relaxing squeeze.
"What's on your mind?" I ask him, telling something is up due to his silence.
Abel sighs and goes to say something, but instead shakes his head. "Nothing, Ma. I'm fine." He tells me, but I know he's hiding whatever is on his mind. I give him a stern look and I watch as he begins to chew on the inside of his cheek. "I just, isn't Halloween a bit too young for me? I shouldn't be dressing up. I'm not a kid."
