I wasn't originally planning to write an entire collection of stories for Halloween. However, the Yankee Countess posted Halloween prompts and messaged me that she thought of my modern Bransons au (25 Days of the Bransons). My mind began to plot.

London

Tom took a sip of his chili mocha as he waited in the queue at Maggie's Bakery Cafe. He had purposely gotten up early to arrive at the shop before it opened. However, he wasn't the only one and Tom found himself farther back in line than he hoped to be.

I just hope they still have the donuts Sybil wants by the time I get to the front, he thought as he took another sip.

Ten minutes later, Tom was finally being served. The owner, Maggie, smiled when she saw him.

"Morning, Tom. I take it you came out for the apple cider donuts."

Tom chuckled. "Me and everyone else Maggie."

She grinned in response. "How many do you need?"

" I need a half dozen of those, three of the pumpkin donuts, and three nutella donuts. Do you have any donut holes today?"

"Of course! Let me guess half apple cider and half chocolate."

He laughed. "You know the Bransons well, Maggie."

Maggie laughed in response. "Well, Sybil is in here it seems every other day lately." She paused to take the box of donuts from her assistant, when a grin came over her face.

"Liz, do we have any cinnamon donut holes today."

"Yes. Benny just finished making a fresh patch."

"Fantastic." She turned towards Tom. "I'm going to throw in some of those as well. On the house. Rory and Moira were in last week and went mad over them."

Tom gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Maggie. I don't mind paying for them."

"Nonsense. Those two bring me such joy whenever they come. And you and Sybil are such loyal customers. It's a thank you gift."

A few minutes later, Tom paid for the donuts and returned to his in-laws house in Belgravia. The Bransons had moved over the summer to London to make Sybil's commute easier for her until they permanently moved to Ireland in March. Instead of renting a house or flat, Robert and Cora invited them to stay in their London house. It was an offer too good to pass up.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked in the front door and was greeted by the chaos only a four year old and nearly two year old could cause. Rory was heartily laughing as he was being chased by Moira. From the looks of it, his son had something of his sister's in his hand and wasn't going to return it easily.

Rolling his eyes, Tom placed the box of donuts on a table and went to break up the ruckus. However, his wife entered the hallway at that moment.

"There you are!" she exclaimed. "I was wondering where you went."

He gestured towards the box. "I went to Maggie's for donuts."

Her eyes widened in delight. "Did you get the apple cider ones?"

He chuckled. "Of course. Will six be enough for you and the baby?"

Sybil pretended to be annoyed as she rubbed her belly. At eight months pregnant, her current craving was anything with apples and Maggie's apple cider donuts were her go to food.

"Six will be plenty."

Just then, Rory tackled Moira in a fierce hug and the two squealed loudly. Sybil groaned, walked over to the table and grabbed a donut. Biting into it, Sybil moaned in delight.

"I'm so glad it's apple cider season."

Tom laughed. "Me too, love."