Brian got a big bowl down from the cupboard, moving to the next cupboard. Pulling down several bags of candy, he poured each one in, tossing the contents as if they were salad. He sighed. Justin loved Halloween, especially the chance to interact with all the little kids that came through their door. It wasn't that Brian didn't enjoy it too, but it wouldn't be the same without him.

He sighed. He wondered what Halloween was like in New York. He wondered what all those big galleries he knew Justin must be frequenting did to celebrate. But—he sighed again, a stray tear sliding down his cheek—he sure wished they were together tonight.

Even though he'd popped the question before Justin left, Brian allowed himself a few tricks. One of them was due to come anytime tonight, he knew, and occasionally he glanced out the window.

But the children started coming, jolting him out of his memories. He tried to put a smile on for them, dropping a piece of candy in their buckets or bags, and never let them go without a hug or at least a "Happy Halloween."

Then he saw him. The one thing—besides Justin—that never failed to put a smile on his face. "Hi, Gus," he said, scooping him up into his arms. "Are you having fun?"

Melanie and Lindsay stepped out of the shadows. "He just had to come here," Melanie laughed.

"Well, he sure put a smile on my face tonight," Brian chuckled, slipping a candy into Gus' bag.

Melanie and Lindsay just nodded. They knew it was hard on him—to be without Justin on one of his favorite holidays. "Well, if you need anything," Lindsay said, retrieving Gus, "just give us a call. Heck, just come over!"

"Thanks," Brian said, giving everyone one last hug.

"Jus?" Gus couldn't help chiming in.

"He's not here, Gus," Brian said, leaning in to kiss away his son's tears. "I miss him, too."

"Well, we'd better run," Melanie said. "Happy Halloween."

As they left, Brian checked his candy supply. He sighed. He'd given Gus the last of it—and wasn't in the mood to replenish.

He started to turn off his porch light, only to see a couple of stragglers running up the walk. "Mom!" he heard a voice cry. "What's the rush?"

Then as one of the figures stepped into the light, he smiled. Jennifer. The one person who he could always turn to when missing Justin got to him—he knew it had to be hard on her, too.

"Jennifer!" This time the smile was genuine, as he took her hands and kissed her on the cheek. "I—I'm sorry, but I just gave Gus the last of my candy."

"That's all right," Jennifer said, smiling. "Actually, I came to bring you a treat of my own."

"Thanks," Brian said, turning to grab the bucket so she could replenish.

"I'm afraid my treat is too big to fit in there," Jennifer laughed.

Then—the other figure he'd seen—and heard—stepped out from behind her.

Brian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. For there stood Justin, grinning, in a Cupid costume!

"Trick or treat," Justin said, grinning again.

"Well," Brian said, when he could speak, "this is certainly a treat! But—I have to know—are you—"

"Coming and staying," Justin said, reading Brian's mind.

Now the tears freely flowed—from them both—as Brian took him in his arms and just held him. Then—their lips met in a passionate kiss—which turned into a makeout session!

Brian laughed, and carried Justin all the way to their bedroom, where they made love for the rest of the night.

And the other trick he was expecting?

No-show.