To kids, there were only two holidays that truly mattered; Christmas and Halloween. You could add their birthday if that counted. The reason behind this was very obvious; they both revolved around them. For Christmas you got presents and for Halloween you got candy. Birthdays were just the best of two words in one; you got presents, candy, and on top of it, cake too!
For Lizzie and Mason, it didn't get better than Halloween. Not only because of the spooky decorations, costumes, and the massive amount of candy; but because they could be mischievous and get away with it.
They had been best friends since they could remember and they always went trick or treating together. Even for their short age, they already had a tradition of their own going. Both moms prepared for the madness and knowing what to expect, they always made sure everything went accordingly for them. This year, however, it would be a little different...
It was Lizzie's first year spending the day with her dad. She was very excited about this; mostly because he had shown to be a little more open minded in many things unlike her mom.
The blonde girl wasn't the only one looking forward to this, Mason's mom was too. Claire and Owen had been dating for a few months now, both kids completely used and welcomed to the relationship by then. They were the biggest enthusiasts, it was always fun to spend the day hanging out with both of them. It was until Claire and Owen had met when the kids could experience first hand what it was like for their other friends to share family time — sure, Lizzie had her step-dad but he was just a sack of boring in a suit.
Owen had been getting tips about how Halloween went from both ends, both his favorite girls feeding him what was important to them. It sounded like a headache, try figure out how to make both happy ...but he had mastered it by then, or had he?
Lizzie had shared with him the entire tradition and had made emphasis on what was important for Mason and her. He had to make sure everything worked perfectly, the last thing he wanted was to disappoint his little girl. She was a very demanding one, sometimes too demanding for being just seven years of age. The tricky part? Everything Lizzie found important was also the red flags Claire had pointed out to him, those little details where she needed his support so the kids wouldn't go overboard.
Each year, Brenda and Claire took turns. Last year it had been Lizzie's mom the one to deal with the kids all day long. This year it was Claire's turn and she was glad she'd have some help. Anyone who had had a close insight into Mason and Lizzie knew they were an earthquake together.
The kids' tradition started with a two-night sleepover, mom and dad dating turned this into a massive pajama party; which the kids were loving. Either Claire or Brenda would struggle to have them in bed at a regular time, after all, Halloween was still on a school day. This year Owen had worked his charm and convinced the redhead to let them stay up until their bodies gave out. It would be the teacher's problem to deal with two kids deprived of sleep after all. Heck, he even pitched the idea that having them lacking energy would make their teacher's day easier — they even owe it to her.
Since her promotion at work, Claire had been able to afford a bigger bed. Her room now felt small with the king size bed in there. But it always came handy since all four of them fit perfectly.
They had ordered pizza for dinner and had added Owen's secret ingredients to it; half with MMs and the other half with gummy worms. They also had ice-cream for late dessert and cherry coke always seemed to be a favorite. It was a no brainer why it was already ten at night and both seven-year-olds were still fully awake enjoying their movie marathon. The kids were watching The Nightmare Before Christmas, a movie Claire already knew every line to.
Part of the tradition was to wear spooky pajamas and that included the parent. They didn't like it when the adult would ruin the spirit by not wearing one. Lizzie was wearing a grey long nightgown with little black cats, white ghosts, and orange pumpkins in it. She was resting on her belly, the Halloween themed paper plate holding her food in front of her. She was singing along the movie while pinching the gummy worms off her pizza and eating those first.
Mason who was wearing two-piece glow in the dark skeleton pajamas, was sitting next to her. Claire had already taken precaution of his disgusting way of eating and had cut his slices into little squares for him to eat and avoid a sauce mess over his pajamas and her comforter.
Both kids were on the edge of the bed, in front of the 32-inch television leaving the rest of it free for both parents.
Claire used the same pajama (if you could call it that) every year; she had a black tee that read 'I'm too old for this sheet' with a ghost sheet on the center, she wore a pair of black flannel pants with it. She was probably the one enjoying this the most out of the four of them. A mother's priority was always their kid's happiness and Mason had never been this excited about Halloween before — and that said a lot. He had been bragging all week about how Owen had helped him with his costume, the kid had grown a nice little bond with her boyfriend — and even if Owen couldn't tell; this gave him major brownie points from mom. She had both her arms wrapped around her man's waist, snuggling tight against him.
This was Owen's first time, so he had taken the whole pajama thing seriously; he had gotten a pumpkin sleepwear that had had Claire laughing for a few minutes. He was smiling down at her, his lips gently pressed against her forehead making her look up and steal a kiss from him.
"This is the best Halloween ever." She murmured against his lips.
"Yessssss!" Both kids concurred without taking their eyes away from the tv.
"Agreed." Owen kissed the tip of her nose. "Do you have your costume ready?" He wondered, his fingers gently brushing that beautiful red hair off her face.
"Oh, no." Claire shook her head, "I don't wear costumes."
"Not even after bedtime?" He chuckled. "You'd make a grrrrreat nurse or a foxy secretary." He teased her.
"Only if you'd be the patient or the messenger..." She bit on her lower lip before turning the volume on the tv up so it would keep the kids distracted enough to stay away from their little bantering.
"Messenger? REALLY?" He curved an eyebrow, but didn't hesitate steal a kiss from her.
Claire shrugged before pulling him closer for yet another kiss.
"But no, I'm more the doctor or the boss kinda guy." He explained, she was not dating any submissive wimp! Owen slowly brushed his fingers over her hip, smiling at her before kissing her soundly.
The redhead giggled, "you want to make clear who is in charge?...and I kinda like it." She assured him with a groan, her lips rolling up his chin while her hands traveled up his chest.
He tilted his head and smirked softly, "Okay kids, time for bed!" He demanded.
"Na-ah! You said our bodies would determine when it was time to sleep." Lizzie reminded him.
Claire shrugged, "too bad you didn't team up with me earlier, huh?" She pursed her lips before reaching out for another slice of pizza.
Owen knew she had a point there, but his body wasn't appreciating the way she had taught him that lesson.
"Just imagine... they would have been in bed long ago and you and I would be playing with your syringe by now...doctor."
Four feet jumping up and down the bed was what woke the snuggled couple up the following day, "It's Halloween! It's Halloween! It's Halloween!" Both kids kept cheering while bouncing around.
It wasn't until Lizzie tripped and fell on her dad's face when they finally stopped, "oops..." She giggled.
Claire was laughing lying next to Owen, his arms still wrapped around her waist under her top. She always enjoyed it when the kids' behavior came hit him in the face — literally. "Do you need me to kiss your boo-boo?" She reached out and softly rubbed his cheek, playfully planting small kisses all over his face.
The man happily took them for a few seconds before agreeing it was time to get up and work on getting some breakfast done, "Halloween pancakes!" Both seven-year-old jumped off the bed and ran to the kitchen to get all they needed ready.
Claire cupped Owen's face and kissed him soundly one last time before they both got out of bed. He headed over to the kitchen to work on doing their pancakes. Claire headed to the shower, she had to get ready for work.
It took Owen a few minutes to get the mix ready. He followed the instructions on the box making sure he didn't miss one ingredient. He picked Lizzie up and let her pour one full ladle in the pan.
The blonde girl sniffed gently and carefully completed her task. He then placed her back on the floor and picked Mason up. He let the kid sprinkle some chocolate pieces and MMs left overs from the previous night on it and once the boy had done so, he placed him down.
Owen waited what he thought was enough time before he turned the pancake over with the paddle, letting it cook. "How about you set the table while this is done?" He smiled and both kids nodded before helping with that task.
Once that first pancake was ready, he let each kid help out with the second one. This time letting Mason pour the pancake mix in the pan and Lizzie sprinkle some candy on it. He found some fruit around and started to cut it while he waited for the pancake to cook. He fixed his girlfriend a bowl with banana, strawberries, grapes, and some granola and seeds.
Once both kids had each their pancake, he went looking for the strawberry syrup in the fridge and also brought the chocolate one and the orange juice out with him. Both kids found their chair and sat happily waiting for the adult to serve them some juice.
"Who wants blood on their pancakes?" Owen wondered.
"Meeeee!" Both kids raised their hand.
Owen poured some of the red syrup over Mason's pancake and stopped himself just in time before ruining Lizzie's, "you get ghost blood, instead!" He recalled she was allergic to strawberry and poured some chocolate syrup on hers.
Lizzie grabbed her fork and cautiously started to cut a piece so she could bite. Mason was on his way to using his hands, "whooa!" Owen quickly stopped him, remembering that Claire always cut his food in squares or a mess was bond to happen. The man grabbed his fork and knife and cut that pancake in small pieces so the kid could eat and not get any one in trouble.
Owen let them be and went back to his pancake making. He was working on doing a second one for him when two gentle arms hugged him from behind. The smile on his face was as bright as the sun shining through the windows.
He slowly turned around to find that beautiful redhead wearing a blue dress and a pair of high heels standing there. She smiled liking the way his eyes were letting her know she looked good and the way his smirk was giving away what he had on his mind.
She looked away to the counter and fetched for one of the grapes he had for her. She brought it to her lips and nibbled on it.
"Sweet Jesus~" He murmured into her ear, unable to keep himself from wrapping his arms around her waist and nibble on her earlobe.
Claire giggled and pulled his plate closer. She stared to work something with her fruit on his pancake while his lips got distracted on her neck. Once she was done, she gently pulled back. She had used the fruit and seeds to give his pancake some life, and now it was a cute Dracula. She smiled and tilted her head.
"You are so cute." He pushed the plate to the side, demanding all her attention. The kids with their backs on them.
She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck and curving her body against his. "Did you cut his pancake?" She asked softly.
"Yes, ma'am." He smiled.
She nodded and gently pressed her lips against his. Claire kissed him lovingly, her fingers moving around his neck pulling him closer. Owen's hands rested on her waist just for a moment before finding their way around her ass making her giggle and take a few steps back close to the stove counter to hide them from the kids' view.
"Are you guys done with your breakfast?" Claire asked with a sense of urgency in her voice. Not because they had to get ready for school, but because Owen was starting to get a little carried away and his fingers were working on pulling that tight dress slightly up her legs.
"Lizzie, go take a shower." He asked his kid who without any questioning, stood up from the table and ran off to do as told, "and you, buddy...I don't know, go back to your room and count til a thousand before coming back out."
Claire was biting some of her fruit with the fork while Owen got rid of the kids, her body still pinned between the counter and his frame.
"A thousand!?" Mason shook his head, "I can only count till a hundred." He explained.
"The math homework from last week had nothing to do with a thousand, then?" Owen curved an eyebrow.
Caught in his lie, Mason pushed the chair away from the table and headed to his bedroom.
"Have I told you that I think is sexy that you help him with homework?" Claire ran her fingers down his orange pumpkin long-sleeve pajama top.
"How sexy?" He groaned pressing her tight against the counter.
"So sexy that it almost overshadows this goofy looking pumpkin." She laughed.
Owen chuckled and pulled the pajama top off over his head and threw it onto the counter behind her, "what about now?" He puffed his chest feeling her warm hands admiring the lines of his muscles.
The redhead gulped, "now I'm afraid I'll be late for work and they will never make it to school." She teased, biting on her lower lip.
"I'll take your word on that..." He abruptly pulled her up and sat her on the counter, his lips hungrily brushing down her cleavage.
"Owen, c'mon..." She tried to stop him since this wasn't prudent at all. "They will catch us one day and —" She blushed.
"And they will learn the bees and birds and all that crap sooner." He shook her concern off, his fingers running up her inner thigh.
"Babe~" She stopped his hands, gripping tight from his wrists.
"Come here." He pulled her against his chest and had her straddle his hips. She laughed watching him carry her away through the isle. He reached for Mason's door, "get in the shower after Lizard is done, okay?" He requested before closing it.
Claire giggled and held tighter, Owen ran the rest of the isle over to her bedroom and locked the door behind them.
Owen was usually the one to take the kids to the bus stop. He would ride his bike with Lizzie in front of him and Mason holding tight behind him. The stop was only a few blocks away from Claire's apartment so they always got away with this.
After dropping them off and making sure they were on that bus, he headed to work. Since meeting Claire, he had worked on putting his life together, not only for her but also for Lizzie. He had gotten a job at a construction site and had worked his way up, he was now the site supervisor. This gave him a nice flexible schedule, one he took advantage of when it came to go visit and surprise his girlfriend at work for lunch.
Today being Halloween, he also wanted to try convince her to put a costume together. He knew the kids would love it if the two of them dressed up for trick or treating later that afternoon.
The couple found themselves locked in a wardrobe room at the museum where Claire worked at. There were all sorts of costumes in boxes and rags that the museum used for their display or the activities they did for kids from time to time.
They were fighting over how she was refusing to put on some goofy looking costume while making out around the small space. It was an interesting combination; to fight and make out simultaneously, but they had it mastered by then.
"Just give them this one thing!" Owen insisted while she walked away from him. "It's not the end of the world to dress up for one evening." He rolled his eyes at her stubbornness.
"I don't have any intentions on looking stupid." She shrugged, her hands getting distracted with some of the costumes around. She had a top of sorts in her hands.
"You could be Loana." He smirked stepping closer and showing her a small caveman garment.
"Screw you..." She hit him on the shoulder with the one piece of clothing she had in her hands.
"You'd be the sexiest cavewoman out there." He laughed after feeling the hit. His arms around her waist pushing her against the rack behind her, "I know you wake up my primitive instincts~" He howled.
"Fuck you!" She chuckled, pushing his hands off of her.
He kept pushing her into the closet hoping to find a wall where to pin her. She stumbled with a box and fell on her ass inside of it, bringing him down with her.
She screamed and laughed before pulling out of it and sitting on the floor beside him.
"Did you get hurt?" He chuckled, the box completely smashed. "Look what your fine ass did." He teased her and opened the box to see what was inside.
"No." She laughed, "I'm just glad I didn't fall on your balls, I need those intact..." She played along about the damaged box.
Inside, he found a cute forest ranger hat and other accessories that apparently completed the outfit. Owen brushed some of the dust off the hat making her sneeze, "bless you." He offered kissing the top of her nose. He reached out with the hat but she pulled away. "Please~" He pouted, "this green against your eyes, I'll melt." He murmured.
Claire nibbled on her lower lip and nodded softly. He gently placed the hat over her head and fixed her red hair a little bit, "My character for tonight officially has a massive crush on this lovely forest ranger." He pecked her lips lovingly.
Claire rolled her eyes and sighed before offering a smile. "No photos." She insisted, pointing out her index finger. "And I'm just doing this because I don't want your interplanetary policeman, or whatever you called him, to be crushing on some green bitch." She argued possessively.
"He would never!" Owen promised, "not after meeting this beautiful redhead." He tilted his head, kissing the curve of her jaw. "Green never looked so good for him until meeting you..." He mumbled kissing gently up to her ear.