Author's note: Happy Halloween!

I've been on such a Jancy kick. It's practically all I write outside of the occasional SPN ship. I hope you like it!

Warnings: Loss, memory of loss

Not beta'd

Disclaimer: I don't own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys.

Rating: PG

"Mommy! Daddy! Look at the pumpkin I found."

Nancy reaches down at the rotting pumpkin her daughter is holding up. "Um, it's nice, sweetie, but don't you think you want a different one?"

"No! I want this one. I named him Bob."

"Oh, goodie," Nancy manages a grin. "Alright, we'll get Bob, but why don't you find him a buddy?"

"Okay!" and the five year old takes off.

"But mommy and daddy gets to pick!" Nancy shouts, but it's useless. Her husband's laughter reaches her ears. "Shut up."

"What?" Joe protests. "I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, yeah, sure you didn't, but you get to explain to Jess why we can't carve Bob."

Joe chuckles. "Okay, drama queen."

Nancy rolls her eyes but sighs happily when Jess brings back a healthy pumpkin the second time.

"Can I have a snack now?" Jess asks with excitement. She tugs at Nancy's coat.

"Of course. Daddy said he'd treat us to cookies and juice."

"Daddy's not treating anything with a handful of pumpkins."

"Now who's the drama queen?" Nancy smiles. "Where's your wallet?"

"Back left pocket," Joe moves, and Nancy reaches in. "Oh, grabbing my ass, huh?"

"Real funny," Nancy whacks his arm. "What do you want?"

"Just a bag of caramel corn. Thanks," Joe jostles the pumpkins. "I'm gonna find us a table."

"Okay, Jess, what do you want?"

"Apple juice! Apple juice!" the little girl jumps around until the bottle is firmly in her hand.

"And here's your cookies as well," the man behind the counter states with a smile.

"Thanks," Nancy grabs the bag. "Come on, Jess. Let's go find dad."

Nancy spots her husband in the corner near Halloween trinkets for sale. "I got your caramel corn."

"Good. I'm starved. We're hittin' McDonald's after this, right?"

"Or we could stop at the deli and pick up some chicken."

Joe makes a face. "How about no. Hey, Jess, what would you like for dinner? Chicken or a Happy Meal?"

"Happy Meal!"

"We win," Joe's smug.

"What?" Nancy snorts. "A heart attack?"

"100% worth it if I get my cheeseburger."

"Whatever you say, dear," Nancy chuckles but stops when she sees his face. "Joe? Are you okay?"

Joe blinks several times before turning to Nancy. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm good."

"What happened?"

"Nothing," Joe denies then shakes his head. "It's just those candles over there. They remind me of the ones I had as a kid."

Nancy looks over at small orange candles with different faces of jack-o-lanterns. "Oh, they're cute."

"I hated them."

Nancy whirls. "Really?"

He shrugs. "Frank wanted them so my, uh, my mom bought them. I would always blow them out cause I hated their stupid faces. But we knew it was time to trick or treat when mom lit the candles."

"I'm sorry, Joe."

"I wonder what ever happened to them. Frank probably has them now."

Nancy watches Joe walk over and pick up the box. He whistles. "Fifty bucks? That's too much."

"Get them. They'll be cute on our kitchen window sill."

Joe chokes. "No. It's stupid anyway. It's been two years. I should be over it by now."

Nancy squeezes his shoulder. "It's okay. Trust me. That day never comes."

"It's just, I, I still wish I could've been there. I should've been."

"Hey, now. You know it's not your fault."

Joe looks small with grief. "I know but holding onto them through candles won't help."

"I still listen to my mom's carousal when I'm sad," Nancy presses a kiss. "Go ahead. Get them. We can make our own tradition."

Joe smiles. "I'd like that."