Check out "Accused of Murder" which is set in between chapters 24 & 25. It's a crossover with Longmire - you don't need to have watched Longmire to understand.

s/13191330/1/Accused-of-Murder

Chapter 25: Halloween

Three years later and they had all settled into some what of a routine. From the end of October to the end of December almost everyone stopped by Derek and Elizabeth's house and with the twins getting older they were more talkative. This year they'd asked their mother if Theo could take them Trick or Treating for Halloween after watching the video of Scott and her doing it.

Elizabeth and Theo were sitting in the living room, talking while she was mentally making notes on how to make it the best possible birthday for Theo after they had missed his twenty-first due to the twins being born the year before; and he'd told them he didn't want to do anything for his twenty-second. He'd also told them he didn't want to do anything for his twenty-third but he wasn't getting out of it.

"Theo, can you please take them trick or treating this year?" Elizabeth questioned, it was the day before Halloween and Theo was sitting opposite her while Derek and Scott had taken the twins to the park.

"Why me? Why not Scott or Derek?" Theo whined, he didn't want to take his little brother and sister trick or treating it was the last thing he wanted to do.

"Because, they'll love you forever," Elizabeth grinned at him, it was true Thalia and Caleb would love him if he took them. "Take Liam with you?"

"You trust me to take my boyfriend with me to take Tali and Caleb trick or treating?" Theo raised his eyebrow at her, the mention of Liam's name had made him smile.

"You didn't do so bad when we left them with you last week," Elizabeth shrugged as the two of them heard screeches of laughter coming from outside.

"Mommy! Theo!" Thalia screamed running in the front door and throwing herself dramatically at Theo. "Daddy's being mean!"

"All I said was that they couldn't have ice-cream for dinner!" Derek laughed as he walked in with Scott trailing behind holding Caleb upside-down.

"They're three years old. One bowl of ice-cream for dinner won't kill them Derek," Elizabeth laughed as Theo stood up with Thalia wrapped around his neck. "Theo's taking them tomorrow night,"

Scott and Derek shared a look and started laughing they knew that three year old Thalia would make her big brother dress up for the occasion. Elizabeth shook her head and took Caleb from Scott hugging him as he decided to cling to her. Theo tried to set Thalia on the ground and when he did the three year old firmly wrapped her arms around his leg.

"Theo come with me," Thalia grinned still not letting go of his leg but making him go towards her room. "My room,"

"What's she going to do to me?" Theo questioned as he made the slow journey towards his little sisters room. "Scott?"

"Just go along for the ride," Scott laughed, though he had to see what his baby cousin had planned.

"Scott!" Theo whined as they entered the bedroom and Thalia let go of his leg taking his hand and pulling him over to her dress up chest.

"Sit!" Thalia giggled as Scott, Derek, Elizabeth and her twin brother followed them in to the room. "Mommy, can Caleb help?"

"Down please mommy," Caleb grinned as he started to squirm before jumping from her arms and running over to the chest with Thalia.

"They know what tomorrow is, so they want him prepared," Elizabeth laughed watching as Thalia and Caleb threw open the chest.

Derek had to wonder exactly what his children were planning, Scott had an idea about it as he'd taken them with Elizabeth last year while Derek was out of town visiting Cora and Isaac. Thalia almost climbed into the chest so that she could dig right down to the bottom of it. Caleb giggled and pulled out a cowboy hat and thrust it on top of Theo's head.

"Not that one silly," Thalia giggled as she produced a fairy crown. "This one," she said smiling innocently at her brothers before sending a grin to her mother. "Mommy do you think this one?"

"Why don't you ask Theo what he thinks?" Elizabeth smiled at her watching as the brown eyed little girl held up a purple and gold fairy crown.

"Theo do want the cowboy hat or the fairy crown?" Thalia questioned pointing at both hats.

"Fairy crown?" Theo replied uncertainly, so Thalia climbed up onto his lap and yanked the cowboy hat off replacing it with the fairy crown. "Thank you," Theo smiled at her before looking at Derek, Elizabeth and Scott who were laughing and shot them a glare.

"Why don't you call Liam and get Tali and Caleb to ask him to take them Trick or Treating with you tomorrow," Derek said before the three of them walked away from the room leaving Theo with his younger brother and sister.

Scott looked between Elizabeth and Derek, they had to have known that Thalia would pull the fairy crown out again as it was the same one she'd shoved on his own head. As they made their way back to the kitchen they could hear Caleb and Thalia yelling down the phone to Liam asking him while Theo was complaining about the fairy crown. The reason that Elizabeth and Derek wanted Theo to take the twins trick or treating was because they were trying to plan his birthday.

"Mommy! Liam said he'd come!" Thalia yelled from her room as Caleb started giggling.

"And! He's letting us dress him up!" Caleb yelled in fits of giggles as Theo tried to escape from the bedroom. "Theo we haven't finished,"

"Come on kids, let Theo come help mommy with dinner," Elizabeth called back, as Theo continued to try and step over the two of them. "Thalia, Caleb now,"

"Mom," Theo whined, he only called Elizabeth mom when the kids were around, Scott didn't care nor did Derek. "Help?"

"Thalia! Caleb! What did your mother just say?" Derek yelled back, as the twins raced out of the bedroom and came to halt in front of him. Theo attempted to walk to his room, but the tutu Thalia had put around his legs made it hard.

"Man, take the tutu off before you try to go any further," Scott stifled a laugh as Derek hoisted the twins up on to his hips. "Here let me help," Scott headed towards him, and noticed that he was slightly more tangled than they originally thought.

"Thanks," Theo muttered as the two men attempted to untangle him from the mess of children's dress ups.

The following night was Halloween night, Theo and Liam were sitting somewhat nervously in Thalia's bedroom waiting to see what the three year olds would dress them in. Theo was grateful that his boyfriend had agreed to go with him, he didn't think that he'd be able to do it on his own. Liam was curious to see what two three year old children could possibly come up with to make them wear.

"Theo gets the fairy crown," Thalia grinned placing the crown on his head and Caleb proudly produced the cowboy hat someone was going to wear it.

"Liam gets the cowboy hat," Caleb said handing it to Liam, he wasn't like his sister instead he wanted the older boy to put it on his own head.

"Tali...we talked about this," Theo grumbled as the three year old produced a tutu, this one seemingly bigger than the one she'd forced onto him the day before.

"I know and mommy found this one," Thalia said handing him the purple tutu causing him to wonder exactly where Elizabeth had pulled it from.

"What does Liam get to wear?" Theo asked as Thalia handed him the tutu and Caleb produced a batman mask and child-sized cape.

"Batman," Caleb grinned handing the cape and mask to Liam who raised his eyebrows at the three year old before him. "Cowboy batman," he stated as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"And what are you two going to be?" Liam asked, as he tied the cape on and placed the mask in his lap. "Want some help?" Theo seemed to be struggling with the tutu aspect of the costume.

"Cowboy Robin," Caleb smiled as he rummaged through the dress up chest and proudly produced a full robin costume and another cowboy hat.

"Tinker-bell," Thalia smiled before running off and down the hall way to find either Derek or Elizabeth to help her get dressed.

"Tali, come back I can help you," Theo laughed as he looked down at what he was now wearing and then at Liam who simply shrugged.

Derek walked back down the hall way with Thalia in his arms and placed her in Theo's handing him the accompanying costume. Theo took one look at it and then back at Derek suddenly changing his mind. The older man simply laughed at him and walked back down the hallway. Liam rolled his eyes and took one look at the costume - it was a dress.

"Dude, you can't mess up a dress," Liam laughed as Thalia started pulling off her T-shirt making sure that her singlet and leggings stayed on she didn't care that it didn't match the green dress and wings. "Thalia can you show Theo how to put the dress on?"

"Uh huh, Theo...like this," Thalia said as attempted to clamber her way into the small green number before throwing her arms dramatically in the air. "Help?"

"She gets that from you," Liam laughed as he watched Theo hold the dress while his little sister managed to get the dress on the right way. "Also how do you not know how to dress her by now?"

"I don't know...Is that better?" Theo questioned, fastening the dress and spinning her around to pick her up while Liam helped Caleb climb into his Robin suit. "You know I think Scott has a Batman shirt somewhere."

"You guys look great," Elizabeth said as she suddenly appeared in the bedroom door camera in hand. "Sorry, taking this for the twins," She smirked as she took a photo on the camera and then one on her phone - pocketing both before they had a chance to do anything about it.

"Mommy, Theo helped me and Liam helped him and Caleb," Thalia stated proudly from Theo's arms as she planted a kiss on her big brothers cheek.

"Did he?" Elizabeth smiled at them as Theo nodded and moved to put the small girl on the ground.

"Pumpkins?" Caleb asked as he had wrapped his arms around Liam's neck once Liam had finished dressing him.

"In the kitchen, go see your dad. So I can talk to Theo and Uncle Liam?" Elizabeth said which caused both children to jump from Theo and Liam's arms and race down the hall to the kitchen.

Elizabeth looked between Theo and Liam, the two boys really were a sight. Theo was wearing jeans and a tattered grey shirt underneath the purple tutu and fairy crown, Thalia had forgotten to give him the wings. Liam was wearing jeans and a back T-shirt with the small cape, batman mask and cowboy hat.

"Just a couple of ground rules. Make sure that they only get one piece of candy from each house, and that they say thank you," Elizabeth said causing both Theo and Liam to gasp, that meant that they had to go up to the houses with them.

"Wait...people will see us?" Theo stuttered, he was still getting used to being depended on by someone that wasn't himself.

"Yes, Theo people will see you. If anyone questions your costume I'm sure Thalia will happily explain it," Elizabeth said putting a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Relax, it's not bad,"

"It's kind of fun," Liam grinned, of course the young werewolf would find Trick or Treating fun he was still a child at heart.

"I just haven't done it in a long time," Theo said looking between Elizabeth and Liam and then looking down at what he was wearing.

"You'll be fine, it's only for an hour...and then Melissa is dropping by to pick them up for a sleepover," Elizabeth said, as Theo's eyes went wider than they already were.

"I thought..." Theo started to say but was silenced by Liam laughing and planting a kiss on the older boys lips.

"You thought wrong," Liam mumbled into the kiss as Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"Just make sure they behave and have fun," Elizabeth laughed before ushering the two down the hallway to the kitchen where they were met by giggles from the twins and laughter from Scott and Derek.

Scott and Derek stood in the kitchen looking Theo and Liam up and down while Thalia and Caleb politely explained what they had dressed their big brother and his boyfriend in. Scott realised that his cousins had their favourites, Thalia loved Theo while Caleb loved Liam which was why the little boy had dressed as a cowboy Robin to his cowboy Batman. Elizabeth watched as Scott handed Thalia and Caleb their buckets. Thalia insisted that Theo help her carry her neon pink pumpkin while Caleb wanted to independently carry his neon green pumpkin.

"Thalia, Caleb be good for Theo and Uncle Liam," Elizabeth said as both children threw their arms around her, then Scott and Derek before each of them grabbed either Theo or Liam's hand.

"We will!" Both children giggled before dragging Theo and Liam out the door.

"So he knows why we're sending him?" Derek and Scott questioned, both were still trying to hold back the laughter from the costumes.

"You heard me say Scott's mom was picking the twins up," Elizabeth answered before she glanced around the kitchen trying to think of what they needed to do for the party.

"Ethan and Jackson said they'd bring the cake, Lydia and Stiles said something about chips and dip," Scott said remembering the text messages that their friends had sent. "Malia said something about meat,"

"You just have to finish the lasagne and I'll do the salad," Derek said pausing before he added. "And Scott can go find where the presents got hidden,"

"I think Mason and Corey said something about bringing the drinks," Elizabeth said as they set about getting the house ready for Theo's birthday party.

Meanwhile Theo and Liam were walking slightly awkwardly hand in hand with the two small bouncing children. Theo was being dragged ahead by Thalia while Liam was listening to Caleb talking about the batman cartoon he'd watched with Scott earlier in the day.

"Theo! This house please," Thalia grinned stopping when they saw a house that had a small pumpkin patch at the front and what looked to be a skeleton sitting on the porch.

"Okay, remember what mom said?" Theo said crouching down so that he was level with his little sister.

"Yes," Thalia nodded and took hold of Theo's hand and led him up the path stopping midway and yelling. "Unca Liam, Caleb come on!" Caleb looked at Liam, letting go of his hand and bolting up to his sister grabbing her hand. Liam jogged up to Theo and subtly took his hand before both of them watched the two children walk up the path.

"Theo, they'll be fine," Liam smiled at him as they listened to Thalia and Caleb saying 'Trick or Treat' to the house they'd gone up to.

"I know, just Tali can be very demanding," Theo said as they watched and then all of a sudden could see neither of the twins. "Where did they go?" Theo panicked as Liam looked around for the two small children.

"Theo, listen for their voices," Liam said as they both frantically looked around they'd only gone three houses. "Look over there," Liam pointed towards where a little Tinker-bell and cowboy Robin were standing talking to Parrish who had commented on their costumes.

Theo jogged up to where they were and scooped both of them up in his arms. Parrish looked at Theo and then at Liam understanding what Thalia had meant when she said she dressed her big brother and Uncle Liam. Theo shot Parrish a glare praying that the older man wouldn't laugh at them.

"See! Mommy said that we could dress Theo up," Thalia grinned looking at Theo and wrapping her arms around his neck before looking back at Parrish. "He's a fairy princess,"

"Hey Theo, Liam, nice looks you have there," Parrish said nodding to the two of them as he handed Liam the buckets. "Did you want a hand with them?"

"Can Unca Jordan please?" Caleb wrapped his arms around Theo's neck like his sister had done and looked at Theo and then at Liam and then finally at Parrish who raised his eyebrow at the two.

"Hey, I think we can manage...so long as they don't disappear," Theo answered, as Thalia kissed him and then squirmed to get put down. "Tali, just wait a second?" Theo said struggling to keep hold of her before Parrish grabbed hold of her and put her on the ground for him. "Thanks. Caleb, can you and Tali stay together please?"

"Uh huh!" Caleb grinned and grabbed hold of Thalia's hand as they took their buckets from Liam.

"Babe you can relax now," Liam said wrapping an arm around Theo's waist and then looking at Parrish. "You're coming tonight?"

"Yeah, my shift finishes in five. Sheriff's got me patrolling the street until then," Parrish answered, before Theo and Liam disappeared with the twins and did some more trick or treating. "Maybe go up further than just the pavement," Parrish called out to the two of them before he headed back to his patrol car.