That evening Bianca shepherded the three kids into the study so they could shop for their Halloween costumes together. Miranda and AJ between them carried in two dining chairs so they could all sit around the computer together. Miranda, who prided herself on being the family computer expert, took charge of the typing. Gabby climbed onto her mommy's lap, wriggling until she found a comfortable spot that avoided her lumpy brace.

Bianca directed her daughter to a costume website, that she had checked over earlier that afternoon, that seemed to have everything they needed.

The first outfit they searched for was the easiest; Gabby's Princess Fiona ogre costume. Gabby actually had a choice between a green dress, a blue dress or Fiona's warrior outfit; all of which came with a ginger wig that included a gold tiara and the sticking out ogre ears. Gabby, still not entirely happy that she had to be a monster as well as princess picked the prettiest blue dress, although both AJ and Miranda thought she should have gone for the proper green one.

The outfit was sent to the website shopping cart and AJ lean past Miranda to type 'werewolf' into the search bar. Bianca quickly added that he should tick child in the selection box… she had seen some of the adult options and didn't think they were quite suitable for the kids to see. About half a dozen options popped up. AJ particularly liked one that came with a hairy mask, gloves and a tattered plaid shirt.

"You'll have to add your own pants." Bianca pointed out, "But as you are almost through the knees of those jeans you're wearing at the moment, I think you'll be fine."

The outfit was sent to the shopping cart.

"My turn" said Miranda, typing monster doctor into the search box.

"Just search doctor." advised Bianca, "And remember to select child."

Miranda followed her mommy's advice. Ten costumes popped up. Some were bloody outfits, one was a zombie doctor; one had the guts hanging out.

"Ew." exclaimed Miranda, although AJ thought it was cool.

Bianca leaned over and pointed to a more traditional doctor's outfit with a white coat, blue scrubs, a stethoscope and surgeons hat.

"I thought if we start with this one we can find you some monstrous accessories."

The outfit went to the shopping cart.

"Type in monster wig." suggested Bianca.

A whole page of colourful monster wigs appeared and Miranda was instantly drawn to the Clawdeen one from Monster High, a curly brown wig with a pair of pointed ears poking out of the top.

"I thought you would like that one." said Bianca. "I was wondering if maybe you would like to be the Were-cat that you and AJ invented yesterday; a Were-cat monster doctor."

"Clawdeen is a werewolf." protested AJ.

"Well I think they look like cats ears." said Bianca. She then leant past Gabby, on her lap and typed 'cat nose' into the search engine and a little nose mask popped up. She looked at her daughter speculatively.

Miranda had a small smile on her lips and she furiously nodded her head.

"I want to be a Were-cat." she said quickly; so the wig and the nose were sent to the shopping cart.

"But what will you wear then?" AJ asked, looking at Bianca concern. She was going to be the Were-cat, so what was she going to be now?

"Well I found something this afternoon." said Bianca and typed 'robot secretary' into the search engine and what appeared was a black business suit, all covered with tubes, electronic parts and cogs with a set of silver goggles and gloves,. "I thought with my brace and crutches I could go as a cyborg."

"Cool!" said AJ.

Gabby however wasn't so convinced.

"It's not very pretty." she said.

"But it's fun." said Bianca.

"I like it." said Miranda with a grin; happy that her mommy wasn't being anything too horrible.

"What about my mom?" AJ asked. "'Cause she's working late, are we shopping for her too?"

"Marissa wants to be a vampire so we just need to get her some fangs."

Miranda typed 'vampire teeth' into the search engine and they selected a set for her.

"But what is she going to wear?" Gabby asked.

"That is already sorted out." said Bianca. She had spent half an hour at work finding a fantastic studded biker jacket and the leather pants for the 80's biker look she had envisioned Marissa in.

"So that's it." said AJ. "We are all ready for Halloween?"

"I just have to pay for it all." said Bianca, pulling the computer towards her to fill in her details. "And then we wait for the delivery to arrive!"

The kids cheered.

"So what now?" asked AJ. That hadn't taken any time at all.

Bianca gave him a sad smile.

"Sadly I think it's time for you and Miranda to do your homework."

Both Miranda and AJ's faces fell at the news. Oh well, at least the costume shopping was fun!

…