The dining table at Kendall's had become a mini workshop in preparation for their party. They were all decorating sugar skulls ready for their day of the dead celebrations. Cara was encouraging Spike and Kendall to make them as outrageous and colourful as possible. Ian hadn't quite got the idea and was happy licking his skull rather than decorating it.
"Those ones aren't for eating." said Cara with a laugh. "We'll be making the pumpkin cakes later!"
"Do you like this one?" Spike asked holding out his latest creation for Griffin to admire. "It's for AJ. It's all his favourite colours!"
"Excellent!" said Griff.
"Are you doing one's for your cousins too?" asked Kendall, although she couldn't help but grin at how much her son looked up to his best friend.
"I thought Miranda and Gabby would like your pink ones." said Spike pointing at his mother's own contribution. "I like doing boys ones."
"Okay." said Kendall with a shrug, as Spike reached out for other skull to paint yellow, green and blue.
"Griff?" asked Spike as he got on with his latest work of art. "Are we building the shrine tomorrow?"
"We are." said Griffin. "We've most of what we need, but we still need some orange marigolds."
"Why does it have to have flowers?" Spike asked.
"Well," said Cara, reaching across to steal some of the blue ribbon Spike had gathered in front of him. "The Mexican Marigold is traditionally used to honour the dead, they are called flor de muertos …flower of the dead."
"Cool." said Spike. "Flowers of the dead! I'm sure daddy will like that!"
"I'm sure he will too." said Kendall, smoothing down her son's hair.
"And if he doesn't I'm gonna put my Redwing's shirt out for him and a beer…"
"I'm sure he'll like that too." said Kendall, a sad smile on her lips. Griffin reached across and squeezed her hand.
"Mom!" cried Ian, sticking out his tongue. "It hurts."
"We told you not to lick them" said Kendall, putting down her paint brush. His tongue was a little red. "We'll get you a cold drink to help cool it down… come on."
"Griff?" Spike asked, once his mom was out of the room. "Mommy doesn't mind daddy coming to the party does she? I know she misses him."
"I'm sure she'll just be happy to share her memories of him with you, which is really the point of these celebrations."
"And I can share my memories with her."
"Exactly." said Griffin giving the boy a grin. "Exactly."
…