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So it's after Thanksgiving…which is the perfect time to post the next installment of my Leahward Halloween fic, LOL. That's the kind of madcap gal I am!

That last scene was harsh, wasn't it? Ugh. Well, some time has passed, so let's see what Leah is up to. Here we go!

Halloween, 1997

"Lookin' good, Ms. Clearwater!" came the call from the top of the ladder. "Are you dressing up as my girlfriend this year?"

"In your dreams, Felix." I unbuttoned my coat and surveyed the area. "How's it going in here?"

"Great!" Angela Cheney came in with an armful of orange and black construction paper. "We're going to turn these into paper chains and hang them on the trees."

"I still don't understand how you can have a Halloween tree." Ben was assembling the bare brown branches in the corner. "Won't the kids be confused?"

"The only one confused here is you." Angela winked as she passed him.

"That's not what you said last night," he muttered.

"Whoa, lover boy!" Felix chuckled as he descended the latter. "Keep it clean."

"I am!" Though his face was red as a beet. "Last night, she asked me to assemble some furniture, and I figured it out. Didn't I, babe?"

"You sure did." Angela smiled sweetly. "And I love my new vanity."

"Y'all ain't foolin' nobody." Felix moved his ladder a few feet to the left. "But I'm'a let it slide."

"You do have it going on, Miss Leah." Angela laid out her supplies on the table. "Hot date tonight?"

All eyes turned to me, and I laughed at their incredulity. "My best friend Kate is in town, and we're going out."

"Sweet!" Angela said. "Aw, but you'll miss the party!"

"I know. But that's why I'm here now. Is Rose in?"

There was a long pause before Felix replied. "She's with the Mallorys."

My heart tightened. "So it's true?"

Felix nodded. "They're returning to Colorado, you know, to be with family."

"How old is Lauren?"

"Not quite five," Angela whispered. "Her birthday is right before Christmas, so…."

"Right." I blew out a long, slow breath. "Well, let's make sure their transition is as smooth as possible. Who's on this afternoon?"

"The missionaries from Living Water Tabernacle and the debate team from Masterman High School," Felix said. "And there's another group, but I can't think of the name."

"Ben and I are staying for the party," Angela said. "So we'll take care of the Mallorys' room."

"Thank you."

The clip-clop of Rose's shoes reached our ears, and everyone went back to work as the Mallorys passed through the main living space. We smiled tentatively in their general direction, pretending not to hear their sniffles out of respect.

"Looks great." Rose cleared her throat. "We should be ready come party time."

"That's the idea," Felix said. "I'm going to get more lights."

"I'll help," Ben paused to rub Angela's shoulder. "The more, the merrier."

Rose appraised me as I approached her. "And where are you going again?"

"On a date. With Kate."

"Is 'Kate' short for 'Kathaniel' or something?"

"Kathaniel?"

She shrugged as she opened the door. "Wouldn't be the strangest name I've ever heard."

"Kate is short for Katherine, and she would kill me if I showed up in khakis." I sat in the chair beside her desk. "She brings out the best in me."

"Thank God for good friends." Rose closed the Mallorys' folder on her desk with a sigh. "I'm glad Eric and Irina have a bunch in Colorado."

"So there's no more hope?"

She shook her head. "The cancer is spreading too fast and in too many directions. This last round of chemo was a long-shot, and it didn't do enough."

I didn't know what to say, but thankfully, Rose bailed me out.

"I do have some good news though. Little Jazz will be discharged this afternoon. And his parents are bringing him to the party."

I was so happy I could have cried. "Jasmine will be thrilled!"

"Yep. Having the Whitlock twins here tonight will make losing the Mallorys easier to handle."

"I wish I could be here." I glanced at my watch. "Maybe I could tell Kate…"

"You can tell Kate and her mother 'thank you' for the cookies they sent," Rose said. "And tell them we want to double the order for Thanksgiving and Christmas."

"But…"

"No buts. Look, I love your dedication, Leah. It's why I want you to replace Crowley as Day House Manager when he retires in June. But you need some balance, something else outside of this place to fill your tank when kids like Laurie Mallory leave you empty. Do you have something or someone like that?"

My mind flashed to a crooked smile beneath soft green eyes, and I yanked it back. "Not for a long time."

"Then you should get it. And this dinner with Kate is a great start." The phone rang on the desk, and she smiled as she answered it. "Ronald McDonald House, Rose McCarty speaking."

I fiddled with the knot at my waist when Rose's words got my attention. "Of course, she's here….She tried that, but I shut it down….I like yours too….Yes, please, and if you bring some extra cookies, I won't hold it against you….Nice talking to you too, Kate. See you tomorrow!" Rose handed me the receiver with a smirk. "Guess who!"

I rolled my eyes, and she headed out. "Why are you calling me here?"

"Because I knew you'd be there," Kate said. "Heaven forbid you not go to work on your day off."

"The Halloween party is tonight. I just wanted to make sure everything was set."

"Of course you did. Anyway, I wanted to warn you that I might be late tonight. I have a meeting with some execs at The Gallery, and if all goes well, this franchise idea might work out."

"Kate, that's wonderful!"

"Ain't it though? Mom has wanted a mall location for a long time."

"I know. So don't worry if you're late. I've got the latest John Grisham to keep me company, and we'll toast your success when you get there."

"You're the best, Leah, thanks! I've got to run, but I'm really looking forward to tonight."

"Me too!"

"Oh, and please inspect the cookies. Mom used a different packing system, so let me know if any are broken or missing."

"You got it. See you later!"

"Love you!"

I hung up the phone just as Felix knocked on the door. "The cookies are here."

"Perfect timing."

As I walked through the kitchen, I caught a whiff of tomato soup. "Smells great, guys!"

"Thanks!" Charlotte bopped to the radio as she stirred. "Shall we save you a grilled cheese sandwich?"

"No, thanks. Saving my appetite for Ruth's Chris."

"I love that place!" Peter entered the kitchen with a loaded handcart. "Get the T-bone. Best in the city, guaranteed."

"I'll keep that in mind." He set the boxes on the counter, and I inspected them. "So far, so good."

"I'm gonna set up the tables for lunch," Peter said. "Fifteen minutes, guys."

Being careful not to rip the outer tab, I opened the top box to find three dozen sugar cookies frosted like jack-o-lanterns. They were the perfect size, shape, and color, and every crumb was in place.

Irina would be pleased.

And as I considered stealing one for nostalgia's sake, I could just about see Kate and me standing in the gym by the refreshment tables, watching our rhythmically-challenged teachers getting their nonexistent groove on.

Then a familiar song would play, sending Kate and me onto the dance floor.

A bittersweet smile touched my lips as the scene played in my mind. We laughed and danced without a care in the world until a copper-haired boy and his friend landed in our sights.

"I need a man who'll take a chance on a love that burns hot enough to last…"

I still couldn't believe Kate came up with the idea to telegraph our feelings across the room. Things were so easy then, so carefree and easy before everything changed…

"So when the night falls, loneliness calls!" Charlotte sang out, startling me.

I prepared to be embarrassed for being caught singing aloud, but no one was paying me any attention. The other kitchen volunteers were swaying and singing as they sliced cheese and washed out soup bowls. And as the chorus swelled around me, I realized the song was playing on the radio.

With a tray full of jack-o-lantern cookies in front of me, that song was playing on the radio.

My quality control efforts tripled in speed as Whitney killed me softly with perfect pitch and clarity. I forced back the memories of green-eyed boys and adolescent adrenaline and counted those cookies before the song ended.

"All done," I said in a shaky voice. "Refrigerate the cookies and tell Rose I'll see her tomorrow. Enjoy the party!"

Charlotte's reply was lost to me as I took the rear exit outside. Once on the street, I took a deep breath and let the crisp autumn air clear my head of its folly. There was no reason to let a melancholy memory ruin my night with my best friend. We had a lot to catch up on, namely her recent reunion with Garrett, and I wanted to be in good spirits when we did.

But the more I thought about tonight, the more Rose's words hit home. There was nothing to tell outside of my life at Ronald McDonald House. My parents still lived in my hometown, so I didn't see them often. My remaining relationships from Drexel were superficial at best, and I had little desire to cultivate a real social life. And if I were honest, I could give the real reason why.

The green-eyed, said-goodbye reason why.

Being heartbroken over Edward was my dirty little secret, and I guarded it with my life. The lingering heartache didn't turn me into an insomniac or cat-crazy recluse. But it was why I didn't date or confide in anyone other than Kate.

Or eat mellowcreme pumpkins anymore.

Outside of my work at RMH, I had zero interest in Halloween, and Kate made sure it never became a day of mourning. From the night Edward left when she took me inside and dried my tears with the sleeve of her varsity soccer jacket, she promised to spend every Halloween with me doing non-Halloween things.

And she'd kept her word.

The first year, we had a sleepover at her house and a Bill Murray marathon. In college, we alternated years at each other's schools based on who had the lightest coursework at the time. We went ice skating and attended fascinating lectures on feminism and spelunking. We saw an opera at the Academy of Music and visited the renowned Philadelphia Art Museum. One year, she almost convinced me to pierce my belly button, but I came to my senses and settled for blue streaks in my hair.

I washed them out the next day.

This year, we planned a leisurely dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House on Broad Street and an after-dinner jaunt down South Street. Kate loved its quirky shops and quirkier characters, and I loved being anywhere she was.

It was going to be a great night.

But our reservation wasn't for a few hours yet. The thought of blue streaks gave me an idea, so after a McChicken to go, I headed to a nail salon that took walk-ins. I braced myself for the near toxic fumes and walked in with a smile, selecting the electric blue polish from the wall display.

My technician was across from the television, giving me an ideal view of the screen. As Erica Kane slapped an aggressive would-be suitor, I wondered aloud if Susan Lucci would ever win an Emmy. The query sparked a debate, and I enjoyed the volley of opinions flying around me.

The screen faded to black as the would-be suitor tried to kiss her again, and as I turned away from the screen, the familiar sounds of "Linus and Lucy" filled my ears. I closed my eyes as the cheery announcer informed us that tonight at 8:00 p.m., our favorite blanket-dragging Peanut would try again to catch a glimpse of the elusive Great Pumpkin.

And once again, I was in my parents' den with a bowl of popcorn beside me.

"Every time Lucy stabs that pumpkin, a little part of me dies," I said after a minute. "Poor Linus."

"She's the reason I'm glad to be an only child," he said.

The commercial ended before I could go deeper, and I determined to ignore the screen for the rest of my appointment. I sprung for a pedicure, much to the technician's delight. The blue polish would look great with my peep-toe pumps and might convince Kate I wasn't spending my nights at home watching reruns and pretending not to be lonely.

I hoped.

With my polish shining and my mood improving, I left the salon and caught the 21 bus on Chestnut Street. I got off at Broad Street and walked the few blocks to the restaurant at a comfortable pace.

When I arrived at Ruth's Chris, I submitted Kate's name and prepared to wait. The lobby was full of waiting patrons, but the atmosphere was pleasant. Within minutes, the hostess grabbed two menus, and I followed her to a square table toward the rear of the dining room.

"The reservation said you would prefer a table away from the door," the hostess said. "Is this sufficient?"

"It's great."

"Excellent." The hostess placed a menu beside each place setting. "Your server will be over shortly. If you need anything, please let us know."

"I will." I glanced at her name tag. "Thank you, Tanya."

She grinned. "My pleasure!"

I folded my coat and set it in the adjacent chair. The outside air had turned nippy during my walk, and I pulled out the wine list, browsing the choices. I didn't know squat about wine, but I hoped to see something recognizable. As I turned the page, my gaze landed on the center of my table.

And I froze.

There, to my great alarm, was a bundle of orange daisies in a taupe basket. Around the basket was a bright orange ribbon peppered with green polka dots.

It wasn't identical to my flowers and dress from my uncle's wedding, but it was close.

Too close.

My mouth went dry as my palms began to sweat, and I drew in a deep breath. There had to be an explanation, something more logical than what my brain began believing.

Then I remembered: it was Halloween! Orange flowers in rustic arrangements were common at this time of year. Very common and nothing to be anxious about. I chuckled to myself and prepared to return to my wine list.

Until I looked at the other tables and noticed they were bare.

No baskets, no daisies, and no ribbons of any kind.

Trying not to panic, I waved at the nearest server, stopping just short of grabbing him by the arm. "Excuse me. This is going to sound weird, but do you know why these are here?"

He frowned at the arrangement. "You didn't bring those with you?"

"No." Obviously. "They were here when I sat down."

"Hmm. Maybe the last guest left them?"

"Yeah. Maybe. Okay, thanks." He turned to walk away. "Only..."

"Yes?"

"See, the hostess, Tanya, sat me here by request. So I don't think the last guest left them here."

"I see what you mean." He studied the arrangement. "Maybe the flowers were requested too."

That made no sense. "Why would Kate request these flowers?"

"She didn't. I did."

At the sound of that voice, I knew for certain I was having some sort of psychotic break. The cookies, the Whitney Houston song, the Great Pumpkin, and the flowers had congealed in my frazzled mind to produce an audial hallucination of the one person I most feared and desired to see.

Because there was no way it could be him. Not here. Not now.

Not today.

"Sir?" the server was saying. "Are you joining the lady?"

When the very real server addressed couldn't-be-real voice to my left, I realized this moment was no fluke of the imagination or tear in the space-time continuum.

This moment was real.

Steeling myself with a prayer under my breath, I turned in my seat and found the last person I ever expected to see watching me with unreadable eyes.

"Am I, Leah?" Edward asked softly. "Am I joining you?"

Did anyone see that coming? I did, LOL, but in light of the fact that Ed didn't show up until the end...there's another chapter coming! Look for it by New Year's, lol!

See you soon! xo