Chapter 15

The cool, crisp autumn air whipped around inside Johnny's Rover as he headed down the 405 on his way to the DeSotos' house. He had agreed to assist Roy with Trick-or-Treating duties in their neighborhood, but now he was wishing he hadn't accepted the invitation. He still had to figure out exactly how he was going to propose to Lily and he was only a matter of hours away – less than 40, to be exact. Now he had a six-year old waiting impatiently for tonight. Jennifer had been proudly telling everyone that she and her Uncle Johnny had a Halloween date. Did the precocious little girl even know what a date was? He didn't know, but if she hadn't been so excited, and if he hadn't promised Roy he would help, he certainly would not be spending the next few hours walking around a neighborhood with young children dressed in costumes. Even worse, he really didn't want to be around the kids after they had eaten their fill of candy. But a smirk crossed his chiseled face. He cast a quick glance to the passenger's seat and the benign brown bag resting there. He knew that Chet would be attending the small gathering, having agreed to take Corrie around the neighborhood with the DeSoto kids. Johnny thought of Chet as just a big kid, and big kids often got pranked on Halloween.

As he continued to make his way to his destination, his thoughts turned from tonight's festivities to the lady of his dreams. He had not spoken to Lily in several days, and he hoped that nothing had changed with her plans to return on Sunday. It had seemed like an eternity since he had seen her. He missed her sweet smile, her beautiful eyes, and the way her body fit perfectly against his own when they embraced. He was lost in his reminiscing when a loud honking sound jolted him back to the present. Looking up, he noticed that he was sitting still at a green light. Waving his apologies to the offended driver behind him, he accelerated and soon turned onto the DeSotos' street.

Parking his Rover in his usual spot along the curb, he grabbed the brown paper bag and headed for the front door. With any luck, they would make quick work of Trick-or-Treating. He'd eat a burger, enjoy the mess Chet would find himself in, and then head on home. He had to work on his proposal for Sunday morning. Normally a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy, Johnny wanted his proposal to be perfect in every way.

He stepped onto the small front porch and from inside, he could hear Jennifer whining and crying. His stomach knotted, and he rolled his eyes with a loud exhalation. How was he supposed to deal with a six-year old girl's tears and foul mood when he had so much on his mind?

He knocked while turning the doorknob and walked inside, knowing there was no need to wait for an invitation to enter what he often referred to as his second home. Setting his bag down in the chair beside the front door, he took a seat beside the sniveling girl on the sofa. "Hey, what's wrong, Jenny?" he asked, keenly aware that there were no tears dampening her cheeks. From experience, he knew that meant that she was more angry than upset.

The child opened her pouty mouth to respond just as her father's voice boomed from the kitchen.

"She's in time-out."

Johnny gave the child a knowing look. "What did you do?"

"N-nothin'," she stuttered, not wanting her favorite uncle to know of her misdeed.

"SHAZAM!" Chris shouted, leaping into the room from the third step of the staircase.

"DADDY! Chris did it, too!" Jennifer cried out, not wanting her brother to get away with something for which she was being punished.

"Christopher DeSoto!" Roy's red face suddenly appeared in the living room. He was angrier than Johnny had ever seen him at his two children.

"But Dad! I'm Captain Marvel and I'm more powerful than Isis!"

"Are not!"

"Am so!"

"Nu-uh!"

"Uh-huh!" Chris strutted in front of Jennifer with his chest out, sporting his red costume with the gold lightning bolt on the front.

Jennifer's final retort was to stick her tongue out at her brother.

Johnny fought the snicker that was trying to surface as the banter between the children continued. He knew his partner was not in a laughing mood. He was about to interrupt the children's arguing when suddenly Roy's normally soft-spoken voice shifted into a deep growl.

"Park it, Chris," Roy ordered, pointing his finger at the chair opposite the sofa. "Now!" He waited for his son to comply with his command. "I've about had it with both of you," he said, shifting his stern blue eyes from one child to the other. "If I hear another peep out of either of you, there will be no Trick-or-Treating tonight, understand?"

Both children sat quietly, arms folded over their chests. Jennifer, her legs being too short to touch the floor, began bouncing them in frustration. Johnny could practically hear his partner's blood boiling through his veins. The younger man slipped his hand over to Jennifer's bouncing leg, patting it gently in an effort to settle her down. He was grateful when the annoying movement stopped.

Satisfied that the crisis was over, at least for the moment, Roy returned to the kitchen to finish slicing the onions for the hamburgers. Johnny followed behind him, his bag of tricks for Chet completely forgotten.

Johnny, not wanting to upset his partner further, retrieved a knife from the kitchen drawer and began slicing the tomatoes. The duo worked in silence for a few moments.

"Got a lot of vegetables here for just a few folks, Roy," Johnny commented, seeing the pile of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions Roy was arranging onto serving plates.

Roy deadpanned, never missing a beat. "Remember last year, when the neighbors stopped by? Never know who might show up," he said, covering the dishes with plastic wrap and placing them in the refrigerator. "Besides, the Lopez family is also coming over so Marco can take Antonio Trick-or-Treating with us."

"Oh… No Lexi, huh?"

Roy turned around to face his partner, shaking his head.

There was a moment of silence between the two, neither man wanting to voice their opinions of Marco's sister.

Roy was the first to speak. "I'm so glad you're here to help me with those two," he said, jerking his head in the direction of the living room. "They've been awful this afternoon," he groused.

"Wonder what's up?"

"I guess Jen is just excited about her date with you, and… I dunno… Maybe Chris is kind of jealous that she's getting special time with you." Roy shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, thanks again for helping out with them. I don't know what Jo and I would do without you, Johnny." Roy knew he was laying it on thick, as some would say, but he needed to make sure Johnny stayed at the cookout until the other special guests arrived, even if that meant using a little well-placed guilt on the younger man's shoulders.

Johnny blushed a shade of crimson. He really hadn't wanted to be here, but his presence was wanted by the younger two DeSotos and definitely needed by the older two. That made him feel good, like he belonged. He stepped to the kitchen sink, washing off the knife and his hands. He looked up from the sink, seeing the deck prepped for the cookout that would follow the evenings festivities. Spying a small red ice chest, he immediately thought of a way to make things up to Chris, and perhaps keep the sibling rivalry down for the rest of the night.

Roy glanced at his watch. "Joanne ought to be finished in the shower. Do you think you can keep those two from flying off the stairs again while I go get cleaned up?"

"Are they being paroled?"

Roy smiled. "Them, yes… you… not so fast," he chuckled.

"Okay, I get it… I'll try to keep all three of us out of trouble, but… Mind if I use that red ice chest for a little Phantom payback?"

"Johnny…," Roy shook his head, then thought about all the times that his naïve partner had been the butt of Chet's jokes. He acquiesced. "Sure… I'll let Jo know not to let anyone go near it, but-"

Before Roy could ask Johnny to make sure the kids weren't involved in the prank, a feminine shriek came from the living room. The two men scrambled around the corner, expecting the worst. Jennifer's face was wrinkled in a grimace and Christopher was grinning mischievously.

"EEWWW!" the little girl repeated.

"Far out, Uncle Johnny," Christopher commented, amazed at what he had found inside the forgotten brown bag. "Dad, Uncle Johnny brought a bucket o' snot!"

Johnny could feel the color draining from his face. "Uh, Chris, no, that isn't… I mean, it 'snot… Ugh, it isn't snot, it's-"

"JUNIOR!" Roy said in a raised voice, his eyes shooting daggers at his younger partner. Did the childless man know that he had just thrown fuel on a raging inferno?

"Guess my parole just got revoked."

Roy pressed his lips into a thin line, narrowing his eyes at his friend. "Please get control of my house for me while I go take a shower."

"Will do, Pally," Johnny replied, removing the paraphernalia from Chris' hands and returning it to the bag. "Um, maybe you should take a cold shower," he tossed in Roy's direction, hoping to settle his angry partner down a bit. "Might cool you off."

Roy turned towards the stairs. "Every shower taken after Joanne's IS a cold shower," he muttered.

Johnny watched his partner disappear up the stairs, then turned his attention back to the bickering DeSoto youngsters.

"Isis can't fly like Superman," Chris spat out.

"You ain't Superman, dummy!"

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Jennifer, Chris isn't a dummy and Chris," he continued, turning to the young boy. "Don't pester your sister. Now, your Dad is already mad, so just try to settle down, a'right?"

Both children sat back, glaring at each other. Chris narrowed his eyes, silently daring his little sister to stick her tongue out again. When he realized she wasn't going to, he picked up the brown paper sack.

"Uncle Johnny," he quizzed, reaching back inside the bag. "Are you gonna play a trick on Uncle Chet?"

"Um…," he hesitated, realizing that this was his big chance. "Okay, Jenny, please go upstairs and put your shoes on. I have a special project that I need Chris' help with, and then you and I will be ready to go on our date," he said, offering her his trademark grin and a quick wink. He knew the ol' Gage charm worked on young women; he prayed it would work on the young Miss DeSoto, too. When he saw her scramble from her seat, heading for the stairs, he turned to Chris.

"A'right… It's jus' you and me… Grab that bag and come give me a hand… but don't tell anybody… especially not the girls, deal?" He reached out his hand, pleased with himself when Chris proudly shook it.

E!

Roy slipped inside the master bedroom, locking the door behind him. He turned around into the arms of his towel-clad wife.

"Is everything okay?"

Roy looked at her, a big grin spreading across his face. "Johnny's getting a taste of family life… He may never want kids after ours get through with him tonight."

Joanne's smile brightened her face. "That bad, huh?"

"Right now, that partner of mine is refereeing our children's little spat." He stepped into the bathroom, Joanne following close behind him to finish up her make-up. He gave her the details of everything that she had missed as he disrobed. When he was finished, he stepped into the shower, turned on the water and raised his voice so Joanne could hear him. "Anyway, so Chris takes that little can of goop out of the sack – the stuff Johnny's been using to torture Chet with over the last few weeks, and he starts playing with it," he said, dipping his head into the spray of warm water. "And Jen started screaming 'eww' at Chris. I swear, Jo, I don't know how you do it."

Joanne snorted her own laughter, having to pause in applying her mascara. "Humph, sounds like a typical day at the DeSoto residence," she sneered, leaning forward to get closer to the mirror that was quickly fogging up with the steam. Roy didn't answer, having not heard her comment above the sound of the water, and she hoped she hadn't just put him into an even worse mood by her cynical comment. She bit her lower lip, wondering if she had made a mistake. Then allowed a flirtatious grin to cross her face. She knew how to appease her husband and make him forget all about her comment.

She finished her make-up, then paused until the mirror was completely fogged up. Using her finger, she wrote a simple message on the bathroom mirror, then stepped back into their bedroom to finish getting dressed.

Roy turned off the water, drying himself before stepping out of the shower. He towel-dried his hair, then wrapped the towel around his waist. When he glanced up into the mirror, a smile spread over his face. He opened the door, allowing some of the steam to escape. He caught sight of Joanne pulling an orange blouse over her pale skin. Slipping over to her, he silently reached around her abdomen, kissing her gently on the neck.

"I can't wait," he whispered, seductively, into her ear, referring to the message left on the bathroom mirror.

"Not until our guests have left and the kids are in bed," she said, sinking back into his embrace. She loved how his strong body held her firmly, yet gently. His job kept him in great shape, something she admired… and that made her heart fill with lust for the man she loved so much.

Roy nibbled her earlobe then stepped away. "You torture me, Mrs. DeSoto," he replied, playfully slapping her backside.

"I love you, Mr. DeSoto," she replied, her voice throaty. "And the wait will be well worth it," she said, looking in the dresser mirror and offering his reflection a knowing wink.

Knowing he needed to change the subject before his body further betrayed his desires, Roy stepped over to his chest-of-drawers and removed boxers and a tee shirt. "So… have you and Caroline worked out the details?"

"Yes, we have." Joanne proceeded to fill him in on the plan while they finished getting ready. Both of them knew that Johnny was going to be shocked… if he survived his time with his surrogate niece and nephew, first.

E!

"Corrie, you look just like a ladybug," Chet chuckled, trying to snap a picture of his future stepdaughter as she pranced around Caroline's apartment. "I really like the black dot on the end of your nose."

Corrie paused in front of the full-length mirror in her mother's bedroom. She grinned at her reflection. She wore black tights beneath a pair of red shorts, a red bodysuit with pinned on black dots of felt, and a set of black cardboard wings that Chet had fashioned using of a pair of little boy's suspenders attached to her shorts. Her face was adorned with rosy cheeks painted on using a heaping amount of her mother's cream blush and a black nose – compliments of Caroline's eyeliner.

"Now for your antennae," Caroline laughed. She had used one of Corrie's headbands, a couple of pipe cleaners, and two small painted Styrofoam balls to create the perfect addition to her daughter's costume. She brushed Corrie's hair back, slipping the headband into place, then stepped back to admire her creation.

"You are the cutest ladybug I ever did see," she laughed.

"Will I get lots o' candy?" the little girl asked, her eyes wide.

"I'll bet you surely will," Chet answered, kneeling down to look at her at eye level. "Do you want to wear your ladybug bracelet, I bought you?"

"YESSS!"

As soon as the jewelry was in place, the trio made their way to Chet's van. Chet helped Corrie climb into the backseat, then took his place in the driver's seat, beside his beautiful fiancée.

"Don't forget, honey, I need to stop by Bloomers on our way over to the DeSotos'. I've got to pick up the flowers for the surprise tonight."

Chet nodded, adjusting his mirror to take another glance at the child in the backseat. She wasn't his by blood, but she had definitely taken over his heart. "Remember, ladybug, don't tell Uncle Johnny about the flowers, okay?"

"I know. I won't," she laughed, scrunching up her shoulders. "Is Antonio there yet?"

"He'll be there before it's time to go Trick-or-Treating," Caroline answered.

"He's gonna be a cowboy, right, Mommy?"

"That's right, sweetie."

Corrie's face lit up in a bright smile, then her eyebrows knitted together. "Do cowboys like ladybugs?"

Chet stifled a chuckle. "I'll bet they do… especially Antonio."

Corrie looked back down at her ladybug bracelet, remembering that she had received it as a gift when Mr. Chet had asked her mommy to marry him. She rubbed the bracelet with her fingers. "I'm gonna marry Antonio one day," she muttered softly.

Chet coughed into his hand, trying his best not to laugh at the little girl's comment. "His Uncle Marco is gonna take him Trick-or-Treating just like I'm takin' you," Chet explained, pulling into traffic.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Caroline's lips press together in a thin line. He understood what she was thinking, but neither of them would voice it in front of Corrie. He also knew that Marco wasn't happy about it, either. This party had been planned by his sister. It was also the first chance she would have to take her son Trick-or-Treating, and as far as they knew, she wasn't even planning on attending the event. How could she miss such precious times with her son?

"Time stands still for no one," Caroline mumbled, thinking about all the things Lexi had missed, but this time, she was choosing to miss an event. To Caroline, it was inexcusable. "I don't feel sorry for her; not one bit."

"I know, babe," Chet replied, giving Corrie a quick glance in the rearview mirror, making sure the child wasn't overhearing their conversation. "I don't know what to say. Marco is mad as he-um, heck about it."

"I don't ever want to think of anyone as a lost cause, but…"

"Then don't, Caroline. Don't think it and don't say it. Let's just enjoy tonight and our time together… and know that Johnny is gonna be one happy man when this night is over," he said, making the turn into Bloomer's parking lot.

Caroline offered him a smile. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees her."

E!

Samford Bennett combed and recombed his hair, staring at his reflection in his bathroom mirror. Why was he so nervous? It wasn't a date. He hadn't asked Bri to go with him, but he had been assured that she would be there. The thought made his heart skip a beat. Most men would never consider dating a woman with a past like Bri's, but there was something about her. In spite of all she had been through, there was still a certain type of innocence about the young woman that absolutely stole his heart. He hoped he might have a chance to discuss a job of sorts for her, something to help her meet her financial needs and give him a little piece of mind while he was working. "You're hopeless, Sam," he said to his reflection. "You've got it bad, man!"

Taking one long last look at his appearance, he turned off the light and headed down the long hallway, stopping to knock on his mother's bedroom door.

"Mom?" he called out, much louder than his normal speaking voice.

"Yes, Sam?"

He walked into her room, seeing her sitting with a book in her hand and her small round glasses perched on the end of her nose. "Mom, I'm going out. Are you sure you don't mind?"

Mrs. Bennett looked up at him, her green eyes full of peace and contentment. Her hair was completely white, and her face bore little resemblance to the fresh-faced beauty she had been many years ago. She and her husband had long given up on ever having children, especially after she had gone through what many women of her generation only referred to as 'the change.' But, what she had thought was menopause had actually turned out to be a surprising pregnancy and at the age of 46 years old, she had given birth to a healthy baby boy. She and her husband doted on the little tyke – a fact that should have created a spoiled child, but Samford Bennet had his mother's heart and his father's determination. He was the perfect combination of the two of them – a symbol of their love for each other that lived on, even though the elder Samford Bennett had passed away over ten years ago.

When his father died from a stroke, and his mother's hearing began to decline, Sam made the difficult decision to move back in with her, reclaiming his childhood bedroom. He was afraid for her to live alone, particularly being alone at night. He had only been twenty-one, fresh out of the fire academy, when his father died suddenly. He had never really had much of an independent life because he had returned home. He had never really dated anyone, feeling awkward in intimate relationships. He thought of the irony between his life and Bri's. They couldn't be more different, but he was totally mesmerized by her. He wasn't sure what she might think of him when she found out he lived with his mother… and how would she react to the news that he had never really had a girlfriend, either? His anxiety level rose again. He wanted to be honest with her, needed to be honest with her… but how would she react? Laughter? Pity? He looked back over at his mother who sat still, a questioning look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Mom; did you say something?"

"Why Sammie, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were going out on a date."

A blush colored his neck. She must have said something to him while he was daydreaming about Bri. "Well… kind of. It's a Halloween party for a friend… but there will be a few young ladies there."

She adjusted her small glasses and turned the page of her book. "Have a good time, dear… and don't you worry about me."

"Thanks… I love you, Mom," he said, loud enough for her to hear, then closed her bedroom door and headed for the garage. He had to pick up two of the guests of honor for tonight's festivities, and the traffic around LAX was never easily navigated. He did not want to be late. He scurried to his car and headed for the airport.

E!

"What's wrong with you, Lexi?" Maria Lopez questioned, standing in the doorway of her daughter's bedroom. "You've never had a chance to ever take your son Trick-or-Treating and now he's going without you!"

Lexi's heart was broken. She knew her mother was right, but she also knew that no one else would ever understand… well, no one but Bri. She fought to keep her tears at bay.

"I know, Mama, but… I just don't feel like celebrating tonight."

"Well, it isn't about you! It's about being with your son, AND letting Johnny know how much we love him. Do it for THEM!" Maria hesitated for a moment, but seeing no change in Lexi's attitude, she turned and headed downstairs to help Antonio finish getting ready.

Bri, having overheard the conversation, slipped into Lexi's room. She closed the door and locked it. It was time to confront her friend.

"Guess you came in here to yell at me too, huh?" Lexi asked, nervously watching as Bri turned to face her.

"You're goin' back out there, aren't you?" Bri questioned.

"You're crazy! Of course not!"

"Bullshit!" Bri shot back, her voice slightly lower. "You're trying to make everyone pissed off with you so when you leave it won't hurt so much. We've all done it, Lex. You know it and I know it. You can't lie to me. I've been there, remember? I know what you're doin'… I just don't understand why?"

Lexi looked up at her friend, her eyes welling up with tears. "Yes… Yes, you do understand why. You know what Ricardo is capable of… I can't let it happen…. I WON'T let it happen."

Bri felt her shoulders relaxing. She had finally broken through Lexi's tough outer shell. She walked over to her friend, wrapping her arm around her. "What will your leaving do to your family? Especially little Antonio?"

"I know, Bri!" Lexi stood up, pacing across the hardwood floor of her small room. "He did fine without me once… He'll be fine again… Besides," she said, stopping her pacing and looking at her friend, "he'll…" Lexi nearly revealed her plan to ask Marco and Beverly to adopt Antonio in the event that she died or became incapacitated, but she hadn't actually asked them the question, yet. "He'll have what he needs… He doesn't need me. Don't you see?"

"No… I don't see."

"He doesn't know what I really did out there. He doesn't know that I was a whore, okay? He doesn't know that I was a no-good lot lizard," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

"So… what? You break his heart just to keep him from finding out that you were victimized? That's ridiculous!"

"Maybe to you… not to me. I've brought shame and heartache to my entire family for over five years. If I can pull this off… they'll never know the truth… the whole truth… You'll be the only one who will know. Swear to me that you won't tell anyone… not for any reason. Please, Bri… swear it!"

Bri's face darkened. "Oh... My... God."

Lexi saw the change in her friend's facial features and knew that she finally understood.

"I know we used to talk about it but… You can't do it, Lexi. You can't. You'll either die or go to prison for the rest of your life. Either way… your family will lose you again!"

The young mother finally allowed her tears to fall freely. "That's… a sacrifice… I'm willing… to make."

E!

In his apartment, Mike was preparing to head over to the DeSotos' home. He couldn't decide how he felt about the event, now that he knew Lexi wasn't going to be there. He had both dreaded seeing her and dreaded not seeing her. Now he would get to spend a little time with Antonio, but again, that would just cause further heartache if the little boy was sad about his mother's absence. He blew out an exasperated sigh, then picked up his telephone. He dialed the familiar number, grateful when the voice that answered was the one he was hoping to speak to.

"Lopez residence."

"Marco? Hey, man… glad it's you. Any change in Lexi's plans?"

"Nope."

"Damn," the engineer cursed.

"Antonio isn't very happy about it either, but he is looking forward to Trick-or-Treating with Corrie."

Mike sighed into the phone. "Well… that's something, I guess. Um… Do you think she might talk to me if I come over?"

Marco hesitated, not wanting his sister to hurt anyone else. But perhaps this was just what Lexi needed. Mike was a man of few words, but his words always counted. He knew how to make the most of them. "Maybe… It's worth a try if you're up to it."

"I'll be over in just a few minutes," he said, fishing his keys out of his right front pocket.

"Thanks, Mike. I don't know if it'll do any good, but I appreciate the effort on your part. See you in a few."

The two hung up the phones and Mike quickly made his way to his vehicle. He didn't have long to figure out what he wanted to say.

The drive to the Lopez residence was made on auto-pilot. Mike's mind was carefully calculating his plan of action. His truck lumbered up to the curb, not wanting to block Marco's burgundy sedan that was sitting in Ms. Lopez' driveway. He straightened his shirt collar, then stepped out of his truck and walked up onto the porch.

"Mister Mike!" The shout belied the small body that emitted the exclamation. Antonio rushed out the door, leaping into Mike's awaiting arms. "I'm a real cowboy!"

"Yes, you are," Mike agreed, gently returning the child to the porch. "Lemme take a look at those new boots."

The child proudly stuck his foot out for Mike's approval. The man uttered a low whistle. "Mighty sharp, Ant."

"Mmhmm."

"And your Grandma did a fine job with the red handkerchief and chaps, and I believe Uncle Marco bought you those six-shooters, am I right?" Mike questioned, seeing his shiftmate walking outside to join them.

"Uh-huh," the child replied, feeling his uncle placing his cowboy hat on his dark-haired head. He turned and embraced Marco. "Meeko is the bestest uncle ever!"

Marco picked up the tike, hugging him tightly. "I love you too, Antonio."

Mike noted the sorrow on the other man's face and he knew why. Lately, Lexi had a way of bringing out the worst in people. Mike just hoped he could somehow convince her to join the rest of them at the Desotos' home.

Beverly and Maria joined them on the porch, laden with dishes for the upcoming gathering. Bri also joined them, giving Mike a polite smile. The group exchanged pleasantries with the engineer as each one walked past him. Bri was the last to make her way to Marco's car.

"Good luck," she sighed, giving Mike a sad shake of her head. She wanted to tell him the truth, tell someone of Lexi's plans, but she found herself in a precarious situation. Who would believe her? Lexi would simply deny it. She had to think of something, find some way to stop her friend from making the biggest mistake of her life.

"Yea… thanks," he muttered, then headed inside for what he hoped would be a productive conversation.

E!

The group of four men, escorting four young children down the street on the eastern side of the DeSotos' neighborhood caused the women left behind to giggle. The cowboy and the ladybug were holding hands, flanked on either side by Marco and Chet. Roy walked slightly behind Christopher, whose red outfit made him difficult to lose in a crowd. Then there was Johnny, lagging behind with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Isis on his shoulders.

"I have to fly, Uncle Johnny," the precocious child explained.

"But you can walk up to the doors of the houses, right?"

"No way; you have to fly me up there," she announced.

The other men in the group snickered, each one picturing John Gage waltzing up to the doors like an overgrown kid.

"But Jen-"

"Uncle Johnny, you're my date… 'member?"

"Yea, Uncle Johnny," Chet snickered, knowing he was NOT going to let his nemesis live this down. "You promised," he continued in his best little girl whiney voice.

"The Phantom better not hear about this," Johnny countered, his own crooked grin shining through. Thankfully, he and Jennifer were ahead of the small group, so Chet couldn't see him. He already had his prank set up and he couldn't wait to finish Trick-or-Treating, so they could get back to the DeSotos' deck for the fireworks that were sure to come.

E!

"Come on in Hank, Rebecca," Joanne said, opening the door to the couple. She was delighted to see that their daughters were also joining them, even though she knew that the girls would probably much rather have spent Halloween with their peers. "Where did you hide your car?"

"Well," Hank chuckled. "We brought Becca's Edsel and found an empty spot just down the street. Johnny probably won't remember what it looks like, so I think we're safe."

"Oh, how clever," Joanne remarked, seeing Mike's pick-up truck passing by and turning west at the end of the block. She knitted her eyebrows together, thinking she might have seen Lexi sitting in the passenger's seat. Deciding not to say anything to Maria and Beverly, she left the front door open for him, then returned to the deck to continue with the preparations.

A yellow cab pulled to a stop outside the DeSotos' home and two occupants emerged. The couple walked up the sidewalk and knocked on the open door.

"Anybody home?"

"Dr. Brackett?" Bri responded, walking around the corner of the kitchen. "Miss McCall… good to see you both."

"We brought some adult beverages," the good doctor proclaimed, holding up a bag with three bottles in it. "May I put them in the refrigerator for later?"

"Right this way," Bri said, gesturing with her arm. She smiled warmly at Dixie. "Everyone is on the deck. I'm the, official greeter and candy distributor," she laughed. Truthfully, she was watching for Mike and hoping that Lexi might be with him.

A couple of minutes later, she saw both of them walking up the sidewalk. She released an audible sigh. Obviously, Mike still had a way of reaching Lexi that no one else had. Could he possibly convince her not to do what she was planning to do? Should she confide what she knew with Mike? That was something she would have to think about.

"Mike, Lex," she said warmly. "Glad you're both here. Everyone's out on the deck."

Lexi pushed on ahead, not acknowledging Bri. She opened the door to the deck and stepped through, dreading the next few hours, but grateful to have made a deal to help her reach her ultimate goal.

Back inside, Bri turned to Mike. "How'd you do it?" she asked, knowing he would understand what she was asking.

Mike briefly pressed his lips together. "You don't wanna know," he grumbled, then walked towards the door. He didn't want to tell anyone what he had to do in order to get Lexi here, but at least Antonio would have his mother with him on this special night.

E!

On the deck, the assembled group quickly put up the decorations and signs for Johnny's party. There were personal 'thank you' notes stacked in a basket on a card table in the corner. The tablecloth hung to the floor of the deck, covering the box of red roses Caroline had brought from Bloomers. The red ribbon adorning the golden box had a small box tied to it – the box containing the engagement ring Johnny had purchased, and subsequently left at the DeSotos' for safekeeping.

Beside the table, Roy had positioned a red ice chest. He had told Joanne not to open it as it contained something Johnny didn't want anyone to see. Assuming that it was beer to be consumed by Johnny and Roy after everyone left and the kids had gone to bed, she merely shook her head. She stifled a giggle. "Johnny will be shocked when he realizes that there won't be time for beer drinking later tonight," she mumbled to herself. Unless… No, Lily would say yes, she had to say yes. That would be the perfect ending to the perfect party.

By the grill, Mike and Hank finished up the burgers and hotdogs, removing them onto the serving plates. The ladies brought out the sliced veggies, and buns. Dr. Brackett followed them carrying a tray of condiments. He returned for the buckets of ice, followed by Bri and Dixie who carried pitchers of lemonade and water.

Once everything was in its place, the assembled group looked around.

"Okay," Joanne began, trying to ensure that everything was perfect. "Has everyone put their notes in the basket for Johnny?"

A chorus of agreements filtered through the crowd. Suddenly a new voice rose above the small talk of the group.

"Hello?" A dark familiar face peeked around the corner of the deck, smiling at the group.

"Ron Crockett, nice to see you again," Joanne announced, ever the perfect hostess.

The detective lifted a few bags of chips. "I hope I'm not too late."

"Not at all," Joanne replied, gratefully accepting the donation. He looked around at the gathered group, nodding his greetings to everyone.

One set of eyes refused to look at him, and he thought he knew why. Not one to allow her to get away with it, he forced her to speak. "Nice to see you again, Lexi."

"Likewise," was all she uttered.

Ron hoped he would have a chance to ask her about her Sunday visit with Ricardo, under her old street name of Alexandria LaRue, then he thought better of it. This was not the place to confront her – not in front of her family. He'd have to think of another way.

Suddenly, a streak of red came bolting through the house and out onto the deck. "We're back," Chris announced, out of breath but proud to have accomplished the task he had been given. He had run ahead of the others, in a display that had the rest of the group of Trick-or-Treaters fearing that his backside would be sore once Roy caught up with him, but the DeSotos knew the truth. Chris had been assigned the task to get home first to announce Johnny's arrival.

"Good job, son," Joanne announced, laying a proud hand on his shoulder. "Okay, is everyone ready?"

Inside the residence, Johnny reached up to remove his reluctant passenger. "Time to dismount and stop flying, Isis."

"Aw, man," Jennifer whined, but couldn't hide her grin. She knew what was awaiting them. "Hold my hand, Uncle Johnny?"

"How long is this date gonna last?"

The little girl looked up at him and giggled. "Until we share a hamburger," she said, grasping his hand and urging him toward the deck door. "You gotta have a burger if you go on a date," she snickered.

Roy, Marco, and Chet along with Antonio and Corrie had already walked out ahead of them. Finally, Jennifer led Johnny out onto the deck and felt him nearly jerk her back inside when the shouts began.

"SURPRISE!"

Johnny's mouth hung agape, his ability to speak momentarily forgotten. "Wha-um." Instinctively, he turned to look behind him, wondering for whom the surprise had been shouted. His face turned bright red when he realized he was the recipient of the surprise party.

"C'mon, Uncle Johnny. It's your party!" Jennifer called, pulling on his hand.

"Ma-MY party?" he questioned, splaying his hand across his chest as he was led forward by his surrogate niece.

Mike looked over at Lexi, realizing that she wasn't going to say anything by way of announcing the purpose of the party. He cleared his throat, prepared to explain when Hank took over.

"John… over the past year, you have been instrumental in saving so many lives… and I'm not talking about just the rescues on shift." He went on to relive his downward spiral and praised Johnny for his part in bringing the fire captain back around to his old self.

One by one, each man in the crew spoke up, giving Johnny accolades for all he had done to help them. Johnny stood, completely stunned, as he listened to everyone thanked him. He fought back his emotions as he listened, feeling his throat become scratchy as a lump formed there. He was extremely uncomfortable, not at all accustomed to hearing such heartfelt thanks from his shiftmates. The only time he could recall any sentiment like it was when he Roy and Chet had gone fishing and happened upon a bad wreck in an isolated area. Chet had told the injured young mother that he and Roy were the best. That was definitely a memory he would hold onto forever. Then there was the worried look on Chet's face when he had been bitten by the rattlesnake and nearly died. But for the life of him, he never remembered any of the other guys giving him such heartfelt praise. They were a team – the entire crew – not just the paramedics and certainly not just Johnny alone. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep the moisture at bay. He had no words – something that he rarely experienced.

"I… I don't know what to s-say," he stammered.

Dr. Brackett felt the need to interject a bit of humor into the emotional experience. "Guess there's a first time for everything," he laughed, holding up a cup of lemonade in a mock toast.

The round of laughter nearly drowned out the sound of a horn beeping along the street.

Roy picked up on the cue. "Excuse me. Sounds like I need to hand out a little more candy." He headed inside, giving Joanne a knowing glance.

"Johnny, come over here and fill up your plate. You're the guest of honor," Joanne said, reaching for a paper plate. She skillfully managed to keep Johnny's back towards the door of the house. Afterall, she wanted him to be shocked when the other guests of honor walked in.

Inside his home, Roy welcomed the Campbell ladies along with Samford Bennett. "You folks are right on time."

Lily and Iris walked into the home, exhausted, but also excited about Lily getting to see Johnny again – and knowing how surprised Johnny was going to be.

"Does he have any idea?" Lily questioned.

"None," Roy answered, a smile lighting up his face. He knew that Lily had quite a surprise waiting for her, too.

Her smile chased away the signs of weariness from the long trip.

"Then let's go see him," Iris said, heading for the door.

"Thank you, Sam. This is working out so perfectly," Roy said, clapping the younger man along the back of his neck.

"Glad to have been able to help," the arson investigator commented. "Is, uh…"

"She's here," Roy stated, knowingly.

Sam blushed. "Very well then…"

Roy stepped ahead of the ladies. "Let me go first and tell Johnny that Sam's here." He looked over at Iris and Lily. "Then the two of you should walk out behind him. Got it?" He waited for the affirmative nods, then opened the door to the deck.