In line with my 'First Mother's Day', 'First Father's Day', and 'First Fourth of July.'
First Halloween
"Isn't she so cute?" Maddie said as she bounced Susannah up and down. She was dressed up as a little bee. At ten months old, she could care less about Halloween.
"Sure." Mike said. He didn't get Maddie's excitement over Susannah's costume. By the end of the party at the Greene's; Susannah would hate the costume. She'd be miserable. They'd be miserable. And then there were memories of that last Halloween before the Red Flu. Hannah had been a warrior princess. At least, Maddie wasn't dressing Susannah up as a warrior princess.
"I told Kara I would help her with the food so we need to leave soon." Maddie said.
"Okay." Mike agreed.
"If you'll hold her, I'm going to go put my costume on. What are you wearing?" Maddie asked as she handed Susannah over.
"This." Mike answered.
"Oh, Mike." Maddie said before she went to their bedroom. She shut the bedroom door and Mike looked down at Susannah.
"Sorry, baby girl. I know that this isn't your thing yet. Maybe in a few years." Mike said. He kissed the top of Susannah's head and smiled at her. She put her head on his chest like it was naptime.e Mike hummed at her, hoping to put her to sleep so they didn't have go. Mike would stay home with her and Maddie could go to the party.
"Okay, ready?" Maddie asked. She was wearing a brown sweatshirt and an avocado suit, with her ever-expanding baby belly showing like an avocado pit.
"I think she's sleepy." Mike said. He looked down at Susannah and knew she was not impressed with Maddie's costume.
"How about this? You and she make an appearance and if she isn't a fan; you and she come home and I'll stay to help Kara?" Maddie suggested.
"She hates the costume." Mike objected.
"She's fine. Mike; what is going on? I don't think Susannah is the one struggling." Maddie asked. Mike could get mad or he could just be honest with her and tell her why he hated Halloween and Thanksgiving.
"Halloween was Hannah's thing. She was constantly dressing up in all kinds of costumes, not just at Halloween. Her favorite was what she called a warrior princess. Kind of like Joan of Arc, I suppose. She had tall boots, fake sword she snagged from her brother and a cape." Mike explained.
"I've seen the picture of her in that costume in your wallet." Maddie remarked.
"Yeah." Mike answered.
"Look, I get certain days are going to be hard and nothing Susannah or I do will help. I also realize she is not going to remember this Halloween and she hates the costume and will hate everyone else's but someone will take a photo over there. We'll get it printed, not to replace that photo but to set alongside it. You will see Hannah's photo and you'll be sad but I hope you'll see Susannah's and will smile." Maddie answered.
"Its hard." Mike said.
"And thankfully, you do hard well." Maddie said before kissing his forehead.
"I'll go, but I won't promise to say there long." Mike said.
"Deal." Maddie agreed. She gave him a kiss before standing up. They walked over to Kara and Danny's.
Mike did actually enjoy himself and Susannah was entertained by everyone's costumes, but she did fall asleep about eight, so Mike walked her home so Maddie could enjoy herself. Giving him some peace and quiet to grieve privately.