A/N: The Grant's are celebrating Halloween, or are they? Just a little happiness for the day. Happy reading, enjoy.

Chapter 8—Halloween

"Mommy, mommy, it's finished. We finished it. Oh, I just can't wait for you to see it. Come, it's in the backyard, the paint on it is drying." Brielle pulled Liv by her hand, her other hand with a sleeping Soriyah on her shoulder.

Fitz walked over to them before they walked out into the backyard. He noticed Liv had a concerned look on her face, but he didn't say anything just yet. This was too happy a moment for Brielle. Fitz reached out and took Soriyah from Olivia as Brielle continued to pull her mother towards the completed project.

As soon as Fitz had Soriyah in his arms, he knew what the problem was, still he continued to smile for Brielle's sake and followed them outside.


Three weeks ago

Brielle had adjusted so well to kindergarten. She had received a student of the month award at the end of September and her teacher reached out frequently with positive notes about Brielle. Fitz and Liv couldn't be any prouder as they were for their young daughter.

One night at dinner, she stared at Fitz, and Fitz knew she had a question in those big brown eyes. "What is it pumpkin, come out and ask." Fitz reached for the bowl of potatoes and took a spoonful to his plate.

Brielle took a deep breath. She looked at Liv, who was also waiting for the question. Fitz turned to Liv and Liv shrugged. She did not know what her daughter was holding inside. "Come out and ask Boo, otherwise you'll never know the answer." Liv said as she gave Soriyah a spoonful of banana baby food.

"Well." Brielle put her fork down, indicating this was serious business. "Everyone in the classroom is talking about Halloween already." She rubbed her forehead. "Isaiah is talking about being a football player, he says he has shoulder pads and knee pads." Brielle rolled her eyes. "He even has a brand new football helmet. Blah blah blah."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with being a football player, sweetheart. Doesn't he play for the pee wee team anyway?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah, see that's just it, I think a Halloween costume should be original." Brielle picked her fork back up and took a piece of her cut up chicken.

"Ahh." Fitz threw his hands up. "So, what were you thinking I would make for you?" Fitz smiled lovingly at his daughter.

Brielle smiled. Her dad knew her very well. She jumped down off the chair and ran to her room.

"Hey, Brielle," Liv said. "We aren't done eating; don't you leave this table just yet."

"I'll be right back." She yelled from her room.

Liv took a deep breath and looked at Fitz. "So impatient, like someone else I know." Liv looked at Fitz. "She is her father's daughter."

He bent over and kissed Soriyah who was amazed by her hands in her seat. He gave her a kiss. "See how your mommy talks about you my little love."

Liv swatted at him. "You know who I meant."

Brielle jumped back into her seat. "Sorry I left the table. I found this the other day when mommy let me look through old pictures." She handed the picture to Fitz. He looked at it and smiled.

"This was when I was 7." Fitz showed it to Liv.

"Can we make one like that? Please daddy, I am going to a Halloween parade, there will be costume displays at school, and then trick or treating. I was thinking you can be in your uniform, and you can be the captain, or the pilot and I can be the airplane. At the town library they are having the best partner costume. We could win this." Brielle smiled but her eyes were pleading with him.

The picture was Fitz in a cardboard home made airplane. He had on pilot goggles and the cardboard was painted a silver/gray. There were emblems on it, painted by him and Big Gerry. On the back wing tip was bold letters spelled out to read "THE FITZ".

Fitz stared at the picture remembering exactly when he worked 10 long days with his father to get this done in time for Halloween. It was his dad's idea because all Fitz did as a child was build model airplanes and put together airplane puzzles.

Liv reached out and took Fitz's hand, knowing the memory was bittersweet and heartfelt at the same time. Brielle wanting to be the same thing for Halloween had to have pounded at his heartstrings.

"So, I was thinking we could change a few things on the plane, you know to make a girl one, and on the back, I can paint BRIELLE."

Fitz pulled Brielle into his lap. "If this is what you want for Halloween, we'll do it. What about your sister though?" Fitz asked.

"Hmm," Brielle put her finger to her mouth thinking. "I know, we can put the yarn wig I have on her and a few freckles on her cheeks and nose, and she can be a cabbage patch kid doll." Brielle looked at Liv for approval.

"Ok," Liv laughed. "Let's finish dinner and you and your father can begin designing your one of a kind airplane."


Now

The airplane was finally complete, and just in time for all the Halloween events going on. The plane wasn't silver/gray like Fitz's, it was purple and pink as Brielle's liking. It had different princess and women superheroes on it, including two pictures of Supreme court Justices Sotomayor and Jackson Brown.

The name BRIELLE was written in rainbow letters, and Liv had to admit, the whole design was unique. Liv looked at Fitz with sorrowful eyes. She didn't know how to tell Brielle she may not be able to go the costume display at school tomorrow.

Ever since Soriyah had started teething, she had been running slight temperatures. She had been real cranky, and this time, when Fitz took her from Liv he felt how warm she was. She had a runny nose also, indicating this may be a bit more than just teething.

Fitz, on the other hand, had bigger problems. The past two weeks had been meeting upon meeting with top Senators and even the President. There were indications we may get involved in helping Ukraine against Russia and Fitz was in charge of all the pilots that would be on standby. He also had to engage constant communications during the day with the President and Armed Forces crews.

It had been exhausting for him, coming home sometimes after midnight, but being up in the morning to work on the plane with Brielle. There were days he didn't even talk to Liv or the girls because he wasn't allowed use of his cell phone while being in on top secret meetings.


Soriyah had just finished crying, a twenty minute episode. It was a pain cry, and Liv and Fitz tried everything to soothe her gums, gave her a lukewarm bath, but nothing seemed to work.

Brielle was taking her bath. She heard the whispering outside the bathroom door and she worried about her baby sister and her parents. Maybe she asked for too much for her Halloween to be special. She began to feel a bit down. She would talk to her father when he tucked her in later.

"If this fever doesn't break, I don't know what I'm going to do. She has two things tomorrow, the costume display at school and the community center trick or treat fun time. Abby and Quinn are on vacation in Florida. Huck is overseas working on some international technology conference." Liv took a deep breath.

Fitz hugged her. "We'll figure something out. Maybe Isaiah's mom can take her after school."

Liv nodded. "Even if the fever does break, I don't want to bring her around other children when she is susceptible to germs. Brielle has been looking so forward to this week."


Fitz was cleaning up the kitchen and Brielle was sitting at her art table in the living room. She was working hard on two pictures while her father was cleaning, and her mom was taking a much needed long hot bath.

When Fitz turned around, Brielle covered what she was drawing. "Daddy, what uniform are you wearing tomorrow for work?"

Fitz crossed his eyebrows. "I'm wearing that one, over there." Fitz pointed to one on the closet hook in the small hallway. "Why do you ask?"

Brielle shrugged. "I was just wondering if you come to the community center tomorrow, I wanted to see what you would be wearing as my pilot." Brielle smiled.

Fitz walked over to his daughter. "You know brown eyed girl, daddy has been working very long hours but I want you to know if I don't make tomorrow, I promise to make the one at the library with the partner costume contest."

Brielle rested her tired head on her father's shoulders and patted his back. "I know daddy." She kissed his cheek. "I love you. Will Soriyah be ok?"

"I think so. She may just have caught a bug."

"Eww." Brielle squished her face. "How did she catch a bug."

Fitz laughed. He kissed her cheek. "It's an adult way of saying she is sick, like with a cold. Go, clean up your art table and let's get you to sleep."

Fitz walked in to check on Soriyah. He touched her forehead and put his lips to her cheek. She was still very warm, and he was about to take her temperature when Liv came out of the bath. It was as if Soriyah heard her mother, and she woke up with a loud cry.

Liv tilted her head. "I have her Fitz; I'm going to try to feed her. Tell Brielle I'll be in later to kiss her good night."

After Fitz read the book Brielle picked out, he was ready to say good night. "How about over the weekend, we watch "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown"? Fitz asked her as her eyes grew with excitement.

"Yes, that would be great." She took a heavy sigh. "Daddy did I ask to do too much for Halloween, is that why Soriyah isn't feeling well?"

"What? No. Not at all. Sometimes we get sick, you know that. We just catch germs that our body has to fight against. Remember when you and me were sick at the same time and mommy wouldn't come near us."

Brielle laughed. "yeah, she kept dropping off our food and would run out of the room. We watched TV all day."

"Just like that. Mommy slept on the couch so she wouldn't get the germ, but she did and a week later she was sick. It just happens."

Brielle nodded and put her head down. "What if you're working too hard to participate with anything and mommy is taking care of Soriyah, then what?"

"Then, you don't worry. We'll find a way, ok." He rubbed her nose with the back of his finger. He picked up Tiger and handed it to her and she cuddled it under her neck. She yawned. "I love you daddy."

"Love you too brown eyes, get some sleep and mommy said she'll be in to kiss you later." Before he finished, Brielle was already asleep. He wished he could take her worry away. She had such a good heart. "She is her father's daughter." Fitz laughed at the thought and went to check on Liv.

Soriyah was sleeping in Liv's arms, and Liv was in and out of sleep in the rocking chair. When Fitz came to get Soriyah, Liv jumped out of her light sleep. "I wouldn't be so concerned, but she isn't eating, Fitz. I'm going to have to call the doctor in the morning."

"I'll get Brielle off to school and make sure the costume is good. Sleep in tomorrow."

Liv nodded placing Soriyah back in the crib. "I'll call Isaiah's mom on her lunch and ask her to take Brielle after school. At least I know Isaiah had plans to go to the community center event too."


"Admiral Grant, we need you right away in the briefing room. There was a drone attack on a fleet in the Black Sea." Fitz was just about to call Liv to check up on Soriyah and he had to put his phone away.

"Just let me put my phone in my office and grab my jacket I'll be right in." Fitz looked at his family picture on his desk. He wondered how Brielle was doing with her costume at school. She smiled but had the saddest eyes getting out of the car this morning.

Fitz put his jacket on. He was feeling a bit down about putting such worry on Liv and knowing Soriyah was sick. One of the Army Colonels was walking passed Fitz's office. "Admiral did you hear?"

"Yeah, Colonel heading there now." He reached in his pocket making sure he had a pen, and he felt a piece of paper. He pulled out the folded paper in confusion and opened it. Although the President and his top military officials were waiting on him, he had to sit down.

Brielle drew a picture of the family with a big heart around it. On the bottom it said Family is Love. We love you daddy. Thank you for working so hard to keep us safe. "This girl." He whispered. He folded the paper back up and put it back in his pocket. He left his cell on the desk and joined the rest of the team in the "war room."

Had Fitz stayed another two seconds he would have seen his phone buzzing with Liv calling. Instead of getting an answer, Liv got his away message. "I'm in a very important meeting, I'll call back as soon as I can, thank you, Admiral Grant."


Liv rubbed her eyes and looked up. She hated hospitals and being in one with her four month old daughter made it worse. Soriyah woke up with a 103.5 temperature. She was crying, not eating, and not responding to the bath to lower the body heat.

Upon recommendation to avoid dehydration, the pediatrician suggested the ER to check the fever wasn't being caused by anything more serious. Liv was holding Soriyah in her arms when they had to put a tiny IV in her so she could get some fluids in her system and to draw blood.

When she had finally cried herself to sleep, Liv tried calling Fitz and got that message. She felt so helpless and felt so guilty not being there for Brielle. Liv's phone buzzed and it was Isaiah's mom. "Desiree, hi, thanks for calling me back."

"Sure, everything alright?" she asked concerned.

Liv told her the whole story and about being in the ER with Soriyah. "I can't get a hold of Fitz."

"Yeah, Bryant called me. There was a drone attack on the Black Sea. A fleet was blown up."

Liv closed her eyes. Fitz wouldn't be available for a while. "Would you mind keeping Brielle until…"

"Stop, don't even ask, it's fine. Keep me posted about Soriyah. I just hope it's not serious, but then again, half my class is out with the flu."

"Thanks so much Des. I will." Liv went to put her phone back in her jeans pocket rather than her purse. She wanted to have it on her in case Fitz did call. She felt a paper in her pocket and pulled it out.

As she unfolded it, she had to hold her head in her hands. It was a drawn picture of the family with a big heart around it. "I love you mommy and you take the best care of us. I don't like to see you so tired. You are the best mom ever." It was signed Boo.

The nurse entered the room. "Doctor said the bloodwork came back fine. There doesn't seem to be any infections, indicating it's viral. she's giving her a dose of the antibiotic through the IV which will take about an hour, then you can take her home with oral medication."

Liv breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you." The nurse nodded and began Soriyah's prep. Liv looked back down at the note. "This girl" she whispered.


It was 10 pm and the girls were sleeping. Liv was on edge all day having the hospital visit with Soriyah and basically running on empty. She was so tired, but she was also missing Fitz.

She looked at the sleeping Brielle. She would swear that child was still smiling. She had won the costume contest at the Community Center as best home made costume. She was awarded a certificate and a gift card to the arts and crafts store in town.

The only thing that took the smile away was her daddy didn't make it home before her bedtime so she could tell him that "their" costume won.

Soriyah was responding to the antibiotics. Her fever was down and had stayed down. She even took a feeding tonight, making Liv relieved. Liv was trying to read her book now, almost midnight and Fitz still not home.

Her phone finally buzzed, and she picked up. "Hey Livvie, I'm so sorry. I'm on my way home now, I saw your missed call. You alright?"

"Not really, but I'll wait up for you. I love you; I just need you home."

Fitz took a deep breath into the phone. "I'll be there soon baby. Love you too."

She heard Fitz's car in the driveway. She greeted him at the door. Taking him straight to Brielle's room. "I had to convince her not to sleep with it otherwise she would ruin it." Fitz's hand was going down the certificate and he was smiling.

"She must have been so happy. This is great." He put the certificate back on her nightstand. "She also won this?" He held up the gift card.

"No, she said WE won this, meaning you and her." Olivia walked to him and gave him a hug.

"Soriyah was in the ER today." Liv put her forehead on his chest and just began crying, letting out the emotions from the whole day. Fitz tightened his hug on her and walked her out of Brielle's room.

"Now, laying in bed, holding her close to him, he asked her what happened."

"But she's responding to the medicine, she even took a feeding today, so."

He kissed her head. "Livvie, I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"Don't be. Your job is important. Things like this will happen. I just missed having you for support." She kissed him. "I just missed you completely, Mister. I think we both could use a little loving."

Fitz rolled her over, kissing her neck and then her lips. She kept so strong for her daughters, for him, and he couldn't have asked for a better wife, a better mother for their children. His boxers came down, her silk bottoms followed.

Fitz felt himself inside her, the best place he could be as her arms were under his grabbing his shoulders and pushing him harder into her. "Ahh, Livvie," He whispered.

"I love you so much, Fitz." Her lips connected with his and he pushed harder into the kiss. Her legs wrapped around tight.

Fitz felt her legs get tighter, then heard her moan, as her legs came down. A few more pushes into her, and he was breathing heavily into her neck. "I don't know how you do it Liv, I know how exhausted you are."

She was rubbing his curls now, as he stayed on top. "I do it because that's how much I love you." She gave a tired smile and turned so he was holding her from behind.

"So what is the plan for tomorrow?" He asked her, as he laid behind her and wrapped her in his arms.

Liv faced the doorway. "The library event is at noon and then Isaiah asked if he could go trick or treating with her later, she's supposed to have dinner with them, Desiree offered it when I told her about Soriyah."

She didn't get an answer. Liv turned her head, and Fitz was sound asleep, still wrapped in his arms, she took a deep breath. He was so tired, as was she, she hoped Soriyah would sleep through the night. Tomorrow she was sure she would be dealing with Brielle's disappointment.


"It's ok Soriyah, if we don't get to have a Halloween today there is always next year." Liv woke up hearing Brielle's voice in the monitor. Soriyah gave out a little whimper.

"No, shhh, don't wake up mommy and daddy they are so tired. Let's play a game, ok. Here you can hold Tiger. Now I don't give Tiger to anyone, but I'll share him with you, just don't bite him. Oh wait, you don't have teeth yet. Ok, so the game is this: I'll say a letter and you clap, like this." Brielle took Soriyah's hands and gently clapped them together.

Liv shook Fitz. "Fitz" she whispered. "Listen, Brielle is comforting Soriyah."

He blinked open his eyes and listened with Liv.

'Ready, ok. S. That was a letter. The letter S for Soriyah. Clap. It's ok, I'll clap them for you." Brielle clapped Soriyah's hands. "You're smiling, see you like this game. You like Tiger too, you haven't put him down."

"You know," Liv said rubbing Fitz's hands. "I found a note in my pocket yesterday."

"So did I." He kissed Liv on the head. "She's something that kid, huh."

"She sure is. Let me get up and start getting ready, what about you, why are you still here?"

"Mommy, Daddy." Before Fitz could answer. "I was helping to make Soriyah feel better. She has my Tiger, daddy, is that ok?"

He lifted her into the bed. He gave her a tickle. She giggled hard. "that's fine Brown eyes. You helped us so much this morning and thank you for my note. It was just the thing I needed to feel better yesterday."

"Yeah, Boo, that was so nice of you. We love you so much and don't worry, we're going to have a great Halloween today. Do you want to go to dinner with Isaiah after trick or treating."

She shook her head. "No thank you, I would rather be here, home with you and Soriyah, maybe we could make octopus hot dogs?"

Liv rubbed her child's cheek. "If that's what you want, Boo." She got up to go get Soriyah.

"Daddy, look." Brielle ran to her room and came back in a flash. "We won best costume yesterday and I got a gift card."

Fitz could do nothing but smile. "That's great. But it was you, not we."

"No, you help make the costume."

"But it was your idea."

"But you were an airplane first when you were seven."

"Hmmm, ok, fair enough, let me rip the certificate down the middle and take my half." Fitz joked.

"Daddy, no, that's not how it works." Brielle laughed.

Liv brought Soriyah in with her yarn wig and freckles drawn on her face. Fitz smiled as he grabbed her from Liv. "Hey my little doll, look at you."

"In case you don't get home in time to see her dressed up."

Brielle looked sadly at Fitz. "You have to work today? I thought because you were still home, you didn't have to work."

"We are all going in later today because we stayed later last night." He looked back sadly at Brielle. "I know the library event is today, I'm sorry."

Brielle took a deep breath. "It's fine, daddy, I know it's important and they need you to protect our country. You'll be there right mommy?"

Liv nodded. "Yes, Boo, with Soriyah."

"Hey." Fitz said, kissing Soriyah and handing her back to Liv. "Why don't we go make Jack o' lantern pancakes? We can use orange food coloring and you can use icing to put a face on them."

"Awesome" Brielle grabbed Fitz's hand and off they went.

Liv looked at Soriyah. She did look adorable as a cabbage patch doll. "The bluest eyed cabbage patch doll I ever did see." She rubbed her nose onto Soriyah's nose and Soriyah gave a smile Liv hadn't seen in three days. She was feeling better, and Liv noticed, she still had Tiger gripped in her little hands.


The library was jammed with a bit too many people for Liv's comfort zone. She was able to spot Brielle fine in the crowd because of the size and color of the airplane costume. Brielle stayed close to Isaiah and Bryant.

Desiree stayed in the back with Liv, just in case Liv needed help with Soriyah. "Thanks so much for helping out yesterday. It made Brielle's day so much better winning that contest."

"Not a problem. Anytime, Liv, you know that. You sure you don't want to join us for dinner."

Liv shrugged. "We gave Brielle the option, but she wants to be home, I think she's still worried about her little sister being out."

Desiree looked in the carriage at the sleeping Soriyah. "She does look adorable in the wig, the freckles give it an added cuteness."

"All Brielle's idea." Liv looked up.

"Will the costume partner contestants please come forward." The library staff announced.

Liv took a deep breath. Even though she wasn't in it, Brielle stood in the front facing the judges as the participants moved forward. There was a batman and batgirl, a Mario and a princess, and pooh and Tigger. There really weren't any as original as Brielle's. She would have had it locked up.

Then, Liv noticed behind the plane tip a tall man saluting, in his Navy Admiral uniform.

Brielle had no idea and Desiree nudged Liv. "Look at that."

Isaiah went up to Brielle. He saw Fitz but didn't say anything. "Here, let's get a bit closer to the contest."

"No, I don't have a partner. A football player isn't going to fly my plane."

"Aww, come on." Isaiah took her hand and Fitz stayed behind Brielle so she couldn't see him.

The judges were looking at the costumes and Brielle thought they were looking at her, but why? She just shrugged and kept watching.

After a few moments, the staff said. "The winner of the partner costume is the airplane and her pilot."

They handed Brielle a small trophy and three free book coupons so she could choose some books as her own. The librarian looked a Fitz. "Very creative Admiral."

Brielle's head turned and she saw Fitz. She pushed the plane off her and jumped into his arms. "Daddy! You made it for the contest." She buried her head in his neck and began to cry.

"Hey, hey, no crying this is a good thing." He rubbed her back up and down.

"It's good crying daddy, a happy cry! Does this mean we can go trick or treating too?"

"Sure does. But, I really want those octopus hot dogs, so can we still do that?"

He carried her over to Liv. "Guess what Boo?" Liv said.

"While they were judging your contest, the staff from the baby room came over." Liv held up a stuffed baby tiger. "Soriyah won cutest costume. Now she has her own Tiger."

"Best Halloween ever!" Brielle smiled.

"Halloween story time!" the staff announced.

Isaiah came over and walked with Brielle to the circle. Fitz looked at Liv smiling. "I couldn't miss this, Liv, I just couldn't, but it may mean longer hours this week."

She gave him a hug resting her cheek on his chest. "I need a certificate for you. Best dad ever! Hands down, you win. I love you Mister."

"And I love you Livvie."

Happy Halloween.