Ellie was sitting in John's dining room, working on her sewing machine. She was nearly done with Alexandra's costume, just had to sew on the zipper. Before she did that though, she wanted to do one last check on the sizing of the costume. Flipping the costume right side out, she headed down the hallway to Alexandra's room, where the girl was playing. "Hey Doodlebug," Ellie smiled at her, "Can I get you to try on your costume one more time for me?"
"Okay," Alexandra shrugged. With Ellie's help, she got changed into the costume.
Ellie had Alex turn around so she could check the fit, pleased that everything looked as it should, "Great! You're going to be an adorable Boots!" She smiled, "At least once I have the zipper and tail sewn on. You can get dressed again."
Alex changed back into her play clothes, "Miss Ellie, how long until Halloween?"
"Just a few more sleeps," Ellie told her, "Halloween is on Saturday."
"And we're going to go Trick-or-Treat?" Alexandra asked.
"Yep," Ellie nodded, "You, me, and your daddy."
"Okay," The girl nodded and went back to playing while Ellie returned to the dining room.
Ellie quickly sewed the zipper onto the costume and was stitching on the tail when John returned from the commissary with his arms full of grocery bags.
"Thanks for keeping and eye on Alex while I ran to the store," John walked over and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, "I love her, but it always seems to take twice as long if I have to bring her with me."
Ellie smiled up at him, "I noticed that, too. We did a couple grocery runs while you were away. I found making a list before going and setting expectations for the trip helped a bit."
John gave her a sideways look and grunted, "I do that, already."
Ellie let out a quiet giggle, "Well, she also has you wrapped around your little finger." She pointed out, "You can't say no to her pouty face."
"And you can?" John challenged nodding toward the monkey costume Ellie was putting the finishing touches on.
"This was the result of a negotiation," Ellie corrected, "We could neither find a premade nor a pattern for an adult-sized monkey costume. Since we were able to find a pattern for a child-sized costume, we agreed to switch characters."
"And how is it that I still wound up in the fox costume?" John asked.
"Well, we were able to find something in your size," Ellie shrugged, "And as previously mentioned, you can't say 'no' to her pouty face… or mine."
John grunted noncommittally, knowing full well his girlfriend had a point. All either one of them had to do was give him that pout and wide eye combo and he was sunk. Turning back to the groceries, he quicky unpacked the bags and put the food he'd purchased away before starting dinner. He watched out of the corner of his eye as Ellie began to pack up her sewing machine, now that she was completely finished with all the costume pieces she'd been making. She'd even side lined him the night before to make him a gorram mask to go with his costume.
"That smells good," She hummed, "What are you making?"
"Pasta carbonara," He answered, moving some of the pancetta around in the pan and stirring the pasta he had cooking in another pot, "I assume you'll be joining us?"
"Since you asked so nicely," She laughed, pecking him on the cheek as she walked by to put her sewing machine next to the door to take with her when she left for the night. She returned to the kitchen, wrapping her arms around John's waist, and snuggling into his back for a few moments, her head resting oh his shoulder as she watched his efficient movements.
John scooped out a couple noodles some time later and ate one, handing the other to Ellie to test. Both agreeing the pasta was good to go. He felt the loss of her as she stepped back to allow him to drain the water from the noodles and add them to the frying pan.
"I'll make up a salad while you finish that up," Ellie offered, walking over to the fridge to pull out the items she needed to put together a basic salad.
The two worked in companionable silence as they worked on their individual tasks. Once Ellie had put the bowl of salad on the table, she went to retrieve Alexandra from her room to wash up and help set the table.
By the time the girls were seated, John was carrying a bowl of pasta to the table and joining them. He watched as Ellie picked up Alexandra's plate and put a small portion of the pasta on it, cutting it up into bite sized pieces before pushing it to one side of the girl's plate before adding a small amount of salad and dressing as well.
Alexandra pouted upon seeing the salad on her plate and began to pout.
"You know the rules," Ellie softly reminded her, "You have to eat at least some of your salad. I know it's not your favorite, but it's good for you."
John loved how Ellie had so naturally stepped in to fill the maternal role in Alexandra's life, he'd added it to the ever-growing list of reasons why he intended to make her a permanent part of their lives before too long. He also knew that they might not quite be at that point yet but were getting closer. He was broken from his musing when he heard a small whimper and Alexandra's pout turned in his direction. He knew he had to stay strong, "Ellie's right, Kid." He stated simply, "You have to eat some of your salad."
"Fine," Alexandra sulked, picking at the icky green leaves before begrudgingly putting them in her mouth and chewing.
As a show of support, Ellie also ate her salad along with the little girl before working her pasta. They talked about their week and upcoming plans. Alexandra was excited for her class field trip to the pumpkin patch that her nanna was going to be chaperoning. Ellie made a mental note to pick up a couple pumpkins and tea lights before suggesting they carve their pumpkins that Friday, so they'd be ready to be displayed on Halloween. Needless to say, Alexandra loved that plan and John was willing to go along with it.
After dinner was finished, Ellie offered to clean up so that John could help Alexandra through her nightly routine. As she did every night she was there, she joined them in time for prayers and kissed the little girl goodnight before joining John on the couch to cuddle and relax with a glass of wine.
She loved how they could sit in total silence, but it was never awkward or weird, just comfortable and comforting. They sat quietly for a while before John spoke up.
"Hey, your 90-day access pass is going to expire next month," He informed her, "We need to remember to submit your paperwork to get another one."
Ellie nodded, "I'll get my documents together so we can take care of that." They sat in contemplative silence a while longer before she spoke up, "Oh, speaking of next month, Chuck and Sarah invited us up to Palo Alto for Thanksgiving – that is, if you can get away, your mom, too."
"I might be able to work it out," John mused, "Although, it might require us flying up that morning and flying back the next day. Let me talk to McGillis, see what he says. Depending on the answer we can work on arranging hotel accommodations up there."
"No need," Ellie shook her head, "The house they bought up there has a couple extra bedrooms that are currently furnished as guest rooms until they are needed for non-guest reasons," She smirked, "We can stay with them."
"I guess that'd be alright," John nodded, "So long as it's not an imposition."
"They're practically insisting." Ellie pointed out, "If you can convince the General to let you have until that Monday off for leave, Sarah has been talking about needing to get dresses taken care of for me and Alexandra since the wedding is going to be in March, just after they graduate."
"I'll see what I can work out," John sighed, "But you might want to make a contingency plan."
"Already made, if for whatever reason, we can't do dress shopping over Thanksgiving weekend, Sarah will send me fabric swatches and style suggestions for my dress." Ellie explained, "And suggestions for styles for Alexandra's flower girl dress. Since her attendants are just me, her sister, and Alexandra, we have a little flexibility. Oh, and Chuck said that he'll send you the information on the suit you need to wear as a groomsman, but that will be closer to January."
John grunted his acknowledgement of the plans she'd outlined, and they settled back into their comfortable silence for a while longer. Eventually, it was time for Ellie to head home, however reluctantly. A part of John wanted her to stay, move in with him and Alex, but he knew that couldn't happen if he stayed living on base unless they got married. Moving off base was another option, but he was loathe to put Alexandra through the stress of moving again after such a short time. The third option was to maintain the status quo, living separately and having Ellie come over for the occasional overnight stay.
With a shake of his head, he banished his musing to be dealt with another day and walked Ellie out to her car. He waited, as patiently as he could for her to load the sewing machine into the trunk of her car before drawing her in to a passionate kiss. "Good night, Doc, drive safe," John's voice rumbled low in his chest.
"I will," Ellie nodded, "I'll call to let you know I've gotten home safe."
John opened her driver's side door for her and gave her one more tender kiss, "Love you, Ellie Faye."
"I love you too, John," Ellie gave him a small smile and slid into her seat, waiting for John to close her door before she started her engine and pulled out of the driveway and heading toward the gate designated for vehicles departing the base.
As promised, 20 minutes later, John's phone rang on his nightstand. Ellie had gotten home safe; he could now sleep peacefully… or as peacefully as he could while not being able to hold her in his arms as they slept.
Friday afternoon, Ellie arrived, her trunk carrying her overnight bag, a couple pumpkins, tools, newspaper, and several bags of candy – just in case John had forgotten to pick some up from the commissary, which he had. She ordered a pizza from one of the on-base restaurants, while she waited for John to pick Alexandra up from daycare.
John and Alexandra actually beat their dinner being delivered by a few minutes, giving them time to change out of their school clothes and uniform, respectively, and change into jeans and t-shirts. By the time they'd emerged from their rooms, Ellie had paid and tipped the delivery driver and brought the large pizza into the kitchen. After enjoying their pizza, they headed into the back yard where Ellie laid out newspaper on the patio while John retrieved their pumpkins.
Ellie explained how to carve a pumpkin to Alexandra, noticing John paying attention as well, as he needed a refresher. The girls stood back while John pulled out one of his larger knives and quickly removed the tops of the pumpkins so that they could begin to scoop out the guts of the pumpkins. Ellie opened up the tool kits she'd brought with her and handed John and Alexandra their scoops. Ellie helped Alexandra with her pumpkin while John got to work disemboweling the large gourd he'd been given. Once their pumpkins were gutted, Ellie helped Alexandra decide what kind of face she wanted to put on her jack-o-lantern, deciding on a goofy face with a crooked smile and eyes pointing in different directions.
Once the design was draw on the pumpkin with marker, Alexandra's pumpkin was handed over to John to cut out the design while Ellie and Alex set to work scooping out the guts from Ellie's pumpkin. By the time the girls were done emptying out the seeds and stringy bits from Ellie's pumpkin, John had finished cutting out the face on his and Alex's pumpkins. Ellie drew a face on her pumpkin and handed it over to John to cut out while she retrieved a jar of Vaseline from the grocery bag that she'd left on the patio table. She opened the jar and spread some of the goopy product along the cut parts of the pumpkins, explaining it would help the pumpkins stay fresh. Alexandra asked if she could help and, under Ellie's tutelage, applied the Vaseline to the pumpkins.
After cleaning up the mess they'd made, they carried their pumpkins out to the front porch and put them out on display. When Alex was confused why they weren't lighting them, it was explained to her that they would have to wait until Halloween to light them or else the candles wouldn't last.
Since they all had pumpkin guts on them, the adults took showers, and Alexandra was bathed. After they'd changed into their jammies, they gathered in the living room to watch a movie Ellie had brought with her, saying it had been one of hers and Chuck's favorites growing up.
Alexandra enjoyed the movie just as much as Ellie did as a kid. John found it amusing that both girls found many of the same moments funny, from Linus jumping into a leaf pile with a wet sucker, to Charlie Brown getting rocks when he trick or treated, to Snoopy's various bits throughout the movie.
"I liked that movie, Miss Ellie," Alexandra told her as she was tucked into bed.
"Good, I hoped you would," Ellie smiled down at the little girl.
"Since we watched a movie tonight, we're going to skip the story," John advised, "So, let's say our prayers and go to sleep."
"Okay, Daddy," Alexandra nodded with a yawn. The three of them said their prayers and the adults bid the girl good night with kisses on her forehead before retiring to the living room to relax before bed.
"Nanna, Nanna! I'm ready for Trick-or-Treat!" Alexandra ran into the kitchen, wearing the costume Ellie had made for her along with the red rain boots they'd picked up on their shopping trip.
"Well, don't you look just adorable?" Helen cooed, crouching down to watch as her granddaughter showed off her costume. "Where are your dad and Miss Ellie?"
"Miss Ellie is in the bathroom and daddy is still in his bedroom," Alexandra reported.
"Well, while we wait, we should get some supper in you," Helen told her granddaughter, picking her up and sitting her in her booster seat. "How about a peanut butter and banana sandwich for the little monkey?"
"Yay!" Alexandra cheered as her nanna quickly pulled out bread, a jar of peanut butter, a knife, and broke a banana off of the bunch that was sitting on the counter.
Helen had just finished slicing up the banana and was just about to start assembling Alexandra's sandwich when Ellie came into the kitchen, her auburn hair had been secured underneath to make it appear as if she had a bob. She wore a pink shirt, orange shorts, and a pair of white tennis shoes. "Well, what do you think?" She asked.
"You look just like Dora!" Alexandra cheered.
"Well, you are the most adorable little Boots I've ever seen," Ellie smiled at the four-year-old.
"Would you like a sandwich before you head out?" Helen offered, "I'm making a peanut butter and banana sandwich for Alexandra."
"I would love one; if you don't mind," Ellie smiled at the older woman, "I'll get us some milk to wash it down with."
She went over to the cabinet, pulling down Alexandra's sippy cup and a glass for herself before retrieving the milk and pouring some milk for them both. By the time she'd set the cups down on the table, Helen had made and plated both sandwiches, cut diagonally since Alexandra insisted that sandwiches tasted better that way, an opinion that Ellie agreed with, if only to appease her boyfriend's daughter.
"Are you all set for tonight?" Ellie asked, swallowing a bite of sandwich.
"I sure hope so," Helen chuckled, "I think you brought enough candy to give the whole base diabetes."
Ellie laughed at Helen's quip and went back to eating her dinner.
They were nearly done, and John still hadn't emerged from his room. Alexandra was getting anxious to go, so Ellie offered to go and find out what was keeping him. Heading down the hallway she knocked on the door, "John, is everything okay in there?"
"I ain't going out like this," John protested from inside his room, "I don't know how you got me to agree to dressing up this way."
"Because you love your daughter and she gave you the puppy eyes and pout combo," Ellie reminded him as she turned the knob and slowly opened the door, "I'm coming in John, so if anything needs covered up, do it now."
A grunt of resigned agreement sounded as Ellie opened the door the rest of the way and entered. She had to suppress a giggle at him, he was wearing an adult-sized fox onesie, the hood was still laying down his back.
"I look ridiculous," He protested.
"It's Halloween, John," Ellie reminded him with a small smile, "The one time a year you can get away with it, not to mention, it's what your daughter wanted. It's only for a few hours, I'm sure you'll survive."
"I survived two tours to come home and dress up like a gorram cartoon character," He grumped, sitting on his bed, and resignedly pulling on his boots.
"Welcome to being a dad," Ellie smiled, walking over to pull up his hood and tie a blue mask over his eyes. "I can't tell you the sheer amount of silly get ups my brother and I convinced our parents to wear when we were kids. The last Halloween before Mom left and Chuck decided he no longer wanted to take part in trick-or-treating, we dressed up at the Jetsons." She giggled, "Even tried to pass poor Peaches off as Astro. Trust me, trying to pass off a Cocker Spaniel as a Great Dane, isn't an easy feat."
John rolled his eyes behind his mask, "I can't get out of this, can I?"
"Nope, not for at least another 6 years or so." Ellie gave him a fake sympathetic smile. "But I promise, if you're a good little fox and don't swipe your daughter's candy... or complain verbally or through grunts from now until we return from our candy collection, I'll make it worth your while."
John's eyebrows shot up, "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Something that led me to pack up an overnight bag for Alex so that she can have a sleepover with Nanna." She smirked, "Then maybe this Dora and you can have some fun... exploring."
"I like the way you think, Doc," John stood and kissed the smirk off Ellie's face, "When can we go?"
"As soon as you get your ass in gear, Marine," Ellie laughed at his eagerness, "Our little Boots is fed and ready to get her sugar high on!"
The duo came back into the living room and Ellie shouldered the purple backpack that she was borrowing from Alexandra for the night. "Ready to go, Sweetie?" She held her hand out to the little girl.
"Wait, I have to get a picture," Helen insisted.
John looked like he was about to protest, but after a quick glance at his girlfriend, bit his tongue. After indulging his mother in a few pictures, he, Ellie, and Alex made their way out into the neighborhood.
They only made it around a couple blocks before the little girl began to tire, so John scooped her up and they made their way back to the house.
"Well, you are officially out of candy," Helen reported as they entered the house.
"Thanks for manning the fort, Mom," John kissed the older woman on the cheek, "We'll have Alexandra ready to go soon so you can head out."
"No, hurry, Johnny," Helen patted his arm.
"Alright," John nodded and headed to his room to change while Ellie took Alex to go get changed into her jammies to head to her nanna's house.
Soon, Alexandra was ready to go. After a round of hugs and kisses, John strapped his daughter into the carseat in Helen's car and bid them goodnight.
Reentering the house, he locked the door and turned off the porch light. Turning, he found his girlfriend sitting on the couch, "Now I believe I was promised a bit of exploring if I was a good sport."
"You were a very good sport," Ellie agreed, standing and walking over to wrap her arms around his neck. "I have a few ideas of what I'd like to explore, care to join me?"
John didn't have to be asked twice, scooping up his girlfriend in his arms and heading down the hall as Ellie's melodious laughter rang out, "Swiper, no swiping!"