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Maybe it was part of getting older, but the idea of throwing all of their energy into elaborate costumes, decorating the whole damn house, and hosting a dinner party? It just didn’t excite Edward or Stede the way it used to.
So, change of plans.
🎃
They shopped their closet for costume ideas. Stede had more than enough khaki to pass as a generic adventurer-type. Edward still had his motorcycle leathers; whether they still fit was another matter.
🎃
They bought funky looking gourds at the local pumpkin patch. Almost scaled the giant blowup slide to the chagrin of children and the pumpkin patch owners alike. Would it have been less awkward if their own kids were with them? Likely not; Alma and Louis were both in high school.
When they got home, Edward and Stede plopped down their curcurbian plunder next to the front steps “just so.” It looked festive, and would last the whole autumn season.
🎃
Later, they bought candy and little tubs of Play-Doh for trick-or-treaters, a store-bought hot-toddy mix for themselves and…should they get those jack-o-lantern ravioli for dinner?
Yes.
They got the ravioli, and some dark, bitter greens for a salad to balance things out.
🎃
Their set up was simple: two chairs on the lawn, blankets for their laps, and a prop treasure chest for the candy. All that was missing were trick-or-treaters.
But first: dinner.
Edward handled the ravioli, made a brown butter and sage sauce, generously topped it all off with parmesan. Stede made a simple vinaigrette for the bitter salad, dressed it lightly. They ate standing up, looking out the front window, surveying their street. No kids yet, but there would be soon.
🎃
The leathers didn’t fit. Jacket didn’t close no matter how much Edward sucked in his stomach, and no amount of jumping was going to get those trousers above his ass.
Edward sighed.
He folded up his old leathers reverently and placed them at the top shelf of the closet, knowing he could finally close that chapter of his old life for good.
Stede saw this, saw Edward standing half-naked in their closet, saw his soft stomach muffed over his tight briefs. Stede hugged Edward from behind, kissed him on the cheek and reverently held his soft little belly in his hands like the fine thing it was.
Edward, thankfully, had other options for last-minute Halloween costumes, like his caftan with the funky pattern that kinda looked like spider webs if you squinted at it just right. He probably had a witch hat somewhere, maybe. Stede also changed course, opting for a red velvety suit, a flouncy shirt underneath, and Edward’s gold moon-shaped brooch pinned to the lapel.
They looked at themselves–and each other–in the mirror.
Yep, still got it.
🎃
Edward and Stede were greeted to a cool autumn breeze when they settled in their seats for the night. That, and a gaggle of young ghosts, a pretty princess, and a pink pirate, bags and pillowcases at the ready.
“Trick or treat!”
Everyone got something good to eat…or Play-Doh, if they preferred.
🎃
When it got the right amount of cold outside, Edward dipped back in the house, made him and Stede hot toddies to chase out the chill starting to creep into their bones. Except when Edward came back out, Stede’s cell phone was pressed against his ear, a look of worry consuming on his face.
It was Alma.
She’d snuck out to a party Mary and Doug told her not to go to. Things at said party were going downhill fast . And she was scared of getting in trouble for disobeying her mom and step-dad.
Stede needed to pick her up. Edward insisted he come along, but ended up manning the candy trunk.
He got out an extra chair for Alma. Just in case.
🎃
Alma looked cold, poor thing, didn’t help that her costume was a tad too revealing for her own comfort. And of course it started raining (the storm wasn’t supposed to come through until tomorrow) the moment Stede pulled into the driveway.
Edward slung the blankets over his shoulder and rushed the candy trunk to the front door as Stede and Alma hurried inside.
The chairs were left out (indestructible little fuckers, they’d be just fine).
🎃
Stede called Mary and Doug while Alma was in the shower, got them up to speed. After the call, he reheated the leftover ravioli, made a fresh serving of salad, and brewed a hot cup of chamomile tea for Alma, because lord knows what was being served at that damn party. Edward ran Alma’s spare pajamas and the fluffiest socks he could find through the dryer. All so when Alma came out, she could change into warm clothes and eat a hot meal.
Which is exactly what she did. That, and cry into her dad’s and step-papa’s arms about what a bad daughter she was, how she ruined her senior year for wanting to do something different. Edward and Stede consoled her with “there there’s” and “you’re a great kid’s” and “I love you so much’s” as Addams Family Values played in the background.
Mary arrived to pick up Alma about halfway through the film. Alma damn near retreated into her PJs like a turtle, but was (pleasantly) surprised when her mom wasn’t so much upset as she was grateful her daughter was okay. They’d talk it through the night’s events tomorrow, when they both had good sleep and much clearer heads.
They both stayed until the end of the movie.
🎃
It was still raining when the movie finished, but Alma and Mary needed to go home. Edward and Stede gave them long warm hugs before walking them to Mary’s car. At least the rain lightened up from earlier, making for a safe and hopefully calm drive home. Edward and Stede made their way back inside as they watched Mary drive off with Alma.
As Stede and Edward opened the front door, they considered calling it a night. But then they both eyed the candy trunk, then each other. They didn’t want to leave all that out on the porch. And there were certainly other fun Halloween movies to watch into the wee hours of the morning. They did, after all, have tomorrow off.
So, change of plans.