Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Madison Dixon-Ohara's Cruella De Ville costume is still off the charts CUTE, although she lacks the bloody tears, fangs, and the
rest of the garish make-up associated with the character. "Mommy, we haf to HURRY!", she warned, dragging Alicia along as best she
could (in her heels).

"It's ONLY EIGHT, Mads...we have plenty of time."

In the staff parking lot at '19', Alicia quickly found a parking space (it's early enough) and had to run to catch up with her and Emmett
Dixon's eager three-year-old bundle of energy. Madi quickly locates her Dad and runs to him. "Daddy, I'm here!" yelled, grabbing onto his leg.
"Hi, Unca Travis!"

"Well, hi Punkin Eater!" Travis said sincerley. He really is happy to see her.

"You don't have a costume! ", said the disappointed tot. 'Or YOU, Daddy!"

"We might have to leave if there's an emergency, Love" Emmett explained.

Thews Mommy, Daddy...she's a slowpoke," Madison said, pointing.

Alicia had no sooner collapsed onto a nearby chair when a child's voice called "MADI! It's ME-Pwu!"

"Mommy-"

Alicia flopped her hand in a shoo-ing motion, saying "Go, but stay close." The two little girls crowd together excitedly, under the mock-
stern, watchful eye of Dean Miller, Pru's Dad.

"She's HYPED," Travis remarked.

"YES-and PLEASE do not fall for her 'after Mommy says no to more candy I'll ask Daddy' Emmett Dixon."

"Promise", says Emmett, raising his hand in the 'Boy Scout' oath.

"It's the OTHER HAND, Dufus!" Alicia laughed.

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Three years ago on Halloween she and Robert were on the edge of divorce; tonight they walk slowly behind two and a half-year-old
Xio (Xiomara Elena Sullivan Herrera), skipping ahead of them costumed as Mirabel Madrigal from the Encanto film. As Xio started to cross
the grass of the next home on their left Robert stopped her and led her to the walkway alongside the driveway.

Andy, waiting on the sidewalk was lost in thought until a familiar voice rang out from across the street: “ANDY!

It’s RYAN TANNER, holding the hands of two little boys; she hadn’t seen him in years, and the last time they spoke was at her Dad’s retirement
ceremony. “Hey, stranger!” she hailed, not certain whether she’s glad to see him or not. Their history is complicated-high school sweethearts, then
adult lovers until she met Robert and HE left for San Diego with a new girlfriend, (later his wife). Not long after she and Robert became engaged he
returned to declare his love; even if she hadn’t been engaged she wasn’t in love with him and managed to let him down easy so that they remained
friends.

"Hey, stranger!" she greeted him.

“Hey...a little old for trick or treat, aren’t ya?”

“I’m here with my daughter and Robert.”

“Ah,” he nodded. “These two stinkers are Devin and Ricky-say hi to my friend Andy, boys.”

“Hi,” the little guys recite dutifully.

“Hello, cuties,” Andy smiled.

“Our Mom and Dad are workin’ things out,” Ricky said, apropos of nothing.

Ryan offered a weak smile and said “Thanks for that, Champ. Jenna and me are separated; working through some things like he said.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Andy said sincerely. She gazed up the sidewalk, where Robert and their daughter are now two houses away (he must have
seen her and Ryan talking and given them space).

“You and Sullivan?..”

She looked him in the eye and replied “Very happy . Like a dream-a really beautiful dream.”

“That’s great.” Tanner’s false joviality must have sounded ‘off’ even to him. “Really great. I’m here visiting my Mom; probably heading back the day
after tomorrow. We should get together.”

“We’ll see; Xio, our baby is a handful and my new career as a housewife is more stressful than the FD!”

“OK; let me know; my cell number is still the same. ‘Bye, Andy.”

“ ’Bye, Ryan; bye boys.” And she walked quickly to catch up to her family.

Chapter Text

Victoria and Lucas Ripley convinced their family and friends to forego door-to-door trick or treating for a small party
at their home, as their son, Mick broke his leg the month before and wore a brightly-colored cast on the injured limb. That
stiff plaster slowed him down not at all as he raced around the living room, chasing and being chased by his 'cousins' and
friends: all of them screaming at the top of their lungs.

"MICHAEL ROBERT RIPLEY!" Vic yelled: she can feel the beginnings of a throbbing headache at her left temple. When Mick does not 'slow his
his roll' Lucas stood in the doorway:

"Hey !" he said loudly enough to get the children's attention. "Michael-we can end this party right now if you like!

"No Daddy...Sorry..."

"Keep it down a bit, 'K Mate?"

"Yes, Daddy."

Gio(vanni) DeLuca-Bishop was next to arrive and quickly joined Xio Sullivan-Herrera, Maddy Dixon, and Pru Miller at play while his
Moms raise welcome glasses of wine or bottles of beer with the adults in the 'second' living room. The men (Travis, Emmett, Robert,
Dean and Lucas discuss Seahwalk quarterback Russell Wilson's injury woes); Carina and Andrew DeLuca debate whether US soccer can
HONESTLY compete with European 'footie'; Andy and Amelia watch the others, injecting controversial comments into the discussion
groups such as 'They should trade Russell Wilson!' and 'Obviously the American version is better; besides it's soccer NOT
'footie!' from time to time...

Chapter Text

"Parecen tortugas !" Maria Consuela Reade Zapata called to her parents, skipping ahead of them in her 'Ella'
costume from the Cinderella movie. (You act like turtles).

The two adults share a look and laugh at the audacity of their precocious three-year-old. ¡"CONI-hey-quédase ahí!(stay there!).

When they catch up to her she announced that she wants DADDY to walk to the front door with her; "Ha-HA! Reade called over his shoulder;
Zapata responded by sticking out her tongue.muñecita . It's late; let's go home."

Coni turned to Reade but before she can ask he said "NO, Mama. Tu Mami tiene razón, Mija."(Your Mommy's right, Baby).

Rather than whine and pout, Coni yawned expansively and gave her bag of candy to her father, and took each parent by the hand,
hopping between them while they made their way to their car.