Chapter Text
For a few years, Bonnie loathed Halloween.
It seemed to mock her, reminding her of all the horrific things she had seen (and done). Logically she knows hoards of children marauding as ghouls is a far cry from the reality of what really lurks in the dark but it had cut deeply enough to make her want to shy away from it.
(Marcus always teased her when she had shut the lights off, not realizing how she tensed in his arms)
Of course, everything changed when Macie came along (David was not far behind her). She had looked at the faces of her children and realized she could not deny them anything.
That includes Halloween.
Over time, the holiday has transformed, becoming something more for her. She delights in the way Macie and David embrace it. For one night, they run the length of their neighborhood like they own it (in reality, it is probably the sugar rush that fuels them). Bonnie chases after them, laughing and occasionally stealing a piece of candy from the plastic pumpkin buckets Marcus had bought them when they were old enough to carry them. It is usually a family affair that ends with all of them spread across the living room with their haul dumped out in front of them (it is here that she remembers she is a mother and limits them to two sweets a piece before they crawl into bed exhausted).
This year, Marcus has to work. It is the first time since the children were born. They count themselves lucky that they have made it this far. Bonnie promises to take lots of pictures, drops a kiss on his cheek and watches as he leaves. From across the street, Mrs. Thorburne raises her arm to wave. Bonnie waves back.
It all seems so normal (which is what she craved from the moment she chose this life).
Bonnie readies David first. He has chosen to go as a Ninja Turtle this year, expelling some of his pent up energy by jumping around the living room and kicking at the air. His red mask slips from his eyes every time but he is patient enough to replace it (in that way, he is so much like her).
Macie is a witch. Bonnie had bulked at the idea when her daughter had first suggested it. Her reaction had been more than it needed to be — she spent days trying to talk Macie out of it. She had feared that somehow Macie knew (impossible; Bonnie has quite literally locked that part of her life away). In the end, as Macie looked at her oddly, Bonnie had given in. Now she stands in front of her daughter, adjusting her hat. She can’t quite bring her smile to her eyes even though she desperately wants to.
However, that uncomfortable feeling sheds away as they leave a bowl of candy on the front step. With her children’s hands tucked in hers, they make a mad dash to take control of the night. She follows them from house to house, documenting their steps to send to Marcus. They get more candy than they will ever need but Bonnie doesn’t think about that — she only wants to see her children happy.
Finally, the sky is pitch black and their path is lit only by the street lights overhead. She takes it as a sign to gather her brood and head home. Macie is disappointed, for she had wanted to hex one more house (Bonnie tries not to react to the outburst) but David is ready. He is smaller and his legs are tired from all that kicking. She finds a compromise: they can have three pieces before they go to bed.
At home, they complete their Halloween ritual, spilling the candy over the floor until it is littered with brightly colored packages. When they are not looking, Bonnie swipes a candy bar from the corner. Choosing what they will eat now becomes a very serious affair and she listens as they debate the pros and cons of each piece.
She manages to slip her stolen loot into her mouth just as there is a knock at the door. She chews quickly, leaving Macie and David to their work (and knowing full well they will stuff their mouths full when she isn’t looking). She grabs what is left of their Halloween offering, ready to give it all to whatever ghost she finds at the door.
Instead, her smile falls away.
Klaus Mikaelson stands there (a true ghost of her past). He takes a moment to let his eyes move over her. Her chest rises and falls, her heart beats wildly. She can’t help but glance over her shoulder, past where her children still laugh to where she has tucked away what she needs to beat him away from this life.
He calls her attention back to him.
“We need to talk, little witch.”