Chapter Text
Stiles was so excited.
“I am so excited!” He yelled, making Eli babble in his car seat and the twins cheer.
Derek looked at his husband from the driver’s seat with a smile, “I can’t believe you’re forcing us to the pumpkin patch.”
“It’s spooky season!”
“It’s the first of October!”
“It’s still correct.”
“Mama?” Jane spoke out from her seat, “Why do you love Halloween so much?”
“It’s my birthday!” Olive yelled excitedly.
“Other than that!” Eric huffed.
“My mother - your grandma - loved it.” Stiles explained, reaching back to sooth Eli back to sleep with one hand. “Every year we would make our costumes and carve pumpkins and decorate the house. Most of my favourite memories of my mom were based during this time. I guess I wanted to make sure I did all the things we used to do with my own kids someday.”
“Grandma is in heaven, right, Mama?” Gia asked.
“That’s right.”
“Do you think they celebrate halloween in heaven?”
“Of course they do!” Tabitha answered from the back, “They have the most epic Halloween parties!”
“That's so cool!” Gia exclaimed.
“Why isn’t Isaac here?” Aurelia asked. Aurelia had been moody lately due to the fact that Isaac was spending most of his time with his newly betrothed wife Robin. After the honeymoon, he moved in with her and Raven and it wasn’t surprising to find out that Robin was pregnant now and Isaac couldn’t be more excited. Aurelia though… She missed her big brother. And she often grumpily growled at Isaac whenever he left to go back to his new home.
“He had to go with Robin to the baby doctor today, remember?” Stiles said softly, “They’re going to get an ultrasound of the baby!”
Derek reached over to gently grab Stiles’ meaty thigh, “Our first baby grandpup!”
“I feel so old!” Stiles giggled.
“You are old.” Said Tabitha.
Derek barked a laugh which made everyone else giggle - all the while Stiles gaped at his daughter with shock at the words.
When they arrived at the pumpkin patch, it was surprisingly busy. A few families had arrived and the farmers were showing off their prized pumpkins to the locals.
Everyone got out of the mini-van and Derek quickly took out the two strollers from the back. One for the twins and one for little ten month old Eli.
Derek got the twins strapped in and gave Jullian his sippy cup of milk while Gia was chewing on a cookie. He pushed the twins to the others, rounding up the bigger kids while Stiles sorted out a fussy Eli.
“Remember the rules, Pups.” Derek started his speech that everyone knew by heart by now. The children nodded.
“No running out of sight.” Aurelia listed, fixing her eyepatch.
“No claws, fangs or shifting.” Said Jane.
“No talking to strangers.” Added Tabitha.
“Be nice!” Olive yelled, rushing over to hold onto Derek’s pant leg.
“And respect other people’s property.” Finished Stiles after successfully strapping Eli in.
Derek smiled at his family, nodding in pride.
They all made their way in and each of the kids were given a sticker by a female farmer that said the patch’s logo.
“Are we getting a pumpkin today, Daddy?” Asked Jane. Eric and Tabitha were already running out and towards the giant pumpkins, examining the large sizes.
“Not today.” Said Derek.
Stiles gasped, “Why not?!”
“It’s way too early to pick one, sweetheart. By the time Halloween happens, it will be rotten.”
Stiles pouted.
“What if we picked one for pumpkin pie?” Aurelia said.
Stiles’ eyes brightened, “Yes! Good idea, pup! Everyone!” The heads of his children turned to him, even Eli. He continued, “We need to pick the perfect pumpkin for pumpkin pie! Ready?!”
“What about this one?!” Tabitha yelled from here she was next to the biggest pumpkin the patch had. It was bigger than her.
Derek chuckled, “Maybe something a little smaller.”
“How do we know we’ve found the perfect pumpkin?” Jane asked, tilting her head.
“We’ll just know. Now come on!” Stiles rushed forward.
Jane looked quizzingly at her dad. Derek just shrugged, not knowing himself what his husband meant.
The Hales journeyed on, offering pumpkins to Stiles, only for something wrong pointed out.
An hour later.
“This is insane, Daddy!” Jane whispered to Derek.
“Yeah! Mama will never pick a pumpkin!” Tabitha added.
“There’s no such thing as a perfect pumpkin.” Aurelia said.
“I know, pups. But your Mama is really weird about this holiday so we just have to play along.” Derek said to his kids.
“Daddy!” Olive tugged his pant leg. “I’m tired!”
At that moment, Eli started to cry and Julian dropped his sippy cup and spilt the last of his milk, making him cry as well.
Jane, Tabitha, Eric and Aurelia quickly made themselves scarce.
Derek lifted Olive onto his hip then collected Jullian’s sippy cup only to replace it with a clean and filled one that was in the bag strapped to the back of the stroller. Stiles came over with Eli in his arms, not crying as he’s suckling on a bottle.
“Where’s the rest of the kids?” Stiles questioned, looking around.
“Stiles, it’s been an hour and we’re not getting anywhere. The kids are cranky and it’s near the little one's naptime and the bigger pups are understimulated - isn’t it time to leave?”
Stiles looked so disappointed which made Derek’s heart squeeze in his chest.
“Oh.” Stiles said, looking down, smiling a smile that didn’t reach the eyes. “That’s fine. You’re right, Der. We should go-”
“Mama!” Suddenly, Eric, Tabitha, Jane and Aurelia returned.
“It’s fine, Eric.” Stiles said sadly, “We’re leaving.”
“But Mama-” Aurelia started but was cut off by Stiles.
“I’m sorry I dragged you all in here and-”
“Mama.” Jane tried but Stiles continued.
“- I know it’s boring and not fun and -”
“Mama!” Tabitha yelled to get his attention.
Stiles stopped and looked at his older kids, “What?”
“We found it!” Eric cheered.
“Found what?” Derek asked, confused.
“The perfect pumpkin!” Jane giggled. Then the kids tugged the stroller over until they were set infront of a pumpkin.
Orange, plump, a good stalk… and shaped like a heart.
Stiles’ eyes filled with tears, looking back at his kids before pulling them into a hug.
“It’s perfect! Thank you, pups.”
“Your welcome, Mama.”
Derek gave Olive to Eric and Jane pushed the twins' stroller while Derek carried the heart pumpkin back to the car.
That night the family shared a warm beautifully baked pumpkin pie while snuggling and watching Hocus Pocus in the family living room.
Stiles liked to imagine his mom looking down at them and smiling.