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On a slightly chilly October afternoon, the air was filled with the scent of pumpkins and fallen leaves. Sunday and Gallagher were excited as they prepared for their first Halloween with their twin boys, Arden and Cael. Barely 9 months old, the twins didn’t understand the holiday yet and why their parents were so excited, but they could tell that their dad's wanted to make it special.
The living room was filled with decorations laying all over the place, such as bright orange pumpkins, friendly ghosts made of fabric, and strings of beautiful twinkling orange and yellow lights. Sunday knelt on the floor, carefully arranging the pumpkins. In the kitchen, Gallagher was standing in front of the stove watching the pot of pumpkin soup he was making for their dinner simmering over the low heat, making the house smell wonderful and also feel cozy.
“Look at this little guy!” Sunday said, showing a ghost holding a wolf pup in their hands decoration he had gotten as a gift from his sister Robin, during their last Halloween. “I think he should go by the window. The neighbors should see him in all his glory.”
Gallagher peeked into the living room from the kitchen. “Great idea! We should show it off to everyone that we’re ready for Halloween.” He returned to his soup, the bubbling sound drowning out the laughing of their kids playing around with the decorations and the shuffling that indicated that Sunday had hung up the decoration.
Sunday now turned to the gathered vibrant orange pumpkins of all sizes, he had placed carefully on the coffee table and around the room. Some were small and round, while others were tall and slightly lopsided, each one adding a unique charm. He arranged them in clusters, trying to create a unique display.
Gallagher who was busy in the kitchen, peeked in every now and then, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “How about we hang some spider webs in the corners?” he suggested, holding up a bag filled with stretchy, fake cobwebs. “It’ll add a touch!”
“So our place looks dusty and dirty?” Sunday replied, smiling as he grabbed the cobwebs. He carefully draped them over the furniture and in the corners, trying to create an eerie but fun atmosphere. After he had finished his work, he stopped to say, “On second thought, it definitely adds more of a Halloween vibe.”
“Indeed.” Gallagher smiled, shaking his head playfully. He joined Sunday in the living room, pulling out a string of orange and purple lights. “Now let’s add the lights to finish the inside decorations.”
They worked together, hanging the lights along the ceiling and around the windows. It slowly transformed into a cozy Halloween haven. They plugged in the lights, and the twinkling colors danced across the walls, creating a magical ambiance, amazing their cute twin boys, who looked at the sparkling lights in awe.
Once the lights were up, Sunday moved the box filled with the leftover decorations aside. Saving them to decorate the outside of their house later.
With most of the decorations inside done, it was time for the fun part: the costumes. Gallagher had ordered outfits for Arden and Cael. A wolf costume for Arden, complete with floppy ears, and an angel costume for Cael, with shimmering white fabric and delicate wings. Gallagher pulled the costumes out from a box. “Get ready for some cute costumes.” he said, holding up the costumes.
Sunday picked up Arden, who was giggling in his arms. “Time to turn you into a little wolf.” he said, grinning. Arden cooed as Sunday put him into the wolf costume, the hood settling snugly on his warm brown hair.
Gallagher worked on Cael, who was bouncing with excitement as babies do. “Just a second, angel. You’re going to look super cute.” he laughed, gently fastening the wings onto Cael’s back, brushing a few loose blue hairs aside. When the costume was ready, Cael giggled, his face lighting up with joy.
Once both boys were dressed, the dads stepped back, their hearts warming at the sight of their kids. Arden, with his curious eyes peeking from the wolf hood, and Cael, looking charming in his angel outfit, made the perfect Halloween scene.
“I need to take a picture to show Robin.” Sunday exclaimed, grabbing his phone. He spread a colorful blanket on the floor and arranged the twins among the decorations. Sunday had accompanied his younger sister to a lot of photoshoots, so he had some experience taking photos from watching the crew work.
After the "professional" photos, they decided to continue decorating the outside of their home. Gallagher placed the pumpkins on the porch, their bright colors glowing in the dimming light. They also set up a small table by the door for trick or treaters. Sunday placed a big bowl filled with colorful candy and added a few mini pumpkins for decoration. “This will be our candy station.” he declared proudly, arranging the treats so they were easy to grab for the kids.
Once they finished decorating the porch and front of their house, Sunday and Gallagher stepped back to admire their handiwork.
“Look at how inviting this is.” Sunday said, beaming. “I can’t wait for the twins to experience their first Halloween here.”
“Me too! It’s going to be unforgettable.” Gallagher replied, putting his arm around Sunday.
With the house beautifully decorated, the aroma of pumpkin soup wafted through the air, reminding them it was time for a break. Gallagher rushed to the kitchen to serve the soup into two bowls, garnishing it with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. He set the bowls on the dining table. “Soup’s ready.” Gallagher called out, and they all gathered around the table. Sunday settled Cael in his high chair, while Gallagher sat Arden next to him. The twins clapped their hands, looking at the milk bottles in front of them.
As they sat down to eat, Sunday took a sip of the soup. “Mmm, this is just the right amount of spice.” he said, savoring the flavor. Gallagher smiled, watching as the twins held out their hands, trying to clasp their bottles. Gallagher stood up to give them their bottles and feed them.
As evening fell, they lit candles inside of the pumpkins they had placed. The flickering light created shadows that danced across the porch. It felt like they had made their own little Halloween wonderland.
Sitting on the porch steps, Sunday and Gallagher watched the street come alive with laughter. Families were getting ready for trick or treaters, and the festive spirit filled the air.
“Can you believe this is our first Halloween with them?” Gallagher asked, looking behind them inside the house to see Arden and Cael, who were crawling on the soft blanket Sunday had put down for them, fascinated by the Halloween decorations.
Sunday smiled. “It’s just the start of many wonderful memories. I can’t wait to share this with them as they grow.”
With that, they turned to stand up and walk back inside to their boys, ready to enjoy the rest of Halloween together. The flickering lights and the spirit of Halloween filled their home with love and laughter, promising countless new moments which are yet to come with their sons.
THE ENDDD!!