A Forever Halloween
By: Mary A. Wasowski
“Daddy! Pay attention, this is important,” my precious but very demanding daughter shouted, also known as our ‘little ruler’ of the Reed Dynasty. Next, to her mother, she has me wrapped around her finger and I absolutely love it. She’s our princess.
“One more sentence and you have my complete and undivided attention.” I hit send and then closed my laptop. “Yes, my princess, how can I be of assistance to you?” she smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Daniel and Cameron want to go as the Incredibles for Halloween but I don’t want to be one, so they said they won’t go trick or treating with me if I wear my princess costume. Daddy, I want a family meeting.” It took every ounce of control not to break out into laughter. Oh, my little girl is awesome. She is a daddy’s girl all the way.
“Okay, we can have a family meeting but first I would like to speak with your brothers because I’m finding it hard to believe that they won’t go trick or treating with you because of your costume choice. Are you absolutely positive those were the words they used?”
“I'm sure, Daddy. The boys hurt my feelings.”
“Okay, I believe you but I also believe there’s more to the story. Now, run along into the kitchen and see Priscilla. She’s making cookies today and I know she would love your help.” She gave me a kiss on my cheek and hopped off my lap. I leaned back in my chair and sighed deeply before Reese made her appearance. “You heard?” I asked my wife as she took me into her arms and kissed me senseless.
“I did and yes, there is more to the story.”
“Tell me, I’m intrigued.”
“Yes, the boys want to go as the Incredibles but want all of us to dress up and Fallon told them she didn’t think you would want to.”
“That’s ridiculous, I have never missed dressing up for Halloween and it’s something I look forward to. Why would she tell them that?”
“Truth?” she winced.
“Is there any other kind? Come on, it can’t be that bad? Is it?”
“For a ten-year-old, it's the end of the world. Here's the dilemma. The father/daughter dance has been rescheduled and it happens to fall on the same night as Halloween.”
“Um, Halloween is next Wednesday, don’t you think this is kind of short notice? And why the change?”
“The PTA moms went a little crazy this year and always wanted to do a theme and pretty much it was an all-in vote and now Fallon is caught between the two. She has been looking forward to the dance but Halloween is a kid’s holiday and she has so much fun with her brothers. She doesn't want to disappoint you or the boys.
“So, making up a story is her answer to solving the issue?”
“She’s ten and she knows her daddy can fix anything, even two events on one night.”
“And she would be right. I know the perfect person that can turn her frown upside down and all it will take is one phone call from me.”
“Now, I’m intrigued. Oh, my god! yes, it’s perfect.” Reese clapped her hands. We said the name of the one person who could give our kids a night they will never forget. “Rosalyn Davenport Baker Tate” The queen of LA’s premiere party planning and nowadays we call her family since she married my right-hand man, Donovan.
“I will call her right now,” Reese said happily.
“Why don’t I give her a call after I call the lovely Patty Peterson.”
“She’s not that bad, Walker, she just loves her role in the PTA and she means well.”
“Yeah, well I pay a fortune in our kids' tuition and I am on the board, so leave her to me.”
“Be nice, promise me,” she said.
“Aren’t I always?” I winked.
“Not always but those times are reserved for only me.”
“You better believe it, baby!”
An hour later, Patty Peterson was my new best friend and the dance/Halloween extravaganza was now being hosted by the Reed Family on our estate where all the little princesses will be dancing with their daddies and then they will join their siblings for a haunted hayride, magical corn maze adventure, and all the candy you can eat. Over dinner, the Reed children were a bit silent for my liking but in their defense, I hadn’t shared all I had arranged on Halloween for them and their friends. I tapped my wine glass to bring them to attention. Three sets of wide eyes were now focused all on me. I sat up straighter and balanced my chin over my folded hands. A move that showed them I was serious about what I had to say.
“Now, I understand you three,” I said as I pointed to Fallon, Daniel, and Cameron, “are having a disagreement over your individual plans for Halloween. Let’s talk about it.” All at once, our kids began talking, more like yelling at each other and blaming the other for why we were having this conversation now. “Hold it! Any problem you three are having will not get solved in this manner. Now, apologize to each other right now or no one will be enjoying Halloween, and I mean it.” Reese looked over to me and winked giving me all the room to make things right with the kids. After they apologized, I continued on. “Okay, boys, I know you have your heart set on dressing up as the Incredibles. I think it’s a great idea and it’s so great that mom and dad are going to dress up as well.”
“Daddy, what about?” Fallon began to say and then I raised my hand up to stop her.
“Let me finish, please. As I said, great idea but the father/daughter dance falls on the same night which causes a problem, am I correct?”
“Yes,” they all answered.
“Now, I’ve come up with a solution that will make everyone happy thanks to Aunt Rosalyn. We are going to host the dance here at our home along with a Halloween party for all of your friends and their families.”
“Really?” Fallon asked in excitement, while the boys gave the other a high five.
“Yes, you not only get your dance with me but your brothers get their night as well. And, here's the best part: You don't have to give up one thing for the other. You can enjoy both and have a great night.”
They all said their apologies again to the other and the boys, always young gentlemen gave their sister a hug. I couldn't be more pleased and all was well in the Reed household again. Daddies are supposed to be their kid’s heroes and it is a job I gladly do every single day as their father. If it means opening our home up to hundreds of people with their kids to make my three happy, well, it’s what I do for them. Jackson gave me a lot of practice before Fallon, Daniel, and Cameron came along. I’ve had to step up my game quite a lot over the years but at the end of the day if it brings smiles to their faces. It's all worth it.
Fallon felt bad for arguing with her brothers, so she had Reese alter her costume. She dressed up as Violet Incredible with wearing a matching cloak that she said was an invisibility cloak with secret powers. I loved her imagination. We danced for hours and then she along with her brothers and about a hundred of their closest friends enjoyed all the Halloween festivities.
Our kids were in dreamland by the time their heads hit the pillows. We kissed them all a good night and made our way to our room.
“Oh, Walker, you know how many points you scored tonight with our kids? Every single parent and kid from their school? Even Patty couldn’t stop smiling.”
“Well, I live to make the PTA happy.”
“Stop it, you know what I mean.”
“I do my love, and I know the perfect way you can thank me.”
“Really? And what do you suggest?” she smiled wickedly knowing I had plans for us tonight. Our room was our private playground built just for me and for Reese.
“How about we change into our Halloween costumes, you know, the adult kind and have a little fun of our own? What do you say?”
“I say, yes, but what am I wearing exactly?” she purred as she ran her fingers up and down my naked chest.
“I believe anyone of your corsets will suffice. I do love taking them off with my teeth. Now, go and come back so I can love on you.” I slapped her delectable ass as she got out of the bed and walked into her closet. Reese stepped out a few minutes later with her long hair tousled and wearing her emerald green corset, my favorite. “You are a temptress.”
“In your eyes, I am.” She blushed under my compliments.
“Come here, baby” I gestured with my finger. She stalked over like the sexy minx she was. God, I loved and wanted her always.
“Okay, now that I’m here and you have me exactly where you want me. What shall we do first?”
“How soon you forget, Reese. Don’t you know you are my beauty?”
“I never forget, Walker, not even for a second.”
“Good, because I’m your beast and I’m about to devour every inch of you. Happy Halloween to me.”
XO,
Mary
