Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty Six
Evie
Ten Months Postpartum
“It’s Tinkerbell!” a small child points at me in awe. I give her a little wave that causes her to giggle and run off with her parents who are chuckling behind them.
Josie comes up beside me and we both watch as Monty goes up to the door as Captain Hook, with his long black wigged hair and his hook holding the candy bag, while his other arm is holding Hayes.
Who is dressed up in a full body crocodile costume with a pocket watch around his neck.
He has no idea fully what’s going on, but he can feel the excitement that’s coming from Monty and Shiloh.
“Off we go to Neverland!” Shiloh shouts as he takes off from the house.
“Shiloh you didn’t say thank you!” Monty screams after him, before turning and quietly thanking the elderly couple who was handing out the candy. They smile and wave him off, and wish him luck.
Josie, who’s dressed up as Wendy Darling, and I take turns pulling the cargo wagon along the road as the boys hit house after house.
We started early enough that we could go to enough houses for Shiloh, and still have Hayes with enough energy that he won’t be cranky.
We started off by going to the local shopping center who had a Mall-o-ween event for the kids to trick or treat indoors.
We went shop to shop, and there was staff waiting to hand out goodies for each kid.
After that we hit up our neighborhood before getting back to the house to have some pizza.
The house is decorated in streamers and all the kids toys have been put away.
Sloane, Monty’s mom, is coming by in a bit to take the kids to their hotel for the night.
We all decided that we’d throw an adult party this year with our friends.
Since we were already dressed up we leaned in with the costume party idea.
Xavier and Harper are coming along with a couple people from the clinic.
We invited Dalton, and I messaged Mikah and invited them to come out with some friends if they didn’t have any plans.
I sit with Shiloh at the kitchen table and watch as he dumps his candy bag on the dining table. Working together we sort the candy by brand. Then we organize it between chips, candy and little toys.
I help him bring it to the pantry and put it away, while letting him sneak a treat or two while we do it.
There’s a knock at the door and a minute later Sloane walks into the room.
“Happy Halloween!” She greets.
“Nana!” Shiloh runs toward her and gives her a hug. “You should see all the candy I got tonight. Evie had to help me sort it.”
“Is that so, bug? I bet you were the most clever Peter Pan out there.” She tells him, “Now why don’t you go and get your overnight bag and then we’ll say goodnight to everyone and head over to the hotel.”
Shiloh nods his head with excitement and takes off to his room. I wave my hand and greet Sloane, “Hi Sloane. Josie is just getting Hayes all sorted, I’m sure she’ll be out soon.”
“Oh that’s no worries, I’m not in any rush.” She smiles at me and walks toward the kitchen, taking a seat on one of the island stools.
“Did you want a coffee or water?” I ask, heading toward the coffee pot.
“Oh I’ll take a water please, if I have a coffee now I won’t sleep a wink.” She says, “Thank you.”
I grab a water bottle from the fridge and a Diet Coke for myself and turn toward her. “Did you and Herb get up to anything this evening?”
“Nothing special, it definitely was different not handing out candy, but we’re looking forward to having the boys tonight. We booked a room in that new hotel with the small water park in it. We aren’t going to tell Shiloh until the morning when it opens.”
“Oh he will love that. They’re going to have so much fun.” I smile at her, and take a sip of my drink.
We make more small conversation before Monty comes in from the backyard. “Shiver me timbers, it’s me mom!” He says with the worst accent I have ever heard.
His mom just shakes her head with laughter as he comes in for a hug. “Oh you never cease to surprise me boy.”
Ten minutes later we're saying goodbye to the boys and making quick work to get the last minute things together before the guests arrive.
“Oh, that's too bad– Dalton can't make it tonight. Elodie has the flu.” Josie says reading from her phone before her fingers move across the screen quickly. “Poor thing, seems like everyone is getting it.”
“I hope we can avoid getting it again, because that was probably the worst.” I say, a shiver running through my body as my mind flashes back to me hugging the toilet last week.
Stepping out into the night, the cool air washes over my heated skin.
The party’s in full swing, which means the temperature in the house is warmer.
Harper and I just got some dancing started in the living room and I needed to step out and cool down.
There are a few people out here that look like they had a similar idea.
“Hey girlie,” comes from behind me. Spinning around I’m met with a familiar face. “There you are, I’ve been looking for you.”
“Hey Mikah. I was wondering if you were going to show up!” I say as Mikah wraps me up in a quick hug.
Stepping back I take in what they’re wearing.
They’re wearing a brown pair of bell bottom pants, matched with a v-neck lime green shirt, but they cut it short to look more like a crop top.
Their hair is a messy layered look. A smile pulls at my lips as it clicks who they’re dressed up as. “So where’s Scoob, Shaggy?”
A playful smile plays on lips, “Oh, he’s tied up back home.”
Throwing my head back I start laughing, “I knew we’d get along so well the moment I met you.” I tell them, shaking my head. A chill runs through me, and I realize how little amount of clothing I have on vs the cooling temperature outside.
Mikah notices my shiver and steps forward, they begin to run their hands up and down my biceps in an attempt to warm me up.
“Thank you, it didn’t feel this cold when I first stepped out here.” I say rubbing my hands together, Mikah’s touch is helping fend off the cold.
“Yeah it dips down colder quic-” Mikah’s eyes widen but before I can question what caught their attention I feel an arm slide around my front and I’m being pulled back toward a hard surface.
I know who it is before he speaks. Just by the way he’s holding me, I know it’s Monty at my back.
My heartbeat picks up when I feel his lips brush against my ear as he whispers quietly, “Ours.” Then he straightens and holds out his hooked hand to Mikah.
“What’s up, I’m Monty.” he introduces himself, fingers flexing over my stomach briefly as Mikah’s black nail polished hands wrap in his.
“Mikah, I go by They/Them.” They say, nodding their head towards the house, “This your party?”
“It is, are you having a good time?” Monty replies, and I look up at him confused. He’s being so casual and not his usual goofy self. He’s not being rude, he just sounds off.
“I just got here, I was going to show up with a few of my buddies but they all bailed on me. I already told Evie I was coming so I just came solo.” They look at their nails briefly before looking back up and making eye contact with Monty.
“Yeah, I met Mikah on my birthday when Harper and I went to Bearclaw. We met at the bar when we were waiting for our table. They had a couple drinks with us, and made sure I was okay after that asshole caused a scene.” I try to remind Monty, but I know that night changed a lot for us so he doesn’t have to think too hard.
“Right, I remember you mentioning them now. Thanks for being there for our girl when we couldn’t be.” Monty’s posture relaxes slightly, “Make sure you eat some of the food in there or else I’m going to be eating leftovers for a week.”
Mikah looks at me and raises their eyebrow at me, and I just shrug my shoulders.
He slowly makes his way toward the back door.
“I’ll do just that, thanks boss.” They look pointedly at me and continue, “I’ll see you later, we need to catch up.
” They take one more look at Monty and then disappear into the house.
I lean against Monty’s chest and look up at him. His eyes are already on me, and I can’t help the chuckle that leaves me as I take him in again, “That wig is fucking atrocious Monty.” I tell him honestly. “Aren’t you overheating with that thing on your head?”
Using his hook hand he scratches his temple as a discomfort flashes over his face. “Well yeah, but it’s a costume party. I can’t take my costume off yet.”
“I think people will forgive you if you remove your wig.” I tell him honestly, because I truly don’t think anyone will care whether or not he’s wearing that thing or not.
“I guess so, but it takes away from the illusion. Captain Hook never had dirty blond hair, it was long black, curly hair.” He tells me, and I can’t tell if he’s this dedicated or if he’s fucking with me.
“Well no but– Monty, that’s not the point I was trying to get at. If you’re hot, take the wig off.” I turn in his arms so I’m facing him instead.
He thinks about it for a minute before reluctantly taking the wig off, then follows with a groan of appreciation as the cool air hits his head.
“See? Much better right?” reaching up I run my hand through his hair but instantly regret it when I feel how soaking wet it is. “You should have done it sooner, your hair is soaked.”
“I know, but honestly I was busy walking around and talking to everyone. I didn't realize how bad it got until I came out here and saw someone with their hands on you.” I raise my eyebrow, “I didn’t realize they were just your friend. I’m sorry.” He says sheepishly.
“Were you jealous?” I ask seriously, because jealousy isn’t an emotion I’d think he would show.