Chapter 27
There is nothing I enjoy more than to see others enjoy themselves.
Halloween was Camden's favorite holiday.
It always had been, even when she was a small child.
It outranked her birthday and Christmas.
Not because it was spooky, or for the copious amounts of candy, but because it had been the opportunity to dress up and become someone else.
That was what had appealed to her, and it still did.
She had always put a lot of thought into her costumes, and this year she had the perfect couples costume planned for her and Javi. She just needed to get him on board.
Lying next to him in bed, she asked, “Did you know that Cal has the pool house reserved for me to host a Halloween party?”
His arm tightened around her. “I thought Cal was hosting it. I heard about last year’s; several of the guys are looking forward to it.”
That made her feel good. She always tried to make sure her parties were fun and memorable.
“Cal wouldn’t know where to start, though we’ve had annual Halloween parties together since I was in middle school.
Our parents would always let us invite over four or five friends each.
We’d have pizza, play games, and Dad would light the fire pit for roasting marshmallows while we made up spooky stories.
I took a hiatus while in college and usually just went out to a club dressed up with friends, but once Cal moved to Phoenix I started up the parties again, here at the pool house. ”
“Is the party kid-friendly?” he asked. “I doubt Lola has ever experienced Halloween before.”
He was probably right. Camdyn couldn't imagine the sisters allowing such a holiday at the orphanage. Lola’s upbringing seemed to have been quite sheltered.
“No. It’s not a bad party, but most of your teammates bring dates in skimpy lingerie for costumes, so it’s definitely not child appropriate,” she replied.
Javi chuckled behind her. “That sounds accurate, but what will we do with Lola. I don’t want her to feel left out.”
“That’s actually why I was bringing it up, well, one of the reasons why. I was talking to Lionel and he’s struggling to find a trustworthy babysitter for his kids. Not just for the party, but in general. Lola loves Leo and Luna. I think she would be a good babysitter.”
Javi loosened his hold and rolled to his back. “I don’t know, Cami. I don’t want her to feel like she has to work.”
“She knows that, but it would give her a chance to make a little cash and not feel quite so dependent on you. She could start by watching them while Lionel is working out at the gym. He’ll be close by if she needs anything.
If that goes well, she can watch them on Halloween so he can come to the party, too. ”
“Have you already discussed this with her?” he asked.
“No. I wouldn’t do that. But Javi, I had my first babysitting gig at thirteen. That’s how old she is now. I think she could do it and I think she’d like it. It’s not a real job, so it would be like a compromise.”
He huffed. “She probably would like it, but is two kids at once too much? Leo can be rambunctious.”
She leaned up and pecked his lips. “I think she can handle two. Mother Superior said that she liked helping with the little ones, remember?”
His hand slid into the back of her hair. “I remember, but I might need a little more persuasion before I agree to it,” he replied as he pulled her mouth back to his. He deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth.
Cami moved to straddle him. She did not mind acquiescing to his stipulation at all.
The night of the party, Camdyn and Javier walked Lola over to Lionel’s early. The plan was for Lie to get Lola settled with his kids and then he’d head over to the party.
Javi knocked on the door, and a moment later, Lie, dressed as Luigi from Mario Bros., pulled it open.
“I’m calling it now. You have the best couple costume,” said Lie.
“Cami picked them out,” replied Javi. He reached for Cami’s hand and brought it to his lips. “They’re perfect aren’t they, cara mia?”
Camdyn kept a stoic expression as Javi kissed her hand. “Oui, mon cher.”
“I don’t know who they’re supposed to be, but they’re acting weird,” stated Lola as she walked into Lionel’s townhouse.
Camdyn couldn’t help but laugh. She’d have to find the Addams Family movies for the girl to watch. There was still so much culturally for Lola to learn.
Lionel smirked at them. “I have pizza on the way. Once it's delivered I’ll head over.”
There were just a few finishing touches for Camdyn to take care of when they reached the pool house.
The fog machines and lights had to be turned on.
And the DJ and tarot card reader that Camdyn had hired for the night had to be shown where to set up.
Otherwise, they were good to go. The caterers had delivered the food earlier and there were a multitude of drinks on ice.
Before long, people started to arrive, so Morticia and Gomez took up positions near the entrance to greet the guests.
The majority of the Diamondbacks organization showed up, a couple friends Cam had made in college, and several of her and Cal’s childhood friends from Oasis. They ate, played games, and socialized for hours, but Camdyn most enjoyed dancing with Javi.
“I love dancing with you,” she said as he held her close.
“Too bad there are no clubs in Oasis,” he replied.
“There’s a honky-tonk we could go to. I also have a friend moving back to Oasis and she’s going to open a dance studio. Maybe she could do some couples classes for ballroom or swing.”
Javi laughed. “Sign us up if she does.”
Camdyn beamed at him. She’d never met a man like Javi before. He was so open and confident. She loved that so much.
Her brother and his date passed by and Javi commented, “I thought they were going to beat us out for best couple costume, but I was worried for nothing; everybody voted for us. It got me thinking though…maybe next year you could be Marilyn Monroe and I could be Joe DiMaggio.”
“Ooh, I like that idea,” she replied. Her man was thinking ahead, and she loved that for them.