“On Halloween night, no less,” Milo told the Markhams. “I’ll let you figure out which one of us is the trick and which one is the treat.” He blew air kisses then tugged Andy along with him to circulate.
Halloween was my favorite time of the year, and not just because it was also my birthday. People cast off all the reasons they shouldn’t do something and lived a little. They wore costumes people wouldn’t expect them to wear, and they let themselves feel like a kid again when passing out candy on beggar’s night.
“I wasn’t sure he was going to make it,” Elijah whispered in my ear an hour into the party. I looked at the front door and saw Theo had arrived wearing a pirate costume similar to the one Elijah was originally going to wear. “It’s a good thing you painted me green and glued bolts to my neck. I’d hate for Theo to feel bad because I wore the pirate costume better.”
“Undoubtedly,” I said. “We should go say hello to him.”
“I don’t think he knows anyone at this party besides Vanessa,” Elijah said.
I followed Theo’s line of sight, and sure enough, Van stood there still as a statue in her sexy, lady pirate costume as she returned his bold gaze with a raised brow. It was like she dared him to make a move in her direction. Not one to back away from a challenge, Theo headed directly for her. Vanessa pivoted and headed toward the library in the back of the house. I suspected she had a lot to say and didn’t want witnesses.
I looked over and saw April and Violet, dressed as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, were whispering to each other in the corner. “I bet they make an announcement of their own soon.”
“It looks that way,” Elijah said. “Where’s Candace?”
“She’s in Europe on business. She’s bummed she missed the party this year. Candy Apple takes her costumes to the extreme.” Then again, Candace was hardcore about everything she did.
“There’s always next year. Then again,” Elijah said, placing his hand on my flat stomach, “you might not feel like having a big party.”
“I’ll let Milo throw the party next year.”
“Speak of the devil,” Elijah said, pointing to my brother heading our way.
“You win, Maegan,” he said dramatically.
“What are you—” I reached over and gave him a hard pinch. “You peeked!”
“How could I resist the temptation?” Milo smiled warmly and pulled me into a hug. “Your nursery is as beautiful as you are, and I can’t wait until my little niece or nephew is sleeping safely there.”
“What kind of theme did you pick?” I asked, fighting the urge to drive over to the house they were moving into the following week.
“Atlantica,” Milo said with a smile. “You know how much I’ve always wanted to be a merman.”
“It sounds amazing. I can’t wait to see it.”
“It is amazing, but the treehouse is unbeatable.” Milo hooked his arm around my neck. “Andy and I decided we’ll get married in June.”
“Am I invited?” I asked jokingly.
“Are you kidding? You’re going to be my best girl.”
“And you can be my man of honor.”
Up above, a door slammed loudly, pulling our attention upward. “Sounds to me like Anthony’s had enough partying for one night.”
“So it seems,” I replied, trying to keep the sadness from my voice.
Anthony’s shenanigans caught everyone’s attention, but it didn’t frighten them into leaving, and the party lasted another few hours before our guests started trickling out.
After everyone left, I sat in the stillness of the living room while Elijah slept soundly upstairs. I should’ve been exhausted, but I couldn’t seem to turn off my brain and came downstairs for a cup of herbal tea. I smelled Anthony’s pipe tobacco after my first sip of tea and was glad he’d decided to join me. I knew taking Anthony’s ashes to San Francisco to reunite him with Wallace was the right thing to do, but I was going to miss him so much.
“I’ll never forget you, Anthony,” I vowed, noting the scent got stronger as if he was sitting right beside me on the couch.
Two weeks later, Lyric, his crew, Memphis, the hotel concierge, Anh Yang, and I all went up to the penthouse floors of The Golden Gate Bridge Inn to film the moment when the two spirits were reunited. I don’t know what I expected, but there was no obvious paranormal activity to record. There were no moans, dramatic winds, or slamming doors. There was just a peacefulness that washed over the room, letting you know the two men were once again together. An actual shift in the air that made the hair on my arms stand up.
When it was over, I returned to the room I shared with Elijah. “How’d it go?”
“It was peaceful and beautiful,” I said in a voice thick with emotion. “Anthony is where he always belonged.”
