“Todd…love your attire…” she said lightly grinning as she walked up beside him.

“Hey! At least I have a costume on!” he fussed back.

“Hey! I had to help everyone else with their costumes…” she started. She stood in front of him and adjusted the clasp on his cape, “There. You look…gorgeous Count Vlad.”

He rolled his eyes. She leaned into him and stole a kiss from his red lips. He enjoyed that. She backed away to put on her own costume and he reached out, pulling her into another kiss.

“Mommy!” came Terri’s loud voice.

Startled, Todd and Téa broke off their kiss and looked at Terri.

She was dressed an angel, “My wings fell off!”

Téa looked exasperated, “Terri – I told you I still had to get ready…! Did you ask Taylor to help you?”

Terri looked sad.

“Téa,” said Todd looking at Terri’s sad eyes, “I’ll tell you what – I’ll do the wing thing so you can get dressed…”

“Thanks Todd,” said Téa.

Todd walked up to Terri and grinned, “Gimme your wings.”

Terri smiled and they walked out leaving Téa alone to get dressed. She was going as a witch.

Téa quickly got dressed and met Todd and the kids in the living room. She was dressed in all black and used a light white makeup over her face with green eyeshadow on her eyes. The twins were going as the “Wonder Twins” from the superhero cartoon and Trevor was dressed up as a mad scientist. They were going to meet Starr at the Country Club where Viki was hosting the party.

“How do I look mom?” asked Taylor. She had put her hair in a ponytail and tucked the ponytail into her collar.

Téa walked up to Taylor and adjusted her collar, “You look fine Mija.”

“You look cool Mom,” said Trevor holding up a beaker, “Nice make up.”

“Thanks T.D. Is Amy going to be there?” asked Téa.

“Nah…Her dad said no,” said Trevor.

“Buck up dude,” said Tyler, patting his brother’s back, “Amy’s dad will mellow out.”

“All right, let’s get going so we get this over with,” fussed Todd.

He was holding Terri’s hand.

“Dad! Don’t be such a stick in the mud! Lighten up!” said Taylor smiling at him, “You look great. You and Mom look really good together.”

“Yeah. You both look good in black,” said Tyler.

Todd slowly grinned, “Thanks, ah…Tail.”

He ran a hand through Tyler’s fine hair.

Téa broke out in laughter, took Todd’s arms and the family walked out.

The Country Club…

Todd and his family walked into the Country Club. It was festive. Orange and black crepe paper decorated the hall. Headstones were placed on the tables along with carved pumpkins. Witches on brooms hung in the air. Starr, dressed as “Snow White”, walked up to them.

“Hey Dad!”

“Starr!” cried Terri excited to see her big sister.

“Hiya Munchkin,” said Starr grinning at her younger sister.

“Cool costume Sis,” said Tyler.

“Yours too…” grinned Starr.

The twins giggled and activated their “Wonder Twin” powers for a laugh.

“Starr! I wanna go check out the graveyard!” exclaimed Terri pointing to a makeshift cemetery.

“In a bit cutie,” said Starr.

Viki walked up, “Glad you guys could make it.”

“You know us Viki, The Mannings do everything in style,” grinned Téa.

Viki was dressed as the wicked step mother from Cinderella, “Todd, there’s some really boring publisher guys I want you to meet.”

“But…ah…but…”

Viki grabbed Todd by the arm and pulled him away. Téa followed.

“So guys, how much you wanna bet we’ll bust mom and dad trying to find a “dark” corner in this shindig?” grinned Tyler.

Taylor swatted him, “So what? That’s too be expected.”

“Daddy loves Mommy!” said Terri putting in her two cents.

“Yeah, but do they have to make out like that all the time?

C’Mon…” added Trevor, “Sometimes I get uncomfortable watching them kiss!”

“You would T.D. You’re such a prude,” teased Starr, “I think it’s cute.”

T.D. turned away, “I am not a prude. I’m just…private, that’s all.”

“Amy better watch with you! I bet you kiss like Dad – with an open mouth…” grinned Tyler, “I say we bust them out.”

“Why?” asked Taylor crossing her arms.

“Why not?” grinned Tyler, “It’s fun.”

“Leave Mommy and Daddy alone Tyler! I’m gonna tell!” squealed Terri.

“Nah-uh…” said Ty.

“Uh-huh…” said Terri running off.

Tyler ran after her and tickled her.

Meanwhile…

Todd didn’t pay much attention to the boring publishers that Viki had introduced him too. Téa smiled politely at the right times.

“Uh-huh…Todd’s all ready on top of that…”

“The Sun’s numbers speak for themselves…”

“You know, the Sun all ready does that…”

Todd thought the endless chatter would never end. And Téa was great with these boring putzs. Finally, he looked at his wife and spoke up.

“Hey guys, it’ s been fun but I think I want a drink and so does my wife. We’ll do this again later…” he said taking Téa’s arm and walked over to the punchbowl. He poured Téa a drink.

“You were great Delgado,” he remarked.

“Thanks Manning,” said Téa sipping her drink.

“I wonder where the kids are,” said Todd pouring himself a drink.

Kevin walked up, “Great costume Uncle Dracula…”

Todd sneered at Kevin.

“The kinds are probably trying to figure out where we’re going to make out,” said Téa matter-of-factly.

Todd choked and spit out his drink, “You’re kidding me?”

“Nah…” said Téa, “I’d hate to disappoint them.”

Todd scoped out the crowded party hall. Starr was playing with Terri. The patio doors were open with heaters on the patio. The twins were talking to Jessie. Trevor was talking to Leslie Holden.

She grabbed his hand and led him out to the patio. No one else was out there. They waltzed over to the heater to protect them from the October chill.

He wrapped his arms around her and giggled. She found his eyes…

“Boo!”

“Hi guys,” came Starr’s voice.

“They’re having a best couples costume contest! You guys just gotta be in it! I want you guys to win!” cried Terri. Her and Starr stood at the patio doors. Téa dropped her head and let out a small laugh only Todd could hear.

“Your mom and I will be right in,” said Todd. Téa picked up her head and they went inside.

Todd tried hard not to show his boredom as him and Téa competed in the contest that Terri wanted them too. After a tight race, Todd and Téa took second place. Jessie and Will, dressed as Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s bride won. Terri was proud of her parents though.

After the contest, Todd wanted some privacy with Téa. He grabbed her hand and led her out toward the main entrance finding the hallway between the bathrooms and coatroom. He pinned her against the wall. They laughed.

“See Delgado, you just gotta be slick about it…” he grinned.

Trevor walked out of the men’s bathroom, “Aw Geez…” he said blushing, catching his parents in a compromising position.

“We’ve been busted Todd,” grinned Téa.

Trevor walked between his parents and took their arms in his, “If I gotta be there having fun with everyone else, you do too.”

Todd looked at his son with shock on his face.

Todd and Téa milled about, trying to be social but totally inseparable. Todd was finally getting into avoiding the kids. A dance contest started up and the twins found their parents trying to sneak back outside. A flustered Todd and Téa competed in the contest and lost out to Bo and Nora.

The evening continued and Todd and Téa hung out by the punch bowl.

“The coatroom?”

“Nah, there’s an attendant…”

“The bathroom?”

“It’s got potential…”

“Téa…no way…”

“It would be fun…”

“All right, it’s got potential…”

Joey walked up to Téa, “Téa would you like to dance with me?”

“No,” said Todd, “Her dance care is filled up.”

Téa playfully swatted Todd, “Sorry Joey, he’s right. It’s all filled up.”

Joey walked away.

“All right…the cabana…” she asked.

“Too far away…” said Todd, “Are you sure the kids are…?”

“I’m sure…” she confirmed. She pointed to a corner. The twins and Trevor were staring at them hard.

“You know us playing cat and mouse with the kids is the most fun this party has got going for it,” grinned Todd.

Viki walked up to them, “Todd, Téa are you guys enjoying the party?”

Téa giggled.

“Well, we’re starting too..” said Todd.

“Mom! It’s time for the games!” yelled Jessie.

“Gotta go…” said Viki.

“Now’s our chance Delgado…” he smiled grabbing her hand. He led her back out onto the patio but he stayed close to the shadows and away from the heaters finding the darkest corner available.

“It’s cold Todd,” she said.

He wrapped his cloak around her to warm her up. They were very aware of how close they were. She placed her arms around his waist, snuggling into him.

“It’s kinda sexy being in your arms like this, wrapped up in your cloak,” she whispered as she leaned in closer to his succulent lips.

“Shut up and kiss me Delgado before we get busted,” he replied lost in her eyes.

She reached up and took his lips with hers, sharing a long delicious kiss.

“Ummm” she said.

He savored the feel of her mouth on his as he stole another warm kiss from her lips.

They continued to snuggle and kiss finally getting a chance to enjoy their alone time.

Meanwhile, Starr found Terri grinning at her parents from the patio door and brought her back into the party.