Erin came in with the hat and Raven plopped it on Alexander’s head, standing back. She’d spent months putting the costume together after Alexander had said he wanted to be the “scarf Doctor” for Halloween. Finding the right vest, hat and scarf for a nearly four-year-old took time. But she’d done it, though she had to cut the scarf and the blazer down some.

“He’s just like Tom Baker. I grew up watching him. To this day I consider him my Doctor, though truth be told, Eleven does do that nerdy bada . . . bad guy thing really well.” Gillian smiled.

Alexander examined himself in the mirror quite seriously and then smiled up at Raven, giving her a thumbs-up.

“I think that means you’re a success, Auntie.”

“All in an auntie’s day’s work.”

Elise patted Erin’s arm. “Let me go check on Rennie and the girls and then I’ll have Adrian start the music for the parade.”

It was pretty much impossible for Adrian to take his child trick-or-treating. A person who was as well known a celebrity as him couldn’t really go door to door in a regular neighborhood without causing a ruckus. Gillian didn’t want to ruin anyone else’s Halloween with surprise visits from the paparazzi either, so they’d decided a fun Halloween fest at their house would be just fine, especially as young as most of the kids were.

Raven bent to adjust Alexander’s neck scarf. “Excited?”

“Yes! I’m gonna march.” He marched in place and Martine, seeing him, began her own version of a march, which was actually more like the maniac dance from Flashdance. Maddie, a relatively new walker, just sort of bent her knees over and over.

“Jeez, I’m going to die of cute.” Erin put her head on Raven’s shoulder.

“You have a good life. All these kids are going to grow up so loved.”

“Yeah. I’m grateful for them. And that you’re part of it. I’m so glad you’re here more now. That they get to grow up with you as their auntie. His costume is awesome. I’m creative and all, but you two have that Doctor Who connection. He’s going to remember this.”

“Well, I know I will.”

She stepped back and started taking pictures again. The shutter speed was set for action shots and she knew there’d be plenty to give to Gillian, Ella, Elise and Erin.

Elise came back in. “They’re ready.”

The kids filed out and Raven kept taking pictures. The music came up as they went down the stairs, Elise holding Martine’s hand and Poppy riding on Gillian’s hip.

It was a really good night. The best Halloween Raven had had . . . well, ever.

16

“How are you recovering after the candy coma?” Raven teased Brody as they sat at their stations in the shop.

“Fortunately we left most of it at Adrian’s place. Now that Miles has his braces off I’m sure he’ll go to town on it. In any case, at least it’s not at my house hopping my kids up. Well, more than usual.”

“Rennie is a knockout. Just sayin’, Dad. She looks a hell of a lot like her mother, all blonde and big blue eyes. And she showed me some of her art on Sunday. Wow.”

Brody’s clear discomfort at the realization his daughter was growing up was alleviated a little by the mention of her talent.

“Elise and I have decided to send her to the same school Miles is at. Heavy arts concentration.”

“I think that’s a great idea. Miles seems to have thrived there.”

“It’s a great school. We took a tour a few months back. Elise may actually do some classes there. One of the dance teachers recognized her when we were there.”

Raven smiled. “That’s pretty awesome.”

“She had to give up a lot. Makes me happy to see her do well. She still loves to dance and her school is doing well, but this is a good opportunity and I can’t lie, a huge part of the appeal is that Rennie’s tuition would get a hefty discount.”

Raven imagined that kind of private arts school would cost a pretty penny. She had no doubt Adrian would have offered to pay, probably even Erin, but Brody wouldn’t have taken money from his siblings. And it wasn’t like they were paupers, just not gazillionaires like his rock-star siblings.

“Oh, that’s a big plus.”

“Rennie is sad to leave her school and her friends, of course. But once she took a look at the classes? She got really excited.”

“I think that’s really cool. I’m glad. She’s a great kid and has so much talent. I’m happy she’s got this opportunity. The stuff she showed me is like years beyond what anyone her age can do.”

Brody looked up from his client. “Yeah, and you’re part of that. Always encouraging her. Elise and I appreciate that. Rennie adores you.”

She looked down, fighting a blush. “Daisy has more connections of that type than I do.”

“Meh. Daisy’s a nice lady, but she’s not you. You’re family.”

She blinked back tears. Tears that seemed to come so freaking ably all a sudden. She cleared her throat and kept on working. Brody, who knew her so well, backed off and made small talk with his client while she got herself back together.

When she’d finished and was waiting for her next client, he approached again. “So Jonah Warner.”

“Yeah. Unexpected, huh?”

“I dunno. You tell me.”

She nodded. “He is. I have rules, Brody. Lots of them. He makes me break them. Left and right.”