Dropping Off

 

Now that had been a Halloween Party!

Winston chewed his candy corn and contemplated the intersection. "Peter, I forgot." he admitted. "Do I turn left here or go straight?"

"Forward, honey! Never straight!"

Winston rolled his eyes and continued on, away from Columbia Campus. The Alumni Samhaine Bash had been entertaining, especially after someone, who shall remain nameless, (but his initials are P.V.) had spiked a bowl of punch with positively charged mood slime. Janine hadn't been warned, of course, and was stretched out on Egon and Peter's lap in the back seat giggling helplessly at...nothing. The red sequins on her Harlequin costume reflected the streetlights wonderfully and Ray was twisted almost completely around in the front seat gazing down at her with humor.

The extravagance of her dress contrasted with the plain, white 'Generic Halloween Costume' T-shirts that Ray had talked everyone else into wearing. The shirts read "I AM: (Check One) A Vampire, A Werewolf, A Mad Scientist, Other___________." Ray had written, under 'Other' I AM: Closer Than I Appear.

Winston felt that fell a little short of Ray's usual wit but it was Halloween, the worst day of the Ghostbuster's busy season, and they were all tired. The unexpected miracle of having some free time to go to a party had been seized with near-desperation. Great party, too.

"Are we home yet?" drawled a deep voice. Egon's (I AM: Therefore I Think) legs were crossed. "I do not think it is biologically possible for my eyes to turn yellow. However..."

"We're almost there." Winston (I AM: Not A Man, I'm A Lovin' Machine! Jakky Mo Fee Na Ney!) replied.

A few minutes later Ecto pulled in front of a large Victorian manse, split neatly into two halves, barely three doors down from the firehouse. "Everyone out!"

Ray bounced out of the car and opened the back door. There was a brief but violent tug of war over Janine's body which ended abruptly when Egon let go of her legs, and sent Ray and his still giggling wife sprawling on the sidewalk. Everyone doubled over laughing.

"Daddy, is she drunk?" whispered a child's voice at Winston's elbow. His stepchildren, Meghan and Kenny, had come out to escort him inside. Winston made a shushing motion. "From your lip's to God's ears. No. Not really."

Ray dramatically swept Janine off the ground and carried her up the stairs to their half of the Victorian, 221A. She called a sleepy goodnight to everyone and rested her head on his shoulder contentedly.

Winston followed Ray's example and grabbed up his delighted kids, one under each arm, and started up the stairs to 221B.

"Winston, we need the keys!" Peter (I AM: Chief Peter Mammoth-Pecker!) called after him.

"Not when you're walking the rest of the way." Winston called back and waved goodbye.

With the firehouse so near Peter caved to Winston's logic and waved back. Throwing an arm around Egon's waist the two set off, Egon running an affectionate hand through his hair.

Winston bounded indoors. His wife, who had decided to cater to Trick-or-Treaters that night, had missed out on a great party.

He gave her a kiss and suddenly decided that the party had been fun but coming home was even better.

   

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