Page 51 of Better Together

The doorbell rang and they reluctantly pulled apart. “That would be Roman and the girls.”

She ducked into Zeke’s bedroom to adjust her clothing.

Zeke flung open the door to his twin nieces, Nikki and Nora. “Arghh—who goes there?”

“Trick or treat!”

“Well, if it isn’t Captain Marvel and Hermione Granger. Very nice!” Zeke ushered the girls inside and placed a black-cat cellophane bag of treats in each of their pillowcases, which matched their costumes. To Roman, he said, “I can’t believe you dressed up. It’s so unlike you.”

“Doesn’t he look great? A doctor, just like Uncle Isaiah. We even mussed his hair,” Nora said in her best British accent.

“I got to use his stethoscope. I heard my heartbeat,” Nikki said.

Nora slugged her sister. “Well I’d hope so, or you wouldn’t be walking around now, would you?”

Nikki rewarded her with a karate move, almost kicking the textbook out of Nora’s hand. Nora stepped back and raised her wand. “Petrificus totalus.”

Roman lowered his voice. “Girls.”

Zeke remembered that tone well from when Roman had used it on him as a child.

“I love your costume, Uncle Zeke,” Nora said.

“Me too,” Nikki said. “I wish I could carry a sword.”

Zeke stroked his long, thin wisp of a beard. “I bet you do.”

“I’m really glad you can’t,” Roman said, partly under his breath.

“Hey, everyone. You all look fantastic!”

Everyone’s attention focused on Alexis as she entered the room. Zeke had wondered where she went when the doorbell rang. She was so cute, hiding out. He pulled her in close, wrapping his arm around her waist.

“I love your costume, Alexis!” Nikki said. “Those boots are fire!”

Nora rolled her eyes at her sister. “You look really nice, Alexis.”

“Thank you, girls.”

Nikki smiled. “I can’t wait to wear a costume like that.”

“Maybe when you’re thirty,” Roman said, and Zeke chuckled. Alexis blushed.

“I have to wait until I’m that old? Why?”

They all laughed. Zeke hadn’t considered himself old, even if he was pushing thirty.

Nora hugged her textbook and tilted her head. “No, silly, because it’s highly inappropriate for someone our age . . . and by the way, Nikki, you have a smudge right here.” Nora gestured to the side of her nose. “Did you know?”

“That’s Captain Marvel to you.”

Roman held back a laugh. “Let’s go, girls, your grandma is expecting you.”

Nikki and Nora made the rounds of hugs and waved goodbye.

“Have fun, girls,” Zeke said and asked Roman, “We’ll see you at the lodge later?”

“I’ll be there.” The girls were halfway down the sidewalk when Roman glanced back at Alexis. “You look beautiful.”