[After completing the paperwork]
They did it. No loans, no mortgage, or thirty-year commitments. They went in together, pooled their money, and bought the entire seven-story building outright. It wasn't cheap. In fact, it was the kind of price tag that could make your eyes water. But Charlie and the girls were successful enough to buy that place. Everyone pitched in. The papers were signed, the keys were theirs, and the Harper clan officially owned the whole building.
Renovation started immediately. Teams of workers filled the place with tools, scaffolding, and the smell of fresh plaster. Plans were pinned to walls and tablets, with every detail mapped out. Kate's floor would hold her photoshoot and acting studio, all mirrors, lights, and sleek backdrops. Laura claimed her tattoo parlor on the lower level, already designing murals for the walls. Lisa and Prudence's recording studio was taking shape next to a separate soundproof gaming room just for Prudence.
Lily's unicorn and Kung Fu Panda-themed room was underway too. The workers joked it was like decorating a fairytale amusement park. And at the top of the building, the new pool and rooftop lounge were under construction, with Charlie insisting on an outdoor kitchen for "emergency barbecues." The renovation team promised to have everything finished in four months, dedicating all their time and crew to it.
[1 Month Later – Back at the Beach House] [Afternoon]
Charlie sat cross-legged on the floor with a big pumpkin between his knees and a carving knife in his hand. Across from him, Lily had her own smaller pumpkin, a child-safe carving kit, and a look of fierce determination on her face.
"Alright, kiddo," Charlie said, tapping his pumpkin. "Rule number one: always cut away from yourself. Rule number two: don't eat the guts."
Lily wrinkled her nose. "Why not? It looks like spaghetti."
Charlie chuckled. "Because it's pumpkin slime, not spaghetti. Trust me, it doesn't taste good."
She scooped out another handful of seeds and squished them through her fingers with delight. "Eww… but it's fun!"
Lisa walked in from the kitchen with a tray of snacks. She smiled at the sight. "Looks like you two are having fun."
Lily grinned. "I'm making mine scary. Like Annabelle."
Lisa raised her eyebrows. "Annabelle? You're five."
"I know," Lily said proudly. "But she's cool."
Charlie gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah, we're raising a horror fan. I'm both proud and terrified."
From the couch, Kate looked up from where she was painting a fake tombstone prop for the front yard. "She gets it from you, Charlie. You were the one who showed her Ghostbusters."
"Ghostbusters is a comedy!" he said, pretending to defend himself.
"Tell that to her," Kate said, pointing to Lily, who was now humming the Halloween theme while carving her pumpkin. She picked up the tune from Charlie, who had been playing it on his piano for the past few days.
Laura came in next, carrying a box of decorations: plastic bats, fake cobwebs, orange string lights, and some other props. Her hair was tied back, and her forearms were streaked with black paint. "Okay, the porch is almost done. We've got skeletons, spiders, and a motion-sensor ghost that screams every time someone walks by."
Lily gasped. "Can I see it?"
Laura smiled. "After we finish these pumpkins, monster girl."
Just then, the front door opened and Prudence walked in, a duffel bag slung over her shoulder. Her college hoodie was half-zipped, and she looked tired but happy. "I swear, the drive from campus gets longer every time," she said, dropping her bag. "But hey, pumpkin night!"
Lily squealed and ran over to hug her. "Prue! You're here!"
Prudence picked her up, spinning her once. "Of course I'm here. Wouldn't miss our first Halloween together, squirt."
Lisa smiled. "Perfect timing. Grab a pumpkin before Charlie hogs all the big ones."
Charlie smirked. "Too late. I already claimed the king of pumpkins."
Prudence raised an eyebrow. "We'll see about that." She picked a round one from the table and rolled up her sleeves.
Soon, the kitchen island was covered in pumpkin guts, carving tools, and laughter. Lily insisted that everyone show her their designs, and no one was allowed to finish without approval.
Lisa was carving a cat with glowing eyes, Kate was doing a stylized moon, Laura went for a vampire face with fangs, and Prudence was making a grinning skull with headphones.
Charlie finished his last, turning his pumpkin around dramatically. "Ladies and kid, I present to you… Frankenpumpkin."
Lily gasped. The pumpkin had bolts, stitches, and even a jagged grin. "Daddy, that's awesome!"
"Tsk. He's good," Laura clicked her tongue as she compared their pumpkins.
He smiled, pretending to bow. "Thank you, thank you. I'll gladly take the praise."
...
By the time they were done, the kitchen looked like a pumpkin massacre. Seeds clung to the counter, strings of pulp hung from the edges of bowls, and everyone had orange stains on their hands. But it was worth it. Each pumpkin had its own personality lined up proudly on the table like a spooky little army.
Lisa took a picture. "Alright, team, this is officially the best pumpkin lineup in Malibu."
Kate nodded. "Agreed. We're crushing it this year."
Laura leaned back on the couch, stretching her arms. "We should start a contest next year. Winner gets breakfast made by the losers."
Charlie chuckled. "Careful. You'll end up eating my pancakes for a week."
Lily looked up from where she was adding glitter to her pumpkin's eyes. "Can I make pancakes too?"
Charlie smiled. "Sure. But only if you promise not to put glitter in the batter."
She giggled. "No promises!"
After the carving session, everyone cleaned up. They stacked the pumpkins carefully on the side table to dry overnight before placing them outside in the morning. The smell of cinnamon tea and baked cookies filled the room as Kate brought in a plate of warm snacks. The group gathered in the living room, the soft glow of the fireplace lighting their faces.
Lily climbed up beside Charlie on the couch, munching on a cookie. "Daddy, can you play the Halloween song again? The spooky one!"
Charlie smirked. "You mean the one that makes the neighbors think we're summoning ghosts?"
She nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
He stood, stretching a little. "Alright, spooky girl. Let's go make the ghosts dance."
Prudence smiled, watching them move to the piano. "He's never getting out of this one."
Kate reached for her camera. "Good. He looks happiest when he's at the piano."
Charlie sat down and played the familiar notes from the Halloween theme, slow and dramatic at first. Lily gasped in excitement and pressed random keys beside him, giggling at the eerie mix of sounds.
"Not bad," he said. "You've got talent. Want me to show you how to play it for real?"
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really. Come here." He lifted her onto the bench beside him. "Okay, see these three keys? That's where the magic starts. You hit this one first, then this one, then this one. Try it."
Lily pressed them carefully. The notes came out uneven but recognizable.
Charlie grinned. "See? You're a natural."
She laughed and tried again, faster this time. The sound was messy, but her excitement filled the room. Soon, Charlie joined in, playing the lower notes to match her rhythm. Together, they made a strange but cheerful version of the Halloween theme.
Kate stood a few feet away, quietly snapping pictures.
...
[Meanwhile – Rose's House]
Rose stood in the center of her bedroom, surrounded by ten mannequins lined up like contestants in a bizarre beauty pageant. Each one wore a different Halloween costume she'd picked out over the past week.
She stepped back, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Too much, too little, too crazy…" she muttered, walking past each mannequin like a director choosing her lead actress.
Her eyes moved from a pirate costume to a glittery vampire cape before settling on four that stood out — a nurse outfit, a catgirl with ears and a tail, a schoolgirl with glasses and a plaid skirt, and a witch costume that looked both mischievous and confident.
Rose crossed her arms, studying them one by one. "The nurse says I'm here to heal you, the cat says I might scratch, the schoolgirl says innocent, but not really, and the witch…" She smiled faintly. "The witch says I know what I want."
She turned toward the mirror, her reflection watching her with that familiar half-smile she gave when she was planning something. "You've been patient, Rose," she said quietly. "You kept your distance, gave them space, watched them build something real. Charlie turned out to be a better person than you expected. It's like a completely revamped Charlie. You love his new side. So, it's time to join his harem."
Her eyes softened, thoughtful rather than calculating. "Lisa offered, didn't she? Let's not hold back anymore. Oh, Charlie... I can't wait to kiss you again. I missed you so much. I hope we can cuddle a bit."
She took another slow look at the witch costume and nodded to herself.
"Yeah. Witch it is. Not too forward, not too shy. Mysterious enough to fit the night."
Pulling the mannequin forward, she checked the details: black lace gloves, soft fabric, a wide hat tilted just right. She added a silver necklace and stepped back again, satisfied.
"Tomorrow," she said under her breath.
For a moment, she let her smile fade, her expression turning quiet. "He deserves to be happy. They all do. If I can fit into that… maybe it's worth trying." She slapped her cheeks. "Alright, Rose. One chance to do this right. Don't screw it up."
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