#cancuns

Trick Or Treat - Quinn Hughes

Halloween night falls over your neighborhood with a cool breeze, and you’re all bundled up to start trick-or-treating: you, Quinn, and your two little ones, Finn Jackson and Genevieve Ellen. It’s one of those perfect fall evenings where leaves crunch underfoot, and the glow of jack-o’-lanterns lights up each doorstep.

Finn, your 7-year-old “superhero”, is wear a Deadpool costumer with so much enthusiasm it’s infectious. “Mom, Dad, I have the plan,” he says, leading the way. “We start at the house with the skeleton, skip the house with the lame candy bowls, and finish at the haunted mansion.” He nods as if he’s cracked the candy code.

Genevieve, your 3-year-old princess, clings to Quinn’s shoulder, gazing wide-eyed at the decorations. Her pink dress sparkles under each porch light, and she’s holding onto her mini pumpkin bucket like it’s her treasure. “Daddy, scary!” she whispers when she spots a particularly spooky skeleton, hiding her face in his sweater.

“Oh, no need to worry, Princess Vivi,” Quinn assures her, brushing her hair from her face. “Daddy’s here. Skeletons don’t stand a chance against us.”

At each house, Genevieve waits until Finn makes his bold superhero moves, showing off his “dance” to the neighbors, which always gets laughs and an extra piece of candy. Then, with a shy little voice, she whispers her own “trick or treat,” holding out her bucket before scampering back to Quinn, who gives her a wink and a reassuring pat on her tiny tiara-clad head.

Meanwhile, you’re holding onto the extra candy bag Quinn insisted on bringing “just in case,” but you both know it’s for his late-night snack stash. “Not stealing from the kids, are you?” you tease, nudging him. He gives you a mock-offended look, pretending to guard the bag with exaggerated seriousness. “Hey, I’m just making sure it’s all safe.”

As you make your way down the block, Finn makes a running dive towards a house with inflatable ghosts, shouting, “Don’t worry, everyone! I’ll protect you!” Genevieve gasps and claps, fully believing in her big brother’s “hero” powers. The house owners laugh, dropping an extra candy bar into Finn’s bag.

When you reach the last house—the famous “haunted mansion” Finn had on his map—Genevieve clings to both you and Quinn, giggling nervously as she watches Finn bravely approach the door. Quinn leans down, whispering, “We can do this, right, Princess Vivi?” She gives a big, brave nod and clutches her pumpkin bucket with a determined look.

The door creaks open, revealing an impressively spooky setup with fog machines and cobwebs galore. Finn takes it all in stride, flashing his best superhero smile as he collects his candy, while Genevieve holds Quinn’s hand tightly but manages a tiny “trick or treat.”

As you all head home, Quinn wraps an arm around you, glancing at the kids—Finn recounting his “heroic” moments of the night and Genevieve, still marveling at the treasures in her pumpkin bucket.

“Think the sugar rush was worth it?” Quinn murmurs, pulling you a bit closer.

You chuckle, watching your little superheroes and princesses make their way down the street. “Wouldn’t trade it for the world.”