Page 16 of A Reaper’s Devotion (The Reapers #2)

C yrus had a plan. It wasn’t exactly a well-thought-out plan, but it was one he had. Daniel had turned his bar into a Halloween paradise, or monster fest, whichever worked.

This was Willow’s first Halloween party in a very long time.

There was no staying at home, handing out candy.

Although, she had insisted on putting candy outside of both their houses, with the honesty sign, of taking one or two.

He doubted the kids would obey, but then, in Lost Creek, you never knew.

No one would dare to trash his or Willow’s house. The whole Reapers vibe kept most of the kids honest. Some houses did get targeted, and nine times out of ten, the kids were caught. It was very rarely malicious.

In fact, one house was Old-timer Bobby’s.

Cyrus didn’t know why he was called Old-timer Bobby.

The man hadn’t seen inside a jail cell, or done anything but age.

That had to be it. Anyway, a bunch of kids had targeted his house, and Old-timer Bobby came out and actually joined the kids.

From what he heard, the kids had gotten a kick out of it, and even to this day, went around to hang out with Old-timer Bobby.

The guy made a whole lot of friends with a new generation of kids.

It was magical how some friendships were born.

Like tonight, he had a feeling when he was talking about the whole Halloween party dress-up stuff, Willow wanted to talk about something else.

Like the fact he couldn’t keep his hands off her, and every chance he got he was balls-deep inside her, and he just couldn’t seem to help himself.

Also, he didn’t wear a condom. Not the first time. Not a single time since.

The chances of her getting pregnant were so damn high.

He had every intention of proposing to her. He already had the ring, but he was waiting for a special occasion, like at the Halloween party, with most of the town present. There was nothing better than sealing the deal Lost Creek style, for the whole town to know.

He wanted her to remember their anniversary. Tonight was important. Everyone knew he intended to propose at exactly the right minute.

This is why his parents were also coming to the party. Daniel and most of the Reapers knew of his plan as well. Several locals were also in on it. It was why tonight would go by without a hitch.

He pulled on an old varsity jacket his mother had made for him a lifetime ago, when he went as a jock as a teenager.

He’d not been a jock in school. It was a shame there was six years between him and Willow.

If she’d been in high school, he would have snatched her up, and they would have already had a handful of kids.

“You okay, son?” Charlie asked.

Most of his Halloween clothes were at home. He was pretty sure Mother wanted it this way, so she could keep an eye on him and have an excuse to see him each Halloween.

He turned to see his father dressed as a vampire. His dad never changed, and when asked why he didn’t, his father would often respond, “Vampires never get old, and neither do I.”

“Yeah, I’m good.” He’s already put some face paint on to make it look like he had streaks of mud and grass on him from coming out of his grave. His hair was a mess, and yes, he’d even gotten some actual mud and run it through his hair. What he would do for his woman.

“How do I look?” Cyrus asked.

“In all honesty, not like a man about to propose. Willow is certainly a unique kind of woman.”

This made Cyrus laugh. “She’s all good, Dad, I just want to make this special for her, you know. I want her to remember this for years to come.”

“Yeah, and let me guess, are you thinking a Christmas wedding so you don’t forget the date?”

“No, I hadn’t thought about that, and Dad, you’re a genius.

” Cyrus laughed. “This is not about trying to remember the dates or any of that shit. I want it to be memorable for her. Every Halloween she spent time with her mom. Tonight is going to be hard for her. All I’m doing is trying to make it easy for her as best I can. ”

“You’re doing a good thing, son, but I think right now is the best time to ask you ... do you love her?”

“Yeah, I love her. I’ve loved her since the beginning. It’s why I built that house from scratch and always found an excuse to ask her advice. I’ve been in love with her for a long time, and that is not going to change.”

“I know it’s not.” His father went up to him and slapped a hand on his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, and having Willow join our family, she is a good woman. A hardworking woman.”

“I know. I want to marry her before she changes her mind.” Cyrus looked toward his dad. “Does Mom know you’re a Reaper?”

“I don’t keep any secrets from her. Your mother knows exactly who I am and what I do for the town. If you haven’t told Willow, then I suggest you do so.”

“She already knows,” he said.

His father nodded. “I’m not surprised. That woman never missed a thing.” He let out a chuckle.

Cyrus ran his hand down the jacket, which also had a few design tears, and then he looked toward his dad. “Am I ready to go?” he asked.

“You look good.”

Just then, his mother walked in, and she let out a little squeal. “It’s like my baby boy is back here.” She walked up to him, cupped his face, and let out a bunch of baby noises. “You’re so freaking cute. It’s a shame Ray is not here.” Mary looked down and sighed, shaking the sadness away.

Cyrus had told them all about Ray’s change, and even showed them the pictures of his change. Everyone had been surprised. They had also realized how much they missed him as well.

Cyrus couldn’t believe he actually missed his brother. Even before the change, he missed him. Ray had always been that pain in the ass, but he still loved him. He was his brother.

“I better get going,” he said. “Willow is waiting for me.”

He wondered if she had gotten the cheerleader’s outfit. She told him to leave it with her.

Leaving his parents’ house, he made his way toward the main doorway, heading out to his truck. The drive to her place was quick, and as he pulled up, he climbed out and saw a bunch of kids running around, going about their trick-or-treating. They were all dressed up.

They were so damn cute, and he couldn’t help but stand there and wonder what his and Willow’s kids would be like. He could imagine taking them out, having some fun, enjoying each other. This is what he wanted for them.

There was so much he wanted to do and as he made his way toward her front door, he stopped.

Willow had already stepped out, and she was dressed looking so damn cute, in a cheerleader’s outfit.

There was fake blood on her knees, and her hair was all over the place, with mud.

Her makeup didn’t look great either, but she looked sexy as fuck to him.

“You look amazing,” he said.

She didn’t hold any pom-poms, but the skirt went to mid-thigh, and the top covered her stomach. It was sleeveless, and he had no doubt she was going to be freezing if they stayed out in the cold much longer. He reached for her, pulling her in close.

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” she said.

He laughed. “You think?”

“Yeah, I think and I know.” She ran her hands up his chest. “You ready to go to this party?”

He wanted to take her home and make love to her, and have every possible chance of making her pregnant.

Instead, he helped her into his truck and drove out to the bar.

It was already thriving with activity. By the end of the night, he had no doubt there were going to be a lot more parents enjoying the party.

The kids would all be taken care of. There were several babysitters as well as other parents who volunteered to take care of the kids, and each year it changed, so everyone got the chance to have fun.

Taking hold of Willow’s hand, he made his way inside the bar. This was it. He wanted her to have a night to remember.

****

T he party was already in full swing by the time they arrived. Willow loved the Halloween-inspired music playing in the background. The bar was completely covered in cobwebs and fairy lights. The lights were also turned down low.

The drinks menu also had ghoulish names, like Vampire’s Blood, or Witch’s Pus. She went for a Pumpkin Guts, which was a regular orange soda. She didn’t want to drink, and it wasn’t like she got to finish the whole can anyway, as Cyrus led her right onto the dance floor. It felt good to just dance.

They said hello to Hank, Amy, and Daniel, and so many of the people of Lost Creek.

They had all spent weeks preparing for this Halloween extravaganza.

Tomorrow, when the sun came up, it was going to be geared toward Thanksgiving, and it was going to be a celebration as well.

Then, after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course New Year.

Then, it would be quiet until the tourists started to arrive in March.

They did a little something for Valentine’s Day.

Mary and Charlie were there.

Willow got the sense that something was going on. She didn’t quite know what it was, but Cyrus would not allow her to leave his side. Not that there was any place he would want to be.

They had been at the party for a good two hours, when all of a sudden, Cyrus led her back onto the dance floor. What confused her was everyone left. Also, the lights suddenly came on, and the music stopped. Willow looked around as everyone looked toward them.

“Cyrus, are they like ... haunted?” she asked, trying not to freak out. They were all watching her.

He didn’t answer her, but his grip tightened on hers, and she looked toward him to see that he had gotten down on one knee. He still held her hand, but in the other was a velvet box.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said.

“Cyrus?”

“Okay, so I am about to propose to you and in my head, I had this whole big speech prepared that was super romantic, but it’s kind of getting lost as you’re looking at me, a little freaked out.”