Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

31. Chapter31

Chapter31

T HE AIR WAS ALIVE with laughter and excitement as we made our way to the apple-bobbing station. Kids crowded around the large barrel, filled with water and floating apples, their faces lighting up with the soft glow of orange and purple lights strung overhead. The scent of caramel apples and cinnamon wafted through the air.

Lily’s turn came up and, just as she was about to lean over the barrel, Ethan’s parents appeared, their faces lighting up at the sight of us. Caroline was wearing a pumpkin-themed sweater that was delightfully over-the-top, her smile as warm as the autumn breeze. Robert, in his flannel shirt and wide-brimmed hat, looked every bit the picture of a small-town dad enjoying a night out with his family.

“Well, don’t you all look fantastic!” Caroline exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she took in our costumes. “Especially you, Ethan,” she added with a laugh. “That wizard hat is definitely a keeper. ”

Ethan groaned, running a hand through his hair as the hat slipped down over his forehead again. “A few of my students have already spotted me. I won’t be living this down anytime soon.”

Caroline chuckled, pulling out her phone. “Well, you might as well give them something to remember. Smile for the camera, you two!”

Ethan sighed dramatically but couldn’t hide the fond smile as he slipped his arm around my waist. “Mom, you don’t need to take pictures of everything.”

“Yes, I do,” she insisted. “I need these pictures for memories and, one day, you’ll be glad I took them.”

We both laughed, knowing there was no arguing with Caroline when she was in picture-taking mode. As she snapped the photo, Ethan’s grip on my waist tightened; a small but reassuring gesture that made me feel completely at home.

Lily leaned over the barrel, her small hands clasped tightly behind her back as she focused on catching an apple with her teeth. After a few determined attempts, she finally managed to grab one, lifting her head with a triumphant grin as she held it between her teeth. Her laughter rang out, pure and infectious, and we all clapped and cheered for her success.

“That’s my girl!” Ethan said proudly, his voice full of warmth as he knelt down to help her dry off with a towel. Watching him with Lily, and seeing how deeply he cared for her, made me fall even more in love with him every day.

Caroline leaned in closer, her voice soft but filled with a playful warmth. “You know, I could tell how much you cared about Ethan from the very first time I saw you two together. The way you looked at him . . . it was like you were already in love.”

I laughed softly, a hint of surprise coloring my tone. “I didn’t even know I was in love with him then.”

Caroline’s smile deepened, her eyes twinkling with that maternal wisdom only years of life experience could bring. “Love has a funny way of sneaking up on us when we least expect it. Sometimes, our hearts know before our minds can catch up. But when it’s real, it’s undeniable.”

I turned my gaze back to Ethan, a smile tugging at my lips as I watched him carefully adjust Lily’s tiara. Something caught my eye in the crowd behind him, and my breath hitched as I noticed a woman standing a little apart from the throngs of people, her posture straight and composed, her clothes immaculate and out of place amid the casual, festive atmosphere.

My mother.

She looked almost like a mirage, standing there with her perfectly tailored coat and well-coiffed hair, her expression unreadable as she scanned the crowd. I stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do or say. My world felt like it had just tilted on its axis, the festival noise fading into the background as I tried to process the fact that my mother was here, in Hallow’s End, at the Halloween festival.

“Mom?” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.

My mother’s gaze locked onto mine, and the look in her eyes was enough to tell me why she was here. I turned back to Ethan, who had noticed the shift in my demeanor. His brow furrowed in concern but, before he could say anything, I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I need to take care of something,” I said, offering a small, strained smile. “I’ll be right back.”

Ethan’s eyes flicked from me to the woman standing in the distance. Understanding dawned on his face and he nodded, giving my hand one last squeeze before letting me go. “Take your time,” he said softly.

I began to weave through the crowd, my heart pounding with anxiety and anticipation. As I approached my mother, I could see the tension in her posture, the way her hands clenched the strap of her purse. She was out of her element here, but she had come anyway .

When I finally reached her, we stood in silence, the distance between us feeling both vast and fragile. She gave me a hesitant smile. The kind that showed she wasn’t entirely sure if she was welcome.

“Mom,” I said. “What are you doing here?”

She looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. “I wanted to see you,” she replied softly. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, to the gallery opening. I should have been there.”

Her vulnerability took me by surprise. “It’s okay,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I entirely believed it.

“I’ve seen pictures of your gallery online, Vinnie. It’s absolutely amazing—so full of life and character, just like you. Even from the photos, I can tell how much heart you’ve put into it. Your artwork . . . it’s so beautiful and raw. I’d love to see it in person.” My mother’s gaze softened as she spoke.

Her words caught me off guard, filling me with a warmth I hadn’t expected. The thought that she had taken the time to look at my work, to really see it, meant more than I could express. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice thick with emotion. “That means a lot.”

She sighed, glancing down at her hands before meeting my eyes again. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About the distance between us, and how much of it was because I wasn’t there for you when you needed me most. I was so focused on trying to keep everything together—your father’s work, my own duties—that I closed myself off. And in doing so, I shut you out, too.”

Her honesty, and her willingness to admit where she had gone wrong, touched a deep part of me that had been waiting years to hear these words. “It hurt, Mom,” I said, my voice trembling. “But hearing you say this now . . . it means everything to me. ”

She nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I’m so sorry, Vinnie. I should have been more present, more supportive. I should have been there for you. And I regret every day that I wasn’t.”

A tear slipped down my own cheek as I listened to her words, the sincerity and regret in her voice touching a deep part of me. “But I’m here now,” she continued, reaching out to take my hand. “And I want to be a part of your life, if you’ll have me.”

I squeezed her hand, a wave of relief and happiness washing over me. “Of course, I want you in my life, Mom. I’ve always wanted that.”

She smiled. “I’ve always been so proud of you, even if I didn’t show it. You’ve made a life for yourself here, something I didn’t understand before. But now, seeing it, seeing you . . . I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” I said softly, my voice filled with emotion. “It means a lot to me.”

We stood in silence again, the years of distance and misunderstanding slowly dissolving. I could see the pain in her eyes, the regret for the times she had been so blind to my desires. But more importantly, I saw love, and hope.

“What about Dad?” I asked cautiously.

She sighed, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “He’s still coming to terms with it. He has a hard time letting go of his expectations, but I believe, in time, he’ll come around. For now, it’s important that we take this step, you and I.”

I nodded. “I hope so. I want him to see that this is where I belong, that I’m happy here.”

“We’ll work on it together, Vinnie,” my mother said, radiating genuine tenderness. “We’ll mend what’s been broken, and build the relationship we should have had years ago. ”

As we stood there, surrounded by the festive lights and laughter of the Halloween festival, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The bond between us was beginning to heal, and while the road ahead might be long, it felt like we were on the right path.

My mother stepped closer, hesitating for a moment before wrapping her arms around me. At first, the hug was stiff and awkward, as if we were both unsure how to navigate this unfamiliar territory. But then, as if by mutual agreement, we both relaxed into the embrace. The scent of her perfume—a blend of jasmine, vanilla, and sandalwood—enveloped me. It was the kind of fragrance that spoke of elegance and sophistication.

There was a warmth to her scent. It brought with it a sense of peace, a hope that maybe, just maybe, we could find our way back to each other.

When we parted, I noticed Ethan watching us from a distance, and I turned back to my mother, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting go. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Ethan,” I said, my voice steady. “He’s been a big part of my life here.”

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “I’d like that, Vinnie. I’d like to get to know the man who’s made you so happy.”

As we walked back toward the apple-bobbing station, my heart raced. Introducing my mother to Ethan felt like a significant moment, one that bridged two very different parts of my life.

“Ethan,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “I’d like you to meet my mom, Victoria. Mom, this is Ethan.”

He extended his hand with a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs Carlisle.”

My mother hesitated for just a moment before taking his hand, her smile polite but reserved. “Please, call me Victoria,” she said, her tone friendly but still holding a touch of formality .

His smile widened, though I could sense a hint of nerves behind it. “I’m glad to finally meet you, Victoria. I’m really happy you could be here tonight.”

The conversation paused, a bit of awkwardness settling between them as they both sized each other up. My mother’s critical eye evaluated Ethan, but he stood tall, in his wizard cloak and hat.

Before the silence could stretch too long, Lily came bouncing over, her face glowing with excitement, holding up a glistening apple between her small hands. “Vinnie! Did you see me? I got the biggest apple!” she exclaimed, her voice full of pride. She twirled in place, her fairy wings fluttering in the crisp evening air as she showed off her prize.

Before I could respond, Lily’s attention shifted, and her wide, curious eyes landed on my mother. With the innocent curiosity only a child could muster, she pointed at her and asked, “Are you Vinnie’s mommy?” Lily’s bright gaze moved between the two of us, as if trying to piece together this new connection as my mother offered Lily a warm smile.

“Yes, I am,” she said gently. “And who might you be, little fairy?”

“I’m Lily! And Ethan is my brother,” she announced proudly. “If Vinnie and Ethan get married, does that make you my grandma?” My mom blinked in surprise, taken aback by the question. Before she could respond, Caroline and Robert approached.

“Lily!” Caroline laughed softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Sweetheart, you don’t just ask things like that.”

Lily blinked, her brow furrowing slightly. “Oh . . . why not?” she asked, looking genuinely confused but not upset. After a brief pause, she shrugged it off. “Okay, never mind! Can we still get hot chocolate?”

“Of course we can,” Caroline nodded.

Ethan smiled. “Mom, Dad, this is Vinnie’s mom, Victoria. ”

Caroline stepped forward with her usual warmth. “Victoria, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Robert nodded in agreement, his smile kind and welcoming

“Likewise,” Victoria replied, her voice soft but sincere. “I’m glad to be here.”

The conversation flowed easily, and it was a relief to see, especially after everything that had happened between us. They laughed together, sharing stories about the town and the festival.

“Your mom seems really nice,” Ethan whispered, his voice full of encouragement.

I nodded, a warm glow spreading through my chest. “She is. And it means everything to me that she’s here, trying to be a part of my life.”

After a few minutes, Robert turned to Ethan smiling. “Why don’t you two go enjoy the festival for a bit? We’ll keep Victoria company and make sure she gets the full Hallow’s End experience.”

Mom nodded, smiling at me. “Go on, Vinnie. I’m here for a few days, so we’ll have plenty of time to catch up. Enjoy yourselves.”

I hesitated, but Ethan’s hand in mine was all the encouragement I needed. “Thank you,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude as I looked between them all. “I really appreciate it.”

“Let’s try some of the games,” Ethan suggested, nodding toward the rows of brightly lit stalls lined up along the square.

I grinned, feeling a thrill of excitement. “Sure, but fair warning—I’m terrible at these.”

We moved from game to game, with me missing almost every target—beanbags slipping past cans, rings falling short of the bottles, and darts flying wildly off course. Each time, Ethan hovered close behind me, his teasing touches and whispered encouragement making it impossible to concentrate. My aim was hopeless, and his playful distractions didn’t help, though his laughter made it hard to stay frustrated. By the end, I threw up my hands in defeat. “I’m terrible at everything!” I groaned, half-laughing, half-pouting as I looked over at him.

He chuckled, his lips brushing against my skin as he whispered, “Maybe you just have to try a bit harder.” His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me even closer. His breath on my neck was warm and tantalizing, and it took everything in me to keep from moaning out loud, aware of the crowd around us.

“Ethan,” I whispered, my voice shaky as I tried to compose myself. But he was relentless, his kisses growing bolder, more insistent, making my knees weak. His hands slid around my waist, hidden beneath the flowing cloak I wore, and his fingers gripped me firmly, possessively, the pressure sending a jolt of heat through my body. The cloak shielded us from view, allowing his hands to roam more freely, gripping my hips, trailing up my sides, his touch electrifying even through the fabric.

Ethan’s hands slid lower, his fingers trailing down my hips and around to grip my ass firmly. I could feel the heat of his hand through the thin fabric of my costume, the short hemline leaving little to the imagination as his hand slid even lower, teasing the edge of my thigh. His touch was bold, sending waves of electricity through my body, each movement making it harder to focus on anything but him.

“You’re impossible,” I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady despite the way he was making me feel. The crowd was just feet away, blissfully unaware of the fire he was stoking within me.

“And you love it,” he whispered, his hand slipping up my thigh, fingers brushing the sensitive skin just beneath the hem of my costume. The thrill of it—the secrecy, the heat between us—made my heart race, my body arching into his touch as I struggled to keep my composure.

“Ethan,” I whispered again, the word a soft plea .

His grip tightened, his fingers digging into my thigh, and he leaned in closer, his voice a low murmur in my ear. “I can’t get enough of you, Vinnie. Not now, not ever.”

His hand slowly slipped away, leaving me aching for more, the sudden loss of his touch making me bite back a frustrated groan as he stepped back, his lips curling into a mischievous grin.

“That’s not fair,” I muttered, crossing my arms in mock annoyance, though the flush in my cheeks betrayed how much his teasing affected me.

He laughed softly, the sound warm and full of promise. “I’ll make it up to you later,” he whispered.

As the night deepened, we drifted away from the crowd, finding a secluded clearing bathed in the soft glow of lanterns and twinkling fairy lights. The air was cool, and crisp with the scent of autumn leaves, and the stars above seemed to shimmer just a little brighter. It was as if the world had slowed down, allowing this moment to stretch out, perfect and unending.

Ethan pulled me into his arms, and we began to sway to the gentle rhythm of the music that drifted over from the festival. His hands settled on my hips, his touch firm yet tender, grounding me in the here and now. As I rested my head against his chest, the steady, comforting beat of his heart echoed through me, and a deep sense of contentment washed over me.

I caught sight of my mother laughing with Caroline and Robert in the square, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the lights, their joy evident in every shared smile and easy laugh. It was a sight that filled me with warmth. A picture of acceptance, of families blending together, of love expanding and growing in ways I hadn’t imagined. Everything felt right, like the final pieces of a puzzle falling into place .

“This is where I’m meant to be,” I whispered, looking up at Ethan, my voice soft but filled with conviction.

Ethan’s gaze met mine, his eyes reflecting the love and promise I felt in my heart. “This is just the beginning, Vinnie,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my forehead in a tender kiss. “We have so much ahead of us, and I can’t wait to see where life takes us.”

As the night wore on, the stars continued to shimmer above us, and the music played softly in the background as I settled into the peace of my new reality. The ghosts of my past had finally been laid to rest, and the life I had built here, in Hallow’s End, was more than I had ever dreamed of. Surrounded by love, laughter, and the promise of a bright future, I knew, without a doubt, that I had found my true home in Ethan’s arms.