He plunged the butcher knife in, satisfied with how easily it cut through the outer layer. With an up-and-down sawing motion he cut out an opening big enough to reach his hand in. It was harm inside. Warm and humid. His fingers dug into the stringy guts, pulling them out and holding them up. Displaying his triumph for all to see.

"Do you have to narrate?" she interrupted, scooping the insides out of her own pumpkin. He glanced over at the wry smile on her face. Yeah, she loved it.

"I think the story of my success - the story of man versus gourd - deserves to be told." He dramatically dropped the pile of pumpkin innards with a plop on the newspaper covering the counter.

"My hero," she laughed.

The next song started playing in the background - "The Monster Mash". He hummed along while she swiveled her hips to the beat. By the time he finished eviscerating his pumpkin she had already begun carving hers. He paused and watched her work. He loved the way her brow furrowed when she was deep in concentration, the way her body bent and twisted to get the perfect angle for her cuts.

After a moment he got to work on his design. He knew whatever she was doing would make his work look like a child had carved it. He also knew that no matter what his looked like she would love it, because she loved him.

"Alright pumpkin conqueror, what have you got?" he heard her ask. With a mumble he rotated it to face her. He had only cut one shape so far and it was very long and very phallic.

"Henry!" she laughed, "these are supposed to go on our front porch! Kids will see them!"

"What?" he smiled deviously. "They'll love it. It's a rocket! Why? What do you see?" he grinned, giving Kate a wink.

"You just make sure that thing is 'Rated G' when you're finished with it."

He smiled and got back to work. As promised he created a rocket surrounded by stars and a crescent moon.

"I love it." She smiled and kissed him before revealing her own jack-o-lantern. She had created a black widow spider, complete with an intricate web.

"Wow, honey," he said. "I should just throw mine away." He made a move to pick his up.

She grabbed his arm with both hands, gooey pumpkin guts sticking to his skin. He laughed and held his own hands up, looking at the stringy orange mess. With a grin he reached for her cheeks. She squealed and backed away.

"What? I just want a kiss." He held his arms out zombie-style and started groaning, "Kisssssss... KIIIIIIISSSSSSSSS..."

She grabbed his wrists and gave him a playful look. "Not until we've showered."

"We? I like the way you think." He grabbed her hand and started leading her upstairs. "Afterwards we have a lot more decorating to do. We have to be ready for the party on Saturday."

He paused halfway up the steps, looking toward you, the reader. "That's right dear reader. Saturday, October 31st, party at our place. Put it on your calendar, pick out your costume. Everyone is invited."

With a wink, they made their way upstairs.

I'll admit it, the last couple of days have been somewhat heavy. So here's a nice vanilla prompt to lighten things up a bit.

Those of you with a darker side, don't worry. I have a lot lined up for the second half of Blane's 13 Days of Halloween!

If you missed a day you can find them here.