As Ethan and Bob pass through the alley, Ethan's gaze falls on two familiar faces, and he stops in his track.

    "What happened?" Bob follows his gaze in the nearby restaurant.

    "Missing them?"

    Ethan nods without darting his gaze.

    "C'mon! Let's say hi to them." Enthusiastically, Bob pulls Ethan along.

    "Can we?" Ethan asks in a huffed voice while being dragged by Bob.

    Bob stops and looks at him apologetically. "Well, I can, but you can't."

    Ethan's face falls. "But you can touch them!"

    Bob's enthusiasm brings Ethan back to his happiness.

                           👻👻👻👻👻👻

    Emily wanders her gaze in the busy street by cradling Sophia in her arms sitting inside their restaurant.

    Couples walk with hand in hand, smiling and enjoying their company.

    A sad smile spreads across Emily's face, recalling her and Ethan's memories. She looks at Sophia, who is sleeping peacefully in her mother's arms while caressing her hair and gently plants a soft kiss on her forehead.

    Ethan watches, tears welling up in her eyes. "I want to touch them, just for once." His voice barely above a whisper. trembles with emotions.

    Bob's mischievous grin returns. "Leave it to me, newbie."

    Inside the restaurant, Emily's gaze drifts toward the alley, sensing an unseen presence.

    Sophia stirs, opening her eyes.

    "Mommy?" Sophia whispers.

    Emily's smile falters. "What is it, sweetie?"

    Sophia's gaze locks onto Ethan, standing just beyond the window.

    "Dada?" Sophia whispers, her eyes sparkling.

    Emily's heart skips a beat.

    Ethan's ghostly forms tense. Hope and longing etch on his face.

    Bob whispers in Ethan's ear. "Time to make some memories, newbie."

    Emily's eyes follow Sophia's gaze.

    "Daddy?" Sophia repeats, her voice trembling.

    Emily's heart races. Is Sophia seeing things?

    Ethan subtly waves at Sophia.

    Sophia's face lit up. "Dada!"

    Ethan's ghostly form beams with joy.

    Emily's confusion deepens. "Sophia, sweetie, there's no one there."

    Sophia's tiny hand extends.

    Ethan's ghostly fingers intertwine with Sophia's and white glitters sparkle in the restaurant.

    Emily's eyes widen in shock and amusement. "Is it Ethan? Ethan, are you there? Why can't I see you?"

    Ethan's looks at Bob.

    Bob smiles sadly with his skeletal face. "I can only do this much."

    Ethan hugs Bob and caresses his skull. "You've done more than enough, Bob. I'll always be grateful to you."

    Bob pulls away, and his mischievous grin returns. "Time, newbie! Live your moments. Otherwise, if anyone gets to know this, there'll  be consequences.

    Ethan nods, smiling widely, and approaches  his wife and child. He cradles Sophia in his arms and hugs Emily from aside while planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

    A single tear rolls down Emily's cheek. "I miss you, Ethan. I miss you a lot."

    "I miss you too, my love." Ethan's words are a heartfelt whisper, though Emily can't hear him.

    Suddenly, Bob feels something. "Ethan! We need to live right now."

    Ethan nods and extends Sophia to Emily. "Bye, Dada! Come again!"

    Ethan hastily kisses her squeeshy cheek. "I'll definitely love. Take care of your mommy! Bye!!"

    "Bye, Ethan! I love you!" Emily shouts even though she couldn't see anything.

    Ethan and Bob dissappear before a "I love you too!" by Ethan.

                          👻👻👻👻👻👻

    Bob and Ethan continue exploring the Halloween nights inside the human world.

    The smile still lingers there on Ethan's face.

    "You're very happy!" Bob exclaims while twirling around.

    "Thanks to you!" Ethan voice shows gratitude towards Bob.

    Bob smiles and flies around Ethan. "I love it when others smile because of me!"

    Ethan nods. "So, what's next? To your family?"

    Bob stops in the midway and suddenly starts laughing like a manic.

    "Oh, Ethan! You're so innocent! I'm 200 hundred years old ghost. Even I don't remember my family from that time. Today's inheritance doesn't even stand in the row!"

    Ethan looks dumbfounded. "And you're not sad about it?"

    Bob lands a skeletal hand around Ethan's shoulder. "It's been centuries. It doesn't matter now."

    "Then... "

    "Then what? Let's get back to our place, The Bureaucracy."

    And they continue their Phantom's  journey....

Words Count: 678