Carmen's extensive knowledge in the kitchen was well known to you. Between watching him work in 'The Beef' and helping him out in your own apartment, you'd gotten to see him while enjoying his craft many times. Cooking was practically in Carmy's blood.

So, the second that the first Fall breeze had swept through the city of Chicago, you were begging him to help you make caramel apples. You'd grown up making them with your grandmother. They were simple enough to make and fun to decorate. You thought of it as the perfect activity for the two of you to do during the Fall. He would do anything to make you happy, it was obvious that he had agreed.

You'd gotten everything the two of you would need that wasn't already in the pantry that morning. Plus a few different kinds of toppings to add to the caramel apples. You walked through the door of the shared apartment, a brown paper bag in hand.

Carmen watched you walk through the doors, a smile forcing it's way onto his face. He loved getting to watch how excited you were to make a Halloween treat with him. He would still never get used to being the one to make you smile. He had never truly felt worthy enough to be the reason behind the bright grins that would adorn your face.

Within fifteen minutes, Carmen had almost finished the caramel sauce. He stirred the ingredients in a sauce pan. While he did that you prepped the toppings. You had already finished washing and drying all of the apples, and they now all had a skewer through their middle. You chopped Oreos and dumped out various small candies into little bowls.

"Caramels almost ready," Carmy said, glancing over his shoulder so that he could watch you work.