"Smells wonderful." She took a sip. The foam itself was sweet and the bitterness of the espresso shots was tempered by the milk. She looked up at Marius.
"I love you." Aiden froze. Marius didn't bat an eye.
"And I adore you little miss. Crepes or french toast this morning?" He asked, holding an empty plate.
"What's in the crepes?"
Marius blinked. "Do you know, the boys have never asked me that. Not once."
"That's because they usually eat two servings of each, it doesn't matter what the filling is." Adelaide cut her crepe with ladylike precision.
"There are two different kinds of crepes this morning. Blueberry and cream cheese or cream cheese and almond." Marius answered Meryn looking pleased.
"Could I have one of the almond ones, please?" Meryn tipped her cup and tried to suck the foam off of the inside wall. When she set it down she sighed happily. Already she could feel the caffeine working its magic.
"Could I also have another one of those cappuccinos?" Meryn held her empty cup up. Aiden put his hand over the cup.
"That depends, what are your plans for the day?" He asked.
"I was planning on taking her shopping with Colton acting as an escort." Adelaide answered before Meryn had a chance to speak. She stared at the sweet woman in horror. Aiden lifted his hand and shrugged.
"Okay." He nodded. Meryn eyed him.
"What if I had planned on visiting with you today?" Aiden looked at her.
"As much as I would love to spend the day with you, I have to write up the report from last night's mission and go over some new concerns with the other unit leaders." Meryn just stared at him. He totally didn't answer her question.
"I wanted to go over those case details that Elder Airgead gave me some more." Meryn mumbled as Marius put a plate with a fresh crepe before her.
"You spent all yesterday afternoon in the sewing circle going over that laptop. Today I am going to show you my favorite boutiques! We need to get your All Hallows' Eve costume. I'm hoping we can find something decent. At this late of a date the best ones are bound to have been taken." Adelaide was nearly shaking with excitement at the thought of a shopping expedition. Meryn began to edge off her seat. She had done the sewing circle thing, but that and shopping in the same week was asking too much. Aiden's heavy arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her back on her chair.
"Mother has been looking forward to a daughter for a very, very, very long time Meryn." He looked down at her his eyes pleading.
"I guess." She thought about it for a second. "Can we go back to that café? I promised Sydney an update about how the sewing circle went." Meryn cut a huge bite of the crepe and stuffed it in her face. The cream cheese was smooth and sweet with a hint of almond. Marius set another cup in front of her.
"So good! Now I see why you said you needed him so much Lady Adelaide." Meryn picked up her second cappuccino.
"I have arranged for your squire interview for the day after the ball. Marius has agreed to help with some of the qualification tests." Adelaide paused and Meryn glanced up. Adelaide hesitated before continuing.
"Meryn, Lady Adelaide is so formal. I'd like it if you called me Mother, or if you're not comfortable with that just Adelaide." Meryn stared. She had never called anyone Mother for as long as she could remember.
"Mother." The word sounded funny to say.
"Muuuuuuther."
"Maaaaa."
"Are you my mummy?" Meryn giggled, then turned to Adelaide who was starting to look at her in concern.
"I've never used that word before. I like it ... Mother. Does that mean I can call you Papa?" Meryn asked Byron shyly. She heard a sniffle and expected Adelaide to be the one who was emotional. She, however, was smiling at her mate. Meryn was surprised to see that it was Byron who rubbed at his eyes like a sleepy toddler. Manfully he cleared his throat.
"I would love it if you called me Papa." Meryn smiled up at him, the man was just a huge marshmallow. He gazed lovingly at Adelaide.
"We have a little girl." He said in a voice filled with wonder. Adelaide nodded, then a lighting quick flash of calculation crossed her face.
"Byron, I'm using your account to go shopping today." Byron nodded absently with a wide goofy grin on his face. Aiden leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you for making them happy."
"It's not like I'm not getting anything out of the deal. I've never had parents before." Meryn shrugged.
"I'm leaving Colton with you for the day. Tell him to keep his clothes on." Aiden kissed her temple and stood up.
"What's this?" Byron asked.
"I discovered I like Colton better as a dog." Meryn finished her crepe.
"I am not a dog! I am a wolf." Colton tried to sound haughty, but no one believed it.
"You should have seen him as a puppy! I think I have some sketches around here somewhere. Some of Aiden too." Adelaide offered.
"No photos?" Meryn asked.
"Cameras hadn't been invented then, dear." Adelaide explained gently.
"Oh." She looked up at Aiden. "Damn you're old!"
He rolled his eyes and stood.
"Have fun shopping. Stay with Colton." He kissed her, went to walk away and returned. The second kiss lingered until her head began to swim. They broke apart reluctantly. Aiden kissed her forehead and stepped back.