"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.
"Be good." He grabbed a banana out of the fruit bowl and walked out with Gavriel.
"I'm always good." Adelaide, Byron and Colton stared at her.
"I am." They continued to stare.
"Mostly."
"We're going to have a great time today." Adelaide beamed.
"Yay!" Meryn cheered weakly. She hated shopping!
CHAPTER EIGHT
She had been lied to. Adelaide had promised her coffee, it was now pushing past twelve o'clock and she hadn't gotten her mid-afternoon pick me up. They were now at the fourth boutique and the shop owner was giving Adelaide the same line as the other three. They didn't have anything that would suit her and had run out of fabric to commission a new piece. Adelaide's back was ramrod straight.
"I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe next year." Adelaide wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her out.
"Maybe I shouldn't have shit in ole Lady Bowers Wheaties." Meryn sighed. She was terrified of the prospect of going to a ball, being amongst so many strangers where she would be expected to make small talk and remember names. But she had to admit, she was looking forward to dressing up for a Halloween party in a paranormal city.
"Of all the juvenile things to do! I wish she would just let the past go." Adelaide shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun.
"Let's go get some of that caffeine you've been twitching to get." Meryn perked up immediately at Adelaide's suggestion. Arm and arm they walked to The Jitterbug. When they walked inside Meryn inhaled deeply. The only thing that would make this place smell better was if it sold books.
"There she is! Sit and spill." Sydney pointed to the two empty barstools across the counter from where he manned the register. Meryn and Adelaide took their seats. Meryn ordered the Pumpkin Apple latte she had the last time and Adelaide surprised her when she ordered the same thing. Adelaide had a sheepish expression on her face.
"I love tea, but variety is the spice of life."
"Please tell me the rumor I heard about you ignoring Lady Bowers is true? You have been the talk of the city! No one can believe you stood up to her like that." Sydney shared as he made their drinks.
"I can confirm that happened. She was just being rude to her daughter-in-law."
Sydney snorted. "You've met the cow, rude is just her nature."
"Aren't you afraid of saying bad things about her? Evidently she has already turned people against me. The shops in the city won't sell me a costume." Sydney waved a hand dismissing her concern.
"She and I had words when she said I perverted and twisted Fate's choice of mate for me. Everyone knows we have no say in our mates, that woman is just cracked." Sydney handed them their drinks.
"She must still believe I stole Byron from her. They were seeing each other when he and I met. She had grand illusions about becoming Lady McKenzie. But once you meet your mate, that's it. I had believed that she moved past that, but seeing the shopkeepers' reactions to Meryn, I can't help but wonder." Adelaide shook her head. "I'll raid my closet and piece together a new costume by hand if I have to." She said vehemently.
"Don't worry about a costume. I can always just cut some holes in a sheet and go as a ghost." Meryn sighed as she sipped on her drink. The sweet, tangy brew warmed her from the inside out.