After chatting and finishing their dinner, the satisfied trio went to buy ice cream per Claire's choice for dessert. But instead of going to another fancy place, Claire insisted on going to a local shop she was fond of.
It was situated in a market like street that couldn't be accessed by car. At first, Aiden was a bit hesitant and to be more precise, confused. The place wasn't exactly crowded, but it was still more than enough people to stress Lily out. Meaning it was extremely unusual for Claire to even suggest such a place. But after seeing how calm she was, and taking into consideration she was in fact the one who picked the place, he decided to simply agree and observe.
Before getting out of the car, Claire took Lily out of her car seat and placed her on her lap. "Okay Sweetie, what do we do when we go out in public?" She asked her while Aiden had his full attention on their conversation.
'We always hold hands, we say when we want to leave and we don't talk to people who scare us.' Lily signed as Claire nodded in satisfaction. Aiden on the other hand didn't miss the fact that instead of saying 'we don't talk to strangers', which was the usual lesson people taught their children as a means of protection, Lily said 'people who scare us'. He made a mental note to ask about it later.
"Aren't you missing something?" Claire asked as she raised her eyebrow expectantly.
Lily shyly smiled at her before answering. 'We don't let our fears ruin the fun.'
With a gentle yet proud expression on her face, Claire smiled. "That's my girl." She then opened her purse and took out a pair of wireless children sized headphones. After helping Lily put them on, she took her phone and played some music. Once she received the 'okay' sign from Lily she faced Aiden and smiled again. "Ready?"
Aiden couldn't help but smile too. Before answering, he hovered over Lily's car seat, which was in between them, and gave a quick kiss to both of their heads. "I am now."
---------
At the street market.
After giving his hidden men a few silent commands and leaving the car, the three walked through the busy street. Food stalls, vendors and all kinds of different shops surrounded both sides of the street. Since it was already starting to get dark outside, there wasn't an absurd amount of people walking around. It was obvious to Aiden that if they were to come during the day, it would be an entirely different story.
Different shaped light bulbs hung over them, colorful advertisements were placed everywhere and no matter where he looked, people were chatting and bargaining with each other. It was a very cozy and diverse open market.
"So is that your usual routine when you take her out?" Aiden said as they walked closely to each other. Claire was by his side as he carried Lily in his arms.
She was originally walking between them while holding onto both their hands tightly, but as soon as a few more people than she was comfortable with filled the street, she gestured for Aiden to pick her up. Something he was evidently dying to do. Now she comfortably laid her head on his shoulder as she watched her surroundings undisturbed.
"Yes." Claire replied. "You didn't get to see it last time we went out together since we met up afterward, but it's how it usually goes." She looked up to study her little flowers face. Seeing as she was calm, she continued. "Since she can partially hear through one ear, she gets frightened in places with such busy atmosphere like this one. There's too many sudden noises and vibrations going on at the same time. The headphones help shut it out."
"I see. To be honest I'm still a bit confused as to why you picked this place."
"You mean why I picked it while knowing it's hard for her?" She asked in return. After he nodded she explained. "She's shy, but she isn't cowardly. The time at the mall was different. Colton's situation, just being discharged, an entirely new place and...." She looked up at him with a knowing look. "A completely new person." They both chuckled as she refocused on where she was walking. "They all had her on edge. It was a bit too much."
"So she's been here before."
"Exactly. It's one of the handful of places she's visited more than once."
"It doesn't bother her that she can't hear us talking?" He noticed how Lily wasn't paying attention to their conversation, even though she was aware that they were having one.
"Not really. As you already know, she doesn't go out much. So when she does, she mostly enjoys watching. Unless it's some place that excites her, she mostly keeps to herself. Besides that, since she feels safe right now, she's probably having good time in her own way." As soon as Claire said that, they both stopped and looked at Lily's face. She had a small satisfied smile while her head was still laid on his shoulder. "See?"
'What flavor do you feel like having today Sweetheart?' Claire asked her in sign language.
Aiden looked in front of them and they had reached a small kiosk with a single old man inside. It had a large window that opened towards the street were people would order and pay at. To his confusion, there was no sign or menu with what flavors he had available.
'Chocolate Monkey.' Lily replied as she straightened her back so that she could face Aiden. 'Do you want to try chocolate monkey? It's my favorite.' Aiden smiled at her and nodded. How could he refuse trying his Princess's favorite ice cream?
"Hey Mr. Zou. It's been a while." Claire said to the man who's grumpy face explained his deep frown lines. "Can I get two chocolate monkey's and a dotted mint?"
"Why should I?" The old man said as he crossed his arms over his ice cream stained apron. "Do you know how long it's been since my team of red heads have come to visit?"
"I know I know." Claire said on a loving tone. "We've been a little busy moving that's all."
"Well be grateful you brought the cutest one among you today or I would have left you without a single taste of my masterpieces." He said as he looked at Lily. His hard face never changed, but his eyes softened when her little hand waved at him. "But before I grace you with my work, what's up with the sack of bricks? And if you tell me you got married without inviting me I'll blacklist you and close up the store right in your face."
Aiden understood they were somewhat friends, but he did't appreciate the old man talking to her that way. But before he could say anything, Claire's blush made him keep quiet. He hadn't missed the giddy feeling when the man mentioned marriage and apparently she didn't either. Something that made him have to fight back the grin trying to form on his lips.
"Don't be silly Mr. Zou." She said as she waved her hand dismissively. "He's..." Claire looked up at Aiden for a brief moment before facing forward again. "He's my boyfriend." Her voice turned smaller, but loud enough for them to hear her.
A small smirk formed on Mr. Zou's face as he watched Claire avoid meeting his eyes. "Well it's about damn time. My red head team is short of player's so get to work. And you!" He directed his gaze towards Aiden. "Don't you dare mess with the gene pool. They have to come out as pretty as that one." He gestured towards Lily who wasn't really paying attention to what they were talking about." Understood?"
"Yes Sir." Aiden responded with a low chuckle that made Claire's heart skip a beat.
"Good." Mr. Zou said before leaving to the back of the kiosk to fix up their order.
Claire stood stunned in her spot. She didn't even dare look up at Aiden who she felt staring at her. She could feel her cheeks start to heat up while her head was imagining herself jumping over the kiosk's countertop that kept the customers outside and beat Mr. Zuo with one of the serving spoons.
Aiden chuckled as he gently pulled her head to his chest. Lily innocently started to pat her head, still ignoring whatever they were going on about, while Aiden spoke. "Relax Angel. It's just some innocent fun."
"You and Colton tease me too much." She mumbled to him as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
The way Aiden felt with both girls holding on to him was indescribable. He felt as if he had suddenly gained the ability to sore through the sky. Little by little he realized that whatever he thought he was missing in his life, was literally in his arms.