Sioni was happy with whatever was thrown his way. After all, he’d been on the way back to the Muse House when he’d heard Espa’s voice. It was the merest chance he’d passed that way. If Fate gave you a nudge, you’d be a fool to go the other way.

"No. You can't. I've got her."

“I’ll see to Grace then,” Said Sioni without missing a beat. After all, to Grace, and the rest of the world (by which he meant Kaleb) there was no reason he should want to hold Siarli. But come to that, there was no reason Esperanza should refuse his offer.

"And Charlie will mind not getting her nap on time. She gets fussy if she doesn't get sleep."

“What? She set like an alarm clock, is it?” He grinned, enjoying his joke, but stopped when he saw Espa’s face. “No I quite understand. Baby’s need a routine, I quite agree.” He finished bundling the blanket and toys together and reached his hand out to Grace.

“Right-o, ferch pert, We’ll lead the way, and Charlotte can bring mummy along,” He said happily. “And we’ll stretch our legs, so your sister isn’t all upset by me.”

They walked along in silence for a while, Sioni just enjoying the moment. They could be a family. Anyone looking at them would assume they were. The more so, if they gave Siarli a good look. Sioni led the way to the corner and across the street to the little café.

“There,” He said holding the door open for Esperanza, “I said it wasn’t far.” He led the way to a table and pulled out a chair for Grace. “Up you get, Cariad.” He smiled broadly as he pulled out the chair for Espa. She couldn’t refuse him because her hands were busy with the baby!

“Right, Grace, two big hot chocolates with lots of whipped cream for you and me… and you sure I can’t get you anything, Espi? Paned o de? Rhwybeth i’w fwyta?”  He was pretty sure the answer would be no, whatever language he asked her in. But for the little time they had together, and no matter how public the place, he was going to remind her every way he could what they had shared. “Or are you happy the way things are?”

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Not Getting Any Younger