Disclaimer: I do not own Ib.

Chapter 2

Garry sat with Ib in the back seat. She seemed to be back to her normal self. Her posture was impeccable. She had a small smile on her face and her eyes sparkled in excitement. Aside from the dark bags underneath her wide, twinkling eyes she seemed absolutely fine. Garry's eyes turned to the back of the seat in front of him. He was tense, understandably so. Looking at the mirror, he could see the man's eyes were on his daughter. His gaze was relieved, soft. Garry could tell he had been worried for the girl. As he continued watching, her father's eyes shifted and from his glower he could tell he was looking straight at him now. Subconsciously, Garry sat up straighter. He wanted to leave a good impression on this man that Ib loved so much.

They finally arrived at the little cafe. He stepped out of the car, walking around it and opening the door for Ib. She thanked him gratefully. Upon seeing this, her mother smiled widely and her father cast him another withering glare. They walked into the cafe ahead of him. As he made his way to the entrance, he stretched his sore limbs and took a deep breath. The whole fifteen minute ride had been excruciating. He had been sitting with better posture than he had ever attempted in his life and as air filled his lungs he was sure he hadn't taken a single breath. He sighed and prepared himself for an awkward hour with Ib's family.

He stepped into the cafe, the chimes above the door signaling his entrance. Ib was looking through the glass at the confections. Her mother was bent over, speaking to her. Ezekiel was looking around disapprovingly. Garry walked up to them.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Why don't you order for us? We've never been here."

"Sure. Go ahead and pick a table."

Garry walked up to the familiar cashier. "Hey, Rick."

"Hey, Garry. The usual?"

"Yeah. Times four please. I've got company."

"I saw that. You got it."

Garry grimaced when he saw the price. Rick laughed in response before stepping away to prepare his order. He waited at the counter, stalling the inevitable confrontation. The order came too soon. He felt like he was on death row as he marched to the small table by the window. The only thing preventing his hands from shaking was the tray which he was balancing four smalls plates with macaroons and four heavy mugs of tea. He placed the tray on the table.

Garry felt better as he watched Ib perk up in her seat and stare at the desserts. The discomfort was definitely worth it. He served the table and took his seat next to Ib. Garry focused all his attention on the girl beside him. It could be considered rude but the awkwardness was just something he could not take any more of. Besides, this trip was supposed to be for just the two of them.

He watched her turn her plate, staring intently at each macaroon. He grinned at the gesture. That was just like her. Staring was like her trademark. And the deliberation in her choice. She picked one up, turned it around in her hands before before lifting it to her lips. She hesitated, instead holding it underneath her nose and smelling it, eyes closed. She placed it carefully back onto the place. He was sure it was in exactly the same position as when she had taken it. Her eyes met his and unknowing of what she desired he merely smiled encouragingly. Seemingly satisfied with his response, she returned her attention back to her plate. She picked up a pastry adjacent to the previous one, turned it in her hand, then put it back before plucking the first one up and taking a bite. Her eyes widened and she turned to him excitedly.

"It's good!"

"Right? They're my favorites. The one you just ate is Chocolat Passion, or chocolate with passion fruits."

She looked down speculatively at the one in her hand. The cookie bases of it was yellow and speckled and between the two was chocolate cream.

"It really does look like a hamburger."

"Yeah. Well, these ones do at least. You saw all the other ones too, right?" Seeing her nod, he continued. "They come in a bunch of different colors."

"What kinds are the other ones on my plate?"

He pointed them out in clockwise order around her plate. "There's caramel a la fleur de sel which is caramel with salted butter. The other two are chocolat and cafe, respectively. I bet you can guess what those two are."

"Chocolate," she stated confidently. Then she seemed less certain. "And... coffee?"

"Yup. Good job."

She glowed under the praise.

"Ahem." Ezekiel let out an obviously fake cough. His wife smiled abashedly in her seat, apologetic.

Garry reluctantly brought his attention to the other two at the table. "How are your macaroons?"

"Lovely, thank you."

"They're fine," he admitted, grudgingly. He wouldn't act like a child. He was against Garry, not this establishment.

They had finished their snacks and were now sitting in silence. Ezekiel continued to glare at Garry while Vivian sat quietly, smiling and waiting for another topic of conversation to begin. All of their attention turned to Ib as they heard a soft thud. She had fallen asleep, body falling to lean on the window. Her breaths were even, fogging up the clear glass. Those awake at the table met eyes, wordlessly communicating that it was time to leave. Garry reached towards Ib, planning on picking her up, when her father caught his arm and shook his head. Garry followed Vivian to the car while Ezekiel carried up his daughter. The car ride was silent. Nobody wanted to wake up the blissfully sleeping child. Arriving at Ib's home, Ezekiel carried his daughter to her room, the other two following. The couple tucked their daughter in as Garry watched from the doorway. Still silent, the left the room, waiting until they were all downstairs before speaking.

Garry sighed. "It's good that she's getting some rest."

Ezekiel snarled, "How did you know she wasn't sleeping?"

Vivian stepped in, placing a hand on his arm to calm him. She murmured quietly, "It was obvious wasn't it?"

Garry nodded his head.

"Why are you so concerned? You don't even know her really. You just explained a couple of pictures to her. You act too close to her."

"I'm her friend."

"You're twice her age!"

"That doesn't matter!"

"It's unnatural! It makes no sense! It―"

He was cut off by a scream. Ib was awake. Everybody dashed up the stairs.

A/N: And there's the second chapter. Ib's father seems cruel and hotheaded. I'll tell you now that he typically isn't. But he loves his daughter and is acting like the papa wolf he is. The man is typically nice (at least the way I envision him) but right now he is frustrated, angry, and stressed. After all, his adorable lovable daughter is hurting (and we all know Ib is adorable) and has been hurting for months and he hasn't been able to do a single thing to stop it.

Not to mention, a strange man has appeared that is obviously close to his daughter. (Sorry for calling you strange Garry, but that is how he sees you...and you kind of are.)

In either case, it seems like I'm on a roll tonight. Pumped a couple chapters out and the flow of inspiration is still going. I'm off to work on the next chapter.

Until next time friendlies!

Dfsemina