Chapter 10

"I am so sorry to hear that. It is terrible to lose a loved one, but some suffer much more than others. She is a lovely child and I hope that the therapy helps soon," AJ told her.

"Thank you, we keep trying." she smiled.

"Would you ladies allow you to buy you lunch, for the privilege of sharing your table?" AJ asked, when the waiter finally made it over to the table to take his order. He had noticed they were just drinking and had no food in front of them.

"Oh no, we couldn't possibly," said Lili, as Annie's eyes lit up and she pulled on Lili's arm. "Annie love, sit down and let Mommie rest for another minute and I'll take you home and fix you lunch."

"Please, allow me!" he looked at Annie and tried some blackmail, "Would you like some lunch, Princess?" he asked her directly.

Annie looked at the strange man and her mommie and pulled her arm again. "Sir, you don't have to do this really I am rested and can walk back to the apartment now." Just as she started to stand, AJ saw she was pregnant and her ankles were swollen.

AJ rose with her as a gentleman should, he placed his hand on her arm and said gently, "Please, it would be an honor to buy you and your lovely daughter a meal. Would you allow me to do this for you?" He turned to the waiter and took the menu from his hand, giving it to Annie he told her, "You can choose whatever you like, Princess, if your mommy will only say 'yes'!"

Annie looked up at her Mommie and pulled her arm again. Nodding, Lili sit back down and Annie pointed to a cheeseburger and fries. "Mister, you really didn't have to do this, I was going to fix lunch when we got home. I just brought her here to buy her a birthday present today."

"Today is her birthday? Well, then I have to buy you lunch! It is my birthday gift to her! Waiter when the Princess has finished her meal I would like you to bring her the biggest ice cream sundae you can make and have all the other waiters come over and sing 'Happy Birthday' to her!" AJ instructed. He turned back to Lili, and said, "You can call me AJ, and what is your name beautiful lady?"

Smiling tiredly, "Lillian."

"The name is as beautiful as its owner. Now what will you have to eat, Lillian? Anything that you like," he told her.

"If you insist, I'll take a cheeseburger," she smiled her thanks.

"Surely you would like something better than that? Some pasta? Or a steak?" he asked, seeing how thin she looked even though she was carrying a child.

"No, Sir, I couldn't, we don't know each other, and this is more than enough. Thank you for both of us," she smiled at him.

"My dear, just because you do not know me is no reason not to order anything you like from the menu. I can assure you I can afford to buy you a decent meal! Please, choose anything you like, please!"

"Well, then the steak does look nice and it's been a long while. That is if you're sure you don't mind?" she asked, biting her lip.

"Not at all, in fact I think I will have the same!" he turned to the waiter and placed their order and then asked for refills for all three drinks. When the waiter had gone, AJ said, "I couldn't help but notice that you are with child, when we are finished with lunch will you allow me to drive you home? Your ankles are so swollen, they must be hurting."

"They are, I considered taking my shoes off when we sat down, but realized I'd never get them back on again. I will gratefully accept your offer for a ride home even if you turn out to be an axe murderer," she giggled.

"I can assure you that I am not a murderer," he grinned at her. When she laughed her whole face lit up! "I was a lawyer...that is almost as bad though, I am told!" he claimed, hoping to make her laugh again.

To be continued….