Emily smiled wide at the sight of her small makeshift family of almost three weeks now walk through the restaurant's door. It was her first night heading the kitchen in the restaurant she had gotten her new job in, and they had surprised her when dropping her off for the day with a card that read they would be there to support her and order her best dish at seven o'clock sharp.
It was her first day. She didn't even know if she had a best dish yet.
Nodding lightly to the older man that walked up to her, a small smile graced her face, letting him press a kiss to her temple before both of the kids barreled into her arms. The two of them had been getting better as the days passed, and Aaron had even begun a small ritual with her every night before they went to bed.
After tucking Jack in and making sure that Amelia didn't need anything, they would go down into the living room and do at least a half an hour of a puzzle that Aaron's mother had given him as a present so many years ago. It was something that calmed them both down, and having that small amount of communication open and spending just that much quality time together helped her become just as comfortable with him as he was becoming with her.
They slept by one another's side every night, and only recently had he been wrapping his arm around her in his sleep, pulling her closer to his body and holding her there until they both woke up in the morning.
And she liked it.
Emily pulled back from her daughter and little Jack, pressing kisses to both of their heads. "I'm so glad you guys came," she beamed, not even thinking twice before reaching out and pulling the man who had taken her and Amelia into his home into a quick hug.
"We promised!"
"That you did," the mother smiled, pressing her index finger against Jack's, something that they had been doing to take the place of beautiful little kisses that she shared with her daughter. He didn't want to feel left out, and this was something that made him feel as if he were her child too.
Aaron discreetly reached down and took the new chef's hand in his, bringing her body close to his side as they let the other patrons in the bustling restaurant walk past them. "So we get a discount, right?"
The brunette woman's eyes closed as she snorted, squeezing the father's hand as she laughed. "Cute," she smiled. "I'll do my best, but don't get your hopes up." Pointing over to the center table in the restaurant, Emily smiled to the kids. "That table is reserved just for you guys so go and sit down, and Cassidy our waitress will be right there to take your orders."
With another kiss to the younger woman's head once the kids had turned their backs, Aaron left Emily to get back to the kitchen and finish the dishes she was preparing for the rest of the customers. "So do you know what you guys want?"
Amelia smiled as soon as she opened the menu, her eyes hitting the entrée at the top of the page. "The shrimp fra diavolo is definitely what I'm getting. Mom makes it all the time and it's totally to die for."
"Can I get s'ghetti, daddy?"
Aaron nodded to his son, a smile on his face. "Of course you can." Looking to the teenager at the table, the father of now practically two children gave a small smile. "So you have everything set up for your mother when she gets home tonight?"
"I thought you were doing it." Waiting until she saw his eyes widen, Amelia shook her head. "Just kidding."
Catching the eye of the restaurant's new chef as she was reentering the kitchen, Aaron fought the grin that was tugging at his lips. "Not funny."
"You know what would be really nice? If you stopped undressing my mom with your eyes."
Jack frowned up to his father. "Daddy?"
Aaron quickly shut his menu and hastily waved for the waitress to come over. "Can we order? Quickly please."