#ccsemberclub

Her William starts to slowly steam.

"I k now, I know. " She says sympathetically "It annoys me that my first response was to fetch. They have that knack. But you'd be proud of me.. I didn't visibly blink, merely informed her I was neither employed there nor a card catalog"

"Mmmm..." he purrs, and takes her hand on the table "I am proud of you, yes."

She smiles at that and squeezes "It was a brief encounter"

"Blessedly so, I think."

As they move along to meet the grandkids.

The grandkids see them, and just cheer up big. One Nurse says "They really like the bright colors on display"

Emerson drops back, nearby but allowing Callidora to the fore.

She moves forward, cooing and checking on them

The four year olds swarm grandma... save two. Winter has made her way to Emerson, a quiet child for her age. Aquila too. Though the latter is who he notices first "Paw Paw" Aquila says with a warm greeting "Got candy?"

"Emerson." he corrects, not ungently "Not now."

A sigh from Aquilla "Yes Emmmerson..." A beat "Not even Butterscotch?"

"Peppermint is better" Winter says quietly.

"Is not" Aquila mmmphs

"Later." he warns mildly.

"Sorry" Aquila says looking a bit chagrinned, then she pats his hand warmly, and slips back to grandma

Winter hovers in his shadow

He lets her. In fact, he -might- not even have noticed her.

She seems a melancholy child at times. There's no reason she should have slaugh in her, but she certainly is the quiet one

He can deal with quiet.

And she seems to enjoy using him as a stocky barrier to her sibling and half siblings

So be it.

CC does some counting, as does the Nurse

Winter gives Emerson a shrug, as if to say 'this is where I get busted'

He clears his throat and shifts, revealing his small shadow a bit. "Plus one." without drawing more attention than necessary.

"Oh Winter," CC tuts and picks the girl up "Do you want to scare grandma?"

"Noooo" Though Winter's response is speculative

Stodgepole conceals a smile.

"Uh huh. Were you pestering Paw Paw for Candy with Aquila?" CC says

"Emerson, Grandma" Winter corrects with the certainty of a four year old

Which may make Emerson want to get her some of that peppermint eventually

Or not, because tender tastebuds might not like spicy peppermint.... but as the child likes.

"I have no candy, of any kind." Emerson says mildly.

Or not.

CC says "See? And I guess Emerson will do. We should respect what people prefer to be called, right Winter?"

The girl smiles "Yes, grandma"

A kiss on her forehead, and Winter is returned to her nurse

CC returns to Emerson "Sorry, guess Paw paw caught on with some. Winter at least has your back. Hope she wasn't a nuisance."

"Not at all." He soothes.

"Good." She nods then admits "I worry abit about her. I know she has troll blood but she's such a quiet girl"

"They are all just fine."

"They're wonderful" She agrees "And I guess I am being a fussy grandma about it. Thanks. We can go off into our own thing again if you like? Museum for adults, or craft shopping?"

"Dearest, would you not rather spent some time with the children?" gently.

"I promised you we'd mix visits with them with moments for just us" She reminds "I never want you to feel neglected or second to me, lover"

A soft chuff. "I do not."

She smiles "Don't worry, I'll rejoin them in a bit. Now, craft shop or Museum?"

"Oh, this is your day, Dearest! You decide."

"Craft shopping, Our house can always use more junk" A nudge

A sigh. "Yes, Dearest. Of course. I look forward to it!" and he leads her to transportation if needed and retail no matter what.