Diana hadn’t exactly thought everything through with this offer of hers. It would have been far easier to find a coffee shop before the end of day, but, there had to be a place! And indeed there was, just a few blocks down the road.
For the whole walk, Diana kept her eyes mostly forward, in part due to scanning to find an open shop, but partly because she didn’t want to linger too long on Aislinn. So young, so innocent, the exact age Diana had missed in the child-rearing process… if only she could scoop her up in her arms.
Arriving at the coffeeshop, Diana held open the door for the pair of them, before letting out another exaggerating gesture of relief once inside the heated building. Maybe she was being a teensy bit too much, but, she couldn’t help it, she didn’t know how to say thank you in a normal way.
“I know I only said hot chocolate, but… if there’s anything on the menu that you’d like, please. My treat.”
❝ are you sure? i don’t mind paying for a portion of the meal... ❞
Jolie didn’t plan on being treated -- it wasn’t something she was used to. Not because she didn’t get offers but she rejected the idea completely. Aislinn’s eyes, however, lit up at the request. They didn’t go out often, the paranoia was too great. Aislinn was all she had and she wouldn’t let anything or anyone take that away from her. A quick glance at the small child beside her pushed the thoughts out easily.
It didn’t take much for her negative thoughts to begin a marathon in her head. Aislinn was sickly, naive and adventurous all the same, it terrified her. Did she even live up to what was expected of a parent? Was she too sheltering? Too protective? She gritted her teeth, hugging herself as if the thoughts were something she could just shut out.
Playing on Diana’s feeling of relief, she agreed. ❝ The winter is so brutal here, I’m still not used to it but I’m glad this place is so warm! ❞ Jolie gave a small smile, the smallest hint of doubt snaking its way into her mind. Please don’t see through it.
Aislinn tugged on Jolie’s arm, pointing to a picture of a perfectly crafted s’ mores with eggo waffles to make it into a sandwich. Biting her lip, she weighed her options. It was late but it was also a holiday meaning she should let Aislinn have a bit of fun as well. The hot chocolate was sweet enough...but what did it matter?
With a giggle, Jolie patted the other’s head before muttering a ‘sure.’ Turning to Diana, she pressed a slender finger to her lip before offering another smile, a little more genuine this time around. ❝ what are you thinking of getting, diana?❞