True Nature by Willow Madison

delicate in mine, just like Lucy's.
    I turn towards the hostess stand, her Mom says behind me, "We put our name in, but they say for a larger group it'll be a twenty to thirty minutes wait."
    I walk over to the stand and return with the hostess and menus. "Right this way." I direct her Mom to follow the hostess.  She raises her eyebrows and smiles at me.
    "Bonus points with my Dad...he hates to wait for food." Lucy is poking my ribs as she follows behind her brother. I watch her ass sway just visible in her tight cotton skirt under a long matching tunic tank.
    We're seated at an one end of an extra large round table on the second floor of the restaurant. Pastries, coffee, and juices are brought over before we've even settled into our seats.
    "We didn't order these, dear," Her Mom is shooing the server away. He looks at me confused.
    "It's all right, Elizabeth. I asked that they send over some starters for us. The cream puffs and muffins are the best here." Her Dad is already buttering a muffin.
    "Oh...well...thank you, Max!" She looks much younger with a full smile.
    "Do you know someone here?" Her brother is looking around the room.
    "This restaurant is part of a group that I partner." He nods his head.
    "I used to come here before we had kids. My wife and I lived around the block when we first got married." Paul Jr., is working on his second cream puff. "And these are the best! We would have to get here early to get a table though. Or wait in a long line and munch on these."
    "Where are Cathy and the girls?" Lucy hasn't eaten anything, probably still too nervous. I squeeze her hand under the table.  "My neices are soooo cute!" She informs me.
    "Well...I wanted to wait till we were all together." Paul puts down his puff and takes hold of his Mom's hand. "We're pregnant!"
    "Oh, Son. That's great news!" Paul Sr., is grabbing his other hand across the table, while Elizabeth is hugging him. "The best news!"
    "Congratulations, PJ!" Lucy gives him a hug and kiss too.
    "Thanks! We're really excited...Cathy unfortunately is having alot of morning sickness this time, so she wasn't up to making a trip downtown. And the girls were acting up this morning, so she figured it would be best to leave them at home. Besides, I know you'll want to see them...Cathy's hoping you'll come back to the house and stay tonight at least."
    "That sounds like a good plan." Paul Sr., says through a mouthful of muffin. "We can stay an extra day or two for our grandkids!"
    Elizabeth is grinning even more and squeezes Paul's hand. "Ya know...I had alot of morning sickness with you, PJ...maybe it's a boy!" But she keeps looking at Lucy. Lucy avoids her stare, looking down at her plate instead.
    "That's what Cathy said too, Mom. We'll know in a few weeks. Luce...you wanna come over too, the girls would love to see you! There's a train that'll get you back into the city not too late."
    "Yeah...I'd love to see everyone too." Something in Lucy's response sounds sad though.
    The waitress comes over for our orders and Lucy looks to me. I stop myself from kissing her right then. Does she already understand that I'll order for her, no matter who's around? Before she opens her mouth, I order pancakes and bacon for us both. "And I would like the fresh berries on top for the pancakes, not the pre-mixed in kind. Thanks."
    "That sounds delicious. I'll have the same." Elizabeth closes her menu. Lucy smiles at me. She looks more relaxed now. No one noticed that she didn't even open her menu. My good girl.
                                                                          .....
    Standing outside the restaurant, Lucy in my arms. I give her a small kiss, knowing she's uncomfortable with her parents and brother standing not too far away.
    "Call me when you get home tonight, baby."
    "Will do." She kisses my cheek on more time. I walk her over to her family.
    "It was nice meeting you, Max!" Elizabeth and Paul