Coming Home

Chapter 14

A/N: MALL DATE MALL DATE MALL DATE MALL DATE!!! *chants and pounds fists on table to a rhythm*

Cleo, Jen and David were all in Jen's kitchen making waffles the next morning. They decided to stay in and have breakfast at Jen's instead of going out for breakfast like they had originally planned since it was a rainy gloomy day out.

"Cleo, can you go over to that pantry and grab the chocolate chips? Please?" Jen requested as she was stirring the batter a bit. Cleo went over and searched the pantry for a bit, then she found them on a high shelf. She did her best to jump up, but she couldn't quite reach it. She frowned, feeling a bit annoyed with herself.

"Daaaaaaaad. I need someone taller. Or a stool." Cleo huffed, sounding annoyed by the situation. David laughed, walked over and grabbed the bag, giving it to Cleo. Cleo returned to where Jen was and passed her the bag of chocolate chips. Jen pat Cleos head and chuckled "I'm sorry! I forgot how high up they were. Thank you for getting them for me, though." Jen said apologetically. Cleo just shrugged, Then proceeded to put half the batter in another bowl, adding some chocolate chips to it. "It's quite alright. I would've found a way to get them even if dad wasn't around. Don't always need a man to do shit for you." she stuck her tongue out at her father as she spoke and giggled.

David chuckled and shook his head. "Am I going to be teased and bullied by both of you today? Is that the true goal of the shopping trip?" he joked, knowing full well he was in for a time with these two. Cleo pouted at her dad "Moooom he's already on to us!" She whined sarcastically. Jen stuck her tongue out a bit at David and smirked "Maybe you are getting teased by us. At least we're cute." Jen said with an innocent smile, David raised his finger, but then put it back down and grumbled.

"I hate when you're right sometimes. You're both cute beyond words." David said in a tone that admitted defeat, but he felt happy. He went over and kissed Cleo's head, then did the same with Jen's as he stood there admiring them. Seeing his daughter and Jen being so close just made him happy. He always knew Jen would be a great mother if she ever had kids, and he was only proven to be right about that seeing how she was with Cleo.

Deep down, it still pained him to know she couldn't have the family she always wanted. She accepted it and was happy, but it still felt unfortunate in his eyes.

He came out of his thoughts when he heard Cleo getting a plate. "Schwim, you ok?" Jen asked as she noticed he's been a bit out of it. He smiled and nodded "There's just something special about my two girls getting along. I'm embracing this moment for as long as I can." He flashed his boyish grin.

Cleo smiled as she set the table for the three of them. "Well dad, you, mom and Jen have about 8 years until I finish school and go to college or university, so embrace it while you can!" David hugged his daughter tightly and kissed her hair "Stop making me feel old! I'm old now for fuck sake." Jen and Cleo had to laugh at that.

They got to the mall around 10AM. They wore their typical masks and hat disguise, which was a blessing since it was still raining out, so they were able to cover their faces as best as they could without looking too suspicious. Otherwise they just wore casual clothes, long shirts since it was a little cold with the rain and jeans.

Cleo felt a bit anxious as the three of them stepped into the first store. She wasn't exactly anxious about trying on clothes, but rather knowing Jen was so generous, and these clothes seemed expensive, she wondered if people might catch on to the fact that THE Jennifer Aniston was shopping here. Shopping here and shopping here with the man people have speculated for months was now her boyfriend and his daughter.

"Hi! Are you guys looking for anything in particular or just browsing?" A woman employee - roughly to be in her late 20's - asked. Cleo felt herself tense, but Jen turned to the woman and shook her head "No, we're just looking around. I'm helping my friend's daughter pick out some new clothes. Thank you so much, though!" Jen said warmly. The woman's eyes smiled and nodded her head. "Well, if you need help, my name is Jessica! Don't hesitate to come find me."