Tiny Step's (MDLG Story.) Slow Updates.

Chapter SEVENTY-THREE.

[SEVENTY-THREE]

[Date Day Still.]

(Another Long Chapter.)

Elena Shaw's (POV)

Watching her walk off I smile and stand back up. The moment we stepped foot into the antique store I couldn't help but coo at how entranced she was with everything. To see her eyes widen in shock at so many things at once was adorable and comical at the same time. Keeping my eyes on her I go back to looking around myself. She was so nervous when telling me she wanted to get me something as a surprise. I could tell by watching her without looking at what she was looking at that I knew something was up before she even made her way to me. She is so sweet wanting to gift me something, she expressed she feels guilty at times since she doesn't have money of her own. So, I figured that had something to do with it, I am glad she came to me though.

Now for the old man, his reaction was even more comical when Esme walked up and started clearly talking to him. He was so frozen in shock I thought he might pass out. I guess he felt my slight glare on him because when he looked my way he finally came too. I don't know what Esme said to him, I was worried he would freak out on her but to my surprise, he went back to smiling at her. Her giggling at my glare towards him probably helped as well. She has been such a bundle of nerves and so adorable today as well. To top that off she has had me on my toes with her affections, stares, and blushes each time we kiss, or she thinks I don't catch her watching me or making sure I am close to her. Still keeping my eyes on her I take the few items I found and take them to the man at his desk.

He must have finished wrapping what Esme asked him to because he spots me coming and looks like he is hiding something. I chuckle in my head at this and as I get to his desk I lightly sit the two scallop round ceramic lamps down. They aren't that old from their looks, but they are cute, the shades are a light teal color with the round bottoms an off-white color. With teal and pink cherry blossoms around the base. I look up at the shop owner and he smiles asking, "Would you like these wrapped and boxed up miss?" I smile back saying, "Yes please thank you and we shouldn't be much longer. We have a few more stops to make." He nods saying, "That is fine miss just let me know when you two are ready to check out." Nodding I turn and spot Esme at the back of the store, but before making my way to her I go back to a shelf I was at before I found the lamps and grab a set of vintage tam soup bowls and saucers that I know Piper will love.

Taking those up to the man he just smiles and nods, so I go to Esme who is in the back of the shop. As I round a wall of shelves I see her sitting on the ground staring at something on the bottom shelf like she did with the ornate box from earlier. Making my way to her, I make sure she can hear me, so I don't frighten her. She turns in my direction and smiles, I smile back asking, "Find something else you want darling?" She blushes and shrugs saying, "Umm yes and no..." I tilt my head at this and look towards the bottom of the shelf. The whole bottom shelf is different ship items ranging from bookends, a chessboard and pieces, some old postcards, and a set of feather pens and inkwells. Looking at my baby now staring at the items again I ask, "Which ones catch your eyes the most baby?" She blushes and just shrugs, I know she loves history so looking over the items I can tell the chessboard and pieces are probably an English or European set they look quite old and hand-crafted and well kept at that. She has never expressed wanting to learn chess or that she knows how.

Looking at her again I see her eyes roaming over the bookends as well as the pen and inkwell set then again everything on the shelf seems to have her frozen. This is the first time she has been drawn to a specific theme of things. Curious I ask, "Have you always been fascinated with ships baby?" She shrugs again and shyly looks my way, I kneel down and reach out lightly rubbing her back. She leans into my touch, and I feel her sigh, smiling I say, "You don't have to tell me baby girl but if you do want anything here we can get it." She looks up at me with those beautiful eyes of hers and I see her bottom lip wobbling. I just open my eyes saying, "It's alright sweetheart come here." She scoots over and I pick her up rubbing her back asking, "Memories baby?" Sniffling she just nods into my shoulder, kissing her temple I hold her closer asking, "Mom or dad baby?"