Here's Where I Belong

Chapter One

Elijah stepped into the grill, carrying his daughters car seat on one arm. On the other was her diaper bag. She had been fussy ever since they had left the office of the realtor.

His eyes scanned the crowd, seeing his sister standing at a table, smiling down at the man she was waiting on. He had seen that smile before, and he simply shook his head.

She laughed at something the man said, before she was bustling around refilling drinks and taking plates. When she saw Elijah, she grinned and waved before placing an order ticket in the window.

She then made her way over and gave him a hug. "How is my precious niece today?" She asked, cooing at the baby in the car seat.

"Is there a changing table in the bathroom?" Elijah asked, motioning to the diaper bag.

Rebekah frowned, shaking her head. "There is in the girl's, but not in the boy's."

"Could you maybe take her and change her? She has been rather unhappy since leaving the real estate office."

Rebekah opened her mouth to reply before a bell rang from the door behind them. "I can't. We are busy and I have a bunch of orders coming out." she turned, her eyes landing on an olive skinned brunette walking out of the back.

The girl wore a Mystic Grill shirt, and a pair of denim shorts. A pair of black chucks adorned her feet, and her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail.

Elijah had to admit the girl was beautiful. Not normally did he take notice of the opposite sex, mainly because he didn't even contemplate dating.

"Elena!" His sister called, snapping him out of his thoughts.

The girl turned her attention to them, and started their way. She smiled brightly at his sister before turning to him with a somewhat shy smile.

"You must be Elijah," she said, her eyes flicking down to the car seat he was holding.

At that time his daughter chose to let out a cry, wailing her arms about.

"Elijah, this is Elena. She's my best friend and she's great with kids. I'm sure she would not mind to change Ava," With that, Rebekah hurried off into the direction from which her name was being called.

Elijah blinked, staring at his sisters back before turning back to Elena. She sent him a small smile, as she slid her hands into her back pockets.

"So, I'm guessing she needs a diaper," Elena said softly, nodding towards his daughter.

"Yes," he said slowly, hesitant to hand his daughter to a total stranger to be changed.

"And I'm also guessing you're not exactly comfortable with a stranger changing her," she continued.

"Well...yes."

"I understand, but I am a good friend of your sister, and I wouldn't mind to do it for you," She shrugged, "but if you would like I could slip you into the girl's bathroom and stand guard while you changed her."

Elijah seemed to contemplate her words, just as his phone started ringing from within his jacket pocket. He reluctantly handed Elena the car seat and diaper bag, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

He answered, watching as the brunette set the car seat on an empty table and unfastened his daughter. She gently lifted her up, cradling Ava to her chest. She then slung the diaper bag over her shoulder and headed towards the bathroom.

Elena stepped into the bathroom, lowering the changing table. She laid the little girl down, smiling at her. When Elena had picked her up and stuck her pacifier into her mouth, the little girl had quieted. She lay there, her eyes not leaving Elena as she changed her.