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Sterling raised an eyebrow as Cici cut loose with all the what-if statements. And then he smiled. "Well, seeing as how you're human and I'm human, I doubt none of those issues will arise. And also, since I've yet to raise a kid, the chances of me being anything other than terrible, means I can only go up...right? Besides that, you've done a remarkable job with Dawn. She's a smart, bright, girl thanks to you."

He was at the doors now. "Are we going to get food or stall and talk about all the possible ways this could end badly? Because trust me, I could probably beat you on the scale of terrible to horrific with why physical shape of our kid is going to be the least of our concerns."

Cici's eyes went wide, "I think I need a drink." She shook her head, "Food first, daughter second, food third and then freak out last." She rubbed her temples, "Maybe I need to have a good look at you naked before the freak out. Well, maybe not a good look. I just want to ask about your scars. I've been thinking about them. A lot. Because I'm creepy. Why can't I turn my mouth off!?" She facepalmed, groaning, "I want a cake instead of chocolate pie. Cake would be better. Or fruit would be better. Or fish. Oooh, I want fish!" She looked at him, "I can't turn it off. Seriously. My mouth just keeps going. I don't even know why. I kinda wish it would stop. This is getting reall ano-"

He stopped her in mid speech by kissing her. Had he really missed her that much? He could hardly keep himself off her! "Ssshhh," he whispered, drawing his lips away from hers just a little. "It's okay. I've missed you too."

And then he prodded Cici towards the door. "Let's get simple foods first; we can come back later to stock up the fridge. And maybe Dawn would like to get something too."

Cici enjoyed the kiss, giggling afterwards. She smiled and walked towards the door, half dazed, "You're a good kisser." She pulled his arm back around her. She didn't mind that his jacket was lumpy. She was in looooooooooooooove, as her ten-year-old would say. She grabbed a basket, "You didn't actually tell me what you like. Also, when's your brithday?"

"Hm? So are you," said Sterling, and wrapped his arm around Cici. If this was what normal was, he couldn't believe he had been depriving himself!

"Gushers," he said, before he could stop himself. He flushed slightly. "Ah, that is, I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever you make--although it's been a while since I've had fish. And January 25th is-was-my birthday."

He followed her into the store.

Cici walked slowly around with Sterling, enjoying the slow walk. Dawn would be fine with Elsie for a little while longer. She rested her head on his shoulder, "I'll have to remember that. She thought about pulling out her calendar, but thought it might look weird. She grabbed a box of instant mash potatoes, and walked to the produce aisle, looking at the corn carefully. She selected three, bagging them up. Normal person stuff. She seemed completely content to do this, happy even, as she kept looking at Sterling.

He was content to watch her, studying her perhaps as he might have studied his targets in the past--though this time he wore a smile instead of a scowl and his eyes were softer.

He was relaxed, enjoying the fact that Cici seemed comfortable in this environment. He hoped it would continue to be safe for her--and then immediately discarded the idea. Of course it would be; no one would know where he'd vanished to so long as he didn't draw attention to himself.

"You seem happy." He said. "Would you like me to carry the basket?" It looked like it was starting to get heavy.

she offered it to him, "I am happy. I've always done this alone. Even Dawn rarely comes with me because when she was little, she was terrible brat. Always crying." She laughed - she was only half joking. She took his free hand, "What sort of fish do you like? I'm not terribly picky." She rubbed her thumb over his, feeling how rough his hands were, a shiver crawling up her spine.

Sterling closed his hand around hers, holding it gently but firmly. He was always surprised by how soft and smooth her skin was. Anyway, he dragged his mind back to the forefront of...right, fish.

He thought back to what he'd last. "Halibut," he said. "Or tuna, or salmon. Either of those would be good. Do most kids hate going grocery shopping?" Ho boy, he had a lot to learn.

Cici looked over the fish, looking for something cheap, but good. Since the fish was for the adults she didn't mind getting something less nice. She would spring - or rather, Sterling would spring for better things for Dawn today. She pondered for a moment, "No, but back then she was going through a rough patch with her father. He would call and say he would visit, or he would show up for a day and promise they'd do something like go to Disney land. Now I don't want her in stores like this because if she saw how successful her father was, it would kill me. He offered me a lot of hush money to pretend we don't exist, but honestly, I would rather he didn't exist." She picked out a package and looked at Sterling, "I hope that doesn't scare you away."

Sterling frowned and picked up a small package of fish that looked good, adding it to the basket. "What kind of job did he have?" he asked. The more he heard of this guy, the more he disliked him. And on a scale of Werewolf to Vampires, the guy was well beyond lycanthrope.

"He's an actor. He's had decent roles up until now. He's going to be the lead in Triple Risk this summer." She bit her lip, a flood of emotions hitting her. It wasn't fair that he had everything handed to him on a silver platter, "He's super hot, a good actor, but a crappy father." She walked over to the poltry, looking around at it.

"I'm sorry," Sterling offered. He didn't know what else to say. But at the very least it sounded like the man wasn't going to be interfering in their lives--so that was something. And in a Hunter's life, any positive speck was grabbed by two hands and clung to, tightly.

Seeing Cici's reaction though, he hurriedly changed the topic. "I never asked this before, but what are Dawn's favorite subjects in school?"

She looked over at him, "Math and English. She is going to be bumped up another grade in math, but everything else will be the same. I used to love science and PE, but she has no real interest in either. Of course, I was pretty well a born athlete. She came out coddled. I rarely put her down when she was little. It was too hard. I'll have to show you pictures, but she was the most beautiful baby on the planet." She studied Sterling's face for a moment, wondering what the pair of them would come up with.

He grinned. "Math and English; she'll be good at whatever she puts her mind to." As long as it wasn't Hunting. That required physical exertion, and his grin widened at learning Cici's own particular gifts. "That explains why you're in such great shape. I'd love to see her baby pictures," and then he caught her looking at him and his eyes traveled down to her slightly extended belly.

"I'm sure she'll enjoy having a younger sibling to help take care of," he offered.

She took his hand and placed it on her stomach, "Yeah. She's wanted once since she was a little baby. I know she wants a sister." She looked at him, "What would you want?" She swallowed, unsure of how to talk to him about these things, other than just... saying them.

He stepped closer to feel for any sign of movement from within, but detected nothing. It was still only 4 months in, plenty of time still. "A sister, huh? I'd probably prefer a son..." and here his face drooped a little at a memory not as far gone as he had hoped. He recovered quickly enough: "But I'd be happy with a daughter, too. How about yourself?"

"I wouldn't have a clue as to what to do with a son." She laughed softly, "But I'd have you to help me. So, what was your family like?"

Sterling's smile froze about halfway on his face and then faded. He shifted the basket to his other arm and rubbed the back of his neck.

"My family?" He fought to think of something to say. "I didn't have the most normal childhood growing up. My mother and father split up just after I was born, and then my father ran off when I was 12 or so. I was taken in by a family friend, however, so it wasn't like I roamed the streets." He wondered what she might think of that. "When I was 14 I started doing odd jobs, before becoming what I am today." He glanced at her, warily, wondering what she might think. "I'm sorry it's nothing glamorous."

"I don't want glamorous. I was a real person who can love me." She leaned over and kissed him, wrapping her arms around him. Three hours ago, she would have never kissed someone like this in public. Now she didn't care what a single person thought. She closed her eyes, smiling inwardly as she pulled away, "So, uh, how old are you exactly?" She touched her two index fingers together, unsure of how he would feel about that question.