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Monday: Covent Garden Flowers

Nell and the kittens were at the store perhaps a little earlier than usual, but Nell hadn't been able to sleep well. She'd finally gotten up and gone for her morning run well before the sun was fully up then headed out.

She'd brought some scones and cookies with her just in case any of the child visitors and their parents might stop by and then just set out to keep herself busy as the day went on

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Lana opened the door and stuck her head in. "Nell? Are you in a mood for small children?" She thought she'd best check first.

"I'm not small!" Marshan protested.

"I'm in the mood for children of any size," Nell said with a smile. "Come on in!"

Lana smiled back and opened the door wider, and that was all the encouragement Marshan needed to rush in and wave excitedly. "Hi, Auntie Nell! Mama says you don't know me yet, but I'm Marshan!"

Auntie Nell? Oh, that touched her heart and she gave Lana a grateful smile. "Marshan! What a beautiful name! I'm so sorry I haven't met you before, but I'm certainly glad to meet you today."

She opened her arms to offer a hug should Marshan want.

Hugs were always good! Marshan went right in for one.

"She was apparently named after Darth Marr and Satele Shan - the Sith and Jedi our Commander learned from," Lana said. "Which is less surprising than me somehow having a child with the Jedi Battlemaster."

Marshan giggled.

"She tried to convince me she was Theron's child first," Lana said, fondly exasperated, "but it was somewhat hampered by the fact Theron isn't Chiss."

"Surprises all around," Nell said with a smile. "Though silly to try to convince your mother your father was someone he couldn't be. Still the effort shoud be rewarded. Perhaps with a cookie and a cup of tea or milk?

She looked to Lana to see if this was okay.

Lana chuckled and nodded. "You're lucky you're adorable," she informed Marshan, tousling her hair. "But you've got work to do on your deception."

"Moooom!"

"Tea for me, milk for her. With a little tea in if she'd like."

Marshan nodded her head enthusiastically.

"Come on over," Nell said, gesturing toward the small table in the back. "If you're gentle Cygnus and Rigel are dozing in the sun and I'm sure they would enjoy a little snuggling."

She smiled at Lana. "And Mama could probably use a chance to rest her body for a moment."

"I can be gentle!" Marshan assured her, sneaking closer to the kittens.

Lana smiled back. "I really could. How one child can be more work than a network of spies, I have no idea."

"It's been a long time since I helped out with my siblings, but they're more work than trying to herd a passel of cats."

Hearing the word cats, Cygnus opened one eye and, seeing a potential source of pets, stood and stretched with an appealing little meow.

Marshan grinned and reached out carefully to let him sniff her fingers.

"I haven't dealt with children since...well, ever, really," Lana said. "I don't think most of the students here count. She's well-behaved, I think, but still very energetic." She shook her head. "No little ones for you this time?"

Nell looked fleetingly sad, then smiled and shook her head. "Nope. Haven't ever had any, but that's to be expected. And yes, even the well behaved children tend to be very energetic in my experience."

She smiled over at Marshan as Cygnus gave the little fingers a sniff, then butted her face into the little girl's hand. "I think he likes you."

Marshan grinned hugely and carefully scritched Cygnus's chin.

Lana offered Nell a hug if she wanted one. "One day, if you decide you want it, you'll do it. Glimpse of a future or no."

Cygnus flopped over and offered his belly for skritches.

Nell hugged Lana. "I'm not so sure about any of that," she said, "But I thank you for your kindness."

"I don't do empty platitudes," Lana said. "If there's something you really want, you're stubborn enough to find a way. And I'll do whatever I can to help."

She watched as Marshan giggled and rubbed the tiny belly, grinning wide.

"Can I help with the tea at all?"

"Not sure I do want it," Nell admitted, "though part of me feels like I'm supposed to and maybe part of me does. I don't know. But, well... honestly, the thing you do to get children is..."

She shook her head. "I did my duty, but I can't say as it was pleasant."

And with a quick subject and mood change, she spun back to where her kettle was heating up water. "If you want to grab a mug for you and Marshan, I think I've got the rest."

"There's other ways," Lana pointed out. "But never is also a valid possibility. I have to say I never particularly saw myself as a mother, and as adorable as she is," she glanced over to make sure Marshan wasn't listening, "Marshan isn't changing that."

She went to get the mugs. "She's fine in the abstract 'she goes home on Monday' sense, but as a permanent feature, someone who's mine? I'm not cut out for that. And that doesn't even get into the fact of who her father is."

Nell smiled over at Marshan. "She is adorable, but I understand."

She brought the kettle over to the table. "Problematic father?"

"Jedi father," Lana answered wryly. "Pleasant enough - he'll actually be visiting my class tomorrow - but I have no desire to have any sort of relationship with him. I could do worse if I just wanted a child, but Marshan's parents are actually together, which is just bizarre to me."

She grinned. "Which won't stop me calling him later to share the awkwardness."

"Might as well share the craziness, huh?" Nell said with a grin of her own. "How interesting that he'll be on island, too. Too bad he'll miss her."

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Monday: Covent Garden Flowers

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