Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty Three - Shopping

While walking out of the restaurant, Emmy grabbed me when we were accosted by photographers who appeared out of nowhere with flashbulbs in our faces, blinding our eyes.

Before I could make a decision, my face was already being hidden against Adian's chest and Emmy was in Basil's arms, her face hidden against his neck.

"Mr. Knights is the little girl your step-daughter?" Shouted one photographer while another one shouted, "Mrs. Knights is that your step-daughter but all I'm interested in, is Emmy!

Her safety! Her peace of mind and this is not going to help her but I am.

Lifting my head off Adian's chest, I stared boldly ahead of me ignoring the photographers and their questions but I did use my hands to shield my eyes from the blinding flashes!

This frenzy will die down soon, I promised myself when Basil puts Emmy into Adian's vehicle, holding the door open for me while Adian moves to the driver's seat.

Seated in the backseat of Adian's Maserati with Emmy, I pulled the trembling child's body into my arms, "hey, hey" I cooed softly, "it's okay, we will be okay." I promised, caressing her head meeting Adian's eyes in the rearview mirror. Smiling I assured him, "we're okay, right?"

"Yeah we are," Adian smiled back, tilting his head to stare behind us for Basil or to ensure we were not being followed but whatever it is, we're fine.

"I hope the lunch didn't fall" Adian muses and I couldn't help but burst out laughing, surprising Adian, as he slows down to stare at me in the rearview mirror.

Still laughing, "I think the waiter was behind us so Mel would have led him to their vehicle." I responded, his eyes creasing at the corners as he laughs with me. "Is that what's on your mind?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"And my beautiful daughter," raising his eyebrows, Adian stares at Emmy, whose still curled up in my arms. Meeting my eyes for a second, Adian averts his eyes on the road, "are you okay kiddo?" He asks Emmy.

Without answering Emmy simply nods, keeping herself in the same position.

"I have one more stop at the mall for the camping gear" Adian was saying when Emmy bolted upright beside me.

Smiling at her renewed enthusiasm because I have no idea about any camping trip.

Lifting his head, he raised his eyebrows again, "you ready for that?" Adian asks Emmy and this time she was quick to respond.

Nodding, "yes" Emmy answered softly but looks at me sadly, "would those people be there too?" She frowns.

Shaking my head, "no sweetheart, just you and daddy," I tell her but her frown didn't disappear. In fact she seemed more disturbed than before.

"So you're not coming with us?" Taken aback by her question because I have never been camping before.

It sounds exciting but where is he going?

"If it's in the living room, then yes I would join you guys." I joked secretly hoping it's in the living room.

Laughing at my childishness, "no silly, we're going to the woods," Emmy corrects me using an endearment I always use to correct her.

Frowning, I raised my eyebrows, "you mean where there's bears and snakes?" I asked having never been camping before, those are the only fearful animals or reptile I could think about.

Surprised, Emmy opened her mouth in awe of question then quickly leans forward wrapping her arms around Adian's headrest.

"Is it true? Would there be bears?" Emmy asks Adian in excitement.

What? She's excited about bears? Is she crazy? Who has she been speaking to?

His eyes dancing mischievously, "if I promise to keep you safe from the snakes and bears would you go with us?" Adian laughs but I shook my head because I am still uncertain.

Throwing herself back into my arms, "please Hailey, please!" Emmy begged but camping out in the wild is not something I ever considered doing.

I wasn't even aware of having heard about Adian camping out.

"It's mummy," Adian reminds Emmy after hearing her call me Hailey.

Batting her eyes are me, "please mummy, please take me camping." Emmy's earlier excitement evaporating as she begs me earnestly.

Nodding slowly, "I'll see," I answered, "but I'm not promising" I reminded her while glaring at Adian in the mirror as he drives into the mall with Basil and Mel nowhere behind us.

Adian lead us to the sports store, a store I've never had the need to visit before and headed directly towards the camping section.

I looked around because I was actually intrigued by it all and it appeared so cosy.

Indicating ahead of us towards another area, "select a sleeping bag of for each of you, different colors and one for Mel, I will chose the other for Bas and I." Adian instructed me. Before I could respond, Emmy grabbed my hand and pulled me forward.

Emmy aware that purple is my favourite color choose a purple for me, a pink for herself and a red of Mel. If Mel has a problem with that, she'll deal with Emmy.

We chose all in adult sizes, adding a black, light blue and navy blue to the mix. I actually enjoyed shopping here so I decided to check out everything needed for an outdoor trip and started making selections but I needed to know the color tent Adian chose so we could have everything color coded.

By the time we left the store with the store manager promising to make a delivery on Monday for our upcoming trip , we finally started for our short journey home.

I am exhausted but I won't dampened their fun afternoon by mentioning that.

Other than a few bags of snacks we bought at a Chao in the Mall we returned home with no evidence of our short shopping spree.

Ryan and Mrs. Harris were having lunch from what Adian ordered along with Caleb?

Why's Caleb here today?