Dating Daddy

Kendall was yet again working the early morning shift at the diner; there weren't many people present in the diner and the ones that were there were always there every morning at the same time and ordering the same cup of joe with the same eggs they had probably since the birth of the diner. Kendall loved it, though, the small diner atmosphere gave her a lot of time to get to know her patrons and build some nice relationships. Her favorites being two little girls named Wylda and Romy Johnson, daughters to the indie actor Aaron Johnson. Kendall didn't think much would come of her waitressing and the Johnsons when they first showed up in the diner two months ago but after two weeks of the morning ritual, the girls and Kendall had fallen into a bond.

"Go on, Kendall," Joseph teased as Kendall wiped down the counters, the radio playing softly in the background. The petite brunette shook her head with an amused smile.

"Too early, Joe," she replied wagging a finger. "You don't get a musical until your second cup of coffee," she teased holding up two fingers. She wiped the back of her wrist over her forehead when the door opened and her favorite famous family walked in. She figured Aaron preferred their diner as opposed to one of the major chains because not only were the regular customers very kind and respectful, but the paparazzi had yet to find them so the family were able to enjoy their breakfast in peace. Most of the diner's regulars were older citizens who absolutely adored Wylda and Romy but those little girls only had eyes for Kendall. Romy was only four and spent most of her time in her dad's arms or on his lap but at seven, Wylda had decided early on she was going to like the energetic waitress who called her princess Wylda and bowed to her every morning.

"Kenny! Kenny!" Wylda cheered as she pulled her hand from Aaron's and ran to where Kendall was walking around the counter. The tiny blonde girl stopped short and looked up at Kendall as the woman bowed so gracefully and took on an European accent that sounded dangerously similar to her father's,

"Welcome dear princess Wylda and princess Romy, may I say that your absence has not gone unnoticed," Wylda looked at Aaron in confusion before Kendall added in her normal tone, "It means I missed you three last week."

"Daddy had to do pictures so mommy kept us," Wylda told her as she skipped to their usual booth. Kendall grabbed the booster seat for Romy and put it on the other side of Wylda by the wall before she smiled warmly at Aaron who was smiling kindly back at her, his beard was gone and she tilted her head.

"All your hair is gone," she teased gesturing around her face and Romy giggled as she whined,

"It was itchy." Aaron looked at his youngest daughter and nodded to her as he looked back at Kendall,

"The girls complained so now the women complain," he joked and Kendall pursed her lips in understanding as she bobbed her head sympathetically.

"I don't think they complain that much cuz I feel like your face- this whole situation," she gestured to his broad chest and strong arms, "totally makes up for any lack of facial hair." Romy climbed out of her father's arms while Wylda slid into her seat and Aaron arched a brow at the waitress. Kendall paused and pursed her lips, bobbing her head absently, "Yep so I- I said that out loud and now- this is really awkward," she drawled with an apologetic wince. Aaron chuckled and shook his head as he sat next to Romy.

"I think I can forgive you, Kendall," he said and she smiled with a dramatic sigh and wiping the sweat from her brow in relief. He chuckled lightly at her as she looked at the little girls. Wylda looked at Kendall and her dad, smiling big as Aaron's eyes lingered on the small town waitress.

"Kenny, can Romy and I have chocolate milk?" Wylda asked pulling over the coloring books Kendall had taken upon herself to keep at various tables for when kids came in. Kendall wasn't aware of the handsome man's eyes lingering over her petite frame while she nodded and looked at the little girl.

"You have so much chocolate milk- so much," she teased holding her hands up and wiggling her fingers dramatically as she looked heavenward. Aaron ducked his head with a light chuckle as Kendall winked pointedly to both Johnson daughters and turned on her heel to go get Aaron's coffee and the girls's chocolate milk. Wylda looked at her dad as he turned and brushed Romy's brown hair out of her face while she colored.

"Daddy, will you sing with Kenny?" Wylda asked and Aaron looked at her curiously. "Sing the song from Frozen! The one with Hans and Anna!" An older gentleman at the counter chuckled around his coffee mug as he glanced over to Aaron who shared a look with him, the older man grinning playfully as Aaron hissed and scrunched up his face.

"I don't- I don't think I know it well enough, Wylda." Wylda pouted and looked over at Kendall before calling out to her,

"Kenny will you sing Disney for daddy?"

"I'm gunna be a mighty king, so enemies beware," she sang loudly and Aaron smiled since he knew that song,

"Well I've never seen a king nor beast with quite so little hair," Aaron said looking at Kendall as she danced around the counter,

"I'm gunna the main event, like no king was before!" she danced enthusiastically but carefully as she had their drinks and the other patrons of the diner were very amused, Romy and Wylda giggling happily and clapping as Kendall made her way to the table and set the drinks down, "I'm brushing up I'm looking down- I'm working on my-" the two little girls threw their arms up with Kendall and scrunched up their faces as they all cheered,

"Roar!" Aaron laughed and Kendall grinned as she wiggled her bottom and scooted back away from the table. This was why Aaron loved bringing his daughters to Charlie's on Fifth. The food was good, homestyled and fresh, but the people- the people that came every morning really made it worth the twenty minutes extra he had to drive out of the way. And, if he were honest, he did it because of the waitress singing Lion King like no one was watching and making his girls laugh. It had been so long since he heard Wylda laugh. Ever since Aaron and Sam divorced the older girl had been conflicted and torn. Romy had been too little to really notice that Aaron wasn't around as much or that her mom and dad were no longer together but Wylda noticed and when Aaron first brought the girls to Charlie's on Fifth and met Kendall, his daughter's attitude greatly improved. Wylda laughed and joked and smiled more. He had to admit that the bubbly waitress had been a great friend to him as well, even if they only spoke the mornings he brought the girls to breakfast. She was light and not at all intrusive, flustered but treated him like a normal guy. She was this bright beacon of energy that filled him up with warmth and amusement and he would be lying if he said he didn't go to Charlie's on Fifth specifically with the intention of seeing her.

Watching Wylda and Romy sip their milk and Kendall singing into a spatula while tossing her hair around, Aaron decided he was going to do something about their relationship. He was going to invite Kendall over for burgers and if anyone asked- he was doing it for the girls. Because there was no doubt Wylda and Romy loved her.