Penny swept the front stoop of the couturier's shop, whistling to herself in anticipation of the end of the day. As she wrapped up, an older gentleman passed by. Not paying attention, she smiled and nodded at him, and he tipped his hat to reveal dark hair and cold blue eyes.

“Evenin', mum,” he said in a thick accent Penny never thought she'd hear again. She wasn't sure why, but a chill snaked its way down her spine as he walked away.

She'd never walked home faster in her life.

--

“So he was weird,” Skittery said as he finished his dinner, “but he didn't do anything, did he?”

“Well, no.” Penny shrugged.

“He didn't touch you or say anything out of the ordinary?”

“No, not really.”

“Well, then, maybe he was just a weird little Irish guy.” He smirked. “Maybe he was... what do you call it, those little guys with the funny hats? Leprechauns,” he said, chuckling. “Maybe he was a leprechaun.”

Penny rolled her eyes. “I'm serious. There's something about him that's just... I don't know. He was in the deli the other day when I was visiting Elise and Crutchy, and I know I've seen him somewhere before, I just don't know where, exactly.”

“I'm sure it's nothing, sweetheart,” Skittery said, getting up and taking his plate into the kitchen.

“I suppose,” Penny sighed. “I guess I'm just too much of a worrywart.” She rubbed her stomach absentmindedly, watching Skittery move about the kitchen.

“Yeah, could be.” He came back in and took Penny's plate, kissing her head. “Tell you what. Why don't you go take a bath, and I'll do the dishes.”

Penny arched a brow quizzically. “Do you even know how to wash dishes?”

“Well, you wash the food off and dry them and put them away in the cupboards, how hard could it be?”

“Alright... just, please, don't break anything.”

Skittery turned back to the kitchen, rolling his eyes and mimicking her as he walked to the sink.

--

It was one of the rare days that Crutchy and Elise were able to take off together. Crutchy's father had finally succumbed to the unbearable boredom of sitting at home all day and had practically begged them to let him work in the deli, if only for the day. Elise and Crutchy had jumped at the chance, and with both Killian and Michael, Crutchy's younger brother, at school and Crutchy's mother helping Jude at the deli, they had the house entirely to themselves.

“So what do you feel like doing today?” Crutchy asked, leaning back on the davenport and propping his left foot up on the coffee table.

Elise came in from the kitchen with a glass of water, sitting down next to him. She sighed as she leaned her head on his shoulder. “Anything that doesn't involve corned beef, potatoes, or kosher salt is just fine with me.”

Crutchy laughed as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Wanna just play it by ear?”

“Sure.” She curled her legs up underneath herself and cuddled closer to him, smiling. “How sad is it that we finally get a day off together when we don't have family to care for... and we can't think of a single thing to do with it?”

“I'm just not going to answer that.” They shared a laugh and then sat in silence a while, just enjoying one another's company, before Crutchy smiled and said, “You know, we're going to be an honorary aunt and uncle.”

Elise grinned. “That we are,” she said, laying a hand on his chest. “Imagine that... Skittery and Penny as parents.”

“It'll be somethin' to see, alright.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I can't wait to see how Skittery deals with a baby.”

“He'll be fine, I think. I mean, I'm sure he'll be awkward and nervous, but so were you.” She looked up at him, smirking.

Crutchy rolled his eyes. “You're mean.”

She laughed and patted his chest. “And yet, you still love me.”

“For some reason, yeah.” Elise scowled at him and he chuckled, kissing her head. “Long as you love me, too.”

“Of course. I'm not sure why I do, though.”

Crutchy laughed as he gave Elise a little squeeze and smoothed her hair down. “Hey, darlin'?”

“Yes?”

“You ever think about havin' another baby?”

Elise laughed. “Dear, I'm Irish. My only purpose in life is to cook and clean and have babies.” She smiled and shook her head. “I figure, I'd like to wait until we get a place of our own and until Killian's old enough to help you out at the deli now and then. But if it happens between now and that point... well, I'm sure we'll manage.”

Crutchy nodded. “Well... you wanna practice makin' one?”

Elise blushed. “Now?”

He grinned. “Yeah.”

“It's not even noon!” Her face was bright red.

“Your point being?”

Elise giggled, still blushing, and stood up. “I'll meet you in our room in five minutes.”

--

Jude Rosenberg walked into the house with his wife, son, and grandson in tow. He kicked his shoes off, sighing contentedly. He was thoroughly exhausted, but it had definitely been a rewarding day.

“Jacob?” He called as he walked into the living room. “Elise? Are you home?”

Crutchy and Elise came out of their room, sleepy-eyed.

“Did you two sleep all day?” Jude asked, laughing.

“We were just napping,” Crutchy said, stifling a yawn. “Have a good time at the deli?”

“Yes,” Jude nodded. “Actually, someone came in looking for the two of you. Said he was an old family friend of Elise's.”

Elise's eyebrows knitted together. “What was his name?”

Jude thought for a moment. “You know, I don't think he even gave me a name.” He shrugged. “He was pretty memorable, though. Older gentleman, let's see... he had blue eyes, dark hair, wore this beat-up old bowler hat. He, uh... oh, he had an accent. Irish, I think, like yours, Elise.”

Elise stared at Jude for a moment, then looked at Crutchy.

“Who is this guy?” Crutchy looked at his wife, scratching his head.

“I don't know,” Elise said, “but he's starting to make me nervous.”

“Mama!” Killian squealed excitedly as he came running up to Elise with Michael. “Me an' Michael found a big slug!” He grinned brightly. “I mean, it's really big! Come see it!”

Killian grabbed his mother's hand and pulled her outside, providing yet another sweet distraction.