As everyone made their way to the kitchen--each individual smiled as they knew of what happened. The kettle on the stove screamed as it notified the older woman it was ready. She carefully grabbed the hot object and poured the steaming water into a mug. The woman then grabbed a metal steeper and some if her go to loose tea. As she made herself a cup of rose tea, Hank made his way around the counter to grab his cup of coffee.

He then stood beside the woman and faced the two lovebirds sitting across from them in barstools. Erika avoided eye contact with the old man while Connor sat there in silence with his perfect posture.

"Nice morning isn't it, a good start for a potentially great day", Natalie smiled as her focus on her tea moved to the two young adults that sat before her. Her mother's intuition set off that morning when she woke up and went to check on Erika, but arrived to see her dancing happily with Connor. The woman smiled at the event that occurred minutes prior to present time. She smiled at the thought of a complete family, and pushed forward with her motherly plans.

"So you two are heading to the station after breakfast?", Natalie questioned the two partners as she took a sip of her tea. Erika moved from her seat to the stovetop to grab some of the breakfast her mother made.

"Yeah, need to review some new evidence and more paperwork", Hank let out a sarcastic tone when he spoke the last word of his sentence. Natalie laughed and patted the old man's back in response.

"Hmm, maybe Erika can stop by and bring some coffee for the station", the older woman suggested as she was unaware of the fact her daughter was now a "rookie" detective with the two partners--this gave Erika a reason to be out of the apartment without a reason to be.

"Just like the good ol' days, huh Hank", the older woman nudged the police lieutenant on the side as it was a daily errand done between the two friends.

"Yeah", Hank took a swing of his coffee as he remembered the good old days and what it meant to him. He looked off to the side as there were things in the past that could resurface, especially for Erika as this investigation included the past three years of her life.

"So, just all black coffee? The usual?", Erika fed into the excuse to make it seem genuine. Her mother took the bait and nodded as Hank replied.

"With some creamer and a latte or two", He added in as he truly missed having the cafe's coffee at work, it made him more productive as compared to the bitter crap they currently drank.

"Hmm, for Ben and Jeffery?", the young woman chimed as these were the usual suspects that specifically ordered lattes. Detective Ben, was a given for his friendly demeanor with neutral coworkers was always prominent. He was never seen as a bad guy, just a man carrying out his duty as a police detective. On the other hand, Jeffery Fowler, the police captain, who is viewed as stern man had a soft side for Erika. He's seen her grow up from a child to woman. So by ordering a latte was his way of having a piece of happiness.

"Who else would order that fancy stuff", Hank noted as it had been a while since they have ordered it, but he knew that this was true.

"Alright, I'll go get changed and head on down to fix up some travelers and those two lattes", Erika finished up her meal and downed her glass if water before leaving her mother and the detectives alone in the kitchen.

Connor looked her way as she parted--giving Natalie a chance to question the android.

"Did something happen Connor?", she asked him a simple question to answer. He turned to the woman with a sheepish look for he was hesitant to say in the presence of Hank in the room.

"Something did happen", Hank answered for his partner as he let out a smirk, but this was obstructed by the old man taking another swing of his coffee.

"What exactly happened?", Erika's mother leaned in as she wanted to know the cause for her daughter's pep in her step.

"I told her she was cared for", Connor answered in a way that was vague, he did not want to appear deviant, for having feelings for Erika made him one in the inside.

"Hmmm, judging by how she acted and held herself, it was much more than that", the older woman looked at the android with motherly eyes as she was just looking out for her daughter, even if it may seem that she was snooping rather than looking out.

"We had an intimate moment", Connor replied with a blank face.

"You did?", Erika's mother gave him a wide smile as this could have meant numerous things.  

"A couple times actually", Hank let out a sigh as he finished his coffee and left for the first bedroom to get ready--leaving Connor to fend for himself from Natalie's questions.

"Hmmm, now that dad is gone, did you tell her?", Erika's mother asked from across the counter.

"Y-yes", Connor was timid when around the strong woman for he was slightly scared of what his words could cause. This woman was Erika's mother, she's the one that knows the young woman best, and that even involves knowing who's the best for the young woman. Connor was unsure if he was good for Erika since he was just a machine that could surpass her lifespan. The worry that Erika felt was now present in Connor. Natalie saw his mood change and restarted the conversation.

"You know Connor, after what I saw this morning", the android popped his head right back up at the woman as she mentioned their intimate moment, but the question was which one?

"I saw you hold Erika and tell her you cared for her early this morning, it was genuine", the mother smiled in a loving way as she enjoyed the sight of her daughter happy," she needs you, I know that much, so don't stray from her"

Connor nodded at the older woman's request. He was going to thank her, but was interuppted by the sound of footsteps entering the room. There stood Erika in a slightly nicer outfit, coordinated for an office job. She wore a periwinkle dress shirt and some dark wash jeans accompanied with her footwear from the day before. Her hair was up in a bun which showed her dainty piercings. Connor never realised she had these accessories and gave her a surprised look.

"What were you two talking about?", Erika made her way to Connor and her mother to grab the cafe keys on the counter," it was about me wasn't it"

"No", Her mother lied on the sly," just how the investigation is going"

Erika gave her mother a suspisous nod and walked away from the two. She turned around and looked at Connor, who in return looked back.

"Well are you gonna wait for Hank, or do you want to come on down with me?", she asked the android. He did not hesitate to follow to woman and headed out of the apartment with her. Natalie smiled as the two left and a couple moments later hank emerged from the hallway in his clothes from the day before and said his goodbye. The older woman walked him out and hugged her friend goodbye.

"Now be careful, we can't lose you too", Natalie looked at the lieutenant with worried eyes.

"You won't, she needs me as much as you do", Hank pulled the woman into one last hug before giving her a friendly peck on the forehead. Natalie nodded as she closed the door and the lieutenant made his way downstairs to the car.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Another chapter!! So what's going on with Hank and Natalie? Is an old flame being rekindled or is it just my imagination??? Whatever it is the "parents" know about them now. Please leave comments on anything as they make my day. I'm getting more sleep for those that were worried and I'm not letting the numbers get to me. Thank you again for the support! 😄😄😄

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