Kate had picked an Italian restaurant for dinner, and Louis and Cadenza were happy to oblige, no matter what the cost. It was the nicest one in town, they had heard, the Marchesi Grille, and they were said to serve a superb pizza, along with some delicious pastas as well. The adults' stomachs rumbled with hunger as they came up to the entrance, especially Louis'. He'd happily shared most of his ice cream with Kate.

The aromas filtering out of the red-stone building made their tummies grumble all the more as a snobbish-looking host dressed in a fine suit came out to greet them.

"Table for three, Signor?" he asked Louis, raising an eyebrow when he looked over the minstrel's simple attire. Louis shifted a little under his gaze, holding Kate and trying to look like the expression didn't offend him.

"Per noi, sì, tre, Signor," Cadenza cut in, giving the man a smirk.

His slightly smug air dropped for a moment at that as he blinked and nodded. "O-of course." He bowed slightly at the waist, and began to lead them inside, swallowing a little nervously as he walked. He could feel Cadenza's glare on the back of his neck. Rather than stopping them at the desk to pencil in their names and have them wait, he picked up three menus, and took them directly to a table.

"Your table, Signor and Signorinas," he bowed again, pulling out chairs for both Kate and Cadenza, and placing the two adult menus and one children's menu on the table before their places.

"Grazie," Cadenza answered with a smile, picking up Kate and gently setting her down in her polished-cherrywood chair. Louis helped her tie a napkin around her neck like a bib as they all glanced around the beautiful restaurant, taking in the cheerful, but quiet music, the happy murmur of families, and the delicious smells of food.

"You picked a good place, honey," Louis told her with a smile. He leaned over and began to help her read through the menu.

"I want... want this one..." she said, leading her finger along under the word, "spah-get... spah-get-ti...!"

"Good choice!" Cadenza complimented, clapping for her success at reading the word all by herself. "Our daughter is so smart, it's no wonder she aced the test," she gave her a little wink that made the girl beam proudly.

"I think I'll have the same," Louis said, waving over the waiter as he softly ruffled Kate's hair. The man took down their orders, two dishes of spaghetti and one plate of mezzalunas with tomato cream sauce, and three glasses of lemonade, and went into the kitchen, leaving the family alone to enjoy each other's company.

Cadenza glanced around the restaurant at all the families seated around their tables, and thought of how lucky she was.