Human nature was such a fickle beast.  Elijah thought it more so after Gwen explained the situation with Paul.  It was one thing for Madelyn to leave the way in which she did, not to mention the timing.  But her spouse had two wives and a pair of families?  He’d seen no traces of cheating from Madelyn, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t doing it anyway behind his back.  She at least had the good graces to say goodbye, a tiny consolation at that.  Often wondering if she’d left him for someone else following her departure, at this stage, he didn’t care at all.  His only focus was Rosalie.  Which might also explain why dating or relationships weren’t at or near the top of his to-do list.<br/><br/>Gwen’s hand on his and he almost returned the gesture at her recounting about Paul.  Almost.  He wasn’t usually so touchy-feely with someone he’d just met, never mind how nice and attractive she was.  He did, however, appreciate her attempt at consoling him through touch.  Human nature and all that.<br/><br/>Elijah imagined it must have been quite horrible to have to endure the worry and uncertainty of a missing loved one’s well-being.  A police hunt, missing persons, plea on TV.  In other words, the works, he thought.  And for what?  All for someone who decided to return to his other life, his other wife and family.  It was painfully obvious as to who was Paul’s priority, though he did wonder if Gwen and Toby were ever his #1.<br/><br/>Liz returned with the kids, who were both excitable about the various items now in their possession.  All, if not most, of it was of course meant to steal their attention away from their adult companions.  Elijah was always grateful about that part, though he saw no chance of behavior problems with Toby and Rosalie.<br/><br/>He was impressed with what her son ordered to eat, and quietly wondered about Gwen’s salad.  Rosalie ordered her usual of a child’s sized pepperoni pizza, with a slice of cherry pie for her dessert.  Elijah suspected she went for the pie mainly due to the whipped cream that accompanied it, not so much the pie, though she always ate the entire slice.  And if he wasn’t watching her like a hawk would a jackrabbit, she’d attempt to lick the plate, too.  An Italian submarine sandwich was his menu item of the day.  He knew of much better pizza joints than what Gonzo had to offer.<br/><br/>“No, we’re not going to argue about the bill,” he replied, and left it at that.  Gwen did, however, inquire about a 50-50 split and that she should pay, which he conveniently failed to address.  Once their children started in on their desserts, Liz took that as a sign that they were done with any more ordering.  She skated over and as secretly agreed, slipped the bill to Elijah.<br/><br/>“Thanks again, Eli,” Liz said in her bubbly tone of voice.  “Always good to see you and Rosalie.  And nice to meet you, Toby and Gwen.  Hope we see you all again sometime.”  She tousled Toby’s hair and skated away to tend to another cabin.<br/><br/>Naturally, Gwen witnessed the entire exchange concerning the bill.  After returning Liz’s pleasantries, she looked at him as if his name was Judas, instead of Elijah.  Her expression was a combination of being put out, hurt and betrayed.  Still, there were no regrets from him, although an explanation was due for sure.<br/><br/>“Well, I did say we wouldn’t be arguing about the bill,” he stated with a weak smile.  Clearly, this wasn’t the right time for any attempts at humor.  While she continued to gaze upon him in stunned silence, he said, “Look, Gwen, this is nothing.”  Elijah waved the bill while also handing it back to Liz with his debit card.  “That’s the least I could do, and it has absolutely nothing to do with Toby accidentally blabbing about your finances.”<br/><br/>He shifted in his seat while he watched Rosalie watch him watching her.  With two of her fingers, she expertly cleaned her plate of any leftover cherry filling, smiling at him while doing so.  “See, one of my simple goals every day is to put a smile on Rose’s face.  The more I’m able to do this, the better.  Now, when someone else manages to put a smile on her face, that’s gold to me.”<br/><br/>Elijah retrieved the notebook that Gwen had made, which sat between him and his daughter.  Holding it up, he continued, “When I handed this to her and said that you’d made it and saw her beam with joy.”  Pausing, he placed the notebook on the table, which Rosalie immediately picked up to thumb through.  “And then your story about your name and her being a princess.  I noticed all of her smiles.  As if all of that wasn’t enough, you also sang with her to only one of her favorite songs.”<br/><br/>Balling his right hand into a fist, he thumped his left breast, right over his heart.  “All of that hit me here, and<i>that </i>is why I insisted on paying our bill.”