"Are you sure?" she continued, "I can look for somewhere else to sit if it is causing you discomfort..."

"No. no not at all" he answered quickly, surprised at how loudly he had spoken the words, "I am sorry...I did not mean to be so loud. I am so sorry."

He watched on as she frantically rocked the toddler gently, muttering sweet nothings into her ears to shush the cries from breaking out and lull her back to sleep.

"I am sorry I woke her up" he offered again, feeling guilty at his impulsiveness, "Is there any way I can help?"

"That's okay. She was not fully asleep yet. I am learning now how long kids can take to doze off" She answered with, a soft laugh tingling her voice, "And just how much effort the adults also have to give in this regard."

"I can see that" he replied politely, trying to keep his talkative tongue from asking too many curious questions, "What's her name?"

"We call her Ava!" she said in a hushed voice leaning a little closer so that she may be heard, a fond smile lighting her face.

"That's a sweet name" he mumbled in response, leaning his forward slightly as well so as not to make her suspicious although his honed senses made it no difficult for him to hear her low voice, "You know my Aunt has an old high school friend who had a pet hamster whose name was Ava as well. We attended the pet's funeral when I was ten- "

He paused, his eyes widening impulsively at what he had blurted.

"I am sorry, that was a lame thing to say. I am so sorry" he said rapidly, "I really did not imply anything else. It was a memory. You baby sister Ava is beautiful."

He turned his gaze to the ground, waiting for a sharp rebuke or an angry retort but instead gentle laughter greeted his ears. It was his turn to look up at her surprised, her eyes exuded merriment while her auburn hair brushed against her rose tinted cheeks.

"That's alright. It would be silly to get upset over what you said when it was simply the first thing you remembered with the name and apparently it was a memory close to your heart so it is natural. Chill about it."

He did not miss the protective hand she had over ava's ear as she uttered the reassurance always ensuring to keep her voice consciously low. He felt himself relax gradually, she did not seem easily provoked and her mannerisms were caring.

"So what is you name?" he began cautiously after a while, "I am Peter by the way. Peter Parker."

"You can call me Lena or Leane, that's what everyone calls me."

Peter did not push her more, knowing too well the importance of personal space and privacy. He wondered if he should give out his hand to shake but she solved the problem herself by maneuvering her hand to him, shifting the toddler's weight carefully to her left hand.

"Nice to meet you Peter" she said giving him a bright smile, "so you live here, in the city?"

"Yes I do" he replied promptly, trying not to look too long at her hand which was so small against his, "Have lived here all my life as far as I can remember. You are new?"

"Yes we moved in two weeks back. We are still in the process of settling down. The city seems vibrant"

"Indeed it is! I am sure you will love it. There is always something or the other happening" he continued excitedly only a tad bit disappointed once she took back her hand, "And there are loads of places to see! Where are you from? You did not say."

Now the silence that followed, albeit a short one was not what he had expected, starting to mentally curse himself for being too prying, already forming a quick apology as the rosy cheeked girl before him kept sitting, her blue eyes unwaveringly looking on at a fountain nearby.