Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Here comes the past
Weeks passed, and it was Bring Your Kids to Work Day. Nicole was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement, her tiny hand firmly clasped in Noelle's as they walked together.
"Mommy, Mommy! I can't wait! We're gonna have so much fun, and I get to eat all the whipped cream and pastries!" Nicole squealed, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Noelle chuckled, squeezing her daughter's hand gently. "You know, sweetheart, it's not just about the treats," she said, teasingly raising an eyebrow. "There's also a lot of work to do."
Nicole shook her head vigorously, her pigtails bouncing with her movements. "No, Mommy! It's all about the treats!" she insisted, her tiny voice filled with playful defiance. The way she tried to defend her love for sweets in her adorable, barely audible words made Noelle smile. She felt a surge of warmth in her chest.
"Are you ready for all the fun, Nicole?" Noelle asked, her heart swelling with pride as she watched her daughter's excitement.
"Yeah! And I'm gonna be the best manager ever!" Nicole declared, her chest puffed out with confidence. "I'll make sure everyone gets extra treats!"
"That's the spirit! Just remember, being a manager means you have to make sure everyone shares," Noelle replied, ruffling Nicole's hair affectionately.
As they approached the café, Noelle's stomach fluttered with nerves. She wanted today to be special for Nicole and was determined to make it a memorable experience. They finally arrived at the café, and Noelle opened the door, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods welcoming them inside. She greeted her colleagues, who all smiled and waved at Nicole, embracing her with open arms.
"Hey, Noelle! And look who we have here!" Sandy called out, her tough demeanor softened by a playful grin. Sandy had always been a little sarcastic but had a heart of gold, especially when it came to Nicole. "Is that our little pastry chef in training?"
"Yep! She's ready to take over the world, one whipped cream topping at a time!" Noelle replied, laughing as Nicole beamed at the attention.
"Just make sure she doesn't do what Robby did last time he babysat," Sandy teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I heard it didn't end well."
Robby, who had been standing nearby, shrugged with mock innocence. "Hey! That wasn't my fault. Little Jake just decided that finger painting was more fun with the crayons than on paper."
"Oh, right," Sandy said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Because nothing says 'responsible babysitter' like a colorful wall mural!"
"Hey, it looked great!" Robby defended, grinning widely. "It just added character to the house."
"Character? More like a giant mess!" Sandy shot back, and they all burst into laughter.
With the chatter and laughter filling the temporarily empty café, Noelle led Nicole to the back, where a separate room had been set up for the kids. Other children were already there, playing with toys and indulging in treats. The open space was decorated with colorful streamers, and the smell of donuts wafted through the air, making Noelle feel giddy with nostalgia.
"Look, Mommy! There are so many donuts!" Nicole exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight as she spotted the treats spread across the table.
"Yes, and you can have as many as you want. Just remember to share with your friends, okay?" Noelle said, leaning down to meet her daughter's gaze.
"Okay! But I'll be the one in charge!" Nicole replied with a determined nod.
As she settled Nicole among the other kids, Noelle took a moment to appreciate how far she had come since her days in the forest.
Who would have believed it?
She not only survived but blossomed.
She watched her daughter interact with the other children, laughter filling the air. It was moments like this that made her realize just how much she had grown.
With a smile on her face, Noelle turned to Sandy and Robby. "It feels good to be here, doesn't it? I never thought I'd have a day like this," she said, her heart swelling with gratitude.
"Absolutely! You deserve this," Sandy replied, giving Noelle a reassuring pat on the back. "And so does that little munchkin. She's a star in the making."
Noelle blushed at the compliment. "I just hope she doesn't get too carried away with the treats."
"Too late for that," Robby said, chuckling as he watched Nicole pile whipped cream onto her donut. "But who could blame her? Kids live for this stuff."
They spent the next hour chatting and playing with the kids, sharing stories and laughter. Robby's son joined in the fun, running around and making silly faces to make the little ones giggle. Noelle felt a warmth spread through her as she watched her daughter interact with the other kids, happy and carefree.
As the morning progressed, Noelle found herself pulled in different directions. She was busy pouring coffee, serving pastries, and juggling customers while keeping an eye on Nicole. One customer, a handsome man with dark hair and an easy smile, leaned against the counter, looking her way.
"Excuse me," he said, flashing a grin. "Do you have a name, or can I just call you mine?"
Sandy, who was nearby, burst out in a supressed laughter. "Oh boy, here we go again! You're not gonna fall for that, are you, Noelle?" she whispered.
Noelle rolled her eyes, a smile creeping onto her face despite herself. "Not even in a million years," she replied, trying to sound firm but knowing her cheeks were turning a little pink.
"You can call me, stranger who's making your coffee." She responded to the man before walking away, ignoring his little pleas for a better response.
"Seriously, Noelle," Sandy continued after the man left, still chuckling. "You should try dating! I mean, it wouldn't kill you to have a little fun. You're too cute to be single!"
"No, thanks," Noelle said, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm too busy with work and Nicole. I don't have time for all that."
"Busy? You mean too picky," Sandy shot back with a wink. "I know plenty of great guys who would love a chance with you. Like Robby here—"
"Please," Robby interjected, feigning horror. "I'm way too busy being a dad. I can't be a wingman right now!"
Sandy laughed again. "Well, that's true! You're barely keeping up with your own kid. The last time you had him alone, I think you nearly lost him in the park!"
"Hey, I found him!" Robby protested, putting his hands on his hips. "And I made it back with ice cream for everyone. It was a successful mission!"
"Successful? If losing your son in a park is successful, I don't want to know what failure looks like," Sandy quipped, and they all burst into laughter.
After some more lighthearted banter and ignoring the chemistry between the two, Noelle got back to work, occasionally checking on Nicole in the play area. The sound of happy giggles and the sight of her daughter playing filled her with joy, but the unease she had brushed aside earlier began creeping back.
"Hey, Noelle! You've got a minute?" a regular customer, Mrs. Harris, called out as she approached the counter.
"Of course, Mrs. Harris! What can I get for you?" Noelle asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
"I just wanted to say how lovely it is to see you and your daughter together. She's such a sweet girl," Mrs. Harris said, her smile warm and genuine.
"Thank you! She means the world to me," Noelle replied, feeling a rush of pride.
"And you're doing an amazing job, really. I remember when you first started here; you were so shy. Look at you now, thriving," Mrs. Harris continued, beaming.
"Thank you, that means a lot. I've come a long way," Noelle said, her voice softening with emotion. "I'm just trying to be the best mom I can be."
"Believe me, you're doing great. Just keep that lovely spirit, and you'll do just fine," Mrs. Harris said before heading off to grab her coffee.
Noelle smiled after her, feeling encouraged, Mrs Harris always does that when she came and it always boosted her mural. As she finished her shift, the café buzzed with laughter and excitement. But as the clock ticked closer to closing time, the feeling of impending tension hung in the air.
Just as she was about to check the time, the door swung open, and a shrill voice pierced the cheerful atmosphere. "I could literally kill for a good coffee right now!"
Noelle's heart sank. She recognized that voice all too well. As she turned to face the source, her breath caught in her throat. There stood her foster sister, Bethany, but that wasn't the worst of it. Right behind her, stepping into the café with an air of confidence, was…
"Oh…heavens.."
Micky.
The blood drained from Noelle's face.