Introduction:
There I sat at the computer again. Staring at the screen like a zombie trying to figure out calculus. It never failed when I wanted to sleep I couldn't but when I didn't want to sleep I couldn't keep my eyes open. So here I sat doing nothing really. Just watching some mind numbing viral video on the internet. With a sigh, I turned to look at the clock again. Shit, work started in about 3 hours. Maybe it wouldn't hurt if I was late opening up shop. It was my own place, I should be able to decide the hours if I really wanted to. However, I knew the regulars would be waiting for me.
I pushed my chair back from the desk hitting the power button on my monitor and shutting down the computer. I reached down and petted Booger on behind the ears disturbing his nap.
"Well fine at least one of us can sleep." I grumbled to the black lab laying on the floor. "Go back to chasing the cat or bunny or what ever you were dreaming about."
Booger laid his head back down on the floor with a "humph" directed at me I assumed. I continued to get ready for work. There was no use going back to bed now, even though I could hear it screaming at me to lay beneath the silky satin of my sheets.
I grabbed my giant beach towel I'd gotten from my last cruise with my best friend Sadie and continued to step into my shower. The warm water felt good against my skin. I smiled as the water dripped down my back and landed with little plinks against the tile floor. After several minutes of pure bliss I finally got back to what I was doing and made quick work of my shower. Wrapping up in my towel I went down to my kitchen to start some coffee. I would never make it through the day with out a nice strong cup.
Half way down my steps I caught a blissful scent of coffee. Bliss turned to alarm as I realized that I wasn't alone in my home. Looking down at my pale skin against the bright green of the towel my cheeks flushed. Here I was with the possibility of a stranger in my home and I was concerned about being seen in a towel that was definitely big enough to cover ever bit of me.
I rushed silently back up into my room and quickly threw on the first sun dress I could find. Figuring one article of clothing would be quicker and more efficient than to find an outfit. Plus it was probably a good 80 degrees out side today. Dressed, I grabbed my giant flashlight from my night stand and proceeded down the stairs cautiously.
As I made my way to the kitchen I caught a wiff of Strawberry Sauce and ....no it couldn't be. As I stood in the kitchen door way I stopped. The flashlight fell to the floor with a loud thud. Booger sat at his feet wagging his tail. Apparently he figured out who it was long before I did. A soft purring drew my attention and I noticed my Ash was curled up in the window seal. He'd come back.
Break
I stood there, my jaw sagging open, watching him gracefully turn over crepes like he used to do every Sunday morning. He paused as if knowing that I was watching him, then turned around and smiled. I, however, continued to stand there gawking like and idiot.
"Keria!" He rushed over and hugged me tightly. "You're just in time. Go sit down I'll make you up a plate and a cup."
Still unable to speak I moved slowly to my dinning room table and sat down with a plop. Booger came and laid down at my feet like he always did. He knew when there would be food on the table. James brought me food and sat it down in front of me. The fresh smell of the crepes seemed to sap me out of what ever shock I was in. I looked down and took a deep breath. Oh how I'd missed his crepes with Strawberry goodness in side smothered with whipped cream on top. One bite could send you into a sugary coma.
"When did you make it back in? I never heard you." I said finally to him as he sat down with his own plate and cup of coffee.
His brilliant ear to ear smile appeared across his face that looked much like my own only more chiseled and more defined. "I'm a sneaky rogue remember?" He laughed a warm laughed that I'd missed so much since he'd been away.
"How was Oxford?" I asked still curious as to why he'd come back. Our parents were dead now and it was just him and me. There was no real reason for him to come back anymore. We were close but he truly hated it here in this small town. He'd gone over seas to better himself and to get out of here for good.
"Fantastic." He replied with his mouth full of strawberry goodness. "I graduated and was given a job at one of the top firms in London."
"That's fantastic but you didn't have to fly all the way out here just to tell me that." I said sweetly. I looked at him now. He looked so much like our father now. He'd grown up so much in the last eight years.
"Yeah I konw." He said simply enough. I knew better. My brother was up to something. "How's mom's shop? Business booming?"
"Yeah. Last semester brought in a new bunch of regulars. I'm known for the best coffee around town up at the college." My little book store wasn't big but I carried what was in demand and had plenty of comfy chairs for reading. I also sold fresh coffee and pastry delights that I made my self. "Care to join me today?"
"I think that can be arranged." He smiled at me as he finished off the last bite on his plate. I looked up when I heard the sound of my downstairs bathroom door close. She was beautiful. Tall and slender with dark brown hair and green eyes. She looked surprised to walk in and see me and James sitting at the kitchen table, plates empty, sipping on coffee. James smiled at her and nodded to her. The woman gracefully walked over and sat next to him.
"'Ello." She said with a friendly smile.
I blinked then looked from her to my brother. "Hello."
"Uh, Kiera this is Maggie. That's why I, I mean we, came back here. I've asked her to marry me." He smiled at me with the same smile that no longer belonged to my baby brother but to the man he'd become. He wrapped his arm around the girl and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
Shock rang through my body which was followed by pure excitement. "Congrats!" I almost yelled at the two of them. I rushed to Maggie and gave her a very sisterly hug. "When?" I asked looking at my brother hoping for more details than I would probably get.
He laughed again. "I proposed on the way over here."
It was Maggie's turn now. "I almost didn't believe it. He waited 10 hours into our flight." She looked exhausted now.
I laughed. "Yup thats James for ya. You look exhausted. Now that all the introductions are done why don't I show you to my guest room." And with that I showed her to James' old room.
After getting her settled I made my way back to James who was still nursing his coffee at the table in the kitchen. I sat back down still grinning from the news. "I'm so happy for you James. I hope she's all that she appears." I wasn't sure why I'd stated that warning. It sounded weird as the words fell from my mouth. Maybe it was internal foreshadowing for what was to come. But that's another story. This was just the introduction, and for now the end.
Again, I may continue later....but for now I think thats it. I'll move on to the next theme. :)
