Disclaimer: I don't own H20: Just Add Water or its characters.

A Promotion And A Death

It was another busy evening at the JuiceNet Café. The weather was beautiful in Gold Coast and the café was crowded with people. Because school was out until late August, Wilfred had all his staff at his disposal. Emma was the employee with the most seniority, having been there for nearly two years.

Except for Wilfred, they were three employees on duty. There was Emma of course, Amber was there too, and a guy named Tom. Wilfred was pleased how his employees worked well together, but he was particularly impressed by Emma. Ever since she started working at the café, she had been nothing less than stellar at her job. She always arrived early, worked hard, and been reliable. And furthermore, she was good to motivate her coworkers too. The truth is that she was giving everything she had at work to forget her grandmother's cancer, about which she found out a few months ago. Her grandma was really sick and the doctors were very pessimistic about her health.

''Emma, may I talk to you in the cool room?'' asked Wilfred.

''Yes, of course.''

Wilfred walked towards the cool room and opened the door. Emma followed her boss and closed the door behind her.

''Is something wrong, Wilfred?'' asked Emma.

''Not at all. In fact, I want to tell you I'm very proud of all the hard work you've been doing, Emma. You're an inspiration for your coworkers and it's good to know that I can rely on you anytime. But more importantly, you're a team player, and that's what we are here, a team.

''Well, I love my job here and I'm doing my best everyday. I'm not perfect, but I do the best I can,'' said Emma.

''Yeah. You've also been working here for nearly two years now and that means your're loyal. I decided to give you more responsibilities. What would you say if I give you a supervisor position? You would be the one in charge when I won't be here. Are you up for this challenge?''

''Of course I am! I've been waiting for this promotion for so long Wilfred!'' exclaimed Emma, really happy.

''Alright then. I will announce your promotion to the staff after closing time.''

''Ok. Thanks Wilfred! You really made my day!''

Emma exited the cool room and went back behind the counter. It was hard for her not to scream in joy. She had been working so hard to get this promotion and now her dream had come true! She felt like being on heaven.

Cleo, Rikki and Lewis were sitting at a table and noticed her happy mood.

''Hey Emma, what's with the big smile?'' asked Cleo, while Emma went to serve customers.

''I just got a good news. I can't tell you what exactly right now, but wait for me after closing time and I will tell you everything.''

''Okay.''

The café closed that evening at 9 pm, like it did every evening. There was some clean up to do, so they finished around 9:30 pm. After they were done, Wilfred called a staff meeting.

''Okay everybody, I have two announcements to make, said Wilfred. First, I'm very proud to tell you that Emma has been promoted to a supervisor position.''

Amber and Tom clapped their hands to congratulate her. They knew it was logical for Emma to get promoted because of all the hard work she had been doing.

''I'm confident that I made the right decision in promoting Emma and I know she will be a good supervisor. Second, I wanted to announce that in a year or so I'll be retiring. I've been here for several years and I would like to spend time with my wife and kids. Currently I'm looking for investors to buy the café, so I could prepare the transition. Well, that's all for now. Good evening everybody.''

They all went to change into their casual clothes and exited the Café. Cleo, Rikki and Lewis were waiting outside for Emma.

''So Emma, what's the big news?'' asked Lewis.

''I got promoted to a supervisor position!'' announced Emma.

''Hey, that's great! Congratulations Emma!'' said Cleo.

They all hugged her to show how they were happy for her.

''Oh and Wilfred said he will retire in a year,'' said Emma. ''He wants to spend more time with his family.''

''Well, I understand him. He's been managing the JuiceNet for a long time. The question is, what will happen to the café after he retires.'' said Lewis.

''He told us that he's currently looking for investors that would be interested in buying the café. That way, that would give him a chance to prepare the transition.'' said Emma.

''Interesting. I know somebody who may be interested in that opportunity. See you tomorrow guys.'' said Rikki.

''Bye.'' said Emma, Cleo and Lewis in unison.

''Hey Emma, I know you don't like to talk about that, but how is your grandmother?'' asked Cleo. ''Is she feeling better?''

''Unfortunately, no. She's still in hospital and the doctors are very pessimistic about her chances to get better.''

''It really sucks.''

''Yeah.''

They arrived at Emma's house and came in. Emma knew instantly something was wrong when she saw the look and her parents and brother's faces. They were all in the living room, looking very sad.

''Emma, I'm glad you're here. Come and sit down, I have some bad news,'' said her dad, Neil Gilbert. He saw Cleo and Lewis and encouraged them too to come in the living room.

''Dad, what's wrong? You're starting to freak me out'' said Emma, while she sat on a couch with Cleo and Lewis on each side of her.

''It's about grandma. She died from cancer today. Your aunt Lyn just called a few minutes ago to tell us.''

All the happiness Emma felt when Wilfred told her she was promoted immediately vanished and was replaced by sadness. Emma burst in tears and fell in Cleo's arms. This can't be happening! Please tell me it's not true, that she will be okay! I don't want to lose her! But deep inside her, she knew it was just a matter of time before her grandmother would pass away. Her health had been deteriorating constantly, and she was 85 years old.

As she was crying in Cleo's arms, Emma felt Lewis' hand on her shoulder. He knew how it felt to lose a loved one, his grandfather died in last November of lung cancer. He had been struggling to come to terms with that, so he understood Emma's reaction. After all, she had been very close to her grandmother ever since she was young. The blonde girl heard her mom and Elliot crying and her father was having a hard time to hold his tears.

Neil Gilbert walked towards his daughter and talked to her softly.

''At least, she won't suffer anymore.'' he said.

''It's so unfair! There was still a lot of things I would have tell her,'' said Emma.

''I know, honey. But there is nothing we can do.''

''Alright, I think we'll leave you in family,'' said Lewis.

''Thanks, we appreciate that.'' said Neil Gilbert.

Cleo and Lewis offered their sympathies to the Gilberts and hugged Emma again before leaving.

''Emma, feel free to call one of us anytime,'' said Cleo.

''Our cell phones will be on all night, so don't hesitate,'' added Lewis.

''Okay, thanks guys.''

They left the Gilberts household on that sad note.

Meanwhile, unaware about the death of Emma's grandmother, Rikki was at Zane's place.

''So you're telling me that Wilfred is looking for investors to buy the JuiceNet?'' asked Zane.

''Yup. Sounds like a good opportunity for you, don't you think?''

''Wrong. It's a good opportunity for us, Rikki.''

''What do you mean?''

''I mean that I want you to be my business partner and buy the JuiceNet with me.'' said Zane.

''But Zane, I have no money to invest in the JuiceNet! My dad is really struggling with money, remember?''

''Don't worry about money, Rikki! We'll take my money to buy the JuiceNet! Tomorrow we'll talk to Wilfred and make him a purchase offer for the café. If he accepts, we could learn the business with him until his retirement, and after that, we would be the new owners.''

''Ok, I'm in.''

''Good.'' said Zane with a smile.