A/N: Hello! I'm back! Before we get into the story I just want to say a few words. So I've been a bad author these last few years with on again off again posts and a spazzy publishing schedule. I wish I could offer you all some type of explanation and the best I can do is: I get scared. I honestly get scared of publishing. The last few stories I wrote when I was 13 and didn't have a care in the world I just wrote and published without even thinking about it but now I'm 21 with real adult responsibilities and with that adult confusion on what I want to do. So I decided I want to write and I want to stick with writing. I know many of you won't read this lengthy authors note but I just wanted to apologize for my lack of communication and I want to do better. Starting with this story. Thank you to all of you who have read and supported my stories through the years and thank you to those who are reading this story now. I promise from the bottom of my heart I will do better. I have a lot of stories planned out including a 4 novel saga that is currently in the works. As for now I'm working on a updating schedule that works for me and will give it to you next Friday when chapter 2 hits. As for now thank you again, please leave a review and as always and I take great pleasure writing this -
Enjoy! :)
"I'll have a medium dark roast with two shots of vanilla and an extra shot"
"Yeah just a coffee"
"Can I have a triple mocha with whip, two shots espresso, extra hot, extra shots of vanilla, caramel and mocha; large please"
"Yeah can I have two large coffees and a Danish" and on and on it goes.
The coffee shop busy as ever, even on Christmas. Personally, I thought it was going to be busier.
As the morning rush ended with just a few stragglers, I stepped away from the counter and took a deep breath, just decompressing after so many interactions.
"Hey Alec!"
I turned and saw my sister coming in through the back carrying bags bigger then herself.
"Now before you say anything, let me say that they were having a huge Christmas sale and I bought two months' worth of coffee and everything for half the price! Catch was they wouldn't deliver it and the rest is in my car" She mumbled behind all the supplies
Taking the load, the strong aromas of cinnamon and coffee hit my nose and I set them down behind the counter with a big thump.
"Jane we really don't need all of this right now? I mean we don't usually buy stock until new year's, you got it three weeks too early." I said
"Well…. here's the thing, the reason they were having the sale is because our suppliers are kind of, sort of broke" She expressed, shrugging her shoulders.
"What!" I yelped "What do you mean broke!? I didn't get any notice from them or any communication that they were going bankrupt! How are we going to get new suppliers? Much less have stock for January? I can't believe this!" I felt like I couldn't breathe until Jane's hand on my shoulder shook me out of my panic.
"Alec, Alec listen to me! Everything's going to be fine! You didn't let me finish, they are broke but that's why they were bought out"
"What" I dumbly looked at my sister as she started to smile.
"Mills Farms was bought out by the Cullen company. They were having this sale because they are going to have new suppliers themselves. So instead of tossing out the merchandise I smooth talked Henry into cutting us a deal. We're basically good until September but only at half the cost to us. Pretty smart huh" She smiled smugly as I tried to process what she said.
"The Cullen's? Plus, how did you manage to get a deal from Henry anyway?"
"I slept with him"
Cringing I stepped away and took the bags to the pantry as she laughed behind me.
"Don't ask questions you don't want answers too!"
"Yeah but a little more tact will help. I don't want to know that stuff!"
"Whatever, oh hey can you keep watching the store today?"
"What, why?" I asked confused
"Cause, I have a date that's why" She smiled
"Oh, Janie come on, its Christmas, time for family and everything."
"Oh, Alec come on, we haven't properly celebrated Christmas since Dad died, besides we can spend post - Christmas tomorrow going to a restaurant or something"
Frowning, I sighed and nodded my head as she squealed and nearly knocked me over by her hug. "Thank you, Alec, you're the best brother ever!"
"Yeah, yeah whatever just be home by 8 please? You know what dad always said" Nodding she nearly ran to the door, barely grabbing her purse. "And tell Felix I still don't like him!"
Rolling her eyes, she was in her car before the door closed.
Sighing, I decided to clean up the shop a bit with Janes comments in my head. Have we not celebrated Christmas since dad? It's been three years. I mean I know the first year was hard and then Jane started school and I was struggling to manage the shop the last few years.
It was always dad's favorite holiday. He always said never spend Christmas alone and yet here I am. Well I suppose that's not totally true, Janie will be back for those last few hours.
Shaking my head, I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down; the shop is empty now and by this time no one is going to be out. I might as well close early.
Just as I was going to take a sip, I saw her out of the corner of my eye. She was small and looked confused and panicked. Not seeing anyone I went outside to investigate.
"Um, hello" I said keeping a short distance
"Hello" she smiled, showing a toothy grin. she couldn't have been more than ten years old and yet there was no one in sight. Sitting by herself.
Not knowing what to do I sat on the opposite side and asked "Um, where are your parents?"
"I don't know" She said easily
Puzzled I asked "are you allowed to be anywhere by yourself"
"Nope"
Bewildered, I stared as she turned to look at me and said "I'm not allowed to talk to strangers"
"That's a good rule but I'm sure your parents are looking for you"
"They probably are. I don't care. So that's why I'm going to keep talking to you. Cause they won't like it" Pouting she crossed her arms and slumped.
Surprised and a little shocked I said "Well, you probably still shouldn't talk to strangers. It can be dangerous"
"You don't look dangerous"
"Well I could be" At her startled reaction I paused and backtracked "b-but I'm not. Really, my name is Alec and I own that coffee shop across the street" Pointing she looked at old brick building and looked at me skeptical.
"How do I know your not making that up? You could be a cereal killer"
Amused I smiled "First of all I'm not a serial killer and second of all I can prove it to you." Taking out my keys I dangled them "I can give you some hot chocolate inside if you'd like."
"Really!" She brightened but I could tell she was a bit weary.
"Yeah but I need to contact your parents if you want it though"
"No way! I hate them!" She scowled as she scooted further away from me.
"Why"
"Because I do!"
"Well everyone has a reason. Besides, I bet that even if you hate them, they still love you"
"They wouldn't let me go with them to the hospital. That's why I hate them"
"I see" Frowning, I asked "Why did you want to go with them?"
"Because I wanted to see Jacob too! Its not fair! They never let me see him anymore and I want to see him!" She shouted and looked like she wanted to cry.
"Well, that's unfortunate, but your entitled to your feelings. You can hate them right now if you want."
"Really? Most people say I shouldn't hate them. Because its bad"
"Well I agree hating is bad but sometimes, when people are confused or hurt or just plain angry, they can sometimes mistake hating the person instead of hating the reason for it."
"Hmpf! Well I'm just mad at them then! I want to see Jacob and they won't let me!"
"Well see, there you go, you don't hate them your just angry at them for not seeing Jacob" I fumbled a bit with my words, but it seems I got her calmed down a bit. She was sniffling so I handed her some tissues from my pocket.
"Hey, you know if your still up for that hot chocolate you can wait there instead of out here in the cold"
"But you'll call my parents. Adults always do stuff like that"
"I'll give you my word that I won't call them behind your back and ill let you call them when your ready? Does that sound good?"
"Do you have those little marshmallows?" She mumbled
"Yes, I do, you can have as much as you like"
"Okay then!" She hopped off the bench and I led her to the door.
She sat down on the table with my cold cup of coffee as I got the hot chocolate ready.
"Can you add whip cream please?" She asked quietly
Smiling I nodded as I steamed the milk and mixed it together. I felt her eyes on me as I poured it into a cup and swirled the whip cream on top with as much marshmallows I could fit. Setting it down I sat across as she took a sip.
"So, uh whos Jacob?" I asked awkwardly.
"He's my best friend in the whole wide world!" She said smiling
"Ah, that's good" I said awkwardly
"You know, your really nice. My name is Claire by the way. Nice to meet you and thank you for the hot coco."
"Your welcome Claire." I smiled and asked "So Claire, I know your mad at your parents for not letting you see your friend. Did they tell you why?"
Scowling she said "Yeah because they said that I was too little to go into the room. That I could see him tomorrow, But I wanted to see him today. So, I ran away and was going to visit him myself"
"But the bus didn't show up and mama always said to stay where you are if you don't know where you are"
"Well those are wise rules to live by."
"You talk funny. You say a lot of big words"
Chuckling I replied "I supposed I do, don't I? My father always told me to keep up my vocabulary. My father always told me that words are important, they can hold a lot of power if used correctly"
"How do words have power?" she asked looking curious
"Well, words have a lot of power, they allow us to communicate. To talk and let others understand what we feel, how we think. Words let us express ourselves in a way that others understand us. Even those who we feel may not understand us."
"Like my parents" She mumbled
"Well, yes I suppose so. Do you feel they don't understand your reasoning to visit your friend?"
"Yeah"
"Can I ask you a question Claire" At her nod I continued "Do you think that maybe you didn't understand your parents into why they didn't let you go today? That you or they didn't use words correctly into understanding one another.
"I don't know" She mumbled, looking down at her cup
"Well if you don't know, you can always use your words to find out." Sliding my phone across the table she sighed. Taking it in her hands she started dialing before she stopped.
"Um, Alec? Could you talk to them for me?"
"Sure", pressing the call button it wasn't long before a frazzled female voiced answered.
"Hi, um my name is Alec and I found your daughter, Claire? She's in my shop right now if you want to come see her?"
"Oh, my goodness you found Claire! Oh my gosh thank you! Uh where is your shop?"
After giving her my address and another 10 minutes, a car pulled up and a woman came barreling into the shop taking Claire into her arms.
"Oh, my goodness Claire, I was so worried about you! Baby, what the hell? You know better than to run off like that! It's been three hours! And – "
"Bella, I'm sorry for running off. I'm sorry for not using my words correctly"
"Huh?" She looked puzzle and turned to me
"Alec said that words are powerful and if I can use them right then I can make you understand me"
"You told her that?" She looked confused and looked ready to talk before Claire interrupted.
"Alec told me that there must have been a reason you didn't want me to see Jacob today and instead of using my words I just ran away. I'm sorry I said I hated you too. Alec said that even though it's not good to hate, sometimes people get confused. That instead of hate their just mad and I was just mad at you." She sniffled and there were tears in her eyes as she hugged the woman. "I'm sorry!" She wailed, and the woman just rubbed her back and smoothed her hair.
Meanwhile I'm just here. Standing. Awkwardly.
"Claire I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't using my words either. I was worried sweetheart, that if you saw Jacob you might get upset."
"Because he got hurt?" She whimpered
"Yes, because he got hurt, he got hurt pretty badly. The motorcycle accident broke both his arms sweetie."
"I don't care, I still wanted to see him, he's my best friend"
"I know, I know and your right; words are powerful, and I should have listened more to you. I'm sorry for that Claire" She whispered
"It's okay" She whispered back
"Tell you what, I'll take you to the hospital and after we visit him you can help me serve dinner? Does that sound good?"
"Yes! Yes, thank you Bella!" Turning to me she ran over and gave me a hug. Not knowing what to do I awkwardly patted her on the back stiffly.
"Alec do you want to come eat dinner with us? It's going to be fun and we can talk more too!" She asked happily
"Oh, um, well, uh" Stammering I looked at the woman who was looking at me with a inquiring look and I just said "Maybe"
"yay! I hope you can come!" She smiled and went to drink the last of her hot coco, leaving me with the woman.
"Thank you for helping her." She said
"Uh, no problem really, she's a good kid and I didn't feel right about leaving her outside alone like that." I said rubbing my hair in awkwardness.
"Well that too but I mean, thank you for talking with her. She hasn't really spoken to anyone since Jacob's accident and I don't know how but you seem to have gotten through to her" She shrugged and looked at Claire.
"Uh, thanks, um I just figured she looked like she needed someone to talk too is all"
"Yeah, I'm sorry by the way for not introducing myself. My name is Bella Swan, I'm Claire's godmother" She shifted forward to shake my hand but tripped and fell into me instead.
"ummf" I exclaimed catching her and she blushed bright red.
"Oh, Im so sorry! I think I tripped on my shoe lace of all things! I'm sorry, I'm awfully clumsy" She said chuckling nervously as I stood us both upright.
Her face was so close to mine I could see her eyes had little specs of gold in them.
"It's okay, really." I said chuckling.
"Well now that I nearly knocked you over, we really should be going" She said fixing her jacket.
I blushed when I realized I was holding them up from their plans "Of course, sorry for keeping from your plans."
"Really you're not and thank you again for helping me find her." She smiled and turned to Claire "Ready?" She asked
"Ready!" She replied "Bye Alec, it was nice meeting you and I hope I see you at dinner!"
Oh right, that, I was too busy ogling her godmother I forgot.
"Yeah" I said half heartily
As I was leading them out and Claire was getting in the car, Bella turned to me suddenly and said nervously "Uh, well, if you're not doing anything for Christmas, Claire's invitation stands?"
"What" I asked
"To dinner, with us, it's not anything fancy and it's just a couple of friends and I understand if you wouldn't want to come since I'm a complete stranger to you, but you seemed to get along well with Claire and it's going to be fun and its only if you want too" She said quickly in one breath.
In that moment, I have no idea what I was thinking but I said "Sure"
"Great!" She exclaimed "Um yeah, so I can give you my number and text you the address? Say six o clock? Is that alright?" She said nervously, taking out her phone.
"Yeah, yeah sounds uh, sounds good. Um, let me give you my number then"
"Great, so we'll see you at my place? Six o clock?" She confirmed from her car, one foot in and one foot out.
"Yeah, I'll see you both at six!" I said smiling at her.
"Awesome, I'll see you then! Bye!" and with that she got in her car and drove away leaving me there dumbfounded. And cold.
"I think I have a date" I said to nobody.
And as I walked back into the shop I just realized what I had done. "Oh, shit I think I have a date"
Taking out my phone I texted Jane and went to the second story to get dressed. I scratched the little bit of scruff I had and decided I had better shave too.
I guess I won't be technically alone on Christmas after all, all because of a few words.
A/N: Chapter 2 is coming next friday :)