Hey guys! Thanks for sticking with me! Here's the next chapter:

Chapter 5

Weeks had passed and life was on the brighter side for Ella. Every week, her stepmother made her run errands in the town, which to Ella was no chore at all. It meant that she got to see her friend. Every now and then, if they didn't get the chance to chat enough while Ella was out purchasing bread, she would sneak out and meet the baker for a quick tea, usually accompanied by a delicious pastry concoction. These rendezvous made Ella very happy, as it was the first time in a good long while that she had someone to talk to. She'd joke and vent about her terrible stepsisters and he would tell her about the townsfolk and their gossip in great detail. Greyson enjoyed these meetings very much and often looked forward to seeing the beautiful blonde girl enter his bakery, for she always knew how to brighten his day.

Today was special, however, as it was Ella's birthday. Ella was elated about this. Last year on her birthday, her stepmother had begrudgingly given her a day without chores, and Ella was free to do as she pleased. Ella had been dreaming of this day since its last occurrence, and knew exactly what she was going to do. She would spend all day outside in the meadow where she and her mother once walked, enjoying its natural beauty. Then, when she returned home, she would treat herself to the small cake she had made. It wasn't decorated in the most elegant fashion, but nevertheless it was a treat.

Ella was just about to leave for her outing to the meadow when she heard her stepmother calling for her. "Cinderella!" She beckoned. When Ella approached her, the lady Tremaine gave her a glowering eye. "And just where do you think you're going?"

Ella looked puzzled at her stepmother's quandaries. "Why, I'm going out to the meadow." She answered softly. Just then, her sisters entered the room, their arms full of clothes.

"Cinderella!" They whined

"My skirts need washing!"

"My blouses need drying!"

"My dress needs ironing!"

"My tights have a run!"

"My socks have a hole!"

"My clothes need washing!"

"And my finest coat needs a button replaced!"

The two attacked the young woman with their demands, shoving the massive piles of clothes into her arms. "But wait!" Exclaimed Ella, "I cannot do all of this today!"

"I don't see why not." Stated the Lady Tremaine coldly. "You're certainly able enough."

Ella stammered. "Well you see...you see...well." She sighed. "It is my birthday."

"I don't see how that makes you unequipped to handle your usual tasks." Replied the stepmother.

Ella's heart sank. "But you see," she explained. "I thought I could have this one day to myself, given the occasion. I was going to walk through the meadow and treat myself to a cake-"

"Cake?!" She stepsisters interrupted excitedly.

"Where is it?"

"I want it!"

"Cake!"

"Where are you keeping it?"

"I want it!"

"I bet I know where it is!"

And with that, the two of them rushed downstairs to the dank kitchen in the basement where Ella spent a great deal of her time. The young woman chased after them.

"Wait! Please! No!" She pleaded. But it was too late. Between the two of them, the awful sisters had located the dessert and devoured it like monsters. The only remnants of Ella's one luxury were but small crumbs and the frosting that hung upon the stepsister's greedy mouths. All Ella could do now was listen to their wicked giggles and do her best not to let them see her cry. With that, she rushed upstairs and ran out the backdoor. No one bothered to stop her.

It was a slow day at the bakery. Very few customers were running errands due to the lovely weather. Greyson had already cleaned the counter eight times, swept the floor six times, and baked enough to feed a family of four for a week. It was only noon. He groaned and rested his head upon the counter out of sheer boredom. He wished for it to be four o'clock.

On the days that Ella came into the shop to buy bread, she always came at around four. It was something he greatly looked forward too. What he really loved were the nights when she would visit to chat. What a grand story teller she was! He adored the way her bright blue eyes sparkled as she spoke to him. The way she eagerly unfolded the events of her day. The way she always had just enough room for dessert. Greyson would never admit it in fear of harming such a wonderful friendship, but the baker couldn't help but feel he was falling for her. Just the thought of her made his pulse quicken and his heart race. He tried desperately to ignore it.

Just then, the door opened. Greyson stood up straight and dusted the ever-present flour off his apron, ready to finally have a customer. However, when he looked up he saw no customer. To his utter delight, in the doorway was his best friend. It was Ella.

"Ella!" He exclaimed excitedly. She was here so early, what a wonderful surprise! She did not look equally eager, however. When Greyson took a second to look closely at his guest, he discovered why. "Ella?" He asked softly.

Her posture was sagging, lacking its usual cheer. Her hair was disheveled, as if she had been running. Worst of all were her eyes. Eyes that were almost always filled with life and wonder were now puffy, red, and wet. She had been crying. Greyson felt his heart deflate.

He quickly came out from behind the counter and put his arms around Ella's petite form, enveloping her in his embrace. He held her closely to him, tucking her head under his chin. The girl began to sob into his shirt. He replied by softly running his fingers through her golden hair. "Shhh...it's okay, Ella," he hushed. He held her closer, as if it would make the sadness go away. He continued to whisper words of comfort and apology into her ear. When the sobs grew, he planted a tender kiss on the top of her head and held her even closer. The two remained like that until Ella's tears eventually calmed.

"Ella?" He asked. They were still locked in their embrace, but Greyson had loosened his hold after the sobs resided. The girl looked up at him, her once shining eyes still tainted with despair. "Ella, what has made you so upset? What is wrong?" He asked in a low voice. He put his hands up to cup her face as he used his thumbs to carefully wipe away the remaining tears.

Ella looked at this man who was holding her, comforting her, caring for her. She told him the story of her birthday, of the meadow. She told him of the cake she had made that never made it past her lips. She told him about the feeling of hopelessness she felt, the feeling that her life wasn't destined to get any better. Greyson listened with a sympathetic ear, his heart breaking for her more and more with every sentence. As he looked at this girl, the girl with the beautiful heart who still managed to take his breath away with reddened eyes and tangled hair, he got an idea. He stepped out of the embrace and carefully took a hold of Ella's hand to lead her to a table by the counter. He had her sit and assured her that he would return in a moment. He then strode out into the kitchen. He was gone for about 5 minutes. When he returned, Ella gasped at what he had in his hands.

Greyson had gone into the kitchen and decorated one of the many cakes he had baked that day. It was now coated in a beautiful powder blue frosting, adorned with pastel pink roses. "Happy Birthday, Ella!" Was written carefully in silver icing. It was an astonishing creation. He placed it on the table in front of his guest. "Happy birthday," he said softly with a warm smile on his face.

Ella was speechless. Her head and heart were going in a million different directions. The sadness had been replaced with joy, surprise, elation, thankfulness, appreciation, and...love. As much as she wished to not admit it, love was there as well. It was in the excited greetings, it was in the comforting embrace. And now, it was in this beautifully crafted masterpiece that sat before her. Ella felt her heart swell. No one had treated her this kind in a very long while. She looked up at the baker. His sparkling eyes and warm smile told her that what he desired most was to make her happy, to make her feel better, to make her feel cared for. She didn't know what to say.

"Thank you," was what finally escaped her lips. "Sincerely, thank you, Greyson. You have shown me such kindness and have gone out of your way to comfort me. I am truly fortunate to have you in my life."

Greyson's smile stretched from ear to ear at her approval of the dessert. It was nothing, really. He made cakes for a living, he was a baker for crying out loud! After all, that's what friends do for each other? Right? They were friends, right? Still, he was elated to hear that she liked it. He was even more joyed at the sight of her now-tear-free face. "Aw shucks, Ella." He responded bashfully. "It's your birthday, you have to have a cake."

He dished it up and the two ate in a comfortable, happy silence.