Writer's note: This chapter didn't come out as I wanted it, but I've been sitting on it for days and am ready to just release it into the wild lol.
Bailey was a boy with a plan.
He liked Mr. Gold. Not only did his employer pay him well and not treat him like a naïve kid, but he also treated his Mama with respect. His Mama deserved a man who respected her. She hadn't had the best of luck the few times she tried to be in a relationship, but he could see that Mr. Gold would be good to her.
As they strolled into Granny's for ice cream, Bailey led the front picking a table by the window and sliding into the booth.
"Bailey, scoot over" Isabelle instructed, flicking her wrist in a "shoo" gesture.
"I never get to sit by myself" he replied matter-of-factly, clasping his hands together atop the table in a stubborn fashion. "Sit with Mr. Gold, Mama."
Isabelle glanced at Mr. Gold, uncertainty on her face, but Gold acted like he didn't mind, nodding his agreement. He caught Bailey's eye as he settled into the booth after Belle and threw him a look of mock contempt, but Bailey just smiled smugly at him. Mr. Gold knew what he was up, and hopefully he'd play along.
"Bailey, have you ever ordered a Kitchen Sink before?" Gold asked hintingly as he hung his cane on the table.
"Mama always said it's a waste because we wouldn't be able to eat it all." Bailey nudged his Mama's leg under the table with the toe of his shoe.
"Between the two of us it would be a waste" Isabelle countered, nudging him right back.
"There are three of us here," Mr. Gold pointed out, "I don't think it'll be a waste."
Bailey's eyes grew as big as saucers. "We can get the Kitchen Sink?"
Mr. Gold gave him a small smile, his eyes crinkling. "My treat."
Bailey felt as if he were floating on a cloud of whipped cream, given the honor of ordering the delicious ice cream confection. His mouth watered at the thought of finally sinking a spoon into the most coveted dessert at Granny's. He barely remembered to continue his plan, but it came back to him and he excused himself from the table to go look at the song list in the jukebox.
He glanced over his shoulder as he leaned over the jukebox, trying to be inconspicuous. Bailey didn't really know when he decided Mr. Gold would be right for his Mama, but after his employer showed up to his soccer game, it was set in stone in his mind that this was going to happen. He grinned in satisfaction at his Mama and Mr. Gold chatting gaily.
It wasn't long before a waitress strolled out carrying a gigantic porcelain bowl shaped like a sink, and Baily nearly tripped over his feet to get back to the table. He dove in for a landing barely avoiding the poor waitress trying her best to balance the heavy order.
The Kitchen Sink consisted of 5 different ice cream favors, all stacked atop each other forming a colorful mountain. Peanuts, sprinkles, hot fudge, and whipped cream covered the top like muddy snow. Bailey wasted no time digging into it with his spoon like a hungry bear as the adults at the table took a more civilized approach.
The mountain of ice cream quickly disappeared and Bailey sat down, sighing. "You will be so sick later" Isabelle remarked, chuckling as he laid his head back on the booth with a grunt.
"Sooner than later" Bailey replied, trying to take a deep breath, "but it was so worth it."
Mr. Gold stood, leaning on his cane and waggled a finger at him. "Just don't let it be an excuse to miss work tomorrow."
Bailey nodded respectfully. "Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Gold for the ice cream."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Gold." Isabelle slid out the booth, her hand on Mr. Gold's arm in the barest of touches. Bailey's eyes fixed on the touch for a moment before he realized he was staring and busied himself to leave the booth as well. "It was nice spending time with you."
Mr. Gold glanced down at Isabelle's hand on his arm, and Bailey could see something in his eyes. Hope, maybe? He wasn't sure, but it was something good. It had to be.
Work went off the same as always. Bailey's ice cream high had worn off and he wasn't sure he'd desire having another Kitchen Sink for a while. He was just finishing up with sweeping the display floor when Mr. Gold called him into the office.
"Yes, Mr. Gold?" Bailey looked expectantly at his employer as the man pushed away from his desk and made his way around.
"I have something very important to ask you."
Bailey froze, his mind racing at the thought of Mr. Gold asking for his Mama's hand in marriage. But no, they weren't even dating. He pushed the premature thought away.
Mr. Gold leaned both hands on the tip of his cane, the air in the office suddenly thick. "The reason I asked you to come work for me was more than a need for help around the shop. I need an heir: someone who I can trust and train to take over when I cannot." Mr. Gold stepped closer, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'd like you to be that someone."
Bailey gaped. This was not what he expected. Maybe if Mr. Gold married his Mama and they became a family, he'd become a part of the business (and in time change a few ways Mr. Gold acquired his rent), but that was never an important part of the plan.
"Really, Mr. Gold?" Bailey asked in disbelief. "Are you sure you want me?"
Mr. Gold pulled away from him, hands resting on his cane again. With a deep nod, he answered, voice thicker than usual, "You're exactly what I've been searching for, son."
Bailey's smile split his face, his youthful excitement bursting all around him. Without thinking, he threw himself at Mr. Gold, embracing him as if he were a beloved family and not just an employer. Bailey pulled away after a moment, looking sheepish. "Sorry about that."
Mr. Gold tried to smile back, but his face was stiff and eyes dazed. "It's no matter, son. Run on home and tell your mother the news. She knew of my offer, but it had to be your decision."
Bailey scooped up his backpack from the settee he always set it on, ready to bolt out of the pawnshop. He halted, a thought crossing his mind. He'd learned so much about Mr. Gold in the 6 weeks that he worked for him and this was the biggest, "Mr. Gold, you're really not the bad guy you assume to be."
"Thank you, Bailey." He wondered as he walked home how that comment could have choked up Mr. Gold.