Taming the Runaway Boss
Author's Notes:
Hey there Peeps ^_^ Another chapter up for you. Will have another one up for you as soon as possible.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SAILOR MOON OR IT'S CHARACTERS
Enjoy x
Chapter 4
The bell above the diner door sounded as the young blonde behind the counter greeted "Good evening Mr Sanchez! How's my favourite customer doing?"
"Aw Serena!" The elderly gentleman smiled "I'm not to bad not I get to see your lovely face"
Serena smiled "Usual order today?"
"One cup of coffee and your delicious buttered waffles please" My Sanchez winked
Serena chuckled "No problem sir, have a seat and I'll bring your coffee to you"
Placing the order ticket in the service window of the kitchen Serena dinged the bell, giving a heads up to the cook and started on the coffee. It was just another Monday morning in the Greasy Spoon Diner in the downtown area of Thornwood City. Working at the diner for the last three years, Serena knew the workings of the entire diner had gotten to know all of the regulars by heart.
Giving Mr Sanchez his usual Monday morning order, Serena checked her written schedule at a local after school club they would hold for kids with parents of disadvantaged or under privileged backgrounds. Serena herself had started this small after school club with the help of friends and neighbours with similar problems, finding care for their children. As a young mum Serena found it difficult sometimes to find good child care for her two twins Theodore and Rosemary. They were only three years old and weren't old enough yet for school so they needed to be cared for during the mornings and afternoons.
As a compromise Serena had chosen some early morning and late evening shifts to try and stabilise work and childcare needs. However she felt that she was beginning to spread herself a little too thin. After speaking with other young families in similar situations, Serena found new motivation for a start up business, a children's care program for parents on a low income and children between the ages of three years old and upwards. The program would consist of stimulating activities such as art time, story corner, free play, DIY make or bake, after school walking bus and homework group as well as fun and active games that were fun for everyone.
Even the thought of it in her head brought a smile to Serena's faceas the bell over the diner door sounded again.
"Good Morning! Would you like any coffee?" Serena greeted before turning to see a young woman around the same age as her with red curly hair, green eyes and freckles wearing the diner's uniform of yellow pinafore with a white cotton apron and her hair pulled back in a green ribbon as she huffed "Sorry I'm late Serena that damn bus went and arrived late again then Melvin offered me a ride and his car broke down! Stupid heap of junk"
Serena smiled "Hey Molly don't worry about it, I'm sure it was stuck in rush hour traffic again! How's Charlie? Is he feeling better?"
Molly hung her handbag and coat behind the diner counter and answered "No my poor baby is still wheezy! He's coughing a lot too! Wonder if maybe he's got Asthma?"
"Could be possible" Serena shrugged "Isn't Melvin Asthmatic?"
Molly gasped "Oh yes of course! It maybe in his genes! Ugh! I have my early morning head on today"
Serena laughed as she hugged her friend "Ahhh! It's okay, it's been pretty slow as usual today. Just me and my favourite man Mr Sanchez"
Mr Sanchez sent a wink her way as Serena asked "Would you like some more coffee Sweetie?"
"If you would be so kind Miss Serena" he replied placing his newspaper on the table in front of him.
Molly got to restocking the condiments as she asked "So are you still looking to make money for this childcare business of yours Serena?"
"Uh Huh!" Serena answered as she swept the floors "I got my sealed little piggy bank about half full so far but I still have a ways to go yet"
Molly sighed "Why can't we just win the lottery? That'd sort all our problems out permanently"
Rolling her eyes, Serena sighed "Ugh! I know right? But at least there is one thing we have on those rich folks Molly!"
"What's that?" Molly scoffed
Serena turned "Well they will have been so used to being waited on hand and foot they'll have forgotten how to cook, use a washing machine, realising that before dishwashers civilised people use this thing called a sink"
Molly gasped in amusement "No!"
"Yes!" Serena answered in the same mock seriousness "And the worst part is...when there's no one to clean for them...they'll have to...dare I say it...do it themselves!"
Molly feigned terror not hiding her laughter "Oh no! Anything but that!"
"The world will come to an end Molly" Serena said with mock fear on her face "when the internet and computers dependent must once again discover pen and paper!"
Molly laughed as Serena mock fainted on to the counter "Will the torment never seize?"
"Not unless your get these dishes prepped for use" Said a handsome blonde man from the service window "Get in here and put the dishes away you goofball!"
"Ha ha! Sorry Andrew" Serena laughed as she got back to work.
It was hard to admit but Serena was looking towards her future and knew that future would lead her away from the diner. Serena sighed as the potential of leaving a place of work and people she'd come to love so much brought a bittersweet grin to her face.
The bell above the door to the diner sounded again "Uh...Hello"
Serena and Molly looked towards the door to see a young woman with long dark hair with natural red highlights, flawless cream complexion and lovely purple eyes. She was around the same height as Molly and she wore a lovely woven poncho in colours of red and gold like colours of fire. The could not help but gape at the beautiful newcomer who asked them "I was wondering if anyone here would have directions to Ebony Heights apartment building?"
Looking at each other, Molly and Serena gasped "Our new neighbour?!"
"Oh? Are you two residents at this building?" The young woman asked
Nodding, Molly smiled "Yes we've lived there the last few years! What floor are you based on?"
Pulling a letter with the address on it as well as the apartment details, the young lady smiled "I'm on the second floor"
"So are we!" The both smiled as the beckoned the young lady in and introduced themselves "Welcome to Thornwood City I'm Serena and the lovely red head is Molly, we live in flat 26 and 27 on the second floor" Serena smiled.
Molly greeted "We'd be happy to direct you straight there but how about you stop here for a bite to eat?"
"Oh that would be great! Thank you both so much" the young lady said "I'm Rei Hino, I'm moving here with my husband Chad and son Isaac"
"Ah! Is Isaac with you now?" Serena asked
Rei gasped "Oh dear! I thought I'd be getting back in the car! I'll go and park up properly and bring him inside"
When Rei returned, Molly and Serena couldn't help but gush over the beautiful little boy in Rei's arms. He was the spitting image of his mother with her dark hair and natural red highlights, her dark eyes of purple and his cream complexion was just perfect. He was wearing a navy blue hoodie with little denim jeans and a little pair of converse trainers adorned his feet. He was currently sucking his thumb as Serena smiled for him "Hello Isaac"
The little boy took his thumb out of his mouth and gave Serena a shy smile and waved to her. Serena smiled and said "Our cook makes the yummiest chocolate pancakes! They're so yummy me and my friend Molly eat them all the time!"
Little Isaac looked to his mummy with excitement as Rei said "Oh that sounds too good to pass up! What do you think sweetie? Want some pancakes?"
The little boy nodded enthusiastically and asked Serena in a cute but quiet voice "Can...I have a cup of milk too pwease?"
"Of course you can" Serena smiled sweetly "I even have a nice swizzle straw you can drink it with"
Isaac smiled happily as Rei chuckled "And a tea for me please"
Molly smiled as she wrote their order on a ticket for them "Anything for you to eat Rei?"
"Well the pancakes sound wonderful but I can't have chocolate...Do you have any other flavours?" Rei asked as she found a table with her son.
"There is a really delicious strawberry and cream pancake set" Serena said
After finishing their meal, Rei obtained the directions for Ebony Heights from Serena and Molly. Once their shift was over Molly and Serena helped Rei with her belongings. The door to number 27 opened to reveal a tidy looking gentleman in a tweed cardigan, neat looking shirt and a professional looking brown tie with brown trousers on his lower half, his feet encased in fuzzy blue slippers as he smiled "Is that my lovely wife I hear in the hall?"
Molly turned towards the man and smiled "Oh sorry Melvin Serena and I were just chatting with our new neighbour"
"Ah yes! I thought I heard people moving in" Melvin said as he moved forwards to shake Rei's hand and introduce himself.
"Well I'm sure you folks have had a long day travelling" Melvin smiled politely "I just made some spaghetti Bolognese if you and your family would like to join us?"
"Did someone say spaghetti?" Came a male voice from just behind them and they all turned to find a man who looked a little bit like a cross between a skater and a rock star "Because I am starving!"
The man in question had long brown hair that fell into his chocolate brown eyes, tanned skin and was at least 6 ft tall. He wore torn denim jeans, a leather jacket and a Guns n Roses vest that clung to his surfer toned body. Rei turned with a smile as Chad swept her into his arms for a kiss as he greeted her "Hey baby getting to know the neighbours already?"
Little Isaac whinged "Ew! Daddy and Mommy making kissy face!"
"Well how about I make kissy face with you little man?" the man asked as he swept Isaac into his arms and started rubbing his stubbled face all over his son's face and neck as the little boy laughed.
Rei laughed as she turned back to their new neighbours "Sorry this is my husband Chad, he's starting with the local public elementary school teaching music"
Chad shook their hands as a little boy with red curly hair wrapped his little arms around Molly "Mommy!"
"Hey Charlie! Have you been good for Daddy today?" Molly exclaimed happily as she hugged the her little boy.
"Yeah! Daddy and me went to play in the park!" Charlie smiled and then looked to see there were new people...with a new little boy here.
He looked up at his mother and asked "Mommy who are you talking too?"
Molly chuckled "Charlie these are our new neighbours Mr and Mrs Hino and their little boy Isaac, would you like to say hello?"
Charlie stepped forwards with a smile, pushing his little glasses back up his little nose as he said " Hi! I am Charlie, what's your name?"
Isaac looked to his Mom and Dad who gave a wink and a reassuring nod. Isaac then turned back to Charlie "I..Isaac" he stuttered in a bashful tone.
"Isaac" Charlie smiled "I'm playing some games with my friends want to play?"
Isaac smiled and nodded before following Charlie into apartment 27. Serena chuckled "Aw that's cute". Just as she turned her attention back to the new neighbours they saw a little lights trailing towards her on the floor. Smiling slightly Serena said "Excuse me for a moment"
Rei and Chad watched with curiosity as Serena pulled out a necklace with a small glass prism for a pendant. Using the prism within her fingers, Serena reflected some of the light from the floor making a bright rainbow coloured stream of light back through the door of Molly and Melvin's apartment. Within seconds the sound of two sets of little footprints came towards them and in a blur of silver golden blond two little smiley children threw themselves into Serena's arms as she covered both of their faces in kisses.
Rei smiled sweetly as the little girl in Serena's arms nudged her little male double and moved her hands in a unique and intricate fashion. Rei looked at Chad with surprise before she waved "Hi"
The little girl waved back with a shy but gorgeous little smile as her brother did the same. The children in front of Serena were just adorable and two little carbon copies of their mother. The little boy was dressed in little navy blue dungarees with a spiderman badge sewn and embroidered on the front chest pocket. He wore a long sleeved red t-shirt underneath with little black socks as well as blue and red trainers on his feet. His long blonde hair curling behind his ears and at the base of his neck with long bangs of silver golden blond fell into eye of cerulean blue.
The little girl, like her brother, had beautiful soft blond curls in little pig tails. She had a lovely purple hooded t-shirt with long sleeves and little snowflakes embroidered in silver down the sleeves. She wore a set of light blue dungarees with a picture of Olaf the snowman embroidered on the front chest pocket. Unlike her brother the little girl's dungarees had a skirt whereas her brother's had trouser legs. Her little legs were encased in adorable little purple leggings and little fleece lined boots on her feet.
The little girl turned to her mother and used her hands as she smiled. Serena smiled as well as she gestured and said "Yes the new lady us very pretty isn't she?"
The little boy made some hand shapes of his own and Serena signed back, saying "These nice people are Mr and Mrs Hino they live next door to us now"
They turned to the new neighbours smiling and signed to them both as Serena interpreted "Are you going to be friends with us?"
Rei and Chad chuckled as Chad nodded "Sure! Please be friends with our little boy Isaac, he's a little shy"
Serena signed for Chad and then signed something else to the twins and within seconds before they ran back into Molly and Melvin's apartment to play. Turning back to her neighbours Serena chuckled "My twins Theodore and Rosemary! They're curious little things so please excuse them if they ask you lots of questions, they're good kids"
"They're adorable Serena" Rei smiled "Was that sign language you were just using" Chad asked. Serena nodded "Oh yeah they've learned to use it pretty well, my twins may end up being smarter than me...it's terrifying" She laughed and told them reassuringly "Don't worry I've asked that they use their etch n sketch boards with Isaac and he can write back to them"
"Shall we go in and have dinner?" Melvin asked
Rei blushed "Oh Melvin we wouldn't want to impose on you and your family like that"
Molly smirked "Nonsense! Serena imposes all the time!"
Serena turned with mock insult to her friend "Says she who sneaks over once the kids are asleep to drink my wine, eat my cookies and watch my chick flick movies"
"Oh that sounds like fun!" Rei gasped
Molly laughed "You should join us Rei! We can have a real girls night in with wine popcorn, movies..."
"Molly's old fashioned game of mystery date" Serena giggled
"Ssh! Serena men are present!" Molly giggled
Serena shrugged "What? It wasn't my idea to involve celebrity men in the game Molly"
"Hey!" Molly laughed as Serena linked arms with Rei who laughed as they all walked into Molly's apartment and enjoyed dinner with good company.
After saying good night to Rei and Chad as well as Molly and Melvin, Serena escorted her two sleepy little children across the hall into her cramped little apartment. As Serena opened her apartment door it opened on to the hallway that was no more than four feet wide and four feet long. The bathroom was right in front of the front door with a small corner bath tub and an electric shower. A small and slightly wobbly sink stood to the left of the bathroom's door way with an old and dingy looking mirror mounted on the wall above it. A porcelain shelf that had been mounted using super glue sat just beneath the bathroom's only mirror. The toilet stood to the right of the sink and was also wobbly with a toilet roll holder sitting in a small gap between the wall and the toilet. A small set of basket draws stood to the left of the sink nearest the shower.
Turning left as they walked in through the front door Serena turned and secured the front door before guiding the sleepy cherubs to the bathroom to wash their faces, teeth and hands. Once they were changed into their pyjamas, Theodore in Monsters Inc pyjamas and Rosemary in Yellow teddy bear ones, Serena switched on the swirling stars night light and put them to bed.
The bedroom was small! So much so that the double bed at the centre of the room took up most of the space. There was a curtain to the left of the bed that was held back by a colourful scarf to reveal a makeshift closet and a small chest of drawers for the twins to the left of the door as they entered the bedroom. The bed sat underneath the room's only window which had an old blind that had been mounted in a crooked position and hung slightly on the right hand side.
Serena looked around her tiny, cramped apartment and frowned slightly. They couldn't live like this forever and as much as she dreamed of her childcare business, her dream could come to pass just now and money was needed to pay bills and put food on the table. With a long sigh Serena moved to the bathroom, getting a quick wash in the bathroom and got into her own pyjamas before slipping into bed. Her twins cuddling into her warmth as she closed her eyes Serena anticipated another busy day of work before slipping off into her dreams.