Emma

The diner is busy as usual. My boss decided to have a new special menu, since the price is a few percent cheaper, customers just started to come in haste. Us girls had to take turns running in the kitchen and to the cashier counter. Belle canceled her little date with her old boyfriend, but this time I wasn't nice to take the shift for her. The diner needs all the help we could get to handle these hungry customers.

My feet are killing me, and my stomach is inflaming. Could my day get any worse? Suddenly, the door opened and entered the worst customer I loathed. The blonde college boy walked in by himself this time. I sighed. I looked around, hoping one of the girls could take over this. Unfortunately, they all seem to be busy.

I forced myself to walk toward the kid. "Hello, welcome to The Kings."

"Nice to see you again too, cutie."

I avoided his eyes. "I never said it was nice to see you again, kid."

One of his hands reached for my hair, and brushed a lock with his fingertips. I slapped his hand away. "Is it a table for one?"

"I'll just sit on one of the stools by the counter."

I turned around. "Follow me."

As the two of us walked through large crowd of tables, the blonde boy took a seat on an open stool by the counter. I handed him the menu. "What would you like to drink?"

"You know my usual."

"One coke. Anything else?"

The kid shrugged his shoulders. "I'll just have a burger with a large side of fries."

"Alright." I turned around and headed to the kitchen.

Ruby placed four plates on a large tray quickly. Belle announced to the cook of her order on a list. I rushed to her side.

I rang the bell and announced. "One Georgie Burger with a large side of fries, James!" I turned around to the soda stand. I picked up a glass, and filled it with coke. Ruby lifted the tray and rushed to the door. Belle picked up the hot plates of food and placed it on the tray. I went back to her.

"Hey, Belle."

She tucked a lock of her between her ears. "Hey, Emma. Today is one busy day. Sorry I asked you to take care of my shift. I should have never done that."

"That's okay, Belle. Everybody wants to relax, after all your long days focusing about school and relationships, I don't blame you that you want to spend some time with your boyfriend."

She gave a weak smile. "Thanks. But right now, I'm too tired to care about anything, other than getting to bed."

"I hear you."

James rang the bell. "Order up!"

"Well, I gotta run. I got to feed that annoying college boy again."

Belle padded my shoulder. "Endure it for another day, Emma."

"I always do." I carefully took the plate from James' hands and placed it down on a tray. Before I stepped out, I turned my head to Belle. "If I get arrested for beating the crap out of a blonde boy, you know where to find me."

Belle just smiled as I stepped out of the two doorway. I speed walked to the counter so I could avoid any customers asking for anything else. I placed the plate and the drink down. "Here you go. Enjoy, kid."

The blonde boy smirked. "Calling me Peter next time will be nice."

"Well, kid I'm not going to do that. So just sit here if you like, eat your nice burger and fries, and leave a large tip for me on your way out...And another thing, keep your eyes off my behind." I turned around.

I could feel Peter smile by that. Whether what I said amused him or not, I just had to take that off my chest.

Just as I feared, a woman lifted her hand, signaling me for my service. I forced myself a smile and walked over to her. "Yes, ma'am. Is there something I could get you?"

"Yes, can I get some more coffee?"

I nodded. "Of course, one moment please." I walked back to the counter and went behind it.

Ruby was beside me. She placed a fresh donut on a plate. "That boy is here again? Why is he keep coming here? It just ticks me off."

I grabbed one of the coffee pitchers. "Hey, I'm the one who should be complaining. At least he stopped hitting on you. Seriously, if I were a matchmaker he will be my first client. I'll just give him a non picky girl and who doesn't mind men calling her 'cutie'. Honestly, who in the hell says that anymore, other than an old granny back home."

Ruby chuckled. "Speaking of grannies, Granny is not dropping the idea about setting me up on another blind date. What is up with her? I'm twenty eight, I have one or two years to kill before thinking about finding Mr. Right. Emma you have Henry, I see how you're happy and also tired. I can't imagine me being a mom. I mean you are an awesome, tough mama – you go to work, you take care of your kid by yourself with no help, you barely visit your parents, and money just somehow..." Ruby froze suddenly. She dropped the plate she was holding.

I grabbed one of her shoulders and gave it a light shake. "Ruby. Rube. Rube, what's wrong with you?"

One of her trembling fingers pointed straight across, her face now pale than the powder she's wearing on her face. Unsteady words escaped her lips in a shaky volume. "...Kil-ll...Ki-ll..."

"What?" I followed my eyes to what she was pointing at. At first, I didn't understand why she was pointing straight at the entrance of the diner, but then her reaction hit me. Through the clear glass door stood Killian with my son walking closer and closer... This is it. This is the end of me. Oh Henry, oh gosh what am I going to do?