[[A/N: A little lat on the update but here we go! I hope you enjoy it.]]
Brand New Chapter
"-I will always find you because love always finds its way. And we will be together once again."
Emma rolled her eyes closing the book, throwing it onto the counter before returning to making breakfast. "Corney as expected. I wish that was reality but it's not. True love, not a thing." She laughed to herself. "Henry, what do you want for breakfast? I'm making pancakes with…" She opens up the fridge moving things around. "I can make it with blueberries, apples, and chocolate chips."
Playing his video game Henry looked over the couch, "Chocolate with that cream and cinnamon, mom." Once again his focus turned back to the television.
Shaking her head Emma grabbed the chocolate chips and began making the pancakes. While they cooked on the flattop she moved to make some coffee for herself and grabbed some bacon and eggs to cook with it. "Big breakfast before school?"
"Yeah," he called out without turning around.
Emma's phone buzzed and she shook her head reading the text. "Hey kid, Lily just texted me, can you believe she wants me to start dating?" Emma laughed, "She knows I'm done with that…" Staring at the food Emma heard the coffee pot go off and poured herself a cup, adding some cream and sugar. Leaning against the counter in her black pencil skirt with thin crosshatch white lines, and white ruffled sleeve blouse that she had tucked in.
Turning off his game Henry sat down his controller and walked over to the breakfast bar taking a seat. "Maybe she isn't wrong ma. You haven't dated since dad and I know you get lonely." He watched her set up the plates with food placing it in front of him and then one across from where she stood.
Furrowing her brows, crinkling the corners of her lips into a frown. "Hey, hey. I'm not—lonely as you and Lily both suggest," She waved her hands about before she began to eat. "She wants me to join this dating app but I won't. I'm not— I don't need to. I have you and the cupcake shop. I think I'm doing pretty swell." She smiled taking a bite of her pancakes.
Raising his brow Henry laughed, "Swell, ma? Really? Clearly, you are in denial." He shook his head, "It's okay, really ma, I would understand because it's been such a long time." Henry smiled.
Returning a smile she shook hers, "Really, kid, I'm fine but thank you. I'm glad to know you support me if I ever do try. Now finish up your plate we're going to be late."
Humming to herself Emma zoned into icing one of her cupcakes. Hearing the doorbell ring as the door swung open she lifted her head up with a smile then soon it fell once she saw Lily come in. "Oh no, I don't like that smile on your face. Put it away before I make you or turn around and leave now." She puffed up her cheeks, resting her hand on her hip.
The dark-haired woman with brown eyes waltzed inside nearly banging into the counter. Her hands tapping the top of it, "Oh come on Emma. Don't ruin the fun! Did you get the link to the app I sent you?" She grinned.
Sighing Emma nodded, "Yes but no I did not download it. I'm sorry I just don't really care to date right now." A small whine in her voice and her eyes were sad and begging.
Her smile faded and Lily leaned over the counter curling her lip into a pout, "If you refuse then I'm going to make you come join me tonight at the coffee bar for the speed dating."
Laughing as she decorated the cupcake, "Not happening. I told you I have no—"
"It's happening Swan. Now listen to me, I've already signed us both up so I'll be over at your place at 6 pm sharp to drag you out and make you do this." Her eyes lifted with her brows as Lily cocked her head to the side, "No sense in arguing with me because I texted it to Henry to make sure you are prepared and not evading me."
"You texted my kid while he's at school? Really? Why do I have to do this? Why is it so important?" Emma now whining completely, set down the bag of frosting her hands both on the counter. "Can't I just want to be single?"
Rolling her eyes, "First of all, he's out of school now it's after two. Secondly, because you don't think I don't see the sighing when you see happy couples? Or read those cheesy books? Yes, do you insult them, of course? But do I think you really mean it? No. I know that jerk broke your heart but come on and let's find someone new for you." Lily then leaned in only inches away from Emma batting her eyes, "If not… then maybe you and I can take a swing at it." She winked and pursed her lips together.
Emma inched away shoving Lily's face from hers. "Okay, okay, I'll go. My gods, don't ever do that again." She laughed. "No offense, you aren't my type," she looked her up and down, "Okay maybe a little but it'd be weird since we just reunited when Henry and I moved to New York."
Laughing with her, "Oh maybe one day you'll reconsider," Lily clapped her hands together squealing, "Awesome, I'll see you at six wear something slutty!" Practically kicking her heels together and going out the door. "
Wearing a tight black dress and heels to match, Emma walked into the coffee shop; more feeling against her will; with Lily. Her red lipstick she felt paled her out despite what Lily said. On top of that, she felt like a hooker walking into the coffee bar or at least desperate for a date than anything. "Lily, I feel overdressed…" she gestured towards the other people. "And I'm freezing I think you can see my—"
"Welcome! I take it you both are here for the speed dating?" The woman brushed her sandy curls out of her face.
"Yes, we are!" Lily cheerfully spoke almost with a skip in her step walking over towards the woman. "Do we need to sign in?" She dragged Emma over linking arms.
"Of course, just sign here and I'll grab your name tag and let you know where to sit." She handed over a clipboard and Lily signed by her and Emma's names before handing it back. "Alright then," she looked to see and grabbed their tags, "well Lily and Emma I hope tonight you have a success in finding yourself a match. Just follow me now and I'll explain the rules." Walking them over to the tables she waited until they both sat down, "It's very simple in fact, we will set a clock when it hits five minutes. But if you find you are unsuccessful before that time is up you can go ahead and ring your bell to dismiss the person. If you feel uncomfortable you double ring the bell and we'll have someone escort them away or be discreet in shooing them."
Rubbing her hands together Lily grinned from ear to ear, "Easy enough, I'm ready for this. What about you Em?"
Wanting to sink into her chair Emma gave her a thumbs up and the fakest smile she could muster, "Oh yeah, let's get this on a roll…" She sat back and blew some hair from her face. Fingers pattering nervously against the top of the table after the woman walked away.
After about fifteen minutes a bell went off and people began to take a seat on the opposite sides of the tables. Emma smiled muttering under her breath, "Let the travesties begin…" Seeing the man that looked a little unkempt yet nicely dressed sit down in front of her she greeted him, "Hi, nice to meet you—-" she squinted her eyes to read his tag. "Roger?"
"Hello there gorgeous," he raised a brow while giving her a smug smile, "Who let you out tonight and do you happen to need a chaperone?"
"Oh no," Emma didn't hesitate to ring the bell, crossing her arms and legs.
He stood up and popped his collar, "You don't know what you're missing love."
Looking him up and down trying not to laugh, "Oh no, I think I'm not going to miss a thing." She waved him to leave. Her foot bounced on her knee while she waited for the five minutes to finish up.
When it had gone off Lily turned to look at Emma behind her. Emma could feel the disappointment but she didn't care. Shrugging her shoulders she started talking to the next person when the clock reset.
After a few more people Emma found herself only growing more disappointed. This was why she didn't care to date. Everyone here was either a pig, depressing, uninteresting, or just didn't get her. Finally, the last person took a seat in front of her, and without a care, she leaned forward ready to hear this plain-looking gentleman ramble on.
"Hello, my name is Walter, but you can just call me Walt." He smiled at her, "It's nice to meet you," he tilted his head a little while leaning closer to see her tag, "Emma! So, what brings you to join all this? Busy life? Dragged against your will? Supporting a friend?" He joked sitting back comfortably in his chair.
A smile began to form in the corners of her lips, "You can say all the above, Walt. My best friend dragged me against my will so I'm supporting her by letting her make me go into the dating scene when I'm just too busy to be a part of it. I have a fourteen-year-old son and a businesswoman."
He dropped his jaw, "Wow, aren't you straight to the point? I do admire that. I'm also a businessman but I don't have any kids. I wish I could say I was dragged here by a friend but sadly, I'm just a sad man looking for love." Walt chuckled.
Feeling a bit more lax Emma leaned back in her chair reaching for her coffee to sip it. Nodding her head with a smile, "Good to notice that you didn't jump at the hearing I have a teenager at home. That got you some point there Walt. Do you like sweets?"
"I like kids, I just never found the right person to have that family with. I think it's wonderful you are a single mom and still a success with a business." He gestured towards her, "Strong and independent, you wear that well." Chuckling, "As a matter of fact I do. Not overly sweet though it gets me a bit jittery."
"Well, you would be the first. Most get up and run, gets awkward. Even if they passed the test hearing that they don't do well hearing my success in my business brings me to why I asked if you like sweets because I make cupcakes."
He leaned forward, "Mind if I tell you a secret?" Curiously Emma leaned forward intrigued as he lowered his voice, "I find that very attractive in a woman." Walt leaned back, "Now tell me more about these cupcakes."
Laughing Emma continued chatting with Walt until their five minutes were up not hesitating to exchange numbers as Lily stood up and was watching. Together they stood up and Emma proceeded to leave with Lily. Heading home Emma crashed onto the couch, her head smothered into a pillow and her arm dangling over the edge.
"Ma?" Henry turned on the light walking into the living room. "Everything alright? It's only after eight. Did things not go well?"
Emma sat up looking over the back of the couch, "I met someone who seemed nice but I didn't feel anything… I gave him my number anyway. Then Lily tried to drag me to a bar but I ran off as fast as I could in these heels without someone thinking I was about to be murdered for looking like a hooker." She shook her head and ran her hands over her face. "Kid… can you do me a solid?" She turned around and reached for her purse to pull out her phone handing it to Henry. "Can you download that app and sign me up?"
Henry walked over and took it, looking suspiciously at his mom. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
A heavy sigh escaped her, scootching over so Henry could sit. "Yeah, it was nice to attempt but that felt like more pressure than anything. So maybe this app could help and not feel so…"
"Overwhelming?" Henry took a seat while downloading the app and began setting up his mom a profile.
Laying her head on his shoulder Emma felt exhausted, "Thanks kid, I appreciate it."
A few days later….
Emma finished styling her hair, curling it a little and then braiding it to the side. Wearing fitted black pants and a black shirt with white lines crosshatching horizontally and vertically; a button to the right side of the collar and puffs in the shoulders, the sleeves buttoned up just above her wrists. Spraying some perfume that had a soft floral smell to finish up her touches before sliding on her black ankle boots.
Walking out into the living room she did a twirl for Henry, "So what do you think?"
"You look good ma, just don't forget your hat and coat because it's getting cold." He handed her a pair of red mittens. "You're going to make your date faint at the sight of you." Henry hugged her just as the bell rang.
"Aww, thanks kid," Emma hugged him before taking the gloves and slipping them on while walking over to the door. Opening it up the brunette woman in a slender black dress with a long black button-down coat and red scarf turned around with a wide smile.
"Emma Swan? It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She extended out her hand.