Early Bird Shift [open]

[lucky]

.Outfit.

Blake Verona woke up at 6:30 in the morning. She took a quick shower and got dressed. She was wearing a nice white, sun dress with different colored flowers on it. She also put on a light blue pearl necklace that tied with a black ribbon in the back. Her shoes were light blue to match with the blue flowers on her dress. She wanted to look bright and sunny this morning for the people who were just waking up. She knew some would be happy so maybe if she dressed up in happy, relaxing colors she could make their morning before they started their day. Blake combed out her chocolate hair and decided to let it hang down around her shoulders. She smiled at herself in the mirror before walking into the next bedroom.

Blake gently woke up her two year old son, Jack. He looked so peaceful and cute when he was sleeping, she hated to wake him but she knew she had to. Come on Jacky. Let's get dressed and take you to see Auntie Bell. Mommas got to work today. She said, smiling. Jack stirred and soon woke up. He rubbed his eyes and got out bed. Blake dressed him in some cargo shorts and a cute little tee shirt with horses running on it. Then she pulled his socks and sneakers on. She took his hand in his as they walked toward the kitchen. Blake set him in his high chair and gave him a sippy cup with orange juice in it. Jack sipped on it and slowly began to wake up. Blake made eggs for breakfast and soon fed herself and Jack. She quickly washed the dishes and cleaned Jack's face.

She grabbed his little bag and put two sippy cups of orange juice inside, extras diapers and some toys in. Blake slung it on her shoulder and took Jack's small hand in hers and they walked out to the car. She got him strapped in his car seat before driving out of the driveway and headed to a small farm house. Once there a woman around her age greeted them and took Jack. Blake thanked her and got into her car. She drove into town and parked in the lot behind a building. It was the employees parking at the Dixie Cafe, her new job. Blake got out and slipped in through the back door. She grabbed her waitress apron and tied it behind her back. She said good morning to the manager before heading out to check on the people sitting at the tables.

[jay]

"It doesn't matter what you do or say! Just forget the things that you've been told! We can't do it any other way! Everybody's got to rock and roll, whoo, oh, oh!"

There was a definite spring in the young man's step as he cruised through the town. His shined boots clicked pleasantly against the sidewalk as he made his way down to the cafe for his morning coffee before he headed in to work. His pressed navy-blue uniform soaked up the heat from the sun, but since it was early morning it wasn't too bad yet. Dark sunglasses covered his brown eyes, adding to the whole cop look.

Yes, indeed, Cody Walker was on his way to Dixie Cafe like every morning. He would get a coffee and blueberry muffin, flirt with a waitress or two, then head on his way out to where ever he needed to be that day. Today just happened to be work. He had some paperwork to fill out and he would be going on patrol later. Routine stuff: get in the squad car, drive around town, make sure there were no disturbances to report, stuff like that. It was usually pretty quiet, which was technically a good thing, but Cody wished to just once have a bit of excitement in his day.

He barely heard the gentle chime of the bell as he opened the door to Dixie Cafe over the loud classic rock pounding through his earphones. He currently had some old KISS music playing in among his other random music on his playlist.

"Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud! You've got to have a party! Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud! Turn it up louder! Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud! Everybody shout it now! Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud! Oh yeah! Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud! Hear it gettin' louder! Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud! And! everybody shout it now! Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!"

As he walked inside and to his usual booth, Cody felt his face go red as a few customers and staff looked at him strangely. He'd been singing out loud....

[lucky]

Blake was just gathering up some plates with pan cakes on it when the door jingled. She instantly looked up and saw a man in a cop uniform with dark shades on. She chuckled when she saw the ear phones and heard him singing a song. It sounded to be a rock song. Maybe KISS? She smirked and looked over when she heard giggling beside her. She saw that it was Susie. Susie was a seventeen year old blonde blue eyed girl. Blake smiled at the girl who was looking at the cop and blushing mad. New love interest? She asked quietly. Susie looked at Blake and blushed even more before nodding. "But he is too old for me. But I bet he is around your age!" She said. Her face had shown sadness when she said she was too young but when the idea of him being close to Blake's age her face light up.

Blake shook a finger in her face and laughed quietly. I don't think he would be into a single mom. Now takes these plates to table two and I will handle the cop. She said. Susie took the plates and scurried off. Blake wiped her hands on her small apron and headed toward the table. She reached it and pulled out her pad and pen before smiling down at the cop. Good morning officer. What may I get you to drink today? She asked kindly. Blake couldn't help but notice that his face was still a bit red. She had seen it go furiously red from embarrassment after he entered just a little while ago. Maybe he shouldn't sing out loud when he was entering a fairly crowded cafe.

[jay]

Cody looked up as he took his earphones out to the sound of giggles. He glanced toward the counter and saw Susie and another waitress he'd never seen before. Thankfully this one looked closer to his age, which meant it might actually be ok to flirt a little. There was never anything serious about it, but a bit of harmless flirting did a body good sometimes. Susie sometimes tried, but being a cop Cody knew that flirting with a seventeen year old would get him nothing but trouble.

Which is why he felt relieved when the new waitress shooed her off to another table. As the new waitress came over to his table, Cody pushed his dark glasses up on top of his head and gave her a smile. "Hey there, gorgeous," he said, "You must be new here." With that, Cody extended his hand to her. "I'm Cody Walker, a regular. I'll just get a black coffee, one sugar, and one of those amazing blueberry muffins you guys keep hidden around here somewhere."

He shifted to lean further back in his chair, lifting his left arm to lean it up on the back of the chair. "So, you enjoy the little concert?" he joked, referring to his (probably) off-key rendition of Loud when he walked in. They're pretty regular too."

[lucky]

Blake raised an eyebrow when he called her gorgeous. She smirked and poised the pen above her pad waiting for him to give his order. But instead he noted that she was new here and he introduced himself, putting a hand out for her to shake. She held the pen in between her thumb and the pad in her left hand before giving him a firm hand shake with her right. She released his hand and smirked. I'm Blake Verona, not gorgeous. Sorry to disappoint you. She said and chuckled. Then he started giving her his order. She wrote down a black coffee with one sugar and one blueberry muffin. She finished and stuck the pen into one of her pockets on the apron.

She chuckled when he asked if she liked the little concert. Then he added that it was a regular too. She smirked and shook her head, her brunette curls bouncing softly on her shoulders. Oh goodie. She said and turned on her heel to give the order to the cook. When she reached the counter and ripped the paper off to hand to the cook Susie came running up. She leaned in close so only Blake could hear her. Blake looked over as the man handed her a plate with a blue berry muffin on it and a coffee cup with black coffee in it. She smiled to him and watched as he walked off to the other side of the kitchen to he stove. "So, how do you like Cody?" Susie asked excitedly.

Blake chuckled and picked up the plate and coffee. He called me gorgeous if you wanted to know and he seems pretty sure of himself. She said. Susie practically squealed but she kept it down so the customers wouldn't hear. "Do you think he likes you?" She asked, her face all a glow with even more than excitement. Blake was very amused. Ever since she had gotten this job Susie had attached herself to Blake and they had become great friends. Also after that one day when Blake brought Jack in while she worked Susie learned that she was a single mother. Now she was playing match maker for her. Susie! I'm a single mother, why would a cop want something to do with me. He obviously can do better. She whispered before heading out to Cody's table. She smiled and handed him the cup and plate. Anything else Cody? She asked kindly.

[jay]

Cody laughed softly when she introduced herself. The girl had a sharp wit, that was nice. There were plenty out there who would have either given him a dirty look or giggled and fawned over him like some lovesick puppy. That was definitely not what he was looking for. He was just looking to have a little fun, and Blake seemed to be the type who would be good for it.

"Well, I was close," Cody teased after she gave him her real name. He watched her as she walked away. She had a nice body, there was no denying that. And her smile seemed to light up her whole face. There was no denying that there would be some sort of physical attraction at the very least. Cody looked away quickly when Susie joined Blake by the counter. The last thing he wanted was to give her an excuse to make conversation. She was a cute kid, no doubt, but too young for him and not quite his type anyway.

He was looking out the window when she brought back his order. He turned again and smiled as she set it on the table. "Just another one of those five-star smiles of yours, Blake," he said with a cheeky grin.

[lucky]

Her brown eyebrows rose slightly when Cody asked for one of her 'five star smiles'. That was definitely the first time she had heard that one. She smirked in amusement. This man, Cody, was something else. He was more confident than the other guys who had tried to flirt with her. The others would quickly stop flirting if she gave them one little frown but something told her that Cody wasn't going to stop. Not that she minded the flirting, she didn't. It was actually nice. It helped get rid of the dullness of the morning shift. Everyone was normally asleep and cranky. But Cody was not either one of those. He was awake and cheerful.

A five star smile, huh? She began, giving him a very small smile on purpose before continuing. Alright hot shot, what else? She asked with a slight smirk. She let out a sigh and waited for him to reply. Just then the bell next to the cook window started dinging repeatedly. Blake instantly looked up and over and saw that it was her manager. He gave her a small smile before speaking. "Verona! It's your fifteen minute break, so relax." He said and then disappeared. Blake turned away from the cook window and let out a sigh of relief. She had been scared there for a moment thinking that she would get in trouble for not catering to the other customers.

Blake ran a hand through her hair and looked around at the other tables. Some of the people were still looking up at the cook window, a look of disturbance on their faces. The sound of the bell ringing repeatedly had thrown them off for a second but they quickly recovered and went back to whatever they were doing. Blake looked over at Cody and realized that he still hadn't answered her question. Anything else? She asked.

[jay]

Cody grinned as Blake raised her eyebrows at him. Clearly no one had ever asked for a smile, much less a five-star smile. Good, he liked being original. There was no point in using lines that other people had used in the past, especially if said other people had been unsuccessful. Not that Cody knew if he was being successful or not, he just knew he was being original. Which was perfectly fine by him. Yes indeed. He took a sip of his coffee while she spoke again, unable to wipe the grin from his face. It was practically a miracle he didn't drool the coffee all down his shirtfront. But, that had come with practice. He could remember countless incidents of smiling at someone while drinking something only to have his drink wind up on his chin and shirt. Now THAT was embarrassment city...

Setting his coffee down, Cody raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hot shot! Aw, come on, miss, have a heart," he joked, feigning a pout. "Can't a guy try to be nice to a lady without being called names?" He laughed as the bell rang near the cook. Being a regular he was used to the sounds of the diner, but natural human curiousity made him look around. A sly grin stole over his face when the cafe manager announced to Blake that it was her break. Of course, she might have things she needed or wanted to do that didn't involve staying and talking to him, which was fine. But, if she didn't mind giving up her break to chat, that was fine too!

"Hmmm...." Cody mused, pretending to think hard, hand on his chin. "Anything else.... hmmm...." He tipped Blake a cheeky wink before grinning again. "Well, if you don't mind humoring me, and if you're not otherwise occupied on your break, I wouldn't say no to you're having a little sit down for a chat."

[lucky]

Blake chuckled when he feigned mock surrender and held his hands up, complaining about her calling him hot shot. She smirked and she shook her head lightly. Just depends on who you are. She and smiled. Her eyebrow rose once again when he acted like he was thinking hard, he was even tapping his chin. Maybe he should of been an actor instead of a cop. Just then he asked her, kindly, but not after a wink if she would spend her break with him. Of course, why hadn't she known that Cody would be the kind of guy to ask. She gave him a light smile before holding a finger up, as if to say 'one second'. She turned on her heel and hurried back up to the cook area.

Blake went to the coffee machine and poured her a coffee with some creamer. She stirred the creamer in before taking the warm mug in both hands and heading toward the kitchen. She would take a while, not long though, just a minute, to see if he would worry that she wouldn't come back. While in the kitchen Blake snatched a muffin and bit into it. She started to head toward the customer area when Susie stopped her just in front of the door out of the kitchen. "So?" She asked with a grin and her eyebrows up in question. Blake rolled her eyes and smiled lightly at the seventeen year old. So what? She asked. Pretending that she didn't know what Susie was asking. "So, do you like him?" She asked. He asked me to spend my break chatting with him. Now shoo before my break is over. Blake said and gently pushed her on to do something as she walked back to the table.

Blake sat down on the other side of Cody's booth. She set her muffin down on the table before looking over at him and smiling lightly. She took a couple of sips before apologizing for taking so long. She didn't set the coffee down thought. She kept it in both of her hands. Holding it up so it was just under her mouth. Sorry I took so long. I was looking for a muffin. The cook said that some guy who dressed like a cop kept eating them all and it was hard to keep up with the demand. Luckily I got the last one. Who ever that cop is he is very lucky I didn't throw hot water on him. I would have if the muffins were gone. She said, smirking over the rim of her cup. She took another sip before sitting the cup down on the table.

[jay]

Cody smirked at her answer. Hopefully, if things went well, he would be one of the ones who could flirt without being called a hot shot. Yea, he acted all big-man-on-campus and self-confident, but it was mostly an act. Cody prided himself on always trying to be as down-to-earth as possible. Flirting was just something he did for fun. Granted, not all of the locals appreciated it, but hey, a single guy's got to make his fun somehow, right? But before he could come back with some witty comment, Blake held up her finger and scooted off. Which was probably for the best because the only thing he could think was: Ok.... what do you say to that?

He watched her head off back to the kitchen again. Not wanting to be overly self-assured, Cody was still pretty certain she would be coming back. If she wasn't, why would she have bothered giving him a signal to wait? Seriously. If she didn't want to stick around on her break and chat she could have just as easily rolled her eyes and walked away, or made up some excuse, or told him to bugger off, or... well, you get the point. All the signs said she was coming back, albeit, clearly not right away. Cody wasn't about to worry. He nibbled at the top of his muffin while he waited for Blake to come back.

And here she came.... sort of. Again she was accosted by Susie before she could make her way back. Cody wondered vaguely what they were talking about. Probably him, knowing Susie. Oh well, it was a nice little ego stroke to know the waitresses in the cafe liked to talk about him. And considering it was Susie who seemed to instigate all the conversations, Cody had a pretty good feeling that there weren't many, if any, negative comments.

Cody grinned at Blake when she shooed Susie off and came to sit at his booth. He actually laughed out loud when she apologized and gave her reason for taking so long. "Hey, no worries," he said, arching a brow playfully at her. "I know how you feel. Some guy comes in, posing as me, and eats all the muffins. I limit myself to one per day. So, after a few times this happened, I had to take the cook aside and ask him to hide some extra ones away so people could enjoy them while I put this muffin creep under investigation."

[lucky]

Blake laughed when he talked about pulling the cook aside and telling him to hide extra muffins until the investigation was over. She smirked and set back against the seat. He may be a cop but just looking at him she didn't see him working too hard. But looks could be deceiving. Don't hurt yourself on it Cody. She said, a smirk dancing across her face.

She picked her muffin up and began to eat it. After a couple of bites she set it down and looked across the table at Cody. So how long have you been in law enforcement? She asked. She didn't know what else to say really. Plus she wanted to get rid of the awkward silence that was now falling in between them. Just then the bell on the door jingled and a man walked in. He was tall with a chiseled face, short brown hair and murky brown eyes. Blake gulped. It was him.

She quickly ducked her head down hoping that he would not be able to see her over Cody's tall frame as he sat up in his seat. She swallowed and watched as Marcus Paradis looked around the room. Who was he? He was the father of her son. The one who took her away to France when her dream was to be an animal photographer. He was a big shot photographer then and probably still was now. They shot photos of horses in a big horse show and ended up staying longer in France because it was his home country and they were falling in love.

He swept her off her feet and married her. Not even a year into the marriage she got pregnant and had a baby boy. After the first six months Marcus left her without saying good bye. Blake came running home to America. Not even three weeks of living there she received the divorce papers in the mail. She signed them and sent them off. That was the last of the French Casanova. So she thought. Blake looked at Cody with pleading eyes. Please don't let him see me. She whispered. Thankfully Susie came hurrying up to Marcus and sent him to a table across the room. Blake let out a sigh of relief and slowly lifted her head. She could the camera hanging on a necklace like rope around his neck. He was here taking pictures of horses.

OOC: Thought I'd add a little drama. Hope you don't mind. =]

[jay]

Cody smiled when Blake laughed. Mission accomplished. She had a nice laugh, and it was good to know he hadn't lost any of his charm. Despite the whole tough guy routine on the job, Cody was pretty laid back otherwise. He enjoyed helping people, making them laugh, joking around, and basically being a bit of a lovable dork. Lovable dork seemed to be what he was good at, according to his female colleagues. And that was just fine with Cody. It made people smile and laugh and just maybe forget about their worries for a moment or two. What could be better than that?

He himself laughed when Blake warned him not to hurt himself. After taking a sip of coffee, he stretched leisurely, lacing his hands behind his head in a very relaxed manner. "Oh, don't worry about me," he said, "I've got it covered." He laughed again and sat up properly to take another few bites of his muffin. There were times he could have sworn there was some sort of drug laced into the batter. The damn things were addicting as hell! Cody just couldn't get enough.

Cody had just managed to swallow when Blake asked him about his job. He grinned sort of sheepishly. "This is only my second year on the force," he admitted, "I failed the physical exam the first time around because of a sprained ankle after an accident with one of my dad's horses." It was rather embarrassing, but hey, it happens, especially with younger horses. Cody had been back home helping his dad while his brother was staying with his wife at the hospital while they waited for their firstborn to arrive. While he was turning horses out, he went in with a draft cross yearling. The colt was as gentle as could be, but the tractor backfired causing the colt to spook. In doing so, he had stepped on Cody's foot AND knocked him over with his shoulder. The result: a mild concussion and a sprained ankle.

Caught up in the memory, Cody barely heard the bell chime to alert the staff and patrons of a new customer. So, when Blake suddenly ducked her head, he was extremely confused. Cody went immediately on high alert when Blake quietly begged him? God? no one? to not let "him" see her. Cody quickly and expertly scanned the cafe without making it obvious he was looking for someone. When he saw the new customer, his face darkened into a scowl. "Who is he?" he whispered softly to Blake.

[lucky]

Blake looked at Cody and swallowed. She went to pick up her coffee but her hands were too shaky so she quickly set back down on the table. Just my ex husband who I hoped to never see again. She whispered back. Just then Marcus got up and began walking their way. But he hadn't see them yet. Blake bit her bottom lip and propped her head on a hand and looked out the window, not facing him. Marcus didn't notice and went to the buffet.

He filled his plate up and began walking back when he caught sight of Blake. He smiled and hurried up. Ignoring the cop he looked at Blake with a knowing smirk. Why hello my love. I never thought I would see you here. He purred. His voice seemed to wrap around her and make her feel welcome. Blake almost wanted to be in his arms again but she quickly shook the feeling off and looked at him. Her smile was very small and weak. She had also started to tremble. It was slowly becoming visible. Seeing Marcus again had been one of her worst fears. Now it was a nightmare come true.

Hi.....Marcus. I didn't expect to see you either. She said, voice shaky. Marcus chuckled and picked up her hand and kissed the knuckles. Blake swallowed as his lips brushed her knuckles and looked down at her with his murky, brown eyes. Those deep, seductive.....Wait! What was she thinking? She couldn't fall for him again. Would you like to join me this afternoon when I take some pictures. He asked, letting go of her hand.

Blake quickly shook her head 'no'. She did not want him to impregnate her, live with her and then leave her all alone after she had the baby. Again. She already had a son from him and she didn't want anymore. She looked over at Cody to see his reaction to all of this.

[jay]

Cody's scowl darkened when Blake informed him that the man who had just come in was her ex-husband. Clearly estranged, which wasn't bad, for Cody that is. He only sort of knew how she felt, he only had a few ex-girlfriends he'd rather not see again. But, without knowing why they were now exes and why she never wanted to see him again put Cody at a disadvantage. Was he dealing with a simple cheating husband or was this guy a possible threat to Blake's health and well-being? Those were things he needed to know but before he could ask, the man passed by them.

Cody watched him for a moment, questions slipping from his mind. The man didn't seem to notice that Blake was here yet, which would be a good thing. Maybe they could sneak her back into the kitchen before he noticed. Of course not, that'd be too easy, Cody thought, groaning inwardly as the man came back and clearly saw Blake this time around. As he came over, Cody watched his body language and facial expressions very, very closely. He didn't seem threatening, but for all Cody knew the guy was a good actor.

Cody's eyes flicked back and forth between Marcus and Blake as they exchanged greetings. His eyes hardened when he saw Blake trembling after Marcus took her hand. Once she had declined his offer of spending the afternoon with him and her hand was released, Cody reached over confidently and took Blake's hand in his. "I'm sorry, sir," he said cooly, glaring at Marcus. "I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Officer Walker." He held his free hand out to the photographer.

With a quick glance at Blake, and praying silently she'd play along, Cody gave her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to request that you find yourself a seat," he said, "you're blocking the walkway."

[lucky]

Blake looked over at Cody when he took her small hand in his. She was still trembling but she relaxed just a little bit. She gave him a small smile before looking up at Marcus to see if he would shake Cody's hand. Marcus raised an eyebrow when Blake accepted this man's hand. So his was a cop. Then the cop put his hand out to shake. Marcus smirked and looked at Blake, ignoring the hand. Blake, the cop type? I had no idea. He said chuckled.

Blake bit her bottom lip and continued to look up at him. Sweetheart, he isn't good for you. I know what you like, I can make all your troubles go away. Now please, spend the afternoon with me. He said, smirking. He couldn't see Blake with a cop. Especially this one. This 'Officer Walker' looked too rough and tough for his little Blake. He would probably hurt her. Blake frowned and held onto Cody's hand tighter. No Marcus. The last time I took pictures with you, you took me to a strange country, married me, impregnated me and then left once the baby was born. I don't want to go through that again. Plus, Cody wouldn't do that to me. She said, smiling at Cody.

Her trembling was still evident but she had a bit more confidence now. Thanks to Cody. Marcus scoffed and scowled at Cody. He couldn't believe that such a man would take away his Blake and claim her as his own. He would not allow it. He had a child out of her. How is my son? I want to see him. Marcus said. He looked at Blake with darkened, hardened eyes. She gasped and shook her head. She wouldn't let this man touch her baby. No! She said.