Regal Sweets

Chapter 1

Regina Mills is a single mom who lives in the city of New Orleans. She has one son and his name is Henry. Henry is 10 years old and attends Newman School.

Regina owns a bakery in uptown New Orleans. Henry attends school by scholarship and that is how he is able to attend one of the top schools in the city. They live in an apartment not far from Henry's school. It helps because she is able to walk him to school and also walk to work.

Regina's bakery is one of the best in the city. Regal Sweets is Regina's whole life. It has been given four stars by the food critic for the delicious treats that are homemade. Her bakery is located on one of the busiest streets in the city. There are many schools around and she gets a lot of business from the local high school students and even the two colleges that are located down the street.

It was a beautiful day in September and Regina was walking Henry to school. "How are you liking this new school year so far?" She asks Henry. "It's really fun. We have already been learning a lot and we are going on a field trip next month for History class." He says excitedly. "That sounds exciting. You can tell me more about it tonight." She says as they approach his school. "Okay, mom. I'll see you after school." He says giving his mom a hug. "Have a good day." She says as he runs into the school.

Regina walks toward her bakery and sees her employees waiting for her. Her employees are also her really good friends and they would take turns babysitting Henry whenever she needed them too.

Emma Swan is a college student at Loyola University and she would work everyday between classes. She loved her job and always wanted to spend her time at the bakery when she could. She worked the front counter and dealt with sales.

Mary-Margaret Nolan graduated from Loyola with a business management degree. She wanted to help Regina as much as possible. She married David Nolan a couple months after she graduated. They have been married for a little over a year now. She also works with Emma at the front counter, but also began helping Regina manage after she graduated.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late. I just dropped Henry off at school." She says unlocking the door. "It's okay Regina. We were only here for like 5 minutes." Mary-Margaret said. "Okay let's get this day started." She said with a smile.

They walked inside and Regina went straight to her office. She set up her laptop and put her purse under her desk. Mary-Margaret followed her and started working on the business and making sure everything they needed was ordered. Regina walked to the kitchen and began working. They didn't open till 1:00 pm, but they were open from 10-12 strictly for placing orders.

Regina worked alone in the kitchen. That's why she went in so early everyday. She baked everything on her own. She starts with the same thing everyday. Cookies, then cupcakes, then brownies. She had three ovens in the back and she made batches in bulk. In one mixing pot, she could make about 200 hundred cookies, 10 pans of cupcakes, and 10 pans of brownies. After she does the most common things, she starts making some specialties. She makes apple pie, creme puffs, specialty cakes, and her favorite apple turnovers. She makes other pies and turnovers but only at request.

It is normally around 10 when she begins to make her specialties. She makes a certain number of pies, creme puffs, and specialty cakes everyday. Before she begins, she brings out the cookies, cupcakes, and brownies that she has finished and brings them to Emma to put out. Regina then goes back to work in the kitchen.

Regina just put everything in the oven around 11:30 and has some time to rest. Emma runs in the kitchen. "Hey I have to get to class and Mary-Margaret is on the phone. Can you take this order for me?" She asks. "Yeah, Emma get to class." She said smiling.

Emma runs back into the store. "The owner will be with you in a moment." She says. "Thank you." The gentlemen says and she runs out the door.

Regina grabs a towel and wipes her hands. "Can I help you?" She asks.