Make This Feel Like Home

Chapter 15

Mal's POV:

Waking up to the hideous sound of my alarm should be illegal... that is my first thought of the day.

Trudging to the coffee maker, I trip over my shoes that I left there last night, I woke up with a headache today so working with the bright lights and having to talk to customers does not sound like fun.

Sitting down on the couch with Cheerios and coffee is exactly the slow morning I need.

....

Getting to the Waffle House bright and early, I walk in and place my stuff in my locker, then set up my station at the front counter. As I'm organizing the menus I hear the bell ring, as I stack the menus again I say "good morning, would you prefer a table or-" I look up in the middle of my talking and see Harry.

"Harry!" I say running around the counter and giving him a hug, I didn't realize how much I missed him. He stumbles back a bit, not expecting the hug and honestly, I didn't expect it either, my feet just kind of carried me.

As I hug him, I realize he isn't wearing jeans and a t-shirt like he usually does, he's wearing sweats, which is admittedly comfier to hug someone in. He smells of his cologne and cleaning products, an odd combination but welcomed non the less.

"Hey" he says as we pull back, his dimples making their presence known as he smiles, "I just came from the airport, and I figured I would stop here first for some breakfast" he says. I smile and nod to what he says "well..." I say checking my watch, "you're on time, let's get you situated". He goes to his regular table as I go get his coffee.. black as always.

"So did anyone sit in my spot while I was gone?" He asks, taking a sip of his coffee. I shield my eyes from his as I nod. As I'm looking away I hear the most embellished gasp ever. I look back to him and we both laugh. "So what'll it be today ol' chap?" I ask and he chuckles "I'm trying to lessen the culture shock" I wink and feel myself smile. "Well thanks for that" he smiles. "Could I just get the classic pancake breakfast"? He asks. "No way! " I say and smile as I walk away to get his breakfast.

.....

As the traffic of the restaurant dies down I go to sit with Harry. "So when do you want to come watch movies with Mitch, Ree and I?" I asks as I sit down, stealing a peace of his bacon. He either doesn't realize or ignores it. And I smile to myself.

"I mean I have to finish unpacking my place but then we can do it for sure." He says softly, taking another bite of his pancakes. "Well do you want help? We can have a little unpacking party and then go to my apartment to watch the movies? Unless you don't want to spend that much time with me" I say partly as a joke but also because he might just want to be alone, he seemed pretty shaken up when he left the other week, and he might just want some time to chill.. I think to myself.

"No yeah! That would be so much fun! I can even make all of us dinner, I am a fantastic cook, just so ya know" he says boastfully and as I chuckle. "You know I used to be a baker right? So all forms of cooking are my specialty" he says in all seriousness. I try to keep a straight face. "Oh yeah? What's the best thing you've ever baked?" I ask genuinely wanting to know, "it was back at the bakery, and I had just a day to experiment so I made this skillet cookie tart thing and it was the BEST thing I have ever had I'm not even close to kidding" he says all too excitedly. For a man who just got off a very long plane ride he is quite energetic.

I hear the bell of the door ring again, meaning there is another customer to attend to, and that I must do my job. "Okay so you go home, take a nap and we'll meet at your house at 5:00pm?" I ask as I stand up straightening my apron. "Yeah sounds good". I smile walking away to help the lovely young couple to their seat.