Just Following Orders

A Missed Opportunity

Here's a snippet from a new story connected to your favorite characters in this one.

A Missed Opportunity.

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It's only a few moments after I knock on the door before it swings open.

I'm met with two grinning faces when it's open, with Noah stands beside the door with his hand on the doorknob. In the other, he holds Cameron to his side like he's a toddler. Cameron is obviously happy to be held like that again by someone who can probably do it longer than I can now.

I gasp at the chef hats they both have on. Cameron's is a little too big for him, but he wears it proudly. "Hello! Look at you too." I murmur as I walk in when Noah steps aside. "What's for dinner tonight, chefs?" I ask as I spin to face them again.

Noah shuts the door behind me. "Well, Miss. If you'll just follow my colleague to the table, we'll be happy to show you." He hums as he leans down to set Cameron down.

"This way, Miss Mommy." Cameron adopts that same 'fancy' tone Noah puts on as he marches his way down the hall. I laugh and look back at Noah while I follow him. He smiles back at me and reaches out for my purse held loosely in my hand. I let him take it and face forward again to watch Cameron before I see where Noah puts it.

I smile wider at the table when it comes into view. They not only set the table but made it pretty too with what looks to be a newly bought cookie scented candle lit up in the middle of the table and a rose resting beside a table mat with a fork and a knife on either side of it at one spot on the circular table with four chairs around it. Cameron rushes over to that seat and pulls back the chair for me. I press my hand to my chest as I walk over. "Oh, thank you, sir." I beam as I sit down.

My expression goes deadpanned when Cameron makes an exaggerated sound as he struggles to push my chair back in. The thing is though, he doesn't even push. He grabs the chair, makes the sound, then gives up.

Noah laughs as he jogs over to grab the back of my chair just as my son gives up on the God-awful task of pushing my chair in. Noah, meanwhile, manages to push my chair in without making a dramatic noise. "Thank you." I sigh, glancing over my shoulder at Noah then on my other side at Cameron.

"Here's a flower." Cameron gestures to the rose. "It's red."

"It is red, thank you." I nod and smile down at my rose.

"Yeah."

"Okay." Noah clears his throat as he backs away from the table and towards the doorway to the kitchen. "Chef Cameron, shall we go get the plates?" He coaxes.

"Um." Cameron looks around the table. "You can get it." He decides confidently as he tugs the chair beside me out from under the table.

"Oh," He blinks but ultimately smiles and nods. "Of course." He hums as he turns to go towards the kitchen.

"Thank you." I call out to him on a laugh. He waves at me over his shoulder without turning around. I turn to Cameron next while he straightens up in his seat, happily waiting. "Did you have a good day at school, baby?" I ask.

He shrugs as he looks away. "Yeah."

I try not to frown at his suddenly iffy tone. "How's your teacher? Is she nice?" I push. I met her a week before he started. She seemed nice, but I'd like to hear it from him.

"Yeah." He answers with the same tone, uninterested in this conversation. I sigh quietly while I watch him avert his gaze from me.

"Well, what about after school? Did you have fun with Noah today?"