Love and Bloody Cupcakes

4

Rosie's POV 

"Ah! The sun is shining! The birds are chirping! Today is such a wonderful day in hell, wouldn't you agree Mavis?" I hummed as I entered her bakery. Every day that I got to see a glimpse of Madeline was a good day. The fact that she snuck in a kiss last night made seeing her today all the more special. It was not every day that someone made me blush after all! I glided up to the baker and flashed her a dazzling smile. 

"Well it seems Madeline wasn't the only one who had a good time last night," Mavis chuckled as she aimed for a white box. "What'll it be today, Rosie? Cupcakes? Cookies?" 

"I'll take whatever you have to offer," I waved off. "Is Madeline here? I was hoping to see her this morning."

"She had to go to the market for me," Mavis explained. "If you come back in an hour, she'll be here. Can you believe I ran out of chocolate eyeballs? I didn't believe her this morning when she said I was out! People must really be loving those buckeyes. I can't keep 'em on the shelf!" I chuckled as I leaned against the counter with a credit card in hand. "I take it that you'll be back later to say hello? Or are you going to make the girl walk over to your emporium with a special delivery?" A mischief smirk crossed my lips as I shrugged. 

"I have no idea what you mean Mavis? I would never just stop by in the middle of the day to get a glance at Madeline." My fake offense got a laugh out of the older woman. 

"Sure, sure. Cause you came by all the time before she fell down here." The sarcasm in Mavis's tone made me grin. 

"Of course I did! I was here all the time." I attempted to wave her off as I grabbed the assorted boxes. Crap, when was the last time I bothered to come over here before Madeline showed up? Was it really sad that I could not remember? Mavis rolled her eyes as she handed back my card. 

"I'll be sure to tell her that you stopped by," Mavis muttered as I took my order. 

"Oh, you don't have to do that Mavis! I'm sure I'll be seeing her later today." 

"Yes, but if I tell her you stopped by and asked about her, she gets a smile a mile wide. And she is  a better worker when she's in a good mood." The thought of Madeline's smile melted my heart. I gulped back so many questions I wanted to ask. I never knew she smiled when she knew  I stopped by. I wanted to be the biggest reason a silly grin grew on her face. 

"Awe, she's such a doll!" I laughed as I tried to balance the different boxes I was given. The door rung as it swung open behind me. 

"Gee, all her admirers are here this morning,"  Mavis grumbled. "Milo! What are you doing here so early in the morning?" I glanced back and saw one of the many contracts I owned. Milo stood in his usual western attire. Simple patched blue jeans and a button down shirt. He fixed the brim of his cowboy hat before he stepped inside. 

"Mavis! Is Madeline 'round here?" He called out with his twang. 

"She's out at the market getting me chocolate eyeballs. Are you grabbing anything while you're here?" Mavis asked harshly. I winced slightly at her bite. I guess Milo was not her favorite customer. 

"Nah, I'll wait around for her. How much longer she gonna be?" 

"Might be a little while," Mavis stated. "Better off coming back later, Milo. Why don't you be a doll and help Rosie with her packages?" The cowboy jumped to action and grabbed all of the boxes from me. 

"Of course! Anything for you,  Rosie." He gave me a charmed smile as he piled them onto his burly arms. "Ready to get going?" The thought of Milo only being at the bakery to see Madeline made my blood boil.  I wanted to rip the skin off of his body and throw it to the cannibalistic birds outside.