Sparks | (nolanverse AU)

FIFTEEN - MINI ENTREPRENEUR

Helena huffed and wiped the sweat from her brow. Despite the sweltering heat, she was determined to make the most of her lemonade, cookies, and Orangina stand. Her little setup at the community playground park was bustling with activity, and she was proud of how it all looked. Her colorful sign proudly displayed:

Lemonade: $0.75

Cookies: $1.50

Orangina: $2.50

Services: Dog Walking, Rock Digging $5

Helena's determination was palpable. She wanted to buy her very own violin instead of renting the one that cost her mom ninety dollars a month. And she had her eye on a watercolor brush pen set too, even though her birthday was long past and Christmas felt like it was miles away. So today, every penny she earned felt like a step closer to her dreams.

The park was lively with a baseball game and families enjoying the sunny day. Helena's stand had already drawn some attention, but it was Bruce who truly made a splash. As he approached, people began to gather around, curious about what he was buying.

"Hi, Bruce!" Helena greeted him with a big smile, her face flushed with excitement. "What can I get you?"

Bruce ordered an Orangina and a cookie. As he paid, he complimented her on her setup. "You've done a fantastic job, Helena. Everything looks great."

Helena beamed, thrilled by his praise. "Thank you, Bruce! I'm almost out of everything!"

Bruce's presence was like magic. The sight of him enjoying his Orangina and cookie drew more customers to her stand. People were lining up, eager to buy her lemonade and cookies.

Before long, the stand was completely sold out. The pitcher of lemonade was empty, the cookie jar was bare, and the cooler that had held the Orangina was now empty. Helena was ecstatic, not just because she had made a lot of money, but because she had run her own little business successfully.

Bruce looked at the now-empty stand and turned to Helena. "Do you want to restock?"

Helena glanced at her little mermaid watch, a gift from her mom. "Mom wants me home in ten minutes for dinner, and it'll probably take that long to get back. So I can't restock today."

"Alright," Bruce said with a nod. "Let's get you home."

As they walked back to the Carmichael residence, Helena chattered excitedly about her day, her plans for the money, and how much fun she'd had. Bruce listened attentively, genuinely interested in her stories.

When they arrived at the house, Andrea was waiting by the door with a welcoming smile. "Hey, Bruce! Hi, Helena! How was the stand?"

"It was amazing, Mom!" Helena exclaimed. "I sold out of everything! Bruce was a big help—he really brought in the customers."

Bruce smiled warmly. "Helena did an incredible job. She worked really hard."

Andrea looked at Bruce with appreciation. "Thank you, Bruce. That's so kind of you to say."

Bruce reached into his bag and pulled out a bouquet of flowers, though they were a bit wilted from the heat. He handed them to Andrea with a shy smile. "These are for you."

Andrea accepted the flowers with a grateful smile and leaned in to give Bruce a kiss on the lips. Helena scrunched up her nose at the sight and muttered, "Gross!"

Bruce chuckled, clearly entertained by Helena's reaction. "Thanks for accepting them, Andrea."

Andrea laughed softly, looking at Helena with a twinkle in her eye. "You can count your money jar after dinner, sweetheart. I'll keep my promise and give you five dollars for every ten you made."

Helena's eyes lit up with excitement. "Thanks, Mom!"

Dinner was a cozy affair. Andrea had prepared a baked pasta casserole dish, which was warm and comforting, accompanied by a fresh salad. The pasta was cheesy and delicious, and the salad was crisp and refreshing. For dessert, Andrea served ice cream, which Helena eagerly devoured.

As they ate, Bruce and Andrea chatted and laughed with Helena. The mood was relaxed and happy, a welcome break from the hot day. Bruce and Andrea's easy affection for each other was clear, adding to the warm and pleasant atmosphere of the evening.

After dinner, Helena eagerly grabbed her money jar and started counting her earnings, her face beaming with pride. Andrea watched with a loving smile, clearly proud of her daughter's hard work and success.

Bruce glanced around the cozy kitchen and felt content. The evening had turned out to be a perfect end to a busy day, with a successful lemonade stand, a hearty dinner, and the company of good friends. He looked at Helena, who was excitedly planning what to do with her money, and then at Andrea, who was a supportive and loving mother.

"Thanks for having me over for dinner," Bruce said warmly. "It's been really nice."

Andrea smiled and squeezed his hand. "We're glad you could join us. It's been a wonderful evening."

As they finished up and cleaned the kitchen, Bruce felt grateful for the simple joys of the evening—a successful lemonade stand, a comforting dinner, and the company of those he cared for.

AN: I won't be posting in a while considering classes started, so last bit of summer fun. Thanks for all the support.