Stand By Me

Part 5- Wishes

~Bella's POV~

"Watch your step, love." John grins as he pulls me off to the side to avoid a puddle.

"Thanks." I chuckle, trudging along beside him.
I'm surprised by how many people are outside today given that there'd been such a powerful storm yesterday. The neighbors are out walking their dogs, and children are filling up the streets. Everything seems so normal, so full of life.

"So Bella..." He clears his throat, speaking softly yet loud enough to capture my attention.
"Have you lived here long?"

"About 11 years. I'm originally from Manchester, but Mum and I moved here when I was 12."

"Which part of Manchester?"

"Oldham." I answer. "My father and his family used to own a restaurant there." I can feel my body tense up at the mention of my father, though I'd taught myself not to let it show.

"A restaurant, wow." His eyes widen in amusement. "What kind of food?"

"Mostly family recipes. We're Armenian, so Shish-Kabob over Pilaf, Dolma, Kima. It was all so delicious, I wish I could have taken you." I pause for a second, realizing how that probably sounded. "I mean, I wish you could have gone. I think you would have liked it."

John smirks, "Probably."

"Given your family history, I'm gonna assume you like to cook?" He asks as we turn a corner.
Only now do I remember that we were supposed to get a coffee, though I'm fine with just a long walk.

"Oh yeah, It's one of my favorite things to do! Nothing brings people together like good food, y'know? Especially when it's home cooked."

"I hear ye. My aunt is a pretty good cook. She makes the best bread pudding I've ever had."

"Oh my, that sounds great . What is it about aunts? They seem to always know how to make the best desserts." I chuckle.

"True."

"Do you like to cook John?"

"No. I do like to eat though." He giggles. "Speaking of that, I'm actually pretty hungry right now. Are you?"

"I could eat something."

"There's a chippy down the street, my aunt took me there loads of times when I was a boy. Does that sound alright?"

I nod, "Sure!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Only now do I realize how hungry I am as I close my eyes and inhale the aroma of fried food and vinegar.

Once sat, we begin to mull over the menus, though the obvious choice is fish and chips. We order as soon as the waitress comes around, then pick up our conversation right where we'd left it.

"So John you've mentioned your aunt a couple of times today, tell me more about her." I smile and rest my elbow on the table, staring at him intently.

A grin spreads across his face, crinkling his nose in the most adorable fashion, "Ah, Aunt Mimi. Where do I begin?"

"I lived with her most of my childhood. Quite a frosty lady, but a good aunt nonetheless." He chuckles. "She loves me more than anybody in this world, and that's a fact."

I smile with affection, "She sounds fun. I'd love to meet her someday."

"Who knows, maybe ye will." He shrugs at the thought. "Though she probably won't like you. She's never liked any girl I've brought home."

We both chuckle and take a sip of our drinks, making small talk about the restaurant before
the smell of piping hot food captures both of our attention, along with the delectable smell it brings.