Flower Child | afi

1

The bell above the florists door chimed as their next customer entered. Jacqueline looked up from the bouquet of flowers she was arranging and smiled when she saw the small girl. 

She looked to be about five, and wore her dirty blonde hair in a plaited ponytail, a bright pink scrunchie holding it up. She had a cheesy grin as she ran about, smelling all the different types of flowers she came across.

"Hi there," Jacqueline smiled at her as she approached the girl, the bouquet forgotten about on the counter.

The blonde turned to face the girl who had spoken and her eyes lit up. "Your hair is so pretty!" She exclaimed, staring at Jacqueline's ginger hair. "Did you colour it with Textas?"

Jacqueline laughed softly and knelt down to the girl's height. "No, I was born with this colour hair. Your hair is very pretty too."

"My Daddy did it for me!" She said happily. "He's very good at plaiting!"

"Oh yeah? Do you know where your Daddy is?" Jacqueline asked, looking around. He certainly wasn't in the store.

The blonde thought to herself, her face all scrunched up. "Um, I left him at the café! I saw the flowers when he was buying me cake so I went to see them!"

There was a café across the street, practically opposite the florist, so Jacqueline assumed that was the one she was talking about. "Let's see if we can go find him yeah? What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Rosie! Like the flower!" She grinned, "My Daddy said my Mummy loves roses!"

"That's such a pretty name! My name is Jacqueline, but you can call me Jackie, okay?"

The girl nodded. "I like your name. I think Daddy would too!" Rosie said, grabbing onto Jacqueline's hand with her own. "Daddy would like you, you're very pretty. Almost as pretty as my Mummy!"

"I'm sure she's very pretty," Jacqueline said, turning to face the staff room. "Calum! I'm going out! Take over the counter!" She hoped the Kiwi heard her.

"I have an uncle called Calum!" Rosie stated. "He's a bit silly sometimes."

Jacqueline took a carnation from the bouquet she was previously arranging and handed it to the girl. "Thank you, thank you!" Rosie exclaimed, sniffing the pink flower.

"You're very welcome, Rosie." The redhead smiled. The two walked out of the florist and looked both ways before crossing the street. "Do you see your daddy anywhere, love?" Jacqueline asked once they were standing infront of the café.

Rosie looked around. "Hmm," she hummed. "No, I don't think so," she sighed. "I hope he didn't get lost."

"Rosie!" A mans voice called from behind them. They turned around and watched as a man wearing a polka-dot shirt ran up to them.

"Daddy!" Rosie squealed, rushing to meet him. Her dad lifted her up and hugged her tightly to his chest, a look of pure relief on his face. "Where'd you go, bear? I was looking everywhere for you! Don't you run off again, okay?"

"Sorry Daddy," Rosie pouted. "But I saw a flower shop! And Miss Jackie gave me a flower!"

He placed his daughter back on the ground and made sure to hold her hand so she wouldn't disappear before looking at Jacqueline. "Thank you so much for bringing her back," he spoke. "I'm Ashton. Ashton Irwin."

The two adults shook hands. "Jacqueline O'Hara. It was really no problem, she's a sweetheart." She frowned. "I should really be getting back to work, trusting Calum to look after the shop for more than five minutes is bound to be a disaster."

Ashton smiled at her. "Well, thank you again, I appreciate it. Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

Jacqueline thought for a moment. "You could always come buy some flowers tomorrow, we could use the business." She blushed, "but only if you want to! Don't feel pressured, you don't have to."

The single dad laughed softly, "we'll see you tomorrow then."

Rosie cheered. "Bye Miss Jackie!"

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Hi!

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- Tori & Kaykay