Chapter Text
FAGE 14. Escape From Reality
Title: Sweater Weather
Written for: DeJean Smith
Written By: KitsuShel
Rating: E
Summary/Prompt used:
-Cute meeting between characters
-Fall/Autumn (I'm a huge fan of Haunted Mansions/Headless Horsemen)
-Kindness
-Pumpkin Spice is the root of all evil
-"I will die on that hill"
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The leaves crunched under Bella Swan's feet as she strolled down Main Street. The air was cool, tranquil and quiet at barely five in the morning. She stopped in front of her bakery/cafe, Sugar Swans, and unlocked the doors. Glancing across the street to where the local firehouse was situated, she silently scanned the building for any lights or movement indicating if anyone was awake yet. She'd grown up in this little town where her father was chief of police, and his brother-in-law had been the fire department captain. Her uncle Billy had retired a few years ago after he'd become paralyzed when a burning roof collapsed on him during a rescue, but he still stayed involved with the bureaucratic side of things.
As the same with every other morning for the past six months, she wondered if a certain green-eyed firefighter would stop in the shop at some point that morning. A sharp gust of wind lifted Bella's hair from her neck, causing a shiver to race down her back. She hurried inside of the warm building, attempting to leave behind the chilly October air. She relocked the door and made her way back to the kitchen area, leaving the cafe side of things for Angela to take care of when she arrived in a little while. She turned on a few lights as she moved through the room, only stopping to turn on the coffee machines and small countertop oven to warm up. She pushed her way through the swinging door that separated the large open kitchen from the cafe and slid off her coat before hanging it and her bag on a hook next to the door.
Walking over to the far side of the room, she turned both of the industrial sized ovens on to preheat before turning to the speaker system and connecting the bluetooth device to her phone's morning playlist. Once music was filling up the room, she headed over to put on her favorite apron and wash her hands before starting to bake the morning's muffins and other tasty treats.
Since it was early October, she'd decided to try a different pumpkin spiced item to feature each week for the fall. This week would be a pumpkin spice donut with a light cream cheese glaze. She'd painstakingly tweaked the recipe multiple times, dropping off all of her experiments to friends and family members to taste test. This particular donut had been a huge hit, and she was excited to see what her regular customers thought.
The rest of the day moved along swiftly, and before Bella knew it, it was one o'clock in the afternoon, and she found herself manning the front counter with two of her part-time workers, Mae and Alex, while her manager Angela was on break. She glanced up to greet a customer when the bell over their front door jangled. A big smile broke out on her face, and she rushed around the counter to throw her arms around her uncle after his wheelchair had rolled to a stop just inside the door.
Billy Black let out a laugh and shook his head at his niece's antics.
"Hello to you, too, Baby B. You act like you haven't seen me in weeks."
Bella stood up straight and grinned sheepishly. "It's been two weeks, actually, Uncle B. How was your trip to California?"
Billy smiled. "It was refreshing, to say the least."
"Why do I feel like there's more to the story there?" Bella mused.
"Because you're quite right, my dear. I can't wait to tell you all about it. Do you have some time today? Jake and some of the guys from the station were going to meet me here in a little bit for an afternoon break."
Bella nodded. "That sounds perfect. Angela should be back soon. What would you like? I'll bring it over to your table."
Billy frowned playfully and shook his head. "If I don't come up to the counter to order, you won't let me pay. You know I hate taking advantage."
She waved him off. "Even if you come up to the counter, everyone knows that your money is no good here. You're welcome to leave a tip in the jar for the others if you'd like, but your order's on me."
Billy acquiesced and told Bella what he'd like to eat and drink before maneuvering his way to one of the larger tables in the back. She was just getting ready to bring over his order when the door opened again, and four men walked inside. Three were wearing navy blue slacks and shirts with the letters FFD embroidered over the hearts in a shield. The fourth was her cousin, Jacob Black, who was simply wearing jeans and a hoodie since he was off-duty. The largest of the three on-call firemen caught Bella's attention and waved.
"Hell's Bells!" Emmett Cullen called out boisterously. "I haven't seen you in forever!"
Bella laughed. "You were just here this morning for coffee and donuts, Em."
Emmett placed his hand over his heart. "Ah, but it feels like a lifetime, my dear."
A hard shove knocked Emmett slightly off-balance, causing the others to laugh. The giant of a man turned around to glare at his brother Edward. Bella caught the copper-haired man's wink and looked away, trying to contain her blush. She'd had a crush on the youngest Cullen since his family moved to town a few years back, but Edward himself had only transferred from his station in Seattle about six months ago.
While glancing away from Edward, Bella's gaze caught the mischievous sea blue eyes of her ex-boyfriend. James Hunter raised an eyebrow and smirked in her direction. Bella rolled her eyes as he beelined his way to the counter. He leaned forward and lowered his voice so no one else could hear him.
"When are you going to put Cullen out of his misery, Izzy Bella?"
She blushed and smacked him on his shoulder. "Shut up, Jimmy."
James stood up and gave her a wide smile. "Come on, babe. You need to get laid, and everyone in a ten-mile radius knows that Cullen would be up for the job. Literally and figuratively."
She bit her cheek, barely holding in an indignant squawk. "Why am I friends with you again? I can't stand you."
The blond laughed and shook his head. "You know you love me." He sighed. "It's a shame the sex was so awkward—we would've made beautiful babies."
She pulled her arm back and punched him in the shoulder as hard as she could. "Go sit down."
Bella motioned toward the table where the other men had already sat down with Billy. James laughed and followed her orders, rubbing his shoulder as he went. As she shook her head, she noticed Edward watching her with a fond smile. When he saw that he'd been caught, he looked away quickly.
She picked up a pad and walked over to get their orders started. Angela should be back any moment, and then she'd come sit with them for a little bit. She leaned against Jacob's chair and ruffled his hair.
"What can I get you guys started to drink?"
After writing down the various orders, she smiled at the group. "Okay, I'll get these started while you figure out what you'd like to eat."
"Hey, Bella," Edward's musical voice called out.
Surprised, she turned to him. Her heart had started racing the minute she'd heard her name leave his lips. "Yes, Edward?"
He smiled brightly. "Can you grab me a chocolate chip muffin, please? I'm starving."
She gave him a confused look. "Didn't you get any of the donuts I sent over?"
A dusting of pink brushed his cheekbones as he rubbed his neck. "Uh, ah, no. Sorry, I'm not a pumpkin fan."
She gasped playfully. "Wow, really? I know it's a little over-hyped these days, but that doesn't mean it's not delicious. Come on, Cullen."
He responded with a one-armed shrug. "It's not my fault that pumpkin spice is the root of all evil."
"Don't worry about him, Bells. He's always been a stick-in-the-mud," Emmett replied as he patted his brother roughly on the back.
Bella tapped her pen against her lips, definitely not missing the way Edward's gaze followed the movement. "Well"—she pondered—"I guess I'll just have to take that as a challenge."
He leaned back in his chair and gave her a contemplative look. "I mean, you're welcome to try, but you won't succeed."
Bella grinned mischievously at the opportunity placed in front of her. "Are you willing to die on that hill?"
He laughed and shook his head. "Maybe I am."
She nodded and replied, before heading back behind the counter. "Okay, then I guess we'll see."