Alorah Reagen

"I can't thank you, kids, enough for helping us close the place," mom thanked Amelia, Layla, and Julian for the fifth time since they offered to help clean up.

"Mrs. Reagen, this is nothing. It's nothing compared to what you have given us ever since we met Alorah," Layla smiled as she wiped the last crumbs off the table.

"You're like a second mother to us," Amelia added, patting herself to get rid of any accumulated dust before opening her arms to hug Mom.

"Oh, you girls are the sweetest," Mom went in to hug Amelia tight, kissing the top of her head.

"I also wanted to thank you, Mrs. Reagen, for welcoming my group into your home despite it being last minute. The blueberry cheesecake was bombed!" Julian joined in, surveying the place for any spots that he had missed.

"You love the blueberry cheesecake?! Well, you are in luck!" Mom yelled out excitedly, and we watched her sprint to the backroom. Clattering sounds were coming from the room, and I swear something dropped to the floor and shattered.

"Mom! Are you alright?" I yelled, letting go of the broom, and was about to head in there when I got a response.

"Yup! Everything is okay! I just knocked something...delicious and creamy off the counter."

Oh god.

"Do you need any help?" I asked, my eyes lingering on the entrance to the backroom as I bent down to pick up the broom.

"No need! I got it from here. I just had to find the– where the heck did Derreck place the cleaning liquid thingy?" I squeezed my eyes shut as I felt the embarrassment boiling up to my face. They were not helping my case, as I could hear the three of them chuckling behind me.

"Mrs. Reagan is quite an interesting person," Julian pointed out between his laughter. It felt like my energy was sucked out of my body since all I could do was nod.

A couple of minutes passed, and the four of us were leaning against the counter, chatting as we waited for my mom to come out with what I am guessing was some blueberry cheesecake for Julian to take home.

If you want to get some free desserts from this woman, you have to show your genuine positive reaction to her dessert. I can guarantee you will leave this place with a box of blueberry cheesecake.

However, I can not guarantee how much she will give you because Mila Reagen is known for being a generous person.

"I'm here with some desserts!" Our conversation was interrupted when Mom ran out of the backroom with three green and white colored boxes. She put one each in front of Amelia, Layla, and Julian. The girls' expressions lit up, indicating they knew what was inside these boxes. On the other hand, Julian furrowed his eyebrow as he examined the container.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Reagan!" Layla and Amelia said in unison as they grabbed their box and placed it carefully inside their bags.

"Uh-uh! Don't you think calling me Mrs.Reagen is a little weird since I took care of you girls when you were a toddler?" Mom pointed out, resting her hands on her hips and tilting her head to the side.

"Hehehe. Thank you, Auntie Mila," Layla giggled stupidly, which caused me to let out an accidental chuckle. Her head immediately whipped to the side, and she gave me the stinky eye. Of course, this didn't help stop my laughter.

"Julian, honey? What's the matter?" Our moments were cut short when we heard Mom's question. I turned and noticed that he was still eyeing the box. I wasn't sure if I was the only one who saw it, but his fingers were twitching a little to the side like he wanted to grab it but wasn't sure if he could.

"N-nothing, Mrs. Reagan. I wasn't sure if I should take it," Julian responded as he rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes slightly squinted out of awkwardness as he tilted his head to the side, his eyes never leaving the box.

"Hahaha. Of course, you should take it. I prepared it for you since you enjoyed the blueberry cheesecake," Mom smiled at him, nodding slightly, encouraging him to grab the box and bring it home.

We watched as he slowly lifted his hand, and I could feel the tension rising as he moved his hands closer to the box.

Just a little further. You can do it.

Once I saw one of his fingers touching the box, I sighed out of relief.

"Thank you, Mrs. Reagan," Julian looked down at the box in his hands as he shyly thanked my mom.

"You are very welcome. It's already late, and I won't allow you kids to go home without an adult. It's unsafe."

"Mom, now that you mention it, didn't Dad say he would stop by after work? It's already 10:00 pm." I noted, opening my phone to see any messages coming from Dad.

"You are right. Where is your–"

The sound of a bell chiming echoed in the quiet cafe, and all of us turned to the door to see Dad heavily breathing with his hands on his knee to steady himself.

"I'm here! Sorry, I'm late."

"You are very late," Mom agreed as she walked over to him. Dad stood up straight and spread his arms wide out to welcome Mom with a hug.

"I'm sorry. My assistant caught me with some last paper I had to finish before leaving. I was this close to clocking out," Dad apologized, adding a kiss on Mom's forehead. "I see some familiar faces here."

"Good evening, Mr. Reagan."

"Hi, Uncle Zackary!"

"Amelia, Layla, Julian," Dad greeted back before his eyes landed on me. "No hug for me, sweetheart?"

"Dad," I groaned but didn't protest since I love hugs, and we would do this as a custom.

"You complain, yet you love it," he said, speaking my mind. I pinched his side a bit for the comment, and he bent his body weirdly in response."Come on. Let me take you, kids, home."

After Mom locked the doors and we hopped in the car, the four of us all squished up in the back while the adults took the front. The rest of the car ride was filled with questions and answers from my parents. Despite being a busy day, it quickly became my favorite since I discovered Julian's feelings for me.

We also sat beside each other in the car ride. Hehehe.