A/N: Forgive me for not updating much, I'm super busy at the moment, but I will try to update when I can. I also promise to make up for this very short chapter with the next one!
Another slow morning met Madeleine as she leaned on the counter at the coffee shop, groaning from her slight hang over as she sipped her coffee. She had no idea where Amelia was and that made her incredibly nervous. No one had come in yet that day and she was thankful for that, being able to nurse her hangover a bit better. She couldn't help but groan when she heard the bell over the door ring, signaling someone's approach. She turned and sighed, opening her eyes and gulping a little.
"'Ello again, love." Arthur said with a groggy voice, rubbing his temple. "Can I get a Caramel Macchiato with a double shot of caffeine?" He asked, looking up at Madeleine with tired green eyes. She nodded and took his card, swiping it and handing him the receipt, and proceeding to make the coffee. Arthur chuckled as he watched her, Madeleine turning to see what was so funny. "Sorry, I just find it amusing that you have to run this place by yourself…from the looks of it last night, your friend got quite…acquainted with a young man last night at the club." Madeleine nearly dropped the coffee she held out to him, her eyes wide. Arthur laughed and nodded, as if answering an unspoken question. "Yes, I was there last night. A few of my co-workers thought it'd be a good idea to take me out." He took his coffee and sat down at a table, motioning for Madeleine to sit as well.
A soft gulp ran through her as she took her own coffee and sat down across from him, her face bright red as she stared at the ground. "….W-Were you the one I was dancing with?" She asked with a squeaky voice, avoiding his gaze as much as possible. Arthur raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head.
"I refused to get on the dance floor. Must have been one of my co-workers." He snickered and sipped at his coffee, yawning. Madeleine couldn't tell if she were relieved or if she was disappointed, staring at the coffee in her lap. Arthur watched her for a moment before sighing. "Look, I-I didn't mean to embarrass you, yesterday I mean. I felt bad about it, but…with your friend here; I didn't want to accept your invitation, lest she became upset, too. I hope I didn't cause you much trouble…" Madeleine quickly shook her head, looking up at him with a fake smile.
"Oh, d-don't worry about it, please. I was just being friendly after all." She let out an uneasy laugh, Arthur frowning a bit. Deciding it was best to just drop the subject, he sipped his coffee some more, staring out the window. Madeleine stared with him, a soft and kind smile on her face as she looked out at the beautiful yet dark Vancouver area. Eventually, Arthur's gaze drifted to Madeleine, staring at her curiously. Her mouth was parted just slightly, lips a light, natural pink color, her hair a dirty blonde color that flowed down half of her back, at least, but it was hard to tell with it up in two long pigtails. She was average sized, no more than 5'3", but she was lean, especially her legs. He blushed lightly at the fact that he had taken in her figure so well. However, the most captivating thing about her was her eyes. He had never met someone with violet eyes, and they were utterly gorgeous. He knew that if she'd let him, he could stare into them for eternity, maybe longer.
"…You know," He started, drawing Madeleine's attention back to him. "You don't seem like the kind of person who would want to stay somewhere as cold as Canada." She smiled at that, raising an eyebrow at him. Taking that as a hint to go on, Arthur sipped his coffee and set it aside, a small smirk on his face. "You strike me as the kind of person who would love to live near the ocean, someplace nice and warm." Madeleine's smile grew bigger as she giggled.
"Believe it or not, Mr. Kirkland, that's exactly how I would want to live. When I get enough money saved up, I'm leaving this place behind and going to San Francisco." She smiled at the thought, continuing to explain her perfect dream home, and what she wanted in the future. Arthur was completely entranced by her, listening intently, and even wishing to give her such things, in spite of the fact that she was a complete and utter stranger. At least one child, two at max, a beautiful house outside of the city, near the coast, maybe even on a hill that overlooked the ocean, nice and big, too, and a husband who loved her as much as she would adore him. As Arthur listened, he found himself smiling at her, finding how she talked about what she wanted in life quite amazing. Such a young girl, but she had everything figured out. On any other given occasion, he never would have taken the time to sit and talk with her, with anyone really, but something about her made him want to know it all, no matter what that may be.
"Well, it seems you've got it all figured out then. Now, since I've been so ungentlemanly in the fact that I have yet to ask you…might you tell me your name? It seems that I've been so busy giving my impressions of you, I didn't bother to ask." He gave an apologetic smile and Madeleine giggled.
"Madeleine." She said after she'd stopped her giggle fit, staring up at him with sparkling violet eyes. "My name is Madeleine Williams." She extended her hand to him, and Arthur took it happily, bringing the knuckles to his lips as he gently kissed them, Madeleine's face turning a bright red color. He released her hand and she turned away shyly, a soft laugh leaving Arthur.
"My, you are a shy one indeed….It makes me feel worse for being so rude to you yesterday." Madeleine shook her head, waving off and smiling at him. Arthur smiled in relief and leaned in a bit. "Truth be told, I'd really love to have you show me around. While it's true that I've been here hundreds of times, I have yet to see all there is to see. And since you appear to be a local…" He trailed off, glancing at her. Madeleine tried to hide a bright smile and nodded.
"I-I'd love to show you around, whenever you'd like." She told him, pushing her glasses up a bit on her nose. Arthur smiled in return, blinking when his phone started to go off. Excusing himself, he stood and made his way out of the shop, answering his phone. Madeleine relaxed when he left, letting out a sigh of relief. She hadn't realized it until then, but she had been holding her breath, ecstatic about being able to go on a da—wait…could it really be considered a date? She blinked a few times, chewing her lip thoughtfully. If Amelia were here, she would definitely say it was a date, but Madeleine wasn't so sure. Did showing him around honestly mean date? Her thoughts were cut off by Arthur running back in with a quiet swear, smiling apologetically at her.
"Forgive me, poppet, but it seems I'm late for a meeting. However….seeing as how I would very much enjoy seeing you again, could you be bothered for your number?" He asked, offering her a pen and small piece of paper. Madeleine smiled and took the pen, quickly scribbling down on the paper her number-home and cell-and handed it back to him. Arthur smiled and grabbed his coat, waving goodbye. "Until next time!" He called as he rushed out, leaving Madeleine in a daze. She smiled and went back behind the counter, attempting to get ahold of Amelia to no avail. Sighing, Madeleine put her phone away and, come closing time, locked up and headed home. It had been interesting to say the least.
.:.
It was only natural that Madeleine would be in the tub when her phone rang, the Canadian looking up from her book and sighing softly as she stood. Being careful not to get her favorite book wet, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her slim body, setting her book down on the counter as she went to the bedroom to answer her phone.
"Hello?" She answered, not having checked the caller I.D. first. She had to take the phone away from her ear a bit when Amelia's voice shouted into the other end, nearly deafening her.
"Maddie! You're never going to believe this, but I hooked up with someone last night!" She cried, squealing when she'd finished, Madeleine practically seeing the other jumping for joy. Despite being somewhat happy, and jealous, for her friend, her tone was a scolding kind, crossing her arms.
"Amelia! I've been trying to get ahold of you for hours! Do you know worried I was?!" Madeleine cried, sighing softly. "I'm happy for you, dear, but I've been worried sick that something happened to you." Amelia was heard laughing on the other end, Madeleine going to sit on her bed despite still dripping wet from the tub. She laid down as she waited for the other's explanation, letting her towel unravel a bit.
"I'm sorry Mads, but we were just having such a good time~ and…I was a little hung over." Amelia laughed sheepishly, Madeleine rolling her eyes. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know, and say sorry for missing work today. Was it crazy busy?" She asked, sounding curious. Madeleine laughed lightly, shaking her head despite the fact that her friend couldn't see her.
"On the contrary actually, there were only a few people who came in. Believe it or not, that Eyebrows guy, Arthur, came in. A-And…guess what~!" She had to keep from giggling childishly, Amelia blaring 'what' repeatedly into the phone. Once she calmed down, Madeleine finally spoke again. "He asked me out!" The two squealed, but Amelia composed herself first.
"I knew you were too good to resist~" She teased, making Madeleine blush. "Hey, Maddie, I gotta go. Give me all the details tomorrow at work, okay?" She said a quick 'goodbye' and hung up, madeleine sighing as she set the phone down and sat up, returning to her bath. It was only moments later, of course when she was in the tub again, that her cellphone went off, a text message from a number she didn't recognize flashing at her. A brow rose in curiosity as she checked her phone and read the text, smiling as she saw who it was.
'Hello there, Madeleine, it's Arthur. About that date, I'm free tomorrow afternoon and into the evening, if you would like to meet up then.'
'That sounds lovely. I have tomorrow off, so it's perfect.' Madeleine sent back, sinking further into the warm bath water. Arthur didn't reply for a while, Madeleine having gotten out of the bath when he finally did.
'Time and place?' He asked, making Madeleine think a bit.
'I have tomorrow off, but we can still meet at the coffee shop, around 2.' Madeleine had sent, Arthur replying with a simple 'ok' and a 'have a very good night, dear.' She smiled softly and got into her pajamas, silk pants and a silk tank top, and crawled into bed, watching some mindless show on T.V. as she eased into sleep. It was a peaceful one, one without any dreams, but blissful rest. Perhaps it was her excitement that kept the dreams at bay, but Madeleine, even in her sleep, couldn't seem to get the smile off her face.