How I Met Your Father

Deirdre fiddled with her loose turtleneck as she walked out of her office. Lunch time and she knew exactly where she was going to eat. That little bistro and bakery combination right down the parkway. Hollow Haven was bustling right now since it was the perfect time to get lunch but Deirdre didn’t worry. Her next appointment was at 2 and it was only noon. She had enough time to eat and get ready for sure. She pulled back her long braids to rest on her back as she made her way through the small gathering of knittens for the farmer’s market. She hummed softly, as she spotted children running around the plaza where the market was being held. She thought about how Hunter and Liam were watching Ide now, as Bev and Farran were at the market themselves , instead of her being there for her daughter. She had to work though. Working provided for her and her baby girl.

She thought about Lance and wondered if he was still going to be a problem figure. She was still seeing him after all but he wanted nothing to do with Ide. He was a shitty father and a horrible boyfriend, but she loved him. Hunter and her got into a screaming match about it the other day and the guilt for raising her voice at him hurt her. She rarely yelled. But Hunter just… He didn’t understand. Deirdre didn’t want to take the time to point out all the good things in Lance because it would be a very short list. He was the father of her baby. What other major reason should she stay? She wanted Ide to have a family.

She sighed and walked into the “Bake Sweet ” bistro and bakery and blinked seeing a short line despite the hussle and bussle outside. She smiled as she finally got up to the counter.

“Hey Carter. How are you doing today?” She asked , looking over the menu board and getting a chuckle from the pink haired senbo member.

“Good as ever! Marlene is learning to walk. It’s crazy.” He laughed and gestured to the board behind him. “We also got some new drinks and baked goods. They are new recipes I made myself with the help of Sweets.” Carter smiled wider , talking about his partner in crime who always made the man grin.”Oh by the way, you got your order already.” Carter grinned as the assistant handed him over the drink and the food she normally got.

“A lavender lemonade, a blueberry scone and a caprese sandwich? How did you know? ” Deirdre laughed as she started to pull out her card to pay for it. Carter shook his head

“Oh no Deirdre. Someone noticed you always got this. He paid for it for you already and left.” Carter winked at her making her pale skin flush. Someone noticed her enough to recognize her in the first place, and then remembered her enough to get her order spot on? She grabbed her drink and food and sat down at the small table in front of the window.

Lance didn’t even care enough to remember her habits. She always got the same thing every time she went to restaurants. She was a creature of habit and hated to change it up because she didn’t want to waste money. She flushed harder thinking about this kind soul who just made her day. She rubbed her cheeks to avoid showing off the bright red cheeks of hers. What if her family walked into Bake Sweet while she was thinking about this mystery person. She got an idea however.

She finished her food and got up , walking over to Carter.

“When does the guy come in? I would like to buy him lunch for the next time he comes in.” Deirdre muttered, getting a loud laugh from Carter.

“Well you’re in luck because he’s just as regular as you are and gets the same thing everytime too.” Carter winked at her, like he was telling her a top secret. He took her card and paid for the meal and smirked as Deirdre flushed again. “Glad to see you happy Dre. I haven’t seen you smile in almost a year.” he told her, handing back her card and making her stutter. She was happy. Wasn’t she? She had Ide and Lance… Well more like just Ide and her family.

Deirdre headed back off to work and after work , headed back to the family home to get her daughter. “Wow Dede. I haven’t seen you so happy in months. What happened?” Kinsley asked, leaning her hand on the table as Deirdre picked up Ide into her arms.

“Nothing happened. Just someone paid for lunch today. “

“OOO lucky girl? Or lucky guy?” Hunter asked, piping into the conversation.

Deirdre wrinkled her nose in irritation. “Guys, it was nothing. He paid for my meal before I even got there and left before I even knew. Nothing is happening. I’m still with Lance.” She frowned , heading toward the door. Deirdre could feel the disappointment radiate off her siblings even with her back turned to them. “Guys.. Lance is a good guy. Just try and give him a chance.”

Much to Deirdre’s irritation, this interaction of buying each other food went on for weeks. By the second week she was ready to stalk Bake Sweet. And by the third she was ready to fight Carter on who it was since Carter seems so well knowledged in this person.

“Carter… I’m this close to staying here all day one day and finding out who this is. “ she groaned, leaning against the ordering counter. Carter chuckled and wiped down the counter around her. “You know… I’m sure you’ll find out who it is one day Dre.” she groaned and felt her heart race as the door chimed , signaling there was a new customer.

“Oh Xavier!” Deirdre turned around and felt her heart race faster. Oh.. he was very attractive. And he was heading for the door again once he saw her face? “AH LATER CARTER I FORGOT SOMETHING.”

Deirdre whipped around to face Carter who nodded and gestured for her to follow him. Deirdre booked it out Bake Sweet and rounded the corner was she saw Xavier panting and clutching his chest.

“YOU!” She shouted, pointing at him. Xavier froze before booking it again. “HEY GET BACK HERE!” Deirdre had experience running after people. She had too many siblings and a baby to not be good at chasing people. She reached out her hand and grabbed the hood to his hoodie as he tried to duck into a building. The sudden feeling of being jerked to a stop made both of them tumble over onto the pavement. The male grabbed Deirdre and wrapped his arms around her head as they fell over. Deirdre blinked up at him as he pulled away from her and sat on the ground.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you yet… I … I wanted to get the courage to talk to you first.” Xavier mumbled , rubbing his cheeks as a bright red blush started to sprinkle over his cheeks.

“You tried to run when I caught you finally and then you protected me as we fell? Who are you? Reverse Cinderella?” she asked, with an out of breath laugh. She sat up and stared at him. He was hot. Really… Really… hot. She flushed and looked away.

“I’m Deirdre O’hare.”

“Xavier Waston. Sorry for running. I thought.. I thought we had more time before we actually met.” Deirdre nodded and stood up. “Let’s get some lunch and talk about it? I’ve been dying to meet you.”