No use crying over spilled milk. {open}

[Miranda Ducharme]

It was just after nine in the morning, and the nice quiet cafe was just where Miranda wanted to be. She'd worked a busy third shift, and the thought of curling up in bed sounded like an invite from Heaven. However, when she walked in the door and was nearly knocked over by an already wide-awake four year old, other priorities fell into place. Once the sitter left, Miranda began to scramble up a breakfast at home...But there wasn't any pancake mix. Or eggs. Or even a box of cereal that hadn't gone stale yet. On the way to the cafe, she wondered what they'd eaten for breakfast lately. It wasn't until they were in a parking spot did she realize she was still in uniform. Shrugging off her uniform top, she adjusted her tank top and took a glance to the cafe. After a few seconds she removed the gun from her belt and put it in the glove box.

Almost as soon as they sat down, the little girl bounced in her seat. "I want hot chocolate," She stated with a big grin. Looking across the table at her, Miranda offered a small smile. Their pale complexions and facial shapes were duplicates of each other; but while Miranda had short dark brown hair and stormy-gray eyes, Juliet had Caribbean-blue eyes and long deep-red hair. Thankfully, she'd yet to ask why the two looked so different.

"Careful, it's hot," Miranda reached out, moving the mug of hot chocolate further away while Juliet focused her attention on coloring a napkin various colors. She already knew what she wanted: Chicken fingers and french fries. Miranda, however, stared at the menu, looking for anything to grab her attention. Maybe she'd just pick at Juliet's fries and save some money...but then she'd never hear the end of it when all the fries were gone.

"Did you catch any bad guys?" Juliet asked without looking up, huddled over the table and her drawing as she kept going. It was the same question every time Miranda came home, and yet it never got old. Glancing up at her daughter, Miranda suddenly furrowed her eyebrows. Juliet was still in a pair of long pants and a t-shirt, both a pale pink with little silver crowns. Across the front of the shirt it read 'Princess.' Had she really forgotten to change her out of pajamas? Damn, she needed sleep, she was never this forgetful.

"Nope, everyone was good last night," Miranda lied. It probably wasn't the time or place to explain that mommy dearest had gotten involved in a high-speed chase that had lead to a pursuit on foot. When her stomach growled, Miranda wrinkled her nose.
"Sweetie, help me pick something out," She said, pushing a few strands out of her face that fell out of her short pony tail. Shoving aside her crayons and napkins, Juliet took a look at her menu.
"Get a.....Muffin!" She nodded, satisfied with her choice. Glancing down at the menu, Miranda furrowed her brows again.
"Where are they? I don't see-"
"Right there!" Juliet jumped up excitedly, nearly lunging across the table to point at her mom's menu. She missed her hot chocolate, however her lunge caused her to knock into the mug of hot coffee Miranda had ordered. The liquid spilled, pouring over the table edge like a waterfall and spilling into Miranda's lap.

"Shit!" She jumped up, sliding out from the booth in one fluid motion. Juliet sat back in her spot, her hands over her mouth.
"Swear jar!" Her little voice was muffled, and yet her words were still clear. Grabbing some napkins, Miranda ignored the burning on the front of her pants and focused on cleaning up the table.
"God d--" She mumbled under her breath at the burning, though stopped and looked at Juliet. "Bless America," She finished between clenched, offering a smile towards her daughter to show everything would be okay. Just very, very uncomfortable for someone with coffee-soaked pants.

[/center]

[richie]

Damn the sun for hurting his eyes, it didn’t show any respect to his hangover?

Adjusting his sunglasses, Richard let out a sigh as his stomach growled. Great, now he had a headache and was starving. You would think the girl that he spent the night with would at least offer him a cup of coffee in the morning before kicking him out of the door, but no such luck it seemed.

Looking down at the crumpled shirt he was wearing, he tried to smooth the clothing’s wrinkles a little with his hands. She had kicked him out even before he’d get fully dressed – what caused the old lady across the hall to blush and slam her door shut - not really a morning person, that was for sure. Come on, he’d at least throw in pancakes to his sleeping over buddy in the morning if it was his place, yeah, he was such a gentleman.

But luckily it was still early in the morning and he had yet until after lunch before going to work, so he’d have a few hours to catch some shut eye before going in. Maybe his head would even get better before the chief started the screaming fest of the day, oh joy.

But right now, what he really craved was a cup of coffee and a jelly donut.

Parking his car across the street from the café, he slipped out of the vehicle and towards the sweet aroma of coffee. Cops and donuts, yeah he was aware of the irony, but it wasn’t his fault that those things were so damned tasty. And he would burn out the calories later either by working out or running after some criminal later on.

Yeah, let’s thank the city’s scum for keeping him in shape. They were such nice fellows for that, right?

Walking into the café, he was relieved that he was able to pocket his sunglasses and not have his eyes hurting with the bright light. Did the sun have to be so bright that morning? Jeez!

He was just about to take a seat in a secluded booth when a scene between a woman and a child got his attention. Grabbing some napkins on the table on the way, he walked over to them and gave the woman one of his patented charming smiles while offering her the napkins.

Giving a playful wink to the child, he then turned to the woman.
“Silly mommy, the coffee goes in your mouth, not on your pants.”

[Miranda Ducharme]

The dark blue pants stuck to her legs, though Miranda gritted through it. She created barrier of napkins around the puddle on the table to keep it from spreading further. Juliet hugged her crayons and drawing closer, watching her mom clean up the seat quickly. With each movement Miranda made, the handcuffs on her belt jingled. Usually, on the way home, she'd take off what she could and leave them in the car. Obviously, she'd forgotten a few things this morning.

Taking the soaked up napkins, Miranda glanced around briefly before simply dropping them in her coffee cup. It had maybe half a sip left, why save it? Reaching for more napkins, she stopped when the sudden appearance of another caught her attention. Instantly, Miranda straightened up. Reaching up, she brushed some hair from her face, accepting the charming smile and simply offering a fleeting one of her own.

"Really? I didn't know that," She shook her head with a tired laugh, taking the napkins and dabbing at her legs with them. When she caught sight of a waitress, she turned towards her quickly and asked for another coffee. Turning back to her pants, she began dabbing again.

"What's your name?" Juliet finally spoke up, grinning up at the stranger. Shoving her coloring and crayons back up on the table. "I'm Juliet, and that's mom. Mhm, we're named after Smakespeare, mhm." She nodded, satisfied with her answer.

"Shakespeare," Miranda corrected gently, smiling over at her daughter before looking back to their company. Shifting, she held out a slender hand to him. "I'm Miranda," She offered, glancing away only briefly to the waitress when her coffee was brought over. Accepting it with her free hand, she put it down on the table, giving a glance to Juliet as a silent warning about touching it. The child held her gaze for only a moment before looking back to their company, grinning.

"Wanna eat with us?"

Children...They just didn't understand what bags under the eyes meant, did they?

[richie]

Yeah, he had done his good action of the day – because arresting murderers and stopping their killing spree was just part of his job description – and he had earned his jelly donut and coffee. What? People called good action helping old ladies to cross the street, so handling napkins to clumsy cute ladies did count.

His eyes caught sight of the handcuffs in the woman’s belt. That meant she was either kinky or was a cop like him, and considering the kid with her, he was betting a cop. Richie could swear he’d seen her face before, but couldn’t quite say where or when.

When the kid spoke however, he knelled before her and smiled. Juliet and mom. He couldn’t hold out a little laugh of the way Juliet mentioned Shakespeare.

“Nice to meet you little lady, I’m Richard…and I’m named that way because my mother liked the name I guess. But you can call me Richie.”

Getting back to his feet, he took Miranda’s hand and gave it a light shake.
“Nice to meet you Miranda, you have a beautiful girl. She took after mom I believe?”

And it was about time he should turn his usual flirtatious charm off. Remember, she was a cop so she owed a gun. And probably had a jealous cop husband that knew his reputation and was just out there picking his wallet he forgot in the car or was on his way to meet them.

“I would love to Juliet, but your mom or your dad might not like you inviting strange guys to eat with them.”

[Miranda Ducharme]

Juliet adored the attention she was getting. She pushed her crayons forward and turned towards her new friend, a wide grin spreading across her face. When he was down on her level, she lifted a little hand and offered a wave, freckled cheeks pushed up by her wide smile that didn't seem to end.

"Hi Ricky," She said quietly, dropping her hands into her lap and curling her legs in close to her body.
"Richie," Miranda glanced towards the child, correcting her with a gentle tone. Glancing back to him, Miranda gave a firm shake in return. Taught at a young age, she knew how to give a firm handshake, and simply smiled when she caught someone off guard.
"Thank you, I-" She began, stopping at the last bit he snuck in there. She stared up at him for a few moments, silently questioning if she'd heard him correctly before offering a light smile. The faintest of color rushed through her cheeks, though faded just as quickly. "Thank you," she repeated with a light nod of her head.

Reaching across the table, she grabbed a handful of sugar packets. She remained standing while she gave each packet a light shake before emptying it into the coffee. One after another, the packets were emptied and placed into the first cup. Want some coffee with your sugar? She silently asked herself, shaking her head with a light smirk at her own antics. His comment made her stop in mid-shake, looking up to Juliet for a moment before towards him. What could she say? 'Oh, no, I don't mind. I'm just absolutely exhausted. I'm sure her dad doesn't either, he's a deadbeat married asshole up in New York who doesn't know she's alive.' Oh...Yeah, that would be a terrific answer.

"But that's my dad t--" Juliet began, about to explain that Miranda was both mommy and daddy. It was true, she gave her a card for father's day and a tie, just like TV showed kids did. Miranda was quick to intervene, clearing her throat lightly.

"If she invited you, it's fine with me," she said in an even tone, sweeping in to pick up Juliet and move her to the same side of the table as herself. Once she settled the child down and finally sat down herself, Miranda motioned to the empty spot before them.

"We were just getting ready to order," she said, trying to offer up conversation while glancing sideways to Juliet. She'd just order the same thing as her, in order to prevent another incident from before. Sliding a menu towards their company, Miranda raised her brows just slightly. "So why are you here so early in the day? Most people are still in bed." Or were begging to be in bed and under the covers, like she was doing.

[richie]

“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”

But Miranda was already pulling her kid to seat with her and giving him room to seat before them. He wasn’t sure what to make of the ‘but that’s my dad’ comment. No, Miranda didn’t seem to be the type to have a surgical change like that and her reaction to his comment didn’t make him believe there was another girl playing mom in her little family.

So sliding into the booth, he offered both mother and daughter a smile, handling over the crayons for the child across the table.

“Oh yeah, I was just on my way home but decided to stop for breakfast. I only have to go in to work after lunch time, so I pictured an early breakfast was in order before I crawl back into the bed.”

With any luck she’d think he was coming home from a trip or whatever, yes, that worked out. “And what about you? I think I saw your face around the precinct some time ago, didn’t I? You’re a cop too, right? I noticed the handcuffs and there are only two kind of people that carry those around like that, one being the types that play coppers and robbers like us.”

Sure the other was the kinky one, but he refrained from saying so in front of Juliet. Not to mention Miranda seemed really the family type. Was dad coming back already to shoot the guy he found in the dinner talking to his wife?

And that was the time when the waitress walked to them with a smile and asked them for their order.

“A jelly donut and a coffee, thanks.” He ordered after Miranda and Juliet placed their orders. “Yeah, I’m aware of the irony about cops and jelly donuts, but have you ever tried the ones they sell out here? They are addictive.”

Offering a smile at them, he saw Juliet playing with her crayons with idle curiosity.
“What you’re going to draw there little lady?”

[kayla]

Well she wasn't a waitress, but she played one on occasion as it was called for. Kayla smiled at the little group of folks as she stopped at the table and listened to their orders, not writing it down. Heck, she ought to remember what she cooked after all.

Hearing the man's compliment on the donut she grinned widely and laughed. "If ya like those you should try the muffins sometime but I think you'd like the buttermilk pancakes better. They come with lots of good old fashioned maple syrup or if you like strawberry syrup." Kayla smiled at the little girl and winked before turning to her mom and raising eyebrows a bit. "What can I get ya darlin'? You look like you might need a little pick me up to keep up with that little fireball there. She's cute as a bug."

Kayla couldn't help but sigh a little. She loved children. Always had. But now there was someone in her life that she could actually see having children with and that just made the longing for them worse. The little girl drawing with the crayons was indeed adorable.

Blinking back her errant thoughts she renewed that big smile for the woman and waited patiently for the order. Maybe she could even manage to sneak and cook it too if she could distract Casey with something.

[Casey Callahan]

Out on the back, an Irish man was chatting with the delivery man after he took the boxes out of his truck and into the café’s kitchen. He didn’t want Kayla to have to worry with handling the heavy boxes, so he had shooed her good-naturedly and took on the business of showing off the big strong man he was. Yeah, later he would go beating in his chest and grunting.

“Thank ya fella, ya have a good day,” he smiled as the man waved to him and hoped back on his truck.

Stifling a yawn, Casey checked his watch. It was still early and he missed just a bit when he was his own boss and could just pull the covers over his head and wake up late when he was in the mood. But he had lucked out by finding Kayla as a boss.

Wandering back inside, he decided it was time to go back in and waitress the tables in case any costumer walked in. And there was no surprise when he saw Kayla there acting as the waitress and he shook his head with a smirk. The boss lady didn’t like to rest on her laurels.

Moving closer, he caught the last bit of the words and offered the customers a smile.
“Good morning to ye,” he said to the couple and smiled at the little girl. “Hello little banphrionsa (princess), yer all in good hands with boss lady here, and ya trust her on the pancakes, they are something else.”

[Miranda Ducharme]

Shifting in her spot, Miranda slid her arm along the back of the booth behind Juliet. She attempted to silently pass it off as stretching her arm out. Anyone with a single working eye would be able to tell it was the protective lioness wrapping around her cub. At his comment about the precinct and the handcuffs, a smile slowly spread along her lips.

"I worked third shift, came home to find her still up," she glanced briefly towards Juliet, who was back to coloring, before going on. "I work K-9 unit, but he just finished some more training so I patrolled."

Juliet paused in her coloring to look up at her new friend. Holding up her drawing, she grinned proudly.

"It's Dax," she nodded, proud of the scribble of a dog she'd put on the napkin. Off to the side were two stick figures, one taller than the other. The former had blue scribbled over her stick-body while the latter had various colors strewn together. A family portrait of the sort. Reaching for her coffee, Miranda took a tender sip of it. Briefly she let her eyes drift shut...Maybe she could sleep for a few seconds and pass it off as a really long blink. Her eyes shot open, however, at the new voice by their table. Blinking a few times, she placed the still-warm mug down while she swallowed.

"Hm, we'll have--"
"Pancakes?!" Juliet's eyes doubled in size as she heard the other woman, quick to turn to her mom for approval. Caught off guard, Miranda stared at her daughter for a second. Well...there went her idea of possibly stealing french fries.
"Um...Um yeah sure, pancakes with strawberry syrup for her and I'll...umm..." She blinked, reaching for the menu. Opening it just a sliver, she paused before offering a tired sigh and weak smile. "y'know what? Just make it two....I can't think right now." No, she could think...but her only though was sleep.

When their group had one more added on, Juliet jerked her head in his direction. Her eyes were still just as wide as she took in his accent, her smile faltering just slightly in confusion.

"You talk funny," she said suddenly. And then Miranda looked like she'd died.
"Juliet!" She kept her voice low, looking down at her daughter. Her whisper was low, but with such a small group it wouldn't help keeping the conversation between the two. "That's an accent, he doesn't talk funny...And he said something nice to you, so what do you say?"
Blinking, Juliet thought for a moment....He did say that funny word. Turning suddenly to him, her smile was spreading back across her freckled face.
"I'm not a ban...ban.." Her brows furrowed, trying to repeat the word that flowed from his lips. Just as Miranda opened her mouth to help out, Juliet went on like her stumble never happened. "I'm Juliet!"
"....That's four-year-old for 'Thank you,'"
"I'm not four! I'm four an'a half!"
Oy...It was going to be a long breakfast.

[Casey Callahan]

Hearing the little girl speak, Casey smiled brightly and his voice took a light, amused tone without any sign of reprobation to her remark.
“I suppose I may sound funny to ye Juliet, but yer’ mommy is right. We all speak like this back in Ireland. Me name is Casey, and this is me cousin Kayla,” he said placing a hand softly on Kayla’s shoulder, “She didn’t write us, so one day me auntie came to me and said: Casey me boy, go visit yer’ cousin and make sure she is alright and doesn’t need anything.”

With another smile he nodded to the mother.

“But yer’ fellas didn’t came here to listen to family stories, yer’ here for the pancakes, so I’m going to get you extra syrup miss Juliet.’

Nodding them, he turned towards the kitchen.

[richie]

A smile appeared in his features as he noticed the protective stance of Miranda towards her daughter. He meant no harm, but he was still a stranger so it was only natural she was suspicious of him. Those were good instincts, sign of a good cop, never trust people too easily.

His own mother had been very protective of him, that is, when she wasn’t working double shifts to pay the bills, but no matter how tired she was when she got home, she always had a moment to smile at him, give him one of her big hugs and ask how was his day. And he turned out fine…right? Well, he could see those same traits on Miranda, and that alone said a lot about her.

And could someone tell him who was Dax? Anyone?

Oh alright, by the looks of the drawing it was either a horse or a dog. Given Miranda had just told him she was in K9 unit, it most likely was her partner.

“Third shift huh? I know the feeling, you must be exhausted…”
Talk about an understatement captain obvious – this was the longest blink Richie had ever seen in his life time.

That was when the waitress and the Irish guy came to speak to them. It was impossible not to chuckle when Juliet commented on the guy’s speech. If Richie was to investigate, he’d known the man was there illegally, but he didn’t worked in immigration and as long as the guy was okay, he couldn’t care less.

“Look Miranda, you’re clearly exhausted, so if you rather have a quiet breakfast with your daughter I would understand completely…” he told her truthfully.

[kayla]

Reaching over Kayla gave Miranda a little pat on the arm. She could tell the woman was exhausted. With a wink she added, "I'll make sure to come by with a refill on the coffee too honey."

The laugh bubbled up inside as she heard the little girl comment on Casey's accent. It was just too cute. Giving her a conspiratorial wink she stage whispered. "You're right..sometimes he does talk funny but he's always good for a laugh."

The familiarity between herself and Casey seemed to add a bit to the little white lie he spouted as he introduced himself and called her cousin. It made her grin and glance sideways at the Irishman. Cousin is it? She gave a little glance to the man at the table and said nothing, just grinning to herself. A table of cops and here Casey was just being as personable as anything. Silly ole gander! But that's why she loved him...he had a spirit that just never quit.

Watching him head off she nodded and left them to their conversation as she went to make the pancakes. So far, so good. He hadn't said she couldn't. But he would have to get the cast iron skillet out for her. "Be right back with that coffee and food in a jiffy folks. Let me know if the little one needs more crayons. I have a big box of them upstairs." She gave Juliet a little wave as she turned and headed toward the kitchen.

[Miranda Ducharme]

At the mention of more coffee, Miranda gave a light smile as she brought the mug back to her lips. Well if a refill was coming, let it be a good one. Swallowing a good amount, she put the mug back down and raised a napkin to her lips. Where did she learn to be so lady-like? She'd blame wanting to be a good influence on Juliet...Otherwise she'd just simply use the back of her hand to wipe away the excess. It was hard to imagine what being a mother did to someone, there were days when Miranda couldn't even remember life before Juliet.

Juliet listened intently to Casey's story, her smile spreading back over her lips. Well, that was that, she was captivated by his accent now. It just never stopped! Wiggling in her seat, she tried to sit up more when he turned to the kitchen.

"Can I have lots o' st'awberries?" She asked, wide eyed. Glancing back to her mom, she hesitated before adding in quickly. "Pretty please?"

Smiling, Miranda lowered her hand and wrapped her arm around Juliet in a gentle hug. Glancing up to Richard, she shrugged as her arm fell back into place on the back of the chair.

"Eh, I'll get my second, third...fourth wind soon enough. Worked as a firefighter back home, so I got used to the late hours." She shrugged, carefully leaving out that 'back home' meant New York City. She'd learn after mentioning it a few times, only to be bombarded with 'Were you there on September 11th?! Tell me about it!' Yes, she was...and no she wouldn't.

Juliet's eyes list up at Kayla's offer. More crayons? Glancing up towards her mom, she opened her mouth to speak but closed it quickly as Miranda took over.

"Thank you, we've got a box in the car...And in just about every room at home," she offered to Kayla, smiling lightly before looking back down to Juliet. "You've got enough crayons...Here, why don't you draw something for Kayla?" She asked, grabbing another napkin and handing it over to Juliet. Instantly, the child was consumed by her new task, scribbling away like a fiend. Smiling, Miranda let it fade quickly at Richard's offer. Glancing up to him, she shook her head quickly, thin brows furrowed slightly.

"Oh, no, it's fine. She loves making friends, it's fine with me," she nodded, reaching for her mug to finish off her coffee. "Unless you're just trying to get out of here?" She asked, smirking lightly over the mug. Why in the world had she not been to this cafe before? It was just so...comforting. She'd definitely make it a habit to come back here more often.

[richie]

Richie liked this place, he was feeling comfortable and right at home in that place. That is, if home had a little hot waitress and an Irish guy. He gave a little smirk towards the waitress before she left, he couldn’t quite avoid it to cross his lips.

Turning back to Miranda and Juliet, he watched the interaction between mother and daughter. Those two were great together, a happy family. And heck if he could avoid a smile when the little girl’s eyes grew at the mention of strawberries. If he was to have a kid of his own…quite frankly he would be panicked as hell, but he actually liked children. What he didn’t like was the opportunity to screw up one’s life since he knew he wasn’t quite the whole model.

Rising a brow at Miranda, he let his features show he was impressed by her.
“A firefighter and a cop? That’s impressive,” and with the face and body of a model, he mentally added.

“And no, I’m not trying to bail at all. Juliet is great, and so is her mother,” he replied to her question leaning back on his chair. “Just figured I’d give you the choice, I know very well how it is after a long shift, especially in the first hours of the day. Makes you kind of wish you could shut off the sun for a little while, didn’t it?”

Or maybe it was just him because of his hangover.

“Tell me Miranda, how it is working with a four legged partner? His name is Dax I figure?”
He asked remembering Juliet’s comment about her drawing.

“I tried to play fetch with my partner once, he just glared at me…”

[Miranda Ducharme]

Placing the now empty mug on the table, Miranda glanced briefly down at the newest piece of art Juliet was producing. Tan and red scribbles....Hell if she knew what it was. Hesitating a moment, Miranda snaked the arm behind Juliet around the child, reaching for the now cool cup of hot chocolate. Bringing it back behind the child, she took a quick sip before placing it back down as quietly as she could. A few seconds passed, giving her the impression she had gotten away with it. However, just as Miranda relaxed, Juliet turned on her. It was quick, the little girl jerking her head in the direction of her mom and scrunching up her face in distaste to her drink being stolen. Silently, Miranda lifted her eyebrows and widened her eyes in mock shock, shoulders rising in an act of innocence. The two held their poses for a moment, as if posing for a comical family portrait, before Juliet went back to her work. Grinning, Miranda turned her attention back towards Richie.

"Almost joined the Marines, too. Would have had the whole package, but it just wasn't for me. " Or so her dad had thought. She'd shown up in the recruiter's office, though before she could sign her life away, daddy-dearest had shown up at the office. He wasn't too happy, though blamed it on the fact of not wanting to lose his only child.

Shrugging at his answer about the shift, Miranda let the thought mull around in her mind for a moment. "I've got a four-and-a-half year old, I don't know anything about rest or anything related to it," she laughed lightly. Shifting forward, she rolled her shoulders back slightly, making a face at the popping sound that came forth. At his question about Dax, gray eyes lit up as if she were talking about another child.

"It's great....I worked off of K-9 for a while and I'd never go back. He's an extension to the family. He tends to drool a lot...but he doesn't chew on the seats in the car, so it evens out," she smirked, shrugging after a moment. "You'd have to come by and see what it's like to work with him, really....Plus, he loves people just as much as Juliet," well...when he was off the job. Otherwise he was given a seven inch long cut of fire hose to keep him from going after someone who wasn't his handler.

She couldn't help but laugh at his comment about his partner, noticing silently that sleep deprivation really made her easy-going.

"Did you try offering a treat? Maybe he'll comply then," she laughed weakly, shaking her head. "So what got you to join? You have a specialty?"