New Life, New Beginnings

It was the day when Anne Rose Swift Hart was killed and Roseanne Deluca was born. 

Time flew instantly and memories were slowly fading. Yet, there were times when she would wake up with tremors and nightmares. Five years were not enough to forget the twenty five years that she had lived as Anne Rose. 

"Rosie, the customer on table five is creating a ruckus. She is saying that she asked for an extra extra hot coffee but we served it extra extra cold. It's been thirty minutes since we served her coffee while she was busy on her phone, " Maria, the barista said to her. "She is disturbing other customers too. A few even left seeing a commotion inside. It's still morning and she is affecting our business." 

"Let me handle it, "Rosanne said, looking at the said lady scolding the other barista. "Bring your manager. I want to meet her. What kind of services this place has!" 

At the same time, the lady's phone rang. "Jackson, I told you to not call me. Can't you understand what I want…." 

The lady was engaged on the call once again while the other barista whispered in Roseanne's ear, "She has been on call for an hour. It was her mistake but she is putting it on us." 

"Alright, leave and help Maria on the counter." 

When the lady disconnected the call, she looked at Roseanne and said, "Manager, you have unruly staff who can't discipline. I asked for a simple coffee but look what I was served with. Can a person not even get a simple coffee after such a hard day? Is it too much to ask for?" 

Roseanne gave a smile to the lady and said, "I apologize for the inconvenience. Would it be alright if we get you another coffee now? It will be at home." 

The lady was stunned for a moment. Somewhere she knew that she was at fault yet… "I…" 

"Is it okay, Madam?" Roseanne asked. 

"Yes, but…" 

"Perfect, "Roseanne said. "Maria, get the lady the coffee she wanted. And stop dilly dallying!"

"Sure, "Maria said, surprised. "Jennie, make the coffee."After dealing with the customer, Roseanne walked towards the kitchen and she followed her. 

"Rosie, why did you not say anything to the woman?" Maria went inside and expressed her dissatisfaction. "You know she was clearly wrong." 

"Miss Maria, a customer is never wrong, "A cute voice said from the corner of the kitchen. As she looked towards the source of the voice, she saw a cute munchkin sitting on the kitchen counter while the workers were engaged in their usual activities. 

Maria's face softened as she glanced at the bundle of cuteness and said, "Yes, little lord. You are right. How dare I say something to your mother." 

"Yes, Miss Maria. Mommy is always right too, "The little munchkin replied with a hint of pride. 

"May I ask why are you in the kitchen? Your mother will not be pleased to see you here. Kitchen is a dangerous place." 

"I came to have a man-to-man meeting with Mr Walls." 

The head chef who was working on an important dish looked up and asked in shock, "Me?" 

"Yes, Mr Walls, "The Little boy said. "Mr Walls, I'm giving you the honor of making me chocolate cookies now." 

Maria's lips twitched as she heard it. "Little Lord, how about you go out and sit somewhere safe? This place is not safe for you." 

"What's wrong with this place?" The little boy asked. 

"There are knives and fire in the kitchen, "Maria said. "There are chances of you getting hurt here. We don't want to take any chances. Let's go out." 

"I am sorry, Miss Maria but unfortunately I can't leave Mr Walls—" 

"What's happening here?" They all heard a voice and stiffened. 

"Rosie…" 

"Mommy." 

"Boss." 

Roseanne glanced at three people in the kitchen and read the guilt written on their faces.

"Maria, did you serve the coffee to the customer?" She asked the first person. "Yes, "Maria answered. "Jennie made the coffee and served it." 

"Go and see if the customer is saying something else, "Roseanne said to her employee turned friend. 

"On it, boss!" 

When Maria left, Roseanne turned to Mr Walls and said, "Mr Walls, we had a big order for the evening. I gave my word to the client that we would deliver it by the evening. Is it ready?" 

"Yes, boss, I will finish it soon, "Mr Walls said and went back to work. 

Now that everyone was back to their work, Marie turned her attention to the little boy sitting on the counter. 

"Who dropped you from school?" Roseanne asked. 

"Grandma did, "The little boy answered, pouting. 

"How many times did I tell you that the kitchen is off-limits for babies?" Roseanne asked him. 

The little boy lowered his head and whispered, "Mommy, I am sorry. I should not have done it. I only wanted chocolate cookies." 

"Come here, "Roseanne said, extending her arms. The boy jumped into her arms and hooked his arms around her neck while she held him and walked out of the kitchen. She kissed the side of his head and murmured, "Baby, you scares mommy with your shenanigans. Next time if you want something, come to mommy first, okay?" 

Her son, Leon, was the biggest gift of her life. The little boy had brought so much joy to her life that she could not count them on hand. If it wasn't for Leon, she would not be able to start her life over in this new country. Her son was born with many complications. The doctors were surprised when he made it alive. Her baby boy was her little lion who made out to make life better for his mother. 

If there was something precious that Nicholas Hart had given her, it would be their son– Nathenial Leon Hart. She named him Nathenial to honor the man who was not only her savior but her son's too. 

"Leon, shall we go and pick your sister from the airport?" Roseanne asked her son who broke out into a big smile.

"Mommy, Coco is coming?" Leon asked with sparkling eyes. 

Roseanne smiled and nodded her head. "Shall we go?" 

"Yaay!" 

"What about cookies?" She asked. 

"Mommy, we will have cookies with Coco, at home." 

"Alright!" 

"Can we also have hot chocolate?" 

"I can't see why you can't have it." 

"I love you, mommy!" 

"I love you too, my Little Lion."