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Frank had the day off, and it had started out relaxing. His alarm hadn’t gone off yet before his young children came and interrupted his sleep, begging to go out on their bikes since it was such a beautiful day. He couldn’t deny them.
Soon, they were all at a local park in Pittsburgh, following the route around the lake in the middle. The park was popular, with multiple trails leading off to various parts of the land, and the family dog adores walks here. There are many sights to see: families having picnics, children screaming and chasing each other while their guardians watch on, dogs chasing and fetching balls, sticks, or anything else they can find.
Penny had her adorable pink bike with the training wheels, while Tanner had a bigger bike (“It’s an adult bike, Dad!”) and their little helmets. The route wasn’t busy, just odd couples who were meandering and the odd dog sniffing at his shoes, but otherwise it was peaceful
Or that was until his hooligan children decided to both lose control on their bikes and collide with another person on a bike.
He was quick to rush over, first checking that his kids were okay with a glance, then focusing on their victim. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry, I figured they were able to get out of your way before things went crazy.” His hands hovered, unsure of what to do
The woman was flustered, her cheeks red and her eyes wide, but he couldn’t help but realise how stunning she looked. Her clothes were as bright as her eyes, ones that stared into his soul when she looked up at him. Her shirt was blue, with barely any scuff marks, which told him she was experienced on the bike, and her hands were curling tentatively around the handles of her own bike, which was lying in a heap.
“Daaaad!” Penny whines, pulling at his sleeve and bringing him back into the present
“Right, yeah, sorry. Are you okay?” He repeats, having the decency to look (and feel) a little guilty for daydreaming.
The lady laughs, thankfully, and waves him off. “I’m alright, barely a scratch.” She assures him, “I was more worried for your children; they took a harder fall.”
That made him look up, his two children having decided they were bored with the conversation and running off to the lakeshore. Tanner was making sure Penny was safe, pulling her back whenever she got too curious with the water, and he figured he could trust them, so he turned back to the woman. “They’re usually good on their bikes,”
“Maybe they got distracted, but all is well, no harm done.” He feels a sense of panic when he notices that she’s gearing up to set off again, forcing himself to block her path and then give her a shy smile
He couldn’t let her go without at least knowing her name or giving an apology
“How about a drink, as an apology? There’s a little cafe just up there, and the kids love it. I can buy you a coffee or-or tea, if you prefer, but uh- I’m Frank, in case it helped your decision, so I’m not a stranger.”
The woman doesn’t respond straight away, her hand fidgeting with the handlebars, but he doesn’t have to worry long because she’s nodding. “I’ve never stopped by that cafe, I’ve ridden past it but never thought to stop.” Then, almost like an afterthought- “Mel, nice to meet you.”
Frank waves for his kids to follow, pointing down the path, and they instantly know where they’re headed- if their squeals are anything to go by. “They make killer hot chocolates, my kids love them. They’re only allowed whenever we come here, though, and I don’t give them any more sugar for the rest of the day.” See? He was responsible!
The cafe in question was a quaint little establishment, popular with visitors and offering amazing drinks to complement the beautiful views. The outside had a large window with decorations filling the space to mark the season or holiday coming up, and the walls were painted baby blue, standing out against the water. Inside was just as impressive, with art pieces hung on the wall and tables and chairs filling the floor from wall to wall. The staff were friendly, always giving smiles and complimenting someone’s outfit, and ready to help whenever the customer needed, making it a firm staple in the Langdon household for walks. The bustling cafe drowns out his thoughts when they enter the small space. Tanner and Penny already snagged their usual table in the corner, sitting up on their knees in the booth and people watching. Frank stays with Mel, standing patiently while she decides. “See anything you like?” He prompts, shoving his hands in his pockets. “If it helps, I’m only getting a black coffee.”
Her nose scrunched almost immediately, and he found it cute, almost missing that she was talking. “Just a black coffee? How can you drink that?”
“Pretty easily, I just put the cup to my mouth and drink.” He shuffles his feet, transferring his weight from one foot to the other. “I don’t need all the fancy things to make my coffee great, I just like things plain, I guess?”
“I think I'll settle on a tea,” she’s someone who plays it safe, maybe. “Just a regular tea,”
“Is that all? Not even a slice of cake or something?”
She shakes her head, her braid swinging. “I’m okay, just a tea will be fine.”
He dismisses her to the table, ensuring that he’ll order, pay and bring it back while she watches the children. She’s someone who intrigues him, in the best way possible, and he doesn’t think he ever wants to stop talking to her.
“Here’s a tea, just a regular one. Two giant hot chocolates and finally a black coffee for me.” He says with a flourish, Tanner grinning and Penny giggling behind her hand as she excitedly bounces on her knees. Her eyes were eyeing the treat in front of her, the giant mountain of whipped cream being the first attack. “So, Mel, what do you do when you aren’t riding on your bike around a park?” He rests an arm over the back of the booth, which was coincidentally behind Mel’s shoulders (his children weren’t slick).
“I’m a doctor, down at PTMC. It’s my day off today, and I figured I'd spend it getting some sun.” That interested him. How coincidental that the woman he bumps into is also a doctor? “How about you?”
Their conversation goes on for an hour or so, never really pausing or running out of things to say, and it’s not until his kids get antsy that they decide to call it. Tanner and Penny run ahead, going back outside to grab their bikes and put on their helmets while Frank cleans up the table and says goodbye to Mel- regrettably
“I enjoyed today,” She speaks up, hands clasped in front of her. “But I'm sure you have to get back to your wife.”
For once, he’s actually glad about the divorce and separation; it didn’t tie him down whenever he met someone who could become something to him. “You’re in luck, there’s no wife at home, actually. Though, I suppose if you have a partner-“
“No partner, just me and my sister.” The way she says it so quickly takes him back, but he feels his heart soar at the implication.
“Very well then, perhaps we could exchange numbers and maybe plan something?” Please say yes, please say yes
He does get her number, and he’s practically skipping home