Years pass (Pafp, semi-advanced/advanced) and things change

>Intro<
I stood behind the counter of the small dinner all dressed up as the waitress. My caramel hair was up in a neat bun, my red shirt and black slacks were accented with a crisp white apron tied around my slim waist, and my name tag was pinned just to the left of the buttons on my shirt. My short heels clicked on the tile floor as I walked, though not very loudly.

This was the place I had been working at for four years. I have worked hard to keep my place here since I desperately needed the money. However, this place also brought back bitter-sweet memories for me. Though now, I hardly find time to cry on them anymore. I look over and see the small, four year old girl that was sitting in the booth nearby. All those memories were now wrapped in a small, shy bundle that was the joy of my life. Yet, she was still a secret from the one man that I needed here the most.

>Backstory<
Brooklyn Hayes is a young woman of twenty-two. When she was eighteen, she had met the man she thought she would always be with. They spent almost all their time together, meeting at the small cafe where she now works the most. She would always say how much she loved him, however everything changed on one night.

Brook had just received news that rocked her world, and she had rushed to her boyfriend's house to let him know. However, upon arriving, he gave her the news that he planned to enlist in the military. She began to panic. She tried to talk him out of going since she didn't want him to leave, but it all just ended up in a huge fight. He wanted to go, but she was very much against it.

She left his house with tears streaming, rushing home once again. She hadn't had time to tell him her news. She figured she'd let him cool off before telling him, planning on letting him know in the morning. However, once morning came, she found out he had already left, bags and all. He had left behind his town, family, and her, all without knowing Brook was pregnant with his child.

>Plot<
Your character is the man in this story. As stated, he did leave for the military and has no knowledge of his child. However, he has returned after four years of being gone, trying to settle into his life in town again. You can decide why he is sent home, and what experiences he may or may not have had. There has been no communication with Brook in the past few years, so he has no idea where or how she might be.

Upon meeting, Brook is very surprised, and hesitant on drawing close to him again. She has never lost any feelings towards him in all this time, yet she doesn't know if he feels the same towards her. Either way, she afraid of what his reaction may be towards their child, and whether or not he might leave her again. There is also someone behind the scenes who is trying to steal Brook's heart.

>Brooklyn Hayes<

Alright. Thank you!

Accepted! I really like him. Thank you so much!

Sweet! I'll start us off.

Brooklyn stood behind the counter, wiping it down as another day went by. Her apron pocket held her tips, and a few people sat in the booth. It was a slow time of day so she wasn't expecting very many people to show up. Her caramel hair was up in a ponytail and her brown eyes glanced here and there to make sure her customers were satisfied.

Glancing over, she saw little Leah sitting quietly in a booth, her little legs swinging as she colored. Brook smiled, knowing her girl would be content with her pictures for quite a little while. She hated she had to bring Leah to work every day, but she didn't have enough money to pay a babysitter. I just have to keep working harder then. This thought was often what she had to tell herself just to keep going.

(I'm thinking a small town in Tennessee, just of the outskirts if Nashville, in America. Yes she works at a small cafe.)

Brooklyn heard the bell above the door jingle as a customer entered. She prepared around her, folding the towel she was using and wiping her hands on her apron. She looked up and offered a warm smile at the two as she saw them. Her heart seemed to stop though as she gazed upon them.

She recognized Hailee instantly, having seen her now and then since Mason left. But it was the man beside her that caught her eyes. It's been four year and, without seeing someone, it can change someone's features, even in the slightest ways. This man before her was just that.

He looked very familiar. His build, his features, and those eyes. Then it dawned on her. W-Was...Is that...Mason? She wasn't sure, and though her heart was pounding, she kept smiling at the two, trying not to stare.

That was it. Hearing Hailee refer to him set it clear. It is Mason... Brook gave a nod and offered a smile. "It's nice to see you've come home alright," she said, though her mind was racing with thoughts and questions she longed to say.

She brought out a note pad and pen, looking between him and his sister. "Can I get you anything while you're here?" She asked, though her gaze would drifted over to Mason as they stood there. All she could think about was making sure he was fine, and not hurt. She knew he was here because of Samatha thanks to Hailee filling her in on what had happened.

She glanced over quickly to check on Leah as she sat in the booth. She was still in her own little world as she colored and swung her legs. Then a thought came to her. He still doesn't know...oh please Hailee don't say anything! (not sure if she knows Leah's his kid)

Brook quickly jotted down what they wanted and turned around as they were leaving to get their orders. She couldn't help but smile slightly at Mason's order. He really hasn't change much then. She had always made sure not to make him too many sugary things while they were dating, one fact she had hardly forgotten.

She moved about behind the counter, getting the food and drinks ready. She practically knew the steps like the back of her hand now. She also grabbed a cookie along with their orders, propping it all on a tray. She was careful as she walked coming to their booth.

"Alright, here is one coffee with just a hint of sugar," she said as she sat it down in front of Mason, "one chocolate raspberry torte, and one vanilla caramel espresso." She carefully set the drink and sweet in front of Hailee, though kept the cookie with her. "Hope you enjoy."

Brook looked between them and thought for a moment, sadness flashing quickly in her eyes at the mention of four years. However, it was quickly gone and replaced with a soft smile. "Just give me a few moments," she said and stepped to the side and sat the cookie in front of Leah.

She leaned down and spoke softly to Leah, not wanting Mason to catch anything. She checked if she was alright, making sure there was nothing else she wanted, then returned to Hailee and Mason. "Alright. Since its slow I do have a little bit of free time," she said smiling.

Brook took the seat next to Hailee, noticing how Mason was a bit uncomfortable. She couldn't really blame him. "You must have worked hard for the promotion," she said softly. "Things here have been..." She paused and looked over at Hailee for a moment. "Things have been different to say the least."

She looked back at Mason, though her gaze couldn't hold his too long. Her hands worked at the end of her apron, wrinkling it slightly. "I mean, I've got this job here and I'm working to get my own place since I'm still kind of living with my mom."

Brook nodded. "I agree," she said then smiled. "Why don't you both come over to dinner? I'm sure mom will live to see you again, Mason." She looked at him then back at Hailee. "And its been a little while since we hung out together."

That's when I'll have to tell him. There'll be no hiding it once he sees Leah running around the house. She wondered what he might think of little Leah. She knew it would definitely be a shock to him.