Who: Sharon and Riza When: Early April Where: Flower Alchemy What: Flowers for Easter Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Riza was refreshing the Easter display in her store window, she’d brought a bunch of cute little toy bunnies and chicks along with plastics eggs and the like. Along with the daffodils and bright flowers she’d managed to create a really attractive display and was rather proud of it. Some displays were easier than others, her Valentine’s display had been one of her least favourite.
Hearing the shop bell go she called out, “I’ll be with you in just a second” as she began to extract herself from the flowers and accessories.
Sharon stepped into the shop and grinned at the beautiful flowers all over. She was headed to Aramis and Porthos’ place after lunch with the Marses, and thought it’d be nice to bring something pretty. To both. This was her last Easter without a little one, and she could split it up between three locations. Keith was kind enough to invite her over for lunch, and Aramis and Porthos for dinner.
So she wanted flowers. “Thank you!” Sharon called out to the flower shop attendant. Then she started a slow circle of the room to look at all the arrangements.
“Sorry about that” Riza said as she emerged to smile at the blonde woman, “Welcome to Flower Alchemy, how can I help you?” she asked, moving to stand behind the counter.
“That’s no problem.” Sharon said, smiling and coming over to stand at the counter. “I’m going to two places for Easter on Sunday--a brunch and a dinner--and I’m hoping to bring some flowers along as sort of a thank you for inviting me gift.”
“Well I think that’s a wonderful idea, but then I would wouldn’t I?” she smiled, “Do you have any color preferences or were you thinking of the usual yellow and bright Easter colors?”
Sharon chuckled softly. "You definitely would. You've got an eye for business." She said, playfully. "I figure... maybe yellow and purple? I've always liked those colors for Easter. Definitely no calla lilies, though. Too much like a funeral."
“Yellow and purple are good colors” Riza nodded, “And I absolutely agree. I have to admit I’m not a fan of the lily for happy occasions. They definitely have more of a grief association” She moved from behind the counter to pick out some bright pretty flowers and make an example bouquet.
Sharon nodded. “I think Daffodils and Tulips are really Eastery,” she said. “But do they go together in bouquets?” These were the kinds of things that Sharon had no idea about. Flower arrangements and the like.
“They go perfectly” Riza assured her, selecting the correct flowers to show her an example bouquet, “Something like this?” she asked, “Obviously I will wrap them and make them look perfect”
“Oh, that’s beautiful!” Sharon said, breaking into a bright smile as she observed the flowers. “It’s lovely. Really lovely. I think it’s perfect. I’ll take two of them?”
Riza smiled glad that her new customer was happy, "Two Easter arrangements are no problem" she said, "So when are you due?" she asked as she worked, before glancing over in concern, "And please don't tell me I've just made a terrible faux pas"
“July,” Sharon grinned softly, one hand lowering almost unconsciously to run over the baby bump. “And definitely not a terrible faux pas. I’m okay with looking pregnant, so don’t worry.” She gave a little laugh. “I’ve made that mistake, though. It’s not pretty.”
“Oh not long really then. I’m sure it’ll go quickly” Riza said, before smiling, “And I’m glad I didn’t make a mistake. You look lovely, honestly” she added, because she really did.
Sharon flushed. “Thank you. I mean, I know I look pregnant.” She held her hands out to the side. There was no hiding that bump. “But it’s nice to know that I’m not … in mumu territory.” Not that mumus were bad, but Sharon didn’t really want to have to hide under a tent. She was still jogging, so she was really healthy.
“Mumu?” Riza asked, “I can’t say I’ve heard that term before” she admitted as she finished writing down the details for the bouquets.
“It’s the term they give to those big, tent-like dresses that sometimes pregnant women wear to hide the bump. Then again, I’m not sure pregnant women have actually worn them since the 1980’s, anyway.” Sharon laughed softly.
“Oh I see” she smiled, “Sorry, I’m not really in the know with things like pregnancy terms” she said apologetically, “Now latin plant names are a whole other ballgame, those I can rattle off anytime”
“That’s totally okay. I wasn’t, either. But you learn all this stuff really fast when you get pregnant unexpectedly.” Sharon admitted, then broke into a grin. “See, there we’re definitely different. I don’t know any of the latin names for plants.”
“Oh I imagine you do. There are loads of resources aren’t there, books, the internet and the like” Riza smiled, closing her order book, “Ah well, if you ever need to know that a daffodil is from the genus Narcissus I’m your woman”
Sharon laughed softly. “I’ll keep that in mind. So I can come pick those flowers up this weekend?” She asked. “Saturday afternoon? I’ll just keep them in water overnight until Easter?”
“Saturday afternoon is perfect. I’ll have instructions on the best way to keep them when you come and collect. I’ll be here, I usually am” she added with a grin, “I look forward to seeing you then”