Having heard the bell of the Coffee Shop door ring and hearing voices she recognised, Lushie made her way to the shop front. She was right it was her boss, Don Isabella-Luciano and Elias entering. Lushie couldn't help but laugh at the poodle look that Elias was rocking. She was asked the type of pies she had on offer by Isabella, "A variety of fruit types, Apple, Plum - which is to die for!, Cherry and even mixed fruits. Can have ice-cream with it too if you wish. Naturally on the house for you two" Lushie replied as she grabbed a few more bags of crumbs to give to them. "In case you were wondering the 'gents' is over there, Elias", Lushie said in passing to him.

Lushie then pointed to the corner of the cafe, "Take a seat at the booth in the corner, you'll get privacy there" Lushie continued to say as she turned to speak to Jewel looking superb in the maids uniform, "Maybe you should sit too, don't want people thinking you're here to work! Again anything you wish to have, just ask one of the baristas" Lushie said as she handed menus to them all.

I giggled some, duh! I took a seat and thought if I was hungry or something, though I did not sit by the Don and Elias, so they could have privacy.. besides, seeing Elias panic if he saw me, would make me laugh too much...I smiled at them as I found a seat and decided on a soda or coffee or what...maybe a  soda would be better..a root beer sounded great, better yet  root beer float! 

I could not remember if I had even fed the ducks, all that comotion. The  seat was nice and cool, I was still warm from all the activity. When the barista came around, I ordered that root beer float.. a great combination. While I was waiting, I looked at the menu some more seeing what else they had here...so many goodies...I think Lushie should make some of these at the HQ... her donuts would be better I think than anyone else's.

A few days have gone by since some of The Tower members visited Lushie's park. 

Lushie had spent the afternoon at her Coffee Shop at Lakeside Park, baking a variety of goods. She has not really taken much time to herself during the day at all. She felt as if she had been on her feet the entire day. She decided to make herself a coffee to go,  a couple of ham and cheese sandwiches and a slice of fruit cake. She got the food wrapped up separately in paper bags and made her way out of the coffee shop to go for a walk around her park.

Lushie decided to walk up to the gardens to have a look at the flowers in bloom and to smell their sweet perfumed aromas as she passed them. The evening weather was lovely as the sun was beginning to set. She could see butterflies happily flying between the petals of the flowers. She finally got to a part of the gardens where she could take a sit down on a bench to enjoy her coffee and sandwiches, in the peace and tranquillity of her surroundings. After a busy afternoon in the cafe, it was bliss.

Enjoying the surroundings of the gardens and her sandwiches, she spotted Jewel walking in her direction. Lushie greeted her, she adored this lady a lot. Jewel suggested going out for dinner to their boss restaurant in Downtown.

"That sounds good, we could go later tonight? Make a night of it, get our best clothes on and our hair done up too, etc? Maybe see if anyone else would like to join us?" Lushie said to Jewel in reply. She invited her to sit down next to her and to share one of her sandwiches, "Would you like one? They're freshly made" she said offering over the paper bag with them in. 

"I think it was in New York" Lushie replied to Jewel, with regards to where Cali's Farmers Market was. "Lovely place, have been a few times" she carried on saying as the ladies carried on munching into their sandwiches.

They talked for a while before deciding to make tracks back to the headquarters at the lighthouse. They both got up from the bench at the gardens at Lakeside Park, and made their way through the gardens and out of the park in the direction of The Ivory Tower to get ready for the night out.

" Yes, you may just be right on that, new york sounds right. well, he has places all over." 

"I am famished, feeling like I haven't eaten all day....Blackhawk? I am not sure she will be there tonight, but her place does have great food".

Bianca "R2D2" walked into the Coffee Shop at Lakeside Park with her bodyguard Ricky D, and her sometimes lover Kitten.

A few weeks ago Ricky D told her that he'd been in Detroit and that this was a great place to get a cup of java or tea and she had a really bad craving for tea at the moment. It was her favorite comfort drink.

Linking her fingers with kittens, she brought them to her lips and kissed their entwined fingers before heading over to a table near the center of the room and sitting down with her people.
Kitten still blushing from the forwardness of Bianca said to her left, "I've missed you mon amour."

Kitten lifted her eyes enough to look at Bianca, but still managed to veil her eyes. She hated appearing needy, but she did miss Bianca. She missed their friendship most of all. She hoped that whatever was troubling her she would soon tell her so that she could fix it for her, some way... somehow.

R2D2 smiled or at least tried to, "I'm sorry Kitten. I can't talk about it right now, but just know that it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with... Him." She said at last.

Kitten took a deep breath, fuck. Her eyes became expressive with anger. There was only one him that she could possibly be talking about.

"When did he come back?" Kitten said.

R2D2 looked at Ricky D who stood behind her, providing her with the necessary strength she needed for this conversation. She turned her gaze back to Kitten before saying, "My grandfather held a meeting a few nights ago, and he was there." R2D2 closed her eyes and then opened them, "je t'aime, je ne peux pas te perdre." Kitten looks at Bianca, not with hurt, but with something much more devastating, conviction. "je ne vais pas vous partager Bianca. I will not fais le." She said.

Had been a few days since Lushie had visited her park to check in on the business, the previous time she had met her friend Jewel there and went to go treat themselves to dinner out.

It was still early in the day for Lushie, for once her body clock was within the correct timezone for her, she awoke to the sun rising and had that get up and go about her. Not wanting to wake the rest of the family up, she got up out of bed and got ready for the day quietly, before heading towards Lakeside Park. She had not had her first coffee of the day yet, her plan was to just take it at her Coffee Shop, where she can have it stronger. 

As she entered the park she was surprised to see many people were already within it, people cutting through, walking their dogs or simply enjoying the quietness it had to offer amongst nature. Lushie didn't totally use to this time of day with her late-night lifestyles. But today was different, she was seeing it from a different view. 

"Good Morning!" she said to everyone as she entered the Coffee Shop, as if she was singing it. She walked to behind the counter to check in with her baristas and to work out what she needed to do for the cafe this day. Lushie smiled, she could see her staff were on the ball and that things were running good, she didn't even have to ask as one of them proceeded to make her a coffee, just how she liked it, "Thank you darling", Lushie said as she was handed her cup. 

Lushie went to take a seat at one of her many tables to enjoy it with a copy of the daily newspaper, that was delivered to her establishment. "Perfect way to begin the day," she said to one of her ladies, Mary as she looked out of the window, overlooking the lake. Being a person who didn't adapt to changes well, this was one she felt she could adjust well too. 

During the time she was enjoying her beverage and paper, a couple entered the Coffee Shop. She had not seen them before as they sat at a table. They were very heavy in conversation, some of which was foreign to Lushie, she couldn't help but over here bits. She could see the baristas were rushed off their feet with the number of people coming in to get their morning drinks to take with them, to wherever they may need to go. So figured she'd take them their menus and welcome them to the cafe.

"Greetings, Sorry to interrupt, Welcome to the Coffee Shop", Lushie said to R2D2 and Kitten as she placed a couple of menus on the table and told them to take their time and mentioned that 'Mary' the barista would be at their beck and call, should they decide they wish anything. Lushie then walked over to Mary and told her she would be taking care of the couple in the middle.

She then went back to her own table to finish her coffee before she too had to get on with her day.

In town to visit her father one more time before the wedding, Isabella was making a point to stop at all her old haunts and no visit to Detroit could be complete without a visit to the Lakeside Park & Coffee Shop.  

Purchasing a cup of bread crumbs for old times sake she made her way out to the water's edge and found a seat on the bench where she could watch the ducks waddling about quacking happily.  Reaching into the cup she sprinkled some of the breadcrumbs on the ground and sighed.  The cool autumn breeze blew in off the lake and the leaves, not turning colors, swirled about her all over the ground.  Fall was here.  Had so much time really passed?

Nostalgia overtook Isabella as she sat quiet and alone, remember what felt like someone else's life.

Ahhh the lakeside.. I had not been in here since, well its been a while, and things have changed. I do still love this place.. good memories here too...As I opened the door, I looked up as the bell signaled my arrival. Smiling at the familiar staff I ordered my usual coffee, with hot cocoa .. my version of a cafe mocha, and a double chocolate chunk muffin, baked and made fresh of course. It was a chocolate kind of day. I hoped to see Lushie again, I missed that girl..thinking back to when there was the 4 of us,  and I was beating down Elias..ah, fun times those were. It was Lushie, Isabella, Elias and I...I pushed that from my mind, never to be forgotten tho.

It must still be early, there weren't too many in here, great service here no matter how many were here. I know, I need to get back to getting around the city. This motor city and city of motown. I placed my order, and found a nice seat, I could use a break, really. 

Getting to the front of the line GreyFox ordered a large cup of French vanilla coffee black and 2 Bismarck donuts to enjoy with his coffee. He paid and as he waited for his order he scanned the open seats and spotted one with a good view of the lake and upon receiving his order he kindly thanked the server and made his way to his desired seat. As GreyFox took a few bites of a donut he washed it down with a couple sips of his coffee enjoying the nice bold flavor while he looked out and enjoyed the scene of the lake at night as park lights reflected on top of the darkened waters. He smiled and sipped his coffee ignoring the other customers and thought to himself he'd need to do this more often. He quickly inhaled his delicious donuts then casually sat and finished his coffee with a grin.

Grosso had just arrived in Detroit after a long trip. he had taken the red eye flight and didn't get any sleep. Since his trip to Detroit was a short one he needed to get some coffee in him if he wanted to be anywhere close to productive. He strolled down the streets of Detroit looking for a place where he could enjoy a warm cup of brew. 

After a short walk and he saw the signs toward a place called Lakeside Park & Coffee Shop. The name was intriguing and he decided it was worth the travel. He called out for a cab and got a ride towards the park. The cab ride was not too long but the smell inside the cab was disturbing, Grosso was happy to breath in some nice fresh air when he arrived. As he got out of the cab he looked directly at the coffee shop. 

He entered the building and enjoyed the smell of fresh coffee. He walked up to the counter. 

"Good morning", Grosso said. "Could I have a fresh cup of coffee." the barista gave him a nod and turned around and started to brew the coffee. When she was done the coffee was handed to him with a smile. 

"Here you go sir", the barista said. Grosso smiled back and gave thanks. He took his cup of coffee outside, took a sip and enjoyed the view of the park.

Victoria had just gotten to the great Motor City, and had an important business to deal with tomorrow. But tomorrow was definitely the keyword here and she hurried over and decided to grab herself a cup of coffee in a cafe. The place was crowded and with beautiful surroundings, she even considered going to feed the ducks and was blessed when she figured that it was possible to buy the crumbs in there. 

"Hey there, I would like a bag of crumbs and a cup of coffee, please." She handed the money and left a big tip. Her smile even bigger when she got her items and could wander to the lake and feed some ducks and geese. This had been a favourite activity of hers for a very long time. Just wandering the natures of the world helped her relieve the stress on her mind and help her focus on other things beside of work and work once in a while. 

She walked a short bit and found herself going all over to the start of the blue lake. The sun stood high on the sky and all around the lake was pairs, parents and even people without partners aswell.

She kneeled down and gently placed her cup on the ground, while opening up the bag of bed crumbs. She grabbed a handfuld and threw it in the water, near a duck and her 8 ducklings. The mother duck was quick to swim over and grab some food and Victoria could not help but grin when watching the ducklings trying to imitate their mother.

Victoria watched as even more ducks tried to get their luck in getting some bread, so after drinking a sip of her coffee she grabbed yet another handful and threw it in the water. She made sure to not directly hit any one the anymals and after some time where she took sips of her coffee and threw in some crumbs in turn. 

Her mood failed her when she was going to take another sip and it ended way earlier than she had expected. Her mood failed her even more when she had only a small handful of crumbs left aswell, so Victoria threw it in and decided it was time to leave.

She packed up her stuff and left the lake, but made sure to make a mental note about the place, so she could come back again another time.

After having a beautiful steak at the steakhouse Viscorio was after some entertainment not long after searching he found "Lakeside Park & Coffee Shop"  reading the flyers outside of the entrance and was heavily interested in feeding some ducks. Heading over to the coffee shop taking in the wonderful views of such a treasury, it was a cold afternoon even with his jacket on the winds blowing trees swaying side to side. Stepping into the coffee shop the smell overwhelmed Viscorio he knew he had to try the coffee before heading out to feed the ducks, walking over to the front counter as the cashier smiles gently at Viscorio "Hello there sir what can I get for you today"

Looking at the menu even though he knew what he was going to get " Can I please get a cappuccino with 2 sugars along with 2 bags of duck food I have got to  feed those wonderful animals"

The cashier taking his order and hands Viscorio his bags of duck food and his number Viscorio takes a seat and waits patiently for his cup of coffee. Few moments pass when the waitress walks over to his table with the cup of coffee "Cappuccino with two sugars" the waitress places the cup of coffee on the table and picks up the number.  

The environment was surreal Viscorio sure was going to visit here again, finishing his cup of coffee Viscorio set out for the lake to feed the ducks. The stroll to the lake was magnificent, once reaching the lake Viscorio sits down on the bench and starts feeding the ducks until finishing the two bags, Sitting on the bench for a little while Viscorio notices the time and decides to head back home.

Kaeden was supposed to meet Lydia for coffee in Detroit this morning. Unfortunately, neither of them had specified what coffee shop, just the time that they would meet there. Kaeden figured he would take a guess and hope for the best. He headed down to the lobby of his hotel and jumped into one of the several waiting cabs. 

"Um, take me to the coffee shop?" He said to the driver.

The driver didn't ask any more questions, was there only one coffee shop in Detroit? Oh well, he figured he would just hope for the best and see if Lydia showed up at the same place. Next time they would have to plan this a little better. 

When the cab came to a stop Kaeden paid the man $0.75 and got out. 

"Whoa!"

Kaeden stood there amazed for a few minutes as he took this place in. It was more of a theme park than a coffee shop. There was different activities and people everywhere all along the lakefront. He spotted a sign along the walking path the read 'coffee -->' so he started walking that way. 

The coffee shop was a nice and relaxing atmosphere right on the water. Kaeden walked up to the counter and took a moment to look over the menu.

"Hmmm, I'll have a coffee, and a fruit cake please!" He said to the lady behind the counter.

"A slice?" She responded sounding confused as to why he wanted an entire cake.

"Um, no the whole thing please."  Kaeden said with a smile.

Kaeden paid and then took his cake and his coffee and found an empty table to eat and wait at.

Lydia had finally made it into Detroit, once off the plane she glanced at the clock on the wall just outside the bridge. *Shit, I’m already late.* She said to herself, see her flight got a little bit delayed coming from Las Vegas so it pushed everything back. She was supposed to meet Kaeden here for coffee, that’s when it hit her they never narrowed down a place. How the hell was she supposed to find him in a city of this size? 

With a shrug she made her way out of the airport and hailed a cab.

”Where to miss?l

”Uhm... I’m supposed to meet someone for coffee and he never told me where. How many coffee shops are there in Detroit?” 

The man laughed before answering 

“My dear there are too many to count but I’ll tell you what, I’ll take you to my favorite place and we will start from there. Ok?”

Lydia smiled and nodded, she hoped somehow his favorite place was the actual place. She sat there in the backseat looking out the window as the cab was driving. It was a pretty city, lots of people her hopes for finding Kaeden in all this commotion were high but the reality of actually finding him was starting to set in. Suddenly the cab came to a stop.

”Alright miss this is Lakeside Park and Coffee Shop, it’s the nicest place around. You can pay me now and go have a look, I’ll wait here for a little bit but if you don’t come back out in a couple minutes I’ll assume you’re not coming back out.”

Lydia reached into her pocket and took out a dollar, handing it to the man. 

“Sounds good.”

She opened the door and stepped out of the car, the moment she closed the door the man in the cab sped away. A look of confusion went across her face, “didn’t he just...” Lydia said to herself before shrugging it off. She turned back around to look at the place, it was magnificent Kaeden had to be here, this had to be the place she just knew it. 

She made her way over to the coffee shop part and glanced through the window, that’s when she spotted him. He was practically face first in some sort of cake, not just a piece either but the whole damn thing. Lydia knocked on the glass to get his attention.

Kaeden heard a knock on the glass beside him which temporarily broke his focus on his delicious cake. He looked up and saw Lydia standing outside behind the window. Kaeden waved and then pointed at his cake while talking.   

"You should try the cake! It's so good!" He said

Lydia just signaled with her hands that she couldn't hear a word he was saying. She walked around to the front door and into the cafe. She came over to his table before going to order.

"That's a lot of cake... guess I found the right place though!"  She started to say before Kaeden interrupted her. 

"The fruit cake is amazing! You should try it!" He blurted out excitedly. 

Lydia just laughed at Kaeden, before heading up to the counter herself. He must have looked ridiculous sitting there with a coffee and an entire cake. He was starving though and the cake had just looked so damn tasty... 

Lydia shook her head and chuckled to herself as she walk away from the table. It was the most ridiculous sight she’s seen all day, he was literally face deep into the cake. On his behalf though it did look good but she was more interested in some coffee. 

She made her way over to the counter, patiently waited for the person in front of her to finish ordering then ordered a cup of coffee when it was her time to order. She placed the money on the counter while the lady was off making her order. 

“Here you go miss, one coffee.” 

Lydia reached out, taking it from her. The smell instantly hit her nose making all her sense perk up, she opened the lid to take a sip but with the amount of heat radiating from the cup she decided against it. She looked back at the lady who was smiling at her. 

“Enjoy your coffee.”

”Oh I will once it’s not lava hot, by the way can I get a fork?”

”A fork? You can drink coffee with a fork.” 

Lydia laughed, if she would have had coffee in her mouth it so would have gone all over the place. 

“No no no... you see that guy over there?”

She nudged her head in Kaeden direction, he was still powering down the fruit cake. 

“Yeah that guy who’s devouring one of my famous fruit cakes.”

”Yeah, that guy. Well he doesn’t know this but he’s gonna share some of that with me.”

The lady chuckled before reaching under the counter pulling out a fork and handing it to Lydia. 

“Good luck with, if you lose a finger it’s not my fault.” The lady said before waking off to help someone else.

Lydia smiled and brought her coffee to her lips taking a small sip. It was still lava hot though and needed to cool some good thing for her she could let it cool while she had a couple bites of that fruit cake. She made her way to where Kaeden was sitting and took a seat, she placed her coffee down first then the fork. Kaeden immediately noticed the fork and stopped eating.