katrisims | Myshuno: Not just the look

Prompt: New cake flavors for the bakery (biglenny)
Words: 696
Universe: canon Alphabetia, during chapter 39
Warnings: none

Every prompt written is more than zero prompts, and I got another one done. This is kind of a "how it really happened". Well, to be honest, I didn't really think of it when writing the chapter, and I think the impression is that Cho and Nicholas came up with the makeover + new products for the bakery all by themselves. But how I now see it is more like this maybe, and I think it still fits in with the chapter. Anyway, here it is!

"Well I'm still not completely happy about the look, I'd still want something a bit more... well... not radical per se, but something... something that's more of a change", explained Cho to her husband, waving her arms around in frustration.

Nicholas nodded. "I understand. A clear, noticeable change might attract more customers. I mean, the bakery is already quite popular, but I think we could do better yet." He leaned towards the dining table, looking through the numbers once again. "And while money isn't exactly a problem, I think we still shouldn't completely blow the budget."

"Exactly. I like what Dad did to the place, but I'd personally want to do something a bit more... noticeable, like you said. Only, I'm kind of out of ideas", she finally admitted.

"Me too", said Nicholas, shaking his head.

Right then, the door opened and Dirk walked in in his school uniform.

"Hi Mom, hi Nicholas", he said and dropped his school bag on one of the empty chairs.

"Hi sweetie", replied Cho, "how was school?"

"Okay. You know, the usual", Dirk said, shrugging. "What are you guys up to, the bakery again?" he asked, heading for the fridge.

"Yeah, only we aren't getting too far with it", said Nicholas as Dirk joined them at the table with a bag of cookies in one hand and a glass of milk in the other.

Dirk took some of the papers closest to him and examined them, munching a cookie. "So you are thinking about a makeover?" he asked. "Like, painting some walls and stuff?"

"Yeah", confirmed Nicholas. "We just can't find a plan we're happy with. I mean, they're nice enough, but somehow with all of them we have a feeling we should do something more, if you know what I mean."

"And at the same time, we wouldn't want to go overboard", Cho joined in. "Not only would it cost a lot of money, but it could also be too much for our customers."

Dirk nodded, then sat quietly for a moment, thinking. He took another cookie and a sip of milk. Cho suddenly thought of how endearing it was that her baby boy, a child yet in many ways, showed such serious interest in these adult things.

"Well..." Dirk started. "If you can choose a look that you like from these, maybe you don't have to do anything more radical with it."

"Uh huh?" said Nicholas, curious to hear what his step-son had in mind.

"I mean, if you want to change things more, why not think about the products? Not just the look. Maybe some new cake flavors, some nice designs, something like that. And we don't even have to make everything ourselves, we could order some of these new flavors from some nice, trustworthy place or so."

Cho and Nicholas exchanged a look. Not only was the idea good, they had also both noticed the pronoun "we", even if Dirk hadn't. They were proud and pleased.

Cho smiled at her son. "Actually, that sounds like a nice idea, sweetie. I think we'll have to think about it more in depth."

"Definitely", said Nicholas, nodding in agreement. "Thanks, kid."

Dirk looked happy. "Don't mention it. Anyway, I should go do my homework now. I promised Devon to call today, maybe we could hang out or something. Would it be okay if we went to the park for a few hours after dinner?"

"Sure, if Corinna says it's ok for Devon too. And don't stay too long, tomorrow's a school day."

"Okay, thanks Mom", said Dirk, stuffed the rest of his cookie into his mouth, stood up and put the rest of the cookie bag back in the fridge. Then he tossed his school bag on his shoulder, waved his hand and disappeared into the hall. Cho and Nicholas heard him head towards the kids' bedroom.

"Cho?" asked Nicholas, as his wife was looking after Dirk absorbed in thought.

"Yeah?"

"I think we should take him with us when we next go to the bakery. You know, to see how interested he really is."

Cho smiled and nodded. "Absolutely. I'm sure he'd like that. How about next Saturday?"