Outside of the diner, it was freezing. A fine layer of ice shone on the pathways, and snow sat on the grass. But inside, it was warm and cozy. The smell of coffee and hot breakfast was welcoming, and the warm air and cheery atmospheren delighting. In the middle booth sat an attractive young woman. She had prominant cheek bones that made her look delicate yet fierce and raw. Her lips were full, coated with red, and placed perfectly against her pale skin. Above her cheek bones sat two deep hazel eyes, brimmed with dark lashes, and shaded by a black fringe. The rest of her hair fell down her shoulders in loose, curling, black waves. Her figure was clothed in a cream long sleeve v-neck, fitting her perfectly. She had a black scarf, on the seat beside her, with a fashionable brown coat that had six black buttons down the front, and a deep collar. In one arm she cradled something in a soft, blue blanket. A small, round, pink face showed through the folds of the blanket, scrunched up in peaceful sleep. The only other signs of a baby were from her open black purse, which showed diapers, bottles of milk, and a pacifier or two. She was studying the writing on her ipad, reading with a slight frown on her brown. She ran a hand along her thigh, covered in dark denim, and then to the top of her brown suade boots, almost to her knees. She sighed, and leant back, picking up her coffee and taking a sip, glancing outside at the buffering wind playing with snow drifts.

Ben came walking in fast from the outside cold. He brushed the snow off of himself and took off his jacket. He had on jeans with some DC shoes and a green short-sleeved shirt. He ran a hand through his hair and went over to a barstool. He ordered a coffee and poured in cream and one sugar when it came. He took a sip of coffee. He could feel it flow down to his toes then spring back up into his mouth. He sighed, warm again. He looked around the diner. It wasn't nearly full, but not quiet empty. He sighed again, taking another sip of coffee before taking out a laptop and searching around for horses that were for sale.

Virginias eyes just flickered to the door when the bell twanged and ben came in, and then back to the tablet. She sighed, typing out, stopping when a soft wail came from the infant in her lap, growing to a climax. She reached over to her purse, but it slipped off the padded bench, spilling contents onto the floor, which made the child cry louder. "Shh, shh." She cooed, trying to recover her purse and baby bottles.

Ben looked over at the crying baby and the things spilled over the floor, "Here, let me help." He picked up some items off the ground.

She smiled. The expression gentled her features, softening the fierceness. "Thank you." Her voice was musical and clear. She sat up, gently trying to soothe the baby, tempting him with a bottle. He took it, drinking the warm milk. Her hazel eyes flicked up and met Bens. The scent of wild cherry blossoms emanated from her skin, combined with the smell of sweet perfume.

He met her eyes when she met his and he gently breathed in the scent, admiring it. "Sure thing." He turned around and walked back to the barstool, sitting down and taking another drink of his coffee.

She hated how her eyes lingered on his figure as he turned to walk away, so she wrenched them from him and back to her e-mail. She tapped 'send', and switched pages. She finished the last sip of coffee when the waitress came back. "Hey Virginia. Another mug? And some breakfast?" Virginia nodded, and the waitress smiled and tottered off, to the chef, saying "Virginia." And moving off to make coffee. Obviously, she was a regular.

Ben swiviled around to face her. "So your not new here huh? Is the food good?"

She looked up, startled. "Oh, yeah. I used to come here when my mother was still around. The foods good as you'll get around here." She ran her finger around the rim of her coffee mug. "So you are new around here?"

"Yeah. I just moved here. I'm Ben by the way."

"Virginia." She replied, pulling the blanket around the infantas face so he stayed warm.

"Its good to meet you Virgina." He smiled at her charmingly and a twinkle shone in his eyes.

She bit the inside of her lip as she flashed a smile back. "Yeah, nice to meet you too." She paused for a moment. "If you want," she gestured to the empty opposite bench. Why did you do that, you fool! she scolded herself mentally.

He grinned, "Are you sure, or are you just being polite?" He flashed her a smile.

She laughed. "I haven't talked with someone in quite a long time. It would be a relief." She glanced up as the waitress came over, smiling, putting down a mug of steaming coffee, and plate with toats and honey, eggs, and bacon. "If there's anything else we can do..." She smiled kindly. Virginia shook her head. "I'm doing the best I can. I think the stud might be starting to get up." The waitress smiled, saying "hopefully." As she walked away. Virginia glanced back at Ben, and then checked her son was okay, removing the empty bottle, and gently stroking one as he drifted to sleep again.

He grinned, gently sliding into the booth, careful not to be loud. "What's his name?"

She glanced up. "Oh, its John. Johnathan Lancet. He's named after my brother." She said the last word softly, almost as if it pained her.

He nodded, unsure what to say, so he said nothing, instead he took a drink of his coffee.

She leaned her chin on her fist. "Do you want anything?" She asked, gesturing at the plate, exciting the page on her ipad and revealing a photo of a striking arab paint mare.

"Oh no thanks, I'm good." He looked at the photo, "Is that your horse?"

She took a sip of coffee, and then nodded. "Her names heroine. I helped foal her." She took a bite of toast. "Do you have a horse?"

"Yeah, StormRunner. He's an Arabian/andalusion cross."

She nodded. "I have two Andalusian studs. They're brothers, but ones white and the others bay."

He smiled "Storm's a jumper, grey."

"Mine are both professional grade Dressage horses." She took a bite of toast. "But I have many breeds in many sports. All standing stud. I own Lancet Stud."